Lifeguard

By: James Patterson, Andrew Gross

Narrated by: Billy Campbell

Length: 7 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

The beach novel of 2005 is here: a sizzling summer thriller from the author of the #1 best seller The Beach House.

The danger isn't in the water.

Working as a lifeguard at a Florida resort, Ned Kelly meets a woman he is wild about, the woman of his dreams. It feels perfect in every way, except that she is used to caviar and Manolo Blahniks, and he is used to burgers and flip-flops. She is a guest at the luxurious hotel, he lives above a garage.

So when Ned's cousin offers to cut him in on a rich deal he's been commissioned to execute, Ned can't turn him down. The plan is simple, just a fast break-and-enter. The risk is high, and the reward is even greater: $5 million. But on the night of the heist, something goes devastatingly wrong. Who will save the lifeguard?

Ned walks away from his job, his town, and the woman he's fallen in love with. Runs away, actually, knowing that only velocity and secrecy can save his life. But who is pursuing him? The FBI? Whoever sabotaged the heist? Or is it all somehow tied into his new love, and his oldest enemies?

©2005 James Patterson. All Rights Reserved. (P)2005 Time Warner AudioBooks. All Rights Reserved.

Critic reviews

"Don't be fooled by the title of Patterson's latest thrilling yarn: the action goes far beyond the beach....Packing all the punches readers have come to expect from Patterson's books, this one delivers at every turn." (Booklist)
"It's a twisty story that will engage the interest of beach-goers everywhere." (Publishers Weekly)

Great story

I enjoyed the book very much! The performance was good too. I am always for the underdog. I recommend it.

good - not great

I was let down by this book. I would keep looking before committing to this one.

Typical Patterson

If you like Patterson, you'll like Lifeguard. Has lots of surprises and plausible plot. Loved it.

A good read/story

I thought is was very entertaining along with the muscic and sound effects gave this a very unexpected read.

I loved it!

A quick, enjoyable, suspenseful read. I couldn't put this one down. Finished in record time. I loved the storyline, twists and turns. A great book to read in between embarking on a heavier two or three part read. James Patterson continues to impress me.

Lifeguard Review

Totally implausible plot - but very entertaining. Total brain candy.

Good for traffic jams, I guess...

I bought this book because I had enjoyed three others by Andrew Gross. This was disappointing, however. Just not imaginative! And don't ask me about the background music - horrible! The narrator was quite good, though.

Enjoyable and Light

Took a bit of time to get into it but once the plot was established the book became very enjoyable. I listened while walking the dog and it often made me want to walk that extra block or two to hear what was coming up next. The music and sound effects added enjoyment to the book and the narrator was very pleasant to listen to. I'm not sorry I bought this one. It was my first Patterson book and I think I try another one of his books.

All good except for the final note

the very, very ending was a cop out, very clichéd and without imagination other than an anonymous action like it was.

Good Book!

James Patterson does this story genre well..and this is another fine example of the twists and turns his plots provide.

I gave it 4 stars because he identified the University of South Florida as being in the Palm Beach, Florida area. It is located on west coast of Florida and as Alumni of USF it bugged me A LOT.

But if you are not an Alumni of USF you might never have known. Otherwise it is a good book.