Customer Reviews

Black Market

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

There are few books by James Patterson that I would give fewer than 5 stars. He always blows my mind. Black Market is good, but it takes time for even a great writer like Patterson to become a true master. This book was published in 1986. Patterson fans, like me, who love his books because he pulls absolutely no punches may be somewhat frustrated when he pulls the punches a little here. Also, Arch Carroll is an interesting and sympathetic character, but I don't feel the reader gets to get inside of him like you do with Alex Cross. I kept wanting to know this guy better; I even wanted to know the bad guy better, even if I wound up hating him, like Gary Soneji. In Black Market, the admittedly fascinating plot is king. In a world full of plot-masters, I love Patterson's books because the plots are great, but character is king. Black Market is certainly a book to read for Patterson fans, as long as they understand that it feels like at this point in his career he may have been still developing the fabulous style that makes him absolutely tops today.

The characters and plot twists make this a book you won't soon forget. Archer Carrol/ Crusader Rabbit is my favorite Patterson character. If you liked See How They Run, you'll love Black Market.

After seeing the movie Capricorn One, many years ago, I have come to the belief that a lot of what we think of as reality in fact is not real. Since then, I have had several life experiences that have proven that fact. Black Market takes that philosophy/perception to the ultimate limit. It is everything we have all kept in the back of our minds and have been too afraid to bring out, this book makes us face how we truly feel about things in life and really LOOK at what IS real or not. Of every book I have read, some that have been great thrillers with dissapointining endings, this is one book that keeps you at the edge of your seat all of the way, only to give you the most rewarding ending of all books I have ever read! I have to applaud James Patterson, he has finally gained my respect over and above John Grisham! Black Market blows away The Firm!

Black Market is definately not as good as Patterson's Alex Cross series - I found the book interesting, but had a hard time keeping up with 'who was who' and why it was important.

Black Market, was in my opion one of Paterson's best books. The NYPD and NYFBI details were semi-authantic, I worked for both, but it was very good. The main character was multi demensional and complex. The subplots were inter woven to the main plot and it moved at patterson's traditional pace. Truly a a great read and worth your money.

after reading 'Along came a Spider', and watching 'Kiss the Girls', i just had to try another of Patterson's books. Black Market starts strongly, and just keeps going ! the plot is (almost !) believable, and the characters are strong - this is an excellent read. i finished this in 5 days, just had to keep going back to it. the story jumps from plot to plot, and keeps you riveted. the only (very slight) downside is that the ending, or rather the 'finale', only lasts around a half dozen pages, but alround GREAT !

I read the opening chapter several times, and simply thought it was going to be a real flop....but when I actually go into it, it was simply Brilliantly written and a great read!

patterson's language here is quite sluggish, though the plot moves feverishly. it has enough intrigues, explosions, and murders to satisfy the reader's appetite, but patterson is no match compared to the other good writers of this genre.

First things first - if you are at all familiar with the American economy, you'll have to suspend your sense of disbelief throughout the book. The premise has American terrorists bombing Wall Street and stealing 2 billion dollars worth of stock certificates in order to destroy the American economy and take down the entire free market system throughout the world. Now, it takes place in the 80s but still, even in the 80s, 2 billion dollars was just a drop in the bucket. It wouldn't make a bit of difference, especially since it was spread out over 20-30 giant conglomerates.

What makes the story work is the appealing main character, Arch Carrol. He is hardcore but still human and likeable. This is definitely not one of Patterson's best works, but it is not totally bad either.

Black Market is the kind of book that you start and can't ever put down! Patterson keeps you into the complicated plot by explaining things in a way that everyone can understand. A GREAT read!