Red Alert

NYPD Red #5

by James Patterson, Marshall Karp

In the city where crime never sleeps, neither does NYPD Red.

NYPD Red is the elite, hard charging, investigative task force called in only for New York City's most high-profile crimes. Detective Zach Jordan is the best of the best, a brilliant and tireless detective. He puts professionalism above all, ignoring his feelings for his partner Kylie MacDonald, the woman who broke his heart when they first met at the police academy. After solving a brutal string of murders during the Hollywood on Hudson film festival, the scandalous hazmat killer case, the mysterious kidnapping of a billionaire businessman's son, and a shocking jewel heist at a Manhattan movie premiere, Zach and Kylie return to face the most dangerous criminal of their careers.

NYPD RED 5 is the next sensational thriller by James Patterson, the man Lee Child hails as an "amazing natural storytelling talent."

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

338 pages, Hardcover

First published March 26, 2018

About the author

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

Reviews

[Suzzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5*

This is my favorite NYPD Red story yet. The crime plots in this one all thoroughly gripped me, whereas most times one of the plots will really be interesting me and the other ones, I would not be as into. In this installment all of them entertained me, though the Davenport case was my favorite of the plots. This would have been a five star review for me, but Kylie was pretty obnoxious. I feel like she is pushing the buttons with Zach to the point of jeopardizing his personal relationship with Cheryl. In my opinion, she is trying to stir up drama (plane trip scenario). It just annoyed me to the point that I had to take half a star off.

My quick and simple overall: very awesome and only took a few hours to read because I did not want to put it down!

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detectives Kylie MacDonald and Zach Jordan were members of the elite NYPD Red task force and were in protection mode for the city’s mayor at the charity event when the bomb went off, killing one of the millionaires as he was about to give a powerpoint presentation. Hussling the mayor out of danger, they then went into full cop mode – until they were called across town to the death of a filmmaker.

NYPD Red’s lives were about to get much more complicated as they chased down killers in two separate cases. What Kylie and Zach uncovered in their investigations would lead to multiple players, with underground drug cartels, corruption in the highest levels of society and danger to anyone who came close. But would they expose the killers?

NYPD Red 5 (5th in the series) by James Patterson is another gritty thriller that kept me guessing as I raced through the pages. With the author’s usual short chapters (which I love) the novel was an easy read which I thoroughly enjoyed. Highly recommended.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Working to continue their successful series, James Patterson and Marshall Karp return with a fifth novel in the NYPD Red series. The premise of NYPD Red is to protect or investigate the city’s most elite, offering a protective barrier from the masses. Detectives Zach Jordan and Kylie MacDonald are well versed with the job and have seen almost everything the city has to offer. While serving as part of the mayor’s security detail, Jordan and MacDonald witness a bomb explode at a fundraiser, killing one man and sending shrapnel all over. Working with few leads and at a significant disadvantage, Jordan and MacDonald try to find answers where none exist. As they are headed home, awaiting some of the evidence to be processed, the detectives are called to the scene of another potential crime. A high-profile New Yorker known for her kinky sexual interests may have died during auto-erotic asphyxiation, though there are a few indications that the safety measures were not in place and she was murdered. Dog-tired and unable to piece anything together, Jordan and MacDonald agree to meet after a few hours’ rest, when they can think straight. Upon returning somewhat rejuvenated, they learn that wiring at the scene is the trademark of a well-known Aussie bomber who has been locked away in a Thai prison for over a decade. Soon another bomb explodes and all hell breaks loose. While Jordan and MacDonald try to make sense of it all, their ‘sensual’ case gains legs when a video surfaces involving the victim and a respected judge with a request for blackmail money. The judge seems not to care, proud that he’s been caught on tape but NYPD Red cannot let this go without some action. A bumbling attempt to pay the random and trap the killer goes wrong, but there is little time to waste, as a new lead sends Jordan and MacDonald to the other side of the world for some interviews they never thought possible. With two key crimes on their plate and the mayor screaming for closure on both cases, NYPD Red will so whatever it takes to up their solve rate, even if it costs them their jobs. Patterson and Karp are brilliant in their delivery and series fans will surely love this story that does not let up until the final page.

I have long been a fan of the series and feel this is one that Patterson has done well over the last few years. The delivery is both succinct and detailed at the same time, keeping the reader engaged and guessing as the cases unfold. As always our protagonist detectives offer up their witty repartee while also finding themselves in the middle of some personal development. The platonic and sexual tension builds throughout and keeps the reader wondering if something will happen and both sides will finally acknowledge what has been brewing for so long (and was in place for a while). The secondary characters keep the crimes charged and permit the reader to see the cases develop in unique ways, allowing the story to ebb and flow as needed. Newer crimes and unique presentations keep the story from going stale. Patterson’s trademark short chapters allows the reader to push through this piece in short order, keeping them entertained without being too fanciful. Karp does well in the collaboration and the reader can surely hope for more in the coming years by these two, who have a wonderful series that continues to gain momentum.

Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and Karp, for another great addition to the series. I hope to see more in the series soon, which seemed to take a hiatus for a while.

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

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[~Bellegirl91~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

*after 3 times reading/listening to this, I officially give it 5 stars*


ORIGINAL REVIEW
KYLIE: "Zach, you know what I hate about this job?"

ZACH: "A**-kissing. But on the plus side, you're getting very good at it."


first off, it's been awhile since I've had some music playing in the background while I write a book review and I've been in a HUGE mood for Keith Urban's GRAFFITI U album and so, thank you Alexa for playing this amazing album while I write this review but also cause I'm too lazy to hook up my phone to my blue-tooth speaker haha. it's also a good thing no none's around in my kitchen cause I'm dancing really weird and singing off key so yeah... which idc about the off key thing UNLESS I have to sing for something. but in general, I'm singing off key for fun ;) (despite being a singer even though I think I suck haha)

ONTO THE REVIEW:

Okay so after NYPD Red 4 came out January of 2016, and after A LONG TIME of no news of a 5th book because of all the open holes, I was STOKED and so excited to read this 5th book last year when it was announced to come out last March. BUT it changed to the end of March this year and I was PISSED of course. But after waiting a year and two months PLUS an additional month in a half of being on the library hold list for this book, I can say it was worth the wait.



WHY 3 1/2 STARS WHEN I REALLY LIKED ALL THE OTHERS

Now, 3 stars is good for me in my rating system which is an "okay" but still enjoyable enough. the storyline just wasn't perfectly as executed as I would have liked it to be, but it was still a fun read. There were a few things I thought were kind of random, and felt like one of the stories with the second case Zach and Kylie had to take on was unnecessary and the story of Zach looking up a particular person without a friends consent (only to protect them) was an okay add on, but three separate stories, plus having to go out of the country for 5-6 chapters or so... it felt like Patterson and Karpp didn't know what to do with this story, but it's a good thing they've created great and fun detectives: Zach Jordan and Kylie MacDonald. I seriously freaking LOVE these two! so they pretty much saved this story for me.

but I guess overall, it wasn't quite my favorite, but still a fun read and I DID find myself laughing and grinning from ear to ear once in awhile which is a good thing. But I'm still hoping we get at least one more or a few other book in this series or better yet, as I keep saying a crime show with Zach and Kylie just cause they're seriously two of the greatest characters and I'm so glad I picked this series up back when book 2 was just about to come out years ago. I would seriously LOVE LOVE LOOOOVE to see these characters and a few others in here come to life on screen on a tv series. it would be so much fun!

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Typical Patterson of late. Not continually exciting. Thanks to the end, just ok. 4 of 10 stars

[Book Addict Shaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Patterson’s NYPD Red series is another favourite of mine and is something different given that it focuses on police officers who are tasked with protecting New York’s elite. It’s hard to believe that this is the fifth book in the series already. It was an enjoyable read and without doubt one of my favourites in the series so far. I love Zach and Kylie and felt that the storyline here was one of the best out of the five books.

As is usually the case with a James Patterson novel, there’s multiple different story arcs to contend with and thankfully it didn’t become too confusing. The rich and famous of New York are gathered at a public event when a bomb goes off, a bomb designed to kill only one person. With the mayor also being at this event, it becomes one of the most high-profile cases of Zach and Kylie’s careers and needless to say their superiors want it solved ASAP. Meanwhile on Roosevelt Island a well-known film producer is found dead and our duo at NYPD Red soon have their work cut out for them working these two cases.

One thing that has always been prominent in this series is the political element to NYPD Red. Here in NYPD Red 5 we see Zach questioning just what their role is in protecting the elite and also the everyday public of the city. Do their superiors want justice or do they just want the crimes solved in any way possible? It makes for an uncomfortable read in places and features some hateful characters who make you sit and think about whether that justice should be served or not. It’s easy to see why they were targeted and why somebody would want revenge against them and it leaves a sour taste in the mouths of the two detectives who must work alongside these people to find out who was responsible.

I enjoyed following along with the various cases, and enjoyed that our duo had a brief sojourn in another country which added a new dynamic to the story. In the case of the murdered film-producer, we have a timely case in the wake of the #MeToo movement and this is a storyline that could have been lifted straight from the newspapers. It makes for shocking reading and allows a gripping tale to play out on the page with a few twists and turns along the way. Both storylines here are very strong and had me gripped. There’s a lot going on in NYPD Red 5 and it was a whole lot of fun reading it all. Returning readers will know about the relationship between Zach and Kylie and whilst it should be stale by now, there’s some developments here that may finally offer that closure that was needed. As characters go they are two of my favourites to read about. NYPD Red 5 is a great addition to this series that I hope we will still be reading into double figures. It was one of my favourites in the series so far and I can’t wait to read the next one.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I’ve been a very long time fan of Patterson’s books, both his standalones and his many series (Alex Cross, Michael Bennett, Lindsey Boxer, I’ve read them all) I made the switch from reading his physical books to listening solely on audio a couple of years ago. It kind of happened by accident, I was browsing Overdrive for a new listen and grabbed the latest Women’s Murder Club installment and realized what an amazing narrator January LaVoy is. All of that to say, having now listened to several of Patterson’s books I have to tell you guys that he has THE best narrators I’ve come across, and Ballerini is no exception. I say that because I know many people don’t enjoy audiobooks for various reasons but if you ever wanna give one a try just grab any Patterson one and I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

The Red series follows partners Zack and Kylie who work as part of the NYPD and their unique task force is assigned cases pertaining to the rich and famous. These two have a history that always seems to come in play at some point even though their past was several years ago, you never quite know what’s going on between them at any given moment. They have an undeniable chemistry and their banter is on point, it’s snappy and funny and lightens the mood in an endearing way.

Per his usual style the author(s) have included several subplots that keep things moving at a rapid pace. There’s a bombing at a high profile event, the murder of a controversial filmmaker and a robbery at a high stakes poker game among other things, plenty to keep you on your toes, I can’t say I was ever bored for one minute.

Again, Ballerini is an incredibly talented narrator, I don’t know if I would be enjoying this series as much as I have been if I was reading myself, he has an engaging voice that also demands to be heard, it’s fantastic!

Red Alert in three words: Explosive, Interesting and Exciting.

[Kirsty ❤️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

James Patterson churns out so many books throughout the year that sometimes it's hard to keep up. So far I've not managed to read any of the NYPD Red series. 

I didn't mind the story but I'm not sure I like the characters. Neither of them seemed overly sympathetic and they had a real abrasive way of talking. I think (and I may be wrong) that it's just the New York accent but I'm sure that most New Yorkers don't always sound so harsh. I wanted more variety in the speech, some emotions now and again. 

The story itself is short and sharp with Patterson's typical short chapter style (I know nothing of the other author so it's hard to comment). A series of bombs going off killing a set of rich friends and a murdered woman who's video is used to blackmail a judge. There's no real mystery here as the as the blackmailers are quickly identified. As is the bomber. It's then a (short) race to capture him. 

Because the book is so short I felt there could have been so much more added to make it richer. I think it's more a quick read for the beach than anything. Overall not bad but doesn't stand out as anything different from any of the other works. 

Free arc from netgalley

[Lo9man88 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best book in the series so far with a solid plot and very interesting subplots.
The main story involves several murders by the means of surgical explosions committed by a freaking American muay thai champion who was betrayed by his friends and wrongfully imprisoned for 20 years in Thailand , then there is the sex addict who gets murdered during auto-erotic asphyxiation , a lecherous old judge who gets blackmailed by a sex tape , a high poker game robbery... So there was never a dull moment in this read, add to it Zack and Kylie's shenanigans and you get yourself a very decent book .

[(NurseLisa) Square Granny from Ohio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad ... 3.5 stars.

[Monnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars, actually

I've gone on record at least two other times with the opinion that this may be the best of the many series by James Patterson and his co-author du jour (in this case, Marshall Karp). And nothing in this one made me change my mind. It moves along quickly, serves up a few surprises all the way to the end and enough humor to hold my attention throughout.

NYPD Red is an elite task force that caters to the rich, famous, and those who are both but prefer no one else to know about it. Sometimes - as it does here - that means detective-partners Zach Jordan and Kylie MacDonald often have to suck it up to placate stratospheric egos and play down what's really happening. Such is the case here, when a big explosion hits a hoity-toity benefit gathering at a fancy hotel that leaves a big-wig dead (and narrowly misses New York's mayor). Then comes the next body - a female who's heavily into the sadomasochistic sex scene - is a little less high priority to the Red team (and most certainly to their boss) until they identify some of her high-profile partners.

As faithful readers of the series already know, Zach and Kylie once had a fling, but now they're content, or so it seems, with new loves: Zach with a beautiful psychiatrist and Kylie with a guy Zach isn't so sure about. Since Zach's torch for Kylie hasn't been fully extinguished, he's determined to make sure Kylie hasn't picked a pig in a poke.

So we have three totally different cases, all requiring a ton of the kind of investigating that have made Zach's and Kylie's reputations as a top-notch, go-to team. All get resolved in one way or another by the end; the only issue I had (and the reason for knocking my rating down half a star) is that there are so many characters that it was a bit of a challenge for my aging brain to remember which ones belonged to which case and why. Still, I survived the experience with a smile on my face - ready and waiting for the next installment.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

NYPD Red 5 is also known as Red Alert (NYPD Red 5). NYPD Red 5 is about revenge, greed, blackmail and jealousy. One night while Detectives Zach Jordan and Kylie MacDonald of the NYPD Red Task Force provided security to the Mayor a bomb went off killing one person and was the bomb terrorism or start of something more sinister. Detectives Zach Jordan and Kylie MacDonald had to hurry to find the perpetrator before more people died. The readers of NYPD Red 5 will follow the twist and turns of Detectives Zach Jordan and Kylie MacDonald investigation to see what happens.

I love reading books in this series, and NYPD Red 5 did not disappoint. As always James Patterson and Marshall Karp know how to keep me engaged with their plots. I like James Patterson and Marshall Karp portrayal of their characters and how they interact with each other. NYPD Red 5 is well written and researched by James Patterson and Marshall Karp. I did not expect the conclusion of NYPD Red 5. James Patterson and Marshall Karp did an excellent job in describing the setting of NYPD Red
5.

The readers of NYPD Red 5 will learn about procedures and the relationship between law enforcement and the Mayor. Also, the readers of NYPD Red 5 will see that revenge and blackmail do not always pay in the way you excepted.

I recommend this book.

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red Alert starts off with a big bang; a more fitting title would be, “Red Hot.” Yes friends, it starts you off with a big dose of kinky fun in hopes of getting you relaxed and comfortable for the ride ahead. 5 stars

[Carol Jones-Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a long time since I've read a Red Alert (NYPD, #5). It was overall quite entertaining, and I felt I was among old friends.

Detectives Zach Jordan and Kylie MacDonald return as NYPD Red. They investigate a murder at the Silver Bullet Foundation’s elite dinner where it plans to announce its new public housing project. Then they find the body of a woman filmmaker; later another of the Foundation’s founders is murdered.

As if that weren’t enough for the two detectives, they are drawn into a robbery at a high-stakes, private poker game. Could one of the players be involved in the heist? And are Zach’s suspicions about one of the players valid? At the same time, as the body count rises, can Zach and Kylie find the answers they need to capture the murderer and put an end to the killings?

In this, the fifth outing for the Red task force, the cases are intriguing and all the expected players are in place. The glimpses into the private lives of both detectives add depth to the story, but their usual witty repartee comes off as a bit too mean-spirited and, at times, rather cringeworthy.
I'm late to the party for this series of books from James Patterson, but that doesn't mean I was disappointed in not having know about them. I just need to keep my eyes open better for future books in the series.

NYPD Red is a specialized unit of Detectives in the New York Police Department who are tasked with solving crimes that involve or revolve around the wealthy, politically connected, or just plain old celebrities. In other words these Detectives and their Captain need to know how to handle the elite and their harsh personalities.

In this first book of the series the city of New York is trying it's best to lure the Movie and Television Industry to come to New York and make more flicks there instead of in Hollywood. Unfortunately a disgruntled and disturbed individual wants to sabotage the week of events scheduled. So, this person sets about to start murdering people who are wealthy, connected and part of the Hollywood scene.

In typical Patterson trademark fashion, the chapters are short, there’s plenty of action, and the suspense is continually building. As the tension mounts, the stories unfold; unexpected revelations ramp up the tension and keep those pages turning. Readers are likely to find it difficult to set this quick read aside before reaching the final page.
At first it seems like just one murder, but as the bodies pile up the NYPD Red team his overdrive to try and solve the crimes.

There are a bunch of little sub-plots that run through the novel involving the two main detectives, Detective Jordan and Detective McDonald. It seems they have a past dating relationship and that causes some issues. BUT, they are the top two Detectives in New York and they have a very unorthodox way of solving crimes, they break the rules!

Having worked with police officers as a police chaplain I found the descriptions of the characters very accurate and reasonable even though people might think Patterson has exaggerated them a bit.

Will Jordan and McDonald be able to stop this crusader / murderer before he or she can kill hundreds? That's the question and the heart stopping action will keep you reading

Decent Read. Recommend

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

NYPD Red is one of Patterson’s lesser-known mystery series about two detectives - Zach Jordan and Kylie MacDonald – who are a special investigative team focused on serving and protecting the rich and elite of New York city. In typical Patterson style, Zach and Kylie were also former lovers coming out of the police academy years ago and Zach has never stopped loving her, even though Kylie has sworn off ever dating a cop again. Because they work so close together, the sexual tension adds to the aura of their working relationship and is optimistically used as a tool to keep the reader’s interest.

In “Red Alert”, the fifth book in the series, the reader is hit with three fast-moving plotlines. First, a well-known documentary female filmmaker is killed in a desolate part of New York City while participating in an erotic act gone terribly wrong. Second, while Zach and Kylie are forced to serve as bodyguards for the Mayor at a major charity fundraiser at The Pierre’s Cotillion Room, a bomb explodes killing the presenter and several people around hm. Third, an experienced Judge is being blackmailed for an evening he spent with a younger lady that he assumed was a prostitute, but now discovers is the same filmmaker who was killed.

Zach and Kylie spend their days and nights racing around New York trying to solve all three of these crimes. They literally go without sleep and move from one scene to another in such breakneck speed that almost want to scream aloud for it to slow down. I almost laughed out loud as Zach and Kylie go without sleep for days on end before they tire out. It seems like the two of them are more witnesses to the events occurring around them then active detectives analyzing the clues and solving the crimes themselves.

Overall, this is one of the typical Patterson collaborations where there is too way too many plots and much less less character development. I don’t know whether that is a good thing or bad thing to admit, but I get Patterson’s books from the library because I don’t find him good enough to buy and keep in my library. He’s mind candy – simple, fast-paced, detective and mystery-oriented adventures that can be read in about two to three days and then easily left behind. Nice escapism, but nothing super memorable.

After reading this latest Zach and Kylie outing my patience is growing thin. Most of their cases don’t really keep my interest for very long. The primary reason that kept me reading this series was waiting for Zach and Kylie to get together. But true be told, the longer the series goes on, the more I am losing interest in their relationship, and the less I am liking Kylie’s character. Over the last several books she has become an incredibly selfish and whining individual, who spends most of her time teasing Zach relentlessly. Although Zach isn’t necessarily the sharpest tool in the shed, I am starting to think that he deserves better than being teased and taunted by such a selfish and overbearing person. Truth be told, If things don’t change in the next outing or two, I will probably drop this series from my reading list…

[Amanda McGill · Rating 3 out of 5]

For full review - The Limit of Books Does Not Exist

A few years ago, I really enjoyed reading James Patterson’s novels, especially the Women’s Murder Club series. Then after 10 or so books, they got a bit repetitive and I mostly stopped reading them. The first NYPD Red came out in 2012 and I loved the concept. A detective series based on the crimes that happened to New York’s rich and famous elite. Now that’s it the fifth novel, I’m getting a bit tired of the series, but it was a perfect pool side read!

In typical Patterson fashion there are 3 crimes that our favourite NYPD Red detectives (Zach and Kylie) need to solve. First, a bomb goes off at a high profile event where the mayor was attending. One person is killed, but were they the intended target? On the same night, a filmmaker is found dead in a sex act gone wrong. Then, there is a poker game where robberies got hundreds of thousands of dollars. However, the host is hoping the robbery will go quickly away.

Sometimes I don’t love it when there are so many story lines during a story, but I think it mostly worked here. It was easy to follow the different crimes and the suspects for each. I enjoyed the filmmaker’s story the most and was totally surprised by the killer!

[Tracy P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #5 is actually my first venture into the NYPD series and it was much better than expected. Kylie and Zach are partners on the police force and have what I describe as a well honed ying/yang dynamic going on between them.
Kylie has a tough as nails approach to suspects, co-workers and anyone who rubs her even a little bit the wrong way. - Zach (on the other hand) is not as headstrong as Kylie and better suited as the voice of reason and negotiator - these differences helped them develop a strong, (usually) well balanced professional relationship with a deep respect and admiration for the other.
Have to mention I cannot get enough of Kylie's quick wittedness and nonstop quips. Priceless! Looking forward to much more of her antics - not to mention she is one phenomenal cop - taking no guff. . .period.
Onto book #1 now and hope to continue in order through #4. . . 🤞🏼

[Melliane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

Mon avis en français

My English review

I really like James Patterson’s novels, he writes thrillers that keep us in suspense, all with very short chapters, so you read the story in no time. So you can imagine that I was very happy to get into this new novel.

This novel is the fifth volume of a series I didn’t know about and I must say I was curious to discover it. Zach and Kylie, two cops, are going to be put to the test trying to solve two murders: the first one, that of a young woman, a BDSM fan, who was strangled to death, and the second one, that of a man killed during a big charity gala by a bomb. Two different stories, and yet, whose truth will not be easy to find.

I had a good time overall with the story, but I think I really lacked the storylines of the other novels to understand it all, because many things were still a bit fuzzy. Apart from that, I really enjoyed finding out who did it and why, because it was a real surprise for me. The duet Zach / Kylie is quite nice and I liked very much also the psychiatrist girlfriend.

In short, a nice novel, but I advise you to read the previous novels first.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the first chapter, a filmmaker with an addiction to rough sex games is murdered in the act. In the second chapter, a bomb blows up a wealthy architect who is giving a presentation on new housing for the indigent. Could these 2 murders be related and who wanted to kill them? That's what New York Detective Zach Jordan and his partner Kylie MacDonald must find out.

I thought Red Alert was one of the better James Patterson novels that I've read recently. The book read very quickly, as all Patterson novels do, and I was constantly entertained. I was engaged because I like to see glimpses of how the rich live and reading about it is the closest I'll ever get. On page 76, Zach makes an observation about how much material is available on the lives of those that are killed: "People with no money love to read about people who have mountains of it." Yep, that sums it up for me.

I also enjoyed the interactions between the two partners who are past lovers. Zach has a wonderful new relationship with the police psychologist but still seems to be too interested in Kylie's love life. I wonder where the author is going to take this in future books.

[Tala · Rating 5 out of 5]

So if you know me well enough you will know how much of a die hard James Patterson fan I am... yes I am that person who reads all of his books and even though they aren't as good as the original first few were I still can't help but love them.

NYPD Red 5 is the fifth instalment in the NYPD series which is one of my favourite series by Patterson. Following detectives Zach Jordan and Kylie McDonald. Like any crime fighting police genre style books, it contains a fast paced action packed plot of a killer who served time in the most notorious jail murdering those who have done him wrong.

Only Zach and Kylie can figure it out. While they are doing that they are also trying to figure out their personal lives as well as Zach being scorned by Kylie for dumping him in the previous book after her failed marriage.

These books are quick and easy, and worth reading when your in need of something fast paced.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This the 5th in the NYPD Red series and a welcome addition, indeed. It's always a joy to catch up with a cast of characters I've come to 'know' and enjoy. The NYPD Red is an elite group thats sole job is to take care of New York's wealthiest residents. This story definitely was not short on multi millionaires. Good book with a very interesting outcome.

[Melissa Lenahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series. I don’t think I’ve read a James Patterson book I didn’t like.

[Tiffany Mercer · Rating 5 out of 5]

He is such a fantastic author. I don’t know how he keeps finding content and continues writing SJ but great stories after all these years. I love the humor sprinkled throughout and of course the edge of my seat murder mysteries!

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Patterson's books aren't literary works, but each one is guaranteed to deliver a high body count and lots of action. I hadn't read the previous books in this series, but that didn't matter, it was easy to follow and the characters had an easy banter that made the story easy to follow.

Bombings, strangulation. burglary, extortion, private jets and a city in turmoil, Red Alert is another explosive read from the king of thrillers. Never a dull moment.

[Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this a couple of days ago but didn't get an opportunity to write this review.
So here it is now.

Marshall Karp strikes again!
I don't think any writer in this whole wide world can write crime like Karp does! He weaves such brilliant characters and laces their lives with such humor that you can't help both loving them and empathizing with them.
Zach, Kylie and Cheryl are my second most favorite set of protagonists he has created. (The first being Lomax, Biggs, Sophie and Big Jim from his Lomax and Biggs series!)
I love how he cleverly makes the plot look convoluted and gives the characters' professional and personal lives a nice jolt and a shake and then helps them put the pieces back together one at a time. But that's what writing is all about, right?
Karp's writing is quirky and fast-paced, giving you huge laughs and snickers as you go about reading the morbidly gruesome details about murder.
Literally, no one does it better!

[Jackie · Rating 2 out of 5]

James Patterson is the Danielle Steel of mysteries, which is to say he writes flat characters, repetitive points and hilariously unreal dialogue and makes millions for it. This book was trash. All the villains immediately confessed as soon as they were asked to come with the police. They are all super rich. Surely they know a lawyer who could throw out the case because none of them were read their Miranda rights, but they all seemed like Scooby Doo villains who were content to give up the game as soon as they were caught. I knew the moment he was introduced who the murderer was, and oh boy, I was right! The male cop is in love with the female cop because they can’t just be coworkers. They let the guy who murdered four people walk away because the people he murdered were bad. Honestly, you’d do better watching an episode of SVU; you’d get a more realistic and interesting plot, and Ice-T saying something dumb to boot. Will not be reading another Patterson novel.

[Mahoghani 23 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Witty in a satirical way. There's a mad bomber on the loose. He's only targeting 4 men who caused him imprisonment for 20 years. Another case involves the murder of a woman using erotic asphyxiation. The final case is a robbery of a $800,000 poker game. Detectives Jordan and McDonald have their hands full. Their kissing up to the rigbt people and things are not going favorably in either case.

Enjoyable and witty with normal police jargon and humor. The new characters brings a new diversion to the storyline. The one thing about this book I didn't enjoy was the chemistry still brooding between Zach & Kylie. Resolve it already and move on. Otherwise, a very good read for groups ranging from 17 and above.

[Megan Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

A renowned documentary filmmaker is found dead on the same night a homemade bomb explodes at a charity benefit. Enter Zach Jordan and Kylie MacDonald of NYPD Red, an elite force called in exclusively for New York’s most high-profile crimes. Racing against the clock to investigate both cases, the team uncover corruption, blackmail and vengeance that would shock the most hardened New Yorkers. Zach and Kylie must get results quickly in an investigation that takes them all the way to Thailand.  
It is always great to be back with Zach and Kylie, they always have exciting, dangerous crimes to investigate plus I love them as characters and reading about their relationship is guaranteed entertainment. This started off no different, with literal explosions and plenty of excitement and I was eager to get stuck in to their latest investigation. However, disappointingly this petered off just after the middle section and something very rare happened, I started to get bored with the plot. Not much happened and the plot became a bit stale and uninteresting. This did not last too long and before the end of the book, Patterson ramped the energy back up and there were some more exciting moments, nonetheless I found myself a bit disappointed with this latest NYPD Red instalment.
One of the reasons I love NYPD Red as a series, is for the characters of Zach and Kylie, in ‘NYPD Red 5’ we see their personal relationship with each other and with their romantic partners change, it was nice to read and refreshing and meant we see more character development from them. It is always great to have a bit of their personal lives included as they are so likeable so it was a welcome addition.
Overall, ‘NYPD Red 5’ is a good instalment in their series, just not Patterson at his very best but I still eagerly await their next investigation.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was good but not the best.

I love this series and I really love Zach and Kylie. I found all the mystery aspects of this series great but again the subplot of their relationship is getting old and annoying. It's not a romance mystery so either put them as a couple or let them really fall for someone else. Not this I love this woman I'm with for now but I'll get caught daydreaming about Kylie and how much I still love her or Kylie talking to a new guy but still thinking of Zach while in the middle of a conversation with her new love interest. I'm over that whole thing.

Other then that the mystery part is amazing

[David Pyrlik · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great read. James Patterson never let's me down with his amazing story telling style.