james patterson...worth the effort?

I was reading an article about James Patterson today and realized I haven't read anything by him. He's got 4 or 5 hardcovers out at a time it seems like, so he's at least prolific. Would anyone recommend him, and if so, any particular novel?

His Alex Cross books aren't too bad, though I think the earlier ones are better.

His Murder of King Tut was pretty good too.

My wife and daughter enjoy his books as easy reading diversions, and would answer your subject line question with "there is no effort". They joke about his having a new chapter every 2 pages.

He's not my cup of tea, but they've been reading him for years.

Eh, I say no. I read a couple of Alex Cross novels way back when...before Patterson started being a brand name more than a writer, and they didn't take. I think there are many better choices out there in the thriller genre. Just check the 'recommend me a book' threads.

>3 jnwelch:
The last Patterson book I read (not a Cross book) did have a new chapter every 2 pages. Very irritating. And he is very often too saccharin for me, especially in his depiction of family life. No family is that perfect.

No - don't bother

My mother-in-law reads him all the time, and then sends us the books. Neither my wife or I care for him at all. (Myself thru hearsay, my wife via actually reading a couple of his).

The woman that cuts my hair read one of them (I think the hardcover one with the firey W) and was disturbed by the fact that it involved dead children. So apparently you have to be able to handle that (I can, but I'd rather read genuine horror instead, like Brian Keene).

I can tell you that in the Thriller Genre, I like Vince Flynn and James Rollins, Tom Clancy was ok but a little too overly detailed, and while Relic was good, Reliquary was stupid by Preston and Child.

I still have a large number of authors on my "try out" list (David Baldacci, Brad Thor, David Lynn Golemon, Ted Bell, Stephen Coonts, Daniel Silva). Notice that Patterson isn't on that list at all.

I'm with a number of the other people on this thread. Go elsewhere.

My recommendations:

Vince Flynn - Term Limits first, and then the Mitch Rapp series (must be read in order).

James Rollins - Sandstorm if you want to read his series first (I've read Sandstorm, still have to read the others), or if you would rather read his standalones first, he wrote Subterranean first, but my opinion is that Deep Fathom is his best one, and Amazonia seems to be the most popular when it comes to other people I know that also read his books.

Hope this helps.

Yeah there's probably a reason I've not read Patterson up to this point.

#7 I'll say that the Ted Bell that I read was...far-fetched, but it was a fun read.

I used to love Patterson and then he did become so prolific and I understand mostly uses ghost and/or co-writers now so it's not even him anymore.

I personally loved the new chapter every few pages - I'd read an article on time that explained that he wrote out a book and then went back through and took out everything that didn't need to be there. I think the books move along at lightening speed and I was along for the ride.

But now they are just like fast-food and leave a bad taste in my mouth.

>3 jnwelch:. "easy reading diversions"--that's a really good description. I read constantly, mostly biographies, memoirs, histories, some "good" fiction. Reading Patterson for me is like eating potato chips--sometimes potato chips are exactly what I want. However, his books have really fallen off, as if he has someone else writing them--which would be no suprise.

I also was a fan of the early Alex Cross novels. The later ones really aren't worth the time or effort, IMO. Two-page chapters--he's worked that one to the point of absurdity. Maybe his demographic studies tell him that all of his fans have ADD.

>7 ThrillerFan:. I really enjoy Daniel Silva's books with the Gabriel Allon character. There's something like 8 or 9 of them, with a new one due out in June. Like any other series, I think Silva could benefit from working on something new--the last few books have been repetitious. However, overall, I think it's a good series. If someone could ONLY get him to quit using words like "atop." Ugh.

#10

labwriter, the first book of his that I received was his standalone, The Unlikely Spy.

It's funny you talk about having a series that is too long. Look at David Baldacci or W.E.B. Griffin, who have far more than 1 series, and then look at say, Lee Child, or Sue Grafton, or anyone else who has one series that keeps going and going and going and ... (uhm...since when were books written by a bunny that plays a drum?)

Some series do get old. I haven't found that thus far with the Mitch Rapp series (I'm on the 6th book, read the first 5, and the standalone novel, Term Limits).

>11 ThrillerFan:. Thanks for the tip about the Mitch Rapp series. I'll put them on my wishlist. I'm always looking for a good series.

I don't mind, if an author can maintain a series and set of characters for 50 books--go ahead, I would love that. I was sort of speaking specifically of Silva's Gabriel Allong series. I like those books very much, and maybe it's unrealistic to expect a long series (he's written 10, I think) not to have repetition.

Sue Grafton set an insane goal for herself from the very beginning. I'm going to admit here in public (gulp) that I enjoy her books, although I liked the middle titles better than the most recent ones. I have to wonder--if she could, would she just say--done! and not write V,W,X,Y, and Z?

I read The 5th Horseman and didn't like it, it lacked a lot of substance for me and was a bit overly simplistic. I think the ultra short chapters threw me off too, scenes changed a bit too quickly for my liking and it was tough to get into them.

I realize I came in on the middle of a series by picking up that book but if it is any indication of his other books I think I'll pass.

Like some previous posters, I enjoyed the early Alex Cross novels, which I found quite gripping, but he's now more of a production line than a writer and the last few I've read haven't really been worth it. I tend to pursue series to the end once I've started, but I'm considering giving this one up ... so many books, so little time.

I enjoy James Patterson when I want something quick and easy but I also think is good.

And I also enjoy the fast chapters especially having a toddler.

My recent recommendations, The Swimsuit, a bit graphic for some and The Quickie, many twists in this one.

I also think you should try one he wrote on his own and when he collaborates, I prefer the collaborations.

I think his novels are hit or miss. I started the "Quickie" and thought it was awful, but I've read all of his Women's Murder Club (the numbers books) and they've been pretty good. Just like Robert Parker, his earlier ones are much better written.

His first few novels were okay. But it's been downhill from there onwards. His current gimmick of having "co-authors" do the grunt work while he lends his "creative inputs" is, in my opinion, a neat piece of smoke and mirrors. Save you time and money and read something else.

I love reading a Patterson book when I want a quick, easy read that is still a mystery. Sometimes I get myself into so many "heavy" and intense mystery/thriller books that I need something a little more "light" and easy. The short chapters help make it a faster read. I find I am done with them in a day or two but it is a nice break from books that I have to read every detail closely.

I would not say I love Patterson books but I definitely like them and enjoy the quick read.

I agree that his earlier books were better. However, the Patterson I prefer to read is Richard North Patterson.

Patterson seems to be cranking his novels out too fast. Still, Cross is one of the most interesting characters ever created in the suspense genre, not to mention the character of his live-in grandmother. When he melds a great villain for Cross to catch, along with a fast-moving and believable plot, Patterson is tough to beat.

I have heard many good things about Patterson's Alex Cross's Trial. I have never read anything by him, so jumped at the chance to get a copy. Personally, I thought it was quite good, nicely paced and think most would enjoy it.

James Patterson is an easy read. I work in a library and read alot. The small chapters make it easy to get through a book in a short time. I read mostly during breaks at work. And I do enjoy the stories.

I only read one book of him, 2nd Chance.
I liked it. A colleague of mine recommended him to me: we share an interest in crime writers.

Well, I finally got around to reading The Big Bad Wolf while I was on vacation this past week. My main complaint is that the characters weren't very well developed. Maybe that's because this is a later book in the Alex Cross series, I'm not sure. It was okay for passing the time for a couple of days, but I don't think that Patterson will be on my must read list.

I have to admit that I'm a big Patterson fan. I've read everything he's written, and like the Cross books, Max series, and women's mystery club books the best.

I like the Mitch Rapp series a lot, also think Lee Childs' books are great.

I have to admit that I'm a big Patterson fan. I've read everything he's written, and like the Cross books, Max series, and women's mystery club books the best.

I read one book once. I'm not going to make that mistake again. I managed to finish it because I felt I owed it to my sister for recommending it, but it seemed to me that my cat could have written better. Having said that my sister absolutely loves them and it was easy to read just very unsatisfying! I guess it’s a case of making up your own mind.

Some of his early stuff is decent beach reading, but nothing with a co-author and nothing remotely recent. He is well known for using ghost writers and, in my opinion, ones that can't write their way out of a paper bag.

Like many I enjoyed his earlier books, but over time I could no longer tell one from another. They are easy reads, but there are better easy reads out there. As I think someone else mentioned, the Reacher books by Lee Child are good. I would also recommend Kyle mills and Brian Haig. They are maybe not quite as brain candyish, but still relatively easy reads, and lots of fun.

I'm with everyone else, I loved his Alex Cross books but feel his later books leave a lot to be desired.

I've moved on to Karen Rose's novels now. Haven't read a bad book yet.

I have read all of James Patterson's books but Ticktock, Toys and the 10th Anniversary. I love his Alex Cross series and I really like The Womens Murder Club and Michael Bennett series as well. My favorite is Don't Blink.

I did not read Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider because I saw the movies and I didn't like themas well as the rest of the books.

I enjoyed Don't Blink too. However, I just finished 10th Anniversary and was a bit disappointed. It began to read like a romance novel. I hope Patterson gets back to what got me hooked on the Women's Murder Club series with number 11.

OH, I hate to hear that. I have the 10th Anniversary on hold at the library. I could not get into Toys either. I started it on audiobook and it just didn't do anything for me at all. After the second CD I stopped listening. It's strange because this is the first book by James Patterson that I just didn't care for.

I've read a few of his books & have enjoyed them, but they are rather like the Harliquen Romance of the thriller/mystery genre.

I use to really enjoyed Patterson's Alex Cross series. Then one week-end I picked up one of the Max series and the latest Harry Bosch novel by Michael Connelly It was the difference between a boloney sandwich (hold the cheese) and a 12 course dinner.

The last couple of Alex Cross novels really strained credibility since Cross, once so street smart and savvy in the USA, simply stumbled through multiple African counties on emotional decision making with no touch of reality and survived only by major plot twists, gratuitous murders, and a weird and not deserved "famous person" level of protection. IMHO, Patterson is now just a name used by numerous ghost writers and co-writers to make money. I am sure he is making lots of money but it is sad to see the quality of his work.