James Patterson

Searching for a serial killer who leaves playing cards at the scenes of his crimes, police officer Elizabeth Needham teams up with brilliant professor Dylan Reinhart, whose book has been connected to the murders.

Murder Games

The next hand he deals you... may be your last. A serial killer is loose on the streets of Manhattan. His victims appear to be total strangers. The only clue that links the crimes is the playing card left behind at each scene that hints at the next target. The killer, known in the tabloids as The Dealer, is baiting the police into a deadly guessing game that has the city increasingly on edge. Following her instincts, the tenacious cop in charge of the case turns to an unlikely ally - Dylan Reinhart, a brilliant professor with a keen insight into the criminal mind whose book turned up in connection with the murders. As the tabloid frenzy over The Dealer reaches fever pitch, Dylan and Elizabeth must connect the clues to discover what the victims have in common before The Dealer runs through his entire deck.

The relationship between Dylan and Tracy was unexpected but amazing. I loved how casually it was mentioned that they were gay and how there weren't any major coming out scenes. I am a firm believer that representation doesn't need to be a significant plot point and this book managed it very well. I loved the epilogue too where they could finally adopt their daughter.

Hi <3 he/him

The next hand he deals you... may be your last. A serial killer is loose on the streets of Manhattan. His victims appear to be total strangers. The only clue that links the crimes is the playing card left behind at each scene that hints at the next target. The killer, known in the tabloids as The Dealer, is baiting cops into a deadly guessing game that has the city increasingly on edge. Elizabeth Needham, the tenacious cop in charge of the case, turns to an unlikely ally - Dylan Reinhart, a brilliant professor whose book turned up in connection with the murders. As the public frenzy over The Dealer reaches a fever pitch, Dylan and Elizabeth must connect the clues to discover what the victims have in common - before The Dealer runs through his entire deck.

Kira Del Caro

I absolutly loved this book! I usually lean more towards fantasy but this story didn't need it to be exciting and interesting. I found that I loved the main characters and al their quirks. It just had me sittng on the edge of my chair and I just couldn't put it down.

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER, PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AS MURDER GAMES, NOW A HIT TV SERIES STARRING ALAN CUMMING Dr Dylan Reinhart is an expert on criminal behaviour. But when his bestselling book is found at a gruesome murder scene, Dylan comes face to face with the real world of crime. And the killer is expecting him. Elizabeth Needham, the brilliant NYPD detective leading the case, recruits Dylan to help investigate another clue the killer has left behind - a playing card. Is this the killer's signature? Or will the cards lead them to the next victim, and right into the Dealer's hands... The Dealer's twisted game will test everything Dylan thought he knew about the criminal mind. Can Dylan put a stop to the killer before he deals his final card? _____________________________ 'Not many writers can smash out blockbuster books back-to-back, but one name is leaps and bounds ahead in the juggernaut literature stakes: James Patterson. Known for his lightning-fast plots, cliff-hanger chapters and encyclopaedic crime scene knowledge, James has created the foundations for an unforgettable new drama series.' - Mail Online

Now a hit TV series starring Alan Cumming

Instinct

Barbara Williford

Dr. Dylan Reinhardt a renounced Psychology author and professor, is singled out in a deadly game by the killer “The Dealer.” He is called into service by NYPD detective Patricia Needham when his book is sent to a reporter with some disturbing evidence. We bodies start dropping they have to work together to find the killer before he deals his next hand.

Fast moving Murder mystery with unexpected twist and turns.

**Trigger warnings: graphic murder scenes and strong language.

At first, I thought I accidentally received an abridged edition of the audio book from the library. Once I realized I had the full version, I scratched my head. The story seemed to make large leaps in time or location and was very patchworked together. It started out good enough, but quickly lost my attention. Nothing was original and nothing is really memorable. I barely remember character names and I just finished listening to it!

There is a scene involving hunting and people being shot which doesn't make very much sense. Nothing is mentioned of it again, and it doesn't have any real bearing on the story. Did they need more pages so they threw little things like that into the middle? Probably. It's a very short read, but I don't see how that would allow it to be this disappointing.

The characterization is off in a large way as well. The protagonist is homosexual and in a committed relationship. They're trying to adopt a child. Yet, the author inserted a weird sexual chemistry between him and the female lead. It even came to a head where the husband accused the protagonist as loving or wanting to leave him for her. It ended with the two agreeing that they would be "all over her" if they were straight. I guess I just don't get why the need to try to throw romance into that relationship at all. It doesn't fit either of the two characters and I don't believe it would really be an issue with a real couple. Again, maybe it's them needing to insert more material or please a publisher, but it was weird.

Murder Games

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