The Forgotten is the second John Puller novel and takes the lone wolf detective, who works for the Army's Criminal Investigation Division, to Paradise, Florida to investigate the death of his aunt. Although this death was ruled a suicide by the authorities, Puller is unconvinced and tries talking to the detectives who looked into the case, without coming up with anything more interesting than a sexual proposition. Puller turns down the female detective coming on to him and reaches out to his paramour, General Julie Carson, who promptly shows up in Paradise wearing an alluring outfit. The two fall into bed together prior to taking the investigation further.
Another character, who plays an important role, is a man named Mecho who was brought to the U.S. via a human trafficking ring. After escaping, Mecho starts working as a gardener for a rich man who might be behind the trafficking. This millionaire, Peter Lampert, coerces people into staying where they are sold by threatening their families in their home country. Together, it's up to Puller, Carson and Mecho to bring him down and free "the forgotten," i.e., the people being trafficked.
John Puller has quite a few similarities to Lee Child's Jack Reacher—both are big men trained in the military who travel around America solving cases. Baldacci's Puller does seem a little more thoughtful than Reacher, which lends complexity to his character.
Download The Forgotten now and follow this lone wolf detective in his attempt to bring down a powerful, corrupt figure who is destroying the lives of thousands via a human trafficking scam.
Born in Virginia, David Baldacci went to school at Virginia Commonwealth University where he earned his Bachelor's in Political Science. He went on to study law at the University of Virginia School of Law and was a practicing lawyer for nine years in Washington D.C. He published his first book, Absolute Power, in 1996 and it was made into a movie directed by Clint Eastwood, starring Eastwood himself and Gene Hackman. Since then, he has published twenty-five books, including two children's books and was voted one of the 51 most beautiful people in the world in 1997 by People magazine. He is married with two teenaged children and continues to live in Virginia.
"I do not know how he does it..... Mr. Baldacci and his characters keep you on the edge of your seat for almost the whole time you listen -- as though you are part of the story. The characters are described so you can see them and feel you know them. John Pular is the hero you want to be on your side. It all adds up to a murder, mystery and wild rides to the final end. Love another book of Mr Baldacci...... Keep them coming"
—
Gay (5 out of 5 stars)