Peggy F. from WARREN, OR wrote on 11/14/2008...
This story line and the way it is written is more like a lame 'fluff' work. The premise is a good one but the wordage doesn't fit the senario and the way it unfolds. This is like a tongue in cheek dialogue that leaves much to be desired by the reader. I was very disappointed. Mr. Patterson generally does a much better job. This is like he teamed up with Janet Evanovich to write a tongue in cheek farce. He adopted Stuart Woods concept of two or three page chapters. It works well for Mr Woods and Stone Barrington; but not for Patterson in this case. I give this book two thumbprints down. It was a quick read though so the pain was short lived.
Diana H. (
Pampdi) from HANOVER, PA wrote on 10/7/2008...
The first of James Patterson's books I've read..I thought it was fantastic, very fast and easy read, but at the same time kept you intrigued, and turning pages. A great book for a week-end get-a-way.
Katherine Dunne and her three children Carrie, Mark and Ernie each carry their own package and it didn't get easier with the family when the husband and father died four years ago. The children out of control, Katherine find a new man after three years: renowned celebrity attorney Peter Carlyle.
As a last attempt Katherine decided to take the two teenagers and little Ernie on a boat cruise together with her ex brother-in-law Jake. From the beginning things go bad. From water in the boat to a rupture in an important hose and a storm nearing that wasn't supposed to be there. Hardly surviving the storm the boat suddenly explodes leaving the family swimming in the ocean without any help to come.
Meanwhile back in New York Peter Carlyle plays the distressed husband, secretly dreaming about of his wife's inherited millions which soon will be his.
When suddenly a fisherman shows of his huge catch and a Coke bottle, containing a desperate message written by the family Dunne that they are alive on an island, falls out of the animals mouth.
The pressure is on. Who will find the family first ?
Peter, who didn't take into account a suspicious coast guard and an alarmed DEA agent. Or those two trying to unravel the mystery behind the families disappearance and find the evidence to nail Peter Carlyle ?
-
During the families experience, losing their uncle Jack to his third-degree burns, survival on an island and it's dangers, it felt good to read how the family found back together out of their need. They find to each other and discover themselves anew.
I was in shock when in a moment of shear happiness the boat exploded. It really got to me. Unfortunately it was the only moment where I wasn't able to put down the book. I understand that James Patterson is a mass market brand name but I honestly didn't understand that this book got published written as it is. The plot is easy but could be much more refined with details and most of all with action. In the end the family is sitting on an island trying to survive.
Leigh Ann S. from SMITHTOWN, NY wrote on 8/19/2008...
Honestly, I didn't think that this was worth the wait. Definitely somewhat predictable. James Patterson has much better books out there.