Private Berlin by James Patterson and Mark Sullivan

Private Berlin by James Patterson and Mark Sullivan, 432 pages

It seems like I just read Private London.  James Patterson is writing books faster then I can keep up with.  The current Private book is coauthored by Mark Sullivan.  I did not think the recent ones were as good as the first two Private books, maybe because the first two were the original Private office out of LA.  I liked this book because it is like all his other books, suspenseful, and I wanted to find out what happened to Chris Schneider, the superstar agent of Private Berlin.. I won't spoil the beginning, but I was surprised by how the book starts out.  Maddie, his ex girlfriend has to find out what happened to Chris and how his past is tied to the case.  Fast paced book with surprising twists.

Confessions of a Murder Suspect by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

Confessions of a Murder Suspect by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
372 pages

I was not going to read this book, because it was a teen read, but I thought I would give it a try.  Surprisingly, I was not disappointed.  This had to be my favorite Patterson book I have read in a long time.  Like all Patterson books, it was a very quick read full of suspense and mystery.  I could not put this book down.  But, I do tend to favor the books he coauthors with Maxine Paetro.  This book follows Tandy Angel and her brothers as they are suspects when their parents Maude and Malcolm are found murdered in the master bedroom, and the only people home in the apartment are the children and their mother's assistant, Samantha.  What follows are shocking details about the parents' life and the manner in which they died.

Private London by James Patterson and Mark Pearson

Private London by James Patterson and Mark Pearson, 364 pages

I am not sure if there are any James Patterson books now written only by him.  This one is coauthored with Mark Pearson.  I had liked the previous three Private books  by James Patterson but this had to be my least favorite of the four.  The first two Private books were coauthored with Maxine Paetro and those were my favorite.  Private London of course takes place in London. In this book, it is Dan Carter who is the lead private investigator.  Dan has to save American student, Hannah Shapiro from kidnappers before it is too late.  There are many interesting twists in this story, but some plot complications seem to be a little disturbing.  Like all Patterson books, this book was suspenseful and a quick read but definitely not my favorite.

NYPD Red by James Patterson

NYPD Red by James Patterson, 368 pages

James Patterson's new bestseller does not fail to deliver on fast pace thrills and action.  When Hollywood comes to New York for Hollywood on the Hudson, some power players end up dead.  Zach Jordan of NYPD Red is paired with his ex girlfriend, Kyle McDonald to solve the crimes.   With inside information, the Chameleon is the one writing the script to true crime.  This was a fast paced read I could not put down.

Zoo by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

Zoo by James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge 395 pgs                            This was a very unusual novel by James Patterson. I don't think I have ever read a novel where the main characters were animals.  It was to me just a very strange story.  Jackson Oz is a bioligist who has a theory that animals will someday take over the world.   After some strange animal attacks on humans, Jackson ends up marrying Chloe and having a son.  Fast forward into the future, more animals brutally attack humans including Jackson's pet monkey who is behind many attacks on humans.  It is soon discovered  the reason animals are going crazy is because of pheromones humans are emitting into the atmosphere.  The animals go back to normal for a few days when humans give up electricity and cell phones, but this is short lived and dooms mankind.        

 

 



 

 

I, Michael Bennett by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

I, Michael Bennett by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge, 383 pgs
Michael Bennett is a New York City police detective who is trying to bust a big time drug lord, Perrine.  The cops set up a sting to lure him back in the country for his daughter's college graduation.  This makes Michael Bennett and his nanny, Mary Catherine and his many children targets for revenge.  Michael takes the family to the family cabin in Newburgh, New York to escape, but somehow his two sons get entangled in a bad drug deal and become wounded.  Michael seeks to venge his family.  In the end Perrine ends up in jail and Michael's family ends up in witness protection.

Private by James Patterson

Private by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro, 385 pages


I had to go back and read this book after I had read Private #1 Suspect.  I liked that book so much, I wanted to read the first one.  This book did not disappoint.  It was action packed.  It was fast paced with multiple stories going on with a lot of thrills.   Jack Morgan is a former Marine helicopter pilot who is trying to solve the high school girl murders and a NFL gambling scandel while trying to keep up with his own love life.  A good book.

Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James

Death Comes to Pemberly by P.D. James, 291 p.

   Being a Jane Austen fan myself, I went into this book with apprehension. While mostly well-written (it is P.D. James, after all), I found I couldn't love the characters with the depth as I could when Austen wrote about them. Elizabeth was, as always, very endearing, but Darcy, having changed from his so very proud ways, was vapid and too sentimental. The mystery kept me engaged, but I didn't feel like every aspect of it was wrapped up in the end. While I enjoyed reading it, and always looked forward to picking it up when I had to put it down, I was left feeling a bit disappointed. It was at least worth the read, and would recommend it to Austen fans. 

Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James

Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James, 514 pages

What more can be said about this book that has not been said?  I chose to read this book after seeing it on Saturday Night Live.  I actually found the story interesting when the adult situations did not get in the way.  Although, I did not find this book to be a literary work of art, it did hold my interest.  I was fascinated with why young, intellectual Anastasia would go after a man like Christian Grey.  Maybe the reason this book is so fascinating is that what happens is what would never happen in our real everyday life, and it becomes what every book should be, an escape.

Kill Alex Cross by James Patterson

Kill Alex Cross by James Patterson, 364 pages

This is James Patterson at his best.  The kidnapping of the President's children and the threat of terrorist attacks on Washington, D.C. are very believable contemporary themes.  A fast moving read.