Memory Man

March 30, 2015
This strong first in a new thriller series from bestseller Baldacci (The Escape) introduces Amos Decker, the memory man, whose unique abilities are the result of a vicious hit he suffered as a 22-year-old NFL rookie that ended his football career. The injury induced hyperthymesia and synesthesia in Deckerâhe forgets nothing, and he âcounts in colors and sees time as pictures in head." Years later, the murders of his wife and daughter left him too grief-stricken to continue working as a cop in what may be Burlington, Vt. At age 42, the grossly overweight Decker is barely scratching out a living as a PI. The arrest of Sebastian Leopold for the slaughter of his family and a mass shooting at a local high school combine to put an unwilling Decker back into the game with temporary credentials as a policeman. Rusty but still brilliant, he rejoins his former partner, detective Mary Lancaster, in investigating both cases. A startling discovery links the school killings and those of his family. Baldacci supplies a multitude of clever touches as his wounded bear of a detective takes on a most ingenious enemy. Agent: Aaron Priest, Aaron M. Priest Literary Agency.

Listeners join Amos Decker, an ex-cop whose life fell apart in a single night, as he attempts to uncover the killer of his family. Ron McLarty and Orlagh Cassidy share narration duties, with the former taking the principal role and the latter giving voice to the full range of female characters. Two key relationships are between Decker and strong female characters. The successful pairing of the narrators, with both voices being equally engaging, ensures that the dual narration works. McLarty and Cassidy have been cast for several of Baldacci's series--Will Robie, John Puller, and King & Maxwell. Both McLarty and Cassidy demonstrate a natural talent for characterization and pacing, which makes this investigative thriller especially engrossing. K.J.P. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine