The Whole TruthThe Whole Truth
Score Modern
What it's about
Nicolas Creel runs the world's largest defense company, and he wants a war to sell weapons. He hires a 'perception manager' to stir up a new cold war with Russia using fake stories planted around the world. A mysterious government agent known only as Shaw and a burned-out journalist, Katie James, start to uncover the plot.
Why it's worth reading
It hit #1 on the New York Times list. It's a fast global thriller that feels more relevant now than when it was written.
You'll love it if you liked
The Fourth Protocol
The Bourne Identity
The Matarese CircleGood to know
It's the first of two Shaw books. There's violence and globe-hopping action.
By the numbers
- Readers63 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller43 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #188 of the 555 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #708 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #1332 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping, Adventurous
More by David Baldacci
Divine Justice
First Family
One Good Deed
The InnocentIf you like this, read next
Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland
Verity
Gone Girl
The Martian
2666
Gideon the NinthExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is The Whole Truth worth reading?
Yes. It hit #1 on the New York Times list. It ranks #1,332 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 69.7 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Whole Truth about?
Nicolas Creel runs the world's largest defense company, and he wants a war to sell weapons. He hires a 'perception manager' to stir up a new cold war with Russia using fake stories planted around the world. A mysterious government agent known only as Shaw and a burned-out journalist, Katie James, start to uncover the plot.
How long does it take to read The Whole Truth?
About 10 hours (406 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Whole Truth?
If you liked it, try The Fourth Protocol by Frederick Forsyth, The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum or The Matarese Circle by Robert Ludlum.