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Caught in the crossfire of a deadly standoff, Detective Michael Bennett must kill...or be killed.
Tensions between America and Russia are the highest they've been since the Cold War. As the countries' Presidents travel to the United Nations to iron out their differences, a fashionable husband and wife team of lethal assassins prowls the streets of Manhattan hunting their prey--a professor hiding a scandalous secret. Their next target: the extremely popular President of the United States of America.

Pulled away from his family and pressed into service, Detective Michael Bennett must trace the source of a threat that could rip the country apart--and what he finds may turn the Cold War red hot once again. With allegiances constantly in doubt and no one above suspicion, only Bennett can step into the line of fire to save the President before the deadly kill shot hits its mark.

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First published August 1, 2016

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James Patterson

955 books355k followers
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James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,091 reviews
Profile Image for Matt.
4,812 reviews13.1k followers
August 6, 2016
Michael Bennett makes his return to the printed page in this thriller that puts him in the crosshairs of a determined assassin who has plans to significantly shift the political balance. When Bennett is called away from his family one weekend morning, he knows something is up. Summoned to work a joint operation, Bennett is soon read in on a piece of intercepted intel that concerns an assassination attempt on POTUS while he is in town to attend the U.N. General Assembly. In a harrowing piece of eye in the sky bravery, Bennett is able to stop the assassin while on a helicopter patrol, but fails to capture them. With a plot to kill POTUS still active, no one is taking any chances and Bennett begins investigating possible leads and suspects. Before long, he learns of a possible husband-wife team who could be involved, though he cannot narrow his scope too much at the present time. Meanwhile, the Bennett household is busy as ever, when they take in the star football player of the high school team on a temporary basis. While the eldest Bennett is busy chasing down an assassin, the boys soon learn that you may be able to take the kid out of the rough neighbourhood, but the neighbourhood remains in the kid. Drug dealers and illicit weapons become shocks they must face, which is more than they can handle, especially with their father working with the NYPD. Back on the streets, rumours abound that the kill plot might have been contracted to a ruthless assassin who plays no sides, choosing to to work for the highest bidder. Furthermore, there could be a Russian angle, one that reaches the highest levels of the Kremlin. In a world almost three decades into a Cold War thaw, frigidity between America and Russia could be building again, with state-sanctioned violence a distinct possibility. Bennett must rush to find the assassin before total chaos, while also determining if Russia is a wolf in sheep's clothing, which could open a political chasm best not explored. Patterson and Ledwidge create an interesting novel, full of drama, but nowhere near as exciting as Michael Bennett in his prime.

This is the second novel I have read in an many days that posits an America v. Russia political build-up. While I am not blind to the antics taking place in Moscow, could the blather of ISIS be waning as we return to a new war where former enemies renew their syncopated waltz on the political dance floor? While this may be the case, the interpretation of this is weaker and plays but a passing role in this novel, as Patterson and Ledwidge seek more to show Bennett's heroic nature than a grasp of political chess play. As always, the Bennetts receive little mention, allowing for no real backstory progression, especially as Michael remains stagnant in his sentiments towards Mary Catherine. However the subplot line does offer some insight into the older children. The plot itself moves at a decent place and allows the reader to get a handle on the situation, though is nothing stellar or gripping to the point of holding the reader's breath at every turn. As Michael Bennett and his brood approach ten novels, could things be winding down for him, leaving room for new and exciting possibilities, or will Bennet join Cross and Boxer as they catapult into an infinite number of novels, sometimes leaving the reader feeling tepid about their reading experience? Time will tell, but let's not draw things out too long for the dedicated fan, seeking a decent reader.

Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and Ledwidge for an interesting addition to the series. Nowhere near as captivating as some of the previous work, but not the worst effort, by far.

Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Profile Image for Brenda.
5,073 reviews3,012 followers
November 30, 2017
With the President of the United States set to attend an important meeting in New York, the last thing the Secret Service needed was notification of an assassination attempt in the making. The FBI, CIA and NYPD were on hand, including Detective Michael Bennett, to do everything in their power to stop the attempt.

The assassin was a professional – but who had hired him? Was it the Russians as they’d heard? Or was that a smokescreen? Working around the clock to find the answers, Mike had little time for his family – could there be trouble in the ranks there as well?

Bullseye by James Patterson, 9th in the Michael Bennett series, was action packed, filled with shootings, murder, violence and the usual from this author, but to my mind, it wasn’t quite as good as the previous Michael Bennett thrillers. I’ve loved this series from the get-go, and already have #10 waiting to be read, and will do so soon. Recommended to fans of the genre.
Profile Image for Monnie.
1,623 reviews790 followers
August 24, 2016
This one falls in the bad news/good news department. If you've loved the interaction between New York Detective Michael Bennett and his ginormous family (including elderly Father Seamus and Mary Catherine, the live-in nanny), you'll likely be disappointed. I admit to feeling a bit like that, but on the other hand, I've grown so weary of the is-it-or-isn't-it-real love affair between Michael and Mary Catherine that it was good news for me to not find much of that here.

The basic story is the identification, tracking down and arresting (or otherwise taking out of commission) of a pair of exceptionally skilled assassins. Some nasty target practice, it seems, was nothing more than a warm-up for their real target - the president of the United States. He's in Manhattan for a United Nations summit (other participants include Russian leader Vladimir Putin, so it's clear something really serious is going down here). In between are the typical turf wars with the police department, the CIA and Secret Service (yawn), lengthy chases that end in almost impossible escapes and the predictable dash to beat the assassins' lethal clock.

To be sure, there's plenty of action, but most of it happens on the killer end where everything was planned to the nth degree. On the police side, not so much; that they got anywhere at all in their investigation seemed more like happenstance than professional competence.

I should mention that there is a secondary plot here that relates to family, or at least one member of the large brood (son Brian) who's made friends with another kid (Marvin) who's temporarily moved into the Bennett household but whose background is spurious. The whole situation never quite gelled for me, and I'm still not sure why it was included at all.

Overall, though, I enjoyed this book, even if it is a bit off center in comparison with the others in the series. In the end, I admit to wavering between a rating of 3.5 stars and 4, but the good writing and relatively fast-paced action won out.
Profile Image for Suzzie.
954 reviews171 followers
February 6, 2018
The ninth installment of the Michael Bennett series centers around the attempted assassination of the President of the United States and Mike B. role in protecting him. It was not a bad story by any means but was my least favorite in the series to date. I just was not drawn into the crime plot and was more interested in the Brian subplot instead. On to book ten soon!

My quick and simple overall: good but not great :(
Profile Image for April Thompson Freeman.
407 reviews74 followers
August 13, 2016
It's pains me to say this as the Michael Bennett series has been a favorite of mine for some time. This was just marginal. Yes, it has action. Yes, it is fast-paced and a breeze to get through. Sadly, it just didn't do much for me.
Profile Image for Tiffany.
612 reviews11 followers
July 17, 2017

I'm not going to lie I'm a huge James Patterson fan. I devour his books like kids with cake. That being said this was another really good edge of your seat thriller of trying to get to the bad guys before they get you. #TandJReads
Profile Image for Carol Jones-Campbell.
2,024 reviews
February 27, 2025
There were some things I was a little unclear about in this book, so I reread it to clarify. Good Stuff!

First Read: I've grown very fond of this series and I really like his family with Mary Catherine and Father Shamus and the ten kids. They are wonderful and as I don't have my own kids, I can identify with them as a family and just love it. Michael is a good cop, a good husband and a good dad. I agree though it is time to take their relationship to the next step.

The basic story is the identification, tracking down and arresting (or otherwise taking out of commission) of a pair of exceptionally skilled assassins. Some nasty target practice, it seems, was nothing more than a warm-up for their real target - the president of the United States. He's in Manhattan for a United Nations summit (other participants include Russian leader Vladimir Putin, so it's clear something really serious is going down here). In between are the typical turf wars with the police department, the CIA and Secret Service, lengthy chases that end in almost impossible escapes and the predictable dash to beat the assassins' lethal clock.

To be sure, there's plenty of action, but most of it happens on the killer end where everything was planned to the nth degree. On the police side, not so much; that they got anywhere at all in their investigation seemed more like happenstance than professional competence.

I should mention that there is a secondary plot here that relates to family, or at least one member of the large brood (son Brian) who's made friends with another kid (Marvin) who's temporarily moved into the Bennett household. The whole situation never quite gelled for me, and I'm still not sure why it was included at all. Don't want to be a spoiler.

Second Read: Overall, though, I enjoyed this book, even if it is a bit off center in comparison with the others in the series. The good writing and relatively fast-paced action won out. Wow, a plot to kill the president. What other writer other than James Patterson could be able to thrill you with two stories in one. Someone’s trying to assassinate the president of the United States but failed the first time due to Detective Bennett’s keen eye. Now they are determined to get the job done no matter what. With the help from his wife, plots the second attempt and thinks he has everything covered. Does he? When you get over confident, arrogant or even prideful, you over compensate.

On the family side for Detective Bennett is his son, Brian and his friend Marvin. They’ve gotten mixed up with this drug dealer named Flicka who wants Marvin to pay off his cousins’ debt and Marvin believes he has no other choice. Brian does something that eventually pisses off Flicka and the triangle battle starts.

Then there’s Detective Bennett’s love life. He’s so in tuned with his joy of finding the right woman after the death of his wife that he knows he has selected the right one with Mary Catherine :-). She’s understanding, kind, funny and easily handles his children with incredible ease even though there are more than enough for two basketball teams. Riveting, scary, thrilling and entertaining.

Third Read: I forgot which book was the Book that son Brian gets in such troubles. Well, this is it. I goofed and thought it is going to be the book or 2-3 after this sad and hard book. Brian has some friends that get him in touble and he gets in troubles like having a loaded gun in his him. Things get worse and worse. Michael is working trying to keep Putin safe and the US safe. Very touch book.
Profile Image for Tim.
2,497 reviews329 followers
September 8, 2016
So so story with too smart invincible adversaries making all others look stupid. 4 of 10 stars
Profile Image for Darinda.
9,137 reviews157 followers
April 8, 2018
An attempt is made on the President's life. Detective Michael Bennett is involved with finding out who is behind the assassination attempt. Also happening, a married couple, who happen to be lethal assassins, take down a group of drug dealers. In a minor subplot, the Bennett family opens their home to a teen who temporarily needs a place to stay, and brings with him a connection to a drug dealer.

The 9th book in the Michael Bennett series. This was an average read for this series. Lots of action, with Detective Bennett at the forefront of a complicated investigation. The Bennett family always has stuff going on too, and this one is no different when a friend of Brian's stays with the family for a little while.

A fast-paced thriller with assassins and drug dealers. Good for fans of this series.
Profile Image for JR.
353 reviews16 followers
March 3, 2024
This is the 9th instalment in the Michael Bennett series and definitely one of the better ones. This was filled with action, including a helicopter crash and snipers within the first 30 pages.

This was a lot more political than other Bennett novels but I felt like it was done well besides the American good, Russia bad ideology, but it’s to be expected. It’s funny as this was written 7 years ago how much Russia has really thrown itself into this role by today’s standards. Patterson was ahead of his time.

I didn’t really care for the recycled Cross storyline taking in another kid and him getting in trouble cause he’s from the hood. Been there. Done that. Plus the awkwardness of Michael’s romantic relationship always drives me up the wall so I hate that as well.

But overall lots to like about this. 4 stars
Profile Image for Tiffany PSquared.
504 reviews82 followers
September 13, 2017
**Audiobook Review**

I'm only slightly invested in this series - reading it entirely out of order - but I've been a fan of Michael Bennett and his huge family.

This book didn't grab me like some of the others. I love hearing about the family's drama, but they all seemed like a backdrop this time around. Even when something rather significant happens to one of the Bennett children, there is absolutely zero response from the MC - and that seemed entirely out of character.

Even though the attempted assassination of the US President seems like a gripping plot, it was a little too scattered for me. There was a lot of jumping from bad guy to bad guy, and yet another bad guy. I think I would have given it another star if more of the family had been included.

Profile Image for Nanosynergy.
762 reviews3 followers
September 2, 2016
A few years ago, for fun, I set out to read as many different types of books in the mystery-thriller-espionage-cozy mystery-etc. genre as possible. Now, at least 500 books later (although still expanding variety), I have to admit that I now find reading Patterson books a guilty pleasure - like salty potato chips you absolutely know are bad for you. I suspect I may be killing off brain cells and getting stupider each time I read one. Yet I do continue to read them. Perhaps that's his key to success: he's become one of the favorite brands of salty potato chips of the genre. For me, I suspect I'm just too anal to resist not finishing off the recently added next book in a series. On the positive side, they are quick, beach-worthy reads that add quantity to my annual 'read' list and help me achieve my annual reading goal with very little effort.

For the Michael Bennett series, conceptually I like the cast of characters and the setup as it's a bit different. Detective Bennett is a widowed father of 10 adopted children, with a live-in Irish nanny, and a priest grandfather. Not often that the protagonist in this genre is not somehow dysfunctionally warped by some past war experience, is religious (in this case Roman Catholic), generally puts family first, and is an 'aw shucks' kind of modest guy. However, I find it challenging to believe that a detective living in New York could possibly afford to support a family of 10 children and a paid, 24-7, live-in nanny. Not to mention the dragging-on romance between him and this live-in nanny who has been helping raise his kids for years since his wife died. For whatever reason, this 'nice' guy can't seem to bring himself to marry her. Frankly, this is now starting to be a bit creepy and stale.

Detective Bennett’s children are now growing up. Like many other such long-running series, the author now will start to try give the children larger roles – perhaps with the goal of someday spinning them off into their own series. Who knows. So far, with the exception of a couple of recent books in the Dave Robicheaux series by James Lee Burke, I’ve found the results of expanding the role of protagonist children are generally predictable clunkers. This trend is starting to emerge in a couple of Patterson’s series. It remains to be seen if it can be done well, but sadly that certainly wasn’t true in this book’s attempt.

In Bullseye, the shadow of cold war is resurrected with Russia apparently behind the credible attempt on the life of the macho, gun-loving U.S. president during his visit to New York. And, unbelievably, there is not one, but two married, good-looking, athletic, much-in-love-with-each-other assassin couple hit teams muddying the waters on who is actually trying to assassinate the U.S. president. Detective Bennett finds himself in the midst of the action, not once, but twice. The good guys live and the bad guys die or fail. The issue at home with one of his kids resolves positively and, I bet Catholic school’s football team actually wins.
Profile Image for Violet.
177 reviews
August 5, 2016
Why do these books have to end? When is the next one coming out? And he better propose to Mary Catherine!! I love these Michael Bennett stories.
Profile Image for Mike French.
430 reviews110 followers
February 23, 2017
More James Bond than Michael Bennett. Like all the Michael Bennett series it was entertaining and enjoyable.
Profile Image for Nicole Alycia.
796 reviews44 followers
March 25, 2017
Just another action packed book in the saga that is the Michael Bennett series. I love Michael Bennett as a character and these books never fail to keep one entertained. This was probably one of the most action packed books in the series.
Profile Image for Daniel Sepúlveda.
843 reviews83 followers
September 17, 2018
Puntaje: 3.5 Estrellas.
Una de las razones por las que me gusta tanto leer a Patterson es que sus libros se pueden leer muy rapido (Este libro lo termine en dos dias!)
Una vez mas, una historia atrapante con una misión que parece imposible. En esta ocasión, el presidente de los Estados Unidos corre peligro, pues un asesino profesional ha sido contratado para acabar con su vida.
Un aspecto que me gustó del libro es que los autores utilizan la vida personal de Michael Bennet para que el lector no se sature de la historia y el libro se sienta mas ligero. Toda la historia relacionada al hijo de Bennet me parecio igual de interesante a la historia principal del libro.
Hubo dos aspectos del libro que no me convencieron mucho. El primero es que Michael Bennet, tiene demasiada suerte. En mas de una ocasion durante este libro Bennet fue capaz de evitar que cosas terribles sucedieran, y esto no solo se debe a su gran talento como detective y policia, sino a su gran suerte!
El otro aspecto que no me convencio mucho es la forma en como se referian a Rusia en el libro. Con este libro confirmo que el mercado objetivo de este tipo de novelas son los hombres Estadounidenses mayores de 40 años. La novela esta llena de patriotismos estadounidenses y de ataques e insultos a Rusia (Y a Vladimir Putin), que refleja la forma de pensar de este tipo de personas. En este pais la gente esta obsesionada con Rusia y le tienen un miedo increible, y este libro simplemente lo confirma.

En terminos generales me parecio una novela entretenida, me sigue gustando James Patterson aunque siento que en este libro bajo un poco la calidad, o no me atrapó tanto como en sus novelas anteriores.
Profile Image for Abhishek Chandorkar.
38 reviews1 follower
July 14, 2023
3.5 stars.

This was my first James Patterson book. I loved the writing style, the fast-paced nature of the book and the ability to keep the reader engrossed. A couple of the storyline twists were unexpected too and I love and admire this quality. I'll be reading more of Patterson from now on.

When I finished the book, my first reaction was: "Wait, that's it?" It felt as if the book ended rather abruptly from a fast-paced storyline, and a lot of questions about some of the side characters remained unanswered.
The basic theme of the book feels very similar to The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth, but modernized to the 21st Century. The first couple of chapters give a bit of a Breaking Bad vibe as well.

Overall, not too bad for somebody who loves fast-paced thrillers, but not too worthy of remembering it as something extraordinary.
Profile Image for Suzanne.
1,238 reviews17 followers
March 26, 2017
Oh my goodness. Never thought I would ever leave a rating like this. The book was horrible. What is going on with James Patterson writing with these people. This was not part of the Bennett family surely ? Where were the kids abs Mary Catherine? Even poor old seamus didn't get a good part in this book. To much technology writing in this book and not enough story. Not good at all. Very very disappointed. The next one better be better or I will give the series away.
Profile Image for Wendy.
564 reviews18 followers
August 30, 2016
Bullseye

What a wonderful book! I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I really like this series to begin with but this one has been the best one by far.
Profile Image for William.
1,045 reviews50 followers
February 23, 2017
Just unbelievable even in a fiction world
Profile Image for Melodie.
589 reviews79 followers
August 18, 2019
Another get the bad guy before the president is killed thriller from James Patterson. I mean no disrespect in this description. I have enjoyed this author for years and continue to read his offerings. But not being as prolific as he, I run out of ways to describe his work.
This one has Michael Bennett helping out the federal agencies in trying to thwart a presidential assassination plot. Of course complications abound and this is what keeps the pages turning. And there is as always a slice of Bennett's personal life which I enjoy as much as the political intrigue.
He'll keep writing and I'll keep reading.
Profile Image for Sally Lindsay-briggs.
824 reviews54 followers
May 26, 2021
Like most Patterson novels this moved with speed, lots of action, suspense and multiple injuries. Michael is a talented detective with a fine skill set. He uses it to track and unearth an assassin. Great story!
Profile Image for Jennie  Veazey.
286 reviews36 followers
April 15, 2018
I read the audible version of this book. It was another fascinating book in the Michael Bennett series. Michael is a N.Y. city detective who works hard at solving the crimes of his city. I absolutely love this series ❣️Thank you James Patterson!
999 reviews2 followers
August 20, 2021
James Patterson is one of my favourite authors, but what an earth is going on with this book. I really don't enjoy the books that he co-writes with other people. It just doesn't have the same flow. No, decided I'm not reading anymore he writes with other people. Sorry James.
Profile Image for Barbara Nutting.
3,205 reviews163 followers
August 7, 2016
I'm a Patterson fan but this was awful unless........you like reading pages of gun description, Russians and spy nonsense. I don't!! so long Mike Bennett!
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