James Patterson Reading Challenge Wrap Up

I didn't think I was going to be able to finish this challenge, but I just made it. This has been fun. The challenge comes to an end on Monday, August 15th. I thank all of those who have participated in this challenge for the last couple of years. I'm not going to be hosting it next year as my reading tastes are scattered all over the place these days and I just don't have the time to host it again. I did have fun with this, though.

These are the books I read to complete this challenge...

1. Private Click for review
2. Don't Blink Click for review
3. The Postcard Killers Click for review
4. Kiss the Girls Click for review
5. The Midnight Club Click for review

The Midnight Club by James Patterson

Genre:
Suspense, Thriller

Format:
Audio

Publisher:
Books on Tape

Release Date:
1999

Kiss the Girls by James Patterson (Alex Cross Series #2)

Genre: Suspense
Format: EBook
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Release Date: December 2002

In the second book of the Alex Cross series, things hit way too close to home for Alex’s liking when his niece disappears. The Cross family is devastated by her loss and Alex vows he will bring Naomi home, safe and sound. The detective in Alex takes over and he travels to his niece’s university only to discover she’s not the only young woman missing. When another young woman is murdered, Alex realizes his niece is in grave danger.

Somehow Kate McTiernan manages to escape the clutches of the serial killer, who calls himself Casanova. Kate is determined to save the other women who had been trapped with her and make Casanova pay for his crimes. She teams up with Alex as they race against the clock before anyone else is killed.

It’s not long before they realize there are two identical killers. One on each coast of the United States. Kate and Alex draw closer as they investigate this crime and try to save Alex’s niece, but they find the FBI isn’t too receptive to their interference.

As big a fan of James Patterson that I am, I really hadn’t been too involved in the Alex Cross series, which is probably his most famous. I listened to the first on audio and loved it, but just hadn’t had a chance to read the others. They have been collecting dust in my TBR room. There are so many books in this series, but I intend to someday catch up as this was a gripping story. I do think I saw the movie years ago, but don’t remember very much about it so everything in the book surprised me.

Alex Cross is a great character and I love that he’s surrounded by a large family and has a devoted partner/friend, too. I can already see this is going to be an exciting series for me.





For reading challenges:

A to Z Reading Challenge
TBR Lite Reading Challenge
Alex Cross Reading Challenge
James Patterson Reading Challenge
EBook Reading Challenge

The Postcard Killers by James Patterson and Liza Marklund

Genre: Suspense, Thriller
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Hachette Books
Release Date: August 2010

Young couples are being brutally murdered all over Europe. It appears the killings are at the hands of a young couple traveling through Europe. NYPD detective Jack Karon is hot on their trail, but he has a personal stake in this. His daughter and her fiancé were murdered by this serial killing couple and he wants justice, but whether or not he can handle this case objectively remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, Swedish reporter Dessie Larsson receives a postcard from the killers and now she finds herself in the middle of the whole investigation. She fears what this could do to her career, but mostly she fears the strong attraction she has for Jack. She desperately tries to put aside her feelings for the sake of stopping these vicious murderers.

As everyone knows, I love James Patterson’s writing. This book was a good one, too. Not my favorite, but still a well thought out storyline. The killers are known to the reader right from the beginning, but this story is not that simple and there were still many twists and turns along the way.

I would have liked to see the characters of Dessie and Jack more developed though. Their romance seemed to lack for something. I can’t really put my finger on it, but I would have liked to read more about them. The killers were truly evil and I was just hoping for a satisfying ending.

Although many of Patterson’s books are a part of a series, this is a standalone book and only took me two days to read – that’s amazing for me.

I give this one a four cat rating.




For reading challenge:

James Patterson Reading Challenge

Don’t Blink by James Patterson and Howard Roughan

Genre: Suspense, Thriller
Format: EBook
Release Date: September 2010-10-15

Journalist Nick Daniels is given the assignment of a lifetime. He is going to interview a former baseball star who has been a recluse for many years, thanks to a scandal which destroyed his career. Nick is about to learn the real story, which no other reporter was ever told.

When Nick finally meets the legendary ballplayer at a local restaurant, there’s more than a scandalized sports star involved. A mob hit takes place at the table next to theirs and the only witness appears to be Nick. Before he knows it, his life is in danger as well as everyone he holds near and dear to his heart.

Another James Patterson page turner! Everyone who reads my blog knows what a huge fan I am of his and this book is no exception. I loved every minute of it! Not my favorite of his books, but still it’s right up at the top of the list. Patterson, writing with Howard Roughan, gives us a cast of characters that come to life on each page. It’s a fast-paced book with a storyline filled with twists and turns which keep readers on their toes until the very last page.



For reading challenge:

James Patterson Reading Challenge

Private by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

Genre: Suspense, Thriller

Private Investigator, Jack Morgan, takes over an investigation firm called Private. The firm was given to him by his father, a criminal serving time in jail and not a man Jack ever got along with. Jack surrounds himself with a group of dedicated individuals who help him keep his agency running smoothly as they solve some of the most difficult cases they could imagine.

Jack is presented with a case from his uncle, who owns a football team, which threatens to destroy the NFL. It’s up to Jack to uncover a gambling ring and find out who in the league is cheating and is about to cause a huge scandal which will bring the sport to its knees.

Then, there’s the case of the high school girls who are the victims of a serial killer. The girls are being led to their death in a devious plan which can’t seem to be stopped as the clever murder leaves no clues behind.

The third case hits too close to home for Jack. His best friend’s wife was murdered in what appears to be a mob-related execution. There’s no way Jack will back down on this one, especially since the wife used to be his girlfriend.

Jack fights his own personal demons throughout this book which include his time in the war in Afghanistan, a twin brother who wants nothing to do with him and an office romance which threatens his emotional stability. Toss all these things together and life is not going very well for Jack Morgan.

Talk about a fast-paced book…the pages just fly by in this one. It’s amazing to me that this writing team continues to put out books that I can’t put down. This had a great storyline with a great new cast of characters. I hope there will be another book as I’d love to revisit these characters.



For reading challenge:

James Patterson Reading Challenge

James Patterson Reading Challenge II

I decided that I love reading James Patterson's books so much that I'm going to begin a new James Patterson reading challenge. In the next couple of days, I'll be starting an Alex Cross challenge, too!

This one is a bit different than last year. You get to choose how many books you want to read.

Level 1 - Read 2 books...just trying them out
Level 2 - Read 5 books...a loyal fan
Level 3 - Read 10+ books...obsessed with James Patterson

Here are the guidelines...

1. Choose one of the levels above. You do not need to make a list of what you will read now or, if you want, you can. However, nothing is written in stone and the books you list can be changed at any time. Overlapping books with other challenges is allowed.

2. Although you can change books throughout the year, you cannot change your level of participation. So, choose one level and that's what you must stick with for the year.

3. As long as it's written by James Patterson, you can use the book in this challenge. Even if you are part of my upcoming Alex Cross challenge, you can overlap books and count them as part of this challenge.

3. All books need to be read between September 1, 2010 and August 31, 2011. Books read prior to September 1st don't count for this challenge.

4. If you want to participate, just post about it on your blog with a link back to here.

3. Audio and Ebooks are acceptable.

4. Please use Mr. Linky below to sign up. Use the link to your post about this challenge, not your main blog address. Links that don't go directly to your challenge post will be deleted.

5. Once you complete the challenge, please post the link to your wrap-up blog post with Mr. Linky (I will put up a Mr. Linky for completed lists.)

6. There will also be a Mr. Linky for reviews, although posting your reviews are not a requirement.

7. You can take the button above and post it on your blog.

I haven't picked all my books yet, but I'm choosing Level 2 and will list my books here...

1. Private Click for review
2. Don't Blink Click for review
3. The Postcard Killers Click for review
4. Kiss the Girls Click for review
5. The Midnight Club Click for review



Post the links for your reviews using Mr. Linky below. Please make sure the link is the direct link to your review and not to your blog. Post your Name (Title of book) and then the link to the review. Thanks!



Use the Mister Linky below to post a link to your wrap up post once you've completed the challenge.