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The Writer
NYPD Detective Declan Shaw gets a call: How fast can you get to the Beresford building on Central Park West?
In the tower apartment, Shaw finds a woman waiting for him. She’s covered in blood. A body is lying dead on the floor of the luxurious living room.
Every book in the apartment’s floor-to-ceiling shelves is by the same author: bestselling true-crime writer Denise Morrow.
"This is you?" Shaw asks the woman. "You're a writer?"
Only one person knows the ending to this story. Is it the victim or the killer?
In the tower apartment, Shaw finds a woman waiting for him. She’s covered in blood. A body is lying dead on the floor of the luxurious living room.
Every book in the apartment’s floor-to-ceiling shelves is by the same author: bestselling true-crime writer Denise Morrow.
"This is you?" Shaw asks the woman. "You're a writer?"
Only one person knows the ending to this story. Is it the victim or the killer?
400 pages, Hardcover
Published March 17, 2025
2203 people are currently reading
5614 people want to read
About the author
James Patterson
955 books355k followersOfficial US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,525 reviews
March 24, 2025
The book cover promises that “you”ll never forget the ending”…
So, did this collaboration between James Patterson and J. D. Barker deliver on that promise?
YES! IT DID!
Best Selling True Crime novelist Denise Morrow is writing a book called “The Taking of Maggie Marshall” which will expose NYPD Detective, Declan Shaw as a fraud.
So, WHY, when she called 911, to report a break-in, and the murder of her husband, would she demand that NOBODY but Detective Shaw enter the apartment when Police respond?
Well, now I KNOW, and TRUST ME-you will want to find out!
The book opens with Declan Shaw contemplating SUICIDE, as a train comes barreling down the tracks. The phone call demanding his presence at 211 Central Park West, Apartment 18A has him detouring to that location instead.
And, as this entertaining, fast paced story unfolds you will be wondering WHO is the most clever character of them all!
I’m not telling! 😉
I had not read a James Patterson book in years, but rave reviews had me adding this one. I will be paying closer attention to new releases from here on out!
AVAILABLE NOW!
Thank You to the Chandler Public Library for the loan of both the Audible and written copies! I enjoyed toggling between both formats!
So, did this collaboration between James Patterson and J. D. Barker deliver on that promise?
YES! IT DID!
Best Selling True Crime novelist Denise Morrow is writing a book called “The Taking of Maggie Marshall” which will expose NYPD Detective, Declan Shaw as a fraud.
So, WHY, when she called 911, to report a break-in, and the murder of her husband, would she demand that NOBODY but Detective Shaw enter the apartment when Police respond?
Well, now I KNOW, and TRUST ME-you will want to find out!
The book opens with Declan Shaw contemplating SUICIDE, as a train comes barreling down the tracks. The phone call demanding his presence at 211 Central Park West, Apartment 18A has him detouring to that location instead.
And, as this entertaining, fast paced story unfolds you will be wondering WHO is the most clever character of them all!
I’m not telling! 😉
I had not read a James Patterson book in years, but rave reviews had me adding this one. I will be paying closer attention to new releases from here on out!
AVAILABLE NOW!
Thank You to the Chandler Public Library for the loan of both the Audible and written copies! I enjoyed toggling between both formats!
January 29, 2025
Stunned!
My heart has been racing throughout this one. 🏃➡️❤️ A dark, shocking story that had my anxiety building as I tried to connect the dots. You may find yourself second guessing everything! James Patterson and J.D. Barker give us a suspenseful, bumpy ride.
Just when you think you can't be more shocked, you get the rug pulled out once again!
Denise Morrow is a bestselling true-crime author, she is familiar with the deets on crime scenes, has studied some of the world's most infamous killers, those who were wrongly accused, and has studied them all. She finds herself right smack in the middle of her own murder mystery!
Twisty, hard to put down and a killer cat and mouse chase!
Did someone just pull off the perfect murder??!!
Thanks to NG for my ARC. This one is out March 17,2025
My heart has been racing throughout this one. 🏃➡️❤️ A dark, shocking story that had my anxiety building as I tried to connect the dots. You may find yourself second guessing everything! James Patterson and J.D. Barker give us a suspenseful, bumpy ride.
Just when you think you can't be more shocked, you get the rug pulled out once again!
Denise Morrow is a bestselling true-crime author, she is familiar with the deets on crime scenes, has studied some of the world's most infamous killers, those who were wrongly accused, and has studied them all. She finds herself right smack in the middle of her own murder mystery!
Twisty, hard to put down and a killer cat and mouse chase!
Did someone just pull off the perfect murder??!!
Thanks to NG for my ARC. This one is out March 17,2025
March 8, 2025
Mic drop 🎤 I mean seriously this book was off the hook amazing! Simply Brilliant! Addictive, gripping, hard to put down, and shocking!!!! James Patterson and J.D. Barker have outdone themselves with The Writer!!!!! This writing duo can do no wrong in my book!
Bestselling true-crime author Denise Morrow finds herself at the center of a shocking crime when she calls 911 to report that her husband has been murdered after a break in. Declan Shaw and Jarod Cordova are on the case and learn that the woman who is in shock and covered in blood, is a writer. Could she also be a killer??????
Clever, clever, clever!!!!! Just when I thought I had everything figured out, this dynamic writing duo threw a twist into the mix, and everything changed on a dime! Whew! My head is still spinning, and my pulse is still pounding. This book was pure genius! There is a lot going on in this book and it becomes evident at the beginning of this book that this is going to be a mysterious thrill ride on the way to the truth while skirting obstacles along the way.
This whodunit murder mystery kept me on my toes, fulling invested, pointing my finger here and there all while being left with my jaw hanging open at the end of the book. Holy Crap!!!!!!
Highly Recommend!!!!
Thank you to Little, Brown and Company NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
Bestselling true-crime author Denise Morrow finds herself at the center of a shocking crime when she calls 911 to report that her husband has been murdered after a break in. Declan Shaw and Jarod Cordova are on the case and learn that the woman who is in shock and covered in blood, is a writer. Could she also be a killer??????
Clever, clever, clever!!!!! Just when I thought I had everything figured out, this dynamic writing duo threw a twist into the mix, and everything changed on a dime! Whew! My head is still spinning, and my pulse is still pounding. This book was pure genius! There is a lot going on in this book and it becomes evident at the beginning of this book that this is going to be a mysterious thrill ride on the way to the truth while skirting obstacles along the way.
This whodunit murder mystery kept me on my toes, fulling invested, pointing my finger here and there all while being left with my jaw hanging open at the end of the book. Holy Crap!!!!!!
Highly Recommend!!!!
Thank you to Little, Brown and Company NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
January 2, 2025
Hang on tight… best-selling authors James Patterson and JD Barker are about to take you on one heck of a roller coaster ride!
Popular true crime novelist Denise Morrow just found herself in the headlines. But for all the wrong reasons. Her husband has been murdered and she is the number one suspect.
It’s up to detectives Declan Shaw and Jarod Cordova to put the pieces of the puzzle together and wrap it in a bow to present to the DA. But come on, that would be too easy, right?
Just when you think you have it cleverly figured out. When you convince yourself there cannot possibly be another twist. Well my fellow thriller fans, you couldn’t be more wrong! You will be in for one shock after another all the way to the very end! Bravo!
I’ve only recently made my way back to the world of James Patterson. And his collaborations with many of my favorite authors have provided me with some of my favorite thrillers!
Can’t wait for more!
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company.
Popular true crime novelist Denise Morrow just found herself in the headlines. But for all the wrong reasons. Her husband has been murdered and she is the number one suspect.
It’s up to detectives Declan Shaw and Jarod Cordova to put the pieces of the puzzle together and wrap it in a bow to present to the DA. But come on, that would be too easy, right?
Just when you think you have it cleverly figured out. When you convince yourself there cannot possibly be another twist. Well my fellow thriller fans, you couldn’t be more wrong! You will be in for one shock after another all the way to the very end! Bravo!
I’ve only recently made my way back to the world of James Patterson. And his collaborations with many of my favorite authors have provided me with some of my favorite thrillers!
Can’t wait for more!
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company.
August 14, 2025
Plot. Twist. Panic.
Buckle up because The Writer by James Patterson and J.D. Barker does not mess around. This book grabs you by the collar and drags you through every jaw-dropping, brain-scrambling, anxiety-inducing turn like it is auditioning for a psychological thrill ride.
HOLY SHOOTY BALLS, THIS BOOK!
It is a roller coaster in print. It is fast-paced, sharp, and constantly keeping you on edge. The tension hits immediately and holds steady, building like a storm rolling in. A woman is found covered in blood, her husband dead at her feet, and she has just one demand only. Detective Declan Shaw is allowed inside. From there, the pressure does not let up. With a luxury apartment as the crime scene and a bestselling true crime author at the centre of it, the lines between reality and fiction start to blur. I was second guessing every revelation, every motive, and every chilling twist. Just when you think you have your feet under you, the floor disappears and then the walls start closing in too.
James Patterson and J.D. Barker absolutely gave me the perfect read. It was clever, compulsively readable, and downright thrilling. I was shocked more than once (and maybe gasped out loud, not confirming or denying) and that ending? Just like the cover promises.... it will not be forgotten.
Twisty, hard to put down, and a killer read through and through. And let’s just say.… if this was not the perfect murder, it came scarily close.
Buckle up because The Writer by James Patterson and J.D. Barker does not mess around. This book grabs you by the collar and drags you through every jaw-dropping, brain-scrambling, anxiety-inducing turn like it is auditioning for a psychological thrill ride.
HOLY SHOOTY BALLS, THIS BOOK!
It is a roller coaster in print. It is fast-paced, sharp, and constantly keeping you on edge. The tension hits immediately and holds steady, building like a storm rolling in. A woman is found covered in blood, her husband dead at her feet, and she has just one demand only. Detective Declan Shaw is allowed inside. From there, the pressure does not let up. With a luxury apartment as the crime scene and a bestselling true crime author at the centre of it, the lines between reality and fiction start to blur. I was second guessing every revelation, every motive, and every chilling twist. Just when you think you have your feet under you, the floor disappears and then the walls start closing in too.
James Patterson and J.D. Barker absolutely gave me the perfect read. It was clever, compulsively readable, and downright thrilling. I was shocked more than once (and maybe gasped out loud, not confirming or denying) and that ending? Just like the cover promises.... it will not be forgotten.
Twisty, hard to put down, and a killer read through and through. And let’s just say.… if this was not the perfect murder, it came scarily close.
July 4, 2025
GASP! O.M.G! YES! The Writer deserves three whole exclamatory phrases thanks to those twisty last few chapters! The definition of fast-paced and propulsive, this dynamite crime thriller hit just the right balance of dark, suspenseful, and twisted. From the epic game of cat-and-mouse where I couldn’t see the full board to the multiple players who were working at full steam to outthink the others, I was constantly trying to figure it all out. No matter how hard I tried, though, I just couldn’t align the pieces in time. You see, every moment that I got close, a mind-blowing twist would arrive on the scene and pull the rug right out from under my feet.
I do have to say that some of the books that I’ve read by Patterson in the past have had a definite formulaic feel. This time around there was absolutely none of that thanks to the schemes, twists, and lies. Even better, however, were the inclusion of Patterson’s trademark short cliffhanger chapters and multiple POVs. Keeping everything moving with a bunch of personas that ran the gamut from downright despicable to *just* morally gray, there might not have been someone to root for, but I was riveted just the same. After all, while there was far more going on below the surface than I ever imagined, it was so well-plotted that it flowed with utter precision.
All said and done, this writing duo can do no wrong in my humble opinion. With dual timelines on top of the multiple POVs, I can only imagine the brilliance of these two unstoppable minds. Add in the mixed media format and it was an out-and-out home run. You see, thanks to a whodunnit plot mixed with a spine-tingling thriller vibe, my head was absolutely spinning by the time I hit the series of earth-shattering twists in the last couple of pages. Clever and complex, Patterson and Barker had me staying up way too late just to finish this novel. So be sure to run out and grab a copy ASAP as you’re going to love this one to pieces. Rating of 5+ stars.
SYNOPSIS:
NYPD Detective Declan Shaw gets a call: How fast can you get to the Beresford building on Central Park West?
In the tower apartment, Shaw finds a woman waiting for him. She’s covered in blood. A body is lying dead on the floor of the luxurious living room.
Every book in the apartment’s floor-to-ceiling shelves is by the same author: bestselling true-crime writer Denise Morrow.
"This is you?" Shaw asks the woman. "You're a writer?"
Only one person knows the ending to this story. Is it the victim or the killer?
Thank you to James Patterson, J.D. Barker, and Little, Brown for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: March 17, 2025
Content warning: suicide, violence, pedophilia, murder, fatal allergic reaction, mention of: kidnapping, rape, infidelity
I do have to say that some of the books that I’ve read by Patterson in the past have had a definite formulaic feel. This time around there was absolutely none of that thanks to the schemes, twists, and lies. Even better, however, were the inclusion of Patterson’s trademark short cliffhanger chapters and multiple POVs. Keeping everything moving with a bunch of personas that ran the gamut from downright despicable to *just* morally gray, there might not have been someone to root for, but I was riveted just the same. After all, while there was far more going on below the surface than I ever imagined, it was so well-plotted that it flowed with utter precision.
All said and done, this writing duo can do no wrong in my humble opinion. With dual timelines on top of the multiple POVs, I can only imagine the brilliance of these two unstoppable minds. Add in the mixed media format and it was an out-and-out home run. You see, thanks to a whodunnit plot mixed with a spine-tingling thriller vibe, my head was absolutely spinning by the time I hit the series of earth-shattering twists in the last couple of pages. Clever and complex, Patterson and Barker had me staying up way too late just to finish this novel. So be sure to run out and grab a copy ASAP as you’re going to love this one to pieces. Rating of 5+ stars.
SYNOPSIS:
NYPD Detective Declan Shaw gets a call: How fast can you get to the Beresford building on Central Park West?
In the tower apartment, Shaw finds a woman waiting for him. She’s covered in blood. A body is lying dead on the floor of the luxurious living room.
Every book in the apartment’s floor-to-ceiling shelves is by the same author: bestselling true-crime writer Denise Morrow.
"This is you?" Shaw asks the woman. "You're a writer?"
Only one person knows the ending to this story. Is it the victim or the killer?
Thank you to James Patterson, J.D. Barker, and Little, Brown for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: March 17, 2025
Content warning: suicide, violence, pedophilia, murder, fatal allergic reaction, mention of: kidnapping, rape, infidelity
March 19, 2025
James Patterson and J.D. Barker sure pulled the wool over my eyes!
Haunted by a past case, Detective Declan Shaw of the NYPD is in a deserted subway station about to end it all by throwing himself in front of a train.
Until his phone rings.
His partner Jarod Cordova is requesting his presence on a perplexing case – which at first appears to be a burglary gone wrong. The victim is Cardiologist David Morrow. His wife Denise (a best-selling true crime writer) arrived home to their high-rise apartment in Central Park West to find him stabbed to death. Or so she says. Because Denise is covered in blood. And that's far from the only strange thing about the scene that doesn't add up.
And the weirdest question of all! Why did Denise request him by name on her 911 call?
The Writer was a smartly done psychological thriller/crime/police procedural with a creative, crafty, convoluted plot and whopping twists. The last half was very exciting, satisfying, and adrenalin-pumping. The first 50% initially wasn't a 5-star read as I had some problems that I'm unable to divulge as they fall into spoiler territory. However, my issues were addressed and resolved by the end so on a re-read (which I fully intend to do at a later stage) I believe I can confidentiality state that I fully expect to rate the first half all the stars as well.
I think I'll leave it there as I want you to experience every thrilling moment for yourselves without me spoiling anything. Move The Writer to the top of your TBR now. On my favourites shelf it goes.
Haunted by a past case, Detective Declan Shaw of the NYPD is in a deserted subway station about to end it all by throwing himself in front of a train.
Until his phone rings.
His partner Jarod Cordova is requesting his presence on a perplexing case – which at first appears to be a burglary gone wrong. The victim is Cardiologist David Morrow. His wife Denise (a best-selling true crime writer) arrived home to their high-rise apartment in Central Park West to find him stabbed to death. Or so she says. Because Denise is covered in blood. And that's far from the only strange thing about the scene that doesn't add up.
And the weirdest question of all! Why did Denise request him by name on her 911 call?
The Writer was a smartly done psychological thriller/crime/police procedural with a creative, crafty, convoluted plot and whopping twists. The last half was very exciting, satisfying, and adrenalin-pumping. The first 50% initially wasn't a 5-star read as I had some problems that I'm unable to divulge as they fall into spoiler territory. However, my issues were addressed and resolved by the end so on a re-read (which I fully intend to do at a later stage) I believe I can confidentiality state that I fully expect to rate the first half all the stars as well.
I think I'll leave it there as I want you to experience every thrilling moment for yourselves without me spoiling anything. Move The Writer to the top of your TBR now. On my favourites shelf it goes.
April 13, 2025
4.5⭐️ Down-on-his-luck detective Declan Shaw is called to the scene of a possible break-in turned murder. At the scene of the crime and covered in blood is the man’s wife, true crime writer Denise Morrow. And the only person she will speak to is Detective Shaw. But is Morrow an innocent victim or is she the killer?
As soon as I saw a few amazing reviews come in for this one, I knew I needed to get my hands on a copy. And my friends, it did not disappoint. Think cat and mouse, and then take it up a notch. It is twisty AF as this writing duo keeps the reader consistently on their toes. Who can be trusted? What is the game? And by the time you reach the stunning conclusion, and the scene that was as vivid as it was satisfying, your jaw will probably be on the floor like mine was.
🎧 The audiobook, narrated by Peter Ganim, is absolutely fantastic! I did find the audio alone slightly hard to follow, just because of the details especially in the transcripts, but reading alongside the audiobook made for a great combo.
Read if you like:
▪️police procedurals
▪️books about books
▪️domestic suspense
▪️lots of fun twists
▪️epistolary format (transcripts)
Thank you Hachette Audio for the gifted copy.
As soon as I saw a few amazing reviews come in for this one, I knew I needed to get my hands on a copy. And my friends, it did not disappoint. Think cat and mouse, and then take it up a notch. It is twisty AF as this writing duo keeps the reader consistently on their toes. Who can be trusted? What is the game? And by the time you reach the stunning conclusion, and the scene that was as vivid as it was satisfying, your jaw will probably be on the floor like mine was.
🎧 The audiobook, narrated by Peter Ganim, is absolutely fantastic! I did find the audio alone slightly hard to follow, just because of the details especially in the transcripts, but reading alongside the audiobook made for a great combo.
Read if you like:
▪️police procedurals
▪️books about books
▪️domestic suspense
▪️lots of fun twists
▪️epistolary format (transcripts)
Thank you Hachette Audio for the gifted copy.
April 8, 2025
This is a page turner for sure! Detective Shaw has received a call for him to investigate a murder in a very elite building. The victims wife is none other than famous true crime writer Denise Morrow. What I thought was going to be a straightforward who-done-it turned into an intricately woven maze. It’s quite impressive on how the pieces all tied together. Looking back on it now after reading, I could say that it was a touch OTT but you never would’ve realized it while reading it. It was easy to become immersed in this crazy train of a book. This is one of those books that I kept saying to myself one more chapter, which, of course turned into multiple chapters. This is definitely one book you don’t wanna miss out on.
April 12, 2025
Recently, I got a Facebook memory of my review of the author and co-writer, David Ellis’ book, “Unsolved.” As I re-read my review which was posted in April, 2023, a sentence stood out to me…
“I’m not sure adding a second author is going to save James Patterson any longer.”
Within the review, I was referencing his pattern of formulaic writing. For complete review go here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
So, why do I bring this up? Because, for whatever reason, I am still reading James Patterson and his various co-author’s books. Why?
First, I was curious about “Eruption” which was him partnering with the long-dead author, Michael Crichton, which his part was written long before his death. 3.5 stars rounded down.
Second, I am a fan of Miss Marple and Sherlock Holmes, so I was curious about his book, “Holmes, Marple & Poe.” 3.5 stars rounded up. When I attempted to read the second in the series, I found myself DNF’ing it and returning it to my local library.
Third, I also wondered how things would work out with his partnership with Dolly Parton, since I am a long-time fan of hers, when they co-wrote, “Run, Rose Run.” 3 stars (I loved Dolly’s part, but it wasn’t enough.)
Forth, how could I resist his partnership with former President Bill Clinton, when they co-wrote, “The President is Missing?” 3 stars
Fifth, his books are one of the most “checked out” and donated to my Little Free Library Shed.
And, lastly as a lover of libraries and bookstores, I couldn’t resist being curious about his “The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians.” Woo hoo, 5 stars!
So, there you have it. At least 6 reasons why I was still reading James Patterson. But to be honest, I am not giving his books very high ratings, other than his non-fiction book, “The Secret Lives…”
So, why even read another one of his thrillers?
Good question.
On the cover of this book, it says very specifically…
“You’ll never forget the ending.”
Is that enough to entice me? So, I asked myself if I should just read the ending and be done with James Patterson. (I didn’t do that.)
Would his co-author, J.D. Barker change my mind about this book?
It appears that J.D. Barker, an international bestselling American author on his own, has also been a prolific writer. But I have never read any of his books. Probably because his suspense thrillers incorporate horror, science fiction and the supernatural. Not my genres. But if it is yours, maybe this pairing might make you curious enough to read Barker’s books.
Well, I did read this book. So, how did I really feel about it? What do my stars above say?
2.5 stars rounded up for quick page-turner!
We have a best-selling author, a murdered husband, and Detective Declan Shaw being requested at the scene. Is this a set-up? To what? And why?
To say anything more about this story would give too much away. So, I will get straight to the point, because obviously I haven’t throughout this review.
This story is so full of twists and red herrings, and more twists, that I felt like I was experiencing whiplash throughout. My neck hurts from all the twists. And then, there is that ending. Meow! 🐱 (No spoilers from me.) I am obviously an outlier, so please read other reviews.
“I’m not sure adding a second author is going to save James Patterson any longer.”
Within the review, I was referencing his pattern of formulaic writing. For complete review go here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
So, why do I bring this up? Because, for whatever reason, I am still reading James Patterson and his various co-author’s books. Why?
First, I was curious about “Eruption” which was him partnering with the long-dead author, Michael Crichton, which his part was written long before his death. 3.5 stars rounded down.
Second, I am a fan of Miss Marple and Sherlock Holmes, so I was curious about his book, “Holmes, Marple & Poe.” 3.5 stars rounded up. When I attempted to read the second in the series, I found myself DNF’ing it and returning it to my local library.
Third, I also wondered how things would work out with his partnership with Dolly Parton, since I am a long-time fan of hers, when they co-wrote, “Run, Rose Run.” 3 stars (I loved Dolly’s part, but it wasn’t enough.)
Forth, how could I resist his partnership with former President Bill Clinton, when they co-wrote, “The President is Missing?” 3 stars
Fifth, his books are one of the most “checked out” and donated to my Little Free Library Shed.
And, lastly as a lover of libraries and bookstores, I couldn’t resist being curious about his “The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians.” Woo hoo, 5 stars!
So, there you have it. At least 6 reasons why I was still reading James Patterson. But to be honest, I am not giving his books very high ratings, other than his non-fiction book, “The Secret Lives…”
So, why even read another one of his thrillers?
Good question.
On the cover of this book, it says very specifically…
“You’ll never forget the ending.”
Is that enough to entice me? So, I asked myself if I should just read the ending and be done with James Patterson. (I didn’t do that.)
Would his co-author, J.D. Barker change my mind about this book?
It appears that J.D. Barker, an international bestselling American author on his own, has also been a prolific writer. But I have never read any of his books. Probably because his suspense thrillers incorporate horror, science fiction and the supernatural. Not my genres. But if it is yours, maybe this pairing might make you curious enough to read Barker’s books.
Well, I did read this book. So, how did I really feel about it? What do my stars above say?
2.5 stars rounded up for quick page-turner!
We have a best-selling author, a murdered husband, and Detective Declan Shaw being requested at the scene. Is this a set-up? To what? And why?
To say anything more about this story would give too much away. So, I will get straight to the point, because obviously I haven’t throughout this review.
This story is so full of twists and red herrings, and more twists, that I felt like I was experiencing whiplash throughout. My neck hurts from all the twists. And then, there is that ending. Meow! 🐱 (No spoilers from me.) I am obviously an outlier, so please read other reviews.
March 23, 2025
4.5 STARS
Mr. Barker does it again 💥💥 This book was the definition of a page-turner . I INHALED this book and could not get enoughhhhh!
Picture this: A true crime writer is found next to her dead husband in their apartment and she asks specifically for Detective Declan. This same detective has a reputation of being corrupt. Who did it? Why did she ask for him?
OMG you could not trust a SINGLE PERSON in this book and I loved that! This book keeps you guessing till literally the LAST SECOND. That ending was INSANE I'M STILL THINKING ABOUT IT🤯 THEY WERE RIGHT I'LL NEVER FORGET IT!
There were some kind of cliche moments, but I overlooked them because the twists? The reveals? The way everything was connected? THE ENDING???? It was SO ENTERTAINING!
Mr. Barker does it again 💥💥 This book was the definition of a page-turner . I INHALED this book and could not get enoughhhhh!
Picture this: A true crime writer is found next to her dead husband in their apartment and she asks specifically for Detective Declan. This same detective has a reputation of being corrupt. Who did it? Why did she ask for him?
OMG you could not trust a SINGLE PERSON in this book and I loved that! This book keeps you guessing till literally the LAST SECOND. That ending was INSANE I'M STILL THINKING ABOUT IT🤯 THEY WERE RIGHT I'LL NEVER FORGET IT!
There were some kind of cliche moments, but I overlooked them because the twists? The reveals? The way everything was connected? THE ENDING???? It was SO ENTERTAINING!
April 22, 2025
Fabulous!!! Intriguing and ingenious. I think I have whiplash from all the twists and turns that this book provided. Just when I thought that I had it all figured out, BAM, it turned out to be something totally different. And the ending was terrific too.
We normally listen to nonfiction audiobooks when we travel, but this time we decided to listen to this fiction thriller because it had so many 5⭐️ reviews. We thoroughly enjoyed it and couldn’t stop dissecting the plot every time we stopped along the trip.
The narration was very well done and the story was superbly executed. I highly recommend this book to just about everyone.
We normally listen to nonfiction audiobooks when we travel, but this time we decided to listen to this fiction thriller because it had so many 5⭐️ reviews. We thoroughly enjoyed it and couldn’t stop dissecting the plot every time we stopped along the trip.
The narration was very well done and the story was superbly executed. I highly recommend this book to just about everyone.
June 12, 2025
Do you like police procedurals?
Do you like a whodunnit?
Do you like when nothing in a book is as it seems?
Then you absolutely must grab a copy of James Patterson and J.D. Barkers collaboration, The Writer. This was a true page-turner for me. It also reminded me of how much I enjoy police procedurals. Due to the twists and turns I don't feel comfortable giving any kind of synopsis in fear of spoiling something for future readers. Trust me, go in blind, you will be rewarded with a riveting story that will have you second guessing everything. So good! 4 stars!
Do you like a whodunnit?
Do you like when nothing in a book is as it seems?
Then you absolutely must grab a copy of James Patterson and J.D. Barkers collaboration, The Writer. This was a true page-turner for me. It also reminded me of how much I enjoy police procedurals. Due to the twists and turns I don't feel comfortable giving any kind of synopsis in fear of spoiling something for future readers. Trust me, go in blind, you will be rewarded with a riveting story that will have you second guessing everything. So good! 4 stars!
October 21, 2025
4.5
A dark, fast-paced and twisty psychological thriller with an unexpected ending.
I can well see this book turned into a movie.
A dark, fast-paced and twisty psychological thriller with an unexpected ending.
I can well see this book turned into a movie.
November 30, 2024
Wow, JP and JD blew me away with this one!! Seriously, it is just so clever and unpredictable in every way.
I am a James Patterson super fan, have been for as long as I can remember. I am always thrilled when I get the chance to read any of his books early, and The Writer doesn’t come out until March 2025!! Thank you so much Little, Brown Company, thank you!
Whenever James cowrites with JD Barker you just know it is going to be dark and wild. I was not prepared for just how twisty this was going to be. A police officer gets a call from his partner to get over to an apartment complex in New York, just as he is about to take his own life. When he gets there, the case seems cut and dried, the wife is sat in the floor next to her dead husband, covered in blood with the knife in the floor. Case closed right? Nothing could be that simple and that is where this book just excels. You will never figure this out and you will lose sleep staying up to read it.
Another absolute belter from this duo. Not only is there a police investigation, a murder or 2, but did I say that the wife is best selling true crime author….. yep!! Ups the stakes right there,
Just read this book and see why I am always telling people to get in the James Patterson train with me.
Published on March 17th.
I am a James Patterson super fan, have been for as long as I can remember. I am always thrilled when I get the chance to read any of his books early, and The Writer doesn’t come out until March 2025!! Thank you so much Little, Brown Company, thank you!
Whenever James cowrites with JD Barker you just know it is going to be dark and wild. I was not prepared for just how twisty this was going to be. A police officer gets a call from his partner to get over to an apartment complex in New York, just as he is about to take his own life. When he gets there, the case seems cut and dried, the wife is sat in the floor next to her dead husband, covered in blood with the knife in the floor. Case closed right? Nothing could be that simple and that is where this book just excels. You will never figure this out and you will lose sleep staying up to read it.
Another absolute belter from this duo. Not only is there a police investigation, a murder or 2, but did I say that the wife is best selling true crime author….. yep!! Ups the stakes right there,
Just read this book and see why I am always telling people to get in the James Patterson train with me.
Published on March 17th.
August 9, 2025
A true thriller!
Declan Shaw, an NYPD detective, is on the verge of ending his life by jumping in front of a train when he receives a call from his partner, Jarod Cordova. Cordova reports a new murder at the Beresford building on Central Park West.
The victim is Dr. David Morrow, a well-known cardiologist. His wife, Denise Morrow, a famous true crime writer, found the body and called 911, specifically requesting Detective Declan Shaw. When Declan arrives, Denise is covered in blood and holding a gun. Convinced she killed her husband, Declan believes it’s an open-and-shut case.
Not so fast—nothing is as it seems, and Declan soon realizes he knows far less than he thought.
The Writer is a fast-paced, intelligent thriller that kept my heart racing. I see a lot of J.D. Barker’s style in this one, having read and loved many of his books in recent years.
Is the ending unforgettable? Absolutely.
Did I like it? hmm
Did you?
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Declan Shaw, an NYPD detective, is on the verge of ending his life by jumping in front of a train when he receives a call from his partner, Jarod Cordova. Cordova reports a new murder at the Beresford building on Central Park West.
The victim is Dr. David Morrow, a well-known cardiologist. His wife, Denise Morrow, a famous true crime writer, found the body and called 911, specifically requesting Detective Declan Shaw. When Declan arrives, Denise is covered in blood and holding a gun. Convinced she killed her husband, Declan believes it’s an open-and-shut case.
Not so fast—nothing is as it seems, and Declan soon realizes he knows far less than he thought.
The Writer is a fast-paced, intelligent thriller that kept my heart racing. I see a lot of J.D. Barker’s style in this one, having read and loved many of his books in recent years.
Is the ending unforgettable? Absolutely.
Did I like it? hmm
Did you?
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
April 21, 2025
A twisty page-turner where you’re not sure who did what… and who might just get away with it.
I don’t read much Patterson, but I love JD Barker! So when I saw he co-wrote this, I grabbed it! (If you’re not reading him, you should. He wrote my favorite read of 2024: She Has a Broken Thing Where Her Heart Should Be.) And while I don’t have proof, I suspect the cleverest parts of The Writer have Barker’s fingerprints all over them.
I don’t read much Patterson, but I love JD Barker! So when I saw he co-wrote this, I grabbed it! (If you’re not reading him, you should. He wrote my favorite read of 2024: She Has a Broken Thing Where Her Heart Should Be.) And while I don’t have proof, I suspect the cleverest parts of The Writer have Barker’s fingerprints all over them.
April 15, 2025
These two authors got it "right" with "The Writer".
Is a true-crime writer guilty of committing the perfect murders?
Soooo many unreliable narrators and gasp-worthy twists!
Some pleasant surprises:
1) Fortunately, this book was unlike the hundreds of mediocre thrillers recently released by prolific author James Patterson.
2) Although the book's premise was eerily similar to Diane Jeffrey's "The Crime Writer" (2025), this book was refreshingly different.
I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Peter Ganim.
Peter Ganim's narration was as brilliant as the storyline.
Special thanks to all my GR friends who wrote glowing reviews, convincing me to give this book a try.
Moving forward, I hope James Patterson and his co-authors continue to focus on quality instead of quantity when penning future releases.
February 7, 2025
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, James Patterson, J.D. Barker, and Little, Brown and Company for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Back for another great collaboration between James Patterson and J.D. Barker, I was excited to see what they created. Their masterful creations tend to pull the reader into the middle of the action and leave them to wonder what awaits around the corner. A murder that seems straightforward has NYPD detectives baffled, sending one suspect into custody and a previous case into question. Nothing adds up, but there is truth somewhere to be found. It will take dedication and determination, at some revealing truths. Patterson and Barker leave the reader energised and curious in equal measure!
When NYPD Detective Declan Shaw receives a call to attend a crime scene, he cannot help but wonder what’s going on. His lieutenant is adamant that he rush to 211 Central Park West, where a woman has been the victim of a break-in and the murder of her husband. While shooting at first responders, she refuses entry to anyone, save Detective Declan Shaw.
When Shaw gets her to open the door, Denise Morrow is covered in blood and her husband is dead on the floor. Shaw begins piecing things together, learning that Denise is a bestselling author and one of the most notable true crimes writers in America. She has an alibi and yet no clear understanding who might have been targeting her or her husband.
As Shaw and his partner investigate, they are thrust into the middle of a past case, a child abduction, which is the latest story about which Denise Morrow has been writing. Shaw begins to wonder if the case was rushed to judgment, especially as things begin to unravel and evidence is questioned anew. The Morrow killing also seems scattered, as evidence does not add up and seems jilted. Detective Shaw will have to find truth amongst all the mess and determine if Denise Morrow the writer could also be a cold-hearted killer. Patterson and Barker deliver a strong story that keeps the reader hooked with each turn of the page!
While James Patterson has made collaborative writing his go-to of late, one can never be sure of the quality it will yield. Some will prove fruitful and other times show that collaboration is less impactful. The work alongside J.D. Barker has always been superior and keeps the reader on edge. The narrative flow of this book shows great promise and keeps the reader wondering, while short chapters—a Patterson staple—creates added momentum for the reader to push forward. Great characters, developed as best they can in short order, help add depth and intrigue to the larger story. Plot points help add a sense of electricity to the piece, as is typical with this collaborative group, though I did not feel it was as edgy as some of their past work. Duplicity and twistiness are ever-present, keeping things less than predictable! I am eager to see where Patterson and Barker take things in the future.
Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and Barker, for another winning novel.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Back for another great collaboration between James Patterson and J.D. Barker, I was excited to see what they created. Their masterful creations tend to pull the reader into the middle of the action and leave them to wonder what awaits around the corner. A murder that seems straightforward has NYPD detectives baffled, sending one suspect into custody and a previous case into question. Nothing adds up, but there is truth somewhere to be found. It will take dedication and determination, at some revealing truths. Patterson and Barker leave the reader energised and curious in equal measure!
When NYPD Detective Declan Shaw receives a call to attend a crime scene, he cannot help but wonder what’s going on. His lieutenant is adamant that he rush to 211 Central Park West, where a woman has been the victim of a break-in and the murder of her husband. While shooting at first responders, she refuses entry to anyone, save Detective Declan Shaw.
When Shaw gets her to open the door, Denise Morrow is covered in blood and her husband is dead on the floor. Shaw begins piecing things together, learning that Denise is a bestselling author and one of the most notable true crimes writers in America. She has an alibi and yet no clear understanding who might have been targeting her or her husband.
As Shaw and his partner investigate, they are thrust into the middle of a past case, a child abduction, which is the latest story about which Denise Morrow has been writing. Shaw begins to wonder if the case was rushed to judgment, especially as things begin to unravel and evidence is questioned anew. The Morrow killing also seems scattered, as evidence does not add up and seems jilted. Detective Shaw will have to find truth amongst all the mess and determine if Denise Morrow the writer could also be a cold-hearted killer. Patterson and Barker deliver a strong story that keeps the reader hooked with each turn of the page!
While James Patterson has made collaborative writing his go-to of late, one can never be sure of the quality it will yield. Some will prove fruitful and other times show that collaboration is less impactful. The work alongside J.D. Barker has always been superior and keeps the reader on edge. The narrative flow of this book shows great promise and keeps the reader wondering, while short chapters—a Patterson staple—creates added momentum for the reader to push forward. Great characters, developed as best they can in short order, help add depth and intrigue to the larger story. Plot points help add a sense of electricity to the piece, as is typical with this collaborative group, though I did not feel it was as edgy as some of their past work. Duplicity and twistiness are ever-present, keeping things less than predictable! I am eager to see where Patterson and Barker take things in the future.
Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and Barker, for another winning novel.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
March 25, 2025
This is a special moment. A rare moment indeed. I am doing something that I hardly ever do. I am giving a James Patterson novel (co-written with J.D. Barker) a 5-star rating. Yes, really. A well-deserved 5-stars.
Let’s start with some brief descriptions of “The Writer”. Thriller. Top-rate Mystery. Potboiler. Complex. Layered. Well-structured. Brilliant. Intriguing. Emotional Roller-coaster ride. Page turner. Can’t put it down.
Yes, all of the over-used book cover sayings apply, but in a very good way this time. “The Writer” delivered one of Patterson’s best overall individual mystery/thrillers reading experiences in a long time. It was that good. I am still putting all of the many interlaced plotline pieces together after staying up way too late last night to finish this one off. It was a literal 24 hour read for me, and worth every twist and turn along the way. There was a lot of just when you think you know what’s going on, Patterson takes a sharp left turn, flipping the story on its head.
“The Writer” is a multi-cast sleight of hand mystery that requires your full attention. NYPD Detectives Declan Shaw and Jarod Cordova are called to the Beresford building on Central Park West where there’s been a breaking and entering gone bad. Very bad.
When they get there, Declan finds the dead body of David Morrow laying in the living room and his wife, bestselling true crime writer, Denise Morrow, sitting on the floor with her back against the wall. She’s rocking back and forth in shock with a .38 pistol dangling from her fingers and her white blouse is covered in blood.
What appears to be a fairly obvious arrest is just the beginning of a bigger mystery that goes beyond what anyone can imagine…
Patterson and Barker deliver a perfect combination of plotting, character and setting. This was a Patterson version of a splendid Agatha Christie novel with a multi-faceted mystery full of clues and red herrings all along the way. The characters were interesting, smart, and playing a very deadly game of cat and mouse where their flaws were the ultimate weakness. New York City was the perfect background, with its iconic locations and real estate, to let this mystery play out. On a personal note, I loved the inclusion of the Mysterious Bookshop and its owner, Otto Penzler. That was a nice touch of respect.
Overall, this was one of the most enjoyable Patterson novels I have ever read. It’s fast-paced speed combined with an intricately tightly wound plot in which the authors were always several steps ahead of the reader. Also, as the book cover warns you, you really won’t forget the ending. It was an ironic over the top twist much like the cherry on top of a delicious ice-cream sundae.
Enjoy this one, readers. If you haven’t read him at all, then this is the one to start with. If haven’t read Patterson in a while, this is the one to start back up with. It provides so much fun for those who are driven to figure out what’s happening before the big reveal, who is the killer is, and how did he/she get away with it? If you’re one of those mystery/thriller readers, ready your brain muscles, get your hands on this novel and enjoy the ride. It will be well worth it!
Let’s start with some brief descriptions of “The Writer”. Thriller. Top-rate Mystery. Potboiler. Complex. Layered. Well-structured. Brilliant. Intriguing. Emotional Roller-coaster ride. Page turner. Can’t put it down.
Yes, all of the over-used book cover sayings apply, but in a very good way this time. “The Writer” delivered one of Patterson’s best overall individual mystery/thrillers reading experiences in a long time. It was that good. I am still putting all of the many interlaced plotline pieces together after staying up way too late last night to finish this one off. It was a literal 24 hour read for me, and worth every twist and turn along the way. There was a lot of just when you think you know what’s going on, Patterson takes a sharp left turn, flipping the story on its head.
“The Writer” is a multi-cast sleight of hand mystery that requires your full attention. NYPD Detectives Declan Shaw and Jarod Cordova are called to the Beresford building on Central Park West where there’s been a breaking and entering gone bad. Very bad.
When they get there, Declan finds the dead body of David Morrow laying in the living room and his wife, bestselling true crime writer, Denise Morrow, sitting on the floor with her back against the wall. She’s rocking back and forth in shock with a .38 pistol dangling from her fingers and her white blouse is covered in blood.
What appears to be a fairly obvious arrest is just the beginning of a bigger mystery that goes beyond what anyone can imagine…
Patterson and Barker deliver a perfect combination of plotting, character and setting. This was a Patterson version of a splendid Agatha Christie novel with a multi-faceted mystery full of clues and red herrings all along the way. The characters were interesting, smart, and playing a very deadly game of cat and mouse where their flaws were the ultimate weakness. New York City was the perfect background, with its iconic locations and real estate, to let this mystery play out. On a personal note, I loved the inclusion of the Mysterious Bookshop and its owner, Otto Penzler. That was a nice touch of respect.
Overall, this was one of the most enjoyable Patterson novels I have ever read. It’s fast-paced speed combined with an intricately tightly wound plot in which the authors were always several steps ahead of the reader. Also, as the book cover warns you, you really won’t forget the ending. It was an ironic over the top twist much like the cherry on top of a delicious ice-cream sundae.
Enjoy this one, readers. If you haven’t read him at all, then this is the one to start with. If haven’t read Patterson in a while, this is the one to start back up with. It provides so much fun for those who are driven to figure out what’s happening before the big reveal, who is the killer is, and how did he/she get away with it? If you’re one of those mystery/thriller readers, ready your brain muscles, get your hands on this novel and enjoy the ride. It will be well worth it!
March 18, 2025
—- HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY——
😱😱😱😱 This will be the look on your face throughout this entire book!!! Twists dropping left and right! My neck has whiplash this morning lol!!!
A famous true crime author is discovered in her apartment with her dead husband lying right next to her. She’s covered in blood and the knife is right on the floor.
NYPD detective Declan Shaw will stop at nothing to get answers. Only thing is, none of the evidence is matching up. What is really going on here?????
This story is one helluva ride! Once you start you can’t stop!!! Trust the reviews on this one guys! Twist bombs dropped that will leave your jaw on the floor!!! 🤯🤯
If it’s been a while since you read a JP novel, this one is the one to pick up!!! 🤩🤩🤩
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Out 3/17/2025
Massive thanks to @littlebrown @jdbarker_author @jamespattersonbooks for the gifted copies!!!
😱😱😱😱 This will be the look on your face throughout this entire book!!! Twists dropping left and right! My neck has whiplash this morning lol!!!
A famous true crime author is discovered in her apartment with her dead husband lying right next to her. She’s covered in blood and the knife is right on the floor.
NYPD detective Declan Shaw will stop at nothing to get answers. Only thing is, none of the evidence is matching up. What is really going on here?????
This story is one helluva ride! Once you start you can’t stop!!! Trust the reviews on this one guys! Twist bombs dropped that will leave your jaw on the floor!!! 🤯🤯
If it’s been a while since you read a JP novel, this one is the one to pick up!!! 🤩🤩🤩
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Out 3/17/2025
Massive thanks to @littlebrown @jdbarker_author @jamespattersonbooks for the gifted copies!!!
December 1, 2025
The book opens with the murder of a young girl several years ago. It then shifts to the present and introduces NYPD Detective Declan Shaw, who is at a very low point in his life, which has been full of low points. Declan is interrupted when he is called to a murder scene at an exclusive apartment building on Central Park West. More accurately, he was summoned to the scene by the widow of the victim. Denise Morrow is a very successful true crime author and she has demanded the presence of Declan for unknown reasons. Denise and the deceased are both covered in blood, and a knife is on the floor next to the body. It’s obvious who the murderer is, but the police (including Declan’s partner Jarod Cordova) do a thorough investigation.
My decision on whether to read a Patterson book is determined by the identity of the coauthor. I liked “A Caller’s Game” by J.D. Barker, so I decided to try this book. It was a good decision. There is a really terrific twist in this book that sends the book into film noir territory. Throughout, the writing is brisk and suspenseful as the clues, and multiple victims, begin to line up. This was very enjoyable.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
My decision on whether to read a Patterson book is determined by the identity of the coauthor. I liked “A Caller’s Game” by J.D. Barker, so I decided to try this book. It was a good decision. There is a really terrific twist in this book that sends the book into film noir territory. Throughout, the writing is brisk and suspenseful as the clues, and multiple victims, begin to line up. This was very enjoyable.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
February 13, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up.
Any book of James Patterson will always be a comfort read for me.
This was a fun, twisty,turny read. The Writer had so many twists and turns. This is a dual pov between Detective Declan Shaw in the present and Maggie in 2018.
Detective Shaw is ready to end his life when he gets called out to a household for a homicide at Central Park west because the cake will only speak to him. When he arrives, the best-selling author Denise Morrow is covered in what he thought was her dead husbands blood, and her husband dead on the floor. Denise has an alibi, but she's covered in blood. The blood isn't her husbands. There's a knife that has blood on it, but it's not his. There's so many questions without answers. Of course, Detective Shaw and his partner Jarod are suspicious of Denise for the obvious reasons that she was covered in blood and she would only talk to Declan, which was rather odd since they don't know each other.
As they begin to investigate, they realize that Denise was writing a book about an old murder case that Declan had worked. Maggie was murdered in 2018, and Declan had put the guy away, right? It seems Denise might have evidence that says otherwise.
This book had me turning the pages as fast as I could. I was bringing my kindle in the kitchen with me while I cooked. I even gasped it off a couple of times.
Thanks to Netgalley and Little Brown and Company for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Expected publication date March 17, 2025
Any book of James Patterson will always be a comfort read for me.
This was a fun, twisty,turny read. The Writer had so many twists and turns. This is a dual pov between Detective Declan Shaw in the present and Maggie in 2018.
Detective Shaw is ready to end his life when he gets called out to a household for a homicide at Central Park west because the cake will only speak to him. When he arrives, the best-selling author Denise Morrow is covered in what he thought was her dead husbands blood, and her husband dead on the floor. Denise has an alibi, but she's covered in blood. The blood isn't her husbands. There's a knife that has blood on it, but it's not his. There's so many questions without answers. Of course, Detective Shaw and his partner Jarod are suspicious of Denise for the obvious reasons that she was covered in blood and she would only talk to Declan, which was rather odd since they don't know each other.
As they begin to investigate, they realize that Denise was writing a book about an old murder case that Declan had worked. Maggie was murdered in 2018, and Declan had put the guy away, right? It seems Denise might have evidence that says otherwise.
This book had me turning the pages as fast as I could. I was bringing my kindle in the kitchen with me while I cooked. I even gasped it off a couple of times.
Thanks to Netgalley and Little Brown and Company for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Expected publication date March 17, 2025
July 7, 2025
Listened. Peter Ganim was fine.
When this title came up as available on Libby, naturally my antenna went up. I write for a living so the second I find a book where the mc is an author, I jump on it.
I'm not a huge fan of tough-guy Patterson books, but, given my "insider" scoop about how he works, I figured this wasn't really going to be HIS book. It was Barker's.
But then...my memory was jogged. Wasn't he the dude who was "canceled" recently due to some salacious online behavior? Oh yeah. From PW: "Author J.D. Barker is apologizing for a January 23 email pitch inviting a number of high-profile BookTok influencers—nearly all of them young women—to make "racy" sponsored content promoting Barker's forthcoming novel. After a number of influencers took to TikTok to air their grievances with the pitch, Barker has been dropped by his agent, Alec Shane of Writers House."
Ewwww.
But, did that make me NOT read/listen to this book? Nah. I mean, sure, it colored it from the get-go, but it wasn't going to keep me from digging in.
I dug.
I listened. 3/4 in I sped it up because the same stories were being told again and again. The outline/skeleton of the plot was good, interesting. Suspenseful for sure. But, dear lord, why did we need to hear about the same murders over and over and over? The info-dump/final scene/reveal was the last straw, but OH! it was the final scene so I got over it.
The author character--I had no idea who she really was. Way underwritten. The bad person's intelligence and planning capabilities were super-human. The cop talk felt true. For those readers who long for them, the twists were many and much appreciated. The second-to-last one was the best. The final one--not so much.
I enjoyed the ride, but I also had no one to root for. That's bothersome. In the end, they all got what they deserved, no?
When this title came up as available on Libby, naturally my antenna went up. I write for a living so the second I find a book where the mc is an author, I jump on it.
I'm not a huge fan of tough-guy Patterson books, but, given my "insider" scoop about how he works, I figured this wasn't really going to be HIS book. It was Barker's.
But then...my memory was jogged. Wasn't he the dude who was "canceled" recently due to some salacious online behavior? Oh yeah. From PW: "Author J.D. Barker is apologizing for a January 23 email pitch inviting a number of high-profile BookTok influencers—nearly all of them young women—to make "racy" sponsored content promoting Barker's forthcoming novel. After a number of influencers took to TikTok to air their grievances with the pitch, Barker has been dropped by his agent, Alec Shane of Writers House."
Ewwww.
But, did that make me NOT read/listen to this book? Nah. I mean, sure, it colored it from the get-go, but it wasn't going to keep me from digging in.
I dug.
I listened. 3/4 in I sped it up because the same stories were being told again and again. The outline/skeleton of the plot was good, interesting. Suspenseful for sure. But, dear lord, why did we need to hear about the same murders over and over and over? The info-dump/final scene/reveal was the last straw, but OH! it was the final scene so I got over it.
The author character--I had no idea who she really was. Way underwritten. The bad person's intelligence and planning capabilities were super-human. The cop talk felt true. For those readers who long for them, the twists were many and much appreciated. The second-to-last one was the best. The final one--not so much.
I enjoyed the ride, but I also had no one to root for. That's bothersome. In the end, they all got what they deserved, no?
![Profile Image for Terence M [on a brief semi-hiatus].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1712357414i%2F6658001._UY200_CR4%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
May 21, 2025
A bare 3-Stars for "The Writer".
It started out so well, but the "twists" turned this book into a convoluted, confusing disappointment😒!
Extracts from My Listening Activity:
May 19, 2025 @ 46%: "4 & 5-Stars reviews by some GR friends convinced me to try this book and almost half-way in, I am hooked! Although I have "pooh-poohed" them here on GR, James Patterson's collaborations are actually unfamiliar to me, so now I'll just shut my trap and enjoy!"
May 20, 2025 @ 99%: "The second half of the book: what a let-down😟! It was all going so well, then the authors' apparently mandatory "twists" started happening. By the end, the twists turned this book into a convoluted, confusing disappointment!"
It started out so well, but the "twists" turned this book into a convoluted, confusing disappointment😒!
Extracts from My Listening Activity:
May 19, 2025 @ 46%: "4 & 5-Stars reviews by some GR friends convinced me to try this book and almost half-way in, I am hooked! Although I have "pooh-poohed" them here on GR, James Patterson's collaborations are actually unfamiliar to me, so now I'll just shut my trap and enjoy!"
May 20, 2025 @ 99%: "The second half of the book: what a let-down😟! It was all going so well, then the authors' apparently mandatory "twists" started happening. By the end, the twists turned this book into a convoluted, confusing disappointment!"
May 8, 2025
I haven't read James Patterson in many years, but I enjoyed this intricate cat-and-mouse game, full of duplicity, manipulation and betrayals. I was never sure who was telling the truth or who to trust. Full of twists and turns, the story really took off in the last third of the book, and I especially liked the ending.
January 31, 2025
James Patterson and J.D. Barker’s The Writer is a thrilling mixture of deception, corruption, and manipulation all in one big hard-hitting conspiracy. Patterson, a household name synonymous with fast-paced storytelling, joins forces with Barker, renowned for his gripping suspense, to deliver a novel that keeps readers questioning every revelation from start to finish.
The book is told in the Now and the Then. The Now, is a series of murders related to Denise Morrow in the present. The then, is the murder of Maggie Marshall in which Declan Shaw and Jarod Cordova worked very hard at convicting Ruben Lucero, murderer and pedophile. Was evidence planted to assure a conviction? Who planted it.
Much of the story is told from police transcripts on the crime scene itself. Me, being a true-crime junkie, did not realize body cams of police officers were transcribed into writing. Sound Boring? Patterson and Barker make the crime scenes anything but boring. The murders really come to life, and you feel yourself smacked in the middle of the action. As you read the book, pay attention to every detail because it is all important.
The Now. The story begins with Denise Morrow, a famous writer is accused of killing her husband, David. Detective Declan Shaw and Jarod Cordova are called to her apartment to solve the murder. In fact, she specifically asks for Declan on the 911 call, why? The detectives are positive that she is guilty, but the evidence at the crime scene just makes no sense. How can they prove she is guilty?
Will evidence suddenly appear again?
The then. In researching the Maggie Marshall murder for her new block buster book, Denise Morrow inadvertently unravels evidence that Detectives Declan Shaw and Jarod Cordova manufactured evidence to convict Ruben Lucero ensure justice for Maggie Marshall. Why does Denise not come forward? Maybe she is saving the information for a rainy day.
But as layers of deception peel away, connections between all events twist together. Throughout the book the conspiracy builds, and more and more players become involved. The overarching questions linger—who is guilty, and who is being framed? The book explores the question, when does a good cop become bad? All the while, the specter of conspiracy looms over everyone involved, muddling where the line is drawn between hero and villain or who is just plain crazy.
I have left you with only a few of the details of this complex and outrageous story. Patterson and Barker keep you guessing until the bitter end. You can’t miss this one!
Thank you to Netgalley and Little, Brown and Company for providing an Advanced Readers Copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
The book is told in the Now and the Then. The Now, is a series of murders related to Denise Morrow in the present. The then, is the murder of Maggie Marshall in which Declan Shaw and Jarod Cordova worked very hard at convicting Ruben Lucero, murderer and pedophile. Was evidence planted to assure a conviction? Who planted it.
Much of the story is told from police transcripts on the crime scene itself. Me, being a true-crime junkie, did not realize body cams of police officers were transcribed into writing. Sound Boring? Patterson and Barker make the crime scenes anything but boring. The murders really come to life, and you feel yourself smacked in the middle of the action. As you read the book, pay attention to every detail because it is all important.
The Now. The story begins with Denise Morrow, a famous writer is accused of killing her husband, David. Detective Declan Shaw and Jarod Cordova are called to her apartment to solve the murder. In fact, she specifically asks for Declan on the 911 call, why? The detectives are positive that she is guilty, but the evidence at the crime scene just makes no sense. How can they prove she is guilty?
Will evidence suddenly appear again?
The then. In researching the Maggie Marshall murder for her new block buster book, Denise Morrow inadvertently unravels evidence that Detectives Declan Shaw and Jarod Cordova manufactured evidence to convict Ruben Lucero ensure justice for Maggie Marshall. Why does Denise not come forward? Maybe she is saving the information for a rainy day.
But as layers of deception peel away, connections between all events twist together. Throughout the book the conspiracy builds, and more and more players become involved. The overarching questions linger—who is guilty, and who is being framed? The book explores the question, when does a good cop become bad? All the while, the specter of conspiracy looms over everyone involved, muddling where the line is drawn between hero and villain or who is just plain crazy.
I have left you with only a few of the details of this complex and outrageous story. Patterson and Barker keep you guessing until the bitter end. You can’t miss this one!
Thank you to Netgalley and Little, Brown and Company for providing an Advanced Readers Copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
August 14, 2025
3.5 Stars for The Writer (audiobook) by James Patterson and J. D. Baker read by Peter Ganim.
Can a murder mystery writer actually get away with murder. Maybe if she confuses all of the evidence and has the detectives chasing their tails.
Can a murder mystery writer actually get away with murder. Maybe if she confuses all of the evidence and has the detectives chasing their tails.
August 28, 2025
Трилър, от ония най-засуканите, дето просто нямат оставяне, с постоянни врътки и обрати, прехвърлящи вината между героите; доказателството – катурнах го в рамките на едно денонощие. А финалът, финалът ме накара да измяукам от кеф - мяу!!!
March 26, 2025
This was so good! A definite page turner!
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