Private

This was a great book to listen to as I traveled. It really held my interest and the length was perfect for a day's drive, 6 CD's.
Private is a very posh detective agency that handles high brow clients with problems they wish to keep quiet and out of the media. They are working pro bono with the police, to solve a serial murder case. The murderer is using the internet to snare his victims with faked text messages. Young schoolgirls are being lured to their deaths. Since the agency is also working on several other investigations at the same time, involving among other things, famous personages, the mob, athletes and friends, there are many sub-plots intertwining.
I found that, as it is with so many novels these days, sex was thrown in for show more no reason at all, since it added nothing to the plot and was actually distracting and made it seem silly at times. It is for that reason, I only gave it three stars. I think a book should be able to stand on its own merit because the story is good, rather than the lurid details of an unnecessary sexual encounter which adds nothing to the themes being developed.
The characters are colorful and well described. Although there are an abundance, they are easy to identify and remember whenever they come up. In the end, all of the loose ends and unsolved mysteries are resolved in this exciting novel. However, as you discover the workings of the agency, you will find an ethical dilemma or two. The detectives are brazen, sometimes using unorthodox methods and performing unsavory deeds. They work behind the scenes, often at odds with the police and hand in glove with the mob. In some cases, I wondered if they were any better than the criminal. Who is to say that a man who orders a hit is more of a criminal than the detective who orders a hit because the guilty person has escaped judgment? I suppose since one is sanctioning the death of an innocent party and one a guilty one, the line between what is ethical and what lacks ethics, is blurred. Where does honor end and dishonor begin? If you solve a crime and then shield the criminal, are you not, in some way, complicit, an accessory?
Although the author probably did not mean to raise these philosophical questions, I found myself thinking of them. If you do something corrupt in the interest of justice, does that make it less corrupt? Does anyone have the right to take justice into their own hands? These thoughts were raised by the twists and turns that shaped this novel. show less

Jack Morgan, an ex-Marine and all-around tough guy, runs a private investigation company with his buddies Rick Del Rio, Justine Smith, and Emilio Cruz. This first book in the series has them searching for multiple killers and unraveling an NFL nightmare involving the mafia bribing referees. The plot features lots of action and is packed into short, concise chapters. I found this a fascinating story with many interesting characters. I can't wait to see what the future holds for Private.

This book left me confused. On the one hand it's terrible, badly written, packed with characters that blur together and incident that doesn't grip; on the other I finished it and fully expect to read the next in the series. It's a bit like watching a bad 90s cop show on TV whilst simultaneously playing Candy Crush on your phone - it passes the time in the easiest way possible but leaves you feeling a bit used.

James Patterson and Maxine Paetro have teamed up again for their 8th successful collaboration. Private is the first in a new series featuring former Marine Jack Morgan. Morgan inherited both money and his business from his incarcerated father. The name of the firm? Private.

With money being no object, Morgan is able to hire the best in every field. Private's forensic labs are better than many law enforcement agencies. And discretion is the word at Private, as they cater to high profile cases.

Private has three cases running at the same time in this initial outing. Jack's best friend's wife has been murdered. A look into her background uncovers she's not the woman her husband thought. The owner of an NFL team approaches the firm to show more investigate possible corruption at a crucial level. And last but not least, some sicko is killing young schoolgirls - 18 to date. The local police force agrees to let the Private firm assist them with this investigation. (This stretched believability a bit)

I have been listening to all of Patterson's books now. I find that they're pretty good entertainment in audio format. Nothing to tax your brain, but a story that does keep you engaged while leaving your hands free. All the prerequisites for a classic Patterson are there - suspense, killers, a personal storyline, romance/sex and short chapters with cliffhanger endings. Although the name dropping was meant to let us know that Jack moves in certain circles, I found naming celebrities more than once simply gratuitous.

I liked the Jack Morgan character and the book ended with an opening to a sequel, which I would listen to. The support team is an eclectic bunch, some with secrets of their own. I did have to laugh when one of Jack's love interests turned out to be a bonny colleen from Ireland. The same character with a different name appears in the Det. Michael Bennett series.

Peter Hermann was the reader. He has an excellent speaking voice, clear and easily understood. His voice radiates emotions easily. And he did a passable job with that Irish colleen!

All in all, a good listen. Patterson and Paetro's next collaboration - 10th Anniversary - a Women's Murder Club book is due out May 2/11 show less

Former Marine and CIA agent Jack Morgan inherits his father's renowned security and detective business--along with a case load that tests him to the breaking point. Getting to the bottom of an NFL gambling scandal and an unsolved LAPD investigation into 18 school girl slayings would be enough. On top of all that, Morgan takes on solving the horrific murder of his best friend's wife.

As Morgan fights the urge to exact brutal revenge on that killer, he has to navigate a workplace imbroglio that could blow the roof off his elite agency. And it's an especially explosive situation . . . because the love affair is his own.

I think I am becoming anti James Patterson. The reason being that his books don’t do much for me anymore. They all seem show more to be the same. The main character is Jack Morgan but there is nothing to define him from other main men. He could be Alex Cross or Michael Bennet. I feel bad thinking like this about his books because JP is one of my favourite authors but for me he has lost his spark. Maybe it is because he is churning out books all the time ? If you have never read any of his books dear reader don’t be put off with my review as they are very good, pacy thrillers, just lately for me they have lost their sparkle. show less

I picked this one up a couple years ago when it was offered for free by Audible. It sat in my library forgotten as I kept choosing to listen to other books instead. After finishing up my last audio book I didn't know what I wanted to listen to next, remembered I had this one downloaded and gave it a go.

Private is a world renowned investigative agency, known for it's fast results and keeping it's clients information private. Jack Morgan inherited the business when his father died and has worked hard to make the company what it is today. Currently on deck is an investigation into NFL game fixing, looking into the unsolved slayings of sixteen schoolgirls and also looking into the murder his best friend's wife.

This is the first time I've show more read James Patterson so I don't know if all his books are like this or if this is more the influence of the ghost writer. There are too many plots and too many choppy chapters which made for weird pacing. Throw in Jack's junkie brother in trouble with the mob and Jack's flashbacks to his marine days and its just too few pages to do any of the stories justice. Which is a shame as there are some good ideas in here that could make great books on their own.

On the flip side, I enjoyed the narrator Peter Hermann. His voice is great for a private investigator and he tried to inject some emotion to the mostly flat characters.

Also, who puts extra chapters in their epilogue?? That was just strange. show less

An excellent book by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro. It holds the attention and is an easy, quick read due to the short chapters. At first I couldn't relate to the characters but that's probably because I'm used to the women's murder club and Alex Cross. As the book went on I enjoyed it more and more and thought the various plots excellent. Jack Morgan's past experiences as a marine and his twin brother's involvement makes it more interesting and I am looking forward to more.