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    Pendulum

    Pendulum

    Adam Hamdy

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    James Patterson has hailed Adam Hamdy's PENDULUM as 'one of the best thrillers of the year' saying...

Operation: Hail Storm
Operation: Hail Storm
Brett Arquette | 2016 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
2
4.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
I read this book because I received an email from the author, asking to read and then post a review. Before I downloaded it, I looked up the few reviews the book had already gotten - I was excited when someone compared Brett to James Patterson, so I chose to give it a try. Honestly, though, I wish I hadn't. Nothing against the author, truly, but because my review will not be what he is probably hoping for, I almost wish I hadn't said I would read it/leave a review. I tried so hard to like this book, even when I immediately knew the topic was going to be tough for me to be interested in. Unfortunately, I couldn't get into it. The multiple perspectives were repetitive; I felt like his kept going off "on a tangent", for example, when he was explaining how the mechanical eagle worked. Try as I might, I just didn't like it, but I also feel like the topic isn't for everyone, particularly me.
  
Now You See Her
Now You See Her
James Patterson | 2011 | Fiction & Poetry
4
7.0 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
An ability to suspend belief required for this thriller.
My first James Patterson read or as it was an audiobook - listen (yes I live under a rock) and I was really hoping to love it (my parents have passed on a load of books by him so I have a pile to read)

Nina Bloom is a successful New York lawyer and mother but she has only been Nina for 18 years and she would happily forget the life she had before that. Unfortunately events conspire to make Nina have to face her difficult past head on.

Unfortunately the level of craziness in events was too steep for me to get over. I really need a book to play by the rules of the universe it operates in and this just seemed to be one mad capped thing after another. I can deal with the odd coincidence or strange behaviour to try and move the plot along but I felt this needed the suspense of the readers belief to an extent I can't manage. It wasn't helped by a protagonist I felt personally no sympathy for.

It was certainly a fast paced book and if you are happy to go along for the ride I can imagine this being satisfying. I unfortunately found myself just stopping and going "really?" far to much.

Minor issue that I think affected the audio version was the number of chapters in the book meant the narrator going "Chapter x" every few minutes spoiling the flow. I think it had like 120 chapters which for a book I think is around 360 pages seems excessive, probably less jarring if you are reading rather than listening. The breaks just seemed to be in some odd spots as well.

Might give a written Patterson a try and see if I get along better with that.
  
Cat and Mouse (Alex Cross, #4)
Cat and Mouse (Alex Cross, #4)
James Patterson | 1997 | Crime, Mystery
9
8.4 (7 Ratings)
Book Rating
Alex Cross (0 more)
Knew the killer early on (0 more)
Another brilliant Alex Cross
Contains spoilers, click to show
Alex Cross is back-and so is a raging and suicidal Gary Soneji. Out of prison and dying from the AIDS virus he contracted there, he will get revenge on Cross before he dies. In addition, we are introduced to a new pair of rivals whose paths cross that of Alex and Soneji. Thomas Augustine Pierce has been chasing his demon, Mr. Smith, since the savage murder of his fiancee. Mr. Smith is a unique monster, with actions toward his victims so insane-so unimaginable-that he is thought of as "not of the earth." Pierce, known in the business as St. Augustine because of his track record for catching killers and his invaluable status to the FBI and Interpol, may even be better than Cross.When things heat up and Alex is in a near-death coma following an attack in his own home, Pierce goes to Washington to help with the investigation. But just as he begins to piece together the mystery of how Gary Soneji could have mortally wounded Cross after he was believed to be dead, he is summoned to Paris with a postcard from Mr. Smith inviting him to a very special killing.The body count is high, the tension the highest, and the two killers on the loose are watching every move their pursuers make. Who is the cat, and who is the mouse? What and where is the final trap? And who survives?



This is a reread and one of my favourites from James Patterson. I love Alex Cross and the characters in these books. Patterson is such a brilliant writer.

I cheered as he finally got Soneji that evil SOB needed taking down! I do think Smith was quite easy to pick out from the start.

On to the next Alex Cross book .

Recommended



  
P#
Private #1 Suspect (Private, #2)
James Patterson | 2011 | Fiction & Poetry
6
7.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Private really has their work cut out for them this time. Two major cases that have very strong implications to the community. First, there are four dead and burned bodies that have been found on the beach. They carry a sign that says 'No Prisoners'. Days later there are more dead bodies, another sign, and promises that this is not the end. Then they have the case of the Harlows. A Hollywood couple who make great movies and do amazing philanthropy work all over the world. When they go missing without a trace, it's up to Private to find out why they were taken and where they could be.

Another interesting book by James Patterson. This is the third book for the Los Angeles Private offices series and the sixth book for the entire Private series. I think next I'm going to read Private Games that has to deal with the Olympics in London since the Olympics are going on right now.

For the first few chapters of this book, I wasn't sure what was going to happen or if I was going to continue to read the book. But after a while, the action got going and my attention was held. Let's start with the first case of dead bodies showing up on the beach. There is a group out there who is looking to get revenge, but for what? And who are these people. They want the city of Los Angeles to pay them big money or they will continue to kill people. One more person per day than the day before. How are they going to be stopped if they can't be found. When one of Private's own investigators gets seriously injured on the job, Jack, the head of Private is even more determined to find out who these people are.

For the Harlow's, on the surface they seem like your typical Hollywood couple, but they have some skeletons in their closet. Skeletons their closest team members do not want to let the whole world know about. So, when they ask that Private not involve the police or the FBI in this case, this make the situation even more difficult. When the skeletons come to the surface, it's easy to see why the Harlow's wouldn't want this getting out to the public.

Packed with adventure around every corner and a few funny bits along the way, this was a great Private book by James Patterson.
  
TC
The Christmas Wedding
6
6.5 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
Gabby Summerhill is getting married. The question is, to whom? Will it be Marty, Tom, or Jacob? Each one has proposed to her, but she isn't revealing who the lucky groom will be until Christmas Day when her whole family is gathered together. Gabby hasn't spent a Christmas with her whole family since her first husband passed away. Once they are all gathered, Gabby will reveal the lucky man. Each one of Gabby's four kids has their own life and Gabby is always up to something quirky she even has her kids and grandkids call her by her first name.

I'm trying to get through all the James Patterson books I haven't read by listening to a few. I have long enjoyed his books and this one was alright.

Gabby is a high school teacher and a mother of 4. She is also a grandmother. Planning her wedding is quite an adventure and everyone seems to comply with the crazy idea of waiting until the wedding day which is also Christmas to reveal who sh is going to marry, even the groom doesn't know. It's fun to see how the story unfolds with nods to subjects like divorce, grief, and teenage angst.