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The Ninth Month: Someone is following her. But who will believe her?
One woman is about to become the victim of her own success.On the surface Emily Atkinson has it all. A successful job, a luxury apartment in New York City and a glamorous life. But then she lands in the hospital with a double diagnosis.She parties too much... and she's pregnant.Her nurse and new friend, Betsey, helps Emily recuperate and rediscover morning runs in the park and quiet nights at home.But as a series of women go missing, Emily's pregnancy becomes decidedly high-risk...Will she live to see it through?--------------------------------Praise for James Patterson'Nobody does it better.' Jeffery Deaver'One of the greatest storytellers of all time.' Patricia Cornwell'James Patterson is The Boss. End of.' Ian Rankin'No one gets this big without amazing natural storytelling talent - which is what Jim has, in spades.' Lee Child
455 pages, Paperback
First published August 23, 2022
1475 people are currently reading
12831 people want to read
About the author
James Patterson
955 books355k followersOfficial US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
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James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
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 - 29 of 843 reviews
September 17, 2022
Ask any mother and she'll emphatically confirm that the ninth month of pregnancy is THE WORST.
Similar to the ninth month of pregnancy, James Patterson's "The Ninth Month" was painful and, at times, unbearable.
(Was this why the book's title was chosen????)
Although I had not read one of James Patterson's mass-produced/template "thrillers" in many, many years, I recently read and enjoyed James Patterson's memoir.
Since "The Ninth Month" was being promoted as "not a typical Patterson thriller" and the book's "What happened to the missing affluent pregnant woman?" premise was intriguing, I decided to give the book a try.
The good news is that the book started off strong.
The bad news is that in the book's "second trimester", it faltered.
The book's "first trimester" was a 3-star read and the book's last two "trimesters" were 0-star reads.
In the book's last trimester, my eyes were rolling so frequently that they actually began to hurt.
I listened to the audiobook read by Anna Caputo and she did a superb job with the narration.
1 star, rounded up.
Similar to the ninth month of pregnancy, James Patterson's "The Ninth Month" was painful and, at times, unbearable.
(Was this why the book's title was chosen????)
Although I had not read one of James Patterson's mass-produced/template "thrillers" in many, many years, I recently read and enjoyed James Patterson's memoir.
Since "The Ninth Month" was being promoted as "not a typical Patterson thriller" and the book's "What happened to the missing affluent pregnant woman?" premise was intriguing, I decided to give the book a try.
The good news is that the book started off strong.
The bad news is that in the book's "second trimester", it faltered.
The book's "first trimester" was a 3-star read and the book's last two "trimesters" were 0-star reads.
In the book's last trimester, my eyes were rolling so frequently that they actually began to hurt.
I listened to the audiobook read by Anna Caputo and she did a superb job with the narration.
1 star, rounded up.
June 4, 2023
Nope. James Patterson, stop partnering with people who cannot write. And that ending…huh??
January 2, 2023
First read of 2023!
Needing something a little lighter, I turned to this collaborative effort that James Patterson and Richard DiLallo published. While I have made my sentiments known about the former, I find there are some gems when he chooses the right collaborator. In a story that surely defies “write what you know”, Patterson and DiLallo offer readers something with a little thrill, some introspection, and just enough NYC to keep things gritty. A decent novel, though it did not grip me by the lapels and shake me into heightened excitement.
Emily Atkinson has been taking New York City by storm. Her powerful job and oodles of money to do with as she pleases make for quite a life. However, every electric high must be countered with a death-defying crash. Emily’s comes in the form of a hospital visit, when her rampant alcoholism and unexpected pregnancy stop her in her tracks. Faced with what to do next, Emily must sober up quickly and decide how to handle the news, while she’s lost her job and is left with shards of her life littered across the floor.
Trying to get her mind readjusted, Emily turns to her nurse and new friend, Betsey. Together, they seek to make the most of the situation and help Emily on her way towards motherhood. All that seems minor, when Emily discovers that others in her social circle begin disappearing. This raises the hairs on the back of her neck, as Emily must wonder if something is going to happen to her. Could that man at the park be staring a little too long? Did the lady at the grocery store glare mischievously?
As the story progresses through the entire pregnancy, there are flashforward chapters about an apparent murder in the present day, with Emily at the centre of it. Could someone have caught up to Emily, making her fears realized? With NYPD involved, the story gains a darker side and the mystery heightens. Emily Atkinson may have been a hot mess in her pre-pregnancy life, but did she deserve to be a crime statistic? Patterson and DiLallo present a decent story, easily digested for a quick read experience.
I turn to Patterson’s work when I need a lighter and easier read, which seems to help offset the more involved novels on my list. The quick chapters and easy to see plot path gives the reader something they can enjoy. Richard DiLallo is here to add his own collaborative flavouring, though I am baffled how two middle-aged men could want to create a pregnant protagonist. All that being said, fiction is about thinking outside the box. With a decent story and some great wit embedded into the narrative, the authors surely succeed in what they are trying to accomplish. Not the most stunning Patterson novel I have read, but I’ll take it as a decent piece to pass the time.
Patterson novels are not known for their complex narratives or plot lines that leave the reader gasping. Still, both are present here and the reader can follow the direction throughout. Some great character development provides the reader an entertaining experience, to the point that I might have been able to picture them throughout. There is a lot going on, through a number of timelines, which makes it a little more difficult to juggle at times. I admit I was not enthralled with the story, but it’s not a total loss. Made for a great filler before my next great read!
Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and DiLallo, for a decent collaborative effort. Eager to see what you two have for us next!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Needing something a little lighter, I turned to this collaborative effort that James Patterson and Richard DiLallo published. While I have made my sentiments known about the former, I find there are some gems when he chooses the right collaborator. In a story that surely defies “write what you know”, Patterson and DiLallo offer readers something with a little thrill, some introspection, and just enough NYC to keep things gritty. A decent novel, though it did not grip me by the lapels and shake me into heightened excitement.
Emily Atkinson has been taking New York City by storm. Her powerful job and oodles of money to do with as she pleases make for quite a life. However, every electric high must be countered with a death-defying crash. Emily’s comes in the form of a hospital visit, when her rampant alcoholism and unexpected pregnancy stop her in her tracks. Faced with what to do next, Emily must sober up quickly and decide how to handle the news, while she’s lost her job and is left with shards of her life littered across the floor.
Trying to get her mind readjusted, Emily turns to her nurse and new friend, Betsey. Together, they seek to make the most of the situation and help Emily on her way towards motherhood. All that seems minor, when Emily discovers that others in her social circle begin disappearing. This raises the hairs on the back of her neck, as Emily must wonder if something is going to happen to her. Could that man at the park be staring a little too long? Did the lady at the grocery store glare mischievously?
As the story progresses through the entire pregnancy, there are flashforward chapters about an apparent murder in the present day, with Emily at the centre of it. Could someone have caught up to Emily, making her fears realized? With NYPD involved, the story gains a darker side and the mystery heightens. Emily Atkinson may have been a hot mess in her pre-pregnancy life, but did she deserve to be a crime statistic? Patterson and DiLallo present a decent story, easily digested for a quick read experience.
I turn to Patterson’s work when I need a lighter and easier read, which seems to help offset the more involved novels on my list. The quick chapters and easy to see plot path gives the reader something they can enjoy. Richard DiLallo is here to add his own collaborative flavouring, though I am baffled how two middle-aged men could want to create a pregnant protagonist. All that being said, fiction is about thinking outside the box. With a decent story and some great wit embedded into the narrative, the authors surely succeed in what they are trying to accomplish. Not the most stunning Patterson novel I have read, but I’ll take it as a decent piece to pass the time.
Patterson novels are not known for their complex narratives or plot lines that leave the reader gasping. Still, both are present here and the reader can follow the direction throughout. Some great character development provides the reader an entertaining experience, to the point that I might have been able to picture them throughout. There is a lot going on, through a number of timelines, which makes it a little more difficult to juggle at times. I admit I was not enthralled with the story, but it’s not a total loss. Made for a great filler before my next great read!
Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and DiLallo, for a decent collaborative effort. Eager to see what you two have for us next!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
August 24, 2022
JP needs to quit putting his name on other peoples works, it’s making him look bad.
We have a rich drunk who gets pregnant and goes missing. As the police search for her so does her new best friend.
The book has the potential to be great, it just needs to be rewritten.
We have a rich drunk who gets pregnant and goes missing. As the police search for her so does her new best friend.
The book has the potential to be great, it just needs to be rewritten.
September 25, 2022
James Patterson has some good books published this year. I especially enjoyed his biographical memoir of stories from his life. It pulled me in and kept my attention from beginning to end.
Unfortunately, I cannot say the same about his summer novel - “The Ninth Month” written with Richard Dilallo. For this book, the news is mostly bad. There are a lot of problems with this one. So many that this will probably one of my shortest reviews, if not the shortest.
After several days of dragging myself through this one to get it over with, here are some of the problems (trust me, there’s more, but I will just focus on the big stuff):
- The plotting is weak, predictable and plodding. Scenes are repeated over and over again, to the point that you want to bang your head against the wall. For example, the main character may be being followed every single time she leaves her apartment. Every single time… It is just overkill.
- The book is way too long. You could cut 100 pages and tighten this one up. Way too long and too any unimportant activities, which is rather surprising for a Patterson novel.
- The main character is completely unlikeable, in so many ways. Writing a female lead character who keeps drinking and smoking while pregnant is touchy territory to begin with, but the absurdity of how this plays out is unrealistic and silly.
- Although the construction of the overall plotline may have appeared to work in the outline stage, the delivery of the multiple storylines was messy, did not connect, and were a struggle to get through. By the time the big reveal came at the end, I just wanted it to be over.
- I am thinking that two male authors writing about two females going through pregnancy and childbirth together should do some research. I am not an expert, but having them pee every five minutes is not the only thing they do or think about.
Overall, “The Ninth Month’ was a muddled, disorganized reading experience. I kept plodding my way through thinking it would get better, but I was wrong. Unlikeable characters, overdone plotting, and less than stellar writing mad this by far his weakest output this year. My warning to readers is “Read this at your own risk”. It took three evenings of my life that I will never get back and I am just better off letting it go.
Better luck next time, James…
Unfortunately, I cannot say the same about his summer novel - “The Ninth Month” written with Richard Dilallo. For this book, the news is mostly bad. There are a lot of problems with this one. So many that this will probably one of my shortest reviews, if not the shortest.
After several days of dragging myself through this one to get it over with, here are some of the problems (trust me, there’s more, but I will just focus on the big stuff):
- The plotting is weak, predictable and plodding. Scenes are repeated over and over again, to the point that you want to bang your head against the wall. For example, the main character may be being followed every single time she leaves her apartment. Every single time… It is just overkill.
- The book is way too long. You could cut 100 pages and tighten this one up. Way too long and too any unimportant activities, which is rather surprising for a Patterson novel.
- The main character is completely unlikeable, in so many ways. Writing a female lead character who keeps drinking and smoking while pregnant is touchy territory to begin with, but the absurdity of how this plays out is unrealistic and silly.
- Although the construction of the overall plotline may have appeared to work in the outline stage, the delivery of the multiple storylines was messy, did not connect, and were a struggle to get through. By the time the big reveal came at the end, I just wanted it to be over.
- I am thinking that two male authors writing about two females going through pregnancy and childbirth together should do some research. I am not an expert, but having them pee every five minutes is not the only thing they do or think about.
Overall, “The Ninth Month’ was a muddled, disorganized reading experience. I kept plodding my way through thinking it would get better, but I was wrong. Unlikeable characters, overdone plotting, and less than stellar writing mad this by far his weakest output this year. My warning to readers is “Read this at your own risk”. It took three evenings of my life that I will never get back and I am just better off letting it go.
Better luck next time, James…
September 8, 2022
I don't get it !!!! is No-one pre-reading these novels???? I can not believe that Mr. Patterson, himself, is actually agreeing to allow his name to be dragged through the past several years with this drudgery. Seriously, there were years that I waited for each and every novel from this man's typewriter. NO MORE the past 10+ novels have been junk , a waste of good money, and what a blow to his legacy. WAKE UP !!!!!
I did make it 41%, but, only because it's all I had at the time.
I should have quit after the line Betsy said.. or the doctor is tired of my whining, so am I... I WAS TOO
I did make it 41%, but, only because it's all I had at the time.
I should have quit after the line Betsy said.. or the doctor is tired of my whining, so am I... I WAS TOO
September 5, 2022
If I could give this book a minus star I would! Not even close to James Patterson standards, it is sad he puts his name on so many novels especially ones that are not even close to his excellent writing style.
September 9, 2022
The Ninth Month
⭐️⭐️.5
Genre: Thriller
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 8/23/22
Author: James Patterson with Richard DiLiallo
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Pages: 496
GR: 3.81
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: Emily Atkinson leads a complicated life in New York City. She’s a successful marketing executive who lives in a luxury apartment and enjoys a glamorous existence until she lands in the hospital with a double diagnosis: she parties too much—and she’s pregnant. Her nurse and new best friend, Betsey, helps Emily rediscover how much she loves morning runs in the park and quiet nights at home. But as a series of women in her wealthy social circles go missing, Emily’s pregnancy becomes decidedly high-risk.
My Thoughts: This book moved a little on the slow side for me, it did finally speed up towards the end. The chapters were short, which was a plus. I was initially attracted to the premise of this book, which was unusual, a missing high risk pregnant woman and the frantic search to find her. Probably could have cut some pages out and it would have made for a faster paced book. The story was narrated in an alternating timeline with multiple POVs. I felt this wasn’t a typical James Patterson book, now I know it’s is another author under Patterson, but still, you expect a certain level of excellent writing when associated with Patterson and this just did not match up for me. The ending felt a bit open, abrupt, and/or not complete. This was a good mystery book, a tad predictable, with a twisty ending (still ended abruptly).
⭐️⭐️.5
Genre: Thriller
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 8/23/22
Author: James Patterson with Richard DiLiallo
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Pages: 496
GR: 3.81
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: Emily Atkinson leads a complicated life in New York City. She’s a successful marketing executive who lives in a luxury apartment and enjoys a glamorous existence until she lands in the hospital with a double diagnosis: she parties too much—and she’s pregnant. Her nurse and new best friend, Betsey, helps Emily rediscover how much she loves morning runs in the park and quiet nights at home. But as a series of women in her wealthy social circles go missing, Emily’s pregnancy becomes decidedly high-risk.
My Thoughts: This book moved a little on the slow side for me, it did finally speed up towards the end. The chapters were short, which was a plus. I was initially attracted to the premise of this book, which was unusual, a missing high risk pregnant woman and the frantic search to find her. Probably could have cut some pages out and it would have made for a faster paced book. The story was narrated in an alternating timeline with multiple POVs. I felt this wasn’t a typical James Patterson book, now I know it’s is another author under Patterson, but still, you expect a certain level of excellent writing when associated with Patterson and this just did not match up for me. The ending felt a bit open, abrupt, and/or not complete. This was a good mystery book, a tad predictable, with a twisty ending (still ended abruptly).
November 12, 2022
I wanted to love this book because I love James Patterson, but trust me when I say, don’t waste your time! The ending was completely rushed and there were 400 pages of searching for a person who wasn’t even actually missing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2022
I don’t even know the purpose of this story except to continually say “mucus plug”. A missing pregnant girl who never was missing. Another privileged rich kid who didn’t get enough attention so she found solice in a bottle and pills. The ending was predictable and underwhelming. No wonder I struggle to finish a book these days. I suck at picking winners!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2022
Books itself was really good, but the ending was just downright disappointing! The rest of the book was told with lots of detail but it seems as thought the entire ending was rushed through like an afterthought.
September 27, 2022
Disappointed
I have read all of Patterson's books and have thoroughly enjoyed all of them. Then this one comes out. I found it had an inconsistent plot with a hurry and finish it ending. Someone is killing pregnant women. Why ? No one knows including the reader.. A rich woman gets pregnant as well.as her best friend. The rich one's absent parents die leaving her even richer. She has never told anyone who the baby daddy is but it ends up, baby daddy is one of the vague visitor you met st the beginning of the book and he and one of the investing detective and determined are plotting to make this women think she is crazy ANF are plotting how to kill her. If this review sounds lame it is how this plot plays out. Horrible book.
I have read all of Patterson's books and have thoroughly enjoyed all of them. Then this one comes out. I found it had an inconsistent plot with a hurry and finish it ending. Someone is killing pregnant women. Why ? No one knows including the reader.. A rich woman gets pregnant as well.as her best friend. The rich one's absent parents die leaving her even richer. She has never told anyone who the baby daddy is but it ends up, baby daddy is one of the vague visitor you met st the beginning of the book and he and one of the investing detective and determined are plotting to make this women think she is crazy ANF are plotting how to kill her. If this review sounds lame it is how this plot plays out. Horrible book.
October 4, 2022
the book started off good and kept me hooked , especially when the plot continued to thicken. the ending was cut so abruptly within about the last 4 chapters.. it felt like they just wanted to hurry up and finish the book.
I expected the book to have a plot twist of some sort lmaoo, but it was evident who the perp was after a while. I definitely think they dragged the book out for 90 chapters for no reason, the book could've been shorter than this !!!
I expected the book to have a plot twist of some sort lmaoo, but it was evident who the perp was after a while. I definitely think they dragged the book out for 90 chapters for no reason, the book could've been shorter than this !!!
September 28, 2023
Crazy and wild!
September 21, 2022
The main character of the book was not likable throughout most of the story, Alcohol problem and pregnant. Didn’t really like the rest of the characters in the book either. Story was too long. I realize that title is The Ninth Month. The author, DiLallo, felt the need to write about every month without much movement to the story.
This is another book that James Patterson did not contribute to, but has his name on it. Very annoying because the coauthor writes very different from Patterson.
This is another book that James Patterson did not contribute to, but has his name on it. Very annoying because the coauthor writes very different from Patterson.
October 26, 2022
Patterson and his co-authors are hit-or-miss. The last Patterson book I read was “Blowback” and it was a 5 star thriller with likeable characters, so I forgave the length of the book. This one had iffy characters, was drawn out and just bleah. I also apparently forgot how much I disliked the last collaboration with Richard DiLallo, “The Midwife Murders.”
I’ll still keep reading Patterson (although I get his books from the library now instead of paying for them), but this one wasn’t a good one.
I’ll still keep reading Patterson (although I get his books from the library now instead of paying for them), but this one wasn’t a good one.
August 26, 2022
Almost as bad as Midwife Murders. Patterson needs to distance himself from Dilallo. We get a lady who is an ignorant, uncaring, selfish bitch, alcoholic. She doesn't even care when her parents die. She is pregnant - doesn't know who the father is, and continues to drink. Why do we care what happens???
August 26, 2022
I was very disappointed in this book. I could not get into the characters and did not actually finish it. I went from 25% complete and then read the end. I would not recommend this one. I usually love Patterson, but not this time. :(
September 28, 2022
I read this on my Kindle paperwhite. I received this ebook from ZLibrary. This takes place mostly in NYC.
2 pregnant women due dates approximately the same. They become besties, even having the same Ob/Gyn.
Emily is a druggie and alcoholic trying to get clean after she decided to keep her baby. Betsy already has twins and a very busy OR nurse.
The major issue is Emily is being stalked … is she, or is it all in her mind.
I found this book to be fairly unbelievable and the characters to be fairly boring. The main issue I had is Emily has LOTS of money, so why didn’t she hire a PI and or a bodyguard. Here’s to hoping others find this James Patterson novel a good one, I didn’t.
2 pregnant women due dates approximately the same. They become besties, even having the same Ob/Gyn.
Emily is a druggie and alcoholic trying to get clean after she decided to keep her baby. Betsy already has twins and a very busy OR nurse.
The major issue is Emily is being stalked … is she, or is it all in her mind.
I found this book to be fairly unbelievable and the characters to be fairly boring. The main issue I had is Emily has LOTS of money, so why didn’t she hire a PI and or a bodyguard. Here’s to hoping others find this James Patterson novel a good one, I didn’t.
March 22, 2023
I don’t regularly write reviews but this book was so disappointing, I really wanted to. I’ve read many of James Patterson’s books and have been gripped by every single one. This one was a push to finish right until the end. It’s only because I kept hoping it would take an exciting turn, a complete shocker, that I pushed on, but nothing like that happened. Correctly predicted how it would end.
Also to note - Betsey finding Emily was anti-climatic, to say the least.
It was a long and frustrating read…unfortunately.
Also to note - Betsey finding Emily was anti-climatic, to say the least.
It was a long and frustrating read…unfortunately.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2022
An hour and 45 mins into the audio book and I just couldn't anymore. I felt as if I were listening to a child's book. Over explaining, dragging out what could be explained in 2 sentences..... As someone else stated-- James Patterson, I love YOUR books but you have to stop putting your name on books written by someone else.
October 4, 2022
I was listening to the audiobook and I made it halfway through and I just couldn't go any further. I lost interest and got a little annoyed with the main character and just didn't want to continue on.
May 23, 2022
Crap
Pure CRAP
Like All of his books.
Pure CRAP
Like All of his books.
November 6, 2024
I’m sorry I didn’t like it either! (1.5 stars)
I want to give it one star but I gave it an extra half because I was hooked at one point.
I HATED Emily. Idk if I was ever meant to like her, but I was so tired of her repetitive stream of consciousness that was so wishy washy and non established. Don’t get me started on how she refused to share anything about her love life/ who the baby daddy was. That just got ridiculously obnoxious. AND how you just learn at the end that it turns out she’s just a compulsive liar?? What the hell was that? How do you trust anything as a reader after that.
I constantly disliked ALL of the characters actually. Besides Dr. Craven. They all felt so un-human. The way one second they’re smiling, then crying, then screaming, then back to smiling again. I swear every interaction went that way.
It was NOT enjoyable to think almost the entire duration of the book that the main character was kidnapped or murdered and turns out she’s just not👍. Again, I hate Emily. There was nothing clever about her disappearance. She was SO paranoid but incredibly dull. I can not begin to describe my frustration when she would notice things in her home being out of place but she just brushed it off as a bad memory? Why, as a reader, do I never get an explanation to that? She’s sober at the time this is happening, so it can’t be brushed off that way.
The ending was a huge cop out. Not necessarily predictable but with the story only focusing on 4 different men you just knew it had to be one. Then you make it 2 OF THEM teamed up? So dumb. And I still don’t even fully understand Tierney’s reason to be in on it. Did he know of the plan before he slept with her? ALSO WHY ARE PEOPLE JUST ABLE TO WALK IN AND OUT OF HER PARENTS HOME?!!! Does Emily not lock doors?? Their points of entries are never mentioned and she doesn’t even wonder how they got in there.
Overall I hated how bland everything ended up being. It was just about money. There was no clever explanation to any of the books mysteries. Including the other two missing/murdered girls. (Also, did Mike actually kill them?? I’m still lost on that too)
I could keep going but I need to stop. After writing this I am dropping the review to one star. So sorry
I want to give it one star but I gave it an extra half because I was hooked at one point.
I HATED Emily. Idk if I was ever meant to like her, but I was so tired of her repetitive stream of consciousness that was so wishy washy and non established. Don’t get me started on how she refused to share anything about her love life/ who the baby daddy was. That just got ridiculously obnoxious. AND how you just learn at the end that it turns out she’s just a compulsive liar?? What the hell was that? How do you trust anything as a reader after that.
I constantly disliked ALL of the characters actually. Besides Dr. Craven. They all felt so un-human. The way one second they’re smiling, then crying, then screaming, then back to smiling again. I swear every interaction went that way.
It was NOT enjoyable to think almost the entire duration of the book that the main character was kidnapped or murdered and turns out she’s just not👍. Again, I hate Emily. There was nothing clever about her disappearance. She was SO paranoid but incredibly dull. I can not begin to describe my frustration when she would notice things in her home being out of place but she just brushed it off as a bad memory? Why, as a reader, do I never get an explanation to that? She’s sober at the time this is happening, so it can’t be brushed off that way.
The ending was a huge cop out. Not necessarily predictable but with the story only focusing on 4 different men you just knew it had to be one. Then you make it 2 OF THEM teamed up? So dumb. And I still don’t even fully understand Tierney’s reason to be in on it. Did he know of the plan before he slept with her? ALSO WHY ARE PEOPLE JUST ABLE TO WALK IN AND OUT OF HER PARENTS HOME?!!! Does Emily not lock doors?? Their points of entries are never mentioned and she doesn’t even wonder how they got in there.
Overall I hated how bland everything ended up being. It was just about money. There was no clever explanation to any of the books mysteries. Including the other two missing/murdered girls. (Also, did Mike actually kill them?? I’m still lost on that too)
I could keep going but I need to stop. After writing this I am dropping the review to one star. So sorry
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2022
I was intrigued by this book when I read the synopsis, but when I actually started reading it I just got more and more frustrated and annoyed at the main character. Now I know a lot of that is to do with my family history but even so in my opinion she (the main female character) just needed a big a slap upside the head. I know violence is new the answer but I would have felt better.
That being said I was quite impressed with the last few chapters.
That being said I was quite impressed with the last few chapters.
September 15, 2022
So disappointed. Who doesn't love a good Patterson book but unfortunately this was not a good book. Very amateurish and a real let down compared to expectations for a book with this author's name attached. There was no flow and it was quite tedious. Has Patterson gone off the boil or is it down to the author he teamed up with? 🤔😔
September 2, 2022
Just OK. Basically, a good storyline, but too long to tell what it wanted to. The beginning especially was dragged(drug?) out. Then towards the ending, it got really good. But then I felt too much left unanswered at the actual end. So, breaking up the book I’d rate it 2.5, 3.5, 3!
September 21, 2022
Skip this one -- not a real James Patterson book
I honestly could not read this entire book. I didn't know what it was supposed to be. Certainly not a James Patterson book. After reading Blowback, this was so disappointing.
I honestly could not read this entire book. I didn't know what it was supposed to be. Certainly not a James Patterson book. After reading Blowback, this was so disappointing.
October 22, 2022
This novel is definitely not up to James Patterson’s usual fare. The characters were not fully defined and seemed very inconsistent. The main character was so unlikeable and her relationship with Betsy did not add up. Would not recommend at all!
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