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Amos Decker #5
Redemption
Detective Amos Decker discovers that a mistake he made as a rookie detective may have led to deadly consequences in the latest Memory Man thriller in David Baldacci's #1 New York Times bestselling series.
Amos Decker and his FBI partner Alex Jamison are visiting his hometown of Burlington, Ohio, when he's approached by an unfamiliar man. But he instantly recognizes the man's name: Meryl Hawkins. He's the first person Decker ever arrested for murder back when he was a young detective. Though a dozen years in prison have left Hawkins unrecognizably aged and terminally ill, one thing hasn't changed: He maintains he never committed the murders. Could it be possible that Decker made a mistake all those years ago? As he starts digging into the old case, Decker finds a startling connection to a new crime that he may be able to prevent, if only he can put the pieces together quickly enough...
Amos Decker and his FBI partner Alex Jamison are visiting his hometown of Burlington, Ohio, when he's approached by an unfamiliar man. But he instantly recognizes the man's name: Meryl Hawkins. He's the first person Decker ever arrested for murder back when he was a young detective. Though a dozen years in prison have left Hawkins unrecognizably aged and terminally ill, one thing hasn't changed: He maintains he never committed the murders. Could it be possible that Decker made a mistake all those years ago? As he starts digging into the old case, Decker finds a startling connection to a new crime that he may be able to prevent, if only he can put the pieces together quickly enough...
417 pages, Hardcover
First published April 16, 2019
About the author
David Baldacci
374 books120k followersDavid Baldacci has been writing since childhood, when his mother gave him a lined notebook in which to write down his stories. (Much later, when David thanked her for being the spark that ignited his writing career, she revealed that she’d given him the notebook to keep him quiet, "because every mom needs a break now and then.”)
David published his first novel, Absolute Power, in 1996; the feature film adaptation followed, with Clint Eastwood as its director and star. In total, David has published 50 novels for adults; all have been national and international bestsellers, and several have been adapted for film and television. His books are published in over 45 languages and in more than 80 countries, with 150 million copies sold worldwide. David has also published seven novels for younger readers.
In addition to being a prolific writer, David is a devoted philanthropist, and his greatest efforts are dedicated to his family’s Wish You Well Foundation®. Established by David and his wife, Michelle, the Wish You Well Foundation supports family and adult literacy programs in the United States.
A lifelong Virginian, David is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia School of Law.
David published his first novel, Absolute Power, in 1996; the feature film adaptation followed, with Clint Eastwood as its director and star. In total, David has published 50 novels for adults; all have been national and international bestsellers, and several have been adapted for film and television. His books are published in over 45 languages and in more than 80 countries, with 150 million copies sold worldwide. David has also published seven novels for younger readers.
In addition to being a prolific writer, David is a devoted philanthropist, and his greatest efforts are dedicated to his family’s Wish You Well Foundation®. Established by David and his wife, Michelle, the Wish You Well Foundation supports family and adult literacy programs in the United States.
A lifelong Virginian, David is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia School of Law.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,217 reviews
April 9, 2019
David Baldacci's 5th in the Amos Decker series is a brilliant and compulsive thriller with Decker back home in Burlington, Ohio, where his wife, Cassie, daughter, Molly and brother in law, Johnny, died. He is there to commemorate what would have been Molly's 14th birthday. This tragedy has driven Decker's fierce and implacable obsession to fight for justice. After earlier brain injuries, he has been gifted and cursed by hyperthesmia, which means he can forget nothing and synesthesia. At Molly's grave, a man meets him that he doesn't recognise but he knows his name, Meryl Hawkins, now released from prison and dying of cancer. Decker had led the investigation that convicted Hawkins of the murder of Don Richards and his 2 children and David Katz, who had dropped in to see Don. It was Decker's first murder investigation and the evidence against Hawkins appeared ironclad, but Hawkins proclaims his innocence, asking him to look again at the murders. Decker's original cop partner and friend, Mary Lancaster also has doubts about the original conviction.
Decker cannot bear living with the possibility that he helped to destroy the life of an innocent man, as he commits to reworking this cold case. Indications that he is on the right path begin with the stone cold murder of Hawkins. Attempts are made on Decker's life, and in a blood drenched case, every lead he has ends up dying as the bodies start piling up. As Mary is forced to recuse herself when her husband, Earl, turns out to be the alibi of a possible suspect, Blake Natty is appointed to lead the case from the police end, and he and his superior, Pete Childress, are determined that Decker takes no further part in the case and leaves Ohio. Decker is having none of this, relentless in his pursuit of the truth. He is joined and assisted by a familiar face and friend, Melvin Mars, a man who spent 20 years in prison and on death row in Texas, until Decker proved his innocence. Decker finds that old sins cast long shadows as he seeks redemption for his past errors as an inexperienced murder detective.
This is a fast paced, complex and compulsive thriller, well constructed, and packed with suspense and tension. Baldacci is an expert at drawing in the reader and keeping them hooked right up to the tense last pages of the novel. His protagonist, Decker, is an interesting and unusual character, trapped in past traumas with memories that will never fade away, he is slowly and surely being destroyed unless he can learn to shift direction and create stronger personal ties with his friends that roots him in the present rather than the past. This is a highly intense, thrilling and entertaining read with a diverse cast of characters, showcasing Baldacci's considerable skills in writing nail biting thrillers. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Pan Macmillan for an ARC.
Decker cannot bear living with the possibility that he helped to destroy the life of an innocent man, as he commits to reworking this cold case. Indications that he is on the right path begin with the stone cold murder of Hawkins. Attempts are made on Decker's life, and in a blood drenched case, every lead he has ends up dying as the bodies start piling up. As Mary is forced to recuse herself when her husband, Earl, turns out to be the alibi of a possible suspect, Blake Natty is appointed to lead the case from the police end, and he and his superior, Pete Childress, are determined that Decker takes no further part in the case and leaves Ohio. Decker is having none of this, relentless in his pursuit of the truth. He is joined and assisted by a familiar face and friend, Melvin Mars, a man who spent 20 years in prison and on death row in Texas, until Decker proved his innocence. Decker finds that old sins cast long shadows as he seeks redemption for his past errors as an inexperienced murder detective.
This is a fast paced, complex and compulsive thriller, well constructed, and packed with suspense and tension. Baldacci is an expert at drawing in the reader and keeping them hooked right up to the tense last pages of the novel. His protagonist, Decker, is an interesting and unusual character, trapped in past traumas with memories that will never fade away, he is slowly and surely being destroyed unless he can learn to shift direction and create stronger personal ties with his friends that roots him in the present rather than the past. This is a highly intense, thrilling and entertaining read with a diverse cast of characters, showcasing Baldacci's considerable skills in writing nail biting thrillers. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Pan Macmillan for an ARC.
April 19, 2019
This fast paced, smart, well developed, gripping crime thriller which brings back one of my favorite book characters, Amos Decker a.k.a. “Memory Man”.
Remembering everything is a great gift for solving murders, handling loose ends by bringing back the images you stocked ( like unlocking your personal cloud which full of memories). But also can be curse to remember your loved ones’ taking away from you. It was like living a nightmare over and over again.
This time Decker goes back to his hometown to honor the memories of his wife and daughter by visiting their graves. At his redemption place he sees a ghost from his past. A man he has convicted 13 years ago, who has a terminal disease ,claiming his innocence.
By helping this ex-convict, Amos Decker tries to atone his sins and face his inner demons.
On previous books, Decker was acting like a robot, building more walls around him to minimize human connection and only Jamison and his new friend, ex convict Mars were able to open small cracks on his walls, fighting against his social barriers.
On this book, by slowly making peace with his past, Decker starts to communicate more with the people, even he starts accepting human touch. He still remembers the past tragedies, suffers from panic attacks and obsessed with his family house but he takes a big step on his life.
At the end, our character does not only bring justice to the wrongly convicted man, he also moves farther a little bit and learns to embrace his past to have a real future.
I loved twisted crime story and smartly developed plot but mostly I enjoyed to see the development of the character.
Remembering everything is a great gift for solving murders, handling loose ends by bringing back the images you stocked ( like unlocking your personal cloud which full of memories). But also can be curse to remember your loved ones’ taking away from you. It was like living a nightmare over and over again.
This time Decker goes back to his hometown to honor the memories of his wife and daughter by visiting their graves. At his redemption place he sees a ghost from his past. A man he has convicted 13 years ago, who has a terminal disease ,claiming his innocence.
By helping this ex-convict, Amos Decker tries to atone his sins and face his inner demons.
On previous books, Decker was acting like a robot, building more walls around him to minimize human connection and only Jamison and his new friend, ex convict Mars were able to open small cracks on his walls, fighting against his social barriers.
On this book, by slowly making peace with his past, Decker starts to communicate more with the people, even he starts accepting human touch. He still remembers the past tragedies, suffers from panic attacks and obsessed with his family house but he takes a big step on his life.
At the end, our character does not only bring justice to the wrongly convicted man, he also moves farther a little bit and learns to embrace his past to have a real future.
I loved twisted crime story and smartly developed plot but mostly I enjoyed to see the development of the character.
April 14, 2019
I love Amos Decker so the moment I saw this book on the bookshop shelves I bought it, came home, and settled down in my favourite chair for a really good read. And it was good, very good in fact.
Amos is struggling badly. Had she lived he would have been celebrating his daughter's birthday and he is blind sided with grief for his dead wife and child. He is also experiencing very strange symptoms from his brain condition, and he feels the need to be away from his friends and suffer on his own. Luckily those friends do not take no for an answer and he soon finds himself being supported in his personal life while working hard to solve a particularly complicated case.
There are an awful lot of dead bodies in this book, many visits to the morgue and a huge amount of very detailed and very smart police work. Some of the goodies turn out to be baddies and hardly anyone is who they seem to be. I suppose someone very smart could guess who killed who and why but I had to be patient and wait until Decker explained it all.
I enjoyed it enormously and hope that the author is planning a book 6.
Amos is struggling badly. Had she lived he would have been celebrating his daughter's birthday and he is blind sided with grief for his dead wife and child. He is also experiencing very strange symptoms from his brain condition, and he feels the need to be away from his friends and suffer on his own. Luckily those friends do not take no for an answer and he soon finds himself being supported in his personal life while working hard to solve a particularly complicated case.
There are an awful lot of dead bodies in this book, many visits to the morgue and a huge amount of very detailed and very smart police work. Some of the goodies turn out to be baddies and hardly anyone is who they seem to be. I suppose someone very smart could guess who killed who and why but I had to be patient and wait until Decker explained it all.
I enjoyed it enormously and hope that the author is planning a book 6.
October 17, 2024
Amos Decker No 5. The awkward with photographic memory Amos Decker returns to his home town and gets caught up in investigating a case, a case where the wrong man may have been convicted. Guess who led on the case back in the day... Amos Decker! Another interesting and well thought out Decker and colleagues investigation, where Amos is seeking redemption. Baldacci is so much better than his other American commercial writing peers, I very much recommend reading anyone of his series. 7 out of 12 Three Star read.
2024 read
2024 read
May 12, 2019
In another thrilling novel, David Baldacci places Amos Decker in the middle of a case that will require all his attention. While visiting his daughter’s grave, Amos Decker is approached by a man he put away for murder over a decade ago. Released for compassionate reasons, the man professes that his conviction was wrong and that Decker needs to reevaluate the work he did when serving with the local police department. Now, armed with a task and reunited with his former partner, Decker is trying to piece together the narrative from the murder. When the original accused is murdered himself, Decker can only surmise that someone is trying to silence an attempt to find justice. The further he digs, the more Decker uncovers, though some of it is surely as painful for him as it is for the families of the victims and the accused. When others die, Decker refuses to let that deter him and forges ahead at full speed. The town of Burlington, Ohio may have changed after all these years, but there are still secrets that linger, including one that could destroy its bucolic nature. Can Decker save all that he holds dear without allowing his past to fade into oblivion? Another wonderful novel by Baldacci, who has been keeping the Decker series fresh and insightful for fans. Recommended for those who love a good mystery and have followed the series from its inception.
I have long been a fan of David Baldacci and his work, having seen him through many series over a number of years. I became curious about Amos Decker from the start, as the premise caught my attention from the outset. With a well-established backstory, Amos Decker would appear to have little to offer the reader, though his past is always coming back to work its magic and old cases receive new life. As the story begins with Decker returning to Burlington, the reader is taken back and discovers some of the pain the series protagonist has been holding onto over the past number of years. Others add depth and intrigue to the story and propel Decker forward to make key choices that not only move the mystery in a key direction, but also help to give the characters entertaining. Moving into the fifth novel in this series, there is little lag as Baldacci continues to offer fresh and interesting directions for his protagonist. With a mix of short chapters and those with more depth to build suspense, Baldacci pulls the reader in from the outset and shows why he is at the top of his game. I cannot wait to see what else he has in store for his fans and what sort of directions things will go in the foreseeable future.
Kudos, Mr. Baldacci, for never letting up and keeping this series full of twists for those who like to be surprised.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
I have long been a fan of David Baldacci and his work, having seen him through many series over a number of years. I became curious about Amos Decker from the start, as the premise caught my attention from the outset. With a well-established backstory, Amos Decker would appear to have little to offer the reader, though his past is always coming back to work its magic and old cases receive new life. As the story begins with Decker returning to Burlington, the reader is taken back and discovers some of the pain the series protagonist has been holding onto over the past number of years. Others add depth and intrigue to the story and propel Decker forward to make key choices that not only move the mystery in a key direction, but also help to give the characters entertaining. Moving into the fifth novel in this series, there is little lag as Baldacci continues to offer fresh and interesting directions for his protagonist. With a mix of short chapters and those with more depth to build suspense, Baldacci pulls the reader in from the outset and shows why he is at the top of his game. I cannot wait to see what else he has in store for his fans and what sort of directions things will go in the foreseeable future.
Kudos, Mr. Baldacci, for never letting up and keeping this series full of twists for those who like to be surprised.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
May 2, 2019
Perhaps Mr. Decker's character is played out. Perhaps Mr. Baldacci has run out of interesting writing ideas as this story is a near snoozer. 3 of 10 star zzz
November 27, 2022
Amos Decker, the man with a perfect recall memory, is back in his hometown. But the visit is not a happy one. He is back in Burlington, Ohio to visit the gravesite of his daughter who would have been fourteen.
While at the cemetery with his FBI partner, Alex Jamison, Meryl Hawkins shows up. Meryl is the first man Decker and his police partner Mary Lancaster ever put behind prison bars years ago when he was just a rookie. Meryl is there to tell him that he was innocent. He says that he didn't kill those men and the children. He asks Amos to find out the true murderers. The next day, Hawkins is found murdered. Amos knows he needs to investigate even if this means he could lose his consulting position with the FBI. His boss is not happy with him and neither are some of the cops he used to deal with.
A great addition to the Amos Decker series. Many dead bodies and a sense that Amos was always two steps behind the real killers, kept the story moving and interesting to this reader.
I still have two more books to catch up but Lucas Davenport had kept me busy for a long time.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
While at the cemetery with his FBI partner, Alex Jamison, Meryl Hawkins shows up. Meryl is the first man Decker and his police partner Mary Lancaster ever put behind prison bars years ago when he was just a rookie. Meryl is there to tell him that he was innocent. He says that he didn't kill those men and the children. He asks Amos to find out the true murderers. The next day, Hawkins is found murdered. Amos knows he needs to investigate even if this means he could lose his consulting position with the FBI. His boss is not happy with him and neither are some of the cops he used to deal with.
A great addition to the Amos Decker series. Many dead bodies and a sense that Amos was always two steps behind the real killers, kept the story moving and interesting to this reader.
I still have two more books to catch up but Lucas Davenport had kept me busy for a long time.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
October 11, 2021
In this 5th book in the 'Amos Decker' series, the detective re-investigates a multiple murder that occurred 13 years ago. The book can be read as a standalone.
*****
Former Burlington, Ohio homicide detective Amos Decker is now a consultant for the FBI. His partner is Agent Alex Jamison, whom he first met when she was a journalist, and who's now his (platonic) roommate.
Decker is assisted in his investigative work by a condition called hyperthymesia, which was caused by a massive head injury when he was a young football player. The hyperthymesia gives Decker the ability to recall - in vivid detail - everything he's ever seen, read, or experienced.
Decker's family was brutally killed four years ago, and he returns to Ohio every year to visit their graves. Decker and Jamison are standing in the Burlington cemetery when they're approached by a sick, shuffling man who identifies himself as Meryl Hawkins.
Decker remembers Hawkins, a perp he helped put away 13 years ago for killing businessman Don Richards, Richards' two young children, and a banker named David Katz, who happened to be in Richards' house.
Hawkins says he's been released from prison because he's terminally ill. He goes on to assert that he was wrongly convicted; that he has new information about the Richards and Katz murders; and that he wants Decker to investigate. Decker agrees to meet Hawkins later on, but the convict himself is killed before that can happen.
When he thinks back, Decker recalls that the Richards/Katz murder case was open and shut. Hawkins' fingerprint was found in the Richards' house; the murder gun was found in Hawkins' closet; and Hawkins DNA was found under the fingernails of one of the dead children. Because Hawkins was clearly the killer Decker didn't carefully consider other evidence, like autopsy results.
When Hawkins is murdered Decker becomes concerned that- as a newly minted homicide cop - he might have put away an innocent man. Thus Decker decides to re-investigate the four old murders as well as Hawkins recent death.
Decker's partner Alex Jamison has to leave for other FBI business, but Decker remains in Ohio to look into the killings. As a result Decker gets STRONG pushback from jealous and abrasive Burlington detectives, and is even put in jail for a few hours.
Decker carries on regardless. He manages to get a copy of the murder file; he visits the original Richards/Katz murder scene; he re-interviews family members; he speaks to witnesses; he looks for new evidence; and so on.
All this frightens someone, because more murders occur and Decker himself is almost shot. As a result, Decker's friend Melvin Mars - who was on death row before Decker intervened - comes to Ohio to protect Decker and assist with the inquiries.
Little by little Decker unveils an intricate, diabolical scheme that led to the murders over a decade ago as well as the current killings.
Decker, who's always been rather unemotional due to his head injury, has a lot of personal challenges in this book. His good friend has marriage problems and early onset Alzheimer's; he's angry at himself for a 'shoddy' original investigation; and he's in danger of losing his job because he disregarded FBI orders. This humanizes the detective and makes him a little more relatable.
I enjoyed the book but it's not the best entry in the Amos Decker series (IMO). For one thing, the first part of the book consists of Decker and his associates discussing the original crimes again and again, which gets repetitive and tedious. For another thing, I have a problem with the elaborate criminal scheme Decker uncovers, which requires too much suspension of disbelief (for me).
Still, this is a good series with interesting characters. Recommended to mystery fans.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
April 28, 2022
'Redemption' is yet another fantastic Amos Decker episode. Amos goes home to pay respects on the anniversary of his daughter and wife's death. A man whom Amos worked to convict and be sentenced to life imprisonment for committing a homicide many years ago - when Amos was still just a young rookie detective with something to prove - is now dying of cancer. He desperately pleads with Amos to find the real killer - adamant they have the wrong man. Hence, an exciting story unfolds with lots of deceit, deaths and mayhem all along the way.
August 1, 2019
Can you ever go wrong when reading a David Baldacci book?? Nope, not in this case. Once again he has written a FANTASTIC story. By far one of my favorite series of all time. Very entertaining and you don’t even have to start at the beginning because you get a quick synopsis of the characters backstory. I’m smitten with Amos Decker, lol.
May 5, 2019
I liked this book a great deal. Great story (until the end was hoping for something more realistic), great characters. With all the story happening in a small town it has the feel of a locked door mystery. There is a lot happening with many suspects and an equal number of clues. Baldacci seems to follow Chandler's method, when the story slows down drop another body. There are plenty of bodies dropped here but not in excess, just enough to service the plot. This book had me all the way and I truly enjoyed it.
The author is in love with adverbs so much so I think they bog down the prose especially when used in dialogue. For me adverbs in dialogue are like finger nails on a chalk board. Oddly, the first half of the book has many more adverbs than the second half and it almost creates a tone change. I wonder if the editors were changed midstream.
Oh, and Glocks don't have safeties.
I will be recommending this book to my friends.
David Putnam author of the Bruno Johnson series.
The author is in love with adverbs so much so I think they bog down the prose especially when used in dialogue. For me adverbs in dialogue are like finger nails on a chalk board. Oddly, the first half of the book has many more adverbs than the second half and it almost creates a tone change. I wonder if the editors were changed midstream.
Oh, and Glocks don't have safeties.
I will be recommending this book to my friends.
David Putnam author of the Bruno Johnson series.
May 4, 2019
The author is one of my all-time favorites (meaning anything he writes, I want to read). And from the start four books ago, his "Memory Man" series was a big hit with me. This one, the fifth, adds another five-star entry.
Detective Amos Decker is a very intriguing character; as a result of a football injury, he developed hyperthymesia, which causes him to remember every detail of every single day (whether he wants to or not) as well as synesthia abilities - associating colors with people and objects. But I have to admit my initial attraction was at a far more human level: He played football at THE Ohio State University (go bucks!!), and the aforementioned football injury that ended his sports career happened on the first play as a member of the Cleveland Browns (yep, my favorite NFL team - needless to say, I live in Ohio).
Earlier in the series, Decker's wife and daughter were murdered (imagine being forced to remember every detail of that for the rest of your life), and in this book, he's returned to Burlington, Ohio, to visit the cemetery as he always does on his daughter Molly's birthday. An aging, tattered and battered man interrupts Decker, who realizes it's Meryl Hawkins, his first arrest for murder back when he was a newbie on the force. Released from prison because of a terminal illness, Hawkins knew of Decker's annual cemetery visits, thanks to information from Decker's former partner, Mary Lancaster. When he gets Decker's reluctant attention, Hawkins insists he was not guilty as charged and pleads with Decker to prove his innocence.
That's not a project Decker wants to undertake, given that it could mean he was instrumental in putting an innocent man behind bars. Besides that, Decker's boss back at the FBI isn't happy that he's thinking of going rogue yet again - and he orders Decker's current partner, Alex Jamison, who's with him in Burlington, back to the office (as an aside, another personal coinkidink: My mother's maiden name was Jamison).
But when evidence turns up that Hawkins might have been wrongly convicted, Decker (and his memories) can't walk away even if it jeopardizes his FBI work. Complicating matters further is that a personal connection means Lancaster, who was willing to help out, is forced to recuse herself from the investigation - leaving Decker pretty much on his own. On the plus side, Jamison contacts Decker's old friend Melvin Mars, who insists on helping despite Decker's protests. The two make a great combination, and that makes for a great story that's both complex and exciting.
For the record, this book stands well on its own, but I have no doubt I enjoyed it more because I'd read its predecessors (which I recommend that others new to the series should do as well, not only for that reason, but simply because they're all so enjoyable). As for me, I say keep 'em coming!
Detective Amos Decker is a very intriguing character; as a result of a football injury, he developed hyperthymesia, which causes him to remember every detail of every single day (whether he wants to or not) as well as synesthia abilities - associating colors with people and objects. But I have to admit my initial attraction was at a far more human level: He played football at THE Ohio State University (go bucks!!), and the aforementioned football injury that ended his sports career happened on the first play as a member of the Cleveland Browns (yep, my favorite NFL team - needless to say, I live in Ohio).
Earlier in the series, Decker's wife and daughter were murdered (imagine being forced to remember every detail of that for the rest of your life), and in this book, he's returned to Burlington, Ohio, to visit the cemetery as he always does on his daughter Molly's birthday. An aging, tattered and battered man interrupts Decker, who realizes it's Meryl Hawkins, his first arrest for murder back when he was a newbie on the force. Released from prison because of a terminal illness, Hawkins knew of Decker's annual cemetery visits, thanks to information from Decker's former partner, Mary Lancaster. When he gets Decker's reluctant attention, Hawkins insists he was not guilty as charged and pleads with Decker to prove his innocence.
That's not a project Decker wants to undertake, given that it could mean he was instrumental in putting an innocent man behind bars. Besides that, Decker's boss back at the FBI isn't happy that he's thinking of going rogue yet again - and he orders Decker's current partner, Alex Jamison, who's with him in Burlington, back to the office (as an aside, another personal coinkidink: My mother's maiden name was Jamison).
But when evidence turns up that Hawkins might have been wrongly convicted, Decker (and his memories) can't walk away even if it jeopardizes his FBI work. Complicating matters further is that a personal connection means Lancaster, who was willing to help out, is forced to recuse herself from the investigation - leaving Decker pretty much on his own. On the plus side, Jamison contacts Decker's old friend Melvin Mars, who insists on helping despite Decker's protests. The two make a great combination, and that makes for a great story that's both complex and exciting.
For the record, this book stands well on its own, but I have no doubt I enjoyed it more because I'd read its predecessors (which I recommend that others new to the series should do as well, not only for that reason, but simply because they're all so enjoyable). As for me, I say keep 'em coming!
July 25, 2022
A re-read of a longer go read of an intriguing book. Featuring Amos Decker. He realizes that he made have made a mistake on a case he worked as a rookie detective.
Meryn Hawkins is a convicted murderer. The first that Decker ever put behinds bars. But now claims to be innocent. It's his dying wish thatDeckee clear his name. Hawkins is killed 2 days later. Others appear who do not want Hawkins' murders solved.
Unputdownable.
Meryn Hawkins is a convicted murderer. The first that Decker ever put behinds bars. But now claims to be innocent. It's his dying wish thatDeckee clear his name. Hawkins is killed 2 days later. Others appear who do not want Hawkins' murders solved.
Unputdownable.
April 27, 2019
This is a sad day, and it pains me to do this, but this did not feel like Baldacci's other books. I am a bit disappointed, to be honest :(
April 26, 2019
Amos Decker, a cop who also done some work with the FBI, is visiting his home town of Burlington, Ohio on his daughter’s birthday. Well, more accurately it’s his late daughter as she and her mother, Decker’s beloved wife, were brutally murdered some while ago. As he sits by the grave he’s visited by a man he thought he’d never see again. Meryl Hawkins was the subject of Decker’s first murder investigation as a police officer and he was subsequently sent down for life, for the murder of four people. But it seems that Hawkins has been released early suffering from terminal cancer. In a brief conversation with Decker he claims his innocence, stating that the cops got it wrong – big time. Amos is not someone to leave loose end so he seeks out his ex-partner with a view to walking through the Hawkins case again. He doesn’t think they got it wrong as the evidence seemed irrevocable, but he wants to set his mind to rest. But events soon mean that he’s drawn into reviewing the case from top to bottom – could it be that somehow they missed something or were misled?
This is the fifth book in the series and it’s clear that a late joiner (I’ve not yet read the earlier books) I’ve missed out on quite a bit of relevant history. And although this book can certainly be read as a standalone it’s worth noting that there are quite a few references to acts and people previously featured in the series. I was definitely left with the impression that I’d have been better off reading these books in order. That said, other than the tragedy impacting his family the only other key piece of information to know about our front man is that he suffers from a condition called hyperthymesia, which means that all his memories are permanently stored in his brain. The condition, brought on by a severe blow to his head, is both a blessing and a curse: his powers of recall are faultless, so that once he’s seen something he can pull up the memory and pick out as much detail as he wishes, but the downside is that he’s also permanently haunted by visions of the bad events in his life.
I liked both Decker and his ex-partner, they’re presented as believable and interesting characters trying to do the right thing whilst also attempting to address significant challenges in their own lives. The the most part this book worked really well, with the re-investigation being broken down into reasonable steps and relevant challenges being made to actions previously taken. However, I do have a couple of bones to pick with it. Firstly, I had some issues with a few of the minor characters: there’s the slightly less able cop that had seen his career pushed aside by the more gifted Decker and the boss cop who clearly, for reasons unspecified here, had the severe hump with our hero – neither convinced me. The same went for a couple of the other characters. Secondly, there’s the ‘big’ ending in which all becomes clear, a scene that to me simply felt overplayed and totally implausible.
That said, it’s a fun read and as I’ve already got episode four ready to roll as an audiobook I’ll certainly give this series another try; it’s a decent concept and in Decker I think Baldacci has created a fictional character with some depth.
My thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the fifth book in the series and it’s clear that a late joiner (I’ve not yet read the earlier books) I’ve missed out on quite a bit of relevant history. And although this book can certainly be read as a standalone it’s worth noting that there are quite a few references to acts and people previously featured in the series. I was definitely left with the impression that I’d have been better off reading these books in order. That said, other than the tragedy impacting his family the only other key piece of information to know about our front man is that he suffers from a condition called hyperthymesia, which means that all his memories are permanently stored in his brain. The condition, brought on by a severe blow to his head, is both a blessing and a curse: his powers of recall are faultless, so that once he’s seen something he can pull up the memory and pick out as much detail as he wishes, but the downside is that he’s also permanently haunted by visions of the bad events in his life.
I liked both Decker and his ex-partner, they’re presented as believable and interesting characters trying to do the right thing whilst also attempting to address significant challenges in their own lives. The the most part this book worked really well, with the re-investigation being broken down into reasonable steps and relevant challenges being made to actions previously taken. However, I do have a couple of bones to pick with it. Firstly, I had some issues with a few of the minor characters: there’s the slightly less able cop that had seen his career pushed aside by the more gifted Decker and the boss cop who clearly, for reasons unspecified here, had the severe hump with our hero – neither convinced me. The same went for a couple of the other characters. Secondly, there’s the ‘big’ ending in which all becomes clear, a scene that to me simply felt overplayed and totally implausible.
That said, it’s a fun read and as I’ve already got episode four ready to roll as an audiobook I’ll certainly give this series another try; it’s a decent concept and in Decker I think Baldacci has created a fictional character with some depth.
My thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 29, 2020
This is the fifth book in the Amos Decker series by author David Baldacci. I have really enjoyed reading this series featuring Amos Decker, a man who is no ordinary person and due to a football injury caused by a severe head trauma now has one of the most exceptional brains in the world. His injury left him with total recall, hence the memory man. Great premise.
In this story Amos Decker returns to his hometown of Burlington Ohio, where he is approached by Meryl Hawkins. Hawkins was the first man that Decker ever arrested for murder, and Hawkins still maintains his innocence. Could it be possible that Decker made a mistake all those years ago? As he starts digging into the old case, Decker finds a startling connection to a new crime that he may be able to prevent, if only he can put the pieces together quickly enough.
This is a very good series but this one just fell short for me. Great characters but the plot didn't quite work for me and some of the text was a little tedious, but I am judging it against the previous books which were so good.
Although this is another solid read I didn't quite get the buzz of the previous novel, hence the measly three rating.
In this story Amos Decker returns to his hometown of Burlington Ohio, where he is approached by Meryl Hawkins. Hawkins was the first man that Decker ever arrested for murder, and Hawkins still maintains his innocence. Could it be possible that Decker made a mistake all those years ago? As he starts digging into the old case, Decker finds a startling connection to a new crime that he may be able to prevent, if only he can put the pieces together quickly enough.
This is a very good series but this one just fell short for me. Great characters but the plot didn't quite work for me and some of the text was a little tedious, but I am judging it against the previous books which were so good.
Although this is another solid read I didn't quite get the buzz of the previous novel, hence the measly three rating.
May 17, 2019
I GIVE IT MAYBE 2.5 STARS I know I am going against the 4-5 star ratings that the other people who have written their reviews and comments The first 1/2 of the book was a little slow The second half was boring and the ending was ridiculous. Book is not worth the time or money very disappointed.
I DON'T RECOMMEND THIS BOOK
I DON'T RECOMMEND THIS BOOK
May 1, 2019
David Baldacci has written many mediocre books but the Amos Decker series has been consistently outstanding. This is a series which meets the requirements of the readers of both thrillers and police procedurals.
This novel, the fifth in the series, is excellent. It opens with Decker visiting what was his hometown to be by his daughter’s graveside, where he is confronted by Meryl Hawkins with the accusation that Decker was responsible for his unjust conviction for murder of four people (two adults and two children). When Hawkins is murdered the same night, Decker starts to re-investigate his own investigation. Step by step, Baldacci brilliantly and logically shows how Decker comes to see that he and his partner were led by their nose to a wrong conclusion and missed subtle clues to Hawkins’ innocence.
Decker is a unique character in the world of thrillers and police procedurals. As a result of an injury sustained on the football field, he has a perfect memory which enables him to pick up on the smallest detail. And he ‘was a product of the Midwest. He never got too high and never got too low. He looked at the world realistically. He was a jeans and beer kind of guy. He could never fit inside a Ferrari, not that he would ever want to. He always tried to do the right thing. He helped others when they needed it.
And he tracked down killers nonstop.
And that was pretty much the sum total of Amos Decker.’
Once started on his re-investigation, it is very difficult to prevent Decker from finding the truth this time. This results in a fast pace and a very satisfying read.
Though this book can be read as a stand alone, it is more enjoyable if one has read the other books in the series as one can see how Decker is being helped to come out of the lonely space in which he was confined in The Memory Man, the first book in the series.
This novel, the fifth in the series, is excellent. It opens with Decker visiting what was his hometown to be by his daughter’s graveside, where he is confronted by Meryl Hawkins with the accusation that Decker was responsible for his unjust conviction for murder of four people (two adults and two children). When Hawkins is murdered the same night, Decker starts to re-investigate his own investigation. Step by step, Baldacci brilliantly and logically shows how Decker comes to see that he and his partner were led by their nose to a wrong conclusion and missed subtle clues to Hawkins’ innocence.
Decker is a unique character in the world of thrillers and police procedurals. As a result of an injury sustained on the football field, he has a perfect memory which enables him to pick up on the smallest detail. And he ‘was a product of the Midwest. He never got too high and never got too low. He looked at the world realistically. He was a jeans and beer kind of guy. He could never fit inside a Ferrari, not that he would ever want to. He always tried to do the right thing. He helped others when they needed it.
And he tracked down killers nonstop.
And that was pretty much the sum total of Amos Decker.’
Once started on his re-investigation, it is very difficult to prevent Decker from finding the truth this time. This results in a fast pace and a very satisfying read.
Though this book can be read as a stand alone, it is more enjoyable if one has read the other books in the series as one can see how Decker is being helped to come out of the lonely space in which he was confined in The Memory Man, the first book in the series.
April 18, 2019
Amos Decker is back with a bang in the fifth instalment of the series in which Mr Baldacci shows his page-turning prowess with this deliciously addictive delicacy. It's a complex, beautifully constructed suspense fest and the tension is palpable throughout. Everything just works so superbly and because of that I fell hook, line and sinker very early on. Baldacci has that uncanny knack of knowing exactly what his readers want and provides it to them in spades.
Decker is a fascinating creation but with all the usual, somewhat predictable baggage. The past regularly comes back to haunt him occupying and taking over his mind and taking him out of the present meaning he is less investigatively intuitive. I admire him as he is astute and compassionate and hope he evolves as a person to get back on top of his mental health in future books. Redemption is gripping entertainment with a twisted narrative, plenty of action, a diverse cast and perfect pacing.
Once again Baldacci has consistently shown himself to be at the top of his game, so anyone out there who enjoys masterfully crafted thrillers owes it to themselves to grab a copy.
Many thanks to Macmillan for an ARC.
Decker is a fascinating creation but with all the usual, somewhat predictable baggage. The past regularly comes back to haunt him occupying and taking over his mind and taking him out of the present meaning he is less investigatively intuitive. I admire him as he is astute and compassionate and hope he evolves as a person to get back on top of his mental health in future books. Redemption is gripping entertainment with a twisted narrative, plenty of action, a diverse cast and perfect pacing.
Once again Baldacci has consistently shown himself to be at the top of his game, so anyone out there who enjoys masterfully crafted thrillers owes it to themselves to grab a copy.
Many thanks to Macmillan for an ARC.
August 13, 2021
New York Bestseller List - May 5, 2019 - Fiction
“The fifth book in the Memory Man series. Concerns the first man Detective Amos Decker put behind bars, he asks to have his name cleared.”
Few characters makes it nice.
Decker returns to hometown - Burlington, Ohio. To visit death memorials (graves) made 4 years ago - Molly(daughter), Cassie(wife) & Johnny Sacks(brother-in-law).
As a rookie, Decker mets Meryl Hawkins. Saying he was arrested as a “innocence” man.
Hawkins, recently released with terminal pancreatic cancer, wants his name cleared & is found dead.
Decker & partner, Mary Lancaster, need to find his murderer & relationships to his murderer.
“The fifth book in the Memory Man series. Concerns the first man Detective Amos Decker put behind bars, he asks to have his name cleared.”
Few characters makes it nice.
Decker returns to hometown - Burlington, Ohio. To visit death memorials (graves) made 4 years ago - Molly(daughter), Cassie(wife) & Johnny Sacks(brother-in-law).
As a rookie, Decker mets Meryl Hawkins. Saying he was arrested as a “innocence” man.
Hawkins, recently released with terminal pancreatic cancer, wants his name cleared & is found dead.
Decker & partner, Mary Lancaster, need to find his murderer & relationships to his murderer.
December 5, 2019
I couldn’t quite decide if this was a four or five star crime thriller.
The highly unique character Amos Decker returns for instalment numbed five in this Baldacci series. The book is a highly complex, intriguing and well-crafted read. There are multiple interesting, well-developed characters, some from past novels and some of whom are new. The plot is insanely clever and despite the many facets, easy to follow.
The conundrum for me was the ending. With such a vast and multifaceted crime there really was no way to resolve it in a believable way that would allow the series to continue. Still an excellent, action-packed read!
The highly unique character Amos Decker returns for instalment numbed five in this Baldacci series. The book is a highly complex, intriguing and well-crafted read. There are multiple interesting, well-developed characters, some from past novels and some of whom are new. The plot is insanely clever and despite the many facets, easy to follow.
The conundrum for me was the ending. With such a vast and multifaceted crime there really was no way to resolve it in a believable way that would allow the series to continue. Still an excellent, action-packed read!
March 20, 2020
Fascinating roller coaster ride of a book. I love David Baldacci books, especially the Amos Decker series, because his plots move at a great pace but also the stories seem to have the perfect amount of complexity. He takes you in many directions in his stories. Love them!
July 7, 2019
"old sins cast long shadows"
Following the events of The Fallen Amos Decker, "The Memory Man", makes a side trip to his hometown of Burlington, Ohio with his partner Alex Jamison. He is there to visit the graves of his wife Cassie and daughter Molly. It is Molly's birthday and Amos is suffering. Torn between the past and the present. It is there, in his grief, that he is visited by a ghost.
His name is Meryl Hawkins and he is a convicted murderer. In fact he is the first murderer that Decker helped put behind bars. Now Hawkins is free. Released because he has terminal cancer. Prison and cancer have left him unrecognizable but what hasn't changed is his claim of innocence. And he wants Decker to prove it. It is unthinkable. There was DNA. Fingerprints. The evidence rock solid. But when Decker goes to visit Hawkins later at his motel he is dead. Shot in the head. Who would murder a dying man? Why? Could Hawkins have been telling the truth? Did Decker get it wrong all those years ago? These are the questions that set Amos off on his latest quest. A quest that could come at great personal cost. But he is determined to find the truth.
As he begins his investigation it becomes clear that there were mistakes made and that someone doesn't want Decker reopening the old case. And there may be other things going on in Burlington. Decker's hyperthesmia and synesthesia have been a blessing and a curse. Things have been changing in his brain and he is unsure of what is happening. His hyperthesmia leaves him feeling trapped in memories that will never fade. The night he found Cassie and Molly is always fresh in his memory. In the course of the series he has made new friends but along the way he has to adjust and adapt. In this story he seeks redemption for his past errors.
Following the events of The Fallen Amos Decker, "The Memory Man", makes a side trip to his hometown of Burlington, Ohio with his partner Alex Jamison. He is there to visit the graves of his wife Cassie and daughter Molly. It is Molly's birthday and Amos is suffering. Torn between the past and the present. It is there, in his grief, that he is visited by a ghost.
His name is Meryl Hawkins and he is a convicted murderer. In fact he is the first murderer that Decker helped put behind bars. Now Hawkins is free. Released because he has terminal cancer. Prison and cancer have left him unrecognizable but what hasn't changed is his claim of innocence. And he wants Decker to prove it. It is unthinkable. There was DNA. Fingerprints. The evidence rock solid. But when Decker goes to visit Hawkins later at his motel he is dead. Shot in the head. Who would murder a dying man? Why? Could Hawkins have been telling the truth? Did Decker get it wrong all those years ago? These are the questions that set Amos off on his latest quest. A quest that could come at great personal cost. But he is determined to find the truth.
As he begins his investigation it becomes clear that there were mistakes made and that someone doesn't want Decker reopening the old case. And there may be other things going on in Burlington. Decker's hyperthesmia and synesthesia have been a blessing and a curse. Things have been changing in his brain and he is unsure of what is happening. His hyperthesmia leaves him feeling trapped in memories that will never fade. The night he found Cassie and Molly is always fresh in his memory. In the course of the series he has made new friends but along the way he has to adjust and adapt. In this story he seeks redemption for his past errors.
May 7, 2019
I'm losing interest in this series. Book seemed to drag on and on.
April 28, 2019
I have been utterly WILD about this series since the first book. I've loved Decker - both the parts about him that are "broken" as well as the parts that compensate. Redemption didn't really grab me, however. The plot seemed to be rather off in the left field. It got on my nerves when Decker kept hustling across a room or hustling out of a room. (Cue the disco music, lol.) It also started to grate on me a bit when the characters kept roaring at each other. (Cue the lions.) It felt as though Decker was being made to be a little too normal in this book, which was disappointing. I've loved his awkwardness and I hope he doesn't completely lose that. My last complaint is with a few jarring editorial errors, where I had to stop and figure out what the heck a sentence was supposed to actually read. (Like when the firefighter asked: "Anybody else in there?" and Decker replied, "Not in the office I was in now." Huh?) Maybe I'm being too nitpicky.
On the positive side, I really liked Mars and I hope he shows up in future books! I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
On the positive side, I really liked Mars and I hope he shows up in future books! I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
April 24, 2019
I love Amos Decker! Back in his hometown again investigating his first ever murder case again. I did. It want this book to end, I was really enjoying it and did not pick the ending at all. If you haven't started this series you really do need to. Great story!!
December 29, 2022
*Hunting for the Truth*
This should have been a short visit for Amos Decker to Burlington, Ohio where he was visiting his daughter’s grave on her birthday. At the same time he is confronted by Meryl Hawkins who was his first homicide arrest is now pleading his innocence after serving a life sentence and being let out early due to his terminal cancer diagnosis. Decker and Lancaster helped to put him there.
It was Decker’s first case along with his former partner Mary Lancaster as Detectives. On this visit his current partner in crime ex journalist Alex Jamison who turned from being a Consultant to a fully fledged FBI agent.
Alex Jamison & Decker need to fly back but the case is drawing Decker in. Once Decker has a inexplicable problem he is not budging until he solves the case.
This case is multilayered and as soon as Decker is getting close to the truth the people he is questioning to are being killed and his life and those around him are being are also in danger.
It is a nice return for Melvin Mars who Decker and his team cleared as Mars was hours from the death penalty, sadly he lost 20 years of his life by being incorrectly incarcerated. Decker & Mars became firm friends.
This case is not just about getting to the truth, what Amos discovers is a operation that places people into low paying jobs especially for the rich and famous. This is for these people to listen out for anything that can help to uncover dark secrets to make this group more powerful. This operation has a nationwide reach and is a serious threat to National Security, people are being placed in all avenues including the Burlington police force, what is their agenda? can they outfox Amos and his team …..
Absolutely thrilling ….
This should have been a short visit for Amos Decker to Burlington, Ohio where he was visiting his daughter’s grave on her birthday. At the same time he is confronted by Meryl Hawkins who was his first homicide arrest is now pleading his innocence after serving a life sentence and being let out early due to his terminal cancer diagnosis. Decker and Lancaster helped to put him there.
It was Decker’s first case along with his former partner Mary Lancaster as Detectives. On this visit his current partner in crime ex journalist Alex Jamison who turned from being a Consultant to a fully fledged FBI agent.
Alex Jamison & Decker need to fly back but the case is drawing Decker in. Once Decker has a inexplicable problem he is not budging until he solves the case.
This case is multilayered and as soon as Decker is getting close to the truth the people he is questioning to are being killed and his life and those around him are being are also in danger.
It is a nice return for Melvin Mars who Decker and his team cleared as Mars was hours from the death penalty, sadly he lost 20 years of his life by being incorrectly incarcerated. Decker & Mars became firm friends.
This case is not just about getting to the truth, what Amos discovers is a operation that places people into low paying jobs especially for the rich and famous. This is for these people to listen out for anything that can help to uncover dark secrets to make this group more powerful. This operation has a nationwide reach and is a serious threat to National Security, people are being placed in all avenues including the Burlington police force, what is their agenda? can they outfox Amos and his team …..
Absolutely thrilling ….
March 20, 2019
Amos Decker, the Memory Man, is back in another twisting thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author David Baldacci (Long Road to Mercy, 2018, etc.).
By now, readers know his story. Years back, the Hulk-sized Amos Decker suffered a bone-crushing helmet-to-helmet hit during his first play in the NFL, rendering him unable to forget anything, ever. Not only is every memory seared permanently into his brain—a medical condition known as hyperthymesia—for good, but the way Decker’s brain sees and processes colors has also been altered (synesthesia).
Abandoning the playing field for police work, Decker’s condition is both a gift and a curse. While he’s able to remember endless important details pertaining to various investigations, he can never forget the murders of his wife, daughter, and brother-in-law—the images of their dead bodies forever, painfully, preserved in his memory. Now, though, Decker is working cold cases with an elite FBI unit, a job that takes him all across the country in search of justice for those who deserve it most. This time, after narrowly escaping death in Pennsylvania following the events of last year’s The Fallen, Decker is back in his hometown of Burlington, Ohio . . .
Read the rest of this review here: https://therealbookspy.com/2019/03/18...
By now, readers know his story. Years back, the Hulk-sized Amos Decker suffered a bone-crushing helmet-to-helmet hit during his first play in the NFL, rendering him unable to forget anything, ever. Not only is every memory seared permanently into his brain—a medical condition known as hyperthymesia—for good, but the way Decker’s brain sees and processes colors has also been altered (synesthesia).
Abandoning the playing field for police work, Decker’s condition is both a gift and a curse. While he’s able to remember endless important details pertaining to various investigations, he can never forget the murders of his wife, daughter, and brother-in-law—the images of their dead bodies forever, painfully, preserved in his memory. Now, though, Decker is working cold cases with an elite FBI unit, a job that takes him all across the country in search of justice for those who deserve it most. This time, after narrowly escaping death in Pennsylvania following the events of last year’s The Fallen, Decker is back in his hometown of Burlington, Ohio . . .
Read the rest of this review here: https://therealbookspy.com/2019/03/18...
May 3, 2019
Amos Decker is back in his hometown, visiting the grave of his murdered daughter, feeling guilty for not protecting her or her mother Cassie when it mattered, when he is approached by Meryl Hawkins, a man he helped send to prison for murder claiming his innocence. Hawkins was released from a private prison because he is dying of cancer, but is shot to death in his hotel room before Decker decides to listen to his story. Ignoring his FBI orders to return, Amos starts to investigate whether he and his partner had botched their first big case. Town rivalries aside, as Decker digs in, people are being killed to bury the truth of who actually killed Hawkins' alleged victims and why he had not defended himself at trial. A very twisted tale, for sure. Some of Decker's peculiarities (a phobia for physical contact, hyperthymesia, and synesthesia) are fading; in fact, there is only one reference to synesthesia, which I found disappointing. I was happy that Melvin Mars played a significant supporting role in the story. 3.5 stars.
April 21, 2019
What a deep suspense. There were layers upon layers of whodunit.
I'm so glad Decker was back in Ohio for this book. Unfortunately for Decker, he met a guy whom was put away by him and his partner when they were rookie homicide detectives. Now he has to find the truth and right the wrong. Hard to put down.
I'm so glad Decker was back in Ohio for this book. Unfortunately for Decker, he met a guy whom was put away by him and his partner when they were rookie homicide detectives. Now he has to find the truth and right the wrong. Hard to put down.
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