Book Review: Step on A Crack by James Patterson

I really like this new detective character.
Step on a Crack [STEP ON A CRACK 5D] by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge.

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Hachette Audio; Abridged edition (June 3, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600242790
• ISBN-13: 978-1600242793

Print Pages:  400
Genre: Detective Thriller
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

First there was Alex Cross.
Then there was the Women's Murder Club.
Now meet Detective Michael Bennett, NYPD.
Detective Michael Bennett is about to face the greatest challenge of his career. After the death of a beloved former first lady, the most powerful people in the world gather in New York for her funeral. Then the inconceivable occurs. Billionaires, politicians, and superstars of every kind are suddenly trapped within one man's brilliant and ruthless scenario.

Ten adopted kids.
Bennett–father of ten–is pulled into the fray but is then hit with devastating news: his wife is battling a terrible disease. As New York descends into chaos, he faces the prospect of losing the great love of his life and having to raise his children alone.

The crime of the century to solve.
Day after day, Bennett confronts the most ruthless man he has ever encountered, a man who kills without hesitation. As the entire world watches, Bennett has to find a way out–or face responsibility for the greatest debacle in history.

Review: This is another solid Patterson audiobook.
Michael Bennett is an Irishman Detective. In this story his wife Maeve is dying of cancer so there is great emotional pull for the family of ten adopted children who have all been brought together by the great warmth, love and strength of their laughing and joy-filled Irish mother.  Now they are facing losing her at Christmas time.  It is hard enough that the kids have to deal with a father who works many hours hunting down criminals but now they have to learn to cooperate with a new nanny as well.

The first death that occurs as this story opens is the supposedly accidental death of the President’s wife from peanut allergies. The reader knows right away that it is no accident as we get the view and thought process of the cold-blooded conspirator.  Then at the lavish state funeral at St. Patrick's Cathedral there is an attack and thirty or so rich and famous attendees are taken hostage.  Mike is called in to negotiate with the hostage takers.  He has to control his own anger as he juggles the fine line of cooperating to get what the hostage takers want so they will release the hostages safely and alternately planning ways to rescue them from the killers. Because killers they do become.  Unfortunately it seems that the killers are always one step ahead of the police.  When the demanded ransom monies are finally gathered a grand escape chase begins.

I had somewhat guessed the occupation of the hostage takers although not quite as there was a twist there. Also I had the master mind behind the plan down to one of two characters but was leaning to the wrong one. I enjoyed the mystery and I also enjoyed the pathos of the family situation even though there was sadness with Maeve’s illness. I thought the narration was an asset with good voice nuances adding warmth or cold to the personalities.  I look forward to reading more in the Michael Bennett series....especially since I seemed to have gotten a bit burned out on Alex Cross.

xxx

This was an Audio book I picked up and has been selected as a win choice by Ricki. I am confident it will be enjoyed!