Review of Hell's Corner by David Baldacci

I discovered that Hell’s Corner is David Baldacci’s 5th book in the Camel Club series. I have not read the first four books in this series but luckily this book is able to stand on its own without requiring my setting it aside to read the others first. Like most “spy/assassin” novels these days the premise for Hell’s Corner is a little hard to swallow, but if you accept it, the rest of the book is a fun ride.

Oliver, who used to be known as John Carr, is an ex-US assassin who has been screwed over by his government
more times than a $2.00 hooker. He has avoided assassinations several times, and has recently saved the life of the President.

When Oliver returns from Divine, Virginia, he’s visited by some men he assumes have come to clean up some loose ends and is rather surprised when he’s brought to see the President in person. If Oliver accepts one last mission, the President will wipe his slate clean. Before Oliver is able to undertake his mission to infiltrate and disrupt the Russian mafia drug trade in Mexico, a new problem arises. Somehow, someone was able to get a bomb into Lafayette Park aka Hell’s Corner, directly across the street from the White House and it looks like it could be related to the President’s request.

Hell’s Corner is a good thriller, with a lot of twists and turns to keep you guessing what will happen next and who is in charge of all the mischief. It has definitely peaked my interest enough to go search out the first four books of the series.