THE SIXTH MAN

THE SIXTH MAN by David Baldacci was read for the Pub 2011 Reading Challenge and the What's in a Name 4 Challenge (number)

From the book jacket:

After the #1 New York Times bestsellers Split Second, Hour Game, Simple Genius, and First Family, Sean King and Michelle Maxwell return in their most shocking case:  a high-stakes struggle where the relentless needs of national security run up against the absolute limits of the human mind.

Edgar Ray - an alleged serial killer held in a secure, fortress-like Federal Supermax facility - is awaiting trial  He faces almost certain conviction.  Sean King and Michelle Maxwell are call in by Roy's attorney, Sean's old friend and mentor Ted Bergin, to help work the case.  But their investigation is derailed before it begins - en route to their first meeting with Bergin, Sean and Michelle find him murdered.

It is now up to them to ask the questions no one seems to want answered:  Is Roy a killer?  Who murdered Bergin?  With help from some surprising allies, they continue to pursue the case.  But the more they dig into Roy's past, the more they encounter obstacles, half-truths, dead-ends, false friends, and escalating threats from every direction.  Their persistence puts them on a collision course with the highest levels of the government and the darkest corners of power.  In a terrifying confrontation that will push Sean and Michelle to their limits, the duo may be permanently parted.

I love David Baldacci.  All of his books are winners.  And this one is extra good.  Full of fast-paced action and mysterious people, the reader is never sure who is wearing the white hats.  The ending came as a big surprise - something I love in books.

Now I'll have to wait another year for Mr. Baldacci's next book - I wish he could write as fast as I can read!