One Good Deed, David Baldacci
One Good Deed, David Baldacci
118 Rating(s)
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One Good Deed

Bestseller

Author: David Baldacci

Narrator: Edoardo Ballerini

Unabridged: 11 hr 41 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 07/23/2019


Synopsis

In this fast-paced historical thriller, the #1 New York Times bestselling author introduces Archer, a WWII veteran forced to investigate a small-town murder -- or risk returning to prison.
It's 1949. When war veteran Aloysius Archer is released from Carderock Prison, he is sent to Poca City on parole with a short list of do's and a much longer list of don'ts: do report regularly to his parole officer, don't go to bars, certainly don't drink alcohol, do get a job -- and don't ever associate with loose women.

The small town quickly proves more complicated and dangerous than Archer's years serving in the war or his time in jail. Within a single night, his search for gainful employment -- and a stiff drink -- leads him to a local bar, where he is hired for what seems like a simple job: to collect a debt owed to a powerful local businessman, Hank Pittleman.

Soon Archer discovers that recovering the debt won't be so easy. The indebted man has a furious grudge against Hank and refuses to pay; Hank's clever mistress has her own designs on Archer; and both Hank and Archer's stern parole officer, Miss Crabtree, are keeping a sharp eye on him.

When a murder takes place right under Archer's nose, police suspicions rise against the ex-convict, and Archer realizes that the crime could send him right back to prison . . . if he doesn't use every skill in his arsenal to track down the real killer.

About David Baldacci

Author, David Baldacci, was born in Richmond VA in 1960. He had had a different plan for his life than most authors. He received a law degree from the University of VA and practiced in law for many years in Washington, DC. He actively began writing stories as a child after his mother gave him a notebook. As he got older he wrote short stories and screenplays without reaching much success. He then turned to writing a novel where he spent three years writing Absolute Powers in 1996, which proved to be a bestseller. He has published 29 bestselling adult novels and 4 children's novels.

Baldacci and his wife live in Vienna, VA where they are the founders of "Wish You Well Foundation". (named after one of his novels, "Wish You Well" which was also a screenplay for the movie starring Ellen Burstyn.) The Foundation works to combat illiteracy in the United States. Baldacci has over 110 million copies of his book in print.


Reviews

Goodreads review by David on October 23, 2019

When I heard the premise of this novel I really wanted to read it. I looked forward to it. When it finally arrived in the mail I put all other books aside. The book was everything I hoped for. The historical setting, the characters, the story line, it was great. The book was headed for five solid st......more

Goodreads review by Baba on August 03, 2021

It's 1949, and World War II veteran Aloysius Archer finds himself paroled out of prison (unjustly incarcerated) to the up and coming boom town where on his first night he is hired to collect a debt for the town's most influential man... and that's when the games begin. It what feels like a sepia ton......more

Goodreads review by Paul on January 29, 2023

Aloysius Archer – a World War II soldier fresh out of prison for a crime he didn’t commit "It was a good day to be free of prison ... he breathed free air for the first time in a while." But the life of a paroled ex-convict is not an easy row to hoe. And when Aloysius Archer finds himself caught up i......more

Goodreads review by Gary on June 08, 2019

I really enjoyed this stand alone by author David Baldacci an d it made me realise I really must read more of his work soon. Nicely written and the 640 pages flew by as I enjoyed the twists and turns in this entertaining read. Great characters, especially the lead one Aloysius Archer who I would lov......more

Goodreads review by Louise on July 12, 2019

Aloysius Archer has been released from prison, for a crime he did not commit, and sent out of the of the way to a southern town to await his parole. He's only been there for twenty four hours and he's already been in lots of trouble. He had been instructed to meet his parole officer, Ernestine Crabt......more


Quotes

"One of [Baldacci's] finest books. Great character, great story, great portrait of an era."—Bill Clinton

"David Baldacci is a master storyteller, and he invokes the classic feel of the post-war 1940s evident in the timeless literature and film of that time. A sympathetic hero and a cast of mysterious citizens in a small town summon familiar themes one expects in a Baldacci novel, and he once again doesn't disappoint."—Associated Press

"Insightful and entertaining, Baldacci has captured the time and events perfectly with authenticity, beauty and flawless prose . . . Archer is a terrific anti-hero with plenty of longevity and originality [and] the supporting cast is just as memorable. Gripping from beginning to end."—New York Journal of Books

"Baldacci has crafted an ingenious and addicting read in which each paragraph provides a new revelation. The time period and writing style immediately called to mind the works of the immortal James M. Cain . . . [a] terrific slice of crime noir."—Bookreporter.com

"Mega-selling mystery writer David Baldacci's latest takes us back in time and introduces a new series protagonist that may become one of his most popular . . . a captivating page-turner."—The Florida Times-Union

"David Baldacci switches gears with magnificent results . . . simmering suspense and splendid prose . . . Terrific-reading entertainment."—Providence Journal

"Baldacci nails the setting -- capturing everything from the way things looked back in 1949 to how people spoke, adding realism and authenticity to the story. The characters are developed nicely, especially Archer, who flashes real star power throughout . . . Fast-paced and packed with plenty of suspense."—The Real Book Spy

"One Good Deed is an uproarious, tangled-web tale . . . David Baldacci knows how to pleasurably wind us up."—The Washington Book Review

"Baldacci is a master of pace and plotting, and One Good Deed doesn't let up on the throttle. A good ´40s noir."—Historical Novel Society