Worst Case (Michael Bennett Series #3)

Patterson & Michael Bennett deliver another satisfying, action-packed thriller!

Michael Bennett, the lead detective from James Patterson's recent Run For Your Life, is back in this equally fast-paced and absorbing thriller. In Worst Case, Michael Bennett faces another serial killer with a "larger message." While Bennett's last opponent, The Teacher, had sought to punish the rudeness of wealthy New Yorkers, this new killer targets the children of wealthy with a hidden message. As this new criminal holds New York City hostage, Michael Bennett works closely with a beautiful FBI counterpart and Abduction Specialist, Agent Emily Parker. NYC's large resources are at their disposal, but absent demands from the kidnapper/killer, can Bennett and Parker find a way to save innocent, young lives?

Worst Case brings back James Patterson's latest detective Michael Bennett and it doesn't disappoint. Michael Bennett is as witty, good humored and sharp as ever. The interaction between Bennett and Agent Emily Parker works well; they're effective partners with some underlying romantic tension. In Worst Case, Patterson delivers another satisfying, action-packed thriller. I look forward to the next installment in the Michael Bennett series.

ISBN-10: 0316036226
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (February 1, 2010), 368 pages.
Review copy provided by the publisher.

10 out of 12 people found this review helpful.

Getting Stale

It seems lately all of James Patterson books are the same and predictable. As for the previous post how can you read a book one month before it comes out. I'm judging all last year's Patterson's books and the preview from Worst Case.

8 out of 13 people found this review helpful.

Pricing is ridiculous!

Price wasn't the only reason I bought the NOOK; however, it was one of them. I liked the idea of getting new books immediately less expensively than buying them. At this price, I could easily go Sam's and buy.

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Really Like the New Character

I am a partial Patterson fan, I say partial because I like most of his books including the partnerships, with the exception of the Ladies Detective Series but I stray from the topic at hand. His new character Bennett, is an engaging and complex one, makes the audio book a fun listen. The audio-reader brings a unique life to the written word, the back story gives you a peak into a history you always want more of. the Main plot is exciting, fast paced in the style we expect from Patterson. In short I liked the audiobook and recommend you slip a disk into your CD player, Computer or download to your MP3 player,you wont' regret it.

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Too Few Words and Too Little Depth for the Price

I have been pulled into the world of Mike Bennett because I like the character; however, I am still waiting for his world to become something greater. Now on the third book, portions of the story, whether the foreground or the background, it does not matter, still seem too contrived. The effort has not been put into making this series one which will be long-remembered once it is out of print. For the price of a hardback, I must say that I was very disappointed to see so few words placed on the pages and to realize that Mike is truly at the mercy of money-makers instead of authors. I challenge the writers to do something more for Mike Bennett and for the readership. Prove this critic wrong.

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Another quick read

I have read all of Patterson's murder stories. Some better than others, but they are always a quick read. I can never put them down, cannot wait for the conclusion. This one in particular was one of his better ones.

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Nice Fun Quick Read

I love Micheal Bennett and his 10 kids

3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Advantage of Membership card

When buying a book where do u see the advantage of paying $25 for a discount on the price of the books. Also, why are so many of the books priced so high. I agree eith ghe person who said the could get it from Sam's. The prices make you think about returninb the color nook, canceling trial membersnip snd getting books cheaper from Sam's or this website I know.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Typical James Patterson

Fast and easy read with nice action flow to the predictable ending. I bought it (too expensive) because I wanted to test-read something easy on my home desktop PC screen. It was better than expected. Over my budget this month already so my next purchase will have to wait. I'll try one of the freebie books this week. Cannot afford a Nook; that's the cost of a year's worth of books.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Another great read by James Patterson

Is there a book by James Patterson that does not get your attention? His Michael Bennett series is right up there with Cross! It was very hard to put the book down. I read it in two evenings! You can't go wrong. Pick it up today and put the stress of the world at ease tonight!

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

one of his finest

I like the book but it felt a a litle incomplete to me.

1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

This book is excellent. Some of Patterson’s books lately

This book is excellent. Some of Patterson’s books lately have been only fair, especially the ones written with another author. In “Worst Case” I think the story is very well written and in today’s world of not knowing what to expect, it is very plausible. This book features Detective Michael Bennett of the NYPD, who has been featured in a few other books by James Patterson. Bennett has 10 children, all adopted and of all origins. He has a nanny to take care of this brood when he has to work, which is quite a bit of time. Since his wife had died several years earlier, the children give Michael Bennett quite a problem of balancing his work and his personal life. In this story he is teamed with an FBI agent, Emily Parker, who, while working close with Bennett, has made both of them open their eyes toward each other.

Children of rich people disappear, followed by a phone call to the parents. When the police get involved, Bennett and Parker along with their teams, at first the culprit says he does not want any ransom but tells them where the child can be picked up. After leading them on a wild goose chase, the body of the first child is found. This is repeated several times with some variation on the kidnappers method of operation. Since all the parents are rich and very influential the police can’t make a connection as to why certain children are taken and with different variants involved, how do they get to the whys and wherefores?

As the police are led in circles, or so it seems, they get no closer to finding this dangerous person. Many other aspects are brought into the story such as parents that think they are above all others, priests that don’t seem to have any connection, and chases, some of which lead no where. The story is good, well written and has a good flow. The last part of the book will have you wondering what this guy is thinking and when it all comes together you will be very surprised.

Great read

Once you pick it up, you will NOT put it down!

A great read

If you follow Patterson, you won't be disappointed. All the bells and whistles you've become accoustomed to. Was hard to put down.

Another great read

Interesting read. AS AALWAYS James writes a book you ddont wabt to put down.

Page Turner

A disturbing crime with few leads is the basis for this fast-paced thriller by fan favorite James Patterson and new writing partner Michael Ledwidge. The son of a wealthy, New York family has been abducted, but this is no ordinary case where ransom demands are only a phone call away. It's a final exam where the answers mean everything and only the worthy students survive.
Detective Michael Bennett has a lot on his plate. As a widowed father of ten rambunctious kids and carrying a full caseload, the newest investigation on his radar is hitting extremely close to home. When another student disappears and the FBI sends in their top specialist, Bennett swallows his NYPD pride and forms a fast friendship with this attractive agent.
Blindly following the lead of this criminal sends the authorities into dangerous and unexpected locales, the neighborhoods abandoned by the wealthy and affluent. As the pace quickens the criminal's deeper agenda soon begins to surface.
With the introduction of a surefire star to the mystery scene in Detective Michael Bennett, "Worst Case" is a definite page-turner not to be missed.
Reviewed by Shannon Raab with Suspense Magazine

Another great read

Was a page turner, just confused about where the nanny relationship is going.

Not a page turner

I am a fan of James Patterson and was intrigued by the first two Michael Bennett series. However, Worst Case left me feeling somewhat let down. The action was fast paced, but unrealistic. And what is happening with the au pair and the FBI detective? I can do without the romance.

Wonderful mystery/adventure story!

James Patterson is one of my favorite writers, especially his mysteries. Worst Case is an excellent read - fast-paced and set in New York City, a great city. I couldn't put it down.

Great Book

Another attention getter