One Good Deed. (Archer #1) David Baldacci. 2019. 416 pages. [Source: Library]
First sentence: It was a good day to be free of prison.
Premise/plot: Aloysius Archer is out on parole; he’s been resettled in
the small, rural town of Poca City. The community is small enough that
everyone know everybody’s business. Ex-cons tend to stick out, but
Archer isn’t like other ex-cons. He was innocent of the crime he was
convicted of. He is determined to stay out of trouble that might lead
him back to prison. In addition to being fresh out of prison, Archer is a
war veteran. The novel is set in 1949. America—Archer included—is still
very much impacted by the war. One doesn’t simply forget the war and
jump back effortlessly into “normal“ life.
So on his first day in town he picks up an unusual job. He is collect
the collateral of a debt. Both men—the one who made the loan and the one
who took out the loan—are unsavory chaps. Neither man seems “good”.
Both seem super dangerous and unreasonable. But he is desperate for a
job and this one pays $100. Will accepting this job be the biggest
mistake of his life? Will he escape with his life?
My thoughts: I love, love, love historical fiction. I love, love, love
mystery novels. When an amateur detective happens to love reading
detective novels...I find it giddy making. So much of this one was just
happy making. It was a compelling and suspenseful read. But it wasn’t so
much about the destination—at least for me. It was every step of the
journey. I hope this is the start of a new series. I want to spend more
time with Archer!
ETA: I reread One Good Deed. It has been almost three years since I first read it. I still loved it. I think my favorite thing about it remains the narrative voice. I just LOVED spending time with Archer and seeing the world through his eyes. I thought the pacing was great.
© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
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