A Minute to Midnight, by David Baldacci {Book Review}

Would you believe that this is my first David Baldacci book? The synopsis of A Minute to Midnight had me super intrigued…. A kid taken from her bed, reminds one of a very real life unsolved mystery. So I went into this book ready for all sorts of truth bombs and revelations. What I didn’t realise though, is that this is the 2nd Atlee Pine book from David, and glaringly obvious, not the last….. While I read the book, I was unaware of the intention of a series. So in the end I felt so confused…because I had so many questions. Once I realised that this is a series though, I understood the questions and I wait in anticipation for the next book!

What is A Minute to Midnight about?

FBI Agent Atlee Pine’s life was never the same after her twin sister Mercy was kidnapped–and likely killed–thirty years ago. After a lifetime of torturous uncertainty, Atlee’s unresolved anger finally gets the better of her on the job, and she finds she has to deal with the demons of her past if she wants to remain with the FBI.

Atlee and her assistant Carol Blum head back to Atlee’s rural hometown in Georgia to see what they can uncover about the traumatic night Mercy was taken and Pine was almost killed. But soon after Atlee begins her investigation, a local woman is found ritualistically murdered, her face covered with a wedding veil–and the first killing is quickly followed by a second bizarre murder.

Atlee is determined to continue her search for answers, but now she must also set her sights on finding a potential serial killer before another victim is claimed. But in a small town full of secrets–some of which could answer the questions that have plagued Atlee her entire life–digging deeper into the past could be more dangerous than she realizes . . .

My Review

The characters and storyline

The main character in the book is the protagonist, Atlee Pine. Atlee is however one of those indestructible good gals. I’m not usually a fan of those sorts of protagonists….but she isn’t without flaws. Atlee has lived through a really tough life. Being indestructible is the least the universe can offer her after the life she’s led, right?

We also spend a lot of time with Atlee’s assistant, Carol Blum, who is a rock to Atlee in this book. We are also introduced to an agent from Atlee’s past, who reminds me very much of Eddie Cahill’s character in CSI: NY for some reason. lol.

I found the storyline to be a real hook for me. Even if not sent to me, if I had read this synopsis, I would have bought A Minute to Midnight. As I said in my introduction, this synopsis just reminds me so much of a real life child abduction, so I needed to read it.

My thoughts

So this book does a bit of a 360, where the reason I started reading this book, was not the core focus of the storyline. A serial killer is introduced and I think you are perhaps expecting the two stories to collide at some stage. I won’t say if it does or doesn’t though…. you’ll have to read to find out.

The story was really well played out, suspenseful and there were so many suspects for me! A real whodunnit sort of book! I was convinced it was him…or maybe her….then I was like…dang it, David punked me! Well played David……

This book was such an easy read and perfect for a lazy day next to the pool. It’s not one of those books where you need to hang on to every word, looking for a clue.

My rating

A Minute to Midnight has a Goodreads rating of 4.33 stars! That is a very good rating. This was 3.5 stars for me, but that has more to do with the fact that I didn’t realise this was part of a series when I started the book. If I’d known before I started the book, I think it could have been a 4 stars read. I am really excited for the next book and to delve even more into Atlee’s history!

A Minute to Midnight retails for around R290 (currently R239 on Takealot.com) and is available at all leading book retailers.

Disclaimer: This book was sent to me by Pan Macmillan in exchange for an honest review.