Worst Case

James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
Little, Brown and Company (2010)
ISBN 9780316036221
Reviewed by Tracey Rock for Reader Views (04/10)


New York Police Detective Michael Bennett and Emily Parker, FBI Abduction Specialist, are leading an investigation into a high-profile kidnapping case.  The kidnapper’s targets share similar commonalities.  They all are in their late teens, attend only the best schools and come from the wealthiest families in the city.  Once kidnapped, the abductor gives each of his victims a test and a chance to live.  The test is pass or die.  The questions all deal with their families’ socioeconomic status.   A test, according to the kidnapper, they had their entire life to prepare for.  As the kidnappings continue, Michael and Emily are being led along through a series of calculated areas throughout New York City, to allow them to understand the kidnapper’s plight.  They soon learn that there is no amount of money that will bring these kids back to their families.  So, if the kidnapper does not want money, then what?  How does a maniacal killer have so much information about these families’ private lives and what is the significance of this information? How can a kidnapper be stopped if there is no motive?

“Worst Case” is a fairly interesting murder mystery.  It was pretty predictable and read like something you can see on television or a movie, but it holds up due to the way the writers built and structured the characters.  The writers allowed you to understand each character succinctly and in perfect detail.  While this is the third of the Michael Bennett series, his character is still solid and very likeable.  The kidnapper’s character, Francis Xavier Mooney was portrayed at times in an almost sympathetic manner as the writing pulled on the strings of many of the issues in the world we face today.  The notion that there is suffering around the world and we must do whatever we can to help is something I would think all readers could relate to on some level.  I think the writers did a good job in getting this message across.   That being said, the book was kept light on this issue and there were moments of humor and personal relationships that kept you turning each page until the end.

Make comment on weblog

FTC Disclosure