I don't even know where to start with this. I was really expecting a lot from this book, as I have heard so many great things. I love Michael Bennett's character, and was really excited to hear there was another book in his series. I'm not sure what happened with this book. It was really good, don't get me wrong. I couldn't put it down, and was completely hooked from the beginning (as I am with most every book that Patterson has written). I just felt like I was reading an Alex Cross novel -- which isn't a bad thing, but I felt like Michael Bennett was a lot different from Alex Cross before . . . and now they seemed to be very similar. The other thing I thought was very similar between Michael and Alex is that majority of the time in Alex Cross books the killer ends up coming after Cross and his family. I don't know if I am forgetting anything from the other Michael Bennett books I've read, but I don't remember that ever happening in his books.

All of the crimes that were committed in this book were gruesome and horrifying -- I will give Patterson that. Like I said, I was shocked and completely freaked out from the beginning. It probably didn't help that I've been home alone the entire time I've been reading this book, so I'm constantly looking over my shoulder!

Again, like I mentioned before, I was very disappointed in Michael Bennett's character, and felt like I was reading an Alex Cross novel. I know that Michael and Alex are two completely different people, but I couldn't help but see the similarities in them. I felt like the way that Michael was acting towards the women in his life, Mary Catherine and Emily Parker, was very similar to the way that Alex Cross acts towards women. It isn't a bad thing, it just isn't really what I expected from Michael. I was totally annoyed with the Emily Parker thing, and couldn't get over the fact that he treated her like complete garbage. After all, he was the one that begged her to come and help him with this case. He knew that they had some sparks, but he just led her on until something was about to happen, and then ran.

As always, the twists and turns left me with what I like to call "jaw to the floor" reading disorder. I couldn't stop thinking I know what's happening...this is so predictable...and then going WHAT THE *#$@!! when I realized how wrong I had been. That is probably one of my favorite things about James Patterson -- his books are quick reads (no matter how long they are), and they are full of action and plot twists. While this wasn't my favorite James Patterson book, it wasn't the worst. If you are a real James Patterson fan, you will enjoy this book.

If you have already read this book, or you plan to read it soon, please let me know what you think about the Michael Bennett/Alex Cross comparison...I'm interested to see if I am the only one that felt this way.