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One Good Deed

Book 1 in the series:Archer

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Set in 1949, 'One Good Deed' follows Aloysius Archer, a WWII veteran wrongly imprisoned, as he navigates the small town of Poca City after his release. The story unfolds with Archer being hired to collect a debt, which leads him into a complex web of murder and intrigue. The plot is characterized by gritty realism, snappy dialog, and unexpected twists, all set against the backdrop of post-WWII America.

Characters:

The characters are multifaceted and authentic to the 1940s, with Aloysius Archer as a conflicted protagonist navigating complex relationships and moral dilemmas.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by descriptive prose reminiscent of classic noir, featuring period-specific language and a balance of suspenseful storytelling with character depth.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on Aloysius Archer, an ex-convict and WWII veteran, who becomes embroiled in a murder mystery in the small town of Poca City after being wrongfully imprisoned, showcasing themes of justice and morality.

Setting:

The setting is a small Southern town in post-WWII America, capturing the era's social dynamics and historical details.

Pacing:

The pacing begins slowly but accelerates as the plot unfolds, with twists and character development keeping the reader engaged.
The mechanical whoosh and greasy smell of the opening bus doors greeted Aloysius Archer, as he breathed free air for the first time in a while. He wore a threadbare single-breasted brown Victory suit ...

Notes:

David Baldacci wrote One Good Deed as the first book in a new series.
The main character, Aloysius Archer, is a World War II veteran and an ex-con.
Archer was wrongfully imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit.
The story is set in 1949 in a small town called Poca City.
Archer is on parole with strict restrictions after his release from prison.
He quickly gets entangled in local crime and murder mysteries.
Archer struggles with issues of trust and redemption throughout the story.
The book features themes of gender dynamics, with women portrayed as capable yet often victimized.
Baldacci's writing reflects the tone and style of classic film noir.
The narrator, Edoardo Ballerini, enhances the listening experience with expressive storytelling.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for One Good Deed include themes of violence, murder, and possible domestic abuse which reflect the darker aspects of the narrative.

From The Publisher:

In this fast-paced historical thriller, #1 New York Times bestselling author David Baldacci introduces Archer, a WWII veteran forced to investigate a small-town murder -- or risk returning to prison.

It's 1949. When war veteran Aloysius Archer is released from Carderock Prison, he is sent to Poca City on parole with a short list of do's and a much longer list of don'ts: do report regularly to his parole officer, don't go to bars, certainly don't drink alcohol, do get a job--and don't ever associate with loose women.

The small town quickly proves more complicated and dangerous than Archer's years serving in the war or his time in jail. Within a single night, his search for gainful employment--and a stiff drink--leads him to a local bar, where he is hired for what seems like a simple job: to collect a debt owed to a powerful local businessman, Hank Pittleman.

Soon Archer discovers that recovering the debt won't be so easy. The indebted man has a furious grudge against Hank and refuses to pay; Hank's clever mistress has her own designs on Archer; and both Hank and Archer's stern parole officer, Miss Crabtree, are keeping a sharp eye on him.

When a murder takes place right under Archer's nose, police suspicions rise against the ex-convict, and Archer realizes that the crime could send him right back to prison . . . if he doesn't use every skill in his arsenal to track down the real killer.

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