Private: #1 Suspect [Hardcover]

James Patterson (Author), Maxine Paetro (Author)

Book Description

Release date: January 2, 2012 | Series: Private

Unsolvable cases

Since former Marine Jack Morgan started Private, it has become the world's most effective investigation firm--sought out by the famous and the powerful to discreetly handle their most intimate problems. Private's investigators are the smartest, the fastest, and the most technologically advanced in the world--and they always uncover the truth.

Impossible murders

When his former lover is found murdered in Jack Morgan's bed, he is instantly the number one suspect. While Jack is under police investigation, the mob strong-arms him into recovering $30 million in stolen pharmaceuticals for them. And the beautiful manager of a luxury hotel chain persuades him to quietly investigate a string of murders at her properties.

The #1 suspect is Jack Morgan

While Jack is fighting for his life, one of his most trusted colleagues threatens to leave Private, and Jack realizes he is confronting the cleverest and most powerful enemies ever. With more action, more intrigue, and more twists than ever before, PRIVATE: #1 SUSPECT is James Patterson at his unstoppable best.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Acclaim for Private

"Private will grab you from page one and force you to sit there until you turn the very last page. A great start to new a series from the master of fast-paced thrill rides." (lorisreadingcorner.com)

"Slick and suspenseful." (BookLoons.com)

"PRIVATE mixes action, mystery and personal drama...Patterson and Paetro may well be on their way to rivaling--and possibly surpassing--the popularity of their Women's Murder Club series." (BookReporter.com)

About the Author

James Patterson has had more New York Times bestsellers than any other writer, ever, according to Guinness World Records. Since his first novel won the Edgar Award in 1977 James Patterson's books have sold more than 240 million copies. He is the author of the Alex Cross novels, the most popular detective series of the past twenty-five years, including Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider. Mr. Patterson also writes the bestselling Women's Murder Club novels, set in San Francisco, and the top-selling New York detective series of all time, featuring Detective Michael Bennett. He writes full-time and lives in Florida with his family.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown and Company; 1 Reprint edition (January 2, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316097403
• ISBN-13: 978-0316097406
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 1.5 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (361 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #45,540 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

It is no surprise that in January, 2010, The New York Times Magazine featured James Patterson on its cover and hailed him as having "transformed book publishing," and that Time magazine hailed him as "The Man Who Can't Miss." Recently, NBC's Rock Center with Brian Williams profiled Patterson's prolific career, AARP named him one of the "50 Most Influential People Who Make Our Days a Little Brighter," and Variety featured him in a cover story highlighting his adventures in Hollywood.

In 2011, it was estimated that one-in-four of all hardcover suspense/thriller novels sold was written by James Patterson, he is the first author to achieve five million ebook sales (and is expected to hit ten million in early 2013), and he holds the Guinness record for the most #1 New York Times bestsellers of any author. And his success isn't based solely on thrillers like the perennially popular Alex Cross, Women's Murder Club and Michael Bennett series. Patterson is now also the current bestselling author in the young adult and middle grade categories.

He's been called the busiest man in publishing, and that's not just because of his own books. For the past decade, James has been devoting more and more of his time to championing books and reading. From the James Patterson Pageturner Awards, to his website ReadKiddoRead.com, to his College Book Bucks scholarships and his regular donations of hundreds of thousands of books to schools here in the states and troops overseas (see interviews on Fox & Friends, The Dennis Miller Radio Show and CNN.com), Patterson has passed on his passion of books and reading and supported those who do the same. Jim personally funded a major ad campaign re-printing a recent opinion piece on CNN.com about how it is our responsibility to get our kids reading. The ad has run in the New York Times, The New Yorker, and USA Today. Those ads are a call to action to parents to make their kids reading a top priority; and were featured by USA Today here. Patterson believes that we cannot rely on schools, teachers or the government to get our kids reading; only parents can make this crucial change in the reading habits of our kids. Here are links to some interviews on his first-ever dual lay down (two books, one for parents and one for kids, in one day): AOL's You've Got, NBC's "Today Show" with Hoda and Kathie Lee, USA Today and Family Circle, NBC's "Today Show" with Al Roker, as well as an interview with AARP.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#2 Overall (See top 100 authors)

#1 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Police Procedurals

#1 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery

#2 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Mystery & Thrillers > Thrillers

#2 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers

#2 in Books > Literature & Fiction

#1 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Police Procedurals

#1 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery

#2 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Mystery & Thrillers > Thrillers

#2 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers

#2 in Books > Literature & Fiction

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

87 of 92 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Twist a minute thriller January 2, 2012

By Horatio Q. Miguel

Format:Audio CD

Without the fascinating underlying philosophy you'll find in Chaos and Kingdom or other thrillers, the latest Patterson smash will take you on a rollercoaster of twists and turns that only a master can.

Ex-Marine Morgan has become the world's best private investigator (using unconventional means to get to his ends for clients "who demanded and paid well for services not available through public means"). He's good at what he does and not afraid to step outside the lines to make sure he meets his objective.

Unfortunately for Morgan, someone stepped outside the lines all over his ex-girlfriend and left the remains in his luxurious home's master bed. But was the murderer just messing with him or is there a deeper plot? Well, it turns out that the perpetrator set it up to frame Morgan and the more he delays in reporting the crime (for self-preservation and curiosity), the more he digs his own hole.

The book kind of drags on near the end, but overall it's an exciting, fast-paced rocker. You're gonna love it.

68 of 75 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Jack's Busy. Very Busy. January 3, 2012

By C. Wallace VINE™ VOICE

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book looks at the glamorous and sensational detective agency, Private, which is run by ex-Marine and ex-CIA agent Jack Morgan. Private has branches in six countries and a flashy headquarters in L.A. Hey, the police go to Private for investigative help.

Early on in this novel, Jack is framed for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Colleen. Two particularly malevolent LAPD homicide detectives want to see Jack convicted, even though Colleen was shot in Jack's bed with Jack's gun. Jack called 911 himself. The gun is easily found close to the crime scene. Jack vehemently proclaims his innocence. Would Jack, a top investigator, make it all so easy for the police? That is the question...

As if getting himself cleared is not challenging enough, Jack also investigates the theft of thirty million dollars worth of Oxycodone. The "victim" of this heist is a mobster. Why would Jack take on this explosive case? Another big question.

While all of the above swirls around, Jack and his crew hunt a serial killer who targets men who call an escort service. A prostitute shows up at the hotel room and the john ends up strangled to death.

Finally, a young movie star may be guilty of statutory rape and murder. Or maybe not. Private gets involved.

Add to this volatile mix Jack's evil twin who is determined to destroy Jack.

This is a classic James Patterson (writing with Maxine Paetro) "page turner." Nothing profound. Often superficial. Yet, there were enough bursts of excitement to keep me engaged.

It's the seventeenth work written or co-written by Patterson that I have reviewed for this site. I would put it somewhere in the middle.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT January 14, 2012

By V. Dryer

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Another great one from Patterson. Short chapters and a very quick read. Definitely keeps your attention. It's a typical murder mystery. Someone's being framed with a predictable ending.