David Baldacci and the book ‘The Collectors’

We return to the David Baldacci Camel Club series of books today with a look into the second book installment from the series, named The Collectors. Released in October of 2006, the book returns with a look into Oliver Stone, Reuben Rhodes, Caleb Shaw and Milton Farb as they become involved in a mystery that brings the mysterious Annabelle Conroy into the mix.

(David Baldacci wrote the Camel Club series of books, which includes the 2006 installment named The Collectors).

An odd pairing of murders brings the Camel Club into a matter of American intrigue including the clubs four members, including Caleb Shaw, Milton Farb, Reuben Rhodes and Oliver Stone. The first murder involves the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The second involves the director of the Library of Congress’s Rare Books and Special Collections Division, which of course puts Caleb Shaw, as an employee of the Rare Book Wing.

(Two alternate covers for the book The Collectors, written by David Baldacci and released in 2006).

Alongside of this, we are introduced to a financial con that is targeted against Atlantic City, New Jersey casino owner Jerry Bagger. The planning, scope and execution of the con offers a parallel intrigue to the investigation into the government murders that connects a history for Annabelle Conroy that offers clear credibility in courage, planning and experience alongside the skillset that prevails among the members of the Camel Club. The mystery we learn of this con unfolding in parallel to the increasing mystery of the core story of the suspicious government deaths.

(The five books of the Camel Club series of books, in order, are The Camel Club, The Collectors, Stone Cold, Divine Justice and Hell’s Corner).

As if the heat underpinning this opening storyline with Annabelle Conroy and Jerry Bagger doesn’t offer sufficient heat of its own accord, the heat level increases for Shaw, Farb, Rhodes and Stone as the curiosity of our core protagonists ratchets up as Shaw is the executor of the rare book collection of his deceased former boss, Jonathan DeHaven. The intersection of DeHaven, Shaw, and other personalities we get to meet make for a truly page-turning experience that made for an engrossing set of mysteries mixed with thriller and intrigue.

(David Baldacci wrote The Collectors as the second installment in the Camel Club book series).

My experience with The Collectors by David Baldacci was a happy one that allows me to grant the novel 3.75-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

Matt – Wednesday, March 30, 2022