The Escape by David Baldacci

Plot

The Escape by David Baldacci is a thriller novel with CID agent John Puller as the protagonist. It is the third book in the John Puller series.

John Puller, worked with the US army and is currently working with the Criminal Investigations Division of the US. He came from a family that has a major army background. He had relatives going back to George Washington's days, fighting in world war, risking their lives for the country.His father is military retired Lieutenant General John Puller Sr. who was one of the best leaders of his time and authored many military tactics books. He now suffers from Alzheimer's and is spending his days in the hospital.His brother, Robert Puller served the Air Force but was convicted of selling intelligence to enemies, thus serving prison sentence in the most secure prison of the country for his crimes against national security.

 

One day, John Puller gets a call from his Commanding Officer telling him that his brother has escaped from DB, the most secure military prison.

"Puller drew another quick breath as his mind tried to come to terms with the statement. But one didn't escape from the DB. It would be like flying to the moon in a Toyota."

 Escaping from DB was considered impossible because of the security measures taken by the military to maintain order there.Only one thought entered John Puller's mind, that escaping the prison without any external help was stone cold impossible. To escape one would need help from any external agency. That would mean somehow, someone with ill intentions for the country had done this; that the US army was compromised, by the presence of a spy.

John Puller is asked to take the case and bring in his brother back to surrender. He is paired with another agent Veronica Knox, who is not very clear about her motives being paired up with him. While investigating, Puller finds out that his brother didn't commit the treason but was set up for it. Along with Knox, he questions everyone related to the hearing of his brother. He finds out that two people Susan Reynolds and Niles Robinson, had given testimony against Robert, stating that they had caught him stealing classified information from his workplace, and seen him talking to a spy. He notes that Susan had assets that were beyond her pay scale and Niles had an ill son who was subjected to a very costly experimental treatment and cured. This leads him to believe that they were paid to give false testimonies for the money.

"Susan was far more talented. far more dedicated. she cared far more than you ever would."
"For the Russians."
"I made her see the light." 

On further inquisition he finds out that Susan Reynolds is working with a Russian spy named Ivok, who had worked with her on a foreign mission. In the meantime, his brother contacts him and together they find out that they were planning to release aerosolized Ebola, a Biological weapon in the Pentagon. Taking the General of US Army in his confidence about his brother, they dismantle the whole operation and kill both Susan and Ivok in a final standoff.


The Escape is a really engaging read and further builds the character of John Puller after the first two novels. The skills and determination of Puller are really brought into use in this thriller. It is easily amongst the best thrillers and would be recommended to a person who likes to devour a good thriller.
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