The 6:20 Man by David Baldacci

All Aboard the Thriller Express

Ever felt like your daily commute was killing you? Well, for Travis Devine, it might just be. David Baldacci’s “The 6:20 Man” takes readers on a wild ride through the cutthroat world of high finance, where the morning train could be your last. Buckle up, folks—this ain’t your grandma’s murder mystery.

The Plot: More Twists Than a Pretzel Factory

Travis Devine, our reluctant hero, is just trying to make it in the Big Apple. Every morning, he hops on the 6:20 train, dreams of joining the 1%, and tries not to fall asleep in his reasonably priced suit. But when his ex-girlfriend and coworker Sara Ewes turns up dead, Travis’s mundane life goes off the rails faster than you can say “insider trading.”

Suddenly, our boy Travis is juggling more balls than a circus clown:

• A mysterious email about Sara’s death
• Nosy NYPD detectives sniffing around
• A shady government operative blackmailing him
• A clandestine investigation into his own firm
• Oh, and did I mention there’s a killer on the loose?

It’s enough to make a guy miss the good old days of being shot at in Afghanistan. Speaking of which, Travis is hiding some serious skeletons in his Army closet. Baldacci keeps us guessing about Travis’s past misdeeds, dangling them like a carrot on a stick to keep us flipping pages.

Characters: A Rogues’ Gallery of Wall Street Misfits

Baldacci populates his financial thriller with a cast that would make Gordon Gecko blush:

• Travis Devine: Our flawed hero with a haunted past and a questionable fashion sense
• Brad Cowl: The sleazy big boss who makes “Wolf of Wall Street” look like a kid’s movie
• Michelle Montgomery: The enigmatic girlfriend who may or may not be playing for Team Good Guy
• Will Valentine: A Russian hacker roommate who’s more than meets the eye
• Helen Speers: Another mysterious roommate with hidden depths (and a hidden gun)

The supporting characters are a mixed bag of potential allies and enemies, keeping Travis (and the reader) constantly on edge. Trust no one, my friends. Not even that sweet old lady feeding pigeons in the park. She’s probably laundering money for the mob.

Setting: Manhattan, Where Dreams Go to Die (or Get Murdered)

Baldacci paints a vivid picture of New York City’s financial district, where the streets are paved with gold and the sidewalks are littered with the broken dreams of failed day traders. The contrast between the glittering skyscrapers and the grimy underbelly of corporate greed is stark and effective.

The 6:20 train itself becomes a character, a daily reminder of the gap between the haves and the have-nots. As Travis gazes out the window at mansions he’ll never afford, you can practically smell the desperation and overpriced cologne.

Themes: Greed, Corruption, and the American Nightmare

Baldacci doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to critiquing the excesses of Wall Street. “The 6:20 Man” takes a hard look at:

• The toxic culture of high finance
• The corrupting influence of money and power
• The blurred lines between legality and morality in big business
• The weight of past mistakes and the possibility of redemption

It’s not all doom and gloom, though. There’s a glimmer of hope in Travis’s journey, as he struggles to do the right thing in a world that rewards the opposite.

Writing Style: Fast-Paced and Punchy

Baldacci’s prose is like a New York minute—quick, sharp, and leaves you slightly breathless. He keeps the plot moving at breakneck speed, with short chapters that practically beg you to read “just one more” until it’s 3 AM and you have to be up for work in three hours.

The dialogue crackles with tension and the occasional zinger. Travis’s internal monologue provides moments of dark humor that help break up the intensity. It’s not Shakespeare, but it gets the job done with style.

The Good, the Bad, and the Money-Laundering

What Works:

• Breakneck pacing that keeps you glued to the page
• A complex plot with enough twists to give you whiplash
• Vivid depictions of the cutthroat world of high finance
• Travis’s backstory, which adds depth to his character
• The blend of financial intrigue and good old-fashioned murder mystery

What Could Use Some Work:

• Some of the secondary characters feel a bit one-dimensional
• The financial jargon might be overwhelming for some readers
• A few plot points stretch believability (but hey, it’s fiction)
• The ending leaves some threads dangling (sequel bait, anyone?)

The Verdict: All Aboard for a Thrilling Ride

“The 6:20 Man” is a solid entry in Baldacci’s ever-growing catalog of thrillers. It’s not groundbreaking literature, but it’s a damn fun read that’ll keep you up way past your bedtime. If you like your murder mysteries with a side of corporate intrigue and a dash of government conspiracy, this book is your ticket to ride.

Baldacci proves once again why he’s a master of the genre, crafting a page-turner that’ll make you miss your stop (and maybe look at your coworkers a little differently). Just don’t read it on your morning commute—you might get paranoid.

Who Should Read This Book?

• Fans of financial thrillers like “The Firm” or “Wall Street”
• Anyone who’s ever daydreamed about telling their boss where to shove it
• Mystery lovers who like their whodunits with a side of white-collar crime
• Commuters looking for a distraction from the guy eating a tuna sandwich next to them

Who Should Skip It?

• Those easily overwhelmed by financial jargon
• Readers looking for a cozy mystery (this is more “hard-boiled with a side of spreadsheets”)
• Anyone currently under investigation by the SEC (maybe wait until after your trial)

The Bottom Line

“The 6:20 Man” is a solid thriller that’ll have you side-eyeing your coworkers and checking your email for mysterious death notices. It’s not perfect, but it’s a hell of a lot more exciting than your average commute. So grab a copy, find a seat (preferably not next to any shady-looking finance types), and enjoy the ride.

Similar Books to Check Out:

• “The Firm” by John Grisham
• “Limitless” by Alan Glynn
• “The Wolf of Wall Street” by Jordan Belfort (for a non-fiction look at Wall Street excess)

About the Author

David Baldacci is a prolific thriller writer with more bestsellers than you can shake a stock certificate at. He’s been cranking out page-turners since 1996’s “Absolute Power” and shows no signs of slowing down. “The 6:20 Man” is the start of a new series, so expect to see more of Travis Devine’s adventures in the future. The second book in the series, “The Edge,” was released in 2023 and third installment, “To Die For,” is slated for release in November 2024.

Final Thoughts

In a world where the rich keep getting richer and the rest of us are left fighting for scraps, “The 6:20 Man” offers a cathartic glimpse into the downfall of the financially powerful. It’s a roller-coaster ride of a book that’ll make you laugh, gasp, and maybe check your 401(k) balance.

So, dear reader, are you ready to punch your ticket for this thrill ride? Just remember—on this train, the only thing more dangerous than missing your stop is knowing too much. Happy reading, and maybe consider taking the bus to work tomorrow. You know, just to be safe.