Private Moscow (Private, #15) (2024)

I decided to read this because I had read a Adam Hamdy thriller at the end of last year which I had very much enjoyed. This is the latest in a Patterson series that I have never read before, so the central protagonist, former marine Jack Morgan, who runs a successful international private investigations enterprise, is new to me. Jack's friend, tech billionaire Karl Parker runs Silverlink International and though the two hadn't seen each other for a while, a worried Karl arranges a meeting. To Jack's horror, Karl is assassinated in front of his eyes at the NY Stock Exchange, for which an unknown group, the Ninety-nine Percent claim responsibility. However, Jack does not believe this for one second, as Karl's widow, Victoria turns to him to get to the bottom of his death. Jack has always believed Karl is a good man, but is it possible he never really knew him?

As Jack investigates with the help of members of his team, he finds himself tumbling down a rabbit hole, there appears to be a previous linked murder and he finds himself unable to prevent another assassination. Jack's Private Moscow office run by Dina Orlova and her partner, tough ex-Moscow cop Leonid Boykov, take on much needed business with a Russian oligarch, Maxim Yenen. He asks them to look into the death of Yana Petrova, killed in a explosion at the Boston Seafood Grill. Yana, an apparently ordinary customer services employee, had a late night date at the restaurant that ended in the murder of both of them. Jack arrives in Moscow believing the next target is at the American Embassy in the city. Jack finds himself joining forces with Dina and Leonid as it begins to emerge there may be connections between their two cases.

This is a fast paced and entertaining espionage thriller where the suspense and tension is raised with the use of short chapters. It took me a while to get into this but once I did, I found myself caught up in the action packed story, and I particularly like the characters of Dina and Leonid, operating in the bitter, freezing winter of Moscow. The familiar tropes of a thriller are well deployed to give us a compelling and engaging read, with Jack, Dina and Leonid finding themselves in the gravest of danger, with the action culminating in a thrilling high octane ending. Many thanks to Random House Cornerstone for an ARC.

Jim Morgan is at the New York Stock Exchange with his former marine flight instructor Karl Parker, now a very successful business man when Karl is assassinated. Meanwhile in Moscow Yana Petrova is killed in an explosion at a restaurant. Maxim Yenen, an oligarch, hires Private Moscow headed by Dinara Orlova ex FSB and Leonid Boykov ex Moscow police to investigate why. Do these seemingly random events link in some way? The story takes us from the USA to Russia and back again in this high octane thriller.

Well, this is an exhilarating and exhausting read, akin to the written version of watching a Tom Cruise action movie and just as exciting. It starts at high speed and at times we’re at MACH 2 the pace is so fast. The plot is clever, the perpetrators are deviously one step ahead of Jack and Dinara’s investigation. I love the Russian setting for much of the storyline which is a perfect backdrop to this dark and intense tale. It has the works, from conspiracy theories, to adrenaline packed chases, fights, bullets whizzing every which way, numerous smokescreens of confusing deception and double crossing, we have the espionage of the security services, agents, agencies, sleeper agents, hit squads, special forces - in other words the kitchen sink!!! What emerges is a tense, suspenseful thriller with accusations and allegations against Jack and Dinara which puts them in tremendous danger especially from one elusive assassin. There’s plenty of menace and villainy and at times it’s hard to work out who the villains actually are which keeps you gripped. When the truth emerges it takes Jack to the highest level of US security in a very dramatic conclusion. Far fetched? Possibly but not beyond the realms either. Entertaining? Absolutely.

Overall, a very enjoyable, high speed, gripping thriller with the momentum barely letting up so you can catch your breath which is just the way I like them! Highly recommended.

4-5 stars rounded up for sheer entertainment!

With thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for the ARC.

Turning to one of James Patterson’s central series, I encountered a new collaborator for the experience. Adam Hamdy brings some of his own perspective in a series that takes the reader all over the world. Jack Morgan, head of Private, has been invited to New York to discuss an issue with a friend. When Karl Parker is gunned down as soon as the bell goes at the New York Stock Exchange, Morgan goes into work mode and tries to capture the killer, but the wily individual gets away. Morgan works with his New York counterpart to begin investigating, learning that there is a target list, one which includes a newspaper mogul next. Morgan tries to stay one step ahead, but a second body emerges and a local protest group claims responsibility. When Morgan pieces together an international angle to the crimes, he decides to fly to Moscow, where the answers may await him. At Private Moscow, Dinara Orlova has been trying to keep things afloat, though business is quite slow. The surprise arrival of Jack Morgan has her rushing to make sure things are at least in some semblance of order. As she takes Morgan around Moscow, Orlova is targeted by some Russian operatives of her own, adding a little danger to an interesting life. When Morgan and Orlova discover that the crimes are not as they seem, tied to something called Bright Star, they realise that their safety is no longer guaranteed. Morgan is accused of being a Russian spy, sought by the State Department, but must get back stateside to warn others of what is going on. His only hope lies across the Atlantic, but it will take more than some Private maneuvering and help from Orlova to upend this plot. A well-paced addition to the series that showcases another locale and adds a decent case for readers. Recommended to those who have enjoyed the Private series to date, as well as the reader who needs a little espionage in their lighter fare.

I have a love/hate relationship with James Patterson’s writing, though the last few have been quite well done, impressing me with three different collaborators. Adam Hamdy brings some interesting flavouring to the story and helps push the piece into something that I feel will impress those who have followed the long and convoluted route that is Private. Dinara Orlova receives some of the spotlight here, as a dedicated worker in the Private company. Her backstory is presented, though it is her character development that proves to be the most alluring part of her. Gritty, but still pliable, Dinara loves her country, while also seeing that there are some significant issues. She works well with Jack Morgan, but can lead when the time comes. She is strong-willed and does not keep her thoughts to herself, which appears to be a Russian trait. The handful of secondary characters keep the story moving and somewhat interesting. While many authors have used Russia as the new backdrop for novels, Patterson and Hamdy are able to provide enough uniqueness through their characters to keep the reader sated. The story was well constructed and held my attention. While there is always an international flavour to the novels, the authors did not go overboard, inundating the reader with an overload of place names and general references. If I could have asked for something, perhaps some actual Russian phrasing to add another layer of ‘authenticity’ to the story. I find that some authors are able to paint a better picture of the goings-on with phrases, which are then translated for the reader’s sake. Overall, a good read and I am happy to have found a positive Patterson novel worth the sales it will garner.

Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and Hamdy, for a great addition to the series. I hope to see your collaborate work again soon!

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Jack Morgan is invited by his his friend and former US Marine comrade, Karl Parker, to meet him before the launch of his company on the New York Stock Exchange, only to witness his friends's assassination before the opening bell is rung.

Jack is approached by the victim’s wife to find her husband's killer irrespective of the cost. He accepts the case, and his investigation leads him to Russia.

Meanwhile, Private Moscow, which is currently out of any active cases, gets hired by a top Russian businessman asks them to investigate the murder of Yana Petrova. With minimal amount of information in their hands, Dinara and Loenid set out to investigate which in turn puts their lives at risk.

Jack identifies that the two murders might be linked, and with the help of his Private Moscow associates begins to uncover a conspiracy that could have global consequences.

Having followed the Private series over the years, I can confidently say that this is yet another amazing addition to the series!

This book, like all the others, screams action right from the word go. It is a fast paced exciting thriller that kept me hooked on right till the end. The build up to the end was awesome.

What I like most about the Private series is that it takes us readers around the world and into a high-stakes game of sleuthing and action. And this book was no different! Highly enjoyable read.

Thank You NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for this ARC!!

From Wall Street to the icy depths of Russia, 'Private Moscow' will plunge you into a world of heart-stopping action, nail-biting suspense, and twisted secrets……

Book Information

Private Moscow, written by James Patterson & Adam Hamdy, is a 480-page thriller republished on June 13, 2023. James Patterson is the world’s bestselling author. Adam Hamdy is a Sunday Times and international bestselling author and screenwriter. This is the 15th book in the Private series which Patterson pens with various authors. Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book for review.

Summary

Jack Morgan, founder of a private investigative agency, is drawn into a dangerous conspiracy after receiving an invitation from an old friend. While waiting for a company's stock market launch, a gunshot rings out, leading to a murder. The victim's wife hires Jack to find the killer. As the head of a global investigation agency, Jack uncovers a connection to a murder in Moscow and realizes it's part of a larger conspiracy with worldwide implications. Facing formidable adversaries, can Jack survive this deadly game?

My Thoughts

"Private Moscow" by James Patterson and Adam Hamdy is an exhilarating thrill ride from beginning to end. Secrets unravel, bullets fly, and danger lurks at every turn in this adrenaline-fueled chase through the dark underbelly of Russia. The authors skillfully keep the reader on their toes with non-stop action, whether it's a high-stakes chase in New York, a gunfight on the streets of Moscow, or a tense standoff between armed federal agencies. The pace is relentless, and the suspenseful twists and turns ensure that there's never a dull moment.

The novel's fast pace is enhanced by the clever use of short chapters, which heightens the suspense and keeps readers hooked. The story seamlessly weaves together two parallel mystery plot lines, gradually revealing their intricate and fascinating connection. The Russian setting adds an extra layer of intrigue, and the Russian protagonists, Dinara and Leonid, bring a dynamic and compelling dynamic to the narrative.

As a newcomer to the Private series, I had no trouble immersing myself in the world created by Patterson and understanding the Private organization and its main characters. While familiarity with the series might enhance the reading experience, it is by no means necessary, and I thoroughly enjoyed the book without prior knowledge.

Mystery and intrigue saturate the pages of this book with suspense and tension expertly building throughout. The contrasting settings, from the bustling Wall Street to the chilling Russian winter, as well as the exploration of U.S. politics and the social landscape of Russia, create a rich and atmospheric backdrop that adds depth to the story.

The ending of the book delivers a satisfying conclusion, even if it stretches plausibility to its limits. I appreciated the intense standoff that unfolds, recognizing that while it may not reflect reality, it provides a thrilling and engaging climax.

Recommendation

"Private Moscow" is a heart-pounding espionage thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. With its relentless action, surprising twists, and a well-crafted blend of mystery and intrigue, James Patterson and Adam Hamdy deliver a gripping read that I highly recommend. “Private Moscow” should be near the top of the must-read list for all adrenaline junkies and thriller enthusiasts.

Rating

5 Frigid Russian Stars

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Massive James Patterson fan here! I have read all of the Private books and have to say that it is one of my favourite series of his. Jack Morgan is a fantastic character and will stop at nothing to get the job done. These books can easily be read as a stand alone so don’t worry if you haven’t read the other 14 books. These books are full of action and adventure, plenty of shoot outs and car chases. James Patterson can really write a page turner,.

Jack Morgan is with his friend and former Marine, Karl Parker at the New York Stock Exchange to celebrate his company going public. They are about to ring the bell when Karl is shot dead by an assasin. Karl’s wife hires Private to find his killer. When a female office worker is murdered in Moscow Jack sees links to his case and jumps on a plane to Russia. This is the beginning of a wild and crazy ride that couldn’t have serious political implications.

Thank you to Netgalley, Random House UK, Cornerstone Century for my advanced copy of this book to read. Private Moscow’s is out September 3rd.

3..5⭐️ better than average espionage read!

Jack Morgan is back and central to the plot this time. He is rapidly drawn into a saga which is clearly going down the espionage/spy route when Russia features a few pages in.

The downside was the fact it felt like it was being written by two people - not of the same style or quality. There were places I was just stumped as to who’s writing I had just read.

The upside it moves at an average pace and then the last 1/4 flies - all the expectations of a Russia v USA confrontation explodes and I read the last 1/4 in an hour.

Above average, I enjoyed the Jack Morgan role and the overall resolution. No rush to read but a good spare for in between.

First of all, I am a reader of most the books written (at least co-written to some degree) by James Patterson. I would not necessarily call myself a huge fan because I consider his plots to be a bit formula driven, predictable, and not necessarily challenging to read. However, I tend to find him to be a quick and easy read with some of the books and series better than others. He is my escape author that provides a nice two to three-day distraction.

His "Private" series used to be one of my favorite series of his, but he hasn’t written any for a couple of years. “Private Moscow” is the most recent and fifteenth in the series, but it was published back in 2020. I think it’s time for a new one. Until then, let’s discuss “Private Moscow” and my thoughts on reading it.

Surprisingly this book turned out to be one of the better ones in the “Private” series. There was the standard two-mystery plot line running parallel throughout the first half of the book, which turned out be connected in an interesting and complex way. The first mystery starts with an old friend of Jack Morgan, owner of Private, a very successful worldwide-based investigation agency, wanting to meet with him and share something important. But before he can tell Jack anything, his former Marine trainer and telecom CEO gets murdered on the day his company goes public. His wife immediately hires Jack to find her husband’s killer and the reason for his murder.

At the same time, a second mystery is taking place in Moscow, where Dinara Orlov, the head of Private Moscow’s office, is hired by a Russian oligarch to investigate the brutal murder of an unassuming electrical company office worker. No sooner does Dinara begin instigating, she receives unwanted attention from mysterious government and rebel groups that want her to stop or face physical threats.

As Jack and Dinara work to uncover long hidden secrets, they discover their cases crossover and Jack is on his way to Russia to connect the dots on what turns out to be a long-played global conspiracy that threatens to de-stabilize the U.S. military power.

This was definitely one of Patterson’s better thrillers. The plotlines were tight and well-thought out. More complex than expected. The characters were more three-dimensional than usual for a Patterson novel. Also, there was a lot of time spent in Russia, and that made things more interesting in the storytelling. As long as you suspend your disbelief of some situations of reality, you are in for a captivating read. Just ignore things like a 20-block chase scene in downtown New York that attract no interest from any form of law enforcement, and you’re in for a suspenseful and fun ride.

Overall, this was an under-rated “Private” novel that provided some real sense of drama and tension for Jack and his team. It is rare when I have less than a 100-pages left and I am still trying to figure out how in the heck Jack is going to get out of his dire situation, but this was one of them. It drew me in and was definitely worth the three-day distraction.

Now, I can only hope that I will see another “Private” outing at some point in the future. Please, Mr. Patterson, bring Jack and his team back again for more adventures. You got the whole world to use for your canvas…

Private Moscow was action-packed from start to finish

Private Moscow is the fifteenth instalment in the Private series and provided you can suspend your disbelief at some of the happenings, you are in for a wildly entertaining and dangerous high stakes thriller. Karl Parker, a former Marine and noted African-American telecoms magnate, is killed during an attempted kidnapping that goes badly wrong. His wife, Victoria, hires Jack Morgan, an old comrade and friend, to get to the truth. In Moscow, Yana Petrov, an unassuming office worker, is brutally murdered in what looks like a gangland execution. Dinara Orlov, the head of Private Moscow, is made an offer she can’t refuse and agrees to investigate Petrov’s death. Battling against the odds and compelled to face difficult truths, Jack and Dinara uncover old secrets and a geopolitical conspiracy that will permanently change the balance of global power.

Right from the off, like the master storyteller he has proven to be, Patterson had me invested in the characters and in the compulsive, addictive and fast paced action. One of the aspects of these books that keep you reading is the short, snappy chapters allowing you to read just one more before sleep. Also, there is action in every single chapter which makes it difficult to put down. There is a tonne of mystery and intrigue in this thoroughly entertaining, heart-thumping espionage thriller and the suspense and tension is slowly and expertly ratcheted up over the course of the novel. What worked very well to build atmosphere was the setting — the frigid conditions of a Russian winter and the general political and social situation in Putin's Russia add an extra enigmatic air to it all. It builds to an explosive, high-octane conclusion which drew the story to a close perfectly. Many thanks to Century for an ARC.

Private Moscow is a fun ride! How have I missed this series for so long? Jack Morgan, the head of Private--an international investigation firm, has been asked by an old friend to join him at the NYSE for his friends' IPO. As the bell counts down, his friend is assassinated. Determined to learn why. a scavenger hunt of sorts begins which eventually leads to a seemingly unrelated murder in Moscow. As the story progress, the hunter becomes the hunted when they uncover a plan 50 years in the making coming to fruition.

Although not the most original plot per se, I was still totally hooked from page 1. The story is fast paced with enough action and surprising twists to keep almost anyone entertained. Having no clue this series existed I a had no problem getting the essence of what Private is, or connecting with the main characters. I only wish it hadn't taken me 20 years. Better late than never, I suppose.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Private Moscow!

This is the 15th book in the Private series. If you're a fan of the series or James Patterson then you'll enjoy this book. There's a reason that James Patterson has such a vast audience of readers. He has a way of touching and pulling his readers into his stories. This one is no different.

Jack Morgan receives an invitation from his old Marine buddy br be with him at the New York Stock Exchange while his company goes public. While standing and waiting for the bell to ring, his friend is murdered. His friends wife hires Jack to help solve the murder, which brings Jack to Russia.

This story goes back and forth between Russia and the USA with chapters while the story flawlessly flows along. Unlike many of books I've read, it was obvious that there was much research done on the setting of thy cities that took place. I have a habit of looking up places in thy books I'm reading. Often, I'm left disappointed but I looked up a street in Russia and was left delighted. Those are the small details that sets Patterson apart from other authors.

In true Patterson form, you're in the edge of your seat and not wanting to put the book down. You'll be carrying your book with you as you move from room to room. You'll be shocked with the twists and turns.

Thanks to Netgalley, James Patterson, and his publishers for the ARC of Private Moscow.

Private Moscow is another page-turner and high-octane action thriller by James Patterson.

Karl Parker is murdered on the stock exchange floor as he is about to ring the opening bell. Jack Morgan, there to celebrate his friends’ success, immediately springs into action, chasing the murderer through the snowy streets of New York City, relentless in his pursuit to find out who killed his mentor and why. A mysterious group calling themselves the 99 claim responsibility and continue their killing spree, declaring to have targeted wealthy individuals (the 1%), because of wealth inequality. But Jack Morgan suspects the 99 group has a different motive altogether.
Karl Parker’s widow hires Private, Jack Morgan's multi city detective agency to find the killer. Soon the case interlaces with a very different murder in a different city: Moscow! Here, Dinara Orlova and ex-KGB agent Leonid Boykov run Private's Moscow office, desperate for a new case. When an oligarch asks them to investigate the murder of a local woman and Jack Morgan arrives in Moscow, Dinara and Jack realise their cases are connected. Together, they hunt the orchestrators of the killings, leading them into the underbelly of Moscow.

In true Patterson fashion, the book is incredibly fast-paced and keeps the action going until the very end. The plot is at times far fetched, but definitely very enjoyable. Characters are well-developed. As with all Patterson books, it was very well-written and the plot flowed.

The chases around NYC were fun to follow on the map and brought back fond NYC memories.
I didn't know any of the characters, but not having read any of the previous books in the series was not a problem and the plot was easy to follow.

This was the first book of the private series that I read - mostly to tie me over until the next Alex Cross book, but after reading this book, I will definitely pick up more books from the Private series.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House UK Cornerstone and James Patterson and Adam Hamdy for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I dived into this one not knowing it was book 15 in a series!! 😩 But that doesn’t matter. It read great as a stand-alone and now I’m determined to go back to book 1 and get caught up on this series!

I’ve read quite a few of James Patterson’s thrillers and this was definitely one of the more enjoyable ones. I’ve really got no complaints and I’d recommend this to fans of fast paced thrillers.

This is a well-written, fast-paced novel for lovers of action fiction. It begins with Jack Morgan, superstar detective, witnessing the assassination of a good friend and, determined to bring the killer to justice, he becomes involved in a complicated case involving espionage and other killings. Although frequently implausible if you love escapist action-packed thrillers this is for you. If, like me, you prefer more character-driven novels it might leave you cold. Despite all the drama, there wasn’t a single moment when I feared for the safety of the heroic main protagonist and all the characters were pretty one-dimensional so, for me, I’m afraid it wasn’t a page-turner.

*Disclaimer: I was kindly gifted a copy of this book by Penguin Random House SA in exchange for an honest review.

♧PUBLISHED: September 2019 ♧ PAGES: 448 ♧ GENRE: Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Suspense ♧

Have you ever read a book and was surprised by how good it is? I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Private Moscow, the latest book in the Private series written by the world's bestselling author James Patterson and Adam Hamdy. The action and suspense kept me at the edge of my seat. If you want a suspenseful thriller with a side of mystery and action, you have to make this your next read.

I'm not familiar with the other titles of the Private Series, but from reading Private Moscow I've learned that Jack Morgan, former marine, is the owner of an international investigation agency. The setting for this novel switches between Private New York and Private Moscow. Jack Morgan has been invited to New York to attend the launch of his friend and former Marine flight instructor, Karl Parker's new company called Silverlink International, on the New York Stock Exchange. Seconds before the launch Karl is shot in front of Jack and he races after the assassin who unfortunately gets away. With the assassin on the loose, more murders takes places and Jack Morgan suspects that the person who killed his friend is responsible for the other murders.

Meanwhile in Moscow, Dinara Orlova and Leonid Boykov manages Private Moscow but business is slow until Maxim Yenen, one of the most powerful men in Moscow, hires them to investigate the murder of Yana Petrova who died in an explosion. Following leads left by Karl Parker, Jack is led to Moscow believing the next target will be hit soon; he joins forces with Private Moscow to try and prevent the next murder. The assassin who killed Karl Parker is present at the murders and is a step ahead of Jack Morgan and his team. Jack and his team in New York and in Moscow race agains time to investigate the murders and catch the assassin. Allegations are made, shocking truths are revealed and connections are made between people who seemed to have no association.

The chapters are short which gives the reader an urgency to read faster to find out what happens next. The story is fast paced but the reader is able to keep up. So much takes place, I feel it almost impossible to summarise because each event is followed by the next. It's like a domino effect. I see this book becoming a movie with a cast of actors including Jason Statham or Tom Cruise and Milla Jovovich. The work of James Patterson and Adam Hamdy blends so well, I have a hard time knowing who wrote which parts. This book can be read as a standalone, and I believe this book will encourage readers to read the other titles of the Private Series if they haven't read it before. Private Moscow is well-written, it's an exhilarating read and has the perfect blend of action, thriller, mystery and suspense.

If you enjoyed Before She Disappeared by Lisa Gardner or The Burning Girls by C.J. Tudor, you will enjoy this book.

This review is posted on my blog:
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Hard to believe this is the 15th book in the Private series - several of which I've read; at this point, in fact, it's my favorite of the Patterson-Author Du Jour offerings. It's also the first, I believe, with co-author Adam Hamdy, and my gut reaction when I finished was the meshing of the two voices needs a little more work; there were a few spots when the writing switch wasn't totally seamless.

Other than that, though, the whole thing is another slam-bam page-turner, this time set mostly in, well, the obvious. Can Private founder Jack Morgan identify and thwart the roots of all evil that threatens the very future of the United States - and maybe the entire world - before someone thwarts him permanently? Well, of course - otherwise it would be the end of the series - but the devil (in the form of a really nasty Russian guy) is in the details.

Initially, Jack gets involved after a long-trusted friend and former U.S. Marine buddy invites him to New York to discuss something important - and watch as the guy rings the bell at the New York Stock Exchange to announce his highly successful company's IPO. Needless to say, it doesn't go well; just as his hand brings down the hammer, his head explodes - and Jack's heroic efforts to chase down the assassin go up in smoke (well, actually, in a helicopter). Immediately thereafter, his dead buddy's widow hires Private to start another chase, which hopefully will end on a more positive note.

Meanwhile, halfway around the world in Moscow, the Private office, headed by Dinara Orlova, is struggling a bit. Then, they take on a new client, a Russian oligarch who wants the agency to investigate a recent blast that killed a Russian woman. From that point on, scenes shift from New York to Moscow and the two cases - and readers begin to wonder (as does Jack and his team) if there's a connection between the two murders so far apart.

Suffice it to say it's a race to the finish, with a few casualties, near-casualties, successes and outright blunders (none of which, of course, I can expand upon without spoiling things for others). Fast-paced and on the exciting side, I couldn't wait to get to the end. And BTW, for those new to the series, while I always recommend starting at the beginning, this one stands well on its own. Thanks to the

5*

Definitely the best Private novel to date

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for the arc of Private Moscow by James Patterson and Adam Hamdy.

This follows Karl Parker who is a former Marine and a African-American telecoms magnate. He is killed during an attempted kidnapping that goes badly wrong. His wife, Victoria, hires Jack who is an old comrade and friend, to find out what the truth actually is....
In Moscow, Yana Petrov, a office worker, is horrifically murdered in what seems to be a gangland execution. Dinara Orlov, the head of Private Moscow, is made an offer she can’t turn down so she agrees to investigate Yana's death and circ*mstances around it

Jack and Dinara uncover old secrets and a geopolitical conspiracy.... but what are they....

I love all books written by James Patterson he is such a great writer and i love how he writes and structures his work, it had me gripped and on the edge of my seat till the very end!!

5 Stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recommend

A very thrilling and completely engrossing Private story that has Jack Morgan leaving NY and heading to Moscow in an attempt to unravel a conspiracy with Russian roots that was responsible for an old friend and mentor' s murder. Jack follows a series of clues left to him by his murdered friend and they lead him right to a huge Russian ring of govt sanctioned undercover agents living and working in the US.
The story is nonstop action with very detailed character developments and a plot that jumps back and forth between countries almost seamlessly.
Welcome back Jack.

listened to this one on audiobook on my in office days. I think it had 5 star potential if I read it on paper, and actually had the chance to pay attention to the full detail since it's a fast paced book.

This is the fifteenth book in this amazing series. This series is so good because you can read the book on their own or in order. Jack is the witness to a friends death and feels it’s his responsibility to find the killer. In the process he unravels lies that will change all he believed and could change the world we live in!

3.7 stars
I like the first half but then I kinda lost interest couple times near the end.

This was such a fast paced and interesting book! I loved the shock and surprise element of everything that happened!!

Wow...this was crazy edge of your seat!

I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

This is a fast paced action packed thriller.
Although far fetched I could not put it down.
It left me tired and breathless at the end.
Maybe I should read the previous books in the series.

Wow this book kept me gripped until I had finished it so got no work done at all. Once I started this book I couldn't stop. The turns and twists are so fast and exciting

Clearly an unpopular opinion, but I did not enjoy this book at all. In fact, 2 stars is almost generous. Albeit this was my first Patterson book, but from the reviews and things I had heard from people, I really expected more. This book seemed to be like Patterson’s excuse to set a book in “Russia” following all his other stories set across the Western world. First of all, Patterson’s understanding of lack-of-research more like it about Russia is telling, from the consistent description of the landscape as “gray skies and ice” to not being able to decide on whether Russian authorities are murderous, torturing beings or people who won’t lift a finger was just annoying to read. More so, what was even more annoying was the 2-3 page chapters. They offered absolutely no flow to the book and left a LOT of open questions. The plot turns in the book were incredibly predictable in my opinion and only made for a bland ending which didn’t offer anything to the reader after enduring the painful 448 pages of the book. It honestly took me until page 335 to think “maybe this is going somewhere?” Spoiler alert: I was let down. Overall, I wouldn’t even read this book if it was given to me for free. I have no idea what people liked about this book. Unlikely you’ll see me picking up another Patterson novel.

I enjoyed this story a lot. I've always been a fan of espionage thrillers and this one was very interesting to read. Though, the plot is not very unique when it comes to Russia and America having their people deeply embedded in each other's organizations. But the assassin, the chase, and the investigation in Russia was very captivating. Jack Morgan's character is so well written, cool as a cucumber but tough as nails. Loved it ! The dash from the embassy in Russia and the subsequent flight action was very thrilling and a little unbelievable how everything worked out in Jack's favour. But, I don't mind, it was a good escape. The final layer of this espionage scandal was terrifying, in the sense that everything is so unpredictable when it comes to world politics. The countries need to keep dodging traps laid by their competitors. Such a high stakes game, this !

And in all this thrilling drama, can you believe we even got a heartbreaking scene and a subsequent show of loyalty and friendship. Wow !

I've always enjoyed James Patterson series, but surprisingly this is the first Private series book I've read. Something which needs to be corrected asap.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for this ARC