Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Publication
New York : Little, Brown and Company, 2017.
Description
Dr. Dylan Reinhart wrote the book on criminal behavior. Literally--he's a renowned, bestselling Ivy League expert on the subject. When a copy of his book turns up at a gruesome murder scene--along with a threatening message from the killer--it looks like someone has been taking notes. Elizabeth Needham is the headstrong and brilliant NYPD Detective in charge of the case who recruits Dylan to help investigate another souvenir left at the scene--a playing card. Another murder, another card--and now Dylan suspects that the cards aren't a signature, they're a deadly hint--pointing directly toward the next victim. As tabloid headlines about the killer known as "The Dealer" scream from newsstands, New York City descends into panic. With the cops at a loss, it's up to Dylan to hunt down a serial killer unlike any the city has ever seen. Only someone with Dylan's expertise can hope to go inside the mind of a criminal and convince The Dealer to lay down his cards. But after thinking like a criminal--could Dylan become one?… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member jfe16
A playing card left at the scene of each brutal murder . . . are they meant to be the killer’s unique signature or are they a sinister portent somehow pointing to the next person the killer has selected to die?
Dubbed “The Dealer” by the newspapers, the killer always seems to be a step ahead
Interesting characters, a clever premise, and a complex plot continually ramping up the suspense all combine to keep the pages turning while readers, on the edge of their seats, wonder who will be the next victim. As the narrative unfolds, each answer does little more than reveal a new mystery, leaving readers hard-pressed to set this one aside before the final unexpected reveal.
Highly recommended.
Dubbed “The Dealer” by the newspapers, the killer always seems to be a step ahead
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of the police until an expert on criminal behavior and a brilliant New York City police detective join forces . . . . Interesting characters, a clever premise, and a complex plot continually ramping up the suspense all combine to keep the pages turning while readers, on the edge of their seats, wonder who will be the next victim. As the narrative unfolds, each answer does little more than reveal a new mystery, leaving readers hard-pressed to set this one aside before the final unexpected reveal.
Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member LisaSHarvey
MURDER GAMES
JAMES PATTERSON
HOWARD ROUGHAN
MY RATING ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️▫️
PUBLISHER Little, Brown and Company/Hachette Audio
PUBLISHED June 26, 2017
NARRATED Edoardo Ballerini
Murder Games is a riveting and fast-paced crime novel that plays right into your hands.
SUMMARY
A card playing serial
Dylan Reinhardt, Phd., is an Ivy League Psychology college professor with an attitude, who has written a book on abnormal psychology. That book, which is a introduction to psychopaths has arrived in the mail, and contained the first playing card, it was a blue harlequin-pattern king of clubs. Elizabeth Needham, the NYPD detective in charge of the case, asks Reinhardt for his help getting into the mind of the killer. As the killer continues his rampage and the media frenzy over the case reaches a fevered pitch, Dylan and Elizabeth must determine what the victims have in common in order to solve the case.
REVIEW
JAMES PATTERSON and HOWARD ROUGHAN have played all the right cards in MURDER GAMES. The plot is original, robust, unpredictable, and the pacing is perfect. The character development however, is what really makes the book. Reinhardt, 45, captures your attention immediately in chapter one, swaggering into a Yale lecture hall, with a narcissistic attitude who gets off on the adoration of his mere students. Outside of the classroom, he has a completely different persona, a much more likable guy. I really liked Detective Elizabeth Needham, who is quick-witted, feisty, smart, and prepared. But nothing really prepared her for the smug, acerbic college professor. The chemistry between the two of them was charged and delightful. Their quick dialogue was simply entertaining. I would have loved for Elizabeth to play a even larger role in the book, she is a great character and I love to see women in strong roles.
“Sometime you just know the sound of trouble before she walks in the room”
I listened to the audio version of the book and believe that Edoardo Ballerini’s narration was stellar. I enjoyed listening to his voice.
JAMES PATTERSON
HOWARD ROUGHAN
MY RATING ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️▫️
PUBLISHER Little, Brown and Company/Hachette Audio
PUBLISHED June 26, 2017
NARRATED Edoardo Ballerini
Murder Games is a riveting and fast-paced crime novel that plays right into your hands.
SUMMARY
A card playing serial
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killer is on the loose in New York City. A crime columnist has labeled him The Dealer. His victims appear to be total strangers. What unites them is that The Dealer is leaving a playing card behind at each scene that points to the identity of his next victim. Dylan Reinhardt, Phd., is an Ivy League Psychology college professor with an attitude, who has written a book on abnormal psychology. That book, which is a introduction to psychopaths has arrived in the mail, and contained the first playing card, it was a blue harlequin-pattern king of clubs. Elizabeth Needham, the NYPD detective in charge of the case, asks Reinhardt for his help getting into the mind of the killer. As the killer continues his rampage and the media frenzy over the case reaches a fevered pitch, Dylan and Elizabeth must determine what the victims have in common in order to solve the case.
REVIEW
JAMES PATTERSON and HOWARD ROUGHAN have played all the right cards in MURDER GAMES. The plot is original, robust, unpredictable, and the pacing is perfect. The character development however, is what really makes the book. Reinhardt, 45, captures your attention immediately in chapter one, swaggering into a Yale lecture hall, with a narcissistic attitude who gets off on the adoration of his mere students. Outside of the classroom, he has a completely different persona, a much more likable guy. I really liked Detective Elizabeth Needham, who is quick-witted, feisty, smart, and prepared. But nothing really prepared her for the smug, acerbic college professor. The chemistry between the two of them was charged and delightful. Their quick dialogue was simply entertaining. I would have loved for Elizabeth to play a even larger role in the book, she is a great character and I love to see women in strong roles.
“Sometime you just know the sound of trouble before she walks in the room”
I listened to the audio version of the book and believe that Edoardo Ballerini’s narration was stellar. I enjoyed listening to his voice.
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LibraryThing member Tiffy_Reads
I don't know if it was the luck of the #solareclipse2017 or maybe I'm actually starting to feel a bit more human. Either way I was actually able to focus on the last 75 pages of this kick ass latest Patterson novel. Loved the main character and his significant other. I also really enjoyed the other
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main character. With enough twists, murder, and games this one kept me guessing until the end. Show Less
LibraryThing member Hardboiled
Instinct is a good, fast read. It's success is due in great part to the character of Dylan. He is just unique enough to bring a unique perspective to this serial killer whodunit. Elizabeth provides a strong character off of which Dylan can play but could stand a bit larger role. I found the novel
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rushed in many places and therefore thinly developed especially the ending. It was as if every thing had to be resolved, both professionally and personally, in the last 25 pages. Show Less
LibraryThing member Jean_Sexton
I confess that I picked this book up solely because of the TV series Instinct. I was not surprised at what a quick read it was -- I've always thought that Patterson had a gift for telling a compelling story -- but rather how much I liked that story. I think I liked the book's version of Dylan and
The mystery was a good one and kept me wondering if Dylan and Elizabeth would succeed in solving it in time. I think the book played fair and didn't depend on off-page discoveries. I was sad to find that there are no sequels. That makes me even happier that the characters are being continued on TV.
If you like the series, I think you will like the book. If you like mysteries, you should definitely try this one.
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his husband more than the TV series's version. The mystery was a good one and kept me wondering if Dylan and Elizabeth would succeed in solving it in time. I think the book played fair and didn't depend on off-page discoveries. I was sad to find that there are no sequels. That makes me even happier that the characters are being continued on TV.
If you like the series, I think you will like the book. If you like mysteries, you should definitely try this one.
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LibraryThing member michelynn2016
it was a quick read. I felt like the authors had one speed driving on a straight, flat desert road. A little disappointing, especially coming from James Patterson. I think it's time to slow down his speed of writing, focus on quality not quantity
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
I really enjoyed this but I also enjoyed the TV series and the book and the TV series are quite close. I loved how they introduced Dylan's Partner.
Dylan Reinhart is a brilliant professor and ex-CIA spook who lives with his partner in Manhattan and when his book is found beside a dead body and it
It kept me at the edge of my seat and wondering what was going to happen next. It does follow the storyline in the series quite well but I liked some of the twists and turns it took.
Light entertaining and engaging read.
Dylan Reinhart is a brilliant professor and ex-CIA spook who lives with his partner in Manhattan and when his book is found beside a dead body and it
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looks like the killer is taunting him Elizabeth Needham, the detective in charge of the case, uses him to try to get into the murderer's head.It kept me at the edge of my seat and wondering what was going to happen next. It does follow the storyline in the series quite well but I liked some of the twists and turns it took.
Light entertaining and engaging read.
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LibraryThing member purple_pisces22
Really enjoyed this one and the characters. I could see it becoming a series.
LibraryThing member rmarcin
A detective engages a psychologist to help with crimes being committed by a serial killer, known as the Dealer. The Dealer leaves a playing card on each victim to help identify his next victim. Elizabeth, the detective, and Dylan Reinhart, the psychologist, put themselves in great danger. The mayor
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is pressuring them to solve the case before his re-election. Would love to read about Elizabeth and Dylan in future books. Show Less
LibraryThing member MiserableFlower
Very basic story, its not really covering any new ground that others haven't before. I feel like the story is a little muddled though and incorporating Dylan's dad and that random hunting scene was really unneccesary? I would have been more impressed if there has been a bigger serial killer plot.
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If every Ace was a killer and the dealer was actually the big mastermind. But over all it was an interesting read and use of a couple hours. I might pick up the second book. But I'll make sure anything more I read of Patterson's is a print or ebook instead of audio, the insanely short chapters was really distracting as an audio book. Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original publication date
2017-06-01
Physical description
340 p.; 25 cm
ISBN
0316273961 / 9780316273961