Nash Falls
- Judith D Collins
- Nov 19
- 8 min read
Walter Nash #1
By: David Baldacci
Narrators: MacLeod Andrews, Christine Lakin, Larry Herron, Shiromi Arserio, Will Collyer
ISBN: 9781538757987
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publication Date: 11/11/2025
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars + + (ARC) (ALC)
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When Walter Nash is recruited by the FBI to help bring down a global crime network his life is turned completely upside down in this thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author David Baldacci.
Walter Nash is a sensitive, intelligent and kindhearted man. He has a wife and a daughter and a very high-level position at Sybaritic Investments, where his innate skills and dogged tenacity have carried him to the top of the pyramid in his business career. Despite never going on grand adventures, and always working too many hours, he has a happy and upscale life with his family.
However, following his estranged Vietnam-veteran father’s funeral, Nash is unexpectedly approached by the FBI in the middle of the night. They have an important request: become their inside man to expose an enterprise that is laundering large sums of money through Sybaritic. At the top of this illegal operation is Victoria Steers, an international criminal mastermind that the FBI has been trying to bring down for years.
Nash has little choice but to accept the FBI’s demands and try to bring Steers and her partners to justice. But when Steers discovers that Nash is working with the FBI, she turns the tables on him in a way he never could have contemplated. And that forces Nash to take the ultimate step both to survive and to take his revenge: He must become the exact opposite of who he has always been.
And even that may not be enough.
Nash Falls Series
NASH FALLS #1
HOPE RISES #2
My Review
TOP BOOKS OF 2025! 🩷 TOP AUDIOBOOKS OF 2025!
David Baldacci's latest knockout thriller, NASH FALLS, follows Walter Nash, a corporate executive forced to go undercover for the FBI, whose comfortable life is shattered, leading him on a path of revenge.
Prepare yourself for an unforgettable literary journey with the latest creation from #1 global bestselling author and personal long-time favorite, David Baldacci. His latest crime thriller, NASH FALLS, marks the thrilling beginning of an exciting series and fascinating relatable lead characters— Walter Nash and Shock—that promises to captivate readers and listeners alike.
Once again, Baldacci is at the TOP of his game.
Highlights...
Walter Nash:
Walter Nash is a highly successful and wealthy executive with a seemingly perfect, predictable life, a senior executive VP at Sybaritic Investments. He lives a comfortable, predictable life with his wife, Judith, and nineteen-year-old daughter, Maggie. A beautiful home, money, cars, and social status. Life is safe and secure.
The funeral:
Walter Nash attends the funeral of his estranged father, Ty Nash. This deep-seated, unresolved tension is a key emotional trigger at the beginning of the novel, setting the stage for the dramatic transformation Walter undergoes later with the help of his father's friend and Vietnam vet.
The FBI's ultimatum:
After the funeral, Nash is approached by FBI agents who demand he become an inside informant to expose the money-laundering schemes being run through his company—a large-scale money laundering operation for a global crime cartel led by Victoria Steers.
Initial Investigation:
Under pressure, Nash agrees to work with the FBI. He begins to secretly investigate his own CEO, Everett "Rhett" Temple. But soon his cover is blown by Steers' organization.
The Mastermind:
The FBI's real target is Victoria Steers, a ruthless international criminal mastermind who is secretly running the illegal operation.
Betrayal and exposure:
Steers discovers Nash is working with the FBI through a leak and orchestrates a vicious plan to destroy his life.
Total ruin:
Steers has Nash framed for more than one heinous crime and murder, turning him into a public villain and dismantling his family and reputation.
Survival:
With his old life destroyed, Nash is forced to go on the run. He finds refuge with an unlikely ally: his late father's best friend, a man known as Shock.
Shock: A Mentor:
He receives unexpected help from his father's friend, Vietnam veteran Isaiah York (known as Shock), who has highly developed skills to help him fight back, owning a successful security company.
From executive to operative:
Under Shock's guidance, Nash undergoes a brutal physical and psychological transformation. He learns new skills and hardens himself, shedding his former "boring" persona.
Transformation:
Nash must transform from a mild-mannered businessman and Boy Scout into a violent vigilante to survive and take revenge on those who have destroyed his life.
A new identity:
Nash emerges as a bald, tattooed operative named "Dillon Hope".
Infiltration:
Using his new identity, he infiltrates the enemy's organization, getting close to his former boss, Rhett Temple, and Victoria Steers.
The cliffhanger:
The novel ends on a cliffhanger, with Nash's story continuing in the next book in the series. Coming April 2026. It's going to be exciting!
My thoughts...
I absolutely devoured the book and the accompanying audio experience! In NASH FALLS, a gripping narrative unfurls, immersing readers in a tumultuous world where emotions run deep and stakes soar higher than one can imagine. With each chapter, we are introduced to complex, remarkable characters and events that resonate with authenticity.
Readers will find themselves completely invested in the two central figures, Walter and Shock, whose relationship blossoms as Walter unravels the enigmatic truths about his father, Ty, through Shock’s insights.
After being set up, Walter is thrust into a harrowing flight after the abduction of his daughter and another shocking betrayal. In his desperate quest for vengeance and to rescue his family, he reluctantly transforms into a fierce vigilante, joining forces with his father's trusted friend, Isaiah York (Shock).
Walter is compelled to abandon his old self, adopting a starkly different persona—a journey that sees him metamorphose from a mild-mannered corporate executive into a figure marked by ruthlessness and a thirst for revenge.
Under Shock’s mentorship, Walter undergoes a profound transformation over the course of a year, completely altering his appearance and shedding the identity of a typical businessman to embrace Dillon Hope—the embodiment of violence and raw physicality.
Shock emerges as a brilliant addition to the story, serving as Walter Nash’s unwavering ally, hero, and a perfect counterpart with his specialized, high-octane background, which sharply contrasts with Walter’s genteel corporate existence.
Having shared a deep bond in the Vietnam War with Walter’s father, Ty, Shock’s loyalty is unquestionable, and Walter places his trust in him without hesitation. With an impressive arsenal of skills in protection, investigation, and evasion, Shock expertly guides Walter’s training and transformation.
As Nash plunges deeper into the treacherous realm of corporate espionage, the stakes escalate dramatically. What follows is a nerve-wracking ordeal, a high-stakes game of cat and mouse charged with tension, where survival hangs by a thread and revenge becomes a driving force.
Upon returning home, a changed Nash is fueled by a fierce desire for justice (no one recognizes him) under the bleak assumption that his daughter is no longer alive. He soon discovers that the dynamics within his former company have shifted perilously, marked by the death of his former boss and the emergence of an even more malevolent figure in the boss’s son.
Now armed with a new sense of mission, righteousness, and purpose, Nash navigates the dark corridors of the world that once consumed his life, prepared to confront the escalated threats that loom ahead in his relentless pursuit of justice. Drawing upon the hard-earned lessons from his father’s tumultuous life—filtered through the experiences shared with Shock—Walter becomes a weapon of righteousness, a path that his father struggled to connect with him on while alive.
The novel culminates in a breathtaking cliffhanger, with Nash embedded in the heart of his enemies’ organization, poised for a climactic showdown.
Baldacci masterfully entwines a narrative that is both pulse-pounding and thought-provoking, brimming with action, high stakes, and riveting suspense, leaving readers breathless and utterly enraptured as the story unfolds.
As you traverse the myriad twists and turns of this riveting saga and Walter's transformative journey, you will find yourself on the edge of your seat, heart racing, eagerly anticipating the next installment with an exhilarating excerpt teaser for Hope Rises Nash Falls #2 Coming April 14, 2026. Can't wait.
With NASH FALLS, Baldacci once again solidifies his reputation as a titan of the thriller genre, delivering a truly unmissable experience. This is not merely a book or audio; it is a must-read and must-listen for anyone who delights in an electrifying ride filled with suspense, intrigue, and heart!
The audiobook ...
I recently had the delightful experience of immersing myself in both the book and its accompanying audiobook, and I must say, the audiobook was a spectacular triumph. Masterfully performed by an incredibly talented cast of favorite stars: MacLeod Andrews, Christine Lakin, Larry Herron, Shiromi Arserio, and Will Collyer. Their performance was truly captivating, and I found myself hanging on their every word as the narrative unfolded.
After finishing the book, I was so enthralled that I listened to the audiobook twice—yes, it truly is that good! The narrators brought the story to life, beautifully capturing the emotion, intricate pacing, and suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat. Each voice added depth and nuance, elevating the tale to extraordinary heights. It was nothing short of an epic performance, one that resonated with me long after the final word.
I wholeheartedly recommend the audiobook; it is an incredibly entertaining experience that you won’t want to miss!
David Baldacci Characters/Books...
David Baldacci has long been a personal favorite of mine, and with each new release, he continues to enchant me with his remarkable talent for crafting vivid characters and engaging series. Every time I delve into one of his books, I find myself proclaiming it my new favorite, only to be delightfully surprised that each installment is a masterpiece in its own right.
"Nash Falls" is an absolute triumph! Baldacci is undeniably at the pinnacle of his craft, and I find myself eagerly anticipating the next in the series. His works consistently secure a place on my list of top reads and audiobooks each year. When fellow readers inquire about my favorite Baldacci series or character, I realize that it’s a nearly impossible question to answer—much like asking a parent to choose their favorite child. Each one possesses its unique charm and nuance, and I cherish them all.
Thank you...
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Grand Central Publishing, Hachette Audio, and NetGalley for generously providing an advanced reading and listening copy in exchange for my honest review. I've also made sure to pre-order the hardcover edition to add to my home library, enriching my Baldacci collection with yet another exceptional title.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Nov 11, 2025
My Rating: 5 Stars ++
Top Books of 2025
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Praise
"In Baldacci’s long list of heroes, Walter Nash is among the most memorable. Wherever Baldacci chooses to take Nash next, readers would be well advised to follow." ―Publishers Weekly
"Baldacci has done it again. His new series starter is a worthwhile investment that will have readers eager to follow Nash in his continuing pursuit of justice."
―Library Journal
"Baldacci shoves his newest Everyman hero into danger in this series starter, and his fans will be thrilled."―Booklist
About the Author
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.”)
David published his first novel, Absolute Power, in 1996. The feature film adaptation followed, with Clint Eastwood as its director and star. In total, David has published 52 novels for adults; all have been national and international bestsellers, and several have been adapted for film and television. His novels are published in over 45 languages and in more than 80 countries, with 150 million copies sold worldwide. David has also published seven novels for young readers.
A lifelong Virginian, David received his Bachelor’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, after which he practiced law in Washington, D.C.
In addition to being a prolific writer, David is a devoted philanthropist, and his greatest efforts are dedicated to his family’s Wish You Well Foundation®. Established by David and his wife, Michelle, the Wish You Well Foundation supports family and adult literacy programs 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 gently used books have been collected and distributed through food banks to families in need.
David and his family live in Virginia. WEBSITE
