Private: The Royals

Private #12.5

by James Patterson

God save the Queen-only Private can save the Royal Family.
Private is the most elite detective agency in the world. But when kidnappers threaten to execute a Royal Family member in front of the Queen, Jack Morgan and his team have just 24 hours to stop them. Or heads will roll...literally. BookShots
LIGHTNING-FAST STORIES BY JAMES PATTERSON
Novels you can devour in a few hours Impossible to stop reading All original content from James Patterson

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Crime, Audiobook, Short Stories, Mystery Thriller

161 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2016

About the author

Official US Site
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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 4 out of 5]

This was a very entertaining BookShot. Only takes a couple hours to read but you will be completely amused by the story. A missing royal, an awesome combo in Knight and Morgan, and a crazy twist in the story adds up to a great couple hours.

My quick and simple overall: a fast-paced couple hours of reading that will leave you more entertained than you expect.

[Jason · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favourite of the BookShots; found it hard to follow all the different characters in a story this short.

On to the next!

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

That book was quiet a good story. I think I like the book shots.

[Jennifer (Jaye) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Riveting*

This was a short story and one that I would definitely revisit again. The book was better because the audio used an American narrator and the British accent was a challenge for him. This time the ingredients were much better and I wished it was longer but it wrapped up nicely.

In this instalment Jack Morgan, the owner of the most successful investigation company in the world, with many bureaus across the globe is in London. He is attending a bash on the eve of the Trooping the Colour Parade, this celebration is for the
Queen’s 90th birthday. All goes well until he receives a call from the Duke of Aldershot regarding a kidnapping. Jack with Peter Knight his London branch leader go to work.

There are twists and turns and it is jam packed, they soon realise all is not what it seems. Jack does not like being hoodwinked. There is a mad dash at the end with crazy stunts but it is satisfying. It could have been longer for me to add more details but as it was a short story I got it.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is it me or is Jack Morgan turning into Captain Kirk? A different woman every book! 😆

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, action packed. A classic James Patterson novel.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another BookShot pulls readers into the world of Jack Morgan and his Private establishment. Back in London, Morgan is liaising with his London office and its head,Peter Knight. When a call comes from the Duke of Aldershot, Morgan and Knight follow-up, only to learn that the Duke's daughter, Abbie, has been kidnapped. Abbie is a royal wild child, known for her headline-hogging antics, usually tied into alcohol and drugs, after a humble childhood. With a random demand of £30 million by 11 the following morning, Private has little time to act and Abbie's bodyguard is also missing. With a significant amount of blood at the scene, there is a possibility that both are already dead, though Private cannot give up up. When the Duke receives another call from the kidnapper, they vow to kill Abbie and let her head roll during the famed Trooping the Colour parade, should there be any delays. The Duke is panic-stricken and Morgan calls on a potential Private new recruit to show her abilities. Major Jane Cook uses her military abilities to posit who the kidnapper might be, finding clues related to a member of the service. When Private begins piecing things together, there is something about this kidnapping that makes no sense, leaving Morgan to question the entire affair. With Abbie still missing, the hunt heats up and Private is racing against the clock to find Abbie and save the image of the Royal Family. Well worth the invested time, particularly for those who enjoy the Private series.

These BookShots are addictive, as this was the second one I completed in as many days. Patterson works with Rees Jones to spin this tale, using some interesting plo lines and a collection of characters who fit in perfectly. Peppering the narrative with mention of the previous Private novel set in London, the reader does not feel this story is disjointed from what has come before. Its quick chapters and to the point storyline, readers can easily devour this story in a single sitting, and most will want to as the pendulum of guilt keeps swinging. With a plethora of BookShots coming down the pipeline, readers should be able to devour stories of all shapes and sizes, no matter the time restrictions their days present.

Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and Jones for an explosive story that fits perfectly within the Private series. A wonderful teaser to lure people into the Private series.

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

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like the PRIVATE novels but wish they were shorter, then I guess this is the "book" for you. Like most Patterson stories, PRIVATE ROYALS reads like the wind but is completely derivative and lazily written. One would be forgiven for thinking it was a hastily novelized script for a forgotten 90's TV show.

[Una Tiers · Rating 2 out of 5]

Way too violent which is not entertaining.

[Mike Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boarder-line 4 star book. Good, short, action packed installment of the Private series. Jack Morgan is front and center which is almost a must for a successful Private book. A member of the royal family is kidnapped, and Jack and Private are on the case. Storyline was solid, although the flirting between Morgan and Major Collins didn't really add to the story. The shorter nature of the book (138 pages) allowed the action and pace to move quickly. A good amount of twists and turns, some I figured out, some I did not. Overall another successful Bookshots for James Patterson and crew.

[Erica Paré · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a very easy and quick read. I enjoyed how Patterson added in detail but not too much where the story drags. I also really liked how they added in Cook, a strong female character, who is able to decipher things passed over by the men in the story. Most of these genre of books involve a strong male presence, so it was a nice change. Would recommend this book to anyone looking to fill a couple hours of their day.

[Melenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. I enjoy the Private series and this book fits right in. I think I enjoyed it better than some others in the series because it didn't have time to get overly complicated as some do. I recommend it even if you're not already familiar with the series as it works as a stand alone.

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick Bookshot read. A royal kidnapped and Private is on the case. Interesting story with a twist.

[TRACY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good bookshot. Unsuspected twist.
Nice to hear more of Jack Morgan in the story.

[Helen Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this is a BookShot, it was very well written! I have always enjoyed the Private Series, and this is probably one of the best stories! It had plenty of action as well as plot twists. It introduced a new character who will probably be in another Private novel. Once I started reading this I couldn't stop until the end of the story.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great. fast paced mystery.... short story.

[Lu · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun mystery that is action packed!

[gwen_is_ reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Summary from Amazon*
Private is the most elite detective agency in the world. But when kidnappers threaten to execute a Royal Family member in front of the Queen, Jack Morgan and his team have just 24 hours to stop them. Or heads will roll...literally.
         That is the best description I could have found for this book.  With a lot of action and a blindingly fast pace this was a fantastic addition both to its series and to the collection of bookshots.  While there are a dozen books before this one, and they do talk about a past case, I feel like there is enough information here that you could read it alone. 
             I have had issue with this series in the past- the full length books like to take on several things at once that loosely tie at the end, but they often make me feel like one aspect or another wasn't given enough time.  I also have a love/hate relationship with the layout.  The premise of the series is that Jack Morgan has bases for Private Investigations in many different countries.  In each book we see a different team- all well and good, but I end up falling for this or that character and could wait years (literally) before I see them again.  For one that falls deeply for character development, this is a special type of pain.  Especially so, since I fell hard for three characters in this book and heaven knows if I will ever see them in other books.  I have hope, though, as at least one has been in past books. 
       I want to judge this book solely on it's own merit, though, and not how I feel about the series in general.  On it's own merit, this book is amazing.  Fast paced, with some great characters (though I must say that a few important characters weren't very well developed...) I had a great time reading this one.  It is everything Patterson wanted when he rolled the bookshots out- lightning fast reads that you just can't put down.  Four stars! 
            On the adult content scale, there is drug use, language, and violence.  It's actually a bit graphic in all three cases, so I am going to give it an eight. 

[Sam Chizauskie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Private The Royals was an entertaining, quick read. The story evolved in true Patterson fashion with athletic feats and gory scenes. Some elements were unbelievable in the “Knick of time” execution.

[Charlotte Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good book by James Patterson and this one was just right for me for the private set where Jack comes to London and sets out about finding a girl

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just average.

[Amanda McGill · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really need to learn my lesson with the Bookshots - no more!

Private Royals is best to be read after Private Games since the short story talks about the events in Private Games (saving the 2012 Olympic games). Without reading Private Games I was very confused on who the characters were and who was employed at Private London.

There wasn't much depth in the novel (it is only 100 pages) and I found that numerous characters blogged down the story. However, I was surprised by the ending and who the kidnapper was.

[Deyth Banger · Rating 4 out of 5]

"September 10, 2017 – Finished Reading
September 9, 2017 –
2.0% "Chapter 4

...

After All it's not so bad"
September 9, 2017 – Started Reading"

- Patterson style is very easy pattern which can be detected... he always hooks up the reader in the beginning also Patterson have plenty of short chapters in his books.

[Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

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I am longing these short stories by Patterson, they are brilliant

[Susan Claxon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book in James Patterson’s Private series. The story was good but a shorter read than his others. His previous Private books have had a couple different mysteries with the characters all working on them. The Royals is only 1 story line.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this Private series. It's suspenseful and dynamic. Great murder mysteries.

[Pauline · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gore does not replace a good plot.

[Emma Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Jerricka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good quick read. Full of drama

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice, easy read. Enjoyed the rapid story unfolding and wrapped up nicely. Will be looking more into the series.