Nine To Noon Book review : Hope Rises by David Baldacci
Apr 22, 2026
Louise O'Brien, a long‑time literary reviewer, gives a sharp take on David Baldacci's Hope Rises. She outlines the plot of Walter Nash turned Dylan Hope and his undercover revenge inside a cartel. She critiques the clunky writing, awkward dialogue and stereotypes. She notes the book is a fast, popcorn thriller but ultimately unimpressive.
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Humble Start To A Long Reviewing Career
- Louise O'Brien began reviewing on Nine To Noon while lecturing at Victoria after Lydia Weavers gave her name, and her first review of Salman Rushdie left her terrified.
- She froze, shook under the table, confessed to the producer, then got a second chance with Beryl Bainbridge which launched her long run of reviews.
Reviewer Leaving For Glasgow
- Louise O'Brien is relocating because her husband got a job in Glasgow, so this was her last review for the show.
- She hinted she might do the odd cross from the northern hemisphere but will be doing a grown-up OE with her husband.
Popcorn Thriller With Clunky Prose
- Louise found David Baldacci's Hope Rises to be a clunky but compulsive thriller: awkward dialogue, heavy italics, and expository monologues undermine the prose.
- Despite those flaws it maintains pace with short chapters and page-turning momentum, likened to cinema popcorn.
