Murder Games - Part 1

by James Patterson, Howard Roughan

Now a hit TV series, Instinct
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Part one of a gripping five-part murder mystery from bestselling thriller writer James Patterson.

A wealthy hedge fund manager is brutally murdered on the doorstep of his Upper East Side town house in Manhattan.

Elizabeth Needham, the tenacious cop in charge of the case, turns to an unlikely ally – Dylan Reinhart, a brilliant professor whose book turned up in connection with the murder. Along with the book was one other a single playing card.

When another dead body and another playing card are found, Elizabeth and Dylan's worst fears are confirmed. They're hunting for a serial killer.

Genres: Crime, Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Murder Mystery, Audiobook, American

80 pages, ebook

Published April 27, 2017

About the author

Official US Site
Official UK Site

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

Reviews

[Lucy]

Alan Cumming gets most of the credit for my 4-star rating. His TV series “Instinct” is based on this book and is the sole reason why I read it. I’m not usually a fan of James Patterson, but I am a big Alan Cumming fan. When I was reading this book I was totally visualizing Cumming in his role as Dr. Dylan Reinhart. If you like the TV show, you’ll probably like the book.

[Chaitalee Ghosalkar]

An idea is a great way to start a story. But you need much more than that to complete a book.

Murder Games starts with the monologue of the 'Dealer', a serial killer who leaves behind a clue about his next kill through a playing card. It is upto a Detective and a professor of psychology to catch him before he finishes the deck.

For most part, I breezed through the book. The murders happen in quick succession, so there's no room for boredom. The ways of killing are innovative too. What isn't interesting is the identity of the killer. When it is revealed, and there's no drum roll happening, and you are disappointed at his identity. Surely, if Patterson went to great lengths to craft a variety of murders, he could've gone the extra mile to give the killer a decent backstory.

[Nona]

Once again I listened to this book by James PATTERSON and enjoyed the reading by Edoardo BALLERINI. The book however was not up to PATTERSON'S more thrilling novels in fact it really just rolled along. The theme of playing cards was obscure at times, the adoption a bit corny, some of the characters, especially the mayor, unbelievable.
However, other aspects of the book did jell and flow and it was one I wanted to hear until the end.
UPDATE NOVEMBER 2020
I have relistened to this book and at some stage, I began to realise I knew bits and pieces. My review at this time is it is a rather mediocre, fanciful novel by PATTERSON. BUT on looking at my past reads I see (as above) I have listened before. As such being only to recall fragments, it justifies my original review.
Therefore I have reduced from three stars to two.
Not really recommended.

[Nikki]

ok, not great. The killer in this story is called The Dealer. He leaves a playing card with his victim to give a clue as to the next victim. Elizabeth Needham is the NYPD detective. Dr. Dylan Reinhart is the former agent turned professor whose book has been left by the murderer at the murder scene. Reinhard uses his friend Julian's search engine known as SARA to figure out that all the victims appeared in Judge Kingsman's courtroom and were acquitted. The Dealer turns out to be Elijah Timitz, who worked for the judge. Nimitz dies, but engineered a plot to blow up the mayor at a ball game. Reinhard figures out the plot in time to save the mayor and the people in the stadium. In the end Dylan and his partner Tracy adopt a baby.

[Amy]

I really hope there is a sequel to this book. I really liked Dylan and all of the characters. Plot took a bit to catch on to but I enjoyed it so much in the end I don’t think I put it down for the last 15-20 chapters. As is usually the case with James Patterson, there were lots of twists and turns and red herrings in the plot but it ultimately came together. I can see this being an interesting series...

[Jocelyne]

As Instinct is one of my favorite tv program, i prefer to Watch it on tv.

[Susan Abbey]

'The Dealer' has his special playing cards - for a very special game of 'guess the next victim', with Dylan Reinhart, professor of behavioural science becoming embroiled with Detective Elizabeth Needham - to find the clues to capture the Dealer before he uses the whole pack of cards. Interlinked is the Mayors pending re-election and with crime statistics rising, the Dealer is not improving the stats - but who is the primary targets and why are the others being targeted. A clever and intertwined mystery.

[Allison Bishop]

I read this because my son and I have been watching Instinct on TV (based on this book). I haven’t read a James Patterson book in probably 20 years. This one almost seemed written specifically to be a TV show. I didn’t feel like it was one of his best, although it was entertaining.

Also, I’m not sure why the book is broken out into parts on Goodreads. I read all 5 parts in one book - I’m not going to review them all separately.

[Maggie]

I read this book in one day. A fast moving book with murders happening fairly close together so it holds your attention. There were things I didn't care for though. I feel like James Patterson rushed and threw this book together too fast, leaving out important details, such as the murder's back story and at the end, and revealing who the murder is...just lacking some details and was over rather quickly, even with the "surprise" after (can't say more without spoiling things.

[Rach]

A fast-paced and easy read. The first chapter had me hooked. I do enjoy a book with short chapters. I hadn’t realised the murder games was part of a series until I come to write this review (although it explains some of the questions I have) – I will have to purchase the others to find out what happens.

[Deyth Banger]

If you are huge fan of being on the edge, this book is going to put you there. This here book is nothing more than a drop of how it feels to be in criminal mind.


Well Written
Well Directed - TV SERIES

[Eileen Moss]

Another well written book by James Patterson! I always enjoy his writing. His books hold my interest and this one was no different. Why are these murders happening as there is no connection to the victims...or is there? Read and find out.

[Sean]

I highly enjoyed reading this book. It was a great introduction to the Dylan Reinhardt character, his storyline & the types of cases that he addresses. Another great effort from one of my favorite authors.

[Kurisu]

Wow, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I grew to like the characters and the pacing was just right. The chapters much like in a Dan Brown novel end on cliffhangers that compel you through the book. The result was a very quick and fun read.

[Danielle]

When Yale professor and NYC resident Dylan Reinhart, who has written a book about the mind of serial killers, is targeted by one, Detective Elizabeth Needham teams up with him to track the killer, before he strikes again. I always love a James Patterson and this one didn't disappoint.

[Jean]

Not a Patterson fan. The gore is too violent and descriptive for me. Having said that I do like the short, fast paced chapters. The story moves right along. I will probably continue to pick up popular murder mysteries as I find them. No more than that.

[Paula]

Audible. This is one in a five part series. I am a bit confused as to which one we listened to. It was good. At each killing tha "dealer" leaves a playing card which is a clue to the next person.

[katherine green .]

Puzzling.

This is a book unlike any l have read by James Patterson. Just as you are getting to know the characters the book ends.Will have to read book two.

[Amy]

MURDER GAMES aka INSTICT By: James Patterson

[Donna]

Who is murdering people and leaving playing cards with a hint who will be the next victim

[Dale Dow]

great book, easy to read, great storyline and characters, possibly showed their hand too soon though

[Andrew Thomas]

Good storyline once again fromJP with some great new characters

[Zona Lewin]

Nice quick read! First booked I'd read by James Patterson, and I really enjoyed his writing style.

[Pam Rugg]

I usually love Patterson. Gave it 50 pages. Not interesting at all.

[Carol]

I think I might like the TV show more.

[Norah S.]

Only got a few sentences into this book before I decided it was too creepy for me.

[Belinda Fry]

Not my favorite James Patterson book ever. Was boring at times and I don't think I even finished the last few pages.

[Shirley Yant]

Good mystery

[David]

Quite exciting serial killer mystery.

[Emma Gregory]

I didn’t realise this was such a short book and my library doesn’t have the other parts! I am loving it and will now have to go buy the rest of the series. Great start!