I haven’t read the full series, but this is the seventh. Each title has a number. There was 1st to Die, then 2nd Chance, and so on. (The alphabet was already taken.) 7th Heaven has been out a while. I read the paperback. When it first came out, it was a best-seller. No surprise. Patterson has a humongous following. And it’s good. It’s a fast read with twists with women characters in the lead. They’re friends who help and support each other, and that’s a nice turn in a mystery suspense.
I didn’t see any new ground being broken in this book. It follows a tried and true formula, but it’s one you can follow along and enjoy. From book to book, you get to know the characters and feel comfortable with their individual quirks and personalities, although I admit the reporter gets on my nerves a bit.
Since I did watch some of the TV series, I still have an image of the protagonist from that in my head, so it bugs me that she’s a blonde in the book. I still see her as a brunette.
All in all, 7th Heaven is a fun read. If you’re looking for characters you can become comfortable with and who play off each other and a storyline that will carry you through the pages, then I recommend 7th Heaven.
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FTC Disclaimer: This was passed on to me by my husband and he did not ask me to give it a positive review. My husband likes Patterson, not that I don’t, mind you. He’s just not an automatic pick-up for me. I don’t mean “pick-up” as in a pick-up in a bar, of course. I don’t go to bars. Okay, I do, but only to pick-up said husband and a drink, which is a problem for me since I never know what to order. I usually fumble around trying to come up with a drink that sounds fruity or chocolaty and end up ordering a rum and Diet Coke. There should be a strawberry-chocolate drink called 7th Heaven. I’d recommend that, for sure. Maybe I’ll invent that. What kind of alcohol would go well with strawberries and chocolate?
http://www.best-chocolate-recipes-online.com/chocolatemartini.html
ReplyDeleteThe Strawberry Chocolate martini is towards the bottom of the page. ;)
I've only read one JP- The Quickie, and it wasn't very good.
ReplyDeleteI love your disclaimer. A great chuckle to start my day. And I'd order your chocolate-strawberry drink for sure. But not at 7:00 in the morning.
ReplyDeleteOh yes! I am all for a 7th Heaven strawberry and chocolate drink. I think a kind of vodka - maybe vanilla vodka? - would go well.
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend!
Anton, I should have known I could count on you for drink recipes. I am going to go to that site. My little sister is coming to visit next weekend and I want to be prepared.
ReplyDeleteBet your disclaimer is more fun than the book.
ReplyDeletePatterson knows how to write...or plot or whatever he does when he co-authors, so the book was an easy read. Don't know that my disclaimer is more fun, but the chocolate-strawberry martini might be.
ReplyDeleteYou are keeping a file of these wonderful disclaimers for the future handy-dandy disclaimer guide you'll write. Right?
ReplyDeleteOh, ANY kind of alcohol would go well with it. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad he's acknowledging the co-authors now.
Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
These books are fun, easy reads, but that's about it. I love your FTC disclosure!
ReplyDeleteUnlike the alphabet, numbers go on forever - Patterson could do this series until he dies. And then he can continue to write from the grave!
ReplyDeleteMust've missed that series. Bet I can find it on Hulu.
ReplyDeleteSorry to say I haven't read this book yet, but it is in my stack TBR. Enjoyed your review of it. Since I loved the TV show, but hadn't read any of the series books I wonder how it would be comparing the two.
ReplyDeleteDiane, Patterson is so prolific, I would not be surprised to learn he has this series outlined through at least "1000 Years to Die."
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review Helen.
ReplyDeleteGood gracious, Anton! I went to that site and read the recipes. I'm now in sugar shock just from reading. I may try the first one though, the Rich Chocolate Martini. It sound delish. Will have to buy all the ingredients before my little sister shows up next weekend.
ReplyDeleteI used to read Patterson when I had more time but I only read the first three of this series and never bothered with the rest.
ReplyDeleteI never drink anything so complicated it needs a receipe.
I haven't tried any of these but I'm pretty sure I'd enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteHmmm - going to have to check out Anton's recipes!
ReplyDeleteI have read a few of this series and have enjoyed them. Although the reporter has always irritated me too. As I read the series before seeing the TV show, it bugged me that Lindsey was a brunette :)
Isn't it funny that we picture a character, then reject an image that doesn't fit the one in our head?
ReplyDeleteI enjoy his books for easy reading in the summer.
ReplyDeleteChampagne...choc and strawberries = Champers! *grin*
I saw the movie Time Traveler's wife, the star was not who I had in my head from the book. I was disappointed with the 'live' version. :)
Just saw a TV ad for the 8th and 9th in the series. Not a great ad by any means, but it was made with UK actors and showed Maxine Paetro's name on the covers (in smaller, less distinctive typeface). Honestly surprised to see an ad for a book on national TV, even if it was on a fairly low rent channel. I've heard radio ads galore and there have been a few local TV ads I remember which consist of a voice-over and a shot of the cover, but the Patterson ad had a PLOT! SPOILER ALERT: she buys 9th Judgement after reading 8th Confession.
ReplyDeleteI've never read any of Patterson's works but have been contemplating a jump to read something genre and fun as a break from the depressing stuff I've been partaking of lately. Thanks for the review and the reminder to check out his work.
ReplyDeleteYour disclaimer made me giggle. :) I'm all about raspberries and chocolate - that being the case Chambord is my fave.
Ooh, raspberries and chocolate sounds awfully good, too!
ReplyDelete