Rating: 
Summary: Glad I didn't spend my hard-earned money...
Review: I borrowed this book, and I have to admit it was a page turner. However, this is an illusion because of the super-short chapters. (What a sham!) Also, I thought this book was totally unrealistic, especially the ending. I had expected so much more from Patterson, and I am glad I didn't shell out the bucks on this mediocre read.
Rating: 
Summary: I liked this one
Review: This is the first James Patterson book I have listened to, but I really enjoyed it. I took it to the beach and for three days that is what I did. Sat at the beach and listened. I thought it moved fast and was a very good story. Even though some of it was predictible, it was a nice way to spend my vacation. I would recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Weak compated to other Patterson works
Review: Compared to his other works, this one disappointed me. Very hokey and far below the quality of his other works.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't bother with this one
Review: This is the first Patterson novel I have read, and I guess I shouldn't have started with The Beach House. The story was basically unbelieveable and it read like a hurried made-for-TV movie along with the very short chapters and the simplistic plot. But maybe that is what he was after when he was writing it. The story starts off with a murder and our "hero" is off and running - trying to find out who would kill his brother. Along the way, he finds all kinds of terrible stuff about his sibling and fights with all the big wigs in the world. Wait for the paperback.
Rating:
Summary: PATTERSONS BEACH PARTY
Review: While "The Beach House" falls dramatically short of most of Patterson's novels, one can't be too harsh on this murder mystery, set in the gloriously rich Hamptons. Co-writer Peter DeJonge may be responsible for the majority of the writing, but that's something we'll never know.The first person narratives of both the victim and his brother are interesting, and put things in different perspectives. One of my main concerns however focused on the victim, Peter Mullen. Obviously he comes from a very moral, tight family, so how in the world does he end up in all this trouble. At an early age, dear Peter is engaging in sexual activities that most people wouldn't consider at any age. He's selfish, greedy, juvenile and completely immoral. So, how can his brother feel so close to him? I know brotherly love is a powerful force, but in this novel, it's almost ludicrous. Also, what motivated Sammy the gay barber to do what he did? The courtroom scene at the end is pretty far-fetched, but admittedly involving. Overall, certainly not a waste of time, but not vintage Patterson.
Rating:
Summary: Hot Dogs and Apple Pie
Review: This fun summer beach-or-anywhere read is not War & Peace or The Brothers Karamazov - although it does involve Class Struggle and Brotherly Love. A handsome "Townie" car-parker to the Ultra-Rich Summer Folk is found Dead on the Beach after the Season's Opening Gala and his older brother, a "Local-boy-makes-good" Law Student at Columbia, is on the case.
This is a co-authored book. So sometimes the story is told in the 1st person and sometimes in the third - but the voicing shifts are no more annoying than ants who come to the Picnic. Some reviewers are protesting improbabilities in this plot. Hey folks! Fiction is fictional. It allows authors to come up with stuff that doesn't have to be totally plausible in the real world. This is an Up-all-night-turning-the-pages "whodunnit" about Truth, Justice, and the American Way.
Rating:
Summary: Hot Dogs and Apple Pie
Review: This fun summer beach-or-anywhere read is not War & Peace or The Brother's Kosmotov - although it does involve Class Struggle and Brotherly Love. A handsome "Townie" car-parker to the Ultra-Rich Summer Folk is found Dead on the Beach after the Season's Opening Gala and his older brother, a "Local-boy-makes-good" Law Student at Columbia, is on the case. This is a co-authored book. So sometimes the story is told in the 1st person and sometimes in the third - but the voicing shifts are no more annoying than ants who come to the Picnic. Some reviewers are protesting improbabilities in this plot. Hey folks! Fiction is fictional. It allows authors to come up with stuff that doesn't have to be totally plausible in the real world. This is an Up-all-night-turning-the-pages "whodunnit" about Truth, Justice, and the American Way.
Rating:
Summary: What a disappointment!!
Review: I was suspicious when I saw there were two authors to this novel (is that EVER a good sign?), but I bought it because I enjoy Patterson's novels so much, especially Alex Cross series. I struggled through about 60 poorly-written pages, and just put it aside unread. Life is too short and there are too many fine books to read.
Rating:
Summary: GRISHAM IN NO DANGER
Review: The cover proclaims: 'Patterson takes Grisham head on in a blockbusting Legal Thriller'. The Beach House though is neither a blockbuster, nor does it provide any thrills. The unoriginal plot revolves around Jack Mullen, a rookie lawyer whos brother has died. The cops say his death was an accident,our hero disputes this and says he was murdered for no good reason except that he was a good swimmer. I know, I thought it was pretty stupid aswell.If the story couldn't get any worse, it does. Jack gets all his friends together to investigate the mystery (like Scooby Doo does). That leads them to a conclusion that's so ridiculous that I can't believe Patterson had it printed, Jack and his friends actually captured about 30 people to participate in a makeshift trial held at a secret location, and beamed to television sets around the country (note: I just gave the ending away). Was he murdered? Was his death accidental? Will Jack fall in love, like the main character in all James Patterson novels do? Will there be any of those predictable plot twists? To find out read this incredibly short novel.
Rating: 
Summary: DEFINITELY TERRIFIC!!
Review: I totally enjoyed reading this book. It is easy to read, so it didn't take very long and you can easily get into it and start cheering for the main characters. I definitely see this one becoming a movie and Toby McGuire playing Jack. I can't quite picture Pauline, but someone really down to earth and sweet because that is who her character exemplified. This was definitely a mystery and a small love story that added to the plot. I guess maybe I liked it more because we just returned from Martha's Vineyard and I could picture the small island and the beach scenes.
The main characters were well rounded and you got a feeling for each of them. They seemed as if they could be "real" people that you would meet on the street. However, the story stretched a bit on the imagination, it was a good plot.
I highly recommend this book whether you are on vacation, at the beach or just spending a quite afternoon reading. I hope Mr. Patterson does more books like this one. He is such a good writer and I am a big fan of both the Alex Cross Mysteries and the Women's Murder Club. Can't wait for the next one!
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