Total Control

This is an early (1997) book by David Baldacci. As I've enjoyed so many of his later novels I decided to find out what his early works were like. This one was certainly enjoyable. What really impressed me was how prescient the author is as he writes about computers and the power they give to those who use them. He even touches on AI though not directly and warns that all that power in the hands of the wrong person could do enormous damage. Like most of Baldacci's novels, there are twists and turns. He keeps the reader guessing through most of the book. Just when I thought I had it figured out, something happened that made my deduction moot. There are plenty of clues dropped throughout the story to lead a perceptive reader in the right direction, but plenty of red herrings as well. My only criticism is the story jumped around a lot as we were shown things from different characters perspectives. There was plenty of suspense and an enjoyable building to a climactic finish. Though the book doesn't have the polish the author acquired over the years, it is none the less an enjoyable book for those who like action thrillers.

I enjoyed the first part of the book and did read til the end but I have to say that Sidney was not very smart and her concern for her daughter was barely present. I actually wondered if Badacci actually had children when he wrote the book because I would have been more concerned about my dogs than she was about her daughter. The end could have gone a few different ways and was tied up well enough and made sense. Had I been the editor I would have made the author add concern for the child. It was very readable and did not make me want to read more of his books for a while. I'll wait til a weather event and go back for more because I know I'll read pretty consistently til the book is over.

Riveting, so well written

Excellent Baldacci novel

I finished this book a few days ago and wish their was more, it was that good. I have read many of his books but for me, I put Total Control on the top of my list, and that is saying a lot for all of his books are very good, very suspenseful and keep you on your toes. The characters are known yet hidden in this suspenseful story that twists and turns with the main character, innocent yet caught in every evil contrived among the characters. My heart goes out to Sydney Archer at every turn in this compelling masterpiece of suspence. The veteran FBI agent Sawyer is the only one after retrospect that believes her to be innocent and doggedly tracks down every murder and every clue, and there are lot's of them. The ending is a surprise to Sawyer and everyone else as all the true perpetrators become revealed and Sydney, the beautiful wife and mother of the missing loving good husband tries desperately to find her husband but for Sydney Archer who it seems never catches a break only finds more heart break. Death or life in prison keeps her one step beyond disaster and death. She is a smart savvy corporate lawyer on the top of the heap one day and accused conspirator and worse the next day, all the while she desperately seeks to find her husband who was believed killed in a terrible plane crash , then gets a phone call from him the day of his memorial service. She has hope, but at every turn she runs into big trouble. Sawyer takes a real interest in Sydney and works hard to get to the bottom of this intricate puzzle. Anyone who reads Total Control will be as spell bound as I am by yet another David Baldacci book of excellence and suspence.

Edge of seat until the unwinding of the mystery at the end. The ending had what I consider cinematic tripe. Don’t get me wrong, Still worth the read!

Another great read that had me sitting in my recliner for a week. I read it every day until my eyes would burn. An absolute page turner that I found was hard to down. A must read for all Baldacci fans.

An enjoyable read. The compelling characters are reasonably well developed, and remain relatively consistent. (Except for Sydney who morphs into Wonder Woman). The story develops consistently (without the ridiculous plot twists of many authors) and the exciting well-paced action keep the reader going until the end. The author earns the readers' "suspension of disbelief" to overlook many inconsistences, implausibilities, and plot threads which are left hanging. TOTAL CONTROL The title tells the story---computer geniuses who can do ANYTHING, literally. That's lazy and poorly chosen device, because it creates a universe without rules, in which the reader does not have sufficient information to participate; to evaluate possibilities; or to anticipate plot developments. A CAST OF THOUSANDS Not quite thousands, but there are about 2 dozen major characters---way too many for me to keep track of, even taking notes. TOO MANY PLOT THREADS--TOO MANY RED HERRINGS The reader patiently waits for story to crystalize, but it never does. For example, characters wear elaborate disguises, and characters' voices are faked, so the reader can't be sure that a described event actually happened. UNSATISFYING RESOLUTION This is one of those novels where the resolution consists of the confessions of 2 "villains" on the last pages of the novel---almost always a poor storytelling technique. The resolution is simultaneously predictable, incomplete, and unsatisfying. Even having re-read those final pages several times it is unclear to me why Jason Archer was abducted in the first place, nor why many of the other key events happened. > Click on “Stoney” just below the product title to see my other reviews, or leave a comment to ask a question.

Wie immer bei Baldacci sind die Figuren klar in der Vorstellungskraft des Lesers erkennbar. Man fühlt mit ihnen und vor allem mit der Heldin. Die Handlung ist spannend und sehr geschickt aufgebaut. Details werden nach und nach preisgegeben, aber das Puzzle wird erst zuletzt aufgelöst. Leider habe ich derzeit so viel zu tun dass ich trotz Hochspannung mit dem Buch noch nicht fertig bin. Ich kann es meinen englischsprechenden Freunen nur wärmstens empfehlen.

Ainda não li o livro!

A real page turner with a plot that resonates with current USA and global financial and technological developments, as well as the abuse of individual business leaders' power.

Great work by david baldacci

Plot in my mind got a little mixed up and complicated but all in all , a very enjoyable read.