Don't Blink

I've read/listened to a lot of Patterson's books and to be honest I've grown tired of his "Alex Cross" stories. So I'm glad that he is developing some other characters. Don't Blink is a keeper. It tells a good and thrilling story, maintains a high degree of suspense throughout, and has a satisfactory ending. Is it a classic? Hardly, but it's very good solid entertainment, and certainly above average for Patterson's novels.

The only complaint I have is the audio reader (if you get the audiobook). He has this kind of wavering, gravelly voice that definitely takes some getting used to, and doesn't really seem to go with the characters that he is reading.

This is a humorous and action packed mystery thriller.

The book jumps into action from the get go, introducing the likable reporter hero, Nick Daniels. You meet Nick as he races away from African gorillas shooting at the American humanitarian doctor who Nick is interviewing. After surviving his tuck and roll escape, Nick is called home to New York for a once in a lifetime interview with a baseball legend.

Nick and his hermit interview subject are at the next table during the gruesome attack and murder of a mob lawyer. Now Nick is a key witness caught in the middle of the police investigation. The police are quick to pick their suspect and aren't interested in Nick's "frame-up" theories. As Nick investigates on his own he gets caught between two different mob families; he is beaten and threatened by known and unknown persons. Add a third mob family and some corrupt officials to make for more suspense.

Meanwhile, Nick is in love with his editor boss and that adds another angle to the story. It does present a problem that Courtney is already engaged to another man - a very wealthy and powerful man. But Nick is convinced that the fiancé is not faithful and Nick is determined to convince her to end the engagement.

The narrator did a fine job capturing Nick's somewhat irreverent attitude even if the mob guys sound rather alike. Nick's character also has a rather corny sense of humor that makes this fun. For example, as Nick is in a high speed chase with a mob boss and an enforcer, he describes the experience saying roughly: "We were tossed back and forth in the backseat like tossed salad."

Some of the scenes, and Nick's nine lives surviving threats, are a bit unbelievable but they make for a good story. I am actually glad that not all of Patterson's books stick with a set format, as I enjoy the variety. I found this audio book to be fast paced and good entertainment. My husband, who doesn't usually like to listen to audio books, enjoyed this and thought it would make a good movie. He is even willing to listen to this a second time on our cross country drive. This is not a literary classic but if you like crime action stories, you should like this for its twisting mystery, humor, touch of romance and lots of action.

Great

It is nothing new to hear me rave about a James Patterson audio. I have enjoyed many of his audio books immensely, especially the Mike Bennett Series he writes with Michael Ledwidge: Step On A Crack, Run For Your Life, Worst Case,and most recently Tick Tock. These books are filled with action, amazing narration, and honestly not gruesome as some of writing can be.

For all of the above reasons... I was excited to get my hands on Don't Blink. And then.... I dont know what happened. I must have blinked.

The story line was kind of all over. I never felt I knew enough about Nick Daniels to care about him. He may as well have been named Joe Blow. He goes after a case that causes many (MANY) people to get killed. Friends, people trying to help him... suddenly it feels as though I am just read leaping from one attack to another... he barely gets out of one jam and then there is another and then another... and then when you think "whew... it's over!"...

there is another.

In the end for me it was all a little too much.... enough plot here for two books. I didn't really feel any connections to anyone and it actually became work to follow what was going on and who was after him now...

maybe I did blink and somehow missed the point, but that is my take on this one. Not a hate... just not a love.

This story was okay. The biggest distraction is the inner monologue. While listening to the audio book, I had a difficult time separating the narrator's inner monologue from the dialogue. The plot could do without the inner monologue lines. I will not make an effort to read the next Nick Daniels story.

This story was okay. The biggest distraction is the inner monologue. While listening to the audio book, I had a difficult time separating the narrator's inner monologue from the dialogue. The plot could do without the inner monologue lines. I will not make an effort to read the next Nick Daniels story.

A little different than usually expect from Patterson. Of course, I think he is just lending his name to other authors now and not doing much of the writing or plot development himself.
I liked the main character and his supporting cast. Had some problems keeping track of all the different bad guys with ethnic names. Probably will listen to this one again when I don't have to interupt the story for 2 or 3 days while not in the car.
Would recommend for those who enjoy suspense.