Eight stars
James Patterson is quite the versatile writer, attributable to those with whom he collaborates. This three novella collection has great collaborators in Maxine Paetro, Aaron Bourelle, and Loren D. Estleman. The three pieces are quite easily digested and the first two add to series already in progress. Patterson is able to capture not only the flavour of the stories in short order, but provides entertaining reading for all who take the time to enjoy.
23 1/2 LIES (with Maxine Paetro)
Working crime in San Francisco, Lindsay Boxer has a feel that all is in control. However, when a body is found, Detective Boxer is first on the scene. It's only when a positive identification alerts her that it is her father that Detective Boxer begins to question all she knew about the man who raised her. Working to find the killer, Detective Boxer works all angles and learns some startling news at the same time.
FALLEN RANGER (with Andrew Bourelle)
Rory Yates has loved being a Texas Ranger for many years, patrolling the vast openness of the Lone Star State. When a car jacking provides highly violent, the suspects are deemed the XYZ Bandits. As Yates pushes a little harder, he learns that there could be a former Ranger behind it, fueled by passion and with nothing to lose.
WATCH YOUR BACK (with Loren D. Estleman)
Dennis Cooke cannot rub two paintbrushes together, the typical starving artist. When he is called to the house of an established businessman, he is somewhat confused. Cooke is tasked with talking the man's wife, who may behaving an affair. The drive across the country will require Cooke to use all his sleuthing skills, so as not to be caught, However, Cooke is no investigator and soon discovers that nothing is quite as it seems, with him in the middle of a deadly trap.
Shorter pieces can sometimes pack a great punch, though I usually prefer something full length. That said, James Patterson and his collaborators tend to have the right ingredients to create strong pieces that can be read in short order. Packed with strong narratives, well-developed characters, and just the right amount of plot development, the authors keep readers flipping pages and wanting to know more. I always enjoy this shorter reading adventure and have rarely been left feeling underwhelmed. Great work once more!
Kudos, Messrs. Patterson, Bourelle, and Estleman, as well as Madam Paetro,
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