Split Second which was first published in 2003 was the first book in Baldacci’s King and Maxwell series. This is a sizzling and tightly plotted thriller that once you begin reading you will devour each page. This has a brilliant plot breathless action and out of this world characters. When Secret Service Agent Sean King is distracted for just a second his protectee the presidential candidate Clyde Ritter is assassinated. Even though he kills the assassin his time with the service is over he had done the unforgivable lost the person he was supposed to protect. He had to move on with his life whether he liked it or not was irrelevant. Secret Service Agent Michelle Maxwell is not happy that her protectee the presidential candidate John Bruno has demanded a last-minute change to the schedule. Maxwell allows Bruno into a room alone with a widow. When Maxwell re-enters the room some time late both the Bruno and the widow are missing. Maxwell driven by the similarity of her protectee’s case with that of King she wants to re-open the investigation. The Secret Service will not hear of it. She manages to convince King to join her and investigate both cases. At the beginning of the investigation, they could see no link nothing that would connect the pair of incidents. But what they did do was kick a hornet’s nest which made their life chances a little more restricted. Especially as key witnesses had a habit of disappearing from both cases and then dead bodies turn up in the home and offices of King. They seem to be a step behind with every step they take. It becomes clear that there are some very funny games being played. The plot is strong so much so that you could imagine it happening and Baldacci’s research is evident throughout the book. The plot twists keep you hooked throughout the book he has made it hard for the reader to work out who actually are the bad guys and the book is better for that. A brilliant read.