The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

I really dislike co-authoring. It usually happens after an author has lost steam & enthusiasm, and the quality of the writing drops greatly. And it's often a method that publishing houses use to crank out lots of books and capitalize on a big name author. It's LCD writing. As an alternative, go back and find the author's earlier works, or find other authors that are similar to whom you like.

I am also not a fan of co-authoring. However, my kids are enjoying his middle school and young adult fiction, so there's plenty of James Patterson in the house still.

When not reading patterson, but want a like style of reading..who do you suggest?

Douglas Preston

Just ordered White Fire. Thank you. Saw his latest book but ordered Death Logs In EJ Simon.just released with the AI touch. Loved Simons first book Death Never Sleeps. Easy fun read.

Evelyn wrote: "I think Preston and child do a great job of co authoring."

I agree with you. I have read the Diogenes Trilogy and well, it was awesome.

Preston and Child books are good!

I'm no fan of co-authoring, either. They read like they've been phoned in.

Chinmoy wrote: "I have not read James Patterson yet.Please sugguest me which one should I start with?"

Along Came A Spider.

His first few Alex Cross novels I really enjoyed. Especially ALONG CAME A SPIDER. His recent ones in the series are a bit weaker.

Chinmoy wrote: "I have not read James Patterson yet.Please sugguest me which one should I start with?"

Skip him, if you haven't read anything by him yet, but if you must the early books are okay, the 'Women's Murder Club' series really good and find them used versus buying new or ebook. Save your some money that way, you can find them at any used book store.

Thanks Russell and Mich :) I already read one called Cross my heart and I didn't like it much.Won't read another one very soon.

We just saw an ad for the newest Alex Cross novel, and my husband wanted to know if Nana Mama is still alive and kicking. I quote " isn't she like 123 years old by now?"

I don't know if she is alive in this book but she was still kicking in the last one.

Nana Mama will live forever. Who else will keep everybody on the straight and narrow?

Kathryn wrote: "Nana Mama will live forever. Who else will keep everybody on the straight and narrow?"

For some reason I can't fathom, she grates on his nerves.

I've heard some of his co-authors speak and they are very protective of him. They say the story line and final edits are his. His approach can't be faulted from a business standpoint as he's milking the heck out of his brand while he can. And many years from now when he's no longer with us, the Patterson brand will continue: James Patterson's The Cross Double-Cross by John Smith. His heirs will be very happy.

At least he is extremely generous with his money and does so much to help libraries and get kids reading.

Kathryn wrote: "At least he is extremely generous with his money and does so much to help libraries and get kids reading."

You're right about that. Saw he just gave over $400,000 to small independent book stores.

Patterson used to be good, the Alex Cross books were some of my favorites. The last few have been mediocre but Hope To Die was the worst
http://gutreactionreviews.com/2014/12...