Hell's Corner

By: David Baldacci

Narrated by: Ron McLarty, Orlagh Cassidy

Length: 14 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Oliver Stone and the Camel Club return in number-one best-selling author David Baldacci's most stunning adventure yet.

An attack on the heart of power...
In sight of the White House...
At a place known as...

Hell's Corner.

John Carr, a.k.a. Oliver Stone - once the most skilled assassin his country ever had - stands in Lafayette Park in front of the White House, perhaps for the last time. The president has personally requested that Stone serve his country again on a high-risk, covert mission. Though he's fought for decades to leave his past career behind, Stone has no choice but to say yes.

Then Stone's mission changes drastically before it even begins. It's the night of a state dinner honoring the British prime minister. As he watches the prime minister's motorcade leave the White House that evening, a bomb is detonated in Lafayette Park, an apparent terrorist attack against both leaders. It's in the chaotic aftermath that Stone takes on a new, more urgent assignment: find those responsible for the bombing.

British MI-6 agent Mary Chapman becomes Stone's partner in the search for the unknown attackers. But their opponents are elusive, capable, and increasingly lethal; worst of all, it seems that the park bombing may just have been the opening salvo in their plan. With nowhere else to turn, Stone enlists the help of the only people he knows he can trust: the Camel Club. Yet that may be a big mistake.

In the shadowy worlds of politics and intelligence, there is no one you can really trust. Nothing is really what it seems to be. And Hell's Corner truly lives up to its name. This may be Oliver Stone's and the Camel Club's last stand.

©2010 David Baldacci (P)2010 Hachette Audio

Can't quit listening!

Exquisite! I can't wait for the next Camel Club adventure! Baldacci is the best. Please keep them coming!

Not a good first book

I got this book as part of a $5 purchase deal. I have liked other David Baldacci books and I might have liked this one if I'd read all of the books leading up to it. Still I'm not sure because the references to the past don't sound like anything I'd like to have read my way through. The reader is good enough but very matter of fact. It largely strikes me as a guys' book. It's not that the women are weak or one dimensional but I just don't like the people much and that tends to happen more often in books written by men than in books written by women. I don't like to show such a gender bias. I don't like all books written by women or dislike all books written by men. Still, when I dislike a book by a man I can seldom pinpoint why. I wish I could be more helpful, for example, Dick Francis is one of my favorite writers, but in his mind men just are likely to have non committed sex while married. That bothers me. Similarly, Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum is in love with two guys, Ranger and Joe. At times in the series she has sex with both of them, though in her defense she isn't married and is not quite in a committed relationship with Joe. But the double standard exists. If we were to read that Joe was having sex with someone other than Stephanie we would be incensed. Especially if it was Joyce. Not that I've heard anyone in this book having sex with anyone (so far, and from the middle of the second part, I doubt that I will finish the book) I'm just trying to give all of you some idea of what I do/don't care for in books in hopes that this will help you evaluate the relevancy of my review to your reading tastes.

In summary: If my review strikes a responsive note with you, don't read the book. If it doesn't turn you off on the book, read the other Camel Club books before reading this one. There's too much insider information that you don't know if you start here, and there's too much spoiler information to go back and read the earlier books after this one. It was a bad book to have on a sale page because of those facts. It's ok to have several books from a series but some series don't work well if you come in in the middle.

Absolutely Brilliant

This is, by far, my favorite Baldacci novel and I've read almost all of them. The spellbinding plot and memorable characters hook one from the beginning in Layfayette Park!! Ron McLarty is a wonderful reader, adding an additional level of suspense and charm. Fingers crossed there's more Oliver Stone books in Baldacci's imagination.

Great Series

I am fairly new to David Baldacci's works, but I have become a fan. I love his character development, even when flawed. And it is thoroughly enjoyable to have atrong, intelligent and capable female figures. And I love his hint of sentimental reflections and endings. I also have fallen in love with the Ron Mcclarty-Olag Cassidy narration. This book is no exception, and the whole series is great -- can't wait for a future Stone installment.

All the reasons I love Baldacci novels

Would you consider the audio edition of Hell's Corner to be better than the print version?

Audio edition is excellent, have not read the book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Hell's Corner?

So many moments, hard to chose. With all the twists and turns probably the assignation attempt on the two Presidents lives.

Have you listened to any of Ron McLarty and Orlagh Cassidy ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened to other performances and this just might be one of the best. I like the way they seem to interact with each other.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

An action thriller filled with twists and turns.

Baldacci's best

Always a fan of "The Camel Club", I expected a good read. This is better than that. It has you hanging on every word and sad when you hear the last sentance, because it is over. Very, very, well done.

Hope

Would you consider the audio edition of Hell's Corner to be better than the print version?

No

What did you like best about this story?

Best series I have listened to

Which scene was your favorite?

The entire book

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I couldn't shut off the book

Any additional comments?

I hope that Oliver returns.

tremendous story.

I so look forward to another Baldacci novel. He never disappoints me. One of my favorite writers.

Loved it!!

Love this series and this book was one of the best! So many twists and turns I was really surprised.

One of the best

The best part if this story is the narrators. Two of the best Rob Mclarty and Orlagh Cassidy
Great story must confess knew all along the ending suspected from beginning but story had so many twists and turns great plot great story