Audiobook Review: Nash Falls by David Baldacci

 

Nash Falls (Walter Nash #1) by David Baldacci

Publication Date: November 11th 2026 by Hachette Audio

Pages: 400

Audio Book Length: 12hrs 54min

Narrators: MacLeod Andrews, Christine Lakin, Larry Herron, Shiromi Arserio, Will Collyer

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Walter Nash’s comfortable, privileged life is turned upside down when the FBI approaches him for inside information on the company he works for. Apparently, Sybaritic Investments is involved with some very shady dealings on a high level.

 

Walter begins his own investigations to verify that he’s not being taken in by some scheme and discovers some very disturbing information that puts him and his family in danger. Things go downhill quickly. He gets help through a contact of his estranged father, an unexpected ally.

 

I felt bad for Walter as his life is upended through no fault of his own! Walter is a smart cookie but didn’t really question things in his work and life being so caught up in his career. I was happy to see that change. Things end in a thrilling conclusion, a “to-be-continued” sort of situation. I have some suspicions that one thing may not be as it seems. I’m hoping, anyhow. I look forward to the next installment, Hope Rises, which releases April 14^th. Very soon!

 

I listened to the audio version which was a treat with the full cast of narrators! All performed their parts throughout the book which made each character distinct and enhanced my enjoyment!

4 Stars

Book Description:

When Walter Nash is recruited by the FBI to help bring down a global crime network his life is turned completely upside down in this thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author David Baldacci.

Nash is an intelligent man, tough but fair-minded. He has a wife and a daughter and a very high-level position at Sybaritic Investments, where his innate skills and dogged tenacity have carried him to the top of the pyramid in his business career. Despite never going on grand adventures, and always working too many hours, he has a happy and upscale life with his family.

However, following his estranged Vietnam-veteran father’s funeral, Nash is unexpectedly approached by the FBI in the middle of the night. They have an important request: become their inside man to expose an enterprise that is laundering large sums of money through Sybaritic. At the top of this illegal operation is Victoria Steers, an international criminal mastermind that the FBI has been trying to bring down for years.

Nash has little choice but to accept the FBI’s demands and try to bring Steers and her partners to justice. But when Steers discovers that Nash is working with the FBI, she turns the tables on him in a way he never could have contemplated. And that forces Nash to take the ultimate step both to survive and to take his revenge: He must become the exact opposite of who he has always been.
And even that may not be enough.

Review: Mercy by David Baldacci

 

Mercy (Atlee Pine #4) by David Baldacci

Publication Date: November 16th 2021 by Grand Central Publishing

Pages: 432

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

FBI Agent Atlee Pine’s twin sister was abducted when they were six years old, and Altee has never stopped searching for her.  Since the last book Atlee has been on leave from the Bureau, with their blessing and resources, to follow up on the crucial leads she’s found. With the help of her trusty assistant Carol Blum, they’re finally getting somewhere!

I read the book in one 24-hour period because I had to know how it all turned out! It was a harrowing journey at times, and painful to read in spots as what happened to Mercy is recounted.  The story was action packed and boy were there some tough situations, but just when I thought Atlee was backed into a corner she couldn’t get out of, she came out fighting!

Mercy is the fourth book in the Atlee Pine series and I’m so happy to finally have all the answers and closure! It was a satisfying conclusion to a thrilling series. Total recommend!

4 Stars

Book Description:

FBI Agent Atlee Pine’s harrowing search for her long-lost sister Mercy reaches a boiling point in this breakneck thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author David Baldacci. 
 
For her entire life, FBI agent Atlee Pine has been searching for her twin sister, Mercy, who was abducted at the age of six and never seen again. Mercy’s disappearance left behind a damaged family that later shattered beyond repair when Atlee’s parents inexplicably abandoned her.
 
Now, after a perilous investigation that nearly proved fatal, Atlee has finally discovered not only the reason behind her parents’ abandonment and Mercy’s kidnapping, but also the most promising breakthrough yet: proof that Mercy survived her abduction and then escaped her captors many years ago. 
 
Though Atlee is tantalizingly close to her family at last, the final leg of her long road to Mercy will be the most treacherous yet. Mercy left at least one dead body behind before fleeing her captors years before. Atlee has no idea if her sister is still alive, and if so, how she has been surviving all this time. When the truth is finally revealed, Atlee Pine will face the greatest danger yet, and it may well cost her everything.

Review: Daylight by David Baldacci

 

Daylight (Atlee Pine #3) by David Baldacci

Publication Date: November 17th 2020 by Grand Central Publishing

Pages: 432

Audio Book Length: 11 hrs 37 min

Narrators: Brittany Pressley & Kyf Brewer

Source: Publisher & Purchased Audiobook

Rating: ★★★★

Link: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Audible | Libro.fm | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Atlee Pine is searching for answers in the abduction of her twin sister, thirty years earlier. Her sister, Mercy was taken, and Atlee was left, but assaulted and almost died. The events shattered her family and is one of the chief reasons she became an FBI agent. All three books have taken us a little closer to the truth of that night, but the focus of each story is divided into that ongoing mystery and a new mystery Atlee which is solved by the end.

I won’t spoil the series by detailing the progress in her search for answers about her sister and family, but I will say that it doesn’t fully resolve by the end of Daylight. Honestly, I was a little disappointed by that, but even so, Daylight was a captivating read! Murder and political corruption are at the center of this mystery, and this time in addition to her intrepid FBI assistant Carol Blum she has John Puller as a partner in tracking down these evil people. Lots of action and danger with them barely coming away with their lives had me on edge of my seat!

So far, there’s been no serious romance for Atlee, but I have hope (hopeless romantic here) that along with the truth, Atlee will find someone special. There was the possibility in the last book, but nothing concrete happened however something may come of it in the coming book (s?).  

Atlee is my hero! She’s one badass having been an Olympic weightlifter and MMA competitor, she has the muscle and skill to take on the nastiest fights, and she has no problem fighting dirty when necessary! She’s a champion for victims and can’t stand to walk away when she should be focusing on her own investigation.

This series is best read in order.

I alternately listened and read the book, and the audio was fantastic! Brittany Pressley’s strong, calm voice made Atlee come alive, and I love that Kyf Brewer performed all the male parts. I listened at 1.3x normal speed.

 4 Stars

Review: The Christmas Train by David Baldacci

The Christmas Train by David Baldacci

Published November 1st 2004 by Warner Books

Disillusioned journalist Tom Langdon must get from Washington D.C. to L.A in time for Christmas. Forced to travel by train, he begins a journey of rude awakenings, thrilling adventures and holiday magic. He has no idea that the locomotives pulling him across America will actually take him into the rugged terrain of his own heart, as he rediscovers people's essential goodness and someone very special he believed he had lost.


The Christmas Train is filled with memorable characters who have packed their bags with as much wisdom as mischief ... and shows how we do get second chances to fulfill our deepest hopes and dreams, especially during this season of miracles.

My Thoughts
Tom Langdon is a war correspondent who has decided to take a train cross country from Washington DC to California to spend the Christmas holidays with his girlfriend. During this adventurous excursion, he meets a cast of eclectic characters that make the journey memorable and exciting. Most importantly, Tom runs into someone that left an impression on his life and regret in his heart. When the folks aboard the Amtrak come together to make holiday wishes come true, this might just prove to be a Christmas Tom won’t soon forget.

I’ve never read a novel by David Baldacci before, so The Christmas Train was my first encounter with this author. Overall, I feel it's a great story to dive into when the weather turns cold and the Christmas lights are on.

The Christmas Train has an eclectic cast of characters that each play a vital role in bringing this story to life. With an added element of mystery and a small dash of romance, I couldn't have asked for anyone more for the holiday season. Lovely!

3 Suns