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FIRST THERE WAS ALEX CROSS
THEN THERE WAS THE WOMEN'S MURDER CLUB
With the unexpected death of a beloved former first lady, the nation falls into mourning as the world's most powerful people gather in New York for her funeral. Then the inconceivable occurs. Billionaires, politicians, and superstars of every kind are suddenly trapped by one man's brilliant and ruthless scenario.
NOW MEET DETECTIVE MICHAEL BENNETT, NYPD
Pulled into the fray, Detective Michael Bennett-father of ten-faces the most sinister challenge of his career: a criminal who kills without hesitation and counters everything the NYPD and FBI throw at him with impunity. As New York descends into chaos, Bennett learns that the great love of his life, his wife, is battling a terrible disease and he may have to raise their children alone. Now with the entire world watching and the tension reaching a boiling point, Bennett must quickly find a way out-or become responsible for the greatest debacle in history.
From the #1 bestselling author who introduced readers to Alex Cross and the Women's Murder Club comes the beginning of a brand-new, electrifying series from "one of the bestselling writers in history" (New York Sun). STEP ON A CRACK is James Patterson's most fiendishly terrifying thriller yet.
James Patterson has had more New York Times bestsellers than any other writer, ever, according to Guinness World Records. Since his first novel won the Edgar Award in 1977 James Patterson's books have sold more than 240 million copies. He is the author of the Alex Cross novels, the most popular detective series of the past twenty-five years, including Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider. Mr. Patterson also writes the bestselling Women's Murder Club novels, set in San Francisco, and the top-selling New York detective series of all time, featuring Detective Michael Bennett. He writes full-time and lives in Florida with his family.
A string of gripping standalone mysteries followed, but it was the 1992 release of Along Came a Spider that elevated Patterson to superstar status. Introducing Alex Cross, a brilliant black police detective/forensic psychologist, the novel was the first installment in a series of bestselling thrillers that has proved to be a cash cow for the author and his publisher.
Examining Patterson's track record, it's obvious that he believes one good series deserves another…maybe even a third! In 2001, he debuted the Women's Murder Club with 1st to Die, a fast-paced thriller featuring four female crime fighters living in San Francisco—a homicide detective, a medical examiner, an assistant D.A., and a cub reporter. The successful series has continued with other numerically titled installments. Then, spinning off a set of characters from a previous novel (1998's When the Wind Blows), in 2005 he published Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment. Featuring a "flock" of genetically engineered flying children, the novel was a huge hit, especially with teen readers, and spawned a series of vastly popular fantasy adventures.
In addition to continuing his bestselling literary franchises, Patterson has also found time to co-author thrillers with other writers—including Peter de Jonge, Andrew Gross, Maxine Paetro, and Howard Roughan—and has even ventured into romance (Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas, Sam's Letters to Jennifer) and children's literature (santaKid). Writing at an astonishing pace, this prolific author has turned himself into a one-man publishing juggernaut, fulfilling his clearly stated ambition to become "the king of the page-turners."
Two of Patterson's Alex Cross mysteries (Along Came a Spider and Kiss the Girls) have been turned into films starring Morgan Freeman; in 2007, a weekly television series premiered, based on the bestselling Women's Murder Club novels.
akflygal
Posted May 5, 2010
Patterson keeps the reader engrossed and at times in tears as this story of a madman's seige runs parallel to the sadness of the main character's personal loss. The sinister kidnapper characters are believable even though the crime is unimaginable. The reader is kept wondering if there is any limit to the evil of the criminals.
Interwoven in the fabric of the crime drama is the human story of the lead detective. Patterson causes the reader to feel the pains of the family crisis which the detective must endure while negotiating with the crimimals. The story is so touching it brings the reader to tears. I found the love expressed between the detective and his wife a true romance, though not the kind of sizzling, hot descriptions of sex one finds in so many novels today, but the tender love between two persons married for years and bound by memories and children.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes crime drama, and of course to anyone who likes Patterson. I read a lot of crime drama and mystery, and I found it the kind of book the reader doesn't want to put it down, or in the case of the audio book, doesn't want to turn it off.
7 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 27, 2010
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I just finished this and it was a great read. There was a compelling mix of family and crime drama. From the warm, quirky, large family of Mike; to the sadistic, chilling calculation of the villains of the story. Lots of twists that kept me glued. The ending was both satisfying and sad. It leaves me looking forward to reading the next book and seeing what happens with the family, and of course, Mike's next big case.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.James Patterson does an excellent job of gripping the reader and keeping you turning the pages. But the characters and plot can be so heartwarming at times.... it's ingenious for Patterson to entwine a plot so warm with a murder mystery. Kept me turning the pages.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This book launches a new detective character from Patterson. Detective Michael Bennett starts off his tale receiving a phone call to go negotiate a hostage crisis. Bennett is the father of 10 adopted children. Bennett's wife falls victim to cancer leaving him to raise a multicultural family and somehow keep New York's criminal base at bay. <BR/>I'd highly recommend this book as it is quick paced, well written, packed with adventure, and full of the James Patterson goodness you can expect.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 8, 2008
Step On A Crack by James Patterson is an amazing, action-packed book. This book will keep readers busy for hours. This book is about Detective Michael Bennett, a father of ten adopted children, who has to save thirty-four billionaire, politician, and superstar hostages held by a mastermind hijacker. During troubled times, Detective Michael Bennett has to care for his sick wife, who has been fighting a terrible disease for many years, care for his ten heartbroken children, and try to peacefully negotiate with the mastermind hijacker.<BR/> The setting takes place in modern day New York City, one of the busiest cities in America. Detective Michael Bennett, who serves in the New York Police Department, is having a regular day until a phone call. He soon finds out that thirty-four people have been taken hostage during the First Lady¿s funeral. Now he has to negotiate with the mastermind hijacker and do this responsibly to not get anyone killed, especially the hostages.<BR/> The novel starts off when the First Lady is killed while having a celebratory dinner with her husband. During the funeral, many famous people attend the gloomy funeral. While the funeral is progressing, hijackers dressed as monks arrive with weapons and hijack the cathedral along with thirty-four superstars. As the situation becomes more uncontrollable the NYPD calls the top-notch detective Michael Bennett for help. As the story continues both the hostage situation and Michael Bennett¿s life unfolds.<BR/> Step On A Crack is by far one of the best books I have ever read. Since I¿m not much of a book person, books are not so interesting to me. This book in particular caught my attention and I read all of it. If I liked this book, I¿m sure other readers will like it too. The character in the books are awesome, the plot is super cool, and the action is like from a movie. For anyone like me, read this book because it is worth reading.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 21, 2012
I own the book and I read it in two weeks, it would of been much sooner but needed to attend my kids and sleep. When I read the book every chapter was so vivid in my mind I was actually visualizing what I read. Couldn't put it down can't wait to read the next two books!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.An excellent, captivating, page-turner of a story recommended for anyone who loves thrillers - especially that take place in NYC. Looking forward to the rest of the Michael Bennett series by James Patterson. You gotta love Bennett!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.As I started to write this I was planning on giving it three stars and as I read through all the things that I didn't like about the novel I realized that three were too many stars. Patterson has often thrilled me with both the Alex Cross and Women's Murder Club series but this introduction to ridiculously bland Michael Bennett is too boring to care about. Where Alex Cross is interesting, Bennett's situation, not personality is interesting. The detective's abilities a crime solving are suspect sense this was solved by nothing more than a ludicrous whim and conjecture from an almost non-existent character. The there is the twist connection to the case which had little to no impact. Bennett's family, which should be ample ground for drama is anything but. Also, the inclusion of fictional celebrities that clearly have real world counterparts are on the nose where you can't help but think of them. Its lazy writing. Overall, there might be a good heist/caper story here but readers might've been better of seeing the story take place through the bad guys' eyes. I might read the next in the series because of Patterson's past reputation and it'll be such a quick read but this is not a good book.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This book was okay. I got it as an audiobook and it was my first audiobook. I just didn't like the story line. The death of his wife was truly sad and your heart just went out to him. I am glad I read the second book and recently the third because I would have missed out on some great books.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 4, 2011
I enjoyed this book, but it seemed to drag on and on. I am a Patterson fan and love his Alex Cross series. Looking forward to reading Tic Toc...
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.In general the story starts off with the death of Caroline Hopkins, a former First Lady and her funeral is attended by the cream of the crust, consisting of the most influential and wealthiest individuals at the Saint Patrick's Cathedral. Unfortunately, a group of men take them hostage and will do anything to meet their private objectives. I thought Mr. Patterson developed the hostage characters very well. He had a knack for dropping little traits about these characters until after awhile I found myself really caring about what will happen to these people.
Enter Michael Bennett, a detective for NY Police Department, and he is forced into the role of negotiator. Meanwhile, his personal life is in turmoil. His beloved wife is terminally ill with cancer and he is left caring for their ten children. Ten Children? Yes that's correct 10 children! At this point I thought Patterson was strettttching the Brady Bunch a bit too much to enhance the devotion of this character, but I read on. As I read on I found that Patterson was able to weave Michael's love for his wife, Maeve, and their children into many sensitive, believable scenes. There was Michael dealing with the chaos at home, while at the same time dealing with the hostage situation. Still I couldn't connect to this super father and hero.
STEP ON A CRACK by James Patterson is good read, but not a super read. The characters a little exciting but I had wished that there was a good dose of some thriller scenes. If you want an easy read then I recommend this book.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This was an interesting book. It held my interest and I read through it rather quickly. I have enjoyed reading several of his books and would recommend them to anyone.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 13, 2013
Yea im 15 too....srry i was gone again....so whatcha look like?
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Sharono_55
Posted November 24, 2012
Again Patterson is such a strong writer, so get the feelings of the characters
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Posted November 18, 2012
I have enjoyed past work better
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 27, 2012
It took me a while to get through this book. I found the whole family scenes quite boring; I don't pick up suspense-thrillers to read about somebody's warm and fuzzy family. The plot would have delivered had the climax not fell so flat. Anybody could have thought of that ending. This was my first JP book, now I'm nervous about spending money for the rest...
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Posted July 9, 2012
Iove the book and love michael bennett
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 8, 2012
i like the author but like some of his other nook books a lot of mixed up pages very frustrating!!!
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Posted February 13, 2012
I only wish they would do more with the michael bennet stories! I think they are all very thrilling and exciting. I also loved quickie, on the run and worse case
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Posted January 10, 2012
If you enjoy a good detective novel Michael Bennett is your guy. After reading this novel you can't find a more warm and exciting character. I read this book last and am still a die hard fan, and an even bigger James Patterson fan. This story gets u from the beginning. Although a little emotional you can't help but root for detective Michael Bennett.
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Overview
FIRST THERE WAS ALEX CROSS
THEN THERE WAS THE WOMEN'S MURDER CLUB
With the unexpected death of a beloved former first lady, the nation falls into mourning as the world's most powerful people gather in New York for her funeral. Then the inconceivable occurs. Billionaires, politicians, and superstars of every kind are suddenly trapped by one man's brilliant and ruthless ...