The Postcard Killers

This is one of James Patterson's finest thrillers with the set of the backdrop of European countries for some international intrigue. We're introduced to Jacob Kanon, a NYPD detective who's hunting down the Postcard Killers who've killed his only daughter. And he comes to Sweden, when he's introduced to Dessie Larssen, a Swedish journalist, who he's attracted to, and helps him breaks the case wide open. One by one, young couples are being killed all over Europe, with Interpol hot on the scene. When they pick up the pieces to this case and piece them together, it makes sense. And it's up to the both of them to stop them dead at the tracks, before they kill again. Plenty of shocking twists and turns with Europe as a great backdrop in Europe and some in the USA. And what a great collaboration with Liza Marklund. I might be interested to read her books someday, too.

The Lake House

Although this novel took me longer to read, on and off, it's also difficult to classify it under genres. I kept it as mystery, since I didn't read When the Wind Blows, and since Patterson writes mysteries. But it does have sci fi/fantasy elements in it, the mad science appeal of Robin Cook's Mutation and horror elements a tiny bit of Dean Koontz. So it's a combination of this and that. Maybe I should've read When the Wind Blows first. When I do read that book, maybe I can understand it better. This is a weird tale of a bird-human hybrid of six children from a dangerous DNA experiment in a hospital and their mad DNA experimentation. We're introduced to Kit and Frannie and the six bird children, mainly from Maximum aka Max's POV, when they fight evil forces and the press and the people who want them dead. Beautiful scenery in crisp chapters, but a bit bizarre for me. I almost gave it a two-and-a-half scene, but there's no half-stars here.  I really felt for Max and Frannie and their own struggles. So it's about so-so for me.

Don't Blink

If you love quick fast-paced mysteries, you'll enjoy this one from James Patterson. Nick Daniels is a reporter for a magazine, when he's a witness to a murder taking place, and getting it all caught up in tape. From that moment on, he's in danger, when things go awry. As he starts unraveling the truth, between Dwayne Robinson's missing interviews to a mob hint, things get heated up, when people wind up dead. And before you know, dirty politics played a hand into it, when it involves his family, and his life is on the line. What a thrill ride!

Mary Mary Quite Contrary...

While I'm waiting for Don't Blink, the Postcard Killers, and the 9th Judgment to come out and to my library, (the 9th Judgment is a bit late), I thought I'll start by adding an earlier classic Alex Cross, Mary Mary. This one is set in Los Angeles, while Alex in on vacation with his family, and dealing with the mother of his second son, Ali, who wants custody of Alex Junior aka Ali. When he's called on this case that deals with a serial killer who's killing the elite in Hollywood, it sends a frenzy with emailed letters and a true shocking twist in the end, while Alex juggles relationships on and off the duty, and being a good father to his kids. A great quick ready for those mysterious at heart.

Worst Case Scenario

James Patterson is back with a vengeance in his latest thriller with Michael Bennett, the third in his series, in Worst Case. This time, they deal with a heinous plot from a terminal ill man, who seeks vengeance against the rich and kidnaps their kids to put them to the test. And it gets even worse from there, as he's almost impossible to catch, until later on. Plus, there's a possible love triangle with Bennett's nanny MC and FBI Agent Emily Parker. If you love a great read, you'll enjoy this great mystery.

Conspiracy Theory

Last night, I ended 2009 with a finished book done, and tonight, I'm starting 2010 with one too. (I did the same last year with Last Known Victim by Erica Spindler.) In the latest Alex Cross series, I, Alex Cross, Patterson goes solo without a co-author and gives us a bone-chilling novel, which deals with a heinous conspiracy theory and a sadistic serial killer, when it hits home for Cross. I won't give away the shocking twists at the end. But this one will blow you away, as he also deals with his sick grandmother and his girlfriend too, amongst the rest. This one is one of the finest ones he's done so far.

(Sometime this weekend, I'll post my book challenges for this year and the selected books. So stay tuned for those selections.)

Hometown war

If you love a historical mystery, you'll love this next book from James Patterson's Alex Cross's Trial. This deals with racial injustice, hatred, anger, all in Ben Corbett's hometown in Eudora Mississippi. Lynchings from the KKK and the trial that preceded it, Ben's life in endangered by befriending the Negroes. There's a few rough scene here that took place during 1909. Fast-paced for an easy reading, this is a good read that reflect back to our history in time.

Here comes the bride...

If you love great mystery novels with lots of drama and intrigue from start to finish, you'll love James Patterson's 1st to Die, the start of the Woman's Murder Club Series. Earlier this summer, I read the latest, now I've read the earlier and hope to read the ones in between in the future. Lots of suspense, drama, intrigue, with a hint of romance from a fellow cop to Lindsay's condition, you'll love every page turning suspense to the end of the first book. I remember seeing the TV movie version a few years ago vividly and was saddened for the TV series version that was cancelled last year after one season. But nonetheless, get ready for a thrill ride...

Stay away from the beaches

In James Patterson's newest thriller, Swimsuit, he introduces a new diabolical serial killer named Henri and a new hero named Ben Hawkins to his collection of characters. From Hawaii to Europe, from start to end, each chapter deals with lots of drama, crime, action for a good mystery, and in some scenes, a bit of gory, if you're not squeamish. This is the fourth book I've read from him. He keeps getting better in my opinion for a quick beach read. Happy reading!

Since it's been awhile I've updated my TBR list, here's where I stand as of now to match my Shelfari shelf. (If you prefer to see what I've read or to be read, let me know. Right now I'm currently reading When Darkness Falls and hope to finish it soon. I'll start reading Watermind and Wrong Place, Wrong Time tomorrow. Up next the book I'm going to read this weekend are Margin of Error, Low Country and Black Hills.