Grand Central released David Baldacci's new novel, Deliver Us from Evil, in hard cover last week. From the flap:
Evan Waller is a monster. On Waller’s trail is The Whole Truth’s Shaw. And someone else is after Waller — Reggie Campion, agent for a secret vigilante group. Hunting the same man, unaware of each other’s mission, Shaw and Reggie will be caught in a deadly duel of nerve and wits.Next comes the enhanced eBook with DVDish special features, including deleted scenes and behind the scenes stuff about the writing process. Baldacci told the Associated Press, "For a long time it seemed all people were talking about was pricing and the timing of the e-book. And I want to bring it back to the books themselves, to the content, because that's what should matter. I want people to have a great experience and give them a behind-the-scenes look at what I do, the way you would have it on a DVD."
This seems to me the best possible use of the new platforms...as long as the story hasn't been forgotten. I'm thinking of Tim Burton's mind-blowingly beautiful new "Alice in Wonderland" movie, which was amazing to look at and a fantastic use of new tech and talent right up until the actors are forced to speak the lame script. PW (for what it's worth) says Baldacci's sequel to The Whole Truth "lacks the creative plotting and masterful handling of suspense that marked his earlier thrillers. ...Crucial developments come across as contrived rather than clever. The ultimate resolution will surprise few." (The ultimate resolution, of course, being another gimongous bestseller?)
Go here to read an excerpt and if you've already consumed the book, let me know: Did Baldacci nail it? Or are we losing the forest in the trees?
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