The Thomas Berryman Number [Hardcover]

James Patterson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1976

You are about to begin one of the classic American novels of suspense by one of the world's bestselling authors. It begins with three terrifying murders in the South. It ends with a relentless and unforgettable manhunt in the North. In between is the riveting story of a chilling assassin, the woman he loves, and the beloved leader he is hired to kill with extreme prejudice.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Warner; Unknown edition (1976)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0739407325
• ISBN-13: 978-0739407325
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #442,740 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

From my publisher:

James Patterson...


* James Patterson holds the New York Times bestsellers list record with 63 New York Times bestselling titles.

* JP has sold more than 220 million books worldwide. And considering pass-along and libraries, it's safe to say many more people than that have read a Patterson!

* In 2010, JP was named by kids everywhere the Children's Book Councils' Children's Choice Book Awards "Author of the Year" in 2010. More than 15,000 kid and teen readers voted for JP in a category he shared with Suzanne Collins, Carl Hiaasen, Jeff Kinney, and Rick Riordan. His Witch and Wizard series saw the biggest launch of a series for young readers ever, surpassing sales of first installments of Twilight, Diary of A Wimpy Kid, and Percy Jackson & The Olympians.

* JP has grossed over 3 billion dollars in worldwide sales. This is larger than the worldwide theatrical gross of Avatar, the highest grossing film of all time.

* JP has had 43 New York Times hardcover #1 bestselling novels, also a publishing industry record.

* Last year, JP has sold more books than John Grisham, Dan Brown, Tom Clancy, and Stephen King combined (source: Nielsen BookScan).

* JP properties are gaining wide interest amongst film and TV producers. JP's award-winning series for young readers, Maximum Ride, is currently with Avi Arad (Spiderman, Iron Man) and Universal Pictures. Lloyd Levin (Green Zone, Watchmen) is attached to produce a feature film adaptation of JP's newest young readers series, Witch and Wizard, and James Patterson Entertainment is set to produce the next Alex Cross film, I, Alex Cross which will feature Idris Elba (The Wire, The Losers) as Alex Cross. And, a television adaptation of JP's 2007 love story Sundays At Tiffanys aired in December 2010 starring Alyssa Milano and Eric Winter.

* JP's books are licensed in 43 countries worldwide, and are in print and actively sold in 100 countries.

* According to a 2010 Bowker Sisters in Crime Survey, JP is the favorite mystery writer amongst readers under 50...AND over 50! Survey respondents comprised American men, women and teens who bought at least one mystery fiction title in 2009 and/or 2010.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

62 of 73 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is Patterson's first and best book., September 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Thomas Berryman Number (Mass Market Paperback)

I found reading the other readers' reviews (almost universally bad) of The Thomas Berryman Number a real education. It might interest you all to know that when this, Patterson's first novel, came out in 1977 it won the Edgar for the best first crime novel of that year. Yes, this book is very different from his Alex Cross series: The plot is subtle and provocative, the characters are complex and compelling, and Patterson's writing here makes it a pleasure to deal with every page. The Cross books, on the other hand, feature a one-dimensional cardboard hero, comic-book villains, and simplistic writing in very short chapters. No, Patterson's writing has not improved with the years. He's just lowered his standards and is aiming at a larger, dimmer audience.

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Different side of Patterson revealed in Berryman..., April 10, 2000

By 

"wendysuzette" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Thomas Berryman Number (Mass Market Paperback)

If you are looking for the same type of writing and the same intensity as Patterson's more recent books, you will not find it here. Though many may find this novel dissapointing, I can not imagine that this is the worst book that any one of you has ever read- unless your reading list is quite miniscule. I can think of many books that are worse than this one. My advice to other readers is to read this book just to read THIS particular book. If you dive into it with any preconceived notions and are looking for another Kiss the Girls, then you will most definately be dissapointed. This book is another side to Patterson. It is a completely different style of writing than his recent novels- but is still unique and worth reading. And keep in mind that someone must have enjoyed it- it won a major literary award. If you want Alex Cross, you won't find him here, but you will find a novel that is still worth exploring. Remember to keep an open mind and you may just find that this novel is worth more than mere kindling for your fire.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars So disappointing!!, June 27, 2005

By 

C. L. Whipple (Hendersonville, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Thomas Berryman Number (Mass Market Paperback)

I usually like James Patterson but this book was absolutely horrible. Not only was it hard to follow, but I never ended up caring about any of the characters. I can't believe he was able to get this published AND win an award. I guess I just don't get it.