Murder in Paradise by James Patterson

Murder in Paradise Reviews

• 
  Beverly

  This was a compilation of 3 short stories by 3 writers and James Patterson. The first, The Lawyer Lifeguard was the weakest of the 3 and I would give it 2 stars for lightweight characters, an unbelievable plot, and a story that didn't interest me much, in addition the author kept making statements as the protagonist, like, "This would be my last day to live." when it became evident it wasn't.
  
  Number 2 was much better; The Doctor's Plot was a solid 3 with a well-written female main character and an intriguing mystery about a string of deaths from a sinister wine owner in Napa Valley. It was sort of sci-fi esque in its heavy doomsday feeling of 'everyone is out to get you.'
  
  The best was saved for last, The Shut-In was tremendous, a sympathetic main character who can't go outside because she is allergic to the sun. She witnessed a murder and tries to tell someone before it's too late for her and whoever else the assassin has targeted. This was a 5 for sure and the author's name is Duane Swierczynski. I am going to see what else he has written.
• 
  jv poore

  The second and third short-stories were not what I would consider 'classic' James Patterson. They were interesting, only a bit unexpected.
• 
  Matt

  Stumbling across this new BookShot within the recently released Murder in Paradise collection, James Patterson is collaborating with Connor Hyde to come up with this spine-tingling story. Abi Brenner is excited to have been hired as a new medical examiner in the Napa Valley. A Wisconsin farm girl, Abi and her husband, Jeremy, are trying to settle in to the California lifestyle and the pile of cases left by the previous M.E. who died in a freak accident. As soon as she begins working, Abi discovers some oddities in a handful of the bodies awaiting her analysis, all of whom died in a similar manner. Meanwhile, working at a local free clinic, Jeremy also finds himself surrounded by inexplicable happenings that he cannot simply consider coincidental. When Abi begins to poke around, she soon runs up against a wall, but will not turn away until she has answers. There’s something not right going on and she needs to raise a warning flag to those in a position of authority. Abi also has something she needs to tell Jeremy, but is not sure if she’ll have the time before someone tries to silence her for good. Patterson and Hyde have crafted a wonderful short story that will keep the reader guessing until the final sentence. Perfect for those who love Patterson BookShots, particularly of the medical and criminal variety.
  
  This is the first collaborative effort to my knowledge between James Patterson and Connor Hyde, but I hope it will not be their last. The authors seem to have a great literary chemistry, whatever their contractual obligation might be related to this piece. Abi Brenner is a great character and she has some real pizzazz, mixing medical practitioner with all-around sleuth. She may be young, but she holds her own in this piece, keeping it light and yet poignant throughout. Because of his role in the piece, I will also call Jeremy an essential piece of the puzzle and give him protagonist accolades, developing his own narrative to propel the story in a few interesting directions. The handful of secondary characters offer an interesting glimpse into the sinister side to whatever is going on (read to find out) and keeps the reader wondering how large this web of deceit might go. The story itself is strong enough to keep my attention while also entertain me in the short space on offer to do so. It’s a BookShot, but not simply slapped together to fill space. Patterson and Hyde have invested some research and used the short-chapter trademark style that keeps BookShots crisp and interesting for the dedicated reader. I’ll gladly read another collaborative effort, should these two work together in the coming months or years.
  
  Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and Hyde, for an interesting piece. Glad I took the time to check out this BookShot collection, as this story was sandwiched between two I had read before.
  
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• 
  Laura Wonderchick

  I didn’t realize til after I’d bought this book that it’s actually 3 Bookshots in one. And I had already read 2 of them. The one I hadn’t read wasn’t very good. I wish authors would stop repackaging books without a full disclosure as duh on the front cover. This one says “in print for the first time” but doesn’t mention that these were already in Kindle form.
• 
  Jenn Brouwer

  I wish Patterson would go back to actually writing his own books and put out some QUALITY over QUANTITY. He has all these different co-writers pumping out books that are nothing like Patterson's old books. I miss Alex Cross and the original crime/murder mysteries like along Came a spider and Big Bad Wolf and Kiss the Girls. Go back to writing your own books and put some heart and effort into it. This will be the last Patterson Co Author crap i buy. When theres an actual book completely written by this guy i will purchase again. For now ill stick with Jonathan Kellermans Alex or other authors that take the time and effort to write their own novels
• 
  Suzzie

  Been in a slight reading slump lately. Just been wanting to be out enjoying the sun and hiking lately. This was a quick read in general with three different small stories co-authored by James Patterson.
  
  I really enjoyed The Lawyer Lifeguard. It was entertaining with some good twists about a lawyer returning home to the beach he was a lifeguard at in his younger years.
  
  The Doctor’s Plot wasn’t bad at all but I did not get as into it as I did the Lawyer Lifeguard. There was a twist right at the end but the characters were just ok to read about.
  
  The Shut-In I really was not into much. I actually found it very bland to read which I really hate having to write here.
  
  My quick and simple overall: pretty good, short read. Would be a good beach read for sure.
• 
  Tina Loves To Read

  I loved the first short story and the last short story, but the middle short story I didn't love. I really enjoyed this book overall.
• 
  Tom MacCasarlaigh

  I've been a Patterson fan for years but I feel like I've been sold a pup with this one. Partly my own fault as I didn't research anything about this book but just decided to read it whilst on vacation. I didn't realise it was a collection of (3) short stories (unrelated in anyway) and each weaker than the other. Short stories don't work for me as they are either too short or they are rushed or are incomplete. These stories were poor by Pattersons usual standard. it's commendable to be giving your name to give budding talents a leg up but this collection is at the expense of the reader as the stories fall well short.
• 
  Melissa Borsey

  Three fast paced and entertaining short story mysteries.
• 
  Judy NH Gardener

  This book includes three short stories by James Patterson and three other authors. The first story is okay. The second one is awful unless you want the good guys dead and the bad guys prospering. For that scenario, I usually watch the news. The third story was mediocre at best. I wouldn't recommend this book if you have anything else to read. Very disappointing.
• 
  Sarah-Grace (Azrael865)

  I liked the first two stories, the killer in the third one was a little far fetched.
• 
  Natalie M

  3 short novels (bookshots) that could put you off reading for life!
  The first story warrants no more comment than I’ve read better from high school students than this drivel. The second instalment is marginally better but gross inaccuracies and inconsistencies make for such a far-fetched plot it becomes laughable.
  The final story tries at least but when you have a young woman allergic to the sun who can’t go out at night, it just goes from bad to worse.
  Save your time and money!
• 
  Nancy Wieme

  The first one was ok (there are three stories in this book) the second one was stupid and the third one got me to read about 25 pages... and decided I've read enough. For murder/mystery you need so much more development in plot and characters that this just fell flat. If I had realized BEFORE I got it from the library that it was three stories in one book, I would have passed.
• 
  Michelle ~trying to return from review hiatus~

  I only needed to read the second story in this book as I’ve already read the first and the third as Book Shots and reviewed them separately. I found “The Doctor’s Plot” enjoyable. It really did not feel like a short story to me. This is one of those times when Mr. Patterson gets it right and puts just the rights amount of detail into the story to make it work and not feel rushed.
• 
  Jodi Kauble

  3.5 stars. Overall I enjoyed these three stories.
• 
  Carol Jones-Campbell

  The Lawyer Lifeguard w/ Doug Allyn Are you the lawyer that got blown up with his girlfriend? Defense lawyer Brian Lord survived the car bomb that killed his fiancee. Out of work and nearly out of his mind, he takes on lifeguard job at the beach. I was very impressed with his recertification skills. Cool!!.
  
  The Doctor's Plot w/Connor Hyde: Abi Brenner is the new medical examiner in the Napa Valley, a dream job in a dream location. But her fairy tale will take a terrifying turn when she uncovers a
  series of murders with one sinister thing in common.
  
  The Shut-In w/Duane Swierczynski: Because an unusual allergy to the sun confines Tricia Celano to her apartment, she watches the outside world through a flying drone. When her high tech toy records a murder, she is determined to track down the killer--a killer that knows Tricia is watching.
  
  I've noticed that there is a wide range of how readers like these books. I liked this set better than the one they called Triple Homicide. Not everyone will like it, but it was three bookshots in one.
• 
  Carol Jones-Campbell

  When the Napa Valley coroner is shot down with a group of tourists while hot air ballooning, the authorities give his job to a nice, eager, young coroner named Abi Brenner. Unfortunately, Brenner is not the lightweight, easily manipulatable type. Other seemingly related murders occur, Brenner gets in way over her head. It is difficult to say more without spoilers. Suffice to say the ending to The Doctor’s Plot by James Patterson and Connor Hyde is a stunner.
  
  The Shut-In by Duane Swierczynski borrows a bit of Rear Window (which he immediately acknowledges) in The Shut-In. Tricia Celano has solar urticaria which makes her allergic to the sun and cannot go out at night because of her agoraphobia. She lives vicariously through a flying drone andshe sends out a drone to keep an eye on the city. She watches a woman kill a vagrant with a device that shoots an arrow. The police do not believe her account. During a second murder the
  Perhaps because I am partial to Swierczynski but I found The Shut-In the best of the three. This however by a very, very thin margin as The Doctor’s Plot is really solid as is The Lawyer woman spots the drone and now homebound Tricia Celano is in a game of cat and mouse with a very clever and determined killer. This tale is told in collaboration with James Patterson and Connor Hyde.
  the Lifeguard.
  
  James Patterson holds the Guiness World Record for the most #1 New York have sold more than 355 million copies worldwide. He has donated more than one million books to students and soldiers and funds over four Hundred teacher Education scholarships at twenty four colleges and universities. He has donated millions to independent bookstores and school libraries.
  
  These are amazing people that have accomplished amazing things. I admire them all.
• 
  Wayne Griffith

  The lawyer lifeguard story was weak with a “story book” ending. The cabal story set in nearby Napa Valley kept me interested and the surprise ending made it worthwhile. The last story combining a woman allergic to the sun, drones, and assassins was okay. Basically, this 3-part book was uninspiring.
• 
  Emma

  NOTE : This review relates to “The Doctor’s Plot” - don’t know why this has changed to the 3 stories in 1 book!
  
  This was a good story but I think it needed to be longer. The plot had potential to really twist and turn if it had been novel length. Dark ending though which I liked!
• 
  Katherine

  The ending took me by surprise. That changed my rating from 3 to 4.
• 
  Sophie Narey (Bookreview- aholic)

  DNF
• 
  Tgordon

  Short stories some were good or ok and some really interesting
• 
  Mark Mindel

  A trilogy of previously released e-books compiled into one. Not JP at his best. Each short story is co-written by a different author. The Lawyer Lifeguard takes a look at what all of us would like to do: go back to simpler times, but there's a murderous twist of course; The Doctor's Plot is an unrealistic look at the Napa Valley run by a Hitler-esque gestapo who will go to all lengths to keep their town pure and at the expense of the newly minted Medical Examiner; The Shut-In is an almost comedic look at a "boy in the bubble" type millenial gal who views Philly from her drone and discovers a sinister serial killer and what she does about it from the sanctity of her ivory tower apartment.
• 
  Monica

  This James Patterson book is a little different from his usual ones. It's 3 short stories wrote by him and 3 others. The first story is about a lawyer whose fiancee is murdered. I didn't really care for it. The second one is about a Doctor who moves to Napa valley, and ends up trying to figure out what is going on in the town. It ended kind of weird. I felt it was lacking. The 3 story is about a shut-in which lives thru her drone. She's trying to solve a murder. That was the best one to me. Happy Reading 😊
• 
  John (Just bought an Oculus 2 VR, so less time to read these days!)

  This is another bound book of bookshots. I had already read 2 out of 3, so just read the 141 pages of "The Doctor's Plot". It is well worth the read, even though you can pretty much figure it out in the first 1/3 of the book. Some interesting twists at the end. the other 2 bookshots are also well worth the read.
• 
  Mary Anderson

  I am a true James Patterson fan. His book, Murder in Paradise, is amazing. Three short stories that I wish were longer. Great read although I "read" it auditory. The readers were amazing, and I loved all three stories, although one a little less than the others due to the ending. I highly recommend this book!