One of his earliest books,

I vividly remember coming across it at my dad's place. What's strange is that my dad has never been a fan of Patterson's works. So, it was quite a surprise for me to see that particular book there.

The story is nice and tightly woven. It kind of reminds me of The Honeymoon Killers as it revolves around a newly married couple who engage in a series of murders.

I'm not usually a big enthusiast of Patterson's books either. However, I did have a genuine liking for both Along Came A Spider and Kiss the Girls when the movies based on them were released.

I remember borrowing those books from the library and finding them to be decently crafted suspense novels. They were engaging enough to keep my attention, although I wouldn't want to read only Patterson's books all the time.

From what I can recall, this particular book was a good enough read for a subway ride, something to pass the time and enjoy a bit of mystery.

Season of the Machete is the second novel by the cash cow James Patterson, as far as I can tell. It was written way back in 1977. So, I assume it might not adhere to whatever formula he or his team of underling writers ultimately settled on.

And indeed, it seems to be an odd blend of pulp mayhem and, at times, something with more ambitious literary aspirations, similar to a hot fudge sundae garnished with broccoli. The overall narrative is choppy (no pun intended), jumping around too much in the beginning and skipping over too many crucial moments by the end. In one instance, readers are simply informed about the death of a major character before the story cuts back to show that death, undermining any potential suspense, tension, or emotional impact the moment could have had.

Otherwise, there is an abundance of gratuitous sex and violence. The killer couple, who often appear to be frolicking naked on the beach, simply want to cause chaos. As a result, readers are privy to their numerous brain-exposing, limb-severing assassinations. No real motivations are necessary. And every male character is a blond Adonis, while every female is ready to shed her bikini at the first insistence.

For a book that so strongly flirts with the lurid, I believe it would have been better off excluding the cheap literary trappings it pretends to have - newspaper excerpts and pseudo-profound journal entries, that is - and simply leaning into the tawdrier side of things. A few more arresting and over-the-top deaths would have been more interesting than a superficial understanding of why people commit such heinous crimes.

Sorry, James and Patterson fans, but this story was truly awful.

It was long and tedious, filled with gruesome crimes that I highly doubt could progress and continue for such a long time. The plot seemed to drag on and on, lacking the excitement and suspense that I had expected.

I listened to it on MP3, and I must admit that the narration by Lou Diamond Phillips was excellent. There was no problem there. He did a great job with the character accents and personalities, and his regular voice was quite pleasant to hear. However, even his wonderful narration couldn't save this story for me.

I guess this might be an oldie but goodie for some people, but unfortunately, it wasn't for me. I found myself losing interest halfway through and just wanting it to end. Maybe I'm not the right audience for this type of story, but I can't recommend it based on my experience.

I like most of James Patterson's books. However, this particular one was definitely not among my favorites.

I very rarely stop reading a book part way through. But unfortunately, I just couldn't stomach this one past approximately 30%. The brutal murders described in it were completely senseless.

Moreover, the story never seemed to connect or have any real point. It felt disjointed and lacking in a clear direction.

I believe I have better things to do with my precious time than to fill my mind with this kind of novel.

Nevertheless, I do know that this was one of his early books. And it is quite certain that he has most definitely improved over the years. His later works might offer a more engaging and meaningful reading experience.

His writing is truly not up to par.

The grammar is incorrect, and the spelling is poor. It is evident that it was definitely not proofread before release or not proofread by a native speaker.

This is very disappointing as I have been looking forward to reading his works.

I had high expectations, but unfortunately, they have not been met.

The lack of attention to detail in his writing makes it difficult to fully enjoy and appreciate his ideas.

I hope that in the future, he will take the time to improve his writing skills and have his work properly proofread to ensure a higher quality output.

Until then, I will have to look elsewhere for engaging and well-written literature.

I didn't really care for this book.

At first glance, it seemed to have an interesting premise, but as I delved deeper, I found myself losing interest.

The characters were not very well-developed, and I had a hard time connecting with them.

The plot also seemed to drag on at times, and there were several points where I felt like the story was going nowhere.

Additionally, the writing style was a bit too simplistic for my taste.

Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.

I think there are many other books out there that are much more engaging and well-written.

Maybe if the author had spent more time developing the characters and tightening up the plot, this could have been a better book.

But as it stands, it just didn't do it for me.

Excellent Book

This is an extremely fast-paced novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The plot is truly captivating, filled with twists and turns that will leave you guessing until the very end. The stunning intrigue weaves its way throughout the story, adding an extra layer of excitement and mystery. It's one of those books that you simply can't put down once you start reading. I found myself completely immersed in the world created by the author, eagerly turning the pages to see what would happen next. Now that I've finished this amazing work, I can't wait to get my hands on the next Patterson novel. I'm sure it will be just as精彩 and engaging as this one.

Horrible.

I am a big fan of James Patterson and have read many of his books. However, this particular one was truly awful.

I had high hopes for it and kept thinking that as I read further, it would get better. But unfortunately, that was not the case.

The story lacked depth and the characters were completely uninteresting. There was not a single character in the book that I could bring myself to care about.

The plot was predictable and the writing was mediocre at best.

I was really disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to anyone.

It's a shame because James Patterson is usually such a great author, but this one really missed the mark.

I hope his future books will be more in line with his usual high standards.

One of the very earliest James Patterson novels,

this is truly dire writing. It is really disappointing as I've enjoyed nearly all of his that I have read.

Even if you are a die-hard fan of Patterson, I would strongly advise you to skip this drivel. The story lacks the usual charm and excitement that Patterson's works are known for. The characters are not well-developed, and the plot seems to be going nowhere. It feels like the author was still finding his footing in the early days of his career. While I understand that every writer has their off days, this particular novel is a real let-down. I would recommend that you stick to his more recent and better works if you want to experience the true genius of James Patterson.

I'm really not sure how this particular work was ever published in the first place. It's truly one of the very few books that I've begun reading and then had to toss aside long before reaching the third chapter. The writing seemed disjointed, the plot was lacking in coherence, and the characters failed to engage me on any meaningful level. It was a real disappointment, to say the least. I had high hopes when I first picked it up, but those hopes were quickly dashed as I delved deeper into the text. I can't help but wonder if there was some oversight during the editorial process. Maybe the author had some great ideas, but they just didn't translate well onto the page. Whatever the reason, it's a book that I won't be recommending to anyone.

Another very early Patterson work that is far better than the reviews would indicate.

This particular piece by Patterson showcases his remarkable talent and creativity right from the start of his career. Despite what the initial reviews might have suggested, it holds a certain charm and depth that is often overlooked.

The story unfolds in a unique and engaging way, drawing the reader in from the very first page. The characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy for the audience to become invested in their lives and experiences.

With its 341 pages, this work offers a substantial and fulfilling read. It is a testament to Patterson's ability to craft a captivating narrative that stands the test of time.

Overall, it is a hidden gem that deserves to be discovered and appreciated by a wider audience.

Meh!

I listened to this one on CD while driving, and the tale was so convoluted that I had great difficulty following it.

It was like a maze of plot twists and turns that left me constantly confused and trying to figure out what was going on.

Moreover, it is an extremely gory tale.

Eek!

The vivid descriptions of blood, violence, and horror made me cringe and feel a bit queasy at times.

It was not the kind of story that I would recommend to those with a weak stomach or a sensitivity to such graphic content.

Overall, it was a rather disappointing listening experience for me.