Private Royals by James Patterson (Private, #11.5) - Book Review

5/5 Stars

One word to the police

and Abbie will be killed...



Time for a quick review! Let's get into this spitfire of a novel!

Maybe I'm still just flying high on the euphoria I gained from reading the phenomenal Private Paris, but I can't help but be wowed by Private Royals. One of Patterson's BookShots (stories under 150 pages), the esteemed author is joined by Rees Jones as both craft an electric tale.

I know Bookshots can split a lot of people, at least from what reviews I've read. As you can see, I absolutely adore them. Patterson's works are lightning-quick adventures already, but you can never go wrong with a thriller that tantalises you and takes less than an hour to finish.

Synopsis

Jack Morgan is visiting Peter Knight and the team in the London branch of his investigation agency, Private.

At a cocktail party the night before the Trooping the Colour parade for the Queen's 90th birthday, Jack receives a phone call (it's actually Peter who receives the call, but I'm being shamefully anal here) from the Duke of Aldershot saying that his daughter, Abbie, has been kidnapped. He needs Private on the case - one word to the police and Abbie will be killed.

Jack will have to find Abbie before 11:00 a.m. the next morning, or the kidnapping will turn to murder.

Plot - 5/5 Stars

Private Royals is a condensed action/thriller novel that doesn't hold back on brutality and blood. Taking place in London with some returning faces from previous novels, Jack and the gang are pulled into a race against time to save a royal's life. But, in true Patterson fashion, the road they're on has twists, turns, and selfish individuals all intent on their own gain.

The story's structure is stellar, with minimal fluff to burden the reader. Exposition often takes place during high-octane events, keeping this fast-paced adrenaline ride, well, fast-paced.

And the conclusion is riveting. A riotous finale that is tense enough to give you heart palpitations.

Pace - 5/5 Stars

The BookShots' tagline pretty much covers how I feel:

Stories at the speed of life.

Any time I read a BookShot, I might just use that line for this section. The pace is awesome.

Characters - 4/5 Stars

Private Royals' cast is pretty clear cut. Jack Morgan, our series' protagonist, is in the main role. Accompanied by Peter Knight, who's returning from Private Games, and a few other old faces, Private Royals keeps things simple. There are little bios here and there, so you do get a solid feel for who you're journeying with, but this novel isn't about development.

Villains are a little lacklustre, but the point of the novel isn't really to flesh them out. A fresh face, though, proves to have some potential, so I guess we'll see if she resurfaces in the future.

The story does do a good job of highlighting people's self-interest and the betrayal that can come from such selfishness. It's decent stuff.

Writing - 5/5 Stars

Patterson and Jones cut right to the chase and keep that chase accelerating at exhilarating speeds.

Sharp descriptions hold no punches back, laying the scene, giving us the information we need, and then moving on.

Overall - 5/5 Stars

If you have an hour and are in the mood for a fast, easy-going suspense story, Private Royals is insanely right for you.


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