This was a great addition to this series! An intricate storyline with a new partner for Michael Bennett made for a freshness that kept the pages turning. And of course their family dynamic always adds a richness to each story. Many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for review

Crosshairs by James Patterson and James O. Born is 16th book in the Mike Bennett series. NYPD Detective Mike Bennett is paired with a young sniper named Rob Trilling to assist him in hunting down the latest serial killer "The Longshot Killer." Officer Trilling is quiet and keeps to himself more than what Mike is used to and he struggles to get to know Officer Rob. But as Officer Trilling is being uncommunicative and has had multiple scheduling conflicts that have him missing out at work. Mike doesn't know what to expect from his newest partner and isn't sure if he needs to investigate him as well. Crosshairs kept me jumping throughout trying to figure out who was the shooter and what was really going on.
I would like to thank #NetGalley and Little Brown & Company for the digital ARC of the book in exchange for my review.

Always enjoy the Patterson books. I’m a newbie to this series. I liked Rob Trilling and I assume I’ll be reading more books with him. I am so happy to have a new series to plug into. I brought this with me on vacation and it enhanced my trip!

Thank you Netgalley for this arresting book to read and review!

Micheal Bennett really had his work cut out for him on this case gaining a new young partner feeling like he was the killer to doing a 360 and following the evidence to figure out who the real killer was.. Great read

3.5 stars. At times this book was hard to put down especially with the “typical james patterson chapters “ where they are short so you say you to yourself “just one more chapter” and then a big chunk of the book has been read. . But especially as time went on, the book became slow.. I got an advanced copy of this from netgalley but the review is unbiased

First thank you to James Patterson's street team for sending me an advanced copy of this great book.
I give this book a 4 out of 5 Stakes.

This was my first book into the
Michael Bennett series and i have to say I just may pick up the others in this series now. Thanks James, ha.
I have enjoyed reading all of James's books either solo ones or ones that co-author with him. And this book is no different.

However I will say Detective Michael Bennett did annoy me in some ways, it definitely seemed like he was jumping the gun a little bit on who the killer may have been. And I understood that he had to check all the stuff off the list and it would seem like it was so and so. But really? Again I get it, but still.

I really liked the character Rob Trilling and I do hope that he is in the next one or rest of the series even if a character that pops up to help out sometimes.
Rob is told to go help out Michael and the team find "The Long Shot Killer" because he is excellent with a sniper and he has background on different things that can help them solve the case. When the killer is out offing three different people that have absolutely no connections to each other, they call Michael to solve this case and with the help of Rob it leads them down even more questions and not very many answers nor explanations as to why?

This book is very fast paced and if you like a thriller with some mystery pick this book up. Or if you are a fan like me of James Patterson then check this out. You can read this as a stand alone or continue with the series. I was able to read this with no confusions and understood his personal life with his adopted childrean and wife.
Speaking of which I liked the ending with his big family and the adventures that they will soon have.

Michael Bennett is one of my favorite characters of all time. Truly a good man in all ways. Still human but pure goodness. LOVE Rob Trilling and hope to see much more of him in the series. I had no idea who the killer was until the reveal. Bravo!!! Love the crime stories but love how much of the stories focus on his amazing family.

In a world where danger potentially lurks in every shadow, Crosshairs shines a light on the bonds of family amidst the chaos.....…..

Book Information

Crosshairs by James Patterson and James O. Born is a 400-page mystery/thriller published on February 12, 2024. Thank you to Little, Brown, and Company for providing me with an Advance Readers Copy for review.

Summary

In New York City, a sniper known as "The Long Shot Killer" is targeting seemingly unrelated marks, prompting Detective Michael Bennett to enlist Officer Rob Trilling, a former Army Ranger and decorated sniper. Trilling's impressive military background contrasts with his distant demeanor, leading Bennett to question whether he's simply quiet/detached or a potential threat as unexplained absences raise suspicions about his true motives.

My Thoughts

Crosshairs, co-authored by James Patterson and James O. Born, delivers an enjoyable, engaging, and exciting read that seamlessly blends mystery, suspense, and intense action with familial warmth. It hits the bullseye of suspense and excitement, making it impossible to put down. The novel boasts a good plot with fast pacing and well-developed characters, striking a balance that keeps readers hooked without overwhelming them with too many personas to track.

For those new to the Michael Bennett series, Crosshairs serves as a perfect entry point. While long-time fans may find subtle nods to previous books, newcomers can dive in without feeling lost. However, the protagonist's juggling act of managing ten children, with the potential addition of an eleventh, leaves one wondering if the next installment will delve into household management.

The book expertly juxtaposes the stress of police work, particularly in pursuit of a sniper, with the solace found in familial bonds. Despite its intense moments, Crosshairs concludes with a heartwarming family scene, although without giving away any spoilers, Bennett’s reaction in the final moments of the book may have been my only instance of disappointment with his actions. Maybe just me—but kind of a jerk move.

The resolution of the mystery is fulfilling, keeping readers guessing until the end. While the short chapters contribute to the book's fast pace, they occasionally border on brevity, leaving me craving a bit more depth in certain scenes. I generally love short chapters but there were times when I wanted to settle in just a bit more.

Overall, Crosshairs is a thrilling addition to the Michael Bennett series, leaving me eager to explore earlier installments and anticipating the next adventure.

Recommendation

With Crosshairs, Patterson and Born lock onto the reader's imagination, delivering a bullet train of thrills and surprises that's impossible to derail. A literary bullseye, capturing the essence of suspense with pinpoint accuracy and unforgettable characters. Recommended.

Rating

4 Long Shot Stars

You can always be assured a good read by James Patterson. This book Crosshairs along with James O. Born is no exception. From page one the story flows flawlessly and keeps your interest. A sniper is randomly shooting and killing innocent victims. Detective Michael Bennett is in charge of the investigation to stop the killings. But how can you find a random shooter? He requests the help of someone trained to shoot long distance to help him understand the mindset. However the man they bring in from the FBI just may have his own secrets. Michael has to sort it all out and catch a killer who could be closer than he thinks. A must read. You will enjoy Detective Michael Bennett stories and his wonderful family. Thanks to NetGalley and Hatchette Book Group for this eARC.

I devoured this book in no time. James Patterson is one of , if not , the best story teller ever to write.
This book is a continuation of the Micheal Bennet series.

The newest Michael Bennett book is a bit different from others. The NYC cop and father of 10 has a new partner who he begins to suspect may be hiding some major information about their newest case. When Michael's daughter shows interest in the new partner, things get very tricky. New wife Mary Catherine is undergoing fertility treatments to add to their family, which adds stress to Michael's life. Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for providing an ARC.

I have been a fan of the Michael Bennett series since it started, mostly because of the Bennett family. They are the best and the family scenes are so good!

However, each story also draws me in, and Crosshairs was no exception. A sniper, that could be anywhere, and with so many possibilities of who they are!

I bought every possible suspect up until the end. They all made sense to me! Of course the actual culprit made a lot of sense too and I can’t believe I missed it.

This story had me completely absorbed and I really enjoyed the fast pace and the investigation. I am already looking forward to the next one.

Thank you Little, Brown and Company for the copy of this book. All views are my honest opinion.

Crosshairs is the 16th entry in Patterson’s long running Michael Bennet series. When Bennet is assigned to “Long Shot Sniper” investigation, he asks for help from a sniper expert. Soon he is assigned a young policeman with sniper training as a new temporary partner. As the investigation proceeds, Bennet has increasing concerns about his partner’s furtive behavior. The tense thriller is interspersed with scenes from Michael’s family life. And what a family it is. Bennet has ten adopted children. When his first wife died of cancer, an Irish nanny took charge of the children, and eventually captured Michael’s heart. Along with the kids and the new wife, his grandfather lives with them too. The family provides a few other plotlines to the book.

Most of Patterson’s books are cowritten. Half of this series was cowritten by Michael Ledwidge, but James O. Born took over in 2017 and his books are even better. The action is fast paced and written in Patterson’s typical format of numerous very short chapters. He captures the warmth of the large loving family that gives so much contrast that makes this series unique. The plot is well crafted with enough characters to keep the mystery interesting. I love this series which is why I was happy to read an advance copy from Little, Brown and company through NetGalley. I can honestly say that this book lived up to my expectations and I recommend it to any mystery thriller fan.

Detective Michael Bennett is back again in a great page-turner. This time he is trying to find "The Longshot Killer" and is paired with a new partner, Rob Trilling who is being loaned from the FBI task force. Rob is kind of hard to Michael to get a read on, even inviting him to his home, where his daughter develops an interest in this newest partner. Lots of twists and turns and you don't really know who to suspect. Is the killer actually among them? Could it be his new partner? I definitely stayed up way too late reading this, and enjoyed every minute. Another great Detective Bennett thriller. Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Co for providing an advance copy. Can't wait for the next in the series.

This is another edge of your seat detective story about Michael Bennett and his young new partner, Trilling. Trilling has incredible skills and great instincts. They are assigned a case to find the sniper-type killer. The victims seem to be selected at random. They are from all walks of life and after death, seem to have led loving and giving lives.

Trilling also seems to have the same skills, and possibly the motivation to kill these people. Bennett likes him and can't believe he's the killer. But what if he is?

There are some very exciting scenes, along with some unexpected twists. Great story telling, wonderful pacing, and the reader is kept guessing.

This is the 16th book in the Michael Bennett series.
How do you find a killer who seems to choose targets randomly? That is what detective Bennett and his new partner, Rob Trilling must do. Trying to find a suspect in New York City is like trying to find a needle in a haystack, but Michael isn’t someone who gives up easily. Could the sniper be hiding in plain sight? Rob has impressive shooting skills, and he might even be hiding something. Could he be the sniper?
Between trying to find the killer, we also also spend time with Michael’s huge family (10 children). I cannot imagine having the time or the energy to devote to such a demanding job, and the needs of so many children. Michael is just an all-around good and smart person and spending time with him is always a pleasure. Until we meet again, Michael, be safe and continue being the great dad that you are.b

I have read James Patterson books for decades, and I had become somewhat disinterested - until I found the Michael Bennett series. This latest volume has Bennett and his new partner chasing a sniper, and the authors keep you guessing until the end. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

*I was given an E-Arc of this book via NetGalley so big thanks 😁*

To start off, while I am a big fan of Patterson’s other work, I haven’t read any other book in this series. But there wasn’t any point during this story that I felt lost.

This story is extremely fast paced. Even though there is over 100 chapters, they are all Pretty short so it’s never overwhelming.

Some parts of the dialogue gave me “Murder in Bermuda” vibes but that could be because I read it so recently.

Overall pretty good read, now I’ll have to go back and read the previous books in the series.

•This book becomes publicly available February 12, 2024•

Thanks to James Patterson; James O. Born; Little Brown and Company; and Netgalley for access to the advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Very nice psychological thriller that kept me engaged and guessing until the satisfying conclusion. I appreciate the character development of each of the main characters in addition to the well plotted story. Fast read and recommended.

Posted manually to Goodreads due to technical issues with the direct link:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit/195834283

Yay for another excellent James Patterson and James O. Born book! Crosshairs stars Michael Bennett and his large family in another New York City mystery. Action-packed and tense, this book moves quickly through the thrilling story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the opportunity to read this great ARC.