Sundays at Tiffany's by Patterson

A Short, Likeable Love Story by the Mystery Master

May 24, 2008 Sandy Mitchell

Jane has few people in her life as a child--only her imaginary friend, Michael. When she meets him in real life years later, what can it possibly mean?

James Patterson, best known for his mysteries featuring Alex Cross and the Womens Murder Club, has teamed up with children's book author, Gabrielle Charbonnet to write a charming and likeable love story, ideal for summer beach reading.

Poor Little Rich JaneThe story centers around Jane, the nine-year-old daughter of beautiful Broadway mogul, Vivienne Margaux. Her mother's life has little time for her daughter, what with rehearsals, power lunches, scouting her fourth husband, and a series of salon treatments. Their one ritual is Sunday afternoons at the Astor Court in the St. Regis Hotel, followed by a shopping trip to Tiffany's. Vivienne sits at a separate table from Jane, just far enough away that admirers won't realize that they are together. Jane sits with Michael, her constant--and imaginary--companion.

Michael

Michael is an unusual choice for an imaginary friend. He's thirty-ish, polished, and attractive. But he effortlessly says all of the right things, knows how to make Jane laugh, and is always there when Jane needs someone to walk her to school or lend a shoulder to cry on. Let all childhood imaginary friends, however, eventually Michael must say goodbye.

The memory of her childhood friend never leaves Jane, even as she becomes a successful producer herself. Then suddenly one day, Jane sees Michael on the street. How could her imaginary friend be there in the flesh--and not a day older than he was 15 years before?

Sundays at Tiffany's is an enjoyable, but decidedly light, book. Although Patterson says in an introduction that the theme of the book evolved from something his four-year-old son said to him. However, it's difficult to shake that deja vu feeling as one is reading this book. If you've ever read "Love Story" (or seen the film), you'll understand. Pick this one up before you head to the beach this summer.

About James Patterson

James Patterson is the author of more than 40 novels. He is best known for his Alex Cross Series and his Women's Murder Club Series, which was recently made into a TV series. Mr. Patterson 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.

About Gabrielle Charbonnet

This is the third novel on which Patterson and Carbonnet have collaborated. Charbonnet also writes children's books. She lives in North Carolina.

More from James Patterson

• Review of Double Cross
• Review of 7th Heaven
• Review of Step on a Crack

The copyright of the article Sundays at Tiffany's by Patterson in Mystery/Crime Fiction is owned by Sandy Mitchell. Permission to republish Sundays at Tiffany's by Patterson in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Sunday at Tiffany's by James Patterson

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Comments

Nov 20, 2008 2:41 PM

Guest :

i loved this book! such a good read! i am currently writing an essay about it for school. thats how much i enjoyed it :)

Dec 27, 2008 6:06 PM

Guest :

i just love romance so im stil reading it but i know it will be the most greatest story ever.

Jan 22, 2009 4:59 PM

Guest :

I read this book in 2 days!!!I could not stop reading It. I cried my eyes out! And so far I"ve read 2 books by this author The Quickie and Sunday at Tiffany's.I told my friends and Co workers about James Patterson's Books They are Great

Jan 26, 2009 9:22 PM

Guest :

I love romance novels, too, but not this one. It was silly, shallow and basically a shelf for product placement disguised as prose. Is it important that the cookies were Oreos, the wine was Caymus, the coffee was Kona, the music was John Legend's "Once Again," the lotion was "Clinique Dramatically Different, the mascara, eyeline and lipstick were "Bobbi Brown",the styling mousse was Calvin Klein. OMG!! I was not surprised to learn that the co-author was a children's book author. It was very disappointing. What a sell-out...

Jan 31, 2009 5:39 PM

Guest :

How I loved it! Let me count the ways. Yes, it is a book full of sap drizzled in syrup but oh so yummy. I read this book while taking a hot bubble bath. It was a fantastic escape from laundry, dishes, cooking, and all other mundane chores. But the book also reminded me of all the precious gifts in my life that I do these chores for. What this book taught me was to love freely and find joy in what moments we have together. Got to run, the laundry buzzer is going off.......

Apr 21, 2009 6:52 AM

Guest :

I don't think I've ever read a less romantic romance novel. I'm not trying to be a mean person here, but this book was so terribly written and lacked substance that I just couldn't keep my thoughts to myself. I completely agree with the person who wrote the comment on January 26, 2009. There was such shameless product placement throughout the whole story and it truly was a disappointment, especially coming from James Patterson. I didn't find an ounce of romance in a story about a father figure to a child becoming her lover later in life. How disturbing is that? I just wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

6 Comments