On your mark...
Private, the world's most renowned investigation firm, has been commissioned to provide security for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Its agents are the smartest, fastest, and most technologically advanced in the world, and 400 of them have been transferred to London to protect more than 10,000 competitors, who represent more than 200 countries.
Get set...
The opening ceremony is hours away when Private investigator and single father of twins, Peter Knight, is called to the scene of a ruthless murder: a high-ranking member of the games' organizing committee has been killed. It's clear to Peter that this wasn't a crime of passion, but one of precise calculation and execution.
Die!
Newspaper reporter Karen Pope receives a letter from a person who calls himself Cronus, claiming responsibility. He promises to restore the Olympics to their ancient glory and to destroy all those who have corrupted the games with lies, corruption, and greed. Immediately, Karen hires Private to examine the letter, and she and Peter uncover a criminal genius who won't stop until he's completely destroyed the modern games.
"America's #1 storyteller" (Forbes) delivers an exhilarating, action-packed thriller that brings the splendor and emotion of the Olympics to a wildly powerful climax.
©2012 James Patterson (P)2012 Random House Audiobooks
"Well done"
It was so well written (and performed) that it was difficult to remember that the London Games were months away. It felt like I was watching it unfold as opposed to listening to fiction. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
"Liked this one a lot!"
Up there. Kept my interest better than PRIVATE did. Liked the story, but it could have been
Yes, the characters mixed with the story and sub-stories are all interesting.
No
Current, and possible. Keep your eyes open!!
"A waste of time?"
VERY slow start and not sure it was worth the effort. Beneath James Patterson's abilities.
"HUH?????"
Will never listen to the narrator again, but will of course get the authors books again.
different narrator
couldn't understand him clearly when switching from one character to the next
Don't know, couldn't get past the first 2 hrs.
Not worth the time or credit, very disappointed
"International Flavor"
Exciting background for this story is the 2012 Olympic games in London. I wish that the date had been further in the future though. Such dreadful foreboding of terror, murder, unprotected athletes, and technology used for evil purposes is frightening. The evil characters have all had abusive and tragic childhoods. To exact revenge for the leader who believes that his Olympic glory was stolen in Spain, the 2012 summer olympics and its athletes are targeted.
Please do listen to a sample before purchasing this audible book. I almost did not finish the story because it took awhile to adjust to the British English accent of the narrator. If you do not like the British English, then I recommend that you read the printed version. I had to stop and re-start so that I could get in to the story. Once you get used to the narrator's accent, it does add a touch of international flare to the story. However, I really could not stand how he interpreted the children's voices...especially Lukey.
Where was the owner of Private? I don't think that he had more than five sentences in this entire story.
It is difficult to feel an emotional attachment to any of the characters. Perhaps it is because there is not enough depth provided. There are also many characters, such as the cab driver and news reporter, who act as bridges or are used to move the story line along. The stories or backgrounds of the characters are not worthy of empathy or sympathy. The personal challenges presented are so formula-like. The lesbian aspect was gratuitious and added nothing to the story. It was as though the authors thought by "throwing" in an aspect (murder of wealthy people, lesbian relationships, kidnapping, terrorism, child-abuse and rape, child neglect, mythology references, torture, etc.) that it would really grab the reader/listener.
For example, family relationships are odd, strained and flawed somewhat in this story. The evil characters are referred to as sisters and brother. It takes awhile to determine the true relationship. The main character's family is truly flawed. He prefers working rather than being with his twin son and daughter, although he loves them due to being part of their deceased mother. All we learned about the "hero's" children, twins, is that their mother died in child birth. The twins have run off several nannys due to their badness, but we do not know exactly what is bad, just that the children are bad and not potty trained at 3 years of age. It is also impossible to believe that two children misbehave to the point that no nanny service in London could find someone to watch them. Thus,one of the "bad guys" in the story is hired as a nanny due to the father's desparation to dump the kids on someone so that he could focus on his job!! What happens to the children is predictable. A nut does not fall far from the tree it is said. The father does not have a loving relationship with his own mother. As a result his mother does not have a close relationship with her grandchildren. The aunt(sister of the deceased mother) of the children "resents" them and has not seen or met the twins yet.
Unfortunately, while I tried to really like this story, it is another mediocre collaboration with the Patterson name attached. It would be interesting to what percentage of the story is contributed by Mr. Patterson or if he is just a mentor to aspiring authors. Entertaining,yes, but not very good.
Spartan Reader
"Boring Story"
This has to been the most boring Patterson story. Save your money and credit
Wordy,horrible story line
Where did he come from. I know the story was set in London but OMG! He has no vocal variety or inflection.
None. Where were the great characters from the first two novels.
Save yourself from this book. Waste of time!!!!
"Avoid!!! Seriously, don't get it!"
I wasted a credit. I didn't enjoy this book. Bad writing and bad performance. Every time the killer spoke, I about fell asleep. The reader was bad. British accent which was hard to understand at times and he seemed to be bored with the book which made it boring for me.
The long personal reflections from the killer were so boring, I almost fell asleep, and I was driving!
Hard time understanding at times. He didn't seem like he was into it.
Every scene where the killer spoke.
Can I get a refund?
"Strong accent by narrator"
Different narrator
Was not expecting the British accent and it was difficult to understand
Probably not
Didn't listen long enough to find out
No
"A little disappointing"
I'm a fan of most of James Patterson and who ever he has teamed up with at the moment, but I found this one lacking. I'm done with the Private series.
I don't think so.
Ginny
"Not really the same series"
This book would be great for someone who has never heard or read the first two Private Series, and is from the UK or Australia. The narrator fails to approximate an American accent, and one cannot recognize Jack Morgan, the primary character in the series. The "first person" narrative of the killer is very dark.
Firstly, the narrator was just too far "off" from previous performances. Secondly, the plot is a huge departure from Jack Morton's world. It doesn't seem to belong in the series.
The narrator had no skill at American accents.
The story took some very interesting turns.