The Postcard Killers

By: James Patterson, Liza Marklund

Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren, Erik Singer, Reg Rogers

Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Paris is stunning in the summer.

NYPD detective Jacob Kanon is on a tour of Europe's most gorgeous cities. But the sights aren't what draw him - he sees each museum, each cathedral, and each cafe through the eyes of his daughter's killer.

The killing is simply marvelous.

Kanon's daughter, Kimmy, and her boyfriend were murdered while on vacation in Rome. Since then, young couples in Paris, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, and Stockholm have been found dead. Little connects the murders other than a postcard to the local newspaper that precedes each new victim.

Wish you were here.

Now, Kanon teams up with the Swedish reporter Dessie Larsson, who has just received a postcard in Stockholm - and they think they know where the next victims will be. With relentless logic and unstoppable action, The Postcard Killers may be James Patterson's most vivid and compelling thriller yet.

©2010 James Patterson (P)2010 Hachette Audio

Loved it

Not sure why people are hating on the story so much i thought it had a great plot and the readers where really amazing too 10/10 book

A little confusing but still entertaining

Would you try another book from James Patterson and Liza Marklund and/or the narrators?

I would definitely listen to another Jame Patterson. He always delivers fast, entertaining reads/listens.

If you’ve listened to books by James Patterson and Liza Marklund before, how does this one compare?

This was my first James Patterson and Liza Marklund story. They seem make a good team.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

I got a little lost at times with the different voices...I usually prefer to listen to just one narrator. I like that there were male and female voices, but I was expecting them to read the male and female lines like a play...didn't like how each narrator spoke both male and female in the different chapters. They each performed well, though.

Any additional comments?

This would probably make a good beach read, but I didn't find the story to be quite memorable. There was a steamy sex scene, but it gets spoiled by some gross details revealed later in the story.

Excellent Read

I'm an Alex Cross fan, he continues to do excellent work with ease... I look forward to hearing more from him.

Unimpressed

I had never read nor listened to a James Patterson novel, and after this I don't plan to again. The story line was acceptable, but the use of profanity and sexual sidelines made the story sound cheap. I have no issues with either of these (as I use them myself on a regular basis), but using them in a novel without a specific character development reasoning is just finding an easy way out, and shows a lack of creativity by the author. The final chapters playing drama music in the background was also over the top and not needed for someone used to reading vs. watching a movie.

Not so good

Some of the dialogue between characters did not seem realistic. Over reactions, delays, and unrealistic dialogue....just didn't make this enjoyable. I found it annoying to listen to.

Cardboard characters, so-so plot

This book was a real disappointment. The ending was telegraphed about two thirds of the way through the book and, while it had an interesting twist, the writing provided little support for the story. Worst of all, the characters were cardboard representations of conventional stereotypes--particularly the hero, who was depicted as the typical hostile, aggressive but highly competent NYC cop. The villian (or villians--don't want to spoil the plot) had no real motivation at all, at least none that rang true.

So, this novel filled up about 9 hours (part listened to as an audiobook, part read as an eBook at bedtime along the way) of dead time on a long driving trip, thus serving its primary purpose. Beyond that, however, it has little redeeming literary or social importance.

If reading co-authored James Patterson novels, I think I'll stick to the ones co-authored by either Maxine Paetro or Michael Ledgewick.

Yuck.

I had never read a James Patterson "novel" before "The Postcard Killers," but I was interested in collaborative writing (how *do* two authors get credit for one book?). After a little digging I realized that J.P. gives another writer an "outline" for a plot, and then the other writer does all the work.

This is a contrived, empty book that contains one of the most awkward sex scenes I've ever read. It is a passionless affair. The *mystery* is predictable, privileged, and crudely compiled.

I stopped listening at this line: "If this is so wrong, I don't want to be right." SERIOUSLY?!

If I have saved one literate soul from consuming this garbage, I feel like I might redeem myself from contributing money to fund work like this.

Also: The music they inserted into the audio production was corny and unnecessary. As was the entire book (corny and unnecessary).

Strange Book

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

Bizzare is the best thing I can think of. Unbelievable, finally quit half way through as I had enough of blood, guts and strange behaviors.

Has The Postcard Killers turned you off from other books in this genre?

No, but will look at reviews first.

Not recommended!

I usually enjoy James Patterson, but this has to rank among his most dull. The protagonist never develops past a steryotype of the grieving dad, and I found all of the characters a bit annoying. What took this book down a substantial bit is the narration. It is the worst! While the story is set in Sweden, Katherin Kellgren, the female narrator of much of the book, sounds like she is channeling Miss Cleo. I don't know why she chose this Jamaican accent but everytime she speaks, it takes me out of the story.
I recommend skipping this one in favor of better James Patterson works, such as Double Cross.

Horrible narration

I can't believe the horrible narration has not been mentioned in these reviews. I found the female narrator overly dramatic. At times I laughed out loud at how rediculous it was.
The book was not very suspenseful. I found the sex scenes unnecessary.