Stone Cold (Baldacci novel)
Stone Cold is a 2007 thriller novel written by American author David Baldacci. It is the third book in the Camel Club series, following The Collectors. The novel continues the adventures of the Camel Club, a group of conspiracy theorists and eccentrics who uncover dangerous secrets in Washington, D.C.
Plot Summary:
The Camel Club, consisting of Caleb Carr, Alex Ford, Reuben Rhodes, and Milton Farb, finds itself embroiled in a deadly conspiracy when they discover a chilling connection between a series of seemingly unrelated murders. These killings bear the hallmarks of a highly skilled and ruthless assassin.
As the Camel Club investigates, they uncover a shadowy organization known as the "Stone Cold," a clandestine group responsible for orchestrating political assassinations and manipulating global events. The Stone Cold proves to be a formidable enemy, with vast resources and influence, making them difficult to track and expose.
The Camel Club must use all of their skills and knowledge to unravel the conspiracy and stop the Stone Cold before they can carry out their next deadly mission. The investigation takes them through the underbelly of Washington, D.C., forcing them to confront dangerous individuals and expose hidden truths.
Characters:
- Caleb Carr (Oliver Stone): The leader of the Camel Club, a former government assassin who seeks redemption for his past actions.
- Alex Ford: A skilled computer hacker and investigator who provides crucial technical support to the Camel Club.
- Reuben Rhodes: An elderly history professor with a vast knowledge of historical events and conspiracies.
- Milton Farb: A socially awkward but brilliant analyst with a photographic memory.
Themes:
- Conspiracy theories
- Political corruption
- The abuse of power
- Redemption
- The nature of justice
Reception:
Stone Cold was a commercial success, reaching bestseller status. Reviews were mixed, with some praising the novel's fast-paced plot and engaging characters, while others criticized its reliance on familiar thriller tropes.
Series:
- The Camel Club (2005)
- The Collectors (2006)
- Stone Cold (2007)
- Divine Justice (2008)
- Hell's Corner (2010)
- Shadow Country (2014)