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Private #7
Private L.A.
Private Jack Morgan investigates the disappearance of the biggest superstar couple in Hollywood.
Thom and Jennifer Harlow are the perfect couple, with three perfect children. They maybe two of the biggest mega movie stars in the world, but they're also great parents, philanthropists and just all-around good people.
When they disappear without a word from their ranch, facts are hard to find. They live behind such a high wall of security and image control that even world-renowned Private Investigator Jack Morgan can't get to the truth. But as Jack keeps probing, secrets sprout thick and fast--and the world's golden couple may emerge as hiding behind a world of desperation and deception that the wildest reality show couldn't begin to unveil. Murder is only the opening scene.
Thom and Jennifer Harlow are the perfect couple, with three perfect children. They maybe two of the biggest mega movie stars in the world, but they're also great parents, philanthropists and just all-around good people.
When they disappear without a word from their ranch, facts are hard to find. They live behind such a high wall of security and image control that even world-renowned Private Investigator Jack Morgan can't get to the truth. But as Jack keeps probing, secrets sprout thick and fast--and the world's golden couple may emerge as hiding behind a world of desperation and deception that the wildest reality show couldn't begin to unveil. Murder is only the opening scene.
425 pages, Hardcover
First published February 10, 2014
1060 people are currently reading
8064 people want to read
About the author
James Patterson
930 books354k 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 961 reviews
November 8, 2023
Private book No. 6 - three main plots -more problems with Jack's brother, a celebrity double murder or disappearance and a terrorist threat. Series going strong, but not as good as Alex Cross, though better than most of the other Patterson serials. 5 out of 12 Two Star Live in LA read.
2014 read
2014 read
February 22, 2014
For me the "No Prisoners" story line was far more interesting than the movie star storyline (where you couldn't help but read "Brad and Angelina"). At the end, I was really rooting for the demise of the movie stars & wonder why we, as a society, put their "craft/art" above morals and appropriate punishment for deviate behavior. And then there was Justine...."sister", stop being so maudlin and get over yourself. I am NOT impressed with your workout, nor do I care about your sex life. Had Patterson focused 100% of the story on No Prisoners, then this would have been a 5 star.
April 7, 2014
For reasons unknown, this book was written with two plots that have no relationship to each other. Most plot turns were predictable; those that were not related to storylines I'd stopped caring about at all.
The writers may have visited Los Angeles a couple of times, but they know little about what it is like to live here. They drive all over the place but never get caught in any traffic (even at dusk on Halloween). They call Pacific Coast Highway "Highway 1," whereas most Angelenos don't use that term for that thoroughfare anywhere south of the split from the 101. The Huntington Beach Pier is moved to Los Angeles--not just the county, but the city, and into LAPD jurisdiction. That mistake could have been fixed easily, by transferring all that action to the Venice Pier, but the authors simply didn't care.
A woman has a fling and is seized by guilt when she finds out that her booty call is married and has two kids. Although supposedly a smart adult, she is unable to place responsibility on the guy--who wore no wedding ring and implied he was free. She has to have this pointed out to her by a therapist, even though she supposedly has an academic background and is a therapist herself. Naturally, she has multiple therapeutic specialities--working with children, helping PTSD patients--and has an "academic" background. She lives in a million dollar home (a detached single-family dwelling in Santa Monica), with no explanation given as to why she is that wealthy.
There are way too many names given, for stock characters who are about to be killed. The point of view changes radically, jarringly, even in the middle of action sequences. These types of problems made the book a lot of work to read. Not "thought-provoking" . . . work.
Characters do a lot of things for reasons that are hard to fathom at all . . . until one realizes that they are doing them because it is convenient for the writers.
Near the end, the main characters take enormous risks with their lives and futures by engaging in illegal and dangerous activities in Mexico, when it would have made more sense to walk away and let poetic justice take its course. They are thereby able to achieve a "storybook" ending (that is no more believable than the rest of the book), but their motives for the extreme recklessness are never explained.
This book was easy to put down, and I finished it out of a vague curiosity only, not because I truly cared what happened to the characters.
If this is representative of Patterson's actual work, I will be taken aback--given his popularity. I hope he's better than this, and that he and Sullivan simply phoned this book in.
Essentially, this was over 400 pages of broadcast television writing, rather than a satisfying crime book.
The writers may have visited Los Angeles a couple of times, but they know little about what it is like to live here. They drive all over the place but never get caught in any traffic (even at dusk on Halloween). They call Pacific Coast Highway "Highway 1," whereas most Angelenos don't use that term for that thoroughfare anywhere south of the split from the 101. The Huntington Beach Pier is moved to Los Angeles--not just the county, but the city, and into LAPD jurisdiction. That mistake could have been fixed easily, by transferring all that action to the Venice Pier, but the authors simply didn't care.
A woman has a fling and is seized by guilt when she finds out that her booty call is married and has two kids. Although supposedly a smart adult, she is unable to place responsibility on the guy--who wore no wedding ring and implied he was free. She has to have this pointed out to her by a therapist, even though she supposedly has an academic background and is a therapist herself. Naturally, she has multiple therapeutic specialities--working with children, helping PTSD patients--and has an "academic" background. She lives in a million dollar home (a detached single-family dwelling in Santa Monica), with no explanation given as to why she is that wealthy.
There are way too many names given, for stock characters who are about to be killed. The point of view changes radically, jarringly, even in the middle of action sequences. These types of problems made the book a lot of work to read. Not "thought-provoking" . . . work.
Characters do a lot of things for reasons that are hard to fathom at all . . . until one realizes that they are doing them because it is convenient for the writers.
Near the end, the main characters take enormous risks with their lives and futures by engaging in illegal and dangerous activities in Mexico, when it would have made more sense to walk away and let poetic justice take its course. They are thereby able to achieve a "storybook" ending (that is no more believable than the rest of the book), but their motives for the extreme recklessness are never explained.
This book was easy to put down, and I finished it out of a vague curiosity only, not because I truly cared what happened to the characters.
If this is representative of Patterson's actual work, I will be taken aback--given his popularity. I hope he's better than this, and that he and Sullivan simply phoned this book in.
Essentially, this was over 400 pages of broadcast television writing, rather than a satisfying crime book.
February 18, 2024
*Havoc in the City*
The owner of ‘Private’ a prestige detective agency Jack Morgan is up against his nemesis and identical twin brother Tommy. They both loathe each other but most of the vitriol is coming from Tommy. This time Tommy is up on a murder charge and is determined to drag Jack down.
This is serious and sadly Jack made the mistake of paying off a debt to save his brother’s life. This debt was to the head of the mafia. A decision that has come back to haunt him throughout the series.
If that is not bad enough a high profile couple are kidnapped. This is what Private do so well by investigating under the radar and being discreet. This kidnapping reveals something sinister.
On top of this a killer group are wreaking havoc across the city, how will Jack and his team handle this multilayered story?
The owner of ‘Private’ a prestige detective agency Jack Morgan is up against his nemesis and identical twin brother Tommy. They both loathe each other but most of the vitriol is coming from Tommy. This time Tommy is up on a murder charge and is determined to drag Jack down.
This is serious and sadly Jack made the mistake of paying off a debt to save his brother’s life. This debt was to the head of the mafia. A decision that has come back to haunt him throughout the series.
If that is not bad enough a high profile couple are kidnapped. This is what Private do so well by investigating under the radar and being discreet. This kidnapping reveals something sinister.
On top of this a killer group are wreaking havoc across the city, how will Jack and his team handle this multilayered story?
February 15, 2018
4.5*
This was a very engrossing book! From the kidnapping to Jack’s run in with Tommy, and also Justine struggles. Am I the only one who feels like Jack should just toss in the towel on Tommy? I could go without him. I hope Private remains with Jack. The twists in the Harlow case when nearing the end were twisted but entertaining as all get out! The No Prisoner theme was intriguing but in a very starkly real premise. I enjoyed reading more about the Harlow crime plot in this one than the No Prisoners but it was I could totally see enjoying a book with just the No Prisoner crime plot. Really good book.
My quick and simple overall: one of the best Private books so far, in my opinion.
This was a very engrossing book! From the kidnapping to Jack’s run in with Tommy, and also Justine struggles. Am I the only one who feels like Jack should just toss in the towel on Tommy? I could go without him. I hope Private remains with Jack. The twists in the Harlow case when nearing the end were twisted but entertaining as all get out! The No Prisoner theme was intriguing but in a very starkly real premise. I enjoyed reading more about the Harlow crime plot in this one than the No Prisoners but it was I could totally see enjoying a book with just the No Prisoner crime plot. Really good book.
My quick and simple overall: one of the best Private books so far, in my opinion.
February 3, 2014
I was asked to review this for Netgalley as I had already read the others in the series.
I would say I loved Jack Morgan's character as the way he gets himself into all sort of scraps is amazing. His team are always there with him and would love to know what happens with the outcome to his brother's trial.
Can't wait for book 8 Mr Patterson :D
I would say I loved Jack Morgan's character as the way he gets himself into all sort of scraps is amazing. His team are always there with him and would love to know what happens with the outcome to his brother's trial.
Can't wait for book 8 Mr Patterson :D
March 3, 2014
This is two separate stories rolled into one. Sometimes that's a good idea, but in this case not so much. It's as if Patterson couldn't decide which story to tell and leaves us with an incomplete mis mash. While there are endings, the results are overall incomplete conclusions. 5 of 10 stars
October 15, 2017
This was such an easy book to read. Short chapters and complete thoughts. I wanted the book to carry on but, alas, it was the end. Yes, it ended abruptly and not a smooth finish, other than that, a typical PRIVATE book which is what I pay good money for.
April 1, 2014
I can't fully explain it, but I have a hard time getting into the Private series in general, and LA is no different. I'm not sure if its the dual story lines; which unlike many Patterson novels actually do not connect back to each other in this work. I'm not sure if its due to the main character, Jack Morgan, who is missing the typical character flaw that Patterson so artfully puts into his characters that make them feel real. I'm not sure if its Private in general; a firm that is allowed to do essentially whatever it wants whenever it wants, breaking the reader's understanding of government and police work that Patterson has spent so long evolving. Whatever the reason, Private doesn't burn nearly as brightly, or as deeply, as any other Patterson novel.
That being said...it is still Patterson. It is still page turning. It is still quick, breezy chapters that make you want to keep reading. I'll still read every Private he comes out with after this one. He drags you in that way...although I think Private LA is definitely at the bottom rung of his capabilities.
That being said...it is still Patterson. It is still page turning. It is still quick, breezy chapters that make you want to keep reading. I'll still read every Private he comes out with after this one. He drags you in that way...although I think Private LA is definitely at the bottom rung of his capabilities.
April 16, 2017
4.5/5 stars
This book was just as good as all the rest in the series. It loses a half a star for scaring the crap out of me that one of my favorite characters in the series might not be in it anymore. So not cool. The storyline was totally different than any of the other books in this series and I loved the ending of the book. I'm looking forward to continue reading this series.
This book was just as good as all the rest in the series. It loses a half a star for scaring the crap out of me that one of my favorite characters in the series might not be in it anymore. So not cool. The storyline was totally different than any of the other books in this series and I loved the ending of the book. I'm looking forward to continue reading this series.
May 25, 2019
Story for fast paced, interesting. There are several stories going on in this book. A couple of unanswered items at the end, but still worth reading.
October 31, 2020
I am enjoying this series and the variety of characters.
August 11, 2014
I like this series, it is a nice breath of fresh air from Mr. Patterson. Of course since I don't live in the world of crazy, I don't know if this kind of situation could really happen, but that is the entertainment of the story. Jack is the head of Private, a privately owned investigation company that are at the very high end of the spectrum. They are working two cases at the same time so it is a fast-paced time for them. In typical form for a Patterson book, you don't know until close to the end why everything is happening and like usual, it isn't what you might have guessed. I like books like this. Lots of action, situations I would never be in and a little bit of crazy. I always enjoy the short chapters and probably would have read it in a day if I had read it on a weekend. Start the series from the beginning, you will like Jack and his crew. They are tough individuals but very likable. I'm always up for a good Patterson book and this one did not disappoint. Can't wait to know what happens next with Private as not everything was resolved at the end of this book.
February 25, 2015
I tried my first James Patterson book while vacationing on Maui. Even as beach reading, discovered at no cost in the hotel's read and share lending library, the best I could say about it was, "Okay in a pinch." Or something like that. Well, Nancy had a copy of this signed by Patterson's "co-writer" Mark Sullivan. Like the "Master" painters beginning centuries ago, where the Master had the idea and basic design and then hired specialists who did the backgrounds, or clouds, hands, buildings, feet and so on, Patterson's empire apparently includes co-writers who do much of the hard work of making the story come alive word by word. (For any of you who worked in the advertising trade, Patterson writes the headline and Sullivan does the body copy.) It was a fast, fun read. Shallow, as you might expect given the Master author and the subject matter. Well constructed. I actually enjoyed it more than my first Patterson book. It was less snarky and had much less needless violence. If you're stranded, and it's free, you could do worse.
January 8, 2014
'Private L.A.' is the seventh novel in the 'Private' series, though just the third to feature investigator Jack Morgan. In this outing, things are going from bad to worse for Jack: his twin brother has been charged with murder, a vicious killer called 'No Prisoners' is at large in L.A. and Hollywood power couple Thom and Jennifer Harlow have been kidnapped. The plot moves along at Patterson's trademark fast pace and the three strands of the story are handled well and wrapped up satisfactorily. This book is absolutely the perfect weekend read.
July 26, 2017
This series keeps getting better and more intense as it goes. The characters now are like visiting old friends and you are in the story right with them helping them solve the case. Once I start to read these I can't put it down.
August 26, 2019
This book has too many plots going on and the connections are sometimes lost. The main character, Jack Morgan does not appeal as real as many other Patterson characters, maybe lacked a bit of depth or some flaws. Having said this, as all Paterson novels it is fast-paced and a page-turner.
January 26, 2019
Couldn't put down another amazing book from James patterson. All these a books and I wonder how he can get the story lines
December 8, 2020
In this installment of the Private series, Patterson and Sullivan take us back to the head office in L.A. with Jack Morgan as the lead investigator. It is good to see Jack back after several books based in cities around the world in which he played a more peripheral role.
This book features two crimes instead of the usual three, allowing the writers to dive more deeply into the characters, the crimes and the work to solve them.
Late at night, four men sit around a campfire on a deserted beach, drinking, drugging and talking about surfing. Suddenly one of the men stands up and shoots the others, heaping their bodies into the fire and dropping a card by the murder scene with two simple words: No Prisoners. He quickly leaves. Jack Morgan is called to the scene by one of his former clients who has a home overlooking the beach and saw several police with flashlights covering the bodies on the beach. Knowing this was a crime scene abutting his property and fearful he might be implicated in the murder, he did what he thought was best. He called Jack Morgan at Private.
The event is quickly posted on the news and social media and the city is soon in a state of panic.
The execution on the beach was staged by a group of terrorists to get the public’s attention. With that done, they begin enacting a plan to extract millions from the city in return for a promise they will stop killing. If the city does not agree, they promise many people will die. Their long-range plan is to steal millions, enough to live comfortably outside the country for the rest of their lives.
The mayor calls in Private, knowing that unlike the police, Private will not be hampered by rules and regulations restricting their actions. They must act quickly and can’t be bogged down by the normal rules. They must get these terrorists before more people die.
When the terrorists request cash to be delivered at one of the piers on the beach, Jack and his team devise a plan to trap the pickup men and retain the money. The terrorists however, have already predicted there would be trouble and exact their revenge, including a bomb placed at the pier. Rick Del Rio is critically injured in the explosion that follows.
To exact payback for the city not sticking to the plan, the terrorists carry out a shooting spree delivering on their promise to kill if they city failed to pay. As they continue their rampage, one of their most valuable team members is killed and Private has a body to identify, which may provide clues to the identity of the others.
The terrorists are devastated by the death of one of their own, but continue their demands, increasing the amount of money they ask for and the number of people who will be killed if they aren’t met. When the instructions for a payout involves an electronic transfer, Private partners with a number of senior government officials and a team of cutting-edge computer scientists to track the wire transfers so they can retrieve the money once it has been sent. But the terrorists once again predict what the authorities will do and focus in a different direction while their opponents are focused on the transfer.
The second case involves the sudden disappearance of big-time movie stars Jennifer and Thom Harlow and their three children. Dave Sanders, the couple’s high-priced lawyer, hires Jack and Private to find them but they are sworn to secrecy and must keep the entire case under wraps. No one is to know the couple is missing.
Thom and Jennifer Harlow are the most powerful and glamorous couple in Hollywood. They have won Oscars, written best-selling books and have a foundation called Sharing Hands that raises millions of dollars for orphanages in the Third World. For the past nine months the family has been in Vietnam filming Saigon Falls, a story about the last years of the war and one of their biggest productions. The Harlows had returned to America four days ago and were met by their management team, made up of Sanders, Camilla Bronson the couple’s full-time publicist and Terry Graves, the President of Harlow-Quinn Productions. Shortly after they returned to their ranch in Ojai, the couple stopped answering their phones, texts and e-mails. They and their three adopted children, Malia thirteen from Ethiopia, Jin eleven from China and Miguel eight from Honduras, disappeared without leaving a single clue about their whereabouts. The management team does not want the FBI or law enforcement involved until they know what is going on. It might make investors involved in their film nervous and if they could pull out, the entire project could collapse and millions of dollars would be lost.
A break in the case occurs when a blog reports the couple has been seen in Guadalajara, drunk and wandering the streets. Jack sends Justine and Cruz to Mexico but the two run into big trouble and Justine has difficulty recovering from the experience.
The three Harlow children are returned but there is still no sign of Jennifer or Thom and Private is no closer to identifying who took them or why. At the mall where the children were left Jack once again runs into his nosey neighbour, reporter Bobby Newton who breaks the story of the family’s kidnapping and it becomes public.
Meanwhile Cynthia Maines, the Harlow’s personal assistant, has broken from the management team, concerned about the way they are handling the Harlows disappearance. She begins her own investigation and is shocked by what she learns, that the Harlows were not the people she believed them to be.
Jack’s personal life intrudes on his business when his twin brother Tommy and Carmine Noccia appear at his door. Tommy is under investigation for the murder of Clay Harris and intent on implicating Jack. Carmine discovered Jack crossed him by informing the DEA about the stolen truck full of drugs Jack recovered for him, and wants revenge. He partners with Tommy to offer Jack a deal, a trade of sorts, a devastating one that Jack cannot refuse.
This is another easy, fast-paced read. We learn more about the personal lives of Jack and Justine, encouraging us to become more invested in their story. Jack wonders if he will ever get over the woman he still loves but can’t seem to be with, at least on her terms and maybe his too. It’s complicated.
I agree there are several predictable elements in the crimes, especially in the Harlow story, but they do not interfere with the reader's enjoyment. When things finally settle down and the case comes to a close, the Harlow team offer Jack a huge sum of money to keep the entire affair quiet, but Jack refuses. Instead, he crafts a settlement the Harlows have no choice but to accept, knowing the unfavorable publicity that would result if the full story was known would destroy them.
I am pleased to see the writers pick up the ongoing drama from previous books, the difficult relationship between Jack and his brother Tommy and Jack’s connections with the mob. These connections to past events help keep the cases bound to a single ongoing narrative, making this collection of books a true series.
This installment of the series with two cases focusing on themes of justice and revenge, is a good addition to the series and easily readable in one concentrated sitting.
This book features two crimes instead of the usual three, allowing the writers to dive more deeply into the characters, the crimes and the work to solve them.
Late at night, four men sit around a campfire on a deserted beach, drinking, drugging and talking about surfing. Suddenly one of the men stands up and shoots the others, heaping their bodies into the fire and dropping a card by the murder scene with two simple words: No Prisoners. He quickly leaves. Jack Morgan is called to the scene by one of his former clients who has a home overlooking the beach and saw several police with flashlights covering the bodies on the beach. Knowing this was a crime scene abutting his property and fearful he might be implicated in the murder, he did what he thought was best. He called Jack Morgan at Private.
The event is quickly posted on the news and social media and the city is soon in a state of panic.
The execution on the beach was staged by a group of terrorists to get the public’s attention. With that done, they begin enacting a plan to extract millions from the city in return for a promise they will stop killing. If the city does not agree, they promise many people will die. Their long-range plan is to steal millions, enough to live comfortably outside the country for the rest of their lives.
The mayor calls in Private, knowing that unlike the police, Private will not be hampered by rules and regulations restricting their actions. They must act quickly and can’t be bogged down by the normal rules. They must get these terrorists before more people die.
When the terrorists request cash to be delivered at one of the piers on the beach, Jack and his team devise a plan to trap the pickup men and retain the money. The terrorists however, have already predicted there would be trouble and exact their revenge, including a bomb placed at the pier. Rick Del Rio is critically injured in the explosion that follows.
To exact payback for the city not sticking to the plan, the terrorists carry out a shooting spree delivering on their promise to kill if they city failed to pay. As they continue their rampage, one of their most valuable team members is killed and Private has a body to identify, which may provide clues to the identity of the others.
The terrorists are devastated by the death of one of their own, but continue their demands, increasing the amount of money they ask for and the number of people who will be killed if they aren’t met. When the instructions for a payout involves an electronic transfer, Private partners with a number of senior government officials and a team of cutting-edge computer scientists to track the wire transfers so they can retrieve the money once it has been sent. But the terrorists once again predict what the authorities will do and focus in a different direction while their opponents are focused on the transfer.
The second case involves the sudden disappearance of big-time movie stars Jennifer and Thom Harlow and their three children. Dave Sanders, the couple’s high-priced lawyer, hires Jack and Private to find them but they are sworn to secrecy and must keep the entire case under wraps. No one is to know the couple is missing.
Thom and Jennifer Harlow are the most powerful and glamorous couple in Hollywood. They have won Oscars, written best-selling books and have a foundation called Sharing Hands that raises millions of dollars for orphanages in the Third World. For the past nine months the family has been in Vietnam filming Saigon Falls, a story about the last years of the war and one of their biggest productions. The Harlows had returned to America four days ago and were met by their management team, made up of Sanders, Camilla Bronson the couple’s full-time publicist and Terry Graves, the President of Harlow-Quinn Productions. Shortly after they returned to their ranch in Ojai, the couple stopped answering their phones, texts and e-mails. They and their three adopted children, Malia thirteen from Ethiopia, Jin eleven from China and Miguel eight from Honduras, disappeared without leaving a single clue about their whereabouts. The management team does not want the FBI or law enforcement involved until they know what is going on. It might make investors involved in their film nervous and if they could pull out, the entire project could collapse and millions of dollars would be lost.
A break in the case occurs when a blog reports the couple has been seen in Guadalajara, drunk and wandering the streets. Jack sends Justine and Cruz to Mexico but the two run into big trouble and Justine has difficulty recovering from the experience.
The three Harlow children are returned but there is still no sign of Jennifer or Thom and Private is no closer to identifying who took them or why. At the mall where the children were left Jack once again runs into his nosey neighbour, reporter Bobby Newton who breaks the story of the family’s kidnapping and it becomes public.
Meanwhile Cynthia Maines, the Harlow’s personal assistant, has broken from the management team, concerned about the way they are handling the Harlows disappearance. She begins her own investigation and is shocked by what she learns, that the Harlows were not the people she believed them to be.
Jack’s personal life intrudes on his business when his twin brother Tommy and Carmine Noccia appear at his door. Tommy is under investigation for the murder of Clay Harris and intent on implicating Jack. Carmine discovered Jack crossed him by informing the DEA about the stolen truck full of drugs Jack recovered for him, and wants revenge. He partners with Tommy to offer Jack a deal, a trade of sorts, a devastating one that Jack cannot refuse.
This is another easy, fast-paced read. We learn more about the personal lives of Jack and Justine, encouraging us to become more invested in their story. Jack wonders if he will ever get over the woman he still loves but can’t seem to be with, at least on her terms and maybe his too. It’s complicated.
I agree there are several predictable elements in the crimes, especially in the Harlow story, but they do not interfere with the reader's enjoyment. When things finally settle down and the case comes to a close, the Harlow team offer Jack a huge sum of money to keep the entire affair quiet, but Jack refuses. Instead, he crafts a settlement the Harlows have no choice but to accept, knowing the unfavorable publicity that would result if the full story was known would destroy them.
I am pleased to see the writers pick up the ongoing drama from previous books, the difficult relationship between Jack and his brother Tommy and Jack’s connections with the mob. These connections to past events help keep the cases bound to a single ongoing narrative, making this collection of books a true series.
This installment of the series with two cases focusing on themes of justice and revenge, is a good addition to the series and easily readable in one concentrated sitting.
April 5, 2019
Este livro é um policial/thriller onde juntamente com a equipa do Jack Morgan tentamos deslindar dois casos, um de rapto de um casal de famosos e dos seus três filhos e o outro caso de assassinatos misteriosos.
Um enredo que desde a primeira página nos deixa com vontade de descobrir mais e mais e de resolver ambos os casos.
Um enredo que desde a primeira página nos deixa com vontade de descobrir mais e mais e de resolver ambos os casos.
April 19, 2024
Great action packed series.
August 2, 2025
There is a lot happening in this but I didn’t enjoy this one nearly as much as some of the others in the series.
November 28, 2024
WOW!!!! What a great story and entertaining read. Could not put the book down.
It is the first I have read in the 'Private' series and I can guarantee it will not be the last. Already ordered books 1 thru 5.
It is the first I have read in the 'Private' series and I can guarantee it will not be the last. Already ordered books 1 thru 5.
January 16, 2015
First things first... I read it in 10 days!! (For me this is a major breakthrough. Just to think a few years along I wouldn't look at a novel or think of them as something I would enjoy but look at me now!
I must confess that there are 2 reasons why I chose PRIVATE - LA to be the first book I would read for entertainment.
1) This may sound very superficial but the cover graphics! I wasn't sure where to begin and the cover art literally caught my eye. (The series has been going for some time, I entered the world of this international 'Private' investigation company on book 7. The author or the publishers have moved to a beautiful graphic style for their covers. The books are based on a city or country in which the detective agency has a location, hence 'Private' LA, India or Vegas. The new look started with book 6 - 'Down Under'. The covers are divided with the top half depicting an image of a building or cityscape of that region, cutting the book across the Middle is the word PRIVATE not only in capitals but graphical styled for this series coloured in an illumined bright colour with the name of the city or country outlined in the same colour and below an action scene with the lead character running or doing something dramatic in silhouette.
2) The author... Namely James Patterson, who I've noticed so far writes this series with others. Mark Sullivan in this case. I particularly love his writing style. Each chapter is not to long but gives you enough of a new element of the story line to keep the plot moving.
Ok, the plot. There are two main stories to follow, The 'No Prisoners' killers - a group of men who are randomly killing the public of LA in growing numbers, first four men are killed and then five another day. Panic ensues.A message is put to the heads of the city to pay up for the killing would stop... Who are these highly trained and well organised men and what is the story beyond their extreme actions? Private is called in to investigate headed by Jack Morgan with his equally trained operatives.
The plot thickens when Jack and his team are also asked to investigate the disappearance of the Harlow's. A married couple, two actors known and loved worldwide for years, A listers, Hollywood royalty disappear with their 3 adopted children after returning from months of filming. This film promises to be the film that will supersede all that they had done before! However, the Harlow's and their children are nowhere to be found? And apparently without a trace? Jack and his team are on the case.
What I liked equally as much was the subplots sitting alongside the main, which I'm guessing are continuation of plots from previous books, the relationships between the team and how they bounce off of one another.
I very much enjoy it and can't wait to read more in this series.
I must confess that there are 2 reasons why I chose PRIVATE - LA to be the first book I would read for entertainment.
1) This may sound very superficial but the cover graphics! I wasn't sure where to begin and the cover art literally caught my eye. (The series has been going for some time, I entered the world of this international 'Private' investigation company on book 7. The author or the publishers have moved to a beautiful graphic style for their covers. The books are based on a city or country in which the detective agency has a location, hence 'Private' LA, India or Vegas. The new look started with book 6 - 'Down Under'. The covers are divided with the top half depicting an image of a building or cityscape of that region, cutting the book across the Middle is the word PRIVATE not only in capitals but graphical styled for this series coloured in an illumined bright colour with the name of the city or country outlined in the same colour and below an action scene with the lead character running or doing something dramatic in silhouette.
2) The author... Namely James Patterson, who I've noticed so far writes this series with others. Mark Sullivan in this case. I particularly love his writing style. Each chapter is not to long but gives you enough of a new element of the story line to keep the plot moving.
Ok, the plot. There are two main stories to follow, The 'No Prisoners' killers - a group of men who are randomly killing the public of LA in growing numbers, first four men are killed and then five another day. Panic ensues.A message is put to the heads of the city to pay up for the killing would stop... Who are these highly trained and well organised men and what is the story beyond their extreme actions? Private is called in to investigate headed by Jack Morgan with his equally trained operatives.
The plot thickens when Jack and his team are also asked to investigate the disappearance of the Harlow's. A married couple, two actors known and loved worldwide for years, A listers, Hollywood royalty disappear with their 3 adopted children after returning from months of filming. This film promises to be the film that will supersede all that they had done before! However, the Harlow's and their children are nowhere to be found? And apparently without a trace? Jack and his team are on the case.
What I liked equally as much was the subplots sitting alongside the main, which I'm guessing are continuation of plots from previous books, the relationships between the team and how they bounce off of one another.
I very much enjoy it and can't wait to read more in this series.
April 14, 2019
SUBJECTIVE READER REVIEW WITH PLOT SPOILERS FOLLOWS:
Jack Morgan's Private Investigations Worldwide client's are pulling him into the black hole, but he's resisting as hard as he can. While the No Prisoners Gang terrorizes LA, Harlow-Quin Productions sucks him into an ugly morass. So what's new?
Formerly a Special JSOC Opium Eradication Team that went native in Afghanistan, then was disowned then totally abandoned, the No Prisoners Gang terrorizes LA, extorting them to preclude further massacres. Badly needing the Gang to die, the City/County/State hire Private as their extra-judicial enforcement team. Trouble is, their losing men and Del Rio's in the hospital and Jack's taking things personal like. They're a tough group to track, as DoD sanitized their databases of any existence of the six killing machines, but Jack's old buddy CIA vet Guy Carpenter fills in enough blank spaces for Jack to develop a revenge plan. Thank God senior citizen June Wanta had a carry permit and had taken shooting lessons, cause Jesus Hernandez never thought she'd kill him! And that was the thread that got pulled, leading to the entire coat coming apart.
Now the disappearance of the most famous celebrity movie star couple in Hollywood had everyone puzzled, so the Production company retains Jack & Private to find them--and keep it quiet. Of course the principals are keeping the lid on all affiliated intel, so Private must peel the onion on Thomas and Jennifer Harlow until the ugly underlinings show. Their ranch in Ojai seconds as a private porn and S&M production facility. Now they'd probably not gotten the cartel's attention if they just shared love with trusted folk, but Thom's penchant for sadistic manipulations, the stage for revenge is set. They never suspected that the lovely Adelita Gomez was THAT connected! Then their world implodes, they're kidnapped, then released and then the whole sordid tale of how their worldwide charity 'Helping Hands' secretly refills the coffers as they pour money into the cash sponge titled 'Saigon Falls,' Thom's dream of the ultimate Oscar winner.
Get this book and read it; you'll very likely enjoy it. Can't help but notice the sexual tension Mark Sullivan's built between Jack Morgan and his psychologist hotness Justine Smith. No doubt taking lessons from Baldacci, who has lately showed signs of easing up a bit on his prudishness.
Jack Morgan's Private Investigations Worldwide client's are pulling him into the black hole, but he's resisting as hard as he can. While the No Prisoners Gang terrorizes LA, Harlow-Quin Productions sucks him into an ugly morass. So what's new?
Formerly a Special JSOC Opium Eradication Team that went native in Afghanistan, then was disowned then totally abandoned, the No Prisoners Gang terrorizes LA, extorting them to preclude further massacres. Badly needing the Gang to die, the City/County/State hire Private as their extra-judicial enforcement team. Trouble is, their losing men and Del Rio's in the hospital and Jack's taking things personal like. They're a tough group to track, as DoD sanitized their databases of any existence of the six killing machines, but Jack's old buddy CIA vet Guy Carpenter fills in enough blank spaces for Jack to develop a revenge plan. Thank God senior citizen June Wanta had a carry permit and had taken shooting lessons, cause Jesus Hernandez never thought she'd kill him! And that was the thread that got pulled, leading to the entire coat coming apart.
Now the disappearance of the most famous celebrity movie star couple in Hollywood had everyone puzzled, so the Production company retains Jack & Private to find them--and keep it quiet. Of course the principals are keeping the lid on all affiliated intel, so Private must peel the onion on Thomas and Jennifer Harlow until the ugly underlinings show. Their ranch in Ojai seconds as a private porn and S&M production facility. Now they'd probably not gotten the cartel's attention if they just shared love with trusted folk, but Thom's penchant for sadistic manipulations, the stage for revenge is set. They never suspected that the lovely Adelita Gomez was THAT connected! Then their world implodes, they're kidnapped, then released and then the whole sordid tale of how their worldwide charity 'Helping Hands' secretly refills the coffers as they pour money into the cash sponge titled 'Saigon Falls,' Thom's dream of the ultimate Oscar winner.
Get this book and read it; you'll very likely enjoy it. Can't help but notice the sexual tension Mark Sullivan's built between Jack Morgan and his psychologist hotness Justine Smith. No doubt taking lessons from Baldacci, who has lately showed signs of easing up a bit on his prudishness.
June 24, 2019
Two cases and Jack's ongoing issues with his brother Tommy make up a decent entry in the Private series. The balance of the cases felt right although the Tommy aspect was largely ignored towards the end.
The only irritating part for me was Justine's foray into Crossfit and the author's detailed descriptions of each WOD - it felt like these scenes were bulked out due to a lack of material as though they didn't know what to write into the gym scenes.
This aside, this was my favourite Private book for quite a while!
The only irritating part for me was Justine's foray into Crossfit and the author's detailed descriptions of each WOD - it felt like these scenes were bulked out due to a lack of material as though they didn't know what to write into the gym scenes.
This aside, this was my favourite Private book for quite a while!
February 14, 2014
Oh my! James Patterson meet Shades of Grey. This is not what I normally read when I read James Patterson. It was way graphic in the sex and over the top as far as I was concerned. People may like it but I may need to stop reading his books. I don't mind gore with murder but this is not okay with me. Whole family kidnapped and Jack and his crew are trying to find them. The children are found first. There is a mass murderer going around killing several people in public places.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2017
Jack deals with assassins, the mob, and a missing couple. At the heart of it all.... money... greed. Each case was a little bit different and yet.... it was merge and not a merge... Coincidence at best, as two worlds collided. Was justice served up enough though???? Loving this series, excited to begin the next one.
November 30, 2018
What can i say? Just another great book by another great author. I really liked this one as it took a real effort just to be able to understand how Jack Morgan is thinking, but in a way, that makes it all the more exciting, along with a good story line its characters also played a big role as you get to see their minds working in a whole new light.
October 17, 2017
Woah!! That was racy!!
Fantasbookwriting!!
Thumbs Up!!
Fantasbookwriting!!
Thumbs Up!!
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