The 6:20 Man is back, dropped by his handlers into a small coastal town in Maine to solve the murder of a CIA agent who knew America’s dirtiest secrets—can Travis Devine uncover the truth before his time runs out?
When CIA operative Jenny Silkwell is murdered in rural Maine, government officials have immediate concerns over national security. Her laptop and phone were full of state secrets that, in the wrong hands, endanger the lives of countless operatives. In need of someone who can solve the murder quickly and retrieve the missing information, the U.S. government knows just the chameleon they can call on.
Ex-Army Ranger Travis Devine spent his time in the military preparing to take on any scenario, followed by his short-lived business career chasing shadows in the deepest halls of power, so his analytical mind makes him particularly well-suited for complex, high-stakes tasks. Taking down the world’s largest financial conspiracy proved his value, and in comparison, this case looks straightforward. Except small towns hold secrets and Devine finds himself an outsider again.
Devine must ingratiate himself with locals who have trusted each other their whole lives, and who distrust outsiders just as much. Dak, Jenny’s brother, who’s working to revitalize the town. Earl, the retired lobsterman who found Jenny’s body. And Alex, Jenny’s sister with a dark past of her own. As Devine gets to know the residents of Putnam, Maine, answers seem to appear and then transform into more questions. There’s a long history of secrets and those who will stop at nothing to keep them from being exposed. Leaving Devine with no idea who he can trust… and who wants him dead.
Wanda 517 –
As the financial analyst who took the train at 6:20 am. This character seemed very different. But I did come to really like him and Alex.This novel had so many twists, it was easy to get lost in it. It held my interest.I am looking forward to reading “The Girl on the Train”….. but that can’t be the title, can it?
Shirley –
I read all of David Baldacci books, and this is one of the best ever. It is one of those books I didn’t want to put down. The characters are all interesting and the story plot keeps you guessing until the very end. I highly recommend this book to anyone that loves mysteries and thrillers. Good job, David.
Blue Eyes –
Undercover as Homeland Security to help local police, but also to find out if sensitive information has been accessed or stolen from her laptop or phone. While there, Devine discovers many secrets and several unsolved crimes, some dating back 15 years. These discoveries put a target on Devine as well as the individuals he is now trying to protect.Great book! Highly recommend David Baldacci.
Graywhiteboy –
Both books from the series are really good. There were no lulls in the action from beginning to end. Each time I had to put down the book I couldn’t wait to pick it back up again. As always, Baldacci taught me some new new things.
John E. Mack –
This is one of the best Baldacci. In spite of having a rather uninteresting protagonist (Travis Devine is sort of a cut rate Jack Reacher) this book has a lot of action scenes and good secondary characters. Devine is tasked by Washington with going to the small Town of Putnam Maine to determine whether the death of a female CIA agent was due to international intelligence causes, or was a strictly local affair. Devine is not very welcome in Putnam. The police think he is big footing their investigation, and a lot of the locals have something to hide. There is also a subplot of international terrorists trying to do Devine in.. Does this have anything to do with the agent’s death? Complex and fast paced, fans of Bald acc I will not want to miss this one.
J.Walker –
I probably have 15 David Baldacci books. I’m a hardboiled noir / modern crime fiction reader. The Edge is one of Baldacci’s best reads. The guy’s a master at seamlessly blending pertinent technical data with edge of the seat twists and turns – tethered to a reliable morale compass . Even though all of my Baldacci reads are fantastic – I felt compelled to write an interview for this book – it’s got an extra dose of entertaining adrenaline pumping the heart of the story – so to speak.
IndyGrl –
I went back and re-read the first 6;20 Man I liked the first book OK but i believe that this second book is much better. Devine seemed a weaker charcater in the first book and it went off in several directions, i think he is a much stronger person in this book and seems to be more confident about what he is doing and where he needs to go a better stronger story line and definitely holds your attention.
Mtnhiker –
This is another excellent book in the Travis Devine series. I think Baldacci has a great new character that can lead to multiple stories involving Devine. I would highly recommend any of David’s books, but this is a great one and I like the setting in Maine as well. It was great to get a glimpse into the small town location for this story and the images of the Northeast Coast was a treat as well. I think there is no limit to what this character can do and the stories that can unfold with him. Baldacci is a masterful writer and he is always drawing us into his characters worlds with fast paced and well written stories that makes you eager for the next installment while keeping you turning the pages. Please continue with more stories of Devine and his investigations. If this is your first time reading this author, you are just at the tip of the iceberg, his stories are known throughout the world and has made Baldacci an author with few equals. I highly recommend this book and series.
Thomas Mitchell –
Mystery writer David Baldacci is notorious for pushing the envelope and keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end, and he does so again with this latest novel, his second book featuring the 6:20 Man, Travis Devine.“The Edge” sends federal investigator Devine to a small town in Maine where everybody knows everybody else and many of their darkest secrets. He is there to solve the murder of CIA operative Jenny Silkwell. It is feared her death was somehow related to her undercover work and that her missing computer and cellphone could jeopardize national security.As Devine delves into the knowledge and backgrounds of Silkwell’s family members and assorted townspeople the bodies stack up like cord wood. Devine himself is a narrowly missed target along the way. Who is doing what to whom and why? Is it Silkwell’s government secrets or long buried secrets above past criminal wrongdoing by one the locals and involving Silkwell’s sister?Clue after clue is knocked down or fit into the scheme of things. Along the way Baldacci uses extensive and often subtle dialogue to develop his many faceted characters and reveal their secrets little by little.I’ve read two dozen of Baldacci’s books and I highly recommend all of them.
Judith D. CollinsJudith D. Collins –
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 BingsGenerations 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