Blowback

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In this series spinoff, narrator Junior, hound of the Middle School series’ Rafe Khatchadorian, typifies his exuberance and loquaciousness in his journal’s introduction: “If you hadn’t guessed Continue reading » James Patterson is hit or miss with me. This one was a hit in my book. Imagine this: the president of the United States is brilliant but has also lost his mind. Farfetched? Clearly not! President Keegan Barrett, the former director of the CIA, has a dangerous skill set. In this powerful novel based in true events, Maasai 12-year-old Jama Anyango’s life is irrevocably changed when she befriends a herd of elephants near her Kenyan village. As her best friend begins to Continue reading » US President Keegan Barrett has swept into office on his success as Director of the CIA. He immediately devises a clandestine power grab with deadly consequences, to more than those involved. That figures. After all, Patterson has long maintained an indulgent détente with his friend and fellow Floridian. Unlike Stephen King, who regularly unleashes the hounds of hell upon Trump, Patterson has largely restricted himself to sighs of disappointment. Even in his two immensely popular presidential thrillers written with Bill Clinton, Patterson has avoided any harsh criticism of the Very Stable Genius.

Blowback: A president in turmoil. A deadly motive. by James Blowback: A president in turmoil. A deadly motive. by James

I really enjoyed this one! Very on topic for right now. It’s scary because we now know it is possible!For the most part, believe it or not, for the most part this book was pretty good and flowed smoothly most of the time. The authors created an interesting urgency around the political dilemma, well-timed plot-twists, and connecting the multiple storylines in enjoyable ways. My strongest complaint was that the ending was a bit over-dramatic and weaker than the buildup leading to the climax. James Patterson is the gold standard by which all others are judged. STEVE BERRY, bestselling author of the Colton Malone series

Blowback by James Patterson | Goodreads Blowback by James Patterson | Goodreads

US president Keegan Barrett swept into office on his success as director of the CIA. Six months into his first term, he devises a clandestine power grab with a deadly motive: Revenge.

That attitude of restraint paid off when Trump awarded Patterson a National Humanities Medal, the only one conferred on a novelist during Trump’s time in office. At a White House ceremony in 2019, the president told Patterson, “You’ve sold a lot more books than me, and I guess you’ve sold a lot more books than anyone but maybe one: the Bible.” It was a weird moment that inadvertently called attention to the fact that Trump, Patterson and God rely on other people to help write their books. . . . Tradecraft: “Maybe he’s being too cautious, but that’s like saying there’s too much bacon. No one in the Agency ever says those words.” Patterson boils a scene down to a single, telling detail, the element that defines a character or moves a plot along. It's what fires off the movie projector in the reader's mind. MICHAEL CONNELLY An anthropomorphic feline katt and canine dogg family immediately clash after arriving at Western Frontier Park for vacation. The characters personify stereotypes associated with their species, most Continue reading »

Blowback by James Patterson, Brendan DuBois - Publishers Weekly Blowback by James Patterson, Brendan DuBois - Publishers Weekly

I'm torn on how to rate this one. I loved the start, and was on board 100% finding it hard to stop listening. I was worried and anxious to get to the end. And, as feared, it took a very wimpy turn about an hour before the end. It tried to ramp up the [predictable] action, but it wasn't enough for me to salvage the weak turn it took. So, anti-climatic is the best I can say. US President Keegan Barrett has swept into office on his success as Director of the CIA. Six months into his first term, he devises a clandestine power grab with deadly consequences.

I found this slow at some points then cruises along to action, mystery and violence. It's an interesting and plausible plot which I would have said as not until 7 years ago. Frightening Thanks to NetGalley, James Patterson, and Little Brown & Company for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.