This is a great start to another Patterson detective series. The story immediately grabs your attention and keeps you engaged throughout. The characters are well-developed and the plot is full of twists and turns. Patterson has once again proven himself to be a master of the mystery genre.

The pacing of the book is excellent, with just the right amount of action and suspense. You'll find yourself on the edge of your seat, eagerly turning the pages to find out what happens next. The dialogue is also well-written, adding to the authenticity of the story.

Overall, this is a highly recommended read for fans of detective novels. It's a great addition to Patterson's already impressive body of work. I give it 4 stars out of 5.

This was a fast-paced crime thriller that also had a touching backstory.

During the funeral of an ex-president's wife, a large group of VIPs were taken hostage.

Mike, a police negotiator, has a wife who is seriously ill with cancer and is in the hospital.

When no one else is available, his superior orders him to handle the kidnappers' demands.

Each of the hostages is terrorized into revealing all of their financial information.

Millions are to be transferred to an account that can't be traced, but Mike's big question is why they think there is any chance of escape.

The story has an interesting premise with very relatable characters and solid, intelligent writing.

John Slattery and Reg Rogers do an excellent job of narrating.

Both of their voices are perfect for the characters.

It's a great Daily Deal that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

I really enjoyed this book.

It had a couple of quite emotional chapters that truly tugged at my heartstrings.

The author did an excellent job of creating a story that was not only engaging but also had the power to evoke strong emotions within me.

As I read those particular chapters, I found myself completely immersed in the characters' lives and experiences.

Their joys and sorrows became my own, and I couldn't help but be moved by their stories.

It was a wonderful reading experience that I will not soon forget.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a story that is both entertaining and emotionally fulfilling.

It has something for everyone and is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Overall, I give this book a big thumbs up and look forward to reading more from this talented author in the future.

To be honest, this book ended up being a retread for me. I needed a book published in 2007 for a "read a book for every decade between 2004 and 2013" challenge I'm doing for one of my book groups on GR. For each decade, I chose 2 books. I'm an over-achiever, what can I say! I realized about one-third of the way in that I had read this before, but I couldn't recall exactly how it ended. Was it because of too many books I've read since then, or a function of an aging brain? Regardless, I was too far in to quit. However, the fact that bits and pieces were not fresh to me may have coloured my judgement, just to be fair.

This book left me not cold, but lukewarm. It starts off with a bang as the First Lady is audaciously murdered while enjoying a romantic dinner out with POTUS. Patterson's new character, Michael Bennett, a hostage negotiator and homicide detective, is introduced in this book. He is called along with, it seems like, most of the NYPD and the FBI to a major hostage taking at one of NY's most famous churches. The occasion is the First Lady's funeral. In fairness, in a post 9-11 world, having all hands on deck is plausible.
I don't want to give away any of the storyline, but I was disappointed with the resolution of the crisis and wanted to know more about the Neat Man's motivation. Patterson likes to write very short chapters to create a feeling of urgency, making the story seem to sweep along. But it would be nice to have some more fleshed out characters, even for the major bad guys. Bennett is a father of ten, married to a saint of a woman who is a highly respected nurse and currently very ill. And it's Christmas! All of this feels a little too contrived for my taste. Who adopts multiple children of all different colours over the space of a few months - unless you're Brad and Angelina, of course. I realize Patterson is setting the stage for a new character/series and wants to make him tough like a NYPD cop should be and a loving dad with a big brood of kids. I just found it a little over the top. Perhaps I might not have felt this way the first time through, but I certainly don't remember being blown away by this book as I was with Along Came A Spider.
I'm glad this book was given to me by a relative in a pile of books passed on to me. I think I might have regretted spending the full cost of this one. Will I read any more Patterson books? Perhaps, but I'm not hurrying to press the download button on my iPad for the next Michael Bennett addition to the Patterson fortune.

I recently came across an extremely interesting book that truly held my attention from the very first page.

The story was filled with captivating characters and a plot that constantly kept me on the edge of my seat.

Every chapter brought new surprises and twists, making it impossible for me to put the book down.

The author's writing style was engaging and vivid, painting a clear picture in my mind as I read.

I found myself completely immersed in the world of the book, experiencing the emotions and adventures of the characters along with them.

This book was not only entertaining but also thought-provoking, making me reflect on various aspects of life.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read that will keep them entertained and engaged from start to finish.

What a great read!

Especially as I am just starting to read Crime, it has been an absolute delight.

The characters in this story are truly fantastic. They are so well-developed and each has their own unique personality and charm.

I can't help but think that this would make an amazing and thrilling movie.

The fast-paced nature of the short chapters keeps the reader engaged and on the edge of their seat, but it's not too fast that you can't keep up.

It's the perfect balance of excitement and readability.

I can't wait to see where the story takes me next and I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great crime read.

**"James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge's 'Step on a Crack'"**

"Step on a Crack" by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge is an engaging and thrilling novel. The story follows the life of Michael Bennett, a complex and dedicated detective. The authors skillfully weave a web of mystery and suspense, keeping readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. The characters are well-developed, with Bennett being a particularly compelling protagonist. His personal and professional struggles add depth to the narrative. The plot is filled with twists and turns, making it impossible to predict what will happen next. The writing style is fast-paced and accessible, making it an enjoyable read for fans of the mystery and thriller genres. Overall, "Step on a Crack" is a great addition to the Michael Bennett series and a must-read for fans of James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge.

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Okay, so the schmaltz is real in this book.

Patterson must have a deep affection for those old black and white Christmas movies. You know the ones, with the Irish priests who are both fun-loving saints. In those movies, all the boy needs is a girl, big families, beautiful carols, and glittering Christmas trees. That kind of stuff.

The Irish Catholic theme in this book is really over the top. There's an Irish wife named Maeve, of course, who dedicates her life to others and unfortunately dies young. There are 10 kids, and an Irish mother-in-law who sends over a young Irish nanny named Mary Catherine. Then there's the kindly curmudgeon of a Grampa named Seamus! He became a priest after his wife of many decades passed away. Yes, you read that right. I mean, wow.

And let's not forget the over the top action plot! Whoooooooeeeeee! I won't give it away, but it's so exciting that it gives Die Hard a run for the money.

However, if you are looking for pure feel good entertainment (and I definitely am), then you've found it with this book. It's full of heartwarming moments and thrilling action that will keep you engaged from start to finish.

What an amazing book it is!

One could never have imagined in a million years that the kidnappers were who they actually were. The story was so full of twists and turns that it kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.

On the other hand, there were also some really sad moments that brought tears to my eyes. I truly hope that Mike gets what he deserves and has good luck in the remaining pages of the book.

This book has managed to capture my attention and emotions like no other. It is a must-read for all those who love a good mystery with a touch of heartbreak.

I can't wait to see how the story unfolds and what awaits Mike in the end.

Wow!

Today, I want to share with you an amazing article. This article is full of interesting facts and ideas that will surely capture your attention.

The author starts by introducing a fascinating topic that immediately piques our curiosity. Then, through detailed analysis and examples, the author presents a comprehensive view of the subject.

One of the most interesting points in the article is the discussion about [specific point]. It makes us think about [related issue] in a new way.

Moreover, the author's writing style is engaging and easy to understand, which makes the reading experience enjoyable.

In conclusion, this article is a must-read for anyone who is interested in [topic]. It provides valuable insights and food for thought.

Wow! I highly recommend it to you.

I absolutely adored this initial book within this series. It was truly a captivating read that had me completely engrossed from start to finish.

I think it might very well be the fastest novel I have ever read. I found myself so hooked that I willingly stayed up late into the night just to reach the conclusion.

The story was filled with excitement, interesting characters, and unexpected twists that kept me on the edge of my seat.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a great story.

Whether you are a fan of the genre or simply looking for a good book to pass the time, this one is sure to satisfy.

So, do yourself a favor and pick up this amazing book today. You won't be disappointed!

Step On A Crack presents Detective Michael Bennett in the midst of what could be the most difficult period of his life. As the Christmas season approaches, the city of New York is plunged into turmoil after the death of the former First Lady. While his wife Maeve is battling cancer, celebrities and billionaires are held hostage during the funeral at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Mike struggles to cope with the challenges of life and taking care of his ten adopted children.

Among the hostages are the current Mayor of New York City and beloved comedian John Rooney. Rooney attempts to lighten the mood with a few laughs, but things take a tragic turn when he and the mayor are killed, and their bodies are thrown out to the NYPD. The death toll rises to five with the killing of an FBI agent, an NYPD officer during a botched raid on the church, and a priest who is allegedly caught in the crossfire.

The kidnappers demand a multi-million-dollar ransom for each hostage's safe return. Understandably, Mike's focus is divided as he and the NYPD race to negotiate the release of the hostages. After the first hostage negotiator fails with threats of military action, Mike steps in to deal with "Jack," aka Rocko Milton, who has a warped sense of humor and believes he is smarter than the police. Jack, Little John, and their accomplices manage to outwit the NYPD at every turn and escape with the money, despite losing two members of their crew.

Meanwhile, Maeve's condition deteriorates, and the medical staff informs Mike that she has only a week left. Devastated and in denial, Mike takes some time to be with his kids, Father Shamus, and the new addition to the Bennett family, Mary Catherine, the au pair who takes over the household to help them through their grief. Mike's memories of Maeve are both heartrending and touching, setting the tone for the Michael Bennett series.

After Maeve passes away on Christmas and is buried, Mike returns to work and finally figures out how the kidnappers made their escape via the Hudson River. He sets out to apprehend them, along with the inside man/mastermind behind the crime, "The Neat Man," aka Paul Martelli. Once Jack, Little John, and The Neat Man are in custody, the story concludes with Mike and his family commemorating Maeve's life by planting a tree in Riverside Park in her memory.