Simple Genius

By: David Baldacci

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 13 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Former Secret Service agents turned private investigators Sean King and Michelle Maxwell have seen their lives splinter around them. Michelle lies unconscious in a hospital bed after a night of suicidal violence. And Sean is forced to take on a thankless investigation into the murder of a scientist just inside the CIA's razor-wire fence near Williamsburg, Virginia.

Soon he is uncovering layers of disinformation that shields a stunning world of elite mathematicians, physicists, war heroes, spies, and deadly field agents. Amid murder, a seemingly autistic girl's extraordinary genius, and a powerful breakthrough in the realm of classified codes, Sean learns enough to put his life at risk. Now, he needs Michelle, at her best, to help stop a conspiracy of traitors operating in the shadow of the White House itself.

From Michelle's courageous struggle to defeat her long-buried personal demons to a centuries-old secret that surfaces in the heat of the action, Simple Genius pulses with stunning, high-intensity suspense. The heroes of Split Second and Hour Game are back as you've never seen them before.

Download the accompanying reference guide. And Don't miss the previous exploits of this dynamic duo in Split Second and Hour Game.

©2007 Columbus Rose, Ltd (P)2007 Hachette Audio

Excellent story

I really loved this book, as I have all the Baldacci books I've read. Definitely recommend this for a great work of fiction.

With a different twist

This was not just another Michelle and Sean triller. It is another example of David Baldacci's ability to present ever greater depths to his characters, their lives and how it all weaves into an engrossing thriller and mystery.

I find myself looking forward to Mr Baldacci's next book with great anticipation.

Awesome!

Best book I have listened to. Kept my interest 100% of the time AND it is an excellent story line with unexpected twists and turns. Well written.

Overall Disappointed

Scott Brick's reading was subpar. It felt as if he wasn't really well engaged, and there wasn't much complexity to his characters' emotions. I felt the story stalled at various points, and more than a little, it seemed like Mr. Baldacci was just filling pages needlessly. This is from a reader who doesn't mind slow-moving plots at all. King and Mitchell seemed too dense and unaware a few too many times during the story, and Mitchell's knee jerk anger was frustrating at times.

Normal to less than usual

I have read almost every Baldacci novel. I have been impressed to the very end with all except one. The one that had nothing to do with the FBI, CIA, or Secret Service.
Simple Genius was not as unpredictable and slightly less spell bounding. I did enjoy the novel though. It had a nice plotline with a good twist. The characters were well written and believable. The book as a whole was good, but when I read Baldacci I am looking for GREAT.

Music destroys storyhighly dis

Terrible music ruins. story. Music between chapters was distracting. felt like soap opera, highly disappointed .

Certainly different

Many readers didn’t like this story.. I found it interesting but also disappointing.. I cannot say much else without revealing things in the story but I will say Dr. H should’ve told her the truth

Favorite of the series so far

This novel brought more depth to Maxwell and King but left out some of the playfulness I’ve come to enjoy from their teamwork. Out of all the Baldacci series, this series has been more convoluted but still enjoyable and fun to listen to.

Not as good as the first two in this series

I just could not believe the premise that Michelle was suffering depression and doubting her abilities because of her experience with the serial killer in the previous book. The whole mental institution thing was just too far out of character, and seemed like filler to me. This was the first book where King does not solve the mystery. Stuff just happens "to" them in the story, rather than any real crime solving going on. So very different from what I expected. The CIA story was pretty far fetched especially with the torture scenes near the end. I wish I had skipped this one, but will move on to the next and hope it picks back up.

Good story and scary thoughts at the end

While this is a work of fiction it leaves you wondering at the end; can this really happen?

This is an intriguing story and Mr. Baldacci keeps you moving forward, anxious for the end and hoping it is slow in coming. Enjoy!