Monday, October 25, 2010

Don't Blink

James Patterson and Howard Roughan

THE GOOD

Lombardo's Steakhouse in New York is famous for three reasons: the menu, the clientele. and now, the gruesome murder of an infamous mob lawyer.  Effortlessly, the assassin slips through the police's fingers, and his absence sparks a blaze of accusations about who ordered the hit.

THE BAD

Seated at a nearby table, reporter Nick Daniels is conducting a once-in-a-lifetime interview with a legendary baseball bad boy/  In the chaos, he accidentally captures a key piece of evidence that lands him in the middle of an all-out war between Italian and Russian Mafia forces.  NYPD captains, district attorneys, mayoral candidates, media kingpins, and one shockingly beautiful magazine editor are all pushing their own agendas--on both sides of the law.

AND THE DEAD

Back off--or die--is the clear message Nick receives as he investigates for a story of his own,  Heedless, and perhaps in love with his beautiful editor, Nick endures humiliation, threats, violence, and worse in a thriller that overturns every expectation and finishes with the kind of flourish only James Patterson can achieve.

My Take:  

I have read a lot of James Patterson's books, and I feel like they are becoming less and less dynamic.  That being said however, his books (even the weaker ones) are more explosive than many out there.  Don't Blink was not the fastest paced book ever produced by Patterson, but I have the say the dynamic ending, and it's many twists and turns, gave the book a much needed oomf!  Just when you thought the story had been resolved BAM! Another twist! Then of course BAM!  Another twist! and for good measure BAM!  One last (and powerful) gut punch.  I enjoyed the main character, he was a snarky journalist (which doesn't usually appeal to me) but he also had heart and courage, though it may be argued that the courage was actually equal parts luck and stupidity.  I very much enjoyed Don't Blink, like I said before, the middle was less than stellar, but those trademark Patterson plot twists sure redeemed it.  I think I will assign the rating 3, Find a Used Book Store

Audiobook Review:  I was fortunate to have received this book in audio format, but I am sorry to say I didn't love the voice actor's performance.  Everyone had an uber scratchy voice ranging in intensity from common cold/sore throat scratchy, to Godfather scratchy.  The accents assigned to the various Italians, Russians, and others all sounded the same.  I dunno, maybe I'm overly picky and the accents drove me crazy because I have an Italian speaker for a father and Russian speaker for a husband. Overall it wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great either.

Do you agree with my review?  Do you think I'm totally off base?  Either way I'd love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment and tell me how you feel!

If this book were a movie, it would be rated R for violence, strong language and sexual situations



***FTC Disclosure:  This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review, no other compensation was given all opinions are my own***


If you are interested in purchasing Don't Blink, please consider supporting The Book Buff by purchasing from the following Amazon link, thank you!

  












GIVEAWAY DETAILS

  • 3 Copies
  • US and Canada only (sorry guys I don't make the rules)
  • no P.O. Boxes
  • MUST LEAVE E-MAIL!!!  no e-mail=no win!
  • giveaway ends 11/25
  • if you have won a giveaway from The Book Buff in the past, you are still qualified to win :)
  • Below are different ways you can enter the giveaway, feel free to do just one, or do them all!
    Just leave me a comment telling me what you did (and don't forget your email)

    • Leave a suggestion on how to improve The Book Buff
    • Leave a comment on another post on The Book Buff and tell me which one
    • Become a follower of The Book Buff or mention that you are already a follower
    • Tweet the giveaway (in your tweet make sure the link you provide is to the specific post, NOT the homepage of The Book Buff :)
    • Include the giveaway in a post on your blog
    • Post the giveaway in your sidebar
    • Post The Book Buff Button on your sidebar
    • Mention the giveaway on Facebook
Good Luck!

9 comments:

Kelly and Sara said...

ohhhh I would love to read this book!
sara.podein@snc.edu

AmberLaShell said...

Hello, I love james patterson and would love to win a giveaway :) I am a follower of you and I have your button on my blog on the left sidebar... my blog address is amberlashell.com and my email is amberlashell@gmail.com

thanks! great blog!

Julie said...

I follow via GFC as jewelknits! Thanks for the chance to win!

knittingandsundries(at)gmail(dot)com

Robyn Campbell said...

Great giveaway! Great review, too. I found you from Moms Bloggers Club. I am following you. Stop by and visit me. I probably won't read this unless I were to win it. :) I write children's books, but I DO read big people's books. :)

robyn(at)robyncampbell(dot)com

Grace Matthews said...

Follower

giveawayswithgrace(at)yahoo(dot)com

Grace said...

Tweeted


http://twitter.com/#!/gracegives/status/29035015976


giveawayswithgrace(at)yahoo(dot)com

Grace said...

Added your button

http://giveawayswithgrace.blogspot.com/p/awesome-blogs.html

giveawayswithgrace(at)yahoo(dot)com

Grace said...

Left a comment on the Pillow Talk Giveaway

giveawayswithgrace(at)yahoo(dot)com

Grace said...

Improve the Book Buff?


I got nothing. Sorry

Maybe give away book sets?

Maybe a Christmas book idea list for every member of the family...like ideas for mom, dad, teens, and kids, boys and girls.


giveawayswithgrace(at)yahoo(dot)com

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