Synopses & Reviews
THE FIRST BOOK IN JAMES PATTERSON'S #1 BESTSELLING MICHAEL BENNETT SERIES!
During a state funeral for a beloved former First Lady in New York City's largest cathedral, the unthinkable occurs. Armed men disguised as monks seize the church and seal themselves inside, along with more than one hundred of the most powerful people in America. The captives include world leaders, actors, TV stars, athletes, and politicians, and the kidnappers are armed with enough C4 explosives to blow a crater in the middle of Manhattan.
NYPD officer Michael Bennett is pulled into the standoff as lead negotiator. Despite the escalating danger, Michael faces an even more terrifying crisis at home. His wife has been diagnosed with a devastating disease, and Michael faces the prospect of losing the love of his life and having to raise their ten children alone. With his own life teetering and the lives of thousands suddenly his responsibility, Michael struggles to diffuse the tense situation fast. Yet the kidnappers' moves are impossible to predict, and they block every attempt to break into the cathedralmost as if they are privy to their deliberations.
Review
In these post-9/11 days, Ledwidge and Patterson's scenario seems all too credible. Narrators John Slattery and Reg Rogers create throughly believable hostages and hostage-takers, and are especially effective voicing the beleaguered cop, hijacker " Jack, " and the reptilian villain, " The Neat Man. " Occasional music and sound effects don't add much , but short, intense
Synopsis
During a state funeral for a former First Lady at a New York City cathedral, armed men disguised as monks seize the church and dozens of hostages, including world leaders, actors, athletes, and politicians, and NYPD officer Michael Bennett takes on the dangerous role of lead negotiator in the standoff, all the while facing a terrifying crisis at home. 1,250,000 first printing.
About the Author
James Patterson has had more
New York Times bestsellers than any other writer, ever, according to
Guinness World Records. Since his first novel won the Edgar Award in 1977 James Patterson's books have sold more than 240 million copies. He is the author of the Alex Cross novels
, the most popular detective series of the past twenty-five years, including
Kiss the Girls and
Along Came a Spider. Mr. Patterson also writes the bestselling Women's Murder Club novels, set in San Francisco, and the top-selling New York detective series of all time, featuring Detective Michael Bennett. He writes full-time and lives in Florida with his family.