The wildest thriller yet from "one of America's most influential authors" (New York Times).

Working as a lifeguard at a luxurious Florida resort, Ned Kelly meets the woman of his dreams. It feels perfect in every way — except that she's used to caviar and Manolo Blahniks, and he's used to burgers and flip-flops.

So when Ned's cousin offers to cut him in on a fast break-and-enter job, Ned can't turn it down. The risk is high, and the reward is even greater — $5 million. But the robbery goes devastatingly wrong. Forced to run away from his town and the woman he's fallen in love with, Ned knows that only distance and secrecy can save his life. But who is pursuing him? The FBI? Whoever sabotaged the heist? Or is it all somehow tied in to his new love — and his oldest enemies?

"Beach bum Ned Kelly, a part-time lifeguard, pool guy and errand runner in Palm Beach, Fla., has just scored with beautiful, rich Tess McAuliffe. Life sure is looking up, especially from his days back in chilly South Boston. He's looking forward to another round with Tess, but first he has to help some smalltime hoodlum pals commit a $60-million art heist. It's supposed to be an easy job, but everything goes to hell — the paintings they were after weren't even there — and soon enough his pals are all dead, as is Tess. Ned goes on the run, accused of the murders and the heist as well. He flees back to Boston, but gets caught by cute-as-a-button FBI agent Ellie Shurtleff, assigned to investigate the case for the agency's Art Theft and Fraud department. After some rough stuff, he takes her hostage and in short order they've bonded. Ellie can see that Ned's a good guy who could never have committed the crimes he's charged with, so the two of them join forces to bring down the actual thieves and killers. It's a twisty story that will engage the interest of beach-goers everywhere, whose sun-addled brains will put up with pedestrian writing and an improbable plot just to find out exactly whodunit and why. (July 11)" Publishers Weekly

"Don't be fooled by the title of Patterson's latest thrilling yarn — the action goes far beyond the beach....Packing all the punches readers have come to expect from Patterson's books, this one delivers at every turn." Booklist (Starred Review)

"Not as hard-hitting or as compelling as...books like Kiss the Girls, Along Came a Spider and When the Wind Blows....Patterson and Gross are no Henry Fielding, but their mixture of humor and derring-do adds to the fun of this otherwise middling summer read." Rocky Mountain News

"While the plot rarely ventures out of the shallow end, the story's rapid pace and quick thrills make up for a succession of cursory twists and sometimes frothy characterizations." Library Journal

"Written with the astonishing pace and hairpin-turn plotting that only James Patterson can master, Lifeguard is the wildest thriller yet from 'one of America's most influential authors.'" New York Times

In this #1 New York Times bestseller, lifeguard Ned Kelley is involved with the beautiful Tess, and a million dollars awaits him as his share of an upcoming robbery. But on the night of the heist, something goes devastatingly wrong.

From the bestselling team behind The Jester comes a suspenseful new novel. Life is good for lifeguard Ned Kelley. He's involved with the beautiful Tess, and a million dollars awaits him as his share of the score for the robbery of some world-class art. But when Tess is murdered and others involved in the robbery are massacred, Ned is the prime suspect. He's been set up.

James Patterson wrote the #1 New York Times bestsellers Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas and the Alex Cross series, including Along Came a Spider. The Patterson family lives in Florida.

Andrew Gross coauthored 2nd Chance and The Jester with James Patterson. He lives with his wife, Lynn, and their three children in Westchester County, New York.