This a 2.9 review with potential spoilers. 
 I have said it in the past and I will say it again: David Baldacci knows how to write Intense. With every death and somewhat outlandish predicament, my heart raced. 
 A portion of Baldacci's King and Maxwell was good. A teenager named Tyler Wingo finds out his father has been killed in Afghanistan.The thing is the day after Tyler recieves a text from his father. Therefore, he hires a very willing Maxwell and a somewhat reluctant King to help him uncover the truth. In true King and Maxwell fashion, it is a political conspiracy running amok. This conspiracy ups the ante with its geopolitical ramifications. 
 This aspect wasn't the problem. It was the bad guy's motivation. It made no sense. His revenge plot was 25 years to late. As the big reveal, it was one of the most complicated yet boring and really confusing reasons ever. 
 I expected much more. Another problem is the vagueness of King and Maxwell's partnership. I am not a fan of the "will they or won't they?" trope. Either keep them friends or have them become an item. This weird ambiguioty is annoying. I would not not mind King getting back with Dana for awhile. I am interested to see how Edgar will be let onto the team. It'll be an interesting dynamic for sure. 
 I do hope the next King and Maxwell book is better. But kudos for Baldacci increasing Maxwell's badassery and nod to Jaws because that was EXACTLY what I was thinking during The Beast scene.