Burn -- Free Preview -- The First XX Chapters

by James Patterson, Michael Ledwidge

Detective Michael Bennett finally returns to New York City--and to the most unsettling, horrific case of his career.

At last, Detective Michael Bennett and his family are coming home to New York City. Thanks to Bennett, the ruthless crime lord whose vengeful mission forced the Bennett family into hiding has been brought down for good.

Back in the city that never sleeps, Bennett takes over a chaotic Outreach Squad in Harlem, where he receives an unusual call: a man claims to have seen a group of well-dressed men holding a bizarre party in a condemend building. With no clear crime or evidence, Bennett dismisses the report. But when a charred body is found in that very same building, he is forced to take the demented caller seriously--and is drawn into an underground criminal world of terrifying depravity.

Genres: Crime, Mystery, Suspense

416 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 4, 2014

About the author

Official US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
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James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.

Reviews

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Patterson's books have been getting more and more boring. When is tarted reading this one I was thinking oh this is different, could be interesting. In the end the interesting story got lost and another story emerged and it was just bad. Truly disappointed.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I also wish I had known that the Michael Bennett books were a series, I really like this character and like these stories

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again just enjoyed the book...I know people think James Patterson should write by himself but I think writing with someone else can give you a different perspective on your characters.

[Gillian Pierce · Rating 1 out of 5]

Such a great start, and I love the way he brings his characters together. The protagonist was very interesting, and I cared that he was relocating back to NY from LA with his family. But as soon as the antagonists were introduced I lost interest. Not believable and cliche at the same time. Stopped as soon as they introduced the victim - SPOILER: a young girl, that was about to be cannibalized. No doubt, further in the story all victims would have to be virgins, too.

[Collin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was a great book because of the suspense and it also showed the reader to take everything seriously and to always look in to the because it could come back to get you in the long run. It was show how just because you get shifted in your role you have to adapt and over come and keep moving and that there can always be good in bad.

[Anna Nolley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though it’s technically not legal to consume human flesh in the US. There seems to be some unusual discussions concerning what is considered human flesh I.e placenta. It’s disgusting to think about but this book deals with rich people & their desire for obtaining the ultimate experience to consume human flesh. Yuck! Other than that it’s a good Michael Bennet read.

[Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read. Suspenseful but the plot build up is subpar. All over the place with no real sense of plot construction. Ending was a let down. I do not regret reading it but probably will probably never read it again.

[Steve Kovacs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my camping book. Took a bit to get into it, but eventually the story picked up. Hard to engage with a character when there was obviously a previous story and this book refers to it sometimes. Otherwise another good read, especially around a campfire.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read and easy to read. But the end was rushed and I didn't feel like it had a good ending. It left more to be desired but I wasn't wowed. It was a typical James Patterson book.

[Bridget · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my usual read but I enjoyed the book!

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liken this book to a Lifetime movie, it's corny, predictable and slightly annoying but entertaining no less. I read quickly and I wasn't ever bored.

[Park · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did not like the ending

[Cally S · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5 stars)

[Susan M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another page turner by Patterson. Love Mike Bennett and his family

[Bridget · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, I'll keep reading just to say what happens with Michael and Mary Catherine.

[Doris Kissack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story. But all Mike B. stories are great to me. Right up there with Radiant Angel !!!

[Heidi Kemplin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book keeps you turning the pages...

[Becky Culver · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my favorite out of the series so far.

[Sally Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved James Patterson’s writing style. The short chapters that draw you through the pages as his words capture you drawing you into the story. Fantastic read.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Won't Read it again!

[Morgan Clegg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. This might be my favorite James Paterson book that I’ve read (I’ve only read like 3-4) it was so intense and I was hooked early on.

[Dorothy Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just finished reading the entire book. It was a thriller. I found the ending contrived. I will be interested in reading more books about the detective.

[Barbara J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Michael Bennett is all things Irish: A widower, 10 children (adopted), a grandfather Seamus who boards with Mike and works at the rectory, and let’s not forget the sainted Mary Catherine, an Irish beauty and the devoted live-in nanny; oh, and Mike’s love interest.

Mike and his entourage have just returned from California and a nine month witness protection stretch and managed to bring down a cartel while there (prequel to BURN), but NYC and home has its skids right off the bat. Mike has a nemesis superior who removes him from homicide detective to leading an ombudsman group of hacks in Harlem, one of the mayor’s pet projects.

In Harlem, rich cannibals are having dinner parties. In midtown, jewelry thieves are running rampant. One of his ombudsman staffers is murdered after investigating the cannibal party—witnessed by a couple of homeless guys. AND, one of his adopted kids’ real daddy shows up and wants her back.

How does Mike handle all of these obstacles and in record time? Well, he’s amazing, and he will tell you so as the first-person narrator.

Still, his Irish catholic temper and morals are both detrimental and commendable, respectively. He’s a likeable guy, but the story gets a tad trite and does not stick the landing. I was interested to read it, though, and it held my interest.

[HMZ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could have had a better ending surely. The mixture of Michael Bennett's personal life and professional life is done very amateurish, and that coming from experienced writers like JP & Ledwidge is a bit disappointing.

The combined storylines all could have made up a great if not exceptional book, but it appears to be all rushed and not really expertly written.

Personally I think the writers tried putting too much into one book and ended up mucking it all up.

-The Adoption storyline was decent enough, but could have been concluded a lot better.

-The introduction to Mary-Catherine's family/past could have been done a whole lot better and i think this was an opportunity to give us a lot more on the character's background ie education, family, former/lost loves etc.

- The cannibalism storyline could have ended a lot better.

- Diamond heist storyline. well did that even end, what happened to the whole gang???

[Sherri Lyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately I wasn't thrilled with the hurry up ending. It felt like they just needed to wrap it up and rushed through it. I'm ok with unresolved endings because that's what these series do, but it still felt like an abrupt ending both to the wrapped up story line and the drama with Chrissy, the daughter. I still gave it a 3 instead of a 2 because it kept me involved and moved along and I liked the story line in general.

[Noah Kenyon]

Great

[Jill · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this book was just okay. If you get through the beginning, the plot seems to be promising then makes a turn to the predictable section - where Michael Bennett returns to finally returns to his Major Crime Squad. Overall this book very rushed and it didn't flow well.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to have lots of emotions for poor detective Bennet the ending was rushed I found but also happy don't want to give to much away but I would recommend it! I love all the Detective Bennet books.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Bennett and his family return to their home in New York City Bennett takes over a out reach squad in Harlem.He gets some strange calls and him and his squad have to figure out whats going on. This book was good but not as good as his other books.

[Kathy Vanderlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was just an okay book. Better than some but not as good as others. I am really a fan of the Michael Bennett series, but this did not grab my attention as others in the series have. I still enjoyed it enough to rate it a 4 star.