James Patterson has published over three hundred books and this is easily in the top five. Joining with J.D. Barker, Patterson weaves a paranormal thriller that keeps the pages turning and the light on. Death of the Black Widow is a story told over a number of timeframes, beginning in the present—where an old Walter O’Brien is plotting an assassination—moving backward to O’Brien’s first day as a cop, and then forward chronicling his lifelong pursuit of the Black Widow.

Patterson doesn’t typically write supernatural fiction, meaning that the big reveal that the killer wasn’t exactly human was caught me off-guard. It’s a well-written, superbly-concealed secret not made entirely clear until well into the book. The genius is that it leaves readers to grapple with it just like the characters must. Supernatural? Otherworldly? O’Brien is a gritty street cop who deals in facts. Coming to the conclusion that the girl who escaped from him on this first night wasn’t altogether human was something that took years—and part of his sanity. It does the same for the reader. Barker and Patterson also don’t dwell on the supernatural. It’s just written as part of the story, never overshadowing it or becoming a parody of itself. If you wish Steven King wrote like James Patterson, Death of the Black Widow is the novel for you.

Everything from the book’s tone to its setting to its pacing is absolutely perfect. Barker and Patterson craft an intensely creepy story that manages to also feel real and is grounded in reality. The movement across the timeline shows the story’s progression, while slowly explaining the mystery of the modern-day events. At first, it’s not even clear how O’Brien’s first day on the job—where it seems the victim of a kidnapping escapes from his squad car—is related to the current events. What soon becomes obvious is that the person they all thought was the victim was actually the villain…and now, decades later, O’Brien is poised with some vigilante justice to take her down.

Death of the Black Widow is an immersive story that is obviously way more Barker than Patterson. Patterson’s style shines through, but its Barker’s storytelling that really makes the book work, as he makes the unbelievable believable. As I’ve worked my way through Patterson’s seemingly interminable list of books, there are a lot that are good but forgettable. This is the rare Patterson novel that’ll stick with you. As I finished the final page, I was already circling back around to page one for a second read.

Thanks to Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for the eARC, as well as Grand Central Publishing for sending me a gifted finished copy.
I love to break up my typical romance reads with a crime drama every now and again. Death of the Black Widow had more supernatural elements than I expected from a James Patterson book, but I was intrigued and its fast pace and short chapters helped me gobble this one up in less than a day, even though some parts of the plot seemed horror-adjacent and therefore terrifying to scaredy cat me. I’m not sure how to specify the audience for this book, but if you’re interested in science fiction crime drama, this could be up your alley!

As a long time James Patterson reader, I really struggled with this one. It may have been the supernatural element to it. It also seemed to go on longer than necessary before it wrapped up. Not one of my favorite Patterson reads. I finished it mostly so I could give an honest review after completing the entire book. Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC!

Not your typical James Patterson. That said, it grabs you in ways that you wouldn't expect. Once started, I realized that there was more needed to solve this one. The word 'paranormal came into mind. A page turner for sure, if only for the fact that it's quite different.

I don't usually read sci-fi books but this one intrigued me. It's a sci-fi story wrapped in a mystery. Told during two different timelines, a copy tangles with a being that can not die but kills at will.

I have read tons of James Patterson books but I can honestly tell you that this book is unlike any other I have read of his. The collaboration with J.D. Barker is definitely one that you will not soon forget. I finished this book a few days ago but I had to let my mind mull it over for a few days before I wrote this review because this book is just...WOW!

When detective O'Brien is put on a call his first night with the Detroit P.D., he never imagined that this one call would haunt him for the rest of his life. O'Brien made a connection with the young girl and they asked him to take her to the hospital, but when she faked getting sick, she escaped and was no where to be seen for a long time. O'Brien never lived down letting her escape.

When strange things started happening, O'Brian couldn't help but wonder if it was connected to this young lady, but her name was never the same so it couldn't be her, right? And her appearances were always different. No one ever saw her the same really. How could he think it was her if it didn't look like her? You will get sucked into this book and never realize that it is a good size book and not just your normal 300-350 page book. I couldn't put it down once I started it. I just couldn't believe how these two authors came up with all of this to happen in one book. The story was easy to follow though and kept your attention from beginning to end. Such a great read. I hope that these two authors get together again really soon and give us another great read!

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all opinions are my own. Thank to NetGalley, the publisher and the authors for a copy of this book to read.

Death of the Black Widow by James Patterson; J. D. Barker One insanely creepy, disturbing and chilling suspenseful thriller that is hard to describe. Mr Barker and Mr. Patterson have pulled out all the paranormal stops in this dark tale.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

Death of the Black Widow is another excellent read by James Patterson and was co-written by J.D. Barker. Although this book was long, it read very quickly because Patterson and Barker did a fantastic job of keeping the plot going at a fast pace. The book follows the main character Walter O'Brien, ex-cop and ex-FBI, who finds himself chasing after the same woman from when he met her in 1986 to his final stand-down with her in 2009. Walter and his partners and teammates are perplexed at this young woman because they all describe her as looking differently. To one soldier, she is a beautiful black woman. To Walter, she is a brunette with gray eyes. This beautiful woman also leaves a trail of death behind her with what seems like a simple touch.

This book will have you running into dark alleys and bloody hotel rooms with Walter. The girl, who Walter calls Amy, has many names and many identities. This story and its characters are fascinating and intricately woven into one tight web. Death of the Black Widow is exactly the next installation that Patterson fans are looking for.

I tend to cycle with books and when I get overwhelmed, I turn to escape books. They thread into my reading lists when my brain is feeling overloaded with Big Things, and while I'd prefer something more FBI/CIA/political thriller, I was actually pleasantly surprised at what JD Barker brought to the genre, which was a delicious twist.

I'm teaching World Mythology as an adjunct, and adaptation is one of our units. I may have to bring this one up.

I don't want to say more because spoilers, but I appreciate being able to read this book via NetGalley (and being pre-approved on the publishers list, which made this an easy choice when I was looking for an escape novel). It reads quickly and I appreciate there are several arcs within the main plotline.

James Patterson and his collaboration with J. D. Barker brings us the story of Walter and Amy. We find Walter on a search for Amy throughout his career in the police force. He first meets Amy when they rescue her from the clutches of the man who kept her prisoner with handcuffs in his bathroom. When Walter attempts to take her away from the crime scene, he loses her. As he investigates each new case, Walter knows that Amy is involved somehow and starts on this quest that takes years and even jeopardizes his career. Will he be able to connect the dots and finally solve this case that has plagued him since his first day on the force? Or will Amy get the better of him once and for all?

James Patterson takes us on a journey with Walter between the present and the past. We see how the past defines and shapes Walter's future. We get to follow Walter and Amy as they play the game of hide and seek or catch me if you can. We get to follow the clues and come up with our own conclusions as Walter and his partners do this and how it all plays out. Mr. Patterson has you wanting to turn the page to see what happens next and how will they use the clues they have so far until you reach the conclusion of their story. I look forward to what Mr. Patterson will bring us next.

I have read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company, Grand Central Publishing for this privilege.

James Patterson is one of my favorite authors and I'm a fan of the Women's Murder Club, Alex Cross, and Michael Bennett series. When I saw the title "Death of the Black Widow", I was definitely intrigued. And, as I read the story, I began to question it. I guess I was expecting suspense crime thriller, but it didn't turn out that way. I honestly didn't want to continue reading because the story scared me to death! I felt something grab me and making me read it more and more.

The suspense is palpable, the fear is intense, the story is as terrifying as it can get! By the time I finished the book, I was left empty! And the nightmares came! Then, when I read the author's notes and saw the name J.D. Barker, I realized the why of the "fear factor." Read it, if you dare! I'm still shaking in my boots!

Thank you #NetGalley for ARC! Now let me catch my breath!

Yolie McLaughlin

Death of the Black Widow is a book that is hard to put down.

Give a whole new meaning to The black widow. Yikes.

James Patterson and J.D. Barker will have you looking over your shoulder and cringing.

The pages fly by and this book will stay with me a long time .

More gentlemen please.

This book was sent to me by Netgalley for review…Patterson is one of my favorite authors…this book was not one of my favorites, but it is evident the authors are gifted at weaving this type of story… it is difficult to put down… it the. The subject matter is not my first choice…that being said,I just don’t miss a Patterson book.

Patterson and Barker writing together is the perfect "recipe" for mystery, suspense, horror, crime - you name it...it's in this book! They're a powerful writing team and the story will leave you speechless!

paranormal, horror, dnf, detective, law-enforcement, thriller, murder, obsession, whodunit, ghosts, serial-murder***

This book was about as much fun as being first on scene at Dahmer's. Wish I had checked out the co-author before requesting. I found the rebounding writing style and the length off-putting, and It'sit twisted instead of twisty. I feel that the paranormal aspects are inferior in context. I am definitely NOT the target audience.
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Little, Brown and Company/Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley.

Death of the Black Widow by James Patterson is a gripping thriller that is hard to put down. I don't think I've ever read anything quite like this.

Patterson and Barker give good thriller. Detective Walter O'Brien set out to end a string of killings that have haunted him since his 1st day on the job.

Walter O’Brien is a young, green Detroit police officer. Along with his partner, he arrives at a murder scene that will change his life. What they find are a twenty-year-old girl and a dead man. From the scene it appears that the girl was held captive on a bare mattress, tied by rope and handcuffed but now is cowering under the sink in the bathroom. Walter is tasked with taking her in but who knew she was also an escape artist. For Walter, this is a case that will haunt him for life.

Moving forward Walter is promoted to Homicide Detective. And still, he hunts the elusive young woman. When bodies begin to pile up with the same m.o. as in the first case, Walter is obsessed with finding this woman, who must be much older now. One would think.

She enjoys toying with Walter and everyone else she comes in contact with dies. Why? What or who is she?

I’m always excited to see these two writing together. J.D.Barker is all over this one. Horror at its best. And the supernatural is a bit new for Patterson. This was smart, tense, and full of suspense and terror. Just the way I like it!

NetGalley/May 02,2022 Little, Brown & Company

A true page turner one of the strangest stories I’ve read.Picked it up to read a few pages could not put it down kept me reading late into the night.The authors have written a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat a wild read.#netgalley #littlebrown.

When you see the name J D Barker you know you’re in for a great horror/ supernatural/ other worldly read, and the Death of the Black Widow is no exception. On his first day new officer Walter is in an apartment where the victim has killed her captor. They connect and he’s charged with taking her to the hospital but she escapes from his custody. Walter can’t quite forget her and years later, on the first day of his new promotion to detective, he sees her again.
A great read.