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The Guilty by David Baldacci sees the return of Will Robie and his
partner Jessica Reel. Baldacci is able to create realistic
plots, allows the reader to understand the essence of a CIA
operative/sniper, and has characters that are sympathetic
as well as admirable. In this latest installment Robie’s
backstory is explored and is brilliantly intertwined within
an action-packed plot.
The plot begins, as Robie, a black ops CIA sniper, is unable
to complete his assignment and pull the trigger. Given an
opportunity to straighten his head he must confront his painful
past that includes a strained relationship with his father.
Having left just after high school Will has not returned for
over twenty years. He has regrets about his relationship with
his father and having left behind the girl he wanted to marry.
As he tries to understand his current feelings, Will must
come to grips with his emotional reaction to hearing his father
has been arrested for murder in the Gulf Coast town of Cantrell,
Mississippi. The setting fits in perfectly, creating an atmosphere
of a small town where everyone knows everyone else’s
business. After returning he and Jessica Reel are confronted
by a serial killer who does not want him to get answers regarding
his father’s murder charge.
Unlike Frederick Forsyth’s famous assassin, The Jackal,
Baldacci’s assassins, Robie and Reel, are caring and
have a conscious. But throughout the first part of the book
it becomes obvious that there are times when snipers must
kill for the common good. Powerful quotes illustrates this
point, “Like Hitler before him, he had the extraordinary
ability to whip his followers into a frenzy of such devotion
that they would commit any atrocity he ordered… But
‘to kill’ was different that ‘to murder.’”
Baldacci noted, “Since I made Will’s profession
as an assassin it became quite a challenge to have people
root for him and not against him. Will has humanity and does
not just act as a robot. He does not kill purely for pay,
but believes in what he is doing. He takes a life for the
greater good and to protect society. We should appreciate
that it is necessary for these professionals to work in anonymity.
It means no one ever hears about what was done unless something
goes bad.”
Yet, the most potent parts of the book involve relationships.
Robie and Reel have professional and personal trust between
them that includes respect. This becomes evident when she
tells Will, “You’ve got me, Robie. And I’ve
got you. And while we might fall sometimes, together, well,
together we are unbeatable.” This is the complete opposite
of his relationship with his father. Their interactions are
tense, defiant, and full of anger. Will is accused by his
dad of forsaking his past and family, which is why Will’s
father treats him as an outsider.
Comparing Will and Jessica, Baldacci noted, “Will is
methodical and not as impulsive. Reel’s instincts are
better than Robies. She is sarcastic and not as much as a
brooder. I based her on my experiences with women like my
wife. She always tells me, ‘If you want it done, send
a man. If you want it done right, send a woman.’ Will
and Jessica are similar to planets revolving serenely around
the universe versus a super nova shooting across. Reel is
the super nova. Regarding the most important aspects they
are in a relationship because they care deeply about each
other and will do anything to protect one another.”
The author also gave a heads up about his next few books.
Out in April will be a sequel to Memory Man, featuring Amos
Decker. The plot involves the world of football, where Amos
tackles a case about a man falsely imprisoned for life. In
the fall he will bring back John Puller, the military CID
investigator.
The Guilty explores how decisions made in the past
can impact someone’s present life. Through an action
packed plot that has many twists and turns readers are able
to understand the dynamics of relationships and the realities
of what a CIA operative/sniper must go through professionally
and emotionally.
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