Dickens & Rumi

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King and Maxwell

David Baldacci · 2013

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for King and Maxwell by David Baldacci. This book is content notes include Death of a character, Frightening scenes, Violence; positive qualities include Courage & resilience, Good role models.

Book 6 · King & Maxwell SeriesSource checked

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10-second decision

Is this likely to fit your family?

Age guidanceNot listed
Strongest cautionsDeath of a character 4/5 · Frightening scenes 4/5 · Violence 4/5
Strongest positivesCourage & resilience 4/5 · Good role models 3/5
Series positionBook 6 · King & Maxwell Series
Recommendation3/5

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: death of a character.

This is the quick scan. Open the evidence and methodology below for the basis behind each rating.

Quick context

What parents should know

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: death of a character.

Readiness snapshotMain watch-out: Death of a character 4/5
Recommendation 3/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
15Scored categories
15Evidence notes
0Explicit 0/5 checks
Nov 6, 2026Last updated

Dickens & Rumi describes what is present; families decide what matters to them. Community reactions are kept separate from official content ratings.

How ratings workReport a rating or series issue
Review depth15 scored categories15 evidence notes
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At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character4/5
  • Frightening scenes4/5
  • Violence4/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Good role models3/5
  • Positive messages3/5

Reading order

Series progression

All known volumes are shown. Reviewed books include age guidance and cautions; books still being reviewed are clearly marked.

  1. Book 2 · Hour Game
    Death of a character4/5Violence4/5Frightening scenes3/5Graphic injury2/5Romance2/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Products & advertising1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    Starting point
  2. Book 3 · Simple Genius
    Frightening scenes4/5Violence4/5Death of a character3/5Graphic injury2/5Romance2/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Products & advertising1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    About the same
  3. Book 4 · First Family
    Death of a character4/5Frightening scenes4/5Violence4/5Graphic injury2/5Romance2/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Products & advertising1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    About the same
  4. Book 5 · The Sixth Man
    Death of a character4/5Violence4/5Frightening scenes3/5Graphic injury2/5Romance2/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5
    Gets gentler
  5. Book 6 · King and Maxwell
    Death of a character4/5Frightening scenes4/5Violence4/5Graphic injury2/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Products & advertising1/5Romance1/5
    About the same

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What’s in it?

Products & advertising1/5
Why this rating?

Standard commercial fiction context.

Death of a character4/5
Why this rating?

A soldier's apparent death drives the story, and another character sacrifices himself during the final explosive confrontation.

Graphic injury2/5
Why this rating?

Standard thriller violence; consequences are discussed but not described in gratuitous detail.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Likely includes occasional mild-to-moderate profanity typical of an adult crime thriller, but the supplied passages do not document specific words or frequency.

Romance1/5
Why this rating?

Minor romantic elements typical of the series dynamic.

Frightening scenes4/5
Why this rating?

A teenager and his friend are kidnapped, while others face a hacked limousine driven toward a river and an explosive confrontation. The danger is sustained and potentially deadly.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

Substance use does not appear central; occasional adult or incidental drinking may occur, but the supplied plot summary gives no specific examples.

Violence4/5
Why this rating?

Violence is central: kidnapping, attempted murder, armed conspiracy, a vehicle attack, rescues, and a lethal confrontation.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Characters repeatedly face armed conspirators, abduction, political danger, and an explosive threat to rescue others and stop violence.

Creativity & curiosity2/5
Why this rating?

Engaging mystery puzzle with complex plotting.

Diverse representation2/5
Why this rating?

Cast is generally consistent with modern mainstream thrillers.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Provides insight into investigative procedures and political thriller tropes.

Kindness & empathy2/5
Why this rating?

Characters show care for the victims they are protecting.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

Themes of justice, protection of the innocent, and sacrifice.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

The protagonists are shown as capable, if flawed, investigators.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
  3. Which choice in King and Maxwell would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in King and Maxwell, and what caused that change?
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Community perspective — separate from editorial ratings

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