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Tom Moon #1
Lost
In this action-packed thriller, Miami just got a lot more dangerous—especially for one innocent young woman running for her life.
The city of Miami is Detective Tom Moon's back yard. He's always kept it local, attending University of Miami on a football scholarship, and, as a Miami PD officer, protecting the city's most vulnerable.
Now, as the new leader of an FBI task force called "Operation Guardian," it's his mission to combat international crime. Moon's investigative team discovers that the opportunistic "Blood Brothers"—Russian nationals Roman and Emile Rostoff—have evaded authorities while building a vast, powerful, and deadly crime syndicate throughout Europe and metropolitan Miami.
Moon played offense for U of M, but he's on the other side of the field this time. And as the Rostoffs zero in on a target dear to Tom, they're not playing by anyone's rules.
The city of Miami is Detective Tom Moon's back yard. He's always kept it local, attending University of Miami on a football scholarship, and, as a Miami PD officer, protecting the city's most vulnerable.
Now, as the new leader of an FBI task force called "Operation Guardian," it's his mission to combat international crime. Moon's investigative team discovers that the opportunistic "Blood Brothers"—Russian nationals Roman and Emile Rostoff—have evaded authorities while building a vast, powerful, and deadly crime syndicate throughout Europe and metropolitan Miami.
Moon played offense for U of M, but he's on the other side of the field this time. And as the Rostoffs zero in on a target dear to Tom, they're not playing by anyone's rules.
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 13, 2020
2963 people are currently reading
17270 people want to read
About the author
James Patterson
954 books356k 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 806 reviews
February 6, 2020
In their latest collaborative effort, James Patterson and James O. Born tackle the world of human trafficking with an American twist. Tom Moon is a Miami PD detective who heads up a multi-agency task force with a focus on international crime. After being able to foil a child trafficking ring at the Miami Airport, Tom takes it upon himself to ensure the children are safely returned. He takes the flight to Amsterdam, where he crosses paths with a Dutch National Police detective who shares his passion for keeping people safe. Whispers on the street is that the Russian Mob is seeking to ship a large group back through Miami, mostly children to be sold into the sex trade. Tom must not only hone in on the traffickers, but also determine when and how these people will slip into the United States. Even when the plot is revealed, it will take more to destroy this Hydra before it grows another and more sinister head. The race to save young children is on, but it will take an open-minded hierarchy and nerves of steel, particularly when a ruthless Russian will do whatever it takes to pad his pocket. A decent crime thriller that shows the authors are not out of fresh and catchy ideas. While there are some wrinkles, it was an enjoyable read, leaving me wanting more by this duo.
I have often struggled when a book sells based on the Patterson name, rather than the quality of the work. I have read a number of Patterson-Born novels, most of which kept me entertained throughout the experience. Tom Moon proves to be an interesting protagonist, whose backstory and character development are revealed throughout. Juggling the high-impact world of international crime with the struggles of a mother and sister in need of his help, Tom seems capable of doing what is needed to ensure that all the boxes are checked. He has a sense of humour and yet knows when to be serious on the job. Having shown his passion for children, the reader can connect with him and he will likely keep evolving, if the rumours of a series come to fruition. The supporting characters are equally interesting and help keep the story moving forward. I can only hope that some will return to develop themselves a little more. The plot was decent and the story clipped along well, perhaps because of Patterson’s trademark short chapters and constant cliffhangers, but there were times I sought more momentum from the plot and the building narrative. I can only hope that the collaboration continues and sharper presentation is part of future releases.
Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and Born, for writing effectively, even if you have yet to ‘eclipse’ others in the genre.
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/...
I have often struggled when a book sells based on the Patterson name, rather than the quality of the work. I have read a number of Patterson-Born novels, most of which kept me entertained throughout the experience. Tom Moon proves to be an interesting protagonist, whose backstory and character development are revealed throughout. Juggling the high-impact world of international crime with the struggles of a mother and sister in need of his help, Tom seems capable of doing what is needed to ensure that all the boxes are checked. He has a sense of humour and yet knows when to be serious on the job. Having shown his passion for children, the reader can connect with him and he will likely keep evolving, if the rumours of a series come to fruition. The supporting characters are equally interesting and help keep the story moving forward. I can only hope that some will return to develop themselves a little more. The plot was decent and the story clipped along well, perhaps because of Patterson’s trademark short chapters and constant cliffhangers, but there were times I sought more momentum from the plot and the building narrative. I can only hope that the collaboration continues and sharper presentation is part of future releases.
Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and Born, for writing effectively, even if you have yet to ‘eclipse’ others in the genre.
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/...
August 30, 2020
With Miami detective Tom Moon heading the FBI task force on international crimes, his first concern was the human trafficking of children from Europe into the US. At Miami International airport with his team – Stephanie Hall, Anthony Chilleo and Lorena Perez – they could see the person they were after, leading a group of six children through the airport after they’d just landed from Amsterdam.
The arrest that day meant Tom would dig deeply into the crime syndicate, from Miami to Amsterdam and back again; to the Russians in both places and the huge trafficking ring that they all wanted to bring down. He would collaborate with the person in charge in Amsterdam and together they would work harder than they had in some time. But would it work?
Lost by James Patterson and James O. Born is a fast-paced thriller with plenty of action, lots of bodies (and many bad guys) and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m hoping it’s the start of a series – I’d like to catch up with the likeable Tom Moon again, plus the way it ended left an opening for a follow up. Highly recommended. The cover is eye catching too 😊
The arrest that day meant Tom would dig deeply into the crime syndicate, from Miami to Amsterdam and back again; to the Russians in both places and the huge trafficking ring that they all wanted to bring down. He would collaborate with the person in charge in Amsterdam and together they would work harder than they had in some time. But would it work?
Lost by James Patterson and James O. Born is a fast-paced thriller with plenty of action, lots of bodies (and many bad guys) and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m hoping it’s the start of a series – I’d like to catch up with the likeable Tom Moon again, plus the way it ended left an opening for a follow up. Highly recommended. The cover is eye catching too 😊
February 7, 2020
Really enjoyed this first book im the new series. Set in Miami and Amsterdam was a nice change too.
Fast paced and full of action and twists and turns. Great new characters to get to know. Already looking forward more
Fast paced and full of action and twists and turns. Great new characters to get to know. Already looking forward more
February 24, 2020
Upfront disclosure - I am a pretty avid reader of James Patterson. However, for the purposes of honesty, I get his books 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.
Now Patterson is kicking off the new decade of the 20’s with a new law enforcement hero fighting crime in the cool and exciting setting of Miami, Florida. Tom Moon is the name and he is a former offensive football player at the University of Miami, turned police officer, turned leader of the FBI “Operation Guardian” task force. His team’s mission is to fight international crime and win. If this were a movie script, it sounds like we should be calling Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to fill the lead role of this Miami Vice meets Bad Boys for life retro-fit…
Anyway, the book kicks off with our hero, Tom, taking part in a bust of a human trafficking operation in the Miami international airport. A mule arrives with six young children, who are to be put to work in the greater metropolitan area run by Russian syndicate mobster Roman Rostoff, who hides behind a public persona of a powerful and politically connected businessman. His brother, Emile Rostoff, also controls the source of their European supply chain coming out of Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
Stealing Roman’s resources starts an investigation between Moon and the Russian “Blood Brothers” that sends the FBI task force leader to Amsterdam to work with Marie Meijer, liaison with the Dutch national Police. Marie is also passionate about stopping human trafficking, trying to close down one of the sources of the Rostoff’s young resources - Hannah and Albert Greeted, who are both leveraged heavily to Roman and his syndicate.
Together, Moon and Marie work to close the human supply chain feeding Miami and destroying the lives of those enslaved. But the stakes are big and the risks include Tom’s team and his family, including his own sister, who the syndicate targets for leverage against him. Moon will have to play by their rules if he is to survive, let alone win this war.
After reading Patterson’s new book and the potential beginning of a new series, there is more good news than bad. And for the most part, the good news outweighs the bad.
The book was fast-moving, full of adventure and serious issues, and had some strong multi-faceted characters. Tom Moon was a likable character, as well as Marie. I hope to see their potential relationship continue to develop, and due to their geographic distances, that may be a challenge. Tom’s family – Mom and Sister Lily – provide strength and grounding to his harsh work life. For some unexplainable reasons, these characters come across with more depth and empathy than most of the clichéd people that show up in other Patterson books. I felt more drawn to them and interested in what happened to their development during the story.
The story itself was interesting enough, well- layered, displaying a connected plot that unfolded in a typical Patterson tension-filled manner. It reflected serious criminal issues, reflecting creatively researched ideas that made the story stronger. The pacing moved along at a steady staccato pace, with several twists and turns along the way. Although the book was about 100 pages shorter than a normal Patterson book, it was full of action and tight plotline from beginning to end.
Now, for the bad news. This may be just me… but from the moment I read the book cover and inside jacket, I immediately pictured Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as Tom Moon. Moon’s character is a big man, played football for the University of Miami, and is a bad-ass… That’s wrestling and movie star Johnson’s past too.
It’s as if Patterson was thinking I need a new hero character set against the background of a cool city… Hmm… Miami hasn’t been used in his books yet as central location… Hmm… How about creating a character that went to the U of M and looks like “The Rock”, serving in a law enforcement role… For me, this was a movie script set-up for Johnson to play himself someday in the future… I am not saying that this is bad, but I couldn’t help but visually see Johnson in everything Moon did and “the Rock’s” voice in everything he said. Maybe others won’t have this impression, or may appreciate and enjoy seeing his image. It bothered me a bit, but not enough to take away from the other strengths that made it worth reading for me.
Overall, it was one of the more enjoyable Patterson books that I have read in the last year or so and I look forward to another outing in the future. A strong three out of five stars. No more and no less.
Now Patterson is kicking off the new decade of the 20’s with a new law enforcement hero fighting crime in the cool and exciting setting of Miami, Florida. Tom Moon is the name and he is a former offensive football player at the University of Miami, turned police officer, turned leader of the FBI “Operation Guardian” task force. His team’s mission is to fight international crime and win. If this were a movie script, it sounds like we should be calling Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to fill the lead role of this Miami Vice meets Bad Boys for life retro-fit…
Anyway, the book kicks off with our hero, Tom, taking part in a bust of a human trafficking operation in the Miami international airport. A mule arrives with six young children, who are to be put to work in the greater metropolitan area run by Russian syndicate mobster Roman Rostoff, who hides behind a public persona of a powerful and politically connected businessman. His brother, Emile Rostoff, also controls the source of their European supply chain coming out of Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
Stealing Roman’s resources starts an investigation between Moon and the Russian “Blood Brothers” that sends the FBI task force leader to Amsterdam to work with Marie Meijer, liaison with the Dutch national Police. Marie is also passionate about stopping human trafficking, trying to close down one of the sources of the Rostoff’s young resources - Hannah and Albert Greeted, who are both leveraged heavily to Roman and his syndicate.
Together, Moon and Marie work to close the human supply chain feeding Miami and destroying the lives of those enslaved. But the stakes are big and the risks include Tom’s team and his family, including his own sister, who the syndicate targets for leverage against him. Moon will have to play by their rules if he is to survive, let alone win this war.
After reading Patterson’s new book and the potential beginning of a new series, there is more good news than bad. And for the most part, the good news outweighs the bad.
The book was fast-moving, full of adventure and serious issues, and had some strong multi-faceted characters. Tom Moon was a likable character, as well as Marie. I hope to see their potential relationship continue to develop, and due to their geographic distances, that may be a challenge. Tom’s family – Mom and Sister Lily – provide strength and grounding to his harsh work life. For some unexplainable reasons, these characters come across with more depth and empathy than most of the clichéd people that show up in other Patterson books. I felt more drawn to them and interested in what happened to their development during the story.
The story itself was interesting enough, well- layered, displaying a connected plot that unfolded in a typical Patterson tension-filled manner. It reflected serious criminal issues, reflecting creatively researched ideas that made the story stronger. The pacing moved along at a steady staccato pace, with several twists and turns along the way. Although the book was about 100 pages shorter than a normal Patterson book, it was full of action and tight plotline from beginning to end.
Now, for the bad news. This may be just me… but from the moment I read the book cover and inside jacket, I immediately pictured Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as Tom Moon. Moon’s character is a big man, played football for the University of Miami, and is a bad-ass… That’s wrestling and movie star Johnson’s past too.
It’s as if Patterson was thinking I need a new hero character set against the background of a cool city… Hmm… Miami hasn’t been used in his books yet as central location… Hmm… How about creating a character that went to the U of M and looks like “The Rock”, serving in a law enforcement role… For me, this was a movie script set-up for Johnson to play himself someday in the future… I am not saying that this is bad, but I couldn’t help but visually see Johnson in everything Moon did and “the Rock’s” voice in everything he said. Maybe others won’t have this impression, or may appreciate and enjoy seeing his image. It bothered me a bit, but not enough to take away from the other strengths that made it worth reading for me.
Overall, it was one of the more enjoyable Patterson books that I have read in the last year or so and I look forward to another outing in the future. A strong three out of five stars. No more and no less.
January 15, 2020
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pretty good, quick read. The human trafficking storyline is intriguing and does give readers a view on how awful the whole crime is and also the disparity in attention it gets compared to many other crimes. Which is a real travesty all around. Would love to read more books based on the subject matter.
Pretty good, quick read. The human trafficking storyline is intriguing and does give readers a view on how awful the whole crime is and also the disparity in attention it gets compared to many other crimes. Which is a real travesty all around. Would love to read more books based on the subject matter.
Read
March 7, 2020Did not finish
April 20, 2020
3.5 ☆
Breaking rules had become my hobby
Lost introduces a very likeable law enforcement officer to the thriller genre. Miami police detective Tom Moon heads the newly created inter-agencies FBI task force on international crimes. His main partners are Stephanie, Lorena, and Chilleo, who all hail from agencies familiar with the combustible mix of drugs and guns under the tropical Floridian sunshine.
In this debut novel, Moon's team is trying to break up a human trafficking operation that originates in Amsterdam and has ties with organized Russian crime in Miami. With a tip from Dutch officials, the team successfully intercepts 6 minors as their smuggler arrives with them in Miami's airport. Through his interaction with the trafficking victims, readers learn of Moon's family situation and philosophical proclivities. Moon freely quotes Plato and Socrates - "the only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing. " His interest in the kids - his new "posse" - enables Moon to escort them back to Amsterdam and gives Moon the chance to work closely with Dutch detective Marie Meijer. Both Moon and Meijer care about the victims of human trafficking. Their ultimate targets are the two Rostoff brothers, the Russians obscuring their criminal activities with their charitable and political donations.
Lost is written in either first person narration from Moon or third person for everyone else. There are charismatic locations, gunplay, action, humor, and plenty of deaths in Lost. This novel is an easy read. Indeed, I would characterize this as "thriller - lite." It feels like a story ready for quick primetime television serialization - some thrills but the assurance of a series' expectation that the team will be safe and return in the next few weeks.
This is the first book I've ever read from the James Patterson "factory, " as this has been co-written by James Born. This partnership has also created Detective Michael Bennett. I've avoided Patterson books in the past because of this writing system, but I had impulsively picked this up from my library's new titles shelf. Wow, remember those days? I'm feeling nostalgic 😉 Don't let my rating put you off. This is an enjoyable novel and I will read the future installments. It's just not likely to enter the level of my personal favorites.
Breaking rules had become my hobby
Lost introduces a very likeable law enforcement officer to the thriller genre. Miami police detective Tom Moon heads the newly created inter-agencies FBI task force on international crimes. His main partners are Stephanie, Lorena, and Chilleo, who all hail from agencies familiar with the combustible mix of drugs and guns under the tropical Floridian sunshine.
In this debut novel, Moon's team is trying to break up a human trafficking operation that originates in Amsterdam and has ties with organized Russian crime in Miami. With a tip from Dutch officials, the team successfully intercepts 6 minors as their smuggler arrives with them in Miami's airport. Through his interaction with the trafficking victims, readers learn of Moon's family situation and philosophical proclivities. Moon freely quotes Plato and Socrates - "the only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing. " His interest in the kids - his new "posse" - enables Moon to escort them back to Amsterdam and gives Moon the chance to work closely with Dutch detective Marie Meijer. Both Moon and Meijer care about the victims of human trafficking. Their ultimate targets are the two Rostoff brothers, the Russians obscuring their criminal activities with their charitable and political donations.
Lost is written in either first person narration from Moon or third person for everyone else. There are charismatic locations, gunplay, action, humor, and plenty of deaths in Lost. This novel is an easy read. Indeed, I would characterize this as "thriller - lite." It feels like a story ready for quick primetime television serialization - some thrills but the assurance of a series' expectation that the team will be safe and return in the next few weeks.
This is the first book I've ever read from the James Patterson "factory, " as this has been co-written by James Born. This partnership has also created Detective Michael Bennett. I've avoided Patterson books in the past because of this writing system, but I had impulsively picked this up from my library's new titles shelf. Wow, remember those days? I'm feeling nostalgic 😉 Don't let my rating put you off. This is an enjoyable novel and I will read the future installments. It's just not likely to enter the level of my personal favorites.
April 10, 2020
James Patterson has introduced another character in literature. This one is a police detective. In this installment he is trying to break a ring of criminals involved in everything from human trafficking to drugs.
I learned more than I ever wanted to know about human trafficking and how these bad guys lure unsuspecting young people to the U. S. They think they are coming for a better life only to find themselves in the sex trade, or worse. These people kidnap, intimidate and kill to make a profit.
This was a good book. The characters could use some more work, but I'm sure they will be fleshed
out more in the next book in the series.
I learned more than I ever wanted to know about human trafficking and how these bad guys lure unsuspecting young people to the U. S. They think they are coming for a better life only to find themselves in the sex trade, or worse. These people kidnap, intimidate and kill to make a profit.
This was a good book. The characters could use some more work, but I'm sure they will be fleshed
out more in the next book in the series.
February 4, 2020
A likable new character Tom Moon. Story sets in Miami with human trafficking and Russian related. It was a typical Patterson detective/FBI/law enforcement mystery. Not bad but could use more action.
July 26, 2020
4.5 Stars for Lost (audiobook) by James Patterson and James O. Born read by Corey Carthew. This was a wonderful story. I really enjoyed how fast paced it was. The characters were great and lots of action. The narration was great too.
September 28, 2021
****3.5 Stars Rounded Up****
This was a solid, easy, enjoyable read. It was definitely not my "favorite" James Patterson book, but still very good.
This was the first book in the Tom Moon series. Tom Moon is a Miami detective who has joined an FBI task force called "Operation Guardian". He is investigating a human trafficking ring stemming from Amsterdam that is connected to Miami. It involves the notorious Rostoff brothers, Roman and Emile, and their connections Hanna and Albert Greete, along with Amsterdam detective Marie Meijer who works close with Tom Moon to try to bring down the ring.
The plot was somewhat predictable. However, I really thought the characters and their relationships were developed well. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series (I am excited to see how Tom and Marie's relationship develops).
I'm really glad the authors chose the subject of human trafficking. I don't think we shed enough light on this major issue that goes on everyday right underneath our noses.
Thank you to Goodreads and both authors for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a solid, easy, enjoyable read. It was definitely not my "favorite" James Patterson book, but still very good.
This was the first book in the Tom Moon series. Tom Moon is a Miami detective who has joined an FBI task force called "Operation Guardian". He is investigating a human trafficking ring stemming from Amsterdam that is connected to Miami. It involves the notorious Rostoff brothers, Roman and Emile, and their connections Hanna and Albert Greete, along with Amsterdam detective Marie Meijer who works close with Tom Moon to try to bring down the ring.
The plot was somewhat predictable. However, I really thought the characters and their relationships were developed well. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series (I am excited to see how Tom and Marie's relationship develops).
I'm really glad the authors chose the subject of human trafficking. I don't think we shed enough light on this major issue that goes on everyday right underneath our noses.
Thank you to Goodreads and both authors for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 18, 2020
Fairly decent read. I liked the character Tom Moon. A little bit of Reacher with his stature and dealing with stressful situations. Wouldn’t mind a few more books with this group.
August 3, 2020
This book was pretty good. As always, it was a fast and easy read. It reads like it might be the first of a new series.
June 1, 2020
Threw in the towel at a little over half...so damn bored! It has a great premise, BUT it couldn't hold my interested. Literally nothing new here...
January 19, 2020
I received a copy of Lost from Penguin Random House Australia to review.
From the excellent crime fiction team of James Patterson and James O. Born comes Lost, an enjoyable and thrilling novel that sets a fun new protagonist against the scourge of international human trafficking.
Detective Tom Moon is a Miami man, born and bred, who loves to protect his city. Assigned to lead a new FBI joint task force that’s been set up in the city, his new job is to tackle international crime. However, their job gets very complicated when they receive a tip about a man coming in through Miami International Airport from Amsterdam. Upon arresting their suspect, they find that he was attempting to smuggle in several children from Europe and that he is part of a notorious human trafficking ring.
Working closely with Dutch Detective Marie Meijer, Moon and his team work to uncover the full extent of the trafficking ring in both Amsterdam and Miami. However, the traffickers are being led by a ruthless pair of Dutch siblings who are desperate to succeed and even willing to target the police hunting them. Worse, the traffickers are working with a powerful syndicate of Russian gangsters who have a strong foothold in both Europe and Miami. When Moon and his team receive news that a massive shipment of people is being smuggled into Miami, they know that this is the break they need to bring down the entire operation. But with money and family on the line, both the Russians and the traffickers are desperate to claim their cargo and will go to any lengths to secure it, even if that means killing Moon and everyone he cares about.
To see the full review, check out the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2020/01/19/...
An abridged version of this review ran in the Canberra Weekly on 16 January 2020:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2020/01/19/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
From the excellent crime fiction team of James Patterson and James O. Born comes Lost, an enjoyable and thrilling novel that sets a fun new protagonist against the scourge of international human trafficking.
Detective Tom Moon is a Miami man, born and bred, who loves to protect his city. Assigned to lead a new FBI joint task force that’s been set up in the city, his new job is to tackle international crime. However, their job gets very complicated when they receive a tip about a man coming in through Miami International Airport from Amsterdam. Upon arresting their suspect, they find that he was attempting to smuggle in several children from Europe and that he is part of a notorious human trafficking ring.
Working closely with Dutch Detective Marie Meijer, Moon and his team work to uncover the full extent of the trafficking ring in both Amsterdam and Miami. However, the traffickers are being led by a ruthless pair of Dutch siblings who are desperate to succeed and even willing to target the police hunting them. Worse, the traffickers are working with a powerful syndicate of Russian gangsters who have a strong foothold in both Europe and Miami. When Moon and his team receive news that a massive shipment of people is being smuggled into Miami, they know that this is the break they need to bring down the entire operation. But with money and family on the line, both the Russians and the traffickers are desperate to claim their cargo and will go to any lengths to secure it, even if that means killing Moon and everyone he cares about.
To see the full review, check out the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2020/01/19/...
An abridged version of this review ran in the Canberra Weekly on 16 January 2020:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2020/01/19/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
April 6, 2020
A very good book
January 12, 2020
Well worth a read
January 16, 2020
Got this book Monday at 9pm. Finished it Wednesday at 9pm. It was that good.
July 14, 2020
Below-average Patterson with the Miami equivalent of Michael Bennett. Not the most thrilling thriller ever.
March 7, 2022
I really enjoyed this quick read. Easy to follow and very engaging. I felt like I was watching a crime documentary. SO GOOD.
January 21, 2020
With the newly published LOST, we can add yet another memorable character to James Patterson’s oeuvre. The book introduces Miami police detective Tom Moon to crime fiction, and an auspicious introduction it is indeed, beginning with his backstory and continuing through a plot that is very much set in the real world.
Moon, who seems to be modeled (at least partly) after co-author James O. Born --- more on that in a minute --- has been “keeping it local,” to the extent of having been born in Miami and attending college there on a football scholarship. It is the latter experience that caused him to have the nickname “Anti” hung on him, which has stayed with him as he worked his way up from a Miami beat cop to a position as the head of Operation Guardian, an FBI task force dealing with international crime.
Born, a bestselling author and an Emmy Award-winning screenwriter, brings his day-job experience as an officer with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (as well as his lifelong south Florida residency) to the proceedings, with the result being that one’s immediate reaction to reading LOST is “When can we get more?”
Moon is a big, personable guy who is a walking, talking version of Bartlett’s Familiar (and occasionally obscure) Quotations. Despite being fully into adulthood, he lives with his mother and younger sister, and the reasons for that arrangement are made clear as readers make their way through the book. It might be more accurate to say that they live with him. LOST deals almost entirely with the ins and outs of human trafficking, a heinous crime that is both closely local and widely international in scale. Surprisingly enough, roughly the first half of the novel takes place in Amsterdam, as the result of Moon and his task force in Miami intercepting some human cargo in the form of a group of children.
Moon breaks protocol and bends a law or two by personally taking the victims back to Amsterdam in order to make sure that each and all are reunited with family. While doing so, he is introduced to Marie Meijer, who could be described as his European counterpart. An organized crime family has effectively made Miami and Amsterdam sister cities in the worst sort of ways. The family in question consists of Roman and Emile Rostoff, Russian brothers who have built a vast and reprehensible crime syndicate throughout Europe with a beachhead in Miami.
Moon returns to Miami more determined than ever to bust up the American side of the operation. When a trafficker comes there with her brother for the purpose of using her human cargo to pay off an outstanding debt to the Rostoffs, Marie is not far behind. She and Moon slowly and tantalizingly gravitate toward each other professionally and personally, even as matters around them become more dangerous as the story races to a conclusion that is explosive in all of the best ways.
LOST is one of the most outstanding inaugural volumes to a potential series that I have read in quite a while. Moon and Marie are terrific lead characters with enough secondary plots surrounding each of them to play out over the course of at least a few more books. Miami and Amsterdam also provide terrific settings for future novels, with Patterson and Born’s familiarity with the former providing plenty of fodder for scenery in the front screen and the side view mirrors. I hope that both authors find the time for more stories involving these same characters.
Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
Moon, who seems to be modeled (at least partly) after co-author James O. Born --- more on that in a minute --- has been “keeping it local,” to the extent of having been born in Miami and attending college there on a football scholarship. It is the latter experience that caused him to have the nickname “Anti” hung on him, which has stayed with him as he worked his way up from a Miami beat cop to a position as the head of Operation Guardian, an FBI task force dealing with international crime.
Born, a bestselling author and an Emmy Award-winning screenwriter, brings his day-job experience as an officer with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (as well as his lifelong south Florida residency) to the proceedings, with the result being that one’s immediate reaction to reading LOST is “When can we get more?”
Moon is a big, personable guy who is a walking, talking version of Bartlett’s Familiar (and occasionally obscure) Quotations. Despite being fully into adulthood, he lives with his mother and younger sister, and the reasons for that arrangement are made clear as readers make their way through the book. It might be more accurate to say that they live with him. LOST deals almost entirely with the ins and outs of human trafficking, a heinous crime that is both closely local and widely international in scale. Surprisingly enough, roughly the first half of the novel takes place in Amsterdam, as the result of Moon and his task force in Miami intercepting some human cargo in the form of a group of children.
Moon breaks protocol and bends a law or two by personally taking the victims back to Amsterdam in order to make sure that each and all are reunited with family. While doing so, he is introduced to Marie Meijer, who could be described as his European counterpart. An organized crime family has effectively made Miami and Amsterdam sister cities in the worst sort of ways. The family in question consists of Roman and Emile Rostoff, Russian brothers who have built a vast and reprehensible crime syndicate throughout Europe with a beachhead in Miami.
Moon returns to Miami more determined than ever to bust up the American side of the operation. When a trafficker comes there with her brother for the purpose of using her human cargo to pay off an outstanding debt to the Rostoffs, Marie is not far behind. She and Moon slowly and tantalizingly gravitate toward each other professionally and personally, even as matters around them become more dangerous as the story races to a conclusion that is explosive in all of the best ways.
LOST is one of the most outstanding inaugural volumes to a potential series that I have read in quite a while. Moon and Marie are terrific lead characters with enough secondary plots surrounding each of them to play out over the course of at least a few more books. Miami and Amsterdam also provide terrific settings for future novels, with Patterson and Born’s familiarity with the former providing plenty of fodder for scenery in the front screen and the side view mirrors. I hope that both authors find the time for more stories involving these same characters.
Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
January 1, 2020
Thanks LB&Co for sending me Lost to review . Tom Moon is a great character with law enforcement in Miami , Florida . His goal is to crush an international human trafficking ring after he receives information a group of children are being smuggled into MIA . After returning the children to Amsterdam he returns to Miami with more information to locate another shipment of children being smuggled by ship . With the help of Marie the Amsterdam detective working the case abroad they take down the smugglers and the Russian mob that was responsible for bringing prostitution to Miami
January 19, 2020
LIBRARY BOOK. I really thought this was a boring sort of book. The topic of human trafficking involving the Russians, the Dutch and Miami was interesting but the story just wasn't all that satisfying. I kept thinking about half way through the book.....LOST....who is lost? I finally settled on Magda who got separated from her brother Joseph, the piano player. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
April 24, 2021
I was disappointed in this book. When you read a James Patterson book you would expect the caliber of an Alex Cross adventure. Not so. I enjoyed learning more about the hideous crime of human trafficking, but this book was slow moving, and the loose ends were too easily tied up. It was hard to stay interested in it.
January 23, 2020
Fast-paced story with well-drawn characters. I’d like to read more about Tom and his team.
February 8, 2020
I liked this book. Not one of my favorite Patterson books I've ever read!
April 22, 2021
This was honestly one of the most meh books ever! Was there a climax?
It ended weird and I’m just glad it’s finally done and I never have to read a word of it again
It ended weird and I’m just glad it’s finally done and I never have to read a word of it again
June 21, 2021
I really enjoyed this first in a series! I'm glad that this character will have more books. Tom Moon is a likable character and a talented detective. I enjoyed the way he worked the case. It was interesting that quite a few characters didn't speak English first but the author didn't include any foreign dialect (at least not in the audio version). Not sure why, but I would've liked to see that. Oh well. Hopefully the next book will be just as good as this one!
December 13, 2023
LOST was a good example of a hard working task force tasked to stop a Russian crime syndicate from human trafficking and prostitution in the Miami area.
Pretty boring due to details being few and far between with no big aha moments.
I appreciated the attempt to somewhat build character and have the lead detective kick butt, but it fell really short.
Not one of James Patterson’s better attempts at storytelling.
Pretty boring due to details being few and far between with no big aha moments.
I appreciated the attempt to somewhat build character and have the lead detective kick butt, but it fell really short.
Not one of James Patterson’s better attempts at storytelling.
September 18, 2020
It was out of the blue that I got this book! But it was an awesome read and I loved it!!
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