Dickens & Rumi

book

The Sixth Man

Age rating, content warnings & parent guide

David Baldacci · 2011

Is The Sixth Man appropriate for your child? See the reviewed age guidance, content cautions, positive themes, and supporting evidence below.

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

Book 5 · King & Maxwell SeriesSource checked

Where to get it

As an Amazon Associate and Bookshop.org affiliate, Dickens & Rumi may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

10-second decision

Is this likely to fit your family?

Age guidanceNot listed
Strongest cautionsDeath of a character 4/5 · Violence 4/5 · Frightening scenes 3/5
Strongest positivesCourage & resilience 4/5 · Good role models 3/5
Series positionBook 5 · 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
14Scored categories
14Evidence notes
0Explicit 0/5 checks
Oct 30, 2026Last updated

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

Review depth14 scored categories14 evidence notes
Show Wikipedia summary

Open to load a short Wikipedia summary.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character4/5
  • Violence4/5
  • Frightening scenes3/5

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.

Next volumeBook 6 · King and MaxwellStrongest cautions: Death of a character 4/5 · Frightening scenes 4/5Open next review →
  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

Keep going

What should you do next?

One review should lead naturally to the next useful choice.

What’s in it?

Death of a character4/5
Why this rating?

A major character is murdered, and the plot centers on a suspected serial killer and an impending execution.

Graphic injury2/5
Why this rating?

Graphic descriptions of crime scenes and bodily injuries are present but not excessive.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Some occasional strong language is plausible for a contemporary adult thriller, though the supplied excerpt gives no direct examples.

Romance2/5
Why this rating?

The relationship between the leads is significant but primarily professional/platonic.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

Features tense, life-threatening situations and high-stakes pursuit.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

Substance use is not central; occasional adult social drinking may occur, but the supplied passages do not document it.

Violence4/5
Why this rating?

Includes gun violence, combat scenarios, and murder related to the thriller plot.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Characters demonstrate significant bravery in dangerous situations.

Creativity & curiosity2/5
Why this rating?

Relies on investigative logic and strategic problem-solving.

Diverse representation2/5
Why this rating?

The cast includes women in capable professional roles and varied backgrounds, but the available excerpt is too limited to assess representation broadly.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Offers incidental insight into government intelligence concepts.

Kindness & empathy2/5
Why this rating?

Professional loyalty and care for partners are exhibited.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

Themes of justice, loyalty, and challenging corruption are central.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Characters are competent professionals showing dedication, though they operate in a gray area.

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 The Sixth Man would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in The Sixth Man, and what caused that change?
Discuss this title with other parents

Community perspective — separate from editorial ratings

What families noticed

Community signal

Community ratings and written reactions are a separate layer. They do not automatically change Dickens & Rumi’s official age guidance or content scores.

Add your perspective

Sign in from the homepage to rate this title.

These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

Something wrong with this guide? Report age, caution, series, cover, or title issues.