James Patterson is one of the world’s most successful authors, having sold more than 350 million books worldwide. He has written in a wide range of genres, from suspense to horror to romance and even children’s books, but his greatest success comes from his crime and mystery novels. So whether you’re a long-time fan or new to his work, if you’re looking for some great reads by James Patterson, look no further! Here are seven must-read books by James Patterson that will surely entertain and intrigue readers everywhere and keep readers hooked until the very end. So grab your copies now and get ready for a fantastic journey!
But first, who is James Patterson?
James Patterson was born in 1947 in Newburgh, New York, and attended Manhattan College before graduating from Vanderbilt University. After college, he worked as an advertising executive but quit his job to focus on writing full-time. His first book, The Thomas Berryman Number, was published in 1976 and won the Edgar Award for best novel of the year. It began a string of best-selling novels that have kept readers coming back for decades.
Why is James Patterson so popular?
James Patterson is one of the most popular authors in the world because of his gripping stories and page-turning suspense. His books are filled with unexpected twists and turns, engaging characters, and plenty of mystery. His writing style is easy to read and draws readers in quickly as they become immersed in the world he creates. He also knows how to captivate his audience, so many of his novels have been adapted into films and TV series.
Did James Patterson use ghostwriters?
James Patterson works with a team of co-writers and ghostwriters, which helps him to produce his numerous works. While this does not diminish the quality of his books, it does mean that James Patterson himself is not always the one literally writing them. However, I’ve read that Patterson conceives, outlines, and provides exhaustive notes, is involved in every aspect of the creative process, and is heavily involved in the writing process.
For James Patterson newbies, these seven must-reads James Patterson books are great starting points plus that will keep you entertained for hours:
- The Murder House
- Along Came a Spider
- The Postcard Killers
- 1st to Die
- Confessions of a Murder Suspect
- Filthy Rich
- Zoo
If you are new to James Patterson, we recommend starting with The Murder House. This is a standalone James Patterson book about the multi-million dollar beachfront mansion in the Hamptons that holds a dark secret. The neighborhood may seem perfect, but then a series of mysterious deaths start to pile up. Now it’s up to Detective Jenna Murphy must get to the bottom of this dark secret before it’s too late. The Murder Houseis a chilling, page-turning story of murder, money, and revenge.
Along Came a Spider is James Patterson’s classic thriller. The book follows Detective Alex Cross in his pursuit to track down a criminal mastermind who has kidnapped two children from an exclusive private school in Washington, D.C., and taken them to Baltimore. It’s a thrilling, suspenseful journey with plenty of twists and turns. This book was also made into a movie in 2001 starring Morgan Freeman as Cross.
The Postcard Killers is James Patterson’s exciting collaboration with Swedish author Liza Marklund. It’s a heart-pounding mystery novel about two detectives who must work together to catch a killer who sends postcards to the newspapers after each murder. This book is an intense psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. This book was also made into a movie in 2020.
1st to Die is James Patterson’s first novel in the Women’s Murder Club series, which has gone on to become one of his most successful book franchises. It follows four women – a cop, an assistant district attorney, a medical examiner, and a reporter. They form a powerful alliance to catch San Francisco’s deadliest killer and end the slaughter of newlywed couples. This is a thrilling page-turning mystery novel full of unexpected twists and turns.
Confessions of a Murder Suspect is James Patterson’s edge-of-your-seat young adult mystery novel about a mysterious murder that rocks an affluent family. The children of the Angel family wake up to their parents dead in their bed. The kids are all suspects, but one of the daughters, Tandy, is determined to figure out who did it. She must battle her demons to solve the crime and prove her innocence. This book is full of suspense, intrigue, and twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end. Confessions of a Murder Suspect is the first book in a four-book series, and throughout the series, Tandy Angel solves a variety of different mysteries.
Filthy Rich is James Patterson’s explosive true crime novel about Jeffrey Epstein, the powerful financier and convicted sex offender who died in prison in 2019. This book is co-written by Tim Malloy and John Connolly and features interviews with some of Epstein’s victims, as well as legal experts, law enforcement officials, and those close to him. It’s an eye-opening and riveting exploration of power, money, corruption, and the hidden secrets that lurk in the shadows.
Zoo is James Patterson’s chilling science fiction and adventure novel. The book follows a small group of scientists and animal behaviorists who must figure out how to stop the mysterious wave of violent attacks on humans by animals all over the world. This fast-paced, action-packed science fiction thriller is full of twists and turns as they battle against nature and time to save humanity from destruction.
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Have you read any James Patterson books? Are any of these books or his other works on your TBR? What James Patterson books are your favorite? What James Patterson books would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments below.
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