James O. Born

In the 14th installment of the Michael Bennett series, Bennett ignores a call from his best friend and former partner, Emily Parker, because he is on his honeymoon with his new wife. When they return home, he discovers that Emily is missing. Michael heads to DC to investigate Emily's disappearance. DC doesn't want a NY cop interfering in their jurisdiction. While investigating, Michael finds that Emily had several, potentially difficult, relationships, which provide a long list of suspects. show more Meanwhile, Michael desperately misses his family and new wife.
I typically enjoy this series, but this installment felt a little flat for me. show less

Miami detective Tom Moon, heading a special FBI “Operation Guardian” task force, comes up against a Russian crime syndicate with tentacles throughout Europe. Firmly entrenched in Miami and hiding behind a mask of respectability, the crimes of Emile and Roman Rostoff have netted them a great deal of money at the expense of others.

Can Tom and his investigative team find a way to take down the Rostoff brothers and destroy their deadly syndicate?

Interesting characters, a strong sense of show more place, and realistic police procedures make this intriguing narrative difficult to set aside. The strong backstory for Tom Moon makes the character both relatable and empathetic while the timely human trafficking story gives readers insight into the young victims of this odious crime and keeps the suspense building. Patterson’s trademark short chapters keep the tension escalating as the unfolding story spins out a few unexpected surprises.

James Patterson’s many fans will find much to appreciate here; this promising start of a new series is sure to garner fans anticipating the next chapter in Tom Moon’s adventures.

Highly recommended. show less

An anonymous tip proves to be a set-up, resulting in tragedy. But the resulting investigation finds only phantoms; the killer is a professional assassin . . . and Michael Bennett is the target.

The author’s trademark short chapters keep the tension building as the action rushes along at breakneck speed. All the expected characters are in place; the plot twists and turns as the harrowing cat-and-mouse game keeps the reader intrigued and the pages turning. It’s a quick read, but an show more enjoyable addition to the Michael Bennett canon.

A BookShots tale, “Manhunt” follows the “Ambush” story in this book.

Recommended. show less

Other than the Alex Cross series, this is the only other Patterson series that I really like. i started reading it because it was about a large Irish family which I certainly know a great deal about from personal experience. The family has eleven children, a live in Irish nanny who has become a love interest to widower Detective Michael Bennett, and Seamus, Michael's 85 year old grandfather and a well respected priest. It's an unbelievable, perfect family...a bit "too" perfect. There is show more always a murder or something that Michael is investigating so that levels the playing field. Anyone that wants a police procedural without a lot of grit or violence will enjoy meeting the Bennett family. show less