I haven't read the other Camel Club books but this stand-alone thriller interested me after reading the highly recommended Gods of Ruin: A Political Thriller. Hell's Corner is the park accross from the white house that is guarded by DC police, Secret Service, and park police and is the hub for tourists and protesters. I wasn't sure why it was called that until all hell broke loose when the protagonist, Oliver Stone (a dig on the director?) was caught in gunfire and an explosion when meeting his band of patriots at the park.

When Stone awakes from getting knocked out, he's got a new mission: find out who was behind the attack at Hell's Corner. He teams up with a Brit and gets help from his Camel Club peeps as he investigates first a Mexican drug cartel, then the Russians. During the investigation, one government bureaucracy after another gets in the way.

If you like "Gods", which has a better premise, you'll like Hell's Corner. It's got political commentary, action, and it's well-written (better than Baldacci's earlier works).

The Camel Club returns! They're my kind of guys: Old geezers who still have the knack to handle tough assignments. In spite of the not-so-great review from some brain trust reviewing agency, Baldacci didn't disappoint with this book. Oliver Stone is, as always, a friend, a patriot (in spite of the fact the government screws him)and someone I've grown to respect and trust. He ranks up there with Daniel Silva's character Gabriel Allon. It's refreshing to read a book that offers an adult hero instead of the usual pap of tough guy, lady killer, dumb as rocks and generally obnoxious. Oliver doesn't have to show off...he uses intellect and years of experience to get the job done. The one thing that always bothers me about the Camel Club series is how much of the governmental intrique is fiction and how much is real. I lean toward the latter. If you like thoughtful action by a mature lead character and skilfully woven plotting, don't miss this one. I'm anxious for the next one! If you're too cheap to buy the book, quit carping about it and don't offer a pseudo review blathering on about it's cost.

I've been a Baldacci fan since time began and just recently discovered this fourth novel in the Camel Club series, which I have thoroughly enjoyed. This novel returns protagonist Oliver Stone (John Carr) to government service to halt a nefarious plot to spread drugs through the US and kill a bunch of people initiated by the Russians.... or was it the Mexicans ..... or the Russians ....

Determining who the bad guys are working for and exactly why they want to blow things up and kill the president is Stone's job, He solves it of course, despite government interference, and catches the bad guys with help from the Camel Club, but it's a wild ride. Oh, and the Camel Club gets a new member. Go for it!

Oliver Stone is recruited by the President of the United States to help serve his country on a top secret mission. In exchange for his services, Stone will never have to worry about the government knocking on his door again. The offer is too good for Stone to refuse.

Stone is standing outside in Lafayette park, outside of the White House, enjoying his last night before he heads out of the country. High dignitaries are heading to their cars after being wined and dined at a dinner honoring the British Prime Minister. Suddenly, everything turns to disaster when a bomb goes off. Stone wakes up in the hospital. Due to the high nature of this threat the FBI, Secret Services, and the Camel Club are all working on solving the case.

It was great to see the Camel Club together again in action. Everyone brings something new to the table. Stone is the ultimate action hero. He dishes out the butt-kicking and always leaves a trail of bodies in his wake. Right from the beginning I was fully mersed into this book. I could not get enough of Stone. The dynamics between Stone and the rest of the characters were nice. They all worked well together. Everyone equally measured up to the story line. I kept trying to figure out who the rat was in the story and every time I would start to think it was so and so, another twist was get thrown my way. There was not a moment that I was not enjoying myself reading this book. The suspense levels were high. The ending was great. I can not wait to read the next Stone novel. Hell's Corner delivers the action and punches!

Explosions, gunfire, dead people piling up and plots that twist in the wind. The first chapters are building characters and profiles. There are almost too many characters, but it all comes together in the twisted end. I am not too easily fooled , but Baldacci will throw you off on purpose! The Camel Club prevails again! The end of the story is almost unbelievable, and leaves a couple of loose ends. Classic Baldacci