More like a long and winded introduction that barely moved 

I don’t have the brain bandwidth for this many thomas’

Michael Crichton’s well done research with typical James Patterson writing. With Patterson’s typical writing comes a book meant to be read on vacation with its Cheeto chapters. 

I fear that this turned out to be more of a James Patterson book than a Crichton book. I also fear that maybe it wasn’t James that actually worked on it and it was maybe one of his many ghost writers? 

Did Patterson do Crichton justice? Debatable. I feel like he probably just rewrote whatever Crichton had written for this in order to make it work for his writing style. 

I will say the typical short Patterson chapters did work well with building the tension around the eruption. 

Never met a Matt worth trusting 

After not understanding the hype around Long Bright River at all, I get the hype about this one.

Loved it. 

Devoured the last 150 pages or so in the early morning due to insomnia 

Oh baby I ate this up.

When long time Dear Constance columnist Francis is murdered, the newspaper she worked at only waits a few months before hiring to fill her role.

Enter Alex (Alexis) who has lived in NYC for seven years and does copy for a drug company. She has a lot of respect for Francis and can’t believe that they’re looking for someone to fill her shoes so soon. She decides to apply on a whim (and after a bottle of wine) and is surprised when she gets the job. 

Quickly she realizes something isn’t right about how Francis died and she’s also getting threatening letters at work. Who is sending them and who killed Francis?

I devoured this in just a few hours and what a way to spend an afternoon. I would say this one is best read in an afternoon and once you’re hooked, you won’t want to put it down. 

I Want You to Read This has a millennial protagonist with two older side characters to help her investigate. I loved the friendship between Alex, Janice, and Raymond and think everyone needs a Bluebird diner in their lives.  

I’d recommend this for fans of Finlay Donovan that want something more serious and thrilling as well as those who like Thursday Murder Club. 

Thank you to Atria Books for an eGalley in exchange for an honest review.