NYPD Detective Michael Bennett is about to take on the most sinister challenge of his career. The nation has fallen into mourning after the unexpec...
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Aug 28, 2008
Kelli
rated it: 
Well, once again another James Patterson book, but not belonging to any series. Amazing how a detective in downtown NYC can still solve a major mystery involving a hostage situation over Christmas, with a dying wife and 10 kids can hold it together. I'd like to get some advice from this character, since I feel like I can barely handle my stay at home life with four kids.....
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Jan 20, 2012
Lee
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The first of the series pertaining to top Nypd detective Michael Bennett. I had read Tick Tock prior to this and found out whilst reading the inner book cover that it was the latest in a series featuring Bennett. I'm so glad i took a chance with purchasing my first Patterson novel 'Toys' as this guy is now in my list of top fave authors. I wonder in amazement how this guy can bang out as many books as he does and they are all so freakin good? Step On A Crack is no different as i was on the edge
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May 12, 2008
Jennifer
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James Patterson introduces us to a new character with STEP ON A CRACK, NYPD Homicide Detective Michael Bennett. A former hostage negotiator, Bennett finds himself once again dealing with psychopaths when the celebrities attending former First Lady Caroline Hopkins' funeral are held hostage.
I have to say that the actual meat of the story, the hijacking of St. Patrick's church and its funeral-attending creme de la creme of society, was an intriguing storyline. What weighed the story d More...
I have to say that the actual meat of the story, the hijacking of St. Patrick's church and its funeral-attending creme de la creme of society, was an intriguing storyline. What weighed the story d More...
Jul 01, 2008
Julianne
rated it:
Will probably read more of this series. Definitely better main character than Alex Cross. I agree with someone who wrote that the kids were totally indistinguishable from one another. Also, it's difficult to believe that in this high-profile of a kidnapping, in NYC no less, that Bennett was involved in every operative movement. It's funny how fiction (novel or TV) has to connect the work of 15 individuals to just one person in order for the audience to stay engaged. The same person is the hostag
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May 26, 2010
Michelle
rated it:
This was pretty far fetched... I usually like Patterson's books a lot, and I am not going to say this wasn't entertaining. It was. However, for the same New York homicide cop to do everything for such a high profile case didn't seem remotely plausible. He did all the hostage negotiations, he was in the group that tried to break in and stop the kidnapping, he was the one to run out and see the bodies when the kidnappers threw them out of the church, he was in the helicopter following the get a
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Mar 14, 2009
Teresa (Read All Over Reviews)
rated it: 
I found this book to be highly unbelievable. What busy detective is going to have ten adopted children!? How odd that the former first lady is murdered and at her funeral terrorists see this as an opportunity to strike. And at the same time his wife loses her battle with a deadly disease, leaving him with all the children and a high-profile case. This story is too cliché and predictable. We barely get into the depth of the characters and there seem to be plot holes.
The insanely short More...
The insanely short More...
Nov 08, 2011
Jonathan
rated it:
James Patterson has done it again. Step on a Crack is one of the most thrilling novels James Patterson has come up with yet; of course credit is due to Michael Ledwidge as well. The story takes place in present day New York City, and Christmas time is just around the corner. The former president and First Lady are enjoying a lovely dinner at a restaurant, until the First Lady suddenly dies from what seems to be poison in her food. Not too far from the restaurant is Maeve Bennett, the prota
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Aug 03, 2011
Moray
rated it:
Hmmmmmm. Where to begin? The shallow character descriptions? Early on we are introduced to "The Neat Man", but then we find no reason for his nickname other than an obsession for baby wipes. How did he get that way, I wondered in my naivety? The answer was deemed irrelevant so not let's dwell on it. In fact best not to dwell on anything too long, after all the author didn't. A measly 70,000 words or so and a whopping one hundred and sixteen chapters. The sparcity was generously
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Dec 19, 2010
Kerry
rated it:
Patterson is not at his Best!
In general the story starts off with the death of Caroline Hopkins, a former First Lady and her funeral is attended by the cream of the crust, consisting of the most influential and wealthiest individuals at the Saint Patrick's Cathedral. Unfortunately, a group of men take them hostage and will do anything to meet their private objectives. I thought Mr. Patterson developed the hostage characters very well. He had a knack for dropping little traits about t More...
In general the story starts off with the death of Caroline Hopkins, a former First Lady and her funeral is attended by the cream of the crust, consisting of the most influential and wealthiest individuals at the Saint Patrick's Cathedral. Unfortunately, a group of men take them hostage and will do anything to meet their private objectives. I thought Mr. Patterson developed the hostage characters very well. He had a knack for dropping little traits about t More...
Sep 24, 2010
Valerie
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Sep 07, 2010
Bryce
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Sep 06, 2010
Linda
rated it:
A team of highjackers crashes a funeral at NYC's St. Patrick's Cathedral, taking as hostages dozens of high profile mourners. The police immediately cordon off the area and begin negotiations with Jack, the leader of the criminal pack. At the center of the crisis is senior Detective Michael Bennett, who has taken part in many operations like this. Or so he thinks. Whatever strategies the police employ, Jack and his cohorts neatly outsmart them at every turn. How do these guys know so much? As th
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Jul 14, 2010
Chris
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Jun 14, 2010
Kasia
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This book is the first in a new series featuring the NYPD homicide detective, Michael Bennett, perfect for the fans of Alex Cross or anyone who enjoys a nice read. The action follows an age old favorite of mine; the bad guy versus the good guy stand- off with a lot at stake. This time the battle is between Bennett and his team and a few masked men who have taken over a shocking funeral in a famous Manhattan church, demanding ransom while throwing out celebrity bodies in various stages through th
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Jun 07, 2009
Annette
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May 05, 2009
Theo
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I received this book from Megan's grandma. She just turned 90 last month and is a retired english teacher who loves to read and is always itching to give away truckloads of her books laying around.
Let's be honest, I was skeptical at first, especially with the book having such a lame name. I mean really, Step on a Crack. I kept singing to myself throughout this book, "step on a crack, break your momma's back!"
I grew even more skeptical after learning that the m More...
Let's be honest, I was skeptical at first, especially with the book having such a lame name. I mean really, Step on a Crack. I kept singing to myself throughout this book, "step on a crack, break your momma's back!"
I grew even more skeptical after learning that the m More...
Oct 14, 2010
Larry
rated it:
This book reads like all of James Patterson's books...fast moving plot, short chapters, and basically like-able characters. Unfortunately the main character, Michael Bennett, just didn't hook me like Alex Cross (of Patterson's more famous book series) did. This is relevant because the marketing of this book positions Bennett as the successor to Cross.
I thought the Bennett family itself was unbelievable and trite. 10 kids (all adopted) who are basically perfect in every way. That can More...
I thought the Bennett family itself was unbelievable and trite. 10 kids (all adopted) who are basically perfect in every way. That can More...
Sep 27, 2010
Kathy
rated it:
Michael Bennett... homicide detective for NYPD who had done a stint as hostage negotiator... Irish background... Irish wife who is dying of cancer with great nobility of spirit, 10 adopted children ... an excop priest uncle, a crusty grandfather, and an aupair, sent by his wife's family make up his wonderful family...
And the expresident's wife is dead, due to extreme reaction to peanut oil... and at the state funeral at NewYork cathedral, with many political and famous people, 10 gun More...
And the expresident's wife is dead, due to extreme reaction to peanut oil... and at the state funeral at NewYork cathedral, with many political and famous people, 10 gun More...
Mar 04, 2009
Brett
rated it:
For the first time with a Patterson novel, I had a difficult time getting into the story in the beginning. However, I eventually became engrossed with it and couldn't put it down. I read some reviews that said it was a typical Patterson and that they are all the same, however I would have to disagree with that. The story line was quite different in this book than the others of his I've read. Of course, if they are referring to it being a detective thriller, then yes it is like his others. I
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May 19, 2008
Sam
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This is by far my favorite James Patterson book so far! Micheal Bennett may be one of the most likable characters in any book I have ever read. A father of 10 adopted children and loving wife dying of cancer, Bennett must help save 34 celebrities who are being helped captive by some of the most evil people one will ever encounter. If you like mysteries and you like your heart string tug on a little bit, then you will love this book.
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Jan 06, 2012
Sam
rated it:
>Michael Bennett is a homicide detective in the force who has ten children and his wife is dying of terminal character. Police detective, kids and no wife I though hello Patterson has written another Alex Cross novel here and packaged him under another name.
The similarities are evident throughout the novel however the story is very different. The first book is about a hostage situation that Bennett is asked to consult and work on. Patterson once again has produced an amazing pa More...
The similarities are evident throughout the novel however the story is very different. The first book is about a hostage situation that Bennett is asked to consult and work on. Patterson once again has produced an amazing pa More...
Mar 24, 2011
Valerie
rated it:
Another beginning to another series, Step on a Crack, following James Patterson's style, is fast-paced simple read. There is no need to think or analyze because everything is pretty much straight-forward.
When Michael Bennet was introduced, I didn't feel a connection. There wasn't a time where I could feel the emotions powerfully affecting me. Sure, he has 10 kids, a wife with cancer, and a tough job. This is the point were I should feel a punch in my heart with sadness, but it didn' More...
When Michael Bennet was introduced, I didn't feel a connection. There wasn't a time where I could feel the emotions powerfully affecting me. Sure, he has 10 kids, a wife with cancer, and a tough job. This is the point were I should feel a punch in my heart with sadness, but it didn' More...
Jan 10, 2011
Adrian
rated it:
Kind of great, but also not great at the same time.
Michael Bennett is a New York City police detective with ten perfect kids, and a perfect wife who has terminal cancer. When a state funeral for a former First Lady is hijacked at St. Patrick's Cathedral Bennett, with hostage negotiation experience, is called in to settle it.
He doesn't do the greatest job, some hostages are killed, and the bad guys get away (but are later caught).
The issue is that Bennett solves almo More...
Michael Bennett is a New York City police detective with ten perfect kids, and a perfect wife who has terminal cancer. When a state funeral for a former First Lady is hijacked at St. Patrick's Cathedral Bennett, with hostage negotiation experience, is called in to settle it.
He doesn't do the greatest job, some hostages are killed, and the bad guys get away (but are later caught).
The issue is that Bennett solves almo More...
Aug 26, 2008
krisabelle
rated it:
My main problem with the storyline was that an NYPD detective could afford to support 10 children, pay an Irish au pair and rent an apt big enough to house the brood in New York City. His father was a clergyman and his wife was not working due to illness...so unless Detective Bennett spends his spare time smuggling drugs for the Escobars and/or working at Swingin' Richards, it's just not very plausible!
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Sep 11, 2011
John
rated it:
Epic fail. The best thing that could be said about this book is that it could serve as an invaluable tool for writing teachers demonstrating to their students hot NOT to write a novel. It breaks every rule for good writing imaginable; not to mention that everything about Step on a Crack is shallow and unconvincing. The plot. The characters. The drama. The action. The romance. The comedic relief. Everything. How sad that Patterson gets paid by the boatload to pen such dreck. The story
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Aug 07, 2011
Jeff
rated it:
It was obvious that two authors worked on this book, because at times it did feel as though two stories had been smashed together. However, the plot was good and Mike Bennett, the main character, was likeable and interesting. Patterson and this month's co-writer...I mean Ledwidge do a nice job of writing about a hijacking of a funeral as well as a family going through a tough situation. Twists were not bad, but somewhat predictable. Not Patterson's best, but again an enjoyable read. If you
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Nov 06, 2011
Liz
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jan 27, 2012
I enjoyed this the first of the Michael Bennett series. Having read of all of the Alex Cross series I wanted to see how Patterson would handle the lead character in this series of novels. Similarities ended with Bennett and Cross losing their wives early in their marriages which made them very dedicated to their jobs and the support system they needed because of the extensive time they spent on the job with Cross and his grandmother Nana Mama and with Bennett his grandfather Seamus. Using "
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Jun 10, 2011
Janice
rated it:
Good premise. Criminals devise way to hold hostage many rich and famous. NYC negotiator/cop must figure a way to diffuse the situation. Oh and his wife is dying of cancer. And they have 10 adopted children. And it's Christmas time in NY. And they are Irish catholic so big scary cop can be afraid of small nun.
So I don't see any cop organization allowing a negotiator whose wife is dying of cancer and is in charge of 10 kids lead this negotiation. It was very melodramatic. Oh and the More...
So I don't see any cop organization allowing a negotiator whose wife is dying of cancer and is in charge of 10 kids lead this negotiation. It was very melodramatic. Oh and the More...
Oct 11, 2011
Caitlin
rated it:
Much better, Mr. Patterson. This was the typical page-turner that I expect from you without the cheesiness in the writing that I saw with the last Alex Cross book I read.
The plot is interesting - a state funeral at St. Patrick's Cathedral is hijacked and celebrities are held hostage. While there are some predictable twists and turns, as well as some unbelievable aspects, there are some great surprises (how do the hijackers escape in the end, etc.) that redeem the book overall. I flew th More...
The plot is interesting - a state funeral at St. Patrick's Cathedral is hijacked and celebrities are held hostage. While there are some predictable twists and turns, as well as some unbelievable aspects, there are some great surprises (how do the hijackers escape in the end, etc.) that redeem the book overall. I flew th More...
