With his latest release, best-selling author James Patterson introduces a new character -- hard-nosed, gentle-hearted, Irish cop and father of ten, Mike Bennett.
The former president and his wife are celebrating Christmas with their annual dinner at New York elegant L'Arene Restaurant. Seconds after taking a bite of her fois gras, the former first lady falls unconscious, a victim of a peanut allergy. She is dead by the time she reaches the hospital. So begins James Patterson's latest Thriller, Step on a Crack.
Siege at St. Patrick's
As dignitaries and celebrities from around the world congregate for the funeral of the well-loved first lady at New York's St. Patrick's Cathedral, a row of hooded monks take the cathedral under siege. Among the hostages are the former president, the mayor of New York City, several movie stars, and America's favorite talk show host.
Michael Bennett
As New York reels under the impact of this tense and potentially deadly situation, NYPD detective and hostage negotiator, Michael Bennett is called in to take with the hijackers. Bennett, the father of ten young adopted children is in the middle of his own Christmas drama. His wife is succumbing to cancer and the thought of raising his children alone is frightening and overwhelming. But he must put all of that aside for now, for the sake of the 38 hostages inside St. Pat's.
As the situation continues, it becomes clear that this is no ordinary hostage crisis. The hijackers are too calm, and too well-prepared, and they might just succeed.
Readers of this site will know that I'm not particularly a fan of Patterson's work. It's not that I think he's a bad writer. I just wish that he'd write one well-developed novel each year instead of three hastily constructed ones. That said, however, I couldn't help liking his new creation, Michael Bennett, and like thousands of Patterson fans, I'm eager to read more about him and his family.
About James Patterson
James Patterson has published 42 novels (as of February 10, 2007). He is best known for his Alex Cross series and his Women's Murder Club Series. He has also recently branched out into young adult fiction with Maximum Ride, published in 2006. He has won numerous writing awards. In addition to the Edgar, he has won the BCA Mystery Guild's "Thriller of the Year" award and is the 2007 recipient of the "Thrillermaster" Award.
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- Author Profile: James Patterson
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