Step on a Crack

By: James Patterson

Narrated by: John Slattery

Length: 6 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's Summary

First came Alex Cross. Then the Women's Murder Club. Now meet Detective Michael Bennett, NYPD ¿ and his 10 children.

The nation is mourning after the death of a beloved former first lady, and the most powerful people in the world gather in New York for her funeral. Then the inconceivable occurs. Billionaires, politicians, and superstars are suddenly trapped within one man's brilliant and ruthless scenario. Detective Michael Bennett is pulled into the fray. He's just lost the love of his life and faces raising his children alone ¿ and rescuing 34 hostages.

As the world watches and the tension boils to a searing heat, Bennett has to find a way out ¿ or face responsibility for the greatest debacle in history.

©2007 James Patterson (P)2007 Headline Audiobooks

Step on a Crack

Brilliant as usual, love the Michael Bennett series. Suspenseful and sad, emotions all mixed. The narration was excellent.

A Strange mixture of Patterson mayhem and pathos

The switch between the usual Patterson violence intermingled with the unbelievability of a busy detective having 10 children AND a dying saintly wife PLUS helpful father/grandfather, then being sent an even saintlier au pair and still keep his act together, was just too much for this usually gullible listener to swallow.

I dislike background music/sound effects in any audible book but even though the sad scenes were so eloquently expressed, the soulful music intruded, particularly when the listener was immediately jolted into the next unreal vicious actions of the villains.

Part of Patterson's et all's successful writing strategy is to make you quickly turn the page at the end of each chapter to find out 'what happens next' The narrator paused before announcing each one, which made me feel he also found the discontinuity between action and family tragedy, hard to handle.

A good listen, but not a super listen

In general the story starts off with the death of Caroline Hopkins, a former First Lady and her funeral is attended by the cream of the crust, consisting of the most influential and wealthiest individuals at the Saint Patrick's Cathedral. Unfortunately, a group of men take them hostage and will do anything to meet their private objectives. I thought Mr. Patterson developed the hostage characters very well. He had a knack for dropping little traits about these characters until after awhile I found myself really caring about what will happen to these people.

Enter Michael Bennett, a detective for NY Police Department, and he is forced into the role of negotiator. Meanwhile, his personal life is in turmoil. His beloved wife is terminally ill with cancer and he is left caring for their ten children. Ten Children? Yes that's correct 10 children! At this point I thought Patterson was strettttching the Brady Bunch a bit too much to enhance the devotion of this character, but I read on. As I read on I found that Patterson was able to weave Michael's love for his wife, Maeve, and their children into many sensitive, believable scenes. There was Michael dealing with the chaos at home, while at the same time dealing with the hostage situation. Still I couldn't connect to this super father and hero.

STEP ON A CRACK by James Patterson is good read, but not a super read. The characters a little exciting but I had wished that there was a good dose of some thriller scenes. If you want an easy listen then I recommend this book.

A must read as usual

If you could sum up Step on a Crack in three words, what would they be?

Fascinating new line.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Step on a Crack?

Christmas

What about John Slattery’s performance did you like?

Just the right amount of expressive story telling for each situation.

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

Not to be missed.

Any additional comments?

As alway a wonderful way to spend my spare time with a James Patterson thriller wonderfully read. Thank you.

Will definitely look for more in this series.

What made the experience of listening to Step on a Crack the most enjoyable?

Intriguing story that had you wondering to the end.

Any additional comments?

Enjoyable and fast paced, difficult to put down.

A truly great read

Another brilliant book by James Patterson. What an imagination! I was engaged after the first few minutes.

Where is old&gold James Patterson?

I love JP's books, but this one was soooo disapointing. A man, handling 10 kids, wife dying on cancer, why is that romantic non-sense part of a crime story? It's not thrilling anymore.

Unexpectedly Enjoyed

If you could sum up Step on a Crack in three words, what would they be?

Heartwarming, intriguing, riveting

What was one of the most memorable moments of Step on a Crack?

When the main characters wife died

What does John Slattery bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

The feeling of being there with the characters

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

This could really happen.......

Any additional comments?

I usually only like women authors but a friend recommended The Women's Murder Club and I listened to all 12 in record time. My mother was really poorly in hospital at the time (sadly died in September) and I couldn't sleep. When I'd read the WMC books I used to fall asleep regularly so I bought the Michael Bennett book in the hope it would help. It was a riveting interesting read and it filled my head with words at a time I really didn't want to think. It helped me sleep as I often drifted off while listening and if I didn't I enjoyed the story so much it stopped me grieving (if only for a short while). The characters were excellent and the voices were really believable as what you would imagine them to sound like, I'm now working my way through that series and am enjoying every minute of the books so far!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

A must listen to.

Being addicted to crime thrillers and such like, I was delighted with the curve the writer has put into this story. Quite brilliantly set out with an excellent by-line of 10 little people made this extremely interesting and an abominal villan who really gets under your skin. Miss this one at your own loss!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

At his best

As usual James Patterson has you gripped and unable to put down this book.
Tragedy strikes twice in this book and breaks your heart at the same time as it speeds up it's beat. Exciting ,intriguing and appauling. A must for any Patterson fan!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Different in a good way

Not the usual James Patterson. it's very restricted in events. however intrigued to understand the series. A definite difference between Alex Cross books which is great!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Brilliant book, brilliantly delivered

Such an enjoyable listen. The two guys brought all the characters to life superbly! Downloading the next one now!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Great story

Only thing that spoilt the book for me were the sound effects I thought they were not necessary.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Insightful!

Not bad. Almost every chapter, reflecting on how the price of freedom suffers a huge price; while the preservation of sanity, almost comes at a loss. To be honest, in my own opinion, there were no winners in this book, but just a few lessons to learn.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Emotional at times

First book in the Michael Bennett series, very enjoyable. Very emotional at times! Must read/listen :)
Ready for book 2!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

good read

A good read, complex enough to not be too predictablle but interesting enough all the same :)

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Exceptional read

What made the experience of listening to Step on a Crack the most enjoyable?

Such a cleverly, and at times exceptional book. The concept is very clever and the narrative very very well done.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Step on a Crack?

Without giving too much away, the scene in the hospital with the children. Reduced me to tears !!!

Which character – as performed by John Slattery – was your favourite?

Has to be the grandfather! All knowing, but with such broad shoulders you know he is there for you.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The planting of the tree.

Any additional comments?

A really good listen!! Very good description at all times that created pictures in your mind as it progressed, helped along buy such good narrative skills.!!