Billion-Dollar Ransom

by James Patterson, Duane Swierczynski

It would take a perfect plan to collect a billion-dollar ransom. So here’s the plan.

Five members of a billionaire’s family.
In different locations.
All kidnapped at the same moment.
Two children taken from a private-school bus.
A film producer and a movie star grabbed at a hideaway resort.
A beautiful wife whisked off the streets of Beverly Hills.
A patriarch wants his family back.
The cash, gold, jewels, are crypto are all ready.
There’s only one problem: a brilliant, very stubborn FBI agent.
Special Agent Nicky Gordon doesn’t want to pay the kidnappers.
Not a dime.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Audiobook, Crime

368 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2025

About the author

Official 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.

Reviews

[Kaceey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ready…set…go!
5 kidnappings
3 locations
1 highly driven FBI agent

It’s the kidnapping of the century. In charge is a man who goes by the moniker, ONE. Each of his helpers, (fellow kidnappers in training) are known by numbers TWO-SIX. Each is given a target with very specific instructions to follow. If all goes as planned everyone gets their share of the ransom. You guessed it…one billion dollars!

Can FBI Special Agent in Charge Nicky Gordon find the kidnappers before time runs out and the body count rises.
But is everyone on her side?
👉The Billionaire, whose family is in peril wants everything done his way. And refuses to listen to the FBI.
👉The kidnappers always seem to be one step ahead.
👉Her team begins questioning if Nicky is the right person for the job.

✍️ James Patterson and Duane Swierczynski
📖 368 pages
📆 Publication date: September 1 2025
💭 Read this if you enjoy: Police procedurals, short chapters, nonstop action, strong female leads

This was my first read by coauthor Duane Swierczynski and I’ll definitely keep an eye out for more of his collaborations with JP in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company

[Tracy P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kidnappings, death threats and traitors, Oh My!

When initially beginning Billion-Dollar Ransom by coauthors James Patterson and Duane Swierczynski I was expecting it to listen to at my usual leisurely pace over the course of several days. Well, that was not to be the case with this turbocharged thriller.

From start to finish this storyline propelled me through ceaseless twists at speeds reminiscent of the most dizzying rollercoaster rides I have been on. And just like those disorienting and joyful amusement rides, it was over almost as soon as it started. I had actually listened straight through.

Special Agent Nicky Gordon is in charge of bringing back five members of a billionaire's family after they have all been kidnapped for ransom and taken to separate locations. If she brings them home safely this could mean the biggest promotion of her career. If not, it could just as easily be the end.

As the case unfolds Nicky discovers someone close to the case is sabotaging the teams efforts at every turn-of the bend. Time is running out, and lives will be lost if the ransom is not delivered as demanded. Hold on to your hats, because the race is on.

Cynthia Farrell did a fabulous job as the solo voice for all of the characters. Her male characters were so believable I actually thought I was listening to a male narrator. Many thanks for the well above par listening experience.

[Suzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 solid stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I love James Patterson’s books. He’s the king of producing super fast paced police procedurals with short, cliff hanging chapters. Lots of action, mystery and suspense.

A billion dollar ransom. One billionaire. Four of his family members (plus one of their girlfriend’s) - all in different locations - are kidnapped at the exact same time. He’s ready to pay anything in jewels and bills to get them back.

Enter stubborn - but likable - FBI Agent Nikki Gordon. She has other plans that don’t include paying the ransom. This will be her first case where she’s in charge and she wants to do things her way.

I had my eyes set on a couple of possible suspects, but I quickly realized that I was incorrect! Lots of twists that kept me guessing until the end. The closing chapters were a fun ride. Everything I love about a Patterson book!

I’m looking forward to seeing what this writing duo comes up with next!

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic book!

I could not put this down, and I read it in a day. I am a big James Patterson fan, what is not to love about his fast paced, short chapters and realistic characters in extraordinary circumstances.

This is one crazy kidnapping scheme! 5 kidnappings, simultaneously, all members of the same family. The goal? A billion dollar ransom! It is the biggest kidnapping in American history and of course it is not going to go off without a hitch! FBI agent Nicky Gordon is handed her first case in charge and is determined to get the perpetrators quickly.

This was so much fun to read, so intense and full of shocking twists. It really does keep you guessing until the very end. So good. A must read.

Thank you so much to Little Brown and Company on NetGalley for the opportunity to read this early. Publishes on September 1st.

[Keri Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fast paced thriller as five members of a wealthy patriarch’s family are kidnapped at the same time. FBI agent Nicky Gordon is on the case, as well as a private security firm. The ransom: One billion dollars.

As we see how FBI and law enforcement are handling the case and trying to find clues, we see what is happening with each of the people kidnapped. Agent Gordon is reluctant to release the ransom (cash and jewels) unless the kidnapper shows proof of life, but the man with the money is desperate to have his family returned safely.

Lots of twists in this fun book that will keep you turning pages… or keep playing the audio.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, James Patterson, Duane Swierczynski, and Little, Brown and Company for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Eager to see what James Patterson and Duane Swierczynski have in collaboration, I gladly accepted this ARC. It is another great piece of police procedural magic, with intense storylines and decent character development for the attentive reader. When five kidnappers strike in multiple locations simultaneously, the authorities are taken off guard. All are related to a billionaire, though the motive is not clear from the outset. The lead on the investigation is a well-established Los Angeles-based FBI special agent with her eyes on a larger prize, but will first focus all her attention here. When a massive ransom demand comes in, no one knows how to synthesise it, but the trend is not to pay it and wait. How well with that plan work in the long run? Patterson and Swierczynski impress with this piece.

In a coordinated strike, five members of the Schraeder family are kidnapped in three locations simultaneously. The kidnappers use only code names and ensure they cannot be traced to one another. Panic is minimal, as no one is aware of the other abductions, but it is sure to reach the headlines before long.

Enter FBI Special Agent Nicky Gordon, who has her eyes set on climbing the ladder and out of her Los Angeles posting. She is given responsibility for the abduction and ensuring all five family members end up alive. She has few leads, but makes sure that her team provides anything they garner to her as swiftly as possible. When the ransom demand comes in—one BILLION dollars—everyone is on edge, as this is by no means chump change. Special Agent Gordon knows that they are either working with professionals who know the man at the top can pay, or a collection of naive individuals who are shooting for the stars.

As time passes and something comes together, Special Agent Gordon realises that there might be something to these kidnappers that she could not have suspected. Rather than hungry criminals, these might be people with a plan, orchestrated from the top. While she scrambles for answers, one thing is clear; Special Agent Nicky Gordon has no interest in paying the ransom at all! A great thriller that keeps the reader hooked, Patterson and Swierczynski offer up a quick read that has all the elements for success.

While I can sometimes be leery of James Patterson and his writing, he surrounds himself with a number of collaborators who make the reads more worthwhile. That can easily be said of Duane Swierczynski, who ups the calibre of these stories. The narrative lays the groundwork from the outset and keeps the reader on track as things begin to take place. The momentum increases to a fever pitch and soon the reader is ensconced in all that is taking place, worried only that they will lose track of time. Characters work to complement the story and enrich the reading experience, showing the story from all angles and interest points. The plot, while not vastly unique, works well and is able to pivot when needed. Using Patterson's trademark short chapters, the surprises keep coming in cliffhangers that push the reader to keep flipping pages until all is done. A great collaborative effort in this piece!

Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and Swierczynski, for an exciting read!

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at: http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Billion Dollar Ransom” is another Patterson and co-writer thriller based on a kidnapping premise. But not just any kidnapping…

This is a large-scale, high stakes professional operation targeting a billionaire and his family… In a synchronized set of moves, five members of the billionaire’s family in different places are all kidnapped at the same time. This includes a son and his latest girlfriend taken from a private resort down in Mexico, a wife grabbed when leaving her Beverly Hills salon, and two children taken directly off of their private bus coming home from school.

As expected, the Billionaire is angry and demanding their safe return.

FBI Special Agent, Nicole “Nicky” Gordon, operating out of the Los Angeles Field Office, has been given the Task Force lead role, including coordination with the LA Chief of Detectives, the LA Mayor’s office, a SWAT team, and even the Billionaire’s own private security team. Getting them to overcome the politics and work together will be near impossible…

Nicky also has additional information and concerns. She’s been working on other kidnappings in California over the last couple of years. Individual kidnappings that mirror these five, as if they were practicing and preparing for a bigger operation. And Nicky fears that is very likely what is happening. Which means whoever is behind the kidnappings is not only intelligent, but also deadly serious.

To make matters worse, the kidnappers demand an incredible ransom of one billion dollars for their safe return…

This is the exact plotting and storytelling that you have come to expect from Patterson. A medium cast of characters, tight knit thriller pacing, and lots of twists and surprises along the way. In other words, a roller coaster ride of a reading experience.

The good news is that Patterson and Swierczynski are able to deliver a fast-paced and high energy pacing that never slows down, relying on multi-layered mysteries and interesting enough cast. The main protagonist, Nicky, is a good enough, well intentioned and intelligent agent, as well as a single parent of an independent teenage daughter. She is an easy guy to cheer for throughout the overwhelming challenges thrown her way, causing her to be defensive throughout most of it. In addition, each of the kidnappings provide their own interesting sub-plots, contributing an extra element to the greater story.

Now, we cannot forget that there are also some weaknesses that come with Patterson thrillers which are primarily related to realism. These weaknesses are present in this one, including several moments of action and plot elements that weren’t realistic. I recognized them for what they were, which are common bumps along the way in most of Patterson’s novels, and we do what we always do - ignore them while focusing on the momentary escapist enjoyment he gives us.

The key to reading Patterson a lot of the time is dealing with the balance of enjoying his books while dealing with his struggles with realism. Sometimes it’s an easy trade-off when you connect well with the book, and sometimes It’s not so easy when it causes disruptions and distractions in the reading, like a driving over a really jarring speed bump. For some readers, they can more easily ignore or balance this issue than others.

Let me share my personal philosophy on how I approach reading Patterson 101. At the end of the day, for me, reading Patterson books come down to one simple truth. His books are temporary mind candy – adventures filled with emotional and thrill rides that help us escape our daily grind and enjoy an exciting read that helps us forget about everything else. And when the story works well enough, we tend to set aside those obvious plot weaknesses to appreciate what he does well in his proven thriller recipe – to capture our attention and provide good entertainment.

For me, this was one of Patterson’s better books during 2025, and an entertaining read.

As for rating this book for Goodreads purposes, if I score it using an enjoyment approach, it was an exciting 4-star read. If I include the realism weaknesses into it, I would give it a 3-star rating. Therefore, lets meet in the middle and give it good 3.5 stars overall.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected more plot and character development. The ending did not really feel cohesive to me.

[R L HERSKOWITZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who’s behind the well executed kidnappings?
Nonstop action packed thriller.
I felt like I was reading a movie.

This book may be better as a movie than a book
(which I rarely think).

Warning: if you read this before you plan on going to sleep, you’ll be awake too late reading and/or your mind may be spinning too long. 🤣

[Derek Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

We got this as part of the James Patterson Street Team and boy was it action packed. Five family members get kidnapped at exactly the same time, the ransom request is one billion dollars. Patterson and Swierczynski have masterfully woven detail and suspense into an easy to read, don't want to put the book down til you're finished. I finished this in about 24 hours and kept changing my guess about who done it up until the end. If you love James Patterson like we do, then you're going to love this one!

[Carol Oschman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn’t intrieged

I don’t know kind of strange ending. Untidy something missing from James Patterson. Too many characters too many inside people. You didn’t have a true grasp of the plot. What do you do with a billion dollars in cash. Obviously they hab trouble moving it. Not realistic at all.

[❀Heather❀Brown❀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“This was not how it went in the movies, and movies reflected real life, or were supposed to. Hence, this could not be happening.” (p. 312).

Have you ever noticed that when disaster strikes, people instinctively compare it to movies? It’s almost as if we expect life to follow a script. But it never does. Movies only give us the illusion of truth, while reality arrives raw, chaotic, and completely unscripted. Yet, we so often hear people saying this wasn’t like it is in the movies. It’s interesting.

From the first page, the story explodes with action. A complex and elaborate kidnapping scheme unfolds, its architects known only as One, Two, Three, Four, Five, and Six. By stripping away their names, the author both distances and dehumanizes them, while also still making them sympathetic to us. It’s an odd form but works well.

What really stood out to me was the book’s balance - a comprehensive, intricate kidnapping thriller that still manages to surprise, twist, and provoke empathy in us. Even without names, the kidnappers are unforgettable; and amid chaos the humanity of every character seeps through - they emerge as strangely memorable, even sympathetic. We see them not just as criminals chasing a billion-dollar ransom, but as flawed, layered individuals forced into unimaginable roles - some by outside forces.

The kidnappers plan collides with the lives of the unsuspecting victims (the Schraeder family) and with Nicky Gordon, an FBI agent whose ambition to become the bureau’s first female director could be decided by this very case. She must outwit not only a calculating mastermind who has rehearsed the crime like a stage play, but also Randolph Schraeder, a pompous ahole billionaire desperate to control the investigation outside of the FBI, all while facing the possibility of a mole within her own task force.

The plot takes place over several days, with almost every chapter ending with a cliffhanger. This isn’t just fast-paced - it’s compulsive. Unputdownable isn’t just “marketing fluff” here; it’s embedded into the novel’s DNA.

Threaded throughout the chaos is a quiet but undeniable feminist edge which I enjoyed greatly - Nicky’s battle for power and Cassandra’s fragile grip on reality vies the bravado and arrogance surrounding them. At its center, the novel is about power: who has it, who seizes it, and who survives it.

Oof! This book is wild - breathless, relentless, and smart. Suspense and humanity crash together on every page, leaving you unsettled and exhilarated in equal measure. It’s everything a thriller should be.

Couldn’t recommend more.

[Ryan Bartok · Rating 1 out of 5]

Omg that was shit. Honestly can’t believe it is rated as high as it is.

[Natalie M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Average.

All plot, no character depth. The story didn’t connect with me without caring about any of the characters. Predictable but quick.

[Kim Berkshire · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first Patterson book. Kinda a fun romp although a lot of belief was suspended.

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The Billion Dollar Ransom” by James Patterson & Duane Swierczynski is a thriller that follows the title of the book. Five members of a billionaire’s family are all kidnapped at exactly the same time from very different locations. He wants his family back at all costs, and is willing to pay the staggering sum of one billion dollars. A very smart and capable female FBI agent is determined to outmaneuver the kidnappers, not pay the ransom and bring his family home.
With the typical short chapter style and some unexpected twists the mystery ends pretty much as anticipated. The characters are bland and the ending somewhat predictable.

I am a big fan of Mr. Patterson and he has come out with some fantastic books recently, this one at least for me was not up there with my favorites.

Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Ray Hartjen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick-moving read with lots of small chapters. Perfect for you to consume in multiple sittings, or, if you're really hooked on it, one or two long sessions.

There are a variety of characters, but no real development of them. The initial plot is well developed at the beginning, but then begins to take some unexpected turns but with no reasons why. The book tries to ties it all together with some reveals later, but I found it to be a bit lacking, thus the "meh" three-star rating from me.

Maybe I'm getting grouchy with age. I found it a worthwhile ready, but there are better ones.

[Karen Chong · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 / 5.0

Action packed book from start to finish, it’s a great fast paced book but very predictable and obvious which is the reason why I bumped this down 1 star. It’s a promising read, it literally felt like a movie was playing live in the action. My only bone to pick was just now predictable it all was!

The book centres around 5 innocent people kidnapped all from the same family, at different locations all in the same moment of time. 2 kids from a private school bus, 1 film producer and movie star kidnapped in a hideaway resort and a wife kidnapped outside of the streets of Beverly Hills. With a billionaire wanting his family back. FBI agent Nicky Goodwin is tasked to help get the family back and make sure that not a single dime goes to the kidnappers.

Honestly the book has a lot of premise, it’s action packed there is no dull moments in the book, but there’s still nothing really standout about the book either. It’s a typical kidnapping case in LA, with big money involved, the twists in the book were too obvious. Unfortunately if you were to ask me about this plot I probably will forget the plot due to how similar it is to the other books I have read that uses a similar plot. Its a great read if you’re up for some fast paced action packed thriller but it’s not a banger alert type of book….

[Laura Wonderchick · Rating 4 out of 5]

The action starts hard and fast from the very first page and doesn’t let up for this one! Humor, suspense, twists and turns, you’ll get it all! I loved the characters and the quick paced short chapters. Many thanks to the publisher for this early copy for read and review.

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

A James Patterson book is a palate cleanser. His books are quick, light, and fun, and this was no exception. The pages fly by, and the story entertains. Nothing deep. No great literature. Just good storytelling.

[LindaPf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ambitious FBI Agent Nicky Gordon and LAPD Chief of Detectives Mike Hardy (more than just acquaintances) are assigned together on a major task force after 3 separate simultaneous kidnappings occur, all related to the mega-billionaire Randolph Schraeder.

Five victims are being held in 3 different locations.
The kidnapped Schraeders: 34 year old 5th trophy wife (and former Army Ranger) Elizabeth “Boo” Schraeder, snatched in Beverly Hills; 8 year old Finnegan and 9 year old Calvin Schraeder, taken off their school bus in Bel Air; 40-something sleazebag producer adult son Tyler Schraeder and 20 years younger “starlet” Cassandra Bart, forcibly removed from a Mexican resort.

Old man Randolph “there isn’t an obstacle in the world that money can’t overcome” Schraeder would rather use his own security firm, headed by James Haller and Virgil Tighe. Cooperation isn’t easy, and Nicky and Mike suspect there’s a mole in their ranks, since Schraeder’s team and the kidnappers know way too many details of the investigation. Also, since the elder Schraeder has been paying 40 million annually in premiums for Kidnapping & Ransom insurance, maybe this is a way to dump the recent wife and eliminate the pesky greedy son, plus get the insurance payout. Or maybe the top heir wants his father removed from the board and declared non compos mentis. It’s obvious dad might not be concerned about Tyler. In any case, someone was clever enough to pull off the abductions, presumably with some insider knowledge.

As usual, Patterson’s signature story structure is short chapters with multiple twists. There are a lot of characters involved, the Schraeder family, the multiple police agencies, and the very large kidnapping organization that self-names its perpetrators as One, Two, Three, Four, Five, and Six. Each kidnapper and abductee has his/her own backstory as well. This could have been messy, but Patterson and Swierczynski manage to tie up all the ends very neatly in multiple stages. The truly evil guys pretty much get their comeuppance — although the guy with all the money can still afford another billion dollar ransom demand. 4.5 stars!


Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO No eye colors were mentioned.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO Lots of Mojave desert locations.

Thank you to Little, Brown, and Company and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this book was fast-paced and engaging with plenty of action on the parts of all of the various kidnappers as well the members of law enforcement. The plot is based on a wild premise that five members of a billionaire’s family are all kidnapped at the same time on the same day from whatever they were doing at the time. Although the premise was not very believable, the story was creative and captivated me as the scenes switched from what the investigators were doing to what the kidnappers were doing and even how the hostages were reaction to their dilemma. I liked and related to most of the characters, imagining what I would be doing in the same situation. I really liked the short chapters which helped build the rising tension in the story, like a countdown clock winding down. There were a few head-spinning twists, some humorous banter to break the relentless tension and a lot of clues about who the leader of the kidnapping gang could be. This is a cleverly written and enjoyable page turner with an intriguing plot and good chemistry between the characters. I loved the fact that I guessed two of the kidnapper’s identities but the third and main one (known as number one) totally fooled me. Well written procedural with some thrills and chills included!
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Tara Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars on this one. The concept was really good. The execution fell short. I listened to this as an audio read and I found myself easily distracted; often rewinding and missing parts. The intricacies of the ransom scheme was creative and different from anything I've read, but it drives me crazy when authors drag a storyline out. Like ok. You've developed the characters, grew the plot, kept me guessing....now WRAP IT UP. I often find myself saying that a book could have been a solid 50-70 pages shorter and that holds true with this book as well. With that said, I do not regret giving this book a listen

[Mrs Mommy Booknerd http://mrsmommybooknerd.blogspot.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fast-paced, high-stakes thriller that grabs you from page one. When five members of a billionaire’s family are kidnapped simultaneously in a flawlessly executed plan, the ransom is set and the clock is ticking. But FBI Special Agent Nicky Gordon refuses to play by the kidnappers’ rules. Smart, relentless, and fiercely determined, she’s not about to hand over a fortune without a fight. Packed with tension, twists, and a razor-sharp plot, this is a pulse-pounding read that delivers from start to finish.

[Donna Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start: an investigating team led by a strong woman, FBI special agent Nicole “Nicky” Gordon, and handsome number two, LAPD chief of detectives Michael Hardy.

Great plot: simultaneous kidnappings in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, and Mexico with three different strikes executed with clockwork precision; five different targets in three locations, all but one within the same family; a billion-dollar-ransom demand.

Fun, exciting, enjoyable, and best of all: short chapters.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a crazy thrill ride from the very beginning. It started almost immediately into the action and didn’t let up until literally the last page.

I thought the storyline was really good. It had me constantly wondering who these kidnappers could possibly be and why they want so much money. Around every twist and turn I was trying to guess who the mastermind was but I was wrong every time.

This was a great story just like I knew it would be! Thank you so much to Hachette Book Group and James Patterson for an advance copy of this book as part of the James Patterson Street Team!

[Tj · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining kidnapping thriller, with just enough twists to keep it going.

[MaryAnn]

Audiobook

[Gary Parkes · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining read!

[Michelle Hood · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Enjoyable book with twists I didn't see coming.