Whenever a new book by David Baldacci releases, it is a literary event. Knowing that it is the opening installment in a brand-new series ups the excitement level considerably. This is the case with NASH FALLS, another novel of unbearable suspense written by a master plotter who knows how to entertain his myriad readers worldwide.

We are immediately introduced to our protagonist, Walter Nash, a no-nonsense investment banker who always plays by the rules and can be considered by some to be dependable and a bit boring. His wife, Judith, regularly refers to him as Eagle Scout, a sort of backhanded compliment. The Nash family wants for nothing, and their only child, 19-year-old Maggie, is kicking around the concept of becoming a famous “influencer.” Nash works for Sybaritic Investments, a multi-billion-dollar operation that we are about to learn has a lot of business that is beyond shady, which is completely unknown to him.

"...another novel of unbearable suspense written by a master plotter who knows how to entertain his myriad readers worldwide.... The second half of the book, which occurs during Nash’s fall from grace, is simply stunning."

Before we dive into the book’s unrelenting action, there is an awkward scene where Nash and his family are attending the funeral of his father, from whom he had been estranged since the age of 14. Among the many strangers and even bikers who are present is one of his father’s friends from his time in Vietnam, Shock, who goes on to berate Nash cruelly in front of everyone, driving him away. Nash eventually finds out that this was a request that his father made to Shock. He also will learn that he never truly knew or understood his father, who leaves a very personal note to him in addition to property and a quarter of a million dollars for Maggie to be held in trust until she is 25.

Later that evening, Nash is visited by a stranger who identifies himself as FBI Special Agent Reed Morris. He goes on to tell a tale about Sybaritic and the high-level money-laundering going on that involves the governments of China and Russia. They want him to function as a whistleblower for them and turn over evidence to indict his boss, Rhett Temple, and the company’s founder, Temple's father. Nash is initially reluctant and seeks the legal advice of a trusted external colleague who suggests that he validate all of these claims by contacting the FBI directly and asking for a meeting with Morris and his superior.

The early parts of NASH FALLS reminded me of THE FIRM. The difference is that the protagonist in John Grisham’s novel was a newbie who was going into his nefarious firm with blinders on. Nash, however, is an experienced investment professional. But where they are similar is in the peril that they take on by agreeing to assist the powers that be in bringing down an organization from the inside that has the ability to smite them, and their families, should they be discovered. This is where the suspense lies…and believe me, it gets pretty hot.

Nash will experience some huge lows and devastating blows before he ever gets an opportunity to turn the tables on his adversaries. The story is ingenious and involves a terrific supervillain in the form of Chinese billionairess Victoria Steers, an international criminal mastermind who has the Temples and Sybaritic at her beck and call. Nash will find himself accused of murder, banished from his high-paying job, betrayed by his wife and daughter, and with no one to turn to except Shock. The second half of the book, which occurs during Nash’s fall from grace, is simply stunning.

Baldacci leaves us hanging with a very precarious cliffhanger and then gives us a sneak peek at the first chapter of book two in the series, HOPE RISES, coming in April 2026. You can bet that he will continue to hold readers by the throat from start to finish with a story that consistently delivers suspense and thrills.