I am probably one of a few people who had never read a James Patterson novel. It’s funny how I receive all of his books (on what seems like a monthly basis) for review and he is always the first author to get snatched up by reviewers. With his newest novel Sail I decided I wanted to read Patterson for myself and let me tell you, it was a killer ride! No pun intended. Sail is James Patterson’s third novel co-written by Howard Roughan. It is being promoted as a summer thriller and I really enjoyed the story from the beginning to the end. Since it is the first time I have read a novel by Patterson I have nothing to compare it with but I can certainly see why people enjoy his books so much.
Katherine Dunne is a widowed heart specialist. Recently re-married to high profile defense lawyer Peter Carlyle and mother of two out of control teenagers, and one ten year old who thinks he’s twenty. Her family has been spinning out of control ever since the death of her husband and their father; Katherine decides that she wants to bring her family back together. With her new husband staying back the Dunne’s set out on a sailing trip that is doomed from the word, “go”. As the family fights with one another, Mother Nature and the evil nature of humanity they soon find themselves shipwrecked and stranded on a dessert island. After attempts to find the family the Coast Guard gives up their search until a fisherman catches a large fish that has a Coke bottle in its mouth with a written note stating, “The Dunn family is alive”. This is great news to most, but some were never expecting the family to return and they will do whatever it takes to make sure they don’t.
Sail is a thrilling read with lots of drama, suspense and plot twists. I loved the short chapters as they made for a very quick read. Overall, Sail is a great suspenseful murder/thriller novel that will entertain readers across the globe. Whether you are in the wilderness, the beach or holed up in the safety of your own home Patterson and Roughan have created a great summer read.
Reviewed by Jeff Holton
