The Simple Truth

David Baldacci gives us Rufus Harms, a man unjustly imprisioned for 25 years, and an ex-cop, John Fiske, turned lawyer turned investigator again when his brother, Michael Fiske, a Supreme Court clerk, is murdered after inquiring into an appeal that came to the Supreme Court from Rufus. Sara Evans, another SC clerk, who was good friends with Michael Fiske becomes emotionally involved with John Fiske and they team up to try to solve the mystery of who would murder Michael Fiske. Along the way they are searching out the truth about Rufus. There are twists and turns and surprises. David Baldacci gives an a behind the scenes look at the Supreme Court and the surprising power the clerks actually have. You will have a hard time putting this book down once you open it.

The story is about a black military con who is seeking justice after serving 25 years in prison for a murder he did not commit. After receiving a letter he discovers that he is innocent and files and appeal with the US Supreme Court because he is well aware that he was a victim of a conspiracy of a group that will do the impossible to cover it up, this appeal is found by a clerk who gets so astounded that begins an investigation on his own bending the standard procedures of the US Supreme Court and so putting his brilliant life and career at riskRegardless of the mystery (who is behind the cover up and why), the best feature of the plot, is the trickery subtly outlined behind the scenes, how Mr Baldacci deceives the reader in terms of characters' behavior and attitudes throughout the whole book from beginning to end and how he also flawlessly solve the puzzle without to rely on the last of the minute non sense sudden turn of the events, a subterfuge very usually employed by many well known mystery writers. For this reason this book stands out from the pack.

I was in the mood for a book that would hold my attention and keep me turning page after page, and this one filled the bill. It is a story of deception and intrigue among two of the most highly respected and revered institutions of our country, the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Army. It is the story of Rufus Harms, a gentle giant of a man, who has spent 25 years of his life in an army stockade for a crime that he DID commit...but should not have been held responsible for. It is the story of a young Supreme Court clerk who learns a very small piece of Harms' story and loses his life seeking more of it. And, it is the story of this young man's brother, a cynical and hardened cop-turned-lawyer who seeks, and ultimately finds, the not-so-simple truth. Along the way are enough twists, turns, and suspense to make you stay up far too late reading it, only to make you late for work the next morning because you just HAD to pick it up for "one more chapter." The character development was superb, and the hints dropped here and there are just enough to be tantalizing. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an engrossing read that will leave you hunting for another Baldacci novel.

An excellent, complex, interwoven story with themes and characters causing strong emotional reactions.John Fiske, an ex-cop turned defense attorney begins to investigate his younger brother Michael's murder and unravels an injustice that occured 25 years earlier in an Army prison. Michael, a clerk at the U.S. Supreme Court sought answers to an appeal by Rufus Harms, a huge Afro- American soldier imprisoned for killing a 10 y.o. white girl. Michael paid the price and John seeks the simple truth.The relationships, past and present, and the mystery of what really happened and by whom 25 years ago keeps the pages turning. I couldn't put it down. It had several surprises and was so tightly constructed that it kept me thinking. I truly liked some of the characters, Josh and Rufus Harms especially; and Judge Knight's discourse about the unfairness of the Army's exemption from being sued by its employees was excellent. I loved this story and highly recommend it.

The Simple Truth is simply an impressive novel without a doubt. Not only is the plot believable and exciting, but the characters are extremely well developed--their inhibitons are well documented. Its one of those books that you can lose sleep over--I never wanted to put it down. What kind of crack were the people who rated this book negatively on? I sure wonder, because it is a book that is definitely comparable to some of Grisham's works. I highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates a good story.