I was thrilled to finally get to the latest David Baldacci book in his Amos Decker series. Long Shadows is book seven and Amos has been through a lot during the last six books. This time he's getting a new partner, Frederica White and together they are assigned to solve the case of the murder of a judge and her bodyguard.

I love reading Baldacci's books and Amos Deckor is one of the best series he's written. Long Shadows feels like a new start for Amos, with his friends and colleagues all moving on to greater things. And, getting a new partner is not easy for him. And he has to deal with the suicide of a close friend. Life isn't easy for him. And, this case will be a tough nut to crack.

The story is good and I really like Freddie, Amos' new partner. She's a tough woman who like Amos has gone through a lot in her life. I think they will work great together and I'm looking forward to reading more books with them as partners.

Wonderfully-developed characters with depth and substance. I was immediately drawn in and held captive from beginning to end. It was a fast paced roller coaster ride that is packed full of so many twists and turns that by the time you reach the final twist,you are left feeling so dizzy that all you want to do is lie down in a dark room for a few hours or until your head stops spinning.

Amos Decker – the Memory Man – is in a difficult place in life: his boss in the FBI has retired; his partner, who was one of the few people who understood him, has moved to another city; and the traumatic head injury he had sustained while playing football years ago, which gave him the condition of Hyperthymesia – or perfect recall, is still altering his brain in unexpected ways. Decker’s fragile mental state gets another blow when his closest friend and former partner, who has been diagnosed with Early-onset Dementia, kills herself while on a phone call with him. Under these unsettling conditions, Decker is assigned a new partner, Frederica White – a black woman with her own baggage of troubles, both on and off the Bureau, and sent to investigate a double homicide in Florida.

A federal judge named Julia Cummins, and her bodyguard, have been killed – the judge by frenzied stabbing and the bodyguard by precisely placed gunshots – in separate rooms of the judge's home inside a gated community. As Decker and White begin their investigation, several baffling things confront them: the diametrically opposite methods of the murders; the judge's hiring of private security when she was entitled to government protection; and the reason behind sending the duo from far-off DC to Florida when the local office was more than adequate to handle the case. The judge’s ex-husband is the initial suspect, but the wad of Slovakian currency found inside the guard’s throat during post-mortem hints at a connection to the company that employed him, Gamma Protection Services, which was founded decades ago by a Slovakian immigrant. The case seems evidently unsolvable as none of the leads pans out, and people who might know things start disappearing before the investigators can talk to them, a few of those ending up dead. Facing walls wherever they look, Decker and White need to be on top of their game if they want to succeed and thereby save their careers, if not their lives. But Decker seems far from his prodigious crime-solving self as he is fighting his inner demons, much to the distress of White, who has too much at stake concerning her career and wants to solve the case and move ahead. Will the Memory Man, disliked for his abrasive behaviour by the bosses in the Bureau and tolerated purely because of his track record, be able to win once more, or will he fail and drag White down with him?

Baldacci has created numerous lead characters for his various series and standalone novels, and Amos Decker is the most intriguing of them. He does not conform to social and other norms, has an unwavering focus towards solving the crime irrespective of whose toes he treads on, and shows glimpses of his innermost human being on rare occasions. I have not read any other book in this series, but going by the reviews, his previous partner Alex Jamison was well-tuned to his quirks and had become a friend to him, and it is interesting to see how his new partner, a no-nonsense person who values her job and a single mother who has had a tough life, fares. The other characters are well drawn and intriguing, especially Kasimira Roe, the owner of Gamma, and Tyler Davidson, the dead judge’s football-playing son who reminds Decker of his younger self. The plot of Long Shadows is complex, and the happenings do not make much sense for a long time. But everything falls into place slowly as the investigators painstakingly follow lead after lead, frequently revisiting their assumptions and assertions to find the elusive hint. Apart from the absorbing homicide investigation, Long Shadows has several tender, heart-touching moments that make the reader emotionally invested in the characters. Despite being longer than the average novel, Long Shadows moves fast enough, with several twists, to keep the reader in its grip.

Long Shadows is yet another satisfying read from David Baldacci, and I would like to thank Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the Digital Review Copy of this Seventh Amos Decker novel in exchange for my unbiased review.

My thanks to Pan Macmillan for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Long Shadows’ by David Baldacci.

This is the seventh in Baldacci’s series of crime thrillers featuring FBI consultant Amos Decker, known as the Memory Man following a head injury when playing pro football that left him with hyperthymesia, or perfect recall; and synesthesia, which causes him to pair certain things with unlikely colors.

In April 2020 I read ‘Walk the Wire’, the sixth in the series, and was so impressed that I went back to the beginning and read the others before the end of the year. Still, background details are always provided for readers new to the series.

At the opening of ‘Long Shadows’ Decker is dealing with significant changes in his life that are unsettling him. Add to this he has been assigned a new partner, Special Agent Frederica (Freddie) White.

Their first case together has them heading to Florida to investigate the murder of a federal judge and her bodyguard. There was no forced entry and the exclusive gated community where she was living was supposed to be secure. In addition, her ex-husband and teenage son both have strong alibis. Aside from establishing a motive Decker needs to determine why the judge felt the need for a bodyguard as well as the meaning of the cryptic note left behind by the killer.

While ‘Long Shadows’ has its share of action, its focus was upon traditional procedural techniques to determine whodunnit. It’s quite a complex case that requires the skills of both Amos and Freddie. Also, Decker’s existential crises, triggered by changes outside his control, is explored.

Overall, I found ‘Long Shadows’ an engaging tightly plotted crime thriller. Exactly what I have come to expect from the pen of David Baldacci.

I look forward to future cases for Amos Decker and Freddie White.

Another great addition to the Memory Man series. It started a little slow but then had me gripped, so cleverly written with lots of twists and turns that bring the storyline to a fantastic ending ! Looking forward to the next one!

Number seven in the series featuring the Memory Man Amos Decker. he is asked to investigate a double murder. A judge and her bodyguard have been found dead. It seems to be an open and shut case.....if only!! Amos has to deal being paired up with a new partner. As always Baldacci has written another addictive story... his characters many layered, and I couldn't put it down. We had secrets, crimes, blackmail, murder and scandal. What's not to love about this masterful tale. If you have not come across Amos Decker before i urge you to pick up this copy you will not be disappointed.

Hooked from the start. Great characters,intriguing story and some insights into Amos. Lots of twists and turns ,really great read.

Another David Baldacci book that was a blast to read. It's Long Shadows and I received it from Pan Macmillan via Netgalley. It will be published on the 10th of November.

This is the latest book in the Amos Decker series and we follow him to Florida where he is sent to investigate the murder of a judge and her bodyguard. Decker himself is going through things as well. Because of an accident in a football game his mind works differently and he has now received some disturbing news from the doctors. On top of that, a close friend just committed suicide and he is really feeling that. And now he has to work with a new partner and try to solve this case.

Books by Baldacci are always fun to read. They never disappoint and I just really like them. The way the story builds up with alternating between his personal life and his work life gives you a great insight into the character of Decker. Because this is the latest book in a series, his character has already been fine tuned and that makes it for us, readers, a great character. The way Baldacci so easily describes scenes, events and characters and builds up to the climax makes him a real thriller master.

Most definitely a recommendation!
5/5⭐

his book starts out with a shocking incident that rocks Amos and his world, and from that point it does not let up. Add into the mix Amos is dealing with a lot of change and we are off and running. Amos is a hard character, for me a least to like, but I found myself warming up to him in this novel.

The pace of this book is relentless as Amos and his new partner scramble to discover why a federal judge was murdered. White is a great addition to this series, she is a really strong female lead and so well written I had no trouble believing in her. There are twists and turns in this novel all leading you to the stunning conclusion that I for one did not see coming.

I am really interested to see where Baldacci intends to take Decker given the reveal in this book about Decker brain injury. I hope that Amos does not change to much - but then again!!!

Baldacci is a must read for me and he never disappoints.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a chance to read and review this book

“Long shadows" is a great thriller that every lover of the genre must read it!
Amos Decker is a former detective that now helps police and detectives to investigate murders.

He is a wild character. Having to deal with a personal loss, a recovery from a long-time injury and the newest to adapt at working with a new colleague, it's proven to be a bit too much for him at times. But that doesn't impede him to give the best in what he loves to do and help out with the investigation. 

A judge and her bodyguard are found dead in her home but something is not quite right in this crime. That/s why they have reasons to believe there are either more than one killer or what it looks like a different modus operandi.

 I found myself engrossed in this story. From the many aspects of the victim's life to the scheme played by the old cases and how other officials are covering up those unresolved one.

It's all about money, blackmail, greediness, lots of suspense and a race against time to stop it happening again. 
 
If you're looking for a fast paced, entertaining read with great characters and more than one twisted turn, look no further than this book. 

🆓📖Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy

Another brilliant read in the Amos Decker series which is definitely one of my favourites!
Will this be the case that breaks Decker? a Telephone call from his old colleague leaves him devastated. He is then saddled with a new partner and we all know that Decker does not play well with others. On top of this, they are sent to the south of Miami to investigate a double homicide. This in itself is strange because there are more than enough FBI agents in Miami to investigate these murders. Are there ulterior motives and is Decker set up to fail?
Soon it seems like everything is against them. The two murders do not make sense. They were killed in two totally different ways. The one shot dead in a very clinical way and the other stabbed 10 times in a seeming crime of passion?
Decker will definitely need his superpowers to solve this 1!

Highly recommended!

Thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

I would like to thank Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for an advance copy of Long Shadows, the seventh novel to feature FBI consultant Amos Decker.

Amos is sent to Florida with his new partner, Frederica White, to investigate the murder of a judge and her bodyguard.

I thoroughly enjoyed Long Shadows and have rated it at 5*, because it held my attention throughout and called me back strongly when I had to put it down. This is rare for me as I have concentration issues, but not in this case.

The novel clicked for me on so many levels. I couldn’t get over the way the plot unfolded and some of the twists involved - it was so clever. It goes without saying that none of it is realistic, or even likely, but it’s imaginative, compulsive and highly entertaining. I can only applaud the author for the way his mind works and his skill in dropping small reveals and developments at strategic moments to keep the reader turning the pages.

Then there is the characterisation. Amos is a troubled man with change on his horizon. He has synesthesia, where he sees colour in events and has perfect recall, not ideal when investigating murder. He is dealing with the suicide of a close friend and a letter concerning a health issue and to top it all he has a new partner. He doesn’t like change, but surprisingly he and Freddie get on well after a few hiccups and it will be a pleasure to see them in action together in the future. The only misstep in the novel in my opinion is the clichéd and stereotypical portrayal of Freddie, not all black women are bolshie single mothers who lost a child to gang violence.

There is a fair amount of politics in the novel, be it historical or office and the author saves the best till last when Amos throws a massive strop and lets his boss have both barrels. It’s epic and immensely satisfying.

Long Shadows is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

Although I’ve read a good number of Baldacci books (15 so far) I’ve never read any of his books in the Amos Decker series. I was happy to notice that this was no problem; there is enough information about Decker’s background to read this seventh ‘adventure’ without having trouble to understand what drives him – and what not. And an adventure it is. Decker loses his best friend and partner Mary right at the start, and in the most horrible way. And if this is not enough, the next day he is partnered with someone new, Frederica (Freddie) White, who is like him not at all thrilled to be told that they have to work together. Their first job together is finding out who killed judge Julia Cummins and her bodyguard Alan Draymont.
On the positive site: it ís a David Baldacci so it is very well written and there is a lot going on between all characters. On the not so positive site: I was a bit disappointed with the book as a whole. I felt there was a lot going on in the first half of the book, and then it sort of petered out. Amos and Freddie do a lot of driving, and I mean a lot. They have to go an talk to different people all over the state, and sometimes those people play only a very marginal role. They are just there to give Amos and Freddie the tiniest bit of information. It’s interesting to see how they piece all those tiny bits together to come to a conclusion and solve the case, but I wasn’t impressed by the ending. The final solution came too fast and it felt not very original to me. In fact, it reminded me more of books that are set in an era in the last century.
All in all I can understand why readers love this series so much, but it is not entirely for me.
Thanks to Netgalley for this review copy.

Baldacci just never disappoints. The seventh novel in this series is possibly the best one featuring Amos Decker yet, shaking things up and assembling the pieces anew. As always, we dig into Decker's personal backstory, perhaps even more so than in the other books, as events keep bringing painful memories back to him. At the same time, a new partner to get used to means that Decker has to snap out of his complacency and question his own attitude.

The case - a judge and her bodyguard murdered together - seems simple at first, but Decker and White quickly realise that nothing is as simple as it seems as they get drawn into a web of intrigues spanning the whole of Florida and going back over generations.
The plot in this one kept twisting and turning on every other page, and I wholeheartedly enjoyed the ride. I happened to pick up on one of the main clues when it was given fairly early on and because of that was able to guess part of the solution very early, but that was a complete coincidence - if I had been a little more tired or inattentive, I would absolutely have missed it.

My only gripe with Baldacci's books is that there inevitably comes a point when they're over, and that he only publishes two of them a year. I always enjoy reading Baldacci, and this one was the best in a while among many excellent ones.
If you enjoy an old-school thriller with a detective hunting the bad guys, that has no psychological twists and does not try to trick the reader, you can stop looking here and do no better than picking this one up.

I want to thank Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange of an honest review. All opinions here expressed are my own.

This is a thrilling addition to David Baldacci's Amos Decker, the Memory Man series, a man simultaneously blessed and cursed with a perfect memory and never being able to forget a single thing from his past. This means his grief over the loss of his wife and daughter, Molly, is constant and hard to live with, this is exacerbated when he receives a disturbingly unsettling late night phone call from his ex-police partner suffering from early onset of dementia, Mary Lancaster, who kills herself, leaving behind a devastated husband and daughter. Additionally, he receives a letter that bears news that may threaten his future, and Alex Jamison is no longer his partner. The FBI have now partnered him with the ambitious, double black belt Frederica 'Freddie' White, a guilt ridden single mother who has herself lost a son.

The two of them make their way to Florida to investigate the murder of a federal judge, Julia Cummins, living in a exclusive gated community, and her bodyguard, Alan Draymont, of Gamma Protection Services, run by Kasimira Roe. Strangely the local FBI agent, Doug Andrews, has not been warned about their arrival, it takes a little while for the out of sorts Decker to establish a relationship with Freddie, and he worries that his special gifts can no longer be relied upon. His changing circumstances sap his energies, and he has to work really hard to motivate himself in the most complex, dangerous and twisted of investigations. He and Freddie delve into the lives of Julia, her distraught ex-husband, Barry Davidson, and her grieving son, Tyler, and Draymont, who had been shot twice and had old Slovakian money stuffed down his throat.

This is a fast paced and tense thriller, Cummins appears to have no enemies, and the manner of her death, a frenzied stabbing attack, differs markedly with the more professional shooting of Draymont, leading Decker to wonder if there is more than one killer at large. It takes some considerable time before Decker and White's inquiries begin to bear fruit, and involves them being forced to go back in time to the secret services protection of the then president, Ronald Reagan, speaking at a fundraiser in Florida. This is a terrific addition to a wonderful series, it was great to see Decker begin to connect with White, comprehending that it is the human connections that make life worth living. This will appeal to fans of the author and to other readers of the crime and thriller genre. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.