downhill ( )

To date I haven't found a title by David Baldacci that I didn't love. This is book one of a series built around Amos Decker whose brain injuries made him unable to forget anything - love how he uses his strange talent.

DEFINITION: Hyperthymesia, also known as hyperthymestic syndrome or highly superior autobiographical memory (HSAM), is a rare condition that allows individuals to remember an abnormally large number of their life experiences in vivid detail. As of 2021, only 62 people in the world have been diagnosed with the condition.

FROM AMAZON: Amos Decker's life changed forever--twice.

The first time was on the gridiron. A big, towering athlete, he was the only person from his hometown of Burlington ever to play in the NFL. But his career ended before it had a chance to begin. On his very first play, a violent helmet-to-helmet collision knocked him off the field forever, and left him with an improbable side effect--he can forget nothing.

The second time was at home nearly two decades later. Now a police detective, Decker returned from a stakeout one evening and entered a nightmare--his wife, young daughter, and brother-in-law had been murdered.

His family destroyed, their killer's identity as mysterious as the motive behind the crime, and unable to forget a single detail from that horrible night, Decker finds his world collapsing around him. He leaves the police force, loses his home, and winds up on the street, taking piecemeal jobs as a private investigator when he can.

But over a year later, a man turns himself in to the police and confesses to the murders. At the same time a horrific event nearly brings Burlington to its knees, and Decker is called back in to help with this investigation. Decker also seizes his chance to learn what really happened to his family that night. To uncover the stunning truth, he must use his remarkable gifts and confront the burdens that go along with them. He must endure the memories he would much rather forget. And he may have to make the ultimate sacrifice. ( )

Kick off to the Amos Decker series. Amos was injured in football and now has total recall of everything that's ever happened to him. His wife & child were murdered so he quit the police force & went to seed. All of the sudden someone confesses to the murders and the mystery is on. Assisting his former partner in the police dept and the FBI to solve a school shooting that ties in with his family's murder. Too much recall information playing in his head like a DVR and a ridiculous trail to the murderers. Gender identity, disguises, accents, blueprints in his mind. Just wasn't my type of book and I won't continue the series ( )

I thoroughly enjoyed Amos Decker, a very refreshing character. He's not the typical police officer or P.I. and he certainly has a unique manner. The plot of the story, long and short arc, were unique as well. I recommend this for crime thriller readers who want something a little different. ( )

Synopsis: 'Amos Decker's life changed forever - twice.
The first time was on the gridiron. A big, towering athlete, he was the only person from his hometown of Burlington ever to go pro. But hid career ended before it had a chance to begin. On his very first play, a violent helmet-to-helmet collision knocked him off the field for good, and left him with an improbable side effect - he can never forget anything.
The second time was at home nearly two decades later. Now a police detective, Decker returned from a stakeout one evening and entered a nightmare - his wife, young daughter, and brother-in-law had been murdered.
His family destroyed, their killer's identity as mysterious as the motive behind the crime, and unable to forget a single detail from that horrible night, Decker finds his world collapsing around him. He leaves the police force, loses his home, and winds up on the street, taking piecemeal jobs as a private investigator when he can.
But over a year later, a man turns himself in to the police and confesses to the murders. At the same time, a horrific event nearly brings Burlington to its knees, and Decker is called back in to help with this investigation. Decker also seizes his chance to learn what really happened to his family that night. To uncover the stunning truth, he must use his remarkable gifts and confront the burdens that go along with them. He must endure the memories he would much rather forget. And he may have to make the ultimate sacrifice.' From the book jacket.
Review: While this is a cleverly crafted story, there are some very predictable clues that 'Decker' doesn't pick up on. Otherwise, a really good read and worth going after the rest of the series. ( )