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Instinct  By  cover art

Instinct

By: James Patterson,Howard Roughan
Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini
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Publisher's summary

A CBS TV series starring Alan Cumming - premiering January 2018.

Previously published as Murder Games.

Dr. Dylan Reinhart wrote the book on criminal behavior. Literally - he's a renowned, best-selling Ivy League expert on the subject. When a copy of his book turns up at a gruesome murder scene - along with a threatening message from the killer - it looks like someone has been taking notes.

Elizabeth Needham is the headstrong and brilliant NYPD Detective in charge of the case who recruits Dylan to help investigate another souvenir left at the scene - a playing card. Another murder, another card - and now Dylan suspects that the cards aren't a signature, they're a deadly hint - pointing directly toward the next victim. As tabloid headlines about the killer known as "The Dealer" scream from newstands, New York City descends into panic. With the cops at a loss, it's up to Dylan to hunt down a serial killer unlike any the city has ever seen. Only someone with Dylan's expertise can hope to go inside the mind of a criminal and convince The Dealer to lay down his cards. But after thinking like a criminal - could Dylan become one?

A heart-pounding novel of suspense more shocking than any tabloid true crime story, Instinct introduces the next unforgettable character from the imagination of James Patterson, the world's number one best-selling author.

©2017 James Patterson and Howard Roughan (P)2017 Hachette Audio

Featured Article: The Best James Patterson Audiobooks and Series, According to Fans


James Patterson is one of the most prolific contemporary American writers working today—from children's and YA books to thrillers, mysteries, and even romance, it's hard to keep up with such a massive number of best sellers. Whether you’re just discovering James Patterson or you’re an avid, longtime fan of his wide-ranging work, you can't go wrong with any of these excellent listens. Here are a few different entry points into his impressive catalog.

What listeners say about Instinct

Average customer ratings
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Not Patterson's best work!!!!

I gave this book 2 stars because it's so slow. It's hard to get into. I kept listening thinking for sure it would pick up. I was wrong. I chose this book because all of Patterson's precious work is fast paced and is very suspenseful. This book was neither. It also didn't have the twists and turns and surprise ending I've come to expect from him. This book wasn't awful but it wasn't all that good either. It's an okay read. Go ahead and try it for yourself, you may actually enjoy it. If not you can always return it for a credit. I probably will return it. I don't plan on re reading it.

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50 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

A Smarmy, Bad Humor Sneer

The good reviews pulled me in, but in the first minutes I could not stand the hero, an unbearably arrogant Yale professor. His smarmy humor so overpowers the story I could not finish the book.

Unfortunately, its a waste of a great premise and mystery.

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40 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Meh

The whole book felt kinda pretentious. The writer does things like mention a grouse by its scientific name(just one example of many) when it is completely unnecessary and it comes across in a way that makes you want to roll your eyes. The way the reader sounded really helped to push the pretentiousness over the top. Overall just another "killer who leaves behind playing cards" story. Nothing particularly special.

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24 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars
  • TJ
  • 08-17-17

Struggled to Finish...

I am a huge fan of James Patterson but I just can't follow the story

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22 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Thumbs Down

Only made it to chapter 7. Couldn't get past there. Really makes me mad that I paid for this garbage. Next time I will be more careful researching the books I buy.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

great airport book

I love the narrator for the story and it was a great airplane ride listen

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

The thrill never came

The story was disappointing. Says it's a thriller, but the thrill never came. Only saving grace is the voice actor.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Murder Game

What made the experience of listening to Murder Games the most enjoyable?

It's a typical James Patterson"s crime and mystery thriller The narration added the enjoyment listening to this audiobook.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Waste of money

Terrible assembly line writing. This was written resting on the laurels of the authors name. Poorly contrived garbage. Written to make money not entertain

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it

Good story. Great narrator. Hope there is more to come with this character.

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7 people found this helpful