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Simple Genius
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Simple Genius
Unavailable
Simple Genius
Audiobook13 hours

Simple Genius

Written by David Baldacci

Narrated by Scott Brick

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

3.5/5

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Currently unavailable

Currently unavailable

About this audiobook

In a world of secrets, human genius is power.
And sometimes it is simply deadly . . .

Near Washington, D.C., there are two clandestine institutions: the world's most unusual laboratory and a secret CIA training camp. Drawn to these sites by a murder, ex-Secret Service agent Sean King encounters a dark world of mathematicians, codes, and spies. His search for answers soon leads him to more shocking violence-and an autistic girl with an extraordinary genius.

Now, only by working with his embattled partner, Michelle Maxwell, can he catch a killer...and solve a stunning mystery that threatens the entire nation.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateApr 24, 2007
ISBN9781594839054
Unavailable
Simple Genius
Author

David Baldacci

David Baldacci is one of the world’s bestselling and favourite thriller writers. A former trial lawyer with a keen interest in world politics, he has specialist knowledge in the US political system and intelligence services, and his first book, Absolute Power, became an instant international bestseller, with the movie starring Clint Eastwood a major box office hit. He has since written more than forty bestsellers featuring Amos Decker, Aloysius Archer, Atlee Pine and John Puller. David is also the co-founder, along with his wife, of the Wish You Well Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting literacy efforts across the US. Trust him to take you to the action.

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Reviews for Simple Genius

Rating: 3.5658807442441054 out of 5 stars
3.5/5

721 ratings39 reviews

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  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    After book 2 in this series which I really enjoyed and gave us plenty of scope to work out who the killer was I was very disappointed by this book. It started off very well with a look into Michelle Maxwell's back story and how this was affecting her current 'out of character' actions. This part of the book I enjoyed, however I never really bought into the main murder mystery, partly because we weren't given enough details and the author kept too many key elements to himself. To be a real murder mystery we should have more of a chance working out who did it, and more importantly why. It was all but impossible to work out why in this book because of surprises in the reveal that came out of left field. Hopefully the next book in the series will get back on track.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Synopsis: Michelle is trying to kill herself and she does it by trying to get beaten to death. Sean gets her into therapy, and as the process begins, she discovers that one of the staff is stealing and selling drugs. Since she has solved that case, she thinks that she is cured.; but she's not. She rushes to help Sean with his case, only to have her hidden need for self destruction nearly kill them both as they come up against more drug dealers, the CIA, the FBI, and a who host of geniuses who are trying to crack codes.Review: This is a really interesting book in that, if you're into codes and code breaking, you'll recognize a lot of names. It also raises questions about the acts of the government that 'keep America safe'. In the current political climate, this raises even more doubts about just who our government is working for; who can we trust?
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I've read other books in the King/Maxwell series (though not necessarily reading them in order) and by the author. I did think this was about standard. Perhaps my reading the books out of order is why I wasn't as thrown by the beginning of this book as some readers seem to be. I guess it was a way for the author to explore Maxwell's history and to try to explain some of her character's habits--like the sloppiness and why she can't seem to clean her car. Interspersed around that is an adventure that involves a scientific research area (Babbagetown) and a CIA location (Camp Peary) that takes readers on an interesting trip as King and Maxwell seek to find out why a Babbagetown scientist committed suicide at Camp Peary.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    This is the first book I've read by the amazing prolific writer of mysteries and conspiracies David Baldacci. And while I'm usually not a huge fan of these types of books (mysteries or cheap/pulp fiction), but this one was pretty darn good.The book follows Sean King and Michelle Maxwell, two former secret service agents who get hired to investigate the mysterious death of a worker at a even more mysterious company. While Sean investigates the original death, the body was found on a nearby CIA training base, Michelle struggles to deal with her inner demons and tries to join up with Sean to help him.Overall, a pretty good book for a pulp fiction mystery. I'll admit that the twist ending (and there always is a twist) took me by surprise. Not an intellectually stimulating book or one that will win any awards, but a good read none the less.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    simple read/brain candy.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Book DescriptionIn a world of secrets, human genius is power. And sometimes it is simply deadly . . .Near Washington, D.C., there are two clandestine institutions: the world's most unusual laboratory and a secret CIA training camp. Drawn to these sites by a murder, ex-Secret Service agent Sean King encounters a dark world of mathematicians, codes, and spies. His search for answers soon leads him to more shocking violence-and an autistic girl with an extraordinary genius.Now, only by working with his embattled partner, Michelle Maxwell, can he catch a killer...and solve a stunning mystery that threatens the entire nation.My ReviewI enjoy reading about Michelle Maxwell and Sean King's relationship and adventures. This book was very good but a little slow in some parts but picked up towards the end. It was a fun read trying to figure out exactly what was going on behind the gates at Camp Peary. Figuring out who was good and who was bad also added to the plot and kept me guessing until the very end. I will definitely continue reading the series and I do look forward to the next installment and what will be happening with Michelle and Sean. I would highly recommend this series to those who love mystery and adventure mixed in with a little romance.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Michelle Maxwell runs into trouble and is convinced into going to an institution to get help, while there she unearths secrets and can't help herself in working on it, meanwhile, to afford it, Sean King goes to a secret research centre called Babbage Town where scientists and cryptographers investigate how to work with the latest technology and try to create it. He's investigating the death of a physicist and the physicists daughter, Viggie is caught up with the events leading to her father's death.Meanwhile the CIA training ground across the River is problematic and someone takes pot shots at Sean. That gets his attention and he's determined to uproot the truth, however some of the secrets are governmental and this may not be an easy job.Meanwhile Michelle is being haunted by her past and some of her issues make sense afterwards.It's not a bad read, there were times when it seemed to get bogged down but overall it kept my attention and I enjoyed it.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Another solid thriller from Mr. Baldacci. He's a master at plot intricacies and weaving subplots into a story that at first have you wondering where he's going with this idea, but at the end he brings all the subplots together so they make sense and have a bearing on the main plot.

    King and Maxwell are a dynamic, interesting pair. Not sure I'm crazy about Maxwell, but at least she's compelling. King is solid, got-your-back, dependable if not brilliant private eye. He provides a good foil for Maxwell's erratic, emotional persona.

    If you're a Baldacci fan, or a thriller fan, you'll enjoy this book. Highly recommended.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    Simple Genius stars two secret service agents turned private investigators. At the start of the novel, Michelle Maxwell, a tiny little woman who has a death wish, goes to a bar and starts a fight with the biggest guy she could find. Her partner, Sean King, checks her into a mental institution, convinced that she is trying to kill herself. Meanwhile, he takes a job investigating a murder at a government high tech think tank. Despite Michelle's mental incompetence, she needs to swing into action to save her partner from certain doom.The bottom line of this novel is that it is ridiculous in so many ways. There are government conspiracies out the wazoo, each one more nonsensical that the previous one. I didn't find either of the main characters to be remotely compelling. There is a certain level of dramatic tension involved in the novel, which worked fairly well. I also liked the concept behind Babbage Town, the high tech think tank. But so much of the execution of the novel was flawed. This is one that I would recommend skipping.Carl Alves - author of Blood Street
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Read when in the mood for a light and fast paced suspense novel. Do not look to hard for flaws and enjoy the ride.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Detective Dave Robicheaux is embroiled in the most harrowing and dangerous case of his career, seven young women in neighboring Jefferson Davis Parish have been brutally murdered. Clete Purcel, confront Herman Stanga, a notorious pimp and meth dealer, when Stanga turns up dead shortly after a fierce beating by Purcel, in front of numerious witnesses. Dave's daughter, Alafair, on leave from Stanford Law to put the finishing touches on her novel. Her literary pursuit has led her into the arms of Kermit Abeland, a celebrated novilist and his association with bestselling ex-convict author Robert Weingart, a man who uses and discards people like Kleenex. Causes Dave to fear that Alafair might be destroyed by the man she loves.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Sean King & Michelle Maxwell, hired by someone unknown, are sent to a secret site across the river from another secret site, to solve the mystery of one and then multiple murders. I could tell you about it but then I'd have to kill you.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    Yet another so-so read in the series. I am a great fan of stories involving codes and cyphers, which I thought this story would be. Instead it was a protracted whodunit investigation with a lot of smoke and mirrors, which would have otherwise been fine, if it had finished with a 'bang' -- which somewhat disappointingly, this book, did not. The ending was somewhat anti-climatic for me. While I still have the last book in this series to read, it would only be fair to say that, (so far) it is this series that does not agree with me because I loved the 'Camel Club' series by the same author.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Simple Genius was told in a simple vocabulary and in simple terms. I remember quite little of it, although because of some salient stuff, I won't confuse it with any other book. A more demanding reader or maybe someone of greater intelligence will not be impressed by Simple Genius. For the first half of it, I was thoroughly entertained. I thought 5 stars were a given. But Baldacci couldn't sustain the ethereal and intangible schema that made the book impossible to put down. The ingredients into the making of a page turner are untraceable for me. Word after simple word, sentence after sentence are put together in such a fashion as to make the book a delight to read. In the hands of another author, I'm sure the plot would have resulted in a different finished product. I can't begin to say how much bedazzled but grateful I am. I was reluctant to give Simple Genius a go. I thought that prior to 2010, Baldacci was inconsistent. Also he possibly still can misfire or prove to be uninspired. But maybe one needs to read a handful of his works to find him irresistible. Having said that, I am far from having blinding faith in maybe my most favorite author. Before tagging Simple Genius as the next to be read book, I read some reviews of the book and didn't like all that I read. Well, the ending was much better than I thought it would be. Romantic people, at least those that don't stick to romance novels, will take much heart from the ending. I do think that's misleading. I will be very surprised if King and Maxwell become a couple. I've been reading another book along with this one. A fantasy book. That book has a hero who is super intelligent and precocious. There's a difference between him and the characters of Baldacci. The latter's characters are easier to like. Just like the hero of the fantasy novel, King and Maxwell are above average. Here end the similarities. King and Maxwell are a detective team. They seek out danger in the course of making a living. They are vulnerable. But the fantasy hero is overpowered - not in the bad way. Everything bad happens to him. That makes him, in my eyes, as a Gary Stu, or Marty Stu. It all comes down to preference and to how many people like the same thing. The fantasy book I'm speaking of is more highly rated and liked than our book. What can I say, I can only talk freely from my own point of view. I started reading Simple Genius as a distraction before getting down to the business of reading a series of Urban Fantasy books that's very popular these days. But now that I've read Baldacci's book, the shoe is on the other foot and I can't let go. The sole reason for moving on is that I know Baldacci has not written a ton of books. I must pace myself. Baldacci publishes one book every year. Along with my desire to read another Camel Club book, I hope to be able to follow, and like, all of the good books that this author releases. It's an advantage when one's go to author is not much older than yours truly. This means that we have more in common than, say, a Matt Groening, a James Cameron, or a John LeCarre. It all boils down to preference and the existence of a writing style that Baldacci has cracked and is compatible with me and people who think like me. Not knowing how to crack the same code, I do the next best thing...I read.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    This would be a sequel to Split Second. I quite enjoyed it but it didn't seem to follow very well. I felt like i missed a book in between, like i was dropped into a life in the middle of a sentence. It is still an enjoyable book and good story. I was excited to see where the characters now were. However, they didn't really follow the personality they started with. Especially with Michelle Maxwell. I liked where the story took me, although it was a little vague. It just wasn't true to form. He tried to tie it in and did an okay job of it but it would be better if it was read seperately as an individual book. Still worth the read and interesting. He did a good job at connecting Maxwell and the other character Viggie. Which delvs into physciological and autistic issues.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    This would be a sequel to Split Second. I quite enjoyed it but it didn't seem to follow very well. I felt like i missed a book in between, like i was dropped into a life in the middle of a sentence. It is still an enjoyable book and good story. I was excited to see where the characters now were. However, they didn't really follow the personality they started with. Especially with Michelle Maxwell. I liked where the story took me, although it was a little vague. It just wasn't true to form. He tried to tie it in and did an okay job of it but it would be better if it was read seperately as an individual book. Still worth the read and interesting. He did a good job at connecting Maxwell and the other character Viggie. Which delvs into physciological and autistic issues.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I'm reading through Baldacci books like bonbons, not really satisfied but can't stop. Again, this one has so many things going on through most of the book, with no clear idea of who the bad guy is or what crime is happening despite the body count, to a violent whirlwind ending. Great characters, though. I felt a little bad that South Freeman didn't get anything out of this, not even a few Revolution-era coins .
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Simple Genius is an interesting book. The main characters, King and Maxwell are definitely super heroes. The book is about decoding, treasure hunting, murder, smuggling and justification. Four stars were given to this book. Definitely a good story.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Author David Baldacci does it again with his characters Michelle Maxwell and Sean King. While Michelle must deal with some inner demons, Sean takes on another difficult case which brings much danger and action to their lives. Baldacci never writes a dull novel and this was no exception! On to the next in this series.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Simple Genius brings back two former Secret Service agents, now private investigators, Sean King and Michelle Maxwell. The story opens with Michelle Maxwell picking a fight in a bar and then going through a breakdown. It looks like she might have some long-repressed childhood memories that are affecting her behavior. Sean is deeply concerned about his partner and convinces her to check in to a psychiatric hospital to be evaluated by his friend, Dr. Horatio Barnes.

    Meanwhile Sean accepts a contract to investigate the possible suicide of a quantum physicist and computer scientist, Monk Turing, who is working for Babbage Town, Virginia, a high powered corporate think tank located across the York River from Camp Peary, a top secret CIA training facility. Monk's eleven year old daughter, Viggie Turing is emotionally disabled, but she is a mathematical genius who knows a lot about codes. Sean suspects she holds vital information that could help him solve the case.

    There is a lot going on throughout this novel, which has several subplots. Eventually Michelle and Horatio join Sean and the whole story starts to come together. This is probably my least favorite of the three books in this series, but the the partnership between Sean and Michelle make this book interesting. There's lots of action and fans of David Baldacci will still find this a worthwhile read.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Simple Genius is the third book in the King and Maxwell series by David Baldacci. This book picks up where we left off with the main characters, Sean King and Michelle Maxwell in Book 2, Hour Game. Michelle is struggling with her confidence and self-control after the events in the last book. Sean is trying to help her overcome her issues.While dealing with Michelle, Sean takes a job with his ex-lover, Joan, to investigate a questionable suicide at a Washington DC Area research laboratory (Babbage Town) …which just happens to be across the river from an ultra-secret CIA training camp. In following the clues, King and Maxwell find themselves immersed in the world of mathematicians, spies and codes.I found myself somewhat disappointed in this book. I like the main characters, King and Maxwell, and their relationship as well as a few of the other characters in this book. However, the main story line involving Babbage Town did not hold my interest nor did it always hold up as well and I thought it should. Additionally, the main story line did not have anywhere near enough action or suspense for me. Other story lines were intriguing and interesting – especially those dealing with Michelle’s backstory. I feel that I am rating this slightly higher than the overall story deserves because of the couple of side story lines as well as the promise of more to come.Rating: 3.75 Stars
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I love this series. This book seemed more harrowing than the last two. VERY good book, I loved how the bond between King and Maxwell is defined and tested, and how you get to see behind Michelles tough exterior. Great book...read it!
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    simple and easy to read. not sure how much of it is simply made up while other thing might be true and that would be scary.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Feature a team of former Secret Service agents who become private investigators. Good thriller that kept me guessing.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    very good though disturbing book about Sean King and Michelle maxwell. She's having a breakdown, but he is trying to earn money and has been assigned to find a killer near a cia camp. Exciting story.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The book is full of conspiracy, but not overdone just the right amount. I found it a real page turner.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This was a great mystery. The story contained enough variety to keep the story flowing without loosing interest. The only drawback was the romantic tension between two of the characters. I felt it should have either played or been left out. On a whole this was a good book that I enjoyed, with plenty of action and suspense.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A whole new side to Michelle Maxwell in this one, but I have to say that I still want to be her when I grow up. This was a conspiracy theorists wet dream: secret codes, secret tunnels, mystery CIA training camp, anonymous privately-funded think tank. Love the addition of Horatio Barnes, hope he sticks around for some later books. Speaking of which I can't wait to get to the next in the series!
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Baldacci's homage to Bletchley Park cryptographers and Alan Turing. A Sean King and Michelle Maxwell story, largely set in Babbage Town, a secretive research centre in Virginia dedicated to cryptography and developing the quantum computer. Monk Turing (a relative of Alan Turing) dies in suspicious circumstances at Fort Peary across the river from Babbage Town, a secret CIA base. There is a parallel story to try to unravel Michelle's past which has caused a breakdown. Entertaining enough, especially for students of cryptography and Bletchley Park, but not one of his better stories.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    This is the first book I've read by the amazing prolific writer of mysteries and conspiracies David Baldacci. And while I'm usually not a huge fan of these types of books (mysteries or cheap/pulp fiction), but this one was pretty darn good.The book follows Sean King and Michelle Maxwell, two former secret service agents who get hired to investigate the mysterious death of a worker at a even more mysterious company. While Sean investigates the original death, the body was found on a nearby CIA training base, Michelle struggles to deal with her inner demons and tries to join up with Sean to help him.Overall, a pretty good book for a pulp fiction mystery. I'll admit that the twist ending (and there always is a twist) took me by surprise. Not an intellectually stimulating book or one that will win any awards, but a good read none the less.