Prolific author unveils new character

After seven series and 39 novels, thriller writer David Baldacci still has stories to tell.

His new novel (possibly the start of a new series) steps back in time to star a World War II veteran who, in 1949, is fresh out of prison and plunked into a dusty, Southwestern town. Aloysius Archer, not quite 30, was wrongly imprisoned and several years later, warned upon his release to stay away from women, alcohol and any sort of trouble.

His parole officer is a mysterious, beautiful but buttoned-up woman in the small town of Poca City, resembling the real Ponca City, Oklahoma.

Almost immediately, Archer (his first name is problematic for the other characters, so he goes by • “One Good Deed” (Grand Central, 432 pages, $29) by David Baldacci

his surname) hooks up with the town’s big cheese, Hank Pittleman, owner of the hotel, bank and bars as well as sugar daddy to Jackie Tuttle, a curvaceous young woman who takes a shine to Archer.

Pittleman hires Archer to collect a debt from Jackie’s estranged father who agrees to the payment only if Archer can persuade his daughter to leave Pittleman and come home.

Events take a turn to the violent when first Pittleman, then others, are murdered and circumstances point at Archer as the mostly likely suspect.

The plot grows increasingly complicated as the characters take on attributes of noir characters from 1940s crime stories. Especially in the first few chapters, Baldacci has his characters speak in jargon emulating tough guys created by Dashiell Hammett or Raymond Chandler.

“You look like you can handle yourself just fine,” Pittman tells Archer.

“Bet you were in the Army.”

“I did my bit,” Archer replies.

“A strong, brave man, then, who knows how to survive difficult circumstances,” Pittman says. “Which means you’re just the hombre for me.”

As the story picks up steam, the dialogue seems less stilted, but perhaps the reader is just getting used to it.

For the most part, Baldacci stays true to a 1940s-’50s atmosphere in which men were required to be tough and resilient and women had to know how to use their brains and their looks in order to manipulate the opposite sex.

“One Good Deed” careens to a satisfying and fairly surprising ending that leaves Archer standing on two feet and in prime position for further adventures.

Baldacci’s publicist said that the novel is being released as a stand-alone but that the author could return to Aloysius Archer. A hearty welcome if this is series is No. 8.

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