Crazy House

By: James Patterson, Gabrielle Charbonnet

Narrated by: Therese Plummer

Length: 7 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's Summary

There were no charges. There was no trial. There will be no escape.

Seventeen-year-old Becca Greenfield was snatched from her small hometown. She was thrown into a maximum-security prison and put on Death Row with other kids her age. Until her execution, Becca's told to fit in and shut her mouth...but Becca's never been very good at either. Her sister, Cassie, was always the perfect twin.

Becca's only hope is that her twin sister will find her. That perfect little priss Cassie will stop following the rules and start breaking them before it's too late. Because her jailers made a mistake that could get them both killed:

They took the wrong twin.

©2017 James Patterson (P)2017 Hachette Audio

Critic Reviews

"Action-packed fight scenes, flickers of romance, and Patterson's signature speedy chapters should satisfy teens who like their suspense served with a side of political revolt." ( Booklist)

Patterson or Steven King ?

This was not what I expected from J Patterson. Not does the review describe the book. This is a story about a cult population where everything in their lives is controlled. From education, career, when to become pregnant to when and how to die. They do not know any other lifestyle exists. But when the children began to disappear, no one bothers to ask why or where they go. The children are taken to a former prison and put on death row. Forced to live in squalor, fight each other like heavy weight boxers, spend hours on education, and exercise used as brutal punishment. And just when it can't get worse, they are forced to watch each other be executed with no reason given. It's was not a pleasant listen for me and this I didn't finish.

Patterson needs to stick to the genre for which he is known. This book is way outside his area of experience. And it is apparent again and again in this latest book. I really wonder if he is just selling his name and letting anyone who has the bucks stick it on their novels. Disappointed.

19 of 20 people found this review helpful

So bad.

I don't know which I disliked more, the story or the narrator. It was so hard to get through, so juvenile and corny, and went nowhere. If I could go back in time and save myself from one mistake in my life, it would be downloading this book.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Disappointing at best

Not a book I would recommend. Weak by comparison to other Paterson stories. Disappointed. It went nowhere at the end.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Not up to James Patterson's standards.

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Nothing. I wouldn't have purchased it if I'd known it is "young adult" and young girl oriented.

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

Take James Patterson's name off! Very disappointed.

Would you be willing to try another one of Therese Plummer’s performances?

Not if it "YA".

Any additional comments?

Waste of time and money. Violent.

11 of 13 people found this review helpful

Meant for kids or challenged adults

Should have been a warning. Will think twice before ordering any more Patterson books. Either he is getting stale or his ghost writer has a problem

9 of 11 people found this review helpful

Story

Not fond of hunger games theme but story was interesting. Don't think I want to read the series.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Weak story

What disappointed you about Crazy House?

This story is more for adolescents; I did not enjoy this book. I thought it would be a lot more imaginative and gruesome.

What do you think your next listen will be?

John Grisham

Which scene was your favorite?

none

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Crazy House?

n/a

Any additional comments?

n/a

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Tough

This story is not only scary but hard to listen to.
I think the writer has made his point many times.

Hunger Games it isn't

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

If like Hunger Games, will have 3 parts.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

A lot.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Possibly just to see if better than book.

Any additional comments?

Not up to Patterson standards.

Wow was this terrible

If you are looking to read a book that’s basically poorly written Hunger Games fan-fiction with gigantic plot holes, narrative contradictions, unfinished plot lines and cardboard characters, then this is the book for you. I can’t think of a single good thing to say about it—well, the reading/performance of the audiobook was fine. But the actual story is trash. And I find it hard to believe Patterson had anything to do with it. I can’t believe even an editor had anything to do with this book.