"The danger isn't in the water. Working as a lifeguard at a Florida resort, Ned Kelly meets a woman he is wild about, the woman of his dreams. It f...
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May 23, 2008
Kimberly
rated it: 
Ned Kelly was looking for the perfect score. At the time he finally felt like his life was turning around, he made a huge mistake. He thought he had just met the woman of his dreams, but he needed the million dollars promised in this act. The only thing Ned had to do was make distractions, but these distractions came back to haunt him. Thankfully, Ned had a big supporter, who eventually turned into a lover, Ellie Shurtleff, an FBI agent. Great book! It keeps you reading to see what happens
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Sep 24, 2010
Mike
rated it: 
I’m like a hypocritical “vegetarian” that goes around telling people how unhealthy beef is, and then I secretly stuff my face with quarter-pounders when no one is looking.
I’m a total book snob. You’re reading THAT? I’ll ask a friend after hearing about their latest grocery store book purchase. And then, when no one is around, I’ll quietly pull out another James Patterson novel and just consume it in a night.
Confession: I like James Patterson. So what? Sure, you can More...
I’m a total book snob. You’re reading THAT? I’ll ask a friend after hearing about their latest grocery store book purchase. And then, when no one is around, I’ll quietly pull out another James Patterson novel and just consume it in a night.
Confession: I like James Patterson. So what? Sure, you can More...
Jul 04, 2010
Jerry
rated it:
Somewhat forgettable Patterson, suspenseful but implausible plot: OK beach book.
One suspects that the summer release of "Lifeguard" was absolutely intended for the beach, and if so, it met its goal! Although the leading man, Ned Kelly, a college grad drifting along right now as a lifeguard, indeed works at a Palm Springs beach, the story quickly moves into an art heist gone bad that sets our boy into a lam headed for his hometown Boston. It seems Mr. Kelly, son of a profess More...
One suspects that the summer release of "Lifeguard" was absolutely intended for the beach, and if so, it met its goal! Although the leading man, Ned Kelly, a college grad drifting along right now as a lifeguard, indeed works at a Palm Springs beach, the story quickly moves into an art heist gone bad that sets our boy into a lam headed for his hometown Boston. It seems Mr. Kelly, son of a profess More...
Jan 17, 2010
Holly
rated it: 
I would have to say that this book was just alright. I enjoyed it enough to finish it, but there were plenty of times when I was bored enough to put it down.
Lifeguard is a crime drama starring a lifeguard on the run. When an art heist goes wrong and all his friends turn up dead, he is fugitive #1 and manages to dig himself deeper and deeper in trouble, all the while trying to dig himself out.
The mystery aspect of the story was easy to figure out from the beginning, and the lo More...
Lifeguard is a crime drama starring a lifeguard on the run. When an art heist goes wrong and all his friends turn up dead, he is fugitive #1 and manages to dig himself deeper and deeper in trouble, all the while trying to dig himself out.
The mystery aspect of the story was easy to figure out from the beginning, and the lo More...
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Jun 14, 2009
Aaron
rated it: 
Life seems to be turning around for Ned Kelly, a local lifeguard when he meets the sexy Aussie Tess McAuliffe. The two quickly fall in love and start looking forward to a future together when Ned joins his friends on a get-rich-quick scheme. They are going to work in a project to steal millions of dollars in artwork. All he has to do is help create a diversion by setting off alarms around the town. Unfortunately, things go terribly wrong and he is accused not only in the theft, but also in the m
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Jun 23, 2011
Candice
rated it: 
Patterson is the king of 3-hour novels. The short chapters make you feel like everything is moving at a clipped, hyper pace, even if nothing significant is happening. The books force you to keep turning the pages, despite the late hour.
I became a Patterson fan when I discovered his Alex Cross novels (and re-discovered him a decade later with the Maximum Ride series), but the more standalone Patterson novels I read, the less I like him as an author. I have grown to really dislike each b More...
I became a Patterson fan when I discovered his Alex Cross novels (and re-discovered him a decade later with the Maximum Ride series), but the more standalone Patterson novels I read, the less I like him as an author. I have grown to really dislike each b More...
Sep 14, 2009
Charity
rated it:
Title: Lifeguard
Author: James Patterson & Andrew Gross
# of Pages: Paperback, 487
Genre: Thriller, Mystery
Publisher: Headline (UK)
Source: Paperbackswap
Synopsis: The perfect job. Working for an easy-going boss at his sprawling luxurious mansion by the sun-kissed beach, watching beautiful women walk by.
The perfect girl. Tess - gorgeous, funny, apparently very rich and crazy for him.
The perfect score. Five million up for grabs. And to More...
Author: James Patterson & Andrew Gross
# of Pages: Paperback, 487
Genre: Thriller, Mystery
Publisher: Headline (UK)
Source: Paperbackswap
Synopsis: The perfect job. Working for an easy-going boss at his sprawling luxurious mansion by the sun-kissed beach, watching beautiful women walk by.
The perfect girl. Tess - gorgeous, funny, apparently very rich and crazy for him.
The perfect score. Five million up for grabs. And to More...
Aug 22, 2010
Bob
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Feb 28, 2010
Kim
rated it:
I often find that when an author I enjoy pairs with someone as they transition out of novel writing I don't care for the result (as with Cussler). However, I liked the result in this case just fine.
James Patterson has always been someone I enjoyed reading but I don't know if I ever felt more strongly about any of his books. So, it's been a long time since I've been in the mood to read one of his books. (A little insight, I have to be in exactly the mood to read a particular book. So More...
James Patterson has always been someone I enjoyed reading but I don't know if I ever felt more strongly about any of his books. So, it's been a long time since I've been in the mood to read one of his books. (A little insight, I have to be in exactly the mood to read a particular book. So More...
Dec 19, 2008
Marta
rated it:
I did not have a good book at home so I asked my dad to give me one of his as he read a lot of books. He gave me lifeguard. I really enjoyed it.
It is about a lifeguard. He was a lifeguard but then he quit. He got involved in a robbery and had to put off some alarms in houses all over the town but when the others went inside a big house to get the paintings (worth 1 million) they were not there. They were all stood up. All the lifeguard's friends who were involved got killed straight More...
It is about a lifeguard. He was a lifeguard but then he quit. He got involved in a robbery and had to put off some alarms in houses all over the town but when the others went inside a big house to get the paintings (worth 1 million) they were not there. They were all stood up. All the lifeguard's friends who were involved got killed straight More...
Apr 01, 2011
Dan
rated it:
A story about a lifeguard who gets caught up in an odd string of events when he joins his lifelong friends in what appears to be like a heist that is too good to be true...turns out it was. Now wanted by practically everyone the lifeguard must prrove his innocents, sold multiple crimes, avenge deaths, fall in love; you know all the fun weekend activities. The characters (male and female leads) are as to be expected in a Patterson novel, but some of the side characters are great, including a ric
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Jun 10, 2009
Yet another James Patterson novel whose text has impressed me. Lifeguard is the story of Ned Kelly, a man who grew up in a family of badguys, and just wanted out from a bad town. He is set to an unremarkable life as a lifeguard, though it is much better than living the life back at his hometown. An opportunity came knocking on his door one day, helping his friends steal paintings that are worth about 60 million, while he gets 1 million of the profit. Except when his friends attempt stealing them
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Apr 13, 2009
Nancy
rated it:
A friend lent me this book also and though I said I was tired of Patterson, it was the right book at the right time for me. I had started Everyday People by Stewart O’Nan and just couldn’t get into it, though I’ve read several other O’Nan books and really liked them. I put it down after about the first chapter, which is unusual for me. I also read (and may reread) the football chapter from
The Smart Girl’s Guide to Sports by Liz Hartman Musiker. But back to Lifeguard. It followed the More...
The Smart Girl’s Guide to Sports by Liz Hartman Musiker. But back to Lifeguard. It followed the More...
Jun 13, 2010
Alice
rated it:
This is a perfectly schemed mystery packed with the whole deal; Love, deceit, and revenge. Ned Kelly falls for Tess who he believes to be "the one." He is truly happy until further into the book, Tess is murdered. The connection between the murder of the woman he thought he loved and the death of his loved one during a job gone wrong, forces him to lead a frantic search for the one behind it all. This novel was extremely thrilling and full of suspense. It was as if i could feel the rus
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Apr 23, 2009
Karl L.
rated it:
Lifeguard is another page turning book by James Patteson. It's about a lifeguard, Ned Kelly, who wants to get some extra money. Him, along with his cousin and best friends set up this heist to capture priceless masterpieces.
But, when they try to steal the art, they find it missing, and someone has called the police. After a skirmish with the police, everyone is dead except for Ned.
Now, he is on the run, with everyone quickly at his heels. Everyone believes he stol More...
But, when they try to steal the art, they find it missing, and someone has called the police. After a skirmish with the police, everyone is dead except for Ned.
Now, he is on the run, with everyone quickly at his heels. Everyone believes he stol More...
Oct 15, 2009
L
rated it:
James Patterson is a new addition to my to-read pile. His books are always fast paced, enjoyable reads. I use his books as a quick read in between books sort of thing. My problem with this book,however, was with the title. The main character was a lifeguard for a short time, but aside from a few vague references to it Ned Kelly does a little of everything except being a liffeguard. Only Patterson could give you a character who is a small time thug who suddenly becomes suspected of murder and art
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Nov 28, 2011
Lain
rated it:
Oh my goodness, but this was bad! I love James Patterson, but I won't be looking for a book co-authored by Andrew Gross any time soon. And, guys? We are smart. Smart enough NOT to need you to repeat people's names in every line of dialog ad nauseum. It is one of my pet peeves. Like, "Ellie, did you know I was coming? Did you know I'd wait for you, Ellie? Will you wait for me... Ellie?"
Bleh.
Plus the plot made no sense. The characters were indistinguishable and hard to follow. More...
Bleh.
Plus the plot made no sense. The characters were indistinguishable and hard to follow. More...
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Jun 07, 2011
Ellen
rated it:
Another of Patterson’s fast-paced mystery thrillers. The only problem with these stories is that many of them are becoming predictable. Only one twist throughout this story is surprising. The rest are to be expected. It’s not that Patterson is losing his edge. He’s keeping his edge exactly the same as it always has been. Patterson is doing some new and exciting things in young adult fiction, and it might be time for him to apply some new ideas to his adult fiction, too.
All that More...
All that More...
Dec 09, 2009
Jan
rated it:
I enjoyed this book a little more than the usual James Patterson mysteries. I am starting to venture out beyond the Women's Murder Club series and I find his stand alone books a bit more meaty. This book is told from the point of the victim/criminal who is a good guy gone bad (but not too bad). I like James Patterson's characterizations. He makes the character likeable or detestable through their actions and statements but you never really know who is on what side. I really enjoy the way his cha
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Apr 20, 2009
Michelle
rated it:
The first book I ever read by James Patterson I hated. That was back in high school or college. Last year with lots of reservations I picked up another one of his books and absolutely loved it!
This particular book (Lifeguard) was easy to read - I read it over a weekend. I love that the chapters are very short, no more than five pages long. This is great when you only have a few minutes here and there to pick up a book. As for the story itself, it kept me interested and I picked More...
This particular book (Lifeguard) was easy to read - I read it over a weekend. I love that the chapters are very short, no more than five pages long. This is great when you only have a few minutes here and there to pick up a book. As for the story itself, it kept me interested and I picked More...
Aug 14, 2010
Kelly
rated it:
This book was written by one of the most prolific writers of the times, James Patterson, in 2005. (Although it should be mentioned that he co-wrote it with Andrew Gross). Hardly a year passes without a few titles published by Mr. Patterson. Like those previously published, this one is a thriller – in category only.
The book switches from point of view to point of view. While this switch happens at chapter changes, it leaves the reader wondering whose point of view it is at times. At others More...
The book switches from point of view to point of view. While this switch happens at chapter changes, it leaves the reader wondering whose point of view it is at times. At others More...
May 23, 2008
Tabby
rated it:
Everything seems to be going great for Ned. He found Tess, a wonderful woman, who is rich. He and his friends have set up the perfect score, which will leave each of them with a million to spend any way they wish. Therefore, there will be no more lifeguard duty for Ned. But as is usually the case, things go wrong. The paintings Ned and his friends were supposed to steal were not there, and it smells like a setup. To make matters worse, Ned's friends and Tess are murdered and he finds himself run
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Sep 14, 2008
Sarah
rated it:
Lifeguard is a collaboration with James Patterson and Andrew Gross. It's a fast paced thriller that takes place in Boston and Miami and centers around a string of murders and some missing artwork.
Ned Kelly, a part-time lifeguard agrees to help his friends pull of an art heist. His job is simple: create a distraction by setting of a number of house alarms while the real heist goes down. Ned though ends up the number one suspect in a string of gruesome murders when his friends are exec More...
Ned Kelly, a part-time lifeguard agrees to help his friends pull of an art heist. His job is simple: create a distraction by setting of a number of house alarms while the real heist goes down. Ned though ends up the number one suspect in a string of gruesome murders when his friends are exec More...
May 24, 2009
Ryan
rated it:
I don't understand how this guy is so popular!
After giving up on this tedious novel, I tried to skip to the end and see who the bad guy was. (I assure you this was only in case the person who'd recommended the book to me and whom I'd told I had read it, asked me questions.) It was horrible! I had to scan through nearly the whole second half of the book trying to find a bit of information I couldn't care less about. All in all I felt like Mr. Patterson owed me a couple hours of my life More...
After giving up on this tedious novel, I tried to skip to the end and see who the bad guy was. (I assure you this was only in case the person who'd recommended the book to me and whom I'd told I had read it, asked me questions.) It was horrible! I had to scan through nearly the whole second half of the book trying to find a bit of information I couldn't care less about. All in all I felt like Mr. Patterson owed me a couple hours of my life More...
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Nov 11, 2009
Dan
rated it:
OK, two of his books is enough. This book was so cheesy and just had so many corny plot twists it was unbearable. I still think he has the ability to keep the reader interested, but his lame plots and general corniness are just too much to bear. When it got to the end I was like, “Come on, don’t let me down, make the final line totally over the top cheesy”. It was somewhat cheesy but not as much as I was hoping for.
May 18, 2009
Cookiemadeit
rated it:
I loved this book! Of course I read it on a vacation where all I had to do all day was sit by the pool and read! Seriously exhilarating read, the moment you start till the moment you finish! It would make a great movie. Murder, betrayal, manhunt and love story all rolled into one exciting book. It reads quickly, the characters are believable and the story is fun with a diabolical twist at the end!
Jul 20, 2011
Khim
rated it:
i really dont know were to start at., but this book shake my head, indeed. About this art painting has been stolen by who?? it is just like the character assumed everyone that had happened are connected to each other. The break-in, the murder and the stolen painting.,MY HEAD SHAKEN IN MY CURIOUSITY AND EXCIMENT., that end up to he's friend, a close one who really took the painting..
Apr 11, 2008
Dwight
rated it:
Patterson has woven another intriguing tale here. Set in Florida and New York/New Jersey, this book follows Ned Kelly, a down-on-his-luck lifeguard through a several murders committed while he is trying to help four friends in an art heist. At the same time, he finds out his friends and his latest "love" interest are all murdered. He is accused of the murders and must clear his name. In the process, he meets up with an FBI agent (imagine) and together, they work to solve the murders
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Mar 31, 2010
Kaye
rated it:
Ned Kelly is a lifeguard with shady friends who decides to help in a art heist for a $5 million payoff. Of course things go wrong and suddenly he is wanted for theft and murder. He needs to solve the mystery to help clear himself. This was typical Patterson, page turning, corny dialogue, big plot twists etc. I should have liked it more but it was just okay.
Aug 29, 2011
Audrey
rated it:
I am embarrassed to list this book on my "read" shelf, and further embarrassed that I actually felt compelled to read the entire thing. Should have trusted my instinct after the 1st chapter that was all of 2 pages long. With wide margins and double spacing even. But I'm not a quitter! I think there's only one book I've ever started and not finished.
