Who is James Patterson?

Chances are you or someone in your family has read a novel by this nothing but best-sellers author.  Like the mysterious hero John Galt  in Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged (“Who is John Galt?”), Patterson shoulders a major element of the publishing world on his broad back.  Prolific in ideas, Patterson has found success in collaboration, much like the artist studio system of the past.  His prior career in marketing and advertising accounts for his strength as an idea man who both creates and delegates.  His ideas for stories run the gamut of popular commercial genres:  detective series, crime thrillers, romance, young adult paranormal fantasy, heavily illustrated, humorous, life at middle school.   According to an in-depth interview with the Guardian, he uses 7 or 8 writers, while retaining sole authorship of many of his books.

What describes the Patterson "brand"?  Short, compelling chapters with strongly visualized narrative.  His crime thrillers offer grisly, often repellent scenarios (think Law & Order) while his juvenile story lines are full of snappy humor or good old fashioned adventure. 

So, take a look at the variety of material Patterson offers.  If it's the story, not the sentence, that matters most to you, one of these series should appeal:

MiddleSchool series

  

Alex Cross series 

Michael Bennett series 

Maximum Ride series 

 

Treasure Hunters series

Daniel X series

Other series include:  Private, a world-wide, exclusive private detective agency

NYPD Red, a special task force charged with protecting Manhattan's wealthiest and most powerful.

Women' Murder Club,  4 young women, each with a connection to the crime world who are founding members of the Women's Murder Club. Together, they solve crimes in their home city of San Francisco, and often meet up to talk about clues and life over Mexican food and drinks at their favorite hangout.

Witch and Wizard, A sister and brother, along with thousands of young people, have been kidnapped and either thrown in prison or turned up missing after accusations of witchcraft were made against them, in this dystopian fantasy for young adults.

In addition to these series, check our catalog or Patterson's website for his stand alone books.