‘The Last Mile’ by David Baldacci

Published by Pan,
17 November 2016.
ISBN: 978-1-4472-7753-8 (PB)

Melvin Mars a gifted former football player is on death row awaiting his imminent lethal injection for the murder of his parents. He has always maintained that he is innocent. Then comes a stay of execution as another man, Charles Montgomery has confessed to the crime.

Another former footballer, Amos Decker, a new recruit in a section of the FBI which looks into cold cases, hears of the new development and gets approval to take the case on. Mars is released into his protection. 

Decker and Jamison, a lady colleague, together with Mars visit Montgomery but is he telling the truth? They start to suspect that a third party was involved who paid Montgomery to confess, could this be true? His wife certainly seems to be spending a great deal of money.

The team then learn that Mars' parents has a safety deposit box which together with their account was closed two days before they were killed, what can be the significance of this?

It's not long before suspicion falls on a top politician and other high ranking individuals with a connection to the Ku Klux Klan many years ago. What can this possibly have to do with Mars or Montgomery? There is an added threat that seems to suggest someone knows all their plans and next moves, can there be an informer in their midst?

Decker and his team eventually solve a very complex case, after many hair-raising and near death experiences.

This is another great book from David Baldacci, always to be relied on to produce a story full of action and drama. Decker is a new hero for him and I can see him writing some exciting books involving this very unusual character.

I found him quite amusing too, especially when he is struggling to lose quite a lot of weight, I sympathise! Hurry up and write the next Decker book David.

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Reviewer: Tricia Chappell

  

David Baldacci.  A lifelong Virginian, David was born in Richmond in 1960. He received his Bachelor’s degree in political science from Virginia Commonwealth University and his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, after which he practiced law for nine years in Washington, D.C. He has published 22 books. While David is involved in several philanthropic organizations, his greatest efforts are dedicated to his family’s ‘Wish You Well foundation.’ Established by David and his wife, Michelle, the Wish You Well Foundation supports family literacy in the United States by fostering and promoting the development and expansion of new and existing literacy and educational programs. In 2010 the Foundation partnered with Feeding America to launch a program to address the connection between literacy, poverty and hunger. Through Feeding Body & Mind, nearly 1 million new and used books have been collected and distributed through area food banks. David explains, “With this program, people go home with food, which they need to live, as well as with books, which they need to change their lives.”

  

Tricia Chappell. I have a great love of books and reading, especially crime and thrillers. I play the occasional game of golf  (when I am not reading). My great love is cruising especially to far flung places, when there are long days at sea for plenty more reading! I am really enjoying reviewing books and have found lots of great new authors.