Murder Games by James Patterson and Howard Roughan

                     I am no big fan of the assembly line thrillers that come out of the James Patterson syndicate. As a matter of fact, I try to avoid them as far as possible since most of the recent works from the JP factory (books written by one of his many collaborators , but invariably featuring 'his' name in 'bigger fonts' in the jacket cover)have been pretty medicore. I picked up 'Murder Games'(also published as 'Instinct' in some territories) as it had been recently made into a successful television show. I must say that the book turned out to be much better than I expected.
                   The setting and the basic premise are pretty generic.There is a serial-killer on the run and our protagonist ,Elizabeth Needham is an NYPD detective who is in charge of this case .She turns to the brilliant professor, Dr Dylan(whose book on criminal behaviour the killer seems to be following) for help .Meanwhile the upstate tabloids have found a nick name for the killer, "The Dealer".Murder Games is basicallt the cat-and-mouse game between "The Dealer" and our investigators-Elizabeth and Dr Dylan.
                  The twists were interesting and the climax was also pretty decent.I kind of liked how the author(s) etched out Dr Dylan's personal life.Like anyother book from the JP syndicate, the language is pretty easy-to-read and the chapters are also short.

On the whole, I'm giving it a 3 out of 5.

-nikhimenon

Ultra-short Notes on James Patterson's 'The Thomas Berryman Number'

               I am no fan of James Patterson.I have read a couple of his books before and  found them to be totally mediocre.Picked up this book as I was told that this had won him the Edgar award for the best debut (way back in the 70s). May be at that point of time, people might have enjoyed reading this work ,but for a reader like me who belongs to a different era , the book was not at all relatable.With a confusing and snail paced plot,this debut work about a hitman and his escapades is at best left untouched.

-nikhimenon

Private India By James Patterson and Ashwin Sanghi

Title:Private India
Authors:Ashwin Sanghi,James Patterson
Publisher:Arrow Books
Pages:470+
Source:Blogadda Book Review Program 
Price:299 INR/-

                 
                         James Patterson is the 'Salman Khan' of Crime fiction.His books have sold millions of copies worldwide and he is undoubtedly one of the most successful authors of the present generation.So naturally,ever since the news about the collaboration between the world's best selling author and one of India's most read writer came out,millons of their fans(including me) have been waiting badly for the book to hit the market.'Private India' got released In India last month,generated mixed reviews among the critics but quite expectedly climbed the best-seller charts in no time.Though this is my first book in the 'Private' series(which is already 8 books old),I'm actually happy that I have got introduced to this internationally best selling series through it's eighth instalment which is set in my home country,i.e India. 
                           Coming to the plot (which is too generic,btw),a series of bizarre murders(with victims ranging from the Chief Justice of Mumbai High Court to a page 3 Journo) is rocking the Mumbai City.As the local Police is too 'lazy' to investigate the murders(!),the job is entrusted to the Indian wing of the World's largest Private detective agency of which the ex-Policeman,Santhosh Wagh is the head.What follows is a rollercoaster ride(supposedly) through the length and breadth of Mumbai,culminating in a mediocre climax.During this journey,we are also introduced to atleast a dozen characters some of which are a local Don,a Godman,and a shrewd Politician(it's a different story that some of these characters serve no real purpose in the narrative and merely act as 'distractions'!).  
                           Those of you who have read Sanghi's and Patterson's works earlier, will know that neither Ashwin nor JP believes in wasting time/pages trying to establish the principal characters before entering into the central plot.'Private India' is no different.By the time the book reaches it's 45 th page,the reader has not only got acquainted with the protagonist,his aides(Nisha,Hari et al) and the detective agency which they run, but also knows that two high profile murders have taken place in the heart of Mumbai with both the victims being beautiful,highly successful females.
                           The book is definitely a fast read.The writing is decent with enough detailing (sometimes even excessive) and frequent plot twists.The book design and the font size is also done in such a way that it will appeal to the masses.Sanghi has made sure that the book has a 'heavy desi flavour' to it by incorporating the essence of India in every way possible. 
                                       On the downside,the book is a celebration of cliches.From the alcoholic protagonist with a troubled past to the stereotyping of Indian culture,almost all the cliches' are in place.The innumerable sub-plots(the 'Santhosh Wagh-Police Chief Roopesh' track ,the ISI-Indian Mujahideen angle,to name a few) and the half-hearted attempt at historical fiction (the portion involving the ancient thuggie cult and so on)which falls flat also takes away some of the sheen of this work.At close to 480+ pages,Private India is definitely way too long and there are atleast half a dozen characters who have no relevance to the main plot.The authors seem to have included them just to create confusion among the readers about the identity of the killer.The writers have tried to mix a little bit of everything (Bollywood,Politics,Terrorism,Corruption,Religion,Mafia) into their 'Indian adventure' and ends up doing justice to none.The climax is also a big let down and one gets the feeling that JP and Sanghi wanted to wrap up things somehow.Inspite of all these short comings,'Private India' is an okay time pass read and if you keep your expectations really low,there are chances of you actually liking this book.

Verdict-On the whole,'Private India' by James Patterson and Ashwin Sanghi is a strictly average work.I'm giving it a 2.6 out of 5.

-nikhimenon

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Along Came a spider by James Patterson

My love for Alex Cross started with this book and I knew I wanted to read about him more. Lot more. so very next weekend I went and bought 2 more of his novels.

Along came a Spider ( ACAS ) was in my opinion a much needed read. This is Cross#1 book and in many ways , it explains the man he is : how and why ; the work he can do and how much he is obsessed with finding the criminal not 'cause he wants answers but also because he connects to the victims in ways only he and his partner Sampson understand.

“Along Came a Spider” gives rise to the well-known series devoted to a famous psychologist Alex Cross. Here he investigates kidnapping of little children, which confront him first with Gary Soneji, a mathematics teacher and a psychopathic serial kidnapper and murderer. Cross is to solve an uneasy problem – how to outsmart an ingenious psychopath, who managed to deceive the FBI, the Secret Service, and the police. Soneji doesn’t hold children to ransom and the detective understands he prefers a terrible unpredictable game to any money.

When the book began , the kidnapping by Gary Soneji happened soon and I wondered why was I told of his identity so soon. Then a hell lot ( almost all ) of the security service agencies are involved , testing whom to trust and whose authorization works in the case. The children kidnapped belong to super rich and celebrity couples and so the media coverage of the case when Gary is captured and put to trial. Again I wondered , what now ? I was in middle of the book and there was a case starting on the criminal. But oh boy , James did have a lot to offer still. The interactions between Gary and Alex and the way Alex relentlessly pursues every single thread in the case  is what makes this book so gripping. Gary indeed plays his part as the ultimate showman perfectly. His mind works on a tight-rope that he alone can walk and Alex has a tough task on his hand managing to see his plan or to overthink him.

As I said in the last review , Alex is absolutely awesome. He is the kind of man one would want to know and live with. He is not a macho hero but more of a real and believable type. 

This is another MUST read !

Rating : 5/5

This book too was made into a movie featuring Morgan Freeman

Excerpt from the book : 

The three bodies were upstairs in the front bedroom, just off the top of the stairs. 

      There was the mother, Jean "Poo" Sanders, thirty-two. Even in death, her face was haunting. She had bigbrown eyes, high cheekbones, full lips that had already turned purplish. Her mouth was stretched open ina scream. 

      Poo's daughter, Suzette Sanders, fourteen years on this earth. She was just a young girl but had beenprettier than her mother. She wore a mauve ribbon in her braided hair and a tiny nose earring to proveshe was older than her years. Suzette was gagged with dark blue panty hose. 

      A baby son, Mustaf Sanders, three years old, was lying faceup, and his little cheeks seemed stained withtears. He was wearing a "pajama bag" like my own kids wear. Just as Nana Mama had said, it was abad part of what somebody had let become a bad city. In this big bad country of ours. The mother andthe daughter were bound to an imitation brass bedpost. Satin underwear, black and red mesh stockings, and flowery bed sheets ad been used to tie them up. 

you can read / download the book here

Kiss the girls by James patterson

In Los Angeles, a reporter investigating a series of murders is killed. In Chapel Hill, North Carolina, a beautiful medical intern suddenly disappears. Washington D.C.'s Alex Cross is back to solve the most baffling and terrifying murder case ever. Two clever pattern killers are collaborating, cooperating, competing—and they are working coast to coast.

This was the first James Patterson novel that I read ( and that too after keeping this book for 3 months on the bedside table ). This happens to be second Alex Cross novel and let me tell you right away , IT WAS AWESOME !!

The novel opens to introduce the reader to the three main characters of the book - making of Casanova , first murder by Gentleman Caller and Alex Cross. You get to know quite early what kind of man Alex is - a detective psychologist who loves to play with his kids , is good at playing piano for relaxation and when faced with a problem , he doesn't think twice before getting involved.
It touched me when he cries on death of a young patient.


And then he comes to know of disappearance of his niece Naomi from - the star of Cross family (apart from Alex) , the one person everyone loves is missing from last four days and the North Carolina police is not letting out any information.

when Alex goes there to find Naomi , little does he know he is going to be involved in a a chase for Casanova - the ultimate lover and collector of women. Between FBI and local police , Alex has to find his own clues and chase the guy who commits "perfect crimes". During his investigation he comes to know about the serial killer in LA who calls himself "gentleman Caller" and is sending details of all his crimes to a reporter so it could be made into a book. when the reporter is murdered leaving behind a name , Alex is called in by FBI to ascertain if he is a different person from Casanova or are these perfect crimes by same person in 2 different areas. 

What kept me glued to the book was that the author did not reveal Casanova till the very end , though you know he is one of the people you have come across while reading the book. Alex knows and feels that he has met Casanova but he can not find him till he reveals himself. The chase , the psycho - analysis of both the criminals and the way author links them together is absolutely superb. 

You want to know the criminal but you also would wish the novel not to end. The writing is almost poetic and crisp. There is never a dull moment as the chapters alternate between the three main guys plus all the twists and frustrating wait for the killer to make a mistake while he keeps hurting the women as he pleases. 

I so much want to read more Alex Cross books now!
Some one please find me e books !!

Rating : 5/5

Also , there is a movie adaptation of the book Starring Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd and Cary Elwes

Cross Fire - James Patterson

 Title : Cross Fire

 Author : James Patterson

 Genre : Thriller, Fiction

 Publisher : Century, London

 Pages : 356

 ISBN : 978-1-846-05459-4

This was my first book by James Patterson and I must say, his writing has got style. As I always say, murder in the beginning and the book is an instant hit for me. Same was the case with this one. A murder in the prologue itself and something more wild in the second chapter of prologue and hence began the roller coaster ride. I never knew that James Patterson has written a whole Alex Cross series and Cross Fire is the 17th book in the series. The earlier ones are

Along Came a Spider (1), Kiss the Girls(2), Jack & Jill (3), Cat and Mouse (4), Pop Goes the Weasel (5), Roses Are Red (6), Violets Are Blue (7), Four Blind Mice (8), The Big Bad Wolf (9), London Bridges (10), Mary, Mary (11), Cross, Cross (12), Double Cross (13), Cross Country (14), Alex Cross's Trial (15), I, Alex Cross (16), Cross Fire (17), Kill Alex Cross (18)

The book is a fast paced thriller. It starts with when Washington DC's two most hated public figures, a corrupt congressman and an underhanded lobbyist are murdered in public. A lot of other killings in the same fashion takes place. The common things in all the killings are, the shooter kills the most corrupt and hated people and always using long-range shots that too in public. Excessive media coverage explodes the entire killing business and people start having divided opinions on everything. Also, the protagonist of the book Alex Cross is all set to marry her lady lady, Brianna Stone (Bree). Too much happens in the book that keeps you engaged from the beginning till the end.

The best part about the book is, short chapters. Yes, I absolutely loved reading them leaving you aghast most of the times. There are 117 chapters in 356 pages. If you ask me, I would tag the book as "Quick Fix Thriller", yes thats what it is. It will keep you on your toes. Though at times, the relationship between Alex and Bree and also their weird love making scene breaks the momentum of the book. But if you love fast paced thrillers, this one won't disappoint you. You have my word for it.

(Review asked by Random House)

Postcard Killers :James Patterson and Liza Marklund

Author : James Patterson and Liza Marklund




Synopsis (from bookcover)


NYPD detective Jacob 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 cafe through the eyes of his daughter's killers.


Kanon's daughter, Kimmy, and her fiance were murdered while on holiday in Rome. Since then, young couples in Madrid, Salzburg, Amsterdam, Berlin, Athens and Paris have been found dead. Little connect the murders, other than a postcard sent to the local newspaper prior to each attack.


Now Kanon teams up with the Swedish reporter, Dessie Larsson, who has just received a postcard in Stockholm- and they think they know where the next victims will be.


Excerpts:


"THEY ARE CHARMING, PLEASANT PEOPLE, THESE killers," Jacob said to Dessie, stretching his back in the thin sunlight. "They find it easy to make new friends. Are you sure you don't want a cinnamon bun?"
   Dessie shook her head, letting the American eat the last one.
   IT was really too cold to be sitting outside, but Dessie couln't bear Jacob Kanon's body odor after feeling sick at the murder scene.
   "So you think there's two of them? A couple- a man and a woman.? Why?
     Jacob nodded, chewing hungrily on the bun. He seemed completely unaffected by the grisly scene they had just witnessed.
     "A couple is less of a threat. They're probably young, attractive pair of carefree travellers meeting others doing the same thing. People who drink chamapagne, smoke dope, live it up a bit.."
    He drank some coffee. 
    "And they probably speak English." he said.
    Dessie raised her eyebrow quizically.
    "The postcards. They're written with perfect grammar, and most of the victims have been native English speakers. I'm guessing the rest have been fluent."




Maithili Speaks:


A clever and well plotted story which makes this book a page turner. I couldn't put down this book till I read it to the end.


Jacob Kannon has been travelling across Europe always being steps behind the killers. He is obsessed with tracking them and it is the first time that he is so close to the killers in Stockholm. He proclaims to the killer's nature the best. 


Dessie Larson who received the postcard in Stockholm and who is also doing a thesis on Criminology is at first apprehensive of working with this American who seems obsessed with post card killers. Later when she realises that Jacob's only daughter, Kimmy, has been one of the victim Dessie rests her guard and helps Jacob. 


The story is not about "who done it" , it is more about "how they did it and why they did it". From the very beginning you know who the killers are but till the end you hang on to know the reason they did it and their weird psychology. 


There are some terrible murders , gory one can say. The history of killers is disturbing and the reason they kill is terrifying! But you can't help marvel at the sheer geniusness of the plot!


If I speak more I might give out on the thrill of reading it !


Thank you Freelancer for putting this book on the list and I m glad I chose it :) Thank you again for the book !


Rating: 4.7 on 5.


Price: Rs 550