Crosshairs

Crosshairs, James Patterson, James O. Born, authors; Peter Giles, Will Collyer, narrators
Who is the sniper? That is the theme of this novel. Someone seems to be arbitrarily choosing victims to murder, but are they really arbitrary, or are they somehow connected? Michael Bennett is assigned to this case. Rob Trilling, a troubled former Army Ranger, is assigned to work along with him. They have to find the answers. Rob is a young, quiet, and intense young man who hates wrongdoing, but very little else is known about him or why he was transferred from the FBI to Mike’s police unit to work on this case with him. As they get to know each other, we learn the answers.
The story seems to flow easily, but it is filled with extraneous dialogue show more that feels as if it was included simply to fill up pages. Rob’s home life is explored and compared to Mike’s home life with his new wife. Although he has ten previously adopted children, Mike and Mary Catherine are now trying to have another baby. The ten children behave as only children in a fairy tale behave. They are all almost perfect caricatures of what adults and children should be, and they are entertaining.
Along with this story of happy family life, there is the sadder story of the former military men and women who are suffering from PTSD, those who have a hard time readjusting to life outside of the discipline of the military. That story is coupled with those that have used their skills to become successful after military service.
To solve this murder mystery, the investigators have to think about who has the skills a sniper needs to commit murder? Who is trained to be a sniper. Thoughts turn to law enforcement and the military, quite naturally. As the story develops, it often seems a bit contrived as the “nine lives” of Rob and Mike seem to be tested over and over in dangerous situations. Do they follow all the leads or seem to follow only those pointing in a certain direction to solve the crime quickly? Are they interested in catching the real villain or just to close the books on this case? Do orders ever come from higher up to put some crimes under the rug? Do detectives and FBI investigators often jump to conclusions just to solve a crime or cover one up?
Is Rob, only 22 years old, really able to know what is in the sniper’s mind, or could Rob be the sniper? He seems too young, as if he has too little experience to make his valuable assessments. How does the relationship between Mike and his young partner Rob change this story’s trajectory? As clues surface that indicate dirty politicians, drugs and human trafficking, they seem to have been ignored and were never followed up by the authorities. Why? Is someone manipulating the evidence or the investigation? How deep does the seeming coverup go? Is it possible for one person to engineer so many crimes and coverups or is there a cult of corruption infecting law enforcement and the military? As everyone jumps to conclusions, the reader will see how their minds work and find the flaws that the investigating arms apparently do not see.
This is an easy read, perfect for an audio while driving or a quick read on the beach. While it will make you think about the corruption and arrogance of those involved, it won’t make you think too hard. show less

Cross Hairs is the seventeenth book in the Michael Bennett series by James Patterson and his co-write James O. Born and was first published in 2024. This series is based in New York and Michael Bennett is the top homicide detective in the city, his home along with his ten adopted children and his Irish wife Mary Catherine.

Adam Glossner had it all, a wife, children and an upmarket apartment overlooking Central Park and the Hudson River, he was master of everything he surveyed. Unfortunately, that does not stop him being killed while stood on the balcony of his apartment and nobody heard a thing. Michael Bennett is called out to the murder scene and can see that his murder victim has been shot by someone with sniper rifle skills. While he show more investigates the case which seems to be linked to other shooting cases across the city Bennett gains a new partner, Rob Trilling.

His new partner raises a few flags to Bennett, as Trilling has bounced around the NYPD since joining and had even been loaned to the FBI fugitive team. Trilling had issues like many former army veterans who had served their country, was silent and quite often disappeared without much warning. As a former Ranger, though not a sniper he was a very good shot, which Bennett had observed while out at West Point. Something just does not sit right with Bennett, and he reports this and if causes a world of problems especially when it seems to stir the investigation up. While trying to investigate his partner he has to investigate the sniper case where little to no evidence is being collected. Bennett is sure that someone in law enforcement is acting as the lone ranger and needs to be stopped.

This thriller keeps you hooked as you can understand Bennett’s concerns about his new partner who never seems to communicate all that much. With a bent officer possibly being the shooter Bennett does not know who to trust and his only safe haven is when he goes home. With the family dynamic it certainly helps him to relax and not brood over the crimes.

Cross Hairs is a book that will keep you guessing all the way to the end. It really is a good read with a comforting ending renewing you faith in the power of family show less

Crosshairs is another Detective Michael Bennett thriller story. Five stars were given to this book because from the beginning to the end one is engaged. The characters are believable, the settings are believable and the story is believable. It is highly recommended.