This was the very first novel penned by James Patterson. I have delved into quite a number of his works. However, this particular one was completely distinct from the others I've perused.

I'm unable to assert that I had a penchant for it. The narrative truly skipped around an excessive amount, which led to a great deal of confusion.

The ending, on the other hand, was rather astonishing. It wasn't so much about who "done it" but rather the manner in which it concluded.

I find it fascinating to observe how far Patterson has advanced in his writing career. It's quite a journey to witness the evolution of his style and storytelling techniques from this initial offering to his more recent and perhaps more refined works.

Normally, I find Patterson's books to be quick-paced, easy, and entertaining reads. However, this particular book was a chore to get through. It was extremely confusing, with both the story and the time line jumping around erratically. One moment, you're in one scene, and the next, you're in a completely different one, with no clear connection or transition. It made it very difficult to follow and understand what was going on.

In one regard, it was interesting. There were references to common products of 1976, the year the book was published, such as Sanka. I'm guessing that many younger readers wouldn't recognize many of those mentioned. It was a bit of a nostalgia trip for those of us who remember that era. However, that alone is certainly not a reason to read the book. The confusion and lack of coherence far outweighed any minor interest in the product references.

Typically, when I jot down my mini-reviews, I always make an effort to identify two positive aspects and two negative aspects, no matter how insignificant they may be. However, my mini-review for this book might consist solely of erratic question marks. What on earth did I just read?! James Patterson is a bit of a mixed bag for me, with an almost equal likelihood of captivating me with his books or completely missing the mark. This is毫无疑问 the lowest point of his writings, and I truly struggle to make sense of any semblance of plot or narrative.

And what a timely moment it is to read this! While I had the impression that Patterson was attempting to depict the dynamics of racial injustice in The Thomas Berryman Number, for the most part, all I could gather was him perpetuating these racist stereotypes himself. It goes to such extremes that I find it difficult to distinguish how much of this can be attributed to the era in which it was written and how much is simply just bad. It's not a great book at all.

I firmly believe that this is the very first book penned by James Patterson. Naturally, I had certain expectations, anticipating that it might not reach the same level of excellence as those he produced in later years. However, to my great delight, I was pleasantly surprised. Not only did it prove to be of equal caliber, but in several aspects, it even surpassed those he has recently written.

The story centers around Ochs Jones, a newspaper reporter who is delving into the murder of Nashville Mayor Jimmie Horn. What adds an extra layer of intrigue is the fact that Jimmie Horn was a black mayor in the 1970s in the South, with aspirations of becoming a U.S. Senator. Thus, throughout the book, the backdrop of racial implications looms large.

The Horn murder initially appears to be an open and shut case. A dozen witnesses claim to have seen Bert Poole pull the trigger. But here's the catch: were the bullets from his gun truly the ones that ended Horn's life? Acting on a tip from a mental hospital, Jones embarks on a journey to New York to interview a patient named Ben Toy, who alleges that Thomas Berryman is responsible for the murder. What makes Ben Toy's claim so credible is that he was making this assertion before the murder even took place. This tip sets Jones off on a quest to uncover the truth: who really shot Jimmie Horn, who is Thomas Berryman, and where is he now?

One aspect of the book that I thoroughly enjoyed was its alternating narrative, which seamlessly flashed between the present day (as Jones is writing a book about the murder) and the past when he was conducting the investigation. Moreover, it masterfully kept me on the edge of my seat, withholding the details of the shooting and the identity of the true shooter until the last 20 pages, leaving me in a state of suspense throughout.

I really don't like writing bad reviews, but this book was truly awful. I'm a big fan of James Patterson, and I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this particular one. It's quite a strange case as it got rejected 31 times yet also won an Edgar Award.

When I first started reading, the first 15 - 20 pages gave me a glimmer of hope. That portion was really enjoyable, and I thought maybe this was going to be a great book. However, it quickly went downhill from there. I'm not entirely sure how to accurately describe it, but it was one of the most boring and frustrating books I've ever read.

I seriously have no idea how this book managed to win an Edgar Award. Unless the other books that year were just really bad, it's hard to fathom. The only positive aspect of this book is that it does a decent job of setting up what could potentially be a very interesting and gripping mystery. But unfortunately, that's not what it turned out to be. I really had no clue what was going on throughout the story, and even though I finished it not too long ago, I couldn't tell you what actually happened.

James Patterson himself even came out and said that the story wasn't good, but the writing was. And that's true to an extent. It does have some really good writing, but that alone can't save the story. This book is very different from his other works, which isn't surprising considering it's his very first. It's crazy how this book is relatively short, yet when you're reading it, it feels like it goes on forever and ever with no end in sight. This was before Patterson started using short chapters, which usually help readers get through the book quicker. Unless you're a completist like me, I'd highly recommend skipping this one.

This, the debut novel from James Patterson, reveals that he was once a name full of promise in the realm of literary crime fiction.

However, at present, he appears to be quite satisfied with simply attaching his name to a plethora of mediocre rubbish that he didn't even pen.

Having said that, even though the writing in this book is of high quality and brings to mind something by Dennis Lehane, the story itself is overly long and disappointingly simplistic.

I challenge you to read the last page and not think, "Is that it?"

The narrative seems to drag on, lacking the necessary twists and turns to maintain a reader's interest throughout.

Despite the excellent prose, the overall experience of reading this novel is somewhat marred by its uneventful plot.

It's a shame that such good writing is wasted on a story that fails to truly engage and captivate the reader.

Perhaps Patterson should return to his roots and focus on creating more complex and thrilling narratives that do justice to his undeniable writing skills.

Until then, readers will have to sift through the mountains of mediocre works bearing his name in the hope of finding that one hidden gem.

Okay - so I ordered this book and was kind of excited to get back into the old style writing of James Patterson.

What I received, however, was a book that seemed to be all over the place. It was extremely difficult to keep up with the events that were unfolding, not to mention trying to figure out who was where at any given moment.

I had a really hard time following each of the characters. Their actions and motives were often unclear, and even the finale was confusing, to say the least.

I felt that Ochs Jones, the author, was rambling in his storytelling. This is not the way a real journalist, which he is supposed to be, would present a story.

The writing wasn't concise; it lacked clarity and order. There were quite a few unanswered questions throughout the book, and I was left wondering how it all could have gone so wrong.

Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others who are looking for a well-written and engaging story.

This book is extremely confusing.

It is really difficult to follow the plot and understand what is going on.

Out of all the James Patterson books I have read so far, this one is my least favorite.

The story seems to jump around without a clear direction, making it a real struggle to stay engaged.

I found myself constantly flipping back and forth, trying to make sense of the events.

The characters also lack depth and development, which further detracts from the overall reading experience.

Overall, I would not recommend this book to others.

There are many other great James Patterson books out there that are much more enjoyable and easier to follow.

This one just doesn't measure up.

Just not my cup of tea.

It really took me quite some time to get into reading the style in which it was written.

I found myself initially struggling to adapt to the unique way the words were arranged and the overall tone of the piece.

Perhaps it was too different from what I was accustomed to, or maybe it lacked the elements that usually draw me in and keep me engaged.

Nevertheless, I persisted in trying to understand and appreciate it, but unfortunately, it never really clicked for me.

Maybe someone else with a different taste and reading preference would find it highly enjoyable and captivating, but for me, it simply didn't measure up.

I guess we all have our own individual likes and dislikes when it comes to literature, and this particular work just happened to fall on the wrong side of the fence for me.

Incredibly BORING.

I listened for several hours, yet I'm still left wondering who Thomas Berryman is and why on earth I should care.

This definitely isn't your typical James Patterson book.

Usually, his works are filled with thrilling plots, engaging characters, and page-turning action that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

But this one seems to lack that certain spark.

The story just doesn't seem to go anywhere, and I find myself constantly losing interest.

I had high hopes for this book, especially since it's by such a renowned author, but unfortunately, it has failed to deliver.

I'm not sure if I'll even bother finishing it at this point.

It's a real disappointment.

I was expecting a fast-paced mystery that would keep me guessing until the very end, but instead, I got a dull and uneventful read.

Maybe it's just not for me, but I can't help but feel let down.

Did this book have a plot? I am still scratching my head and wondering what I just listened to.

It was such a confusing experience that I really had to question the very essence of the story.

If I had not gotten this book on Audible, I would not have been able to finish this.

The convenience of listening on the go was the only thing that kept me somewhat engaged.

One reason I stuck to it is I absolutely love Will Patton as an Actor, so the voice kept me focused.

His performance added a certain charm and interest that might otherwise have been lacking.

I am just now exploring James Patterson, and this is definitely not one of the best ones.

However, I believe this is one of his first writings, so perhaps it can be forgiven for some of its flaws.

Overall, it was an okay listen, but not something that I would highly recommend.

Maybe I will give Patterson another chance with one of his more recent works.

This book is clearly targeted solely at the American market. There are numerous references to items that only American people can identify with.

Moreover, it is disjointed and confusing, lacking the "page-turning," "can't put it down" element that is so prevalent in his other books.

To be honest, it was a real struggle to persevere until the end. If this were my very first JP book, it likely would have been my last.

The author seems to have deviated from his usual style and failed to capture the reader's attention and interest as effectively as before.

Perhaps he was too focused on catering to the American audience and overlooked the importance of creating a seamless and engaging narrative for a wider readership.

Overall, this book is a disappointment compared to his previous works and may not be the best choice for those who are new to his writing or expecting a similar level of excitement and entertainment.