You have to know that there is going to be violence and mayhem when the book opens with the protagonist wondering “how many more minutes he may have to live.” Travis Devine is in the sniper’s scope, he is a minute and heartbeat from losing again to “The Girl on the Train”. Remember her? Yup, she’s back and keeps popping up at the most in opportune times for Devine. I loved the continuity and the reintroduction of characters as well as many of the newcomers.

This third installment in the 6:20 Man series is equally twisted, inhabited with power hunger and evil villains, begging the real question of “how do you prove the truth…..what is it even?” If I had one complaint or negative comment about the story it would be just that - “There’s so much crap flying around, disinformation, people screaming fake news….” Sound just like all day, every day and that is the shame. Who to believe? Who to trust? Who is friend, foe and don’t jump to conclusions too quickly. Loved the ending.

Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for a copy.

AN ACTION-PACKED AND INTRIGUING READ

SUMMARY
Travis Devine travels to Seattle and the Pacific Northwest to assist with a complicated FBI case. His mission begins when he helps the FBI escort a impestous twelve-year-old orphan, Betsy Odom, to a meeting with her infamous uncle, Danny Glass, who is currently under federal investigation, but also an past combat buddy of Devine’s. Glass is interested in becoming Betsey legal guardian and eventually adopting his niece.

During the mission Devine comes face to face with his female nemesis, and his assignment becomes even more complicated as Betsey insists that her parents were not drug dealers as the police claim. At her insistence Devine searches for the answers of how Betsey’s parents really died, and unearths more than he bargained for.

REVIEW
David Baldacci captivates readers with this complicated and timely story of conspiracy and intrigue. His writing, as always is exemplary and his characters are gripping. Some are colorful, while others are despicable and richly flawed. Devine drives the narrative forward with his every gut-wrenching move to save Betsy and you can't stop turning the pages.

My favorite character was the Auburn curley-haired and freckled Betsy, who according to Travis is twelve going on forty-two and has a mouth like a sailor. She is not afraid to speak up when those around her are not listening to her.

TO DIE FOR is a compelling, meticulous and action-packed read. The twists and turns keep your head in the entertaining book. Highly recommended! Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.


Publisher Grand Central Publishing
Published November 12, 2024
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

Travis Devine has some particular skills that have earned him a reputation for being able to adapt and overcome and obstacles he may encounter while on a "job". In David Baldacci's newest book of the 6:20 man series, he meets an obstacle that will stop him in his tracks; a 12 year old girl who has lost both of her parents to suspicious circumstances, leaving her custody in question. As the full alphabet of intelligence operations argue of who will win custody, including her criminal uncle, when the judge asks her who she wants to go with, she says Travis. The next few chapters serve as the comic relief......
Baldacci's books are a reader's treat. He builds the back story and community, then populates them with well developed characters. Some are easy to love, some easy to dislike, some easy to kill off, but always moving the story along at a pace that will keep you from blinking or miss a clue. This is book #3 in the series. It could definitely make an outstanding stand alone, but then you'd miss some great titles that should already be on your TBR list.

What a wild ride! Baldacci has written a thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat and although it’s the third of a series andI haven’t read the first two, there was enough background information for me to catch up, figure out the players and read with enjoyment and anticipation.

Travis Devine has been sent to Seattle to protect Betsy, 12 yrs old and now an orphan following the death of her parents. The local police have determined that the deaths were the result of a drug overdose but Betsy adamantly stands by her opinion that her parents didn’t do drugs. Devine is concerned about Betsy’s safely and decides to dig in and figure out what’s going on. The more he digs the more concerned he becomes. Nothing in this town seems right. Who can be believed?

Devine is an old softy who really falls for Betsy. Is her uncle, a shady character who wants custody, a suitable guardian? He seems to want his niece but are there hidden motives? And what about the town itself? The residents? The police? Even the mayor. Something is rotten and Devine is relentless in hiss determination to figure it out. .

This story is fast paced and hard to put down. There is endless action and lots of drama centered around very true to life, well drawn and interesting characters. Five stars for a book written by an author who remains a master of his genre. It is available now. Go for it! Many thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an ARC in exchange for my review.

To Die For by David Baldacci is a suspenseful book that will not let you go until you finish it. The story has many parts that come together at the end.

To Die For, by David Baldacci, is the third book in the 6:20 Man series. I enjoy these crime fiction stories, and this plot was interesting, but it was also quite complex and a bit hard to follow. I had a difficult time keeping up with the characters; who was who, which organization they were affiliated with, and how they were connected with certain characters and events. As a result, the story wasn’t quite as captivating as it could have been. I do think that I might enjoy it more on a reread, or even when read in closer succession to the previous books. Regardless, To Die For is an action-packed, suspenseful, entertaining story with quality writing and a clever plot line.

Travis Devine is sent in by the FBI to retrieve a newly orphaned 12-year-old girl. He is to escort her to meet an uncle shes never met before.
What really happened to her parents?
There is so much to figure out. Plus, there is an assassin from Travis’ past that’s causing issues. She calls herself “The Girl on the Train.” What are her intentions? Trying to kill him? Trying to help him?
This is the third book in the series. I have not read the previous books. Personally I think it would be best to read the books in order.
As usual, the author gives us interesting characters and an engaging storyline.

To Die For is the third installment in author David Baldacci's The 6:20 Man series. Former Army Captain Travis Devine is being hunted and he has no idea who the people are who are trying to kill him. After landing in DC, Travis finds a note threatening his life. Who is the note from? The Girl on the Train. The Girl who Travis did not kill even though there have been 3 attempts on his life since Switzerland. We now know that some very powerful people want Travis to be removed from the board and fast.

So, before we get into the identity of who the Girl on the Train is, let's get to the main course. Travis works for the Office of Special Projects (DHS) as a closer, fixer, and investigator. He has become a pro at adapting to any situation to accomplish the mission set in front of him. Whether it’s a high-powered corporate setting or small-town community, Devine will become the man for the job. His time as an Army Ranger and on the financial battlefields of Wall Street gave him the skills he needed, and he’s put them to good use.

But this situation is much different than his previous missions. This time he is asked to travel to Seattle and meet a 12-year-old girl named Betsy who is adamant that her parents never used drugs, and that they were likely killed. But why? While he is at it, Travis has to deal with Betsy's uncle Danny Glass who, once upon a time, helped save Travis and his unit after they were ambushed. Glass, who wants to adopt Betsy, is under investigation by the FBI for a variety of things he's done that have seemingly got him into bed with some naughty people who hate this country and want to do something about it.

As Travis gets to know Betsy, and investigates the small town where her parents died, things get even more twisted. What he finds is a huge conspiracy that echoes in every walk of life. From local cops to mayors, to governors, to politicians in Washington, D.C. The question is how is Glass involved in this, and how far down the rabbit hole must Travis travel before he ends up with yet another target on his head? Luckily, Travis has an ace in the hole: The Girl on the Train. The Girl is former CIA operative Pru Jackson who was left behind to die, and now she has her own agenda.

After putting things aside, Travis and Pru, who has her own story to tell, realize that they might actually have similar reasons for being in Seattle besides the contract on his head. Plus, Pru learns that someone from her past, someone who betrayed her in the worst way possible, may be involved in what's happening around Seattle. The rollercoaster of action starts from the very first page and never stops. There is so much more to this story, with a lot going on at all times. There is no time to take a breath before more gunshots are fired in his direction.

I love David Baldacci's writing, characters, plotting, evocative settings and death defying scenes. But I made a mistake of reading this and Simply Lies at the same time. And I thought this was a great Travis Devine entry and there were some great characters and the story was in fact engaging. The problem is, there were too many things he draws on in his most recent books that make them feel similar. And I'd still read both of them again. In To Die For, Travis Devine, the 6:20 man, is in Seattle on behalf of Homeland Security to accompany a 12 year old girl to meet the uncle who wants to adopt her now that her parents are dead. The FBI has temporary guardianship of Betsy because they have a huge RICO trial pending against said uncle who turns out to be a master criminal. And someone Travis knew in the army. So,. who is Danny Glass? What is his obvious interest in the niece he never met? How did he end up on the wrong side of the law and Travis on the right side? Or is the government the right side? In the course of this novel, Travis pursues information on Betsy's parent's death, spends a lot of time how to protect himself and Betsy from danger and engages once more with a woman who he last met on a train in Switzerland when she tried to kill him. Another mastermind but apparently a hit woman who does not like to fail. He connects with the very strange, Stepford-wife like people of a small town near where Betsy's parents died and the former drug dealer guys who were close to Betsy and her folks.

So, I read the book with relish, but here and there I felt like, "Been there. Done that." and, I will continue to read Baldacci. So take my comment for what it's worth.

Travis Devine returns in this third installment of the 6:20 Man and he is asked to aid the FBI in speaking to and escorting a recently orphaned twelve-year-old, Betsy Odom to a meeting with her uncle who once served under Devine but is the focus of an FBI probe. His experience as an Army Ranger and his analytical skills makes him an invaluable asset but doesn’t quite prepare him for the likes of Betsy. Additionally, he’s also trying to stay off the radar of the girl on the train whose mission seems to be to end his life.
The more time Devine spends with Betsy, the more questions he has about her parents’ deaths. As he looks for answers, he begins to find more than he bargained for. Is Betsy’s uncle the only culprit in the game. Devine quickly realizes that he can trust no one. Friends may be enemies, and could enemies actually be friends?
An action-packed thriller that will have you turning the pages waiting for the next surprise. Danger, twists and drama. But it also introduces some of the most memorable characters – ones I hope to see again in the future! Devine, himself, is developing into a complex, loyal but ruthless character. His military experience and analytical prowess are believable and adds to the authenticity of the novel.
And while you can read this book as a stand-alone, I highly recommend you read the whole series as there is a bit of a sub-plot thread throughout.

Travis Devine is the type of man you want on your side. He is unassuming and working with the government it works to his advantage. He has been given a task and it involves a 12 year old girl Betsy Odom. Betsy's parents were killed and now her uncle wants to adopt her. However, her uncle is under investigation. Devine has a good sense that something does not smell right and finds himself not knowing who the foes or friends are.

The character development was fantastic. Betsy was gutsy and vulnerable. Travis drew her out. The girl on the train from the previous book makes an appearance and the plot takes a turn. Surprises always makes a good read.

A special thank you to Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review

To Die For is book 3 in the 6:20 man series by David Baldacci. Travis Devine is back and his time as an Army Ranger will come in very useful on this mission. Devine is asked to fly to Seattle to assist the FBI with a twelve year old girl whose parents died right in front of her. Betsy Odom is the girl's name and her uncle wants to become her guardian. Her uncle is Danny Glass and is being held for RICO charges. His trial comes up soon, but witnesses that are supposed to testify against Glass keep turning up dead. Devine is happy to help with this case as it will keep him under the radar from the Girl on the Train who tried to kill him in Switzerland.

This case isn't what it seems. Devine finds conflicts everywhere he looks. The cause of death of Betsy's parents was reported as a drug overdose, but Betsy says they never did drugs! Their two best friends said the same thing. What's going on here? Then a man tells Travis that he has information for him an he wants to meet him later. When Travis shows up, the man is dead. This small rural town where the Odom's died is hiding something and something very big! The mayor is the police chief's wife and things don't seem right here. This small town has state of the art military artillery, helicopters, and state of the art buildings. This is not what you expect to see in a small town.

The FBI is worried that Glass wouldn't make the best guardian for Betsy. Travis and Glass know each other from a mission in the Army. Glass got a medal for the mission after Devine recommended him for it. Glass isn't sure if he can trust Devine, but he doesn't have much of a choice. Devine promises to keep Betsy safe and give up his life for her if it comes to that. Glass is supposed to turn over evidence of a larger criminal to get off on the RICO charges. The problem is if the larger criminals find out the case against Glass was dropped, they'll figure out what happened and go after Betsy for payback.

The girl on the train makes contact with Devine and wants to meet face to face. Can Devine trust her? Can she be of assistance on this case? She says she knows something that will break the case open. Devine has his work cut out for him on this case. It's hard to know who the enemies are and who the allies are. As he works to protect Betsy and find out the truth about what happened to her parents, Devine will be in danger at every turn. Why is an entire town hiding a big secret? Could that secret affect the nation? To Die For is a book that keeps you wanting more. I couldn't wait to read this book each day as you will be thinking about it when you can't read. To Die For is an exceptional thriller with characters that you will come to care for deeply. I rate To Die For 5 stars with my very highest recommendation. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an advanced copy of To Die For in exchange for a fair review. I can't wait for the next book in the series! #ToDieFor

Many thanks to Grand Central and NetGalley for early access to To Die For, book 3 in the Travis Devine series, in exchange for my honest opinion. I have been reading this series for the last few years, and I have to say that this one is even better than The Edge and The 6:20 Man!
If you haven't read them, you could probably read this as a standalone, but there is an ongoing saga about “the girl from the train” which continues here. This time, Travis is summoned to Seattle via his position with the Department of Homeland Security. There are killings, custody issues, and a secret supergroup planning to overthrow the government. The book is more political than I expected, and I did have to take a break from it for a few weeks after Election Day. However, I think it is a great story and particularly well-written, and I think readers will get more out of the series if they read all three in order.
Baldacci has created a really interesting character in Devine, and I enjoy his intelligence, US Army experience, and ruthlessness to find out what's going on beneath the surface. The short chapters, along with the action-packed drama, help keep my attention piqued.

3.5 stars

Travis Devine has a new assignment in this 3rd book in the series. He’s fresh out of Putnam, Maine and a close encounter with the woman from the train. His former Army connection is what drove him being assigned to solve a murder and help a 12 year old girl get justice.

Another small town, lots of people who are trying to kill him, and plenty of possible reasons why. This book expertly weaves all these elements together and the result is a fast moving action mystery that keeps the reader engaged. Any fan of the genre or of Mr. Baldacci will enjoy this book.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

📚 #BOOKREVIEW 📚
To Die For (The 6:20 Man, Book 3) by David Baldacci
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Pages: 424 / Genre: Mystery Thriller
Release Date: November 12, 2024

Ex-Army Ranger Travis Devine is sent in by the FBI to retrieve a newly orphaned 12-year-old girl and escort her to meet an uncle she’s never met before. This uncle happens to be under investigation for RICO charges and is also someone Travis fought alongside with in Iraq. Is this someone who can be trusted with a young girl? What really happened to her parents? There’s a lot here to unravel, not to mention there’s also an assassin from Travis’ past calling herself “The Girl on the Train,” who’s either out to kill him or help him.

Although this is the third book in a series, I think you can easily pick this one up and not miss a beat. The assignment with the girl is a standalone case but The Girl on the Train is someone from his past, which although I read the previous books in this series, it’s been a while and I honestly don’t remember anything about her. But even so, I still enjoyed the exciting mystery and threat she brought to the story.

As usual, Baldacci does a great job with interesting characters and a compelling storyline.

Thank you, @DavidBaldacciAuthor, @GrandCentralPub, and @NetGalley for my gifted copy.

4.5⭐️

To Die For, the third installment in David Baldacci’s The 6.20 Man series follows former U.S. Army Ranger Travis Devine, who is now employed by the Office of Special Projects (a stealth operation under the DHS), on his new mission, which takes him to the US West Coast. Danny Glass, a decorated former military man presently under investigation for RICO charges, is applying for guardianship of his recently; orphaned twelve-year-old niece Betsy Odom, and Travis is tasked with Betsy’s safety in collaboration with the FBI and supervising her visits with her uncle. Travis soon realizes that there is more to Betsy’s parents’ death than meets the eye and Danny’s enemies might be targeting her next. What follows is a complex web of murder, cover-ups, corruption, government secrets and much more! Complicating matters further is “The Girl on the Train,” who, after two failed attempts, is only more determined to complete her mission to kill Travis.

Complex plotting, compelling characters, action-packed drama ( I don’t mind suspension of disbelief!) and intrigue that keeps the reader frantically turning pages – David Baldacci thrillers seldom disappoint and the author’s latest offering is no exception. A lot is going on in this novel and initially, I was a bit confused with how the different threads of the story were related, but the author deftly ties it all together as the mystery is unraveled. Travis Devine is an interesting protagonist – a former military man with a heart of gold who would do everything in his power to see that justice is served. As in the author’s other series, facets of the protagonist’s backstory are woven into the present timeline, making for strong character development throughout the series. Betsy, the precocious twelve-year-old, was a handful (I could sympathize with her plight), and I enjoyed seeing her opening up as the plot progressed. I should mention that the direction of the “The Girl on the Train” track did surprise me and I do feel that some aspects of her story remain a mystery and I would have liked to get to know more about her. Overall, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read that I would not hesitate to recommend to fans of this genre.

Needless to say, I’ll eagerly await the next book in this series ( and/or the next book in any other of the author’s other series).

Please note that though this installment would work well as a standalone, I would recommend reading the books in series order for a better understanding of past events mentioned in the course of this novel.

Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

For readers of Baldacci this book is delicious. Devine is in real trouble. He has been ordered to help with the oversight of a twelve-year-old Betsy Odum. She is in FBI custody, awaiting the hearing she is to have with an old military comrade of Devine's. There are some great characters that show back up from the past. The girl on the train and Devine's boss Campbell. There are also new friends. A detective or two from the Seattle police department and some from a mysterious small town miles away. The bad guys are not who they seem to be, nor are the good guys in this thriller from Baldacci. All these people intersect in one of the best twisty thrillers from the author. Enjoyed this book, its characters, including young Betsy. and the surprising plot and twists and turns. Thanks to #NetGalley#ToDieFor for the opportunity to read and provide a unbiased review of this book.

In a tense, action packed third book in the 6:20 Man series, David Baldacci takes Travis Devine to Seattle to deliver a twelve year old girl to court for a custody hearing. It is not a typical assignment for Travis, but he has recently been tracked by a woman who wants him dead and this may keep him safe. The girl, Becky Odom, witnessed the death of her parents and her uncle, Danny Glass, wants guardianship. He is currently facing RICO charges by the FBI, but a number of witnesses against him have recently died. The FBI has offered him a deal to testify about his business associates, putting Betsy in danger. The police report regarding her parents’ death blames drug overdoses. Betsy swears that drugs were not involved and friends of the family back her up. At her request, Travis travels to the town where they died and his inquiries lead to an attack on his life. He is saved by Pru Jackson, the very woman who has been trying to kill him. She was a former CIA agent who was betrayed by her mentor and believes that they are involved. Her best path to revenge is to help Travis. Travis has been kept in the dark and lied to by the FBI agent guarding Becky so Pru’s offer may help him discover who is responsible. As they work together they find that the threat is bigger than they imagined and could topple the government.

Travis has pledged to keep Betsy safe. However, he has no experience with children and a pre-teen girl seems more of a challenge than his previous missions. Betsy’s life has been turned upside down. While Glass is her only relative, she knows that her father never trusted him. She is dreading the court appearance and finds her own way to throw the procedure into chaos. Baldacci throws some surprising twists at the reader along with non-stop action. To Die For is another great appearance for the 6:20 Man. I would like to thank NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for providing this book.

To Die For by David Baldacci

Travis Devine is a secret agent, or a former Army Ranger or perhaps both. He is assigned bodyguard duty which seems counterintuitive to what he things his rule might be. His boss and handler, purportedly from DHS, General Campbell, differs with him as to his job description. The body he is to guard is a feisty 12-year-old girl.
Devine is left in the dark regarding why Betsey needs protection. Adding to the mix is the “girl on the train” who tried to kill him in the previous book. Stir, don’t shake, some domestic terrorists, some garden variety thugs, a couple of recovering drug addicts, the FBI and the CIA and you have mayhem and confusion blossom.
The plot was just shy of Machiavellian and there was plenty of action, treachery, and intrigue.
I enjoyed it, recommend it, and look forward to the next Baldacci book regardless of the protagonist's identity.

I’ve been a fan of David Baldacci for years, and once again, he’s delivered a thrilling read! This time, Travis Devine is sent to Seattle for what seems like a straightforward job—helping the FBI escort a young girl, Betsy Odom, to a meeting with her uncle. But what starts as a routine mission quickly escalates into something much darker and more dangerous. As Devine gets to know Betsy, he starts to uncover a web of secrets that might change everything he thought he knew.

I couldn’t put this book down! The pacing was spot-on, with just the right balance of action, suspense, and character development. Baldacci’s skill at weaving in twists kept me guessing at every turn, and I loved how he built the tension throughout. Travis Devine is a great protagonist—he’s tough, but there’s a vulnerability to him that makes him easy to root for. I really enjoyed his relationship with Betsy, and it added a nice emotional layer to the story.

The supporting cast was strong, though I’ll admit there were a lot of characters to keep track of, and at times it felt like I had to flip back to remember who was who. But that’s really a small quibble in an otherwise fantastic book. The story is fast-paced but doesn’t feel rushed, and while it’s not the most weighty or thought-provoking novel out there, it was the perfect kind of fun, page-turning thriller that I love.

If you’ve enjoyed the first two books in this series, you’ll definitely want to pick this one up. It was a blast to read, and I’m already looking forward to seeing where Baldacci takes Travis Devine next. Highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.