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DIVINE JUSTICE
by David Baldacci
Macmillan, November 2008
400 pages
17.99 GBP
ISBN: 0230706061


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

We are told that all good things must come to an end and it looks as though DIVINE JUSTICE might be the finale for the Camel Club. A shame, but I suppose it might be better than stretching out a series until everyone (including, probably, the author) is thoroughly sick of it.

The previous adventure of the Camel Club saw charming, inoffensive Milton Farb's demise. I suppose that would have tipped off the perceptive that the series might not continue for much longer. Given the conclusion of this episode, it is unlikely Baldacci has left any loophole through which a further adventure might see the light of day.

The book opens with the man who was once America's most feared assassin, John Carr, now known as Oliver Stone, diving from an unenviable height into hostile waters. Stone has, in fact, just assassinated two of America's most important men (baddies, of course). In the face of an interrogation by law enforcement officers, he is able to take refuge in the identity of a halfwit, an identity he has carefully set up during the preceding months.

Moving on, Stone catches a train, any train, but this one happens to be one heading for New Orleans.

Joe Knox is on Oliver Stone's trail. He is not happy about it. He would rather be at home, reading a novel and drinking Glenlivet, but Important People get themselves killed and it is Knox's duty to go after the killer.

Stone has been unfortunate in his choice of transport. A boy, outnumbered three to one, is being beaten up on the train Stone has caught and he intervenes. Unfortunately, that draws attention to him and he finds it advisable to get off the train, together with the lad he protected. They make their way to a mining town named Divine, clearly named by someone with a fine sense of irony.

The adventure is, as always, rather over the top, but very enjoyable nonetheless. Drugs form a central part of the puzzle so there is a nasty enough element in place, even without taking into account the various dubious law enforcement types on Stone's tail.

The Camel Club members are as endearing as ever and it is a shame the reader doesn't see more of them. Of course, the loss of Milton Farb leaves a big gap in the membership, but Caleb, Reuben, Annabelle and Alex remain steadfastly together as they seek out their erstwhile leader Oliver.

I would be sorry to see the last of the Camel Club. It's a good series but his is a very inventive brain and I can't wait to see what replacement he might dream up.

Reviewed by Denise Pickles, November 2008

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