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

Far from dissatisfying!!

Love maxwell and king!! Can not wait to read the next ones as soon as possible!

Well done and entertaining

A well written story that has hints of historical and truthiness built in but the author knows when to leave reality to create entertainment. Well narrated as well.

Kept me awake listening

Simple Genius is a work of art. There were characters that kept me awake nights. Just when I thought I had it figured out--bam-the story twisted me around and I was off again into a maze of suspence and intrigue.
Well written and I am now a fan of Michelle and Sean. Give me more of this great team--and never let them part.
Scott Brick's narration of this or any other book cast a spell over me. The man is pure talent.

Weak character development

This was my first book by this author and I was disappointed. The main problem I had was that the character development was weak. The main characters were willing to die for others and the book barely developed the relationship or the other characters. Sean and Mic go on a suicide mission for Vigi when they hardly know the girl!
The main characters are private investigators, for hire, and they are basically going on a suicide mission and breaking into a CIA camp??? Silly assumptions and difficult to believe.

I thought this book had some good action at a few points but it was poorly stitched together.
I have to agree with some of the other reviews and say this book was hard to believe at points and not worth listening to or reading.

I wouldn't recommend it given the much better choices out there. For example, read Michael Connelly's book Echo Park and you'll see the clear difference between a well written book and one which was thrown together.

Excellent

This book kept it interesting all the way through. I loved not being able to predict everything and being surprised at every stage.

Great book but music annoying

Loved the interesting story but the music at the beginnings and endings of some chapters was unnecessary and weird.

True David Baldacci

David Baldacci never lets you down and the King & Maxwell series is among his best. As always, you're kept on the edge of your seat!

Simply Wonderful

The interweaving of two drama's keeps you on pins and needles throughout the book. These two (King and Maxwell) make a delightful pair. Keep these stories coming with this narrator!

Good read

Hey, when you can mix in the CIA, FBI, German POW's, lost treasurers, kidnapping, and general mayhem, it can't be all bad.

Good, but not great!

A decent story, obviously took a bunch of research. It did hold my interest most of the time...marginally. It also put me to sleep a couple of times...there were elements that, at least for me, were monotonous. If I were grading it, I'd give it 85-90% (B).