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elizabethbeck's review against another edition
2.0
First RNP book I've read in years. Wow has his style changed. Slow moving and developing. Lack of any likable characters.
jim_b's review against another edition
3.0
This was a very beige book - nothing particularly special and nothing particularly wrong with it.
margardenlady's review
4.0
Patterson is the master of changing time and place. His throwback scenes are seamlessly woven into the story. This story had no real surprises.
canada_matt's review
3.0
Patterson moves away from his traditional legal and political thrillers to bring readers the first in a trilogy of stories about a wealthy New England family. Ben Blaine is dead and the family has gathered for his final farewell. His younger son, Adam, returns after a decade's hiatus, only to discover that this is more than a funeral. A new and controversial will leaves everything to Ben's apparent mistress and Adam's one-time flame. Questions surround Ben's death, a fall from a cliff; could it have been aided rather than suicidal? Adam begins to investigate, asking questions surrounding much about Ben's final year and those with whom his path crossed. Layered with flashbacks and present-day narrative, Patterson examines the family politics of this well-to-do group and the dysfunction that entails, including heartache, malice, and even betrayal. A clear departure from his past work, but well worth the time and effort of a curious reader.
As I return to this novel a few years later, I was able to take a little more from it. My interest in Patterson's work is long-standing and with this recent trilogy, I thought it best to read them as a collection, to get a better feel for the arcs sure to arise in them, as well as this new perspective the author is attempting to investigate. He keeps the characters strong and lets the reader fill in some of the nuances the narrative leaves open, while also showing a darker and somewhat more pensive side of Patterson's writing abilities. While it is less vibrant than his usual novels, I am curious to see how he will build on this foundation in the coming two novels.
Kudos Mr. Patterson for this new flavour!
As I return to this novel a few years later, I was able to take a little more from it. My interest in Patterson's work is long-standing and with this recent trilogy, I thought it best to read them as a collection, to get a better feel for the arcs sure to arise in them, as well as this new perspective the author is attempting to investigate. He keeps the characters strong and lets the reader fill in some of the nuances the narrative leaves open, while also showing a darker and somewhat more pensive side of Patterson's writing abilities. While it is less vibrant than his usual novels, I am curious to see how he will build on this foundation in the coming two novels.
Kudos Mr. Patterson for this new flavour!
kathijo63's review
3.0
Week 10 of the 2015 Book Challenge - Mystery or Thriller. I'm just slightly behind schedule but almost caught up!
This was a good read. I didn't like it as much as his earlier works but it kept my attention and left me guessing till the end.
This was a good read. I didn't like it as much as his earlier works but it kept my attention and left me guessing till the end.
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