The Midnight Club by james patterson

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This is one of the early books penned by James Patterson. It was a fairly good read, but it didn't quite reach the level of excellence that some of his later works achieved.

Synopsis:

Nobody has a better understanding of the seedy side of the city than New York cop John Stefanovitch. He has set his sights on Alexandre St-Germain, the most influential member of the Midnight Club - a clandestine international organization of brutal crime lords, all of whom pose as 'respectable' businessmen.

Stef is the perfect candidate for the job - until he is severely injured by a blast from St-Germain's shotgun and left for dead. Now, Stef has returned, confined to a wheelchair, but still sworn to bring down St-Germain.

With the assistance of a beautiful journalist and a Harlem cop, Stef is resolute in his determination to expose the Midnight Club. However, he faces odds that are both unknown and extremely dangerous!

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Ursa-Down

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Voto: 6/10

I haven't read much of this author, but I would say: not the best Patterson. The story is nice and flowing and also deviates from the classic canons, choosing a paraplegic as the protagonist and, as the antagonist, a club with the most powerful criminals in the world. Unfortunately, it ends here. The rest didn't strike me or excite me.

The book is dated (late 1980s) and suffers a bit from the stereotypes of the era (the mafia, our thing, the yakuza and the like are described a bit in the American way) and this already seemed to me... banal, I would say. Almost a cliché. Then the title refers to this phantom and terrible Midnight Club and the characters also talk about it a lot, but in the end the only one who emerges is Alexander St. Germain. And the others? Vague references to the presence of Italians, English, Japanese, Germans and others, but nothing precise and definite. Puppets in the hands of St. Germain, which clashes with the statement that they are the most terrible in the world. I would have liked to'see them' more, follow their thoughts, their way of being bad.

There are too many informational gaps left by the author: why does the police act precisely in that hotel? How does Isiah manage to stay still for hours without anyone doing anything? And Sam? How can they make such a blunder? All information that does not make the novel incoherent, but leaves the reader dissatisfied. The characters do not arouse the slightest empathy. Neither Stef, who has lost everything and is in a wheelchair, nor Sarah, despite Sam's story. A bit of sympathy is aroused by agent Parker, but it is far from involving me in his feelings and emotions.

Strangely, the bad guy is saved who, as a representation of 'evil', rightly arouses horror, disgust, antipathy and all the negative feelings that criminals arouse. Apart from the lack of participation, the plot flows, the pages follow one another and the alternation of points of view keeps the reader's attention alive and pushes to reach the end. Dialogues a bit poor and without great depth. Despite the flaws, Patterson knows his trade (and knew it at the time) and saves the book from insufficiency in the coroner: I liked the ending. A bit too positive and in the 'they all lived happily ever after' style, but never mind. This time I appreciated it.

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PandaFanForLife

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

A crippled detective, driven by an unwavering thirst for revenge, teams up with a flawed partner and a talented lady author. Together, they embark on a thrilling adventure to combat an evil foe that threatens to plunge the world into chaos.

The dynamics between these new Patterson characters are truly captivating. The crippled detective's determination in the face of physical limitations adds a layer of depth and inspiration. The flawed partner, with his own set of quirks and weaknesses, provides a relatable and human element. And the lady author brings her unique perspective and skills to the table, making the team all the more formidable.

I found myself completely engrossed in their story, eagerly turning the pages to see what would happen next. I have no doubt that you will too. And guess what? The good guys don't always have it easy, but they never give up. Their journey is filled with twists and turns, heart-pounding action, and moments of unexpected tenderness. It's a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

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AnimeNoMajutsu

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

The story is truly ridiculous and overly melodramatic.

Here we have a paralyzed detective on the hunt for a mastermind sadistic psychopath who is at the helm of an international criminal empire known as the midnight club.

I couldn't help but feel that the characters were all far too perfect and simply unbelievable.

I assume that this was one of his early attempts at writing, and he was still in the process of learning his craft.

Perhaps with more experience and practice, he would have been able to create a more engaging and realistic story.

As it stands, this particular tale falls short in many aspects and fails to capture the reader's imagination.

It's a pity really, as the premise had the potential to be quite interesting if executed better.

Nonetheless, it serves as a reminder that even the most talented writers have to start somewhere and learn from their mistakes.

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GirogeN_Z_

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

An average thriller, but you've got to love the love interest between the two main characters.

It might not be the most mind-blowing or revolutionary thriller out there, but there's something about the connection between those two central figures that really draws you in.

The story may follow a somewhat predictable path in terms of the thriller elements, with the usual twists and turns that you've come to expect. However, it's the relationship between the two leads that adds an extra layer of depth and emotion.

You can't help but root for them as they navigate through the dangerous and exciting events that unfold. Their love interest provides a glimmer of hope and warmth in what could otherwise be a dark and intense narrative.

Despite the flaws in the overall thriller aspect, the love story between the two main characters is enough to keep you engaged and invested in the story until the very end.

It's a reminder that sometimes, even in an average thriller, it's the human element that can make all the difference.

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fable2557

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

First published in 1989, for some reason, I failed to read The Midnight Club by James Patterson. It should not be confused with his series the Women's Murder Club.

The protagonist in The Midnight Club is John Stefanovitch, a New York cop. He was confined to a wheelchair after being shot and left for dead by the Grave Dancer. On the same chilling night, he also lost his wife to the Grave Dancer. Despite undergoing years of rehabilitation, John remained on the force. He was as determined as ever to catch his man.

While John was struggling and fighting to get his life back, the Grave Dancer was rising in the ranks of success. Now, he is part of an elite and secretive international unit of organized crime lords, known as the Midnight Club.

I really liked having a male protagonist in a wheelchair who was attractive, strong, protective, and driven. He didn't feel sorry for himself or drink himself into oblivion. Patterson avoids all the possible pitfalls and clichés here. This makes The Midnight Club feel like a fresh piece of writing, even though it was written 23 years ago.

There are references to the twin towers and a few other things that remind the reader of the passage of time. However, on the whole, this was an enjoyable crime novel. It had a very likeable good guy in New York cop John Stefanovitch and an equally well-written bad guy.

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cutekittenlady

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I truly relished reading this book. It was one of James Patterson's earlier works, which was evident from the writing style.

The characters were a delight to read about. Each one was unique, and the different points of view added depth to the story. I was quite saddened when one of the main characters passed away.

The main police officer in this book was someone I absolutely adored. His handling of all the situations thrown his way was remarkable. He was such a realistic character, and the manner in which he dealt with the bad guy even made me laugh.

However, I was disappointed with the ending. It felt as if James Patterson had become bored with the book and simply slapped on a mediocre conclusion just to finish it. The book had the potential for so many better endings.

Overall, I really liked this book. It wasn't the best or the worst book by him, but it was still an enjoyable read. xxx

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Blackjohn91

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

John Stefonvitch's life is shattered when he is shot by criminal St Germain, leaving him wheelchair-bound, and his wife is killed. Driven by vengeance, he sets out to hunt down St Germain, who is a member of the secretive crime organization known as The Midnight Club.

During his pursuit, John crosses paths with Sarah McGuiness, a journalist who is researching the club, and Isiah Parker, a police officer seeking revenge for the death of his brother.

This is one of James Patterson's stand-alone novels. While I found it to be an okay read, it didn't really hold my attention. It was a relatively short book, which might be appealing to those who love crime fiction but don't want to invest in a long series. However, for me, it lacked the depth and excitement that I usually look for in a Patterson novel.

Overall, it's a decent choice for fans of the genre who are looking for a quick and easy read, but it may not be the best option for those who are more discerning or looking for a more engaging story.

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The Midnight Club

james patterson

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