One Good Deed

De: David Baldacci

Narrado por: Edoardo Ballerini

In this fast-paced historical thriller, the number one New York Times best-selling author introduces Archer, a WWII veteran forced to investigate a small-town murder - or risk returning to prison.

It's 1949. When war veteran Aloysius Archer is released from Carderock Prison, he is sent to Poca City on parole with a short list of dos and a much longer list of don'ts: do report regularly to his parole officer, don't go to bars, certainly don't drink alcohol, do get a job - and don't ever associate with loose women.

The small town quickly proves more complicated and dangerous than Archer's years serving in the war or his time in jail. Within a single night, his search for gainful employment - and a stiff drink - leads him to a local bar, where he is hired for what seems like a simple job: to collect a debt owed to a powerful local businessman, Hank Pittleman.

Soon Archer discovers that recovering the debt won't be so easy. The indebted man has a furious grudge against Hank and refuses to pay; Hank's clever mistress has her own designs on Archer; and both Hank and Archer's stern parole officer, Miss Crabtree, are keeping a sharp eye on him.

When a murder takes place right under Archer's nose, police suspicions rise against the ex-convict, and Archer realizes that the crime could send him right back to prison...if he doesn't use every skill in his arsenal to track down the real killer.

©2019 David Baldacci (P)2019 Hachette Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Listeners will find Archer, as performed by Ballerini, an appealing character.... Ballerini expertly differentiates the many characters, male and female." (AudioFile Magazine)

Best of Baldacci

I've read almost all of David Baldacci's books and found his newest book to be my favorite and I am hoping that he will continue his Archer books. I loved the time period in which he set the book and the main character. It was obvious that he had done his research into the language, social history and cultural happenings of the time period. His supporting characters in the book contributed greatly to the story line and they each added to the plot and subplots. The narrator was also excellent for the book and I hope that he will continue in any future Archer books. I'm looking forward to the next book!

Sam Hammer

Stayed true to it's 40s/50s feel for both content and style. Honestly irritated me intermittently, but the characters were more in tune with my attitude and upbringing. That was refreshing. Couldn't help that I was listening to Murder Mystery Theater.

Fun, Retro Read

Bald SCCU has outdone himself in a new (to me) genre. Richly borrowing idiomatic cliches from my young adulthood (I’m 89), he weaved an intriguing plot and brought back memories at the same time.
I remember well when Luck Strike green went to war, when men wore their felt geotags and tipped them politely, and chauvinism was de rigueur for well-raised gentlemen.
Always enjoy this author.
Ellis Traub

couldn't stop listening

This story is charming in that it is set in the late 1940s so there's a treat with every figurative turn of the page, whether it's doing a day's work for a dollar or having never heard of Las Vegas or a Miranda warning. The lack of forensic police work is a bit jarring as well - as is the casual atmosphere of the courtroom, where rules of evidence and testimony are ignored with a shrug of the shoulders by judge and prosecutor. Though it's a murderer mystery, I was too busy being charmed by the characters and the quaintness of the culture by comparison to the early 21st century to spend much time worrying about figuring out who dunnit. The delivery by the narrator managed somehow to evoke the post WWII atmosphere that pervades this novel. Highly recommended as an entertaining story filled with compelling characters living in a time that is portrayed as being much simpler.

Worth a read

Always enjoy David Baldacci. This period piece was difficult to put down. Worth a read.

Would make a decent movie

I think I would have rather read the book than listened to it, there were some parts I would have wanted to skim/skip over. The character Dickie made me think of the character Dewey from Justified, image wise.

Excellent Story with a Perfect Baldacci Twist

I have read every Baldacci suspense novel and this one is in my top five.

It is set in post-World War II America, when heroes were everywhere ... but struggling to recover, cops were tough ... and many either corrupt or inept, and those with money influenced "justice" ... not unlike 2019!

A good, innocent, heroic veteran is railroaded into prison, gets paroled, and -- within days -- finds himself being accused of murdering the man who had hired him to collect a debt. Then things got worse for Archer!

The story is very well written (as are all of David's stories) and paint images of the cars, eateries, hotel rooms, and big, steel and chrome cars of the era. And, even with his descriptions of burgundy hat bands on brown felt Hamburg hats, the mind's eye tends to see the image in black and white.

Bringing this audio book to life is the exceptional narrative skills of Eduardo Ballerini. Each character's "voice" conjures an image that is enhanced by Baldacci's description of them. Each character seemed genuine and familiar.

One Good Dead is a great read! It is one that I will revisit very soon.

Baldacci in all his glory

The story was a work of sheer genius without the slightest pause or gap. Intricately woven and the narrator was splendid.

Just one question

An excellent listen with terrific characters. The storyline was simple and straight forward, and I see the making of a whole new series of books, but I wonder if the constant need to “light up” by all the characters was necessary. References to the habit and attitudes towards it are one thing, but it seemed too much to be a part of virtually every scene.

Linen suit, leather tie ups and a Panama Hat

How's Archer handle parole in a small town?
wonderful read especially for the next couple of weeks of quarantine!!