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Private: #1 Suspect Audiobook
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(3.00) - 5,689 listener ratings
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Plot Summary
Private is the first book of the Private series by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro, featuring detective Jack Morgan who runs a private investigation firm named "Private." Jack used to be in the military and is haunted by the time when there were numerous deaths on a helicopter he was piloting. Jack himself nearly died but was saved by his friend, Rick Del Rio, who later started working with him in the P. I. business. When Jack returned from Afghanistan, his father was in jail for extortion and murder, and he left Jack the P. I. business as well as some money.
Private begins a few years later when Jack's business is already established and he has a great team to help him solve the cases that come in. Dr. Seymour Kloppenberg aka Dr. Sci helps out with medical issues whereas Maureen Roth aka Mo-bot is the computer nerd handling all the technology-related aspects of the cases. Jack himself is the anchor of the book and the business, the one who takes all the different parts of the puzzle and puts them together.
In this first book, Jack has quite a few things on his plate. There are three cases he must solve, one involving the kidnapping and murder of twelve schoolgirls over the course of two years, another involving the beating and murder of one of his friends, Shelby, whom he dated a long time ago and a third involving sports-related gambling. With so many different things happening, Jack must stay on the alert so as not to miss anything.
This is a great quirky mystery with some action and interesting characters; there is also an office romance to spice things up a bit. Jack has to get into the mind of the killers so he can try and predict their next move.
James Patterson was born in 1947 in Newburgh, NY. He got a Bachelor's in English from Manhattan College and a Master's from Vanderbilt University. He worked in advertising at first, writing only sporadically, but, in 1996, he retired from advertising and started writing full time. At this point, Patterson is the highest-selling author in the US; he has outsold John Grisham, Stephen King and Dan Brown combined in the last few years. He also holds the record for the greatest number of hardcover books on the New York Times bestseller list—a whopping total of 76.
Maxine Paetro knew Patterson from his advertising years and started collaborating with him in writing books in 2005. She is also an author of her own fiction and non-fiction books and is well-known for her garden, Broccoli Hall, which has been featured in many home décor magazines.
"I don't remember anything about the first book but I really liked this one. There were a few cases going on at the same time, they were all intriguing. Most of the cases were very quickly solved and the book as a whole was a quick read. I can't wait for the next book in the series."
— Sonia (4 out of 5 stars)
Publisher Summary
Unsolvable cases
Since former Marine Jack Morgan started Private, it has become the world's most effective investigation firm--sought out by the famous and the powerful to discreetly handle their most intimate problems. Private's investigators are the smartest, the fastest, and the most technologically advanced in the world--and they always uncover the truth.
Impossible murders
When his former lover is found murdered in Jack Morgan's bed, he is instantly the number one suspect. While Jack is under police investigation, the mob strong-arms him into recovering $30 million in stolen pharmaceuticals for them. And the beautiful manager of a luxury hotel chain persuades him to quietly investigate a string of murders at her properties.
The #1 suspect is Jack Morgan
While Jack is fighting for his life, one of his most trusted colleagues threatens to leave Private, and Jack realizes he is confronting the cleverest and most powerful enemies ever. With more action, more intrigue, and more twists than ever before, PRIVATE: #1 SUSPECT is James Patterson at his unstoppable best.
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Quotes
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“A full-throttle James Patterson thriller.”
— Barnes & Noble, editorial review -
“Scott Shepherd’s deep, sexy voice and considerable acting skills are a perfect match to James Patterson’s second collaborative work in the Private series.”
— AudioFile -
“Patterson and Paetro mean business. They set the pace right from the start and it’s fast.”
— Caliber magazine -
“Slick and suspenseful.”
— BookLoons.com
Awards
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A USA Today bestseller
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A #1 New York Times bestseller
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A San Francisco Chronicle bestseller
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A Washington Post bestseller
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A Wall Street Journal bestseller
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A Los Angeles Times bestseller
Private: #1 Suspect Listener Reviews
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Gerald Eskilsen, 2/21/2018
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" I thought this was good. It was my first book in the Private series. Not your usual James Patterson but entertaining none the less. "
— Nina, 2/19/2014 -
" Flashes of entertainment are marred by a splintered focus in plot. Perhaps cracks are showing in churning out co-authored stories. "
— Dion, 2/13/2014 -
" A good number of plots and sub-plots going on all at the same time. I wondered how is the world they would all be handled by the end of the book. True to James Patterson's talent, it all worked very well. And, of course, the foundation for the next book has been laid. "
— Nikki, 2/13/2014 -
" I am a fan of James Patterson but it took me awhile to get super interested. I kept putting it down! This was a miss for me. I would have to say the first Private book was much enjoyable than this one though. "
— Nuraini, 2/8/2014 -
" This book had too many characters and too many plots for my full enjoyment. "
— Shana, 1/29/2014 -
" Typical Patterson. Good, quick, mindless read and I love it! "
— Roselle, 1/21/2014 -
" Another great mystery. This writing had tinges of Chandler and old LA noir and I really liked that. It's not America's Great Novel, but it's entertaining and I didn't guess the killer like I did with a few of his other books. I would read this again. "
— Amie, 1/20/2014 -
" Great addition to this series!!! "
— Leslie, 1/19/2014 -
" The mini-stories weren't necessary. It gave the book a "Hill Street Blues" effect. Typical Patterson - buckle down and you can read the whole book in two hours. "
— Sheldon, 1/19/2014 -
" The two best things about a James Patterson novel (at least, the detective series_ is that the stories are usually good and the action is non-stop. "
— Dorothy, 1/18/2014 -
" 3.5 stars. This is probably the best Private book so far. After reading Private Games, it's nice to see a return to form. Can't wait for the next "Jack" novel in the series. I know the next one is Berlin so it could be a little while yet. "
— Emma, 1/12/2014 -
" A solid story but not a page-turner. I don't like the books that James Patterson co-authors with Maxine Paetro as much as I like his other books. "
— Lilli, 1/8/2014 -
" As a Patterson fan-particularly his Maxine Paetro collaborations-I must say that this novel was in my opinion quite poor. It took me a longer than my average time to read. I was not enthralled. He 'churns them out' as somebody once said to me. Maybe time to take a break? "
— S, 12/26/2013 -
" I like this one better than the other Private books. I thought it was better written and the story moved along better than the others. A good quick read overall "
— John, 12/24/2013 -
" This was a decent book, but not nearly as good as some of his others. (Meaning - this one actually took me more than a night to read). "
— Tina, 12/16/2013 -
" Thank goodness I finally plowed through this book. I don't think I will continue on with this series. "
— Leta, 11/30/2013 -
" This book in the Private series is pretty typical of a James Patterson series. It is a fun, fast read! "
— Carrie, 11/7/2013 -
" I like these audiobooks because there are several story lines going on all the time to keep mt attention. Can't wait for the next Jack Morgan. He's something of a wreck. "
— Alana, 11/5/2013 -
" A good, quick mystery. I enjoyed it and found it to be better than some of his more recent works, more similar to ones a few years ago with several mysteries and twists and turns. "
— Ryann, 10/16/2013 -
" Good read, but you need to read Private then Private #1 supsect. "
— Dottie, 10/9/2013 -
" Too much going on so I couldn't keep track. One of the author's books I did not finish, a rare occasion "
— Sally, 7/20/2013 -
" Great plot, great chacters, excellent suspense. I love jack Morgan! I feel like I know him and all of the characters! 2 thumbs up "
— Maria, 2/28/2013 -
" i enjoyed this series opener very much and look forward the next installment. "
— Emily, 1/7/2013 -
" Mystery, suspense, a real page turner! Read it in 2 days! Loved it! James Patterson is a fantastic writer! "
— Arlene, 12/26/2012 -
" your generic "I was framed for murder but I'm gonna find whoever did it, clear my name and get revenge" story "
— Lee, 12/9/2012 -
" I liked this better that Private Games. It went back and forth between cases and characters, but easier to follow. "
— Alice, 7/29/2012 -
" Listened to this book on the way to Colorado. I love James Patterson. "
— Amber, 7/23/2012 -
" Loved it. I could not put it down. "
— Jim, 6/4/2012 -
" Sort of a typical Patterson mystery - lots of players, lots of set-ups, decently good. Not his best, not his worst. "
— Meichler, 4/13/2012
About the Authors
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time. He is the creator of unforgettable characters and series, including Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Effing Smith, and Maximum Ride, and of breathtaking true stories about the Kennedys, John Lennon, and Princess Diana, as well as our military heroes, police officers, and ER nurses. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton, told the story of his own life in James Patterson by James Patterson, and received an Edgar Award, nine Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
January LaVoy, winner of numerous awards for narration, was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine in 2019. She is an American actress best known for her character Noelle Ortiz on the ABC daytime drama One Life to Live. In addition to working extensively in narration and television, including roles on Law & Order and All My Children, she has worked on and off Broadway as well as in regional theater.
About Scott Shepherd
Scott Shepherd is best known for his work with two internationally celebrated theater companies, the Wooster Group and Elevator Repair Service. He was the narrator of Gatz, a seven-hour staging of the entire text of The Great Gatsby, for which he won an Obie and an Elliot Norton Award.