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A CRIME LORD IS ON THE LOOSE-AND HE'S DECLARED WAR ON DETECTIVE MICHAEL BENNETT'S FAMILY. Manuel Perrine doesn't fear anyone or anything. A charismatic, ruthless strongman, Perrine slaughters rivals as effortlessly as he wears his trademark white linen suits. Detective Michael Bennett is the only U.S. official ever to succeed in putting Perrine behind bars. But now Perrine is out-and vows to find and kill Bennett and everyone dear to him. Bennett and his ten adopted children are living on a secluded California farm, guarded by the FBI's witness protection program. Soon Perrine begins a campaign of assassinations, brazenly slaughtering powerful individuals across the country. The FBI has no clue where Perrine is hiding or how he is orchestrating his attacks. It is forced to ask Bennett to risk it all-his career, his family, his own life-to fight Perrine's war on America. With intensity, speed, and explosive action rivaling James Bond movies at their best-and featuring one of the most complex and chilling villains ever created-GONE is the newest astounding novel by James Patterson.
416 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2013
2430 people are currently reading
10632 people want to read
About the author
James Patterson
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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 1,381 reviews
February 14, 2020
Much better than the last book and action packed all the way. Lots of suspense too as I waited for the inevitable attack on Bennett's family. I reckoned no author was going to set something like that up and then not follow through. It was just a matter of when. It certainly made reading the book tense.
Apart from that there were many, many gory deaths performed in imaginative ways and a very fast paced story. No time for the reader to daydream and an easy book to read straight through in one sitting if you have the time available!
This book also had closure for the particular story line that we have been following. So something new for the next one!
Apart from that there were many, many gory deaths performed in imaginative ways and a very fast paced story. No time for the reader to daydream and an easy book to read straight through in one sitting if you have the time available!
This book also had closure for the particular story line that we have been following. So something new for the next one!
October 13, 2013
I am not sure if it is just me but I am getting really fed up of all James Patterson's long running series. His stand alone novels show that he (and his co authors) can write good tales when they put their minds to it but the long running ones are just getting boring.
This book does round off what happened with the last book but yet again we finish it and return to the status quo. All the kids will end up in exactly the same position they are usually in with no changes (none of them have girlfriends, boyfriends, friends of any kinds or a life outside of their family). Seamus will go back to being his usual craggy self. Mary Catherine will go back to mixing her time between her schoolwork, her nanny duties and being the on again off again/ will they wont they love interest that will seemingly never have a conclusion. Then there is Michael Bennett himself who will return to his job and continue to struggle to put away bad guys whilst spending time with his family.
It has got to the point where it doesn't matter how good the bad guys are written, how brutal the crimes are or what is happening anywhere else in these books. When we are left with the firm certainty that nothing is ever going to change then I wonder why waste my time. After six Michael Bennet books it looks like we are going to end up right where the first one started so thank you, but no more.
I am officially giving up on this author, its clear that his best days are behind him. He could do with someone telling him that quality counts for more than quantity. A book a month is all well and good for the author's bank account but it does nothing for the story.
This book does round off what happened with the last book but yet again we finish it and return to the status quo. All the kids will end up in exactly the same position they are usually in with no changes (none of them have girlfriends, boyfriends, friends of any kinds or a life outside of their family). Seamus will go back to being his usual craggy self. Mary Catherine will go back to mixing her time between her schoolwork, her nanny duties and being the on again off again/ will they wont they love interest that will seemingly never have a conclusion. Then there is Michael Bennett himself who will return to his job and continue to struggle to put away bad guys whilst spending time with his family.
It has got to the point where it doesn't matter how good the bad guys are written, how brutal the crimes are or what is happening anywhere else in these books. When we are left with the firm certainty that nothing is ever going to change then I wonder why waste my time. After six Michael Bennet books it looks like we are going to end up right where the first one started so thank you, but no more.
I am officially giving up on this author, its clear that his best days are behind him. He could do with someone telling him that quality counts for more than quantity. A book a month is all well and good for the author's bank account but it does nothing for the story.
January 31, 2018
3.5*
Gone picks up where I, Michael Bennett left off, with the family on the run so let’s get them into hiding on a farm to escape crime lord, Perrine. Things take a drastic and brutal turn as the FBI and LAPD ask Michael Bennett to assist in bringing Perrine down: as in law enforcement officers are killed, corrupt people get killed, and a reformed criminal gets killed at a Dodgers game (brutally so). Oh, and Perrine declares war on the US to get California back for Mexico (not bs’ing you, I’m being serious). So yeah, drastic turns and plots in this installment.
My quick and simple overall: good but can we please get Mike B. (damn straight, Go Seahawks) back to NYC now?
Gone picks up where I, Michael Bennett left off, with the family on the run so let’s get them into hiding on a farm to escape crime lord, Perrine. Things take a drastic and brutal turn as the FBI and LAPD ask Michael Bennett to assist in bringing Perrine down: as in law enforcement officers are killed, corrupt people get killed, and a reformed criminal gets killed at a Dodgers game (brutally so). Oh, and Perrine declares war on the US to get California back for Mexico (not bs’ing you, I’m being serious). So yeah, drastic turns and plots in this installment.
My quick and simple overall: good but can we please get Mike B. (damn straight, Go Seahawks) back to NYC now?
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August 18, 2021Ok am finally through the book! It took me over a week! A whole darn week! Whew!!! Because I too fell in love with the Irishman Michael Bennet, as have many others, I felt he and his clan have earned the 4-5 star rating...I gotta tell ya tho, I am so tired of series....time to move on to more stand alones.! I think I'll give Mr Patterson a rest for hot minute...
January 12, 2015
What's not to like? This series stars a street-wise detective, Michael Bennett, now on the run from a Mexican drug kingpin. While earlier novels focused more on Bennett, the recipe has been altered with a touch more comedic flavor from the ten adopted children, as well as the spice of a brewing romance with the feisty Irish nanny. Oh, and let us not forget the moral compass. Every novel filled with death and mayhem needs the family priest, Seamus. While I enjoy the series, the characters, and the scenarios, one question has always plagued my mind: Who in the heck actually wrote the book, James Patterson or Michael Ledwidge? I suspect an answer, but it's actually a moot point to the reader. If you enjoy action and suspense, splashed with a bit of humor and romance, you'll enjoy this read.
December 4, 2013
Detective Michael Bennett had to go into the witness protection program with his family after the vicious mass murderer and war lord he had captured, Manuel Perrine, escaped and vowed to kill Michael, his complete family and all his associates. The vengeance was to be huge; the killer was capable of the extreme violence he threatened – he’d proven that in the past.
So eight months down the track, settled into the countryside in a safe-house in California with the cows, horses and massive doses of boredom, Michael began to hear of the atrocities which were happening within the drug world. FBI Agent Emily Parker appeared one day, filling him in on Perrine’s activities, the various departments’ inability to find him…. Then he needed to make a decision; should he leave his family to find and arrest this killer before the war escalated, or should he stay to protect his family?
This was an absolutely brilliant follow-up to I, Michael Bennett! A gripping, totally intense and furiously paced book, the events kept happening, one after the other - crashing into one another, keeping the pages turning until the very end! A madcap ride, thoroughly entertaining, breathtaking in the extreme! Another Patterson novel I have no hesitation in highly recommending!
So eight months down the track, settled into the countryside in a safe-house in California with the cows, horses and massive doses of boredom, Michael began to hear of the atrocities which were happening within the drug world. FBI Agent Emily Parker appeared one day, filling him in on Perrine’s activities, the various departments’ inability to find him…. Then he needed to make a decision; should he leave his family to find and arrest this killer before the war escalated, or should he stay to protect his family?
This was an absolutely brilliant follow-up to I, Michael Bennett! A gripping, totally intense and furiously paced book, the events kept happening, one after the other - crashing into one another, keeping the pages turning until the very end! A madcap ride, thoroughly entertaining, breathtaking in the extreme! Another Patterson novel I have no hesitation in highly recommending!
October 2, 2013
This book was originally going to get a 2-star rating from me, until the last big action scene of the story managed to make it enjoyable enough for 3 stars.
The thing is, I love reading about Michael Bennett's kids and his nanny. I think they're really interesting characters.
I really, really don't like the cliched, one dimensional character that Michael Bennett has become. And I don't like how Patterson and Ledwidge thought it was appropriate to sneak in some political ranting into the book. Stick to the story!
I prefer Bennett on his home turf, being a cop -- the "in hiding" bits of the story weren't bad, actually, but when he went all secret agent on us, I found myself being bored.
Also, I listened to the audiobook version and it was horrible. They kept playing sound effects in the background -- I DON'T NEED SOUND EFFECTS! It's called an imagination; I have one and I use it. And it kept switching between two different readers, neither of whom were very good. One reader, in fact, kept changing up his voice during action-packed sequences, so it sounded like a very cartoon-y secret agent voice.
I really don't have high hopes for James Patterson novels, but I've enjoyed previous Bennett books a lot more than this one. Hope the next one will have him back to doing what he does best -- being a cop. And keep the politics out of the books, Patterson.
The thing is, I love reading about Michael Bennett's kids and his nanny. I think they're really interesting characters.
I really, really don't like the cliched, one dimensional character that Michael Bennett has become. And I don't like how Patterson and Ledwidge thought it was appropriate to sneak in some political ranting into the book. Stick to the story!
I prefer Bennett on his home turf, being a cop -- the "in hiding" bits of the story weren't bad, actually, but when he went all secret agent on us, I found myself being bored.
Also, I listened to the audiobook version and it was horrible. They kept playing sound effects in the background -- I DON'T NEED SOUND EFFECTS! It's called an imagination; I have one and I use it. And it kept switching between two different readers, neither of whom were very good. One reader, in fact, kept changing up his voice during action-packed sequences, so it sounded like a very cartoon-y secret agent voice.
I really don't have high hopes for James Patterson novels, but I've enjoyed previous Bennett books a lot more than this one. Hope the next one will have him back to doing what he does best -- being a cop. And keep the politics out of the books, Patterson.
December 26, 2017
This is one tough detective. Michael Bennett is truly dedicated to his job even though it appears the odds are against him including a bounty on the head of him and his family. Manuel Perrine is determine to kill him because he murdered his wife in the previous book. Now the whole Bennett clan is in witness protection and everything is about to come apart.
It’s amazing how much drugs, murders, bribes and mayhem was included in this story. It appeared that their was a leak every step they took . The story is typical of James Patterson’s style; drag the suspense until you want to fast forward. Overall, it was an okay book.
It’s amazing how much drugs, murders, bribes and mayhem was included in this story. It appeared that their was a leak every step they took . The story is typical of James Patterson’s style; drag the suspense until you want to fast forward. Overall, it was an okay book.
September 17, 2013
After the way the last Michael Bennett book finished, i couldn't wait for this to be released... Now I've read it I'm so disappointed.. The beginning was slow and boring, too much about how life on the farm was, and milking cows.
The ending was rushed, very rushed... I couldn't believe after 2 books with Perrine as the bad guy, what should have been a major climatic ending was actually a big flop. If James Patterson hadn't had his name on this book, i would have presumed the end storyline was written by a first time writer being rushed for publication.
The ending was rushed, very rushed... I couldn't believe after 2 books with Perrine as the bad guy, what should have been a major climatic ending was actually a big flop. If James Patterson hadn't had his name on this book, i would have presumed the end storyline was written by a first time writer being rushed for publication.
June 14, 2020
Michael Bennett book No. 6: Michael Bennett and his extended and very large family are under Government protection, hiding from a Latino drug baron, who's just about to more or less declare war on the State of California! Good solid page turner as ever. 5 out of 12.
October 10, 2023
Great one!! Of course Mike got the bad guy. Twists and turns throughout. A few “ha ha” moments. Emily was in this one but didn’t create trouble…good!! I don’t trust that woman.
December 2, 2015
If you've ever read a novel by bestselling author James Patterson, you pretty much know what to expect from him. Usually assisted by a co-author, Patterson delivers numerous novels throughout the year, all of which follow the same basic formula. Despite this cookie-cutter approach, I've always been a fan of this prolific author. While his books rarely offer more than surface level thrills, their fast pacing and straightforward prose are often the perfect cure for a reading slump.
After the events of the previous novel, I, Michael Bennett, NYPD Detective Michael Bennett and his clan of ten adopted children, Irish nanny Mary Catherine, and Grandfather/priest Seamus are in hiding. The capture and arrest of Mexican drug lord Manuel Perrine was one of the greatest achievements of Bennett's career, but with Perrine's recent escape and vow of vengeance, Michael isn't taking any chances. He's moved his family from their home in New York to a secluded ranch in Northern California. The kids have adapted well to their new rural surroundings, but Michael knows the transition has not been easy on them. They wake up each day with the fear that Perrine will use his vast resources to discover their location and exact his revenge.
In addition to his personal vendetta against Michael, Perrine has also declared war on every criminal who has ever done him wrong and plans to expand his thriving drug business into the United States. He methodically executes anyone who stands in his way and has no trouble traveling between the border undetected. After eight months of violent escalation, a desperate FBI contacts the only man who has ever had any success against Perrine. . . Michael Bennett. With the safety of his family and the entire nation on the line, Michael attempts to bring the world's most wanted man to justice.
I was extremely disappointed in the cliffhanger ending of the last book in the Michael Bennett series. So much so, in fact, that it took me nearly three years to get around to reading this conclusion to that story. Fortunately, this one brings the story to a satisfying end. While this novel works as a stand-alone story, you really should read the previous book to get the full context of the narrative. As this is the sixth novel in the series, Patterson devotes much less time to Michael's personal life and spends the majority of the novel writing the page-turning action that he's become so well known for. I raced through this book in a few hours and enjoyed every second of it. Still, this novel is closer to the more generic Patterson books than the much better first novels of this series. If you've already read the rest of the Michael Bennett books, you'll probably find everything you're looking for in this one. If, however, you're looking for an original or deeper story, you may be slightly disappointed with this installment.
After the events of the previous novel, I, Michael Bennett, NYPD Detective Michael Bennett and his clan of ten adopted children, Irish nanny Mary Catherine, and Grandfather/priest Seamus are in hiding. The capture and arrest of Mexican drug lord Manuel Perrine was one of the greatest achievements of Bennett's career, but with Perrine's recent escape and vow of vengeance, Michael isn't taking any chances. He's moved his family from their home in New York to a secluded ranch in Northern California. The kids have adapted well to their new rural surroundings, but Michael knows the transition has not been easy on them. They wake up each day with the fear that Perrine will use his vast resources to discover their location and exact his revenge.
In addition to his personal vendetta against Michael, Perrine has also declared war on every criminal who has ever done him wrong and plans to expand his thriving drug business into the United States. He methodically executes anyone who stands in his way and has no trouble traveling between the border undetected. After eight months of violent escalation, a desperate FBI contacts the only man who has ever had any success against Perrine. . . Michael Bennett. With the safety of his family and the entire nation on the line, Michael attempts to bring the world's most wanted man to justice.
I was extremely disappointed in the cliffhanger ending of the last book in the Michael Bennett series. So much so, in fact, that it took me nearly three years to get around to reading this conclusion to that story. Fortunately, this one brings the story to a satisfying end. While this novel works as a stand-alone story, you really should read the previous book to get the full context of the narrative. As this is the sixth novel in the series, Patterson devotes much less time to Michael's personal life and spends the majority of the novel writing the page-turning action that he's become so well known for. I raced through this book in a few hours and enjoyed every second of it. Still, this novel is closer to the more generic Patterson books than the much better first novels of this series. If you've already read the rest of the Michael Bennett books, you'll probably find everything you're looking for in this one. If, however, you're looking for an original or deeper story, you may be slightly disappointed with this installment.
September 12, 2013
This would have to be my least favourite of the series . I found the first half quite boring and repetitive and the second half was completely anticlimactic . I felt like there were chapters that had me excited ,then I was instantly let down in the next chapter . For how slow the start was , the ending felt very rushed .
I was so excited when I found out the new book was being released and I can't describe my feelings when I actually had it in my hands. Now however, I feel like incredibly let down and quite pissed off .
I was so excited when I found out the new book was being released and I can't describe my feelings when I actually had it in my hands. Now however, I feel like incredibly let down and quite pissed off .
June 16, 2019
I have the say, if it weren't for the latter part of the story, I probably would have rated this a little lower. The first 2/3 of the book were kind of boring with all the "farm" tasks and activities. However, once Mike joined back up with Emily from the FBI, then it started getting good. The ending was great too. Lastly, I just gotta say this again, because it really needs to be said, the whole lot of nothing not going on between Mike and MC is SOOO BORING!!!!! I actually, skim through those parts. Either move forward or move on.
December 10, 2024
⭐️ Michael Bennet and his brood have been whisked away to a farm by witness protection in order to hide him from a gangster that wants all of them dead. When law enforcement can’t figure out how to stop said gangster they take Bennet away from the farm to help them catch this bad guy.
Right. It makes no sense. But we aren’t reading these books because of sense, are we?
⭐️ What so thought:
This installment was as much of a stinker as the last one. It felt like the authors were going for Don Winslow, and it just isn’t the time or the place.
Also - too much farm girl MC
Right. It makes no sense. But we aren’t reading these books because of sense, are we?
⭐️ What so thought:
This installment was as much of a stinker as the last one. It felt like the authors were going for Don Winslow, and it just isn’t the time or the place.
Also - too much farm girl MC
November 21, 2018
Absolutely love this series. Can’t get enough of Michael Bennett
January 15, 2023
This is an older book I happened across at the Library. I remember liking the character of Michael Bennett so I picked it up for hubby who enjoyed it and decided to read it myself.
In this one Detective Michael Bennett and his family are in witness protection in a secluded safe house in northern CA. Their safety has been threatened by a ruthless crime lord whom Bennett captured at one time but who escaped. He has put out a hit on his family.
Mary Catherine, the nanny and Mike’s priest grandfather Seamus are also secluded on this ranch with Mike Bennett and his 10 adopted kids. There are a couple of enjoyable personal plots to this story involving the characters as well as the fast paced crime scenes that have one at the edge of their seats.
Well choreographed, plotted and executed. Fairly clean too, not much bad language, just an occasional frustrated blurb. However, there are plenty of violent scenes with the crimes committed. The bad guy loves ordering heads decapitated, ugh!
I enjoyed it and the co-writing with Ledgewidge seems to work well. I’ve enjoyed their dual efforts. Happy to recommend to thriller fans.
In this one Detective Michael Bennett and his family are in witness protection in a secluded safe house in northern CA. Their safety has been threatened by a ruthless crime lord whom Bennett captured at one time but who escaped. He has put out a hit on his family.
Mary Catherine, the nanny and Mike’s priest grandfather Seamus are also secluded on this ranch with Mike Bennett and his 10 adopted kids. There are a couple of enjoyable personal plots to this story involving the characters as well as the fast paced crime scenes that have one at the edge of their seats.
Well choreographed, plotted and executed. Fairly clean too, not much bad language, just an occasional frustrated blurb. However, there are plenty of violent scenes with the crimes committed. The bad guy loves ordering heads decapitated, ugh!
I enjoyed it and the co-writing with Ledgewidge seems to work well. I’ve enjoyed their dual efforts. Happy to recommend to thriller fans.
December 22, 2020
FIRST READ: i really enjoyed this book, and to my surprise, Mike Bennett's children were LDS. They were put in the witness protection plan (10 children, a nanny, and those that helped). That was quite a surprise. The Books that Patterson and Ledwidge team up for are really some of the better ones in my opinion. This is my second Michael Bennett book. It was well written and keeps me the reader holding my breath what is going to happen next. Overall fairly cleanly written, decent language. Don't want to be a spoiler, but it was a good book! Recommend.
SECOND READ: James Patterson's GONE stars Michael Bennett, former NYPD Detective now attached to the FBI. Mexican Cartel boss, Manuel Perrine, a very evil man, has been on a killing campaign directed not only at rival drug gangs in southern California but also the brutal termination of law enforcement officials. Bennett captured Perrine once before but he escaped while in his custody. Perrine publically threatened annihilation of Michael Bennett and his ten-member extended family. This resulted in Bennett and his family being placed in the witness protection program and secretly ensconced on a ranch in an isolated area of northern California.
The president declared Perrine the number one security threat to the United States. Michael Bennett is reluctantly dragged back into active service with the FBI to join the chase to bring Perrine to justice, thus leaving his family alone and vulnerable to Perrine's henchmen. The newly formed task force includes the FBI, CIA, NSA, and military special ops units from the three services.
The story bounces back-and-forth from tactics of the operational chase, to Bennett's family who are still in hiding, and to Perrine's personal and murderous activities in southern California and Mexico. Bennett's FBI partner, Emily Parker, seems to stay on the sidelines. Her character was never fully developed. I think she would have enhanced the story as a love interest. In fact many characters seem to make brief appearances and are never heard from again. The story seems to have no central theme and little spark.
Bennett captured Perrine once before but he escaped while in his custody. Perrine publically threatened annihilation of Michael Bennett and his ten-member extended family. This resulted in Bennett and his family being placed in the witness protection program and secretly ensconced on a ranch in an isolated area of northern California.
The president declared Perrine the number one security threat to the United States. Michael Bennett is reluctantly dragged back into active service with the FBI to join the chase to bring Perrine to justice, thus leaving his family alone and vulnerable to Perrine's henchmen. The newly formed task force includes the FBI, CIA, NSA, and military special ops units from the three services.
The story bounces back-and-forth from tactics of the operational chase, to Bennett's family who are still in hiding, and to Perrine's personal and murderous activities in southern California and Mexico. Bennett's FBI partner, Emily Parker, seems to stay on the sidelines. Her character was never fully developed. I think she would have enhanced the story as a love interest. In fact many characters seem to make brief appearances and are never heard from again. The story seems to have no central theme and little spark.
The novel, co-authored by Michael Ledwidge, who I assume did most if not all the writing, is not one of Patterson's best.
SECOND READ: James Patterson's GONE stars Michael Bennett, former NYPD Detective now attached to the FBI. Mexican Cartel boss, Manuel Perrine, a very evil man, has been on a killing campaign directed not only at rival drug gangs in southern California but also the brutal termination of law enforcement officials. Bennett captured Perrine once before but he escaped while in his custody. Perrine publically threatened annihilation of Michael Bennett and his ten-member extended family. This resulted in Bennett and his family being placed in the witness protection program and secretly ensconced on a ranch in an isolated area of northern California.
The president declared Perrine the number one security threat to the United States. Michael Bennett is reluctantly dragged back into active service with the FBI to join the chase to bring Perrine to justice, thus leaving his family alone and vulnerable to Perrine's henchmen. The newly formed task force includes the FBI, CIA, NSA, and military special ops units from the three services.
The story bounces back-and-forth from tactics of the operational chase, to Bennett's family who are still in hiding, and to Perrine's personal and murderous activities in southern California and Mexico. Bennett's FBI partner, Emily Parker, seems to stay on the sidelines. Her character was never fully developed. I think she would have enhanced the story as a love interest. In fact many characters seem to make brief appearances and are never heard from again. The story seems to have no central theme and little spark.
Bennett captured Perrine once before but he escaped while in his custody. Perrine publically threatened annihilation of Michael Bennett and his ten-member extended family. This resulted in Bennett and his family being placed in the witness protection program and secretly ensconced on a ranch in an isolated area of northern California.
The president declared Perrine the number one security threat to the United States. Michael Bennett is reluctantly dragged back into active service with the FBI to join the chase to bring Perrine to justice, thus leaving his family alone and vulnerable to Perrine's henchmen. The newly formed task force includes the FBI, CIA, NSA, and military special ops units from the three services.
The story bounces back-and-forth from tactics of the operational chase, to Bennett's family who are still in hiding, and to Perrine's personal and murderous activities in southern California and Mexico. Bennett's FBI partner, Emily Parker, seems to stay on the sidelines. Her character was never fully developed. I think she would have enhanced the story as a love interest. In fact many characters seem to make brief appearances and are never heard from again. The story seems to have no central theme and little spark.
The novel, co-authored by Michael Ledwidge, who I assume did most if not all the writing, is not one of Patterson's best.
November 3, 2013
I am really hoping that we are not seeing Mike Bennett going down the same sad pathway that Alex Cross has gone in more recent books because the result is an arrogant hero who is a municipal detective that seems to be the only person who can take on international crime lords with little regard for the effect it has on his loved ones or the possibility that those trained to actually confront global challenges better than he can.
Mike, his 10 kids, Father Seamus, and their nanny Mary Catherine are off to the Wild West so they can be hidden from Manuel Perrine, an international drug lord based out of the narcostate of Mexico, because Mike played a big role in almost sending Perrine to prison. Unfortunately, that failed, and Perrine plans on acting out revenge while also using his drug empire to possibly take back the lands the United States took from Mexico centuries earlier. (Think California, Texas, etc.).
As signs appear that Perrine might be making headway by taking out most of the mafia bosses in America all at once, Mike finds himself being pulled into the center of the manhunt because he knows more about Perrine than anyone else. Of course, no one seems to worry about the fact that there is a personal element there between Mike and Perrine that would probably mar the results, but hey ... this is fiction.
It was nice to see that Mary Catherine might be moving on from Mike after their relationship taking some awkward steps from a professional relationship to something more romantic. One of the special agents assigned to help protect the Bennett family has a blossoming interest in Mary Catherine, and she seems to have a similar interest in return. Sadly, the need to place Mike (like Alex Cross) as the only person in his world that can solve any problem or make anyone happy gets in the way of all of that.
There is definitely no shortage of action in this novel, though it does take a while to get going as it sets the scene on the family farm the Bennetts have been hidden away on. The farm does have some interesting neighbors since it is in an area that is seemingly overrun with with the underground, black market for marijuana. It does provide some interesting and humorous scenes.
I am increasingly worried about where this series is going. I really liked Mike and his family, but I hate Patterson's (well, really does Patterson really write any of these books any more ... so Ledwidge's) need to make Bennett bigger and bigger in each book. Just let him be an NYPD detective who looks into some interesting murders. Do we really need to make the villains bigger and stranger and making it that his family has to be endangered all the time? I don't think so. It is that sort of evolution that has ruined the Alex Cross series, and I fear that it is starting to do the same for the Micheal Bennett series.
Mike, his 10 kids, Father Seamus, and their nanny Mary Catherine are off to the Wild West so they can be hidden from Manuel Perrine, an international drug lord based out of the narcostate of Mexico, because Mike played a big role in almost sending Perrine to prison. Unfortunately, that failed, and Perrine plans on acting out revenge while also using his drug empire to possibly take back the lands the United States took from Mexico centuries earlier. (Think California, Texas, etc.).
As signs appear that Perrine might be making headway by taking out most of the mafia bosses in America all at once, Mike finds himself being pulled into the center of the manhunt because he knows more about Perrine than anyone else. Of course, no one seems to worry about the fact that there is a personal element there between Mike and Perrine that would probably mar the results, but hey ... this is fiction.
It was nice to see that Mary Catherine might be moving on from Mike after their relationship taking some awkward steps from a professional relationship to something more romantic. One of the special agents assigned to help protect the Bennett family has a blossoming interest in Mary Catherine, and she seems to have a similar interest in return. Sadly, the need to place Mike (like Alex Cross) as the only person in his world that can solve any problem or make anyone happy gets in the way of all of that.
There is definitely no shortage of action in this novel, though it does take a while to get going as it sets the scene on the family farm the Bennetts have been hidden away on. The farm does have some interesting neighbors since it is in an area that is seemingly overrun with with the underground, black market for marijuana. It does provide some interesting and humorous scenes.
I am increasingly worried about where this series is going. I really liked Mike and his family, but I hate Patterson's (well, really does Patterson really write any of these books any more ... so Ledwidge's) need to make Bennett bigger and bigger in each book. Just let him be an NYPD detective who looks into some interesting murders. Do we really need to make the villains bigger and stranger and making it that his family has to be endangered all the time? I don't think so. It is that sort of evolution that has ruined the Alex Cross series, and I fear that it is starting to do the same for the Micheal Bennett series.
April 24, 2014
Why do I always subject myself to Patterson's work? There have been so many disappointing books, but I keep giving him a second chance only to be upset.
When I sat down to read this I was looking forward to an easy, some what entertaining book. By the time I reached the last page I felt as though I just finished reading a story to a child.
There are many issues with this book. Is it just me or have his books been getting cheesier? Some humor is okay. I actually like humor, but this book is littered with horrible jokes. Even at times of seriousness a bad joke is spewed by someone. Maybe I wouldn't be saying anything if the jokes had me snickering instead of groaning.
As I made my way through the book I felt as though I was reading a child's book. The writing was too simplistic. I wanted a light, easy read not one that I felt lowered my IQ after I finished it. How many times did someone, especially a kid, do the jig in the book? Then any time a body of water is mentioned he refers to it as the "drink"... it's annoying to say the least.
Not only that but this book finds Bennett hunting a serial killer that is targeting his family, but he still has time to spend an entire day sightseeing?
Seriously????
Sightseeing trumps hunting a serial killer? Oh what's one more day of mass killings if I can check out the walk of fame. Yea right...
Then there is the love interest. I will admit that one of the reasons I subject myself to this series is to find out what Mary Catherine is going to do. I find Bennett's flip-flopping between Agent Parker and Mary Catherine nauseating. I keep hoping that Mary Catherine will kick him to the curb. With this book I was seriously disappointed. As soon as Parker shows up Bennett is drooling over how good she looks. I even felt like Mary Catherine moved on with a new love interest. But when her love interest falls through, she jumps back into Bennett's arms... *sigh*
Finally, I felt like everyone was pregnant. They weren't just pregnant but a lot of focus was placed on each character. Normally this doesn't bother me. I even overlooked it with the first two side characters, but by the third character I was becoming annoyed. I swear by the third character almost 2 pages is spent focusing on the fact that she was pregnant.
I thought maybe, just maybe, his family would find themselves in serious danger. I don't know why I thought that any danger could ever befall the precious Bennett family. They always find their way out of all danger... but without any suspense or real action.
I have no one to blame but myself for continuing to purchase his books. By the time I have completed them my blood pressure is high and my annoyance level has reached its limit. Even though I can't heed my own advice I would suggest steering clear..
When I sat down to read this I was looking forward to an easy, some what entertaining book. By the time I reached the last page I felt as though I just finished reading a story to a child.
There are many issues with this book. Is it just me or have his books been getting cheesier? Some humor is okay. I actually like humor, but this book is littered with horrible jokes. Even at times of seriousness a bad joke is spewed by someone. Maybe I wouldn't be saying anything if the jokes had me snickering instead of groaning.
As I made my way through the book I felt as though I was reading a child's book. The writing was too simplistic. I wanted a light, easy read not one that I felt lowered my IQ after I finished it. How many times did someone, especially a kid, do the jig in the book? Then any time a body of water is mentioned he refers to it as the "drink"... it's annoying to say the least.
Not only that but this book finds Bennett hunting a serial killer that is targeting his family, but he still has time to spend an entire day sightseeing?
Seriously????
Sightseeing trumps hunting a serial killer? Oh what's one more day of mass killings if I can check out the walk of fame. Yea right...
Then there is the love interest. I will admit that one of the reasons I subject myself to this series is to find out what Mary Catherine is going to do. I find Bennett's flip-flopping between Agent Parker and Mary Catherine nauseating. I keep hoping that Mary Catherine will kick him to the curb. With this book I was seriously disappointed. As soon as Parker shows up Bennett is drooling over how good she looks. I even felt like Mary Catherine moved on with a new love interest. But when her love interest falls through, she jumps back into Bennett's arms... *sigh*
Finally, I felt like everyone was pregnant. They weren't just pregnant but a lot of focus was placed on each character. Normally this doesn't bother me. I even overlooked it with the first two side characters, but by the third character I was becoming annoyed. I swear by the third character almost 2 pages is spent focusing on the fact that she was pregnant.
I thought maybe, just maybe, his family would find themselves in serious danger. I don't know why I thought that any danger could ever befall the precious Bennett family. They always find their way out of all danger... but without any suspense or real action.
I have no one to blame but myself for continuing to purchase his books. By the time I have completed them my blood pressure is high and my annoyance level has reached its limit. Even though I can't heed my own advice I would suggest steering clear..
April 2, 2014
Gone? More like ' Go away and stay there'
Michael Bennett the Irish cop with 10 kids, one dead wife, an Irish priest for a grandfather. And an Irish nanny in the form of Mary Catherine.
The family are in hiding due to Perrine. A vicious drug lord with a taste for cutting off heads.
Yup Bennett tried to send him to jail in the last book but Perrine wasn't keen to go.
He vowed revenged and the whole family shipped off to California. A state just by the Mexican boarder....Alaska might have been a wiser choice.
The family settle down an a farm, probably a good decision, I mean 10 kids! It's all very tranquil they milk cows, ride horses and help the farmer out.
But as the whole of the USA search for Perrine they find they can't. He's been killing people and generally being a very naughty boy. So they ask good ol' Mike to come back and what do you know, he make progress in the 2 minutes he's back than the year that the FBI have had!
I think Perrine is a great character, I would have rather read about him. But JP has no time for evolving characters. Bennetts' kids are just page fillers, the do not enrich the story.
Mary Catherine is sugar and spice and all things nice. And BORING!
The ending....talk about BLAH!
Bennett doesn't even kill Perrine! It's some random Mexican officer. If your going to stretch a "story" over two books at least have the main character kill the bad guy. Heck I'd have settled for Seamus killing Perrine.
But as always JP like to rush the ending and leave you feeling deflated.
If another Michael Bennett book is churned out, I'll probably give this one a miss.
Perhaps it's time to hand up the badge!
Michael Bennett the Irish cop with 10 kids, one dead wife, an Irish priest for a grandfather. And an Irish nanny in the form of Mary Catherine.
The family are in hiding due to Perrine. A vicious drug lord with a taste for cutting off heads.
Yup Bennett tried to send him to jail in the last book but Perrine wasn't keen to go.
He vowed revenged and the whole family shipped off to California. A state just by the Mexican boarder....Alaska might have been a wiser choice.
The family settle down an a farm, probably a good decision, I mean 10 kids! It's all very tranquil they milk cows, ride horses and help the farmer out.
But as the whole of the USA search for Perrine they find they can't. He's been killing people and generally being a very naughty boy. So they ask good ol' Mike to come back and what do you know, he make progress in the 2 minutes he's back than the year that the FBI have had!
I think Perrine is a great character, I would have rather read about him. But JP has no time for evolving characters. Bennetts' kids are just page fillers, the do not enrich the story.
Mary Catherine is sugar and spice and all things nice. And BORING!
The ending....talk about BLAH!
Bennett doesn't even kill Perrine! It's some random Mexican officer. If your going to stretch a "story" over two books at least have the main character kill the bad guy. Heck I'd have settled for Seamus killing Perrine.
But as always JP like to rush the ending and leave you feeling deflated.
If another Michael Bennett book is churned out, I'll probably give this one a miss.
Perhaps it's time to hand up the badge!
October 7, 2017
Boring! It started slow and the ending was rushed.
Although Manuel Perrine is the bad guy, I think he was the most interesting character in this story!
I found Michael's family and the nanny, Mary Catherine really irritating. Their characters didn't seem to be doing much in the story other than doing the same irritating stuff again and again, just to fill the chapters in between.
Most of the story felt flat. There were some chapters that made me feel as though the story might take an interesting turn but then the very next chapter falls flat again. :/ The action scene towards the end was the only scene that was sort of thrilling.
A story with no plot-twists and no character development. Overrated, in my opinion!
Although Manuel Perrine is the bad guy, I think he was the most interesting character in this story!
I found Michael's family and the nanny, Mary Catherine really irritating. Their characters didn't seem to be doing much in the story other than doing the same irritating stuff again and again, just to fill the chapters in between.
Most of the story felt flat. There were some chapters that made me feel as though the story might take an interesting turn but then the very next chapter falls flat again. :/ The action scene towards the end was the only scene that was sort of thrilling.
A story with no plot-twists and no character development. Overrated, in my opinion!
November 7, 2013
The 6th book in the Michael Bennett series by James Patterson and his army of writers.
There was a time when I couldn't wait for the next James Patterson novel but these day's I have to make an effort.
I continue to read the books hoping that they will return to the exciting fast paced paged turners that I fell in love with but honestly it has been sometime since I have really enjoyed one of his novels.
Reading other reviews of his books it appears that many other of his prolific readers are getting a little fed up of the money making factory of books that are released and constantly fail to meet the high standards we once knew.
There was a time when I couldn't wait for the next James Patterson novel but these day's I have to make an effort.
I continue to read the books hoping that they will return to the exciting fast paced paged turners that I fell in love with but honestly it has been sometime since I have really enjoyed one of his novels.
Reading other reviews of his books it appears that many other of his prolific readers are getting a little fed up of the money making factory of books that are released and constantly fail to meet the high standards we once knew.
August 26, 2013
Least favorite of the Michael Bennett series - no real cohesion, which seems to be my complaint about most James Patterson novels in the last 3 years. No real action or major plot twists that used to keep me turning pages.
March 29, 2020
Another great book in a good series. I really enjoyed the characters and their personalities. There's action, suspense, mystery, emotions, temperaments, some twists and a good ending. Great for reading anytime. This was a good one and the only thing I would want to change was to have the previous narrator(s). It's just not the same, even though it was read well. I also enjoyed the music and background noise in this one. Enjoy!
April 7, 2020
Another great for this series, with a satisfying action packed movie of an ending. Highly recommended!!
June 22, 2020
This book was a page turner and too violent for me. Seemed like every other page someone was being killed in an awful way. Michael and his family are still on the farm in the witness protection program when Michael is needed back to capture the drug lord who is threatening to take over California and making it part of Mexico.
September 15, 2017
Ok,easy to read, entertaining but not nearly as good as Alex Rider series.
October 26, 2013
Protagonist Michael Bennett and his fun-loving clan return in GONE. While a follow-up to I, MICHAEL BENNETT, GONE is a standalone story.
Narrators Danny Mastrogiorgio and Henry Leyva do an excellent job bringing all the characters to life. Their mannerisms and cadence will hold you spellbound as the narration flows back and forth between them.
Manuel Perrine is a ruthless drug dealer and charismatic leader who uses any means necessary to get what he wants. NYPD Detective Michael Bennett is the only US official ever to capture Perrine. But then something went terribly wrong and Perrine escaped. With a bounty on him and his family, the Bennetts are placed in witness protection.
Bennett, his 10 adopted children, his grandfather and the children’s nanny are relocated to a secluded California ranch where they live under assumed names and keep to themselves. Meanwhile, Perrine has started an all-out war killing off rival gangs and anyone who defies him.
As Perrine’s terror continues, the FBI ask Bennett to help in the hunt for the madman. Against his better judgment, Bennett leaves his family in the hands of FBI agents and returns to search for Perrine. As Bennett closes in on Perrine, little does he know Perrine is closing in on his family.
This is an intriguing story filled with quiet, fun family moments followed by all-out adrenaline action. The authors detail descriptions of the setting places you in the middle of the action. The scenes flow from Perrine at his worst to quiet family time for the Bennetts depicting the actions of good and evil existing at the same time. While some of the actions by the Bennett children seem unreasonable given they’re in witness protection, it also plays to the fact children will be children no matter what.
This audio has an added bonus – sound effects to really enhance your listening pleasure. There is gunfire, sounds of struggles and even a bit of heightening music to keep you on the edge of your seat. Just when you think everything is fine, another twist sends you spinning out of control wonder how will this end.
Returning fans of Michael Bennett will enjoy the outcome of this story and the detective’s drive for justice. New fans won’t be left in the dark with references to prior events. This is an action-packed story with family, humor and romance sprinkled all about.
FTC Full Disclosure - This audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
Narrators Danny Mastrogiorgio and Henry Leyva do an excellent job bringing all the characters to life. Their mannerisms and cadence will hold you spellbound as the narration flows back and forth between them.
Manuel Perrine is a ruthless drug dealer and charismatic leader who uses any means necessary to get what he wants. NYPD Detective Michael Bennett is the only US official ever to capture Perrine. But then something went terribly wrong and Perrine escaped. With a bounty on him and his family, the Bennetts are placed in witness protection.
Bennett, his 10 adopted children, his grandfather and the children’s nanny are relocated to a secluded California ranch where they live under assumed names and keep to themselves. Meanwhile, Perrine has started an all-out war killing off rival gangs and anyone who defies him.
As Perrine’s terror continues, the FBI ask Bennett to help in the hunt for the madman. Against his better judgment, Bennett leaves his family in the hands of FBI agents and returns to search for Perrine. As Bennett closes in on Perrine, little does he know Perrine is closing in on his family.
This is an intriguing story filled with quiet, fun family moments followed by all-out adrenaline action. The authors detail descriptions of the setting places you in the middle of the action. The scenes flow from Perrine at his worst to quiet family time for the Bennetts depicting the actions of good and evil existing at the same time. While some of the actions by the Bennett children seem unreasonable given they’re in witness protection, it also plays to the fact children will be children no matter what.
This audio has an added bonus – sound effects to really enhance your listening pleasure. There is gunfire, sounds of struggles and even a bit of heightening music to keep you on the edge of your seat. Just when you think everything is fine, another twist sends you spinning out of control wonder how will this end.
Returning fans of Michael Bennett will enjoy the outcome of this story and the detective’s drive for justice. New fans won’t be left in the dark with references to prior events. This is an action-packed story with family, humor and romance sprinkled all about.
FTC Full Disclosure - This audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
June 12, 2014
This series has been decent, but I think they slipped in this book a bit. Detective Michael Bennett, NYPD, has been drawn into increasingly complicated cases as the series goes along.
This one opens with the Bennett family in Witness Protection, as a crazed drug lord is after them in revenge for his wife's death. The Bennett's are a huge clan of adopted children, along with Michael's grandfather, and an Irish nanny.
The drug lord, Perrine, places a huge bounty on the family. They cross the country to be safe. However, Seamus, the grandfather, decides that his vocation as a priest is not only more important than his own life, but than those of his grandson, great-grandchildren, and the nanny, Mary Catherine. Perrine also ups the ante by essentially declaring war on not only all rival drug gangs, but the United States itself.
Also, towards the end, as the inevitable discovery of the family safe house is made, and Perrine's gunsels close in, a character gives their life to save them. Actually, more than one. And... there's no real reaction. Ice cream for everyone at the end! It's a bit jarring. The Detective might have gone a bit cold and jaded by this point in his career, but the children certanly shouldn't be.
The action is good, the villain is evil, but the good guys make some very odd choices.
This one opens with the Bennett family in Witness Protection, as a crazed drug lord is after them in revenge for his wife's death. The Bennett's are a huge clan of adopted children, along with Michael's grandfather, and an Irish nanny.
The drug lord, Perrine, places a huge bounty on the family. They cross the country to be safe. However, Seamus, the grandfather, decides that his vocation as a priest is not only more important than his own life, but than those of his grandson, great-grandchildren, and the nanny, Mary Catherine. Perrine also ups the ante by essentially declaring war on not only all rival drug gangs, but the United States itself.
Also, towards the end, as the inevitable discovery of the family safe house is made, and Perrine's gunsels close in, a character gives their life to save them. Actually, more than one. And... there's no real reaction. Ice cream for everyone at the end! It's a bit jarring. The Detective might have gone a bit cold and jaded by this point in his career, but the children certanly shouldn't be.
The action is good, the villain is evil, but the good guys make some very odd choices.
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