The Sixth Man (novel)
The Sixth Man is a crime thriller penned by American writer David Baldacci, released on April 19, 2011, through Grand Central Publishing. This installment is the fifth entry in the King and Maxwell (book series).
Plot summary
Sean King and Michelle Maxwell are called upon to support Edgar Roy, a suspected serial killer currently on trial. Ted Bergin, who serves as Roy’s lawyer and was once Sean’s mentor, intends to work alongside them but is discovered murdered along a highway in New England. As they delve deeper into the case, King and Maxwell reveal a secret government initiative that employs analysts who integrate intelligence information to offer strategic counsel—Roy was the program’s chief analyst. With assistance from Roy’s half-sister, a former intelligence operative, they uncover a conspiracy led by the Secretary of Homeland Security aimed at terminating the program and eliminating Roy. The story concludes with Michelle regaining consciousness from a coma and Sean acknowledging the profound nature of their connection.
Characters
- Michelle Maxwell: A former agent of the Secret Service, appearing in Split Second, Hour Game, and Simple Genius. She is Sean King’s partner, skilled in hand-to-hand combat, an Olympic medalist in rowing, standing 5 feet 10 inches (1.75m) tall with dark hair.
- Sean King: Also an ex-Secret Service agent in his forties, measuring six feet two inches (1.88m). He is depicted primarily as Michelle’s platonic partner.
Reception
Jeff Ayers commended Baldacci as "a master craftsman" in his review for the Associated Press, while Kirkus Reviews emphasized the intricate storyline featuring "more double-crosses than a tic-tac-toe tournament."