In this fast-paced historical thriller, the #1 New York Times bestselling 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 do’s and a much longer list of don’ts: do report regularly to his parole … 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.
e 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.e 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.e 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.more
It was a little slow to get into but then I got into it! Twists and turns
Great characters that you relate with and don’t know who to trust. Couldn’t put it down.
In One Good Deed, acclaimed author David Baldacci introduces readers to Aloysius Archer, a man with no home, no roots, and a mysterious, complicated past, who finds himself fighting against the odds to maintain his hard-won freedom.
Archer served during World War II and carries the memories of those harrowing days with him. He managed to survive when so many of his fellow soldiers did not, picking up skills that he must now rely upon in order to secure his survival yet again. Baldacci holds back the details about how Archer came to be wrongly convicted and imprisoned as readers puzzle over whether Archer is truly an honorable, principled man, an anti-hero, or a combination of both. He arrives in the small, evolving town of Poca City with a few bucks in his pocket, the clothes on his back, a past he doesn’t want to discuss, and no prospects for the future.
Archer quickly finds his way to a place he is not supposed to frequent, The Cat’s Meow, sidles up to the bar, and orders himself a shot of bourbon. Sitting next to him is a late-fifties-something, slick-haired banker type in a white three-piece suit and Panama hat. Sitting next to him is a beautiful young woman half his age. Hank Pittleman is known as the richest and most powerful man in Poca City, and he offers Decker the chance to earn one hundred dollars. All he has to do is what other men before him have failed to accomplish: either collect the five thousand dollars, plus interest, that Lucas Tuttle owes Pittleman, or take possession of Tuttle’s 1947 Cadillac Series 62 dark green sedan. Pittleman gives Archer an advance with which Archer buys a new suit, settles into the local hotel, and assures Ernestine that he has already secured employment. But, of course, earning the rest of the money is not going to be simple.
Since he has never been to Poca City before, Archer is unaware of the long, complicated history between Pittleman and Tuttle, or the extent of Pittleman’s business interests, influence in the region, or associates with their own agendas and loyalties. He soon learns that Jackie, Pittleman’s young mistress, is Jackie Tuttle, the daughter of none other than Lucas Tuttle, from whom he is expected to collect payment. In short order, he finds out that Tuttle has an agenda all his own, and imposes a very specific condition under which he will agree to repay the debt. It falls to Archer to attempt to convince Jackie to comply with Tuttle’s demand. But, of course, she has no intention of complying.
When a murder takes place in the same hotel where Archer is staying, and he discovers the body, he makes a quick decision about how to respond. His choice could seal his fate. However, the homicide detective assigned to the case, Lieutenant Irving Shaw with the state police, senses there is more to Archer and his past than is readily apparent. For one thing, Archer has good investigative instincts. His military background and insistence that he did not commit the crime for which he served time convince Shaw to enlist Archer’s assistance with solving the murder. Their relationship is not without its complications, especially when Shaw learns that Archer has not been completely forthcoming with him. But the two men forge a partnership that requires Archer to dig deeper into the web of business dealings, resentments, grudge matches, and complicated relationships that knit the citizens of Poca City together — and tore them apart long before Archer’s arrival.
One Good Deed is already a number one New York Times bestseller. Deservedly so. It’s a stylish, fast-paced mystery in which Baldacci exquisitely invokes post-World War II — a hopeful, exciting time in America. Fresh from victory, the country’s soldiers returned home to their families and jobs. It was a time of technological development, industrialization, and the growth of many U.S. cities. Poca City is on the cusp of development that will bring posterity to an area that suffers from a lack of water. And Baldacci’s supporting characters are plotting and clamoring to profit from that development. With his deft prose, Baldacci describes the settings, as well as the clothing, mannerisms, the manner in which his characters speak, and popular culture, drawing readers into that time and place. For instance, Ernestine and Archer share a love of books and reading, and discuss popular literature; meetings occur in the local cafe where the staff know everyone and everyone’s business, as does the hotel clerk stationed at the front desk.
In his signature style, Baldacci injects unpredictable, shocking plot twists and revelations that compel the story forward at an unrelenting pace. Baldacci’s web of connections between the characters, their tangled dealings with each other, and double-crosses are nothing short of ingenious, and with each revelation it is clear that Baldacci might have still more surprises in store.
One Good Deed is an exciting and promising start to yet another series from an author who seems to never lack inspiration and is clearly at the top of his game. Archer is a thoroughly intriguing and endearing character, and Baldacci can be counted on to take Archer on more entertaining and engrossing adventures in future installments. Hopefully, he’ll do so soon.
Thanks to NetGalley for an Advance Reader’s Copy of the book.
it was very good. couldn’t put it down
Another excellent Baldacci story, this one set in the post-WWII period. However, it is not really historic fiction as the story could have be set in any time period. The change of pace, however, is refreshing. Another strong lead character that I hope we will read more about.
It was not a book that I couldn’t put down . A lot of pages, kept thinking it would get better.
Slow Start, Stunning Ending
I have read many books by Baldacci in fact he’s one of the reasons I switched from writing Romance to the Mystery genre. One Good Deed was a departure from his typical fast paced style that has you hooked by chapter one or two. I had read some bad reviews and hesitated. It took me 14 chapters to decide to finish this book and I did so ONLY because it was Baldacci. One Good Deed was a sweet departure from his norm, it is set after WW II and I thought ho hum. It told of a time when people are presumably more patriotic and when language and behavior are more nuanced but the book is a reminder that themes are timeless. His vivid details were burdensom at times, maybe his plan was to connect us to his characters or to immerse us in the period. That worked for me eventually. The story is elegant with mysterious unravelings and the ending made me cry. Once again this author has created a hero that can live beyond one book like Will Robie, Amos Decker, etc. I couldn’t give him a five because of the slow start but it’s a solid four in my book.
One of the best he has written.
Compared to his other works, this book seemed very slow
Great book, what a great story writer Baldacci is!
Absolutely excellent book! Loved the characters! Different ending than I expected. Love David’s novels, this is a stand alone novel that all of his fans should enjoy!
Not as easy to get involved in as most Baldacci books. If this is supposed to be Baldacci’s version of Jack Reacher, it doesn’t work.
good as always