I, Michael Bennett

Michael Bennett, Book 5

By: James Patterson, Michael Ledwidge

Narrated by: Bobby Cannavale, Jay Snyder

Length: 7 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Police officers shot

Detective Michael Bennett arrests an infamous Mexican crime lord in a deadly chase that leaves Bennett's lifelong friend, Hughie McDonough, dead. From jail, the prisoner vows to rain epic violence down upon New York City - and to get revenge on Michael Bennett.

Judges murdered

To escape the chaos, Bennett takes his 10 kids and their beautiful nanny, Mary Catherine, on a much-needed vacation to his family's cabin near Newburgh, New York. But instead of the calm and happy town he remembers from growing up, they step into a nightmare worse than they could have ever imagined. Newburgh is an inferno of warring gangs, and there's little the police - or Bennett - can do to keep the children safe.

Target: Michael Bennett

As violence overwhelms the state, Bennett is torn between protecting his hometown and saving New York City. A partner in his investigations, federal prosecutor Tara McLellan brings him new weapons for the battle - and an attraction that endangers his relationship with Mary Catherine.

A no-holds-barred, pedal-to-the-floor, action-packed novel, Michael Bennett is James Patterson at his most personal and most thrilling best.

©2012 James Patterson (P)2012 Hachette Audio

I Michael Bennett

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

I enjoy reading all of the Michael Bennett stories, however this one was one of my favorites. The cliff hanger aspect was anticipated based on the type of action that was taking place. Just not certain how the authors will move on from here. Looking forward to the next book, however not as much as I typically do.

Would you be willing to try another book from James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge ? Why or why not?

Yes, I enjoy the anticipation and mystery.

Which character – as performed by Bobby Cannavale and Jay Snyder – was your favorite?

Michael Bennett

Could you see I, Michael Bennett being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No

I Michael Bennett

I like a cliffhanger as much as anyone, but this book just stops abruptly.

great book

loved the book. I cried in some parts of the book. (I won't give away where or why)
love the narrator hope he never stops being Michael Bennett he makes the book if you make a Michael Bennett movie Bobby should definitely play Mike.

Up in the air !

If you want to listen to a book that ends with no resolution then this is the book for you.

If you want to listen to a book that actually has a resolution and you aren't left hanging at the end then don't buy this book. It was a great story until the end when it stopped. Seriously doesn't James Patterson have enough money (he writes and co-writes so many books I can't count them)? Instead he leaves this book (in my opinion) in the middle. This book could have been so good if he finished it and resolved the final showdown instead of waiting and making people buy another one to see what happens to Michael Bennett. I for one am done with James Patterson.

Just not much to grab on to. Left hanging!

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

Cut out the excessive fluff about family. Also left hanging at the end obviously in order to set up for follow-up book

Has I, Michael Bennett turned you off from other books in this genre?

Somewhat??????

Would you be willing to try another one of Bobby Cannavale and Jay Snyder ’s performances?

Yes but it won't take much to turn me off completely

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

Enjoyed action in book but got tired of the family fluff.

Any additional comments?

felt kinda bored through whole book?????

Decent story in need of an ending!!!!

What disappointed you about I, Michael Bennett?

The story did not have an ending. It felt like they just stopped in the middle and left you hanging, almost like they stopped to meet a publishing deadline.

I'm a big fan of this series but was very disappointed by this!

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Good story, great buildout of the bad guy.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

This performer is always good.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from I, Michael Bennett?

About half of the family "filler" needed to be edited out. That got boring.

Any additional comments?

Michael's relationship with his DEA friend wasn't consistent. In the beginning he talks about how they has lost touch then later he says he misses him everyday. Inconsistent.

Bad ending

What did you like best about I, Michael Bennett? What did you like least?

The performance was very good. I thought there was too much emphasis on the romance of Bennett and MK.

What was most disappointing about James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge ’s story?

The amount of historical filler and the ending with everyone riding off into the sunset.

Which character – as performed by Bobby Cannavale and Jay Snyder – was your favorite?

From a performance standpoint, Shamus.

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

Probably not.

Any additional comments?

None

Extremely disappointing

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

If you like a love story that had dragged on far too long and doesn't come to any conclusion as well as many murders that also don't come to any conclusion, then you'll like this one. This was very disappointing as this series started out with great promise. There is nothing worse than no conclusions and leaving the reader just hanging. At the end you're left speechless thinking, where is the end.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Can't wait for Lee Child's new book. Odd Apocalyse is next as well as Faye Kellerman's new book

What about Bobby Cannavale and Jay Snyder ’s performance did you like?

Both were excellent in reading their parts. Their voices are pleasing and don't detract in any way from the story. I think Dick Hill is the best narator I've heard but these are very close.

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

The only thing I can think of is the Mary Catherine left Michael. She would be smart to stay away.

Exceedingly Poor

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

Better story line. This one made Michael Bennett seem to be an ambulating idiot. He can't figure out the most obvious of clues. And Mary Catherine is drawn as a selfish, self-involved person. Not the Mary Catherine of the past novels. I found myself tuning out most of the time, having to rewind and try to follow the story arc.

What was most disappointing about James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge ’s story?

You want me to name ONE thing that was most disappointing? How about that I actually bought this dreck? The writing was poor and the characterizations were farcical. Except for Seamus, the other major characters were ploddingly drawn, and insipid.

What about Bobby Cannavale and Jay Snyder ’s performance did you like?

I liked Bobby Canavale's performance, he captures New York perfectly. Too bad he was saddled with such a poor excuse for a story. Jay Snyder was not memorable to me.

What character would you cut from I, Michael Bennett?

It wouldn't help to cut a character or characters. The book was not worth the money I paid for it.

Any additional comments?

I hope this is the last Michael Bennett book, at least it most likely will be for me. I was hugely disappointed.

Eh...Not Bad

This one was not as good as the other books in this series. Some of it was actually laughable. For instance, why would Michael Bennett, father of ten, taunt a notoriously brutal drug lord??? And why did he not put two and two together as far as two of his kids being shot?

Anyway, not a bad read. Narration was very good.