Triple Threat

by James Patterson, Max DiLallo, Andrew Bourelle

From the world's #1 bestselling writer--3 pulse-pounding novels in one book!
CROSS KILL "Along Came a Spider "killer Gary Soneji has been dead for over ten years. Alex Cross watched him die. But today, Cross sees him gun down his partner. Is Soneji alive? A ghost? Or something even more sinister? Nothing will prepare you for the wicked truth.
ZOO 2 (with Max DeLillo): James Patterson's "ZOO" was just the beginning. The planet is still under violent siege by ferocious animals. Humans are their desperate prey. Except some humans are evolving, mutating into a savage species that could save civilization--or end it.
THE PRETENDER (with Andrew Bourelle): Logan Bishop is a handsome thief living off a stash of stolen diamonds. But when his murderous ex-partner tracks him down, Logan must find a way to turn the tables-or lose the only woman who can handle the truth.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Short Stories, Mystery Thriller, Crime

384 pages, Paperback

First published August 16, 2016

About the author

Official US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead

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.

Reviews

[Geri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a combination of three bookshots.
Of course being Patterson's it moved along quickly.
I thought they all were pretty good.

[Miriam Smith (A Mother’s Musings) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is exactly what it says it is....a "Triple Threat" of high octane, fast paced, intriguing thrillers that leave you cursing for more. The usual James Patterson style of writing, short chapters that need you to read just one more then one more! I really enjoyed these little book shots - my favourite being The Pretender and would quite happily buy the full book to this if it was available. People have argued that you don't get your money's worth with this book but I picked it up for £2 on offer in Tesco and it's the same thickness as any other mass market paperback so I disagree and although the stories are left hanging, it leaves you to imagine what could happen.....

[Jeanette · Rating 3 out of 5]

What the hell? Cross Kill just stopped at a critical part. That's it. The next bookshot is completely different with Cross. Well, what happened to him in Cross Kill? How does it end?

I'm all for short 150 page stories, but they need to be complete. Or at least have a second one coming to finish it up. Cross Kill is great, but no ending leaving Cross on a very bad place. Seriously, what happens??!!

[Bobbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rated this low because even though all three stories were good, they didn't end. They were left as cliffhangers with no expectation of a sequel to end the stories. And if a sequel does come along, it will be in the book shot form, a short book. I don't plan to pay for a short book. I only read this because it's 3 book shots which equals one full book as far as length goes.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Triple Threat

I read this book for the third story in it "The Pretender" I had already read the two previous stories when they first came out but I had never heard of the third one. It was a quick and easy read that kept me engaged although you could see the ending a mile away. I still enjoyed it and it was worth the read.

[Shelley Marushak Langelaar · Rating 2 out of 5]

*** I read the first and third. I just can’t get into the Zoo books. I liked Cross Kills until the end. It just ended too abruptly and left a lot hanging. I enjoyed the Pretender the best. Not interested in reading anymore of the bookshot books

[Sandy Murphy · Rating 1 out of 5]

IT HAS NO ENDING, it's only HALF A BOOK. The Bookshots format is nothing more than a ruse designed to sell more books. Buyer beware - even if it is inexpensive. It turned out to be a large sample book only now you've paid for it. I will never purchase another Bookshots. Frustrating and disappointing. I couldn't believe it just stopped!!!

As for the story itself, it was an attention grabbing read. I've always loved his Alex Cross books and this is definitely going to be one of the better reads, but only if he finishes it. Perhaps it's because of the characters used. Gary Soneji was a favorite villain of old and Cross's best friend and partner, John, has been an integral sidekick. Spent the entire book rapidly turning pages to find out what was coming. Fast read. Then a huge major development for Alex occurs and the book STOPS!!! Huh! What! You've got to be kidding! I kept turning pages - ended up with a sample of a Women's Murder Club Bookshot. No ending anywhere for the Alex Cross dilemma. Couldn't believe it! FRUSTRATING to say the least! Purchased on Amazon under the name "Cross Kill".

[Ray Gehrig · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was bummed. The three stories were very good- as far as they went. Then they stopped. I hate a tease, especially when you might think you're going to get "3 complete novellas". Instead is what you get at the back of the a book you've just finished- a taste of the author's next book.

I won't buy Bookshots. I won't even go to the library and check out Bookshots!

As they say when they see the book "I'll wait til the movie comes out". Well, when I see the Bookshots edition come out, I'll wait till the book comes out.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the stories, but I didn't like how they all were left open ended.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

CROSS KILL:

With CROSS KILL, James Patterson unintentionally makes the case that ALL the Alex Cross novels following ALONG CAME A SPIDER should've been written as Bookshots.
Though far from excellent, CROSS KILL manages to avoid the things I find most irritating about this series, simply because it is too short to include them. No sappy scenes with Cross's nauseatingly perfect family. Yay! No repetitive, boring scenes from the bad guy's POV. Yay! No switching back and forth between first- and third-person narrative. Yay! No romantic relationship drama. Yay! No watching Alex Cross sit around twiddling his thumbs for a dozen chapters. Yay! And no hand-wringing over whether Cross's dedication to his work is subtracting from his ability to be a good father. Yay, yay, yay!
And not only that, but Patterson sets the stakes pretty high in this book, undercutting my initial impression that CROSS KILL was just a throwaway adventure with no impact on the overall series. In actuality, though, there are some very pivotal moments here--things I'm surprised Patterson didn't save for a full-length hardcover release.
As other reviewers have noted, CROSS KILL ends on something of a cliffhanger. A lot of people cried "foul" over it, but I personally found it effective. As long as the primary plot thread gets resolved, I don't mind when authors whet readers' appetites for the next installment of a long-running series.

ZOO 2:

ZOO 2 is a drunken one-night-stand of a novella. It is enjoyable enough in the moment, but the next morning you look at it and think, "Why do I keep doing this..."
Still, that's an improvement over the first ZOO novel, which I couldn't even bring myself to finish. The change in co-author obviously helped a bit, as did the significant reduction in length. But regardless of any improvements, it still felt like the "junior" novelization of an old TV movie, albeit one I'd probably enjoy watching if there was beer and popcorn.
I'd only ever recommend this to people who love, love, love stories about animal attacks, the kind of stories that the SyFy channel churns out by the dozen. James Patterson's genius is that he found a way to incorporate into the plot any type of animal under the sun. Unfortunately, what he neglected to come up with were interesting characters, an innovative plot, detailed descriptions, and anything that might provoke an emotional reaction from readers.
But if you like reading about deer smashing into jeeps, or foxes ripping elderly people to shreds, then you could do much worse than ZOO 2.

THE PRETENDER:

I listened to this on audio, and despite the $9 price tag, I'm actually glad I did. Graham Halstead's excellent narration breathes some life into Patterson's weak prose, and the book's Lifetime Original Movie-style plotting works best for killing time on a long car ride. It ain't exactly what I'd call "good," but at a mere 2.5 hours long, it's fine for what it is.

[M. Swanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mixed feelings about Patterson’s “Bookshots.” These are short stories with a goal of getting those that don’t love reading to engage in a story that tends to run between 100-150 pages. The hope, as I understand it, is that without the “challenge” of reading 300+ pages, a non-reader will learn to like reading. Honestly, a good story will engage anyone, IMHO. I was actually annoyed at Patterson’s “Cross Kill,” as it leaves the reader hanging & needing to read a sequel. Liked the story, but not that aspect at all. The other 2 stories, “Zoo II,” by JP with Max DiLallo & “The Pretender,” by JP with Andrew Bourelle, were excellent. I can envision “Zoo II” being made into a wonderful sci-fi/horror movie. These stories could also have sequels as both stories were left open to that possibility, but they did not leave me feeling led on, like “Cross Kill” did.

[Jake Braglia · Rating 3 out of 5]

My most recent read was OK. The ending made me quite furious due to its abrupt stop without any real resolution to the conflict. The characterization is swell though, and the main characters are very unique and have many layers. The plot twist during the climax made me bounce up and down on my bed. Even though I had only read the book for 90ish pages, I loved the shock it gave me, and left my jaw drooping on the floor for multiple minutes. Besides these many positives, I still am extremely displeased with the stories resolution. I sure hope my next read can satisfy my reading hunger!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three Book shot Books. The first is Kill Cross. 10 years ago Alex killed a man. Now the man is back trying to kill Alex. Did Alex really kill the man 10 years ago? Book 2 is Zoo II the animals of the world are infected with something that turns them into killers. Now some humans are also infected. Oz and a group of people try to cure them. Book 3 Logan has been a robber and when he tries to get out of steeling his partner wants the diamond they stole and wants to kill Logan.

[Tracie Opaitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

these stories were not the best Patterson has to offer but i did not like the first Zoo book. i try to read most his ff

most all the a Patterson murder mysteries and theAlex Cross books.. they have no trouble holding the readers interest. i did not like the Zoo novels had a hard time getting thru it.

[Clifford Buttry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Threefa

I thoroughly enjoyed all three in one reads . The Alex Cross series are some of my favorites and they never disappoint. I enjoyed reading The Zoo, although Sci-fi is not my preference. It was fast-paced and challenged my imagination. The final selection was not as well put together, but held my interest throughout.

[Laura Wonderchick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is actually 3 Bookshots in one book. I'd read the first two previously but the third isn't available on its own. Worth it to buy it just for the one I had missed. I love these Bookshots for when I'm having concentration issues & still want to read.

[Gerri Piazza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book and Author

This is one of the best book shots I have read so far. I gave it 5 stars because it kept me wanting to read more and more. I would recommend it to all my family and friends that read.

[maureen mcconnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different

Good triple book. I love anything Alex Cross, and everything James Patterson writes. I'm going back to read the previous Zoo books. I didn't think they would hold my interest until I started the middle book in here. Thanks again J.Patterson

[Mike Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I was given Triple Threat I had already read Zoo 2 and Cross Kill which were both excellent - The Pretender fits in perfectly as it is also absolutely brilliant. It was different, interesting and gripping until the end. A perfect BookShot.

[James W. Tidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprise Ending!

The best part was the talented writer himself. I think James Patterson is at his best in short stories This one has it all. Twists, Love, reform, smart girl and good-looking guy.

[John (Just bought an Oculus 2 VR, so less time to read these days!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had a few good short stories in it. Two you can get as separate bookshots, and the third on you can't. I enjoyed all of them, however they were pretty predictable. I would still recommend this book as it was a good read overall.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a hard one to rate because I loved the first story with Alex Cross, hated the second story with the women detectives that read like a B grade movie, and thought the last story was just ok. I continue to feel James Patterson is better by himself instead of with other writers.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three exciting suspense stories. Patterson's fast-paced suspense stories are some of the few with very little, even none in some stories, foul language and explicit sexual scenes. Want an exciting suspense thriller? Check James Patterson's intriguing stories.

[Doug · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third story - The Pretender - was not a bad story. It moved along and had an interesting ending to it.

[Ruth Nelson-Wisotzki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three excellent short stories.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome short stories/book. :)

[Lisa Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always James Patterson doesn't disappoint.

[Liz]

Three Bookshots thrillers. In other words, three short stories or novellas. One Cross, one Zoo and one other.

[Dorothy Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book to read on an airplane.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains 3 bookshots: Cross Kill, Zoo II, and The Pretender.