Helpful Score: 4
This was another great book by Baldacci! I love these characters. So much fun!
Helpful Score: 3
This is Baldacci at the top of his form. There are two plots he weaves together nicely and does in short spurts of 2-3 pages per chapter, which makes it far easier to recall "who is on first" as he moves various characters along into the plot. It is the first book I can recall with 99 chapters--but all short and sweet.
Having read all three in the Camel Club series, the only problem I have found is that with the interval between reading each, certain aspects of character development are hazy. In this third book, some of the character idiosyncracies recall glimpses of the first book. For example, Alex Ford is important in this book, whereas he was barely present in book 2.
Without giving away the ending, I was left thinking and wondering, will the Camel Club return, or have the issues all been resolved? I have my own opinion...read this book and decide for yourself.
Having read all three in the Camel Club series, the only problem I have found is that with the interval between reading each, certain aspects of character development are hazy. In this third book, some of the character idiosyncracies recall glimpses of the first book. For example, Alex Ford is important in this book, whereas he was barely present in book 2.
Without giving away the ending, I was left thinking and wondering, will the Camel Club return, or have the issues all been resolved? I have my own opinion...read this book and decide for yourself.
Helpful Score: 3
I just loved this book. I love all Baldacci's books, but this is by far, the best!! I only can hope he will write another "Camel Club" character book and go on where he left off! Very exciting, thrilling, hard to put down book!!
Helpful Score: 2
If you are a camel club fan you MUST read this. It is the best in the series so far, but it would have to be read in the proper order. I cannot wait to read the next one. Baldacci is the best.
Helpful Score: 2
This is the sequel to the Camel Club, Stone and his group end up fighting for their very lives. Annabelle Conroy, honorary member of the group, is fighting her own battle and the excitement for all is breathtaking for the reader. Excellent; couldn't put it down!
Helpful Score: 1
As always, David Baldacci's facts are impeccable and his plots are fantastic. This story will keep you reading at the expense of all those things you wanted to do. A terrific read!
Helpful Score: 1
I love the books with the Camel Club characters. This one was NOT a disappointment. There was plenty of adventure and suspense. Annabelle, the character introduced in THE COLLECTORS, is in this one also. If you like mystery, murder, suspense, etc., this one is for you!
Helpful Score: 1
Great book. I can't believe it hasn't been made into a movie. I can just see Clint Eastwood or maybe Tommy Lee Jones as Oliver Stone. I haven't been to a movie in years but that's one I'd definitely have to go see.
Are Oliver Stone's friends going to be able to help him this time or will he have to solve this on his own?
Once again, I couldn't wait to read this next book in the series. I do enjoy novel series, especiall within this genre. Have fun with these books. I certainly did.
Reliably entertaining. Baldacci is always dependable for a good, quick read.
What IS it about some of these NYT-best-seller-guys?? The number of times the reader is required to suspend disbelief, and the degree of suspension required, is mind-boggling. I read this kind of pulp tripe because I'm looking for a temporary and entertaining diversion-- not because I have a burning desire to feel like a credulous idiot (which is the way I'm feeling for expending time on this book. Hey, I'm not blaming anyone-- mea culpa, mea maximum freaking culpa). I am not measuring the quality of this book against War and Peace, either. I read ALL KINDS of garbage-- sci fi, post-apocalyptic, fantasy, romance, vampire, mystery, et cetera. I'm pretty good about taking things for what they are supposed to be-- I'm just not that picky. Which brings me back from my ravings to Baldacci's un-entertaining and completely un-believable book.
Here is one example of what I'm talking about. This won't spoil any plot devices (in my opinion that would be difficult to do, anyhow.
One of the main characters hacks into a US Senator's private computer. The computer is password protected. After only a few minutes, and a half-dozen attempts, the character is easily able to figure out the password. WHAT? I mean, really? I can't even remember my OWN password most of the time. How in the world could I figure out a person's password whom I haven't even met?? I'm not being petty, this kind of stuff happens frequently in the book. Another example: you've just been told the EX-HEAD OF THE CIA, (who is, inexplicably, still actually in charge of the entire asset base and man-power of the CIA) is after you and your family. You make all the effort of hiding out under another name, paying with cash, in a cruddy motel. But then, you let your 15 year-old son pop down to the convenience store. Where he then uses his debit card to alert the entire western world to your whereabouts. Yes, I know that was probably a plot-spoiler-- I just did you a favor if you were about to waste one of your precious credits on this book.
Baldacci must think the reading public is populated by people stupid enough to buy these stunts without question.
Which brings me to the characters in the book. Just for once I would like to read about somebody who WASN'T the baddest, smartest, tallest, best-coiffured, fastest, most-hansom, toughest, best-endowed, et cetera, et cetera, et-relentless-cetera. In this book EVERY character is that way. Every character is the best there ever was at whatever it is they are currently doing.
Okay, I'll stop foaming about this book. The only thing I can say that is positive about the entire Baldacci experience is that I didn't actually pay for the book-- somebody gave it to me for free, and without any warning....
Here is one example of what I'm talking about. This won't spoil any plot devices (in my opinion that would be difficult to do, anyhow.
One of the main characters hacks into a US Senator's private computer. The computer is password protected. After only a few minutes, and a half-dozen attempts, the character is easily able to figure out the password. WHAT? I mean, really? I can't even remember my OWN password most of the time. How in the world could I figure out a person's password whom I haven't even met?? I'm not being petty, this kind of stuff happens frequently in the book. Another example: you've just been told the EX-HEAD OF THE CIA, (who is, inexplicably, still actually in charge of the entire asset base and man-power of the CIA) is after you and your family. You make all the effort of hiding out under another name, paying with cash, in a cruddy motel. But then, you let your 15 year-old son pop down to the convenience store. Where he then uses his debit card to alert the entire western world to your whereabouts. Yes, I know that was probably a plot-spoiler-- I just did you a favor if you were about to waste one of your precious credits on this book.
Baldacci must think the reading public is populated by people stupid enough to buy these stunts without question.
Which brings me to the characters in the book. Just for once I would like to read about somebody who WASN'T the baddest, smartest, tallest, best-coiffured, fastest, most-hansom, toughest, best-endowed, et cetera, et cetera, et-relentless-cetera. In this book EVERY character is that way. Every character is the best there ever was at whatever it is they are currently doing.
Okay, I'll stop foaming about this book. The only thing I can say that is positive about the entire Baldacci experience is that I didn't actually pay for the book-- somebody gave it to me for free, and without any warning....
Oliver Stone and his Camel Club are asked to come to the aid of Annabelle Conroy, an honorary member of the club and a con artist. Jerry Bagger, who killed her mother, was conned by Conroy for $40 million and now he's coming after her. Men from Stone's past have ended up dead. Harry Finn is the killer and his eyes are now set on Stone. The book is the best of the series so far. Non-stop action and unique characters kept the pages turning. I'm now looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Book would also make a great movie. I highly recommend it to those who love historical mystery thrillers.
Best of the Camel Club series!
This is the first book I have read by David Baldacci. This book had somewhat of a slow start for me but after the first 3 or 4 chapters the hook got me and it was a very compelling read. I enjoyed it very much.
I can give this 3 stars--but it might be because it is the 3rd in a series and I haven't read the first 2 yet but I will, however, I did find it confusing and with just too many characters, I think I managed to keep up with all of them but it got tedious reading after a while but I stuck with it because I intend to read the first 2 in the series, now I am just ahead
If you like Baldacci you will really enjoy this book. I couldn't put it down.
Very suspenseful. Good action. No romance so if that is what you are after go eleswhere.
if you are not a fan you will be
One of Baldacci best
Haven't read a lot by this author, but enjoy his writing when i do. I felt the beginning was a little slow with the characters, but definitely picked up the pace and was exciting by the end. Involves spies, CIA, FBI, Cold War topics.
Can't go wrong with David Baldacci.
This book is a cliff hanger. If you want to read a book that will keep you awake at night reading it, this is the book for you!
This book is awesome. However, it is recommended that you read the first two books in the series.
Good story. Read it twice.
I intend to read the whole series of the Camel Club. Very interesting and makes one think of things that can and do go on in todays world.
Excellent installment on the Camel Club series. Oliver Stone remains a wonderful hero with a shady past. I hope there are more to come in this series.
Excellent Book. Must Read.
Absolute page-turner from beginning to end. If you're a Camel Club fan, this one is much better than the others. I hope it isn't the end of these characters, but if it is, what a great ending!
Wow, wow, WOW. This book takes off at break-neck speed and doesn't stop. It's one of those "can't put it down" books that grab you from the start and then you're hooked. This is the sequel to the Baldacci book "The Collectors". Another great read; definitely read that one first!! Stone Cold has several different plots and you are drawn into each of them, given just enough information to start putting the puzzle pieces together to see how they fit with each other, and then racing to the end when they all collide at once. Storytelling at its best - moving at just the right pace.
A great thriller - involved and eloquently enlivened with background details and intricate plot and sub-plot structures.
Not the very best in the series but good. I really enjoy this series.
This is, by far, the best book in the Camel Club series! I cannot wait to read the next one; keep them coming David Baldacci!
Outstanding, couldn't read it fast enough, 3rd in the series, can be read alone, but you'll certainly want to read them all!
Very Interesting....hard to put down
Okay, not his best!
Great.. The Camel Club continues to be an exciting read. I enjoyed it thoroughly!!
Baldacci hooked me again. I have to read the next one in the series ASAP.
