Helpful Score: 2
I tried reading "Toys" by Patterson recently and couldn't get into it, so I was glad that NYPD Red was able to appease me.
I really liked the concept of the main storyline. The villain is a character who calls himself "The Chameleon". A life long Hollywood extra with an axe to grind. The city of New York has invited Hollywood's finest to the Big Apple, to try to get them to do more of their filming in the city.
This is when the chameleon strikes. Some of the bigger name's in Hollywood meet untimely deaths. After a couple of them, police begin making the connection. There is someone out there trying to ruin their good will with Hollywood.
Enter Detectives Jordan and MacDonald, former loves, now new partners.
The story flows pretty well. You, as a reader get to get inside the mind of the villain and get the answers the police are trying to find. Once again, short Patterson chapters that make it easy to read. If you enjoy thrillers, then I believe you'll enjoy this one.
I really liked the concept of the main storyline. The villain is a character who calls himself "The Chameleon". A life long Hollywood extra with an axe to grind. The city of New York has invited Hollywood's finest to the Big Apple, to try to get them to do more of their filming in the city.
This is when the chameleon strikes. Some of the bigger name's in Hollywood meet untimely deaths. After a couple of them, police begin making the connection. There is someone out there trying to ruin their good will with Hollywood.
Enter Detectives Jordan and MacDonald, former loves, now new partners.
The story flows pretty well. You, as a reader get to get inside the mind of the villain and get the answers the police are trying to find. Once again, short Patterson chapters that make it easy to read. If you enjoy thrillers, then I believe you'll enjoy this one.
Helpful Score: 1
First Lines: FADE IN:
INT. KITCHEN--- REGENCY HOTEL,
NEW YORK CITY--- DAY
Beginning this book with directions from a screenplay is quite fitting: New York City is geared up for Hollywood on the Hudson Week, a time to lure as many Hollywood directors and producers as possible to spend all their money on filming in the Big Apple. This is a week when the city's special task force, NYPD Red, is on full alert. (The actual name of the task force is the High-Profile Victims Response Team, but the mayor knows that moniker-- strongly reminiscent of "the 47 Percent" remarks-- would be politically damaging.)
NYPD Red Detective Zach Jordan is first on the scene when a world-renowned producer drops dead at his power breakfast. He's accompanied by his new partner, Detective Kylie MacDonald, who just happens to be his ex-girlfriend. They've barely begun their investigation when more Hollywood figures begin to bite the dust in ever more bizarre and public ways. Somehow Zach and Kylie are going to have to get ahead of a psychopath who's scripted his reign of terror down to the last detail. If they don't, it's going to mean a high body count and a city on the verge of chaos.
I'm probably one of the last people on the planet who's never read a James Patterson novel. To be quite honest I wasn't even tempted until one of my favorite writers, Marshall Karp, teamed up with him for this book. Patterson himself has said of Karp's Lomax and Biggs series: "Marshall Karp is the only writer I know who can get big laughs out of murdering someone," and I can definitely see Karp's wonderful sense of humor throughout NYPD Red.
If you're the type of reader who prefers deep, philosophical novels, I don't think you're going to want to pick up this one. However, if you're a reader who thoroughly enjoys a high octane thriller with lots of chases, explosions, a villain who's a master of disguise, and good-looking heroes who always have snappy dialogue at their command, this is most definitely the book for you. No, it doesn't break any new ground, but these two writers know how to work magic with a standard plot.
How do they do it? By that dialogue I've already mentioned, and by setting such a rapid pace that it's difficult to catch your breath. They also do it by creating memorable characters, and I'm not just talking about über competitors Zach and Kylie. Even characters with bit parts like desk sergeant Bob McGrath, the "black Quentin Tarantino" and Captain Delia Cates shine brightly. Karp and Patterson both know that you can have the best plot in the world, but if it's not peopled with interesting characters then that wonderful plot's just a waste of time.
If, like me, there are times when you want to pick up a book and just have fun, let me recommend NYPD Red.
INT. KITCHEN--- REGENCY HOTEL,
NEW YORK CITY--- DAY
Beginning this book with directions from a screenplay is quite fitting: New York City is geared up for Hollywood on the Hudson Week, a time to lure as many Hollywood directors and producers as possible to spend all their money on filming in the Big Apple. This is a week when the city's special task force, NYPD Red, is on full alert. (The actual name of the task force is the High-Profile Victims Response Team, but the mayor knows that moniker-- strongly reminiscent of "the 47 Percent" remarks-- would be politically damaging.)
NYPD Red Detective Zach Jordan is first on the scene when a world-renowned producer drops dead at his power breakfast. He's accompanied by his new partner, Detective Kylie MacDonald, who just happens to be his ex-girlfriend. They've barely begun their investigation when more Hollywood figures begin to bite the dust in ever more bizarre and public ways. Somehow Zach and Kylie are going to have to get ahead of a psychopath who's scripted his reign of terror down to the last detail. If they don't, it's going to mean a high body count and a city on the verge of chaos.
I'm probably one of the last people on the planet who's never read a James Patterson novel. To be quite honest I wasn't even tempted until one of my favorite writers, Marshall Karp, teamed up with him for this book. Patterson himself has said of Karp's Lomax and Biggs series: "Marshall Karp is the only writer I know who can get big laughs out of murdering someone," and I can definitely see Karp's wonderful sense of humor throughout NYPD Red.
If you're the type of reader who prefers deep, philosophical novels, I don't think you're going to want to pick up this one. However, if you're a reader who thoroughly enjoys a high octane thriller with lots of chases, explosions, a villain who's a master of disguise, and good-looking heroes who always have snappy dialogue at their command, this is most definitely the book for you. No, it doesn't break any new ground, but these two writers know how to work magic with a standard plot.
How do they do it? By that dialogue I've already mentioned, and by setting such a rapid pace that it's difficult to catch your breath. They also do it by creating memorable characters, and I'm not just talking about über competitors Zach and Kylie. Even characters with bit parts like desk sergeant Bob McGrath, the "black Quentin Tarantino" and Captain Delia Cates shine brightly. Karp and Patterson both know that you can have the best plot in the world, but if it's not peopled with interesting characters then that wonderful plot's just a waste of time.
If, like me, there are times when you want to pick up a book and just have fun, let me recommend NYPD Red.
Another great book from Patterson. I love the short chapters and the story makes you want to keep reading, never a dull moment.
NYPD Red is a new to me series by one of my favorite authors for thrillers and suspense stories. A special task force of the New York Police Department, NYPD Red takes on high profiles cases fraught with danger, suspense and intrigue. Someone has it in for the Hollywood movers and shakers and isn't afraid to take them out in the most brutal and public of ways. The story centers around Zach Jordan and Kylie MacDonald, former lovers and lead detectives assigned to this task force who work tirelessly to bring the murderer to justice before he kills anyone else. The killer is a master of disguise and calls himself "The Chameleon." He is able to blend in with those around him, which he is counting on as he plots out each murder to be the ultimate performance.
I really liked Zach and Kylie. They work well together and their previous relationship does not seem to have any negative baggage hovering over them. Though Zach obviously still has feelings for Kylie and even though she has moved on, they get along well. This comes in handy when the killer targets her husband. This story delivers on intensity as Zach and Kylie try to figure out his identity and stay one step ahead of him. There are several nail-biting moments in this story that had me thinking the killer was going to get the best of them. I will be looking for the next book in the series to see what Zach and Kylie face next. If you are a fan of James Patterson or enjoy stories that keep you on the edge of your seat as each intense scene unfolds, I recommend you give this series a try.
I really liked Zach and Kylie. They work well together and their previous relationship does not seem to have any negative baggage hovering over them. Though Zach obviously still has feelings for Kylie and even though she has moved on, they get along well. This comes in handy when the killer targets her husband. This story delivers on intensity as Zach and Kylie try to figure out his identity and stay one step ahead of him. There are several nail-biting moments in this story that had me thinking the killer was going to get the best of them. I will be looking for the next book in the series to see what Zach and Kylie face next. If you are a fan of James Patterson or enjoy stories that keep you on the edge of your seat as each intense scene unfolds, I recommend you give this series a try.
Really good reading.
Great story! A special unit that are sworn to protect and serve...New Yorkshire rich and famous. NYPD RED
NYPD Red is a special task force charged with protecting the interests of Manhattan's wealthiest and most powerful citizens. When a world-famous movie producer is poisoned on the first day of a Manhattan film festival called Hollywood on the Hudson, they are the first ones called. Then an actor is killed on the set of a film. And a Molotov cocktail explodes at a movie premiere. Detective First Grade Zach Jordan and his new partner--and ex-girlfriend--Detective Kylie MacDonald are assigned to the case. The killer has every murder, every escape, planned down to the last detail--and he's scripted an explosive finale that will bring New York and Hollywood to its knees. With larger-than-life action, relentless speed, and white-knuckle twists, NYPD RED is a mega-blockbuster from "The Man Who Can't Miss."
Absolutely loved this book, could not put it down waiting on the rest of the series. Waiting on the fourth book that is coming out next year.
Enjoyable new characters.
I absolutely loved it. I always like James Patterson but this book I read very quickly. Couldn't put it down.
