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Detective Luc Moncrief #3
French Twist
Who is killing New York's most beautiful women?
Gorgeous women are dropping dead at upscale department stores in New York City. Detective Luc Moncrief and Detective Katherine Burke are close to solving the mystery, but looks can be deceiving....
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
Gorgeous women are dropping dead at upscale department stores in New York City. Detective Luc Moncrief and Detective Katherine Burke are close to solving the mystery, but looks can be deceiving....
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
100 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 7, 2017
273 people are currently reading
1702 people want to read
About the author
James Patterson
955 books355k 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 247 reviews
October 1, 2017
Call it 3.5 stars (I am feeling generous tonight!)
The advantage to a BookShots binge is that you can get through a variety of stories in short order, picking and choosing the genre or characters without needing to commit for too long. In the recent instalment of the ‘French’ series, I am able to bask in the work of James Patterson and Richard DiLallo, as they bring their Detective Luc Moncrief back for more fun in NYC. Armed with his partner (and potentially a romantic interest), K. Burke, Moncrief is baffled when they are called to investigate the death of a New York socialite while she is out shopping. There is no clear motive or cause of death, though the fact that this is the third death of a wealthy woman in short order has the top brass of the NYPD breathing down their necks. Without a concrete lead, Moncrief and Burke accept an invitation to attend the Kentucky Derby, where they watch the favoured horse come out well ahead of the competition. However, a threatening letter and murdered horse in the stables leaves the owners less than calm and Moncrief is prepared to take the lead on the investigation. With the next major race to be held in Baltimore, Moncrief can still keep an eye on things while returning to New York. Following up on some potential leads, Moncrief and Burke interview the hired help of the three victims, only to learn that these women appear to have nothing in their backgrounds that could cause any issues, but their marriages are anything but iron-clad. It it only when one of the ‘nannies’ is seen purchasing a clear baggie that Burke feels they have to do some reconnaissance of their own. Meanwhile, the Preakness is run and the horse storms out ahead again, leaving only one more race to complete the Triple Crown, an illustrious honour rarely seen in horse racing. With bookmakers tossing massive odds against a clear sweep and the pressure mounting, Moncrief and Burke had better find their killer in the Big Apple, allowing them the chance to watch horse-racing history and watch their favourite equine take a bite out of the competition. An interesting story by this well-established writing duo that will likely leave fans of this series wanting more, though I am not entirely sure if I would mourn the loss of Luc Moncrief and his stuffy-shirt antics.
While I find that James Patterson can be a little hard to stomach, some of the recent BookShots that I have read show potential. DiLallo helps to augment Patterson’s style of short chapters and to the point storylines. The characters remain somewhat annoying to me, particularly Detective Luc Moncrief, who is an annoying detective on loan from the upper echelons of France’s elite police system. Paired with a somewhat down to earth Katherine ‘K’ Burke, they complement (though rarely compliment) one another as they tackle some of the most obscure crimes in NYC. The story is fairly interesting, though Moncrief finds a way to make it seem a little sillier than first presented. Exploring what might be one of the real issues of the glamorous women of the world, the authors take the reader down a few rabbit holes before presenting a plausible and scandalous explanation for the list of victims. Interesting and surely one of the more productive BookShot duos, there is surely much to be said for a full-length novel option involving these two New York detectives.
Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and DiLallo for keeping things interesting throughout. I can only hope that your partnership allows for more collaboration in the near future.
Like/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/...
The advantage to a BookShots binge is that you can get through a variety of stories in short order, picking and choosing the genre or characters without needing to commit for too long. In the recent instalment of the ‘French’ series, I am able to bask in the work of James Patterson and Richard DiLallo, as they bring their Detective Luc Moncrief back for more fun in NYC. Armed with his partner (and potentially a romantic interest), K. Burke, Moncrief is baffled when they are called to investigate the death of a New York socialite while she is out shopping. There is no clear motive or cause of death, though the fact that this is the third death of a wealthy woman in short order has the top brass of the NYPD breathing down their necks. Without a concrete lead, Moncrief and Burke accept an invitation to attend the Kentucky Derby, where they watch the favoured horse come out well ahead of the competition. However, a threatening letter and murdered horse in the stables leaves the owners less than calm and Moncrief is prepared to take the lead on the investigation. With the next major race to be held in Baltimore, Moncrief can still keep an eye on things while returning to New York. Following up on some potential leads, Moncrief and Burke interview the hired help of the three victims, only to learn that these women appear to have nothing in their backgrounds that could cause any issues, but their marriages are anything but iron-clad. It it only when one of the ‘nannies’ is seen purchasing a clear baggie that Burke feels they have to do some reconnaissance of their own. Meanwhile, the Preakness is run and the horse storms out ahead again, leaving only one more race to complete the Triple Crown, an illustrious honour rarely seen in horse racing. With bookmakers tossing massive odds against a clear sweep and the pressure mounting, Moncrief and Burke had better find their killer in the Big Apple, allowing them the chance to watch horse-racing history and watch their favourite equine take a bite out of the competition. An interesting story by this well-established writing duo that will likely leave fans of this series wanting more, though I am not entirely sure if I would mourn the loss of Luc Moncrief and his stuffy-shirt antics.
While I find that James Patterson can be a little hard to stomach, some of the recent BookShots that I have read show potential. DiLallo helps to augment Patterson’s style of short chapters and to the point storylines. The characters remain somewhat annoying to me, particularly Detective Luc Moncrief, who is an annoying detective on loan from the upper echelons of France’s elite police system. Paired with a somewhat down to earth Katherine ‘K’ Burke, they complement (though rarely compliment) one another as they tackle some of the most obscure crimes in NYC. The story is fairly interesting, though Moncrief finds a way to make it seem a little sillier than first presented. Exploring what might be one of the real issues of the glamorous women of the world, the authors take the reader down a few rabbit holes before presenting a plausible and scandalous explanation for the list of victims. Interesting and surely one of the more productive BookShot duos, there is surely much to be said for a full-length novel option involving these two New York detectives.
Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and DiLallo for keeping things interesting throughout. I can only hope that your partnership allows for more collaboration in the near future.
Like/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/...
December 22, 2022
A perfect book for this busy time of year - short, interesting, and no need at all for the reader to think. Just let James Patterson (and Richard DiLallo) entertain you for a while.
The two main characters, Detective Luc Moncrief and Detective Katherine Burke, are charming and have a developing personal relationship as well as an excellent working one. Some of the dialogue is very amusing. Even though the book is short it packs in two cases for them to solve. One is about beautiful women dropping dead for no apparent reason and the other is horseracing fixing. Far-fetched in both cases but so delightfully Patterson.
The two main characters, Detective Luc Moncrief and Detective Katherine Burke, are charming and have a developing personal relationship as well as an excellent working one. Some of the dialogue is very amusing. Even though the book is short it packs in two cases for them to solve. One is about beautiful women dropping dead for no apparent reason and the other is horseracing fixing. Far-fetched in both cases but so delightfully Patterson.
March 25, 2022
Dying for Beauty
Luc Moncrief and K.Burke (often referred to as simply Burke in this installment - which I don't like as much) are on the case as beauties drop dead in public places. They find themselves in the thick of things as they investigate not just this but also serious events related to friends of Moncrief's. I do like the pace and twists of the cases.
Moncrief's attitude is often very laissez-faire and would drive many crazy but I find it humorous. Also, there is the building attraction between Moncrief and K.Burke that takes root from Moncrief's side - K.Burke acknowledged it in the first book so that's established.
I was happy to listen to Jean Brassard. I am a sucker for an accent and I really like his French accent. 💘
Story: 4 stars
Narration: 3.5 stars
Luc Moncrief and K.Burke (often referred to as simply Burke in this installment - which I don't like as much) are on the case as beauties drop dead in public places. They find themselves in the thick of things as they investigate not just this but also serious events related to friends of Moncrief's. I do like the pace and twists of the cases.
Moncrief's attitude is often very laissez-faire and would drive many crazy but I find it humorous. Also, there is the building attraction between Moncrief and K.Burke that takes root from Moncrief's side - K.Burke acknowledged it in the first book so that's established.
I was happy to listen to Jean Brassard. I am a sucker for an accent and I really like his French accent. 💘
Story: 4 stars
Narration: 3.5 stars
March 12, 2017
French Twist
I look forward to every new book in this series. Sometimes the outcome is predictable but the story is always entertaining. With all the books that James Patterson is writing these days it is always great to have a good series to look forward to reading.
I look forward to every new book in this series. Sometimes the outcome is predictable but the story is always entertaining. With all the books that James Patterson is writing these days it is always great to have a good series to look forward to reading.
April 13, 2017
3.5 stars
Well looking back at book one, I didn't think I'd say this but ... I hope there are going to be more in this series.
Well looking back at book one, I didn't think I'd say this but ... I hope there are going to be more in this series.
August 5, 2025
Two short mysteries in one book, French Twist delivers good pace, intriguing twists, and is a entertaining read.
February 19, 2017
Gorgeous women are dropping dead at all the best spots in town. Seemingly healthy, rich women just dying where they stand. Luc and K. must figure out what these women have in common and stop the deaths. Things aren't always as they seem though.
Across the county, Luc's friends are having the time of their lives racing their horse, Gaston in the Kentucky Derby. When Gaston wins the couple receive roses- not uncommon, but the note is. Win the next race or else. Or else what? The death of another racing horse answers the question. As one race and then another come closer, Luc and K. must figure out who is threatening the couple and why.
Personally, I liked the second story (The Christmas Mystery) better, because it allowed Luc to be more vulnerable and it showed his relationship growing with K. There is definite chemistry there, though I don't think either one will ever admit it, nor is Luc anywhere near ready for a new interest. This one allows for you to continue to spend time with the characters, and for them to be fleshed out a bit. K. is definitely growing on me, Luc as well... but more slowly. I am still very interested in the series, but am not yet desperate for the next installment as I am with the Lindsay Boxer and Alex Cross series'. I often wonder if I would prefer these books in full novel form... but honestly, I don't think they would work other than as a bookshot. All in all a fast, interesting read.
On the adult content scale, there is drug use, language, and violence; though none of which are extreme. I would still let my niece read this, though, so I am going to say fourteen and up. I give it a five.
Across the county, Luc's friends are having the time of their lives racing their horse, Gaston in the Kentucky Derby. When Gaston wins the couple receive roses- not uncommon, but the note is. Win the next race or else. Or else what? The death of another racing horse answers the question. As one race and then another come closer, Luc and K. must figure out who is threatening the couple and why.
Personally, I liked the second story (The Christmas Mystery) better, because it allowed Luc to be more vulnerable and it showed his relationship growing with K. There is definite chemistry there, though I don't think either one will ever admit it, nor is Luc anywhere near ready for a new interest. This one allows for you to continue to spend time with the characters, and for them to be fleshed out a bit. K. is definitely growing on me, Luc as well... but more slowly. I am still very interested in the series, but am not yet desperate for the next installment as I am with the Lindsay Boxer and Alex Cross series'. I often wonder if I would prefer these books in full novel form... but honestly, I don't think they would work other than as a bookshot. All in all a fast, interesting read.
On the adult content scale, there is drug use, language, and violence; though none of which are extreme. I would still let my niece read this, though, so I am going to say fourteen and up. I give it a five.
June 1, 2017
This story was just okay for me. The ending is clearly a set up for the sequel which I will probably read.
July 20, 2018
New to me author in a quick pb read. Third in the series, this BookShot discovery from a local Little Free Library. Parfait 143 pages of mystere - agreable!
I will be on the lookout for more of this series...
Happy #ParisinJuly2018
March 1, 2017
Another great read.
This series is good. The character of Luc is well developed and his relationship with K. Burke his partner in the New York Police Depsrtment is very much professional but the personal is gradually being developed.
Two threads run through the story, firstly rich young women are mysteriously dying from no apparent cause. Secondly, long time elderly friends from France are in the a States to run their race horse in the major races . They receive threats.
The way these book shots are developing reminds me of the pulp era when a series of short stories and novelettes and novellas about the same character were written over a period of years.
This series has lots of potential and I would like to see Luc and K. Burke in a novel.
This series is good. The character of Luc is well developed and his relationship with K. Burke his partner in the New York Police Depsrtment is very much professional but the personal is gradually being developed.
Two threads run through the story, firstly rich young women are mysteriously dying from no apparent cause. Secondly, long time elderly friends from France are in the a States to run their race horse in the major races . They receive threats.
The way these book shots are developing reminds me of the pulp era when a series of short stories and novelettes and novellas about the same character were written over a period of years.
This series has lots of potential and I would like to see Luc and K. Burke in a novel.
November 5, 2018
Taking on cases where there's murders without clues. And horses. Good but sometimes a little....off. almost seems like it's going too fast with no investigating. But that's the way Moncrief is i suppose
March 30, 2017
My first of the Patterson "BookShots" was a fun and quick read - a police investigation into deaths of the young and beautiful women in NYC coupled with a visit to the Triple Crown competition.
Read
May 12, 2017Didn't like it as much as the first two. It wasn't really as interesting and there was no real mystery.
April 15, 2019
3.5/5 stars. Weird ending and definitely not complete
February 24, 2022
By the time I got to this book, all of the Moncrief books started blending together! I think this kind of fit with the Moncrief theme of too much because it was, of course, New York's most beautiful women that were being killed.
I can't say that I was bored to tears with this series, but I feel quite emotionless about it as well. Underwhelmed might be a good adjective to describe it. I listened to all three books of the series in one sitting, but honestly didn't come out of it with much memory other than some stolen paintings and Moncrief's girlfriend being murdered and the relationship he had with his partner! I wish I came out of all three books with more!
Jean Brassard was the narrator for all three titles and I felt he suited them well. Although by the end of the third book, he didn't have much of a British accent at all, so if that wasn't what they were going for...that's the take I got from it!
Overall, glad I finished the series so I can move on to something else!
I can't say that I was bored to tears with this series, but I feel quite emotionless about it as well. Underwhelmed might be a good adjective to describe it. I listened to all three books of the series in one sitting, but honestly didn't come out of it with much memory other than some stolen paintings and Moncrief's girlfriend being murdered and the relationship he had with his partner! I wish I came out of all three books with more!
Jean Brassard was the narrator for all three titles and I felt he suited them well. Although by the end of the third book, he didn't have much of a British accent at all, so if that wasn't what they were going for...that's the take I got from it!
Overall, glad I finished the series so I can move on to something else!
May 28, 2017
I like the narrator, Jean Brassard, with his French accent on the audible version of this book, that's why I picked this book. The content on the other hand was rather shallow, but still entertaining. It has become quite clear to me that Patterson's books are more for the diversion and ease, and not for the intricacy or well-crafted content.
Detective Luc Moncrief is a Frenchman that has been working for the NYPD for the past few years and together with his partner, Katherine Burke, they make quite the tandem. These two couldn't be more different in their approach to a case, but they respect each other, and they solve their murders.
It was truly enjoyable, but nothing more.
Detective Luc Moncrief is a Frenchman that has been working for the NYPD for the past few years and together with his partner, Katherine Burke, they make quite the tandem. These two couldn't be more different in their approach to a case, but they respect each other, and they solve their murders.
It was truly enjoyable, but nothing more.
July 21, 2019
A short book wth detective Lou Moncrief. Set in NYC it finds upscale women turning up dead in posh department stores and Lou is working with Detective Katherine Burk to get to the bottom of the mystery. Light, humerus and fast reading without a lot of extraneous filling.
July 10, 2017
Love the short, quick read. Good short story and mystery with French Detective Luc Moncrief. He is quite the character!
December 30, 2017
I loved the other Bookshot that I read that wasn't apart of this series, so I was excited to read this but was disappointed. The storyline was predictable and the characters were drab.
January 10, 2019
This book jumped back and forth with 2 different story lines. One of them is completed by the end but the other is not. I guess that leaves the opening for the next one.
November 22, 2019
What is killing the beautiful women of NYC? And what the heck does that have to do with the Triple Crown horse races? Luc and KBurke are on the case.
February 1, 2025
A fun read with a good story line. The main character is likeable and funny but also sharp and witty. Great chemistry in the characters overall.
December 28, 2023
My last reading session was 42 minutes. I finished reading this book on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at 1:21 a.m.
December 12, 2017
I really like the characters and I'm glad I read the 3 stories close together. I'd enjoy a full length novel with Moncrief and Burke so the mysteries can be better.
August 9, 2017
Not completely horrible, but close.
May 22, 2021
Was actually quite enjoying the story then all of a sudden it was like they got fed up and thought just make up the ending and get it over with
Left annoyed I’d even wasted my time reading it
Left annoyed I’d even wasted my time reading it
December 24, 2017
I remember when JP was good. I gave this a go, but I think I'm definitely finished with him. I strongly suspect the co-authors are actually THE authors. No-one is that prolific without help.
June 30, 2017
This was Bookshot read...being very short. But I loved it! Great to have a French character (for a change) with a slightly different view of the world (in the US, at least) and still solves 2 mysteries with his partner, Detective K. Burke, while having some fun.
June 16, 2017
Really liking the characters in this series...as always, quick and fast but a little light on plot (really...how much can one cover in less than 150 pages), but I did enjoy this one more than the 2nd.
One gripe...(or two)...the ring Luc gives K. Burke for Christmas at the very end of book 2 is all of a sudden a necklace at the beginning of book 3. This is just laziness, in my opinion...Can the author really not remember what the piece of jewelry actually was? Or is it just bad editing?
Also...(page 101) an appointment is set for 5:00 and then (on page 103), Burke arrives for her appointment at 4:00. At first I thought she was early on purpose, but the waiting room was empty and she was taken right back and the hour discrepancy was never explained.
I SO wish books were more carefully edited. Okay...rant over. I liked the book. I hope there are more in the series. I really hope Det. Moncrief warrants a full length story.
One gripe...(or two)...the ring Luc gives K. Burke for Christmas at the very end of book 2 is all of a sudden a necklace at the beginning of book 3. This is just laziness, in my opinion...Can the author really not remember what the piece of jewelry actually was? Or is it just bad editing?
Also...(page 101) an appointment is set for 5:00 and then (on page 103), Burke arrives for her appointment at 4:00. At first I thought she was early on purpose, but the waiting room was empty and she was taken right back and the hour discrepancy was never explained.
I SO wish books were more carefully edited. Okay...rant over. I liked the book. I hope there are more in the series. I really hope Det. Moncrief warrants a full length story.
June 15, 2017
The chemistry between Luc and K.Burke seems to grow more everyday.While working on their cases they get closer and know even more about each other.The two cases they are working on in this book are clever ones.The person supplying the drugs to the women should've known better and the person who was trying to make his mark with betting on certain horses and betting against his own family really needed to be called out when he did before any harm came to Garcon.As always this shows us that following your instincts like Luc does saves the day even if some of the things he does is not the norm or by the books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 247 reviews