Murder Games

Serial Killers.

We have all heard about them.

They need for notoriety and the belief that they will be the greatest in the history of murderers. They all have their own mode of operation or MO, and some prefer their methods over what others might choose. For some it is personal. For others simply a way to mete out their own satisfaction for justice in a system that seems to favor criminals while the guilty go free on technicalities. There are also two types of serial killers, those who want to get caught and those who really want to get caught. Some just are seeking publicity and others want to be famous. In the end though, even the very best serial killers make stupid mistakes that get them caught when they aren't even looking.

Enter The Dealer or at least that is the name that the media, the Mayor and the police detectives are labeling the latest serial killer to land on New York City's streets just in the midst of a critical election year so everyone is using this to their own political agenda and the focus is on Dr. Dylan Reinhart, a well known author and college professor who is what some might call the expert on criminal behavior. Perhaps it is the Dealer's decision to invite Dylan into his sick games as the body counts begin to rise and with each is left a cryptic card, one of 52 from a standard deck of playing cards. Only these cards are a message, one that will give a clue to who the next victim is, beginning with Jared Loudin who ran a large hedge fund. It was there that the games began.

It will take a true master who gain access into a serial killer's thought process and perhaps that is why Dylan is chosen. Since it has been somewhat of a personal invitation, he is willing to place his bets he can solve this crime before too many cards have been dealt from the deck. With pressure from the Mayor's office and working with Detective Elizabeth Needham, they will begin the race against a stacked deck to solve this killer's identity. Will he be able to convince the Dealer to lay down his cards or will all bets be off and possibly have his own hands to deal instead.

I received Murder Games by James Patterson and Howard Roughan compliments of Little Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group. In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, you should assume that every book reviewed here at Reviews From The Heart was provided to the reviewer by the publisher, media group or the author for free and were received, unless specified otherwise. This is another exceptional novel for fans of James Patterson. I mean for fans of anything like Criminal Minds, CSI or any other criminal murder mystery, then you would probable love this novel. It was the idea of the playing cards being left at each of the murders that had me interested. I do need to caution readers about a couple of things. It is a murder mystery so the crime scenes are there but not to graphic. There is some strong language but most of it is implied meaning the words are used with symbols representing the actual words. Thus implied. The main character Dr. Dylan Reinhart is married to his domestic partner Tracy and they are attempting to adopt a child from Africa. Thus another need for disclosure for those that might from on that content. Since book reviews are slated to offer a peek at what's really inside, thus my need for full disclosure on what you will find inside. That being said, I would rate this novel a 4 out of 5 stars in my opinion. Readers also get a sneak peek at his next novel, The Store, at the conclusion of this novel.

For more information about Murder Games, James Patterson or where you can pick up a copy of this book, please click on the links below:

Murder Games by James Patterson and Howard Roughan

You can find James Patterson on Facebook to stay up to date with all his latest novels.

To read more reviews on Murder Games, please visit Little, Brown and Companies website. 

Toys

It's the year 2061 and two races of beings exist on Earth, the humans and the Elites. The humans have pretty much been responsible for the destruction of most of the species on the planet rendering animals and plants of various types extinct thanks to their stewardship. Now with the progression of technology in virtually every aspect of life, humans have devised a way to come up with a better version of humans now called Elites. Filled with nanotechnology, they are more powerful physically, more mentally equipped than a high speed computer, and also genetically a perfect being.

Now the Elites under the guiding hand of a master mind organization, the Elites are out to eliminate and destroy the humans they nickname skunks because of their lifestyle and the food they eat. They are now confined to the slums of cities while the Elites live in the very best life has to offer.

Here we meet Hays Baker and his perfect wife Lizbeth. They are living the life of luxury along with their two children Chloe and April in the comforts of the a high rise exclusive town home. They have a personal butler named Metallico who could clean, make the most amazing meals, fix the perfect drinks and care for the couples children.

When Hays meets with President Jacklin who praises all his work for what he calls the human clean up and has bigger plans in store that he wants Hays and Lizbeth to be the primary Elites to carry it out.

When an emergency call comes in from the Toyz Corporation, Hays is about to learn that Elites are being mass murdered and their organs removed. What he will learn will call into question everything he believes.

In the latest futuristic science fiction novel, Toys by James Patterson and Neil McMahon, we find ourselves in a blend of The Running Man meets iRobot. This is an amazing, heart-stopping, edge of your seat thrill ride on every single page, leaving your virtually breathless by the end. You will never look at technology the same way again.

I received this novel compliments of Hachette Book Groups and Little, Brown and Company for my honest review and if you enjoy futuristic, science fiction, crime, suspense stories, then you won't want to miss this one. Rates a perfect 5 out of 5 stars.

For more information on this book, the authors and where to purchase a copy of this amazing book and get a sneak peek, check out the link below:

Toys by James Patterson and Neil McMahon

Tick Tock

NYPD's # 1 Detective Michael Bennett has a huge problem. Someone is planning and masterminding a crime spree in New York like never before. They are conducting copy cat crimes of some of worst America has every seen, the Son of Sam, the Werewolf of Wysteria, Mad Bomber, just to name a few. Not only that but it's not some crazy terrorist act plaguing New York again, but an intelligent, rich and ex military that is calculating everything down to the last detail and filming it all.

Caught in the midst of his vacation with his ten adopted kids in Breezy Point, Michael Bennett's love life is also caught in a web of confusion and chaos. Even while the crime spree in New York is spiraling out of control and terrorizing it's citizens, racial tension is running high against Michael's own adoptive children.

Will he be able to catch the killer or will Michael Bennett, himself, become the star of his very own crime reenactment?

I received James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge's latest novel, Tick Tock, compliments of Hachette Book Groups and Little, Brown and Company for my honest review and once more, never disappointed. Caught up in the page by page action and wondering just who the killer is and what the next crime would be, I was held captive myself until I finished the final page holding my breath. This one is a 5 star thriller! This is also book #4 of the Michael Bennett series!

For more information about this book, the author and where to get a sneak peek into the book, please click on the link below:

Tick Tock by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

Cross Fire Giveaway and Review

The Mastermind is back, and he's about to destroy everything - and everyone Alex Cross loves.

Wedding Bells Ring: Detective Alex Cross and Bree Stone's wedding plans are put on hold when Alex is called to the scene of the perfectly executed assassination of two of Washington, DC's most corrupt: a dirty congressman and an underhanded lobbyist. Next, the elusive gunman begins picking off other crooked insiders, sparking a blaze of theories - is the marksman a hero or a vigilante?

A Murderer Returns: The case explodes, and the FBI assigns Agent Max Siegel to the investigation. As Alex and Max battle over jurisdiction, the murders continue. It becomes clear that thee killings are the work of a professional who has detailed knowledge of his victims' movements - information that only a Washington insider could possess.

Caught In A Lethal Cross Fire: As Alex contends with the sniper, Siegel, and the wedding, he receives a call from his deadliest adversary, Kyle Craig. The Mastermind is in DC and will not relent until he had eliminated Cross and his family for good. With a supercharged blend of action, deception, and suspense, Cross Fire is James Patterson's most visceral and exciting Alex Cross novel ever.

My Review:

Another excellent page turning novel that literally has you on the edge of your seat til the very end. I saw this novel as a blend between the movie Face Off with John Travolta and Nicholas Cage and a great episode of Criminal Minds. The character of Kyle Craig, goes to the greatest lengths possible to devise an ending to Alex Cross and his family and leaves you wondering how it will all play out in the end.

I received this book compliments of Hachette Book Groups for my honest review and once more James Patterson does not disappoint. This is book number 17 in the series and I would rate this book a perfect 5 out of 5 stars for another perfect crime and suspense thriller. This book is available in Hardcover, eBook, CD and large print formats. For more information on this book, the author and a first chapter peek, click on the title below:

Cross Fire

Thanks to Hachette Book Groups who has provided giveaway copies for three lucky followers of my blog and here are your guidelines:

1. Be a follower of my blog, Reviews of the Heart.

2. Be a resident of the US or Canada or simply have an address within the US or Canada that it can be shipped to and please NO P.O. Boxes!

3. I must have a way to contact you via email if you are one of the lucky winners, so please be sure to include it in your comments. You can use the words (at) or (dot) instead of the symbols.

4. Please leave a comment and simply tell me why you'd love to win the book. The giveaway will end on November 22nd. I will notify all winners by email at that time.

Don't Blink - Giveaway and Review

James Patterson's newest thrilled, Don't Blink, is another Godfather!

It combines the elements of a good old fashioned news reporter, Nick Daniels who suddenly finds himself with the biggest story of his career right in front of him as a mob hit man takes out one of their biggest rivals attorney at the table next to them. Justice is blind is the cryptic message that is left behind

Now both Nick Daniels and the Italian and Russian mob is out to figure out who committed the murder with the newest District Attorney David Sorren pushing him to the front lines in an attempt to gain some publicity for his run for New York's Mayor. If he can put the head of the mob, Eddie Pinero behind bars, that is one step closer to winning this election.

Only someone is out for Nick and they aren't going to stop until he is dead. There is no where he can hide and no one to protect him until he either solves the case or winds up in the river.

Once again, James Patterson does not disappoint in his latest novel with Howard Roughan. You are on a high speed pursuit in every page you turn trying to solve this crime along with Nick. Never have I seen someone being as hunted and chased as Nick is from sunrise to sundown and just when you think you've got it figured out, you are left holding the bag once again.

I received this book compliments of Hachette Book Groups for my honest review and have to give it a perfect 5 out of 5 stars. For more information on this book, the author and a first chapter glimpse, click on the title below:

Don't Blink

Thanks to the generosity of Hachette Books, they are providing 3 copies for a giveaway. Here are your guidelines:

1. You must be a follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart.

2. You must be a resident of the US or Canada and No P.O. Boxes please.

3. I must have a way to contact you by email if you are the winner so please include it with your comment. You can use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols.

4. Leave me a comment and tell me why you'd like to win a copy. The giveaway will end on October 29th.

The Postcard Killers - Giveaway and Review

" TO BE OR NOT TO BE

THAT IS THE QUESTION

WE'LL BE IN TOUCH"

These are the only sentiments attached to a picture of a city in Europe of some famous place. It's what will soon follow that worries, Dessie Larsson and Jacob Kanon the most.

This is the beginning of how the "Postcard Killer" announces their location and subsequently the picture of the grisly murders that soon follow in that city are being sent to the local newspaper. Young couples are being lured, robbed, murdered in Madrid, Athens, Paris and Rome and there isn't anything the police have been able to do to stop them.

Only Jacob Kanon, a NYPD detective has been following the case from the beginning. His daughter was the first victim and he isn't about to give up until they are caught.

He enlists the aid of Swedish newspaper reporter, Dessie Larsson, who is contacted by a postcard in Sweden with the same cryptic message, and only Jacob knows what will come next. Between the two of them, their goal is to stop the next murder before it happens.

In his latest book, The Postcard Killers, James Patterson and Liza Marklund, take the reader to unexpected places attempting to locate and identify the murderers. I must admit, this one had me completely lost in the maze of what seems like iron clad evidence. Great suspense and a thrill ride every page turning moment. I was literally on the edge of my seat attempting to solve these crimes.

I received this book compliments of Hachette Book Group for my honest review and must say once again, James Patterson fans will not be disappointed. Some readers may be sensitive as there are some explicit sex scenes, graphic crime scene descriptions, and profanity in the book, but the book is amazing. I would rate this a 5 out of 5 stars.

For more information on this book, the authors and where to get a first chapter glimpse, click on the title below:

The Postcard Killers

The generous folks at Hachette Book Group are allowing me to host this book giveaway for three (3) copies!

• You must be a follower of Reviews of the Heart to be entered.

• Winners are restricted to the US and Canada. No PO Box mailing address please. You do not have to be a blogger to win.

• I must have a way of contacting you, so be sure to leave your email address in your comment.

• Some choose to omit the @ sign and the . dot by writing it in "code" like this: you (at) your email (dot)com.

• I'll close the comments October 17th and pick the three winners. I will contact the winners via email to get their mailing information. The winners will have three days to respond. If I do not hear from them within three days, I will select another winner(s).

• Leave a comment and let me know why you'd love to win a copy of this book.

Alex Cross's Trial

From his grandmother, Alex Cross heard the story of his great-uncle Abraham and his struggles for survival in the era of the Ku Klux Klan. Now, Alex passes the family tale along to his own children in a book he's written - a novel called Trial.

A lawyer in the early - 1900's Washington, D.C., Ben Corbett fights against oppression and racism - and risks his family and his life in the process. When President Theodore Roosevelt asks him to return to his hometown to investigate rumors of the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan there, he cannot refuse.

In Eudora, Mississippi, Ben meets the wise Abraham Cross and his beautiful granddaughter, Moody. With their help, Ben discovers that lynchings have become commonplace. He vows to break the reign of terror - but the truth of who is really behind the killings may break his heart. Written in the fearless voice of Detective Alex Cross, Alex Cross's Trial is a gripping story of murder, love, and bravery. (excerpt back cover).

My Review:

"Let her hang until she's dead!"

"Take her out and hang her now! I'll do it myself!"

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Judge Otis L. Warren wielded his gavel with such fury I thought he might smash a hole in the top of his bench.

"Quiet in the court!" the judge shouted. "Settle down, or by God I will hold every last one of you sons of ******* in contempt."

Bam! Bam! Bam!

It was no use. Warren's courtroom was overflowing with disgruntled white citizens who wanted nothing more than to see my client hang. Two of them on the left side began a chant that was soon taken up by the others:

We don't care where. We don't care how.
We just wanna hang Gracie Johnson now! (page 3).

Alix Cross's Trial by James Patterson and Richard Dilallo is a heart moving story of a white prosecutor who defends the rights of the poor and oppressed within the heartland of Washington. Most of his clients are colored since no one else by Ben Corbett will take their case.

When Ben is asked by the President to investigate the reports of out of control lynchings in Ben's hometown, its not all at the homecoming he would ever dream of. Ben once more finds himself in the heat of battle with the towns prejudged white citizens who feel that trials only waste time when lynching is the best for the convicted.

What Ben doesn't realize is that he is about to fall victim himself in a town that no longer holds any respect for a man willing to defend the colored people in Quarters.

I found this book wonderful and profound in the fact that one man was willing to stand up for his beliefs in what is just and right no matter what it would cost him in the end. Ben Corbett's character is truly believable and I found myself standing in his shoes wondering just where the deceit in the town would end. I rate this a 10 out of 10 and would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves story about defending the underdogs in any situation. This book is a reminder of the story of To Kill a Mockingbird in a more present day format.

I received this book, compliments of Hachette Book Groups and am please to offer three copies as a giveaway to a follower of mine by simply leaving me a comment. This giveaway is limited to residents of the US and Canada only and No P.O. Boxes please. The giveaway will end July 4th. This book is available in HardCover, Paperback, eBook and Audio CD formats.

For more information on this book, the authors and even where to purchase a copy, click on the link below:

http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/books_9780446561808.htm