A Review of David Baldacci's Book "Simple Genius"

When my wife and I lived in California, we enrolled in the Sierra Club’s Basic Mountaineering Course. In one session we went to the mountains and into the snow. We learned to Glissade (Which means to slide) . We would slide down the packed ice and snow on our stomachs, on our backs, head first and feet first. The object of the lesson was to teach us that in case we fell on the ice and snow how to stop ourselves using our feet, our hands elbows and our ice axe. When we were sliding down the mountain we discovered that it was thrilling, exciting and exhilarating. That’s how I feel when reading some books. We also took hikes along the beach in the soft sand. I liked that too but it took a lot more effort. That’s the way I feel about some of Mr. Baldacci’s books. I like them but the reading takes effort.

I found that Simple Genius is an easier read than other of My Baldacci’s books.  Simple Genius did not overwhelm me with a dizzying cast of characters, and I was able to keep track of them and the plot as I read.

Sean King, a partner in an Investigation services company, is in financial straits since he refused to take a substantial   fee from his client and former lover Joan Dillenger. for his last job.  Maxine Maxwell, his partner dealing with personal demons, in a foul mood , goes to a bar gets drunk and picks a fight with the biggest bruiser in the saloon. This time, however, she has picked someone who is a match for her and is severely beaten. To keep her out of jail, Sean pressures her into admitting herself to inpatient therapy with another colleague, Horatio Barnes.

Meanwhile, Joan Dillenger has persuaded Sean to take on what she believes to be a simple well paying investigation into the death of a math genius named Monk Turing. He is a descendent of Alan Turing of WWII Bletchley Park, Code Breaker fame and works for a mysterious Think Tank named Babbage Park.

The supposedly simple investigation escalates into a huge mystery involving:  the CIA, the FBI, some clandestine private entrepreneurs, Middle Eastern warlords and illegal drug traffic. There are several murders and Sean is attacked and shot at. Maxine signs herself out of therapy to try and protect King.  She befriends an autistic teenager who is a mathematics savant and who turns out to hold he key to the whole mystery surrounding Camp Peary, a CIA installation, Babbage Town, secret midnight flights, and planes carrying passengers in Middle Eastern dress and large plastic covered bundles .

King ad Maxwell marshal a number of resources: Maxine’s therapist, former lovers, current adversaries, and government agencies to get to the bottom of the  plot and solve the mystery of the death of Monk Turing.

This is an intriguing plot inspired by real world concerns and made plausible by Mr. Baldacci’s ability to create interesting characters and assemble a complicated plot. The combination keeps the reader turning pages in order to find the answers.

I found some of the situations and some activities of agencies and private groups to be wildly speculative but we suspend our disbelief and allow Mr. Baldacci his poetic license for our enjoyment

Federal Crime Fighters; The FBI

The FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) is only one of several federal organizations that fight crime in the US. Its job is confined by law to the United States but it does have "legal attaches" at US embassies in foreign countries. The FBI is part of the US Department of Justice who's leader is the US Attorney General. It has 33,652 employees , 13,249 of whom are sworn agents and has an annual budget of $7.9 billion.

The mission of the FBI is to protect the United States against terrrorist and foreign intelligence threats, to uphold and enforce the criminal laws of the United States and to provide leadershipand criminal justice services to federal, state, municipal and international partners and agencies.

The motto of the FBI is "Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity".

The priorities of the FBI are:
1. Protect the United States from terrorist attacks.
2. Protect the United States against foreign intelligence operations and espionage.
3. Protect the United States against cyber-based attack and high technology crimes.
4. Combat public corruption at all levels.
5. Protect Civil Rights.
6. Combat transnational/national criminal organizations and enterprises.
7. Combat major white collar crime.
8. Combat significant violent crime.
9. Support federal, local and international partners.
10. Upgrade technology for successful performance of the FBI's mission.

The FBI operates 56 field offices in major US cities and maintains 400 resident agents in smaller cities as well as 50 "legal attaches" in US embassies.

To become an FBI agnet an applicant must be between the ages of 23 and 37(There arre some exceptiions), be a citizen of the US, have a clean record and a four year bachelor's degree.  In addition, potential agents must qualify for a TS (Top Secret) security clearance and be able to pass a physical fitness test. Successful applicants must complete a 21 week training course at the Marine base at Quantico, Virginia.