'The Target'

CIA operative Will Robie returns in David Baldacci's latest spy thriller!

By Catherine Groves

When David Baldacci releases a new novel, his fans know they are in for a treat. When the novel is a continuation of his characters from a previous series, the wait can be quite painful. Baldacci's recent release of "The Target" in the Will Robie series is his third release in just as many years.

"The Target" features CIA hitman Will Robie and fellow agent Jessica Reel. From the start, "The Target" weaves in a new wrinkle with a terminally ill Alabama death row inmate, Earl Fontaine. Fontaine will affect Will and Jessica personally with his deathbed plans. Readers are left in suspense as to his ultimate plans and his true identity until well into the story.

Meanwhile, an incredible international plot that would endanger the United States and possibly bring down the president unfolds in Washington, D.C. The president turns to the CIA for help. The CIA can provide the unmatched assassins for the chance to eliminate a global enemy. However, the CIA director has issues with Robie and Reel, as readers will remember from the previous book in the series. Internal battles, jockeying for power, and an agency in turmoil leave the CIA director without many outs. Plus, his personal agenda behind the mission does not guarantee Robie and Reel's survival.

After overcoming unbelievable attempts to prevent their success individually, personally, and professionally, Robie and Reel are sent to another continent for a more dangerous follow-up mission. "The Target" takes another twist, as this follow-up mission in a foreign land that is a sworn enemy of the United States has no margin for error. Capture would result in death for Robie and Reel, and could even provoke a war with the United States. Should they be captured and the president step in, the president could be impeached.

While the United States plans its own international espionage with its top CIA agents, the same rogue nation has a surprise of its own. An agent that they have trained to kill at the highest level is being asked to do something that no other nation has been able to accomplish: strike to the very heart of America and also take out the top two CIA agents at the same time.

As Reel deals with her background and Robie realizes that age has his days numbered as the top agent at the CIA, the story barrels along to a stunning conclusion. "The Target" continues to provide multiple layers of suspense and plot surprises with each new chapter once again proving that a David Baldacci novel is best read before bedtime to ensure a good night's sleep. Otherwise, plan to be up all night.

"The Target" can be purchased at most major bookstores and in e-Reader versions for Kindle and Nook.