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Private
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Private
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Private
Audiobook7 hours

Private

Written by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

Narrated by Peter Hermann

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

3.5/5

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Currently unavailable

Currently unavailable

About this audiobook

The police can't help you.

Former Marine helicopter pilot Jack Morgan runs Private, a renowned investigation company with branches around the globe. It is where you go when you need maximum force and maximum discretion. The secrets of the most influential men and women on the planet come to Jack daily – and his staff of investigators uses the worl

The press will destroy you.

Jack is already deep into the investigation of a multi-million dollar NFL gambling scandal and the unsolved slayings of 18 schoolgirls when he learns of a horrific murder close to home: his best friend's wife, Jack's former lover, has been killed. It nearly pushes him over the edge. Instead, Jack pushes back and devotes all of Private's resources to tracking down her killer.

Only one place to turn: Private

But Jack doesn't have to play by the rules. As he closes in on the killer and chooses between revenge and justice, Morgan has to navigate a workplace love affair that threatens to blow the roof off his plans. With a plot that moves at death-defying speeds, Private is James Patterson sleekest, most exciting thriller ever.

A Hachette Audio production.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateJun 28, 2010
ISBN9781607884491
Unavailable
Private
Author

James Patterson

James Patterson is the CEO of J. Walter Thompson, an advertising agency in New York. He has written several successful fiction and nonfiction books, including The New York Times best seller The Day America Told the Truth.

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Reviews for Private

Rating: 3.521739185354691 out of 5 stars
3.5/5

437 ratings34 reviews

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  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    It was free. I had some time to fill. It was interesting but I'm still anti-James Patterson since he went fast food. Won't be hunting down the sequel any time soon.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    2.5* for the book; 3* for the audiobook edition.Not bad but not great.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The first book of the Private series. I've read a few of the Private books previously without having the first book. I've always enjoyed James Patterson's classic short chapters and writing style and I enjoyed this one. There was a lot going on, with 3 different cases at the same time but I had no difficulty following them.The story itself is enjoyable and a bit far-fetched at times but that's what I enjoy about reading books, the escape from reality where anything is possible. This gets a 3/5 from me.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Decent enough pulpy read it and forget crime fiction.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    There are, as is usual in many Patterson books, three main plot lines. Jack Morgan is an Afghanistan veteran and war hero. His father, a crook and murderer is killed in prison, but before his death he gives Jack fifteen million dollars to run an investigative firm that he started and ran down. Jack restarts the firm "Private" and together with many experts in many criminollogical fields turns it into an extremely lucrative and respected business. The people who work for him are interesting characters.

    The first plot centers on the death of a beautiful woman who Jack once dated, who is married to his best friend. She is shot in the head and chest. The police are convinced that her husband shot her. He turns to Jack for help. Although very wealthy this friend has been skimming money from people who gave him funds to invest for them.

    The second plot is the freakish murder of young girls, twelve as the novel opens, each murder done differently. The mayor receives an untraceable email claiming credit for the bizarre deeds, signed "Steemcleena." The email proves knowledge of the crimes by telling the mayor where the items taken from the last victim can be found. Our authors tell us who committed the last murder, but neither the police nor Jack's firm, who the police hired to help them pro bono, know this. They also do not know that there was more than a single murderer involved.

    The third major plot is a gambling fix in the NFL football league. While there is no clear evidence, quite a few games had been lost during the past two years that shouldn't have been lost. Jack's uncle and two other men, NFL owners, hire the firm to find out what is happening.

    I found "Private" to be a good story. At first I was a little distracted by the different mysteries going on at the same time. However, once it occurred to me that a detective agency the size of Private would be involved with multiple cases, I found that I rather liked the bouncing between the cases.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    True to form...Patterson has a winner. It wraps you up and won't let you go.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    A fair version of the James Patterson factory style written by Maxine Paetro, short chapters (over 100 of them), abrupt chapter endings driving you to read on, sparse text per page (average 175 words), not much character development, several action driven plotlines (a friend murder, NFL corruption, serial killers a la American Psycho) combined with thin human drama (war amnesia, daddy issues, twin brother rivalry, relationship commitment issues).
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    too many plots
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    An excellent book by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro. It holds the attention and is an easy, quick read due to the short chapters. At first I couldn't relate to the characters but that's probably because I'm used to the women's murder club and Alex Cross. As the book went on I enjoyed it more and more and thought the various plots excellent. Jack Morgan's past experiences as a marine and his twin brother's involvement makes it more interesting and I am looking forward to more.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Exciting read/listen from the first electron. The multiple plots interweave and get solved bada-bing. I couldn't put it down.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Yet another easy read from James Patterson. There were some fun plot twists, but some characters and situations that didn't need to be there. You can tell it was definitely set up for a sequel.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    A good read however Jack Morgan is not Alex Cross, this would not stop me reading the other books in the series
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    James Patterson has again produced a thoroughly enjoyable and quick read. Private deals with a private investigation company which is able to work just outside the law while still keeping contacts, when required, within the police force.

    Written in conjunction with Maxine Paetro, this fast moving story intertwined murder, organized crime and serial killers all within one novel. Something for everyone!

    A recommended read for James Patterson fans and fans of the above mentioned genres.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Private was a light, quick read for me. The book revolved around the investigations carried out at the international renowned "Private" and the people who worked there, including the owner, Jack Morgan. I enjoyed the plots involving the various investigations that occurred in the book - the almost-scandal involving the NFL, the murder of his best friend's wife, and the search for the killer of the "school girls". The characters were strong and believable.
    By the end of the book, all the investigations were resolved. James Patterson answered most of my questions involving not only the various sub-plots but also the characters' lives. There was really nothing left for me to wonder about or imagine - I'm not sure that I like this feeling.
    All in all, a good read, and I will read more of his books.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    very good story by Patterson. the beginning of the private series - 2 twin brothers in the private investigation business - one is good and the other bad. Main character investigates murder of former girlfriend and also football rigging. good book
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Well constructed story of a Private detective investigations firm and it's head working several different cases. Engrossing, well researched investigation methods.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Jack Morgan is a war hero vet from Afghanistan who inherits a private investigation company from his soon-to-be dead father who is in prison for murder. Jack like to think of himself as having high moral standards, and ethics are a big part of his business plan. While he personally is involved with the Los Angeles location, it is becoming a global concern. It also marks the start of a new series by ubiquitous crime novelist James Paterson (and Maxine Paetro). Jack's best friend's wife suddenly finds herself dead, and their apparently idyllic relationship was not all peaches and cream. Meanwhile, their ability to operate under less restrictions as the police involves the agency in a rash of murders involving teenage girls dating back several years. Finally, they are contracted by the NFL to investigate a game-foxing scheme involving referees; but they must resolve it without a public spectacle (ala Black Sox scandal). As if three big story lines isn't enough, Patterson also does a good job developing personal stories for all of the characters. It's a good foundation -- I'm not sure I'm in love with any of the characters just yet, but they are interesting and likeable. The next book is out, perhaps I'll get to it soon.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    The book is well written and keeps the reader's interest. I personally did not like the murder cases and brutality of the characters. The main character seems screwed up (mentally), sexually (relationships), and his friend Del Rio is a murderer who is also messed up. I find it hard to believe that private investigators could get away with using the criminal methodology to catch criminals. Furthermore, the criminal cases are pretty revolting. I frankly am not interesting in reading about such items in my spare time (it seems sick to me).
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Jack Morgan has returned home from Afghanistan after being shot down from his helicopter. Upon his return, his father, who is in jail, requests that Jack reopens his investigative firm, Private. Jack builds up the investigative firm into a successful and elite firm that caters to the creme de la crop of Los Angeles. As he is getting ready to escort one of his clients into an awards ceremony, he receives a call from his best friend. He rushes over to find his friend's wife, Shelby, also Jack's good friend, shot to death. He promises his friend he will track down Shelby's killer. As if that isn't enough, his employees are wrapped up in a serial killer case and his uncle asks him to take on a case for the NFL. I usually really like James Patterson books, mainly his Alex Cross and Women's Murder Club series. However, even now I can't actually tell you if I loved Private or not. It was certainly entertaining and was a quick and easy read with it's short chapters but it just didn't grab me like his other series did. Having three cases, not to mention the flashbacks from Afghanistan and troubles with his brother kept it from every getting stale. Maybe I just have to get used to new characters? I do hope to see a couple more, seeing as the Private Investigation Firm has offices located around the world. It would be fun to read about cases in England, Rome and other foreign countries. All in all, I would recommend this book as it is entertaining and a fast and easy read.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Following the detective agency Private is certainly a blast. Crammed in to one book are several stories which aren't all interconnected, some of which have personal ties to the team in an effort to flesh out the characters as the chapters pass at breakneck speed. It's the variance in content which makes Private so much fun, although somewhat superficial as a result. Patterson is clearly setting up the agency for further exploits and that's no bad thing. Private mixes up all of Patterson's previous characters (albeit under new names) in to one team - how bad can that be?
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    not a bad book, but was a bit confusing at times
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    James Patterson and Maxine Paetro have teamed up again for their 8th successful collaboration. Private is the first in a new series featuring former Marine Jack Morgan. Morgan inherited both money and his business from his incarcerated father. The name of the firm? Private.With money being no object, Morgan is able to hire the best in every field. Private's forensic labs are better than many law enforcement agencies. And discretion is the word at Private, as they cater to high profile cases.Private has three cases running at the same time in this initial outing. Jack's best friend's wife has been murdered. A look into her background uncovers she's not the woman her husband thought. The owner of an NFL team approaches the firm to investigate possible corruption at a crucial level. And last but not least, some sicko is killing young schoolgirls - 18 to date. The local police force agrees to let the Private firm assist them with this investigation. (This stretched believability a bit)I have been listening to all of Patterson's books now. I find that they're pretty good entertainment in audio format. Nothing to tax your brain, but a story that does keep you engaged while leaving your hands free. All the prerequisites for a classic Patterson are there - suspense, killers, a personal storyline, romance/sex and short chapters with cliffhanger endings. Although the name dropping was meant to let us know that Jack moves in certain circles, I found naming celebrities more than once simply gratuitous.I liked the Jack Morgan character and the book ended with an opening to a sequel, which I would listen to. The support team is an eclectic bunch, some with secrets of their own. I did have to laugh when one of Jack's love interests turned out to be a bonny colleen from Ireland. The same character with a different name appears in the Det. Michael Bennett series.Peter Hermann was the reader. He has an excellent speaking voice, clear and easily understood. His voice radiates emotions easily. And he did a passable job with that Irish colleen!All in all, a good listen. Patterson and Paetro's next collaboration - 10th Anniversary - a Women's Murder Club book is due out May 2/11
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    This was another action packed audiobook that Patterson offers to us that actually puts us on the trail of a few mysteries that Jack is trying to solve. The 'easy on the eyes' Jack Morgan runs Private, a private investigation agency that caters to the stars, but finds himself needing to confront his personal demons before he can move on in his own life.Jack has never forgiven himself for an event that happened in Afganistan and it has seemed to torment him every day of his life. Because of this memory he put up an emotional wall that won't allow him to live his life to the fullest. Once Jack realizes how he has been living, he becomes frustrated at how he has treated those that really care about him.Jack helps to reveal an NFL scandal that is operated by the mafia and while investingating this case, he finds information that is mafia related to another case. This book is packed with action, suspense and romance as Jack solves not only these cases, but also helps to catch the serial killer that is murdering the school girls.Although I loved the quick-paced action that this book kept feeding me, I found myself wanting to know more about Jack's character. More than anything I wanted him to be able to forgive himself for what happened in Afganistan so he could move on with his life and deal with his family issues. This was a great audiobook that was read by Peter Hermann and if you are a Patterson fan I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Private by James Patterson and Maxine PaetroPublished by Little, Brown and CompanyISBN 978-0-316-09615-7At the request of The Hachette Book Group, a HC was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion. Synopsis (from book's jacket): THE POLICE CAN'T HELP YOU Former Marine helicopter pilot Jack Morgan runs Private, a renowned investigation company with branches around the globe. It is where you go when you need maximum force and maximum discretion. The secrets of the most influential men and women on the planet come to Jack daily-and his staff of investigators use the world's most advanced forensic tools to make and break their cases. THE PRESS WILL DESTROY YOU Jack is already deep into the investigation of a multimillion-dollar NFL gambling scandal and the unsolved slayings of thirteen schoolgirls when he learns of a horrific murder close to home: his best friend's wife, Jack's former lover has been killed. It nearly pushes him over the edge. Instead, Jack pushes back and devotes all of Private's resources to tracking down her killer.ONLY ONE PLACE TO TURN: PRIVATE But Jack doesn't have to play by the rules. As he closes in on the killer and chooses between revenge and justice, Jack has to navigate a workplace love affair that threatens to blow the roof off his plans. My Thoughts and Opinion: Here I sit wondering what can I say about this book and only 3 words come to mind: Pure James Patterson!!! I have been a big fan of Mr. Patterson's books for years and have not yet read one that I didn't like. It contained all the elements that the author does best. Short chapters for that "read just one more chapter moment" and you find yourself 10 chapters forward. Pulls you in with the first page and doesn't let you go until the very last page. Nonstop action whereas it is a "page turner" and a "can't put down type of book". Twists and turns you don't see coming. The main character, Jack Morgan, was believable and likeable and am hoping that there will be future books related to this character. My Rating: 5
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    another typical fast-read page-turner. Even though there were 3 storylines going through the book, it was easy to follow each one to the end. I think that this will become the first in a series.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    A copy of this audiobook was provided for review by Hachette Book Group. I liked the characters in this one, although I didn't really connect with any of them. Jack was so confident and strong. He was the glue that seemed to hold a few different lives together. Yet he had his own "glue" so to speak. Each character had some "quirks" (for lack of a better word) that added to the team from Private's ability to solve their cases. There were so many characters, and since I was listening instead of reading, that I can't fully remember all of them. (Sadly I'm even having trouble remembering most of their names).I liked the story, and I think that this would make a good series. I kind of get the feeling though that maybe this is going to be a series and Patterson and Paetro wanted to introduce us to many characters in setting up for later books in the series. I could be totally wrong on this, but I get the feeling that this was a set up for a series...The narrator was pretty good also. Peter Hermann apparently has appeared in many shows that I watch (watched) but I can't place him in any of them, which helps add to the ability for me to connect to the book rather than the narrator. His voice is very good for reading, he's not monotone, but he's not "perky". He had different voices for each of the characters, and does a good job of relating the feelings of the characters through his voice.Overall I think this was a good book, but that it could have had a few less story lines. Like I said this had the feel of the start of a series and maybe some of the story lines could have been saved for later. I liked it and at the same time I was a little disappointed in it.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    Oh blah! I used to LOVE James Patterson novels and would rush out and buy them as soon as possible but I must say I am so happy that this was a loan from the library! I kept reading the story feeling like I was waiting for it to get going only to realize I was more that half through and this was probably as good as it was going to get. I didn't think that there were any real big reveals throughout the book and nothing about it surprised me in the least. The characters didn't interest me and didn't feel very real. I continue to read all the Patterson books as they come out-fingers crossed the next one is waaaaaay better!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Private by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro is about Jack Morgan owner and operator of Private; a private investigation firm for the rich and powerful. Jack was a military chopper pilot whose father died in prison shortly after giving him the Private firm and a large chunk of change to make it happen the right way this time. We come into the picture when Jack finds out a friend of his was murdered. Next there has been a serial killer on the loose killing high school girls and has started increasing his pace. At the same time Jack's uncle, who owns a piece of a football team, thinks someone is fixing games for illegal betting but he doesn't know who, how or if it's just imaginary. It's rather amazing Jack ever has time to sleep.This was an average James Patterson book, though with more than average quirky characters. Jacks team seemed to be based off the TV crime dramas like NCIS or Criminal Minds. Like the TV shows, we jump in and only get the highlights for a bunch of these characters which we expect to be filled in more in later 'episodes'. We are given just enough for each so you want to know a little more. Jack has a top notch team, there's Justine, his ex-girlfriend, Del Rio, his ex-Marine, ex-Con buddy, Emilio Cruz the Ex-cop, Dr. Seymour 'Sci' Kloppenberg the forensic criminalist with an online video girlfriend 'Kit Kat' and last but not least Maureen Roth 'Mo-bot' , the middle aged, tattooed computer guru.Overall it was a decent, fast paced book with a lot going on, like most Patterson books, partially to disguise the plot holes. If you like James Patterson you will be more than happy to add this one to your 'To Be Read' pile. Great light easy read.
  • Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
    1/5
    So little mystery to this story.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Another fast read. Not sure where this series will lead. Interesting, but seems almost old Hollywood dressed up as modern day.