Split Second is the first in the gripping King and Maxwell series by bestselling author David Baldacci.When something distracts Secret Agent Sean King for a split second, it costs him his career and presidential candidate, Clyde Ritter, his life. But what stole his attention? And why was Ritter shot? Eight years later Michelle Maxwell is on the fast track through the ranks of the Secret Service … Service when her career is stopped short: presidential candidate John Bruno is abducted from a funeral home while under her protection. The similarity between the two cases drives Michelle to re-open investigations into the Ritter fiasco and join forces with attractive ex-agent King. The pair are determined to get to the bottom of what happened in those critical moments. Meanwhile, high-ranking members of the legal system and key witnesses from both cases are going missing. King is losing friends, colleagues and clients fast and his ex-lover, Joan Dillinger, is playing curious games – she wants Sean back, but she also owes him for something . . .Split Second is followed by Hour Game, Simple Genius, First Family, The Sixth Man and King and Maxwell.
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While I do not like some of David Baldacci’s technique, I. e. capitalizing AND, BUT and OR at the start sentences, as well as the use of much to many adverbs, I love his stories and characters. The story in this case brings King and Maxwell together for the first time. Do they become romantically involved? Not in this story. They do get shot and, garroted, hit on the head, his home bombed and engage in mayhem themselves. It is well worth the time and the money. Get it.
Split Second was a good mystery and suspense book. I don’t normally find myself laughing at character conversations in books like this, but I enjoyed this very much. I was listening to the audio-book and didn’t want to stop. This had good action, and kept me guessing who did it. I’m glad my friend Jacob recommended this writer as I think I need more of Sean King and Michelle Maxwell to see where the characters are up to next. I highly recommend this book.
I really enjoyed this when they turned Maxwell and King into a TVs series and was very disappointed when they only made one series. When I discovered it started out as a book first I didn’t hesitate to own the audio too. Glad I did, having watched it first it was very easy to picture the characters as it unfolded in the story.
This story is the very first one and sets the sence of how Maxwell and King, 2 disgraced secret service agents decided to work to gather and work out what really happened to there careers and protectes. With guns and bombs going off, dead bodies falling at there feet a lot has to happens for them to to pick up the clues and trail of a killer oh and clear there names and maybe in the process saves some lives and not just there own.
Title: Split Second (King & Maxwell #1)
Author: David Baldacci
Pages: 432
Year: 2014
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
My rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Personally, I have read most of what this author has written to date but when I began this series, I didn’t expect such nonstop thrills! There are layers of mystery involved, new characters to learn about and constant plot twists. One of the main characters is a Secret Service Agent named Sam King. His current assignment is guarding a presidential candidate at a meet and greet, however, what he got changed his whole life.
Then there is Michelle Maxwell, a young woman who is athletic, driven, successful and also a secret service agent. Well, she was until her presidential hopeful she was protecting was out of her sight for a few seconds that turned her life into a nightmare. Now, these two agents must start life anew or learn to live with assignments the service gives them which is hard to do when someone is out to kill you.
Throughout the book the author doesn’t let up on the suspense. Behind all the various action scenes there is a sense that a mastermind is at work. What isn’t known is the person’s identity, why he/she is after King and Maxwell and what new attempt to take them out will they devise? King was married and has had other women in his life, so the past may come back to haunt him. Maxwell has come from a law enforcement family and she has never married because her job is her whole life, which may end soon.
There were many twists and turns in the story. The author does a great job of introducing other characters that may or may not have been a central part of the plot. I was kept in the dark as to who the mastermind was until close to the end, and I am wondering if some of the characters whose whereabouts were left hanging in the book will show up in other books in this series.
I recommend reading the book as it gives hours of enjoyment and time will fly by. I look forward to reading what the author does next with King and Maxwell in the second book titled, Hour Game. Care to join me for the journey? Grab a copy!
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.
Baldacci is a favorite
One of those ‘edge of the seat’ books – like all of David’s books.
I felt it was quite realistic
This book introduces the characters Michelle Maxwell and Sean King, which would become a series ( six to date). As all Baldacci books are, this one is a page turner. I can’t really say anything bad about a Baldacci novel. My only bitch about this one (hence four stars and not five) is that the story line, or plot is a bit convoluted. It stretches my credulity. However, I’d gladly give one of my appendages to be able to write like David Baldacci. Split Second is a fast and enjoyable read. You could do worse.
I listened to the audio version.
I’ve listened to or read some of the other King and Maxwell stories. I was glad to hear about how it all started. There were so many background/supporting characters that I started to lose track of who was who and how all the politicians were interrelated and what their motivations were.
To the narrator: it’s okay to pause and take a breath at the end of a paragraph or chapter. Let the reader know you are switching gears. And every character that asked a question had the same intonation on the last word of the query. Detracted somewhat from the story.
I love all of his books. Great character development….great story and dialogue
One of the best authors out there!
This is the first King and Maxwell book and was a wonderful introduction to the series. I enjoyed listening to the audiobook version and the narrator did a great job with the various character voices.
The way the two main characters meet draws you into a story with lots of twists and turns, mystery and intrigue, and chemistry. David Baldacci keeps you guessing and wondering how things will resolve.
I’ve ready other David Baldacci books, but the beginning of this series was interesting enough that I will probably try more books.
Great plot twists keep you guessing (promise you won’t). Classicc Baldacci in the King Maxwell series.
Have never read a Baldacci book I didn’t like!!! A++++++
His books are great great I read all his books and then wait for his next ones.
I don’t always like David Balducci’s books… Although I have read many. This one I really enjoyed!
This was my first Baldacci title and I’ll definitely be back for more. I really love King and Maxwell so he’s definitely hooked me for more in their series. I was a little thrown off by the ending-just seemed that the motive was a little too far-fetched. Definitely not enough to toss out the book-great writing and gripping characters.