Friday 2 October 2015

Private L.A. by James Patterson and Mark Sullivan

"Private L.A." by James Patterson and Mark Sullivan. This book is published by Random house in 2014 and has 512 pages. This is sixth book in Private series and third starring Jack Morgan.

A killer calling himself 'No prisoners' murders four persons on a beach. A Hollywood writer-director-actor and his actress wife, working on their dream project, go missing with their three adopted children. Jack Morgan and his firm Private is pressed in action. 'No prisoner' gang conducts more killings and demands money. Jack's twin brother tries to usurp his agency with an underworld character. Orphan children of celebrity couple are released.

Will LA administration give in to 'No prisoner' demands? Where is the celebrity couple? Where does the money trail lead? Why is there an assassination attempt on Jack Morgan? Will Private succeed?

The story is not fluid. The pace is uneven. Is it because the two writers could not gel? Although there is nothing apparently wrong in the story or narration, something is amiss. Two stories of No prisoner and celebrity couple run in parallel. Readers wait and wait Anna wait for them to converge but they remain separate like oil and water in a mixture. Why did author's tell two different stories in one book?

Celebrity couple who has adopted 3 children and who are involved in charity for orphans is definitely based on a real life Hollywood couple.

No prisoner gang members call each other as Mr. Cobb, Mr. Nickerson etc.. When you work together, have gone through hardships with each other and watch each other's back it's expected that you are on first name basis.

Justeen's dilemma at what she has done is unclear. Love between her and Jack that would never come to fruition is intriguing.

Epilogue appears stretched. Reduced length of book might have made it more effective.

This book is not as good as 'Private India', a book co written by James Patterson with Ashwin Sanghi.

Give it a miss.

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