The Midnight Club

If this had been the first James Patterson I read, I would have definitely never picked up another. The idea that a writer can come and go at will, into the top secret meetings of the NYPD or be given admittance to a top secret multi-force operation in Atlantic City is incredible enough.

But when the most evil man on earth personally calls the protagonist and gives him the broadest clue possible of what he is going to do and our hero doesn't catch on, I couldn't believe it. I knew from the first words what would go down, and expected him to leap into action to protect his girlfriend and her son, get them into hiding. But no.

And that had to be the most lackluster romance ever. It could have been good, if written with the slightest skill.

Don't bother with this one...

Very good for being written early in James Patterson's career. New twist and turns throughout the book. A definite two thumbs up for mystery book lovers. And for a 20 year old book, was in top condition from the seller.

I enjoyed this book a lot. It is up to the usually James Patterson standard. If you are a James Patterson fan you will enjoy.

I just couldnt get into this book at all. it starts out okay but then it just plateaus and nothing exciting happens. not worth it.

James Patterson has been writing thriller novels since the 1970s, but didn't become a big success until 1990, when he wrote a novel entitled ALONG CAME A SPIDER featuring a character named Alex Cross. Now he's the biggest thriller writer in existence. I like Patterson's stories, but I don't think his pre-1990 novels are worth reading.

THE MIDNIGHT CLUB is an example of why. It comes across as a pretty mediocre novel, especially if you've read a lot of thriller fiction. The characters are quite flat, and the plot is pretty predictable and filled with silly cliches. The romance, in particular, is not the least bit believable. Unlike Patterson's later novels, this book is also pretty slow paced and overwritten in sections. I found it a chore to read.

I think THE MIDNIGHT CLUB is for Patterson completists only. If you're new to his work, my advice is to try KISS THE GIRLS, 1ST TO DIE, THE QUICKIE, or JUDGE & JURY. Those novels are far more entertaining than what I found here.