Audiobook Review: The Summer House by James Patterson and Brendan DuBois
The Summer House
Authors:
James Patterson
Brendan DuBois
Narrator: Ari Fliakos
Published: June 8, 2020
Audiobook: 10 hours 19 minutes
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Listened To: April 7- April 12, 2025
Jessica’s Rating: 3 stars
Book Description:
One historic lake house. Seven murder victims. Four accused Army Rangers. Two versions of the truth.
Only one can survive.
Sullivan County, Georgia, belongs to Sheriff Emma Williams. But not when Army Rangers posted to the local base are implicated in a major crime. To an elite team of investigators led by Major Jeremiah Cook, the physical evidence Williams swears by presents clues to an entirely different story. The small-town sheriff has never worked a multiple homicide, and Cook knows it. Unless he can convince the locals that the recent crimes are part of a larger mystery, this outsider may never unlock the century of secrets hidden inside The Summer House.
Jessica’s Review:
Patterson is 78-years-old and has been ‘co-authoring’ his books lately. If you research these books, it appears that Patterson creates an outline for the novel while the ‘co-author’ develops the novel into what it becomes. Patterson then reviews the drafts, gives feedback and revises the novels to make sure the novels stay in his style. Of course, Patterson is the more well-known name that gets the attention of readers. It’s a ‘give and take’ collaboration that both Patterson and his co-author benefits from.
I have only read two other novels written by Patterson, both of the “Zoo” series books. The Summer House is very different from Zoo. The Summer House is a military thriller that starts off with the murder of seven civilians, including a small child. A group of Army Rangers is implicated in the murders.
This novel just really didn’t work for me. The characters were unlikeable for me and they consisted of stereotypes rather than multi-dimensional characters. The novel takes place in a small, fictional Georgia county and the narrator tended to exaggerate the accents of several characters. Being I am a Georgia native my thoughts were, “We don’t all talk like this!”
I as curious as to how the book was ultimately going to end and was happy to see one character get what they deserved. If this had been an introduction to Patterson for me, I would not have been impressed. I would probably stick with his earlier works or if it’s a collaboration, look to see who the co-author is, and if I like that person then I would read it, such as JD Barker who has collaborated with Patterson several times. Barker has also become a named author that I will make a point to read.
I had recently listened to another novel that Ari Fliakos had narrated and he really brought more to that narration unlike The Summer House. This was just a book that was not for me. Maybe military thrillers are not for me. I did like the cover!
The First Lady
Authors: James Patterson and Brendan DuBois
Published: December 13, 2018
Audiobook
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: July 3-13, 2019
Jessica’s Rating:
Novel: 4 stars
Audiobook: 2.5 stars
Average: 3 stars
Book Description:
“Sir, the First Lady … has gone rogue.”
President Tucker is caught up in a media firestorm. The scandal of his affair has sent shockwaves through his re-election campaign, and threatens to derail everything he has worked for. To win the vote, he needs the First Lady to stand by his side.
But Grace Tucker has a mind of her own.
After years of compromise, unfulfilled promises, deception and betrayal, Grace refuses to give in to her husband’s demands. Escaping the city and her Secret Service agents, she is officially off the radar.
But did the First Lady run away? Or is she in far greater danger than anyone could have imagined?
Jessica’s Review:
The First Lady is collaboration between James Patterson and Brendan DuBois and it was well done! Patterson’s collaborations can be hit or miss and other than multiple narrator pronunciation errors in the audiobook, this one was a hit for me.
Just weeks before the election, the president is caught in an affair, which could ruin his re-election. And to make things worse: the first lady goes missing and keeping that quiet is easier said than done.
We also meet Special Agent Sally Grissom who heads up the Presidential Protective Detail. She is determined to find the first lady. We also see into Grissom’s life with is far from perfect.
I never lost interest in the story and I had no idea what was going to happen. There is a twist ending that I enjoyed. If you like political thrillers, then you should read this one, but stay away from the audiobook version.
The audiobook is where the biggest negative is: Yes, I did like the narrator’s voice and narration but she continuously mispronounced multiple words every time the word was said. I wish I had kept track of all the errors. I remember at least four words being mispronounced. The Potomac River was butchered, and the name of Button Gwinnett was ruined. I am originally from Gwinnett County so that mispronunciation bothered me. I don’t know how these errors were not caught in the editing of the audiobook. Maybe no one cared? Due to the extremity of errors I had to give the audiobook 2.5 stars.
Overall, I enjoyed the novel, but stay away from the audiobook!
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
The Fall of Crazy House
Author: James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet
Published: April 8, 2019
368 Pages
Reviewed By: Kim
Kim’s Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:
Escape is just the beginning.
Twin sisters Becca and Cassie barely got out of the Crazy House alive. Now they’re trained, skilled fighters who fear nothing–not even the all-powerful United regime.
Together, the sisters hold the key to defeating the despotic government and freeing the people of the former United States. But to win this war, will the girls have to become the very thing they hate?
In this gripping sequel to James Patterson’s YA blockbuster Crazy House, the world is about to get even crazier.
Kim’s Review:
Thank goodness!!! This book came at the perfect time, cuz I didn’t think I was going to make it! I have been waiting for this book FOREVER!! If y’all remember, I wanted to throw Crazy House across the room when I finished it. It wouldn’t have been nearly as bad if the sequel had been announced . . . But it wasn’t, hence the tantrum! A huge, unending expanse of nothingness!
But, thankfully, the sequel was written and it’s here! I read it quickly and easily and I wasn’t disappointed. Becca and Cassie were exactly as they should have been. They hadn’t changed a bit. I love their spunk and watching them grow and strengthen was great! Nate and Tim were pillars of strength that I would have missed if they hadn’t been there. There was historical research that I was naturally drawn to. Once again, I can’t say much cuz I don’t wanna give anything away!!! My one real criticism is that the ending was a little anticlimactic.There were loose ends that weren’t tied up and although it’s not a cliffhanger, I think this book would benefit from another book in the series. Overall, I really liked this book, it was definitely worth the wait. I think this series would be great for getting teens to read for fun. Save it for older teens.
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
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