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Private Games [Hardcover]

James Patterson , Mark Sullivan
3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (393 customer reviews)

List Price: $27.99
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Book Description

February 13, 2012 Private
On your mark

Private, the world's most renowned investigation firm, has been commissioned to provide security for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Its agents are the smartest, fastest, and most technologically advanced in the world, and 400 of them have been transferred to London to protect more than 10,000 competitors who represent more than 200 countries.

Get set

The opening ceremony is hours away when Private investigator and single father of twins, Peter Knight, is called to the scene of a ruthless murder. A high-ranking member of the games' organizing committee has been killed. It's clear to Peter that this wasn't a crime of passion, but one of precise calculation and execution.

Die

Newspaper reporter Karen Pope receives a letter from a person who calls himself Cronus claiming responsibility for the murders. He promises to restore the Olympics to their ancient glory and to destroy all those who have corrupted the games with lies, corruption, and greed. Immediately, Karen hires Private to examine the letter, and she and Peter uncover a criminal genius who won't stop until he's completely destroyed the modern games. "America's #1 storyteller" (Forbes) delivers an exhilarating, action-packed thriller that brings the splendor and emotion of the Olympics to a wildly powerful climax.

Frequently Bought Together

Private Games + Private:  #1 Suspect + Private Berlin
Price for all three: $56.19

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  • Private: #1 Suspect $18.74
  • Private Berlin $19.08


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: 448 pages
  • Publisher: Little, Brown and Company; First Edition edition (February 13, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0316206822
  • ISBN-13: 978-0316206822
  • Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 1.5 x 9.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (393 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,836 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.

Customer Reviews

Once I started reading this book, I could not put it down! David A. Anderson  |  40 reviewers made a similar statement
I just don't like these kinds of books. Esther M. Delurgio  |  30 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
72 of 77 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting book February 21, 2012
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have read practically all of James Patterson's books and have enjoyed most of them. This one left me puzzled but I couldn't figure out why. The story is engaging, characters are well-developed and it moves along at a fast pace. It does take place in London but that was not the problem. I finally realized that the style of writing is not James Pattersons. After you read a lot of his books, his writing style becomes apparent. This book is totally different. I wondered which of the two listed authors actually wrote it. It is well-written just not like the other Patterson books.
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29 of 30 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Not really enjoying this Private February 24, 2012
By Maggie
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Having read the first two books in the Private series I was anticipatng a good read with this most recent one, Private Games. I have made it through to Chapter 9 and am really struggling. I agree with a previous reviewer that states they can tell that James Patterson did not write this one. The narrative style is completely different. I enjoyed the first two Private books and not just because they were set in L.A. The writing was quicker paced, the characters more enjoyable and the grittiness of the storylines made me want more. LEt's see if I can get through this one.
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39 of 47 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Totally Worth It February 10, 2012
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've been a long time fan and I can tell you this one's totally worth it. I read all 16 chapters in one sitting. It's one of his best in a while, at least what I've read so far is. The wait to get the rest of the book is a-g-o-n-y.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
This was the best book by James Patterson I have read so far. The characters were believable, the plot held you spellbound. Read more
Published 3 hours ago by Geri Bertram
5.0 out of 5 stars Great
Of course its a Patterson and was great. I know I will always enjoy his books and recommend them to all
Published 2 days ago by Marcie Conmy
4.0 out of 5 stars Private Games
Loved the first book and this was equally as good and suspenseful. Great series and I am on to the next one as we speak!
Published 5 days ago by Pen Name
4.0 out of 5 stars Terror in the Olympic Games
I liked it but not as much as the usual James Patterson novels.
My favourites are the ones with Alex Cross. Read more
Published 5 days ago by Carminha Stalker
4.0 out of 5 stars Olympics + Terror= Best of the Pack
This came out prior to the summer Olympics of '12. Glad I stayed home and watched on TV. I would have been a wreck--this seems so possible.
Published 6 days ago by M. Ritchey
4.0 out of 5 stars A little different great subject
James Patterson is an author who turns out books faster than I can read them. I cannot get enough if this guy.
Published 7 days ago by elliott egglestone
5.0 out of 5 stars A great novel
What a book,spell bounding,couldn't wait to find out who was the main villain.James Patterson does it again with another great novel.
Published 7 days ago by thomas leak
5.0 out of 5 stars It's exciting!
Keeps you reading to see what will happen next! James Patterson has done it again! Couldn't put it down. A great read.
Published 7 days ago by Marcia A Mozden
3.0 out of 5 stars good read
I felt that the story had some Interesting twists, it was a fairly quick read as are most of mr. Patterson's are.
Published 10 days ago by jmic
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
I love this book just like all the other Private books. Patterson is a brilliant writer and I simply love reading his books.
Published 10 days ago by missayana
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