Private Princess

James Patterson has returned for another collaborative effort with Rees Jones to add to the ever-expanding Private series. This novel, like many of the others, takes readers around the world and into a high-stakes game of sleuthing and action, with an international twist. Jack Morgan, head of Private, the international investigation service, is back in London. This trip is anything but a chance to sightsee or make one of his random check-ins with the local offices, for he has been summoned by Princess Caroline, third in line for the British Throne. After being hurriedly whisked off to her residence, Morgan meets with the royal, who explains that a dear friend of hers has gone missing, a woman with a wild streak and great tabloid fodder. Never one to turn down a challenge, Morgan begins his investigation, sure there is more to the story than the princess is willing to tell. While doing so, Morgan engages with the head of Private: London, Peter Knight. It would seem Knight is on a case to explore an apparent suicide of a well-to-do gentleman whose daughter wants to keep scandal from the tabloids. When Knight and Morgan compare notes, they realise that there is more to each of their cases than meets the eye. Joining efforts, some semblance of closure can be found, but there remains an overarching mystery whose narrative remains a leaden weight for both men and their cases. Morgan’s trip across the Pond has also allowed him to attempt a revisiting of an old flame, though time has all but extinguished those possibilities. When an old foe from a past U.K. case resurfaces with deadly intentions, Morgan cannot simply leave. He is invested and soon has malice pulsing through his veins. Jack Morgan and the entire Private: London enterprise are on this new mission, refusing to back off until all is right again. Trouble is, Jack Morgan’s luck may have finally run its course. An interesting addition to the series, returning to a British locale. Jones and Patterson spin a decent tale, sure to be of interest to those seeking a beach or travel read, but also worthy of those who have followed Private through its long series run.<br /><br />Having long been a fan of Patterson and followed this Private series over the years, I can say with some confidence, that this was a decent addition to the series. Patterson and Jones have returned to a familiar spot, using characters seen before, and extrapolating on some of the plots left to dangle during a previous novel and short story. Jack Morgan, the ever-present character that finds himself in all Private-based stories surely plays more of a central role here, offering the reader a further glimpse into his past and some of the grit that makes him a worthy addition to each series piece. More focus on the likes of Peter Knight and some of the other local Private folks is also refreshing for the series fan, as some will be able to pull on past skirmishes and character development. The story is by no means phenomenal, but it follows a decent Private layout, playing out with at least two cases running parallel and eventually merging. Morgan’s personal story here proves to be a third plot, though it, too, seems to have some ties to the early cases, something the attentive reader will notice. While I cannot say Private is one of Patterson’s premier series, it is one that can be enjoyed if read independently or as an entire collection. Rees Jones should be applauded for helping keep the story on task and relevant, as well as stronger than some of the past pieces in this series. I’ll surely keep my eyes peeled for more when they are released.<br /><br />Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and Jones, for a great effort. While I cannot admit to being mesmerised, I enjoy this lighter reading material. <br /><br />Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at: <br /><a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/">http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/</a><br /><br />A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons">https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...</a>

3.5*<br /><br />This was an okay installment in the Private series but honestly I had high expectations coming into this one and it was only ok with some interesting parts. Not my favorite installment but not the worst. <br /><br />My quick and simple overall: not bad but not as good as I was hoping.

If the book had stopped at exactly 50% i think i would have liked it. After 50% the story goes on and on about his past enmity with Flex and takes away the focus.

Another great Private book.. I do love Morgan! Set in London again this one is full on action and emotions. Keep them coming James Patterson please... maybe time to return to Australia for an adventure??

‪The Private series is one of my favourites that James Patterson has written for him despite how fantastical and over the top they can be at times, as evidenced here in Private Princess. It’s no exaggeration when I say that every page of this book is all-action. Jack Morgan is seemingly invincible he survives that many attempts on his life in this story. ‬<br /><br />‪We see Jack returning to Private London for a meeting with Princess Caroline who wants Private to look into the disappearance of her best friend. Straightaway he heads to Wales only for the first of many murder attempts to take place. I feel that this story is perhaps one that was just too sensationalist. It wasn’t believable in the slightest and the way Private operates in the US just doesn’t lend itself well to how the UK law enforcement works.‬<br /><br />‪I also felt that I’d missed a story somewhere along the way (or forgotten all about it) because this is a story of revenge against Jack by someone from his past. I love an action-packed book but here I felt there was just too much of it to take the story seriously. I didn’t feel a connection to the characters, so I couldn’t share or believe in Jack’s pain because in the past he’s certainly been fixated on more than one woman. I love Jack Morgan as a character and always enjoy following along with him, but the story here I felt was just weak. It read almost like an expanded BookShot. There’s not much room for story or character development when every other page is Jack and co escaping from another shootout. ‬<br /><br />‪In the past Patterson’s novels have retained that American feel despite being set in various places around the world. In Private Princess I felt that the setting was well-utilised. It was easy to picture London and I especially enjoyed the dramatic finale set inside one of London’s most famous landmarks. But overall I was left disappointed with this rushed and overly dramatic story that won’t be leaving any lasting impression in my mind. I eagerly await the next Jack Morgan adventure but just hope that I enjoy it more than I did the story here in Private Princess. ‬

<strong>Terrible and dull</strong><br /><br />Mr Patterson needs to stop writing about the UK, it was painful to read. The Royal family employing Americans to save their reputation is both embarrassing and laughable. Even the parts about Milwall and Fulham football fans was awkward, a quick Google would have been enough to write those scenes, no need to visit. How very British, having a football fan throw a pie at a copper, English (not British), football holligans take far more than a pie to a match. This book is cringe worthy unless you are a small minded American who believes they save the world. I used to really enjoy James Patterson books but that was 20+ years ago.

Princess is a thriller forming part of James Patterson's Private novels. It is rather entertaining and could be done with in a sitting or two. I find the writing in there rather straight forward though and so wasn't impressed by much. The Security Firm, Private, Head Jack Morgan has a case to handle and as ussual it comes with costs for through the case Private faces ordeals that would deem their challenges of getting down to the answers low. Private has two cases on the table that they didnt have the slightest clue interlinked, That of the missing Sophie Edwards brought on by The Princess Caroline of The British Royal Family and a death of a millionaire brought on by the millionaire's daughter. The main adversary : Flex Gibbons.<br />Concluding, i wouldnt term the book great as it just didnt get me until like the last quarter of the book, yet i'd recommend it for anyone seeking a good thriller.

Actual rating is less that 2 stars but not a 1. Wish Mr. Patterson would go back to the good old days of putting more quality into his books instead of seeing how many books he can spit out and how fast. Over the past years I’ve pretty much given up on all his series but still found the Private and Jack Morgan series a fairly decent read. This novel was so disappointing, far-fetched, sloppy and at times laughable as Patterson tried to convince us that the UK and royal family would actually turn to Jack Morgan for help. Ending was beyond corny; maybe time to end this series????

2...So disappointed! Two books ago we had a missing princess...now a princess's friend is missing. Last book was a suspicious suicide...why are these storylines in THIS novel...I couldn't even get into this novel!!!!

I bought this book at a book store. I enjoyed reading it. It had a good story to it. I like the style of writing in these private books that the author writes. I look forward to the next one.