The Last MileThe Last Mile
Score Modern
What it's about
Melvin Mars, a promising football star, was convicted of murdering his parents at twenty and has spent years on death row. Minutes before his execution, someone else confesses. Amos Decker, newly working with the FBI, is struck by the parallels to his own life and takes the case.
Why it's worth reading
It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and spent 21 weeks on the lists.
You'll love it if you liked
Memory Man
The Fallen
The GuardiansGood to know
It's the second Amos Decker book; start with Memory Man.
By the numbers
- Readers52 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller53 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
- #207 of the 555 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #757 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #1419 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping, Adventurous
More by David Baldacci
Divine Justice
First Family
The Whole Truth
One Good DeedIf 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 Last Mile worth reading?
Yes. It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and spent 21 weeks on the lists. It ranks #1,419 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 69.0 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Last Mile about?
Melvin Mars, a promising football star, was convicted of murdering his parents at twenty and has spent years on death row. Minutes before his execution, someone else confesses. Amos Decker, newly working with the FBI, is struck by the parallels to his own life and takes the case.
How long does it take to read The Last Mile?
About 14 hours (540 pages), or about 4 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Last Mile?
If you liked it, try Memory Man by David Baldacci, The Fallen by David Baldacci or The Guardians by John Grisham.


















