Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

The sequel to Nash Falls (2025) finds Walter Nash, now going by the name of Dillon Hope, determined to bring criminal mastermind Victoria Steers, the woman who destroyed his life, to justice. But what does he mean, exactly, by “justice?” Nash is working on the job from the inside of Steer’s operation, a risky task even for a man with his skills. Like Nash Falls, the novel has an interesting story; also like Nash Falls, unfortunately, it does not find Baldacci writing at the top of his game. The writing feels rushed, unpolished, as though the book went directly from first draft into our hands. Baldacci can be a fine writer—for instance, 2024’s A Calamity of Souls—but, on the other hand, he has published some distinctly sub-par novels (the John Puller novels, for example). Rank this one somewhere in the middle: certainly not awful, and with some really good ideas, but not the author’s finest work.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Baldacci's books have a big following, and his newest will be no exception.

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Second of the Walter Nash thrillers—followingNash Falls (2025)—in which the remade hero seeks vengeance. Due to urgent circumstances, Nash has bulked himself up to become the “muscled and tatted fighting machine” now known as Dillon Hope. His antagonist is Victoria Steers, a global drug dealer who wants him dead. Not realizing his new identity, she enlists Hope to free her mother, Masuyo, from a prison in Myanmar. As an incentive, she shoots one of her associates and threatens to frame Hope for the murder unless he complies. She also wants him to find Nash. He in turn wants to kill Victoria to avenge the death of his innocent daughter, Maggie. “If I go down,” he muses, “I’m taking others with me. Starting with Victoria Steers.” He learns that Victoria had killed all her siblings to eliminate business competition. But as heartless as Victoria is, her mother, Masuyo, is even worse. In league with the Chinese government in a perverse plan to kill as many Americans as possible through fentanyl overdose, she shows contempt for Victoria for her perceived weaknesses. Readers won’t find many happy family relationships here: mother-daughter, father-son, husband-wife—all fraught. Hope’s employer, who accompanies him to Myanmar, is a billionaire chief executive with a dodgy past (i.e., probably killed his father). And there’s a mega-billionaire with an astronomical IQ and ditch-deep morals who, putting it mildly, does not have America’s best interests at heart. As a teenager, he’d defeated two world chess champions; as an adult, he regards his dealings with the world in terms of master chess moves. Only one character seems truly decent and credible—Hiroko, Victoria’s former nanny and lifelong companion, who provides Hope with valuable insights into the Steers’ background, which is partly Chinese. Searing grudges, simple evil, and not-so-simple misunderstandings carry the cast through this complex, action-packed plot. This sequel ties out the loose ends dangling inNash Falls, which would be helpful to read first. To get to the requisite ending, though, Baldacci takes pains to surprise the reader. It works but often feels forced. Filled with action, violence, and more twists than a bag of pretzels. Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Library Journal
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In Baldacci's sequel to Nash Falls, Walter Nash is working with the FBI to dismantle a global crime network. His wife is in witness protection, and he believes his daughter is dead at the hands of a dangerous drug dealer. Nash transforms his look, morphing from successful businessman to tough-guy private security enforcer. His new name (Dillon Hope), his new physique, and his training allow him to infiltrate the drug operations of the beautiful, devious, and enigmatic Victoria Steers, who hires Nash to be her bodyguard. Nash has every reason to hate Steers, but there is something about her that belies her cool, calculating facade. As they spend time together, a bond grows between them, and Nash notes a different reality behind the story Steers wants the world to see. When the opportunity arises to take down the billionaire Steers answers to, Nash and Steers work together, reveal their pasts, and attempt the dangerous task that confronts them. VERDICT Baldacci creates a story that includes misdirection, revenge, double-crossing, and compromise. The surprising plot twists provide interest and drive the story forward. Readers who enjoy thrillers and Baldacci's many fans will savor this book.—Joanna Burkhardt