When I had the opportunity to review his current release, PRIVATE, I couldn’t resist. I’ve never read a lot of his books, but the TV series Women’s Murder Club based on his books got me hooked.
Jack Morgan is the protagonist in this thriller set in sunny California where the rich and famous come to Private when they have secrets they want to hide or find someone else’s.
Private is an elite detective agency Jack inherited from his estranged father. Jack has built the agency into an international business that caters to the secrets of the influentional, but also helps out at the LAPD with cases from time to time.
There are three major cases Private is working on:
* Jack’s Uncle Fred has asked him to investigate a possible gambling scandal that could be the downfall of the NFL.
* The district attorney has asked for help in solving the school girls case in which 18 teenage girls have been abducted, killed and no evidence left.
* Jack’s best friend is suspected of killing his wife of less than a year. She was found shot to death in their bedroom. She was a former lover of Jack’s and he introduced her to his friend, Andy.
While dealing with these three major cases, Jack is also dealing with PTSD from his time in Afghanistan. In addition, he’s getting threatening calls from a mysterious caller and he helps his gambling twin brother out of a jam with the mafia.
The investigation of the three cases will take you on an exhilarating ride. The staff at Private is also a intriguing mix of characters. You’re in for a few surprises and twists along the way. While some of the plot may be considered predictable, it brings realism to this world of intrigue, glamour and glitz. I will say there were a couple of surprises at the end I didn’t see coming.
Patterson and Paetro leave the reader wanting more and from what I read last night there is a sequel coming out. What mysteries will Jack be solving this time and who's secrets will he be keeping?
Private by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro, Hachette Auto, @2010, ISBN: 9781607884484, Unabridged, 6 Discs, Approximately 7 hours
FTC Full Disclosure - I requested this audio book and it was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
Wow, sounds like an exciting read packed with lots of plot lines.
ReplyDeleteCD
I like the Womens' Murder Club series, so maybe I'll check this one out.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review! I haven't read one of his books for awhile. I'll have to add this one to my list!
ReplyDeleteMason - Thanks so much for this review. I always think it's fascinating when writers work together on a novel. Hmm... I feel a blog post coming on : ).
ReplyDeleteClarissa, there are quite a few plot lines in this book but for me they were easy to keep track of. Maybe it was because knowing a detective agency would have so much going on at once it seemed nature.
ReplyDeleteIngrid, hope you enjoy this. I could see a TV series based on this too.
Talli, happy reading.
Margot, writers working together would make an a very interesting post by you. I look forward to it.
Sounds like my kind of book. Gotta check it out.]
ReplyDeleteHere is my Sunday Salon post!
I like busy books. They keep my attention.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read a Patterson book in a while, either.
ReplyDeleteGautami, hope you enjoy the book. I'll pop over and see your Sunday Salon now.
ReplyDeleteTeresa, this is definitely a busy book. But, it's not so busy that it seems made up just normal madness for a detective agency.
Alex, I'd be interested in knowing what you thought of this. As I said, I've only heard "or heard" a couple of his books so I'm not sure if it's up to his standard or not.
ReplyDeleteI have to say, I love "squeals!" Just kidding, Margot. :)
ReplyDeleteHonestly, though, I'm not impressed by James Patterson's blatant use of other authors' works as his own. I've read that this is a great boost to those lesser known authors...But has anyone read a book published solely by Maxine Paetro?
Michele
Happy Birthday Blogfest at SouthernCityMysteries
I have this one in audio...I'm reluctant to try it, since I'm not comfortable with the format. And I guess I'm afraid that I'll miss things I would pick up while reading...
ReplyDeleteIt sounds good, though.
Here's my salon: (click my name)
Michele, thanks for pointing out my 'squeal' mistake. You just never know what your fingers and your eyes will see late at night. Guess I need to start re-reading in the early morning light.
ReplyDeleteLaurel-Rain, for me this was a good audio. Maybe it was just the way the narrator held my attention.
Sounds great! I've wondered about this book, having seen it advertised on TV.
ReplyDeleteI hope you don't think this is mean-spirited, but... I have been reading Patterson's The 9th Judgment, one chapter a day for all 117 chapters, and blogging about my experience on my site, The Book Catapult. I think I have a different approach and a different take on his books than you (and seemingly, the many readers of your blog), but, well, there it is.
ReplyDeleteAll's fair in love and blogging.
Crystal, I've seen that ad too. That could very well be Andy in the promo. :)
ReplyDeleteSeth, to me that is one of the fun things about reading - each person takes something different away from the book. I'm off to check out your thoughts on Patterson.
Sounds like a fun read - thanks for the review :)
ReplyDeleteI listened to this book and felt like it would have been better if the PI firm hadn't tried to tackle so many cases at once.
ReplyDeleteSounds good. I envy their energy with turning out such exciting books.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info.
I'm sure the co-author does most of the writing.
ReplyDeleteLove the sound of "Private" - and a new book every few months? Good Lord, now that's prolific!
ReplyDeleteThere are so many great thrillers coming out at the moment, it's so hard to choose what to read next!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review, this sounds so good.
Jemi, thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteKathy, the PI firm were busy with cases in addition to a lot of personal issues.
Glynis, I envy their energy too and I wonder where they find all their subject material.
Diane, the co-authors seem to return a lot so it must work well for them.
Marvin, thanks for stopping by.
Charmaine, it is hard to pick what to read next with so many great books out. I enjoyed listening to this one.
ReplyDeleteHi Mason .. sounds like a really good racy read .. and fun too ..
ReplyDeleteI haven't got into audio books yet - but must do .. and perhaps it's something I can download and listen to on my ipod or iphone, when I'm at my mother's bedside .. or walking up there ..
Good review post - intrigued me! Thanks Hilary