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Step on a Crack: Booktrack Edition
Unavailable
Step on a Crack: Booktrack Edition
Unavailable
Step on a Crack: Booktrack Edition
Audiobook6 hours

Step on a Crack: Booktrack Edition

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

3.5/5

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Currently unavailable

Currently unavailable

About this audiobook

NYPD Detective Michael Bennett is about to take on the most sinister challenge of his career. The nation has fallen into mourning after the unexpected death of a beloved former first lady, and the most powerful people in the world gather in New York for her funeral. Then the inconceivable occurs. Billionaires, politicians, and superstars of every kind are suddenly trapped within one man's brilliant and cold-blooded scenario.Bennett, father of 10, is pulled into the fray. As the danger escalates, he is hit with devastating news: after fighting for many years, his wife has succumbed to a terrible disease. As New York descends into chaos, he has lost the great love of his life, faces raising his heartbroken children alone, and must somehow rescue 34 hostages.Day after day, Bennett confronts the most ruthless man he has ever dealt with, a man who kills without hesitation and counters everything the NYPD and FBI throw at him with impunity. As the entire world watches, and the tensions build to a searing heat, Bennett has to find a way out or face responsibility for the greatest debacle in history.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateFeb 12, 2007
ISBN9781594836268
Unavailable
Step on a Crack: Booktrack Edition
Author

James Patterson

James Patterson is the CEO of J. Walter Thompson, an advertising agency in New York. He has written several successful fiction and nonfiction books, including The New York Times best seller The Day America Told the Truth.

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Reviews for Step on a Crack

Rating: 3.639414727710844 out of 5 stars
3.5/5

581 ratings32 reviews

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  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Well, it looks like I've done it again. I went to add this book to my library only to find that it was added in 2013 and apparently I read it back then, but didn't record it for some reason. It wasn't memorable enough for me to recognize and I read it through again. I'm not a Detective Bennett fan. The backstory was just too gooey for me.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Gripping action as detective Michael Bennett tries to deal with a mass kidnapping and Ransome. A simple concept with James Patterson:s dependable strong execution. If fast-paced thrillers are to your taste, you:d have trouble finding better.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Enjoyed this book very much. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Great Book
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Good book, kept me wanting more. The strategy of the reveal worked masterfully.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This is the start to what could possibly become one of James Patterson's best series. A beloved former first lady has died and now some of the nation's most elite politicians, celebrities, sports stars, and socialites are gathering in New York for her funeral. Instead of being the intended time of mourning, the funeral is soon turned into a hostage situation, and New York Detective Michael Bennett is called in to try to resolve the situation. Bennett is arguably Patterson's most relatable antagonists to date. By focusing on his character in addition to his fascinating hostage story, Patterson has crafted one of his best novels in recent years.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Det. Michael Bennet and his quirky family (including a veritable United Nations of kids adopted before BrAngelina made it cool, and a father who's become a priest) are immensely likable additions to the world of Patterson's crime solving dynamos and the characters around the heroes and heroines that make us care them.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Patterson is not at his Best!In general the story starts off with the death of Caroline Hopkins, a former First Lady and her funeral is attended by the cream of the crust, consisting of the most influential and wealthiest individuals at the Saint Patrick's Cathedral. Unfortunately, a group of men take them hostage and will do anything to meet their private objectives. I thought Mr. Patterson developed the hostage characters very well. He had a knack for dropping little traits about these characters until after awhile I found myself really caring about what will happen to these people.Enter Michael Bennett, a detective for NY Police Department, and he is forced into the role of negotiator. Meanwhile, his personal life is in turmoil. His beloved wife is terminally ill with cancer and he is left caring for their ten children. Ten Children? Yes that's correct 10 children! At this point I thought Patterson was strettttching the Brady Bunch a bit too much to enhance the devotion of this character, but I read on. As I read on I found that Patterson was able to weave Michael's love for his wife, Maeve, and their children into many sensitive, believable scenes. There was Michael dealing with the chaos at home, while at the same time dealing with the hostage situation. Still I couldn't connect to this super father and hero. STEP ON A CRACK by James Patterson is good read, but not a super read. The characters a little exciting but I had wished that there was a good dose of some thriller scenes. If you want an easy read then I recommend this book.
  • Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
    1/5
    This is the only James Patterson book I've read. I'm not likely to read another.The plot is just far too incredulous. I can usually suspend my disbelief a fair amount to read and enjoy this sort of thing, however this book just went too far. Think of the corniest action film you've ever seen, then give the protaganist 10 extra kids for luck.The writing style isn't bad, the pages turn easily enough. If you fancy a quick non challenging read then go ahead and pick this up, why not.I won't be able to give it any more than 1 star though, I've read other quick and non challenging books that haven't pissed me off as much.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Reading a James Patterson is always a pleasure as the pages fly by, the font is easy going, and the chapters are so short, you just keep on reading and before you know it, you've finished. This is no different.Writing in collaboration with Michael Ledwidge, Patterson introduces the reader to the new character Detective Bennett in this new series. The lead character is reminiscent of Alex Cross in so many ways, but equally enjoyable. I enjoyed the plot, and it was quick paced and had a happy ending. It was pure Patterson, and I enjoyed the 'quick read', especially after reading 'Cryptonomicon' (see previous blog entry). Having just read a highly intellectual tome, it is hard to give this any more than three stars, but I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys Patterson.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Good solid detective book with a main character that is flawed and needy under the worst pressure of his life. A wife who is dying a huge family of kids about to lose their mother. The villian in this book is well thought out and the situations pull you and grab you to make sure you continue to read this wonderful beginning to a new series.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A new start for Patterson allows this outing to be a little more character-centric than the early Alex Cross novels. That noted, the chapters that build up Michael Bennett's persona feel a little bolted on when the main plot is so strong. Although this development will serve the forthcoming books well, it is not what makes Step on a Crack entertaining. The kidnapping story is strong, with an interesting arch villain and enough ideas to keep it steam-rolling through this snappy and short novel. As ever with Patterson the chapters fire away in swift succession and there are enough twists to keep the reader engrossed in the story. A quick and riveting read.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Great book on tape to capture your attention and keep you excited and interested. The bad guy reader was exceptionally good. I like the new hero character, Mike Bennett and think his Irish family was a nice addition. His wife dies in this book so it will be interesting to see where the author goes with him romantically.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This a Mike Bennett novel. Mike is new character from the NYC PD. He has 10 kids and his wife is dying of cancer. As she dies and her father and a relative help take care of the kids while Mike is in the midst of a hostage crisis at St. Patrick cathedral. The hostages are all high all high profile, prestigious, and wealthy people. A group of Sing - Sing guards and a lead hostage negotiator are responsible.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Fast-paced and action packed. A quick read if you need a Patterson fix.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    great page turner! smart and well-written, with plenty of reference to real New York place, which makes reading it as a New Yorker that much more entertaining.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    One of the very few books I've listened to rather than read. Nice new character, glad to know he'll be making another appearance.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    As much as I liked the Bennetts and all of their preciousness and would read another book with them in it, the rest of this book felt hollow and cliched to me. I couldn't bring myself to feel connected to or care about any of the hostages except Eugenia, which is just as well since you don't hear a bit about them as individuals after the hostage situation ends. And his wife's sickness and eventual death seemed really contrived to me, like Patterson is trying to make you like Bennett because look! His wife is dying! Poor guy! I think it would have worked better if she was already dead before the story began.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A former first lady dies, and the rich and powerful from around the globe gather for her funeral in New York City. It is an assembly of epic proportions, but none of them suspect that they too may soon number among the dead. In a shocking turn of events, a ruthless madman hijacks the memorial service and threatens to unleash a bloodbath. With few options and little time, Detective Michael Bennett is the only hope for ending this desperate standoff. This one was better than other Patterson books.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    Rated PG-13 Violence, Adult Themes
    Alex Cross is a true American Hero.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    You've got to love that you can breeze through a Patterson so quickly. This one is riveting and up until the end I didn't even suspect a thing. Looking back I didn't make those obvious connections because they weren't there to make, so I'm glad I'm not losing it :) The major disappointment was that the back story with Bennett's wife was absolutely unbelieveable. In reality I don't believe anyone, much less an NYPD detective, would have handled the situation in that manner.I made a mental note to check as I read this one as I had read several reviews that complained that Patterson's recent works were full of "product placements". In this instance I wouldn't call it "placement". I saw his name brands as descriptive, nothing more, and it certainly wasn't excessive.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This one is a page turner, like Mr Patterson has used us. But as my friend Virgulina said in another review, Patterson now almost always writes with another person, and we don't know who wrote what.I think Mike Bennett will return, and I liked him :) 10 kids, yikes! :oP
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A fast, exciting read, not too goryJune 2007
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Michael Bennett is a former hostage negotiator, father of ten adopted children, and husband of a terminally ill wife with cancer. Amongst dealing with all that, a shady group of individuals murder a former first lady, then take an entire church of funeral attendees hostage. Using the upper crust of society as ransom for their own money, which they happily pay for their own freedom and lives. Michael Bennett is there as part of the law enforcement effort to negotiate with the particularly callous individuals who seem more than happy to be ruthless and violent if it works in their favour. As with most James Patterson books it's a rather quick read of 300 pages which are interspersed with numerous chapter breaks which cut the actual text volume of those 300 pages down considerably which makes for a quick yet entertaining read. Almost like an episode of mini series rather than an entire movie.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This author sure does have some great ideas about pulling off the perfect crime. Let's hope he sticks to books, or we're all in trouble. I love when I don't figure out the game plan before it happens. Great backstory with the family. I will continue this series.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Really awesome book. It kept me on the edge of my seat. I listened to the book on the way to work and at my lunch breaks. I could not wait to hear more.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Introducing detective Michael Bennett in one of James Patterson's series which came out in 2007 with Michael ledwidge. Michael is a New York detective with 10 children, his wife is in hospital and terminally ill with cancer. The children have all been adopted and from all different backgrounds. I don't know how a detective is able to adopt 10 children and still carry on working a full time job but Michael can do it and the children are well looked after. Ok so the story. The former president and his wife always go to the same restaurant for dinner each year before Christmas. The first lady has a nut allergy and goes into anaphylaxis when her food arrives. She dies. Funeral is held and some of the most powerful people in New York attend and then held hostage. The man behind hostage taking are 1 step ahead of the police all the time and anticipate everything the police are going to do!Michael has a lot on his plate with his dying wife, his 10 children and one of the biggest heists New York has ever seen. The book flows quite well although some of it is slightly unbelievable because this man has 10 children, his wife is in hospital and he still manages to be up on this case. Is he Superman? I gave this book 4 stars because I really like James Patterson and it does appear to be a well written book no matter how far fetched the story line is. I will read the next one in the series to see where it goes because Michaels wife actually dies in this book and it will be interesting to see how he copes with bigger cases with the children.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I'm in love with Michael Bennett. What woman wouldn't be. :).
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I Loved this book! I found it different from other Patterson books, but enjoyable. I didn't figure out "who dun it" until the end of the book, so it was full of surprises from the beginning to the end. Very fun read.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Very quick read. Maybe a bit too quick. Once you start to get a feel for each of the characters and an understanding for them your at the last chapter.