Swimsuit

June 29, 2009
A serial killer with an urge to break into print propels this thriller from bestseller Patterson and collaborator Paetro (4th of July). Ben Hawkins, a former L.A. cop turned reporter and author, travels to Hawaii to look into the disappearance of model Kim McDaniels, who has fallen victim to a sadistic fiend who calls himself Henri Benoit. Ben meets with Kim's distraught parents, but the investigation soon runs into dead ends, even as the body count rises. Back in Los Angeles, Henri gets in touch with Ben, and offers the story of his life and the reasons he continues with his murderous spree. As part of the deal, Henri asks the reporter to write his tell-all book. Ben can't refuse given the killer's threat to his life as well as his girlfriend's. In just one of many clever twists, Henri proves to be the consummate storyteller. Patterson fans will devour this one in a single sitting.

Someone is killing beautiful women. Cop-turned-reporter-turned-investigator Ben Hawkins gets involved in a cat-and-mouse game with the killer. This new novel, co-written by the prolific James Patterson and Maxine Paetro, is a powerful portrayal of the mind of a murderer and the man obsessed with stopping him. Narrator Christian Rummel depicts Hawkins's drive to reclaim his own soul and reputation after the scandal that cost him his badge. The high-adrenaline excitement pours out the speakers as Rummel takes the listener through an emotional wringer of egotism, fear, and ultimately triumph . . . of a sort. The novel is a powerhouse, and Rummel brings it to life. M.S. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine