I enjoyed the first book in this series — Nash Falls — so downloaded the 2026 sequel.

Hope Rises finds our hero, Walter Nash, living under the alias Dillon Hope.

Having transformed from a gentle businessman into a skilled operative, Nash is working as an FBI informant to infiltrate the inner circle of global criminal leader Victoria Steers.

Nash’s primary mission is to dismantle Steers’ empire and exact revenge for the loss of his family. However, as he penetrates her operation, he uncovers shocking truths that force him to choose between completing his mission and protecting the woman he previously viewed only as a monster.

Baldacci’s books have been improving in recent years.

This one, too, is far more sophisticated than his shoot-em-up, save the world thrillers of old.

I give him A for effort.

BUT … the book is far inferior to Nash Falls.

If you think of the complicated plot for even 30 seconds, you’ll see it makes no sense. NONE of the characters act logically.

OK, Thura: penniless guy from Burma acts logically.

related – a positive review