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annecarts's review against another edition
3.0
I received this book for free in a giveaway on GoodReads First Reads.
I was a bit worried after I found out this was 3rd in a series but the story stands well on its own.
I enjoyed this book, the characters were well developed. However, I was expecting some courtroom drama of which there wasn't any.
I was a bit worried after I found out this was 3rd in a series but the story stands well on its own.
I enjoyed this book, the characters were well developed. However, I was expecting some courtroom drama of which there wasn't any.
larndarn's review against another edition
Realized after I started this was the last book in a series….
erinnejc's review against another edition
3.0
Despite having not read the previous two novels in this series, I still found this an enjoyable story which was well written.
gr8reader's review against another edition
5.0
I have mixed feelings about finishing this book for it also ends the trilogy. Richard North Patterson has never disappointed me. He seeps you up and takes you on a journey that is compelling and keeps you turning pages. Even when he is 'reviewing' events of the prior book, you are never bored for he writes in such a way that it just helps to refresh your memory of details that you may have forgotten since reading the last installment, and countless other books in between. But picking up a RNP book is like picking up a good friend and that chapter or page or paragraph of 'review' is just 'catching up.' As always, RNP develops his character and describes them so well that you can actually hear them reciting their dialogue.
stamdl99's review against another edition
2.0
Disappointing end to this trilogy as it didn't offer much that wasn't already disclosed in the other books. It seemed over written/wordy and the main relationship just didn't gel with me. I'm a big Patterson fan but this book was a miss.
athravan's review against another edition
3.0
** 3.5 Stars **
Eden in Winter is the third part of a trilogy and Richard North Patterson spends a good deal of the first few chapters introducing readers to the background of the previous two novels. Those that are fresh to the series will get the backbone of the story, whilst readers coming fresh from the previous book may be a little frustrated with the time spent on information already known. Within a few chapters we start moving on, focusing on the psychological aspect of Adam, a man coming to terms with some startling family secrets and his damaged relationship with his murdered father, Benjamin Blaine.
Whilst using his background with the CIA to protect his family from being charged with murder, he enters into a friendship with Benjamin's mistress, who also happens to be carrying his child. This strains an already fragile relationship with his mother, who has been harboring some secrets of her own. Of course, the media is interested, the DA is angry and the pressure is on, sending Adam to his therapist - who actually ends up being a very well written character who draws out Adam's character wonderfully. He's hard to relate to, but then this is a family with a lot of issues, so no wonder.
It's more of a family drama than anything else and quite frankly, a little soap opera at times. Although murder may be the center point; this is not suspenseful courtroom drama that you might expect from Richard North Patterson - but neither are the previous two books in this series. There is some action in the form of Adam's covert operations in Afghanistan in between all the drama, but it didn't feel that realistic to me. That being said, if you enjoyed the first two books in this trilogy - you'll definitely want to see it through to the conclusion.
I did feel bored at the start. Since I've read the previous novels it felt like I had to slog through some boredom to get there, but thankfully it does improve dramatically towards the end, so I'm glad I stuck it out to enjoy the full depth of Adam's character, although some loose ends from the trilogy are simply never tied up. I think I'd give it a 3.5 stars realistically. If you like psychological family drama with a little bit of action then this book will be for you, but I'd strongly recommend reading the first two books and then skipping the first three chapters of this one to get the full story.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from NetGalley.
Eden in Winter is the third part of a trilogy and Richard North Patterson spends a good deal of the first few chapters introducing readers to the background of the previous two novels. Those that are fresh to the series will get the backbone of the story, whilst readers coming fresh from the previous book may be a little frustrated with the time spent on information already known. Within a few chapters we start moving on, focusing on the psychological aspect of Adam, a man coming to terms with some startling family secrets and his damaged relationship with his murdered father, Benjamin Blaine.
Whilst using his background with the CIA to protect his family from being charged with murder, he enters into a friendship with Benjamin's mistress, who also happens to be carrying his child. This strains an already fragile relationship with his mother, who has been harboring some secrets of her own. Of course, the media is interested, the DA is angry and the pressure is on, sending Adam to his therapist - who actually ends up being a very well written character who draws out Adam's character wonderfully. He's hard to relate to, but then this is a family with a lot of issues, so no wonder.
It's more of a family drama than anything else and quite frankly, a little soap opera at times. Although murder may be the center point; this is not suspenseful courtroom drama that you might expect from Richard North Patterson - but neither are the previous two books in this series. There is some action in the form of Adam's covert operations in Afghanistan in between all the drama, but it didn't feel that realistic to me. That being said, if you enjoyed the first two books in this trilogy - you'll definitely want to see it through to the conclusion.
I did feel bored at the start. Since I've read the previous novels it felt like I had to slog through some boredom to get there, but thankfully it does improve dramatically towards the end, so I'm glad I stuck it out to enjoy the full depth of Adam's character, although some loose ends from the trilogy are simply never tied up. I think I'd give it a 3.5 stars realistically. If you like psychological family drama with a little bit of action then this book will be for you, but I'd strongly recommend reading the first two books and then skipping the first three chapters of this one to get the full story.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from NetGalley.
mj5291's review against another edition
5.0
The end of good story and a good read. Have never been disappointed in anything from this author. I'm
canada_matt's review against another edition
3.0
Patterson completes the Martha's Vineyard trilogy by returning to the present, and the inquest into Ben Blaine's death. Adam, having taken over the role of shepherd to his directionless family, tries his best to steer suspicion away from his family by sabotaging the evidence on file with the district attorney. Adam is also trying to make more sense of the revelations of his own family's inner deterioration, both recently and over the past decade. Making an effort to get a better understanding of Carla Pacelli, the woman whose pregnancy lies at the centre of the ever-evolving drama, Adam soon discovers a close-knit friendship with her, as they bond over their respective life stories. While juggling his covert job and the legal matters sure to bury his family, Adam is drawn closer to this forbidden fruit and all she offers. Could building something with Carla be Adam's best shot at getting back at Ben for all he's done, as well as the family that's left him to clean up their mess? Patterson concludes the Blaine story, somewhat unconventionally and in a somewhat anti-climactic manner, leaving some to wonder the impetus of the entire three-book series.
Perhaps it is the deeply analytical nature of this trilogy, or the complete turnaround taken in this writing style, but I am not as fond of this Patterson collection. While the middle book was outstanding and told a deeply reflective story, the first and third novels were less about the inner workings of the machine than a constant flitting from past to present. I felt little connection to these characters, even Carla, who bears all throughout the novel.While perhaps slightly harsh, I hope Patterson returns to the powerful political novels with which I am familiar. That said, it was a powerfully crafted and narrated book, worth examining for any reader seeking a deeper inner-look at family politics.
Kudos, Mr. Patterson for this novel and the entire trilogy. While not my favourites, they did force me to think outside the box in which I usually find myself.
Perhaps it is the deeply analytical nature of this trilogy, or the complete turnaround taken in this writing style, but I am not as fond of this Patterson collection. While the middle book was outstanding and told a deeply reflective story, the first and third novels were less about the inner workings of the machine than a constant flitting from past to present. I felt little connection to these characters, even Carla, who bears all throughout the novel.While perhaps slightly harsh, I hope Patterson returns to the powerful political novels with which I am familiar. That said, it was a powerfully crafted and narrated book, worth examining for any reader seeking a deeper inner-look at family politics.
Kudos, Mr. Patterson for this novel and the entire trilogy. While not my favourites, they did force me to think outside the box in which I usually find myself.