Well done

If you could sum up Private Games in three words, what would they be?

It was so well written (and performed) that it was difficult to remember that the London Games were months away. It felt like I was watching it unfold as opposed to listening to fiction. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

8 people found this helpful

HUH?????

Would you try another book from James Patterson and Mark Sullivan and/or Paul Panting?

Will never listen to the narrator again, but will of course get the authors books again.

What could James Patterson and Mark Sullivan have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

different narrator

What didn’t you like about Paul Panting’s performance?

couldn't understand him clearly when switching from one character to the next

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Don't know, couldn't get past the first 2 hrs.

Any additional comments?

Not worth the time or credit, very disappointed

15 people found this helpful

International Flavor

Exciting background for this story is the 2012 Olympic games in London. I wish that the date had been further in the future though. Such dreadful foreboding of terror, murder, unprotected athletes, and technology used for evil purposes is frightening. The evil characters have all had abusive and tragic childhoods. To exact revenge for the leader who believes that his Olympic glory was stolen in Spain, the 2012 summer olympics and its athletes are targeted.

Please do listen to a sample before purchasing this audible book. I almost did not finish the story because it took awhile to adjust to the British English accent of the narrator. If you do not like the British English, then I recommend that you read the printed version. I had to stop and re-start so that I could get in to the story. Once you get used to the narrator's accent, it does add a touch of international flare to the story. However, I really could not stand how he interpreted the children's voices...especially Lukey.

Where was the owner of Private? I don't think that he had more than five sentences in this entire story.

It is difficult to feel an emotional attachment to any of the characters. Perhaps it is because there is not enough depth provided. There are also many characters, such as the cab driver and news reporter, who act as bridges or are used to move the story line along. The stories or backgrounds of the characters are not worthy of empathy or sympathy. The personal challenges presented are so formula-like. The lesbian aspect was gratuitious and added nothing to the story. It was as though the authors thought by "throwing" in an aspect (murder of wealthy people, lesbian relationships, kidnapping, terrorism, child-abuse and rape, child neglect, mythology references, torture, etc.) that it would really grab the reader/listener.

For example, family relationships are odd, strained and flawed somewhat in this story. The evil characters are referred to as sisters and brother. It takes awhile to determine the true relationship. The main character's family is truly flawed. He prefers working rather than being with his twin son and daughter, although he loves them due to being part of their deceased mother. All we learned about the "hero's" children, twins, is that their mother died in child birth. The twins have run off several nannys due to their badness, but we do not know exactly what is bad, just that the children are bad and not potty trained at 3 years of age. It is also impossible to believe that two children misbehave to the point that no nanny service in London could find someone to watch them. Thus,one of the "bad guys" in the story is hired as a nanny due to the father's desparation to dump the kids on someone so that he could focus on his job!! What happens to the children is predictable. A nut does not fall far from the tree it is said. The father does not have a loving relationship with his own mother. As a result his mother does not have a close relationship with her grandchildren. The aunt(sister of the deceased mother) of the children "resents" them and has not seen or met the twins yet.

Unfortunately, while I tried to really like this story, it is another mediocre collaboration with the Patterson name attached. It would be interesting to what percentage of the story is contributed by Mr. Patterson or if he is just a mentor to aspiring authors. Entertaining,yes, but not very good.

4 people found this helpful

A waste of time?

VERY slow start and not sure it was worth the effort. Beneath James Patterson's abilities.

9 people found this helpful

Better than #1 Private

The story was deeper and more interesting, and a reader may draw on his/her cultural knowledge.

3 people found this helpful

Strong accent by narrator

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Different narrator

What could James Patterson and Mark Sullivan have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Was not expecting the British accent and it was difficult to understand

Would you be willing to try another one of Paul Panting’s performances?

Probably not

What character would you cut from Private Games?

Didn't listen long enough to find out

Any additional comments?

No

3 people found this helpful

Liked this one a lot!

Where does Private Games rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Up there. Kept my interest better than PRIVATE did. Liked the story, but it could have been

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes, the characters mixed with the story and sub-stories are all interesting.

Have you listened to any of Paul Panting’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Any additional comments?

Current, and possible. Keep your eyes open!!

6 people found this helpful

Avoid!!! Seriously, don't get it!

What disappointed you about Private Games?

I wasted a credit. I didn't enjoy this book. Bad writing and bad performance. Every time the killer spoke, I about fell asleep. The reader was bad. British accent which was hard to understand at times and he seemed to be bored with the book which made it boring for me.

What could James Patterson and Mark Sullivan have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

The long personal reflections from the killer were so boring, I almost fell asleep, and I was driving!

What didn’t you like about Paul Panting’s performance?

Hard time understanding at times. He didn't seem like he was into it.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Private Games?

Every scene where the killer spoke.

Any additional comments?

Can I get a refund?

5 people found this helpful

Boring Story

What would have made Private Games better?

This has to been the most boring Patterson story. Save your money and credit

What was most disappointing about James Patterson and Mark Sullivan ’s story?

Wordy,horrible story line

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Where did he come from. I know the story was set in London but OMG! He has no vocal variety or inflection.

What character would you cut from Private Games?

None. Where were the great characters from the first two novels.

Any additional comments?

Save yourself from this book. Waste of time!!!!

4 people found this helpful

Accent No Good!

I did not like the American accent at all. Jack Morgan needed to have more of a story line.

1 person found this helpful