The prolific James Patterson teams again with Brian Sitts for possibly a new series — three modern New York private investigators with the last names of literary sleuths. Brendan Holmes, Margaret Marple, and Auguste Poe have disguised origins, but after a newsworthy public introduction, they are involved in three cases — a kidnapping of a rich husband, stepdaughter and dog; the art heist of a Shakespearean folio and Gutenberg bible; and the discovery of a cavern filled with old and new skeletons. This isn’t meant as a super serious story — it’s almost like a pilot for a TV series. Yet, it’s entertaining and twisty. Co-author Sitts was Patterson’s collaborator for The Shadow and Doc Savage books (two old timey radio personalities), and this book is quite similar, with three more larger-than-life protagonists, who owe their background mystiques to decades-old storytellers. Suspend your disbeliefs and enjoy the ride.

As I’ve noted before, the standard Patterson book structure is short, thrilling chapters, and always about a 100 chapters. Any other author couldn’t get away with that, but it makes Patterson books unique and a quick enjoyable read. There is no chance of a long, droning middle part. 5 stars!

Thank you to Little, Brown andCompany and NetGalley for a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO There was no color description of the private eyes’ eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): YES I was very impressed that Marple sought out non-scented flowers in centerpieces so Holmes’ super olfactory senses were less pressured — sunflowers, dahlias and hibiscus are, indeed, scent less, but there’s a reason hibiscus flowers aren’t in bouquets or centerpieces unless they’re paper facsimiles — they close up quickly (even when still on the plant — they last only a day).