Master storyteller David Baldacci returns with my 'favorite leading man,' Travis Devine, following The 6:20 Man #1 (5 stars) with THE EDGE #2 —and true to its title, this riveting whodunit suspense thriller will have you on the edge-of-your-seat from the first page to the last, anxiously awaiting the next in the series!
THE EDGE is an impressive, satisfying, INTENSE, high-octane, action-packed—entertaining, and electrifying suspense crime thriller mystery whodunit! Baldacci showcases his star power, from twisty complex plots to keep you guessing, and a cast of intriguing, multi-generational, well-developed characters make this a Top Book of 2023!
The novel grabs you immediately on a train with some action scenes on a ride between Geneva and Milan as they are about to go through a tunnel. Travis Devine knows there are assailants on board. He is ready and prepared and takes them on but leaves a woman, a loose thread that may come back to haunt (hopefully in the #3 series).
Travis was recruited to serve in the Office of Special Projects under the massive bureaucratic dome of Homeland Security.
The new mission, Putnam, Maine: Travis' handler, Emerson Campbell, delivers his next assignment. A CIA operative, Jenny Silkwell, was found shot to death in Putnam, Maine, a small town outside of Bangor. Her dad, Curtis, was the senior US senator from Maine—a long line of wealth and prestige. She was murdered four days earlier.
They think there is suspicious activity, and they have not been able to locate her CIA-issued laptop or phone. The family is special to Campbell as he was a friend of the Senator, now on his deathbed.
Travis Devine goes in with full credentials, pretending to be an investigator with Homeland Security. It is hard for Travis to comprehend the lack of investigative skills from the likes of this small rural town investigation consisting of an Andy Griffith/Barney Fife type law enforcement (Chief of Police Harper and Sergeant Wendy Fuss—that asks no questions and believes its own never could do any harm). Are they clueless or pretending to be?
At first, Travis is still determining if he possesses all the investigative skills; however, soon he learns he does. He is sharp and sees things others do not. And what a maze of dark secrets and puzzles! The dangers here are often as bad as the battlefield.
The novel revolves around three Putnam families:
~The Silkwells
~The Palmers (Earl/Bertie & family)
~The Bings
Generations of these well-known Putnam families will connect in ways you cannot imagine. From tragedy, unexpected deaths, and dark secrets that go back years—they want to stay buried until Travis Devine enters as the past and present collide. The closer he gets to the truth, his life is on the line.
The small-knit community is full of dark secrets going back generations. From the Bings (former Sheriff now retired in Naples, FL) on his salary? And the mysterious Bings in the funeral business (Bing & Sons) and the medical examiner (Dr. Francoise Guillaume). The family has plenty of money and control. What are they hiding, and how are the Silkwells, Palmers, and their tragedies connected?
Next, we have Jenny's family. The father, Senator, is dying in Hospice, and her mother, Clare, lives in DC and has remarried to a wealthy man. She said her daughter said she had some unfinished business in Putnam before she was murdered. Did she mean personal or business?
Jenny's brother Dak owns a tattoo parlor, has a shady past, and has invested in local businesses.
Alex, the younger sister, a beautiful, highly talented artist and a recluse, teaches art at the local school and has a troubled past of fifteen years ago when she was a teen. Devine will ultimately be attracted to Alex. She has lost her memory of what happened fifteen years ago that may be connected to the case.
Alex and Dak live in the Gothic-style mansion (Jocelyn Point) handed down from family generations past. The Bing brother, Fred, and sister, Francoise (funeral home owners), also live in a vast mansion (more significant than the former). Both homes are almost another character in the novel that has been handed down from family.
The ultimate task is for Devine to determine if Jenny's death was due to her job as a CIA agent or if it relates to her personal life and someone in Putnam they knew. How are these families connected?
What a thrill ride! The author is at the TOP OF HIS GAME! Conspiracies, corruption, secrets, blackmail, and murder!
A long-time fan of the author, having read all his series; however, the 6:20 Man Series is my absolute FAVORITE! The author has masterfully created Travis Devine, which is prime for the big or small screen. PLEASE!
I did not know how the author could top the first in the series (loved); however, he DOES INDEED —like a rock star on steroids! Baldacci pulls out all the stops, creating his best series yet with a main character that is highly relatable and a show-stopper!
Wow! Travis has the patience of Job— dealing with the incompetent local authorities in a small town with a bundle of dark secrets and coverups. How are they all connected? With a list of suspects, you will be shocked at how all the complex puzzle pieces fit together.
THE EDGE is one of Baldacci's best! I loved the e-book so much that I purchased the hardcover copy and the audiobook (always a pre-order) narrated by Zachary Webber (fav), Erin Cottrell, Will Collyer, Erin Bennett (fav), and Tiffany Smith for a highly entertaining listening experience!
Please do not let this series end! I loved Devine and the small-town mystery. I also hope we see Travis & and Alex again in the future! I cannot wait to see what comes next for Travis. I am in for the long haul—LOVE him! Highly recommend!
#JDCMustReadBooks
The Edge
4.6 | 44,651 ratings
Price: 19.1
Last update: 04-15-2025
About this item
Top reviews from the United States
Judith D. Collins
One of Baldacci's best! Love this series!
Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2023
Judith D. Collins
Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2023
THE EDGE is an impressive, satisfying, INTENSE, high-octane, action-packed—entertaining, and electrifying suspense crime thriller mystery whodunit! Baldacci showcases his star power, from twisty complex plots to keep you guessing, and a cast of intriguing, multi-generational, well-developed characters make this a Top Book of 2023!
The novel grabs you immediately on a train with some action scenes on a ride between Geneva and Milan as they are about to go through a tunnel. Travis Devine knows there are assailants on board. He is ready and prepared and takes them on but leaves a woman, a loose thread that may come back to haunt (hopefully in the #3 series).
Travis was recruited to serve in the Office of Special Projects under the massive bureaucratic dome of Homeland Security.
The new mission, Putnam, Maine: Travis' handler, Emerson Campbell, delivers his next assignment. A CIA operative, Jenny Silkwell, was found shot to death in Putnam, Maine, a small town outside of Bangor. Her dad, Curtis, was the senior US senator from Maine—a long line of wealth and prestige. She was murdered four days earlier.
They think there is suspicious activity, and they have not been able to locate her CIA-issued laptop or phone. The family is special to Campbell as he was a friend of the Senator, now on his deathbed.
Travis Devine goes in with full credentials, pretending to be an investigator with Homeland Security. It is hard for Travis to comprehend the lack of investigative skills from the likes of this small rural town investigation consisting of an Andy Griffith/Barney Fife type law enforcement (Chief of Police Harper and Sergeant Wendy Fuss—that asks no questions and believes its own never could do any harm). Are they clueless or pretending to be?
At first, Travis is still determining if he possesses all the investigative skills; however, soon he learns he does. He is sharp and sees things others do not. And what a maze of dark secrets and puzzles! The dangers here are often as bad as the battlefield.
The novel revolves around three Putnam families:
~The Silkwells
~The Palmers (Earl/Bertie & family)
~The Bings
Generations of these well-known Putnam families will connect in ways you cannot imagine. From tragedy, unexpected deaths, and dark secrets that go back years—they want to stay buried until Travis Devine enters as the past and present collide. The closer he gets to the truth, his life is on the line.
The small-knit community is full of dark secrets going back generations. From the Bings (former Sheriff now retired in Naples, FL) on his salary? And the mysterious Bings in the funeral business (Bing & Sons) and the medical examiner (Dr. Francoise Guillaume). The family has plenty of money and control. What are they hiding, and how are the Silkwells, Palmers, and their tragedies connected?
Next, we have Jenny's family. The father, Senator, is dying in Hospice, and her mother, Clare, lives in DC and has remarried to a wealthy man. She said her daughter said she had some unfinished business in Putnam before she was murdered. Did she mean personal or business?
Jenny's brother Dak owns a tattoo parlor, has a shady past, and has invested in local businesses.
Alex, the younger sister, a beautiful, highly talented artist and a recluse, teaches art at the local school and has a troubled past of fifteen years ago when she was a teen. Devine will ultimately be attracted to Alex. She has lost her memory of what happened fifteen years ago that may be connected to the case.
Alex and Dak live in the Gothic-style mansion (Jocelyn Point) handed down from family generations past. The Bing brother, Fred, and sister, Francoise (funeral home owners), also live in a vast mansion (more significant than the former). Both homes are almost another character in the novel that has been handed down from family.
The ultimate task is for Devine to determine if Jenny's death was due to her job as a CIA agent or if it relates to her personal life and someone in Putnam they knew. How are these families connected?
What a thrill ride! The author is at the TOP OF HIS GAME! Conspiracies, corruption, secrets, blackmail, and murder!
A long-time fan of the author, having read all his series; however, the 6:20 Man Series is my absolute FAVORITE! The author has masterfully created Travis Devine, which is prime for the big or small screen. PLEASE!
I did not know how the author could top the first in the series (loved); however, he DOES INDEED —like a rock star on steroids! Baldacci pulls out all the stops, creating his best series yet with a main character that is highly relatable and a show-stopper!
Wow! Travis has the patience of Job— dealing with the incompetent local authorities in a small town with a bundle of dark secrets and coverups. How are they all connected? With a list of suspects, you will be shocked at how all the complex puzzle pieces fit together.
THE EDGE is one of Baldacci's best! I loved the e-book so much that I purchased the hardcover copy and the audiobook (always a pre-order) narrated by Zachary Webber (fav), Erin Cottrell, Will Collyer, Erin Bennett (fav), and Tiffany Smith for a highly entertaining listening experience!
Please do not let this series end! I loved Devine and the small-town mystery. I also hope we see Travis & and Alex again in the future! I cannot wait to see what comes next for Travis. I am in for the long haul—LOVE him! Highly recommend!
#JDCMustReadBooks
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Dawn R.
interesting
Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2024W. D. Barnum
Baldacci is back!
Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2024Kathy W
Riveting
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2024S.E.D.
great read!
Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2024Brad
One of his best!
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2024Amazon Customer
Great stortr
Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2024Malcolm W. Anderson
6:20 Review
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2024