What do you think?
Rate this book
Playing The Game
Detective Michael Patton of the LAPD has been targeted by a serial killer named 'The Chemist' - He does not know why. Two girls are already dead and a third has only 24 hours to live. For Detective Patton, this is a game he has to win.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2010
90 people are currently reading
480 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
December 15, 2013
Being married to a Brit I'm fairly used to the slang and what we American's call poor grammar, but this book took the cake. There were so many grammatical errors, misused words, misspelled words, and British slang being used by LA detectives, it took the readability right out of it. I might recommend this book to some of my 'illiterate' friends only because I know they'll never read it. It got 2 stars because there is potential with the story-maybe a complete rewrite and relocate it to London. Police procedures-not even close. And when Patton finally takes on Caldwell, he fails miserably and his backup, while only mildly wounded, doesn't even get a shot off or see where the suspect disappears to? I could go on and on, but suffice it to say that I won't be reading any more by this author unless he learns to proof, edit, and research his material beforehand. Sorry Simon, but this is the type of work that gives self-publishing a bad reputation, and I don't say that lightly.
March 26, 2015
This was a pretty good story, and I probably would have given it a 4 except for the writing. There were so many cases of incorrect use of semicolons and comma errors. There were commas where they shouldn't be, as well as missing commas. There were also several singular/plural errors. (singular subject, then plural pronoun referring to said subject)
It was obvious rather early in the book that the author was British. Not that that is a problem in and of itself. But when there is a book set in Los Angeles and all but one of the major characters appear to be Americans, I don't expect them to speak British English.
"I didn't bother to introduce myself and luckily for me, there was no solicitor present." (location 3183) - more commonly called a lawyer
"She leapt over an abandoned shopping trolley . . . " (location 3524) - shopping cart
Reference to the boot of the car - usually referred to as the trunk
The Whitehouse - actually, that's the White House (It was written this way more than once.)
In addition, spellings of sooooooo many of the words represent British spelling rather than American.
odour
favourite
neighbourhood
And on and on.
Then there was the VERY frequent use of the word whilst. There were even some pages that had it multiple times. Very awkward.
If I am reading a book set in England, I fully expect these terms and spellings, regardless of the author's background. However, it was extremely distracting in an "American" novel.
I read a piece about the author, and he seemed to be quite proud that this book was pretty much like the original draft, with minimal editing. I would suggest a good editor would have garnered a higher rating from me. It's just exhausting to be mentally correcting as I read.
It was obvious rather early in the book that the author was British. Not that that is a problem in and of itself. But when there is a book set in Los Angeles and all but one of the major characters appear to be Americans, I don't expect them to speak British English.
"I didn't bother to introduce myself and luckily for me, there was no solicitor present." (location 3183) - more commonly called a lawyer
"She leapt over an abandoned shopping trolley . . . " (location 3524) - shopping cart
Reference to the boot of the car - usually referred to as the trunk
The Whitehouse - actually, that's the White House (It was written this way more than once.)
In addition, spellings of sooooooo many of the words represent British spelling rather than American.
odour
favourite
neighbourhood
And on and on.
Then there was the VERY frequent use of the word whilst. There were even some pages that had it multiple times. Very awkward.
If I am reading a book set in England, I fully expect these terms and spellings, regardless of the author's background. However, it was extremely distracting in an "American" novel.
I read a piece about the author, and he seemed to be quite proud that this book was pretty much like the original draft, with minimal editing. I would suggest a good editor would have garnered a higher rating from me. It's just exhausting to be mentally correcting as I read.
October 28, 2018
"Dragged a bit"
The devil is in the detail they say. The premise of the serial killer called The Chemist was intriguing and the unexpected twist halfway through promised to lift the story to another level. I found the police procedural, secret organisation mix led to far too many disjointed elements. I was left with a cliffhanger at the end of one chapter, then had to wait four more while other story threads were advanced. before learning the outcome.
The devil is in the detail they say. The premise of the serial killer called The Chemist was intriguing and the unexpected twist halfway through promised to lift the story to another level. I found the police procedural, secret organisation mix led to far too many disjointed elements. I was left with a cliffhanger at the end of one chapter, then had to wait four more while other story threads were advanced. before learning the outcome.
October 27, 2018
A sick and twisted tale but an enjoyable read I couldn't put down
September 11, 2020
Great read
Very enjoyable book set up for a sequel would recommend this book as it keeps you guessing, can’t wait to read the next one
Very enjoyable book set up for a sequel would recommend this book as it keeps you guessing, can’t wait to read the next one
August 19, 2011
A solid police procedural with an interesting cast of characters
This review is from: Playing The Game (Kindle Edition)
Though I tend not to follow thriller procedurals very often, this is a good one. From a vicious adversary to a strong protagonist to a cast of believable background characters, the story grabbed me from the beginning and swept me into a current of nonstop action.
Los Angeles Police Detective Michael Patton has become the target of a mysterious villain known as "The Chemist." As he receives instructions that lead him through "the game," the bodies of young women stack up. If only he could be faster. If only he could somehow get one step ahead. But it isn't until his own daughter is kidnapped that Patton and his team of supporting officers rise to their full capability.
I especially enjoyed the political intrigue that plays in the background throughout this well-plotted story.
Reviewed by Tim Greaton "Maine's Other Author"(TM)
This review is from: Playing The Game (Kindle Edition)
Though I tend not to follow thriller procedurals very often, this is a good one. From a vicious adversary to a strong protagonist to a cast of believable background characters, the story grabbed me from the beginning and swept me into a current of nonstop action.
Los Angeles Police Detective Michael Patton has become the target of a mysterious villain known as "The Chemist." As he receives instructions that lead him through "the game," the bodies of young women stack up. If only he could be faster. If only he could somehow get one step ahead. But it isn't until his own daughter is kidnapped that Patton and his team of supporting officers rise to their full capability.
I especially enjoyed the political intrigue that plays in the background throughout this well-plotted story.
Reviewed by Tim Greaton "Maine's Other Author"(TM)
May 9, 2021
it was OK, there was some spelling mistakes and some words which were missed out but a good read. Did want to get to the end and find out what happened.
June 3, 2022
This book pissed me off from the very first few chapters and rather than forcing myself to keep reading it, i gave up. What upset me? This is a detective book, set in Los Angeles, but the book is written in English. Yeah. I know that didn't make sense. I should have said it's written in British. You know, those folks who put U's in random places like favour, flavour, colour, etc, etc.. Sorry. If you're going to write an american detective story, use the American language, not the British. If you refer to someone putting something on their job record, it goes on a resume, not a CV. Go write a story about scotland yard or interpol. American stories should be written in American.
November 28, 2016
I loved the plot and concept of this book, it grabs you by the throat right from the beginning.
But that, as it turns out, is its saving grace. Without that, I would have abandoned it on page 1, because the writing is just so awful. It's disjointed and full of typos and grammatical and syntax errors that had me grinding my teeth all the way through. I've never been more tempted to take a red pen to my kindle in my life!
Didn't the author bother employing a proofreader? If he did, he needs to sack him!
But that, as it turns out, is its saving grace. Without that, I would have abandoned it on page 1, because the writing is just so awful. It's disjointed and full of typos and grammatical and syntax errors that had me grinding my teeth all the way through. I've never been more tempted to take a red pen to my kindle in my life!
Didn't the author bother employing a proofreader? If he did, he needs to sack him!
June 3, 2011
Superb! Simon masterfully builds tension after tension making me unable to stop wondering what the next page would bring. The complex web of deceit is spun seamlessly to the tempo and is only revealed until the last moment.
Ending is great giving the impression of non-fictitiousness.
One suggestion, though, Simon could build even more anticipation if he uses exact timing such as two days ago instead of last week.
Ending is great giving the impression of non-fictitiousness.
One suggestion, though, Simon could build even more anticipation if he uses exact timing such as two days ago instead of last week.
July 20, 2011
This was amazing. I was hooked on every word, the action was so fast paced it fair blistered off the page! All this and a twist that you would never expect in a million years. I loved it! Looking forward to book 2 now!!
July 18, 2015
So so
Good storyline but not very well written and definitely not written by someone using the American version of the English language. And whoever edited and spell checked it, didn't do a very good job. Could have been done better but not the worst read.
Good storyline but not very well written and definitely not written by someone using the American version of the English language. And whoever edited and spell checked it, didn't do a very good job. Could have been done better but not the worst read.
Read
February 11, 2014Playing the Game
It definitely kept me wanting to continue reading. I of course wanted the villain caught. I do like the writing technique. I will definitely read more books by Simon Gould.
It definitely kept me wanting to continue reading. I of course wanted the villain caught. I do like the writing technique. I will definitely read more books by Simon Gould.
July 8, 2011
Crime thriller featuring a serial killer with a very implausible method of murdering his victims. Otherwise a reasonably good story.
May 1, 2011
This book features absolutely nothing you haven't seen before. It's fast-paced, but very, very tired. See my blog for the full review.
December 24, 2013
Wow
I simply could not put this book down. It is a must read if you are into being left wanting more at the end of each chapter. I can't wait to start book two!
I simply could not put this book down. It is a must read if you are into being left wanting more at the end of each chapter. I can't wait to start book two!
January 6, 2014
Sorry, I won't be looking for more by this author. The glaring grammatical errors, bad editing,and lack of proof reading is too distracting.......to bad.....interesting story development.
January 10, 2014
Good
this was a very good read. the story kept you waiting for the next clue to be found. i look forward to reading more of detective Patton.
this was a very good read. the story kept you waiting for the next clue to be found. i look forward to reading more of detective Patton.
January 19, 2014
Good storyline but had many grammatical and spelling errors.
January 19, 2014
good mystery story -not sure if there is a follow up to this book -there should be since left hanging
February 17, 2014
Use of British slang all the way through to the point I gave up was annoying. Having the term "hot shit" turn into "shit hot" pretty much ended it for me. Rewrite and move to London.
July 10, 2014
Oh my....the writing in this book is appalling! Tried hard to look beyond this to the story beneath it; but finally gave up. Sad, because I liked the story idea.
September 10, 2014
Great storyline but all characters lacked soul and emotion. They could have been described with more feeling and background.
November 15, 2015
Very good
Detective Patton and his partner are trying to locate a missing girl thought to have been taken by the Chemist. Then the unexpected happens, his daughter disappears.
Detective Patton and his partner are trying to locate a missing girl thought to have been taken by the Chemist. Then the unexpected happens, his daughter disappears.
August 8, 2012
Now reading the third in the series, but it's not on here.
April 24, 2015
Whew! Quite a read!!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews