Memory Man

By: David Baldacci

Narrated by: Ron McLarty, Orlagh Cassidy

This "impossible to put down" #1 New York Times bestseller introduces Amos Decker, a gifted police detective with a perfect memory who must solve a mystery he wishes he could forget: his family's murder (Washington Post).

Amos Decker's life changed forever--twice.

The first time was on the gridiron. A big, towering athlete, he was the only person from his hometown of Burlington ever to play in the NFL. But his career ended before it had a chance to begin. On his very first play, a violent helmet-to-helmet collision knocked him off the field forever, and left him with an improbable side effect--he can forget nothing.

The second time was at home nearly two decades later. Now a police detective, Decker returned from a stakeout one evening and entered a nightmare--his wife, young daughter, and brother-in-law had been murdered.

His family destroyed, their killer's identity as mysterious as the motive behind the crime, and unable to forget a single detail from that horrible night, Decker finds his world collapsing around him. He leaves the police force, loses his home, and winds up on the street, taking piecemeal jobs as a private investigator when he can.

But over a year later, a man turns himself in to the police and confesses to the murders. At the same time a horrific event nearly brings Burlington to its knees, and Decker is called back in to help with this investigation. Decker also seizes his chance to learn what really happened to his family that night. To uncover the stunning truth, he must use his remarkable gifts and confront the burdens that go along with them. He must endure the memories he would much rather forget. And he may have to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Memory Man will stay with you long after the turn of the final page.

Critic reviews

"David Baldacci has written another thriller that will have readers engaged from the first page....Baldacci is a master storyteller...MEMORY MAN works because Amos Decker is an amazing character. Reading how Decker journeys from hitting rock bottom to finding ultimate redemption is nothing short of rewarding." —Associated Press

"Perennial bestseller Baldacci unveils an offbeat hero with an unusual skill set and tragic past who takes on the evil mastermind behind a devastating school shooting..[Decker] proves a quirky, original antihero with a definite method to his madness...Readers will want to see Decker back on the printed page again and again." —Kirkus Reviews

"It's big, bold and almost impossible to put down...Decker is one of the most unusual detectives any novelist has dreamed up...I called this novel a master class on the bestseller because of its fast-moving narrative, the originality of its hero and its irresistible plot....Highly entertaining."—Washington Post

"[A] strong first in a new thriller series from bestseller Baldacci....Baldacci supplies a multitude of clever touches as his wounded bear of a detective takes on a most ingenious enemy." —Publishers Weekly

"Compelling...David Baldacci has definitely hit a home run with Memory Man."—Crimespree Magazine

"Baldacci weaves a suspenseful story right up to the climactic face-off between these complex and compelling characters. Highly recommended for all thriller fans who love elusive, taunting criminals and the slightly bent but always determined detectives who pursue them." —Library Journal (Starred Review)

"Baldacci makes it feel fresh." —Booklist

"Baldacci's novels always have an emotional component...But MEMORY MAN stands out among his thrillers for its deeply felt - and earned - sense of catharsis and healing...Baldacci's last few books have been among his best, and it's a pleasure to see him produce emotionally and dramatically intense work at the height of his maturity as a novelist."—Richmond Times-Dispatch

Big Fan. Bad Narration. Frustrating Repetition.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I love Baldacci and have read or listened to every book and will continue to do so. However, I was irritated enough by this book that I felt the need to comment. This is the worst narration of a book I have ever heard. The background/tone of the voice changed far too much. Like it was recorded in different places at different times. Very distracting. I have listened to several books narrated by McLarty and usually enjoy them. But this one was hard. Every voice sounded the same. My second frustration is with the repetition. The basic facts were repeated over and over and over and over. I will continue to read every Baldacci book that comes out but I hope for better next time.

David Baldacci..can't he write something new??

I keep trying and returning Baldacci's offerings. When will I learn??

They all seem the same, after Camel Club, he hasn't been that inspired.

I did appreciate the voices of McLarty and Cassidy but NOT the editing..where the conversations were stilted..Attention Hachette: You need to have better producers do the work..And the sound effects..trite and silly.

Again it's going back.. I can't seem to find good book for anything lately!

BALDACCI DOES IT AGAIN

Where does Memory Man rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Memory Man is every bit as interesting and mysterious as all his books. David Baldacci can't seem to write a story that is interesting and spine tingling to the end.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Neither Ron McLarty nor Orlagh Cassidy seem to be able to effectuate a different character but Baldacci's stories and dialogue carry the day.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

MEMORY MAN

Okay Time Sink

The story was okay. The author used too much dialogue for narrative. It could hve been tied together better. I still enjoyed it.

The audio was of a low quality with poor editing splices throughout the text.

science fiction or murder mystery?

Story line too incredible to be realistic and, really dragged with way too many meaningless mine-numing details. Plus a few mistakes not caught by editor...reminded me of watching an old cowboy western and seeing jet vapor trails in the sky. Not the authors best work...