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

Well worth your time and money

Baldacci has a knack for both character development and story telling. His reprise of Sean and Michelle are also most welcome. Add to the mix an excellent job by the reader and you have an audio book well worth your time and money.

Better than average

The first third of this book was slow, and somewhat boring. However, I will say that it really picked up and had an exciting second half. I enjoyed the last two hours so much that I listened to it straight through. However, unless you want to read every Baldacci book with Sean and Michelle I would stick with only the First Family, and Split Second. The middle two books were so-so. As a suggestion, Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch books are better, in my opinion. Little different genre (police detective) but at least I didn't find myself falling asleep while I was listening to them!

Story 5 stars. Language 0 stars. Profanity

Sad that an excellent story line was diminished by distracting profanity. While such language unfortunately fits right in with current culture... it, neverthless, brings caution about purchasing subsequent titles from the author.

First disappointing book from Baldacci

Story starts slow and not what I expected from Baldacci. He is by far my favorite author and I love the King and Maxwell series but this one starts out as a disappointment with the self destructive behavior of Michell that seemed out of character. I hung in and the story came alive to what I have expected from Baldacci.

"Simple Genius " another great Baldicci book

Would you listen to Simple Genius again? Why?

I will probably listen to this 2 more times by years end

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The plot was a steady builder

Any additional comments?

Baldacci writes great series books just like Ludlem, Grisham, Follett and others

Very suspenseful

Kept my interest throughout. Story kept me on my toes and I didn't know what was coming in the next section.

Better than the 2nd book

I found this book to be more enjoyable than the last because I felt it didn't suffer from the silly spots that plagued that book. In this book Maxwell is having a very bad time and that gets a bit trying. King and Maxwell just aren't doing it for me. I have listened to other books read by Scott Brick, some that I really enjoyed the narration of, so I don't think Scott is the issue. Though it is possible that he isn't helping the story wow me. Anyway, I went and bought every Baldacci paperback I could find after listening to Zero Day and The Innocent: A Novel. I am probably done with King and Maxwell. Still looking forward to his other books.

Entertaining, but not great

I like David Baldacci books but found this one disappointing. This one, the third of the King & Maxwell series, didn't seem to have the same plot twists or story that I've come to expect from Baldacci books. I like Baldacci books because a lot of them seem based in reality to some degree, but parts of this one seemed completely ridiculous.

The narration by Scott Brick was excellent as usual, and kept me in engaged in listening to the store.

Very interesting book

Very interesting book. Always enjoy Scott Brick performance as reader. Will be listening to the next book in the series.

Very good audio book

Even though this one is a sequel to another book that I did not know, it itself is fascinating. The Simple Genius combines the thriller with several levels of conflicts and some interesting introductions to various cyphering themes. Once you strat, it is hard to stop, and the main ending is also very good. The last few chapters became a bit weak, but it does not affect the total satisfaction of the book.