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cooperca's review against another edition
1.0
Really disappointed, not only in the poor writing but also the author's ask that the reader suspend all disbelief. I could only make it to page 110 before I just couldn't take it anymore.
Usually I can rely on a James Patterson book to provide entertainment for my flight or relaxing pool side. But this one, all I could give it was an hour before I was so irritated by the characters and the writing that I had to put it down.
Where to start. First, this reads more like an ode to New Orleans and a how to cook. "Our appetizer is a pan-fried creole-shrimp egg roll, the perfect mix of crunch and zesty. Our first course is grilled crawfish, with a tangy ginger glaze laced with smoky-spicy Szechuan peppercorns. Next comes a Thai curry crab étouffée, a rich, fragrant stew served over a bed of jasmine rice. Finally, it's time for dessert: warm, gooey bread pudding drenched in sweet sake and topped with a scoop of green tea ice cream" (p.45). The food is described more than the investigation!
Second, Caleb Rooney is a hot-shot detective with the major crimes division but he has "spare time" to work a food truck??? Me thinks Mr. Rooney isn't a great detective.
Third, for being an 11-year veteran on the force, his post NOPD actions seem more like Barney Fife than Jack Reacher. He's really quite clueless, rash, and oblivious.
Fourth, the whole "I don't care that you're married, I'm going to sleep with you because I'm so wonderful and brilliant that you'll instantly forget your husband". The way he chased after a married woman was just so slimy.
And finally, the cherry on top was the fact that somehow, only he can save New Orleans from a terrorist attack. The FBI are clueless while his fellow NOPD are incompetent. Really?? Everyone else is too stupid to do what they've been trained for?
As I said, really disappointed. This is the first James Patterson book (either he's written or with a ghost writer) that I couldn't finish. I do have to give kudos to the author though, I've started writing my own book, because Lord it couldn't be worse than this.
Usually I can rely on a James Patterson book to provide entertainment for my flight or relaxing pool side. But this one, all I could give it was an hour before I was so irritated by the characters and the writing that I had to put it down.
Where to start. First, this reads more like an ode to New Orleans and a how to cook. "Our appetizer is a pan-fried creole-shrimp egg roll, the perfect mix of crunch and zesty. Our first course is grilled crawfish, with a tangy ginger glaze laced with smoky-spicy Szechuan peppercorns. Next comes a Thai curry crab étouffée, a rich, fragrant stew served over a bed of jasmine rice. Finally, it's time for dessert: warm, gooey bread pudding drenched in sweet sake and topped with a scoop of green tea ice cream" (p.45). The food is described more than the investigation!
Second, Caleb Rooney is a hot-shot detective with the major crimes division but he has "spare time" to work a food truck??? Me thinks Mr. Rooney isn't a great detective.
Third, for being an 11-year veteran on the force, his post NOPD actions seem more like Barney Fife than Jack Reacher. He's really quite clueless, rash, and oblivious.
Fourth, the whole "I don't care that you're married, I'm going to sleep with you because I'm so wonderful and brilliant that you'll instantly forget your husband". The way he chased after a married woman was just so slimy.
And finally, the cherry on top was the fact that somehow, only he can save New Orleans from a terrorist attack. The FBI are clueless while his fellow NOPD are incompetent. Really?? Everyone else is too stupid to do what they've been trained for?
As I said, really disappointed. This is the first James Patterson book (either he's written or with a ghost writer) that I couldn't finish. I do have to give kudos to the author though, I've started writing my own book, because Lord it couldn't be worse than this.
elytalbot's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
Super easy fast tempo thriller that was finished in 48 hours. The rapid pace and homage to New Orleans cuisine kept me engaged throughout the book. If you’re looking for something easy and dramatic with all the tropes of cops, terrorism, a damsel in distress, and a badass do it all kind of protagonist this is the good for you. Much of it felt cliche which I don’t remember from many other Patterson books however central storylines lacked originality and characters motivations felt misunderstood and disorganized. The romantic pairing in this story was ill conceived in my opinion and the best relationship clearly was between the reader and all the food described through the book. This review may be coming off a bit harsh but at the end of the day writing a page turned that only takes 2 days to read just under 400 pages is impressive and usually doesn’t require excellent but rather engaging literature which is what this book delivers best.
rpark83's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
waffle_party's review against another edition
3.0
The format is cute. FB messenger with the videos and pieces of evidence you get see. I enjoyed that part about it. The writing, the plot, didn't feel like Paterson. It felt amateurish. But for free who I am to complain.
andrea_loves_books_and_cats's review against another edition
2.0
Very mundane writing to a plot that could have been interesting if the writing was elevated to a format of having better dialogue and better story building.
Overall the description of the book was more intriguing than the actual story.
Overall the description of the book was more intriguing than the actual story.
cleokatjacqui's review against another edition
4.0
Really cool format through FB messenger. Story kept me interested until the last chapter.
doctor_km's review against another edition
2.0
Trite, obvious writing and a story that reads at a YA level. Patterson might be phoning it in at this point.
daddysprincess's review against another edition
4.0
Very good!! Twists and turns throughout. I love Patterson’s writing style. Caleb (main character) is awesome. His sense of humor had me giggling a few times. The killer…I had no idea who it was. But when it was revealed….I was like “oh hell no!!” All the food talk didn’t bother me. It made me hungry and long for some “Killer Chef” cuisine. The book includes recipes so I will have to try to make some dishes. Overall…a great read.
nickmarshall's review against another edition
Just not exactly what I was looking for
manda03's review against another edition
1.0
I quit reading it. I read to the Eleventh chapter. It was very SLOW!! This is the first book I have read from this author, this book has steered me away from him other books.