Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
29(29%)
4 stars
40(40%)
3 stars
31(31%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews
July 15,2025
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Patterson books are known for being casual and comfortable reads.

I had the opportunity to read "Second Honeymoon" first. Even though there were several references to other books in the series, I discovered that reading them out of order did not in any way detract from the enjoyment of either one.

The stories seem to have a certain independence that allows readers to pick up any book and still have a great reading experience.

Each book has its own unique plot and set of characters, which are developed in an engaging way.

Whether you start with the first book or jump in the middle, Patterson's writing style keeps you hooked from beginning to end.

So, if you're looking for an easy and enjoyable read, don't be afraid to pick up a Patterson book, regardless of its position in the series.
July 15,2025
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The story is set in various locations such as Briarcliff Manor, a mansion in Boston, an expensive flat in New York, and a dingy apartment rented by the FBI. The FBI also sets up an insurance office. The characters include John Ohara/Craig Reynolds/The Tourist, an FBI agent who goes undercover as an insurance agent. He believes Nora Sinclair is a black widow as her first husband died of a heart attack. Nora is a 32-year-old gorgeous interior decorator who has access to rich men. Her mother was sentenced to prison for shooting her husband in front of Nora when she was 6. Nora visits her mother weekly. She has interacted with Connor Brown, a rich banker, and Jeffrey Walker, a famous writer. She is sexual and caring with them but has a voice in her head telling her to dispose of them once she has access to their money. Susan Fitzgerald is John's boss and ex-wife. Elizabeth Brown is Connor's sister who calls in the FBI when the money is missing. The story unfolds slowly, with Patterson revealing the mystery bit by bit. John figures out Nora's plan and escapes her poisoning attempt. Nora is arrested but later released due to the names/accounts on a flash drive being financial supporters of the president. She returns to Briarcliff and is killed by Elizabeth. John realizes the truth and decides to take a paid leave of absence to reconnect with Susan.

July 15,2025
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This book is a real page-turner, with a great deal of character interaction that keeps you engaged from start to finish.

However, the mystery and suspense elements fall a bit flat. It feels more like a beach read type of mystery, lighthearted and easy to digest, but also with some cheesy moments that might make you roll your eyes.

The ending is also quite predictable, which takes away some of the excitement. Overall, it's an okay read if you're looking for something light and entertaining, but it won't blow your mind with its complexity or originality.

Still, the character development is well done, and you'll find yourself rooting for some of them as you make your way through the story. If you're a fan of mysteries and don't mind a bit of predictability, this book might be worth checking out.
July 15,2025
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Not a great book!!

You can expect everything beforehand. This is the first book of Patterson that I have read. When it comes to thrillers, Sidney Sheldon is the first person who comes to my mind.

At many times while reading this book, I felt that the author tried to use the formula of Sheldon but failed in the result. Some parts of the story were abruptly stopped without a proper conclusion.

Some were given excessive hype but ended up being very boring. The writer failed to create an interest for the readers to proceed further.

It seems that Patterson has a long way to go in order to match the level of Sheldon in the thriller genre. The book lacks the excitement and the element of surprise that a good thriller should have.

I was really disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others who are looking for a thrilling read.
July 15,2025
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Cliche.

But I truly enjoyed the story. It was rather interesting and in a strange way, I kinda felt like I was watching (or reading) Hawaii Five O.

The plot had its moments that really captured my attention. There were elements that were familiar, yet they were presented in a way that made it engaging.

Maybe it was the setting or the characters, but something about it just drew me in.

Even though it might have had some cliche aspects, it didn't stop me from having a good time while experiencing the story.

I found myself getting lost in the narrative and looking forward to what would happen next.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read (or watch), and I'm glad I gave it a chance.

It goes to show that sometimes, even with a few cliches, a story can still be entertaining and worth experiencing.
July 15,2025
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Awful, awful, awful! This is one of the worst books I have ever had the misfortune to read. John O'Hara may have had his moments of humor, but overall, this book was an absolute waste of my precious time. I seriously think I would have been better off watching paint dry. I persisted in reading it because, believe it or not, this book actually won awards. I kept telling myself that it had to get better.

However, I was sorely disappointed. It is truly sad that this book could have won any awards and that it actually received good reviews. I just don't understand it.

The only conceivable reason to read this book is to experience firsthand how truly terrible it is. I even feel bad about donating it to the homeless shelter. That's how bad it is. It's a real pity that such a book exists.

July 15,2025
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I truly despised this book. It was an absolute struggle for me to even manage to finish it. I firmly place the blame for this mediocrity squarely on Howie. I have never come across anything as dreadfully bad as this from Patterson before.

We understand that the antagonist, Nora, is an attractive woman. However, it is completely unnecessary to have that fact reiterated to us every three paragraphs.

Are we seriously expected to believe that Nora, this so-called "black widow," a calculating killer and cold-hearted bitch, would suddenly fall madly in love with who she believes to be her insurance guy? And then follow him around like an obsessive psycho and attempt to murder him simply because she discovers he is not who he claims to be? That's highly unlikely. Someone who has successfully evaded detection for three murders would never lose control to such an extent.

Moreover, are we really supposed to believe that Nora lost her purse for days and never bothered to look for it? And that this is how she finally got caught? It's just plain dumb.

Don't even get me started on the sex scenes. For the love of God, please just stop. Whoever was in charge of those should be the one facing criminal charges and being investigated.

There are far too many clichés, cringe-worthy dialogue, and a boring plot. Overall, it was a painfully bad read. I would not recommend it to anyone.
July 15,2025
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This review seems rather critical of Patterson's work.

It claims that the writing is rather poor, lacking sufficient background information to make the story or content understandable.

Moreover, it emphasizes that there is an excessive focus on sex, which might overshadow other aspects of the work.

Perhaps Patterson could have done a better job of providing context and developing the other elements of the narrative more fully.

This would have made the work more engaging and accessible to a wider audience.

It's important to find a balance between different elements in writing to create a well-rounded and enjoyable piece.

Overall, based on this review, Patterson has some areas for improvement in his writing style and content.

July 15,2025
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Very interesting!

I was a little confused at the beginning when the characters were being introduced. It was difficult to distinguish who was who. However, once I got to know the main characters, it became extremely intriguing.

I was completely captivated throughout the entire reading process, constantly wondering what would happen on the next page. The story had me on the edge of my seat, eager to discover the next twist and turn.

I highly recommend this to anyone looking for an engaging and exciting read. It will keep you entertained from start to finish and leave you wanting more.

July 15,2025
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Another James Patterson book that is truly enthralling and extremely difficult to put down easily.

Nora Sinclair, a highly successful interior decorator, divides her time between New York and Boston. But the question is, why? The reason is that she is engaged to one of her clients in New York and, shockingly, married to one of her previous clients, a book author, in Boston. She has amassed a significant amount of money, which she transfers to a Cayman Islands account. Additionally, she has a mother in a psychiatric ward, a fact that no one seems to know about.

As her current fiance dies unexpectedly while Nora is serving him dinner, Craig Reynolds, also known as John O'Hara, starts to suspect something is amiss. However, he doesn't want Nora to know that he is an FBI agent, so he disguises himself as Craig Reynolds. But Nora is no ordinary woman; she is a smart cookie. She manages to uncover John's true identity and attempts to kill him as well, once again while serving him dinner. Surprisingly, John survives and persists in pursuing her to bring her to justice. But then Nora disappears, and no one can seem to find her.

This is a typical black widow book, but with his masterful writing technique, James Patterson manages to captivate the reader once again. I found myself completely engrossed in the story and finished reading this book in just two days.
July 15,2025
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A book that will truly take you on a crazy ride is one that delves deep into the darkest recesses of the human psyche. This particular book was not just good; it was outstanding. It makes you question why and how someone could have the urge to kill another person. And yes, money often seems to be a major factor. It's always about money, isn't it? But could there be something more profound at play? Could there be hidden motives, unspoken desires, or perhaps a web of secrets that drive a person to such extreme lengths? If you're a fan of thrillers and you're looking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this is the one. It will make you think, it will make you wonder, and it will leave you breathless until the very last page.

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