Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Book Review: Worst Case by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge


Worst Case by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Publish Date: February 1, 2010
Hardcover, 400 pages


My Review:
There is something about the breakneck pace of James Patterson books that I love.  And Worst Case doesn't disappoint in that area at all.  It's the typical James Patterson -  a thrill ride the whole way that reads quickly and satisfactorily.

Worst Case features NY Detective Michael Bennett who has been in two earlier books.  I will honestly say that I didn't think I was sold on this series.  I loved Alex Cross from and the Women's Murder Club from the beginning, but for some reason, I didn't like this series as  much.  I'm really not sure why.  Michael Bennett is a great guy, he wants to right the wrongs of society and does what he can through his police work.  His wife died a while back and left him with 10 kids that they adopted.  He also has the help of his grandfather Seamus (who I love), the priest.  The kids are interesting and the nanny, has been a possible love interest.  Whta is not to like about all of that.

I think it all just came together for me in this book and I know I will be picking up the next book in the series. 

So in summary - good suspense, great thrill-ride, a little confusing romance and some funny scenes as well make Worst Case a very enjoyable book.

My Rating;  4.0/5.0


About the Book:
Best case: survival

The son of one of New York's wealthiest families is snatched off the street and held hostage. His parents can't save him, because this kidnapper isn't demanding money. Instead, he quizzes his prisoner on the price others pay for his life of luxury. In this exam, wrong answers are fatal.

Worst case: death

Detective Michael Bennett leads the investigation. With ten kids of his own, he can't begin to understand what could lead someone to target anyone's children. As another student disappears, one powerful family after another uses their leverage and connections to turn the heat up on the mayor, the press--anyone who will listen--to stop this killer. Their reach extends all the way to the FBI, who send their top Abduction Specialist, Agent Emily Parker. Bennett's life--and love life--suddenly get even more complicated.

This case: Detective Michael Bennett is on it

Before Bennett has a chance to protest the FBI's intrusion on his case, the mastermind changes his routine. His plan leads up to the most devastating demonstration yet--one that could bring cataclysmic devastation to every inch of New York. From the shocking first page to the last exhilarating scene, Worst Case is a non-stop thriller from "America's #1 storyteller" (Forbes).

About the Author (from Amazon.com):
James Patterson is one of the bestselling writers of all time, with more than 170 million copies of his books sold worldwide. He is the author of the two most popular detective series of the past decade, featuring Alex Cross and the Women's Murder Club. He has won an Edgar Award--the mystery world's highest honor--and his novels Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider were made into feature films. His lifelong work to promote books and reading is reflected in his new website, ReadKiddoRead.com, which helps parents, grandparents, teachers and librarians find the very best children's books for their kids. He lives in Florida.

Michael Ledwidge is the author of The Narrowback, Bad Connection, and most recently,the coauthor, with James Patterson,of The Quickie, Step on a Crack, and Run For Your Life.

James Patterson's website.


FTC Information: I checked this book out from my wonderful local library for my reading pleasure.  I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws.  I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.



Waiting on Wednesday - July 7



"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I read all of James Patterson's books and this one looks interesting, and it's a new-to-me co-author.



The Postcard Killers by James Patterson and Liza Marklund
Release: August 16, 2010
NYPD detective Jack Kanon is on a tour of Europe's most gorgeous cities. But the sights aren't what draw him--he sees each museum, each cathedral, and each restaurant through a killer's eyes.

Kanon's daughter, Kimmy, and her boyfriend were murdered while on vacation in Rome. Since then, young couples in Paris, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, and Stockholm have become victims of the same sadistic killers. Now Kanon teams up with the Swedish reporter, Gabby Larsen. Every killing is preceded by a postcard to the local newspaper--and Kanon and Larsen think they know where the next victims will be. With relentless logic and unstoppable action, The Postcard Killers may be James Patterson's most vivid and compelling thriller yet.
So what are you waiting on this week?