Chase

Michael Bennett #9.5

by James Patterson, Michael Ledwidge

'This was no suicide,' says Detective Michael Bennett.

A man plunges to his death from the roof of a Manhatten hotel. It looks like a suicide – except the victim has someone else's fingerprints and $10,000 in cash.

Enter Detective Michael Bennett.

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

144 pages, Paperback

First published August 2, 2016

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

[Phrynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

#9.5 in the Michael Bennett series, available as a Bookshot.

Bennett is involved in a case where a man dies falling from a highrise building. At first it appears to be a suicide but then certain factors indicate that he was pushed. The action just keeps building from there as Bennett involves himself in some very dangerous investigations coming up against both sides, criminals and the Pentagon.

I really enjoyed the speed and the action of the story condensed as it was into just 115 pages. A perfect quick read for when you do not want to have to think too hard but can just go with the flow and enjoy.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Patterson knows how to do short stories. Entertaining!

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The posh hotel in Manhattan was where the man waited – his contact was late, much too late – and he didn’t feel the eyes on him while he sat there. Much later Detective Michael Bennett was called to the scene of a suspected suicide. The construction site beside the posh Manhattan hotel now housed a body which had quite obviously fallen from the heights of the roof beside it. An obvious suicide – but was it?

When forensics discovered several anomalies, Bennett was bemused. But worse was to come. What they had found was not possible – so Bennett set out on the trail. But out there were people determined to keep the secrets of the past from being revealed – any way possible.

Chase is #9.5 in the Michael Bennett series by James Patterson, and is one in the BookShots series. I enjoyed it but not quite as much as the usual fare with this detective. The full length novels obviously have more space for detail – and though this novella was rounded nicely, I felt more detailed action would have been great in this particular case. I still recommend to lovers of the Bennett series, and am very much looking forward to #9 which will be out soon!

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a suspense book, and it is the 9.5 book in the Michael Bennett series. This book was just not for me. This is a very short book. I just could not get into this story.

[Sarah Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It appears that not many people agree with how I feel about this book. It happens. How did I feel about this book? I mean, okay, I guess. It felt flat and one dimensional to me.

[Suzzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only took a couple hours to read. This is my third BookShots book. I still like full novels better obviously because you get a more complete story and background. However these little books offer a great reprieve from full novels and gives a quick story “fix.” Lol

My quick and simple overall: entertaining couple hours.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

After being underwhelmed with my first bookshot, I picked up Chase and who should appear? Michael Bennett *happy dance* This has all the action you'd expect in a super condensed story.
I ❤️ Michael Bennett!

[Linda Strong · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very short story by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge, otherwise known as a BookShort. At approximately 115 pages, it's a fast read.

For the fans of the Michael Bennett series, you will totally enjoy this one. No need for a back story on the characters.

A man is thrown off the top of a very high roof. Bennett is suspicious that this was not a suicide, but who is this guy> No wallet, no phone, no ID.

When the autopsy is done, he is found with a paper in his stomach with a bunch of numbers written on it. That's all ... well, except for his fingerprints. They belong to a military man who had died several years earlier.

This is classic James Patterson and Michael Bennett. Lots of action, mostly non-stop. Great characters and a terrific story line.

Because I am a huge fan of the Michael Bennett books, I will read anything and everything about this fabulous character. For those of you who have not read about Bennett, start at the beginning of the series ... you will not regret it!

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chase is a novella in the Michael Bennett series by prolific American author, James Patterson. It is co-written with Michael Ledwidge and is released under the Bookshots: stories at the speed of life banner. At a mere 115 pages, it is intended to be a one-sitting read. Bennett is sent to the scene of an apparent suicide, but pretty soon, things don’t add up, and it starts to look like murder. Then the fingerprints turn out to be those of a dead man, but Bennett and Agent Emily Parker find their investigations obstructed by army bureaucrats.

This one starts off well, with plenty of mystery and some good investigation, but then Bennett makes the puzzling decision (for a seasoned detective) to drive off to Pennsylvania by himself on a lead. He follows that by putting an old man and his granddaughter in danger to save his own life. The twist that gets him out of trouble is just a bit too convenient, and the background story on the victim, just a tad far-fetched. Fans of the series may want to outlay cash for this little dose of Michael Bennett, but a library loan is a good alternative.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

As Michael Bennett seeks a little of the BookShot spotlight, James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge concoct this high-impact thriller to lull series fans temporarily. As the book opens, a mysterious man is being stalked by two others, eyeing him in the corner of a hotel bar. A brief exchange in a bathroom leaves one injured and our man of mystery racing for the roof. A short confrontation ensues and soon a body is flying over the side, only to crash onto the busy New York streets. When Detective Michael Bennett of Major Crimes arrives, everyone knows this is serious. The body could have been tossed, but there is the possibility that someone is trying their hand at a new and exciting way of committing suicide. When the identification comes back, Bennett and all those around him are stunned. The body belongs to none other than Stephen Eardley, who was killed while fighting in Iraq. And yet, Bennett has seen the body and the identification was run three times to be sure. Bennett uses some influence to get an interview at the Pentagon, though he hits a brick wall and is ushered out before he can learn much of anything. A covert message makes its way to him, sending him out to Pennsylvania, where one Paul Haber might have some answers. Bennett travels out to investigate, but is ambushed and almost killed. As he narrowly escapes, he is left to find safety and try to understand how he has become the hunted and if the men aiming their high-powered rifles at him might know more about Eardley than meets the eye. A quick-paced story that will entertain most readers, not only fans of the successful Bennett series.

When I saw that this piece was listed as "9.5", I made sure to wait until after I read BULLSEYE, though I ought not have worried. There is no connection to the previous full-length novel, nor should anyone with a general curiosity in BookShots feel they need to know the entire Bennett backstory. There is little time for character development, leaving Patterson and Ledwidge to assume the reader will well-versed in the Bennett clan and their home-based adventures. The plot is not unique to the point of being stellar, but the story flows well and keeps the reader hooked, as many BookShots successfully set out to do. With its poignant Bennett sarcasm, the story is able to be a little lighthearted without losing its impact and keeps the reader hooked until the epilogue.

Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and Ledwidge for making this a story worth reading on a Sunday afternoon. Quick read, high impact, well done!

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

[Carol Jones-Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

First Read: I like the Michael Bennett Series. I like his family and his cops, etc. This does not appear to be a suicide according to Detective Bennett. A man dives to his death from the roof of a Manhattan hotel. It looks like it should be a suicide. The victim later is found with someone else's fingerprints and had $10,000 in cash. Detective Michael Bennett is called to oversee this case. This episode isn't my favorite...it just doesn't have the charm that the others have had. A quickie but doesn't quite keep you up to speed on what's happening with Michael Bennett and his actions. You have to almost read some of Patterson's book shots to keep abreast of his character's and not what they are into. That's why I wish there weren't the book shots since to me they may be a fast read, you probably won't lose something when you grab his larger/thicker books with the same characters in them. Good read, recommend.

Second Read: A man falls to his death which at first looks straight forward but gets complicated when he has someone else’s fingerprints and lots of money on him. Enter Detective Michael Bennett. ‘Chase’ is another book shot, this time in the Michael Bennett series. As always this is written in usual Patterson style and is thrilling and punchy to go with it. I have said in previous book shot reviews that it almost feels like a full-length Patterson book due to the extra dialogue and plot threads being cut, but I did think something was missing from ‘Chase’. The plot was exciting with a mystery at the heart of it, but I thought it was over a bit too quick, it took Bennett a long time to get to the resolution and then it was tied up quickly. Having said this. there is the usual Bennett humor injected into this and a brief glimpse and nowhere near enough of his most delightful and quirky family. I cannot really say much more as nothing else happened, but I am eagerly anticipating his next full length Michael Bennett book called "Paranoia."

[Laur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short story! Mystery and action! Michael Bennett uncovers a looks like suicide, but is actually a murder with puzzling clues found in the victim’s stomach. Soon enough, he finds himself being chased down by CIA black ops! Hang on!!

[Mahoghani 23 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Michael and his distinctive skills as a detective. All the way down to state of PA! Short read but a lot of action to include the assistance from an old USMC veteran.

[Buddy Scalera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lightweight, breezy action thriller. The chapters are short, crisp, and entertaining. The book is the same length as this review.

[Tannaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

l need book shot to get drunk!!!

[Terri Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Normally I don't like the Michael Bennett books by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge all that much. He is a widower with ten adopted kids having an affair with his hot young nanny and this all puts me off a lot and is a distraction. It is as if they have to make up scenes to remind you of the kids but this time there was one or two scenes featuring maybe 4 of them. Good! I blew through that silly part and on to the scary bits.

A military man died in 2007 in a plane crash in Iraq. Or did he? If so, why is the man thrown off the roof of a building in New York City wearing his fingerprints and sporting his DNA? Why did he have a condom in his stomach with 24 codes? And who are the guys after him- and then trying to kill Michael and a helpful old gun-wielding man and his gun-wielding 14 year old granddaughter in the remote Pennsylvania forest? Action packed and thrilling.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chase

Now this book I did like. I always enjoy the Michael Bennett series and this Bookshots short story was very good. The only thing that I missed was reading about Michael Bennett's family. I like when the kids, Mary Catherine and Father Seamus are in the story but it was still enjoyable.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent
Chase is a very will written novella with Michael Bennett chasing bad guys. I would recommend this novella to anyone who enjoys a will written mystery. Enjoy reading 2017 & 2021

[NaYeeM · Rating 4 out of 5]

চেজ
লেখক: জেমস প্যাটারসন(সহযোগিতায় মাইকেল লেডউইজ)
অনুবাদ: সুস্ময় সুমন
প্রকাশনী: বাতিঘর, পৃষ্টা: ৯৬

ম্যানহ্যাটনের বিলাসবহুল এক হোটেলের ছাদ থেকে আছড়ে পড়ে মারা গেল লোকটা।
দেখে মনে হয় suicide. তদন্তে নামলো নিউইয়র্ক পুলিশ ডিপার্টমেন্টের নাম করা গোয়েন্দা মাইকেল বেনেট। প্রথম থেকেই বেশ ঝামেলায় পড়তে হয় এই রহস্য উদগাটনে নেমে।
এই ঘটনার সাথে সম্পর্ক কোন এক অতীত ঘটনার। কি সেই অতীত এবং কেনই বা তাকে এত সমস্যাতে পড়তে হচ্ছে........

এই বইটা হল "Michel Bennett series এর একটি বুকশট।
বেশ ভালই লেগেছে। একদম টানটান উত্তেজনায় ভরা। এই ছোট বইয়ে প্রথম থেকে শেষ পর্যন্ত একটা tension ধরে রেখেছেন লেখক।
মারাত্মক action, stunned এবং মাথা খারাপ করা twist নিয়ে এই বইটি মনে হয়েছে যেন Hollywood কোন মুভি দেখছি।

অনুবাদ খুব ভাল লেগেছে। বেশ সাবলীল অনুবাদ করেছেন সুমন দা।
আর প্রচ্ছদ টাও আমার বেশ ভাল লেগেছে

[Katrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn’t feeling this one. It was ok. I decided to read it to find out what happened to one of the Bennett kids. In one book everything was normal. In the next book one of the kids was in a lot of trouble. So I thought the in between book would shed some light on why. NOPE!!! Not a single mention of the issue. So I’m disappointed. Maybe my disappointment comes from the fact that I still don’t know how. Or maybe it comes from the fact that the story itself is kinda lame.

[Angela Batten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, sweet enjoyable read.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazed how Patterson fit an action filled novel within only 144 pages...but he succeeded!!!!

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Until recently, James Patterson only published around 2-3 books per month, leaving people to wonder: "What the heck am I supposed to read in the meantime?"
And thus, Bookshots were born.
Now readers can have the privilege of purchasing mediocre novellas from Patterson at $5 a pop--instead of, you know, spending $8 on a collection of several really good novellas from a much better author, like, say, Stephen King.
If I sound annoyed, it's not because CHASE is a bad book per se; it's because I wish Patterson would give up the facade that he's somehow deeply involved in the crafting of all these books, and that a great deal of thought is going into their production.
CHASE is a throwaway Michael Bennett adventure. Is it flat-out bad? No. Is it the very definition of disposable entertainment? Yes. Is it a book worth discussing with friends? No. Is it a good book to read at MacDonald's when you are eating a Big Mac all alone and listening to children screaming in the nearby play area? Yes.
It's not the concept of Bookshots that I have a problem with, it's the idea of giving James Patterson tons more money for doing next to nothing. So, by all means read this book, but I urge you to check it out from the library.

[Nanosynergy · Rating 2 out of 5]

For fans. One of those .5 novella increments popular now in long-running mystery series.

[শুভাগত দীপ · Rating 4 out of 5]

|| রিভিউ ||

বইঃ চেজ
মূলঃ জেমস প্যাটারসন
সহযোগীঃ মাইকেল লেডউইজ
অনুবাদঃ সুস্ময় সুমন
প্রকাশকঃ বাতিঘর প্রকাশনী
প্রকাশকালঃ অক্টোবর, ২০১৯
ঘরানাঃ ক্রাইম থ্রিলার নভেলা/বুকশট
প্রচ্ছদঃ ডিলান
পৃষ্ঠাঃ ৯৬
মুদ্রিত মূল্যঃ ১২০ টাকা
ফরম্যাটঃ হার্ডকভার


কাহিনি সংক্ষেপঃ নিউইয়র্কের ম্যানহাটনের বিলাসবহুল এক ষোলতলা হোটেলের ছাদ থেকে পড়ে মারা গেলো এক অজ্ঞাতনামা ব্যক্তি। মৃত্যুর অনেকক্ষণ পর আবিস্কৃত হলো লোকটার লাশ। খুন, দুর্ঘটনা নাকি আত্মহত্যা? প্রশ্নগুলোর জট ছাড়াতে উপরমহল থেকে কেসটা দেয়া হলো নিউইয়র্ক পুলিশ ডিপার্টমেন্টের চৌকস ডিটেকটিভ মাইকেল বেনেটকে।

মেডিক্যাল এক্সামিনারের অফিস থেকে লাশটার পোস্টমর্টেম শেষে অদ্ভুত একটা ব্যাপার আবিস্কৃত হলো৷ মারা যাওয়া লোকটার পাকস্থলীতে পাওয়া গেলো একটা কাগজ, যাতে লেখা আছে কয়েকটা সংখ্যা। ব্যাপারটা দুর্বোধ্য নিঃসন্দেহে। আরো রহস্য সৃষ্টি করলো লাশটা, যখন জানা গেলো বেশ কয়েক বছর আগে ইরাকে প্লেন ক্র‍্যাশে নিহত এক পাইলটের ফিঙ্গারপ্রিন্টের সাথে মিলে যাচ্ছে সদ্য পাওয়া লাশের ফিঙ্গারপ্রিন্ট।

ডিটেকটিভ মাইকেল বেনেট যখন কেসটার তদন্ত নিয়ে ব্যস্ত তখন একটা বিষয় খেয়াল করলো সে। কারো কাছ থেকেই কোন সাহায্য পাচ্ছেনা বলতে গেলে। কোন এক অজানা কারণে সমস্ত পথ যেন রুদ্ধ হয়ে যাচ্ছে। এদিকে অজানা কোন শত্রুপক্ষ নজর রেখে চলেছে বেনেটের ওপর। সত্যটা কি শেষমেষ অজানাই থেকে যাবে? একটা অজ্ঞাতনামা লাশের ব্যাপারে তথ্য উদঘাটন করতে গিয়ে একটা পর্যায়ে নিজের জীবন নিয়েই টানাটানি লেগে গেলো ডিটেকটিভের।


পাঠ প্রতিক্রিয়াঃ জেমস প্যাটারসনের মাইকেল বেনেট বিষয়ক বুকশট বা থ্রিলার নভেলা 'চেজ' লিখতে তাঁকে সহায়তা করেছেন মাইকেল লেডউইজ। মাত্র ৯৬ পৃষ্ঠার এই বইয়ের প্রথম অধ্যায় থেকেই দানা বাঁধছিলো উত্তেজনা ও রহস্য। এনওয়াইপিডি-এর ডিটেকটিভ মাইকেল বেনেটের দৃষ্টিকোণ থেকেই শুধু না, আরো কয়েকটা দৃষ্টিকোণ থেকে দেখানো হয়েছে 'চেজ'-এর ঘটনাগুলোকে। এই ব্যাপারটা ভালো লেগেছে।

ছোট্ট একটা পরিসরে জেমস প্যাটারসন ও মাইকেল লেডউইজ একটা গল্প বলেছেন যেখানে ডিটেইলিংয়ের বেশ কমতি ছিলো। বিশেষ করে উচ্চপদস্থ কর্তৃপক্ষের ওপর কিভাবে প্রতিপক্ষের লোকেরা প্রভাব খাটাচ্ছিলো সেই ব্যাপারটা আমার কাছে ক্লিয়ার হয়নি। অবশ্য 'চেজ' একটা থ্রিলার নভেলা যেহেতু, এটাকে নভেলা হিসেবে রাখতে গিয়েই ডিটেইলিং বাদ দেয়া হতে পারে। তবে এক বসায় পড়ে ফেলার জন্য 'চেজ' দারুন একটা বই। জেমস প্যাটারসনের বুকশটগুলো সবই বোধহয় তাই।

সুস্ময় সুমনের অনুবাদ ভালো লেগেছে। সহজ ও সাবলীল ছিলো অনুবাদের ধরণ। মৌলিকের পাশাপাশি নিয়মিত তাঁর কাছ থেকে অনুবাদ পাবো আশা করছি৷ বেশ কিছু টাইপিং মিসটেক চোখে পড়েছে। মূল বই অবল��্বনে করা 'চেজ'-এর প্রচ্ছদ মোটামুটি ভালোই লেগেছে।


ব্যক্তিগত রেটিংঃ ৩.৮৫/৫
গুডরিডস রেটিংঃ ৩.৭৬/৫

© শুভাগত দীপ

(৯ মার্চ, ২০২০, সকাল ১০ টা ৫৪ মিনিট; নিজ রুম, নাটোর)

[Plum-crazy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical JP - just in short format (115 pages) This opens with a man falling from a hotel roof but supercop Michael Bennett is brought in when the fingerprints reveal the dead man is not who he first seemed to be - but I'll say no more as it's a short book & to do so will give away all the plot!

In short, it's a fast paced tale - for a quick read it sure packs in the action - & the "reason" behind the death is revealed at the end by one of the bad guys/crooks. A decent quick read....(but the fact that Bennett has 10 kids still bugs me!)

[Anna Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective Bennett has a puzzling case, the dead man was KIA a number of years before and it's definitely not a suicide. So why was he killed and who did it? Bennett is a fly by the seat of his pants cop and takes risks that seem unrealistic.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love these short fast based book shots by James Patterson.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally!!!!!!!!!! James Patterson has found the best form for his stories------ in the form of a short story.