Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #113206 in Books
• Published on: 1999-07-08
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 496 pages

Synopsis
Frannie O'Neil, a young and talented veterinarian whose husband was recently murdered, comes across a discovery in the woods near her animal hospital. Soon after, Kit Harrison, an FBI agent, arrives on Frannie's doorstep. And then there is eleven-year-old Max.

About the Author
James Patterson has had five international number one bestsellers in a row - ALONG CAME A SPIDER, KISS THE GIRLS, JACK AND JILL, CAT AND MOUSE and his most recent, WHEN THE WIND BLOWS. His Alex Cross series is off to the fastest-selling start of any featuring a continuing character. KISS THE GIRLS was filmed by Paramount Pictures in 1997 and became a number one hit movie.

Customer Reviews

What a corker!
I confess, I bought this, purely because it was James Patterson, I tend not to read reviews, once I find an author, I buy the lot, good or bad, but phew!! I loved this! Yes, it was completely fanciful (I hope!), but.... WHO CARES! If you want reality, watch gritty documentaries, I want my imagination stretched and messed with - mission accomplished!
Grand as 'owt

A real page turner
My 12 year old son has recently read the Maximum Ride - Angel Experiment book by James Patterson and was blown away by it. It was only after looking for the next in the series that I realised that the children's novel was based on this book. Like another reader I was slightly put off by the 3 star rating given by other readers but decided to read it anyway just out of interest. I have to say that I really enjoyed it. The chapters are short and the story very fast paced. I thought it was a real page turner. Fanciful, yes, but then that is what fiction is all about. It is no more far fetched than Jurassic Park and just as good a storyline. I am intrigued now to read the children's novel to see how it differs. I was hoping to find a sequel to this story but I don't believe it exists.

Great Idea, Poor Execution
Well this book has a great idea at its premise and it's no small feat that the start drew me into the odd idea such that I accepted it. The main character's is a young girl that's initially well written and I was really on her side. There's certain parallel's to some Stephen Kings novels, and one in particular I won't mention in case it spoils it should you attempt it to read the book.

I should also add, given the reference, this book is more a thriller than horror.

Unfortunately the quality of this book doesn't last and for me it ends up a complete mess. Some events seem natural and flow within the story as you always get with Stephen King but there's some big "don't go there", "you wouldn't do that" out of character moments that really really jar.

The overall feeling I had was that a far bit of time was spent on the initial idea and the start but little on developing and plotting out the idea. It seemed as if it was rushed and written to a deadline

I'd actually go as far to say it's the worst book I've read and I read a fair number of books a year. Perhaps the start of the book raised my expectation so when it falls apart the disappointment is amplified as the promising start was wasted.

I've a friend who likes his others books and I have enjoyed one of his books adapted to film and that means I won't refuse to giving any of his others books ago but they'll not be a high priority.