3.75 stars
This was a story about a so-called "black widow". She is extremely beautiful, yet deadly.

The author leads us into the mind of Nora Sinclair, a woman who seemingly has everything. She has a great career, stunning looks, and a handsome and rich fiancé. One might wonder what more could someone possibly want. Well, Nora desires more, and more, and even more.

Unfortunately for Nora, there are those who wish to stop her and will go to almost any lengths to achieve that goal.

This story intricately weaves a great cat and mouse game. We will witness who ultimately emerges victorious in the end, and it might just astonish you. The twists and turns in the plot keep the reader on the edge of their seat, constantly guessing and speculating about what will happen next. It is a thrilling and engaging read that will leave you breathless.

This Patterson book truly stands out with its well-plotted storyline and engaging characters. It has quickly become one of my absolute favorites. The plot is so intricately designed that it keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Each twist and turn is unexpected, yet perfectly fits into the overall narrative. The characters are equally captivating. They are well-developed, with unique personalities and motives that make you truly care about what happens to them. It's no wonder that this book has been a best seller for such a long time. I absolutely loved it and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thrilling and enjoyable read.

Ok, to be honest, there are indeed some truly cheesy moments in this book. However, it is a remarkably quick and easy read that manages to be highly entertaining as well.

Now, it's important to note that there aren't really any profound themes or complex plot points to engage in a detailed discussion. There aren't those great book club questions that would spark in-depth conversations. But then again, the book never set out to be that kind of literary masterpiece.

James Patterson is truly the maestro when it comes to formulaic writing, and I say this in the most complimentary way possible. The structure of the story is so crystal clear, and the characterizations are so sharp and vivid that it makes this an incredibly effortless book to devour. With its soap opera-esque twists and turns, it serves as a wonderful beach read, offering plenty of interesting (and at times, even laughable) entertainment to keep you engaged under the sun.

All in all, while it may not be a literary classic, it definitely has its own charm and appeal for those looking for a light-hearted and enjoyable read.

I truly adored this book.

The writing style was simply amazing. For the very first time in my reading experience, I found myself not only liking but also truly understanding the villain.

Strangely enough, I had an almost irrational hatred for what could typically be regarded as the hero in this particular book.

The captivating tales of drama and mystery had an immediate pull on me, drawing me in completely.

I was left utterly confused by the intense negative feelings I had developed for O'Hara.

This, in turn, led me to wholeheartedly root for Nora.

If a writer has the ability to evoke such complex and powerful emotions within a reader, it is a clear indication that they have crafted an excellent book.

And this book, without a doubt, falls into that category.

Even though the story is still quite entertaining, the characters are very cheesy and credulous.

For instance, how can Nora Sinclair manage to maintain her marriage with one man while continuing her affair with another? Or, how can she so effortlessly transfer the money from her fiancé's account to hers in the Cayman Islands? In the real world, transferring a sum of 1.9 billion to a different account registration can never be accomplished with just a few clicks online without obtaining more authentication via phone or paper documents.

Moreover, how can she be acquitted of all three murder charges and the attempt to poison FBI agent O'Hara, considering all that has occurred? The story never mentions how she evades these charges, and I doubt any lawyer could defend her so effectively. Additionally, the story never reveals what is in Nora's mom Olivia's letter that was left in Nora's purse. What truly drives Olivia to want to kill her husband, aside from being a lunatic? There are simply many unanswered details, suggesting that this may not be a very well-planned piece of writing.

However, this is only my second book by James Patterson, and it still makes me eager to listen (I love audio books) to more of his works. I don't deny that there is still a great deal of guilty pleasure, as I find JP's writing style to be so fast-paced and filled with twists and turns in any short chapter.

I'm truly sorry, but this piece of writing was really bad. It was poorly constructed and seemed to jump around randomly.

To be honest, I feel as if my writing skills at the age of 12 were better than this. I made the mistake of forgetting to pack a book for my vacation, and this was the only thing available in the Airbnb.

At the beginning, it didn't seem too bad. However, before reaching the halfway point, it felt jumbled and rushed. There were no meaningful details or interactions that could engage the reader.

Moreover, there were numerous plot holes, and many things were left unresolved or unexplained.

I'm giving it two stars instead of one simply because I managed to read it quickly, and in a strange way, I kind of enjoyed how awful it was. If that makes any sense at all.

Overall, this was a disappointing read, and I would not recommend it to anyone.

When this was first released, I read it. However, now I'm listening to the audiobook. So far, it's going quite well.

I've finished listening to the audio. If you're a fan of Patterson's stand-alone works, you'll likely enjoy this one too. The only drawback is that although the readers had very pleasant voices, the female reader didn't vary her voice when portraying different female characters. This made it a bit difficult to distinguish between the various female roles at times.

Overall, despite this minor issue with the female reader's lack of vocal differentiation, the story itself was engaging and held my attention throughout the audiobook listening experience. I would still recommend it to those who enjoy Patterson's writing style and are looking for an interesting stand-alone novel to read or listen to.

I picked up this book solely because I'm enrolled in James Patterson's Masterclass writing course, and this is the very book he employs as an illustration of how to go about things. There was no other motivation whatsoever. Otherwise, I would not have delved into it, as it would have seemed to me like a rather typical black widow thriller. Although I do have a penchant for thrillers as an occasional guilty indulgence, I'm more inclined towards sci-fi and fantasy. However, a black widow thriller wouldn't have been my first choice. I have a penchant for spy stories, noir, or tales of serial killers attempting to apprehend other serial killers.

This, however, was not your run-of-the-mill black widow thriller. To assume so would be a misstep. It commences in that vein, and that's what you initially think it is, but you'd be incorrect. I understand precisely why Patterson utilizes this book as his exemplar for constructing a plot and devising an outline.

Some individuals truly despise his artifice. They opine that he overdoes it at the beginning or that the ending appears out of the blue. That, of course, is a matter of personal preference, and I don't pass judgment on it. Nevertheless, I perceive the subtle artistry within it myself, and to me, the conclusion makes perfect sense. I firmly believe that I have grasped the lesson Patterson intended when he essentially assigned this book as a textbook. And I can truly appreciate it.

I cannot dispute the general evaluation of the characters. They are acceptable, yet in many respects, they are stereotypes. I find Nora Sinclair particularly insidious in that regard because she embodies the black widow stereotype, and such an image of women is frequently exploited to rationalize misogyny. The other three significant women in the group are mere ciphers. This novel fails the Bechdel Test; the only meaningful conversation among any of them was indeed about a man.

Nonetheless, if you relish a good thriller, I can most definitely recommend this one. And if you simply desire to read a well-crafted plot, you should give it a try as well.

This book was extremely suspenseful,

keeping me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.

The plot was full of twists and turns that I never saw coming,

constantly leaving me guessing what would happen next.

I was so engrossed in the story that I found myself reading it in one evening,

unable to put it down.

The author did an excellent job of creating a sense of mystery and tension throughout the book,

making it a truly captivating read.

By the time I reached the end, I was completely satisfied with how everything was resolved,

but also a little sad that it was over.

This is definitely a book that I would recommend to anyone who loves a good mystery or thriller.

It's one that will keep you entertained and engaged from beginning to end.

This is an extremely fun thriller that I truly relished!

In my opinion, it is the best read when you are on a beach.

The story is filled with exciting twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

The author has done a great job of creating a sense of mystery and suspense that makes it impossible to put the book down.

Whether you are a fan of thrillers or just looking for an entertaining read, this book is definitely worth checking out.

So, grab a copy, head to the beach, and get ready to be thrilled!

This was such an incredibly great thriller!!

From the very moment I picked up the book, I was completely hooked. The story was so captivating and filled with intense moments that I simply couldn't put it down.

I found myself completely immersed in the plot, eagerly turning the pages to discover what would happen next.

It was like a wild ride that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.

And that's exactly why I was able to finish it in just 1 day!!

This is definitely a must-read for all thriller enthusiasts out there.

You won't be disappointed!

Trust me, once you start reading, you'll be as addicted as I was.

So don't hesitate, grab a copy and get ready for an unforgettable reading experience.

Sad to say, I am not crazy about this book.

The story was rather predictable, lacking in the element of surprise that would have kept me on the edge of my seat.

The characters, too, failed to win my heart. They didn't seem to have much depth or complexity, making it difficult for me to form a real connection with them.

Moreover, the ending felt a little flat. It didn't provide the satisfying conclusion that I was hoping for, leaving me with a sense of disappointment.

I had wanted to get more "in deep" with Nora, to understand the reasons behind her actions and the way she was. However, the author didn't delve deeply enough into her character, leaving many questions unanswered.

Still, on the positive side, it was an easy read. The language was simple and straightforward, making it accessible to a wide range of readers.

And some of the "side plots" were quite nice, adding an extra layer of interest to the story.

Taking all these factors into consideration, I will rate this book 3*.