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The Picasso Heist
In the heart of New York City, where the glittering lights mask shadows of deception, Halston Graham is about to attempt the impossible.
A newly unveiled Picasso, hidden for a century in a dusty French attic, is set to be auctioned at the prestigious House of Echelon. And Halston has a cunning plan. One that could secure millions for her future, and freedom for her wrongly imprisoned father.
But to pull off the heist of the century, she must assemble an unlikely a master forger, a ruthless Bulgarian mob boss with his own agenda, and an eccentric fashion designer whose flair for the dramatic might be their only ticket into the elite circles of the art world.
In a game where trust is a luxury and failure is not an option, will Halston’s brilliance be enough to outsmart her enemies and secure her freedom?
A newly unveiled Picasso, hidden for a century in a dusty French attic, is set to be auctioned at the prestigious House of Echelon. And Halston has a cunning plan. One that could secure millions for her future, and freedom for her wrongly imprisoned father.
But to pull off the heist of the century, she must assemble an unlikely a master forger, a ruthless Bulgarian mob boss with his own agenda, and an eccentric fashion designer whose flair for the dramatic might be their only ticket into the elite circles of the art world.
In a game where trust is a luxury and failure is not an option, will Halston’s brilliance be enough to outsmart her enemies and secure her freedom?
372 pages, Paperback
First published August 28, 2025
1894 people are currently reading
16709 people want to read
About the author
James Patterson
954 books356k followersOfficial US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 571 reviews
November 2, 2025
SO fun! And the heist is just the first act in a series of twists, turns, and loop-the-loops. Strap yourself in; this is one wild ride!🎢
September 19, 2025
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Where to begin….
It’s a challenge to discuss the premise without giving anything away…like tip-toeing through a field of land mines!
I can safely say that it starts with the plan to steal one of the world’s most expensive paintings…but after that, my lips are sealed!
Truly, the only thing I can share is that it’s a fast read. That being said, you’ll need to pay close attention because the twists come at you fast and furious!
Let me introduce just a few of the players:
We have the Bulgarian Mafia and the Italian Mafia (yes both!)
A top fashion designer, the FBI and an Ivy School graduate named Halston Graham.
Now I ask you…who would you think is the most dangerous of the group? (Chose carefully!)😉
If you’re a fan of James Patterson and wanting non-stop action fueled by short chapters, this is a must read for you!
Howard Roughan was our collaborator on this novel. It’s been years since I read any of the books he co-wrote with JP, maybe it’s time I went back and picked up a few I missed.
✍️ James Patterson and Howard Roughan
📑 389 pages
🗓️ Anticipated release date: October 13 2025
📈 4/5🌟
👉 Thriller stand-alone
Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown and Company
Where to begin….
It’s a challenge to discuss the premise without giving anything away…like tip-toeing through a field of land mines!
I can safely say that it starts with the plan to steal one of the world’s most expensive paintings…but after that, my lips are sealed!
Truly, the only thing I can share is that it’s a fast read. That being said, you’ll need to pay close attention because the twists come at you fast and furious!
Let me introduce just a few of the players:
We have the Bulgarian Mafia and the Italian Mafia (yes both!)
A top fashion designer, the FBI and an Ivy School graduate named Halston Graham.
Now I ask you…who would you think is the most dangerous of the group? (Chose carefully!)😉
If you’re a fan of James Patterson and wanting non-stop action fueled by short chapters, this is a must read for you!
Howard Roughan was our collaborator on this novel. It’s been years since I read any of the books he co-wrote with JP, maybe it’s time I went back and picked up a few I missed.
✍️ James Patterson and Howard Roughan
📑 389 pages
🗓️ Anticipated release date: October 13 2025
📈 4/5🌟
👉 Thriller stand-alone
Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown and Company
October 26, 2025
Twist after twist after twist.
November 11, 2025
Whoa baby! Fast-paced, complex, and whiplash-inducing, The Picasso Heist was a wild rollercoaster ride of action, intrigue, and betrayal. Somewhat different from Patterson’s normal fare but still serving up plenty of edge-of-your-seat thrills, I had the time of my life as I connected with the anti-heroine protagonist and her motley crew of criminals. You see, Halston was one badass female main character. Smart, strong, and sassy, she was root-for-able in the extreme despite the fact that she was oh so very morally gray. Add in the many hate-worthy villains and their double-crossing schemes, and I was all in for this dynamite game of cat-and-mouse as it exploded on the page. I honestly don’t know who could resist this intricate puzzle of a read. So please, Mr. Patterson and Mr Roughan, tell me that there’s going to be a sequel?!?
All in all, despite the need to suspend all disbelief, I had a blast ripping through the pages of this writing duo’s first collaboration. With short, addictive chapters, delicious dark humor, and well-developed characters, there was never a dull moment in this masterfully penned action/psychological thriller. Easy to read and with a definite cinematic feel, I almost felt as if I was watching an adrenaline-pumping heist movie with a bag of popcorn on my lap. The twists, however, were what made this book sing. Neck-snapping and shocking, they took me out at the knees over and over. You see, they came so fast and hard that there wasn’t a chance of me figuring them out before the thoroughly satisfying ending. A definite must read, it will keep you positively breathless from beginning to end so be sure to grab a copy today. You don’t want to miss out on this one. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
A $100 million painting.
A previously unknown Picasso is discovered in the attic of a French villa.
Everyone wants to possess it.
Filthy-rich Manhattan art people. Organized crime bosses. Power-hungry government officials. A notorious forger. A glamorous twenty-two-year-old art thief.
Only one person knows how to take it.
She’s the rival none of the power players see coming.
PUB DATE: October 13, 2015
Thank you to James Patterson, Howard Roughan, and Little, Brown and Company for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
All in all, despite the need to suspend all disbelief, I had a blast ripping through the pages of this writing duo’s first collaboration. With short, addictive chapters, delicious dark humor, and well-developed characters, there was never a dull moment in this masterfully penned action/psychological thriller. Easy to read and with a definite cinematic feel, I almost felt as if I was watching an adrenaline-pumping heist movie with a bag of popcorn on my lap. The twists, however, were what made this book sing. Neck-snapping and shocking, they took me out at the knees over and over. You see, they came so fast and hard that there wasn’t a chance of me figuring them out before the thoroughly satisfying ending. A definite must read, it will keep you positively breathless from beginning to end so be sure to grab a copy today. You don’t want to miss out on this one. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
A $100 million painting.
A previously unknown Picasso is discovered in the attic of a French villa.
Everyone wants to possess it.
Filthy-rich Manhattan art people. Organized crime bosses. Power-hungry government officials. A notorious forger. A glamorous twenty-two-year-old art thief.
Only one person knows how to take it.
She’s the rival none of the power players see coming.
PUB DATE: October 13, 2015
Thank you to James Patterson, Howard Roughan, and Little, Brown and Company for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
January 8, 2026
3.5 stars.
July 9, 2025
4.5 stars
Anyone for tennis? Halston Graham and her brother Skip have an online gambling scheme going on where they are using “courtsiding” – the slightly slow recording of scores is used in order to place bets. However, it looks like their courtside days are over as they’ve been found out as ‘Mr Ugly Teal Windbreaker’ escorts her to a large black Escalade and she’s whisked away from Flushing Meadow….. straight into the hands of the Bulgarian mob. Hold that thought….this is exactly what Halston hopes will happen and it’s a calculated gamble and a dangerous one at that. There could be $50 million on the table which warrants an audience with the boss, Anton Nikolov and so, she tells him about the Picasso which is to be sold at the prestigious House of Echelon. It’s a high stakes heist, not just to pull it off but it also involves a personal matter for Halston and Skip. So sit back, get comfortable, probably best to buckle up as things get a bit bumpy at times.
The start of this is very intriguing and tantalising and I’m all in from the get go. What a caper! It’s a slick, fast paced rollercoaster ride with larger than life characters and a very lively plot driven by a smart pair of siblings. There are some terrific scenes, it’s action packed, movie worthy and as twisty as and many of those are crackers and make me chuckle at the fearlessness. Halston is spinning plates, I do hope she can keep them all upright! It gets very clever, audacious, the danger levels ramp up and our hero needs to be careful or she’ll lose more than her plot. It just keeps on coming, it’s highly entertaining, it has more twists than a corkscrew and plenty of humour. What more could you ask for?
I came late to the James Patterson party and probably have no chance of catching up as he’s so prolific. However, he’s now a must read for me as he always (co-)delivers the thriller goods.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House UK, Cornerstone for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Anyone for tennis? Halston Graham and her brother Skip have an online gambling scheme going on where they are using “courtsiding” – the slightly slow recording of scores is used in order to place bets. However, it looks like their courtside days are over as they’ve been found out as ‘Mr Ugly Teal Windbreaker’ escorts her to a large black Escalade and she’s whisked away from Flushing Meadow….. straight into the hands of the Bulgarian mob. Hold that thought….this is exactly what Halston hopes will happen and it’s a calculated gamble and a dangerous one at that. There could be $50 million on the table which warrants an audience with the boss, Anton Nikolov and so, she tells him about the Picasso which is to be sold at the prestigious House of Echelon. It’s a high stakes heist, not just to pull it off but it also involves a personal matter for Halston and Skip. So sit back, get comfortable, probably best to buckle up as things get a bit bumpy at times.
The start of this is very intriguing and tantalising and I’m all in from the get go. What a caper! It’s a slick, fast paced rollercoaster ride with larger than life characters and a very lively plot driven by a smart pair of siblings. There are some terrific scenes, it’s action packed, movie worthy and as twisty as and many of those are crackers and make me chuckle at the fearlessness. Halston is spinning plates, I do hope she can keep them all upright! It gets very clever, audacious, the danger levels ramp up and our hero needs to be careful or she’ll lose more than her plot. It just keeps on coming, it’s highly entertaining, it has more twists than a corkscrew and plenty of humour. What more could you ask for?
I came late to the James Patterson party and probably have no chance of catching up as he’s so prolific. However, he’s now a must read for me as he always (co-)delivers the thriller goods.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House UK, Cornerstone for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
October 21, 2025
The Picasso Heist by James Patterson and Howard Roughan
Synopsis /
In the heart of New York City, where the glittering lights mask shadows of deception, Halston Graham is about to attempt the impossible.
A newly unveiled Picasso, hidden for a century in a dusty French attic, is set to be auctioned at the prestigious House of Echelon. And Halston has a cunning plan. One that could secure millions for her future, and freedom for her wrongly imprisoned father.
But to pull off the heist of the century, she must assemble an unlikely a master forger, a ruthless Bulgarian mob boss with his own agenda, and an eccentric fashion designer whose flair for the dramatic might be their only ticket into the elite circles of the art world.
My Thoughts /
I can't remember the last time I read a James Patterson novel, suffice to say it's been a very long time.
I do love a good art heist and to successfully pull it off, history shows that it doesn't need to be overly complicated – take for example the recent jewellery heist at the Louvre on 19 October 2025, thieves disguised as workers stole eight pieces of the French Crown Jewels from the Galerie d'Apollon of the Louvre in Paris, France. The robbery took four minutes and happened during regular opening hours. The robbers used a vehicle mounted extendable ladder to reach a second-floor balcony window and broke in using an angle grinder and other power tools. I'm anticipating that the movie will be released soon.
The Picasso Heist has all the moving pieces of a well thought out heist (or should that be con?) and reminds me of all the great 'heist' movies – How to Steal a Million (1966); The Thomas Crown Affair (1999); The Score (2001); the Ocean's series; and, not forgetting The Italian Job (2003). I can see some rewatching's in my future.
This book should come with a medical warning: Has the potential to cause whiplash - there are so many bluffs and double bluffs your head will be on a constant swivel. Combining both mystery and action, The Picasso Heist feels more like a cinematic experience than a novel read, and is a testament to the master thriller factory that is James Patterson.
Patterson, and his co-author, Howard Roughan, introduce the reader to a new chief protagonist, Halston Graham. At the story's beginning we learn that a previously unknown Picasso is discovered in the attic of a French villa. It's been hidden from the world for generations and is now going up for auction, and Graham has hatched a plot to steal it; and the reasoning behind this remains as elusive as the [real] painting itself.
This novel has it all – stinking rich art collectors; an eccentric fashion designer; an organised crime boss; greedy power-hungry government officials; a notorious forger and the art thief.
What do they all have in common?
They all want something they don't have.
Synopsis /
In the heart of New York City, where the glittering lights mask shadows of deception, Halston Graham is about to attempt the impossible.
A newly unveiled Picasso, hidden for a century in a dusty French attic, is set to be auctioned at the prestigious House of Echelon. And Halston has a cunning plan. One that could secure millions for her future, and freedom for her wrongly imprisoned father.
But to pull off the heist of the century, she must assemble an unlikely a master forger, a ruthless Bulgarian mob boss with his own agenda, and an eccentric fashion designer whose flair for the dramatic might be their only ticket into the elite circles of the art world.
My Thoughts /
I can't remember the last time I read a James Patterson novel, suffice to say it's been a very long time.
I do love a good art heist and to successfully pull it off, history shows that it doesn't need to be overly complicated – take for example the recent jewellery heist at the Louvre on 19 October 2025, thieves disguised as workers stole eight pieces of the French Crown Jewels from the Galerie d'Apollon of the Louvre in Paris, France. The robbery took four minutes and happened during regular opening hours. The robbers used a vehicle mounted extendable ladder to reach a second-floor balcony window and broke in using an angle grinder and other power tools. I'm anticipating that the movie will be released soon.
The Picasso Heist has all the moving pieces of a well thought out heist (or should that be con?) and reminds me of all the great 'heist' movies – How to Steal a Million (1966); The Thomas Crown Affair (1999); The Score (2001); the Ocean's series; and, not forgetting The Italian Job (2003). I can see some rewatching's in my future.
This book should come with a medical warning: Has the potential to cause whiplash - there are so many bluffs and double bluffs your head will be on a constant swivel. Combining both mystery and action, The Picasso Heist feels more like a cinematic experience than a novel read, and is a testament to the master thriller factory that is James Patterson.
Patterson, and his co-author, Howard Roughan, introduce the reader to a new chief protagonist, Halston Graham. At the story's beginning we learn that a previously unknown Picasso is discovered in the attic of a French villa. It's been hidden from the world for generations and is now going up for auction, and Graham has hatched a plot to steal it; and the reasoning behind this remains as elusive as the [real] painting itself.
This novel has it all – stinking rich art collectors; an eccentric fashion designer; an organised crime boss; greedy power-hungry government officials; a notorious forger and the art thief.
What do they all have in common?
They all want something they don't have.
September 28, 2025
FANTASTIC!
This writing duo managed to hold my interest from cover to cover! Halston was my favourite character and I saw her as Cobie Smulders (How I Met Your Mother, Stumptown, and many more movies) in my mind’s eye as I read. When Halston tells readers that she’s going to make a big mistake that will change her life and that she plans on getting caught, she instantly grabbed my attention, and I was flipping pages to see what kind of mistake and how it would all play out.
The plot centers on the art of deception and a significant discovery for the art world - a previously unknown $100M Picasso. Along the way, I learned about courtsiding and sheep-dipping while watching Halston trying to outwit a Bulgarian mob and rely on her crypto prowess. If you love being outwitted, love the thrill of the chase, the unpredictability of a great plot, and twists galore, don’t miss this one.
I’m already utilizing her advice. It’s been our mantra since we got married…“The secret to life was learning how to zig when the rest of the world zags.”
Absolutely everything was on point! It may be my favourite James Patterson book.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
This writing duo managed to hold my interest from cover to cover! Halston was my favourite character and I saw her as Cobie Smulders (How I Met Your Mother, Stumptown, and many more movies) in my mind’s eye as I read. When Halston tells readers that she’s going to make a big mistake that will change her life and that she plans on getting caught, she instantly grabbed my attention, and I was flipping pages to see what kind of mistake and how it would all play out.
The plot centers on the art of deception and a significant discovery for the art world - a previously unknown $100M Picasso. Along the way, I learned about courtsiding and sheep-dipping while watching Halston trying to outwit a Bulgarian mob and rely on her crypto prowess. If you love being outwitted, love the thrill of the chase, the unpredictability of a great plot, and twists galore, don’t miss this one.
I’m already utilizing her advice. It’s been our mantra since we got married…“The secret to life was learning how to zig when the rest of the world zags.”
Absolutely everything was on point! It may be my favourite James Patterson book.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
August 30, 2025
James Patterson has done it again. This man is not the biggest selling thriller writer in the world for nothing. The Picasso Heist is a wildly addictive, fast paced adventure into the dark side of the art world and the shady people that will stop at nothing to get the goods..and the money.
Any book starting court side at the US Open tennis is bound to get my attention! Combine that with it being written by one of my fave authors and it is absolute genius. This is such a clever book, with twist on twist in twist. I never knew what to expect next, nothing was as simple as it seemed.
Halston, our main character was such a fabulous character. She was determined to, funny, sassy and so very smart. You don’t want to mess with this lady, as so many of the characters in this book found out! I laughed and gasped so often, it was a delight to read.
Thank you so much to Random House UK, Cornerstone once again for making this James Patterson fan girl very happy. Published on August 28th, another easy 5 stars.
Any book starting court side at the US Open tennis is bound to get my attention! Combine that with it being written by one of my fave authors and it is absolute genius. This is such a clever book, with twist on twist in twist. I never knew what to expect next, nothing was as simple as it seemed.
Halston, our main character was such a fabulous character. She was determined to, funny, sassy and so very smart. You don’t want to mess with this lady, as so many of the characters in this book found out! I laughed and gasped so often, it was a delight to read.
Thank you so much to Random House UK, Cornerstone once again for making this James Patterson fan girl very happy. Published on August 28th, another easy 5 stars.
October 17, 2025
4.5 Stars rounded up to 5 Stars.
This is an intricately woven tale.
Well written.
It’s like a puzzle with all the pieces fitting together perfectly.
I recommend this book!
This is an intricately woven tale.
Well written.
It’s like a puzzle with all the pieces fitting together perfectly.
I recommend this book!
November 15, 2025
“The Picasso Heist” is another Patterson and co-writer thriller focused on a planned robbery of an unknown Picasso painting discovered in a French villa attack that is valued at $100 million dollars or more.
There are many who want to possess this work of art, including members of the rich Manhattan elite who are defined by the art they possess. Cost is no issue to them and their pride.
Certain organized crime bosses would love to get their hands on the painting to either sell on the black market or even keep for their own enjoyment.
Even state government officials and federal law enforcement are willing to get involved if it will help them capture criminals and highlight headlines.
Enter a 22-year-old thief and her helping brother who have a vendetta to settle. Halston is not just any thief. She is an art expert, having grown up with a father who dealt in them. She has one of the best art forgers on her team, a Chinese expatriate with serous connections, as well as her brother’s secret talents.
Now only does Halston hold the key for all of the players on how to successfully pull such an incredible heist, she desperately needs to be the one to steal it, even though she doesn’t really want it. What she wants is the revenge that taking it will lead to for her. And her secret weapon is knowing that no one will see her coming…
First of all, the good news. This is the “now you seem me, now you don’t” and “Ocean’s Eleven” thriller plotting and get -your-blood flowing storytelling that you have come to expect from Patterson. A medium cast of characters, tight knit page-turning pacing, and lots of twists and surprises along the way. In other words, a roller coaster ride of a fun reading experience.
Patterson and Roughan deliver a fast-paced and high energy pacing that never slows down, relying on multi-layered mysteries and interesting enough cast. The main protagonist, Halston, is a driven yet fly by the seat of her pants kind of young lady that thinks fast on her feet with incredible intelligent. She is easy to cheer for as she faces overwhelming challenges throughout. Even though we know she’s going to find a way to survive and achieve her goals, it doesn’t keep us from worrying about how she’s going to do that.
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 remind readers of my (often repeated) 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 another one of Patterson’s entertaining reads as long as you suspend realism and just enjoy the ride for what is what intended to be – mind candy – and nothing more. Sometimes that’s all we need, and that’s okay.
There are many who want to possess this work of art, including members of the rich Manhattan elite who are defined by the art they possess. Cost is no issue to them and their pride.
Certain organized crime bosses would love to get their hands on the painting to either sell on the black market or even keep for their own enjoyment.
Even state government officials and federal law enforcement are willing to get involved if it will help them capture criminals and highlight headlines.
Enter a 22-year-old thief and her helping brother who have a vendetta to settle. Halston is not just any thief. She is an art expert, having grown up with a father who dealt in them. She has one of the best art forgers on her team, a Chinese expatriate with serous connections, as well as her brother’s secret talents.
Now only does Halston hold the key for all of the players on how to successfully pull such an incredible heist, she desperately needs to be the one to steal it, even though she doesn’t really want it. What she wants is the revenge that taking it will lead to for her. And her secret weapon is knowing that no one will see her coming…
First of all, the good news. This is the “now you seem me, now you don’t” and “Ocean’s Eleven” thriller plotting and get -your-blood flowing storytelling that you have come to expect from Patterson. A medium cast of characters, tight knit page-turning pacing, and lots of twists and surprises along the way. In other words, a roller coaster ride of a fun reading experience.
Patterson and Roughan deliver a fast-paced and high energy pacing that never slows down, relying on multi-layered mysteries and interesting enough cast. The main protagonist, Halston, is a driven yet fly by the seat of her pants kind of young lady that thinks fast on her feet with incredible intelligent. She is easy to cheer for as she faces overwhelming challenges throughout. Even though we know she’s going to find a way to survive and achieve her goals, it doesn’t keep us from worrying about how she’s going to do that.
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 remind readers of my (often repeated) 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 another one of Patterson’s entertaining reads as long as you suspend realism and just enjoy the ride for what is what intended to be – mind candy – and nothing more. Sometimes that’s all we need, and that’s okay.
November 8, 2025
A fan of some books James Patterson presents, I am especially interested when he teams up with a strong collaborator. Howard Roughan returns to work with Patterson once again and they pen this intriguing thriller. While New York City is a place where anything goes and there is no 'downtime', Halston Graham is about to attempt something that no one could believe might work. There is a Picasso painting that has just been discovered after being hidden under another piece of art. It's set to go up for auction and Halston has a plan to steal it out from under everyone's noses. Halston has a plan to sell it to a rich buyer and use those funds to grease the wheels for her father's wrongful imprisonment. All this will require the assistance of a powerful forger, whose Bulgarian background makes him rough around the edges. The plot will take precise timing and there is no room for error. Halston is fueled by trying to right a wrong, though her means of solving the problem is anything but right. Patterson and Roughan deliver a decent read for those who like quick thrillers.
I have long had a love/hate relationship with James Patterson novels. Usually, it is his collaborator who saves the day by ensuring things do not go down too many rabbit holes. Howard Roughan seems to keep things clipping along with a decent narrative that pushes the story along. There is little time to rest, as the quick chapters provide the reader with something they can enjoy as the story's pace kicks up even more. With some decent ideas, the authors are able to cobble together a reasonable piece, though it did not blow my mind. Still, it was a worthwhile way to pass the time.
Characters work well to complement the story. Halston Graham proves to be a character that helps keep the reader intrigued, though I am not sure I could latch onto a full series with her in the protagonist's seat. The story is surely flavoured by those who grace the pages of the book and keep the reader wanting to know more. Patterson and Roughan deliver what is to be expected with this piece and ensure the reader remains entertained.
Plot points help keep the surprise factor as the story progresses. While I was not shocked by much in the piece, the authors ensured that things were not too predictable. There were some decent twists and the authors made sure to weave them into the story at key times, though I did not find myself completely in awe. I will keep my eye open for more collaborations by Patterson and Roughan, though I cannot say this is my favourite pairing. A decent read for those who need a little 'turn your brain off' time.
Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and Roughan, for a decent thriller.
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http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
I have long had a love/hate relationship with James Patterson novels. Usually, it is his collaborator who saves the day by ensuring things do not go down too many rabbit holes. Howard Roughan seems to keep things clipping along with a decent narrative that pushes the story along. There is little time to rest, as the quick chapters provide the reader with something they can enjoy as the story's pace kicks up even more. With some decent ideas, the authors are able to cobble together a reasonable piece, though it did not blow my mind. Still, it was a worthwhile way to pass the time.
Characters work well to complement the story. Halston Graham proves to be a character that helps keep the reader intrigued, though I am not sure I could latch onto a full series with her in the protagonist's seat. The story is surely flavoured by those who grace the pages of the book and keep the reader wanting to know more. Patterson and Roughan deliver what is to be expected with this piece and ensure the reader remains entertained.
Plot points help keep the surprise factor as the story progresses. While I was not shocked by much in the piece, the authors ensured that things were not too predictable. There were some decent twists and the authors made sure to weave them into the story at key times, though I did not find myself completely in awe. I will keep my eye open for more collaborations by Patterson and Roughan, though I cannot say this is my favourite pairing. A decent read for those who need a little 'turn your brain off' time.
Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and Roughan, for a decent thriller.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
August 2, 2025
A rare masterpiece by Picasso is about to go to auction, and the whole world is watching.
Halston Graham is an art student and she sees an opportunity that could secure her millions and get her wrongly accused father out of prison. But to carry out her plan, she needs a team of ruthless criminals. Together, with her brother Skip, they enter the world of high stakes but not everything goes to plan.
This one was fascinating, with lots of action and unexpected twists, as you'd expect from any Patterson novel.
I can't say more, save for spoilers but this is another one I highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for this gifted review copy.
Halston Graham is an art student and she sees an opportunity that could secure her millions and get her wrongly accused father out of prison. But to carry out her plan, she needs a team of ruthless criminals. Together, with her brother Skip, they enter the world of high stakes but not everything goes to plan.
This one was fascinating, with lots of action and unexpected twists, as you'd expect from any Patterson novel.
I can't say more, save for spoilers but this is another one I highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for this gifted review copy.
November 25, 2025
2.75⭐️ - it’s too busy. Every chapter ended (as usual for Patterson) on a cliffhanger but, a predictable one.
Like, nothing surprised me in, this book. It was plot twist after plot twist after plot twist (and then another plot twist), that were neither good, nor believable. What 22 year old gets to tell two mob bosses what to do and lives to see the next day. Like…some of it just didn’t make sense, and ended up being dumb.
And what ended up happening to the painting???
If you like regular standard James Patterson books, skip this one
Like, nothing surprised me in, this book. It was plot twist after plot twist after plot twist (and then another plot twist), that were neither good, nor believable. What 22 year old gets to tell two mob bosses what to do and lives to see the next day. Like…some of it just didn’t make sense, and ended up being dumb.
And what ended up happening to the painting???
If you like regular standard James Patterson books, skip this one
August 20, 2025
A literary work of art that should come with a neck brace for all the abrupt twists and turns! You just literally can’t turn the pages fast enough! The short chapters, quick wit, quirky characters made this truly original heist story one to remember! I’d love to have more! Many thanks to the publisher for this early copy for read and review
October 22, 2025
Picasso Heist
A difficult read.. Had trouble keeping up with all the characters and plots. It definitely kept you on your toes. It did have its moments but overall not a favorite.
A difficult read.. Had trouble keeping up with all the characters and plots. It definitely kept you on your toes. It did have its moments but overall not a favorite.
January 5, 2026
I inhaled this novel! The pacing and twists were great. I anticipated many of them but that didn’t keep me from loving it all. Fun read and caper. Suspend belief and dive in for a romp.
January 11, 2026
ending every mini chapter with a cliff hanger or twist is not good writing it’s a gimmicky way of propelling a narrative forward. This is suspense with no consequences. 1000 characters but no depth or emotional pay off. I’m not a seasoned thriller reader by any means but this was just awful imo, not for me.
January 3, 2026
I now believe that all James Patterson hype is propaganda. This was so terrible. I counted over 10 plot twist… how can that even be possible? God it was so bad.
December 11, 2025
I love a heist plot. This was super easy to read. The plot twists were so frequent I started wildly guessing and only sometimes got it right. Shockingly, every single plan went perfectly, which seems quite unrealistic, but was certainly satisfying. Kept me entertained without being nervous for the characters. Only Michelle had any sort of depth to her anyway.
August 7, 2025
Halston Graham formulates a plan to get her wrongly accused father out of prison, but in a world of highly experienced criminals, it isn’t exactly a straight forward plan.
There are so many twists throughout this book, to an extent where I sometimes found it hard to keep track of what was going on. This wasn’t one of my favourite books written by James Patterson, but despite this, I did still enjoy it and thought it was an exciting and fast paced read. Thank you NetGalley for my ARC.
There are so many twists throughout this book, to an extent where I sometimes found it hard to keep track of what was going on. This wasn’t one of my favourite books written by James Patterson, but despite this, I did still enjoy it and thought it was an exciting and fast paced read. Thank you NetGalley for my ARC.
October 24, 2025
The Picasso Heist by James Patterson and Howard Roughan (Oct. 13, 2025) Thank you, @hachetteaudio for the free audiobook! #hachetteaudioinfluencer
Halston is brilliant. The youngest person ever hired at Echelon, an Upper East Side auction house. She’s also crafty at game theory and an excellent thief. And she’s got an angle on a previously unknown Picasso painting. But that’s just the beginning.
This one is filled with double-crosses, thieves, organized crime, government agents, and so many twists and turns. I really loved our ingenious female heroine/anti-hero and seeing the different layers of her plan unfold over the course of the book. I won’t spoil anything by giving too many details but this is easily my favorite James Patterson book I have read recently!
🎧 Audiobook Thoughts: Felicity Jones, a new to me narrator, did a great job as scrappy Halston and a wide-ranging set of characters surrounding her. I’ll definitely look for more of her work in the future. (8h 14m)
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
🎧 Audio performance: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
Halston is brilliant. The youngest person ever hired at Echelon, an Upper East Side auction house. She’s also crafty at game theory and an excellent thief. And she’s got an angle on a previously unknown Picasso painting. But that’s just the beginning.
This one is filled with double-crosses, thieves, organized crime, government agents, and so many twists and turns. I really loved our ingenious female heroine/anti-hero and seeing the different layers of her plan unfold over the course of the book. I won’t spoil anything by giving too many details but this is easily my favorite James Patterson book I have read recently!
🎧 Audiobook Thoughts: Felicity Jones, a new to me narrator, did a great job as scrappy Halston and a wide-ranging set of characters surrounding her. I’ll definitely look for more of her work in the future. (8h 14m)
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
🎧 Audio performance: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
December 27, 2025
A heist, within a heist, within a heist, with lots of tricks and deception.
January 1, 2026
This wasn't really a mystery novel. It was fiction based on a true story. It's hard to be hyper critical when the basis of the story is a real life experience, but given that this made it into the Fiction section, I'd have preferred more liberties to be taken with the story to make it more exciting for the reader. Still an enjoyable writing style and interesting story.
September 19, 2025
3.75/ 5.0
This book felt like a poker game, it’s almost felt like I was watching a movie play out. Just when you think things are finished and complete there’s more to it. At first it is a bit of a head scratcher trying to understand how everything works, everyone’s relation to each other but gradually it makes more sense, it’s giving Jason Bourne meets fast and furious vibes is probably the best way I can put this. What I do have to say is that the book is more than a ‘Picasso heist’ which got me a little disappointed as I thought we were going to go deeply into the world of art but actually it’s a 4D game of chess playing out which to some may be confusing. Overall it’s a great read which has you in your toes, once you start it’s hard to stop you just want to read it all in as much as you can.
The is centred around an graduate art student Halston Graham (an unique name for sure) who sees an opportunity to set free her dad who is wrongly imprisoned. To achieve this she has to pull of a heist of a century and assemble an unlikely team, which consists of a mob boss, expert art forger, and an eccentric fashion designer. The premise is great, the way the book is sold is enticing and to be honest the blurb is true but there’s more to it which took away slightly from this premise.
But overall it’s a great read, interested to see if this ends up being a series or not but will keep my eyes peeled!
This book felt like a poker game, it’s almost felt like I was watching a movie play out. Just when you think things are finished and complete there’s more to it. At first it is a bit of a head scratcher trying to understand how everything works, everyone’s relation to each other but gradually it makes more sense, it’s giving Jason Bourne meets fast and furious vibes is probably the best way I can put this. What I do have to say is that the book is more than a ‘Picasso heist’ which got me a little disappointed as I thought we were going to go deeply into the world of art but actually it’s a 4D game of chess playing out which to some may be confusing. Overall it’s a great read which has you in your toes, once you start it’s hard to stop you just want to read it all in as much as you can.
The is centred around an graduate art student Halston Graham (an unique name for sure) who sees an opportunity to set free her dad who is wrongly imprisoned. To achieve this she has to pull of a heist of a century and assemble an unlikely team, which consists of a mob boss, expert art forger, and an eccentric fashion designer. The premise is great, the way the book is sold is enticing and to be honest the blurb is true but there’s more to it which took away slightly from this premise.
But overall it’s a great read, interested to see if this ends up being a series or not but will keep my eyes peeled!
October 12, 2025
This was another book from James Patterson and Howard Roughan that I really enjoyed! Halston is a character that I would love to see more of and I hope she will get a series.
I found the storyline to be very exciting and I could not put this book down. I read it in less than 24 hours.
I loved the dynamic between Halston and her brother, Skip. I definitely think these two could get into a lot more trouble together.
4/5 stars!
Thank you so much to the publisher for sending me an advance copy of this book as part of the James Patterson Street Team!
I found the storyline to be very exciting and I could not put this book down. I read it in less than 24 hours.
I loved the dynamic between Halston and her brother, Skip. I definitely think these two could get into a lot more trouble together.
4/5 stars!
Thank you so much to the publisher for sending me an advance copy of this book as part of the James Patterson Street Team!
October 20, 2025
3.5 stars. These are my favorite kinds of palate cleansing books . They’re easy to read, there’s no real stakes because the main character is always smarter, always has an ace up her sleeve and is always one step ahead, and you know it’s going to have a satisfying ending.
Halston is organizing an art heist of one of the most desired Picasso paintings in the world but the real question is who is the thief and who is the real victim?
The book has a unique structure where it almost works backwards. It moves in chronological order but as we see the dominoes topple we get the motives in reverse and it’s a lot of fun. There’s not much real thinking required, it’s all laid out pretty clearly but there are reveals and twists I didn’t expect and I always enjoy that.
Halston is organizing an art heist of one of the most desired Picasso paintings in the world but the real question is who is the thief and who is the real victim?
The book has a unique structure where it almost works backwards. It moves in chronological order but as we see the dominoes topple we get the motives in reverse and it’s a lot of fun. There’s not much real thinking required, it’s all laid out pretty clearly but there are reveals and twists I didn’t expect and I always enjoy that.
October 9, 2025
The Picasso Heist - 4.5⭐️
BRILLIANT. this is my second book by James Patterson and omg he and his co-authors can write action-packed twisty thrillers.
This is about a fresh grad teaming up with the most unlikely people to steal a valuable Picasso art piece.
This book unfolds like a movie.
Multiple twists, multiple jaw dropping moments and just so clever.
The only reason I didn’t give it 5⭐️ cause there was like a few pages of plot I didn’t care for like it felt kinda redundant or repetitive. But this was such a smooth easy thriller read that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
BRILLIANT. this is my second book by James Patterson and omg he and his co-authors can write action-packed twisty thrillers.
This is about a fresh grad teaming up with the most unlikely people to steal a valuable Picasso art piece.
This book unfolds like a movie.
Multiple twists, multiple jaw dropping moments and just so clever.
The only reason I didn’t give it 5⭐️ cause there was like a few pages of plot I didn’t care for like it felt kinda redundant or repetitive. But this was such a smooth easy thriller read that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
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