The Black Book
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4.4 • 93 Ratings
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- $15.99
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- $15.99
Publisher Description
THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
'A total page-turner that will keep you guessing from start to terrifying finish' KARIN SLAUGHTER
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How can you prove your innocence when you can't remember the crime?
Being a cop runs in Billy Harney's family. The son of Chicago's Chief of Detectives whose twin sister, Patti, also followed in their father's footsteps, Billy would give up everything for the job - including his life.
After a brutal shooting, Billy is left for dead alongside his tempestuous former partner and an ambitious assistant district attorney. But somehow Billy survives - and is charged with double murder.
Billy remembers nothing about the shooting. Retracing his steps to find proof of his innocence, he discovers the existence of a little black book that he suspects contains the truth that will either set him free, or confirm his worst fears...
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'The Black Book has more twists than a Formula One race, and the pace is just as fast. Deeply rooted characters, a touch of humour, and a climax nobody can see coming - it's vintage Patterson.' Brad Taylor, author of the Pike Logan series
'The plot twists will give you whiplash' Washington Post
'Brilliantly twisty . . . Many readers will agree with Patterson that this is the "best book [he's] written in 25 years".' Publisher's Weekly
'The mystery is authentic, the lead-up genuinely suspenseful' Kirkus
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Don't miss the thrilling sequel, The Red Book, available now
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
At the start of bestseller Patterson's brilliantly twisty fourth collaboration with Ellis (after 2015's Murder House), Det. Patti Harney of the Chicago PD visits a horrific crime scene at a luxury condo. Det. Kate Fenton lies dead of a bullet wound on the bedroom carpet; on the bed are the naked bodies of assistant state attorney Amy Lentini and homicide detective Billy Harney, Patti's twin brother. It looks as if Kate shot Amy and Billy, and Billy managed to return fire and kill Kate. Amy is dead, but Billy survives, though he has no memory of what happened. Flashbacks reveal that the killings were prompted by a raid that Billy led on a high-class brothel, which netted such prominent Chicagoans as Archbishop Michael Phelan and Mayor Francis Delaney. The little black book containing the brothel's records is missing. The state is prosecuting Billy for the shooting and hoping to save the careers of the brothel's customers by proving the raid was unjustified. Everything is stacked against Billy, who needs an ingenious solution to escape a guilty verdict. Many readers will agree with Patterson that this is the "best book written in 25 years." Agents: Robert Barnett and Deneen Howell, Williams & Connolly LLP.
Customer Reviews
Best thing JP has written in years
Author
American publishing behemoth who has sold almost as many thrillers as McDonald's has sold Big Macs. He got his start with crime novels and returns to familiar ground here. To crank up his already prodigious output, Mr Patterson started writing in tandem with a number of lesser known authors, with JP as the big picture guy while his off-siders do the grunt work. Mr Ellis is a lawyer turned novelist who won an Edgar Allen Poe Award for best first novel, but has undoubtedly trousered considerably more dosh since hitching his wagon to the big kahuna.
In brief
Male Chicago cop from Irish cop family also does part-time stand up comedy. He and his partner bust a high end brothel catering to city bigwigs (the mayor, the archbishop, State congressmen, businessmen, the whole enchilada) while investigating a murder. Cue mucho attention from the press and the public, and kickback from the powers-that-be. Professional jealousies, internal affairs double crosses, family issues, personal problems, murders, unexpected romance, yada, yada, resolution.
Writing
Slick prose, well-paced, well-developed twisty plot that hangs together as well as any genre fiction I have read in a long time. There's some good jokes too.
Bottom line
Mr Patterson is on record as saying this is the "best book I've written in 25 years." I'm inclined to agree with him.
Fantastic book
Surprisingly for a crime/thriller it made me laugh. It also made me cry and a twist I did not see coming.