Mistress ~ James Patterson and David Ellis

Ben isn't like most people. Unable to control his racing thoughts, he's a man consumed by his obsessions: movies, motorcycles, presidential trivia-and Diana Hotchkiss, a beautiful woman Ben knows he can never have.

When Diana is found dead outside her apartment, Ben's infatuation drives him on a hunt to find out what happened to the love of his life.

Ben soon discovers that the woman he pined for was hiding a shocking double life. And now someone is out to stop Ben from uncovering the truth about Diana's illicit affairs.

In his most heart-pumping thriller yet, James Patterson plunges us into the depths of a mind tortured by paranoia and obsession, on an action-packed chase through a world of danger and deceit.

Book Review:

I didn't really go into this book, expecting anything. I hadn't  heard much about the story, which is slightly weird for a James Patterson novel, but nevertheless, I wanted to read it anyway. I wasn't disappointed per se, but I also wasn't thrilled with it either. 

The concept of the story was definitely intriguing. It kept me wanting to know more the entire time. Was Diana really dead? Who killed her? What was Ben going to do next? How far was Ben willing to go for answers? etc. Also, Ben's mental illness, was also interesting. I don't know if he had paranoid schizophrenia or what, but because you could tell he wasn't all there mentally, it constantly kept you wondering what he was going to do. 

One thing that I did find to be kind of pointless throughout the novel was Ben's fascination with facts about various US Presidents. I felt as though each time a new series of facts was presented, it was just a space filler. They didn't have much of a point; even though, they were explained slightly by one of his therapists, it still didn't seem necessary or even that interesting. 

All together, the story was good and I was kept at the edge of my seat. It was a quick read, as all of Patterson's novels are, but it certainly wasn't his best. 

Pages: 448                                                                                                                            Rate: 3/5

Favorite Quote:

“Most people come together through sexual attraction and then try to figure out if they're compatible. The sex distracts them, then they realize too late that their pieces don't fit together” 

The Women's Murder Club: 15th Affair ~ James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

Detective Lindsay Boxer chases an elusive, possibly very dangerous suspect...her husband, Joe.
Lindsay Boxer has a beautiful baby daughter and a husband she loves unconditionally. She'd always been too focused on her career as a San Francisco police detective to wonder what domestic bliss might feel like, but now she knows, and she's never been happier. She can't imagine that a brutal murder at a luxury hotel, and the disappearance of a gorgeous blond woman from the scene, could have anything to do with her own life and marriage--yet soon both are unraveling, and Lindsay can't ignore disturbing clues that hit very close to home. 

Just as bombs are starting to go off in her personal life, an explosive tragedy rocks San Francisco, plunging the city into chaos. Pressed into duty to investigate a criminal plot that stretches around the globe, Lindsay again finds herself following signs that lead to her own front door. Thrown into a tailspin and fighting against powerful enemies trying to protect their operatives and conceal the truth at all costs, Lindsay turns to the Women's Murder Club for help as she desperately searches for the elusive, and deadly, blonde before she loses Joe for good. 

Book Review:

Dear, James Patterson. You just ruined my favorite couple. If there isn't a 16th installment to this series, I might actually die! You need to have Lindsay and Joe come through this fucking massive road bump stronger, healthier, and better than ever because they were the one ship that I never thought would sink on me!!! Don't let it sink!!! 

Now onto the review. I thought that the 14th installment in the Women's Murder Club series was the last one, until I was walking through Walmart with my best friend and happened to glance down their scant book selection, as you do, when I saw the big 15!!!!!! I about flipped, and yes, I spent the last $20 that I had on me, on this book. I flew through it and I am not okay!

Patterson, diverged from the normal crime-solving aspect of the series and entwined a bit more personal drama for Lindsay to deal with. He made her missing husband a suspect in multiple murders. With no way for Lindsay to get in touch with her husband, she continued to work the case, trying to have faith in her husband and raise their daughter as she did. It was so hard seeing her inner turmoil and the lack of confidence in her best friends. She held so much back from them, from the readers, and from herself. It was just an emotional roller coaster that I was not prepared for!

Pages: 384                                                                                                                 Rate: 4/5

Favorite Quote:

“With all due respect, Jacobi, that’s a load of bull. It was bad, but I handled it. That’s what the job is. I hardly have a scratch on me. So stop treating me like a victim. I’m fully functional and absolutely sane. This is my case and I’m on it. OK? OK?” - This is the epitome of how strong Lindsay is in this series but especially in this book. She was superb. 

June 2016 Wrap Up

This was one of those months where I started a lot of books but only finished a couple.

I Am Malala - memoir

The Women's Murder Club series book 15 - mystery, crime, thriller

Both of these were exactly what I expected them to be, which was insanely wonderful to read.