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Reviewed by Douglas R. Cobb

Reporter Nick Daniels was at the wrong place at the wrong time that particular day when he had lunch at Lombardo’s Steakhouse. He was there to interview the famous, really infamous, retired pitcher for the Yankees, Dwayne Robinson. Robinson at one time had been the best pitcher around, striking out twenty people in a single game against Oakland, a Cy Young winner. But when Dwayne failed to show up to pitch in a decisive game seven in the World Series against the Dodgers, and disappeared for seventy-two hours, only then to be found lying naked on the floor of his apartment barely conscious by his super, he went from being the hero to the goat overnight. Dwayne hated to grant interviews, because he was uncomfortable around a lot of people, so Nick had jumped at the chance to interview him.

Too bad the interview was stopped before it really got started by a violent mob hit. The hired killer came behind his victim, Vincent Marcozza., the consigliere or lawyer of the Mafia don Eddie “The Prince,” Pinero, with a scalpel, and sliced his eyes out, “like a pumpkin.” Bruno Torenzi, the assassin, said he had a message from Eddie, saying into Vincent’s ear as he lay dying of blood loss the words: “Justice is blind.” And Nick was there, capturing it all on his recorder, solid evidence that Pinero had Marcozza whacked because his lawyer had uncharacteristically bombed out in court, resulting in Pinero’s conviction.

This is just the start of Don’t Blink, the latest action-packed, violent, edge-of your-seat thriller by the duo of James Patterson and Howard Roughan. I haven’t read many novels by Patterson, just the Alex Cross books I, Alex Cross and Cross Country, but I enjoyed reading those two very much. He’s one of today’s most talented and prolific authors, and I’ve often wondered how any one man can churn out as many well-written, suspenseful bestsellers as he does so consistently and frequently. I say “one man,” but some of his novels, like this one, are collaborations. This is the first Nick Daniels novel that Patterson and Roughan have written, but they also co-authored Honeymoon and Sail.

Just out in the stores this September, Don’t Blink is already being referred to as “the scariest Mafia thriller since The Godfather.” This is high praise–I haven’t read Mario Puzo’s novel, so I can’t really say how true this statement is, but the movie is one of my (and most people’s) favorites of all time. I can honestly say that the novel grabs you from its Prologue titled “In The Wink Of A Blink Of An Eye,” with the gruesome scene of Marcozza’s eyes getting sliced out, and I was hooked, not wanting to put the book down until I was finished reading it. There are twist and turns to the very end of it that kept my eyes riveted to the pages. Nick Daniels is a likeable three-dimensional character you’ll want to cheer on and root for, and his blind fourteen- year-old niece, Elizabeth, is engaging and steals almost every scene she’s in.

The plot thickens and the intrigue heightens when Nick realizes that, as bad as Pinero is, and as terrible a performance that his lawyer gave in court, Eddie is being set up to take the fall for hiring the hit man to murder Vinnie. What better way to muscle into Eddie’s territory than to frame him, unless it would be to kill him? And, when Dwayne Robinson apparently commits suicide by jumping out of his apartment window and falling to his death, Nick begins to wonder what role Dwayne had to play in it, also. Somebody very well connected, politically or criminally or both, he reasons, must be behind the killings.

That is just the start of the body count that begins to mount up. Nick’s own life is threatened, and no matter where he goes, he can’t get away from whomever it is that’s trying to kill him. Even when he’s placed under police protection, that’s not good enough–Bruno kills the two cops assigned to guard him. It doesn’t seem to matter what Nick does, it’s like he’s being watched, wherever he goes. And there are people who are willing to murder for the flash drive he has, that his friend, the DA Derrick Phalen, had given him posthumously–after having his own eyes sliced out.

Don’t Blink by James Patterson and Howard Roughan will ensure that you won’t want to shut your eyes or put the book down until it’s finished. It has everything that one could want in a great crime thriller, including violence, warring Mafia families, the Russian mob, crooked politicians, and, oh, did I say violence yet? I can’t wait to read more novels featuring reporter Nick Daniels in the future! If you are like me, and enjoy reading fast-paced, action-packed novels in the Crime and Thriller genres, then you’ll want to check out Don’t Blink today!

Reviewed by Stephanie Nordkap

Jack Morgan, a former Marine helicopter pilot, is the owner of Private Investigations, an elite investigation company with branches all over the world. He is renowned for helping wealthy men and women solve major problems and dilemmas, using one of the best team of investigators he can put together, but with maximum discretion. With money at his disposal and a crack team of investigators, he is capable of using advanced technology and forensic tools to solve his cases.

In this quick-paced, thrilling first novel starring Jack Morgan, his team is faced with some major problems. His uncle has asked to him to help solve a multi-million dollar NFL gambling scandal that could topple the entire NFL itself. Then, while on a red-carpet date, Jack receives a phone call from his best friend, and discovers that his friend’s wife has been murdered and his friend is the number one suspect. To top it all off, the D.A.’s office has asked Private to help solve a two-year investigation involving the Schoolgirl Killings. Over thirteen schoolgirls have been murdered over two years and the police are no closer to finding the killer than they were at the beginning. Jack must use all of his resources, all of his team members, and put all of them in danger in order to solve these cases.
I always look forward to a James Patterson novel and Private was an enjoyable and fun read. I was engaged right from the beginning; the chapters were short, the reading was quick, different character viewpoints were used, and the events happened quickly. While some readers may not be fans of this type of writing, I actually did not mind it as sometimes it’s nice to read a book and not get carried away by too much description; the authors tell it like it is, no holding back. Jack and his team certainly get themselves into a lot of situations, and while some of it is a little prescribed and predictable, there were some great twists and turns that made reading it very worthwhile.

I enjoyed learning about a new set of characters and while we learn much more about Jack and Justine in this novel, as it is only the start of a series, I am hoping that more attention with be paid to characters such as Cruz and Del Rio, Sci and Nora in the future. There are definitely some fun and quirky characters in this novel and it will be a treat getting to know them better. Patterson has a writing style that always makes me feel like I am right there in the action and can understand the characters, what they are thinking and feeling. And the authors also set things up for some explosive action to occur in future books towards the end. This is a wonderful beginning to a new series by an author who is considered to be a master when it comes to suspense.

Reviewed by Patricia Reid

A killer who calls himself “The Teacher” is on a rampage.  He kills in broad daylight in front of witnesses but somehow manages to escape.   Detective Michael Bennett of the New York City Police Department is puzzled but determined to catch the killer.

“The Teacher” has an agenda but exactly what that is or how he picks his victims is something that Detective Bennett has a hard time figuring out.  The killer strikes and moves on to the next victim.  There are eye witnesses but the descriptions of the killer vary from one crime scene to the next.

Detective Bennett is a widower with ten children.  The children are currently suffering from a bout of stomach flu.  Bennett alternates between chasing the killer and trying to cope with the trials of ten sick children.

There is excitement between the pages of “Run For Your Life” but overall came off as unbelievable.  This is the second installment in the Michael Bennett series. 

 Disclosure in Accordance with FTC Guidelines 16 CFR Part 255

Reviewed by Nancy Eaton

Kimberly McDaniels, a supermodel, is kidnapped after a photo shoot in Hawaii. Henri Benoit, the person who kidnapped Kimberly, works for a group of wealthy people, known as The Alliance, who enjoy a very strange and sick sort of entertainment. Everything the man did to Kimberly was videotaped for the group to view. When I say everything I mean the act of violence also included decapitation. After Benoit does one job the group is ready for something even sicker the next time.

Kimberly’s parents receive a phone call informing them their daughter is in danger. They board a plane and fly to Hawaii to try and find Kim. They soon meet Ben Hawkins an ex-cop who is now a reporter. Kimberly’s parents believe that having Ben on their side would be a plus since he works as a reporter.

Benoit had his own plans for Hawkins. He hired him to write all about the killings he had done in his life. Just to make sure Hawkins did a good job of writing his life story, Benoit let him know that he knew exactly where to locate Ben’s girlfriend.

Is Ben able to keep himself and his girlfriend alive?

James Patterson has included some gruesome acts to this story but after all it is about a psychopath killer. The story moves along at a rapid pace and held my attention. I always love the quick chapters that do not drag on to take up space. This author gets right to the point. There is plenty of suspense to keep the reader busy even if some of the story is predictable. If you are a James Patterson fan, you will enjoy this book.