Gone

Michael Bennett, an NYPD detective, now lives in Northern California on Mr. Cody's cattle ranch after being placed in the Federal Witness Protection program. Although milking cows, feeding pigs and chickens, and riding horses is fun for his ten kids at first, after nine months and counting, the troops are growing a tad restless being without friends, school, and technology. Since being left out of the loop on the chase for the drug cartel czar-turned international criminal, Manuel Perrine, who has vowed to kill Mike and his family, Michael is also longing for his old life investigating crime and putting away bad guys. The only one that's thriving on the farm is Mary Catherine, Michael's full-time Irish nanny, who grew up on a farm show more herself.

Michael gets his wish when the FBI requests his presence in LA to consult with the task force searching for Perrine after the psychopathic killer ramps up his war on his rivals and law enforcement. As Michael and the task force continue to stay one step behind Perrine's trained killers, the tension builds as the cartel closes in on the location of the Bennett family's hideout. Filled with suspense, action, and humorous family banter, this sixth book in the series comes roaring back as an entertaining roller coaster ride with a wicked ending. show less

By my count this is the 47th James Patterson book I have read. And my reviews for them all look pretty much the same except for the Alex Cross novels which are my absolute favourite.

Why I love them:
1)Short chapters
2)Fast paced
3)Freaking unbelievable

Now although Patterson is criticised for joining up with other authors and writing several books a year, I find that I don't really care. I still really enjoy them and can read one in a day. I like that! As I have hundreds of books at home and I want to read them all. If they were all Patterson, they'd be done in no time at all. I do take a break from them time to time as I find myself turning into a bit of a detective. Plus then I want to trust no-one....
These co-written books aren't as good show more as the original Patterson ones but as long as they can hold my interest, I find that I don't care much. All in all, a decent book by my standards. (Now to save this and copy and paste it for the next 20 Patterson books I have on my TBR)
P.S When is he gonna get with Mary Catherine already?! Jheez! I'm reading these books in order but Michael's life is so blimming complicated! The guy needs to slow down or retire already. He's not learn't even though he is repeatedly putting his family at risk! show less

Wow, this was a real action-packed book. Bodies were piling up everywhere. I enjoy the Michael Bennett series, and this one didn't disappoint.
Michael Bennett was responsible for capturing Manuel Perrine, a Mexican Cartel leader, and after Manuel escaped, there was a price on Bennett's head. He and his entire family were put into a witness protection program and were whisked off to a safe house in rural California. It didn't take Manuel long, after his escape to gather his forces, and pursue consolidating other cartels power with his own. If they didn't agree, there was immediate revenge, and as I mentioned, the bodies started to pile up. Soon, the powers that be realize only Michael Bennett could fix this, and they beg him to help. show more Since he was used to NYC, rural California had been hard for Bennett to get used to, and he was thrilled with the idea of getting back in the action, if he could be assured his family would remain safe.
Everyone is involved with this mission, the armed forces, local police, FBI etc and they all seem one step behind Manuel.
Lots of action, and a quick read. show less

This is a very quick read. You can read it in a day if you have all day. I went to bed right at a critical point in the book and woke up at 3 a.m. and had to finish it. I couldn't sleep not knowing what was going to happen next. I like the Bennett family series. I liked that this book had more of the kids' personalities, you got to know them a little bit. This was very fast paced storyline whether it could really happen who cares. It was entertaining. I still don't understand why James Patterson has had writing partners the last several years. I feel he is a fine writer without them. Unless it's so he can crank out more books each year. I think you can read this one on its own without reading the books in before it in the series. But I show more recommend the entire series. show less

I didn't love this one, even though I usually love Michael Bennett's crew, and especially Seamus. I thought this had too much forced interaction, especially with Leo and the whole story felt rushed. They could have spent less time with Mr. Cody and more time on the rescue. Did Mr. Cody's friend get killed? Who put the cloth over Mary Catherine's face? It was all left unanswered. Sometimes the Patterson factory needs to slow down a bit.

Gone resumes the story where I, Michael Bennett finished on it's cliff hanger with the Bennett family forced into witness protection after an assassination attempt by the cartel.

Now, numerous months later Manuel Perrine, cartel head, man responsible for Bennett's family being in hiding, has continued his reign of terror and only become more bloodthirsty and violent whilst the Bennett family has begun to fit into farm life and Bennett himself is slowly going stir crazy. With no new leads and lacking investigative direction on the Perrine case the decision is made to bring the one man who managed to apprehend Perrine, Detective Michael Bennett, back in.

It's quite the action filled romp with Perrine effectively going against the might of show more the US Government after poking the bear one too many times. Like the prior books it's got a pretty snappy pace and there's still the on again off again romance with Mary Catherine, this time a US Marshall also capturing some of her attention. show less

I really like this series by James Patterson. You have a crazy Mexican drug lord who has great fashion sense, the Bennett family with their herd of children, nanny and Grandpa who is a priest, lots of excitment with the bad asses of law enforcement,shake it up and you are served a chilling martini. Great read and quick too. Perfect for a weekend read.