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Instinct #1
Murder Games
A serial killer is loose on the streets of Manhattan.
His victims appear to be total strangers. The only clue that links the crimes is the playing card left behind at each scene that hints at the next target.
The killer, known in the tabloids as The Dealer, is baiting cops into a deadly guessing game that has the city increasingly on edge. Elizabeth Needham, the tenacious cop in charge of the case, turns to an unlikely ally - Dylan Reinhart, a brilliant professor whose book was found with the first playing card.
As the public frenzy over The Dealer reaches a fever pitch, Dylan and Elizabeth must connect the clues to discover what the victims have in common - before The Dealer runs through his entire deck.
His victims appear to be total strangers. The only clue that links the crimes is the playing card left behind at each scene that hints at the next target.
The killer, known in the tabloids as The Dealer, is baiting cops into a deadly guessing game that has the city increasingly on edge. Elizabeth Needham, the tenacious cop in charge of the case, turns to an unlikely ally - Dylan Reinhart, a brilliant professor whose book was found with the first playing card.
As the public frenzy over The Dealer reaches a fever pitch, Dylan and Elizabeth must connect the clues to discover what the victims have in common - before The Dealer runs through his entire deck.
340 pages, Paperback
First published June 26, 2017
3991 people are currently reading
17636 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 1,778 reviews
July 8, 2017
In their recent collaboration, James Patterson and Howard Roughan have created a wonderful standalone piece to entertain readers. Dr. Dylan Reinhart has done well for himself: an established Professor of Psychology at Yale, happy in his long-term relationship, and a popular textbook on Abnormal Psychology that has received many accolades. When he is approached by NYPD Detective Elizabeth Needham, her message is as ominous as they come. “Someone may be trying to kill you!” Soon Needham and Reinhart are teaming up to crack open a homicide investigation with a serial killer who uses playing cards to hint at their next victim. Deemed ‘The Dealer’, Needham and Reinhart must try to remain one step ahead of the killer, whose obsession with Reinhart is quite apparent. In the background, a power-hungry Mayor of New York City (are there other kinds?) demands updates as he delves deeper into Reinhart’s past while a crime beat journalist relishes all the headlines the case seems to be garnering. The reader soon learns that Reinhart has a secret that he has been keeping from everyone, perhaps one reason he has been tapped by The Dealer. Juggling the case and some developments in his personal life, Reinhart must find a balance before he becomes a victim himself. As The Dealer ups the ante, Needham must rely on this man she barely knows to keep her from going bust. Patterson and Roughan have a firm grip on his story and keep the reader connected throughout. Fast paced and perfect for a short beach read, this novel shows that Patterson still has some good work to offer.
Many know of my love/hate relationship with James Patterson in recent years. The man has amassed much of his wealth with less than stellar pieces. However, when paired with the proper collaborator and using the perfect literary recipe, a decent book emerges. Roughan seems to have brought out some great ideas as they craft this decent thriller that exemplifies another NYPD cat and mouse game with an intelligent serial killer that has much to prove. The characters are varied and well-developed, though there are many whose presence is used only to be a quick victim in the larger narrative. The Reinhart-Needham connection is decent, though not unique from other Patterson novels where a cop and civilian find themselves intertwined during the story arc. The story is paced well and the use of Patterson’s short chapter technique keeps the narrative clipping along with ease. While not psychologically stunning, the story is decent and it keeps the reader’s attention. Sure to laud some praise on Roughan and give Patterson another pat on the back, this book has all the elements of a decent summer novel.
Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and Roughan for a great piece of work that will bring readers back again. I hope to see more collaborative efforts in the near future, as you two have a symbiosis that cannot be taken for granted when Patterson’s name appears on the dust jacket.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Many know of my love/hate relationship with James Patterson in recent years. The man has amassed much of his wealth with less than stellar pieces. However, when paired with the proper collaborator and using the perfect literary recipe, a decent book emerges. Roughan seems to have brought out some great ideas as they craft this decent thriller that exemplifies another NYPD cat and mouse game with an intelligent serial killer that has much to prove. The characters are varied and well-developed, though there are many whose presence is used only to be a quick victim in the larger narrative. The Reinhart-Needham connection is decent, though not unique from other Patterson novels where a cop and civilian find themselves intertwined during the story arc. The story is paced well and the use of Patterson’s short chapter technique keeps the narrative clipping along with ease. While not psychologically stunning, the story is decent and it keeps the reader’s attention. Sure to laud some praise on Roughan and give Patterson another pat on the back, this book has all the elements of a decent summer novel.
Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and Roughan for a great piece of work that will bring readers back again. I hope to see more collaborative efforts in the near future, as you two have a symbiosis that cannot be taken for granted when Patterson’s name appears on the dust jacket.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
July 2, 2017
This is the first book in a long time that I couldn't put down. What a great story! I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It was fast paced and to the point. I'm disappointed it's over.
August 3, 2017
Prolific author James Patterson and co-author Howard Roughan really hit a home run with this one: Intriguing story, interesting characters and, IMHO, an exceptionally satisfying ending. So much did I enjoy the characters, in fact, that I'd love to see psychology professor Dr. Dylan Reinhart and NYPD Detective Elizabeth Needham turned into a series (one that includes, I emphasize, Reinhart's delightful partner Tracy).
The book reeled me in right from the start (well, if I don't count the opening remarks by a serial killer dubbed "The Dealer") with the introduction of 34-year-old Reinhart, who teaches a course on abnormal behavior and is the author of a book on what he calls "persuasion theory." Psychology is my own undergraduate degree, and just about any time I find a mystery/thriller that focuses on that subject, I'm hooked. Sometimes that's a good thing and sometimes not, but in this case, I got to the end with a big smile on my face.
Truth be told, Reinhart has a bit of an obnoxious streak, but he clearly knows his stuff (and his sometimes off-putting personality is nicely tempered by the aforementioned Tracy). The plot begins as Needham interrupts one of Reinhart's classes, making the attention-getting pronouncement that someone apparently wants to kill the professor. Turns out that's her way of asking for help with a murder case in which the killer leaves a playing card. Reinhart is skeptical, but when a second murder takes place and another playing card is left at the scene, he realizes - as does she - that a serial killer is on the loose.
Reinhart and Needham develop something of a rapport, albeit grudgingly at first. Their investigative efforts are interspersed with bits of humor as they come to respect one another and follow clues that extend to a pesky journalist and even the local mayor, who's in desperation mode while vying for reelection. But is the deck stacked so far against them that the killer will end up with the winning hand?
Inquiring minds want to know - at least mine sure did. Now I do, and I'm sorry to close the book on these characters. Bring them back, please?
The book reeled me in right from the start (well, if I don't count the opening remarks by a serial killer dubbed "The Dealer") with the introduction of 34-year-old Reinhart, who teaches a course on abnormal behavior and is the author of a book on what he calls "persuasion theory." Psychology is my own undergraduate degree, and just about any time I find a mystery/thriller that focuses on that subject, I'm hooked. Sometimes that's a good thing and sometimes not, but in this case, I got to the end with a big smile on my face.
Truth be told, Reinhart has a bit of an obnoxious streak, but he clearly knows his stuff (and his sometimes off-putting personality is nicely tempered by the aforementioned Tracy). The plot begins as Needham interrupts one of Reinhart's classes, making the attention-getting pronouncement that someone apparently wants to kill the professor. Turns out that's her way of asking for help with a murder case in which the killer leaves a playing card. Reinhart is skeptical, but when a second murder takes place and another playing card is left at the scene, he realizes - as does she - that a serial killer is on the loose.
Reinhart and Needham develop something of a rapport, albeit grudgingly at first. Their investigative efforts are interspersed with bits of humor as they come to respect one another and follow clues that extend to a pesky journalist and even the local mayor, who's in desperation mode while vying for reelection. But is the deck stacked so far against them that the killer will end up with the winning hand?
Inquiring minds want to know - at least mine sure did. Now I do, and I'm sorry to close the book on these characters. Bring them back, please?
April 28, 2021
It's good. But there are more interesting books out there.
July 7, 2017
Readable but pretty mediocre. Not thrilling in the least. The detective didn't much detect. The psychologist didn't do much analysis. The serial killer wasn't particularly scary or memorable. Patterson is phoning it in.
April 8, 2018
3.5*
“Life can be messy and mystifying, all right. But every once in a while you get a day that seems to make sense of it all. Those are the days you remember most. The days you cherish.”
That has got to be one of the best quotes from a James Patterson co-authored book. I actually was very into this book. It was a quick read that only took about four hours or so to read. I loved the characters and story plot of Murder Games. It was entertaining and did not stop unraveling this one until the chapter before the epilogue, even though you think it does a few chapters before. I like to read these James Patterson books during the week when I have research work because they don’t take as long and keep me entertained in my down time. Pretty sure he is my most read author.
My quick and simple overall: quick but fun and entertaining.
“Life can be messy and mystifying, all right. But every once in a while you get a day that seems to make sense of it all. Those are the days you remember most. The days you cherish.”
That has got to be one of the best quotes from a James Patterson co-authored book. I actually was very into this book. It was a quick read that only took about four hours or so to read. I loved the characters and story plot of Murder Games. It was entertaining and did not stop unraveling this one until the chapter before the epilogue, even though you think it does a few chapters before. I like to read these James Patterson books during the week when I have research work because they don’t take as long and keep me entertained in my down time. Pretty sure he is my most read author.
My quick and simple overall: quick but fun and entertaining.
October 28, 2019
Christened The Dealer by the media, the serial killer’s calling card was literally that – a playing card. With it he identified the next person he would murder; the police just had to figure it out before it happened. NYPD Detective Elizabeth Needham was in charge of the case and when she alerted Professor Dylan Reinhart to the killer and his macabre murders, the two of them immediately concentrated on following the clues. Reinhart was an expert in the criminal mind; his book had some connection to the killings – was it possible he would see what agenda the killer was following?
But their frustration was immense as more killings followed. Who would be next? Why were these people being killed? What was the link? What would be the outcome?
Murder Games by James Patterson is the 1st in the Instinct series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The usual choppy chapters that Patterson is known for kept the pace electric; the action non-stop and the adrenalin flowing. An excellent thriller which I highly recommend, I’m looking forward to the 2nd – Killer Instinct – soon!
But their frustration was immense as more killings followed. Who would be next? Why were these people being killed? What was the link? What would be the outcome?
Murder Games by James Patterson is the 1st in the Instinct series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The usual choppy chapters that Patterson is known for kept the pace electric; the action non-stop and the adrenalin flowing. An excellent thriller which I highly recommend, I’m looking forward to the 2nd – Killer Instinct – soon!
July 2, 2018
4 Stars!
Can you believe this was my first James Patterson book ever? Honestly I think I was a little intimidated to read his books but my IRL book club picked this as our book so I dove right in!
We meet Dylan Reinhart who is a professor at Yale. He teaches a class about abnormal behavior. One day a woman, Elizabeth, rushes in and he mistakes her for a student. Little does he know she's a NYPD detective and his most recent book has started a trail to catch "The Dealer". There's a single pattern that the serial killer uses to give hints of his next act: a playing card from a deck of cards. Each one symbolizes a nickname to the next victim. The Dealer wants Dylan to find out who he is because: serial killers want to get caught. Creeeeepy.
This book was really solid because I had no idea who the serial killer was until the revealed it and that is a sign of a good thriller/mystery!
I loved this book first and foremost because of the short chapters. Each one is no more than 3 pages long and usually are shorter. I think for thrillers especially this is a great feature. The quicker you are turning the pages and finding out information the more excited you get. And there's nothing like being excited while reading a thriller, makes it an even more fun experience! I also enjoyed that there wasn't too much fluff at the end. Sometimes endings to thrillers can have about 10 or so pages of how the characters got back to normal life but this was thrilling until the epilogue which was only 2 or so pages. I personally loved this writing style.
Trigger warnings: this book is graphic at times and I even winced during a few chapters. Patterson gets real graphic during some serial killer scenes so if you're squeamish about blood, needles, guns, etc. just be warned this book has some of these triggers in there.
I'm super excited to chat with the ladies in book club about this! If you've never read a Patterson book this is a good one to start with!
Can you believe this was my first James Patterson book ever? Honestly I think I was a little intimidated to read his books but my IRL book club picked this as our book so I dove right in!
We meet Dylan Reinhart who is a professor at Yale. He teaches a class about abnormal behavior. One day a woman, Elizabeth, rushes in and he mistakes her for a student. Little does he know she's a NYPD detective and his most recent book has started a trail to catch "The Dealer". There's a single pattern that the serial killer uses to give hints of his next act: a playing card from a deck of cards. Each one symbolizes a nickname to the next victim. The Dealer wants Dylan to find out who he is because: serial killers want to get caught. Creeeeepy.
This book was really solid because I had no idea who the serial killer was until the revealed it and that is a sign of a good thriller/mystery!
I loved this book first and foremost because of the short chapters. Each one is no more than 3 pages long and usually are shorter. I think for thrillers especially this is a great feature. The quicker you are turning the pages and finding out information the more excited you get. And there's nothing like being excited while reading a thriller, makes it an even more fun experience! I also enjoyed that there wasn't too much fluff at the end. Sometimes endings to thrillers can have about 10 or so pages of how the characters got back to normal life but this was thrilling until the epilogue which was only 2 or so pages. I personally loved this writing style.
Trigger warnings: this book is graphic at times and I even winced during a few chapters. Patterson gets real graphic during some serial killer scenes so if you're squeamish about blood, needles, guns, etc. just be warned this book has some of these triggers in there.
I'm super excited to chat with the ladies in book club about this! If you've never read a Patterson book this is a good one to start with!
July 22, 2017
This is the fifth James Patterson book that I have read so this year. I tend to read about six to seven of his books for the last several years. To be honest, I borrow them from the library because I don’t find him good enough to buy and keep in my library. He’s mind candy – simple, fast-paced, detective and mystery oriented adventures that can be read in about two to three days and easily left behind. Nice escapism, but nothing super memorable.
Murder Games introduces new characters and a potential introduction to a new series. It focuses on Dr. Dylan Reinhart, an Ivy league professor and published expert on criminal behavior who becomes directly involved in a series of serial killings in New York when he is recruited by Elizabeth Needham, an aggressive NYPD detective in charge of the investigation.
Like a typical Patterson mystery, the plot is fastmoving with a lot of running around New York city as Dylan and Elizabeth try to find and capture the killer who leaves clues using a deck of cards. Layered into the mystery is Dylan’s secret background and Elizabeth political connections to a mayor running scared in the middle of a re-election campaign. Although most of the plotline follow’s Patterson’s usual developments, there a couple of fresh twists that make the outcome a bit more interesting than usual.
Earlier this year, I read one of the best books Patterson had written in a long time – The Black Book. Shortly afterwards, I read one of the worst books he’s written – The 16th Seduction. That is my opinion. This book was somewhere in between those two. It is a good read. Not classic, but a solid enjoyable ride for a summer day escape.
Murder Games introduces new characters and a potential introduction to a new series. It focuses on Dr. Dylan Reinhart, an Ivy league professor and published expert on criminal behavior who becomes directly involved in a series of serial killings in New York when he is recruited by Elizabeth Needham, an aggressive NYPD detective in charge of the investigation.
Like a typical Patterson mystery, the plot is fastmoving with a lot of running around New York city as Dylan and Elizabeth try to find and capture the killer who leaves clues using a deck of cards. Layered into the mystery is Dylan’s secret background and Elizabeth political connections to a mayor running scared in the middle of a re-election campaign. Although most of the plotline follow’s Patterson’s usual developments, there a couple of fresh twists that make the outcome a bit more interesting than usual.
Earlier this year, I read one of the best books Patterson had written in a long time – The Black Book. Shortly afterwards, I read one of the worst books he’s written – The 16th Seduction. That is my opinion. This book was somewhere in between those two. It is a good read. Not classic, but a solid enjoyable ride for a summer day escape.
May 25, 2024
3.25 ⭐️ (rnd ⬇️) — Despite being a mystery-crime-suspense-noir-horror-thriller type fan, this is probably— nope, certainly — a novel I’d ever really consider reading these days. Not out of snobbery or a preconceived notion that JP’s work is mass-produced-automated-mediocrity or alike, but because I’m on a different journey or literary path these days, and so the aforementioned enjoyment I do get, I select extremely carefully and from a long, long list I’ve been curating for years now.
I’d have to call this one a fairly thrilling read, with some heady bumps — or maybe more aptly put some voluptuous curves — along the edges of the trail. I don’t recall how much of Patterson’s work I’ve read previously, but having been given this to read by my Brother-in-law, his first book recommendation, ever — I felt compelled to give it a go! In doing so, I found myself reminded that Patterson is a bonafide, A-List writer whose talent came well before bus current level of production. Therefore, his work shouldn’t be dismissed as male-centric, red-blooded fodder. It’s definitely better than that, and this well-crafted narrative very ably demonstrates such.
James Patterson's "Instinct" promises a — typically — fast-paced, enjoyably-thrilling journey, and for the most part, it delivers a compelling story. The novel follows Dr. Dylan Reinhart, a brilliant if somewhat unconventional — though not in a contrarian-like manner — Ivy League professor whom is pulled strongly back into the world of crime-solving by NYPD Detective Elizabeth Needham. Together, they tackle a series of bizarre murders that do keep the reader guessing until the bitter end. Throughout this, the dynamic between these two central characters has its own kind of surface-level mystery.
One of the standout features of this effort, is its ability to maintain an engaging, but enjoyably well-balanced plot. Patterson's trademark short, punchy chapters and rapid pacing do make it difficult to put the book aside. The expected twists and turns are plentiful, without being for the mere sake of themselves, ensuring that readers remain hooked from start to finish. The chemistry between Reinhart and Needham, and the somewhat unpredictable nature of it were a sound highlight, providing some nicely timed humor and also sinewy-tension, as the pair adroitly navigate the complexities of the case and concurrently, their dynamic partnership.
However, the novel is not without its share of flaws. While the plot is gripping, it can sometimes feels a bit too contrived. Some of the twists, though surprising, stretch believability and can pull readers out of the narrative. Additionally, the character development, especially for the supporting cast, feels somewhat lacking. Reinhart and Needham are well fleshed out, but other characters often come across as mere plot devices rather than fully realized individuals.
Patterson's writing style is accessible and straightforward, which is part of his broad appeal. Yet, at times, this simplicity can make the story feel just a tincture less immersive. The dialogue, in particular, can be stilted and unrealistic, detracting from the overall experience, leaving me on several occasions feeling that and a rather nebulous-like affect to my mood, particularly in the middle-stretches of the narrative.
Instinct is a solid read & one that fans of James Patterson and also the thriller genre will undoubtedly appreciate. It offers a gripping ride with enough suspense to keep readers engaged and also has a few portentous passages that are eponymous to the author. While it has its imperfections, the novel's strengths make it worth a look. Just don't expect it to reinvent the wheel and I doubt you’ll be disappointed. So it is ⭐️⭐️⭐️ for an entertaining, somewhat flawed, thriller, that is far from being intractable, and nearly shows this author isn’t just a book-spewing, jock-clapping puppet, he is a good writer that produces a massive amount of decent entertainment!
I’d have to call this one a fairly thrilling read, with some heady bumps — or maybe more aptly put some voluptuous curves — along the edges of the trail. I don’t recall how much of Patterson’s work I’ve read previously, but having been given this to read by my Brother-in-law, his first book recommendation, ever — I felt compelled to give it a go! In doing so, I found myself reminded that Patterson is a bonafide, A-List writer whose talent came well before bus current level of production. Therefore, his work shouldn’t be dismissed as male-centric, red-blooded fodder. It’s definitely better than that, and this well-crafted narrative very ably demonstrates such.
James Patterson's "Instinct" promises a — typically — fast-paced, enjoyably-thrilling journey, and for the most part, it delivers a compelling story. The novel follows Dr. Dylan Reinhart, a brilliant if somewhat unconventional — though not in a contrarian-like manner — Ivy League professor whom is pulled strongly back into the world of crime-solving by NYPD Detective Elizabeth Needham. Together, they tackle a series of bizarre murders that do keep the reader guessing until the bitter end. Throughout this, the dynamic between these two central characters has its own kind of surface-level mystery.
One of the standout features of this effort, is its ability to maintain an engaging, but enjoyably well-balanced plot. Patterson's trademark short, punchy chapters and rapid pacing do make it difficult to put the book aside. The expected twists and turns are plentiful, without being for the mere sake of themselves, ensuring that readers remain hooked from start to finish. The chemistry between Reinhart and Needham, and the somewhat unpredictable nature of it were a sound highlight, providing some nicely timed humor and also sinewy-tension, as the pair adroitly navigate the complexities of the case and concurrently, their dynamic partnership.
However, the novel is not without its share of flaws. While the plot is gripping, it can sometimes feels a bit too contrived. Some of the twists, though surprising, stretch believability and can pull readers out of the narrative. Additionally, the character development, especially for the supporting cast, feels somewhat lacking. Reinhart and Needham are well fleshed out, but other characters often come across as mere plot devices rather than fully realized individuals.
Patterson's writing style is accessible and straightforward, which is part of his broad appeal. Yet, at times, this simplicity can make the story feel just a tincture less immersive. The dialogue, in particular, can be stilted and unrealistic, detracting from the overall experience, leaving me on several occasions feeling that and a rather nebulous-like affect to my mood, particularly in the middle-stretches of the narrative.
Instinct is a solid read & one that fans of James Patterson and also the thriller genre will undoubtedly appreciate. It offers a gripping ride with enough suspense to keep readers engaged and also has a few portentous passages that are eponymous to the author. While it has its imperfections, the novel's strengths make it worth a look. Just don't expect it to reinvent the wheel and I doubt you’ll be disappointed. So it is ⭐️⭐️⭐️ for an entertaining, somewhat flawed, thriller, that is far from being intractable, and nearly shows this author isn’t just a book-spewing, jock-clapping puppet, he is a good writer that produces a massive amount of decent entertainment!
July 6, 2017
Definitely not the best James Patterson- and I've read almost all of them. This just didn't work for me. The professor character had no real personality. The cop was formulaic. The premise of the book sounded good, but the book just never delivered. I'd give it a lower rating, but I did finish it and it had some good moments. Would have been better as a Michael Bennett or Alex Cross novel. I just couldn't get into this one.
August 15, 2017
it was a quick read. I felt like the authors had one speed driving on a straight, flat desert road. A little disappointing, especially coming from James Patterson. I think it's time to slow down his speed of writing, focus on quality not quantity
August 16, 2017
I know that I can always rely on a James Patterson book to be amazing. I hope this book is the start of a new series as I loved the characters and would like to jear more from them. A great book!
July 6, 2017
4.25 stars
An author, Dr Dylan Reinhart, has a copy of his latest book show up at a murder scene. From there he partners with a NYPD detective, Elizabeth Needham to figure out who this serial killer is. Another clue is a playing card - one is left at the scene of each murder - and the murders go on and on. As a journalist, a judge and a mayor get involved the murderer is dubbed "The Dealer".
Typical Patterson -well put together, great character development, moving story line. A brilliant protagonist who is quick putting together the clues, with a couple of side kicks who have secrets of their own. Easy read, enjoyable.
An author, Dr Dylan Reinhart, has a copy of his latest book show up at a murder scene. From there he partners with a NYPD detective, Elizabeth Needham to figure out who this serial killer is. Another clue is a playing card - one is left at the scene of each murder - and the murders go on and on. As a journalist, a judge and a mayor get involved the murderer is dubbed "The Dealer".
Typical Patterson -well put together, great character development, moving story line. A brilliant protagonist who is quick putting together the clues, with a couple of side kicks who have secrets of their own. Easy read, enjoyable.
August 18, 2017
Dr. Dylan Reinhart wrote the book on criminal behavior. Literally--he's a renowned, bestselling Ivy League expert on the subject. When a copy of his book turns up at a gruesome murder scene--along with a threatening message from the killer--it looks like someone has been taking notes.
Elizabeth Needham is the headstrong and brilliant NYPD Detective in charge of the case who recruits Dylan to help investigate another souvenir left at the scene--a playing card. Another murder, another card--and now Dylan suspects that the cards aren't a signature, they're a deadly hint--pointing directly toward the next victim.
As tabloid headlines about the killer known as "The Dealer" scream from newstands, New York City descends into panic. With the cops at a loss, it's up to Dylan to hunt down a serial killer unlike any the city has ever seen. Only someone with Dylan's expertise can hope to go inside the mind of a criminal and convince The Dealer to lay down his cards. But after thinking like a criminal--could Dylan become one?
Elizabeth Needham is the headstrong and brilliant NYPD Detective in charge of the case who recruits Dylan to help investigate another souvenir left at the scene--a playing card. Another murder, another card--and now Dylan suspects that the cards aren't a signature, they're a deadly hint--pointing directly toward the next victim.
As tabloid headlines about the killer known as "The Dealer" scream from newstands, New York City descends into panic. With the cops at a loss, it's up to Dylan to hunt down a serial killer unlike any the city has ever seen. Only someone with Dylan's expertise can hope to go inside the mind of a criminal and convince The Dealer to lay down his cards. But after thinking like a criminal--could Dylan become one?
October 13, 2017
Murder Games is about a killer who terrorised the people Manhattan. FBI Agent Elizabeth Needham has no answer to how to find the killer. FBI Agent Elizabeth Needham decided to contact Professor Dylan Reinhart who is knowledgeable on serial killers. However, from the start, FBI Agent Elizabeth Needham and Professor Dylan Reinhart clashed. The readers of Murder Games will continue to follow the investigation of FBI Agent Elizabeth Needham and Professor Dylan Reinhart to see what happens.
I did enjoy reading the murder games. I love the two main characters of the Murder Games, Elizabeth Needham and Dylan Reinhart. The combination of James Patterson and Howard Roughan work well together, and it shows because they kept the readers engaged with the story. I also like the way they portrayed and entwine their characters throughout the book. At times I did laugh with the way James Patterson and Howard Roughan get their characters to do. I did like the way James Patterson and Howard Roughan incorporated the twists and turns in the book.
The readers of Murder Games will learn about other ways to connect with murders. Also, readers will learn about the adoption procedures in The United States of America.
I recommend this book.
I did enjoy reading the murder games. I love the two main characters of the Murder Games, Elizabeth Needham and Dylan Reinhart. The combination of James Patterson and Howard Roughan work well together, and it shows because they kept the readers engaged with the story. I also like the way they portrayed and entwine their characters throughout the book. At times I did laugh with the way James Patterson and Howard Roughan get their characters to do. I did like the way James Patterson and Howard Roughan incorporated the twists and turns in the book.
The readers of Murder Games will learn about other ways to connect with murders. Also, readers will learn about the adoption procedures in The United States of America.
I recommend this book.
October 30, 2017
So, this is my first ever book written by James Patterson and I loved every god damn page. Murder Games is a really easy and quick read. I think the longest chapter was what.. like 3 pages?! Since it the first book I've ever read by him I can't say that it is the best or worst he has ever written - but I can say that I enjoyed every minute of it. I liked all of the characters and thought they were written to perfection. I never saw the murderer coming and I was actually surprised who it was. I'm really happy that I read this book and I'm pretty sure I just got hooked to James Patterson. Now I need to read all of his books asap!
September 11, 2017
I was hoping this would be better, considering its higher reviews. Yes, it was a quick read, but I just didn't feel it was as suspenseful and didn't care so much for these characters. They were not fully fleshed out. While I was interested in the outcome, I wasn't holding my breath. And a lot of it seemed unrealistic in a race to the finish that would never be plausible.
May 8, 2022
not my favorite book by james patterson. i just really couldn't get into. i had to force myself to finish it.
August 21, 2017
I don't know if it was the luck of the #solareclipse2017 or maybe I'm actually starting to feel a bit more human. Either way I was actually able to focus on the last 75 pages of this kick ass latest Patterson novel. Loved the main character and his significant other. I also really enjoyed the other main character. With enough twists, murder, and games this one kept me guessing until the end.
June 17, 2017
Everything by James Patterson is a winner in my eyes.
July 26, 2017
So, I just realized that this is not only my first Patterson book, but far more importantly, my first ever WRITTEN Goodreads book review - and this book warranted it. This book reminded me so much of my experience with The Woman in Cabin 10. Like The Woman in Cabin 10, I listened to the positive reviews on Goodreads and expected it to be a good...read (sorry - that just sorta happened). Like The Woman in Cabin 10 I hated this book from word one. However, unlike The Woman in Cabin 10, I realized that life is too short to read crappy books and this time I listened to my honed sense of discernment and got the heck out of Dodge before it was too late, chucking this book in the return bin ON TIME. I don't know how I would live with myself if I were to incur even one day of library late fees on this book.
Full disclosure: I only made it 40 pages into this masterpiece of mediocrity. I'm sure it is possible that on page 41 this book shifted completely and became something significant and borderline readable. I have my doubts. But let me say this if you are on the fence about this book and you're standing in the library, Goodreads app in hand, looking over reviews and seeing a high rating on this book, or you take the book home and realize 40 pages in that clawing your eyes out might be preferable to reading another 4 paragraph chapter: it is totally ok to let this one (or any book) go. I get that it's a Patterson and he's popular and in your head you hear the voices of his disciples mocking you for "not getting it", but it really will be ok, I promise.
So, here's what I genuinely hated about this book (any book really, but this book NAILED this pet peeve of mine): I cannot stand when an author is so clearly in love with his/her own voice to the point that it undermines the narrative and the character development. Nothing pulls me out of a book more than when the characters speak or behave in such unnatural ways that the only explanation is that the author couldn't get over how clever he was. This was the case all throughout the book - well, the first 40 pages at least. Patterson and his co-author seemed to spend so much time crafting unnatural, "witty" dialogue that they forgot to actually create characters you wanted to invest in or a story that moved forward at a reasonable pace. Literally, the first 40 pages all you learn is that the main character is a Psych professor and author who has been targeted for murder. (Here come a few mild spoilers, if you consider events occurring in the first 1/10 of the book a "spoiler") Also, he's gay and trying to adopt with his partner - and even this suffered from the "let's be clever and throw in a crazy twist!" The first two chapters, in which Reinhart (the protagonist) goes home and engages with his partner, Patterson and Co give his partner a girl's name ("Tracy" - yes, it's a girl's name and you know it) and remove ALL masculine references and pronouns from the chapter so that a few pages later, when it is revealed that TRACY IS A MAN (!) you get the sense they wanted this to be a big "GOTCHA!" twist for the audience, and instead of hearing the big brass horns signaling they wow'd you, you just hear a sad trombone. Who cares? Congratulations, guys, you threw in an absolutely pointless A-HA moment and pulled it off by writing unnaturally (who avoids pronouns and calls a character by their first name EVERY time they are mentioned?). You didn't fool us - you just withheld significant information to create an insignificant "twist". I would not be surprised if they worked harder on those 4 pages than any 4 chapters combined (which, ironically, is also almost 4 pages - I'll get to that in a second).
But back on the topic of tone. The authors seemed to work overtime in putting together conversations that would never happen in the real world as each line of dialogue was clearly written to be as witty and clever as possible. Much of the dialogue is presented as witty back-and-forth conversations full of quippy one-upmanship. I imagine the authors high-fiving themselves every time a "clever" line of dialogue is dropped. In fact, the first conversation in the book is LITERALLY presented as a tennis match in which the protagonist gives us a "Whoosh" every time a verbal jab is thrown. This is not a joke nor exaggeration in the slightest. A professional author did this. And people liked it.
And then you have the problem of realism - or un...realism. Reinhart is told early on, at a bar, that it is believed he is being targeted by a disturbed serial killer that the police can't stop. Scary right! Run away and hide, right?! Not, Reinhart! He's cool with it. Goes home, opts to withhold that info from his life partner of many years because he would freak over it and instead moves ahead with adoption home visit preparations, full of discussing what to wear with his partner. That's right - renowned psychologist, professor, and author who doesn't bat an eye at the threat of a serial killer coming after him or his family and he can't match a shirt and pants. Whatever gets a laugh, though, amirite?
Finally, the structure. I have never read a book like this, thank God. Maybe this is a Patterson thing, but every - EVERY - chapter is 1.5-3 pages long, and chapters will end in the middle of a conversation only to be picked up in the exact same spot on the next page. For. No. Reason. Not once during a chapter break did I think, "That made sense to stop there. Good choice." It was nonsensical and irritating and totally unnecessary. Maybe I'm not as cool as Patterson is, but it totally pulled me out of the narrative as, in mid-conversation, I would frequently stop to think, "Why did that just happen? What did it achieve?" This did not work for me at all.
I suppose this is probably the longest GR review for 40 pages of a novel so I'll try to wrap it up. 40 pages in I realized nothing of real significance had happened. 40 pages in I did not care about a single character. 40 pages in I didn't know any more than what the jacket summary revealed. 40 pages in I was irritated that I had already wasted as much time as I had (which wasn't a lot because the chapters are 4 paragraphs) reading something so trite and poorly written. 40 pages in I knew I needed to stop, that it wasn't going to get better, and that I needed to write a review to try and warn SOME people that this book is not worth their time. If you liked it, great. Glad you connected with it. But the reviews are way too high for a book that was almost PHYSICALLY painful to read and if you aren't totally in love with a book like this, I suggest moving along to literally anything else.
For the record, in the library parking lot I cracked open the last 4 pages (or chapters 101-106) to see if it got any better. It didn't. Stupid ending. Unrealistic. Rushed. The main character gets away with doing things that would never happen in real life. Everything is tied up in a neat little bow without effort. Super glad I returned it from whence it came.
Finally, this is how I would best sum it up. In the first scene, the professor is giving his first lecture to a group of freshmen. His inner monologue shows his disdain for them, rooted in how clever and smug he finds himself, and he is borderline prideful of how superior he is to them. I honestly couldn't tell if this was just the character or Patterson's extension of himself and how he views his audience.
40 pages is all it took for me to decide I would never read another Patterson book.
Full disclosure: I only made it 40 pages into this masterpiece of mediocrity. I'm sure it is possible that on page 41 this book shifted completely and became something significant and borderline readable. I have my doubts. But let me say this if you are on the fence about this book and you're standing in the library, Goodreads app in hand, looking over reviews and seeing a high rating on this book, or you take the book home and realize 40 pages in that clawing your eyes out might be preferable to reading another 4 paragraph chapter: it is totally ok to let this one (or any book) go. I get that it's a Patterson and he's popular and in your head you hear the voices of his disciples mocking you for "not getting it", but it really will be ok, I promise.
So, here's what I genuinely hated about this book (any book really, but this book NAILED this pet peeve of mine): I cannot stand when an author is so clearly in love with his/her own voice to the point that it undermines the narrative and the character development. Nothing pulls me out of a book more than when the characters speak or behave in such unnatural ways that the only explanation is that the author couldn't get over how clever he was. This was the case all throughout the book - well, the first 40 pages at least. Patterson and his co-author seemed to spend so much time crafting unnatural, "witty" dialogue that they forgot to actually create characters you wanted to invest in or a story that moved forward at a reasonable pace. Literally, the first 40 pages all you learn is that the main character is a Psych professor and author who has been targeted for murder. (Here come a few mild spoilers, if you consider events occurring in the first 1/10 of the book a "spoiler") Also, he's gay and trying to adopt with his partner - and even this suffered from the "let's be clever and throw in a crazy twist!" The first two chapters, in which Reinhart (the protagonist) goes home and engages with his partner, Patterson and Co give his partner a girl's name ("Tracy" - yes, it's a girl's name and you know it) and remove ALL masculine references and pronouns from the chapter so that a few pages later, when it is revealed that TRACY IS A MAN (!) you get the sense they wanted this to be a big "GOTCHA!" twist for the audience, and instead of hearing the big brass horns signaling they wow'd you, you just hear a sad trombone. Who cares? Congratulations, guys, you threw in an absolutely pointless A-HA moment and pulled it off by writing unnaturally (who avoids pronouns and calls a character by their first name EVERY time they are mentioned?). You didn't fool us - you just withheld significant information to create an insignificant "twist". I would not be surprised if they worked harder on those 4 pages than any 4 chapters combined (which, ironically, is also almost 4 pages - I'll get to that in a second).
But back on the topic of tone. The authors seemed to work overtime in putting together conversations that would never happen in the real world as each line of dialogue was clearly written to be as witty and clever as possible. Much of the dialogue is presented as witty back-and-forth conversations full of quippy one-upmanship. I imagine the authors high-fiving themselves every time a "clever" line of dialogue is dropped. In fact, the first conversation in the book is LITERALLY presented as a tennis match in which the protagonist gives us a "Whoosh" every time a verbal jab is thrown. This is not a joke nor exaggeration in the slightest. A professional author did this. And people liked it.
And then you have the problem of realism - or un...realism. Reinhart is told early on, at a bar, that it is believed he is being targeted by a disturbed serial killer that the police can't stop. Scary right! Run away and hide, right?! Not, Reinhart! He's cool with it. Goes home, opts to withhold that info from his life partner of many years because he would freak over it and instead moves ahead with adoption home visit preparations, full of discussing what to wear with his partner. That's right - renowned psychologist, professor, and author who doesn't bat an eye at the threat of a serial killer coming after him or his family and he can't match a shirt and pants. Whatever gets a laugh, though, amirite?
Finally, the structure. I have never read a book like this, thank God. Maybe this is a Patterson thing, but every - EVERY - chapter is 1.5-3 pages long, and chapters will end in the middle of a conversation only to be picked up in the exact same spot on the next page. For. No. Reason. Not once during a chapter break did I think, "That made sense to stop there. Good choice." It was nonsensical and irritating and totally unnecessary. Maybe I'm not as cool as Patterson is, but it totally pulled me out of the narrative as, in mid-conversation, I would frequently stop to think, "Why did that just happen? What did it achieve?" This did not work for me at all.
I suppose this is probably the longest GR review for 40 pages of a novel so I'll try to wrap it up. 40 pages in I realized nothing of real significance had happened. 40 pages in I did not care about a single character. 40 pages in I didn't know any more than what the jacket summary revealed. 40 pages in I was irritated that I had already wasted as much time as I had (which wasn't a lot because the chapters are 4 paragraphs) reading something so trite and poorly written. 40 pages in I knew I needed to stop, that it wasn't going to get better, and that I needed to write a review to try and warn SOME people that this book is not worth their time. If you liked it, great. Glad you connected with it. But the reviews are way too high for a book that was almost PHYSICALLY painful to read and if you aren't totally in love with a book like this, I suggest moving along to literally anything else.
For the record, in the library parking lot I cracked open the last 4 pages (or chapters 101-106) to see if it got any better. It didn't. Stupid ending. Unrealistic. Rushed. The main character gets away with doing things that would never happen in real life. Everything is tied up in a neat little bow without effort. Super glad I returned it from whence it came.
Finally, this is how I would best sum it up. In the first scene, the professor is giving his first lecture to a group of freshmen. His inner monologue shows his disdain for them, rooted in how clever and smug he finds himself, and he is borderline prideful of how superior he is to them. I honestly couldn't tell if this was just the character or Patterson's extension of himself and how he views his audience.
40 pages is all it took for me to decide I would never read another Patterson book.
February 24, 2018
3.5-4 stars. Interesting concept if a little odd.
February 5, 2017
So, I'm a very big James Patterson fanatic. It would've gotten a five star review IF, it didn't resemble Don't Blink. Now, both books are written by the same two authors so I expected similarities. But it wasn't till book four that it started to show differences. I enjoyed the story nonetheless, read it till the end and enjoyed every chapter, even staying up extra late to finish the final chapters. (Note, I got a copy from the printing department I work at and I know its subject to change, even if minutely. I also found a few spelling and grammatical errors but obviously that doesn't differ from the story itself.) I hope everyone who reads this enjoys the book as much as I did. Happy reading!
July 22, 2017
Lots has been written criticizing James Patterson & his books: they follow an assembly line style, he's only the idea man & so on...but, you can't fault success & "Murder Games" is a success!
I don't read all his books, I only follow 2 of his main characters & most of his stand alone novels, but thanks to Dylan Reinhardt: I'm following series #3! There's something refreshing about Reinhardt. He's not a cop, he's actually... sorry, can't tell you. That's the something different about "Murder Games"! Have fun!
I don't read all his books, I only follow 2 of his main characters & most of his stand alone novels, but thanks to Dylan Reinhardt: I'm following series #3! There's something refreshing about Reinhardt. He's not a cop, he's actually... sorry, can't tell you. That's the something different about "Murder Games"! Have fun!
October 24, 2018
Murder Games by James Patterson and Howard Roughan is the first book in the Instinct mystery series. Professor Dylan Reinhart is asked to assist the police in investigating a murder when a copy of his book on criminal behaviour is sent to the media along with a note from the killer. The serial killer becomes known as the Dealer when he leaves playing cards as a clue to his next kill. I read this book after becoming hooked on the TV show that was made from it and I loved everything about it. It proves that the book is always so much better than the movie.
July 11, 2017
This definitely WAS NOT my favorite Patterson read, in fact was probably the worst one for me! It was hard to follow and pay attention to, and to be honest I don't know that I could even really tell you the true outcome because it bounced around so much!
Complete waste of 2 days worth of reading if you ask me!
Complete waste of 2 days worth of reading if you ask me!
August 22, 2017
With James Patterson books they are either a hit or a miss. This one was a miss. I could never really get into it and sometimes I would catch myself daydreaming and would have to reread a page. That is never a good sign. However, this will not keep me from reading his next one and hoping it is a hit.
August 19, 2018
Professor and author, Dylan Reinhart, is pulled into advise on a murder case when a copy of his book is left at one of the crime scenes, along with a threatening message.
The lead NYPD detective on the case is Elizabeth Needham and the case is that of the serial that has been named, "The Dealer", because the murderer leaves a playing card behind at ever murder. A card that is meant to give a clue into who the next victim will be. It's up to Reinhart and Needham to figure out the clues left behind to stop the next murder and to figure who the murderer is because a deck of cards is 52 cards after all. The victims have been from all realms of life so what is their connection?
Another great Patterson novel.
The lead NYPD detective on the case is Elizabeth Needham and the case is that of the serial that has been named, "The Dealer", because the murderer leaves a playing card behind at ever murder. A card that is meant to give a clue into who the next victim will be. It's up to Reinhart and Needham to figure out the clues left behind to stop the next murder and to figure who the murderer is because a deck of cards is 52 cards after all. The victims have been from all realms of life so what is their connection?
Another great Patterson novel.
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