Where-to-Start-With-James-Patterson_Hero-desktop_Penguin

Reading lists

Where to start reading James Patterson

(Alex Cross 33)

Return of the Spider

'Alex Cross is a legend' HARLAN COBEN 
 
Discover the next book in the globally bestselling Alex Cross series... now the inspiration for the original series CROSS on Prime Video starring Aldis Hodge as Alex Cross. 
________________ 
 
Alex Cross thought serial killer Gary Soneji was dead and buried.But when a hidden cabin reveals a stash of gruesome trophies and diaries, Cross realises the Spider's evil influence has spread wider than he ever thought possible.The chilling truth soon becomes clear: Cross imprisoned the wrong man.As he studies the clues, Cross becomes enmeshed in a web of evil designed to ensnare him all along.Now he must retrace the steps of a long-ago investigation and face…the Return of the Spider.________________ 
 
 
PRAISE FOR THE ALEX CROSS SERIES 
 
'Patterson never, and I mean never, disappoints' USA TODAY 
 
'Behind all the noise and the numbers, we shouldn't forget that no one gets this big without amazing natural storytelling talent - which is what Jim has, in spades. The Alex Cross series proves it' LEE CHILD 
 
'Alex Cross ... only gets better and better' LISA SCOTTOLINE 
 
'I wrote, "Along Came a Spider is the best thriller I've come across in many a year. It deserves to be this season's no. 1 bestseller and should instantly make James Patterson a household name." A household name, indeed' NELSON DEMILLE 
 
'[Alex Cross] has become one of the greatest fictional detectives of all time, a character for the ages' DOUGLAS PRESTON AND LINCOLN CHILD

PRAISE FOR JAMES PATTERSON 
 
'No one gets this big without amazing natural storytelling talent - which is what Jim has, in spades. The Alex Cross series proves it' LEE CHILD 
 
'James Patterson is The Boss. End of' IAN RANKIN 
 
'The master storyteller of our times' HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON 
 
'Patterson boils a scene down to the single, telling detail, the element that defines a character or moves a plot along. It's what fires off the movie projector in the reader's mind' MICHAEL CONNELLY 
 
'Nobody does it better' JEFFERY DEAVER 
 
‘Patterson knows where our deepest fears are buried ... there's no stopping his imagination’ NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW 
 
‘Patterson is in a class by himself’ GUARDIAN

JAMES PATTERSON is one of the best-known and biggest-selling writers of all time. Among his creations are some of the world's most popular series including Alex Cross, the Women's Murder Club, Michael Bennett and the Private novels. He has written many other number one bestsellers including collaborations with President Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton, stand-alone thrillers and non-fiction. James has donated millions in grants to independent bookshops and has been the most borrowed adult author in UK libraries for the past fourteen years in a row. He lives in Florida with his family.

Lies He Told Me

'Wow! Lies He Told Me is a roller coaster from start to finish! I was hooked from the first page, and the final twist blew me away! This is a thriller you won't want to miss!' FREIDA McFADDEN, #1 bestselling author of The Housemaid 
 
With mounting threats to her family, a woman must uncover the truth about her husband's mysterious past before it's too late. 
__________________ 
 
An attorney and mother of two discovers her husband has a secret life – and it might cost them all their lives. 
 
Everyone in the small town of Hemingway Grove knows David and Marcie Bowers. 
 
David owns the local pub. Marcie is a former big-city lawyer who practices family law. 
 
When David jumps into Cotton River to save a drowning stranger, he’s celebrated as a hero and his daring actions are broadcast on every news outlet. 
 
For most people, newfound fame is a lifeline. 
 
For David Bowers, it’s a death sentence. 
 
For Marcie Bowers, it’s a test. 
 
A wife knows the difference between a loving family man and a cold-blooded assassin, right? 
 
__________________ 
 
PRAISE FOR JAMES PATTERSON 
 
'It's no mystery why James Patterson is the world's most popular thriller writer ... Simply put: nobody does it better.' JEFFERY DEAVER 
 
'No one gets this big without amazing natural storytelling talent - which is what Jim has, in spades.' LEE CHILD 
 
'Patterson boils a scene down to the single, telling detail, the element that defines a character or moves a plot along. It's what fires off the movie projector in the reader's mind.' MICHAEL CONNELLY 
 
'James Patterson is The Boss. End of.' IAN RANKIN 
 
'The master storyteller of our times' HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON 
 
'One of the greatest storytellers of all time' PATRICIA CORNWELL 
 
James Patterson, Number 1 Sunday Times bestseller, March 2024

'Wow! Lies He Told Me is a roller coaster from start to finish! I was hooked from the first page, and the final twist blew me away! This is a thriller you won't want to miss!' FREIDA McFADDEN, #1 bestselling author of The Housemaid 
 
An attorney and mother of two discovers her husband has a secret life – and it might cost them all their lives. 
 
Everyone in the small town of Hemingway Grove knows David and Marcie Bowers. 
 
David owns the local pub. Marcie is a former big-city lawyer who practises family law. 
 
When David jumps into Cotton River to save a drowning stranger, he’s celebrated as a hero and his daring actions are broadcast on every news outlet. 
 
For most people, newfound fame is a lifeline. 
 
For David, it’s a death sentence. 
 
For Marcie, it’s a test. 
 
A wife knows the difference between a loving family man and a cold-blooded assassin, right? 
 
________________________________ 
 
PRAISE FOR JAMES PATTERSON 
 
'It's no mystery why James Patterson is the world's most popular thriller writer ... Simply put: nobody does it better.' JEFFERY DEAVER 
 
'No one gets this big without amazing natural storytelling talent - which is what Jim has, in spades.' LEE CHILD 
 
'Patterson boils a scene down to the single, telling detail, the element that defines a character or moves a plot along. It's what fires off the movie projector in the reader's mind.' MICHAEL CONNELLY 
 
'James Patterson is The Boss. End of.' IAN RANKIN 
 
'The master storyteller of our times' HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON 
 
'One of the greatest storytellers of all time' PATRICIA CORNWELL

The Time Travel Twins: The Pharaoh’s Tomb

Adventure, mystery, history, and humour collide in this rollicking, rip-roaring caper from the world’s favourite storyteller. 
 
Time-traveling orphans Pew and Basket Church just barely escaped the clutches of the evil Pirate Macaulay (pretty much the worst guy ever) and spoiled his plans for world domination (he wasn’t thrilled, to say the least). But even more shocking than discovering they must protect time itself They’ve learned that somewhere—or somewhen— they have a long-lost family member. 
 
Chasing clues left behind by their time-traveler parents, the twins hope to find their elusive relative in ancient Egypt. Except they land splat in the middle of a deadly plot against Cleopatra (yes, that Cleopatra). To save new friends and the future, the twins will need to solve tricky puzzles, escape gnarly traps, and thwart dastardly schemes. But if they manage to survive (a big if ), they might find a treasure worth more than any pyramid’s gold. 
 
History has never been funnier than in this adventure, packed with great escapes, intriguing mysteries, and plenty of clever twists.

Billion-Dollar Ransom

PRAISE FOR JAMES PATTERSON 
 
'Nobody does it better.' JEFFERY DEAVER 
'No one gets this big without amazing natural storytelling talent - which is what Jim has, in spades.' LEE CHILD 
'One of the greatest storytellers of all time.' PATRICIA CORNWELL 
'Patterson boils a scene down to the single, telling detail, the element that defines a character or moves a plot along. It's what fires off the movie projector in the reader's mind.' MICHAEL CONNELLY 
'James Patterson is The Boss. End of.' IAN RANKIN 
'The master storyteller of our times.' HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON

It would take a perfect plan to collect a billion-dollar ransom. 
 
So here’s the plan. 
 
Five innocent people. In different locations. All kidnapped at the same moment in time. 
 
Two children taken from a private school bus. A film producer and a movie star grabbed at a hideaway resort. A beautiful wife whisked off the streets of Beverly Hills. 
 
A billionaire wants his family back. 
 
The cash, gold, jewels, crypto are all ready. 
 
There’s only one problem: Stubborn and brilliant FBI agent Nicky Gordon also has a plan. And she doesn’t want to pay the kidnappers. Not a dime. 
 
_________________________________ 
 
PRAISE FOR JAMES PATTERSON 
 
'No one gets this big without amazing natural storytelling talent - which is what Jim has, in spades.' LEE CHILD 
 
'James Patterson is The Boss. End of.' IAN RANKIN 
 
'The master storyteller of our times' HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON 
 
'One of the greatest storytellers of all time' PATRICIA CORNWELL 
 
'Patterson is in a class by himself' GUARDIAN

The Picasso Heist

Prepare to be hooked by James Patterson's newest thriller in which an art student must orchestrate the heist of a lifetime to save her father... 
 
'Patterson is in a class by himself' Guardian 
 
_________________________________ 
 
A rare masterpiece by Picasso is about to go to auction, and the whole world is watching. 
 
But bright art student Halston Graham sees an opportunity. One that could secure millions for her future – and freedom for her wrongly imprisoned father… 
 
To pull off the crime of the century, she must assemble an unlikely crack team: an expert in forgery, a ruthless mob boss, and an eccentric fashion designer. 
 
In a game where trust is a luxury and failure is not an option, will Halston’s brilliance be enough to outsmart her enemies? 
 
_________________________________ 
 
PRAISE FOR JAMES PATTERSON 
 
'It's no mystery why James Patterson is the world's most popular thriller writer ... Simply put: nobody does it better.' JEFFERY DEAVER 
 
'No one gets this big without amazing natural storytelling talent - which is what Jim has, in spades.' LEE CHILD 
 
'Patterson boils a scene down to the single, telling detail, the element that defines a character or moves a plot along. It's what fires off the movie projector in the reader's mind.' MICHAEL CONNELLY 
 
'James Patterson is The Boss. End of.' IAN RANKIN 
 
'Patterson knows where our deepest fears are buried ... there's no stopping his imagination' NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW 
 
'Patterson is in a class by himself' GUARDIAN 
 
'The master storyteller of our times' HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON 
 
'One of the greatest storytellers of all time' PATRICIA CORNWELL

A rare masterpiece by Picasso is about to go to auction, and the whole world is watching. 
 
But bright art student Halston Graham sees an opportunity. One that could secure millions for her future – and freedom for her wrongly imprisoned father… 
 
To pull off the crime of the century, she must assemble an unlikely crack team: an expert in forgery, a ruthless mob boss, and an eccentric fashion designer. 
 
In a game where trust is a luxury and failure is not an option, will Halston’s brilliance be enough to outsmart her enemies? 
 
 
_________________________________ 
 
PRAISE FOR JAMES PATTERSON 
 
'It's no mystery why James Patterson is the world's most popular thriller writer ... Simply put: nobody does it better.' JEFFERY DEAVER 
 
'No one gets this big without amazing natural storytelling talent - which is what Jim has, in spades.' LEE CHILD 
 
'Patterson boils a scene down to the single, telling detail, the element that defines a character or moves a plot along. It's what fires off the movie projector in the reader's mind.' MICHAEL CONNELLY 
 
'James Patterson is The Boss. End of.' IAN RANKIN 
 
'Patterson knows where our deepest fears are buried ... there's no stopping his imagination' NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW 
 
'Patterson is in a class by himself' GUARDIAN 
 
'The master storyteller of our times' HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON 
 
'One of the greatest storytellers of all time' PATRICIA CORNWELL

The President’s Shadow

In this gripping dystopian thriller inspired by the beloved DC comics, hero Lamont Cranston and his young protégé seek vigilante justice in New York City. 
 
For over 150 years, Lamont Cranston has been The Shadow. 
 
Possessed with an array of mental and physical powers, Cranston—a New York society-man turned crusader—uses his abilities in pursuit of justice. 
 
When a series of deadly natural disasters strike the planet, The Shadow immediately sets out to identify the human threat… 
 
A disgruntled graduate student? The power-hungry President of the Americas? Or could it be Shiwan Khan, The Shadow’s fiercest enemy? 
 
Standing with The Shadow and his crime-fighting associates are his long love, Margo Lane, and his great-great granddaughter, Maddy. 
 
Will they triumph or perish? Whether they rise or fall, they'll do it together. 
 
___________________________________________ 
 
PRAISE FOR JAMES PATTERSON 
 
'It's no mystery why James Patterson is the world's most popular thriller writer ... Simply put: nobody does it better.' JEFFERY DEAVER 
 
'No one gets this big without amazing natural storytelling talent - which is what Jim has, in spades.' LEE CHILD 
 
'Patterson boils a scene down to the single, telling detail, the element that defines a character or moves a plot along. It's what fires off the movie projector in the reader's mind.' MICHAEL CONNELLY 
 
'James Patterson is The Boss. End of.' IAN RANKIN 
 
'The master storyteller of our times' HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON 
 
'One of the greatest storytellers of all time' PATRICIA CORNWELL 
 
___________________________________________ 
 
Readers LOVE The Shadow... 
 
***** 'I LOVED THIS BOOK! A cross between an old movie, an apocalyptic story, and superhero powers that made for an action-packed tale that I DID NOT WANT to end! Loved loved loved it!' 
***** 'I loved it! I can't wait to read the next one! So much fun!' 
***** 'Loved it! Such a fun ride!' 
***** 'I am a huge fan of the radio program The Shadow from the 1930s and I couldn't help but be excited over this book! And let me tell you, it didn't disappoint!'

For over 150 years, Lamont Cranston has been The Shadow. 
 
Possessed with an array of mental and physical powers, Cranston—a New York society-man turned crusader—uses his abilities in pursuit of justice. 
 
When a series of deadly natural disasters strike the planet, The Shadow immediately sets out to identify the human threat… 
 
A disgruntled graduate student? The power-hungry President of the Americas? Or could it be Shiwan Khan, The Shadow’s fiercest enemy? 
 
Standing with The Shadow and his crime-fighting associates are his long love, Margo Lane, and his great-great granddaughter, Maddy. 
 
Will they triumph or perish? Whether they rise or fall, they'll do it together. 
 
___________________________________________ 
 
PRAISE FOR JAMES PATTERSON 
 
'It's no mystery why James Patterson is the world's most popular thriller writer ... Simply put: nobody does it better.' JEFFERY DEAVER 
 
'No one gets this big without amazing natural storytelling talent - which is what Jim has, in spades.' LEE CHILD 
 
'Patterson boils a scene down to the single, telling detail, the element that defines a character or moves a plot along. It's what fires off the movie projector in the reader's mind.' MICHAEL CONNELLY 
 
'James Patterson is The Boss. End of.' IAN RANKIN 
 
'The master storyteller of our times' HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON 
 
'One of the greatest storytellers of all time' PATRICIA CORNWELL

James Patterson

(Women’s Murder Club 25)

Sergeant Lindsay Boxer's friend and former partner is brutally murdered in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. 
 
SFPD homicide detective Lindsay Boxer knows her way around a crime scene. 
 
But nothing can prepare her for the shock of recognition: the victim is Warren Jacobi, Lindsay's former partner who rose to chief of police. 
 
A top detective until the end, Jacobi managed to leave Lindsay a clue. 
 
Following a trail of evidence along the west coast, the Women's Murder Club pledges to avenge Jacobi's death before the killer can take another one of their own. 
 
______________________________________________________ 
 
PRAISE FOR THE WOMEN'S MURDER CLUB 
 
'Packed with action... a compelling read with great set pieces and, most of all, that charismatic cast of characters' SUN 
 
'I couldn't turn the pages quick enough. Great plot, fantastic storytelling and characters that spring off the page - all the right ingredients for a thriller!' HEIDI PERKS 
 
'Fast-moving, intricately plotted... Boxer steals the show as the tough cop with a good heart.' MIRROR 
 
'Terrific, high-octane, really pacy... every scene is a film, every character real, and every plot point leaves us breathless.' JO SPAIN

James Patterson

Books by James Patterson

Sign up to the James Patterson newsletter

Series by James Patterson

A Black Book Thriller4 Books

A Jon Roscoe Thriller3 Books

A Michael Bennett Thriller2 Books

A Mitchum Thriller2 Books

A Private Thriller2 Books

A Women’s Murder Club Thriller2 Books

Articles featuring James Patterson

Where to start reading James Patterson

Videos

Bill Clinton and James Patterson on The President Is Missing

In the press

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter