One Good DeedOne Good Deed
Score Modern
What it's about
It's 1949. War veteran Aloysius Archer is released from prison and sent on parole to Poca City, with a short list of dos and a long list of don'ts: no bars, no drinking, no loose women. Within days he's broken most of them, and he's investigating a murder, because if he doesn't solve it, he'll be the prime suspect.
Why it's worth reading
It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. It's a fast, stylish historical thriller.
You'll love it if you liked
The Innocent
First Family
The Big SleepGood to know
It's the first Archer novel and has a noir, 1940s feel.
By the numbers
- Readers61 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller46 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
- #191 of the 555 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #716 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #1348 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping, Adventurous
More by David Baldacci
Divine JusticeFirst Family
The Whole TruthThe 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 One Good Deed worth reading?
Yes. It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. It ranks #1,348 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 69.6 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is One Good Deed about?
It's 1949. War veteran Aloysius Archer is released from prison and sent on parole to Poca City, with a short list of dos and a long list of don'ts: no bars, no drinking, no loose women. Within days he's broken most of them, and he's investigating a murder, because if he doesn't solve it, he'll be the prime suspect.
How long does it take to read One Good Deed?
About 11 hours (433 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after One Good Deed?
If you liked it, try The Innocent by David Baldacci, First Family by David Baldacci or The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler.