Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Hope Rises by David Baldacci Narrator: MacLeod Andrews, Christine Lakin, Larry Herron, Will Collyer, Shiromi Arserio, Tim Lounibos
Series: Nash Falls #2
Published by Grand Central Publishing, Hachette Audio on April 14, 2026
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 416
Length: 12 hours, 29 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: NetGalley
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Walter Nash, working under the alias of Dillon Hope, is on the road to revenge after becoming an informant for the FBI against a global criminal operation headed up by Victoria Steers. Steers has ripped everything Nash held dear away from him. He has nothing left to lose and with long, rigorous training under his belt the gentle and sensitive Nash has transformed into something he never thought he’d a physically imposing man with lethal skills. And now he has only goal left in taking down Victoria Steers.
In order to succeed, he’s going to need to cross enemy lines and work the job from the inside. But Steers is shrewd and only brings those with her complete trust into her inner circle. Nash must rely on every ounce of his hard-earned skills in order to prove himself an ally to Steers if he’s ever going to get close enough to decimate her criminal empire.
Yet, despite hating the woman for destroying his life, Nash finds himself oddly drawn to Steers in ways that he never could’ve imagined. And what he ultimately discovers will turn all he believed upside down, forcing Nash to do something truly unfathomable.
So, will the truth set Nash free? Or end him?
Hope Rises is the sequel to Nash Falls which ends with Nash on a plane at the mercy of Victoria Steers. In the first half of the story, it is hard to see how Nash will achieve any of his plans, much less stay alive. But he is smart and remains calm in the most difficult situations.
The pacing is a bit up and down. Fast when a fight is happening, slow paced when living the day to day between events without a plan for getting revenge or going home. But the suspense and danger is continuous. As Nash gets to know Victoria, her old nanny, and later her mother, he begins to see not everything is as it seems.
There are some real hard twists, and Nash and Victoria come to be sort of friends. Victoria also wants to get out of the criminal life and constant danger, and is a brilliant strategist. This leads to a big confrontation with her business associates.
Temple is never likable, always about himself. He’s never had Nash’s back from sleeping with his wife to leaving him in Asia. Victoria’s mother is also only focused on her Chinese masters to the detriment of all others. But Nash has some true friends like his father’s friend, Shock and Thura, another guard.
Hope Rises is not the book I expected and that’s not a bad thing. The twists were fascinating. It was tough between actions to try to find a new strategy with the danger so deadly.
Narration:
The narration enhanced the story for me with its support of the characters and their emotions. The narrators from Nash Falls are back for Hope Rises with one addition. I’m familiar with Macleod Andrews and Christine Lakin but the other three narrators are new to me. Macleod Andrews seemed to be the “story narrator” as well as the voice of Walter Nash. Will Collyer was the voice of Rhett Temple. Larry Herron performed Shock. Shiromi Arserio was Victoria Steers and perhaps some others, like her nanny. Tim Lounibos was the voice for Thura. (I’m not sure I have these quite right and there are some other characters with less time.)
The format is akin to duet narration only with 6 narrators rather than 2, so really like a full cast narration. The production is skillfully done with no gaps or pauses as different narrators performances are interwoven. Their skills allowed me to focus on the story rather than the narration. I listened at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About MacLeod Andrews
MacLeod Andrews is an actor and voice actor in Los Angeles He is a Company Member of Rising Phoenix Rep theater company in NYC
About David Baldacci
David Baldacci has been writing since childhood, when his mother gave him a lined notebook in which to write down his stories. (Much later, when David thanked her for being the spark that ignited his writing career, she revealed that she’d given him the notebook to keep him quiet, “because every mom needs a break now and then.”) He published his first novel, Absolute Power, in 1996; it was subsequently adapted for film, with Clint Eastwood as its director and star. In total, David has published 36 novels for adults; all have been national and international bestsellers, and several have been adapted for film and television. His novels have been translated into more than 45 languages and sold in more than 80 countries, with over 130 million worldwide sales. David has also published six novels for younger readers.
A lifelong Virginian, David graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia School of Law, after which he practiced law in Washington, D.C.
David and his wife, Michelle, are the co-founders of the Wish You Well Foundation®, which supports family and adult literacy in the United States. In 2008 the Foundation partnered with Feeding America to launch Feeding Body & Mind, a program to address the connection between literacy, poverty and hunger. Through Feeding Body & Mind, more than 1 million new and used books have been collected and distributed through food banks to families in need.
David and his family live in Virginia.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 26-Audio
- 26-COYER
I love twists although only if they aren’t too far out there! I’m glad this worked for you, it sounds great.
Thanks Tammy. I wouldn’t say they are too far out there, just surprising.
Glad this one took you by surprise in a good way. Victoria sounds like a good, complex character.
Thanks Sophia. Victoria is unexpected at every turn.
Does it seem like there’ll be another book in the series? I liked the first one, but it left off on a cliffy and I was wondering if I should just wait until they’re all out.
I think this is the last book.
Temple sounds terrible but I do like a character that is unlikeable IF done right.
There are plenty of criminals in this series but also some good guys and some who are misunderstood.
I am sure I would enjoy this. Great review.
Thank you Kimberly. I think you would. It is just the two books.
I’m listening to this now so I just saw all of your stars. Really enjoying and the tension never lets up.
I hope you enjoy. It’s not what I expected but that’s ok.
I like when something isn’t what you expected, but ends up still being satifying.
It was a great character development with Nash / Dillon debating his own morality.