Memory Man (Amos Decker series)

David Baldacci

With over 110 million copies of his novels in print, David Baldacci is one of the most widely read storytellers in the world. Now he introduces a startling, original new character: a man with perfect memory who must solve his own family's murder.

MEMORY MAN

Amos Decker's life changed forever--twice.

The first time was on the gridiron. A big, towering athlete, he was the only person from his hometown of Burlington ever to go pro. But his career ended before it had a chance to begin. On his very first play, a violent helmet-to-helmet collision knocked him off the field for good, and left him with an improbable side effect--he can never forget anything.

The second time was at home nearly two decades later. Now a police detective, Decker returned from a stakeout one evening and entered a nightmare--his wife, young daughter, and brother-in-law had been murdered.

His family destroyed, their killer's identity as mysterious as the motive behind the crime, and unable to forget a single detail from that horrible night, Decker finds his world collapsing around him. He leaves the police force, loses his home, and winds up on the street, taking piecemeal jobs as a private investigator when he can.

But over a year later, a man turns himself in to the police and confesses to the murders. At the same time a horrific event nearly brings Burlington to its knees, and Decker is called back in to help with this investigation. Decker also seizes his chance to learn what really happened to his family that night. To uncover the stunning truth, he must use his remarkable gifts and confront the burdens that go along with them. He must endure the memories he would much rather forget. And he may have to make the ultimate sacrifice.

MEMORY MAN will stay with you long after the turn of the final page.

Author -

David Baldacci is a global #1 bestselling author. His books are published in over 45 languages and in more than 80 countries, and have been adapted for both feature film and television. David Baldacci is also the cofounder, along with his wife, of the Wish You Well Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting literacy efforts across America. Still a resident of his native Virginia, he invites you to visit him at DavidBaldacci.com and his foundation at WishYouWellFoundation.org.

David Baldacci published his first novel, ABSOLUTE POWER, in 1996. A major motion picture adaptation followed, with Clint Eastwood as its director and star. In total, David has published 29 novels for adults, all of which have been national and international bestsellers; several have been adapted for film and television. His novels have been translated into more than 45 languages and sold in more than 80 countries; over 110 million copies are in print. David has also published four novels for younger readers, including the #1 bestseller THE FINISHER, which is in development for feature film. 

David received his Bachelor's degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, after which he practiced law in Washington, D.C. 

While David is involved with several philanthropic organizations, 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 in the United States by fostering and promoting the development and expansion of literacy and educational programs. In 2008 the Foundation partnered with Feeding America to launch Feeding Body & Mind, a program to address the connection between literacy, poverty and hunger. Through Feeding Body & Mind, more than 1 million new and gently used books have been collected and distributed through food banks to families in need. 

David and his family live in Virginia.

SAMPLE CUSTOMER REVIEWS –

1) DAVID BALDACCI INTRODUCES A NEW CHARACTER, AMOS DECKER! - With Split Second (2003), David Baldacci created the fictional characters of Sean King and Michelle Maxwell, and went on to write five other intriguing and highly entertaining novels in the King & Maxwell series. In 2005, he introduced four unlikely partners in The Camel Club with the series known by the same name. Then the A. Shaw series came with The Whole Truth in 2008 which was about the exploits of a secret band of highly trained agents. In 2011, Baldacci gave his readers a new hero in the form of John Puller with Zero Day. The year 2012 witnessed the birth of another character, a ruthless stone-cold hitman, Will Robie in The Innocent. Interspersed in between were some exciting and delightful stories directed towards young readers, all of which were well-received.

His latest offering, Memory Man, introduces yet another character who is unlike anything you’ve read before. Amos Decker is an ex-football star and a highly decorated ex-cop. Life has a way of dealing cruel and harsh blows. Decker was a promising footballer, but it was cut short by an accident he met as a twenty-two year-old NFL rookie. The injury opened a new chapter in his life, resulting in a condition of possessing an extremely detailed autobiographical memory wherein he forgets nothing. The grisly murders of his loved ones left him directionless. But the chance arrest of Sebastian Leopold who was suspected of being involved in a mass shooting at the local high school brought the cold case back to life, and reunited Decker with his former partner, detective Mary Lancaster, and they had to dig deep to bring the two cases to its logical conclusion.

Memory Man by David Baldacci is an exciting, fast-paced thriller which fans of Baldacci’s other series will enjoy. There is enough suspense in the book which will keep you going all the way to the end. In Amos Decker, Baldacci has created a fascinating character while Mary Lancaster is as wonderful. The plot is wonderfully conceived, and the ending will leave you delightfully satisfied. I wonder how the character of Amos Decker will evolve in the next book in the series. Though he's not your ideal hero I'm sure you'll still root for him!

#Received advance uncorrected proof reading copy in exchange for my honest review.

By the GreatReads! TOP 500 REVIEWER on April 15, 2015

2) Cautiously Recommended To Other Baldacci Fans. - I have always been a big fan of David Baldacci's writing and have stated in other reviews I've written that "I've never read a bad book written by him", however this one comes close to making a liar out of me, but that's just my opinion.

I found the story "intriguing" on the one hand, and "plodding" on the other as it seemed to lack the vitality of Mr. Baldacci's past works almost as if it had been "ghost written", (no I'm not accusing, just stating an opinion), by someone who just did not quite grasp David Baldacci's writing style.

Now I come to the hard question of recommending it and to that I will say that I "cautiously" recommend this book as the premise of the story is good and it is an interesting read, it was, (at least for me), not what I had expected which was another "page turner".

If this is, and I'm certain it will be, another series then it needs to be improved on.

I would be curious to know from Mr. Baldacci where he came up with the premise for this as I think that may be an even better story.

By Terrill D. Carpenter on April 26, 2015

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