The Best James Patterson Books

Do you love reading suspenseful murder mysteries? In this article, we have reviewed some of the top James Patterson books that will have you on the edge of your seat throughout your entire read.

The Best James Patterson Books


International bestselling author James Patterson is an icon in the literary world. His books have captivated readers for decades with his unique voice, which combines intricate storylines, engaging character development and plenty of humor. From the Alex Cross detective series to sci-fi novels to children’s books, he has multiple genres under his belt and something for any reader looking for a good story. He often works with other authors to bring additional depth to his work, making Patterson an imaginative and multifaceted author that has been delighting readers around the globe for years.

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Alex Cross

When it comes to crime thrillers, James Patterson's books have become a household name. His Alex Cross series is one of the most popular book series of all time, with over 100 million copies sold worldwide. For readers who are new to the genre and looking for a thrilling read, the Alex Cross series is an absolute must-read. Let's dive into why this series remains so popular after all these years.

Alex Cross

30 Books

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The Protagonist: Alex Cross

At the heart of every great book series is a compelling protagonist—and that's certainly true for the Alex Cross books. Detective Alex Cross is one of the most beloved characters in crime fiction and he's been brought brilliantly to life by James Patterson. He's smart, hardworking, and always seeking justice for his victims. He's also fiercely loyal to his family and friends, which makes him incredibly relatable as well as admirable.

The Thrills & Suspense

Patterson excels at writing suspenseful stories that keep readers guessing until the very end. His books in the Alex Cross series combine thrilling plot twists with page-turning action sequences that make for an unforgettable reading experience. With each Alex Cross book comes an entirely new set of characters, settings, and challenges for our hero Detective Cross to overcome—which means you'll never get bored when you pick up one of these books!

The Variety

In addition to being a master at weaving suspenseful tales, Patterson knows how to keep things fresh with each installment in the Alex Cross series. While there are certain elements that remain constant throughout (like our beloved hero), each book offers something uniquely different from its predecessors—from serial killers to corporate espionage plots to political conspiracies and more! This keeps readers coming back again and again for more thrills with each new release.

Our Thoughts

If you're looking for an exciting adventure full of suspense and intrigue, then look no further than James Patterson's Alex Cross series! It has everything you could want from a crime thriller—smart protagonists facing off against diabolical villains; thrilling plot twists; action-packed scenes; unexpected surprises; and plenty of surprises along the way! Whether you're just starting out or already familiar with Patterson's work, this is definitely a series worth checking out. So go ahead—pick up your copy today and join Detective Alex Cross on his unforgettable journey!


Women's Murder Club Series

When it comes to murder mysteries, the Women’s Murder Club series by James Patterson is a classic. This collection of novels follows the adventures of four female friends as they work together to solve mysterious crimes in San Francisco. In this review, I’ll be talking about why this series is so beloved by mystery fans.

Women's Murder Club

23 Books

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The Characters

At the center of the Women’s Murder Club are four strong and talented women who form an unlikely yet powerful friendship. There’s Lindsay Boxer, a homicide detective with the San Francisco Police Department; Claire Washburn, a medical examiner; Cindy Thomas, an up-and-coming crime reporter at The Chronicle; and Jill Bernhardt, a defense attorney. Each character brings something unique and important to their collective cases — whether it’s Boxer’s street smarts or Washburn’s technical expertise — making them all indispensable members of the team.

The Storylines

The Women’s Murder Club books each follow a different case that requires our heroes to use their combined talents to unravel the mystery and bring justice for those affected by crime. In some cases, these investigations take them into dark places where they must confront their own fears and weaknesses in order to succeed. These thrilling stories never fail to keep readers guessing until the very end.

The Writing Style

James Patterson is arguably one of the best writers in modern fiction, and his writing style shines throughout these books. His fast-paced dialogue and vivid descriptions make it easy for readers to imagine themselves in San Francisco alongside Lindsay Boxer and her crew as they try to solve each case before time runs out. It also helps that each novel is relatively short — rarely reaching more than 400 pages — which makes them great reads for people on busy schedules who want something they can easily pick up and put down without losing track of what's going on.

Our Thoughts

All in all, James Patterson's Women's Murder Club series is an excellent choice for anyone looking for an exciting read that won't take too much time but will still keep you hooked from start to finish! With memorable characters, gripping storylines, and flawless writing, this collection of books has something for everyone — no matter what kind of mystery fan you are! So if you're looking for your next great escape into literature then consider giving these novels a try and read James Patterson; I'm sure you won't be disappointed!


Maximum Ride

If you're looking for an exciting and thrilling read, then the James Patterson series Maximum Ride is perfect for you. This action-packed series follows the journey of six kids, each with their own unique ability, as they fight to save the world from evil forces. With an interesting storyline and strong character development, this series is sure to keep you hooked until the very end. Let's take a closer look at what makes this series so great.

Maximum Ride

9 Books

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The Storyline & Characters

Maximum Ride follows Max and her five adopted siblings as they traverse across the world in search of answers about their pasts and their mysterious abilities. Each of these characters has something special that sets them apart from the rest; whether it's wings (Max), air control (Fang), superhuman strength (Iggy), or even being able to shrink down to miniscule size (Gazzy). Together, they must use all of their skillsets to battle evil forces such as Erasers and The Institute while trying to stay one step ahead of their pursuers. Along the way they meet allies like Ella who helps them unlock secrets about their pasts and discover more about themselves.

The Writing Style

James Patterson's writing style is fast-paced yet detailed—it’s easy to get lost in this story without realizing how quickly time passes by! His ability to craft a compelling narrative that keeps readers engaged until the very end is one of his greatest strengths as a writer. He also does an incredible job of weaving together complicated plotlines with interesting characters so that every page turns into another exciting adventure for Max and her friends.

Our Thoughts

Overall, if you're looking for an exciting read that will keep you turning pages until late at night, then the Maximum Ride series should be your first choice! With its fast-paced action scenes, intriguing plotlines and lovable characters, it will take readers on an unforgettable journey full of adventure and mystery. So take a deep breath and buckle up—this wild ride isn't over yet!


The President is Missing

Have you ever wished for a political thriller that actually thrills? Look no further than the James Patterson book The President is Missing. This book brings together two heavy-hitters in the literary world - former US President Bill Clinton and best-selling author James Patterson - to bring readers an exciting story about a president on the run from enemies both foreign and domestic. Let’s dive into this review and see what all the fuss is about!

The President is Missing

527 pages

Audio: 12 hours 55 minutes

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A True Thriller

First off, let’s talk about the premise of this book. It’s simple but powerful. The President of the United States goes missing right before a major summit, leaving his top advisors scrambling to keep his plan for peace secure until he can make it back safely. As if this wasn't enough to keep readers on their toes, there are also some pretty interesting characters that are introduced throughout the novel - from secret agents to high-tech hackers, you never know who will show up next!

His Style

The writing style itself is quite different from a lot of other books in its genre. While it has all the action and suspense you'd expect from any good political thriller, it also has moments of levity and humor sprinkled in that help break up some of the more intense scenes. There are also plenty of plot twists that will keep you guessing until the very end.

The characters are well-developed and believable; they have flaws like any real person would, but they also have admirable qualities as well. And because this book was written by two authors with different backgrounds and perspectives, readers get an interesting mix of ideas and opinions on various topics such as technology, politics, terrorism, and more.

Our Thoughts

All in all, The President is Missing is definitely worth reading if you're looking for something thrilling yet thought provoking at the same time. It's easy to get lost in this world created by Patterson and Clinton - so buckle up and enjoy the ride! Whether you're a fan of Patterson or not, this book provides an entertaining look into what life could be like if someone had absolute power over our nation’s security...and how quickly things can change when those powers are threatened. So pick up your copy today - it won't disappoint!


A Bill Harney Thriller

For readers looking to escape into the world of thrills and suspense, James Patterson's series, A Bill Harney Thriller, is the perfect fit. The first of its kind for Patterson, this series follows former US Marshal Bill Harney as he navigates his way through dangerous situations and gripping storylines. If you're in the mood for a good mystery novel with an edge, you'll love this series. Let's take a closer look at what makes it so exciting.

A Bill Harney Thriller

3 Books

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A New Kind Of Detective Story

The Bill Harney Thriller series is set in the present day and follows retired U.S. Marshal Bill Harney on his many adventures to bring justice to wrongdoers. He often takes matters into his own hands after law enforcement fails to catch criminals, making him an unconventional "detective" of sorts who puts himself in harm’s way in order to get results. This adds an extra layer of excitement to the stories compared to traditional detective fiction — though they still have plenty of action and suspense along with some lighthearted moments here and there.

Patterson Does It Again

As always, James Patterson delivers a thrilling story that's sure to keep readers hooked until the very end. His signature style of weaving together elements from different genres — like action, crime drama, and even romance — will keep you guessing with each turn of the page. And although each book stands alone as its own unique story, the larger narrative arc carries over between installments for those who want to experience the full journey from beginning to end.

Perhaps most impressive of all is how Patterson was able to create such a compelling character with Bill Harney without sacrificing any realism or believability — which can be hard for authors when writing about someone so extraordinary yet so believable at the same time!

Our Thoughts

If you're looking for a thrilling adventure that will keep you on your toes until the very last page, then look no further than James Patterson's A Bill Harney Thriller series! With its fast-paced plots and intriguing characters — not least among them being our hero himself — this series has something for everyone looking for an exciting read filled with suspenseful moments and unexpected twists along the way. So grab your copy today and get ready for one wild ride!


Michael Bennett Series

The Michael Bennett series by James Patterson has been thrilling readers for over a decade. It follows Detective Michael Bennett, a cop from New York City, and his crime-fighting adventures as he navigates the dangerous streets of the Big Apple. If you're looking for an exciting read with plenty of suspense and action, this is definitely one to check out. Let's take a closer look at what makes this series so special.

Michael Bennett

15 Books

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A Cast of Characters You'll Love

The cast of characters in this series is amazing. From Detective Michael Bennett himself to the assorted criminals he must face off against, there's never a dull moment in any of these books. Each character has their own unique set of skills and abilities that they bring to the table, making it a joy to watch them interact with each other as they try to solve each new case.

The Plots Keep You Guessing

If you like mystery novels, then you'll love this series! Each book in the series has its own unique plot that keeps readers guessing until the very end. As you progress through each book, clues are revealed and twists are thrown into the mix that keep you on your toes and wanting more. There's no shortage of excitement here!

You Feel Like You're Right There With Them

One of the best things about this series is how vivid and immersive it is. From start to finish, you feel like you're right there with Detective Bennett as he works his way through each case. The locations are described in beautiful detail, giving readers an authentic experience as if they were actually walking around New York City with him. This level of detail really helps to draw readers into the story and make them feel like part of it all.

Our Thoughts

Overall, if you're looking for a thrilling read that will keep you guessing until the very end, then look no further than James Patterson's Michael Bennett series! With its amazing cast of characters, detailed plotlines, and immersive setting, this series is sure to provide hours upon hours of entertainment for anyone who enjoys mystery novels or crime thrillers. So what are you waiting for? Pick up one (or all) of these books today and join Detective Michael Bennett on his adventure through New York City!




James's Books

Honorable Mentions:

The Murder House (With coauthor and frequent collaborator David Ellis)

Along Came A Spider

Allie Cross

Harriet Blue