# David Baldacci

> A Washington lawyer who wrote at night until his first thriller sold, then built a shelf of series heroes, from the Camel Club to Amos Decker and Travis Devine.

- Novelist · Absolute Power · Memory Man · The 6:20 Man
- Known for: Political and crime thrillers, beginning with *Absolute Power* in 1996; he has written 55 novels for adults and seven for young readers, with more than 200 million copies sold.[1]
- Born: August 5, 1960
- Last updated: 2026-11-14
- Editorial review: approved 2026-11-15
- Web page: https://authorbackstories.com/authors/david-baldacci/
- Reading list (PDF): https://authorbackstories.com/authors/david-baldacci/reading-list.pdf

## Featured book: Newest book

*All In* (2026). The fourth Travis Devine novel, published by Grand Central on November 10, 2026, sends the former Army Ranger to Australia after a journalist is shot in Manhattan and an intelligence analyst disappears.[8]

## At a glance

- Born: August 5, 1960, in Richmond, Virginia[2]
- Education: B.A. in political science, Virginia Commonwealth University; J.D., University of Virginia School of Law[2]
- Before writing: Practiced law in Washington, D.C., for nine years[2]
- First novel: *Absolute Power* (1996)[1]
- Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (Hachette Book Group) in the U.S.[8]
- Philanthropy: Co-founded the Wish You Well Foundation, which supports literacy, with his wife[1]

## David Baldacci's Backstory

### Early life

David Baldacci was born on August 5, 1960, in Richmond, Virginia, where he grew up and attended Henrico High School.[2] He describes himself as a lifelong Virginian and says he began writing as a child, after his mother gave him a lined notebook for his stories.[1] He earned a bachelor's degree in political science at Virginia Commonwealth University and a law degree at the University of Virginia School of Law.[2]

### Lawyer by day

Baldacci practiced law in Washington, D.C., for nine years, as a trial and corporate lawyer.[2][3] He had started writing seriously in law school, first short stories and screenplays, and for about five years finished nothing he could sell.[3] Turning to novels, he wrote the opening chapter of a thriller and approached several agents, most of whom offered to represent him.[3] Contemporary Authors reports that he spent about two years on the book, writing from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. after his legal work, and that the manuscript sold in a single day.[3]

### Absolute Power

That book, *Absolute Power*, was published in 1996.[1] Reviewers compared it with John Grisham's legal thrillers; *Publishers Weekly* called it "a sizzler of a first novel," while *Kirkus Reviews* found it tedious.[3] A film followed in 1997, written by William Goldman and directed by and starring Clint Eastwood.[3][1]

### The series heroes

After a run of standalone novels, Baldacci began the Sean King and Michelle Maxwell books with *Split Second* in 2003 and the Camel Club, a group of Washington outsiders, in 2005.[4] Further series followed: John Puller, an Army criminal investigator; Will Robie, a government assassin; Amos Decker, a detective who can forget nothing, introduced in *Memory Man* (2015); FBI agent Atlee Pine; Aloysius Archer, a World War II veteran turned private investigator; and Travis Devine, an ex-Army Ranger, whose first book, *The 6:20 Man*, appeared in 2022.[4][11] His Walter Nash novels began with *Nash Falls* in 2025 and continued with *Hope Rises* in April 2026.[4][9]

He has also written for young readers: the comic Freddy and the French Fries books, beginning in 2005, a volume of Scholastic's multi-author *The 39 Clues*, and the four-book Vega Jane fantasy series.[6][2] By his own count he has written 55 novels for adults and seven for young readers, published in more than 45 languages.[1]

### Screen work and philanthropy

Several of his books have been adapted for film and television, and he wrote the screenplay for the 2013 film of *Wish You Well*.[1][2] In 2024 he told the Canton Repository that he had sold the rights to five series to streaming services or networks over the previous 18 months.[7] With his wife he co-founded the Wish You Well Foundation, which supports literacy programs in the United States, and he helped establish the Baldacci Institute for Civil Discourse and Collaboration with the Library of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University.[1]

## Fun facts

- He started writing as a child after his mother gave him a lined notebook for his stories; she later admitted she did it partly to keep him quiet.[1]
- He wrote *Absolute Power* while practicing law, working from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m., and called his overnight success a process of "eleven years and probably 10,000 discarded pages."[3]
- Before his novels, he wrote short stories and screenplays in law school and collected many rejections.[3]
- To research a novel he attended parachute training at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he said 49 of 50 paratroopers bet he wouldn't jump.[7]
- He wrote the screenplay for the 2013 film of *Wish You Well*.[2]
- He served for more than a decade on the board of trustees of the Mark Twain House & Museum.[2]
- He also helped set up the Baldacci Institute for Civil Discourse and Collaboration, a partnership of the Library of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University.[1]

## Books

In order of first publication; each series is kept together in reading order.

Titles, series and first publication years from FictionDB's dated list, checked against Wikipedia's bibliography and Pan Macmillan's series guide.[4][2][5]

- 1996: *Absolute Power* (Novel). His first novel.[1] ISBN 9781538735350. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9781538735350) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9781538735350)
- 1996: *Total Control* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Total%20Control%20David%20Baldacci)
- 1998: *The Simple Truth* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=The%20Simple%20Truth%20David%20Baldacci)
- 1998: *The Winner* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=The%20Winner%20David%20Baldacci)
- 1999: *Saving Faith* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Saving%20Faith%20David%20Baldacci)
- 2000: *Wish You Well* (Novel). ISBN 9780446699488. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9780446699488) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9780446699488)
- 2001: *Last Man Standing* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Last%20Man%20Standing%20David%20Baldacci)
- 2002: *The Christmas Train* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=The%20Christmas%20Train%20David%20Baldacci)
- **Sean King and Michelle Maxwell** (series, 6 books, 2003–2013)
  - 2003: Book 1, *Split Second* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Split%20Second%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2004: Book 2, *Hour Game* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Hour%20Game%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2007: Book 3, *Simple Genius* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Simple%20Genius%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2009: Book 4, *First Family* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=First%20Family%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2011: Book 5, *The Sixth Man* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=The%20Sixth%20Man%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2013: Book 6, *King and Maxwell* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=King%20and%20Maxwell%20David%20Baldacci)
- **Freddy and the French Fries** (series, 2 books, 2005–2006)
  - 2005: Book 1, *Freddy and the French Fries: Fries Alive!* (Children's book). His first book for young readers.[6] [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Freddy%20and%20the%20French%20Fries%3A%20Fries%20Alive!%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2006: Book 2, *Freddy and the French Fries: The Mystery of Silas Finklebean* (Children's book). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Freddy%20and%20the%20French%20Fries%3A%20The%20Mystery%20of%20Silas%20Finklebean%20David%20Baldacci)
- **The Camel Club** (series, 5 books, 2005–2010)
  - 2005: Book 1, *The Camel Club* (Novel). ISBN 9781538781234. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9781538781234) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9781538781234)
  - 2006: Book 2, *The Collectors* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=The%20Collectors%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2007: Book 3, *Stone Cold* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Stone%20Cold%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2008: Book 4, *Divine Justice* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Divine%20Justice%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2010: Book 5, *Hell's Corner* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Hell's%20Corner%20David%20Baldacci)
- **A. Shaw** (series, 2 books, 2008–2010)
  - 2008: Book 1, *The Whole Truth* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=The%20Whole%20Truth%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2010: Book 2, *Deliver Us from Evil* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Deliver%20Us%20from%20Evil%20David%20Baldacci)
- 2009: *True Blue* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=True%20Blue%20David%20Baldacci)
- **John Puller** (series, 4 books, 2011–2016)
  - 2011: Book 1, *Zero Day* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Zero%20Day%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2012: Book 2, *The Forgotten* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=The%20Forgotten%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2014: Book 3, *The Escape* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=The%20Escape%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2016: Book 4, *No Man's Land* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=No%20Man's%20Land%20David%20Baldacci)
- 2011: *One Summer* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=One%20Summer%20David%20Baldacci)
- **Will Robie** (series, 5 books, 2012–2017)
  - 2012: Book 1, *The Innocent* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=The%20Innocent%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2013: Book 2, *The Hit* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=The%20Hit%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2014: Book 3, *The Target* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=The%20Target%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2015: Book 4, *The Guilty* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=The%20Guilty%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2017: Book 5, *End Game* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=End%20Game%20David%20Baldacci)
- 2013: *The 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers, Book 6: Day of Doom* (Children's book). The final book of a multi-author series for young readers.[2] [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=The%2039%20Clues%3A%20Cahills%20vs.%20Vespers%2C%20Book%206%3A%20Day%20of%20Doom%20David%20Baldacci)
- **Vega Jane** (series, 4 books, 2014–2019). Fantasy for young readers; the UK editions use the titles *Vega Jane and the Secrets of Sorcery*, *the Maze of Monsters*, *the Rebels' Revolt* and *the End of Time*.[5][2]
  - 2014: Book 1, *The Finisher* (Children's book). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=The%20Finisher%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2015: Book 2, *The Keeper* (Children's book). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=The%20Keeper%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2017: Book 3, *The Width of the World* (Children's book). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=The%20Width%20of%20the%20World%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2019: Book 4, *The Stars Below* (Children's book). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=The%20Stars%20Below%20David%20Baldacci)
- **Amos Decker (Memory Man)** (series, 7 books, 2015–2022)
  - 2015: Book 1, *Memory Man* (Novel). ISBN 9781455559824. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9781455559824) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9781455559824)
  - 2016: Book 2, *The Last Mile* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=The%20Last%20Mile%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2017: Book 3, *The Fix* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=The%20Fix%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2018: Book 4, *The Fallen* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=The%20Fallen%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2019: Book 5, *Redemption* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Redemption%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2020: Book 6, *Walk the Wire* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Walk%20the%20Wire%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2022: Book 7, *Long Shadows* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Long%20Shadows%20David%20Baldacci)
- **Atlee Pine** (series, 4 books, 2018–2021)
  - 2018: Book 1, *Long Road to Mercy* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Long%20Road%20to%20Mercy%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2019: Book 2, *A Minute to Midnight* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=A%20Minute%20to%20Midnight%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2020: Book 3, *Daylight* (Novel). A crossover with the John Puller series.[2] [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Daylight%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2021: Book 4, *Mercy* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Mercy%20David%20Baldacci)
- **Aloysius Archer** (series, 3 books, 2019–2022)
  - 2019: Book 1, *One Good Deed* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=One%20Good%20Deed%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2021: Book 2, *A Gambling Man* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=A%20Gambling%20Man%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2022: Book 3, *Dream Town* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Dream%20Town%20David%20Baldacci)
- **Travis Devine (The 6:20 Man)** (series, 4 books, 2022–2026)
  - 2022: Book 1, *The 6:20 Man* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=The%206%3A20%20Man%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2023: Book 2, *The Edge* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=The%20Edge%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2024: Book 3, *To Die For* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=To%20Die%20For%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2026: Book 4, *All In* (Novel). ISBN 9781538758069. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9781538758069) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9781538758069)
- 2023: *Simply Lies* (Novel). Introduces the investigator Mickey Gibson.[2] [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Simply%20Lies%20David%20Baldacci)
- 2024: *A Calamity of Souls* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=A%20Calamity%20of%20Souls%20David%20Baldacci)
- 2025: *Strangers in Time* (Novel). A World War II novel set in London in 1944.[7] [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Strangers%20in%20Time%20David%20Baldacci)
- **Walter Nash** (series, 2 books, 2025–2026)
  - 2025: Book 1, *Nash Falls* (Novel). [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Nash%20Falls%20David%20Baldacci)
  - 2026: Book 2, *Hope Rises* (Novel). ISBN 9781538758021. [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/a/131187/9781538758021) · [WorldCat](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9781538758021)

## Latest news

- Nov. 10, 2026: Grand Central published *All In*, the fourth Travis Devine ("6:20 Man") novel.[8]
- Apr. 14, 2026: *Hope Rises*, the sequel to *Nash Falls*, was published; in it Walter Nash, living as Dillon Hope, sets out to bring down the crime boss he once informed on for the FBI.[9]

## Adaptations and other media

### Film

- *Absolute Power* (1997). Based on *Absolute Power*. A Castle Rock film written by William Goldman, directed by and starring Clint Eastwood, with Gene Hackman and Ed Harris.[3][2]
- *Wish You Well* (2013). Based on *Wish You Well*. A film starring Mackenzie Foy, Josh Lucas and Ellen Burstyn, from Baldacci's own screenplay.[2]

### Television

- *King & Maxwell* (2013). Based on *Split Second*, *Hour Game*, *Simple Genius*, *First Family*, *The Sixth Man*. A TNT series starring Jon Tenney and Rebecca Romijn as Sean King and Michelle Maxwell, with Baldacci as consulting producer.[2]
- *The Christmas Train* (2017). Based on *The Christmas Train*. A Hallmark Hall of Fame film with Dermot Mulroney, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Danny Glover and Joan Cusack.[2]
- *One Summer* (2021). Based on *One Summer*. A Hallmark Movies & Mysteries film starring Sam Page, Sarah Drew and Amanda Schull.[2]

## Timeline

- Aug. 5, 1960: Born in Richmond, Virginia.[2]
- 1996: Publishes his first novel, *Absolute Power*, while still working as a lawyer.[1][3]
- 1997: *Absolute Power* is released as a film directed by and starring Clint Eastwood.[1][2]
- 2005: Publishes his first book for young readers, *Freddy and the French Fries: Fries Alive!*, and starts the Camel Club series.[6][4]
- 2013: TNT airs *King & Maxwell*, and the film of *Wish You Well*, from his own screenplay, is released.[2]
- 2015: Introduces Amos Decker, the detective who can forget nothing, in *Memory Man*.[11]
- 2022: Begins the Travis Devine series with *The 6:20 Man*.[4]
- Nov. 10, 2026: Publishes *All In*, the fourth Travis Devine novel.[8]

## What's next

*Boom Town*, a new Aloysius Archer novel, is scheduled by Grand Central for April 13, 2027.[10]

## Sources

1. [About](https://www.davidbaldacci.com/landing-page/david-baldacci-about/). David Baldacci (official site). (primary record)
2. [David Baldacci](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/David_Baldacci). Wikipedia, via Wikiwand. (reference)
3. [Baldacci, David 1960–](https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/educational-magazines/baldacci-david-1960). Contemporary Authors, via Encyclopedia.com. (reference)
4. [David Baldacci](https://fictiondb.com/author/david-baldacci~17571.htm). FictionDB. (reference)
5. [David Baldacci's books in order: a complete guide](https://panmacmillan.com/blogs/crime-thriller/david-baldacci-books-in-order). Pan Macmillan. (website)
6. [Freddy and the French Fries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freddy_and_the_French_Fries). Wikipedia. (reference)
7. [Bestselling author David Baldacci talks '6:20 Man' series, Canton event and Netflix shows](https://www.aol.com/bestselling-author-david-baldacci-talks-101346385.html). The Canton Repository, via AOL. (news)
8. [All In](https://specialsales.hbgusa.com/titles/david-baldacci/all-in/9781538758069/). Hachette Book Group. (primary record)
9. [Hope Rises](https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/david-baldacci/hope-rises/9781538758021/). Hachette Book Group. (primary record)
10. [Boom Town](https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/none/boom-town/9781538776537/). Hachette Book Group. (primary record)
11. [Memory Man](https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/david-baldacci/memory-man/9781455559824/). Hachette Book Group. (primary record)