Book Nerds Across America: James Patterson

Showing posts with label James Patterson. Show all posts

Monday, December 11, 2023

Book Review: 19th Anniversary by James Patterson

Jacque's Review:

This is the tenth book in the Women's Murder Club Series. Detective Lindsay Boxer is a newlywed and is struggling to balance her work and personal life. She always seems to put her job first, but after working on this case involving a missing child, she is beginning to think about starting a family of her own. Dr. Clare Washburn, the medical examiner who is part of their team, is the only character with children. As a highly successful woman with a career and family, I believe Lindsay can look to Clare for inspiration and support.

Another significant portion of this book focuses on a case Yuki is prosecuting. A prominent cardiologist is accused of murdering her husband, which seems to be a slam dunk case. Lindsay, however, is not convinced the wife is guilty and continues to investigate the case on her own time. She wants her friend to succeed, but she has been wrongly accused in the past and can relate to this woman's situation. She can't let her go to jail and lose her children if she is not guilty. Yuki has a history of bad relationships in this series, but I think she may have found a keeper this time around. Unfortunately, he has some baggage AND he is Lindsay's boss. Lindsay is directly disobeying her boss's orders by working on this case, but she just can't let it go.

Cindy Thomas, the crime reporter, is investigating a series of cases involving assaults on women. Each victim experiences memory loss for a period of time, so it is believed the suspect is drugging them prior to the abduction and assault. There doesn't seem to be a connection between the victims or a similar demographic, but Cindy eventually finds a clue that could solve the case. The smart thing to do would be to contact Lindsay and her partner Rich Conklin (who is also Cindy's boyfriend) for assistance, but she follows the trail on her own. She finds herself in a very dangerous situation and is lucky to have the friends that she does.

Overall, this was another excellent addition to the series. I really enjoy these characters and look forward to seeing what is in store for them in the next installment. With the 24th book coming out next year, I guess I have a lot to look forward to.

Sunday, March 27, 2022

Book Review: The 9th Judgment by James Patterson

Jacque's Review:

I really enjoy the Women's Murder Club books. The camaraderie between the women and the unique skill set each brings to the table definitely keeps me coming back for more. This is a lengthy series with 22 books currently published, so it is a major undertaking if you plan on reading this series straight through. I have been reading a book or so a year and am not sure if I will ever catch up with the pace Patterson puts out books, but I am still enjoying them none the less.

This time around Claire, the medical examiner, and Lindsay, the detective, are busy trying to tackle the murders of several mothers and small children that have been taking place around the city. The perpetrator is extremely good and doesn't leave any clues behind that he doesn't want to leave. He is toying with them by leaving clues written in lipstick or blood.

At the same time Cindy, the newspaper reporter, has been writing about a series of burglaries that have been taking place at some of San Francisco's wealthiest homes. When one of the burglaries results in the murder of an A-list celebrity's wife, the chief puts Lindsay on that case as well. Lindsay and her partner Rich are working long hours trying to unravel the cases, but things get a little too close to home when the perpetrators in both cases reach out to Lindsay and she has to put her life on the line to protect the lives of others.

Yuki, the prosecutor, didn't have as instrumental of a part in the book, but she does make several appearances and contributes in her usual way within the legal system. She does seem to make a connection with the bartender at their favorite meeting spot when she needs someone to lean on. Hopefully this budding relationship doesn't crash and burn like her last one.

Overall, this was one of the best books in the series yet. It kept me engaged and sitting on the edge of my seat. Once the mystery was unraveled, everything made sense and you could see how all of the pieces fit together, which is an important characteristic to a mystery for me. I don't really enjoy when elements come out of nowhere just to tidy up the conclusion. This was a very well thought out and action packed story and I can't wait to see what is in store for these ladies in the next installment. Somehow I don't think they will every have any rest and relaxation in their future.

Thursday, January 27, 2022

Audiobook Review: The Guilty by James Patterson

Goodreads Overview:

Tonight, Osmond Box, the reclusive yet wildly successful writer/director known for his completely surprising Broadway plays is debuting his seventh and most highly anticipated production of his career.

'THE GUILTY'. Nothing is known as the story, the setting, the premise, or even the actors involved. The first people to discover the truth will be the lucky ones sitting in those seats opening night. Phones are collected; doors are locked. The rest of the world eagerly awaits the first reviews....

Two hours later, when the doors are finally allowed to open, half of the audience will be applauding wildly. The other half will be fleeing the theater in mortal terror. Has Osmond Box done it again? Or has he done something far, far worse?

Jacque's Review:

This is a free Audible original murder mystery that is short and sweet at about 3 hours and 20 minutes long. I enjoyed the fact that there was a full cast of characters, which made it feel like I was listening to a live production vs. reading a book.

I never could tell if they were acting or improvising as the story went along. The actors all insist the story is unscripted and they are getting sucked into participating in something they did not sign up for. How all of the characters are connected, and why Box summoned them for this monumental occasion, is as much of a mystery as the murder itself. I enjoyed listening to the police interrogations and felt like I was part of the actual investigation.

This was a very unique way of telling a story and something that I think would appeal to reluctant readers. I haven't experienced anything like this before and would definitely be interested in future full cast productions. While I wouldn't sign up for Audible just for this book, it was worth the time invested if you are already a member.

I was reluctant to sign up for Audible for a long time and did two separate free trials just to get the free credits to buy a book my son needed for school. The fact that he prefers to listen while following along with the text is what finally sold me. My husband, son, and I all share one account and we use at least half of our credits on books he needs for school that are not available in audio from the library. With three people using the account ,we definitely get our money's worth. If it were just me, I would stick with the library since I am fine with any format and don't usually care if I have to wait. My TBR list is filled with books that have been out for quite some time, so there is always something available when I am looking. My son needing specific books in less than a week, in both audio and print, made Audible a no brainer for us. The app tracks your listening time and we average at least 40 hours per month. That is equal to 35 cents an hour and you get to keep the audiobooks you purchase, even if you cancel your subscription. That is a pretty inexpensive way to encourage my son to read more.

Friday, November 5, 2021

Book Review: The Paris Mysteries by James Patterson

Goodreads Overview:

The City of Lights sets the stage for romance, drama and intrigue in the latest Confessions novel from the world's bestselling mystery writer!

After investigating multiple homicides and her family's decades-old skeletons in the closet, Tandy Angel is finally reunited with her lost love in Paris. But as he grows increasingly distant, Tandy is confronted with disturbing questions about him, as well as what really happened to her long-dead sister. With no way to tell anymore who in her life she can trust, how will Tandy ever get to the bottom of the countless secrets her parents kept from her? James Patterson leads this brilliant teenage detective through Paris on a trail of lies years in the making, with shocking revelations around every corner.

Jacque's Review:

This is the third book in the Confessions series. While it is set in Paris and there are a number of interesting facts and secrets that emerge, this wasn't my favorite book in the series. I gave it a generous three stars and will continue with the series, but I did not like one of the angles the plot took at the end. Perhaps there is an explanation and things will go in another direction in the next installment, but it just seemed so random and incomprehensible.

This time around Tandy is trying to find out more about her family's past, specifically her Grandmother who's house they are now living in. In addition, she is investigating what happened to her sister Katherine and the mystery man she was with at the time of the accident. This part of the story I did enjoy along with the twisted connections back to her uncle and her family's pharmaceutical company.

The other major part of the book was trying to find Tandy's boyfriend James Rampling, who is pretty much in hiding because of his father's controlling ways. Once they are reconnected, he splits again without any sort of explanation because of "the danger their relationship will put Tandy in if his father finds out". This is a complete load of crap in my opinion as evidenced by events that took place later in the book. I really do not see why Patterson did a complete 180 with this character and how it will benefit the series in the end. The same is true for Tandy's "best friend" C.P. who turns out to be the worst friend in history. She was such a sweet character and was dating Tandy's twin brother Harry before they left New York. How things shifted so dramatically in such a short period of time is beyond me.

There is only one book remaining in the series, so I hope Patterson and Paetro will get things back on track. After reading the description for Confessions The Murder of an Angel and some of the reviews on Goodreads, I do not plan on rushing into reading this final book. As one reviewer put it, "It ends with a fizzle" and another says "the first book in the series was the best of all and it was downhill from there - especially the fourth book". This does not sound promising.

Saturday, August 28, 2021

Book Review: The Private School Murders by James Patterson

Goodreads Overview:

In the sequel to the #1 New York Times bestseller Confessions of a Murder Suspect, James Patterson keeps the confessions coming breathlessly as Tandy Angel delves deeper into her own tumultuous history-and proves that she can rise above the sordid Angel legacy.

Wealthy young women are being murdered on Manhattan's exclusive Upper West Side, and the police aren't looking for answers in the right places. Enter Tandy Angel. The first case she cracked was the mystery of her parents' deaths. Now, while she's working to exonerate her brother of his glamorous girlfriend's homicide, she's driven to get involved in the West Side murder spree.

One of the recent victims was a student at Tandy's own elite school. She has a hunch it may be the work of a serial killer, but the NYPD isn't listening to her...and Tandy can't ignore the disturbing fact that she perfectly fits the profile of the killer's targets. Can she untangle the mysteries in time? Or will she be the next victim?

Jacque's Review:

This is the second book in the Confessions series and was equally as captivating as the first. I enjoy listening to these books vs. reading them since Tandy is speaking directly to the reader. She is telling her story and sharing her secrets, which comes across very effectively through the audiobook.

This time around the family is broke. The courts freeze all of their assets due to the pending legal cases against their parents. Their Uncle Peter is assigned as their guardian, but delegates the job to Jacob, who is an uncle the Angel kids didn't even know existed until he moved in with them. He has a military background and runs a tight ship. He installs a sense of discipline and accountability the kids desperately needed.

The family's primary focus is trying to clear their brother Matthew of murder charges, but the situation isn't looking good. Matthew was heavily intoxicated at the time of the murder and isn't even sure of what happened. He is very strong and has a known temper, which can definitely be used against him.

As if that weren't enough, girls Tandy's age that meet her exact demographic are being murdered not far from her home. The police do not see the connection, but Tandy does and decides she needs to solve this case before she becomes the next victim.

Even off their "vitamins", which were prescription medications their parents gave them to enhance their performance in just about every way, the Angel kids are extraordinarily talented. Tandy has a gifted IQ and can conduct an investigation and work through the evidence more efficiently than investigators with decades of experience. She did get lucky with a few of her discoveries, but I guess that is probably the case with most investigations.

Tandy also begins to remember her relationship with James Rampling. James is the son of one of the investors that lost millions of dollars in their mother's investment scandal. He is now suing their estate and wants his son to stay as far away from Tandy as possible. Her parents were in agreement prior to their deaths and sent her to a mental institution to put an end to the relationship. While she was there, her memories of the relationship were erased. I'm not sure how one can maintain a genius level IQ and have only certain memories erased, but that is what happened.

I don't want to give everything away, but will say that I was happy with the ending. All of the pieces came together nicely and in a believable fashion. I wish they would have shared the motivation behind the Private School Murders, but the case is solved and Tandy can breathe easier. The future of the Angel children is up in the air and I look forward to seeing how things will unfold in the next installment in the series.

Monday, July 13, 2020

Book Review: Confessions of a Murder Suspect by James Patterson

Goodreads Overview:

On the night Malcolm and Maud Angel are murdered, Tandy Angel knows just three things: 1) She was the last person to see her parents alive. 2) The police have no suspects besides Tandy and her three siblings. 3) She can't trust anyone-maybe not even herself.

As Tandy sets out to clear the family name, she begins to recall flashes of experiences long buried in her vulnerable psyche. These memories shed light on her family's dark secrets, and digging deeper into her powerful parents' affairs proves to be a disturbing and dangerous game. Who knows what any of the Angels are truly capable of?

Jacque's Review:

I found this book in my local little free library. I have read and enjoyed Patterson and Paetro's Women's Murder Club books, so I decided to give it a try. I love a good murder mystery, but you don't see them too often for teens / young adults, so I was really excited when I first started reading and discovered this series is YA.

The book is narrated by Tandy Angel who is telling the story directly to the reader. It was very unique and I thoroughly enjoyed this style of writing. There were times when it seemed like she was sharing a secret with the reader or she prompted the reader with questions to think about.

The story begins with the murders of Malcolm and Maud Angel. They are extremely wealthy and reside in an exclusive NYC condo building. With no undetectable way in or out of the home, the police are convinced it had to be someone inside the house, which leaves only the nanny or one of the Angel children as suspects. All of the children are extremely gifted, thanks to the vitamins produced by Malcolm's pharmaceutical company, that the children have been taking for as long as they can remember. Matthew Angel won the Heisman and now plays in the NFL. Harry, Tandy's twin, is a musical prodigy while Tandy is a genius. Hugo, the youngest of the children, has supernatural strength and is also gifted academically.

Tandy takes it upon herself to conduct an investigation to clear there names since the police aren't willing to look beyond the obvious. It doesn't take long for her to discover that they all have some sort of motivation for murder and she isn't even sure she can rule herself out. She starts interviewing other residents in the building to see if any of them may have seen or heard anything that evening.

The Angel children uncover a number of skeletons in the family closet while unraveling this mystery. Not all ends were tied up nicely at the end of this book, which is what the next book in this series will likely be about. I can't say any more than that without giving away spoilers, but I can't wait to see what will happen next.

This series was a pleasant surprise that I would definitely recommend to any murder mystery fan. If it weren't for the little free library, I likely never would have discovered this series. It isn't one that I ever saw hyped when it was released or recall seeing reviewed on other blogs.

Thursday, April 2, 2020

Book Review: 8th Confession by James Patterson

Jacque's Review:

8th Confession is the eighth book in the Women's Murder Club series. This time around Lindsay and her partner Rich Conklin are investigating the murders of several very wealthy individuals. The unusual part is that Clare, the chief medical examiner, can't find any cause of death. They are all healthy and in the prime of their lives. There are no marks on them, no signs of a struggle, and nothing comes up in their lab work. Lindsay and Rich have virtually nothing to go on until one of their colleagues finds a possible connection to some cold cases that he has been working.

Cindy, the crime reporter for the local newspaper, is working on a story involving a homeless man known as Bagman Jesus. He is found brutally murdered at the beginning of the book and she is determined to find out who he is and give him the attention and respect he deserves. Cases involving the homeless are usually overlooked because nobody cares enough to stand up for them, but from the stories she is hearing, he is a celebrity withing the homeless community. The more she uncovers about Bagman, the more she realizes she may be in way over her head.

Yuki, the prosecutor, gives her concluding statement in what should be a slam dunk case. The victim survived the attack and told the police who the perpetrator was, but now there is reasonable doubt and the jury can't come to a decision. In addition, after all of her relationship drama in the prior book, Yuki seems to have finally found a respectable boyfriend. He is a doctor at the local hospital, but just like in the courtroom, it seems like Yuki just can't catch a break.

This was another fast paced murder mystery with a lot of relationship drama mixed in. It seems like Lindsay may finally marry her longtime boyfriend Joe. She has been on the fence because of an attraction between her and Rich, but hopefully she has finally put those feelings aside once and for all. Cindy definitely helped her decision making by seemingly taking Rich off the market. While working on the Bagman Jesus case together, Rich and Cindy developed a bit of a relationship that I hope will continue. They seem more suited than Rich and Lindsay and will ease some of the tension between the two of them as the series progresses.

Overall, this was another great addition to the series and I look forward to seeing what is in store next for the members of the Women's Murder Club.

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Book Review: 7th Heaven by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

Goodreads Overview:

A terrible fire in a wealthy suburban home leaves a married couple dead and Detective Lindsay Boxer and her partner Rich Conklin searching for clues. And after California's golden boy, Michael Campion has been missing for a month, there finally seems to be a lead in his case--a very devastating lead.

As fire after fire consume couples in wealthy, comfortable homes, Lindsay and the Murder Club must race to find the arsonists responsible and get to the bottom of Michael Campion's disappearance. But suddenly the fires are raging too close to home.

Frightened for her life and torn between two men, Lindsay must find a way to solve the most daunting dilemmas she's ever faced--at work and at home.

Jacque's Review:

This is the 7th book in the Women's Murder Club series. In this installment the ladies are working to catch a serial killer or killers who are targeting wealthy couples. Robbery doesn't appear to be the primary motive. Lindsay and her partner, Rich Conklin, are baffled by the fact that there are next to no clues at any of the scenes and there aren't any signs of forced entry. The only clues that they can find to connect all of the crimes, besides the consistent MO of fire, are the books left at the scenes of the crimes with quotes written in Latin with the same handwriting.

In addition, Yuki Castellano is the prosecuting attorney in the case of the missing Michael Campion. He is the son of a very wealthy politician who was born with a genetic heart condition. His parents have always guarded him and he has basically lived in a bubble his entire life. He disappeared out of the blue with no trace. After a month, the San Francisco PD receive a credible anonymous tip. Lindsay and Rich follow up on it and a young prostitute, Junie Moon, is charged for his murder. She confessed to the crime, but now she is claiming Lindsay and Rich pressured her into a confession and it isn't true. She originally told a remarkable story, but there are no clues to back up what she claimed.

The entire Michael Campion situation panned out exactly the way I thought it might in the end. I don't want to give anything away, but it was a bit predictable given the lack of evidence. The cases involving the fires and murders was far more difficult to crack and that is what really propelled this story forward. The entire Women's Murder club came together to solve a devastating string of high profile murders. The team caught a major break when the killers slipped up on what was supposed to be their grand finale. The clues quickly piled up and Lindsay and Rich were hot on the trail.

Overall, this was a highly entertaining murder mystery. I am enjoying the series and will definitely continue. The author is hinting at a possible love triangle between Lindsay, Joe, and Rich, which I don't think is really necessary in this series. I thought Lindsay was finally going to be happy now that Joe moved to San Francisco. He proposed in the previous book, but she still hasn't accepted because she doesn't think she is ready. They are now living together, but her work is definitely the priority in her life at the moment. Throughout this book some events start to put things into perspective. I hope she makes the right decisions moving forward in this series.

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Book Review: The 6th Target by James Patterson

The 6th Target (Women's Murder Club, #6)

The 6th Target is the sixth book in the Women's Murder Club (WMC) series. In this installment Lindsay Boxer, a San Francisco homicide detective, is called to the scene of a shooting on a ferry boat. Four people are dead and one of the members of the WMC is seriously injured. There are a slew of witnesses, but the shooter manages to escape.

Lindsay is also investigating a series of incidents that have occurred in Cindy Thomas's apartment building. Cindy is a reporter for the local newspaper and one of the four members of the WMC. She got a great deal on this new apartment, but she is beginning to wonder if this move was a big mistake.

There is a third case that develops when a child prodigy is abducted along with her nanny at a local park. The family is very wealthy, so Lindsay assumes a ransom note will soon follow, but the kidnappers never make contact with the police or the family. When Lindsay discovers this isn't the first incident involving a gifted child and a nanny, she begins to connect the dots.

District attorney Yuki Castellano is called in to prosecute the ferry shooter. With video footage of the shooting clearly showing the defendant in action, this should be a slam dunk case. She even has a number of witnesses who can clearly identify the defendant, but she knows she will need to proceed with caution. She is up against a high profile defense attorney who will leave no stone unturned.

This was another great addition to the series. I love seeing how the characters evolve and how their combined talents can solve some of the toughest crimes. The books are action packed and relatively fast reads, but this series is still a major commitment. There are currently sixteen books available and I'm sure there are more to come.

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Maximum Ride Forever by James Patterson

Book Summary
THE NINTH AND ULTIMATE MAXIMUM RIDE STORY IS HERE! Legions of Max fans won't be disappointed by this encore episode in the beloved series about the incredible adventures of a teenage girl who can fly. As Maximum Ride boldly navigates a post-apocalyptic world, she and her broken flock are roaming the earth, searching for answers to what happened. All will be revealed in this last spectacular "ride"- a brand-new grand finale featuring all of the nonstop action, twists and turns that readers can rely on in a blockbuster Patterson page turner!

Flo's Review
I'm disappointed :( I wanted to like this one. Though it had some "ehhh" moments/books, I enjoyed listening to this series on audio. So when I found the audio for this new one, I went for it. I was a little cautious about it because it seems like the series was meant to end with the 8th book. (Without giving anything away, that book ended with a pretty clear ending type event!) Sometimes extra, unplanned series books go well, but a lot of times they don't, unfortunately. It was so obvious that this wasn't meant to be a story. It felt like the author was just making up stuff to have a plot line. In order to accomplish this, he took a lot of things that were resolved by the end of the 8th book and opened them back up again. Resolutions? Nope. Just bring back the same issues for another book. And Max was pretty unbearable in this one. What I loved about the series, what made it dynamic and fun to read was how kick-butt Max was. She was a great leader and a great warrior. She really cared about her flock and I loved to see how that manifested in her adventures. I also enjoyed finding out about her family. Later on in the series a romance element was added. I didn't like it at first, then came to accept it. But that's not what Maximum Ride is about. But enter this book. Max is helpless and depressed and only thinking about herself. There are shades of a love triangle,which groan. This Max wax not the Maximum Ride that I had come to love through the series.

Combine the unlikeable Max, the useless love story element, the regurgitation of plots that had already been resolved, and the feel that there wasn't really a plot to move this story forward, and that is the experience I had with Maximum Ride Forever. I DNF around 30 percent. It's a shame, and I've decided to just pretend like this book doesn't exist.

Here are some reviews of the earlier books in the series:

The Angel Experiment: http://www.booknerdsacrossamerica.com/2011/09/maximum-ride-angel-experiment-by-james.html

School's Out - Forever: http://www.booknerdsacrossamerica.com/2011/09/maximum-ride-2-schools-out-forever.html

Nevermore - http://www.booknerdsacrossamerica.com/2012/08/nevermore-by-james-patterson.html

Thursday, March 26, 2015

The 5th Horseman by James Patterson

The 5th Horseman (Women's Murder Club, #5)

Jacque's Review:

The 5th Horseman is the fifth book in the Women's Murder Club series. In this installment, Lindsay, Claire, Yuki, and Cindy are working together to solve a suspected medical malpractice case. Dozens of patients admitted to a local hospital through the ER with minor injuries and illnesses have died from apparent medication errors. The director of the ER explained the increase in deaths with the quote "sometimes a bad wind blows". SERIOUSLY? Something is clearly amiss at this hospital and the ladies are determined to get to the bottom of it.

Lindsay is also working on a case involving the murders of girls in their early twenties. All of the women were found posed in luxury cars wearing designer clothing and an unusual perfume. There doesn't appear to be a connection between any of the victims or a motive. Just a crazy killer on the loose.

I needed an audio book while I was traveling over spring break, so I picked this up from the library. Even though this is a series and the characters' history and personal relationships develop with each book, they can be read as stand-alone novels. Each book is about a new set of cases and there is a definite conclusion. I really enjoy these murder mysteries, but they are not for younger readers. I quickly discovered that I couldn't listen to this book with my 10 year-old son in the car. There is graphic content and quite a bit of adult language that is not appropriate for even a PG-13 audience.

As a nurse, I was mystified by the explanations that were given for the medication errors. There is no way those things could have happened if the nurse or doctor was checking the patient arm band and verifying the medication and dosage before administration. If an error did occur, it certainly shouldn't have happened several dozen more times. The hospital's administration should have caught onto the fact that there was a serious problem well before the women's murder club took on the case.

Overall, this was a fast read and an entertaining story. One of the main characters was greatly impacted by one of the cases in this book, so it will be interesting to see how her character will progress in the sixth book.

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Review: 4th of July by James Patterson

Jacque's Review:

This is the fourth book in the Women's Murder Club series. Lindsay Boxer is a homicide detective for the San Francisco police department. While off duty she was having a couple of margaritas with the other members of the murder club...chief medical examiner Claire Washburn and Cindy Thomas, a local reporter. The three women often collaborate on cases, so this was par for the course until Lindsay's former partner called. He found a car matching the description of the car spotted leaving two murder scenes and he was on the way to pick her up.

The events that transpire leave Lindsay in the hot seat. She is accused of wrongful death and is on trial for a large portion of the story. We are introduced to her attorney, Yuki Castellano. I'm confident we will see a lot more of Yuki throughout this series as the newest member of the Women's Murder Club.

Lindsay was advised to take some time off to relax and prepare for her trial. Her sister offers Lindsay her beach house as a place to escape the media circus until the start of the trial. It doesn't take Lindsay long to notice that several murders that occur while she is visiting this small coastal town have similarities to one of her cold cases. She begins investigating and eventually earns the trust and respect of the local sheriff. Together they work to solve the viscous murders.

From the beginning we are able to see the murderers plot and execute the crimes. We know that three people are working together, but we have no idea who the perpetrators are until the very end. I never would have guessed one of the character's involvement, but the other two I considered suspects from the very beginning. The one twist that I did find interesting was the reason for the murders. These weren't random acts of violence like they appeared to be.

It looks like there are now 14 books in this series, so I have a long way to go if I'm going to catch up.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

First Love by James Patterson

An extraordinary portrait of true love that will move anyone who has a first love story of their own. Axi Moore is a "good girl": She studies hard, stays out of the spotlight, and doesn't tell anyone how all she really wants is to run away from it all. The only person she can tell is her best friend, Robinson--who she also happens to be madly in love with. When Axi spontaneously invites Robinson to come with her on an impulsive cross-country road trip, she breaks the rules for the first time in her life. But the adventure quickly turns from carefree to out of control after the teens find themselves on the run from the police. And when Robinson suddenly collapses, Axi has to face the truth that this trip might be his last. A remarkably moving tale very personal to James Patterson's own past, FIRST LOVE is testament to the power of first love--and how it can change the rest of your life.

Flo's Review
James Patterson is one of my favorite authors because of the range and diversity of his books. As soon as I read the description for this one, I put it on hold at the library. I was looking forward to a sweet, quick, easy romance that I could read in a day or two. In that, it succeeded. I read this one in two settings.

However, I didn't love it. It felt like the surface of a story the whole time -- we were skimming the top layer of the story but never delving deeply into the settings, the scenarios, or the characters. I kind of felt like it was trying to be a sweet, simple fun romance story, but then it dealt with a very heavy issue that can't be described as sweet, simple, or fun. I don't want to give anything away, but I feel like it may garner some comparisons to another recent YA novel that, that has become massively popular.

Part of my problem was the time line. Those who have read my reviews in the past know that I don't tend to enjoy stories that jump around in the timeline. This one did that -- letting the reader in on a major piece (if not, THE major piece) of the story only at the beginning of Part 2. The problem with the jumping around here was that the story was trying to show the growing romance between the two main characters. In order to do that, I feel that the reader needs to see them fall in love linearly. Does that make sense? You need to build on something, and these two did, but the reader didn't get to experience the building in any way that made sense because the timeline was not linear. It detracted from the point of the story -- the falling in love.

I also felt like things came together too easily for Axi and Robinson. I feel like sometimes writers start with the idea that they need their characters to be in a certain place at a certain time for particular story development. This is all fine, but they just need to remember that how the characters GET to that point needs to make sense, be logical, and be realistic. One happenstance event? Okay. Several? Ehhh...

Because I am a travel nerd as well as a book nerd, I really enjoyed following along with Axi and Robinson as they experienced new things in each city. I also, of course, really liked Robinson. What a beautiful boy.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

8 Days of Hanukkah: Day 4

To celebrate the 8 days of Hanukkah, the four book nerds will each select an author or book series that is meaningful to us to share with all of you.

Today I'm going to talk about a book series that was meaningful for me in 2012. And the lucky series is....

MAXIMUM RIDE BY JAMES PATTERSON

The beloved 8-book Maximum Ride series came to end this August, with the final book, Nevermore. To give you a sense of how much I loved this series, I consulted my Goodreads to see when I'd read them:

#1 The Angel Experiment: Review posted September 14, 2011

#2 School's Out...Forever: Read from September 26 to 28, 2011

#3 Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports: Read from November 5 to 9, 2011

#4: The Final Warning: Read from November 9 to 13, 2011

#5: Max: Read from November 13 to 17, 2011

#6: Fang: Read from November 17 to 22, 2011

#7: Angel: Read from December 4 to 14, 2011

#8 Nevermore: Read August 2012

So, basically, I just flew through these eight books like it was nothing! I was satisfied with Nevermore: sad to see the series end, but at the same time, I was ready for it. It would have felt like it was dragging for no reason had it kept going.

Some final thoughts on the Maximum Ride series...

1. Favorite book in the series: Fang, hands down. It had surprise, heartbreak, non-stop action...LOVED it!

2. Going back and reading all my reviews, I just noticed that my opinion totally changed on the love story from book 1 to book 8.

3. Shortly after finishing Nevermore, I got the chance to see James Patterson speak. If I could do it again, I would have brought my copy of Fang to the event and stood in line -- no matter how long it was! -- to have him sign it.

Have you read this series? What do you think of it?

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Flo's Favorite Authors

So a few months ago, Mary suggested that we should all post about our favorite authors. She went first, and then was followed by Jacque a few months later. I actually created my list on some Post Its (the best invention ever -- thank you Romy and Michele!), but have not had the chance to post until now. A few things about this list...first, there is no way I could rank these -- are you kidding me?!?! Second, I decided not to include authors that Mary and Jacque already posted about, though without a doubt I share some from both their lists.

Without further ado...

James Patterson

When I was around middle school age, I really loved reading his suspense novels: Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider were two of my favorites. Then, I found myself loving his romance novels: Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas. Sam's Letters to Jennifer, and Sundays at Tiffany's all come to mind. Most recently, I have been obsessed with his YA Maximum Ride novels. He makes the list of my favorite authors for two reasons: first, span of time. I have been reading and loving his books for years. Second, I am in awe with his range of publications. He writes suspense. He writes YA. He writes romance. And he is REALLY GOOD at all of them. My hats off to you, James Patterson. http://jamespatterson.com

Rick Riordan

I was in Kmart one afternoon and for no reason whatsoever decided to buy Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. Best random decision ever! From there, my love of audiobooks was cultivated, as I listened to the entire PJO series on CD. I have simply not read many books that were more clever, more action-packed, more heartfelt, all in the same package. I obsessively began following every Percy Jackson Tumblr ever created after that. I also got myself my very own Camp Half Blood t-shirt. The last book in the series, The Last Olympian, was my favorite. I wasn't even sad to see the series end, though, because as soon as I finished I was lucky enough to be able to immediately jump into the Heroes of Olympus series. Of the two that are out so far, one I listens to one and one I read -- both of them I flew through as fast as I possibly could. The third book of that series comes out next month, and Rick is coming to Miami to promote it! I couldn't be more excited to see him in person and get a signed book. Rick Riordan makes my list because of the cleverness of his stories -- the way he ties things together as well as relates them to mythology -- and the pace of his action-packed writing. http://www.rickriordan.com

John Green

I discovered John Green when I decided to download the ebook The Fault in Our Stars to see what all the hype was about. Let me tell you -- much warranted hype! That book was fantastic. I immediately loved the way he created his characters -- flawed, lovable, real. John Green is on this list precisely because he is one of the best, if not the best, creators of character I read. After TFiOS, I picked up Paper Towns and Will Grayson, Will Grayson. Both of these books got 5* on Goodreads for me. I cannot wait to read An Abundance of Katherines and Looking for Alaska. http://johngreenbooks.com

Cassandra Clare

Two words: Jace Wayland. Jace was the first of many beautifully broken YA bad boys that I have come to love. I discovered The Mortal Instruments from a girlfriend who is not a big reader. We were in Barnes and Noble, and I was telling her how she HAD to read The Hunger Games. She agreed, and responded that I HAD to read The Mortal Instruments -- which, by the way, is a fun story to try to describe to someone who doesn't know what it is. ("So there are all these different types of paranormal creatures, and this brother and sister who you want to hook up...") Wow. I was blown away by these books, and also by Cassie herself. If you don't follow her on Twitter, you should. She makes my list partly because she is one authors who is most interactive with her fans -- it's fantastic. Not only on Twitter, but also on the Mortal Instruments Google Group, which I participated in for awhile. City of Glass is my favorite of Mortal Instruments books, but I have enjoyed the last two (I know there's some mixed reactions there.) As for the Infernal Devices -- soooo good as well. I love that they are set in London in the early 1900s -- what a great setting! Clockwork Prince was absolutely amazing. Right behind my laptop I have a row of, I guess you can call them, Books of Honor -- these are my absolute favorites. From left to right, they are The Hunger Games trilogy, the Mortal Instruments series, the Hunger Games trilogy again (yes, I have multiples -- don't judge!), and the Twilight saga. http://www.cassandraclare.com/

J.K. Rowling

The year was 1999 and I was facilitating a Secret Santa gift exchange with friends in my college dorm. My Secret Santa gave me a book I had never heard of called Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. The rest, as they say, is history. I remember my parents were confused and surprised when I pre-ordered The Half Blood Prince, but had to pre-order to their house because when it came out I would be there and not at my current place of residence. I think that was actually the first book I ever pre-ordered. Nowadays, we toss the word EPIC around a lot and very casually, but the Harry Potter series is really, truly EPIC in its truest sense. Like so many of its readers, I really feel like I grew up alongside Harry and his friends and enemies. The books were incredible, the movies were incredible, and years later they are still making impact (re: Pottermore). J.K. Rowling's story is also incredible and truly admirable. The Casual Vacancy comes out next week, and I am really curious to see her write a world beyond Hogwarts. J.K. Rowling makes my list because her books are truly epic. http://www.jkrowling.com/

BONUS

Cheat: Chick Lit

Next to YA, chick lit is my favorite genre, and has been for a long time. All my life I have identified with the trials of women of all ages as they are touchingly and humorously recounted in books that have kept me company during lazy Saturdays at home, sunny days and nights on the beach, or whenever I wanted to relish in the fun and adventure of being female. Honestly, I could make a list just of my favorite chick lit authors, and I thought about it. But while I in no way want to say that all chick lit books are the same, the genre does have a familiarity for me. I could give you a list, but they were all be on the list for the same reason. So, allow me to just name some of my favorites throughout time as my bonus authors: Ann M. Martin, Judy Blume, Francine Pascal, Lauren Weisberger, Emily Giffin, Jennifer Weiner, Sophie Kinsella. Thank you, ladies, for making reading fun and for reminding me of the greatness of being a girl.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Nevermore by James Patterson

"One last chance...
For Max, Fang, Angel, Iggy, Nudge, and Gazzy.
Before it all ends.

Are you ready for the final chapter? Are you ready for the ultimate flight? Because THIS IS IT. One last incredible, explosive adventure with an astonishing ending that no one could have seen coming." (from Goodreads)

Flo's Review

And so I say goodbye to another beloved series. I flew through (pun intended) all eight of these books, and in true fashion I was done with Nevermore in a few hours. I just didn't want to put it down. The actions, the questions, the emotions kept me trapped in Max's world (or end-of-the-world, if you will) and wouldn't let me go.

The way the end of the book played out totally surprised me. At first I was annoyed. Then I understood Max's decision. Then, when I read further, I liked the way it ended up. Yes, a few small things felt like loose ends to me, but I suppose it's hard and unnecessary to wrap every little thing up without leaving some things for the reader imagination.

So, overall I am very happy with the way this series ended. I love all of the flock and have truly enjoyed the time I've spent in their crazy life.

Have any of you read these series? What did you think of how it all ended?

Some of my past Maximum Ride reviews:

The Angel Experiment
School's Out -- Forever

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Maximum Ride #2: School's Out -- Forever

"Adventure, fighting, backstabbing and love abound" (VOYA) in this action-packed follow-up to the #1 New York Times blockbuster MAXIMUM RIDE: THE ANGEL EXPERIMENT, now available in paperback. The heart-stopping quest of six winged kids--led by fourteen-year-old Max--to find their parents and investigate the mind-blowing mystery of their ultimate destiny continues when they're taken under the wing of an FBI agent and attempt, for the first time, to live "normal" lives. But going to school and making friends doesn't stop them from being relentlessly hunted by sinister spies, who lead Max to face her most frightening match yet: a new and better version of herself." (from Goodreads)

So, we've already established that I have beef with James Patterson for getting me sucked into a whole new series. And now he goes and makes the second book better than the first! This one was all about shades of gray...characters you thought you knew made you second guess them. Is Jeb actually trying to help? Was Angel right about what she realized about Ari? The same goes for new characters: parents. Real and adopted ones show up in this book...that should be a good thing....right?! Maybe not. And what about the Voice? And finally, even Max.

In retrospect, I should have seen the ending plot twist coming, but I totally didn't! To be totally cliche, this series is one ride that thrills me and surprises with its crazy plot turns and twists along the way. Guess I have to hang on tight and see what else Mr. Patterson decides to throw at me!

~Flo~

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson

"In James Patterson's blockbuster series, fourteen-year-old Maximum Ride, better known as Max, knows what it's like to soar above the world. She and all the members of the "flock"--Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman and Angel--are just like ordinary kids--only they have wings and can fly. It may seem like a dream come true to some, but their lives can morph into a living nightmare at any time..." (From Goodreads)

Oh James Patterson! How could you do this to me?! You know very well that I already have an incredibly long TBR pile. And then what do you do? You go and make me invested in a bunch of teenagers with crazy names like Nudge and Fang. *sighs* Even if I wanted to stop reading with this one book (which I don't!) I can't -- you left me with so many questions at the end of this book that I simply MUST keep reading to find out the answers!!

Two quick things I want to say about this book. First, I listened to the audiobook...and it wasn't just an audiobook -- it was a Production. Evan Rachel Wood is one of the most expressive (if not the most expressive) reader I have ever listened to on a book on CD. She always had a hint of laughter in her voice that made the crazy story that much more fun. It also made you realize just how much Max loves her flock.

It's hinted, though, that something might happen with Max and Fang...and I may be in the minority here, but I'm not a fan of that! They grew up together -- they are like brother and sister! They can't start dating! Awkward!

But, yes -- this is a cute read. Though I had my doubts around the middle whether I would stick around to see the series through, I knew by the end that I would.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

1st to Die by James Patterson (Women's Murder Club book 1)

When Mary selected 10th Anniversary for this month's Sunday Mystery Corner, I had to ask for a pass on this read along. I didn't want to start on the tenth book in a series when I had never read a single book written by James Patterson. I have had these books on my to be read list for quite a while, but never had a chance to read them. (The BookNerds keep me very busy with other assignments...Hunger Games, Harry Potter, Mortal Instruments..you get the idea.) Instead of 10th Anniversary, I read 1st to Die, which is the first book in the series. I decided I would give our followers a brief introduction to the characters and my thoughts on the first book to hopefully inspire them to join us in this month's read along.

The Women's Murder Club is formed during 1st to Die in an effort to catch a brutal murderer preying on young newlyweds. Each woman provides a different piece of the puzzle and is essential in solving the crimes. Lindsay Boxer is the homicide detective working the investigation. Her long time friend Claire Washburn is the Medical Examiner assigned to the cases. Cindy Thomas is a reporter that stumbled upon the initial crime scene and develops a relationship with Lindsay. When the investigation seems to have come to a halt, Lindsay decides to introduce Cindy to Claire. The three women meet off the record to brainstorm over margaritas. Once they have enough evidence for a search warrant and arrest, they seek the assistance of Jill Bernhardt the assistant district attorney. When Lindsay decides that the case is not taking the direction she first thought it was, she invites Jill to their next club meeting...over more margaritas of course. Their friendship, strong work ethic, and expertise in their fields enables them to crack a case that is far more than it initially appears to be.

Patterson had me on the edge of my seat from the initial crime to the final scene. I was sure I knew who the murderer was with about 100 pages left in the book. I sent Mary a message and she said to keep reading. After another 50 pages...I was sure it was someone else. She once again said to keep reading. I was SHOCKED by who was eventually responsible for the crimes. I didn't see it coming at all, but in retrospect it makes complete sense. Patterson laid out an amazing murder mystery with brilliant characters. I can't wait to read the rest of this series. Hopefully I will be able to fit one in here and there between all of my BookNerd assignments.

-Jacque

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