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Lifeguard
Everything is going right for lifeguard Ned Kelley. He is involved with Tess, the most beautiful woman he has ever seen and what's more, a million dollars is within touching distance; his share of the score for the robbery of some world-class art. All he has to do is trigger alarms to throw the cops off the scent. But when Tess is brutally murdered and the others involved in the robbery are massacred, Ned is the prime suspect. He has been set up...
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First published July 11, 2005
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About the author
James Patterson
954 books356k followersOfficial US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
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James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,201 reviews
November 29, 2011
Oh my goodness, but this was bad! I love James Patterson, but I won't be looking for a book co-authored by Andrew Gross any time soon. And, guys? We are smart. Smart enough NOT to need you to repeat people's names in every line of dialog ad nauseum. It is one of my pet peeves. Like, "Ellie, did you know I was coming? Did you know I'd wait for you, Ellie? Will you wait for me... Ellie?"
Bleh.
Plus the plot made no sense. The characters were indistinguishable and hard to follow. And the whole jump-in-bed-with-one-woman-who-is-tragically-murdered-but-then-fall-in-love-with-the-FBI-agent-on-the-case thing is a little, um, trite?
Bleh. Did I say that already?
Bleh.
Plus the plot made no sense. The characters were indistinguishable and hard to follow. And the whole jump-in-bed-with-one-woman-who-is-tragically-murdered-but-then-fall-in-love-with-the-FBI-agent-on-the-case thing is a little, um, trite?
Bleh. Did I say that already?
June 27, 2018
Decent book. Quick little summer read but honestly I didn’t enjoy it as much as I hoped I would. Not as intriguing or attention grabbing as some of the other Patterson books but it was an okay book. Quick read though so not a waste of reading time at all.
My quick and simple overall: would have like more intrigue in the plot. Decent, quick read though.
My quick and simple overall: would have like more intrigue in the plot. Decent, quick read though.
August 31, 2023
One of the best from the author, in my humble opinion with no match in the Women's Murder Club series: the plot is promising, characters (Ellie, Sollie and Ned) are alive and wake empathy, the style is simple and allert, and, of course, the final is a happy one. On the other hand, there are quite a lot of casualties (almost a dozen...) and Stratton's death is pathetic, as I wonder how good writers are not able to negotiate "the death of the villain" without a last-gasp shooting.
So, a decent one, perhaps closer to three stars than four, but sometimes we have to defend what we like...
So, a decent one, perhaps closer to three stars than four, but sometimes we have to defend what we like...
October 13, 2023
This was a quick, easy, and fun adventure story. I like James Patterson, although I can’t read too many of his books in a row, and I love that he partnered with lesser known authors. I don’t think I would say this was a new favorite of his, but I’m on vacation and this definitely fit the bill for a fun vacation read. Like many of Patterson’s book you must suspend all disbelief and assume this took place in a different reality. I liked the characters (even if I hate the love at first sight thing that Ned does not once but twice). They could have been developed further, but it was a quick and wild story. Overall i gave this one 3.5 stars.
November 5, 2019
Lifeguard, by James Patterson and Andrew Gross, is a good, quick, action-packed read.
Art theft and murder with romance thrown in.
Patterson is one of my go to author's when I want an enjoyable quick read.
Art theft and murder with romance thrown in.
Patterson is one of my go to author's when I want an enjoyable quick read.
February 5, 2013
Even with the gratuitous unnecessary violence this story is exciting and well done. Superb ending. 9 of 10 stars
May 18, 2009
I loved this book! Of course I read it on a vacation where all I had to do all day was sit by the pool and read! Seriously exhilarating read, the moment you start till the moment you finish! It would make a great movie. Murder, betrayal, manhunt and love story all rolled into one exciting book. It reads quickly, the characters are believable and the story is fun with a diabolical twist at the end!
September 24, 2010
I’m like a hypocritical “vegetarian” that goes around telling people how unhealthy beef is, and then I secretly stuff my face with quarter-pounders when no one is looking.
I’m a total book snob. You’re reading THAT? I’ll ask a friend after hearing about their latest grocery store book purchase. And then, when no one is around, I’ll quietly pull out another James Patterson novel and just consume it in a night.
Confession: I like James Patterson. So what? Sure, you can buy him at any airport kiosk. Sure, he’s not Faulkner. But he keeps me entertained.
Lifeguard by James Patterson and Andrew Gross is about a part-time lifeguard/pool guy/errand runner in Palm Beach Florida named Ned Kelly. At the opening of the book Ned has fallen in love with an out-of-his-league beautiful rich woman named Tess McAuliffe. Ned gets roped into participating in a $60 million art heist by his seedy South Boston childhood friends. It was supposed to be easy money, but things quickly go south.
When the paintings aren’t where they were supposed to be, they quickly realize that they’ve been set up, and soon all of Ned’s friends are dead…and so is Tess. Now being accused of murder and a huge art theft, Ned runs back to Boston and gets tangled up with a perky FBI agent Ellie Shurtleff.
Lifeguard is missing some of the suspense and witty police work that we’ve become used to in Patterson’s books. I’m finding that some of Patterson’s co-authored books are less than good — as if Patterson is just allowing his name to be used on the covers. This one definitely fell short.
In ten words: No fancy police work. This isn’t the best Patterson novel.
I’m a total book snob. You’re reading THAT? I’ll ask a friend after hearing about their latest grocery store book purchase. And then, when no one is around, I’ll quietly pull out another James Patterson novel and just consume it in a night.
Confession: I like James Patterson. So what? Sure, you can buy him at any airport kiosk. Sure, he’s not Faulkner. But he keeps me entertained.
Lifeguard by James Patterson and Andrew Gross is about a part-time lifeguard/pool guy/errand runner in Palm Beach Florida named Ned Kelly. At the opening of the book Ned has fallen in love with an out-of-his-league beautiful rich woman named Tess McAuliffe. Ned gets roped into participating in a $60 million art heist by his seedy South Boston childhood friends. It was supposed to be easy money, but things quickly go south.
When the paintings aren’t where they were supposed to be, they quickly realize that they’ve been set up, and soon all of Ned’s friends are dead…and so is Tess. Now being accused of murder and a huge art theft, Ned runs back to Boston and gets tangled up with a perky FBI agent Ellie Shurtleff.
Lifeguard is missing some of the suspense and witty police work that we’ve become used to in Patterson’s books. I’m finding that some of Patterson’s co-authored books are less than good — as if Patterson is just allowing his name to be used on the covers. This one definitely fell short.
In ten words: No fancy police work. This isn’t the best Patterson novel.
August 22, 2010
While it started off good it degraded quickly. Maybe I expect too much.
When characters are supposed to be street smart and book smart I have a hard time believing they would talk to the cops without a lawyer. Yeah I know people talk to cops without their lawyer all the time, those are the people in jail because they thought they were smarter than the police and could talk their way out of things.
Taking your plates off the car and leaving it - what does that get you? Police are gonna look at a car without plates even faster. It makes no sense because he was smart enough to swap plates once but not that time.
We are going to steal millions of dollars worth of paintings but not have a gun anywhere. That seems like a great idea.
Our job just turned into a setup so why don't we head back to the place where everyone, including the people who set us up, know where we live. You can see how well that worked out. For criminals they seem very trusting.
A shoot out on a rooftop with a helicopter. If we are going to crazy why not go all the way crazy.
When characters are supposed to be street smart and book smart I have a hard time believing they would talk to the cops without a lawyer. Yeah I know people talk to cops without their lawyer all the time, those are the people in jail because they thought they were smarter than the police and could talk their way out of things.
Taking your plates off the car and leaving it - what does that get you? Police are gonna look at a car without plates even faster. It makes no sense because he was smart enough to swap plates once but not that time.
We are going to steal millions of dollars worth of paintings but not have a gun anywhere. That seems like a great idea.
Our job just turned into a setup so why don't we head back to the place where everyone, including the people who set us up, know where we live. You can see how well that worked out. For criminals they seem very trusting.
A shoot out on a rooftop with a helicopter. If we are going to crazy why not go all the way crazy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2025
A bit silly with the art theft/murder suspect/main character Ned abducting an FBI agent and her falling for him. Brisk pace and clearly drawn characters, but still, meh.
February 11, 2010
Pretty lame and predictable. Very easy read. The situations were not beleivable and the characters were uninteresting. I question if Patterson wrote much of it.
May 29, 2017
it had all the ingredient to my liking , art theft , beach town , mystery ..only if it would have been written in a better way , felt like reading a movie script.
December 24, 2017
A great read, loved the fact that I didn't predict the ending!
January 18, 2010
I would have to say that this book was just alright. I enjoyed it enough to finish it, but there were plenty of times when I was bored enough to put it down.
Lifeguard is a crime drama starring a lifeguard on the run. When an art heist goes wrong and all his friends turn up dead, he is fugitive #1 and manages to dig himself deeper and deeper in trouble, all the while trying to dig himself out.
The mystery aspect of the story was easy to figure out from the beginning, and the love interests were cliche and uninteresting. Not once, but twice does this lifeguard fall in love with a woman after only one meeting, he sure moves quickly!
The dialogue at times was atrocious, leading me to excessive eye rolling throughout the novel. It was like a soap opera unfolding in a novel, and I suppose if you are into that sort of thing this will be a great pick.
I generally expect more from James Patterson, but I suspect that he has traded quality for quantity with this book in particular. Not every book by an author will be stellar, and this one left a bad taste in my mouth.
Lifeguard is a crime drama starring a lifeguard on the run. When an art heist goes wrong and all his friends turn up dead, he is fugitive #1 and manages to dig himself deeper and deeper in trouble, all the while trying to dig himself out.
The mystery aspect of the story was easy to figure out from the beginning, and the love interests were cliche and uninteresting. Not once, but twice does this lifeguard fall in love with a woman after only one meeting, he sure moves quickly!
The dialogue at times was atrocious, leading me to excessive eye rolling throughout the novel. It was like a soap opera unfolding in a novel, and I suppose if you are into that sort of thing this will be a great pick.
I generally expect more from James Patterson, but I suspect that he has traded quality for quantity with this book in particular. Not every book by an author will be stellar, and this one left a bad taste in my mouth.
May 23, 2008
Ned Kelly was looking for the perfect score. At the time he finally felt like his life was turning around, he made a huge mistake. He thought he had just met the woman of his dreams, but he needed the million dollars promised in this act. The only thing Ned had to do was make distractions, but these distractions came back to haunt him. Thankfully, Ned had a big supporter, who eventually turned into a lover, Ellie Shurtleff, an FBI agent. Great book! It keeps you reading to see what happens next, it’s fast-paced, and the ending is a lot different then you would imagine.
April 8, 2022
Luckiest lifeguard in the history of the sunny beaches. Quick, fun read actually, thoroughly enjoyed it.
April 28, 2025
Lifeguard🏝️
I believe I have never EVER read a bad book written by this man and yes this one was one of his many 5⭐.
We are following Ned Kelly,a lifeguard,who-at the time-thinks he found the woman of his dreams✨☁️,and will DO ANYTHING to get to her social status in order,of course,to have her.What will happen when the robbery,his ticket to her, goes horribly wrong and Kelly,is in charge of 5 murders?
Patterson's writing won't let you breath for a second with a story that unfolds extremely quick and furiously gets you with it.I loved his characters were stereotypical,yet so unique with various representations.
If you know me, I love my murder-mysteries so much,meaning I have read A TON of them,making
to find good ones really hard...Yet,from my experience I know one thing. Patterson will never,ever,ever dissapoint me,however this time I think he overcame his own self.I finnished this in an evening,because simply,I couldn't take me eyes of the pages.It was like he grabbed me and didn't let me go-thank you,James.
Lastly,I wanna say that eventhough we have an action-packed read the end was so,so,so sweet leaving me moments away for balling me eyes out.SO CUTE!💛
5⭐
I believe I have never EVER read a bad book written by this man and yes this one was one of his many 5⭐.
We are following Ned Kelly,a lifeguard,who-at the time-thinks he found the woman of his dreams✨☁️,and will DO ANYTHING to get to her social status in order,of course,to have her.What will happen when the robbery,his ticket to her, goes horribly wrong and Kelly,is in charge of 5 murders?
Patterson's writing won't let you breath for a second with a story that unfolds extremely quick and furiously gets you with it.I loved his characters were stereotypical,yet so unique with various representations.
If you know me, I love my murder-mysteries so much,meaning I have read A TON of them,making
to find good ones really hard...Yet,from my experience I know one thing. Patterson will never,ever,ever dissapoint me,however this time I think he overcame his own self.I finnished this in an evening,because simply,I couldn't take me eyes of the pages.It was like he grabbed me and didn't let me go-thank you,James.
Lastly,I wanna say that eventhough we have an action-packed read the end was so,so,so sweet leaving me moments away for balling me eyes out.SO CUTE!💛
5⭐
October 25, 2022
labai daug veiksmo.daug veikeju.bet is esmes patiko
June 23, 2013
LIFEGUARD (Pub. 2005) by James Patterson and Andrew Gross was a very entertaining read. I finished it in less than 24-hrs. It's written in the classic Patterson style with extremely short chapters, a ritzy setting in Palm Beach and lots of action and plot twists. Good stuff overall that will keep you flipping the pages to see what happens next.
The story centers around Ned Kelly, who is a man in his late 20s that hasn't made the most of his life due to growing up in a family prone to crime instead of hard work. The story starts off with Ned having an afternoon quickie with a woman that appears to be wealthy and just his type. He leaves her satisfied but dashes off because he's got a 'job' that will set him up for life, and friends waiting for him to help get the job done.
Ned's role in the caper is fairly harmless--he has only to set off false alarms around the neighborhood to create a distraction while his friends steal four paintings worth millions from one of the posh mansions in town. But things go south quickly when they arrive at the mansion only to find someone has beaten them to the paintings, and has set them up to take the blame.
Things go south of hell when Ned arrives back at the meet-up point, only to learn his three friend have been killed gangland-style, as well as the woman he'd had a quickie with that afternoon. He goes on the run from the cops, as well as FBI agent Ellie, who works for the art-theft division.
The only thing that kept me from giving this great story all 5-stars were a couple plot points that didn't quite jive if one thinks about them realistically for a moment. I also found myself a little rankled by the mix/match way the story's chapters are structured. The scenes written from Ned's POV are in first person, the scenes from Ellie's POV are in third person, and there are a few chapters written from an 'unknown/unseen' character's perspective.
I'm not a fan of this type of mix/matching -- I don't mind multiple POV, but I prefer to get it all in third person, and only from a couple of main characters, and maybe the bad guy. When it stretches outside of that realm, it starts to feel a little distracting from the story itself. I also think the story would have benefited from slightly longer chapters (most are only 1.5 to 3 pages long).
The climax is satisfying right up to the last page, with a couple surprise twists toward the end, and leaves off on the right note. I would have handled the very last surprise differently, because I felt it was a bit unrealistic as far as human nature goes, but at least it wasn't predictable.
I definitely recommend LIFEGUARD, and will likely read it again a few years down the road with just as much enjoyment. To me, that is the best measurement for a great story, so that makes this one an easy 4.5-stars.
The story centers around Ned Kelly, who is a man in his late 20s that hasn't made the most of his life due to growing up in a family prone to crime instead of hard work. The story starts off with Ned having an afternoon quickie with a woman that appears to be wealthy and just his type. He leaves her satisfied but dashes off because he's got a 'job' that will set him up for life, and friends waiting for him to help get the job done.
Ned's role in the caper is fairly harmless--he has only to set off false alarms around the neighborhood to create a distraction while his friends steal four paintings worth millions from one of the posh mansions in town. But things go south quickly when they arrive at the mansion only to find someone has beaten them to the paintings, and has set them up to take the blame.
Things go south of hell when Ned arrives back at the meet-up point, only to learn his three friend have been killed gangland-style, as well as the woman he'd had a quickie with that afternoon. He goes on the run from the cops, as well as FBI agent Ellie, who works for the art-theft division.
The only thing that kept me from giving this great story all 5-stars were a couple plot points that didn't quite jive if one thinks about them realistically for a moment. I also found myself a little rankled by the mix/match way the story's chapters are structured. The scenes written from Ned's POV are in first person, the scenes from Ellie's POV are in third person, and there are a few chapters written from an 'unknown/unseen' character's perspective.
I'm not a fan of this type of mix/matching -- I don't mind multiple POV, but I prefer to get it all in third person, and only from a couple of main characters, and maybe the bad guy. When it stretches outside of that realm, it starts to feel a little distracting from the story itself. I also think the story would have benefited from slightly longer chapters (most are only 1.5 to 3 pages long).
The climax is satisfying right up to the last page, with a couple surprise twists toward the end, and leaves off on the right note. I would have handled the very last surprise differently, because I felt it was a bit unrealistic as far as human nature goes, but at least it wasn't predictable.
I definitely recommend LIFEGUARD, and will likely read it again a few years down the road with just as much enjoyment. To me, that is the best measurement for a great story, so that makes this one an easy 4.5-stars.
March 15, 2018
1½ stars.
Going through this book was like reading a low budget action movie. It was dumb and predictable, but not bad enough to get me bored or make me want to throw it from the window.
Don't get me wrong, I did not like it. At all. But it still managed to get me interested enough to finish it.
Let's start from the beginning: our protagonist and everything-turns-out-good-for-him character, Ned Kelly. He is the typical handsome and street smart guy with a tragic family backstory, he's sweet and charming and the pride of the neighborhood he was raised in, with a LOT of criminal friends all around the state... and the country...I believe (not sure, don't really care). What's the only problem with him? He's incredibly stupid and I don't think Patterson meant him to be that way. But seriously, you're suspect #1 in not just one nor two but five freaking murders and the only idea that comes up to your mind is to run away and make yourself one of the most wanted fugitives?!? Come on dude.
I just kept rolling my eyes every time he took a decision and made worst the situation he was in, complicating little problems and making a big mess.
Then, there's miss Ellie Shurtleff, the skinny, small, shy and naive FBI agent who, despite everything said above, managed to be one of the best students in the academy and graduated with honors in a bunch of stuff I don't care and still let herself get kidnapped by mister Kelly with a gun he clearly didn't knew how to use, believe his whole crazy and senseless story of innocence and then magically fall in love with him. Bullsh**t.
And let's not talk about the whole art theft plot and the betrayal and lies and secrets because it all was ridiculous and made no sense.
It started off good and intriguing but degraded quickly with every turn of a page. Add flat and uninteresting characters to a mix of forced romance and unbelievable situations, pour some lame history building and you have Lifeguard. Enjoy.
PD: I gave this book an extra half star because it wast fast paced and somehow entertaining, and also 'cause I've heard a lot about the author and his great writing.
Sad that the first book I read from James Patterson was disappointing. Nevertheless, I won't judge him based on one single work and I'm still looking forward to reading more from him.
Going through this book was like reading a low budget action movie. It was dumb and predictable, but not bad enough to get me bored or make me want to throw it from the window.
Don't get me wrong, I did not like it. At all. But it still managed to get me interested enough to finish it.
Let's start from the beginning: our protagonist and everything-turns-out-good-for-him character, Ned Kelly. He is the typical handsome and street smart guy with a tragic family backstory, he's sweet and charming and the pride of the neighborhood he was raised in, with a LOT of criminal friends all around the state... and the country...I believe (not sure, don't really care). What's the only problem with him? He's incredibly stupid and I don't think Patterson meant him to be that way. But seriously, you're suspect #1 in not just one nor two but five freaking murders and the only idea that comes up to your mind is to run away and make yourself one of the most wanted fugitives?!? Come on dude.
I just kept rolling my eyes every time he took a decision and made worst the situation he was in, complicating little problems and making a big mess.
Then, there's miss Ellie Shurtleff, the skinny, small, shy and naive FBI agent who, despite everything said above, managed to be one of the best students in the academy and graduated with honors in a bunch of stuff I don't care and still let herself get kidnapped by mister Kelly with a gun he clearly didn't knew how to use, believe his whole crazy and senseless story of innocence and then magically fall in love with him. Bullsh**t.
And let's not talk about the whole art theft plot and the betrayal and lies and secrets because it all was ridiculous and made no sense.
It started off good and intriguing but degraded quickly with every turn of a page. Add flat and uninteresting characters to a mix of forced romance and unbelievable situations, pour some lame history building and you have Lifeguard. Enjoy.
PD: I gave this book an extra half star because it wast fast paced and somehow entertaining, and also 'cause I've heard a lot about the author and his great writing.
Sad that the first book I read from James Patterson was disappointing. Nevertheless, I won't judge him based on one single work and I'm still looking forward to reading more from him.
May 24, 2009
I don't understand how this guy is so popular!
After giving up on this tedious novel, I tried to skip to the end and see who the bad guy was. (I assure you this was only in case the person who'd recommended the book to me and whom I'd told I had read it, asked me questions.) It was horrible! I had to scan through nearly the whole second half of the book trying to find a bit of information I couldn't care less about. All in all I felt like Mr. Patterson owed me a couple hours of my life back.
After giving up on this tedious novel, I tried to skip to the end and see who the bad guy was. (I assure you this was only in case the person who'd recommended the book to me and whom I'd told I had read it, asked me questions.) It was horrible! I had to scan through nearly the whole second half of the book trying to find a bit of information I couldn't care less about. All in all I felt like Mr. Patterson owed me a couple hours of my life back.
March 28, 2019
This book was captivating from beginning to end. When you think you have it figured out it takes another exciting twist.
Very exciting and riveting!!!!! Real page turner, just can't wait to see what happens next, the next chapter is more exciting than the last!!!!!!
Some of the twists, I could see coming. But the unexpected ones are what made this book such an enjoyable read.
Very exciting and riveting!!!!! Real page turner, just can't wait to see what happens next, the next chapter is more exciting than the last!!!!!!
Some of the twists, I could see coming. But the unexpected ones are what made this book such an enjoyable read.
January 28, 2020
Poof! Just like that one person you know is dead. Blink again and another four people you know are also dead. Blink another time and now it’s one more person you know now dead. Every time you turn around the kills are getting more and more personal until it actually hits home. Problem is that no one has any sympathy for you and your losses because everyone thinks you are the cold blooded killer, but are you really? All of this happens just because of a deal gone wrong. A deal that if had gone right would have cost you $5 million. But how did it happen? All Ned Kelly had to do was trip some alarms to cause a diversion away from where his four friends were robbing a house of three famous paintings. When something goes wrongs and the paintings aren’t there the team gets set up and killed all except Ned. The FBI is pointing all their fingers at Ned and the only thing he can think to do is run away for his life in south Florida. The only person who seems to believe him is Ellie who is a Special Agent in the FBI stolen arts department. With the help of each other and a few other trusted friends, Ned and Ellie uncover the truth about the paintings and who was doing all the killings. Whenever I thought I knew who the killer was, the story would take a sharp left turn into some new information and my theory would be dead wrong. This definitely happened more than a few times, but I liked it that way because it made the story more interesting and always kept me on my toes. I also love how the chapters are super short because I never feel guilty about saying one more chapter before bed and then reading more. The only part I was really confused on was the title. The book is titled Lifeguard which Ned is a lifeguard, but the book isn’t centered around him being a lifeguard so I think a different name would have been a better fit.
August 19, 2013
I did it! I finally got around to reading a James Patterson book. I wasn't blown away, but I wasn't disappointed. The book was given to me by a friend. The first 10 chapters were awesome. So much was happening. Then the following 100+ chapters weren't as interesting. (Seriously the book was like 118 chapters. I kind of liked that though). The story was about a man, Ned Kelly. His lifelong friends ask him to help with a huge art heist for a $5 million payout. The heist goes very wrong, with all his friends ending up dead. He is the only one left alive which leads him to be the main suspect. He runs from police and even kidnaps an FBI agent whom he tells what really happened. Some of the book was a stretch. My favorite character in the book was Sollie who was Ned’s wealthy employer. I also like that the setting was in Florida. Not sure I will go out and search for another Patterson book, but if I happened to come across one I would give it another try.
August 7, 2021
James Patterson book written by the excellent Andrew Gross.
Another decent read straight out of the James Patterson book factory, usual formula, fast paced, short chapters and in this case it works.
The short chapter s help keep the books moving at a fast pace, normally each chapter ending on a climax forcing you to read just one more. And so it goes on to the very end.
A very enjoyable read.
Another decent read straight out of the James Patterson book factory, usual formula, fast paced, short chapters and in this case it works.
The short chapter s help keep the books moving at a fast pace, normally each chapter ending on a climax forcing you to read just one more. And so it goes on to the very end.
A very enjoyable read.
October 17, 2018
now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
April 17, 2019
An art heist worth millions!!!Everyone’s in place and set! Until it all goes terribly wrong!!!!
The arts gone, it’s already been lifted.
Who took it, who’s behind the theft, and who knew their plans?
Lifeguard is an intense fast paced riveting book.
James Patterson knocked this one out of the park.
A heartfelt ending which might make your eyes water.
The arts gone, it’s already been lifted.
Who took it, who’s behind the theft, and who knew their plans?
Lifeguard is an intense fast paced riveting book.
James Patterson knocked this one out of the park.
A heartfelt ending which might make your eyes water.
July 1, 2020
This was an incredible book!! Definitely made my top favorites list. It was very fast paced with SO many plot twists!! I loved the romance too!! So touching! Definitely would recommend!!
August 30, 2025
Imagine you’re maintaining a wealthy man’s pool and fancy cars when you up and see a beautiful woman in front of the same coastal waves you’re fortunate enough to get to enjoy the view of too. You chat her up and before you know it, you’re in her hotel room. She’s a fancy one & you, my man, fancy her. Imagine being so estatic about the plans you have tonight with your best friends that will change your lives forever. A $5,000,000 purse at stake. All you have to do is retrieve some rare art in this is luxurious mansion without getting busted by the cops. You tell your girl, “I’ll take you to the islands when I return”.
You’re just a naive man with a bit of a troubled past hoping for that big break where life gets easier. Unfortunately, that won’t be the case in this book. Lifeguard by James Patterson & Andrew Gross is a thriller set in Palm Beach, Florida where the money stakes are at their highest and consequences will aim for the lowest of lows. Nothing will go our protagonist’s way. There will be murder, betrayal, new characters to take the place of others, plot twists for sure. There will be oodles of action, you’ll be so engaged that you’ll not realize how many hours have passed. (I take my time so that’s a bit of hours for me 🤭) Ned is your protagonist and you’ll enjoy his story. Oh, there’s a little bit of romance as well…if you want that with your crime. A little “bad boy on the run” attraction if you will.
I had a lot of fun today reading this! I give it 4 ⭐️s! The beginning felt a little rushed but in the middle it started to make sense why. I found the romance SLIGHTLY cheesy; but I felt it worked with the story. Some scenes had me hella excited to the point I finally just couldn’t put the book down. Perfect for a palate cleanser or a quick beach read!
You’re just a naive man with a bit of a troubled past hoping for that big break where life gets easier. Unfortunately, that won’t be the case in this book. Lifeguard by James Patterson & Andrew Gross is a thriller set in Palm Beach, Florida where the money stakes are at their highest and consequences will aim for the lowest of lows. Nothing will go our protagonist’s way. There will be murder, betrayal, new characters to take the place of others, plot twists for sure. There will be oodles of action, you’ll be so engaged that you’ll not realize how many hours have passed. (I take my time so that’s a bit of hours for me 🤭) Ned is your protagonist and you’ll enjoy his story. Oh, there’s a little bit of romance as well…if you want that with your crime. A little “bad boy on the run” attraction if you will.
I had a lot of fun today reading this! I give it 4 ⭐️s! The beginning felt a little rushed but in the middle it started to make sense why. I found the romance SLIGHTLY cheesy; but I felt it worked with the story. Some scenes had me hella excited to the point I finally just couldn’t put the book down. Perfect for a palate cleanser or a quick beach read!
May 17, 2020
A lot of these so called Beach Reads are laughed off as junk, but they are fun. Hell, I don’t even know if it was a Beach Read when it came out.
The characters were likable, the mystery was solid and I really didn’t want to put it down. Not much more for you to ask for from a book. Sure some things were far fetched but come on. Entertain me and I’m happy.
I’m going to have to check if these characters get another book. There might be some left for another one with Ned and Ellie. Well done Mr. Patterson.
The characters were likable, the mystery was solid and I really didn’t want to put it down. Not much more for you to ask for from a book. Sure some things were far fetched but come on. Entertain me and I’m happy.
I’m going to have to check if these characters get another book. There might be some left for another one with Ned and Ellie. Well done Mr. Patterson.
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