The Michael Bennett series just keeps getting better and better. Michael Bennett is one of my favorite fictional characters. The newest case he has been tasked with solving is an interesting and tragic case, and actually is quite scary. A sniper who has been pegged as "The Long Shot Killer" is killing people. Since it is a sniper killing, the forensics are a nightmare as they have to try and figure out where the sniper is shooting from. However, it is also diminishes the list of suspects as not just anyone can shoot from a long distance with any accuracy.

Michael has been assigned a new partner, Rob Trilling. Rob is in his mid-twenties, but he has already made his mark in the world during his short life. He is a former Army ranger and Bronze Star recipient. He also also worked with the FBI and NYPD, where he used his skills as a sniper. Rob is a hard nut to crack for Michael. We all know that Michael is a talker and would be a great mentor for younger law enforcement personnel, but Rob is a locked vault. Michael begins to wonder about Rob. He is, after all, an accomplished sniper. He has mysterious absences from the job that cannot be explained. He wonders if he is riding around with a killer.

Time is ticking for these investigators as someone else has been killed by the sniper. This story moves along at a fairly brisk pace as you learn more about Trilling and what makes him tick, which has also made him a suspect. I always enjoy reading about Michael Bennett and his large, loving family. I enjoy this series because it has the mystery I always enjoy from Patterson, but we also one again get an inside look at Michael Bennett's family life, one that is rich with history and love. This story had a compelling plot with wonderful characters that we all know and love. As usual the story is addictive, to the point where you will get nothing done until you finish it. You can never go wrong with an installment in the Michael Bennett series.

Thank you to Little Brown and Company and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Crosshairs is the sixteenth book in the Michael Bennett series and I've only read a couple of them. Can't keep up with all the books coming out from James Patterson.

Description:
New York City detective Michael Bennett faces his most terrifying killer ever. It could be anyone. They could be anywhere.

A sniper dubbed “The Long Shot Killer” is taking out impossible targets in New York City.

As the unknown shooter’s hit list mounts, Detective Michael Bennett calls for reinforcements.

Officer Rob Trilling doesn’t like to talk about himself. But he has an impressive resume as a former Army Ranger who’s won a Bronze Star and recognition as a sniper with NYPD’s Emergency Services Unit.

​Bennett struggles to connect with the soldier, barely older than his own ten kids, especially when Trilling begins to log unexplained absences from duty.

Trilling may be more comfortable with rifles than he is with people, but only Bennett can prove whether his partner is a lonely hunter or a hardened assassin.

My Thoughts:
This one centers on a sniper investigation. The sniper seems to be choosing victims that are seemingly unrelated. Bennett gets paired with the young Officer Trilling who initially is very uncommunicative. The investigation is comples and intense. Many questions arise not only about the suspect, but about Officer Trilling's secretive life. I enjoyed the intrigue and the investigation. Trilling's various interactions throughout were both positive and negative keeping everyone off balance. And wow! Bennett already has 10 kids and wanting another? That blew my mind. I just can't imagine such a houseful.

Good plot, fast pacing and good characters. I really like Michael Bennett as an investigator. He seems like a fair-minded, intelligent guy. I do find his family life unbelievable though. I recommend this series to anyone who likes fast-paced investigative drama.

Thanks to Little, Brown and Company through Netgalley for an advance copy. Expected publication on February 12, 2024.

New York City detective Michael Bennett needs help with his latest investigation involving a sniper. He receives it from Officer Rob Trilling, a former Army Ranger with sniper experience. Michael is dedicated to doing the right thing, even if he doesn’t like where it takes him. In this case, he might have to bring down one of his own.

I enjoyed this latest thriller and always love reading about the entire Bennett clan. The family has a couple of surprises to reveal.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Crosshairs is another James Patterson and James O. Born winner. It is action packed right from the beginning. I was fully engaged as Michael Bennett and his partner search for a serial killer with serious sniper skills. A great read!

The latest in the Michael Bennett series from James Patterson and James O. Born comes out on Feb 12. I received an arch of this novel from NetGalley. Thank you to them, the publisher and the authors. This is my honest review.

It follows Michael Bennett, a NYPD homicide detective, as he tries to solve a series of murders that have been happening by a serial killer with a sniper rifle. A member of the FBI, Rob Trilling, is brought on to help him. Michael finds Trilling to be a quiet, respectful young man, but he can't really read him. Together they try to bring the killer to justice.

This was a terrific 5-star read! The characters were compelling and well thought out. It delved into PTSD somewhat and what a soldier's life can be like as they try to integrate back into society after the military. Michael's family was lively and fun, and I enjoy Patterson's style of writing. It's easy to read, and the chapters are short enough to be read at bedtime.

If you like a good murder mystery with a satisfying plot, then check this out. Even if you have never read one of the Michael Bennett series, it's easy to get into and you don't need to have read the others to enjoy it.

Another great Michael Bennett thriller.

Fast paced, action packed, with a little Bennett family excitement thrown in for good measure.

Thank you James Patterson, James O. Born, NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

4.5⭐ I'm hooked on this series. I love the James O. Born / James Patterson writing duo. I think this is their best one yet! The writers always manage to make me feel good by the end of the book, despite all the mayhem that happened within the pages. If you enjoy a good suspense/thriller, I recommend you invest in the Michael Bennett series.

I was gripped right from the first chapter. The writing is detailed and intentional, I felt immersed in every scene. It was well paced with never a lull. It was witty, even characters with only a few lines were funny, and I still love Walter and his puns. It had great dialogue, making it more real. It pulled at my heartstrings when Trilling has something precious taken away. I was on the edge of my seat until the killer is revealed. And the story arc surrounding Rob reinforced my belief that there is still goodness in people.

Rob Trilling, a straight-laced, cool-headed, quick-thinking young cop who's been brought in to help Bennett on a new case. He's often misunderstood, but reality is that he's still adjusting to civilian life after leaving the Army Rangers. He doesn't speak much, but when he does, is often witty or insightful. He gets some pretty funny lines in this story.

Michael Bennett, a veteran detective who will always try to do what's right and stay loyal to his department and the people of New York. He's a legend amongst his peers and amongst other law enforcement agencies, a well deserved title. He methodically solves every case, follows the evidence, even when it takes him down a path he would rather not.

Thank you James Patterson, James O. Born, NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for this ARC. The above is my own and personal opinion.

Thank you Netgalley and Little Brown & Co. Publishers for this over the wall fantastic book.

James Patterson books are always fantastic and this one so does not disappoint.

He has a brilliant mind and I am always amazed with his charcters and story line.

I read this book over the course of 24 hours and am ready for a reread. I enjoyed it tremendously and highly, highly recommend.

Just WOW!

Five stars plus!

I loved every minute of this story! I love a detective with a heart. Pair that with a big, loving family, and you have a winner! Anyone who enjoys following along as murders are solved will love this one!

Crosshairs is an intriguing story of police investigations into sniper killings in New York City played against the background of Detective Michael Bennett and his family of 10 children. The story is extremely interesting when the experienced Bennett is given a new 24 year old partner. There are a multitude of characters and situations which are all clearly defined in this well written thriller which forced this reader to read in one day.
I recommend this novel to all readers who enjoy this genre and thank NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication.

This long time James Patterson fan girl squealed with delight when I was approved for this book, book 16 in the fantastic Michael Bennett series. I will read anything that James Patterson writes, and already in 2024, I have read 3 of his books. I devoured this one as ai always do in less than 24 hours.

Michael Bennett is NYPD, father to 10 adopted children and someone that I would want working my case. He is relentless, clever and very knowledgeable. In Crosshairs, he is on the case of The Longshot Killer, a sniper who is taking out people across New York. He is working with a new partner, a former army ranger and experienced sniper. I loved the relationship formed between these 2 men throughout the story.

On top of all this he is a dad and takes this very seriously. I love the family scenes, with great grandfather thrown in for good measure. This series is just as strong as it was in the early books and I can’t see it going anywhere soon.

Thank you so so much to Little Brown and Company for the advanced copy to read. Published on my birthday, February 12th

This is Michael Bennett #16, the 7th that has James O. Born as co-author with the great James Patterson (the others started with Michael Ledwidge). Michael Bennett is still mostly the same honest, clever, respectable New York City detective living on the upper West side in a huge apartment, who gets called on special assignments (serial killers, celebrity kidnappings, high profile assassins, vengeful drug lords), consults with his priest grandfather, and juggles his 10 adopted kids (a family built with his late first wife), and who has now found a new love with the super Catholic former Irish nanny, Mary Catherine. Michael’s story doesn’t change much, although the dangers of his unique job and skill sets sometimes put the family in danger. What does change are the action-packed plots, almost always set up in structure via one hundred quick chapters (113 in “Crosshairs”), that make for always fascinating moving plot lines and never seem to drag in the middle like other thrillers or mysteries.

In “Crosshairs” Bennett is pursuing a long distance assassin, with amazing (and probably military) long range gun skills when he requests assistance from someone in the department with deeper knowledge than he has. He is assigned a new partner, Rob Trilling, highly skilled as a sniper who has been with an FBI task force most recently. Trilling is super young and super quiet. And prone to just getting up and leaving “for an appointment”. Bennett isn’t sure what to make of the surly ex-Rangerand torn between wanting to respect him and wanting to suspect him. The tension keeps up throughout the narrative and you get to see a deeper layer of Michael Bennett. I loved it! 5 stars!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO Some dark and bloodshot ones, but really no eye colors.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO It’s New York City and landscaping is basically trees surrounded by cement.

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

Detective Michael Bennett is in search of a dangerous sniper. With only so many with such an acute skill, Michael even has to confirm that the sniper is not one of his fellow officers.

I enjoy the balance that this series has between Michael's home life and his work life. Father to ten adopted children, his still rather new marriage to their former nanny Mary Catherine brings him immense joy.

There is a sniper on the loose and they have been dubbed The Longshot Killer. Mike and his new partner Rob Trilling, with often reluctant help from the FBI, are trying to find the killer before more lives are taken.

What a thrilling read! I can't believe that we have made it to 16 books in this amazing series. Not only is Mike an exceptional detective, leaving no stone unturned, his compassion as well as his love for his large family is always evident. Mike's young new partner, Rob, an army vet, often gives Mike pause, but Mike's need to justice just might match that of young Rob. I love the direction that this series has maintained and can't wait for the next book in the series.

Many thanks to Little, Brown and Company and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

This book was about a sniper that kills a few high Influential people! The detective that gets the case has a new very young partner that actually used to be a sniper in the army! While investing the detective thinks the serial killer sniper could be his new young partner! He is rushed for time to try to find out who the killer is! This book had suspense, intrigue, action packed, murder, mystery, serial killer, snipers FBI, great detective work, A fantastic who done it and some crazy twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting and kept me glued to my Kindle! I highly recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

This is a Michael Bennett story, it shows how well he balances his family life and his job. He gets a new partner that he spends most of the book evaluating. The case he is trying to solve has many twists and turns. Great story! Highly recommend!

Crosshairs by James Patterson is not an easily solved mystery. As usual, Michael Bennett gives his all to the case. Enjoyed catching up with his family.

Another rollicking tale in the Michael Bennett series. Fast moving and action packed. The story grabs you from the first page and keeps you guessing until the very end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company who provided me with a copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Detective Michael Bennett is tracking down a killer, a sniper. he teams up with a former Army Ranger who is expert with snipers and shooting. His partner is aloof and hard to read. Bennet begins to question him and wonder if he might be the assassin. Together they must find the sniper. As with all Patterson books, it will keep you guessing and turning the page faster then expected.

Michael Bennett has done it again. This girl pulled an all nighter and blasted through this. The familiar characters and NY banter and the drive and love for justice and family shines through. I have to admit, I don’t know if I want Trilling to stop working with Bennett and I’m hoping making for a Bennett retirement and a Trilling take over ? Maybe ?

This 16th installment of the Michael Bennett series has Michael working with a new partner, Rob Trilling, a former Army veteran who has been with the NYPD for 18 months and has been transferred out of two different units, so far. He’s a young guy (23, I think) and a consultant on sniper tactics and behavior. This is why he was transferred to Micheal because there is a sniper loose in NY with three kills, so far, when the story starts.

The book summary is really vague and only hints at Michael’s thoughts and concerns about Rob. While Michael is sympathetic that Rob is being treated for PTSD, he’s having concerns about all of his “appointments”, which seem a little suspect. Additionally, there is another storyline of Rob and Michael’s oldest daughter, Juliana, being attracted to each other and communicating with each other. No matter what a cop thinks of his partner, they certainly don’t want them dating their daughters. There is also a storyline from the previous installment where Mary Catherine is going through fertility treatments. Apparently, 10 kids isn’t enough.

Most of the first half has Michael and Rob investigating the murders and victims, including the new ones that are in addition to the previous three murders. It’s into the second half that his concerns about Rob become more serious. Michael struggles about what to do with his concerns because he doesn’t want to ruin Rob’s life and/or career if his suspicions are wrong, but his dedication to his job rules out. The ending was an intense and scary scene and while it wrapped up some storylines, it left one hanging. It will be interesting to see where James O’Born goes with this storyline in the next installment.

I want to thank NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #LittleBrownandCompany #Crosshairs