Lifeguard
by James Patterson & Andrew Gross
Read by Billy Campbell
Ned Kelly is originally from Boston. He is now a lifeguard in Palm Beach, Florida. He meets
a gorgeous babe, thinks he's in love and starts making plans. Now, before your eyes start
glazing over, let me make it clear this isn't your typical perfect bods frolicking on the
beach kind of read. Patterson and Gross deliver a demanding page-turner. Kelly agrees
to a robbery. His part is very simple, but yet, he's the one with the most to lose. Maybe
it's because he's the only one left standing when it's all over.
After the robbery FBI agent Ellie Shurtleff is assigned to the case. She tracks Kelly
down and is taken hostage. Kelly feels like his life has become a bad movie. First, he's
a not-so-innocent guy just trying to commit a little crime so he can live happily ever
after. Suddenly, he's wanted for multiple murders and accused of the theft of five million
dollars worth of Art. Going on the run isn't working either. He needs to stop and convince
someone of his innocence, so why not the agent he has taken hostage? Kelly and Ellie verbally
bandy about throughout the novel. Their milder moments help to balance the novel's more
intense, violent scenes. Creatively, they're a good match.
Patterson continues to put out some of the best suspense on the market. The duo authors
put plenty of twists and turns in this one. They also create an interesting relationship
between agent and criminal. True it may be a typical format for some crime novels, but
Kelly is one criminal you want to see get away.
Bravo to Billy Campbell for his skillful narration. The various characters and emotions
play out well in the audio version. Be sure to pass this one on to your Patterson buddies. |
The Reviewer |
Brenda Weeaks |
Reviewed 2005 |
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