Book Review: The Edge by David Baldacci (The 6.20 Man #2)

Rating: 4.5⭐

In the second installment of David Baldacci’s The 6.20 Man series Former U.S. Army Ranger Travis Devine is tasked with solving the mystery behind the murder of a CIA operative Jennifer Silkwell in her hometown in Putnam Maine. Her laptop and phone are missing, which raises national security concerns. Travis’s handler has a close personal connection with Jennifer's family, which also makes it personal. Posing as a special investigator with Homeland Security, Travis collaborates with local law enforcement in finding the killer. But a small town has many secrets and people aren't too welcoming to outsiders and local officials extend their hospitality only up to a point. As Travis investigates the Silkwell family, Jennifer’s siblings, and the townspeople, it is evident there is more to Jennifer’s murder than meets the eye. Travis uncovers a possible connection between Jennifer's murder and past crimes (and coverups) committed in the area and soon discovers that there are forces at play that would resort to any measures to keep secrets buried.

When it comes to intricately plotted, action-packed page-turners, David Baldacci seldom disappoints. The Edge is no exception. Baldacci weaves a consistently paced, suspenseful plot with great attention to detail and more than a few suspicious characters and secrets that keep you immersed and guessing up until the very last page. I really liked the protagonist and his approach to crime-solving. There is a relatively large cast of characters in the fold, but at no point is the narrative difficult to follow. There were a few segments in the narrative that were seemingly unrelated to the case, which might have been inserted foreshadowing future events in the series. Overall, The Edge by David Baldacci is an intense absorbing read that I thoroughly enjoyed. The ending indicates a thrilling third installment in the future. Needless to say, I can’t wait!

It should be noted that although The Edge is the second book in a series, it can be read as a standalone.

Many thanks to the publisher for the gifted copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The Edge was published on November 14, 2023.