An average Patterson thriller is often muddled by inconsistent writing and sappy melodrama.

Certainly, there are certain aspects of this book that I truly liked. However, there were also some scenes that I found incredibly stupid.

For instance, when a dying policeman, who knows the identity of his murderer, decides to spend his last half-hour on Earth catching a taxi to his partner's apartment just to tell him that he loves him, instead of, you know, passing on the crucial information to someone or perhaps even getting himself to a hospital.

Soon after writing this book, Patterson penned ALONG CAME A SPIDER and established himself as a publishing superstar.

For better or worse, THE MIDNIGHT CLUB is basically a trial run for the Alex Cross series. It shows the early attempts and developments of Patterson's writing style and ideas that would later evolve and become more refined in the Alex Cross books.

Despite its flaws, it still has some elements that keep the reader engaged and interested, even if they are sometimes overshadowed by the less believable moments.

Overall, it's an interesting read that gives an insight into Patterson's journey as a writer.

To put it simply, this was the best from Patterson. However, from another perspective, I've noticed that debut novels are never really that good. To get right down to the point, the book was highly unbelievable. I'm under the impression Patterson has never held a gun before, let alone shot one.

As described in the opening scene, our hero Stefanovitch is shot three times with a shotgun by our villainous evildoer. He is hit firstly in the shoulder and then in the side from 20 yards. Once on the ground, the villain stands over him and gives him the "death" shot into the back. Now, remember that shotgun shells are filled with pellets, not a bullet in a casing like rifles or handguns. Their purpose is to cover the maximum area of a moving target because the pellets disperse in all directions. That is why shotguns are often used for bird hunting. In a nutshell, from 20 yards away, if the first two shots didn't kill Stefanovitch, the third one from 3 ft away would've shattered his spine and punctured numerous organs. Heck, if the bad guy aimed for his neck, he would've taken his entire head off. But no, he survives but is paralyzed from the waist down.

And you'll be telling me the Kupek died. He is shot and the first thing he does is go to Stefanovitch's house? He didn't, for example, cry for help or find a payphone. For a homicide detective, he sure wasn't acting like one. It seems a little far-fetched to me if you ask me.

Lastly, in the climax of the film, Stefanovitch is shot again, twice actually, in the side and back. He ends up chasing the shooter on his wheelchair and is hit by a taxi. Doctors in the "best" hospital in New York were saying if he survives and that was a strong if, he would likely be paralyzed from the neck down. But guess what, he breaks the odds! He survives and not only that, in 9 months, he's walking with the help of a cane. Talk about a miracle.

The unbelievability is what really killed it for me. I thought it was a decent plot with good characters and that's why I'm giving it two stars. This won't completely prevent me from reading more from this author but this one is definitely a dud in his writings.

I have to admit that I didn't like the book "LMAO".

I put it down last year because I simply couldn't get through it. The story didn't seem to grip me, and I found myself losing interest quickly.

However, last week, as I was looking at my bookshelf, I saw "LMAO" sitting there. For some reason, I felt a strange urge to give it another try.

I forced myself to pick it up and start reading again. This time, I made a conscious effort to focus and try to understand the plot and the characters.

Surprisingly, as I got deeper into the book, I started to see some redeeming qualities. The author's writing style had its moments, and there were a few interesting twists and turns in the story.

Although I still wouldn't say that "LMAO" is one of my favorite books, I'm glad that I gave it a second chance. It just goes to show that sometimes, we need to be willing to push through our initial impressions and give things a fair shot.

This has been one of the best books that I have ever read. It consists of over 500 pages, yet it managed to maintain my interest throughout the entire book.

Every time I put it down, I couldn't wait to pick it back up and continue reading. The book features big print and a hardcover, which makes it both easy to read and durable.

Mr. Patterson has a unique writing style. He keeps his chapters short, which is exactly the way I like them. This allows for a quick and easy read, while still maintaining the overall flow and structure of the story.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an engaging and enjoyable read. It has truly been a pleasure to read, and I can't wait to see what else Mr. Patterson has in store for us.

DNF 80%

I just couldn't seem to get into this book at all. Right from the start, the plot line was extremely choppy. It felt as if there were crucial elements missing that would have helped me better understand and engage with the story. As I continued reading, it just seemed to drag on and on. The pacing was so slow that it made it really difficult for me to stay interested.

Moreover, I could have completely done without the love interest aspect of the story. It didn't add anything significant to the overall plot and, in fact, it felt rather forced and unnecessary. It seemed to be just thrown in there for the sake of having a romantic element, rather than being an integral part of the story.

Overall, this book was a real disappointment for me. I had high hopes for it, but unfortunately, it just didn't deliver. I would not recommend this book to others.

During the quarantine, I had the pleasure of reading a nice little book by James Patterson. The beginning was truly captivating as a series of unexpected events suddenly startled this reader. It had me hooked from page to page, skillfully creating characters that I couldn't help but like and villains that were thoroughly despicable. The story unfolded in a way that kept my interest piqued throughout. However, I must admit that the ending wrapped up a little too conveniently for my taste. It felt as if some of the loose ends were tied up a bit too neatly, lacking a certain degree of complexity and realism. Nevertheless, overall, it was an enjoyable read that provided some much-needed entertainment during these challenging times.

Stef has endured great pain and loss. His wife was brutally murdered, and he himself was left in a wheelchair due to an accident. But he is not one to simply accept his fate. With the help of a beautiful journalist and another cop who was part of the street law hired by St. Germaine, Stef begins his journey of revenge.

The beautiful journalist provides Stef with valuable information and support. She uses her skills and connections to uncover the truth behind his wife's murder and the events that led to his accident.

The other cop, who was part of the street law, brings his own set of skills and experience to the table. He has inside knowledge of the criminal underworld and is able to help Stef navigate the dangerous waters as he seeks revenge.

Together, Stef, the journalist, and the cop form a powerful team. They are determined to bring justice to those who have wronged Stef and to make sure that the same fate does not befall anyone else.

As they get closer to their goal, Stef's determination grows stronger. He will stop at nothing to avenge his wife's death and to regain his freedom and dignity.

In the end, Stef's revenge is sweet. He is able to bring the perpetrators to justice and find some measure of peace and closure. But he knows that his journey is not over. He must now learn to live with the consequences of his actions and find a new purpose in life.

I must say that I truly enjoyed this book.

I awarded it 4 stars primarily because it simply isn't the exact style that I'm deeply passionate about. However, my fiancé's grandpa presented this book to me, and thus I felt compelled to read it.

I'm extremely glad that I took the opportunity to do so because I actually got quite immersed in it. Nevertheless, it was a bit more challenging for me to persevere through it, considering that I'm more inclined towards the fantasy genre.

Nonetheless, I'm very grateful to grandpa for giving me this book. I liked it to such an extent that I'm looking forward to reading more of the books that he gives me in the near future. Ha ha.

Overall, it was a pleasant reading experience despite not being my absolute favorite style. I'm eager to see what other literary treasures grandpa has in store for me.

A plucky band of unique individuals has decided to come together. Their mission? To face off against an all-knowing psychopath. As you read through this story, you find yourself simply motoring along.

The only thing that seems to keep you going is the strange task of counting how many brand names the author will casually drop or the number of times he will use the term "street law." It's truly a dreadful experience.

The story lacks depth and creativity, relying on these gimmicks rather than developing engaging characters or a thrilling plot.

You can't help but feel disappointed as you plow through the pages, hoping for something more but only finding a tiresome and unoriginal narrative.

It's a real shame that such a potentially interesting premise has been executed so poorly.

AWESOME!

My favorite book by Patterson, aside from his Alex Cross Series, is truly remarkable. I have a deep affection for the main characters. The story is incredibly SUSPENSEFUL, making it impossible to put down. I've read this book FOUR TIMES, and each time it just gets better and better!!!!!! It's one of Patterson's first books, and yet it stands out as the BEST!!!

If you're longing for a genuine NEW YORK DETECTIVE STORY, then look no further. THIS IS IT!!!! It's an absolute HAVE TO READ.

The plot is filled with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. The characters are well-developed and engaging, making you feel as if you're right there in the heart of New York City, solving crimes alongside them.

Patterson's writing style is captivating, and he has a knack for creating a sense of urgency and excitement on every page. Whether you're a fan of detective stories or just looking for a thrilling read, this book is sure to satisfy.

So, don't miss out on this amazing literary gem. Grab a copy and prepare to be swept away into a world of mystery and adventure.

This may be the very first James Patterson book that I have ever delved into. Given that he is such a massively successful best-selling author, my expectations were sky-high. However, in my humble opinion, this particular work simply failed to measure up to his lofty reputation.

I couldn't help but notice that the characters in the story seemed rather one-dimensional. They lacked the depth and complexity that would have made them truly engaging. As a result, I found myself losing interest on several occasions while reading. In fact, for me, it was an arduous task to persevere and finish this book.

Perhaps it was just an off day for Patterson, or maybe this particular book wasn't quite my cup of tea. Nevertheless, based on this experience, I will approach his other works with a slightly more cautious eye in the future.

John Stefanovitch and his team of anti-vice policemen are on their way to arrest a drug kingpin. Suddenly, they are ambushed. John is shot thrice and ends up in a wheelchair. The drug boss, Alexandre St Germain, also known as The Grave Dancer, then goes to John's home and kills his wife, Anna Stefanovitch.

Isaiah Parker is an undercover policeman in Harlem, New York. His beat is to take down small-time drug syndicates from the streets. His brother Marcus, a rising boxing talent, died of an overdose in a hotel. Isaiah later discovers that Marcus had refused to dance to the tune of the drug lord and was shot up with heroin for 10 days until his heart exploded.

Sarah McGinniss is a journalist who writes on crime and organized crime. Her first book, "A Mother's Kindness," was a bestseller. Her current work, "The Club," is about the future of organized crime. It tells the story of a group of men around the world who control illicit activities and have combined profits exceeding $60 billion annually. One of them, Alexandre St Germain, wants to take organized crime to the status of a multinational corporation. He fakes his own death and has hit men sponsored by him kill other top crime bosses.

St Germain uses police death squads to carry out his hits. Isaiah Parker, who joined the hit team for vengeance, is disappointed when he finds out they won't be taking out The Grave Dancer. John Stefanovitch, initially happy about St Germain's death, now wants to know the truth. Sarah's research brings her into the investigation, where she meets Stefanovitch and St Germain.

The book ends well. The Grave Dancer is sent to his grave, Stefanovitch regains the use of his feet, and Isaiah Parker doesn't go to jail. The book is a work of fiction written in the second person by James Patterson. He weaves a complex web of corruption, intrigues, betrayal, love, and hate. His sentences are simple, and the chapters are short. He introduces his characters naturally. It's no surprise that he is an award-winning writer of crime thrillers. This is a welcome break from true life war stories. Enjoy it.
From somewhere out there,
Michael Ombu