Mysterious Saturday Review: Private Games

* Book 3 in the Private series *

The Olympics games are in London this year with Private providing security for the games. Hours before the opening ceremony, a member of the game organizing committee is murdered. It wasn't a crime of passion and in the hours to come, the press receive a letter from a man who claims responsibility.

He plans to restore the Olympic games to their former glory and rid the world of those connected with the games who are corrupted with greed or cheating.  Can Private solve the identity of the man behind the mask before his actions taint the Olympic games?

My Thoughts: I really like this series for the action and the danger. I devour these books in one setting. This one takes place in London again - although the main character from the last Private book has been killed. The series moves forward with mentions of previous characters, which I like. 

The man who claimed responsibility for the murders likes history and the integrity of the games - not the scandals behind the doping or the cheating to win. He wants to the games to go pack to their purest form. I can understand his reasons, but not the crimes themselves. It's a thought-provoking read, especially as you think of the athletes who have now been deemed cheaters and stripped of his/her medals. 

Cover Thoughts: Great - I love the medal and the city in the background.

Final Thoughts: If you're looking for an action-packed read, pick up the Private series - you won't be disappointed. 

Mysterious Saturday Review: Private London

* Book 2 in the Private series * 

Dan Carter must protect a young girl with a troubled past. When the first happens and she's kidnapped on his watch, he will do everything in his power to save her. Especially after it becomes personal.

His goddaughter was sent to watch over Hannah, to befriend her unknowingly. When she's hurt in the attack, Dan vows revenge of the worst kind to her attackers.

The case takes a turn when his ex-wife reads him in on a body found missing organs. She believes the young woman was murdered and her organs used for transplants.

They share information about their respected cases, wondering if they could be connected. Kristy doesn't mind using Private resources if it means she can get the answer faster. 

Can they figure out the answers before something more horrible happens?

My Thoughts: I really like this series - it didn't feature the same protagonist as the first book, but I didn't mind that.  I liked Dan and how protective he was of both Chloe and Hannah. My heart went out to him because of his past - that moment in the military was heartbreaking. I'm glad that he was able to move past it, even if it did cost him personally. I liked how he had to work with his ex-wife on the case. It was personal for both of them, bringing up issues from the past. Kristy was tough and independent. I loved the twists and turns of this book and trying to keep ahead of them in guessing what would happen next. As a result, this one was hard to put down.

Cover Thoughts: I like this cover -it's not the one I had, which I hated, but then again, it's not the cover that made me pick up the book
Source: My Library

Overall Thoughts: If you like thrillers, you can't go wrong with James Patterson. The Private series has enough action and danger to keep you turning the pages as quickly as you can!