Beach Road

James B. Patterson (born March 22, 1947) is an award-winning American author. Formerly an advertising executive for J. W. Thompson in the early 1990s, Patterson came up with the slogan "Toys R Us Kid". Shortly after his success with Along Came A Spider he retired from the firm and devoted his time to writing. The novels featuring his character, Alex Cross, a black forensic psychologist formerly of the Washington, D.C. Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation, now working as a private psychologist and government consultant, are the most popular books among Patterson readers. James Patterson has been criticized by Stephen King, who called Patterson's books "dopey thrillers".[citation needed] Patterson shrugged off the comments, stating that he wants to be the "thrillingest thriller writer of all time".[citation needed] James Patterson has also been put as one of Forbes magazine's top 100 celebrities.

Here's a book you may want to take to the beach this summer. Former basketball star turned lawyer Tom Dunleavy is asked to represent a teenaged athlete accused of murdering four young men. With his former lover, also a lawyer, Dunleavy sets out to present a formidable defense. You'll never guess whodunit because the answer lacks credibility. Nonetheless, the cast is so uniformly proficient that the story moves along in spite of the inept plot. Of singular note is Billy Baldwin's characterization of Dunleavy. One wonders why Richard Ferrone's talents and unique voice are wasted on announcing the chapters and characters. A.L.H. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine