What do you think?
Rate this book
Mistress
Ben isn't like most people. Unable to control his thoughts, he's a man consumed by his obsessions: cars, tennis, marathons, trains, yachts-and Diana Hotchkiss, a beautiful woman Ben knows he can never have.
When Diana is found dead outside her apartment, Ben's infatuation drives him on a hunt to find out what happened to the love of his life.
When Diana is found dead outside her apartment, Ben's infatuation drives him on a hunt to find out what happened to the love of his life.
But Ben quickly discovers that the woman he pined for was hiding a dangerous double life. To her family, she's a sweet Midwestern girl who helped her brother get clean. But in the political world of Washington DC, she's a manipulative go-getter who uses her sexual prowess to get what she wants.
And now someone is out to stop Ben from uncovering the truth about Diana's illicit affairs.
In his most heart-pumping thriller yet, James Patterson plunges us into the depths of a mind tortured by paranoia and obsession, on an action-packed chase through a world of danger and deceit.
410 pages, Hardcover
First published August 6, 2013
1290 people are currently reading
11190 people want to read
About the author
James Patterson
955 books355k followersOfficial US Site
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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,008 reviews
August 10, 2014
I feel I have to write a review of this book to answer all those who gave it low ratings.
Maybe James Patterson will read my review and know how delighted I am by his use of psychological disorders -- Aspergers, OCD -- to filter the drama. "Monk meets James Bond," if you will.
Finally, a truly flawed and tormented man seeks justice and truth despite having to overcome serious emotional and psychological handicaps. He's also a savant and intellectually gifted in ways not portrayed in the Cross or Michael Bennett series. Personally, it was intriguing to get an education in random facts about US Presidents, or the US Mint while feeling the high speed thoughts rolling through this hero's mind. It felt more real to me than the perfectly formed, mature, wise and tortured mind of some of Patterson's other well-formed male heroes.
Readers who enjoy thinking as they read mysteries, rather than rushing through the pages looking for the clues, will enjoy this book.
Hurray for Aspies! They've been well represented in books, fiction and biographical, in recent years.
Maybe James Patterson will read my review and know how delighted I am by his use of psychological disorders -- Aspergers, OCD -- to filter the drama. "Monk meets James Bond," if you will.
Finally, a truly flawed and tormented man seeks justice and truth despite having to overcome serious emotional and psychological handicaps. He's also a savant and intellectually gifted in ways not portrayed in the Cross or Michael Bennett series. Personally, it was intriguing to get an education in random facts about US Presidents, or the US Mint while feeling the high speed thoughts rolling through this hero's mind. It felt more real to me than the perfectly formed, mature, wise and tortured mind of some of Patterson's other well-formed male heroes.
Readers who enjoy thinking as they read mysteries, rather than rushing through the pages looking for the clues, will enjoy this book.
Hurray for Aspies! They've been well represented in books, fiction and biographical, in recent years.
September 4, 2013
I normally enjoy James Patterson books - I find them to be easy, quick reads full of suspense. But this one was awful. The characters were under developed, silly and annoying. The constant "thoughts" running through the main characters mind got distracting and irritating, and the events were so far fetched they bordered on laughable. Not at all worth reading.
Maybe it's just me, but I find a lot of his recent books to be lacking. Perhaps he needs to go back to the basics of writing himself, and not publishing a massive amount of books each year. I'd rather read 1 or 2 high quality books, rather then a high quantity of crappy books.
Maybe it's just me, but I find a lot of his recent books to be lacking. Perhaps he needs to go back to the basics of writing himself, and not publishing a massive amount of books each year. I'd rather read 1 or 2 high quality books, rather then a high quantity of crappy books.
June 28, 2017
Benjamin Casper was a political journalist – his best friend Diana Hotchkiss (who he was in love with) worked for the CIA – but it was when he witnessed Diana’s plunge from her sixth-floor balcony to her death that life as he’d known it came to an end. Ben was determined to discover what had happened – he knew she wouldn’t commit suicide, so obviously she was murdered. But who – and why?
As Ben searched for answers, he knew there were people out there who didn’t want the truth to surface. And those people would stop at nothing – the bodies started building around him, and the danger to his own life escalated. But would Ben stop? No, and his dogged persistence meant something had to give…
Mistress by James Patterson – a thriller, yes! But Benjamin Casper would have to be the worst, most irritating character I’ve ever read! Was James Patterson even a part of this novel? With the non-stop movie and song references; the total unfocussed rambling nature of Ben’s internal narrative as a constant annoyance; I’m sure that the removal of all that would at least halve the length of the book! And make it a decent thriller! The plot had great potential – the execution was a disaster!
As Ben searched for answers, he knew there were people out there who didn’t want the truth to surface. And those people would stop at nothing – the bodies started building around him, and the danger to his own life escalated. But would Ben stop? No, and his dogged persistence meant something had to give…
Mistress by James Patterson – a thriller, yes! But Benjamin Casper would have to be the worst, most irritating character I’ve ever read! Was James Patterson even a part of this novel? With the non-stop movie and song references; the total unfocussed rambling nature of Ben’s internal narrative as a constant annoyance; I’m sure that the removal of all that would at least halve the length of the book! And make it a decent thriller! The plot had great potential – the execution was a disaster!
December 13, 2016
The main character was an editor (and owner) for a newspaper in Washington D. C. He was the most irritating character that I have come across in a very long time. He was a total kook. He was "investigating" the murder of a friend. The whole thing was just ridiculous. The narration was lacking as well. I don't know if it's because the narrator had just captured the character's total essence or if the narrator was annoying too. The main character kept making these ridiculous movie/t.v. references. I just couldn't finish it.
August 22, 2013
My just-finished gin-and-tonic may have put me in a generous mood, but I'm going to be a bit more upbeat about the latest effort from James Patterson than others are. At the time of this writing, 93 reviewers had rated the book on Amazon.com, 38 of whom gave it just one star, 11 gave it two and 10 agree with me at three. "The book is simply drivel," one reviewer said. "This was a waste of money to me," said another.
I don't disagree with either one, but unlike a few reviewers, I managed to finish the book - and even look forward, at least somewhat, to learning how things would work out in the end. I admit I had this nagging feeling that I'd be gob-smacked with something akin to the Bob Newhart-Suzanne Pleshette "Newhart" finale, one of the most memorable in TV history (if you don't know what happened, Google it). Although I'm not one to offer spoilers, I will say nothing like that happened here, thank goodness.
This one features Benjamin, the more-than-a-little paranoid and very wealthy owner of an Internet newspaper whose mind tends to wander all over the map - movies, presidential minutia and other trivia. He's also obsessed with a beautiful woman named Diana, who has asked him to install surveillance devices in her apartment while she's gone. As he exits the building, she comes in - only to jump off her sky-high balcony in an apparent suicide while he's still in the neighborhood.
Very soon, though, he begins to realize Diana isn't quite the perfect woman he thought - and trying to find out what really happened puts him in the crosshairs of everyone from the CIA, the Russians, the Chinese and even the U.S. President. Soon, he's convinced he's the target - even if you're paranoid, after all, it doesn't mean they're not out to get you - and the race begins to see if he can uncover the truth before he gets captured or worse, killed.
At every turn of his motorcycle, bike and even his own head, Ben spouts trivia (usually from movies) - ad nauseum. At first, it helped define his obsessive personality; but very quickly, it turned just plain annoying. By about a third of the way through, I learned to skim over those parts (one reason, no doubt, that I was able to finish the book in short order even with limited spare time). And you know what? When it came to the plot, I didn't miss a thing.
The bottom line? It's readable, but take my advice and borrow it from a library or a friend for free. Even the Kindle version at $12.74 is way too much to pay for this one.
I don't disagree with either one, but unlike a few reviewers, I managed to finish the book - and even look forward, at least somewhat, to learning how things would work out in the end. I admit I had this nagging feeling that I'd be gob-smacked with something akin to the Bob Newhart-Suzanne Pleshette "Newhart" finale, one of the most memorable in TV history (if you don't know what happened, Google it). Although I'm not one to offer spoilers, I will say nothing like that happened here, thank goodness.
This one features Benjamin, the more-than-a-little paranoid and very wealthy owner of an Internet newspaper whose mind tends to wander all over the map - movies, presidential minutia and other trivia. He's also obsessed with a beautiful woman named Diana, who has asked him to install surveillance devices in her apartment while she's gone. As he exits the building, she comes in - only to jump off her sky-high balcony in an apparent suicide while he's still in the neighborhood.
Very soon, though, he begins to realize Diana isn't quite the perfect woman he thought - and trying to find out what really happened puts him in the crosshairs of everyone from the CIA, the Russians, the Chinese and even the U.S. President. Soon, he's convinced he's the target - even if you're paranoid, after all, it doesn't mean they're not out to get you - and the race begins to see if he can uncover the truth before he gets captured or worse, killed.
At every turn of his motorcycle, bike and even his own head, Ben spouts trivia (usually from movies) - ad nauseum. At first, it helped define his obsessive personality; but very quickly, it turned just plain annoying. By about a third of the way through, I learned to skim over those parts (one reason, no doubt, that I was able to finish the book in short order even with limited spare time). And you know what? When it came to the plot, I didn't miss a thing.
The bottom line? It's readable, but take my advice and borrow it from a library or a friend for free. Even the Kindle version at $12.74 is way too much to pay for this one.
August 11, 2013
A lot of people have commented on James Patterson "co-authoring" with other writers. But guess what? A great book is a great book. My opinion is if James Patterson is willing to put his name and his picture (in this case) on a book, the writing must be good, and I am going to read it. With Mr. Patterson's reputation on the line, he isn't going to put his name to a badly written book. "Mistress" is no exception. Mistress is full of twists and turns on every page. I LOVE BENJAMIN! The sense of humor throughout this book is engaging. Benjamin is definitely ADHD, and whether he is taking his meds or not, his thoughts and actions are so unpredictable and impulsive. Granted, what Benjamin went through is true fiction, but it was a great ride regardless.
August 26, 2013
Easily one of Patterson's worst stories unless you're into blackmail plots, lies, trysts and a schizophrenic.
September 7, 2013
I'm normally a huge fan of James Patterson. I even like most of the books he “co-writes” with other authors. I say “co-writes” because it's pretty obvious most of the writing isn't in his style. That said, they are usually pretty good reads.
_Mistress _was written with David Ellis, a new writer to me, and after _Mistress_, not one I will read again.
The plot and story are not bad, pretty much what you can always expect from James Patterson. However, the telling of the story is like nothing I've ever read and I found it incredibly tedious. I haven't seen this in previous Patterson books, so I assume this is Mr. Ellis's contribution.
Consider the following excerpt: “Okay, I've never busted into a home. This is something new. But desperate times, as they say, call for desperate measures. _Desperate Measures_ had a pretty cool premise. A cop needs a bone marrow donor for his son and the only person who qualifies is a convicted multiple murderer who uses the trip to the hospital to escape. The cop has to catch him but needs him alive. Gotta love a movie with Andy Garcia and Michael Keaton. Stop, Ben. Shake out the nerves. I walk up onto the driveway and my heartbeat cranks up a level. The closer I get to this house, the less easily I can turn back. I walk slowly along the driveway and go around to the back of the home. My favorite Garcia movie is _Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead_. Great cast. I loved Keaton in _Batman_, a small guy to be playing that kind of a role, but he had those eyes. _Pacific Heights_ was a pretty freaky flick, but it had that scene with the bugs, and I hate bugs.”
You just read 181 words. In those 181 words, you found out the main character has never broken into a house, and then you went off into the weeds for the other 174 words. There are hundreds of these side tracks throughout the book. Initially it was interesting, but an hour into the book and I found it tedious and detracting from the story.
_Mistress _was written with David Ellis, a new writer to me, and after _Mistress_, not one I will read again.
The plot and story are not bad, pretty much what you can always expect from James Patterson. However, the telling of the story is like nothing I've ever read and I found it incredibly tedious. I haven't seen this in previous Patterson books, so I assume this is Mr. Ellis's contribution.
Consider the following excerpt: “Okay, I've never busted into a home. This is something new. But desperate times, as they say, call for desperate measures. _Desperate Measures_ had a pretty cool premise. A cop needs a bone marrow donor for his son and the only person who qualifies is a convicted multiple murderer who uses the trip to the hospital to escape. The cop has to catch him but needs him alive. Gotta love a movie with Andy Garcia and Michael Keaton. Stop, Ben. Shake out the nerves. I walk up onto the driveway and my heartbeat cranks up a level. The closer I get to this house, the less easily I can turn back. I walk slowly along the driveway and go around to the back of the home. My favorite Garcia movie is _Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead_. Great cast. I loved Keaton in _Batman_, a small guy to be playing that kind of a role, but he had those eyes. _Pacific Heights_ was a pretty freaky flick, but it had that scene with the bugs, and I hate bugs.”
You just read 181 words. In those 181 words, you found out the main character has never broken into a house, and then you went off into the weeds for the other 174 words. There are hundreds of these side tracks throughout the book. Initially it was interesting, but an hour into the book and I found it tedious and detracting from the story.
April 26, 2014
This is my first James Patterson read and frankly I am a little perplexed. Being an author I find it difficult to understand one and two star reviews. How can a perfectly well written and edited tale garner two, let alone one star? My mother impressed on me, if you don't have anything good to say about someone or something, don't say anything. Consequently, if I read someone's labor of love and I don't like it, I just don't review it. I understand that Patterson (David Ellis) writes cookie-cutter thrillers, however, nothing about his formula hindered me from turning the page. I enjoyed the book, read it in three days, and found his narrator/character Ben intriguing. I am an author in the romance/erotic/thriller genres and I feel that reading Patterson is like taking a master class. I just bought his new novel Private L.A. and can't wait to sink my teeth into it.
September 1, 2013
I have read all Patterson novels and I'm sorry but this must be the worst one yet. At page 100 and can't wait for this to end. Very boring and it better heat up soon or the book will be going in the bin. New Lee Childs Reacher novel out later this week and do hope it's better than this latest offering from JP.
Ok so after page 100 this book got a little better and warmed up a bit. I found the regular references to US presidents and more recent actors and films to add no value whatsoever and became quite annoying.
Ok so after page 100 this book got a little better and warmed up a bit. I found the regular references to US presidents and more recent actors and films to add no value whatsoever and became quite annoying.
May 7, 2021
This is not your typical blood and guts Patterson novel, which is fine by me. That credit may go to co-author David Ellis, but I commend whoever came up with the narrator. Ben Casper, a journalist and the "hero" of this tale, has so much going on in his mind that he can hardly focus on figuring out who killed his friend-if she is even dead, much less deal with whoever is trying to kill him. Ben's mind constantly wanders and he shares all of his thoughts with the reader. This could be really annoying, but as long as you understand that you are inside his head, it's a fun departure from any usual, boring, typical policeman or detective. I bet it was a fun book to write. I won't go the full 5-stars as it's not a book that reaches deep and touches your soul or that you can't wait to share with your friends but it was an action-packed adventure that I truly enjoyed reading.
August 26, 2013
I have to say that I really wasn't a fan of when James Patterson started authoring his books with other authors but this one is THE BEST double author book that he has done yet and I hate to say it but I'm being honest that this book does not even read like a James Patterson novel. David Ellis gets all the credit for this novel. The only thing that I can say about James Patterson right now is that he did a wonderful thing for David Ellis because now I am going to go out and buy every single book that he has written so far. Like I said this book was 5 stars out of 5 and it may have been edited by James Patterson by it certainly does not read like any of his previous novels and it was the best James Patterson novel that I have really enjoyed like that in a very long time. (Besides his Women's Murder Club books) So thank you James Patterson for giving me a new author to read DAVID ELLIS!
August 10, 2013
I love James Patterson books. I stopped reading this book at chapter 10. I really didn't understand what this book was about. The killer was getting on my nerves with the movie quotes. This book was really disappointing.
April 21, 2024
The ending felt flat . But besides that, it was very interesting and kept me reading.
November 18, 2023
3.5 rounded up.
This has very much the feel of David Ellis, the co-author. By that I mean there were some clever twists, and the narrator getting sidetracked every five minutes by U.S. presidents and television trivia was sheer goofiness but still very fun entertainment. Because of the humor mixed with a murder investigation, it felt sort of like a Ben Rehder/Roy Ballard book, which I also enjoy occasionally.
I wonder, when Patterson has these co-authors, does he let the other guy write whatever he wants and then Patterson just does a final edit? I fell away from Patterson books years ago but the joint efforts I've tried so far were not bad!
This has very much the feel of David Ellis, the co-author. By that I mean there were some clever twists, and the narrator getting sidetracked every five minutes by U.S. presidents and television trivia was sheer goofiness but still very fun entertainment. Because of the humor mixed with a murder investigation, it felt sort of like a Ben Rehder/Roy Ballard book, which I also enjoy occasionally.
I wonder, when Patterson has these co-authors, does he let the other guy write whatever he wants and then Patterson just does a final edit? I fell away from Patterson books years ago but the joint efforts I've tried so far were not bad!
March 8, 2015
A struggle to complete
One of my least favorite James Patterson books. Was hard to finish. I could not get into this book. I didn't care for the main character or the direction the storyline went. Very far fetched. Did not read like a James Patterson book.
One of my least favorite James Patterson books. Was hard to finish. I could not get into this book. I didn't care for the main character or the direction the storyline went. Very far fetched. Did not read like a James Patterson book.
June 21, 2024
1⭐️= Not For Me.
Hardback.
Well, I suppose when you read as many books as I do you’re bound to come across a fair few that you don’t like, and my last two reads have proven this to be the case.
I often enjoy a JP book but this, for me, was very far-fetched and silly.
As always with JP, short chapters are a bonus when frequently picking up and putting down a book.
Hardback.
Well, I suppose when you read as many books as I do you’re bound to come across a fair few that you don’t like, and my last two reads have proven this to be the case.
I often enjoy a JP book but this, for me, was very far-fetched and silly.
As always with JP, short chapters are a bonus when frequently picking up and putting down a book.
September 6, 2013
Loved this book! I would give it more stars if I could. I was talking about it with my husband last night and he says he wants me to read it with him.... not sure if he was being honest about that or not, he tends to tease me about my voracious reading habits. In addition, Mistress was extremely hard for me to put down. The evening I started reading it, I got half way through the book in what felt like only a few hours. It's a very fast read!
The book starts out where this man is sneaking around through this woman's apartment and installing hidden cameras, the reader can't help but think he's a creepy stalker guy. As you read further on you discover that he and this woman know each other very well, are good friends, and that she in fact had asked him to install the cameras because she has the feeling that someone is following her and may want to hurt her. Ben, the secret camera installing creepy guy, isn't really so creepy. He in fact is very bright and owns a reputable online political newspaper. He tends to be a bit obsessive about things: like Diana Hotchkiss, the lady he was helping and has an unrequited love for, about movies, most of what he does or experiences he thinks in terms of movie lines or scenes from movies, and is into Presidential trivia which he most likely got from his history professor father. When Diana takes a nose dive over her apartment balcony it appears to be a suicide but Ben feels there is a lot more going on and is determined to get down to the truth. When he goes around and starts asking questions he quickly finds that someone is out to stop him from gathering too much info. The closer he gets to the truth, the more he discovers that the love of his life has been leading this very secretive life and that it appears the answers will only be found in the upper reaches of the US govt.
This book has all the elements of what makes a really great story: action, suspense, govt. intrigue, mystery, murder, mayhem, and a subtle sense of humor. I think it would make for an awesome movie!!! I also like the fact that the chapters are shorter. If I have 5 minutes I know I can easily make it through another chapter - which of course gives me the feeling that I'm flying through the books.
The book starts out where this man is sneaking around through this woman's apartment and installing hidden cameras, the reader can't help but think he's a creepy stalker guy. As you read further on you discover that he and this woman know each other very well, are good friends, and that she in fact had asked him to install the cameras because she has the feeling that someone is following her and may want to hurt her. Ben, the secret camera installing creepy guy, isn't really so creepy. He in fact is very bright and owns a reputable online political newspaper. He tends to be a bit obsessive about things: like Diana Hotchkiss, the lady he was helping and has an unrequited love for, about movies, most of what he does or experiences he thinks in terms of movie lines or scenes from movies, and is into Presidential trivia which he most likely got from his history professor father. When Diana takes a nose dive over her apartment balcony it appears to be a suicide but Ben feels there is a lot more going on and is determined to get down to the truth. When he goes around and starts asking questions he quickly finds that someone is out to stop him from gathering too much info. The closer he gets to the truth, the more he discovers that the love of his life has been leading this very secretive life and that it appears the answers will only be found in the upper reaches of the US govt.
This book has all the elements of what makes a really great story: action, suspense, govt. intrigue, mystery, murder, mayhem, and a subtle sense of humor. I think it would make for an awesome movie!!! I also like the fact that the chapters are shorter. If I have 5 minutes I know I can easily make it through another chapter - which of course gives me the feeling that I'm flying through the books.
September 30, 2013
I couldn't get into this book. After two days of reading it and not being able to read more than a page or two before losing interest, I decided to add this book to my "did not finish" pile.
As with Patterson's co-authored books, you can tell that Patterson did not write this book and instead, it was written by Ellis and I think it was the writing style that I didn't like. It just seemed like the narrator was just letting off a constant stream of consciousness and not making any sort of point. Basically, when I was reading, it felt like I was reading something along the lines of: "I went to the store, then I got on my bike and drove down the road doing 60 miles/hour. Then I got off my bike and went into the library and checked out a book and then I got back on my bike and started to drive again only this time I was doing 70 miles/hour and SQUIRREL!!!! Then I kept driving and I stopped at another store...." etc.
I'm disappointed in this one because it actually sounded like a great premise for a book.
As with Patterson's co-authored books, you can tell that Patterson did not write this book and instead, it was written by Ellis and I think it was the writing style that I didn't like. It just seemed like the narrator was just letting off a constant stream of consciousness and not making any sort of point. Basically, when I was reading, it felt like I was reading something along the lines of: "I went to the store, then I got on my bike and drove down the road doing 60 miles/hour. Then I got off my bike and went into the library and checked out a book and then I got back on my bike and started to drive again only this time I was doing 70 miles/hour and SQUIRREL!!!! Then I kept driving and I stopped at another store...." etc.
I'm disappointed in this one because it actually sounded like a great premise for a book.
August 11, 2013
This book was not the usual James Patterson - it had too many movie reference and quotes - to much U.S. Presidential trivia - just get on with the story - not one of my favorites.
July 16, 2013
Having read this book I feel very disappointed and thoroughly cheated. I bought this book supposedly written by James Patterson and David Ellis but anyone who has read early James Patterson books will know that this is a completely different style of writing and in all honesty very low standard.
How can he sell these co written books with his name emblazoned on the cover when they are a poor seconds to the early novels that made Patterson a household name and a top selling author.
The story itself was extremely tedious and full of constant references to actors and films that very quickly became tiresome. The plot was very weak and the characters were not developed.
Many of the co-writers used in the past are very good writers and worth reading, Andrew Gross, Maxine Paetro to name two, but this money making factory of writers is now becoming out of control and the true talent of James Pattersons early books is being watered down by sub standard writers and genres which are clearly not his forte. James Patterson is now releasing Romance, Children etc along side his true genre of Mystery thrillers.
In my opinion if you are keen to read James Patterson books, stick to the early works rather than the recent releases like Zoo and this one which I found very poor.
How I wish he would revert back to releasing his work,releasing one or two quality books a year rather than one or two a month as is the case. Somehow I don't think this will happen while people continue to purchase the books in the hope of reading a true Patterson classic.
Reading reviews by other Patterson fans on this site it is noticeable that I am not the only one who feels this way.
How can he sell these co written books with his name emblazoned on the cover when they are a poor seconds to the early novels that made Patterson a household name and a top selling author.
The story itself was extremely tedious and full of constant references to actors and films that very quickly became tiresome. The plot was very weak and the characters were not developed.
Many of the co-writers used in the past are very good writers and worth reading, Andrew Gross, Maxine Paetro to name two, but this money making factory of writers is now becoming out of control and the true talent of James Pattersons early books is being watered down by sub standard writers and genres which are clearly not his forte. James Patterson is now releasing Romance, Children etc along side his true genre of Mystery thrillers.
In my opinion if you are keen to read James Patterson books, stick to the early works rather than the recent releases like Zoo and this one which I found very poor.
How I wish he would revert back to releasing his work,releasing one or two quality books a year rather than one or two a month as is the case. Somehow I don't think this will happen while people continue to purchase the books in the hope of reading a true Patterson classic.
Reading reviews by other Patterson fans on this site it is noticeable that I am not the only one who feels this way.
November 19, 2015
Mistress is a very unusual novel. The plot is complex and well-organized, and the characters are fully developed and engaging. Neither of those, however, is the reason for the appeal of this book for me. I, like most readers, selected the book based on James Patterson's name and reputation. This "jointly authored" book, one of Patterson's hundreds, follows his format - 100+ chapters of fewer than 5 pages each. Other than that and the polished quality of the writing, there's nothing of Patterson in this novel. (I love Patterson's writing, but this one has little of him in it.) The book was obviously written by the other author. I had never read anything by David Ellis before this one, but I will read others now. Ellis's writing style is extremely engaging. Benjamin Caspar, the main character he created for this book, shares my love for language. I was repeatedly enchanted by Ben's awareness of own language as he told the story in first person. I am not a movie/TV fan, but his frequent references to movie and/or TV scenes was interesting as a writing technique. I also really enjoyed his frequent references to (and parodies of) "The Raven" by Edgar Alan Poe. [Just a note to the directors of the audiobook: If your reader does a good job of reading the book (and this reader was superb), the cheesy sound effects (screeching tires, background screams, etc.) are just a distraction.]
May 12, 2018
This book was actually pretty good, and I liked the story a lot. SO let me tell you why I only gave it 3 stars.
In this book Ben, the main character, is talking to the reader about the events currently going on in his life and shares his thoughts. He even warns you in the beginning that his mind sometimes wanders and goes off topic. Well, he did go off topic.... A LOT!! Sometimes it almost put me to sleep! There was so much random information about former US presidents, his thoughts on movies, tv shows, etc.
In the end, his knowledge of presidents tied into the book, so I ended up appreciating it a little. But everything else? Did I really need to know what this characters favourite Seinfeld episode is? Or his thoughts on his favourite movies that Jennifer Garner has been in? Literally in the middle of a scene he goes off topic, and I just felt that it took away from the main story that I was trying to enjoy.
In this book Ben, the main character, is talking to the reader about the events currently going on in his life and shares his thoughts. He even warns you in the beginning that his mind sometimes wanders and goes off topic. Well, he did go off topic.... A LOT!! Sometimes it almost put me to sleep! There was so much random information about former US presidents, his thoughts on movies, tv shows, etc.
In the end, his knowledge of presidents tied into the book, so I ended up appreciating it a little. But everything else? Did I really need to know what this characters favourite Seinfeld episode is? Or his thoughts on his favourite movies that Jennifer Garner has been in? Literally in the middle of a scene he goes off topic, and I just felt that it took away from the main story that I was trying to enjoy.
March 27, 2018
SO GOOOOOOOOOD! so goodd!! i ve been seeing the name of Patterson everywhere for a while but i hadn't bought any of his books. well i am really glad i did! this is the kind of book that i call "one more page..." yo just can't put it down! the story has such a flow and it doesn't rest for a minute. it doesn't leave you to get relaxed or a little bit bored or willing to take a break. Excellent book! Amazing plot.
March 23, 2018
Benjamin Casper has been asked by a friend of his to put some surveillance cameras up in her apartment. Shortly after he leaves her building a body is thrown from her balcony. Everyone says it's his friend, Diana and that she committed suicide, but Ben is not convinced. Trying to figure out what is really going on with Diana and what she was up to is not going to be easy. Will Ben be able to find the answers before he loses his own life? Set in the heart of our Nation's Capital, Ben fights for his life to find out the truth about Diana.
This book was just okay for me. It held my attention, but I didn't find myself dying to read it during my down time. At some parts of the book, it felt like a dog chasing its tail.
Ben believes that Diana is his friend. When he attends her funeral back in her home of Wisconsin, he's not so sure. No one knows who he is and they sure as hell don't know who Diana is, at least who she really is, but does Ben. On the quest to find out if his friend is really dead, he will lose more friends along the way. Too many people end up dead and the reason is all really kind of crazy.
This was not one of my favorite James Patterson books.
This book was just okay for me. It held my attention, but I didn't find myself dying to read it during my down time. At some parts of the book, it felt like a dog chasing its tail.
Ben believes that Diana is his friend. When he attends her funeral back in her home of Wisconsin, he's not so sure. No one knows who he is and they sure as hell don't know who Diana is, at least who she really is, but does Ben. On the quest to find out if his friend is really dead, he will lose more friends along the way. Too many people end up dead and the reason is all really kind of crazy.
This was not one of my favorite James Patterson books.
September 7, 2017
Patterson books are abit of a guilty pleasure, they tend to have silly simple plots so are perfect for when you just want something light to read.
This one is told through political journalist Ben Cooper, he witnesses he's friend Diana plummet to her death and he's convinced that even though it appears to look like a suicide he's convinced that there's more than meets the eye.
The main issue with this book was the constant movie references, it soon became really irritating and slowly became a chore to progress through the story.
This one is told through political journalist Ben Cooper, he witnesses he's friend Diana plummet to her death and he's convinced that even though it appears to look like a suicide he's convinced that there's more than meets the eye.
The main issue with this book was the constant movie references, it soon became really irritating and slowly became a chore to progress through the story.
November 12, 2018
This book was okay for a quick on a coldish dreary day. I did not care for all the movie and presidential trivia throughout. If you disregarded most of that, it was a fairly interesting story.
August 26, 2013
Well...I really thought I was going to be pleasantly surprised with Patterson's most recent suspense/thriller. I'm sorry to say, though, I was disappointed again. After the "12th of Never", I really felt I had been super critical of Patterson's writing and collaborative efforts. After reading "Mistress", though, I'm just wondering what is going on.
When the book started, and I guess probably 100 pages in, I thought it was going to be a great psychological thriller. The character I was reading about seemed "off" and was making me curious as to what he was going to do and what part he would play in this murder mystery. After about 150 pages, I was so taken aback and disappointed that the psychologically challenged, weird guy, was really not as much a part as I thought, in the murder itself. Like in other recent Patterson books, I was less than impressed after about a third of the book. "Mistress" just lost steam and became a convoluted mess. I became disinterested and just wanted it to be over. I'm not good at just quitting a book, and certainly not a Patterson novel. But I just wanted to put this down and move on to something else. I felt like the development of the characters started well, I thought it was going to go somewhere, and then I just found myself not liking the lack of energy and purpose in the last 2/3 of the book. I don't know if this is a sign of what is to come, but I am starting to wonder about the craftsmanship in Patterson's latest pieces. I will say again what i said in a previous Patterson review, the collaborations AREN'T WORKING!!! "Mistress" was very disappointing, and I'm not going to pre-order "Gone", as I'm afraid Patterson's writing has just fallen flat.
When the book started, and I guess probably 100 pages in, I thought it was going to be a great psychological thriller. The character I was reading about seemed "off" and was making me curious as to what he was going to do and what part he would play in this murder mystery. After about 150 pages, I was so taken aback and disappointed that the psychologically challenged, weird guy, was really not as much a part as I thought, in the murder itself. Like in other recent Patterson books, I was less than impressed after about a third of the book. "Mistress" just lost steam and became a convoluted mess. I became disinterested and just wanted it to be over. I'm not good at just quitting a book, and certainly not a Patterson novel. But I just wanted to put this down and move on to something else. I felt like the development of the characters started well, I thought it was going to go somewhere, and then I just found myself not liking the lack of energy and purpose in the last 2/3 of the book. I don't know if this is a sign of what is to come, but I am starting to wonder about the craftsmanship in Patterson's latest pieces. I will say again what i said in a previous Patterson review, the collaborations AREN'T WORKING!!! "Mistress" was very disappointing, and I'm not going to pre-order "Gone", as I'm afraid Patterson's writing has just fallen flat.
June 19, 2014
Mistress is the 30th stand-alone novel by prolific American author, James Patterson, co-written by David Ellis. Ben Casper is a political journalist for his own online newspaper based in Washington DC. When he witnesses the apparent suicide of his good friend, Diana Hotchkiss, his grief is soon overcome by disbelief. He is certain that she would not suicide, but as he investigates, he discovers a Diana he does not recognise, a woman with secret lovers and uncharacteristic behaviour. And it seems that people Ben talks to begin to die with alarming regularity. Ben finds himself escaping death by the narrowest of margins. The clues seem to lead to the upper levels of Washington power brokers. As with most Patterson fiction, the novel is plot-driven; the characters have very little depth. Ben is the only character who is expanded upon: the reader spends the novel inside the head of a narrator who relates almost everything he experiences to TV or movies, trivia about presidents, or songs and artists. Ben’s constant patter about movies, presidents, bikes and music is at once a source of humour, a distraction from the main event and a filler between the action. Without it, the novel would have been considerably shorter. Ben’s own history is interspersed throughout the novel, but the final resolution feels a little rushed. Ellis manages to incorporate blackmail, several murders, explosions, shootings, the CIA, the Russians, the Chinese, the President and plenty of well-known DC landmarks into the plot. The Russian action is surprisingly topical considering events in the Ukraine. Once again in the format of Patterson’s extremely short chapters, this is a page-turner that has plenty of twists and turns.
August 15, 2013
In the past, I have always enjoyed Patterson's books immensely. However, lately, they seem to be lacking. I found this to be true with this book. The plot for this book concerns whether the main character's friend Diana Hotchkiss committed suicide by jumping off the balcony of her apartment or whether she was pushed (murdered). If the crazy way the main character keeps relating everything to movie titles, actors and lines or to some totally esoteric trivia about one of the presidents doesn't almost immediately turn you off, the absurdity of the plot will. I am now more than firmly convinced that this author has "written himself out" and is using weirder than weird plots created by the co-authors of the books to produce more books or else Patterson has lost it completely. In this case, Ben sets out to find answers to how and why Diana died. The search for answers involves Ben being shot at, chased and beaten by Federal agents and Russian assassins. I guess the reader is expected to believe all this and find the story another exciting thriller. I did not. I found it rather unbelievable and not as well written as Patterson's previous novels. I am really sorry the author, who has penned so many great books and who rightly deserves his place among the leading best-selling authors today, has stooped to this level. It is a real shame to read this terrible book, knowing that a once upon a time great, creative author is the co-author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,008 reviews