Scott Free

by James Patterson, Rob Hart

This is an alternate cover edition for ASIN B01M5JA07B

James Patterson’s BookShots. Short, fast-paced, high-impact entertainment.

We know you did it – and you won't get away with it.

Accused of murdering five small children, Thomas Scott is released on bail. He faces devastated parents plotting revenge and a fiery detective taking the law into his own hands. But did he do it? The truth will blow you away.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Novella, Ebooks

144 pages, ebook

First published October 3, 2017

About the author

Official 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.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just when you think you’ve explored all the interesting angles that BookShots can take, a new collaboration pops up and something exciting coms of it. James Patterson and Rob Hart have developed something intriguing and entertaining here in this aptly-named short story. The story opens on the day Thomas Scott is released from prison after a judge rules his constitutional rights have been violated. After Scott became the prime suspect in the kidnapping and killing of three small children from a daycare at which he works part-time, an overzealous NYPD Detective is found to have illegally entered his apartment to plant evidence. With media broadcasting the news and continuing to lynch him, Scott wants out of the limelight at away from this city. The parents of the three victims are outraged and feel that the loophole has allowed a killer to go free. The detective, while on paid leave, is equally convinced that the constitutional violation was nothing more than a way to cover the truth; that Thomas Scott is a hardened murderer. Prepared for some vigilante justice, these parents want Scott dead once and for all, but they will have to catch him first. Sometimes the truth cannot set you free, if society has already drawn-up the verdict. Patterson and Hart have this masterful piece ready to impress the reader at every page flip. BookShot fans and those who like a little legal drama in their reading will surely appreciate this piece.

It is refreshing to find new pathways of enjoyment with these short stories. Patterson has a vast array of talent helping to create these stories and there’s nothing like a strong collection of writers to entertain dedicated readers. While Thomas Scott may be the central character here, the story switches constantly, allowing a handful of central characters to share the spotlight. The backstory is minimal and the development is mainly focussed on the chase for justice, but there is a better sense of these characters as the story progresses, from their angst to anger and all those points in between. There is certainly a lingering question around which character might know more than they are letting on, though it is up to the reader to forge ahead and piece the mystery together. The story is an interesting concept that grows with each passing chapter. I can say that I loved the varied points of view and the captivating slow reveal as vigilante justice takes hold and common sense melts away. This game of gangland justice shows the reader that truth can sometimes take a backseat, especially when media outlets help fan the flames and take no prisoners (alive!).

Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and Hart, for this piece. I will certainly revisit your work soon, given the chance. This may be one of the top five BookShots I have tackled in the last year or so!

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/...

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

another great short story from James Patterson

[Lackof_shelf_control · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review coming soon

[Ranie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.....Phenomenal....this short book had such a high quality of anticipation and anxiety! The story itself was told from several parents and their assumed killer, point of view....😥😕...it especially capatived by attention since I lived on Staten Island...

The ending was so unbelievable shocking and twisted. Highly recommended

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an intense, thrilling shorter story! I literally had to finish it in one day! One of the best stories I have read in a LONG time! Amazing!

[Booked podcast · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hear the full review: http://www.bookedpodcast.com/?p=5595

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man this was a major mind f@$k. I guess everyone needs to stick to innocent until proven guilty. Especially when you try and kill someone who was mistakingly accused.

[Sonia Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 estrelas

Uau! Pensei que já não iria encontrar um livro que me impressionasse até ao final de 2018, mas este pequeno conseguiu!

Um homem acusado de matar 3 crianças é libertado por um aspeto técnico apenas, mesmo que tudo apontasse para a sua culpa. O polícia responsável pelo caso e os pais das 3 crianças entram então numa perseguição para fazer justiça pelas próprias mãos. Um enredo que decorre em cerca de 24h, sobretudo durante a noite, cheio de adrenalina e emoção. Por um lado, um homem inocente a ser perseguido por um crime terrível, por outro os pais que perderam os seus filhos... E o final?! Uau!

Ora, nunca pensei que Kat fosse a assassina do próprio filho e das outras crianças. Suspeitei mais do polícia, nem sei porquê, custava-me a acreditar que fosse um dos pais mas a ser, pensava em Paul, num fito de raiva... Mas Kat?! E aquela lógica distorcida dela para justificar as mortes dos outros meninos...

Foi muito bonito da parte de Scott não apresentar queixa contra os pais e o polícia. Coitado, o que ele passou, a vergonha, a prisão, o ódio da população em geral...

[Freethings Forme · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Scott was taking a shower after court, it was clear to me that something wasn't right with the case against him. Then the explanation for his pathological fear of water made it very clear that he did not do what he was accused of doing. I was however surprised when the fire broke out in the warehouse, leaving everyone looking for Teri. What a sharp left turn that was. It was however a very good way to keep the book fresh and unpredictable. All in all, it was a great read.

[Marybeth Lapilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shocket

I try to read every book by Mr. Patterson and always say the same thing, this one was t g e best. I am going too say it again. This book had me hooked from the first chapter. I thought I had it figured out a few times and then there was another twist. The ending took me completely by surprise.
The last chapter showed how resilient people can be.
Mr Patterson you have done it again.
Thanks fora terrific book again.

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The earlier bookshots were pretty good and have started to really go downhill. I went into this one with pretty low expectations and was pleasantly surprised. Scott Free has a very original premise that is not often explored, especially not from the POV of the accused serial child murderer. This book draws you in and keeps you hanging on to find out what really happened and to see whether the children’s parents will actually go through with their plans.

[La'Jacinth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The twist will get you!!!! i am loving these book-shots with these different authors. What I love most about this book is that you will connect to every character on some level and when the twist happens you will be see all the clues and the setups and ask HOW DID I MISS THAT!!!!!!

On to the next one!!!!!!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Bookshot, Scott Free involves an accused child molester/murderer freed because of illegal evidence. The children's parents are seeking revenge, while the accused insists on his innocence. Sometimes hard to follow, the plot is fast paced. An inevitable ending but with the murderer being someone somewhat surprising.

[Pamela McDowell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I borrowed this e-book, not realizing it is a short-format book, previously called a novella. A 'book shot' promises to be a novel you can devour in a few hours, that is impossible to stop reading, but this title from Patterson fell pretty flat for me. It lacked the depth and development I expect from Patterson, which should be possible in a shorter work, but simply wasn't there.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a thrilling , page turner! When a suspected child killer is set free because of a technicality the parents lose their minds. When the lead detective gets together with the parents to devise a plan to kill this guy the chase is on. The was a wild ride what happened in the next 24 hrs with shock, and thrill you while you hold your breathe.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

An accused killer of three children is freed on a technicality and the parents are outraged. There is no justice in the court so they decide to take matters into their own hands. If their children are dead, this man should be too. Even though a couple have second thoughts, mob mentality rules until the man’s attorney brings up pertinent facts. Could they have it so wrong?

An excellent story!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thomas Scott is a mild man who is accused of killing 5 young children. He is let free on bail when the judge throws out pictures of the children which were planted at his house. The Cop that had the pictures planted and the parents of the children capture Scott and are going to kill him. Read this short book to find out what happens

[Lydia Kass · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast paced; he didn't do it because he has a hyper aversion to being near water. He was set up by one of the deceased boys' parent, because she wasn't wathcing him and he drowned. Then she decided to murder other playmates so that her dead son would have company in heaven.

[John (Just bought an Oculus 2 VR, so less time to read these days!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another awesome bookshot from James Patterson

Another awesome bookshot from James Patterson. This was definitely a roller coaster ride that tugs at the emotions that any parent would feel. Great read !!

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting bookshots from Patterson 3 children have been murdered, when the man accused of the crime is set free on a technicality they band together with the detective investigating the crime to get revenge.

[Christine D · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars
this reads like a law and order episode. for some, that may be OK. but, I don't enjoy thrillers where children are murdered. nasty.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scott Free

This was one of James Patterson's better stories. It was fast paced and easy to read. I wish all of his Bookshot books were this good.

[Ti.Me · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abbreviated Patterson fare (a Book Shot). Fast-moving thrill ride with enough violence and a good twist to keep it interesting.

[Mr Kenneth L Mullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of action

Another great short story with plenty of action, thrills and twists. An ending that you could not see coming.james patterson at hos best.

[Mike]

Interesting short story of which went too fast because it kept up the pace, was interesting and had a n enjoyable plot. Wish it could have been a full length novel to enjoy longer

[Sandra Hollenbeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I nteresting and Griping!

Enjoyed these short books so much! This was a good story with a lot of twists! There was a moral to this story

[Annemarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the better Patterson Book Shots I've read

[Marlene Kittel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional

I loved the story and was completely surprised by the ending.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a mystery.

[Tammi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't see it coming

Loved this so much! What a great quick read with tons of twists and turns! Grab this one. You'll love it.

[ANITA SUE H. MORRIS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprising

This book held my interest. It was just.long enough to not get repetitive. I would recommend any of James Patterson's bookd.