Simple Genius

Simple Genius is a 2007 crime fiction novel by the American writer, David Baldacci. Topping the New York Times bestseller list as the #1 bestseller for the week ending April 28, 2007,^[1] the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reviewed Simple Genius as "simply entertaining."^[2] Simple Genius continues the story of Michelle Maxwell and Sean King from its predecessors, Split Second and Hour Game, and combines themes such as "quantum computers, protective codes, breaking those codes, the CIA, psychological demons and even buried treasure".^[2]

Plot summary

From the book (Paperback Edition): Near Washington, D.C., there are two clandestine institutions: a laboratory developing advanced technology, and a secret CIA training camp. Sean King, financially hard-pressed and trying to help his professional - and platonic - partner, does something he had decided to never do: look for a "job" from his ex-girlfriend Joan Dillinger, a fellow ex-Secret Service agent who has gone private running her own PI agency. She gives him a case at a lab. The murder of a scientist by the name of Monk Turing draws Sean King to the lab. While searching for answers, he soon stumbles on Camp Peary, the CIA training facility which leads him to a more complicated puzzle. While working on the case, he soon comes across Turing's autistic daughter, Viggie Turing, who is also an extraordinary genius. She helps Michelle only because she trusts Michelle. She hates Horatio, the psychologist who is there to help both Michelle and Viggie. He works together with his partner, Michelle Maxwell, who has attempted suicide after a psychological breakdown.

In the end, Sean and Michelle are able to crack the case, but for that they had to undergo torture at the hands of their enemies. Sean's generosity is evident when instead of taking up the treasures money he gets it divided in three parts for three different people, though his financial condition wasn't very good.

Characters

• Michelle Maxwell: An ex-Secret Service agent, first featured in Split Second - and again, in Hour Game. She is the professional - and platonic - partner of Sean King, also an ex-Secret Service agent. Dark-hair, attractive, about five-ten, Olympic medalist in rowing, and an expert in combat. She is as close to a lethal weapon as a human can get. But, she has her demons - demons which have haunted her for three decades, since the age of six. "Simple Genius" brings to light the inner fragility of the strong lady, and how she fights against them as she decides to stand by those she loves and cares for.

• Sean King: An ex-Secret Service agent, like his indomitable partner, Sean King is in his forties, six-two, and handsome. He is somewhat more controlled [not that Michelle is prone to losing self-control when she is alright, which - in Simple Genius - she is not, at times] and had a relationship with another (now former) Secret Service agent, Joan Dillinger. It is the continuing "contact" [non-sexual, of course, from King's side; Joan is not averse to trying to bed him] which gets King the mission at Babbage Town.

Themes & Issues

References

1. ^ "Best Seller". New York Times. May 20, 2007. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0DE1DE1431F933A15756C0A9619C8B63. Retrieved 2008-01-05. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Carlin, Karen (May 13, 2007). "'Simple Genius' by David Baldacci – Complex thriller pays off for readers at finish". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07133/785077-148.stm. Retrieved 2008-01-05. 

External links

• http://davidbaldacci.com/novels/simplegenius/