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Detective Harriet Blue is determined to clear a convicted killer's name . . . but when there's another murder, can she escape the madmen holding her hostage?


What are the chances that convicted killer Sam Blue is innocent of the serial murders of three young women? Determined to clear his name, no matter the cost to her career, Detective Harriet Blue accepts a risky reassignment to a remote town where a diary found on the roadside reveals a murderous plan.




And the first killing, shortly after her arrival, suggests that the clock is already ticking. Meanwhile, back in the city, a young woman holds the key to crack Harriet's brother's case wide open. If only she could escape the madmen holding her hostage.

528 pages, Hardcover

First published July 27, 2017

4463 people are currently reading
12946 people want to read

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James Patterson

955 books355k followers
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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.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,210 reviews
Profile Image for Matt.
4,814 reviews13.1k followers
October 27, 2017
Candice Fox has teamed up with James Patterson again for the next instalment in the Harry Blue series, picking up soon after the cliffhanger of the series’ first full-length novel. Harriet ‘Harry’ Blue has a lot on her plate as a Detective Inspector within Sydney’s Sex Crimes Unit. However, nothing could prepare Harry for the arrest of her brother, Sam, as the Georges River Killer, perhaps one of Australia’s most sinister serial murderers. Sam professes his innocence and Harry cannot help but come to his aid. One morning, outside the courthouse, Harry loses her cool and pulls a stunt that places everything in jeopardy, including her career. Sent away to rural Australia again, Harry finds herself in the middle of nowhere, Last Chance Valley, to be specific. While driving his route, a trucker found a red backpack with an interesting personal journal inside. It lists a plan to wipe Last Chance off the map, alongside its seventy-five (yes, 75) residents. Harry works with the only cop in the town and receives a rude welcome when a bomb explodes and kills the former Chief of Police. Harry seeks to take charge, but its elbowed out of the way by Counter-Terrorism Task Force member, Elliot Kash. After some chest beating, Harry and Kash are able to come to some sort of agreement, albeit a fragile one. Back in Sydney, Harry’s partner, Detective Edward Whittacker, is trying to keep an eye on Sam’s trial, where some of the evidence is not making sense. On the day of Sam’s arrest, a new victim was taken, Caitlyn McBeal. While she does not meet the victimology of the others killed by the Georges River Killer, a university student got away and saw the killer grab her. McBeal is being held and may hold the key the entire case, though there are no solid leads. Whittacker is joined by a less than noble ‘Tox’ Barnes, who will stop at nothing to prove that Sam’s been framed for the crime. As Harry gets sporadic updates, she continues to seek answers about the journal and revels in the information it provides. Her interviews lead her towards a teenager with little to lose, who seems to be typecast as a terrorist because of his ancestry. While Harry is not entire sure which was is up, she’s come to realise that Last Chance Valley is a place where dreams die and differences spark retribution. As she seeks to obtain answers, someone is targeting her and starts putting the end plan into motion. Splitting her worry for Sam and the residents of Last Chance Valley down the middle, Harry will have to focus in order to bring justice for at least one of the cases. A wonderful follow-up story that keeps the reader hooked until the very end, Fox and Patterson prove to be an explosive team as they continue developing this new and exciting series. Fans of Fox’s work will see her flavour in the writing and likely enjoy it, though anyone who finds pleasure in a police procedural will likely applaud the effort.

From a kernel developed in the BookShots collection of short stories, Fox and Patterson come together for a wonderful early start to this series. Their writing styles have similarities, though I feel a strong thread of Fox’s writing in this story, set throughout Australia. Harry Blue is a tough character to crack, though she is revealed throughout the narrative, which offers both her empathetic side and a significant backstory offered in pieces throughout. Complemented by the likes of others, the story takes on a life of its own through the narrative, which seamlessly switches between the two locales and fleshes-out characters for the reader to love (or hate)! The story is well presented and while there may be some flights of fancy, it remains a firmly rooted piece of fiction that dedicates much of its time to the deserted areas of Australia, positing how this distance from ‘city life’ might create an odd persona for those living in Last Chance Valley. Fox and Patterson keep the intensity high as they allow the reader to see things through the eyes of the Georges River Killer, though are careful not to tip the narrative into revealing too much at once. The pace is great and the short chapters, for which Patterson is known, fuels an intense read that does not stop until the final cliffhanger. Brilliant in its execution, one can only hope that Patterson and Fox will continue their partnership, but also realise if Harry Blue is suffering from burnout, when the time comes.

Kudos, Mr. Patterson and Madam Fox, for keeping me curious about what is to come. You work magic together, as well as showing you can stand alone and present great thrillers, given the time and effort.

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/...
Profile Image for Brenda.
5,073 reviews3,012 followers
November 29, 2019
Fifty Fifty is the 2nd in the Detective Harriet Blue series by James Patterson and Aussie author Candice Fox after Never Never, and Harry is trying to prove her brother Sam had been framed. The brutal murders of three young women, and the abduction of another as yet undiscovered woman have all been laid at Sam’s door. The evidence was compelling, but Harry knew it wasn’t Sam; the boy she’d grown up with couldn’t have done these terrible things.

But her assault at the Sydney courthouse had Harry once again sent to the outback, this time Last Chance Valley in NSW with a population of only 75 people. Teaming up with Officer Vicky Snale and ASIO operative Elliot Kash, the threat of the town’s complete annihilation kept Harry busy and her mind away from Sam while she faced dangers she’d never imagined would confront her.

With Whitt and Tox working on Sam’s case, as well as searching for the latest victim, they had no idea what was ahead of them. What would be the outcome for Sam; for his determined believers and for Harry, so far away from Sam that her heart hurt?

Fifty Fifty was far better than I expected – I thoroughly enjoyed it. The crackling pace; the short choppy chapters; the twists – all came together to create a crime thriller just the way I like them. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Josh.
1,732 reviews174 followers
February 16, 2018
Sydney Vice Detective Harriet Blue once again finds herself on the outskirts of civilisation after assaulting the lawyer who is prosecuting the murder/kidnapping case against her brother Sam. Banished to the small community in regional NSW of Last Chance Valley she’s thrust into a violent case which threatens to cripple the 75-strong population.

There’s a terror plot, gold digging schemes, isolation driven paranoia and a group think which leads to all manner of drama for Blue, who, while dealing with her own inner demons from a fractured childhood, also contends with the deadly Australian desert.

Despite being the second (3rd if you include the bookshot) book in the Harriet Blue series, it reads perfectly well as a standalone. A great thing about this book is that there is always something happening – be it Harriet’s case or the case against her brother.

My rating: 5/5 stars, better than Never Never which was also a very good read set in a mining town in the West Australian outback. I can’t wait to read the next installment.
Profile Image for Barbara.
1,774 reviews5,294 followers
December 22, 2022


The Harriet Blue series is a collaboration between James Patterson and Australian writer Candice Fox.

In this second book in the series, Detective Harriet Blue has a double agenda: to prove her brother is innocent of murder and to catch a killer in the Australian outback. The book can be read as a standalone but it's best to start with the first book in the series, Never Never.

*****

Australian Police Detective Harriet (Harry) Blue had a rough childhood in foster homes.



As a result Harry is a formidable fighter who doesn't hesitate to engage in fisticuffs with ANYONE. In fact Harry will even battle several men at once. Thus Harry has a reputation for violence, a reputation that leaches over to her brother Sam. As the story opens Sam is on trial, arrested for being the 'George Rivers Killer' who murdered three women in Sydney.



Harriet is certain her brother is innocent and so angry at the prosecutor that she punches him in public. So Harriet is (temporarily) banished to an outback town called Last Chance Valley (population 75).



In a diary found near Last Chance Valley someone threatens to kill all the town's residents, and Harry is to look into the matter. When a prominent citizen of Last Chance Valley is blown up, it's clear the diarist means business.

Harry is paired with two partners to investigate the matter: local cop Victoria Snale....



.....and Federal Agent Elliot Kash. Kash is the book's most entertaining character as he sees terrorists everywhere he looks and is constantly extolling his own virtues as a counter-terrorist.



Meanwhile, Harry's police partner in Sydney, Detective Edward Whittacker (Whitt), keeps trying to prove Harriet's brother Sam is innocent.



For this purpose Whitt works with Detective Tox Barnes, a wild card with his own unique methods.



The book is fast-moving with short snappy chapters, including sections devoted to (what might be) the REAL George Rivers Killer and his latest victim.

The book has a variety of interesting ancillary characters, including an insolent fresh-mouthed teenage boy;



an old Aboriginal man who resides on the outskirts of town;



a woman who derides Last Chance Valley's racism; and more.



The novel is engaging escapist literature that would appeal to fans of James Patterson and to readers who enjoy edge of your seat thrillers.

You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
Profile Image for Suzzie.
954 reviews171 followers
March 10, 2018
3.5*

I liked Never, Never better but this one answers questions about the Sam plot and brings back Tox working with Whitt to investigate Sam’s case since Harry was sent off once again because of her violent tendencies (though they are very interesting to read about, and yeah, cheer on). The last few chapters will stun readers, but the final chapter leaves you with a need for book three now! Going to be interesting to see how fast Harry derails to reach her objective. I actually really like this series so far. I also liked the two Australian based Private books so maybe I have a thing for Australia (I know I definitely have a thing for Chris and Liam Hemsworth so makes sense).

My quick and simple overall: entertaining Friday night read. Can easily be read in one sitting.

Profile Image for Krystin | TheF*ckingTwist.
604 reviews1,886 followers
October 20, 2022
Book Blog | Bookstagram

I've gone and done it again *said in Seven's John Doe voice*

Alright?! OKAY? I admit it! That makes it that twice this year I've broken my New Year's resolution to not read any Patterson at all.

I'm weak! I have issues. I need a 12-step program for letting shit go; for being okay with not knowing. It's really my worst quality as a human being. My mental health agrees.

But whatever. It's done. I read it. So here's the review.

CONTENT! *does jazz hands*

While I didn't necessarily think this book was anything amazing, I have to say, I can see Candice Fox all over the writing in this book and that makes it infinitely better than most Patterson publications. The chapters are still short, the content shallow and a lot of moments are overly dramatic, but the actual prose and dialogue felt more mature, unlike what I'd typically classify Patterson writing as. (See: juvenile.)

If you read the first book in the series, you know Det. Harriet Blue is a woman with intense baggage that usually, if not always, comes out as unstoppable anger with a very short fuse. Her brother, Sam, has been arrested for his serial killer pastime, though he claims innocence. Harriet is the only one who believes him.

In typical Patterson style, there are duelling storylines. But, in a more refined Fox style, these storylines exist to facilitate Harriet's character development and series progression. The plot felt layered for purpose, instead of jumbled for drama (*cough Women's Murder Club cough.*)



After another outburst of anger, Harriet is put in timeout - sent to a small town of fewer than 100 people to investigate a notebook that may or may not be a hoax. It details plans to kill the entire town by mass murder. Meanwhile, there's a girl held captive by the real serial killer Sam Blue is accused of being. And this motherfucker is not happy that someone else is getting the credit that rightfully belongs to him.

And that's when you know you're actually totally nutty. I killed those people! Credit me with those murders!

That, or wanting to build a moat filled with snakes and alligators around a country's border and shooting innocent people in the legs. If you think something like that is a good idea, you may also be a soulless insane monster *sips tea.*



Fifty Fifty was definitely better than most Patterson books that I've read lately, but it wasn't anything that will change my mind about him being my arch-nemesis.

Harriet as a character is kind of grating to read, and the things that she perpetrates on others, or that are inflicted on her, border on being just completely ridiculous. She reminds me of a Bill Burr joke. His wife asks him how he can be so quick to anger, saying he goes 0 to 100 in the blink of an eye. He says it's because he's constantly entering every situation at 75.

That's Harriet. This bitch has no chill.

For me, there is never a moment in the book where she displays a genuine personality. She's always at 75. Who she is as a person is clouded by anger and situations written purposefully to allow her to display that anger. I don't do well with characters like that because it comes across as a put-on. Instead of a real, layered personality that has complicated, genuine reactions. Harriet is emotionally shallow and seemingly written to be intentionally "edgy."



There is no subtlety to her character that allows for a sincere personality. Instead, she is clearly manufactured because the writing is trying so so hard and it ends up being silly at times.

In terms of the genre, I thought the storylines were interesting but lacked suspense overall. For Patterson fans though, it's probably going to read as one of his better books.

This will probably be the end of my time with Harriet Blue, but honestly, it's more likely that I'm full of shit. So if you see me back here again reviewing #3 in the series, just keep walking.

⭐⭐⭐ | 3 stars
Profile Image for Scott.
639 reviews65 followers
March 9, 2018
“Fifty Fifty” is the second book in new series co-written by Patterson and Fox, featuring Harriet (“Harry”) Blue, a volatile female detective in Australia. I read the first book last year and didn’t really care for it as much as I wanted to. The premise wasn’t bad, but the delivery was sub-par in my opinion.

The second outing starts off with Harriet’s brother, Sam Blue, who was previously arrested and charged with killing several women, preparing for his defense in court. Sam claims his innocent and is determined to clear his name. Harry is right there fighting the good fight with him at the risk of her law enforcement career. However, after another uncontrolled outburst of her temper, Harry is reassigned to a remote town (again like the last book) to investigate a diary recently discovered on the roadside hinting at a large-scale murder plan. Shortly after Harry’s arrival, a killing occurs, and the town goes into a frenzy, leaving her to try and figure out what’s coming next.

Meanwhile, back home another woman is taken captive, and the real serial killer is not happy to find out Sam has been arrested and given credit for his work. Harry has her partner, Detective Whitt, and Tox, a shadowy investigator with a tainted reputation and close friend, following up on the possibility of another killer. Patterson and Fox bounce back and forth between these two plot lines – Harry’s hunting down a small town rage filled bomber and the search for the true killer that holds the key to Sam’s freedom – building to two violent and explosive climaxes.

The book was an easy read with a typical fast paced Patterson style plot line, superficial characters (for the most part), and (in my mind) a killer that started out with appeared to be a rather weak motivation for his murderous actions. However, the plot surprisingly tightened up in the last third of the book pretty well, and by the end, both plots and bad-guy motivations were tied out in ways that actually made sense. And I am going to give a few points of respect for one unexpected surprise twist at the end that I did not see coming and it delivered well.

Another thing to mention is that although the overall plotting followed Patterson’s usual formula, the writing style itself really felt more like Candace Fox. It felt like she really owned it and made it her own. I read six or more Patterson novels a year, and this one more than other collaboration that I can remember, seemed to reflect the authentic style of the collaborator and was not washed down in typical Patterson structured format. On the other hand, the farther I got into the book, the more overly melodramatic her style became in some key moments. I found some of the prose to be way too over the top and it grated on my reading, but that may just be me.

Overall, although this book was better than the first one, it was still not one of Patterson's better books. There were a few moments of suspense (but not a lot), and (just like the first book) Harry took on more physical suffering than most humans can handle, walked right out of the hospital after sustaining serious injuries, and was still physically strong enough to battle with the bomber at the end.

My score is 2.5 stars out of 5 stars.

If you read it, I hope you enjoy it more than I did. I really do…
Profile Image for Sherri Thacker.
1,676 reviews373 followers
February 23, 2018
This did nothing for me. I read till about 60% then put it down since it kept getting worse for me. Oh well.
Profile Image for Carol Jones-Campbell.
2,024 reviews
February 20, 2022
First Read: Our Crime & Thriller book of the month is Fifty Fifty by Candice Fox and James Patterson – the second book is the highly addictive and super kicktail Detective Harriet Blue series. Given how much I enjoyed Never Never (the first book in the series) and also the prequel novella, Black & Blue, I was a bit curious about Fifty Fifty. Sometimes when a series starts out super strong it can be hard to maintain that same level of awesome in subsequent books. And really, I should have known better than to doubt the genius of this co-authoring dream team. James Patterson is, after all, a master storyteller, and literally every time Candice Fox writes a new book it becomes one of our favorites.

Fifty Fifty sees Detective Harriet “Harry” Blue banished from the city after a dramatic incident of bad-tail gains her some unfortunate press during her brother’s trial. For those who need a reminder and for newcomers to the series, Harry’s brother, Sam, has been arrested and stands trial for multiple murders. Everyone believes Sam is the infamous Georges River Killer. Harry, however, is positive that her brother is innocent and is determined to prove it.

Unfortunately, before she can do anything to help Sam, Harry loses her temper in a rather spectacular way and finds herself banished to a small country town called Last Chance in western NSW. She is there to investigate a possible planned massacre and because she is Harry Blue, she soon finds herself up to her eyeballs in madness and mayhem.

A favorite thing about this series is definitely the main character, Harry Blue. A “wild cop” with iron fists, nerves of steel and a heart of gold, Harry is always ready with a knockout punch and a razor-sharp quip. She’s ferocious and bold, tough and smart, totally out of control most of the time... but only when the situation really calls for it.

Second Read: Fifty Fifty gives readers two mysteries to solve. Harry carries the main plot which involves the discovery of a diary outlining a town massacre. Harry arrives to find herself teamed up with an obnoxious agent who is exactly the kind of character you love to hate. Naturally, it doesn’t take long for fists to start flying. Meanwhile, the other plot line follows Harry’s partner, Whitt, and her friend Tox Barnes (Tox from Black & Blue is back! Hooray!) who remain in Sydney to investigate the case of the Georges River Killer with hopes of clearing Sam’s name.

Fast-paced, action-packed, tightly plotted and bursting with charm, Fifty Fifty is a great new addition to this wildly addictive series. And given the way this book ends, I suspect the next one will take Harry’s story to a whole new level! Very enjoyable. Highly Recommend.
Profile Image for Monnie.
1,623 reviews790 followers
May 17, 2018
My first reaction as I read this book? Wow, what a motley crew of misfits. Every single one, including lead character Detective Harriet Blue, has issues so deep it would take a bulldozer to dig them all out. And quite honestly, with one possible exception (Harriet's partner, Detective Edward Whittacker), I didn't care enough about any of them to look for even a shovel.

Set in Australia, where Harriet is a sex crimes officer with the Sydney Police, the story begins with her efforts to free her brother Sam. Despite a ton of evidence to the contrary, Sam was found guilty of murdering three young women. He insists he's innocent, and Harriet is certain (as is he) that he's been framed.

But best-laid plans often get derailed, and after Harriet - who clearly needs several courses in anger management - smacks a prosecutor in the nose, she's banished to a nine-day stint in Last Chance Valley, a remote area of New South Wales with just 75 residents. Being driven into the community by a local cop turns out to be a blast - literally - wherein the local police chief is blown to smithereens (smaller bits than that, actually). Initially, that gets the attention of an egotistical international terrorist expert who happens to be in the area, giving Harriet a case into which she can sink her teeth while she worries about her brother.

Back home, the aforementioned partner has promised to continue the investigation, and from this point on readers follow two storylines (each detailing, as much as anything else, the horrifying childhoods that I suppose are intended to explain - if not justify - the grown-up behavior of just about every character).

Both plots thicken till near the end, when there are a few surprises plus a cliffhanger that might entice me to look forward to the next installment - if only I liked the character. Fact is, I may or may not read it; trite as they may be, it's rare for me to pass up a Patterson-and-friends book. This one really isn't awful, but neither will this series ever come close to being a favorite.
Profile Image for Chanel Lindsay.
549 reviews8 followers
September 2, 2018
"Sam Blue stands accused of the brutal murders of three young students, their bodies dumped near the Georges River. Only one person believes he is innocent: his sister, Detective Harriet Blue. And she's determined to prove it. Except she's now been banished to the outback town of Last Chance Valley (population 75), where a diary found on the roadside outlines a shocking plan - the massacre of the entire town. And the first death, shortly after Harry's arrival, suggests the clock is already ticking."

I know this is only the second book in the Harriet Blue series, but it is definitely my favourite book series from James Patterson! Although this one wasn't quite as gripping as the first book, I still really enjoyed this one!

Honestly the 'Last Chance Valley' plot didn't grip me immediately but it did get a whole lot better the more I read. However, I was on the edge throughtout the whole book, anxiously waiting to see where the Sam Blue story will go!

I've said it in the first review and I'll say it again - I just love Harry!!! She is a fierce, sassy, strong character that is amazingly written! She is the reason these books are so good. The authors have put so much thought and background in this character that she is impossible to dislike!

And OMG that ending!!!! I can't wait to read the third book.........
Profile Image for Amanda - Mrs B's Book Reviews.
2,230 reviews333 followers
August 7, 2018
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
Following my review of Liar Liar, the third book in the Harry Blue series, I had to back track to the second book in the series, Fifty Fifty. The sequel to Never Never, Fifty Fifty was a thrilling read from start to finish. If crime fiction is your bag, then this is a great series to sink your teeth into. Readers are issued with a double whammy in Fifty Fifty. While central protagonist Detective Harry Blue is issued with a complicated case in an isolated township in NSW, she also fights for justice for her brother Sam. Several women have died at the hands of Harry’s brother, labelled as the ‘Georges River Killer’. But Harry is one hundred percent sure Sam is innocent, she just needs to prove who the real perpetrator is. This latest case draws Harry away from her quest to redeem Sam of his charges, so it is up to her former partner to speed things along. Meanwhile, the case in Last Chance Valley (great name) is a ticking time bomb, as a dangerous manifesto threatens to wipe the whole town out. I thoroughly enjoyed my second outing with Mr Patterson and Ms Fox, a writing team that are a force to be reckoned with. With plenty of high octane thrills and page turning stunts, this is an explosive and plot driven crime spree. A side focus on the personal life of Harry Blue injects this plot focussed novel with some much-needed character introspection. Candice Fox’s scent emanates through much of this book, especially in the character dynamics and psychology of the protagonists that appear. While Patterson’s mark appears in the form of the succinct chapters and strong action based scenes. Fifty Fifty is defined by a gritty and isolated Aussie setting, which rounds this novel off well. The ending will leaving you opened mouthed and hanging out for more!
Profile Image for Anastasia.
2,252 reviews102 followers
October 16, 2019
Fifty Fifty by James Petterson and Candice Fox is the 2nd book in the Detective Harriet Blue Mystery series. When detective Harriet Blue punches the prosecutor in her brother's murder trial, she is sent to the outback town of Last Chance where a diary had been found, outlining a massacre of the town. A fast-paced, captivating mystery which was difficult to put down. I love the feisty and very capable main character and look forward to the next instalment.
Profile Image for Louise Conway.
150 reviews2 followers
October 11, 2017
I "read" this one by audio book and although it was okay as a story, it was quite predictable and I expected a lot more from my first James Patterson read. I don't think I'll write him off altogether though, I think I will just leave the audiobook versions behind me. It took some of the depth out of it for me and the characters came across as quite one dimensional and very unlikeable.
Profile Image for Donna Lewis.
1,571 reviews27 followers
March 6, 2018
This new collaboration is a delightful surprise. The action takes place in Australia, and the protagonist is a tough woman cop who has a strong sense of right and wrong. The good news is that this is the second book in a series currently with three books. So, I have a chance to read more about Ms. Harry Blue. A strong woman character created by a strong woman writer. A great combination.
Profile Image for Howard.
2,111 reviews121 followers
March 8, 2021
3.5 Stars for Fifty Fifty: Detective Harriet Blue Series, Book 2 (audiobook) by James Patterson and Candice Fox read by Federay Holmes. The story was ok. I liked the first book more. The narration is good.
Profile Image for Wendy.
564 reviews18 followers
March 24, 2018
Wow, just wow! This was an incredible story. I liked this book more than any other James Patterson book I've read in a very long time. I'll be waiting for the next book in the series, it can't come out fast enough.
Profile Image for Sonia Cristina.
2,271 reviews79 followers
July 8, 2019
Gostei um pouco mais do primeiro volume desta série.

Este Fifty Fifty tem a particularidade engraçada de acompanhar 2 enredos que decorrem em locais diferentes: Harry vai para uma localidade minúscula perdida no meio do deserto australiano investigar um diário onde constam planos para matar todos os habitantes da dita localidade e Whitt mantém-se em Sydney e vai investigar o caso de Sam Blue, irmão de Harry.



Venha daí o 3º livro! ;)
Profile Image for Mandy White (mandylovestoread).
2,778 reviews848 followers
August 1, 2017
loving this book... do i really need to sleep??What a great book! i am a big James Patterson fan and have recently discovered the books of Candice Fox. this book is so Australian... loved it!. Harriet Blue is sent to a small town of 75 people while her brother is on trial for murder. the people of the small town are just that.. small town so Harriet has to win them over. its fast paced and keeps you wanting more.
Profile Image for Charlotte Smith.
634 reviews13 followers
February 22, 2018
What a book this one is. Wasn't expecting the ending of it at all.
Harriet 'Harry' blue is trying to save her brother but gets moved somewhere else for a bit. Her brother Sam is accused of murder of three young students.
Profile Image for Paula Adams.
258 reviews122 followers
July 30, 2018
It has a cliffhanger. I hate that. Now I have to wait for the next book to come out. Grrrrrrrrrrr. I have the first book to read. I didn't know it was a series when I had started reading the book.
Profile Image for Laura Wonderchick.
1,610 reviews184 followers
August 31, 2017
There was a couple moments that were a little too far fetched for me & didn't flow with the rest of the story. But I love the characters, especially Harry & her quick mouth.
Profile Image for Tom Tischler.
904 reviews16 followers
April 20, 2018
It is very seldom that I don't like a book. The story in this one was readable but I
absolutely didn't like the ending. I gave it a 2.
Profile Image for gwen_is_ reading.
900 reviews39 followers
March 8, 2018
Summary:

Sam Blue is standing trial for the murder of three young women. Harriet knows Sam could never have done this…. but she’s the only one. An altercation gets her banned from the trial and sent out to Last Chance Valley to investigate a possible planned attack on the populace of 75.

On her first day a homemade bomb kills the retired sheriff. With the help of the only cop in Last Chance Valley and a terrorist agent, she must find out who is behind all this before anyone else is hurt and the only clue is a diary found in an abandoned backpack.

While she is out there, her friend and partner Whitt is trying to keep tabs on the trial and keep Sam safe behind bars. When he is attacked outside the courthouse one day, help comes in the form of Tox- a detective that has worked with Harriet in the past. The two could not be more different…. but it may just be that together they can find the evidence needed to protect Sam for Harry’s sake.

My thoughts:

I have to say that this is not my favorite series from Patterson. It is near the bottom of the list, in fact. I keep reading because I keep hoping it will find it’s stride and get better, like the RED series did. Sadly the way this book finished, this could be the last book for Harry’s series. It would be a terrible wrap-up with far too many open ends…. but it’s happened in the past and I can’t find any chatter about another book.

I have mixed feelings about this book. It is by far the best written of the series, but certain things were still far too predictable. (Harry blows up and gets in trouble with her captain- gets shipped out to Middle of Nowhere, Australia…. yeah, that happened in a previous book for this series. Bear in mind there are only two books and a novella here.) Whitt, a character I was beginning to like, is given more of a casual role here and instead of getting to know him better as a character a lot of time is spent on his observations on Tox. Tox is an interesting character too, and I love him for his loyalty to Harry…. but I prefer Whitt and was a bit saddened by his role here. Harry is also a dilemma for me. I need character growth- I want to watch them grow, root for them. Harry hasn’t had too much of that since I first met her. She did have an aha moment near the end of the stay in Last Chance Valley where I felt like maybe there was hope; but the way the book ended it could go either way and, as I said before, there is no talk of another book.

All of that aside, I did enjoy getting to know the villain of this piece, and the fact that the current victim was given a voice as well. The book was fast paced and definitely action packed. I liked the nods to the previous books and characters, and the moments where Harry showed her more caring side. She is a protector, fierce and loyal. I can get behind that… I just don’t always want her bashing heads and fighting her way through trouble. For me, this is a three and a half star book. If there is more I will read it, if only for closure.

On the adult content scale, there is a lot of violence, cursing, and the occasional racial remarks. Emphasis on violence. There is also talk of child abuse of a sexual nature. this could be a trigger. I give it an eight.
Profile Image for Deborah (debbishdotcom).
1,457 reviews140 followers
July 31, 2017
I have to confess I purposely avoided Never Never, the first book in this series DESPITE being a huge fan of Candice Fox's work. Or maybe I should say BECAUSE I'm a huge fan of Fox's writing. I'd had some bad experiences with previous James Patterson collaborations so didn't want anything to tarnish my (not-weird) reverence of the talented Aussie storyteller.

So, I came into this second book of the series, Fifty Fifty with a few gaps in my backstory knowledge. It meant I might have had a few questions but did not take anything away from my enjoyment of this book, which I think (thankfully) has Fox's fingerprints all over it.

Indeed the character of Detective Harriet Blue - her personality, attitude and voice - seem very much to be something Fox brings to the Patterson/Fox party.

Harriet's quite similar to Eden Archer who featured in Fox's first gritty and addictive trilogy. And it's not just because both had untraditional upbringings and a mentor they credit with giving them focus / control, but cos they're both 'take no prisoners' types and are perhaps borderline sociopathic. But in a nice way.

Readers are offered two cases for the price of one here. I gather Harriet (Harry) was sent off to 'never never' (or somewhere in Western Australia) in the first book of this series and although she's back in Sydney when we first meet her it's not long before she's again shunted-off - this time western New South Wales to assist a local cop with the diary, which seems to be a manifesto for mass killings.

Meanwhile.... there's the case involving Harry's brother, the case she's informally pursuing to prove her brother's innocence and one she's had to leave in the hands of (former partner) Whitt in her absence.

Patterson & Fox have created a wonderfully vivid and complex character in Harriet Blue. She's prickly and unpredictable, yet likeable. The book's written (mostly) in first person so we know what she's thinking and how much she fears 'wild Harriet'.

I love that this novel doesn't fall into the well-worn trap of using every single Aussie cliche possible but at the same time felt very Australian. I think some of that reflects Fox's (Harriet's) blunt no-nonsense voice and complete disdain for rules and authority. (#OiOiOi)

And fortunately - which isn't always the case with collaborations - the plots are interesting; sturdy and complex enough to support and sustain these great characters, so I'm very much hoping this series continues.

4.5 stars

Read the full review on my site: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
Profile Image for Liz.
575 reviews31 followers
August 11, 2017
Excellent crime/thriller. This book follows on from Never Never but also works as a stand alone novel. I really like Detective Harriet Blue, a feisty character with a lot to prove. This is a real page-turner with several plots running alongside each other and many twists - certainly kept me guessing! As this book is set in Australia much of the credit must go to Candice Fox, an author I'm not familiar with, but whose descriptions really created a great setting and atmosphere. Looking forward to the next in the series.
Profile Image for Cheryl.
58 reviews
September 27, 2017
The stories are okay in this book but the antics of Harry are just flat out unbelievable. I allow for a certain amount of embellishment and drama in books because it's adds to the suspense etc but the idea of her resolving jurisdictional arguments with what is effectively a 'Square go' just doesn't fly. Maybe that's just me but after she punched her way through half the book it got tiresome.
Profile Image for Barbara.
6 reviews1 follower
March 3, 2018
This was the standard James Patterson book, single page chapters, and enough to keep you reading but nothing much to write home about. All Patterson books are good, just tame. Still, I read most of them. A decent, quick read but you're never going to finish one and say, "Wow, what a great book".
Profile Image for Clare.
1,285 reviews5 followers
January 15, 2018
Loved this book. I love the main character and wish I could be more like her. The story was gripping and I could not put it down, can not wait for the next instalment.
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