Tick Tock

Dec 19, 2012 Nena rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-reads

Audiobook:

This is the first Michael Bennett for me but certainly not the last.

I love the way Patterson keeps his chapters nice and short which moves the story along at a fast pace. It keeps you alert and also keeps you wanting more. Two never fail ingredients in a good writing recipe!

As for Michael Bennett, I love the inner strength this guy has. I also love the way he intermingles with his family (ten kids, a wise cracking Grandpa and a beautifully charming nanny). He is the father I would hav...more Audiobook:

This is the first Michael Bennett for me but certainly not the last.

I love the way Patterson keeps his chapters nice and short which moves the story along at a fast pace. It keeps you alert and also keeps you wanting more. Two never fail ingredients in a good writing recipe!

As for Michael Bennett, I love the inner strength this guy has. I also love the way he intermingles with his family (ten kids, a wise cracking Grandpa and a beautifully charming nanny). He is the father I would have loved to have and the husband that any woman would give their right arm to be married to. Every chapter dealing with this family were I think the best chapters in this book. Even without the murder mystery, I think Patterson could have just taken this family and made an entire series out of them alone, using his job as the little back- story instead of vice versa.

I was not crazy for the mystery aspect of the book. As mystery plots go, I have read better with Connelly or Kellerman. I always feel that Patterson uses a bit too much gore in many of his books for my taste, but then I am an avid reader of the Jack Reacher series and Child's heavy hand on the gory parts don't deter me, so neither will Patterson's. I am willing to overlook and skim if I have to in order to savor the meat of the book which in this case is the main character and his family. That is what will keep me coming back time and time again.

I have to make it a point to say that every single book that Patterson has co-written with another author that I have read (check my goodreads list) I have enjoyed so much better than the ones that he pens solo. This is the main reason why I stay away from the Alex Cross series. I am still having post traumatic stress 15 years later after Kiss the Girls! I think he needs someone to reel him in when he starts to go OTT and these co-authors seem to balance him which he desperately needs. His forte is keeping his chapters short and with someone at his side tempering him, these make for the best reads!

I repeat. This is the first Michael Bennett for me but I will be coming back for more!(less)

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Mar 07, 2013 Tom rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, mysteries-thrillers

NYPD Major Case Detective Michael Bennett finds himself overmatched, 12 to 1...

Actually, when "Tick Tock" begins, Bennett is on a beach vacation with his ten kids, his cantankerous grandfather, Seamus, and the kids' lovely nanny, Mary Catherine. She's Irish. And young. And really hot. Bennett has noticed these details, too, being an ace detective.

Bennett's peaceful vacation is shattered on two fronts. Close to home, his kids are being terrorized by some local kids named Flaherty, who would pref...more NYPD Major Case Detective Michael Bennett finds himself overmatched, 12 to 1...

Actually, when "Tick Tock" begins, Bennett is on a beach vacation with his ten kids, his cantankerous grandfather, Seamus, and the kids' lovely nanny, Mary Catherine. She's Irish. And young. And really hot. Bennett has noticed these details, too, being an ace detective.

Bennett's peaceful vacation is shattered on two fronts. Close to home, his kids are being terrorized by some local kids named Flaherty, who would prefer the multicultural Bennett clan not share the beach with them.

Back in New York, things are even worse. A bomb left in a public library carries a message that more killings will occur. The message is not a lie. As bodies pile up, it becomes apparent that somebody evil has done some research. Bennett and his team work frenetically, trying to stop this madman before he strikes again.

Obviously, since this is a crime thriller/mystery, I don't want to give away too much. I like the Michael Bennett best of all the James Patterson franchises. (I like Alex Cross, but I'm tired of listening to him) Mike Bennett is a good cop, but his pride and joy is his family, the ten children he and his late wife, Maeve, adopted over the years. He draws strength from their love, and they keep his heart light, despite the horrors of his day job.

"Tick Tock" didn't feel like a normal Patterson novel. In many of his works--both Patterson's solo efforts and his multiple collaborations--there's a sense of hurtling or rushing. Some chapters in those novels are only a page and a half. You get slammed from one place to another, then back, all within a few pages. I'm not complaining--it's a storytelling device, and Patterson uses it effectively.

I felt like "Tick Tock" displayed more of co-author Michael Ledwidge's touch. Honestly, I haven't read any of his solo works, but this Patterson novel didn't feel so Pattersony, if you will. The pacing was more relaxed, and I truly enjoyed the change.

Pacing aside, the story is a good one, beautifully revealed, and it leads to an excellent ending.

Normally, I blast through a James Patterson novel in a day. With "Tick Tock," I enjoyed it over a couple nights. Maybe it's the different pacing, or maybe it's that the Bennett series is my favorite, but "Tick Tock" earned its place among my favorite works from James Patterson, et al. (less)

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Dec 24, 2012 Marvin rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, kindle

SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE!!!!!

I have no idea whether the above statement is actually true but I would bet my Kindle on it. This flashy but unsubstantial thriller has movie deal written all over it and has all the pitfalls that a slick blockbuster film would have. First, there is a super-sensationalist plot. Why have just a terrorist or a serial killer when you can wrap up both in the same package? Throw in a little romance...no...make that two romances..that have no connection to the sto...more

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Apr 10, 2013 Nada Faris rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I listened to the audio book in the car. In all honesty, I'd give the audio book a 3 as I disliked the voice of both narrators: Bennet's was too deep, it was jarring and disgusting whenever he read the female parts, and Carl's was slimy and throaty. So the rating has nothing to do with the audio book.

In terms of plot, this is a commercial thriller. The book begins while the protagonist was on a vacation where you get the promise of real character development that quickly dissipates. Good. Why wo...more

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Dec 20, 2012 Cornerofmadness rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I got this one because a detective who has adopted 10 kids sounded different and original and I liked James Patterson. This book has ensured I will only get his books from the library in the future. This was horrid and only got the second star for the originality of having a father of ten since that is at least different. The last time I read one of Patterson's series it was Daniel X and every chapter was 3 pages long. I assumed that was because it was YA. No, this was too. 106 chapters, none lo...more I got this one because a detective who has adopted 10 kids sounded different and original and I liked James Patterson. This book has ensured I will only get his books from the library in the future. This was horrid and only got the second star for the originality of having a father of ten since that is at least different. The last time I read one of Patterson's series it was Daniel X and every chapter was 3 pages long. I assumed that was because it was YA. No, this was too. 106 chapters, none longer than five pages probably to 'quicken the pace.' It failed. It was a choppy mess but that would have been forgivable if the writing was better.

I didn't realize this was the fourth book in the series until I looked it up on goodreads because the main character is SO flat and uninteresting that after nearly 400 pages I couldn't remember his name.

Michael Bennet is trying to be on vacation but gets called in on a killing. Back at the vacation house, his kids are tormented by the local bullies wherein the violence escalates and he handles it unprofessionally and unbelievably for a cop and/or a father. His wife has passed on and he has a nanny Mary Catherine who seems to be a college student. His dad, now a priest, keeps popping up though I'm not sure why. He adds nothing. Back in the city, some killer is revisiting all the other serial killers of NY (because that's original, cough, such an overdone plot).

So Michael is running back and forth from city to vacation. I couldn't tell you a single kid's name since they barely exist. Michael is also teaming up with an FBI agent Emily and he's trying to sleep with both women. Wow. You can tell two men wrote this since it's a male fantasy and frankly, it's down right creepy. Not that he's trying to sleep with two women per se but HOW he does it. Mary Catherine is obviously much younger. He erases messages from her friends if they happen to be male etc. Creepy. Controlling. And he has the mentality of his teenaged kids.

I don't even really know why the bad guy was doing what he was doing because chapters in his point of view were so self aggrandizing and boring I started skipping them. The end was over the top and ridiculous. I hate writing reviews like this (seriously, go look most of my reviews are 3 stars or higher) but this book is literally just that bad. When all the characters are such cardboard cutouts you can't even remember their names, there's a problem.
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Nov 08, 2012 Doug Clark rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I finished reading Tick Tock by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge. Patterson is an extremely prolific author who usually publishes 3-5 books a year, either written by himself or co-authored with others. As such, he's a publishing industry all his own. He primarily writes crime fiction, although he has written a couple of series of young adult fantasy/science fiction novels (Daniel X and Maximum Ride). His best known crime series are the Alex Cross series (two of which were made into films sta...more

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Jul 11, 2012 Dan Schwartz rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviews

I am not sure why I still allow myself to be amazed every time I read a new James Patterson, but I do. I know his books are amazing, and I know I will be thoroughly entertained, but somehow he always seems to go above and beyond all expectations and this new installment of the Michael Bennett series is pure gold. First off, Bennett may in fact be my favorite character ever written; a hopeless romantic, a dedicated father, a sarcastic comedian, a hero of epic proportions, a man who is dedicated t...more

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Jun 19, 2012 Best Crime Books rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A horrible spree of bombings in the City seem to be the work of terrorists, however it soon becomes clear that this is more personal. Michael Bennett is on vacation with his family and is called away to work on this high profile case which is putting the New York people in a state of shock. Bennett decides to call on the help of FBIO agent Emily Parker who he worked a previous case with. His relationships with women become a problem as he gets closer to both Mary Catherine and Emily which in tur...more A horrible spree of bombings in the City seem to be the work of terrorists, however it soon becomes clear that this is more personal. Michael Bennett is on vacation with his family and is called away to work on this high profile case which is putting the New York people in a state of shock. Bennett decides to call on the help of FBIO agent Emily Parker who he worked a previous case with. His relationships with women become a problem as he gets closer to both Mary Catherine and Emily which in turns means he isn’t as focused on the case as he should be. However, pretty soon it becomes all too clear that the killer knows exactly who Michael Bennett is and he knows exactly what buttons to push.

I have become very jaded with JP’s work recently, especially those that are co-written with the exception of the books following Michael Bennett. In particular his most recent Bennett novel Worst Case was a great read so I had high hopes for this one. The greatest part of a book is when an author develops characters you like and Michael Bennett is no exception. I did find that in this book he didn’t seem quite the same. I love the fact that he is a hardworking cop that has a huge brood of children that make up his family. I also love his Grandfather Seamus who is a cheeky but loveable part of Michael’s life. I can’t put my finger on why Bennett was so different this time round, maybe it was the fact that we see him enter into dangerous territory with two women and he just doesn’t handle it all that well.

The biggest let down for me was the story itself, it was lacklustre and to be honest a wash-out compared to the last one. The plot was pretty weak and the killer was all too predictable this time round. The addition of Emily Parker to the case didn’t add much to the actual plot with the killer and it lacked being genuine. It felt like the story plodded along and there was no real urgency like there is with many other Patterson novels. Having said that I haven’t written off the Bennett series altogether yet I just hope that in the next instalment the main plot is a lot stronger than this one. I think that the majority of fans will enjoy this book but it certainly won’t stay in your memory as being a ‘great’ book.
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May 07, 2012 Robin Carter rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: thriller

This review is from: Tick Tock (Michael Bennett 4) (Hardcover)
I've enjoyed most of James Patterson novels over the last few years. Alex Cross is a notable protagonist in his novels, but recently he has gone off the boil a little, These days Alex has some serious competition in the form of Michael Bennett, one of James Patterson's most recent characters! Michael Bennett has a lot going for him - he is New York City detective who balances being a widower with a large family (including a number of...more This review is from: Tick Tock (Michael Bennett 4) (Hardcover)
I've enjoyed most of James Patterson novels over the last few years. Alex Cross is a notable protagonist in his novels, but recently he has gone off the boil a little, These days Alex has some serious competition in the form of Michael Bennett, one of James Patterson's most recent characters! Michael Bennett has a lot going for him - he is New York City detective who balances being a widower with a large family (including a number of adopted children) and an eclectic cast of family, friends and colleagues that make his experiences even more engaging! For that reason, I was really keen to read the latest book that featured Michael Bennett - Tick Tock.

In Tick Tock, Michael Bennett is trying to deal with a number of issues on the home front and in the workplace. Michael and his diverse family (including all of his children, his grandfather, who is also an Irish priest, and the children's nanny) are trying to enjoy a holiday at the shore but find themselves being targeted by neighbourhood bullies who are well-known, and well-connected, in the neighbourhood. Michael also finds himself being dragged back to work as he tries to deal with a very complicated and well-organized killer who is making the city's citizens cower in fear. How can Michael find the balance in dealing with the problems facing his children and how will he track down this crazed and crafty serial killer? If that was not enough, Michael finds himself torn between two beautiful women - Mary Catherine, the children's nanny, and Emily Parker, an FBI agent that Michael has found himself attracted to in the past. All of these elements weave together in a well-crafted and complex novel.

Iquite enjoyed the change of pace in this book because I enjoy Michael Bennett's character and I enjoyed the interesting plot twists and how the suspense builds in this novel. Like many of Patterson's books, I also enjoy the fact that it is a quick read. The chapters are short and contain cliff-hangers that make me want to keep reading! As a result, it took me less than a day to read this novel and it left me wanting more! I can't wait for the next book in the Michael Bennett series to come out!

This may see a return to my patterson buying ways, as i had stopped for a while. (Parm) (less)

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Feb 11, 2012 Vanessa Fenn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

NYC's #1 detective, Michael Bennett, has a huge problem—the Son of Sam, the Werewolf of Wisteria and the Mad Bomber are all back. The city has never been more terrified!

Tick -- a killer's countdown begins

A rash of horrifying crimes tears through the city, throwing it into complete chaos and terrorizing everyone living there. Immediately, it becomes clear that they are not the work of an amateur, but of a calculating, efficient, and deadly mastermind.

Tick -- Michael Bennett is on the chase

The c...more

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Aug 29, 2011 Sheila DeChantal rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Michael Bennett is back in this 4th book in the Michael Bennett series. While taking his ten (TEN!) adopted children to a seaside retreat with live in nanny Mary Katherine and (the hilarious and wise) Grandpa.

What Detective Michael Bennett had hoped for was a little r & r and perhaps exploring his growing feelings for Mary Katherine, he uncovered much more than he bargained for when a rash of bizarre crimes tear through the city, terrorizing everyone who lives there . So much for vacation.....more Michael Bennett is back in this 4th book in the Michael Bennett series. While taking his ten (TEN!) adopted children to a seaside retreat with live in nanny Mary Katherine and (the hilarious and wise) Grandpa.

What Detective Michael Bennett had hoped for was a little r & r and perhaps exploring his growing feelings for Mary Katherine, he uncovered much more than he bargained for when a rash of bizarre crimes tear through the city, terrorizing everyone who lives there . So much for vacation...

When Michael is pulled away from the retreat to investigate the crimes, his family is left open for attack. Working the case with attractive colleague FBI Agent Emily Parker, Michael finds himself questioning what the future may hold. All the while the clock is ticking towards who is behind the odd murders that seem to be copy cats old famous crimes...

TICK
TOCK

A couple of years ago when I started to embrace audio books - this series was one of my first audio experiences. I know this is a Patterson book and I know some people struggle with his books and in some cases I agree, Patterson does have some gory graphic books out there. This series is not one of them. I think it is the touch of author Michael Ledwidge that gives this series its likability for me.

This series is centered around a detective, Michael Bennett who had adopted with his wife, 10 children. As the series opens, Michael loses his wife to cancer and while adjusting to a life without her, maintaining a huge household, and maintaining a high-capacity job, I kind of fell in love with this family.

In this fourth in the series, I enjoyed the start of a possible relationship between Michael and Mary Katheryn and even the annoying presence of the attractive Emily.... tossed in for good measure. The story line of the kids is always interesting and the crimes are usually good and not too graphic.

Usually.

I found in Tick Tock the gore level was raised - not a lot, but enough for me to notice. I could almost sense the shift from Ledwidge to Patterson. While I still enjoyed this audio, it was probably the one I have enjoyed the least out of the series.

Will I continue with the next one when it comes out? Absolutely... there is still more of this story to be told and I for one want to know what will happen. (less)

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Jul 01, 2011 Brecken rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

This is the first I've read of the Michael Bennett series, but I already love it. It was a definite thriller, full of suspense, action, and gore...and that got some getting used to because I don't generally read thrillers. But I loved every second of it, and plan to read the first three before this one. What I especially loved was that with each chapter or so you alternate third-person of the two main characters, and you get some really great insight into their mind and thoughts and personality....more

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Apr 14, 2011 Morgan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I received a free pre-order kindle copy of Tick Tock from Amazon.

I don't want to give too much away about the plot, but I bonded quickly with the main character, Michael Bennett, a likeable and engaging person. I enjoyed the glimpses into his family life and wondered how he'd solve the dilemma concerning his love interest. I'd definitely like to read more mysteries starring this character.

The crimes were appalling, yet mesmerizing. The twist concerning the villain surprised me, which was good...more

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Apr 01, 2011 Aaron rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Michael Bennett is back for his fourth adventure in what is quickly becoming one of James Patterson's most popular series. This time, things all start off when someone goes into the main branch of the New York Public Library and sets up a bomb masked as an Apple computer in a reading room. Fortunately for everyone in the building, the bomb turns out to be just a warning and never goes off. The warning indicates that there will be more bumbs, but that they will go off.

Unfortunately, this brings M...more Michael Bennett is back for his fourth adventure in what is quickly becoming one of James Patterson's most popular series. This time, things all start off when someone goes into the main branch of the New York Public Library and sets up a bomb masked as an Apple computer in a reading room. Fortunately for everyone in the building, the bomb turns out to be just a warning and never goes off. The warning indicates that there will be more bumbs, but that they will go off.

Unfortunately, this brings Mike in from vacationing with his 10 adopted children, their nanny Mary Catherine, and his grandfather Seamus, who is a priest. They had planned to get away from it all in a family cabin on Long Island in a community that is a common destination among the city's police and fire officers. They have been having a great time, other than a developing a rivalry with another family in the community. This rivalry starts to go terribly bad.

Michale truly wishes that he could be there for his family, but the bomber quickly start to shows signs that he is more than just that as a series of murders start piling up, each mirroring a famous serial killer from the city's past. Mike brings in Emily Parker, an FBI agent and love interest readers were first introduced to in the previous volume of the series.

While this should help him get the murder, Emily's arrival creates another challenge. Mike and Mary Catherine have seen their professional relationship and friendship start to grow into something more. Now Michael is going to have to decide whether to pursue that avenue or whether to pick up where things had ended previously with Emily ... all this while trying to capture a serial murderer.

Michael Bennett and his cast mates are really interesting characters, though, some of them seem to read a little flat or "off" in the early chapters. Fortunately, that settles down and readers are treated to the familiar adventure and detective story that they have become used to with one of New York's finest in this series. The mystery itself seems to slowly unwind, with more and more surprises as Michael and Emily get closer to the truth.

Readers will definitely want to keep turning the pages to get to the truth about what happened. Of course, time is running out for Michael and the readers' patience.(less)

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Mar 28, 2011 Penandra rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Although I've said it before, this may be my last Patterson book. I think the only reason that I bothered to read this one was that I got the full book for free for my Kindle when the book was first posted on Amazon in December.

The book is plot driven rather than character driven which generally makes for flat characters which was not helped by the fact that it's a lousy plot. By the end of the book, I really felt I had come to think of Bennett as "flat Stanley" for the interest that he generat...more

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Jan 30, 2011 Kevin Glavin rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I read the free preview of this book. And let me say that free is good...if you can resist paying to see how it ends. What Patterson, Ledwidge, and publisher are doing by giving away the first 28 chapters for free is akin to what was common practice for Charles Dickens and others in 19th Century Victorian England: serialize the fiction, and through cliffhangers, entice readers to buy the next installment of the magazine, or triple-decker novel.

It may be a smart publishing decision, but does that...more I read the free preview of this book. And let me say that free is good...if you can resist paying to see how it ends. What Patterson, Ledwidge, and publisher are doing by giving away the first 28 chapters for free is akin to what was common practice for Charles Dickens and others in 19th Century Victorian England: serialize the fiction, and through cliffhangers, entice readers to buy the next installment of the magazine, or triple-decker novel.

It may be a smart publishing decision, but does that make it worth reading? The chapters are short, but alas, short chapters are becoming more common these days, as our attention spans seem to be dwindling as more information competes for our time. So how do you keep people reading? Have something exciting happen not just every chapter, but every couple of pages, and end every chapter with a bang. If there's not something exploding, or someone being attacked, or something sexy happening, readers might get bored.

Being written by two authors, it's hard to know who to give the credit, or blame to. The novel also has two voices: the third person narrative that follows the criminal Berger and his horrifying atrocities; and the first-person, colloquial account of the NYPD hero--Bennett. Perhaps having the novel stick to 3rd or 1st person might render it more cohesive. I think Bennett's tough, wise-cop voice would contrast well with the 1st person psycho narrative of Berger. But then again, maybe the authors were going for some extra tension, which is created by the shifts in points of view.

Tick-tock. Yes, there can be no mistaking it. As the title implies, the clock is ticking and there is little time to save the day. And yes, there is a lot of action in the first 28 chapters (would it have been more apropos to give away the first "24" chapters?). And who can really complain about this book, right? I mean after all, it's free! But just because a lot happens, doesn't mean that all readers will be drawn in. Most of the characters are sketched rather lightly, as the focus is on the action. The problem is that if the reader doesn't really care about the characters--feel simpatico, connected, and hooked emotionally--then why get involved?

For instance, Bennett has 10 adopted children, and of course the reader's heart goes out to such a family, but unfortunately, we hardly get to know them all. There seems to be more time spent describing the luxury sports cars that rev through the pages than all of the kids and their struggles. But perhaps fast cars are more exciting? After all, this isn't Dickens and 19th century England.

Another character who might be described better is Mary Catherine--Bennett's early love interest/nanny. Unfortunately, we're left only with a quick portrait. For example: "Mary Catherine was a nice-looking female. I, of course, was a handsome gentleman. We were both hetero. Add vacation and cramped quarters, and trouble was bound to happen...In addition to being the Bennett nanny, Mary Catherine had an art history degree from Trinity College in Dublin and was now in the midst of getting her master's from Columbia. Which made her as smart and sophisticated as she was pretty and kind. She was truly a special person..." (Kindle, Ch 7, p 54).

Well, maybe she is special, but please show us; don't tell us. This lack of character development and general lack of depth in the novel produce a work that so far (through 28 chapters) has no real meaning other than the surface action. Granted, this is not billed as literature, but even the lightest application of Hemingway's iceberg theory might put more weight and gravitas behind this otherwise exciting page-turner.

I do recommend the free preview, as it is enjoyable, much like the action you might find on a fast-paced TV cop show. I would read the rest of the novel myself--for free. But that's the genius of this type of "free" publication. Hook the reader, and they won't be able to resist; they'll want to pay to find out what happens. Well, what do you think? Did you end up buying it or not? :) (less)

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Jan 12, 2012 Traci Haley rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, audiobooks, mystery-suspense, series-books

Oh, James Patterson... you are the ham and cheese sandwich of fiction. And once in awhile, I really like a ham and cheese sandwich. Michael Bennett is pretty much the only JP character I really care about. There's just something to love about this meatheaded cop with a heart of gold. And the mysteries are usually pretty action-packed, too.

This book MIGHT have even received 4 or 5 stars from me, if not for one small detail: I'm getting mighty tired of society in general casting fat people as the...more

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Jul 23, 2011 Ruth rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Michael Bennett is a detective in NYC. He is also a widower with 10 adopted children, an Irish nanny, and a father who has become a Father of the Catholic church. He is vacationing at the beach when he receives a phone call telling him to return to Manhattan. There has been a bombing at the NYC public library. As Mike works the case and drives back to the beach each night, other crimes are committed which they quickly realize are the work of the person who bombed the library. Time is passing qui...more

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Jul 11, 2011 Jessica RiffeKincaid rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: thriller-suspense

The beginning of this book started out kinds of intresting. I loved the way the main police detective in the plot of this story had 10 adopted kids that he continued 2 care 4 & protect even after his wife, whose orginal decision 2 adopt these kids, passed away. The main story had 2 deal wit a psychotic control killer who was able 2 convince others 2 do his "dirty work" 4 him by going after rich & famous executives that ran businesses that dealt with taking money from the poor & spend...more

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Feb 06, 2011 Corinne rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Not sure how Patterson can release as many books a year as he does, thankfully there are co-authors. Even so, his books are still page turners, maybe because it's easy to say to your self, "just one more chapter" when the chapters are only a page or two! There was a nice mix of a really good psycho, and the family vacation of Michael Bennett. The drama on vacation at the beach almost matches the violence that Bennett sees every day. What I really like about this series by Patterson is the humor...more

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Feb 18, 2013 Angela~twistedmind~ rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I just love Patterson! He's my 'go to' author when I'm in the mood for a contemporary murder mystery rather than the more intense writing of Dean Koontz or Stephen King.
I love how he fleshes out the characters, making them jump off the page and seem so much more real than some authors. I also enjoy how he gives us glimpses of the characters' personal lifes, letting us see them at home and with family (or without, depending on the charcter). We don't just see how awesome the hero(in) is, we see...more

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Jun 25, 2012 Christopher Everest rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: crime

This is captivating. A real page turner. As with these two writers working in collaboration in their other books a strange relationship between the two major criminal figures in this book makes it different to many run-of-the-mill cop-stories. A reclusive unloved genius from an overachieving family connects with an individual skilled in military skullduggery but from a vicious background. Each helps the other to develope and grow and (again - another theme of these books) with the onset of termi...more

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Mar 19, 2011 Mmtimes4 rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

NYC's #1 detective, Michael Bennett, has a huge problem—the Son of Sam, the Werewolf of Wisteria and the Mad Bomber are all back. The city has never been more terrified!

Tick -- a killer's countdown begins

A rash of horrifying crimes tears through the city, throwing it into complete chaos and terrorizing everyone living there. Immediately, it becomes clear that they are not the work of an amateur, but of a calculating, efficient, and deadly mastermind.

Tick -- Michael Bennett is on the chase

The...more

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Dec 19, 2011 Jill rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is another in the series featuring Michael Bennett, father of ten children and NYC police detective. It was a moderately enjoyable read, however not anywhere near Patterson's best work. I have to wonder how much James Patterson is actually writing and how much is being left to the co-author, Michael Ledwidge in this case. James Patterson is among the most prolific writers of our time, and my suspicion is that his involvement is becoming less and less, as I have been more disappointed in his...more

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Feb 06, 2011 Don Sparrow rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Patterson's latest is only out 1 week and it is #1 on the NY times bestseller list.He holds the record of 63 best selling titles. He has sold more novels than Stephen King,John Grisham & Dan Brown combined.He says "I am not a prose stylist and thousands of critics don't like what I write.I am a storeyteller first and foremost, and thankfully there are millions who do like what I write".With that said I am one of his millions of fans.I have read every adult novel he has written and I always l...more

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Jan 28, 2013 Kari Ramirez rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review was originally posted on my blog at http://knowitnotsomuch.blogspot.com

Despite having become disillusioned with James Patterson I continue to read his books. More out of habit than any sort of excitement or anticipation. However, since the first in this series I've enjoyed the Michael Bennett books. I still continue to love Alex Cross, although the last few I read not as much as I used to. Still, they're always a good read for me.

Now, fourth in this series we find Michael & his f...more

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Aug 11, 2011 Mark rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: james-patterson, 2011, books-i-own, gifts

I didn't dislike this book but it just wasn't as gripping as some of the excellant work that James Patterson has produced recently. It had the trademark Patterson short and punctual chapters but it just wasn't as smooth as read as I'm used to with this author. It wasn't that the plot wasn't a good one and it was well written but it just didn't have that stay up all night til you've finished it quality that Patterson is so good at incorporating into his work. The characters were very well portray...more

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Jul 12, 2011 Syd Perry rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I listened to this book on my iphone while walking on the treadmill at my gym. Getting the book on my iphone was a nightmare in itself. I didn't buy it from itunes and iphone does not play well with non-Apple products. But that's another story.

I love James Patterson and the fast paced energy of his writing. I don't care for all the foul language and explicit sex scenes but I can put up with that for the story that contains them.

And then along came this Michael Bennett series written by James Pat...more

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May 23, 2011 Donald rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was my first Patterson novel, and I was overwhelmingly disappointed. I don't even know where to start, but I'll just ask this - it took TWO people to write this? Wow. It is super short and very choppy. There are 106 chapters, most of them just two or three pages, but with the spacing and margins, I can't even call those actual pages. The dialogue is poorly written, and reads like it is at a 7th or 8th grade reading level. The main character drives back and forth so much, that dozens of chap...more

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Mar 08, 2011 Raina rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Why do I keep wasting my time on James Patterson? He's got more money than he could possibly spend in three lifetimes...just do us all a favor and retire already!!

This book was so disappointing. The entire time I was reading it I felt like there was something missing. I felt the authors left out the fun dynamic of Michael Bennett's children and that the crime case was just lacking and not at all well developed. Generally I can hardly wait for the next book in a series but this was truly a sad di...more

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title link	preview: Tick Tock
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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10130768-tick-tock?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1356118234l/10130768.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10130768-tick-tock?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Tick Tock by James Patterson[/url]

Tick Tock (Michael Bennett #4)

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