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Private #14
Princess
#1 BESTSELLING WRITER, #1 BESTSELLING SERIES
Jack Morgan receives an offer he cannot refuse...
When the head of the world's foremost investigation agency receives at invitation to meet Princess Caroline, third in line to the British throne, he boards his Gulfstream jet and flies straight to London.
The Princess needs Morgan's skills, and his discretion. Sophie Edwards, a close friend of the Princess, has gone missing. She needs to be found before the media become aware of it.
Morgan knows there is more to this case than he is being told.
But what is the Princess hiding?
Jack Morgan receives an offer he cannot refuse...
When the head of the world's foremost investigation agency receives at invitation to meet Princess Caroline, third in line to the British throne, he boards his Gulfstream jet and flies straight to London.
The Princess needs Morgan's skills, and his discretion. Sophie Edwards, a close friend of the Princess, has gone missing. She needs to be found before the media become aware of it.
Morgan knows there is more to this case than he is being told.
But what is the Princess hiding?
384 pages, Hardcover
First published May 3, 2018
4880 people are currently reading
11121 people want to read
About the author
James Patterson
956 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 576 reviews
June 14, 2018
James Patterson has returned for another collaborative effort with Rees Jones to add to the ever-expanding Private series. This novel, like many of the others, takes readers around the world and into a high-stakes game of sleuthing and action, with an international twist. Jack Morgan, head of Private, the international investigation service, is back in London. This trip is anything but a chance to sightsee or make one of his random check-ins with the local offices, for he has been summoned by Princess Caroline, third in line for the British Throne. After being hurriedly whisked off to her residence, Morgan meets with the royal, who explains that a dear friend of hers has gone missing, a woman with a wild streak and great tabloid fodder. Never one to turn down a challenge, Morgan begins his investigation, sure there is more to the story than the princess is willing to tell. While doing so, Morgan engages with the head of Private: London, Peter Knight. It would seem Knight is on a case to explore an apparent suicide of a well-to-do gentleman whose daughter wants to keep scandal from the tabloids. When Knight and Morgan compare notes, they realise that there is more to each of their cases than meets the eye. Joining efforts, some semblance of closure can be found, but there remains an overarching mystery whose narrative remains a leaden weight for both men and their cases. Morgan’s trip across the Pond has also allowed him to attempt a revisiting of an old flame, though time has all but extinguished those possibilities. When an old foe from a past U.K. case resurfaces with deadly intentions, Morgan cannot simply leave. He is invested and soon has malice pulsing through his veins. Jack Morgan and the entire Private: London enterprise are on this new mission, refusing to back off until all is right again. Trouble is, Jack Morgan’s luck may have finally run its course. An interesting addition to the series, returning to a British locale. Jones and Patterson spin a decent tale, sure to be of interest to those seeking a beach or travel read, but also worthy of those who have followed Private through its long series run.
Having long been a fan of Patterson and followed this Private series over the years, I can say with some confidence, that this was a decent addition to the series. Patterson and Jones have returned to a familiar spot, using characters seen before, and extrapolating on some of the plots left to dangle during a previous novel and short story. Jack Morgan, the ever-present character that finds himself in all Private-based stories surely plays more of a central role here, offering the reader a further glimpse into his past and some of the grit that makes him a worthy addition to each series piece. More focus on the likes of Peter Knight and some of the other local Private folks is also refreshing for the series fan, as some will be able to pull on past skirmishes and character development. The story is by no means phenomenal, but it follows a decent Private layout, playing out with at least two cases running parallel and eventually merging. Morgan’s personal story here proves to be a third plot, though it, too, seems to have some ties to the early cases, something the attentive reader will notice. While I cannot say Private is one of Patterson’s premier series, it is one that can be enjoyed if read independently or as an entire collection. Rees Jones should be applauded for helping keep the story on task and relevant, as well as stronger than some of the past pieces in this series. I’ll surely keep my eyes peeled for more when they are released.
Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and Jones, for a great effort. While I cannot admit to being mesmerised, I enjoy this lighter reading material.
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/...
Having long been a fan of Patterson and followed this Private series over the years, I can say with some confidence, that this was a decent addition to the series. Patterson and Jones have returned to a familiar spot, using characters seen before, and extrapolating on some of the plots left to dangle during a previous novel and short story. Jack Morgan, the ever-present character that finds himself in all Private-based stories surely plays more of a central role here, offering the reader a further glimpse into his past and some of the grit that makes him a worthy addition to each series piece. More focus on the likes of Peter Knight and some of the other local Private folks is also refreshing for the series fan, as some will be able to pull on past skirmishes and character development. The story is by no means phenomenal, but it follows a decent Private layout, playing out with at least two cases running parallel and eventually merging. Morgan’s personal story here proves to be a third plot, though it, too, seems to have some ties to the early cases, something the attentive reader will notice. While I cannot say Private is one of Patterson’s premier series, it is one that can be enjoyed if read independently or as an entire collection. Rees Jones should be applauded for helping keep the story on task and relevant, as well as stronger than some of the past pieces in this series. I’ll surely keep my eyes peeled for more when they are released.
Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and Jones, for a great effort. While I cannot admit to being mesmerised, I enjoy this lighter reading material.
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/...
May 22, 2018
3.5*
This was an okay installment in the Private series but honestly I had high expectations coming into this one and it was only ok with some interesting parts. Not my favorite installment but not the worst.
My quick and simple overall: not bad but not as good as I was hoping.
This was an okay installment in the Private series but honestly I had high expectations coming into this one and it was only ok with some interesting parts. Not my favorite installment but not the worst.
My quick and simple overall: not bad but not as good as I was hoping.
June 22, 2018
If the book had stopped at exactly 50% i think i would have liked it. After 50% the story goes on and on about his past enmity with Flex and takes away the focus.
July 8, 2018
Another great Private book.. I do love Morgan! Set in London again this one is full on action and emotions. Keep them coming James Patterson please... maybe time to return to Australia for an adventure??
April 21, 2018
The Private series is one of my favourites that James Patterson has written for him despite how fantastical and over the top they can be at times, as evidenced here in Private Princess. It’s no exaggeration when I say that every page of this book is all-action. Jack Morgan is seemingly invincible he survives that many attempts on his life in this story.
We see Jack returning to Private London for a meeting with Princess Caroline who wants Private to look into the disappearance of her best friend. Straightaway he heads to Wales only for the first of many murder attempts to take place. I feel that this story is perhaps one that was just too sensationalist. It wasn’t believable in the slightest and the way Private operates in the US just doesn’t lend itself well to how the UK law enforcement works.
I also felt that I’d missed a story somewhere along the way (or forgotten all about it) because this is a story of revenge against Jack by someone from his past. I love an action-packed book but here I felt there was just too much of it to take the story seriously. I didn’t feel a connection to the characters, so I couldn’t share or believe in Jack’s pain because in the past he’s certainly been fixated on more than one woman. I love Jack Morgan as a character and always enjoy following along with him, but the story here I felt was just weak. It read almost like an expanded BookShot. There’s not much room for story or character development when every other page is Jack and co escaping from another shootout.
In the past Patterson’s novels have retained that American feel despite being set in various places around the world. In Private Princess I felt that the setting was well-utilised. It was easy to picture London and I especially enjoyed the dramatic finale set inside one of London’s most famous landmarks. But overall I was left disappointed with this rushed and overly dramatic story that won’t be leaving any lasting impression in my mind. I eagerly await the next Jack Morgan adventure but just hope that I enjoy it more than I did the story here in Private Princess.
We see Jack returning to Private London for a meeting with Princess Caroline who wants Private to look into the disappearance of her best friend. Straightaway he heads to Wales only for the first of many murder attempts to take place. I feel that this story is perhaps one that was just too sensationalist. It wasn’t believable in the slightest and the way Private operates in the US just doesn’t lend itself well to how the UK law enforcement works.
I also felt that I’d missed a story somewhere along the way (or forgotten all about it) because this is a story of revenge against Jack by someone from his past. I love an action-packed book but here I felt there was just too much of it to take the story seriously. I didn’t feel a connection to the characters, so I couldn’t share or believe in Jack’s pain because in the past he’s certainly been fixated on more than one woman. I love Jack Morgan as a character and always enjoy following along with him, but the story here I felt was just weak. It read almost like an expanded BookShot. There’s not much room for story or character development when every other page is Jack and co escaping from another shootout.
In the past Patterson’s novels have retained that American feel despite being set in various places around the world. In Private Princess I felt that the setting was well-utilised. It was easy to picture London and I especially enjoyed the dramatic finale set inside one of London’s most famous landmarks. But overall I was left disappointed with this rushed and overly dramatic story that won’t be leaving any lasting impression in my mind. I eagerly await the next Jack Morgan adventure but just hope that I enjoy it more than I did the story here in Private Princess.
May 12, 2018
Terrible and dull
Mr Patterson needs to stop writing about the UK, it was painful to read. The Royal family employing Americans to save their reputation is both embarrassing and laughable. Even the parts about Milwall and Fulham football fans was awkward, a quick Google would have been enough to write those scenes, no need to visit. How very British, having a football fan throw a pie at a copper, English (not British), football holligans take far more than a pie to a match. This book is cringe worthy unless you are a small minded American who believes they save the world. I used to really enjoy James Patterson books but that was 20+ years ago.
Mr Patterson needs to stop writing about the UK, it was painful to read. The Royal family employing Americans to save their reputation is both embarrassing and laughable. Even the parts about Milwall and Fulham football fans was awkward, a quick Google would have been enough to write those scenes, no need to visit. How very British, having a football fan throw a pie at a copper, English (not British), football holligans take far more than a pie to a match. This book is cringe worthy unless you are a small minded American who believes they save the world. I used to really enjoy James Patterson books but that was 20+ years ago.
June 21, 2018
Princess is a thriller forming part of James Patterson's Private novels. It is rather entertaining and could be done with in a sitting or two. I find the writing in there rather straight forward though and so wasn't impressed by much. The Security Firm, Private, Head Jack Morgan has a case to handle and as ussual it comes with costs for through the case Private faces ordeals that would deem their challenges of getting down to the answers low. Private has two cases on the table that they didnt have the slightest clue interlinked, That of the missing Sophie Edwards brought on by The Princess Caroline of The British Royal Family and a death of a millionaire brought on by the millionaire's daughter. The main adversary : Flex Gibbons.
Concluding, i wouldnt term the book great as it just didnt get me until like the last quarter of the book, yet i'd recommend it for anyone seeking a good thriller.
Concluding, i wouldnt term the book great as it just didnt get me until like the last quarter of the book, yet i'd recommend it for anyone seeking a good thriller.
May 25, 2018
Actual rating is less that 2 stars but not a 1. Wish Mr. Patterson would go back to the good old days of putting more quality into his books instead of seeing how many books he can spit out and how fast. Over the past years I’ve pretty much given up on all his series but still found the Private and Jack Morgan series a fairly decent read. This novel was so disappointing, far-fetched, sloppy and at times laughable as Patterson tried to convince us that the UK and royal family would actually turn to Jack Morgan for help. Ending was beyond corny; maybe time to end this series????
May 11, 2019
2...So disappointed! Two books ago we had a missing princess...now a princess's friend is missing. Last book was a suspicious suicide...why are these storylines in THIS novel...I couldn't even get into this novel!!!!
June 11, 2018
I bought this book at a book store. I enjoyed reading it. It had a good story to it. I like the style of writing in these private books that the author writes. I look forward to the next one.
May 30, 2018
I have never read a bad James Patterson book until Private Princess. Title is totally misleading as it has very little to do with a princess. Just not a good read.
June 2, 2018
Well the Private books may not be memorable, but they are exciting, fast paced reading. Jack Morgan is a larger than life hero, and London is a great backdrop for the newest adventure. Good job.
June 5, 2018
Just dreadful! Can not recommend this book at all. Couldn’t wait for it to be over!
June 21, 2020
This is my first James Patterson book. James Patterson & Rees Jones’ Princess ( A PRIVATE Novel #14) is set in contemporary London with Jack Morgan responding to the third in the line to the Crown, Princess Caroline’s request to meet with him. Jack, American founder of Private, “ the best investigation unit in the world” has branches of Private all over the world. London Private plays a pivotal role in this case with the its head, Peter Knight, backing Jack up in this missing person case. The missing person, Sophie Edwards, is an intimate friend of the British Royal Family and thus, an important personage and must be found. As this is my first Patterson book, I was unaware of the style. The short chapters are great; the team comradeship is well done; but the violence and murder is just not my style. I think that I will stick to my historical fiction. I do congratulate James Patterson on all he has done for others!
His dedication is the best: “ To the fighting men and women of the United States Marine Corps” 3.25 stars.
His dedication is the best: “ To the fighting men and women of the United States Marine Corps” 3.25 stars.
August 14, 2018
I was a bit disappointed in this book. I was expecting more for it. Private is a great series and this just did not seem to fit in. I hope the next one is better. I’m wondering if it makes a difference who he collaborates with when he writes.
May 18, 2018
I respect James Patterson for his energy and generosity in giving writers a chance and not just using them as ghost writers. But this book was so badly written and boring. I couldn’t finish it.
June 9, 2018
This book was awful. No more words.
January 20, 2019
An OK read but Jack just did not feel like “Jack” in this book.
March 16, 2020
3.5 stars: I haven't read a James Patterson book in a long time, so when someone gave this one to me, I thought it would be perfect to read by the pool here in Florida and it was. The 14th book in James Patterson's Private series. In this one, Jack Morgan and his private investigators work for a princess. She needs their discretion to locate a missing friend. As well, there is someone trying to kill Jack for revenge. It was a quick read with Patterson's short chapters that keep you turning the pages to read "just one more chapter." This was action packed, with Jack taking centre stage. There were some murders (to be expected in this series) and some heart stopping moments. Not the best of his that I have read, but it was enjoyable.
February 15, 2023
A decent mystery turned adventure thriller. Well-written, fast-paced. Good way to while away a couple of hours.
June 16, 2018
This was an ok installment in the Private series. A friend of the princess is Missing in London. The princess calls Jack Morgan to help her find her friend. In the meantime it looks like one of Jack’s no nemesis’ From previous Private London novels is back for revenge. This book reads a three star because as usual when Jack Morgan is involved it seems to be an OK read. Still not loving this series, but I will probably keep going.
June 14, 2018
Well I must say this was better than the last few Private novels I’ve read. Pretty typical though. I swear if that one guy used the word “bastard” one more time I was going to lose it!!
September 16, 2018
As a big reader, sometimes amidst the romance books I read I love to have a change and mystery novels are my go-to-reads. This one grabbed my attention as. First it was a Private novel featuring Jack Morgan and it had to do with the royal family. Private Princess takes us back to London where Jack and his team have been hired by the princess to find a missing person. As the team looks for her, the crew start coming up against danger as they are being hunted themselves. Who is out to kill the Private squad and ruin Jack Morgan? Is it to do with the case they are on or something more sinister. When it comes to the Private series for me, I either like the books, or I can't get into them. Private Princess was one that I could get into and read and as I had just seen the new Mission Impossible film recently - Fallout, the Jack Morgan Team reminded me of Tom Cruise's character and his team members. Private Princess was another fantastic installment in the Private series by James Patterson and also welcomed Rees Jones's into the world of James Patterson's novel family.
May 13, 2020
This was actually one of my best liked Patterson books in a long time. I felt like a lot of them were just repeating themselves there for awhile. Not necessarily in the details, but the structure of the book.
Ex. There are two cases that need to be solved. We bounce back from one to the other, then one gets solved 60% into the book and we now focus on the other one until the end. Someone gets hurt or killed along the way, but not a major character, etc.
Predictable. Still fun to read, but not super shocking.
I was taken aback a couple of times while reading this though, and my stomach was in knots for probably 3/4's of the book. Not an easy feat! There were plenty of twists and turns in this book to keep me turning pages and knock it out in under 3 hours.
If you are a James Patterson fan, you will enjoy this one!
Ex. There are two cases that need to be solved. We bounce back from one to the other, then one gets solved 60% into the book and we now focus on the other one until the end. Someone gets hurt or killed along the way, but not a major character, etc.
Predictable. Still fun to read, but not super shocking.
I was taken aback a couple of times while reading this though, and my stomach was in knots for probably 3/4's of the book. Not an easy feat! There were plenty of twists and turns in this book to keep me turning pages and knock it out in under 3 hours.
If you are a James Patterson fan, you will enjoy this one!
November 1, 2024
*Thrilling Ride*
**3.5 Stars**
I took a break from this series as it started well then it kind of lost its way. I think because they are co-written they do not always gel.
This instalment was more like the beginning of the series. I think I had low expectations but this was more thrilling and based in London.
We see Jack Morgan the head of Private a top class investigation agency. They have much more resources than most police departments have and they pride themselves on leaving no stone unturned. They are dotted around the world in a lot of cities.
Jack is invited to meet Princess Caroline, she is the third in line to the U.K. throne. She knows of his special brand of skills and his discretion. She wants him to find a close friend of hers named Sophie but, she is holding something back. Jack is under pressure as the Princess wants him to find Sophie before it becomes a media storm.
He decides to go to Wales and where she was last seen. On checking into his hotel with one of the London team with him, his room quickly becomes peppered with bullets.
Jack smells a rat and soon he is fighting an old arch enemy and knows blood will be spilt.
But, he knows that the Princess is holding out on him and when one of his own is killed he is about to get even and settle the score, even if this means fighting to the bitter end where there is a showdown…
This was a much better pace and engrossing.
**3.5 Stars**
I took a break from this series as it started well then it kind of lost its way. I think because they are co-written they do not always gel.
This instalment was more like the beginning of the series. I think I had low expectations but this was more thrilling and based in London.
We see Jack Morgan the head of Private a top class investigation agency. They have much more resources than most police departments have and they pride themselves on leaving no stone unturned. They are dotted around the world in a lot of cities.
Jack is invited to meet Princess Caroline, she is the third in line to the U.K. throne. She knows of his special brand of skills and his discretion. She wants him to find a close friend of hers named Sophie but, she is holding something back. Jack is under pressure as the Princess wants him to find Sophie before it becomes a media storm.
He decides to go to Wales and where she was last seen. On checking into his hotel with one of the London team with him, his room quickly becomes peppered with bullets.
Jack smells a rat and soon he is fighting an old arch enemy and knows blood will be spilt.
But, he knows that the Princess is holding out on him and when one of his own is killed he is about to get even and settle the score, even if this means fighting to the bitter end where there is a showdown…
This was a much better pace and engrossing.
June 14, 2018
Jack Morgan, owner of Private Investigations, is called to London by Princess Caroline. One of her close friends is missing and she needs this investigation to be under the police radar for some reason. Since Jack's head of investigations in London, Peter Knight, is working the suicide of a wealthy man, Jack and former army officer Jane Cook begin tracking the missing woman. One of Jack's arch enemies is determined to thwart their efforts and he also intends for Jack to leave this case in a casket.
Patterson's trademark short chapters keep this story rolling at a breakneck pace. Lots of action. Jack escapes death multiple times. The killings are quite vicious.
Patterson's trademark short chapters keep this story rolling at a breakneck pace. Lots of action. Jack escapes death multiple times. The killings are quite vicious.
March 10, 2025
This book truly is a book that should be read. It kept me on the edge of my seat. James patterson truly has a gift of writing.
October 27, 2025
Excellent
August 8, 2018
For me this book was harder to get into thanost Patterson novels
The characters and roles a bit confusing, but by the end I was ripping along and enjoying it.
The characters and roles a bit confusing, but by the end I was ripping along and enjoying it.
January 1, 2019
I liked this book and couldn’t put it down. A lot happened in this story; when I thought it was almost done, another plot emerged. I now want to read the other books in this Private series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 576 reviews