Black & Blue

Detective Harriet Blue #0.5

by James Patterson, Candice Fox

Is Harriet Blue as great a detective as Lindsay Boxer?

Harriet Blue, the most single-minded detective since Lindsay Boxer, won't rest until she stops a savage killer targeting female university students. But new clues point to a more chilling predator than she ever could have imagined.

BookShots
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Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Thriller, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Australia

176 pages, Paperback

First published June 2, 2016

About the author

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JIMMY Patterson Books
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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.

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to a new series featuring Detective Harriet Blue. Action packed with unique and appealing characters. Harriet Blue and Tox make a good team; I'm hoping their partnership continues.

[Li'l Owl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective Harriet Blue is called to the crime scene of a young, collage age women with dark hair lying face down on the bank of the Georges River. The only piece of clothing that remains intact is a pair of panties. All the hallmarks of the Georges River Killer. Harry is convinced that this is yet another victim of a deadly serial killer but she's wrong. This victim is part of an entirely different crime. Now she is partnered with a detective the entire department hates with a passion, Tate "Toxic" Barnes. Harry might as well throw her career out with yesterday's trash. And the worse is yet to come.

Black & Blue is a prequel to a new Detective Harriet Blue series by Candice Fox

I enjoyed this short, fast story that introduces readers to Harriet "Harry" Blue, a tough and gritty detective in the sex crimes department in Sydney Australia. The first in this series is Never Never and I can't wait to see what Harry is up against next.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Patterson and Candice Fox have teamed up in what looks to be the promising beginning of a new series.

Harriet Blue and Tate Barnes (Tox) meet at the scene of a murder. Blue is trying to get on the task force but can't break through. Tox has a shady past that no one really knows the truth about and no one likes him. Blue can't afford to be associated with him if she has any hope to be promoted. In less than 200 hundred pages the characters come to life.

There is a secondary team that is working a different case at the same time. They don't seem to be connected, but Blue and Tox are determined to find out before another murder is committed.

I'm looking forward to the next in the series.

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Black and Blue is a prequel in the Detective Harriet Blue series by prolific American author James Patterson and Australian author, Candice Fox. Detective Harriet Blue arrives at the scene of what she believes is another victim of the Georges River Killer. Finally, she will get into the control room and be part of the task force. The only fly in the ointment is that Detective Tate Barnes is the first responder, and Chief Morris directs her to team up with this loathsome man (he’s not called Tox for nothing!).

Tox maintains it’s not a Georges River victim, for a number of reasons and eventually, Harry begins to agree. He’s a challenge to work with, but they eventually manage to solve not only their case, but another that has had the police puzzled. And with that success under her belt, Harry feels sure that Chief Morris has to let her onto the Georges River Killer task force. But a piece of shocking news awaits: a situation that threads through the next three books of the series.

This novella introduces several of the regular characters with some back story. Harry is gutsy if immature, brash and often obsessed, quite arrogant and ready to use violence when it suits her purpose. The pace is fast and the climax is exciting. But some of the prose is a bit clunky, and “show, don’t tell” appears not to be part of Fox’s arsenal.

However, one thing that simply doesn't ring true is the behaviour (ostracism, harassment, physical knocks) of Harriet's colleagues towards her when she is obliged to work with the obnoxious Tox. If anything, more believable would be sympathy and advice, and for all of her colleagues to act so unprofessionally is not credible. But then, much in this novella requires suspension of disbelief, so perhaps it’s best not to expect anything too realistic for this series. It will be interesting to see what Never Never brings.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Detective Harriet Blue was directed to the site of the latest murder, she was convinced it would be another in the Georges River Killer murders. Young women were being brutally killed and left on the banks of the Georges River – but her arrival and subsequent meeting with the first cop on scene, Detective Tate (Tox) Barnes had her gritting her teeth. His assurances that this wasn’t another in the GRK murders had her astounded; but the worst was the toxicity of this particular cop. Everyone hated him – therefore Harry would be hounded by association…

Another team of detectives were trying to locate a retired Queensland couple who had been sailing down the coast and should have docked in Sydney. But there had been no trace of them and the woman on board was in desperate need of medical treatment. Were these two cases linked? Could Harry make the connection before it was too late?

Black & Blue by James Patterson and Aussie author Candice Fox is book #0.5 and the first in the Detective Harriet Blue series with Never Never (book #1) to be released mid-August. Gripping and fast paced, the main character feels (to me) to have a lot of similarities to Eden from Fox’s Archer & Bennett series. Black & Blue is a quick read; a short novella with an explosive twist at the end that I definitely didn’t see coming! I’m keen to read Never, Never soon now! Highly recommended.

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective Harriet Blue meets Det. Tate (Tox) Barnes at the scene of a crime. A woman is found murdered on a river bank, apparently another victim of the Georges River Killer. She's been trying to get a seat on the task force, but so far the other cops are stonewalling her.

Barnes tells her the victim is not a part of this killing spree. He is arrogant, but a good cop. However, getting involved with him means her whole career will be stalled. Barnes has a juvenile past. So far the stories are varied ... he and a bunch of other little boys (ages 7 or 8) killed a woman and her young son .... the were beaten and then killed or maybe they were both stabbed to death ..or any number of other stories.

Bottom line is that all the cops hate him and want nothing to do with him. And Blue doesn't want to be tarnished with the same brush. She and her brother grew up in the system, so she knows how it feels to not be accepted, to not fit in.

Meanwhile, another team of detectives are searching for two older people who have been sailing down the coast, but it seems they've disappeared. The woman is severely ill, in need of medical care, but she has not picked up her medications.

How are these cases connected? Can Blue and Barnes connect the dots before more bodies fall?

This is a novella (under 200 pages) and first in a short series featuring these two detectives. The action is fast-paced with a few surprises along the way. There is a major twist at the end that I never saw coming. I look forward to reading Never, Never, next in this series.

[♥ Sandi ❣ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this little gem did it's job! A one hundred and forty four page Bookshot managed to hook me. In this little appetizer James Patterson and Candice Fox brought to life a dedicated, rough and tumble female detective in the Sydney Australia police department - Det. Harriet Blue. Bounced through social services agencies as children, along with her brother Sam, by becoming a cop, Harriet is trying to make up for her bad behavior as a teen.
In Black and Blue Harriet has been partnered with a renegade cop, Tox - rumored as having committed a murder as a young child - and therefore she is being shunned by her fellow precinct co-workers. Trying to get on a serial killer task force, Harriet feels she is being kept in the dark. Heavily engaged in a kidnapping boat theft, along side Tox, Harriet seeks to elevate her detective position high enough to gain a coveted spot on the task force.
Next book in line is Never Never. Expecting it to be as good as the Bookshot Black & Blue.
3.75 stars

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patterson teams up with acclaimed writer Candice Fox to create a new and exciting series, beginning with this explosive BookShot. Harriet Blue is a detective in the Sex Crime Unit of the Sydney Police Department. She has been trying to chase after the Georges River Killer (GRK) for some time, the most notorious and elusive serial killer in Australian history. When she is called to the Georges River after a body is discovered, it fits all the key aspects of a GRK victim. However, she is not the only detective on-scene. Tate 'Tox' Barnes is a detective with a sordid past, with rumours swirling around him. Having somehow made it onto the force after killing a woman and her child at the age of six, Tox is hated by everyone and vilified at every turn. Blue is forced to work with Tox on this crime and endures his unorthodox methods for solving crimes, which proves that the body before them is not part of the GRK's collection, but rather a killing that happened on the open waters. While Blue grows to respect Tox and his methods, she remains a pariah and the target for childish retribution. As Blue and Tox continue to follow leads, a separate plot line sees a rich yachting couple being held captive by a woman who has financial aspirations. Hope Stallwood will stop at nothing to get what she wants and is willing to take anyone down how impedes her plans. The closer. Blue and Tox get to solving their crime, the more the investigation pulls Hope's plans into the mix. Will Blue be able to find the thread that connects these cases and save those involved before it's too late? A great addition to the BookShot collection, which will keep the reader flipping pages as fast as they can be read.

Using this BookShot idea to introduce new series seems like a smart idea on Patterson's part. Harriet Blue, the newest member of Patterson's crime thriller collection introduces herself nicely in this shorter piece, offering enough breadcrumbs to lure the reader in, while leaving much for the upcoming full-length novel. Patterson and Fox highlight some of the strengths Blue brings to the table alongside her new partner, as well as the cloud that floats above them both, individually and as a pair. The story flows nicely with strong characterization and decent narration, which can be compared to some of the other detectives that Patterson has in his quiver (Cross, Boxer, Bennett). How Blue will fit awaits to be seen, though her introduction surely will leave readers intrigued with what else there is to offer.

Kudos, Mr. Patterson and Madam Fox for this explosive beginning to the series. I look forward to what else you have to offer in the coming months.

Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of the Harriet Blue series and hadn't read this prior to reading the two full lengths (Fifty, Fifty and Never, Never). I was eager to find out more about the Georges River Killer and the investigation which led to Harriet's brother Sam, being accused of the heinous spate of murders.

However, Black & Blue only touches the surface of that investigation, rather, the novella serves as a way to introduce Tox and provide his character with depth through a chilling backstory. Black & Blue also paves the way for Tox and Harriet to work together and their page chemistry is undeniable. Credit to both authors.

The plot is almost pulled kicking and screaming from the dark alleys where noir dwells, only to fall into that tried and true mainstream trap of cat and mouse policing and drawn out chase sequences as the story steadily builds to a climax.

My rating: 4/5 stars. The opening chapters of Black & Blue are great; dark, moody, and evocative. Whilst this pitch wasn't maintained throughout the story, the novella, as is standard for these 'books shots' was a lot of fun.

[Melenia · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was just not my type of book

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

Yet another awesome Bookshot

Yet another awesome Bookshot from beginning to end. I just could not put it down. I just hope James Patterson pens another one with this main character.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced, short story with well developed characters. Plotted in vintage Patterson style. Recommended reading.

[Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars for Black & Blue: Detective Harriet Blue, Book 0.5 (audiobook) by James Patterson and Candice Fox read by Federay Holmes.

It was interesting going back and seeing how this series got its start. I really enjoy this writing collaboration. They’ve come up with a great character and now I need to finish the series. I think I still have one more to read.

[Simon McDonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

In high school I devoured James Patterson’s Alex Cross books, but a long time has passed since those days, and his style – short, choppy chapters with an extreme focus on plot rather than character – no longer resonates with me. It’s like he’s got the framework of a brilliant novel, but rather than fill it, he leaves his novel emancipated, stripped down, raw. It’s not for me – but obviously fits the bill for millions of other readers, so hey, I guess this is a case of accepting I’m the outlier. I grabbed a copy of Black & Blue purely for the Candice Fox factor. On the one hand, I want to support the work of a local author whom I greatly admire; on the other, I will admit, I just wanted to see how Patterson’s influence would impact her storytelling.

Black & Blue is one of the first entries in Patterson’s Bookshots series, dubbed as “the ultimate form of storytelling, and introduces Sydney detective Harriet Blue, who will star as the lead in a full-length novel this August, Never Never. The plot is simple – a young woman has washed up on a river bank, and Blue believes she’s another victim of Sydney’s worst serial killers in decades – the Georges River Killer. She investigates the murder alongside Tate Barnes, a despised, nomadic detective, whose methods are questionable, and whose past is black as pitch. Not that Blue is completely on the side of the angels, as demonstrated by her brutal takedown of an accused assailant under the cover of darkness early on in the novel.

There’s no question Black & Blue provides an hour of fast-paced entertainment – but there’s nothing here that’ll live long in readers’ memories. The plot is fairly rote, amped up by Patterson’s short chapters and constant perspective-shifts, from Blue, to the killer, to her superior officer. Speaking of, Harriett Blue and her supporting cast have potential, but it’s not properly explored here: it all feels very much like a tease, which I suppose is all I suppose it was meant to be. Still, as the ultimate form of storytelling, I was left feeling a tad indifferent. Black & Blue is a solid little thrill-ride, but if I had a say in the matter, I’d have voted for a solo Candice Fox novella instead. She is an author who has demonstrated a willingness to bend the tropes of the genre. Here she is playing very much by the rules, and lacks that trademark flair.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Black & Blue is book 0.5 of the Detective Harriet Blue series by James Patterson and Candice Fox. Detective Harriet Blue landed a murder case of a young woman found on the banks at Picnic Point. Teaming up with Tate Barnes Detective Harriet Blue must rush to find the killer before another young woman dies. The reader of Black & Blue will follow the twists and turns of Detective Harriet Blue and Tate Barnes investigation into the death of young University student. Also, the readers of Black & Blue will be surprised by the ending of this book.

I read Never Never first and going back and reading Black & Blue it certainly help me to understand the plot and characters more. Black & Blue is an enjoyable book to read. The portrayal of the characters done fantastically by James Patterson and Candice Fox. Black & Blue is well written and research by James Patterson and Candice Fox. I love James Patterson and Candice Fox description of the setting of Black & Blue.

The readers of Black & Blue will learn about law enforcement murder investigation. Also, The readers of Black & Blue will start to understand the problems that law enforcement officers have when they are not respected or liked by their colleagues.

I recommend this book.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Detective Harriet Blue is determined to be assigned to the task force of the Georges River Killer, who has been savagely killing young college girls. Blue is called to the scene of a body of a young girl with many similarities to the victims of this killer but an obnoxious detective there details the discrepancies. Blue, who boxes in her spare time, is also involved in a case where a yacht and the couple on board have gone missing.

I've read several of these Bookshots by Patterson and his co-authors. I really wish this book had been a hundred pages longer with much better character development. I think Harriet Blue could go far in a new series. I was impressed with the rough & toughness of her grit and tenacity. Blue is a bit abrupt but I think she's a diamond in the rough.

This book has very short chapters, keeping both the action and the reading fast.

[Dominique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!!!!!! Couldn't put it down!!! I love these Bookshots.

[Amber Garabrandt · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a beautiful girl is found dead on a river bank, Detective Harriet Blue thinks this is her in to what had been the men's-only investigation of the George River Killer.  This is the biggest investigation in Sydney, and the sex-crimes detective wants in.  It meets all the killer's trade marks. 
     The more she looks into the case with her partner (not their idea), Tox Barnes, the more she realizes that this isn't what it seems.  This is not the George River Killer, but someone trying to kill their past and start fresh.  Between checking out leads and trying to reign in her partner that's worse at doing things by the book than she is, she just might get this case solved. 
            Full disclosure- I read Never Never before this book because I simply was not paying attention.  Thus, my feelings for this introduction for Harriet may be jaded by the growth I saw there.  Here, she seems unnecessarily cruel and combative.  Chapter one finds her beating the daylights out of a man for getting off on a rape charge... we are lead to believe that he was guilty, but the fact remains he was found not guilty.  In chapter two, Harriet explains that she is not a vigilante but sometimes the law fails.... the definition of vigilante is as follows: 2. any person who takes the law into his or her own hands, as by avenging a crime.  HOW IS THIS NOT EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED IN CHAPTER ONE?  If she had money and a penis she'd be Batman.  Between this and our crazy, narcissistic baddie, I had issues finding likeable characters here.  The rest of the force was weak and vindictive,  the chief came off as weak.  My favorite character was Tox, a jack ass of extreme proportion who uses the fact that he was hated to exempt himself from doing his work correctly.  He, at least was interesting! 
        Even though the book was filled with characters I loved to hate, the premise here drew me in.  I loved the plot, as the writing style was seamless.    I also liked the little bit of info about Sam, because you don't get a lot of info on her brother in Never Never.  I understand why the department acted the way it did about Harriet, but I cannot accept the way Tox was treated.  That upset me.  All in all this was a three star book for me simply for Tox and premise. 
        As far as the adult content goes, let's see.  We have violence, language, sexual content (including visiting a porn studio).  I give it a seven.

[Suzzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

I actually enjoyed this BookShot. I need more Patterson co-authored series so when I saw Never Never at the Walmart on the paperback shelf I was excited. Read this BookShot to prepare for Never Never and get acquainted with Harriet Blue, and so far I like her character. I am very interested to see how the plot with her brother pans out in Never Never.

My quick and simple overall: a great prequel to introduce us to a strong female lead.

[Jenny Jo Weir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective Harriett Blue is a phenomenal character.
Let’s be honest, Candice Fox wrote this book and let James Patterson take half the credit. If you’ve read her other works, you can see her writing style all over this from start to finish.
I first came across her by accident and have loyally read all her work since then. Everything she writes is golden and heart wrenching to me. I get seriously invested in her novels and already want to re-read Never Never and Fifty Fifty even though I just read these recently. I don’t mind re-visiting great books with amazing plots and great characters and her work has all of this.
Yes, I’m passionate about her writing and work. I’m super excited to continue this series and will continue to be a loyal fan of anything she puts her hands to.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a great introduction to a new book series. very action packed in this short book but with the unique and appealing characters, you will fly through this book.

Detective Harriet Blue is working on a case where a violent killer is running rampage on a university campus. she will not stop at anything till she catches and stops this violent killer, however what happens if she knows the killer on a personal level....

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC

[Laur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harriet Blue and Tox, two officers thrown together on a high profile case, neither liking or respecting each other. And NO ONE likes Tox! Not fellow officers - not anyone. If you work with him, you’re not liked either and have put a massive target on your own back! And now Harriet Blue has that target.
Fast paced- heavily peppered with the f* bomb, the book is thrilling, suspenseful, and has twists, this short story will keep the reader/listener glued right to the last page. Excellent narration by Federay Holmes! Highly recommend audiobook.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let this review slip through the crack. I really liked this short book that starts out the Harriet Blue series. Have book 1 on hold as life has been very busy and I've others to read first. Glad to have learned about this series.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually the first introduction to Detective Harriet Blue, a spunky police detective on the sexual crimes squad. It is one of the new line of BookShots books put out about the James Patterson brand. I have already read the first full novel starring her, and I have to admit that she is a bit more likeable in this first peak at her, though I still want to shake some sense into her as she makes a lot of her decisions.

She has been fighting to get on a serial killer case in which the bodies of area college girls are left on the beach. So far, she has been shut out of the case, and she thinks it is because she is a woman. Blue thinks she has her chance when she is assigned to look into a body that has washed up on share, and she seems to fit a lot of the characteristics of the serial killers victims. While she pushes along that point in the hopes of getting on the case, she finds that everything is not what it first seems.

To make matters more frustrating, she is assigned to work with a temporary partner, who has a terrible reputation for ruining the careers of people he works with as well as a mysterious past that might include childhood murder. Through it all, Blue buckles down and does what she can to follow up on the case she has been assigned. It brings us through a surprising background of sex, porn, bank robbery, and abduction.

The book moves quickly and is a pretty good introduction to Detective Blue. I can see why the decision was made to follow it up with full-length books.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good quick read by James Patterson.

This one introduces a new character in Detective Harriet (Harry) Blue of the Australian police, and I'm pleased to find there will be more stories featuring her as there is a full-length story coming out later this year.

She is working in the sex crimes unit of the police in Sydney and fighting her corner in a very male dominated world. She gets partnered with a cop who is seen as a pariah amongst all other officers for an incident which took place earlier in his life (which she finds out the truth about later on) and because of her association with him, she gets an even rougher ride from her colleagues.

They are investigating a murder which bears similarities to a recent unsolved spate of killings by a serial killer and she hopes this will provide her with a way in to that investigation but she is being shut out of that for reasons she doesn't understand (but which become very clear towards the end of the book).

There are a few twists and turns in the plot of this book (and one major one towards the end when the serial killer is arrested) and it sets things up well for more stories. There is an excerpt from the full-length novel due out later this year to further whet the appetite for more of this character.

[Terri Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I whipped through this bookshot. It's a brilliant idea of James Patterson's to have a whole series of novellas you can read in day. Australian police detective Harriet Blue has a hard enough time being a female detective but now she is saddled with a partner on a murder case who himself killed a woman and her child when he was 6 and while no one has all the details, he is universally reviled and anyone who works with him gets beaten up and loses any assistance from other cops. Harriet and her brother Sam had tough lives as kids and Sam had been violent too. When a young hooker trying to turn her life around is found murdered and an older couple are missing from their yacht, Harriet must work with Tox Barnes despite the hate of others.

[Christine (KizzieReads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was excellent! Action packed and page turning. I thought I had the ending in my mind, but after one little part, it switched and then I was right, but wow! Can't wait to read the rest of these books. I'm hoping they are every bit as good if not better then this one.

[Debrac2014 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bookshot! Short story that quickly pulled me in! I enjoyed the story line but hate the way the cops treat Harry and Tox!

[Anne - Books of My Heart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another new series I am not sure how I feel. I liked it. Harriet is a firecracker. I'm going to read the next one and see how it continues.