Rating: 
Summary: Sure, the Pages Turn, but...
Review: This is indeed a page turner.In fact, it seems to have been designed to be started and digested all before you have to apply the second coat of sunblock. Patterson and DeJong jump from scene-to-scene, as if they were preparing a story summary from which a movie script could be written (as I'm sure one is). They never stop in one spot long enough to build depth in any character or scene. Jack, the narrator, is fairly likable and convincing, and his grandfather Mack is a surprisingly realistic character in a novel filled with cutouts. However, I found myself repeatedly stopping to remember who was who (especially surprising since I read the book in one day). Of course the ending is implausible (along with a good portion of the plot)-- that's why we read so called "beach novels" isn't it? To escape from reality. Despite this fact, however, the authors leave too many plot holes gaping wide open and ends untied ("unlaced" may be more to the point) for the book to be very enjoyable. But, if you're looking for a quick, uncomplicated read for a weekend getaway, "The Beach House" surely fits the bill.
Rating: 
Summary: wanted to like it
Review: Patterson, what are you doing? Answer: coasting. This book was obviously written quickly and by and for the numbers. The first half is a page turner, but what could have been a decent mystery/thriller is ruined by the implausible and sloppy second half. Please stop reading here if you don't want to know an ending plot point (even though it's a dumb one): Two of the main characters turn out to be HIV positive, and both have slept with another main character (for one of them, this is implied, as they are blood-related)who has, in turn, slept with the narrator. Wouldn't it occur to the author to explain this, or for the narrator to worry a bit, or get tested? Just an example of how cardboard these characters are-- if the author doesn't care about them, why should we?
Rating:
Summary: Midly entertaining
Review: Patterson's book The Beach House is a mildly entertaining read, which just about managed to hold my attention throughout. The characters are convincing and at first its interesting though I thought the ending was a big letdown which didn't do justice to Part One - it was highly inplausible. I only stumbled across it by accident - It sufficed as a timefiller but I wouldn't advise towards buying this book.
Daniel O'Carroll (14)
Cork, Ireland.
Rating: 
Summary: Page turner but...
Review: it's not credible. By that I mean it's manipulative. For instance as Mack is introduced it is mentioned that he was some legendary paralegal. You ask yourself why is this information presented? It becomes clear as the book draws to a close that Mack had to be familiar with the court system. It's as if they started at the end of the book & worked to the beginning trying to justify each character's behavior.Yes, it's junk, but it's very good junk. I should have given it 2 stars, but I couldn't, because I was flipping those pages. As readers suggest, Patterson may be slipping, but he's not slipping enough for me to stop buying and reading his books. The book isn't very good, but don't miss it; it's still a whole lot of fun (considering the evil doers, maybe fun isn't the right word here). It'll keep you up late, & that's why we read Patterson.
Rating: 
Summary: quick read
Review: good thing it was a quick read. wasnt very entertaining. short chapters made if fly but it's defnitely not his best work. i'd still recommend reading it though because it is patterson. good read for the beach.
Rating: 
Summary: I could not put it down!!!
Review: I honestly have not been much of a reader in the past, but recently a friend reccommeded The Beach House to read. I followed her orders and bought the book. I figure it would be like any other book I have "tried" to read. I would simply start reading a couple chapters and put it down. But, not this book! I honestly did not want to stop reading. It was very hard for me to focus on anything other than the book. This is a great book. I was so impressed with James Patterson, that I am reading another book of his, hopefully all of them as well....
Rating:
Summary: All the marketing in the world won't make this a good book
Review: This is the book that will make me stop and think the next time some publishing behemoth pushes another 'sure' best seller. Famous authors are not sure to write great books, and this is a prime example of it. Also, it contains explicit pornography and should be kept out of reach of children, pets, and anyone who wants to avoid gratuitous filth.
Rating:
Summary: Decent start, weak ending
Review: The story begins with a good setup that made it hard to put down. Then nothing happens for 100 pages and the ending is totally ridiculous. Not worth the time.
Rating:
Summary: Light Read
Review: This book will fill the void if you're looking to kill a few hours on a Saturday afternoon. However, you need to suspend belief going in, otherwise, you'll end up hurling it out the nearest window. The characters are underdeveloped and there's no real sense of why what's happening is happening. Definitely not the Alex Cross series.
Rating:
Summary: Good, Light Summer Reading
Review: This book is called The Beach House and the title is appropriate for two reasons. First, the action revolves around a murder at the vacation home of a wealthy family with a vacation home in the Hamptons, and second, the title is appropriate because it is the perfect book to read on a vacation, at a beach house. It made pleasurable reading while it rained on my recent vacation. It is difficult to summarize the book without giving away the plot. If you like books where the underdog wins, the bad guys (and girls) are evil, and get their just reward, this book is for you. True, the plot is somewhat far fetched, but the book is not a Shakespearean drama or a Dickens novel, it is just meant to be fun and suspenseful, which it is on both counts. Due to its fast pace, it is a rather quick book to read and even if the reader has a clue as to how the book will be end, more than likely he/she will want to finish the book to see how everything gets resolved. James Patterson can tell a story. The book has accuracy as well. The victim of the murder is killed due to his involvement in a rather sordid situation. The person then becomes a victim in the truest sense of the word, and I believe that Patterson develops this rather well.
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