NYPD Red 4

By: James Patterson, Marshall Karp

Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini

New York's most elite police force chases a ruthless murderer with an uncontrollable lust for money and blood.
It's another glamorous night in the heart of Manhattan: at a glitzy movie premiere, a gorgeous starlet, dressed to the nines and dripping in millions of dollars' worth of jewelry on loan, makes her way past a horde of fans and paparazzi. But then there's a sudden loud noise, an even louder scream, and a vicious crime with millions of witnesses and no suspect--and now NYPD Red has a new case on its hands.

NYPD Red: the elite task force assigned to protect the rich, famous, and connected in the city where crime never sleeps. Detective Zach Jordan and his partner, Kylie MacDonald--a former girlfriend from the police academy who he hasn't quite gotten over--are the best that Red has to offer, brilliant and tireless investigators who will stop at nothing to crack a case, even if it means putting their own complicated lives on the back burner.

From celebrity penthouses to the depths of Manhattan's criminal underworld, Zach and Kylie are soon in hot pursuit of a cold-blooded killer with everything to lose, and millions to gain if he can just shake the detectives on his trail. With the city on edge, the mayor out of patience, and the flames of their personal relationship threatening to reignite and ruin everything, Zach and Kylie are facing down their worst fears--and their worst enemy yet.

great read, tons of twists

Two cases, fraught with politics and rich people, one headline splashing, and the other hush-hush. For a while the main case, the murder-8-million-dollar-necklace robbery, seems a little too convoluted to be possible, but then we are dealing with egos, super high lifestyles, and idiots.

There is some action, mostly among the bad guys, but the story starts off on a high note and just keeps rolling. The detective skills of Zach Jordan and Kylie MacDonald are great without stretching belief. I am going to go out on a limb here and say that this series has been as satisfying as the Lincoln Rhyme-Amelia Sachs books by Jeffrey Deaver. However, this series has not succumbed to the improbable plot twists and infallibility of Rhyme in the more recent Deaver books.

We do get deep into the lives of our two protagonists. Kylie is dealing with her husband Spence's latest foray back in to drug addiction. There are some true-to-life but non-preachy realizations regarding hitting bottom, being an enabler, and loving someone despite not being able to continue coping with their choices. Then there is Zach, ruining the trial month of cohabitation with Cheryl. He keeps running out to help Kylie (his old flame), so combined with his cop hours, he undermines his relationship with Cheryl. He has to decide where his head and heart are regarding Kylie, and so Cheryl. Instead of being sophomoric and predictable, this confusion seems quite real, and very human. There are twists here too, and it will keep you guessing.

Most of the people in this story are fully-fleshed and very real. My favorites are the diner-mom who counsels Zach on his relationships using packets of Sweet-n-Low, and Annie, an aging con artist. She is a surprise, and then a delight, even though she should be locked up.

I don't understand why it was deemed necessary to have two narrators; either one would have done fine the whole way through. It didn't really detract from the story, but didn't add anything either. It was fine, would have been as good with one. I would have liked a bit more real New York accent in all the cops, the mayor, the boss of RED; it's too easy to forget we are in the Big Apple.

I have wanted to throw some of Patterson's books against a brick wall, but here he has a decent co-author. I have enjoyed this series, and look forward to more from Marshall Karp.

Another fun mystery with Zack & Kylie!

I always enjoy the adventures of Zack & Kylie and this book is no exception. If you liked the previous NYPD Red books, you'll like this one. If you haven't read any yet, do yourself a favor and start with the first in the series.

amazing series

this is one of my favorite series! the characters are great! story line is great Def worth reading but you'll get sucked in can't wait for the next one!!!

Too short

The audiobook was way too short and the plot was not nearly as deep as in previous 3. I recommend mainly to keep up with the series

Awezome

Love this 4th instalment of NYPD Red. Can't wait for the next one.

The narration was great.

Thank you.