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Tony Lord #1
Private Screening
"Thrilling...Succeeds on all counts. It's a footrace of a read, daring you to put it down."
THE ATLANTA JOURNAL & CONSTITUTION
After a presidential hopeful is shot dead in front of his rock star girlfriend Stacy Tarrant, fiercely independent attorney Tony Lord takes on the the defense of the accused. And that erupts into the media event of the decade. But there is more. As America watches, a mysterious and ruthless figure known only as Phoenix takes to the airwaves, the wife of a newspaper mogul and Stacy's manager, his hostages. Then Phoenix mounts of a televised trial of his own--in which Stacy and Tony are helpless defendants, millionsof viewers are jurors, and--unless his chilling demands are met--Phoenix is the unstoppable executioner....
THE ATLANTA JOURNAL & CONSTITUTION
After a presidential hopeful is shot dead in front of his rock star girlfriend Stacy Tarrant, fiercely independent attorney Tony Lord takes on the the defense of the accused. And that erupts into the media event of the decade. But there is more. As America watches, a mysterious and ruthless figure known only as Phoenix takes to the airwaves, the wife of a newspaper mogul and Stacy's manager, his hostages. Then Phoenix mounts of a televised trial of his own--in which Stacy and Tony are helpless defendants, millionsof viewers are jurors, and--unless his chilling demands are met--Phoenix is the unstoppable executioner....
448 pages, Paperback
First published September 28, 1985
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992 people want to read
About the author
Richard North Patterson
106 books677 followersRichard North Patterson is the author of fourteen previous bestselling and critically acclaimed novels. Formerly a trial lawyer, Patterson served as the SEC’s liaison to the Watergate special prosecutor and has served on the boards of several Washington advocacy groups dealing with gun violence, political reform, and women’s rights. He lives in San Francisco and on Martha’s Vineyard.
Macmillan.com Author Profile
Awards
Edgar Award, 1980, Best First Novel for The Lasko Tangent
Grand Prix de Littérature Policière, International Award, 1995 for Degree of Guilt
http://us.macmillan.com/author/richar...
Macmillan.com Author Profile
Awards
Edgar Award, 1980, Best First Novel for The Lasko Tangent
Grand Prix de Littérature Policière, International Award, 1995 for Degree of Guilt
http://us.macmillan.com/author/richar...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
November 17, 2008
Another classic Patterson, not to be confused with the other Patterson (James), who, while fun, does not come close to the intricacy and interesting ethical examinations that are typical Richard North Patterson. I had already read his classic Protect and Defend, which features Kerry Kilcannon, as U. S. president. This work takes place earlier. Kerry' brother Senator James Kilcannon is running for president, and is shot by an assassin. The book consists of a series of points-of view and begins with the satellite television broadcast of a kidnapping. Alexis Parnell, wife of a very wealthy communications magnate, is abducted from her tennis court while playing with her husband. The ransom demand is delivered by television to the world. Five million dollars is to be paid by Stacy Tarrant, a popular singer and former girlfriend of the slain Kilcannon, for in return for the lives of John Damone and Alexis Parnell. It turns out that all the major characters are linked, and through a series of flashbacks from different perspectives we are introduced to Tony Lord, attorney for Harry Carson, ex-Vietnam veteran, who was Kilcannon's assassin. Lord had been responsible for getting Carson off despite his obvious guilt. Lord, anxious to do the best he can for his client, begins an investigation into the lives of former Vietnam vets. On the surface, Carson appears to have killed Kilcannon because the senator, as a student, had been resisting the war while Carson was in Vietnam active duty. There was never any question of his guilt; he shot Kilcannon on stage in front of thousands. To complicate things, $400,000 of money being raised for the senator at the concert was stolen, and the prosecutor thinks that Carson was part of a conspiracy to steal the money, and the assassination was just part of the plan. John Damone, Stacy's manager, had also been in Vietnam and had been a friend in Carson's unit. He was responsible for Carson's hiring at Stacy's concert where Kilcannon was killed. Lord thinks Carson was driven insane by his experiences in Vietnam. "The war's like a fault line. . . .Take your pet cat and start lobbing hand grenades all around him -- by nightfall you've got a different cat." Much of the result hinges on the reluctant testimony of John Damone. It seems they both had been part of a CIA special assassination squad. A subplot that appears to have no relation, but ultimately has a terribly crucial part, is the kidnapping of the Parnell's son many years before. Parnell had refused to pay ransom for his estranged son, whom he believed might have had a bizarre relationship with Alexis. In any case, the son disappears and is presumed dead. Most of the book is a long flashback into the trial of Carson and the interpersonal relationships that developed because of the trial. Patterson builds the tension very nicely and the careful reader can begin to suspect who the culprit is, although the end of the book throws a nice curve.
December 13, 2012
Very very weird. Readable, interesting, a page turner, but a major scenario of the plot is too fantastic for me. I know I sound a bit schizoid in that I liked the book, but I had a major problem in suspending disbelief (yes, I'm using a phrase recently applied by a fellow admirer of RNP - James); if you read my reviews, you will learn this is a frequent feature of my critical assessments.
Tony Lord is a likable and lovable character, which is a good thing because he is our hero. He is a divorced father of a seven year old boy who is darling. The ex-wife is a stupid bitch who is one of those women more intent on vengeful commentary than on providing as comforting a home as possible for her son. Thankfully, Lord has visiting rights and he is able to maintain a loving, caring relationship with his vulnerable son. His day job is that of a private practice defense attorney.
The story begins with a murder of a campaigning Senator, James Kilcannon, who wants to be President. He is on stage with his girlfriend, a rock star, Stacy Tarrant, when he is shot. The shocking death is played out in front of thousands of fans who came to Tarrant's concert so there is no question of who done it - a PTSD afflicted, ex-Vietnam vet, Harry Carson, who worked as a stage hand. Lord is hired to defend him and he decides that the insanity defense is not only the best course of action, but the correct answer as to the actual cause of the murder, believing that Carson thought he was killing someone in Vietnam.
A year later, two unrelated people are kidnapped and an extraordinary demand is made for their safe return. Alexis Parnell, wife of a rich businessman, and John Damone, manager of Tarrant, are being held captive by a hooded madman, Phoenix, demanding five million dollars from Colby Parnell and Tarrant each to be distributed to needy NGO's which would be determined by the American public calling in their votes and suggestions. If his instructions are not followed, Phoenix will broadcast their murders live on TV frequencies. Phoenix transmits his conversations with the FBI live on news shows, as well as by telephone.
This is too, too ridiculous for me. As if the police or FBI or American television stations would show announced, scheduled live executions of kidnapped victims on the air. As silly as this is, it's not the wackiest part of the plot. That designation actually must go to the part of the story where the masked man demands Tarrant give a rock concert in the same arena where Kilcannon was shot, and sing while her fans donate the requested five million dollars as in a telethon. The fans, of course, know that they are attending a kidnapping funding telethon, because it was announced on the news. I was guffawing at this point. However, the writing is exciting; it's the concepts I couldn't quite swallow.
The book is quite straightforward, actually, no intentional laughs built in. It's meant as a serious thriller/mystery, and it appears that is how many readers experience it. It has a fast and exciting conclusion, with shooting, fighting and life-and-death struggling, including a beach locale of big, moody ocean breakers crashing ashore in darkness! Bonus scene of nudity, too!
Seriously, it's not a bad book, an easy entertainment for a few days, and a well-written thriller, if you can ignore a plot contrivance where I found myself imagining a universe where a modern America is comfortable with ancient Roman-type live theater entertainments of real sadism, sponsored by CNN and psychopathic criminals, the middle-class audience of nine-to-fivers happily buying hot dogs from wandering vendors. Is this a possible future though, in a decade of movies showing gushing body parts on cable TV?
Hmmmmm. Maybe this book isn't so funny, after all.
Tony Lord is a likable and lovable character, which is a good thing because he is our hero. He is a divorced father of a seven year old boy who is darling. The ex-wife is a stupid bitch who is one of those women more intent on vengeful commentary than on providing as comforting a home as possible for her son. Thankfully, Lord has visiting rights and he is able to maintain a loving, caring relationship with his vulnerable son. His day job is that of a private practice defense attorney.
The story begins with a murder of a campaigning Senator, James Kilcannon, who wants to be President. He is on stage with his girlfriend, a rock star, Stacy Tarrant, when he is shot. The shocking death is played out in front of thousands of fans who came to Tarrant's concert so there is no question of who done it - a PTSD afflicted, ex-Vietnam vet, Harry Carson, who worked as a stage hand. Lord is hired to defend him and he decides that the insanity defense is not only the best course of action, but the correct answer as to the actual cause of the murder, believing that Carson thought he was killing someone in Vietnam.
A year later, two unrelated people are kidnapped and an extraordinary demand is made for their safe return. Alexis Parnell, wife of a rich businessman, and John Damone, manager of Tarrant, are being held captive by a hooded madman, Phoenix, demanding five million dollars from Colby Parnell and Tarrant each to be distributed to needy NGO's which would be determined by the American public calling in their votes and suggestions. If his instructions are not followed, Phoenix will broadcast their murders live on TV frequencies. Phoenix transmits his conversations with the FBI live on news shows, as well as by telephone.
This is too, too ridiculous for me. As if the police or FBI or American television stations would show announced, scheduled live executions of kidnapped victims on the air. As silly as this is, it's not the wackiest part of the plot. That designation actually must go to the part of the story where the masked man demands Tarrant give a rock concert in the same arena where Kilcannon was shot, and sing while her fans donate the requested five million dollars as in a telethon. The fans, of course, know that they are attending a kidnapping funding telethon, because it was announced on the news. I was guffawing at this point. However, the writing is exciting; it's the concepts I couldn't quite swallow.
The book is quite straightforward, actually, no intentional laughs built in. It's meant as a serious thriller/mystery, and it appears that is how many readers experience it. It has a fast and exciting conclusion, with shooting, fighting and life-and-death struggling, including a beach locale of big, moody ocean breakers crashing ashore in darkness! Bonus scene of nudity, too!
Seriously, it's not a bad book, an easy entertainment for a few days, and a well-written thriller, if you can ignore a plot contrivance where I found myself imagining a universe where a modern America is comfortable with ancient Roman-type live theater entertainments of real sadism, sponsored by CNN and psychopathic criminals, the middle-class audience of nine-to-fivers happily buying hot dogs from wandering vendors. Is this a possible future though, in a decade of movies showing gushing body parts on cable TV?
Hmmmmm. Maybe this book isn't so funny, after all.
October 29, 2012
This book was great after the first hundred and fifty pages. My major complaint about the story is the use of flashback with no warning. Along those lines, Patterson included WAY too much backstory. I felt like he would have done better to write this story in two installments. The trial and the initial kidnappings had so many flashbacks I was confused throughout most of the beginning of the book. There was never any warning when a character was going to flashback, and I often found myself confused as to who they were talking to, and where they were. Several times a character would be one place doing one thing, and then suddenly start carrying on a conversation with another character I knew to be dead or not where the original character had been five sentences before. This lent so much confusion I found myself taking a break from this book for a few days before trying to get into it again.
When the plot finally turned to how the characters were dealing with the kidnappings, and what was going on with those that were kidnapped the story picked up a lot. I finished the last half of the book in one day it was so good. I just hate that I had to plod through nearly half of the novel before I got to the meat of the story. It would have gone better if there had been an introductory book and then the kidnappings in a separate book. Patterson has done a few series, and if I'm not mistaken Tony Lord makes an appearance in another of his books, so I don't understand why he felt he needed to give readers a two for one in this particular book. It definitely did not add to the story in this case. I wish I could rate only the second half, because the first 150 pages brought my rating down a full two stars. This one is definitely not for those who have to be hooked from the first page in order to finish a book!! It takes time and a lot of effort on the reader's part to really get into this story.
When the plot finally turned to how the characters were dealing with the kidnappings, and what was going on with those that were kidnapped the story picked up a lot. I finished the last half of the book in one day it was so good. I just hate that I had to plod through nearly half of the novel before I got to the meat of the story. It would have gone better if there had been an introductory book and then the kidnappings in a separate book. Patterson has done a few series, and if I'm not mistaken Tony Lord makes an appearance in another of his books, so I don't understand why he felt he needed to give readers a two for one in this particular book. It definitely did not add to the story in this case. I wish I could rate only the second half, because the first 150 pages brought my rating down a full two stars. This one is definitely not for those who have to be hooked from the first page in order to finish a book!! It takes time and a lot of effort on the reader's part to really get into this story.
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January 18, 2024This was a good book, not a great one.
The ending was too predictable.
The flashbacks from memories back to present time were really confusing and left me rereading paragraphs much too often.
Good story line, but overall, not my cup of tea.
The ending was too predictable.
The flashbacks from memories back to present time were really confusing and left me rereading paragraphs much too often.
Good story line, but overall, not my cup of tea.
July 18, 2017
My book club chose to read the second book in the series--who does that? So, of course, I had to read the first book first. Now I'm dreading the second book. The writing style was convoluted. I felt like he left out necessary details when transitioning from one plot to another. Even within a scene, he made assumptions of the reader that weren't supported. I felt like his style would have made a better movie--where the visual would fill in the blanks. I didn't like Tony Lord's character--I didn't fee like there was enough development to justify a sudden, random affair or other actions he took. I also didn't like the premise of the conflict--many aspects were unrealistic and ridiculous. He did a good job of creating suspense regarding who Phoenix was--he balanced the two possible suspects well and I liked the final twist.
July 29, 2021
DNF.
20 pages was enough for me. It started with a threat to kill someone if demands weren't met, then went into a flashback, with a politician and a singer. The relationship between these two is cringeworthy, both by the speed in which it became intimate and in the way he dismisses her talents. She apparently writes protest songs (which he belittles by saying "all that effort...but what does it mean?") whereas his running for the democratic nomination is oh so important. I'd rather hear a great song than a speech full of lies but each to his own. And this poor man has swollen fingers from shaking hands? Oh please.
Too many characters thrown together at the beginning, then a long pullback to this creepy relationship and a writing style that is mediocre adds up to one to definitely miss.
20 pages was enough for me. It started with a threat to kill someone if demands weren't met, then went into a flashback, with a politician and a singer. The relationship between these two is cringeworthy, both by the speed in which it became intimate and in the way he dismisses her talents. She apparently writes protest songs (which he belittles by saying "all that effort...but what does it mean?") whereas his running for the democratic nomination is oh so important. I'd rather hear a great song than a speech full of lies but each to his own. And this poor man has swollen fingers from shaking hands? Oh please.
Too many characters thrown together at the beginning, then a long pullback to this creepy relationship and a writing style that is mediocre adds up to one to definitely miss.
January 6, 2022
It's a testament to the prescient writing that Private Screening is still relevant. Much of the plot hinges on technological points which haven't been applicable since the advent of the internet, antiquated forensic gaps, and outdated social attitudes/behaviors. I never thought the 80s would seem quaint, but that was my feeling while reading this book, with its pay phones and incredulity toward things we take for granted (and which would be possible with minimal equipment and effort instead of the massive undertaking described in Private Screening), like instantaneous live video transmissions. The central theme of audience morality, however, remains pertinent and current. I'm interested in reading the second (last?) book in the Tony Lord series.
February 16, 2019
Lots of plot twists, maybe too twisty at times, but overall an absorbing read. Some well-developed characters, but some very one-dimensional, eg. Lord’s wife’s petty narcissism. Was it only to give him the excuse to stray? Great Bay Area location. A lot of coincidences, convenient for moving the story along. Entertaining, but not that serious. Would read another, but when I need escape reading rather than reading for enlightenment or depth.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2017
Predictably not as good as the Second book, this first novel in the duo was still quite good. Some of the characters are repeats, but well tied together into the second book. There's a little suspension of disbelief, but still really good light reading. It's funny that the second book is actually a flashback into Tony Lord's origins, where as this first book is basically a standalone story.
September 2, 2022
I became acquainted with this author a few months ago and have read and enjoyed five or six of his later works. The novel was a bit of a disappointment! It is essentially two stories loosely tethered by the relationship between the two main characters and addresses the question: Can the lawyer who defended her lover's assassin find love with her? All a bit far fetched for my taste!
August 21, 2024
The story was, in lack of a better word, much. Too much. It felt like two different novels -- first the trial, then a thriller.
But the characters made me stick around. Well defined, consistent, complex ... except for the final, again, just too much. Too unrealistic, not enjoyable, but since it felt like two different stories anyway, the interesting trial bit was unaffected in my mind.
But the characters made me stick around. Well defined, consistent, complex ... except for the final, again, just too much. Too unrealistic, not enjoyable, but since it felt like two different stories anyway, the interesting trial bit was unaffected in my mind.
January 23, 2020
Not a good Procedural; but a spell-binding story
As lawyer stories go, this only mediocre; but the story is complex with many surprises, quirky twists and excellent character development.
As lawyer stories go, this only mediocre; but the story is complex with many surprises, quirky twists and excellent character development.
January 25, 2024
Horribly Disjointed
Why would anyone publish or even write such a jumble of words? 16% in and I the story becomes a jumble of psychotic memories with nothing to do with the storyline.
Why would anyone publish or even write such a jumble of words? 16% in and I the story becomes a jumble of psychotic memories with nothing to do with the storyline.
March 4, 2017
Decent story but too many predictable situations. I figured out who Phoenix was pretty early & the inevitable personal situations too. RNP's books all take the same path with different story lines.
October 17, 2017
Could not get into this book at all! Only read about 50 pages...disappointing!
January 17, 2018
This book was suspenseful and very entertaining, you never knew who the villain is until the end.
April 28, 2019
I haven’t been reading this genre in quite a while for I’ve been interested in other types of books. The beginning of this book was okay but then it picked up speed. I really did enjoy it!
July 2, 2019
This is not the usual RNP. The connections between characters was very superficial. I found the plot quite rambling.
December 6, 2019
Another book by this author that I love. I read this book quite a few years ago.
April 27, 2020
Very entertaining. Keeps your interest and you won't want to put it down. Another great book by
Patterson.
Patterson.
December 8, 2020
It started off average and progressed to good. Worth persevering!
September 8, 2021
Just discovering Richard North Patterson. One of his first books, really enjoyed it.
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June 29, 2025August-1998 #1 of series of 2 (Tony Lord)
February 5, 2017
Prelude to the Kilcannon trilogy. Good but not as good as the trilogy.
October 8, 2016
One of his best
I have read many of RIchard north Patterson's books and they have always kept my interest. I really like his new character Tony Lord and enjoyed all the twists and turns this book offered.
I have read many of RIchard north Patterson's books and they have always kept my interest. I really like his new character Tony Lord and enjoyed all the twists and turns this book offered.
January 3, 2015
Richard North Patterson sits on my list of top authors along with Ed McBain, Ginger Scott, Debbie Macomber, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and a few non-fiction writers. I hadn't realized that this particular book had gotten past me. I thought I'd read all of RNP's earlier works. As it turns out, I somehow missed this first Tony Lord novel. Private Screening tells the story of the assassination of Presidential hopeful James Kilcannon (Kerry Kilcannon, younger brother of James, is the subject of a trilogy of RNP novels).
What follows is the trial of the shooter who Tony Lord defends. That story is interwoven as a wonderfully written flashback story with a present day abduction. Stacy Tarrant is a famous singer, and former girlfriend of James Kilcannon. She was with James Kilcannon the night he was murdered. In the present day, she is in need of a good attorney and calls on Tony Lord even though she despises him for defending James' killer.
My thoughts on this book are basically the same as all of the other Richard North Patterson books I've read: they're brilliant. If you like crime novels, mysteries, court dramas and/or a mixture of some or all of those things, RNP is the writer for you. In this particular novel, you're actually reading two novels in one. The fist novel is told in flashback and the second is in present day. But they're also interwoven and except for James Kilcannon, all of the other characters are in the past and present.
The two stories are interwoven so well, it's easy to keep track of what's going on. Many authors don't use the flashback so well. RNP nails it in this earlier work of his.
Tony Lord, our "hero" in this case, is obviously a good looking man. But his skill as a lawyer and his adoration for his son, Christopher are the two most attractive qualities of the character. If you'd already read "Silent Witness," the second Tony Lord novel, this novel gives you a look at how Tony Lord becomes a successful and much sought after attorney. In fact, he's similar to RNP's other attorney character, Christopher Paget. They are definitely different but both brilliant.
RNP tackles topics in his books that are usually controversial like gun control, abortion, the death penalty and so on. He researches like a madman before he writes and it definitely shows. In this particular novel, the reader will see how easy it's NOT to put on an insanity defense and it also tackles the subject of Vietnam Veterans who came home extremely different men and the issues attached to them as a result.
This one is an absolute must read. Every Richard North Patterson book should be on everyone's TBR list for at least a try. Chances are highly likely that even those who do not typically read the genre will be dragged in.
Like the late Ed McBain, who is probably the best mystery and crime novelist of all time, Richard North Patterson is right up there. Definitely 5 out of 5 stars!!!!!
What follows is the trial of the shooter who Tony Lord defends. That story is interwoven as a wonderfully written flashback story with a present day abduction. Stacy Tarrant is a famous singer, and former girlfriend of James Kilcannon. She was with James Kilcannon the night he was murdered. In the present day, she is in need of a good attorney and calls on Tony Lord even though she despises him for defending James' killer.
My thoughts on this book are basically the same as all of the other Richard North Patterson books I've read: they're brilliant. If you like crime novels, mysteries, court dramas and/or a mixture of some or all of those things, RNP is the writer for you. In this particular novel, you're actually reading two novels in one. The fist novel is told in flashback and the second is in present day. But they're also interwoven and except for James Kilcannon, all of the other characters are in the past and present.
The two stories are interwoven so well, it's easy to keep track of what's going on. Many authors don't use the flashback so well. RNP nails it in this earlier work of his.
Tony Lord, our "hero" in this case, is obviously a good looking man. But his skill as a lawyer and his adoration for his son, Christopher are the two most attractive qualities of the character. If you'd already read "Silent Witness," the second Tony Lord novel, this novel gives you a look at how Tony Lord becomes a successful and much sought after attorney. In fact, he's similar to RNP's other attorney character, Christopher Paget. They are definitely different but both brilliant.
RNP tackles topics in his books that are usually controversial like gun control, abortion, the death penalty and so on. He researches like a madman before he writes and it definitely shows. In this particular novel, the reader will see how easy it's NOT to put on an insanity defense and it also tackles the subject of Vietnam Veterans who came home extremely different men and the issues attached to them as a result.
This one is an absolute must read. Every Richard North Patterson book should be on everyone's TBR list for at least a try. Chances are highly likely that even those who do not typically read the genre will be dragged in.
Like the late Ed McBain, who is probably the best mystery and crime novelist of all time, Richard North Patterson is right up there. Definitely 5 out of 5 stars!!!!!
April 26, 2014
I so enjoyed reading Silent Witness Patterson's first book about Tony Lord that I was really looking forward to reading this one. So far it has been a struggle with much confusion over frequent flashbacks from multiple characters. It has been very difficult to keep track of who is who and what has happened when. From reading other people's reviews, I gather I am not alone in feeling this way and that it should get better after I reach page 150. Here's hoping!
It was indeed a challenge to get to page 150, but once I had passed it I was glad I had stuck it out. The book is written in several distinct parts that take place within about a 2 year period, but in all sections there are flashbacks to episodes in certain characters past. They bothered me less in the later sections, perhaps because I knew the characters better by then. The difficulties that some Vietnam vets faced in returning home and integrating into society plays a key role in the story. There are some graphic descriptions of horrors which took place there.
Chapter one in the book drew me in and hooked me. Then came the confusing part and I basically forgot about chapter one as it didn't seem connected. part 2 revolved around a court case and was very good but I had still forgotten about the first chapter. In part 3, the author came back to the story started in chapter 1. I figured out fairly quickly who the bad guy was, but there was a twist as to his motives that definitely came as a surprize.
I enjoyed learning more about Tony Lord and his life throughout the book. I give this one 3 stars because of the difficult section near the beginning.
It was indeed a challenge to get to page 150, but once I had passed it I was glad I had stuck it out. The book is written in several distinct parts that take place within about a 2 year period, but in all sections there are flashbacks to episodes in certain characters past. They bothered me less in the later sections, perhaps because I knew the characters better by then. The difficulties that some Vietnam vets faced in returning home and integrating into society plays a key role in the story. There are some graphic descriptions of horrors which took place there.
Chapter one in the book drew me in and hooked me. Then came the confusing part and I basically forgot about chapter one as it didn't seem connected. part 2 revolved around a court case and was very good but I had still forgotten about the first chapter. In part 3, the author came back to the story started in chapter 1. I figured out fairly quickly who the bad guy was, but there was a twist as to his motives that definitely came as a surprize.
I enjoyed learning more about Tony Lord and his life throughout the book. I give this one 3 stars because of the difficult section near the beginning.
October 5, 2012
Two linked stories in this book, and I didn't think they linked all that well. We start with a kidnapping by someone that has arranged for all the negotiations, and possibly the consequences, to be broadcast live on a TV station - with viewers being able to take part in said negotiations. Almost immediately we are then taken back some time to find out about the linked tale, of an assassination of a politician by a Vietnam vet. The victim is has a squeeze who is a famous lady rock and roll singer, and she is present when the deed is done. We get to read some of the lyrics to her songs during this, which made me cringe a bit - other readers might like this feature, horses for courses and all that. The assassin is tried, and the hearing follows a well trodden path about the the vet's experience. After the verdict, we jump forward again to the kidnapping, where the lawyer defending the vet joins in with the negotiations, and trying to free the hostages. One of these captives has a link with the previous trial, and it wasn't too hard to work out who the kidnapper was, but there is a twist near the end. Not too bad a story, but I couldn't really warm to any of the good guys. Jumping from one story to another was a bit weary making, and I thought it was a bit light on information about how the kidnapper got to where he was in life. I would try another one by this author though.
August 1, 2012
Ed ecco finalmente il Richard NorthPatterson che conosco ed adoro.”Private Screening”, ultimo tra i romanzi di Patterson mai tradotti in Italia, mostra tutte le caratteristiche dei suoi libri migliori: personaggi ben delineati, tridimensionali e completi, una storia perfettamente delineata e scandita, una vicenda adeguatamente intrigante e, non ultimo, il fatto che si pongano le basi per altri romanzi successivi, in cui si incontreranno gli stessi protagonisti o nuovi personaggi legati ad essi.La vicenda? Senza svelare troppo ci troviamo di fronte all’omicidio di un senatore degli Stati Uniti, al processo all’assassino ma, soprattutto, a due misteriosi rapimenti legati a questa tragedia che rimettono in discussione tutto ciò che si pensava di sapere.Un romanzo che chiama in gioco anche l’enorme importanza dei media in vicende del genere e che manterrà alta la tensione fino alla fine.Chi è Fenice, il misterioso rapitore? Perché ha rapito proprio quelle persone? E perché l’avvocato che difese l’assassino del senatore Kilcannon si trova a far fronte comune con Stacy Tarrant, la donna che il senatore amava e che gli era accanto al momento dell’omicidio?Da leggere e gustare.PS: piccolo punto a mio favore… stavolta sono riuscito ad intuire l’identità di Fenice :)
September 18, 2009
Lawyer Tony Lord gets a case defending the killer of a US Senator who is running for President. It would appear to be an open and shut case as the murder took place in front of cameras at a concert given by his friend and singer Stacey Tarrant. Lord manages to get him a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity and assigned to a mental facility. Not being very popular, especially with Miss Tarrant, he is surprised when she contacts him to assist her when she is involved in a bizarre double kidnapping of her manager and the wife of a prominent newspaper mogul Colby Parnell and the televised demands by someone who is calling himself “Phoenix” .
This is and interesting and convoluted tale, but despite the possible identities of the Phoenix, I had a pretty good idea who it was before the revelation. A pretty good read nonetheless.
ISBN - 978-0-3453-8572-7, Suspense, Pages - 488, Print Size - R, Rating - 3.5
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