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Face Off
Not yet published
Expected 8 Feb 27An elite assassin. A top surgeon. A mission too dangerous to survive.
The doctor: Plastic-surgeon-to-the-stars Dr. Henley Russell is kidnapped from her LA home and ordered to perform emergency surgery.
The conditions: A snowbound mountain cabin with basic medical supplies.
The patient: A masked contract killer suffering from a gunshot wound.
The stakes: The patient must survive. Or Henley—and her niece—will not.
The orders: The patient’s appearance must be completely transformed, starting with his face…
The doctor: Plastic-surgeon-to-the-stars Dr. Henley Russell is kidnapped from her LA home and ordered to perform emergency surgery.
The conditions: A snowbound mountain cabin with basic medical supplies.
The patient: A masked contract killer suffering from a gunshot wound.
The stakes: The patient must survive. Or Henley—and her niece—will not.
The orders: The patient’s appearance must be completely transformed, starting with his face…
- GenresThriller Suspense
Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 8, 2027
About the author
James Patterson
991 books359k followersOfficial US Site
Official UK Site
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, Michael Crichton, and Viola Davis, 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
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, Michael Crichton, and Viola Davis, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 stars)
A Masterclass in Tension: An Explosive, Cinematic Thriller That Keeps You Guessing!
James Patterson and J.D. Barker deliver a masterclass in tension with a high-octane premise that instantly grabs the reader. Face Off fuses a ticking-clock medical thriller with a cutthroat political conspiracy, anchored by a fiercely compelling protagonist in Dr. Henley Russell. For publishers looking for the next unputdownable blockbuster, this digital ARC hits every mark of an explosive, fast-paced commercial hit.
This is a gripping, fast-paced thriller that delivers intense suspense and relentless momentum from the very first page. I was completely hooked from start to finish and thoroughly enjoyed every moment. The plot is masterfully constructed with misdirection, betrayal, and a series of sharp twists that took me entirely by surprise.
The Premise:
The high-stakes setup is compelling and executed perfectly. A prominent plastic surgeon is kidnapped from her home and taken to a remote cabin, where she must save a critically wounded assassin. If she fails, both she and her young niece will be killed. It is exactly the kind of high-tension thriller I love.
Writing & Pacing:
This is my first novel by the James Patterson and Barker collaboration, and their partnership is a massive success. The story plays out like a cinematic action film on the page, with vivid scenes and a tension that builds beautifully. The pace is relentless, propelled by the signature short, direct chapters Patterson is known for. Utilizing multiple POVs works brilliantly here; it kept me reading well into the night, and I ultimately finished it in a single sitting.
Characters:
The novel features a strong, engaging cast led by Henley and Booth. Their distinct chemistry brings the narrative to life, while the supporting characters feel highly authentic and provide the perfect touch of comic relief to balance the tension.
Final Verdict:
While the narrative requires readers to suspend their disbelief slightly at points to enjoy the high-octane ride, the payoff is well worth it. I highly recommend adding this to the very top of your TBR list—you won’t be disappointed!
• Expected Publication Date: February 8, 2027
Thank you to Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are entirely my own.
A Masterclass in Tension: An Explosive, Cinematic Thriller That Keeps You Guessing!
James Patterson and J.D. Barker deliver a masterclass in tension with a high-octane premise that instantly grabs the reader. Face Off fuses a ticking-clock medical thriller with a cutthroat political conspiracy, anchored by a fiercely compelling protagonist in Dr. Henley Russell. For publishers looking for the next unputdownable blockbuster, this digital ARC hits every mark of an explosive, fast-paced commercial hit.
This is a gripping, fast-paced thriller that delivers intense suspense and relentless momentum from the very first page. I was completely hooked from start to finish and thoroughly enjoyed every moment. The plot is masterfully constructed with misdirection, betrayal, and a series of sharp twists that took me entirely by surprise.
The Premise:
The high-stakes setup is compelling and executed perfectly. A prominent plastic surgeon is kidnapped from her home and taken to a remote cabin, where she must save a critically wounded assassin. If she fails, both she and her young niece will be killed. It is exactly the kind of high-tension thriller I love.
Writing & Pacing:
This is my first novel by the James Patterson and Barker collaboration, and their partnership is a massive success. The story plays out like a cinematic action film on the page, with vivid scenes and a tension that builds beautifully. The pace is relentless, propelled by the signature short, direct chapters Patterson is known for. Utilizing multiple POVs works brilliantly here; it kept me reading well into the night, and I ultimately finished it in a single sitting.
Characters:
The novel features a strong, engaging cast led by Henley and Booth. Their distinct chemistry brings the narrative to life, while the supporting characters feel highly authentic and provide the perfect touch of comic relief to balance the tension.
Final Verdict:
While the narrative requires readers to suspend their disbelief slightly at points to enjoy the high-octane ride, the payoff is well worth it. I highly recommend adding this to the very top of your TBR list—you won’t be disappointed!
• Expected Publication Date: February 8, 2027
Thank you to Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are entirely my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
MY RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
GENRE: Political Thriller
PUBLICATION DATE: February 8, 2027
OVERALL IMPRESSION: A high-octane, adrenaline-filled, highly addictive thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. Words cannot express how much I loved this book!
🥳 What I loved
📖 Premise: A prominent plastic surgeon is kidnapped from her home and brought to a remote cabin where she is forced to help save the life of a critically wounded assassin or she and her young niece will be killed....What could possibly go wrong? I am an absolute sucker for this type of thriller!
📖 Writing: This is the second Patterson/Barker collaboration I’ve had the pleasure of reading, and the writing does not disappoint. This reads like an action movie in book format, with incredible attention to detail and suspense a la masse!
📖 Characters: What a cast of characters….while Henley and Booth are the main attraction (and what amazing chemistry they had!), the supporting cast deserve honourable mention for their authenticity and, at times, well-placed comedic relief.
📖 Pacing: Stressful and relentless, with short, punchy chapters that I know I can expect from a Patterson book, the pacing was absolute perfection and kept me reading well into the night.
🤔 Things to consider
📖 Suspension of disbelief: Since I had an absolute blast with this book, there’s not much I can offer here except, perhaps, you might need to let go of that disbelief. Just park it for a while, sit back and enjoy the ride. I know I did!
FINAL VERDICT: I cannot recommend this thriller enough, especially for fans of Gregg Hurwitz and Mark Greaney. Check it out February 2027! 5⭐
A huge thank you to NetGalley, Little, Brown and Company and James Patterson and J. D. Barker for providing a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are entirely my own.
GENRE: Political Thriller
PUBLICATION DATE: February 8, 2027
OVERALL IMPRESSION: A high-octane, adrenaline-filled, highly addictive thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. Words cannot express how much I loved this book!
🥳 What I loved
📖 Premise: A prominent plastic surgeon is kidnapped from her home and brought to a remote cabin where she is forced to help save the life of a critically wounded assassin or she and her young niece will be killed....What could possibly go wrong? I am an absolute sucker for this type of thriller!
📖 Writing: This is the second Patterson/Barker collaboration I’ve had the pleasure of reading, and the writing does not disappoint. This reads like an action movie in book format, with incredible attention to detail and suspense a la masse!
📖 Characters: What a cast of characters….while Henley and Booth are the main attraction (and what amazing chemistry they had!), the supporting cast deserve honourable mention for their authenticity and, at times, well-placed comedic relief.
📖 Pacing: Stressful and relentless, with short, punchy chapters that I know I can expect from a Patterson book, the pacing was absolute perfection and kept me reading well into the night.
🤔 Things to consider
📖 Suspension of disbelief: Since I had an absolute blast with this book, there’s not much I can offer here except, perhaps, you might need to let go of that disbelief. Just park it for a while, sit back and enjoy the ride. I know I did!
FINAL VERDICT: I cannot recommend this thriller enough, especially for fans of Gregg Hurwitz and Mark Greaney. Check it out February 2027! 5⭐
A huge thank you to NetGalley, Little, Brown and Company and James Patterson and J. D. Barker for providing a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are entirely my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Every time these guys write together, I get an incredible reading experience. The characters and story take me away from real life. Fast paced and great use of multiple POV. Another great collaboration from my favorite authors!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
📚NETGALLEY ARC REVIEW: FACE OFF 📚
By James Patterson & J.D. Barker
Release Date: February 8, 2027
One of the perks of being a NetGalley reader is getting to dive into books before they hit the shelves!
I’m a HUGE James Patterson fan and new to J.D. Barker, so you can imagine how excited I was to get my hands on this one early! J.D. Barker…I’ll be looking into more books by you!
As always, the writing did not disappoint! These two know how to tell a story, and Face Off is another well-written addition to their work.
Action packed, edge of my seat, and kept me wanting to keep reading…this book was all of that and more 😁
If you’re a fan of James Patterson and J.D. Barker, be sure to put this one on your 2027 TBR! 📚
A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
By James Patterson & J.D. Barker
Release Date: February 8, 2027
One of the perks of being a NetGalley reader is getting to dive into books before they hit the shelves!
I’m a HUGE James Patterson fan and new to J.D. Barker, so you can imagine how excited I was to get my hands on this one early! J.D. Barker…I’ll be looking into more books by you!
As always, the writing did not disappoint! These two know how to tell a story, and Face Off is another well-written addition to their work.
Action packed, edge of my seat, and kept me wanting to keep reading…this book was all of that and more 😁
If you’re a fan of James Patterson and J.D. Barker, be sure to put this one on your 2027 TBR! 📚
A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Face Off by James Patterson and J.D. Barker was pretty good. You had to suspend reality and common sense in some of the scenes and outcomes. The story centers around Dr. Henley Russell, a renowned plastic surgeon whose life takes a turn when she is kidnapped from her home in Los Angeles. The tension escalates as she finds herself in a remote, snowbound cabin. There are so many twists and turns that sometimes it was hard to keep track of who was the good guy and who was the bad guy. The pacing is fairly fast, and the chapters are short (true James Patterson).
Overall, Face Off is a pretty good page-turner. I would recommend this book.
#NetGalley @littlebrown
Overall, Face Off is a pretty good page-turner. I would recommend this book.
#NetGalley @littlebrown
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to James Patterson, J.D. Barker, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!
A tense, suspenseful read that grabbed my attention with an intriguing premise. The stakes are high, the situation is unpredictable, and there's a constant sense that things could take a turn at any moment. I enjoyed the suspense and the twists that kept me curious about what would happen next. Definitely a solid thriller for readers who enjoy danger, secrets, and high-stakes situations.
A tense, suspenseful read that grabbed my attention with an intriguing premise. The stakes are high, the situation is unpredictable, and there's a constant sense that things could take a turn at any moment. I enjoyed the suspense and the twists that kept me curious about what would happen next. Definitely a solid thriller for readers who enjoy danger, secrets, and high-stakes situations.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews