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David Shelley #1
Revenge
From the world's #1 bestselling author comes a story of revenge as a former SAS soldier is ready to settle into civilian life when he's hired to solve the mysterious death of a daughter, diving into a seedy world that a parent never expects to see their child in.
Former SAS soldier David Shelley was part of the most covert operations team in the special forces. Now settling down to civilian life in London, he has plans for a safer and more stable existence. But the shocking death of a young woman Shelley once helped protect puts those plans on hold.
The police rule the death a suicide but the grieving parents can't accept their beloved Emma would take her own life. They need to find out what really happened, and they turn to their former bodyguard, Shelley, for help.
When they discover that Emma had fallen into a dark and seedy world of drugs and online pornography, the father demands retribution. But his desire for revenge will make enemies of people that even Shelley may not be able to protect them from, and take them into a war from which there may be no escape.
Former SAS soldier David Shelley was part of the most covert operations team in the special forces. Now settling down to civilian life in London, he has plans for a safer and more stable existence. But the shocking death of a young woman Shelley once helped protect puts those plans on hold.
The police rule the death a suicide but the grieving parents can't accept their beloved Emma would take her own life. They need to find out what really happened, and they turn to their former bodyguard, Shelley, for help.
When they discover that Emma had fallen into a dark and seedy world of drugs and online pornography, the father demands retribution. But his desire for revenge will make enemies of people that even Shelley may not be able to protect them from, and take them into a war from which there may be no escape.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 23, 2018
About the author
James Patterson
1,184 books350k followersOfficial US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time. He is the creator of unforgettable characters and series, including Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride, and of breathtaking true stories about the Kennedys, John Lennon, and Tiger Woods, as well as our military heroes, police officers, and ER nurses. Patterson has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton, and collaborated most recently with Michael Crichton on the blockbuster Eruption. He has told the story of his own life in James Patterson by James Patterson and received an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
This author also writes under the following name: Džejms Paterson
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time. He is the creator of unforgettable characters and series, including Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride, and of breathtaking true stories about the Kennedys, John Lennon, and Tiger Woods, as well as our military heroes, police officers, and ER nurses. Patterson has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton, and collaborated most recently with Michael Crichton on the blockbuster Eruption. He has told the story of his own life in James Patterson by James Patterson and received an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
This author also writes under the following name: Džejms Paterson
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 488 reviews
September 16, 2018
In a standalone thriller, James Patterson collaborates with Andrew Holmes to create a high-impact story that does not rest until the final sentence. David Shelley is ex-SAS with a penchant for always finishing what he starts. Years ago, he was working as personal security for a rich family when they were set upon by kidnappers. While the attempt was foiled, Shelley could not fathom how close they came and left the position in a cloud of shame. Fourteen years on, he fields a call that his former child protectee, Emma Drake, has committed suicide. Worse still, her life took a turn and she found heroin and starred in online pornography. While high and preparing for a ‘peep show’, she pulled out a gun and offed herself live. Now, her father, Guy Drake, wants to hunt down those who led his daughter down such a path and has asked Shelley to assist. While it looks to be a simple retribution strike, Shelley soon learns that there is more than meets the eye. The group behind Emma’s demise is not your typical rag-tag set of men trying to make a quid on vulnerable women, though there is no stopping Guy from getting his pound of flesh. In a story that goes from sorrow to cutthroat revenge, Shelley finds himself in the middle and must protect himself to stay one step ahead, as the bodies pile up! Patterson and Holmes have crafted a wonderful piece that will keep the reader wanting more and staying up to finish the piece in a single sitting. Recommended for those who like a well-plotted thriller that has all the elements of bloody revenge.
It’s always a hit and miss where Patterson’s name appears on the cover. Many will know my ‘Patterson Syndrome’ rant, and if you don’t, ask me personally. This book seems to break that tradition, as it utilises a one-off situation to craft a wonderful collection of characters, all of whom do well to fit themselves into place and develop a strong thriller. David Shelley proves to be a wonderful protagonist, with a rich backstory and connection to the victim, without being bogged down in excessive amounts of sympathy. He knows what has to be done and completes the task, injecting some conscience into the matter at hand to protect the larger group. His rough and tumble nature connects him to the reader, as does his sensible ways and ability to see the larger picture. The handful of other important characters serve as cogs in the wheel to push the story to new heights, keeping the action high and the twists coming. The banter, both in dialogue and flying bullets, allows the reader to find something they can take away from the piece, keeping them entertained throughout. The story is well developed and does not lose its momentum. A tale of revenge and the blinders a rich man puts on, not seeing the results of his actions, while dropping into a den of vipers. Patterson and Holmes keep the story moving, aided with the traditional shorter chapters that propel the narrative forward. While I cannot see this being anything but a single piece, there are crumbs left for the reader to wonder if David Shelley is set to make his return. Perhaps a BookShot would do well, as we have already seen Shelley in that capacity.
Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and Holmes, for a great story. I enjoy your collaborative efforts and hope they will continue.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
It’s always a hit and miss where Patterson’s name appears on the cover. Many will know my ‘Patterson Syndrome’ rant, and if you don’t, ask me personally. This book seems to break that tradition, as it utilises a one-off situation to craft a wonderful collection of characters, all of whom do well to fit themselves into place and develop a strong thriller. David Shelley proves to be a wonderful protagonist, with a rich backstory and connection to the victim, without being bogged down in excessive amounts of sympathy. He knows what has to be done and completes the task, injecting some conscience into the matter at hand to protect the larger group. His rough and tumble nature connects him to the reader, as does his sensible ways and ability to see the larger picture. The handful of other important characters serve as cogs in the wheel to push the story to new heights, keeping the action high and the twists coming. The banter, both in dialogue and flying bullets, allows the reader to find something they can take away from the piece, keeping them entertained throughout. The story is well developed and does not lose its momentum. A tale of revenge and the blinders a rich man puts on, not seeing the results of his actions, while dropping into a den of vipers. Patterson and Holmes keep the story moving, aided with the traditional shorter chapters that propel the narrative forward. While I cannot see this being anything but a single piece, there are crumbs left for the reader to wonder if David Shelley is set to make his return. Perhaps a BookShot would do well, as we have already seen Shelley in that capacity.
Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and Holmes, for a great story. I enjoy your collaborative efforts and hope they will continue.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
October 31, 2021
What a roller coaster ride of emotions, twists and turns Revenge has taken me on! With ex SAS operative David Shelley opting for the quiet life in London with his wife Lucy, things soon turn on their head when Shelley is made aware of the death of a young woman whom he’d befriended as her bodyguard when she was ten years old. With the police declaring it suicide, Emma’s parents called on Shelley for help as their belief was that their daughter, even though tangled up with drugs, would never commit suicide.
With Emma’s father, a wealthy businessman, determined to exact revenge, and Shelley equally determined to stop that, things came to a head with the involvement of the Russian mafia. Making enemies of these people was something Shelley desperately wanted to avoid, but with the grief and anger ruling the father’s emotions, escalation was inevitable. What would be the outcome to this nasty game of revenge?
Revenge by James Patterson is a standalone thriller he wrote with Andrew Holmes and I thoroughly enjoyed. Fast paced and action packed, this gritty read is one I recommend highly.
With Emma’s father, a wealthy businessman, determined to exact revenge, and Shelley equally determined to stop that, things came to a head with the involvement of the Russian mafia. Making enemies of these people was something Shelley desperately wanted to avoid, but with the grief and anger ruling the father’s emotions, escalation was inevitable. What would be the outcome to this nasty game of revenge?
Revenge by James Patterson is a standalone thriller he wrote with Andrew Holmes and I thoroughly enjoyed. Fast paced and action packed, this gritty read is one I recommend highly.
September 18, 2018
Well that was a twisty adventure! It just didnt stop...so mamy timea I thought this was done and it would go another way. James Patterson really knows how to keep you hooked!!
October 30, 2020
Except for the slow start, this turned out pretty well. A stronger end would have helped and is the reason it doesn't get to 4 star. 6 of 10 stars
April 24, 2020
I finished it.
May 25, 2020
Good entry in the Patterson juggernaut. Hope he shares nicely with his co-authors who I suspect do all the hard work. I plan to go back and read the first of this “series,” The Hunted. I like the main characters.
May 14, 2020
Husband and wife team, David and Lucy Shelley, trying to set up a private security firm after retiring from British Special Forces...They're brought in to augment a protection detail of a big tech billionaire who are out to seek revenge against Chechen mobsters for the death of the billionaire's daughter...Just OK!
Read
June 6, 2023A fun, absorbing adventure. After a shocking beginning, the story centers around men physically fighting, rather than intense psychological action. Overall, a quick, good read with a satisfying conclusion.
May 5, 2019
One of the more original and exciting JP books I’ve read for a long while. Cool characters and a storyline that keeps on giving.
April 24, 2020
3.5. This was actually one of the better Patterson books in recent years. It had some twists and doublecrosses that made it interesting.
April 22, 2020
Not bad for a Patterson book.
June 6, 2020
3.5 stars. The 2nd in back to back Patterson books.....
The prologue opens to a woman putting a gun in her mouth and pulling the trigger. Her name was Emma Drake.
David Shelley served as an SAS soldier for 25 years. He and wife Lucy retired and have a fledgling security business. Shelley used to provide protection for Emma's family when she was a little girl. She called him the night of her death but he didn't answer his phone.
Emma owed money and was forced into porn. Her wealthy father is determined to avenge her death and will use Shelley's guilt any way he can. Unfortunately, revenge causes all sorts of death and destruction.
The story contains lots of action and plenty of twists. Shelley is the type of character I like - - good moral compass with common sense and fighting skills. With this book, Shelley didn't quite elevate himself into my top 20 favorite male characters but maybe in the next book, if there is one. I liked Shelly's wife Lucy and admired her skills also.
For a Patterson book, this one was pretty good.
The prologue opens to a woman putting a gun in her mouth and pulling the trigger. Her name was Emma Drake.
David Shelley served as an SAS soldier for 25 years. He and wife Lucy retired and have a fledgling security business. Shelley used to provide protection for Emma's family when she was a little girl. She called him the night of her death but he didn't answer his phone.
Emma owed money and was forced into porn. Her wealthy father is determined to avenge her death and will use Shelley's guilt any way he can. Unfortunately, revenge causes all sorts of death and destruction.
The story contains lots of action and plenty of twists. Shelley is the type of character I like - - good moral compass with common sense and fighting skills. With this book, Shelley didn't quite elevate himself into my top 20 favorite male characters but maybe in the next book, if there is one. I liked Shelly's wife Lucy and admired her skills also.
For a Patterson book, this one was pretty good.
July 15, 2020
3.5*
Not a bad read at all. Interesting plot and characters and a decent twist at the end so will continue on as the series continues. Plan to read the prequel (Hot Shot) book soon when I can get it from the library. Overall a good read that does not take long at all read and enjoy.
Not a bad read at all. Interesting plot and characters and a decent twist at the end so will continue on as the series continues. Plan to read the prequel (Hot Shot) book soon when I can get it from the library. Overall a good read that does not take long at all read and enjoy.
July 29, 2020
Upfront disclosure - I am a pretty avid reader of James Patterson. However, for the purposes of honesty, I get his books from the library because I don’t find him good enough to buy and keep in my library. He’s mind candy – simple, fast-paced, detective and mystery oriented adventures that can be read in about two to three days and easily left behind. Nice escapism, but nothing super memorable.
Now Patterson (and Andrew Holmes) are introducing a new action hero, David Shelley, a former SAS soldier who was part of the most covert operations team in England’s special forces. Shelley has retired from the military, married his former partner and love, Lucy, and settled down to a private life in London. He currently runs a private security firm with Lucy while trying to live a peaceful and stable life.
The book kicks off with the shocking death of a young woman, Emma Drake, kills herself while performing for an online voyeuristic customer. Although the police rule the death a suicide, her grieving parents, Suzie and Guy Drake, can't accept their daughter’s fall into the world of drugs and sex for pay. They not only want to find out what really happened, they want revenge from those who would cause Emma to take her own life. And they are willing to pay to get it.
Emma’s death also hits David Shelley on a deep personal level because he was their family’s former bodyguard, becoming close with them, and forming a deep bond with Emma. However, when Shelley thought he was losing his touch, he left their service and had not had any contact with them since. That is until Emma called him several days on his cell phone, and he ignored the call thinking whoever it was would leave a message.
The Drake’s convince Shelley to help them to find the truth and he accepts because he’s worried their need for revenge will lead to serious mistakes. However, Shelley’s investigation leads him into a dark world of hardcore drugs and online pornography, and he soon finds himself in a dangerous battle with a powerful Russian mob who have no qualms in removing him permanently. In trying to deliver justice, Shelley finds himself dealing with murder, betrayal, and the costs and sacrifices that come with revenge… including the loss of his life and his love, Lucy…
After reading Patterson’s new book and the potential beginning of a new series, there is surprisingly good news to share.
Maybe the influence of Andrew Holmes on the writing style played a key role because this was a smooth read. The story flowed much better than the average Patterson formula. The writing felt more descriptive, personalized, and emotionally charged than some of the basic generic and cliché style that is found in some of his books. The story involved serious and dramatic issues, characters with depth and flaws, and a multi-layered plot that weaved together a strong back story that led into the current day conflicts and struggles.
For me, David Shelley was a strong, flawed, likable character. He has potential for further development, along with his wife, Lucy, who almost stole the show. Suzie and Guy Drake were empathetic as grieving parents, struggling with their passionate plea for revenge for their daughter. These characters came across with more depth and empathy than most of the clichéd people that show up in other Patterson books. I felt more drawn to them and interested in what happened to their development during the story.
It would have been easy to make this a predictable story of revenge with all of the expected scenes and usual outcomes. However, the story was delivered at a high level - a well- layered and executed plot that unfolded in a tension-filled manner. It reflected serious criminal issues and creatively researched ideas that made the story stronger. The pacing moved along at a steady staccato pace, with several twists and turns along the way. It was methodical, tight plotline from beginning to end.
It finally hit me with about 30 pages to go that I had completely forgotten that I was reading a Patterson novel. It felt like I was truly reading a David Baldacci thriller, and a really good one at that with those tension filled moments that reach out and grab your full attention... The plotting and writing style were so creative, crisp, and enjoyable that I thought I was reading one of Baldacci’s bestselling character driven series.
Overall, it was one of the most enjoyable Patterson (and Holmes) books that I have read in the last several years and if they bring back David Shelley for a second outing, I am all in…
Now Patterson (and Andrew Holmes) are introducing a new action hero, David Shelley, a former SAS soldier who was part of the most covert operations team in England’s special forces. Shelley has retired from the military, married his former partner and love, Lucy, and settled down to a private life in London. He currently runs a private security firm with Lucy while trying to live a peaceful and stable life.
The book kicks off with the shocking death of a young woman, Emma Drake, kills herself while performing for an online voyeuristic customer. Although the police rule the death a suicide, her grieving parents, Suzie and Guy Drake, can't accept their daughter’s fall into the world of drugs and sex for pay. They not only want to find out what really happened, they want revenge from those who would cause Emma to take her own life. And they are willing to pay to get it.
Emma’s death also hits David Shelley on a deep personal level because he was their family’s former bodyguard, becoming close with them, and forming a deep bond with Emma. However, when Shelley thought he was losing his touch, he left their service and had not had any contact with them since. That is until Emma called him several days on his cell phone, and he ignored the call thinking whoever it was would leave a message.
The Drake’s convince Shelley to help them to find the truth and he accepts because he’s worried their need for revenge will lead to serious mistakes. However, Shelley’s investigation leads him into a dark world of hardcore drugs and online pornography, and he soon finds himself in a dangerous battle with a powerful Russian mob who have no qualms in removing him permanently. In trying to deliver justice, Shelley finds himself dealing with murder, betrayal, and the costs and sacrifices that come with revenge… including the loss of his life and his love, Lucy…
After reading Patterson’s new book and the potential beginning of a new series, there is surprisingly good news to share.
Maybe the influence of Andrew Holmes on the writing style played a key role because this was a smooth read. The story flowed much better than the average Patterson formula. The writing felt more descriptive, personalized, and emotionally charged than some of the basic generic and cliché style that is found in some of his books. The story involved serious and dramatic issues, characters with depth and flaws, and a multi-layered plot that weaved together a strong back story that led into the current day conflicts and struggles.
For me, David Shelley was a strong, flawed, likable character. He has potential for further development, along with his wife, Lucy, who almost stole the show. Suzie and Guy Drake were empathetic as grieving parents, struggling with their passionate plea for revenge for their daughter. These characters came across with more depth and empathy than most of the clichéd people that show up in other Patterson books. I felt more drawn to them and interested in what happened to their development during the story.
It would have been easy to make this a predictable story of revenge with all of the expected scenes and usual outcomes. However, the story was delivered at a high level - a well- layered and executed plot that unfolded in a tension-filled manner. It reflected serious criminal issues and creatively researched ideas that made the story stronger. The pacing moved along at a steady staccato pace, with several twists and turns along the way. It was methodical, tight plotline from beginning to end.
It finally hit me with about 30 pages to go that I had completely forgotten that I was reading a Patterson novel. It felt like I was truly reading a David Baldacci thriller, and a really good one at that with those tension filled moments that reach out and grab your full attention... The plotting and writing style were so creative, crisp, and enjoyable that I thought I was reading one of Baldacci’s bestselling character driven series.
Overall, it was one of the most enjoyable Patterson (and Holmes) books that I have read in the last several years and if they bring back David Shelley for a second outing, I am all in…
October 24, 2018
My love/hate relationship with Patterson has just been turned on its head with this collaboration with Andrew Holmes! An absolutely brilliant thriller (and I must give credit to Holmes I think on this one). So much so that you forget this is a co-authored book.
An instant liking of fallible protagonist David Shelley had me gripped from page one. The Drakes, the Chechen mafia, sex, drugs, suicide, torture, and epic twists make this a must-read page-turner. It’s been a while since I’ve made a Patterson recommendation - not since his Candice Fox collaboration... but this is worth adding to your list. I would absolutely love a sequel featuring the Shelleys!
An instant liking of fallible protagonist David Shelley had me gripped from page one. The Drakes, the Chechen mafia, sex, drugs, suicide, torture, and epic twists make this a must-read page-turner. It’s been a while since I’ve made a Patterson recommendation - not since his Candice Fox collaboration... but this is worth adding to your list. I would absolutely love a sequel featuring the Shelleys!
April 18, 2020
From a porn site where a young lady committed suicide, she rang former SAS solider David Shelley earlier that same night, no answer.
The father of the young lady wants justice and knows a plan. But could this plan end up something which turns complicated. A story fit for the title and plenty of gripping moments as well. Some of his collaboration stories fail to hit the mark, this one though is a resounding success 🙂
The father of the young lady wants justice and knows a plan. But could this plan end up something which turns complicated. A story fit for the title and plenty of gripping moments as well. Some of his collaboration stories fail to hit the mark, this one though is a resounding success 🙂
June 23, 2020
Well, this book was like a train wreck. It seemed to be all over the place and I just didn't care for it.
April 12, 2020
Once in a while, every reader has picked up a book whose title seems to have little or nothing to do with the story. That is not the case with REVENGE, where this particular goal keeps the mayhem and the bullets flying practically from beginning to end. James Patterson and Andrew Holmes, who introduced former British SAS soldier David Shelley in the BookShot novel HUNTED, bring the cool-headed but very independent security specialist back for a most welcome return.
REVENGE begins with the suicide of a young woman known as Faye, who commits the tragic act while working as an internet sex cam model. It is revealed in due course that her real name was Emma Drake. Several years ago, Shelley, while engaged to his now-wife Lucy, guarded Emma against a kidnapping threat directed toward her incredibly wealthy parents. Her end would have bothered him in any event, but he is drawn into the investigation when he learns that she attempted to call him, without success, shortly before ending her life. Her father, Guy, is beside himself with grief and is determined to retaliate against her employer, a powerful Chechen mobster named Dmitry.
Shelley, with a somewhat sketchy ex-military security team retained by Guy, becomes involved in a poorly planned strike against Dmitry’s business. This only infuriates Dmitry more, prompting a bloody war between the two sides that ultimately leads to the mobster taking a hostage for ransom. There are any number of people in the mix with their own agendas who are working at cross-purposes. A couple of them are obvious, but many of them are not. The result is a great deal of fun for readers, with the twists, turns and revelations dribbling out slowly at first but more rapidly as the book progresses, especially in the last third.
While this is very much a plot-driven novel, the characters are by and large extremely interesting, even if they meet an early, though not entirely unexpected, demise. Shelley is expertly developed as a former commando who hasn’t quite kept up with his physical fitness regimen, but still retains most of the tools in his deadly skill set. He remains able to get the job done by the bittersweet conclusion, though not without getting into and (probably) out of some trouble on the domestic side.
REVENGE is a quick read that is perfectly paced and filled with action. The plotting is exquisite as it never loses sight of the main storyline while keeping the number of characters to that ever-elusive count of “enough.” Holmes, a well-known British thriller author in his own right, meshes well with Patterson in their second collaboration --- so much so that readers undoubtedly will wish for numerous encores, with David Shelley along for the ride.
Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
REVENGE begins with the suicide of a young woman known as Faye, who commits the tragic act while working as an internet sex cam model. It is revealed in due course that her real name was Emma Drake. Several years ago, Shelley, while engaged to his now-wife Lucy, guarded Emma against a kidnapping threat directed toward her incredibly wealthy parents. Her end would have bothered him in any event, but he is drawn into the investigation when he learns that she attempted to call him, without success, shortly before ending her life. Her father, Guy, is beside himself with grief and is determined to retaliate against her employer, a powerful Chechen mobster named Dmitry.
Shelley, with a somewhat sketchy ex-military security team retained by Guy, becomes involved in a poorly planned strike against Dmitry’s business. This only infuriates Dmitry more, prompting a bloody war between the two sides that ultimately leads to the mobster taking a hostage for ransom. There are any number of people in the mix with their own agendas who are working at cross-purposes. A couple of them are obvious, but many of them are not. The result is a great deal of fun for readers, with the twists, turns and revelations dribbling out slowly at first but more rapidly as the book progresses, especially in the last third.
While this is very much a plot-driven novel, the characters are by and large extremely interesting, even if they meet an early, though not entirely unexpected, demise. Shelley is expertly developed as a former commando who hasn’t quite kept up with his physical fitness regimen, but still retains most of the tools in his deadly skill set. He remains able to get the job done by the bittersweet conclusion, though not without getting into and (probably) out of some trouble on the domestic side.
REVENGE is a quick read that is perfectly paced and filled with action. The plotting is exquisite as it never loses sight of the main storyline while keeping the number of characters to that ever-elusive count of “enough.” Holmes, a well-known British thriller author in his own right, meshes well with Patterson in their second collaboration --- so much so that readers undoubtedly will wish for numerous encores, with David Shelley along for the ride.
Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
November 23, 2018
This was a new series featuring the introduction of a former SAS agent called David Shelley. I find it always a touch and go when James Patterson introduces new authors, but I enjoyed this book and hoped we get more adventures of David and his wife. Like many of James Patterson's books, this one too was short chapters and fast-paced and had a few plotlines running through the book. One of the things I liked about this book was that David had good morals and strong ethical background. As he could have quickly gone the revenge route along with everybody else, and he wanted revenge but went about it the right way as they took away Emily whom he cared about and then tried to take his wife from him when it showed that he wasn't going to back down from the bad guys. When reading a mystery /adventure story, if the main character is a genuinely nice guy you seem to love the novel more. I liked how he wasn't turned as an I don't give a crap type ex-soldier, but someone whom you knew cared about the lives of those around them and did well in the world. I am looking forward now to reading more adventures of David Shelley and seeing what future trouble he can get up too and save the day.
November 11, 2018
There were many twists to this story, twists that made it good to start but then they kept coming and it was almost expected. Good book but I won’t read it again.
August 26, 2023
Liked this book so much, that even though I realised I had read this book years ago, I decided to reread it as I couldn't remember how it ended.
September 16, 2024
Easy read but kind of boring. Wasn’t fully engaged.
June 22, 2022
Pretty good
May 24, 2020
A very good thriller
May 9, 2020
After a few recent misfires, I was happy to again read a stand alone Patterson novel that was entertaining and thrilling from beginning to end. Revenge entails a British slant on a kidnapping mystery set in London. The protagonist, a former SAS operative and his spouse, also a former special operator, now work as private security specialists whose job often offers personal protection to wealthy clients at great personal risk. This novel cleverly brings David Shelley back to a wealthy family he once worked years previously for but left after he had broken up an attempted kidnapping of the family’s young girl. Patterson weaves a story around a modern day kidnapping of the same family’s mother following the purported suicide of the former kidnapping victim after she had grown into a young woman. Revenge contains double and triple crosses which keeps the reader guessing until the very creative action packed ending. As an aside, it was also fun to read about sections of London and its subway, some of which were familiar but others which were not. All in all, this novel definitely follows the Patterson formula for mystery novels but was a more realistic and believable thriller. Could easily form the basis for a series if Patterson is so inclined and it was nice to read a novel in which a husband and wife are equally competent, intelligent and ruthless.
May 20, 2023
3.5 stars
May 12, 2020
It was a good book that made you think about the topic at the end. You know, sometimes titles of books just do not match the story. But, this title did. And it made you see the repercussions of trying to get revenge. Awesome books!
October 22, 2018
Read this in 2 days !! Brilliant page turner full of twists..one of my favourites this year!!!
July 13, 2020
A new character, David Shelley, a new series. Detailed, action-packed, violent. A cat & Mouse Murder and an interesting character I am looking forward to following.
Fourteen years after David Shelley resigned as the bodyguard for Sarah & Emma Drake, he is called back to investigate the death of Emma. David & his wife, Lucy, are former Special Forces soldiers trying to find a career fit. He reluctantly signs on the help Guy Drake's present security team through their grief until Drake turns to revenge which triggers Russian mob retaliation.
All the thrills and non-stop action in a best seller by James Patterson.
HPLibrary loan.
Fourteen years after David Shelley resigned as the bodyguard for Sarah & Emma Drake, he is called back to investigate the death of Emma. David & his wife, Lucy, are former Special Forces soldiers trying to find a career fit. He reluctantly signs on the help Guy Drake's present security team through their grief until Drake turns to revenge which triggers Russian mob retaliation.
All the thrills and non-stop action in a best seller by James Patterson.
HPLibrary loan.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 488 reviews