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