Burn

By: James Patterson, Michael Ledwidge

Narrated by: Danny Mastrogiorgio

Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's Summary

Detective Michael Bennett finally returns to New York City - and to the most unsettling, horrific case of his career.

At last, Detective Michael Bennett and his family are coming home to New York City. Thanks to Bennett, the ruthless crime lord whose vengeful mission forced the Bennett family into hiding has been brought down for good.

Back in the city that never sleeps, Bennett takes over a chaotic Outreach Squad in Harlem, where he receives an unusual call: a man claims to have seen a group of well-dressed men holding a bizarre party in a condemend building. With no clear crime or evidence, Bennett dismisses the report. But when a charred body is found in that very same building, he is forced to take the demented caller seriously - and is drawn into an underground criminal world of terrifying depravity.

©2014 James Patterson (P)2014 Hachette Audio

Great listen, good story, BUT abrupt end......

Great listen.... with multiple story lines..., interesting personalities....,suspense..., and of course familiar family involvement.......
Bennett's twisted journey to solve a complicated crime came to a ABRUPT end thus ending the story.....what happened to the rest of the story...his ombudsman team....his adopted daughter......his sick grandfather....Mary Catherine ??????
I was left hanging...am I being set up for a sequel ???????. (Clever but maddening )

7 people found this helpful

A Disappointment

Too short, too many players, not up to his usual standard. I was actually stunned
when it ended. I could not believe it. Don't waste your time.

5 people found this helpful

Really bad, all around.

Sometimes a really good narrator can make a weak story more listenable, and sometimes a terrible narrator can make an awful book even worse. Unfortunately, the latter is the case with this book. I have enjoyed Patterson's book for years in the past. It is indeed sad to see his work come to this.

4 people found this helpful

Book needs finished!

What would have made Burn better?

Major story line not resolved. Female cop killed and investigated early in story not resolved. Then demise of bad boy very weak. Lastly, way to much background noise with the Bennit family.

What could James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Finnish the story!

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The basic story was good, potentially great!

6 people found this helpful

Finished in one day! FANTASTIC!

Have you listened to any of Danny Mastrogiorgio’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I love this narrator! He is now synonomous with Michael Bennett for me.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I've been waiting for this book since the last installment. Pre-ordered and counted down the days and it did not disappoint. I may listen to it again!

6 people found this helpful

Boring!!'

Rambling, too many storie lines, life happened yada, yada, yada. Boring!!! Can't believe this story went from running from Mex cartail to this mess!

4 people found this helpful

Burn by Patterson /Ledwidge

Love the Michael Bennett stories. Great characters and good story line, Felt a little disappointed in ending.

4 people found this helpful

Another James Cross home run

If you could sum up Burn in three words, what would they be?

Succinct, well written, mesmerizing

What was one of the most memorable moments of Burn?

When Bennett was at the gate and his protégés stepped up and displayed their newly found confidence, received from soaking in all of Bennett's words and actions. Previously considered misfits, it became apparent they were excellent students and would indeed grow into excellent NYC police officers.

What does Danny Mastrogiorgio bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

It is his voice. The richness and maturity in his voice help you visualize how powerful Detective Michael Bennett really is. He does not need to use power or brutality to get what he needs. His self confidence, experience, instincts, ability to bite his tongue, think rationally and act quickly help you understand that his mere presence is something that demands ones full and immediate attention. You can easily visualize Michael Bennett every time he speaks. The ability to hear his thoughts really help you understand Michael Bennett as more than a cop. I can't imagine anyone else being the voice of Michael Bennett.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

One can only hope a movie will follow...

Think of the most vile criminals and acts against human mankind. Hannibal Lecter has nothing on these guys and it's up to Detective Michael Bennett and his squad of misfit cops to stop him.

Any additional comments?

So nice to hear a book that flows. I grow tired of books with 3 or 4 different story lines. Or narrators that lack the ability to put any depth into their characters. Nothing worse than having to go back 5 or 10 minutes after taking a break to help you remember what's going on. This is a great read for Michael Bennett fans. Finally a happy ending.

4 people found this helpful

ME ME ME

Mr. Patterson, in my opinion, is running on empty. I've read several of his earlier novels and they were interesting and exciting. But, now that he is wring with other authors, the difference is very noticible. Burn, focuses on so many trivial things that it wasn't long that I lost interested in the basic story, which is about murder and canibilism. To be faced with such an abomination one minute, only to be distracted by the 'hero's' adopted children, aging father, and love-interest of the nannie; is annoying. Worst of all, has to be the tiresome voice of the reader. His voice can almost put you to sleep. Not to mention, the ridiculous accents. I won't be wasting any more time with this author. He's run out of steam.

1 person found this helpful

Where's the Ending?

Which character – as performed by Danny Mastrogiorgio – was your favorite?

I miss Bobby Cannavale as Michael but Danny Mastrogiorgio is a pretty good replacment.

Any additional comments?

Where was the ending? Seems like stuff was left in the air...Didn't 'wrap' up the crimes too well and next thing we know Michael is in Ireland.????

3 people found this helpful