Memory Man

by David Baldacci          

           

Amos Decker’s life has had two defining moments: when he died twice on a football field, and when his wife and daughter are murdered. The first left him with a mind that recalls everything that happens to him. The second destroyed his life.

Over a year after the murder of his family, their deaths remain unsolved, until a man walks into the police station and confesses to the murders. As Decker tries to come to grips with this, a school shooting paralyzes the town. Decker, now a private investigator is asked by his old boss to assist the police in finding the school shooter. Decker soon realizes that the shooting and his family’s murder are connected, and the connection is Decker.

You have to wonder where the fertile mind of David Baldacci comes up with his characters. Most of them are not someone you would meet on the street, or ever know. Almost all of them have their quirks, and his latest is no exception. Amos Decker is an obese ex-detective, working as a private investigator and living, just barely, in a room at a local motel. As the main character in what is being billed as a new series by Baldacci, Amos Decker is the antithesis of a hero. He’s anti-social, lacks empathy and in general doesn’t like being around people. In fact, it could be argued that he displays some Asperger symptoms. Yet, in spite of Decker’s flaws, Baldacci manages to make him a highly likable character.

Memory Man may be Baldacci’s best novel yet. This is a novel that grips the reader early and never lets up until the final crescendo. I suggest not planning on having a life while reading this, because you won’t. Yes, it’s that good.

Buy this book and plan to lose a weekend.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.