James Brendan Patterson (born March 22, 1947) is an American author and philanthropist. Among his works are the Alex Cross, Michael Bennett, Women's Murder Club, Maximum Ride, Daniel X, NYPD Red, Witch and Wizard, and Private series, as well as many stand-alone thrillers, non-fiction and romance novels.
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(Private #3)
Private, the world's most renowned investigation firm, has been commissioned to provide security for the 2012 Olympic games in London. Its agents are the smartest, fastest, and most technologically advanced in the world, and 400 of them have been transferred to London to protect over 10,000 competitors who represent more than 200 countries.
The opening ceremony is still hou...more
The opening ceremony is still hou...more
Published January 19th 2012 by Century
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KerryIn Private Games, the Private London's detective is Peter Knight.
Joan BurgessPrivate London main character is Dan Carter. Ive read them all . Don’t remember a Nigel Steel
Best of James Patterson 100 books — 5 voters
Olympics Opening Ceremony Books 39 books — 290 voters
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Nov 08, 2015Chelsey Ellice rated it it was amazing Shelves: crime, series, 5-star, favourite-author, own-it, paperback
I thought I knew who cronus was but then there's a twist and it's someone you never would have guessed. Most of the book implies it's this one man but no! I really enjoyed this book. It will keep you up til all hours of the morning.
I won't say this is the worst techno-thriller I have ever read. I read a lot of them. But my goodness, this book was awful!
I've read other James Patterson books and some of his earlier stuff was pretty good. But in a techo-thriller, the author has to get the 'techno' part absolutely right. And the 'thriller' part has to at least hold up. In this book the techno was clangingly, distractingly inaccurate and fanciful. To the point of wanting to hurl the book across the room. The thriller part was s...more
Nov 13, 2017I've read other James Patterson books and some of his earlier stuff was pretty good. But in a techo-thriller, the author has to get the 'techno' part absolutely right. And the 'thriller' part has to at least hold up. In this book the techno was clangingly, distractingly inaccurate and fanciful. To the point of wanting to hurl the book across the room. The thriller part was s...more
Brenda rated it really liked itThe Games By James Patterson
· review of another edition Shelves: crime, suspense, 4000-books, own-read, mystery, 2012-release, thriller
Everything was on target for the 2012 Olympic Games to go off without a hitch in London – the planning had been intense, the security second to none. But no one had reckoned on a maniac with an agenda of his own.
When Private London’s head of operations, Peter Knight, arrived at the scene of a murder and discovered the gruesome remains of a member of the games organising committee, he was shocked and horrified to discover the man was also his mother’s fiancé. But more brutal killings occurred –...more
When Private London’s head of operations, Peter Knight, arrived at the scene of a murder and discovered the gruesome remains of a member of the games organising committee, he was shocked and horrified to discover the man was also his mother’s fiancé. But more brutal killings occurred –...more
Feb 12, 2018Suzanne rated it liked it · review of another edition
3-3.5*
It was a pretty good read centered on terror killings at the London Summer Olympics. I found Peter’s character easy to like and actually very fun to read about. I was torn with follow the Private series as Goodreads has them in order because of veering off from the main Private series but Jack was in this one also, and honestly I found it rather nice to read about some new characters. I am turn between 3-3.5* though because there were times when I wasn’t as interested. However, I did read...more
It was a pretty good read centered on terror killings at the London Summer Olympics. I found Peter’s character easy to like and actually very fun to read about. I was torn with follow the Private series as Goodreads has them in order because of veering off from the main Private series but Jack was in this one also, and honestly I found it rather nice to read about some new characters. I am turn between 3-3.5* though because there were times when I wasn’t as interested. However, I did read...more
Aug 22, 2012Sian Bradshaw rated it did not like it
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
On your mark, get set, GO! Book number three in the Private series keeps you reading until you cross the finish line. Centered around the 2012 Olympics it was an enjoyable read; I give this one 4stars!
Mar 31, 2012Delaney Diamond rated it really liked it
I couldn't decide at first if I wanted to give this book a 3 or 4, but once I thought about it, I decided it did deserve a 4 because the things I didn't like were minor when I took the book in its totality.
What I didn't like:
Peter Knight's twins did a couple of things that I don't think children their age should be able to do. I was so surprised that at one point I ended up flipping back to reread passages to make sure I hadn't misread their age. They have very well-developed motor skills for...more
What I didn't like:
Peter Knight's twins did a couple of things that I don't think children their age should be able to do. I was so surprised that at one point I ended up flipping back to reread passages to make sure I hadn't misread their age. They have very well-developed motor skills for...more
Aug 06, 2015Nicole Alycia rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Loved this book!
I love that you got to see another side of Private International, the London side this time, and it was so cool that this took place during the 2012 London Olympics!
It was fast paced, lots of action, and the characters were great! I love Peter Knights character and I cannot wait to read another Private book that takes place in London!
I love that you got to see another side of Private International, the London side this time, and it was so cool that this took place during the 2012 London Olympics!
It was fast paced, lots of action, and the characters were great! I love Peter Knights character and I cannot wait to read another Private book that takes place in London!
Feb 22, 2012Bobby rated it did not like it
In an effort to broaden my horizons into best-selling fiction that my patrons read, I decided to pick this up. This will probably be my first and last foray into the publishing behemoth that is James Patterson.
I know something is poorly written when I'm constantly thinking to myself, 'I could write this'. My expectations were pretty low and I was simply hoping to be entertained, but found even that a struggle. A few issues: 1. Their research of London seemed limited to Fodor's guide and a crappy...more
Oct 27, 2016Mahoghani 23 rated it liked itI know something is poorly written when I'm constantly thinking to myself, 'I could write this'. My expectations were pretty low and I was simply hoping to be entertained, but found even that a struggle. A few issues: 1. Their research of London seemed limited to Fodor's guide and a crappy...more
Shelves: crime-mystery, books-read-in-2016, series-books
Cronus & his Furies invade the London Olympic Games. Jack Morgan knows that in order to be the best at what you do, you must hire the best and pay them very well. Take Peter Knight, Private London's best investigator, out to find the person or persons responsible for killing his mother's Fiancé abs Olympic committee member.
The book is fast paced, energetic and will keep you turning the page. The killers' insight throughout the story invokes an explanation as well as suspenseful thrill to th...more
The book is fast paced, energetic and will keep you turning the page. The killers' insight throughout the story invokes an explanation as well as suspenseful thrill to th...more
After reading the first book I decided to have a quick peek to check the order I should read the series because even on the website it seemed a bit slapdash. After reading the first couple of pages I found that Private London actually was a precursor to Private Games and I am glad that I read them in that order: 1 Private - 2 Private #1 Suspect - 3 Private London - 4 Private Games.
When I started reading Private Games I thought who the hell is this Peter Knight, what has happened to Dan Carter? T...more
Oct 18, 2016Mike Smith rated it liked it · review of another editionWhen I started reading Private Games I thought who the hell is this Peter Knight, what has happened to Dan Carter? T...more
Shelves: sport, fiction, thriller, military, united-kingdom, crime
Knight realised that many of the athletes around him were pointing up at the huge video screens around the Olympic venue, all displaying the same three red words: OLYMPIC SHAME EXPOSED.
This is the first of James Patterson's Private series that I have read and selected it based on the Olympic background more than series itself. A few references are made to previous additions but it is not critically important to have read the prior novels.
The premise is based around the 2012 Summer Olympics bein...more
This is the first of James Patterson's Private series that I have read and selected it based on the Olympic background more than series itself. A few references are made to previous additions but it is not critically important to have read the prior novels.
The premise is based around the 2012 Summer Olympics bein...more
'Private Games' by James Patterson is about a detective agency named 'Private' and a detective in the agency named Knight. Knight is a man who's wife died after giving birth to his now 4 year old twins. The story begins with the murder of Knight's soon-to-be step-father, accompanied by a note regarding the 2012 Olympic Games in London. This story shifts to the point of view of the murderer, who calls himself Cronus, and Knight, who is trying to stop him. Knight soon realizes that Cronus is tryin...more
Apr 25, 2012Matt rated it liked it
A much better book than I expected it to be, as I am not a big 'newer series' fan of James Patterson. The book was quite good at setting the hero and villain sections and did offer some great build-up as it gave first hand villain chapters, as well as some great background. A little longer than most Patterson novels, yet still the 130+ chapters to tease you into reading 'just one more before I put it down'.
Set against the backdrop of the upcoming London Olympics, Patterson sets a nice scene and...more
Set against the backdrop of the upcoming London Olympics, Patterson sets a nice scene and...more
Downloaded from Audible.com
Narrated by: Paul Panting
Initially, I wanted to just write 'ho-hum' but it was a little better than that. Just.
Private is a world-renowned security company hired to help provide security for the 2012 Olympics being held in London, England. Peter Knight, a widowed father of twins, is the British investigator assigned to the project. From the beginning, it seems that random tragedy is haunting the games but Chronos begins taking 'credit' for the deaths. It becomes a race...more
Narrated by: Paul Panting
Initially, I wanted to just write 'ho-hum' but it was a little better than that. Just.
Private is a world-renowned security company hired to help provide security for the 2012 Olympics being held in London, England. Peter Knight, a widowed father of twins, is the British investigator assigned to the project. From the beginning, it seems that random tragedy is haunting the games but Chronos begins taking 'credit' for the deaths. It becomes a race...more
If you are bored of hearing about the London Olympics already, this, ironically, is *exactly* the book you need. Set during the London Olympics, a crazed former athlete starts a murder spree, starting with the Head of the London Organising Committee, but can 'Private' investigators find him before his final act of retribution. Lots of references to real places in London and what I presume James Patterson imagines as the opening ceremony and organisational arrangements. Otherwise, it will provide...more
Feb 20, 2012Martin Patrick rated it really liked it
I read James Patterson to remind myself that I can do this too, and I hope a tad bit better. Patterson books are always a fun read, and this was one per usual, though the final boss battle scene ended in such a comical way that I literally laughed out loud.
Aug 25, 2018Mary rated it it was ok
Rating: about 2.5 Usually I'm a big fan of James Patterson, but . . . . He now has several authors writing under his name, and the quality seems to be hit-or-miss. This plot is a little far-fetched for a realistic novel, though I will say the twists near the end had me fooled for a while. I nearly put it down as a reject several times while reading, but the heightened suspense near the end saved it.
(I'm playing catch-up, as my new job has taken a big bite out of my time lately. My reading rate...more
(I'm playing catch-up, as my new job has taken a big bite out of my time lately. My reading rate...more
Apr 03, 2012Mark rated it it was ok
As my two stars would suggest this was okay! But that's pretty much about it. This is far from the best book off the Patterson production line.
I didn't really expect too much from this book though as I have not really liked this series compared to Patterson's other series novels. I despised Private, but actually quite liked Private: London, not so much for the story but due to certain parts of that book being set around where I live so I could atleast appreciate that the book had been well rese...more
I didn't really expect too much from this book though as I have not really liked this series compared to Patterson's other series novels. I despised Private, but actually quite liked Private: London, not so much for the story but due to certain parts of that book being set around where I live so I could atleast appreciate that the book had been well rese...more
Oct 01, 2012Bookish Indulgenges with b00k r3vi3ws rated it liked it
The year is 2012. The Location is London and the backdrop is that of Olympic Games. Can things get any bigger? Huge number of agents has been assigned to the security detail of anybody who is somebody at the games. They are the best at what they do and have the latest technology to back them up. A high ranking games official is brutally murdered and a man named Cronus sends a letter to a reporter Karen Pope claiming responsibility. Peter Knight gets involved in this case twice over as not only t...more
Jul 23, 2012Benjamin Thomas rated it it was ok
So my mother-in-law came for a visit last week and, knowing I read a lot of books, she insisted I read this latest and greatest book by James Patterson. Of course, just about all of me defenses went up because:
1) It's a James Patterson book. Now, I've enjoyed some of his early Alex Cross books but his novel manufacturing machine that cranks out 12-15 new books per year from his 'co-authors' is a real turn off for me;
2) It's a recommendation from somebody who reads a moderate amount but rarely...more
1) It's a James Patterson book. Now, I've enjoyed some of his early Alex Cross books but his novel manufacturing machine that cranks out 12-15 new books per year from his 'co-authors' is a real turn off for me;
2) It's a recommendation from somebody who reads a moderate amount but rarely...more
Private has gone international and has been commissioned to provide security to the Olympic Games in London. After reading the other two books I was really looking forward to this one and what a disappointment, first none of the main characters are carried over with the exception of Jack and maybe a couple of others all with minor parts. Knight who has two small hellish children is the main man in this overdone, unrealistic story from start to finish.
I am not sure who wrote it but it certainly w...more
I am not sure who wrote it but it certainly w...more
Apr 17, 2012Shelley rated it it was ok · review of another edition
The best thing about this book is the setting at the London Olympics, especially since they haven't happened yet. I had the John Williams themes playing in my head the whole time -- build in soundtrack. Other than that, this book is fairly lame. Maybe it's the page long chapters that disrupt the flow of the story. This seems to be a Patterson thing (although who knows how much of the writing he actually does himself) that is driving me crazy. The 'twists and turns' are pretty predictable, the my...more
This book takes place during the soon-to-come London Olympic games. The plot was basic ridiculous. I felt that the setting was in a futuristic science fiction place instead of London of summer of 1912. The protagonist could be hit by a car, beat up, shot, etc., etc., and still leap buildings in a simple bound. It was just too unbelievable. Additionally, the guy has three-year-old twins, and these twins had the intellectual and emotional maturity of 14 year olds. I kept thinking this guy has neve...more
An absolutely great piece of work, realy interesting and it got me hooked in the first few pages, i finished it realy quickly and was very pleased with it. The genre of this book (like many other James Patterson books) is crime, and a tiny bit of horror, not much at all though, and is book number 3 in the private series. Like all other private books I realy enjoyed reading this and would recommend this to anyone. Some parts were sad as always but most parts kept me on edge. All in all a fantasti...more
Feb 23, 2012Cheryle rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
With the Olympic Games coming to London this summer, this is a very timely book. This is a new collaboration with James Patterson and Mark Sullivan. I liked the combination. Just like all of Patterson's books this one is fast paced and thrilling. Just enough Olympic facts to make an interesting read, but this did not take away from the overall plot. Instead it added to it.
Feb 04, 2018Hannah Polley rated it it was ok · review of another edition
This book is ok and because the chapters are so short, it is a very quick read.
It is set at the London 2012 Olympics and a terrorist is killing off the organisers, atheles and coaches. I'm pretty sure the games would not have continued in this situation but they do in this book. The reasons for the terrorist are quite vague and unclear and the main character ends up having his kids kidnapped by the terrorists (again for quite unclear reasons).
A lot more thought went into the action in this boo...more
It is set at the London 2012 Olympics and a terrorist is killing off the organisers, atheles and coaches. I'm pretty sure the games would not have continued in this situation but they do in this book. The reasons for the terrorist are quite vague and unclear and the main character ends up having his kids kidnapped by the terrorists (again for quite unclear reasons).
A lot more thought went into the action in this boo...more
May 17, 2019Carrie rated it did not like it · review of another edition
I really did not care for this story. The entire Kronos and Fury story line was just too out there for me. I also quickly figured out who Kronos was. If it hadn’t been for being an audio book, I wouldn’t have finished this book. I strongly suggest just moving to the next book on your list, bypass this one.
Oct 17, 2016Terri Lynn rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Another exciting book in the series about Private, an ultra high tech worldwide protection agency. This one was set at the London 2012 Olympics where a mysterious man who calls himself Cronus and three mysterious Eastern European sisters who call themselves the Furies manage to wreak havoc and murder on the Olympics which Private and a newspaper sports reporter rookie named Karen Pope try to solve. Peter Knight of Private London is challenged in more ways than one. His weird designer mom's fianc...more
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| Pattersonville - ...:May 2012 group read - Private Games | 12 | 16 | Jul 22, 2013 10:15AM |
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James Patterson is the world’s bestselling author and most trusted storyteller. He has created more enduring fictional characters than any other novelist writing today, with his Alex Cross, Michael Bennett, Women’s Murder Club, Private, NYPD Red, Daniel X, Maximum Ride, and Middle School series. He has sold over 380 million books wo...more
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the world’s bestselling author and most trusted storyteller. He has created more enduring fictional characters than any other novelist writing today, with his Alex Cross, Michael Bennett, Women’s Murder Club, Private, NYPD Red, Daniel X, Maximum Ride, and Middle School series. He has sold over 380 million books wo...more
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