What a brilliant read ,I knew if it was written by James Patterson it would be good but this was more than just good .Holmes Marple and Poe have just opened a Private Investigation Office in New York ,each one has extraordinary skills at solving mysteries .The story is fast paced ,exciting and full of twists and turns .Holmes Marple and Poe are great characters each with their own quirks also Grey and Virginia are lovely characters . There is a unanswered mystery of where did the trio actually come from? I do hope this turns into a new series .Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC.

Good solid characters and a fast moving plot makes this,yet again,a wonderful book from James Patterson, no surprise for his fans ( I am one ) but he really is the master of words and stories and I hope this is the start of a new series
Excellent writing,strong story make an exciting very readable book

My goodness this had me gripped. Humorous and tensely plotted with a great premise. I especially loved Margaret, with her useful friends and deceptive appearance. Fabulous read.

Oh wow! A book I wanted to devour in one helping but didn't want it to end. Holmes, Marple and Poe are PI’s and have just started their own agency together. Each one has particular talents although all are highly attuned to finding out the whys and wherefores to solve a crime. Holmes for example is hyperosmic and can detect scents amongst the normal ones the rest of us can. Are they their real names? Of that we are not sure but what we can be certain of is that they are good at their job, very good and the police department calls them in when things are starting to get beyond them or where they would rather not be involved. Each one has their own secrets from their lives before they got together. Can they solve the crimes and stay under the radar?

This is my first James Patterson book. I know , I know, I must have been hiding under a rock. Brilliant and page turning doesn't do this justice. It looks like I have rather a back catalogue to catch up on. ;) It's very engaging and I loved each of the main characters. I really hope this will turn into a series. It's sort of a cozy crime style with that brilliance of Patterson’s skill and wit that we all know and love in characters such as Holmes that we’ve seen in films and tv and other books. I can't say how much I loved this. It’s thrilling, it’s entertaining. It's a crime read with a twist and a smile. It's brilliant.
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When a young woman goes missing the police have no clues to her whereabouts. It takes a new team of private investigators to solve the case. It’s hardly a surprise that the team are able to succeed where the police failed since they are Holmes, Marple and Poe.

It’s a while since I’ve read anything by James Patterson. I used to buy each new hardback and race through them. Since I was working full-time the writing style suited my time perfectly. Short, snappy chapters, gripping plot and familiar characters (I’m thinking of series such as Alex Cross, Women’s Murder Club, Michael Bennett) meant that I didn’t have to invest a lot of time or concentration. However, I simply couldn’t keep up with the author’s prolific output and I simply drifted away. Even though I now have more time available to read I haven’t really been tempted back, probably because it would involve trying to figure out where I was in each series and trying to catch up. When I saw the title of this new book, Holmes, Marple And Poe, along with the description, I was immediately intrigued.

I’m so pleased I decided to give the book a chance as I thoroughly enjoyed it. My attention was grabbed from the very beginning as we are introduced to the eccentric Brendan Holmes. Alongside Margaret Marple and Auguste Poe, he is able to solve the case of the mysterious disappearance of a young attorney. While the case thrusts the new team of private investigators into the limelight, it also makes them a few enemies, namely the mayor and the police commissioner.

New cases to solve come at the team thick and fast, crimes which are solved relatively quickly. While we do get a taste for the eccentric nature of each character and can see links to their namesakes, we don’t get an in-depth understanding of the thought process and deductions that lead to solving each case. This light touch is part of the reason the book is so readable.

More intriguing than the numerous crimes the trio are involved with is the identity of the characters themselves. Whenever they are introduced to someone there is always a comment about the names being a “joke”. Each of the trio shares traits with their namesake, some of which have a negative impact. There are subtle hints regarding the true identities of each of them but nothing is fully revealed, keeping the reader in suspense. A couple of supporting characters also add to the overall mystique of the team.

I really did enjoy this far more than I expected to. I do hope that this is the start of a new series.

James Patterson brings the cool factor to detective tales in his latest book, where he introduces us to the dynamic trio of Holmes, Marple. and Poe Yep, just like the classics, but with a twist that'll keep you hooked.

These three characters team up to start a detective agency, and their first case—a big-deal murder—puts them smack in the spotlight. And guess what? The fame train doesn't stop there. The trio finds themselves knee-deep in all sorts of wild cases, from a kidnapping to an art heist and a missing young girl.

Patterson's storytelling is like a well-mixed cocktail—smooth and perfectly balanced. He keeps you guessing while making you laugh with the quirky antics of Holmes, Marple and Poe. The book is like a puzzle where all the pieces fit together, and you can't help but root for this trio as they tackle each mystery.

The real charm here is in the friendship and banter between Holmes, Marple and Poe. Patterson effortlessly handles the mix of characters, making sure you're always intrigued and entertained.

If you're into mysteries that don't take themselves too seriously, then this one is a must-read. It's a fun and clever ride that'll have you guessing and grinning from start to finish.

In "Holmes, Margaret and Poe," James Patterson crafts a pulse-pounding mystery thriller that takes readers on a roller-coaster ride through the dark and enigmatic corners of New York City. The titular trio, Brendan Holmes, Margaret Marple, and Auguste Poe, form an unbeatable team at the helm of the city's most sought-after private investigation agency.

Patterson's storytelling prowess shines as he weaves a web of seemingly unsolvable crimes, each unveiling a layer of the city's underbelly. From a daring art theft to a high-stakes kidnapping, a decades-old unsolved murder, a chilling subterranean prison, and corruption at the highest echelons of power, the detectives face challenges that keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

The chemistry between Holmes, Margaret, and Poe is palpable, and their individual quirks and strengths complement each other perfectly. Patterson succeeds in creating characters with depth, mysterious pasts, and unconventional methods that add intrigue to the narrative. The dynamic between the detectives is as engaging as the cases they tackle, making the reader invested in both the plot and the protagonists.

The pacing is relentless, with twists and turns that keep the suspense alive. Patterson skilfully escalates the stakes, ensuring that the reader remains hooked from the first page to the last. The blend of action, suspense, and clever investigative work is well-balanced, creating a narrative that is both thrilling and thought-provoking.

As the detectives make headlines with their breakthroughs, the story takes an intriguing turn with the attention of the NYPD and the FBI. The question of the detectives' true identities adds an extra layer of mystery, inviting readers to speculate on the enigmatic pasts of Holmes, Margaret, and Poe. The novel cleverly navigates the line between revealing enough to satisfy curiosity and withholding information to maintain suspense.

While the story is a gripping page-turner, some elements may feel familiar to fans of the mystery thriller genre. However, Patterson injects enough originality and twists to keep the narrative fresh and engaging.

In "Holmes, Margaret and Poe," James Patterson delivers a riveting mystery filled with suspense, action, and a trio of compelling protagonists. If you're a fan of fast-paced thrillers with charismatic detectives and a plot that keeps you guessing until the end, this book is a must-read. Patterson's storytelling mastery ensures that "Holmes, Margaret and Poe" stands out as an enthralling addition to the genre.

Three PIs with secretive pasts set up shop in New York and proceed to solve cases in a similar vein as their famous namesakes.

This wasn’t as I expected, a bit too silly and trite rather than the detective story I thought it would be, and at first thought it would be a DNF. However, I did persevere and it passed away a rainy afternoon.

More a collection of cases rather than one main event, though an unsolved murder from over 60 years ago was the background running theme.

Needless to say all the crimes and mysteries were solved, and the dastardly culprits caught and brought to justice. The secretive backgrounds of the PIs stayed that way, no doubt enticing the reader to the next instalment, as I’m sure this is only the start of a new series by Patterson. Not entirely sure I would read another book with these characters, as this one was just ok.

2.5*

Thank you NetGalley.

With a title like this, “Holmes, Margaret and Poe” was definitely a book I had to read. Only a brief introduction to the eponymous characters was necessary, because the three of them are very much as would be expected by a reader who is even the slightest bit aware of the original detectives and author.

The plot involves a number of mysteries, and introduces individuals from the police force and local government who will most likely feature in what I hope will be future books in a series. I was slightly flummoxed by the detectives’ first case, and I’m pleased that didn’t deter me from continuing with this entertaining novel. Four and a half stars, rounded up to five.

A story about three Private Investigators investigating crimes in NYC. They relish the challenge and thrill of an unsolved mystery, much like their literary counterparts. I liked Marple the best, but all 3 are likeable and witty. They all seem to have lived very interesting lives before becoming PIs and I can't wait to hear more about it.

The book deals with 5 mysteries (sort of), which you would think is too much, but thanks to James Patterson and Brian Witts expert storytelling, they all remain engaging and gripping.

I devoured the book in less than a day! It's a fast-paced and engaging read with (hopefully) plenty more stories to come.

I was certainly intrigued as to how this book would pan out. Three famous UK detectives given American accents (hmm- even when us Brits go to the US we don't suddenly lose all our vocabulary, mannerisms and inherent Britishness). That bit felt very false and very gimmicky. the improbability of the plots didn't help matters.
Entertaining enough and I have read more than one James Patterson so I suppose that says something. Great poolside book on holiday. Would probably make a very good film but I'm not sure I could bear Holmes, Marple or Poe saying- hi y'all- that would be a step too far

Why isn't this book called "Holmes, Marple and Poe"? (Actually, Marple, Holmes and Poe flows better, to my mind) That irritation aside, I enjoyed this book. The story is the usual breathless caper that James Patterson is known for, but it is entertaining, with some good storylines. I probably wouldn't read another in the series, but a lot of people will love it.

Totally enthralling. Very creative

This was a gripping, fast-paced action mystery thriller novel. There was so much going on right from the outset, I was hooked. So many cases that they were all involved working on, recent & historical. It was packed full. You need to pay close attention to keep track of all the ins & outs. The cases are all cleverly interwoven & made for a very intriguing & interesting read. Holmes, Marple & Poe have their own secrets too. The characters give us plenty of humour to lighten the mood from time to time.
I would love to read a sequel to this book. Highly recommend. Great depth

Give me a mystery written by Patterson and we have a recipe for success! I love Patterson’s storytelling as he has a way of keeping you in the seats! I really enjoyed the writing and the characters

James Patterson does it again. Great story telling and totally addictive. Once started be prepared to keep on reading until the end with nothing else getting done. Perfect way to spend a rainy winters day.

A trusted author with what I assume is a new series and three PIs with names like Holmes, Marple and Poe you know there has to be some backstory and whilst that is not completely filled in by the end of the book it is certainly intriguing. There was a lot going on for the cases these three picked up and their own storylines but it never felt like it was overwhelming or too much so that you couldnt keep track. It was certainly a different approach to what I am used to from Patterson and was more humourous, tongue in cheek, which lightened such heavy topics.
This is a series that has potential to be great and the first book was a fascinating, albeit slightly bumpy introduction, in that it felt like it just needed to find it's groove, to settle down.

I recevied this book as an ARC and I have provided and honest review.

An enjoyable read but could have been better. I assume this is a scene setter for a new series. The three private investigators named after fictional characters are suitably quirky and enigmatic. The three plots rattled on at such a pace that it was difficult to keep up with each separate one - stolen artworks, kidnap and corruption. Despite the PIs' non-existing background the police seemed surprisingly happy to let them into their cases. This has the potential to be a fun series so I look forward to the next one.

A missing young attorney, a kidnapping, the theft of a ‘First Folio’ and a Gutenberg Bible, a pit full of dismembered bodies. Connected or not? “Or not” looks like the answer, if we are thinking of the crimes, but connected is corrected if we think of the detectives, for these are the first four cases for the new Private Investigation agency of Holmes, Marple and Poe. The three detectives are enigmas, in that they have these iconic names but no back story, no evidence of their previous lives. Nevertheless, they are legally accredited as PIs and their first case – the missing attorney – is linked to the Mayor’s office in New York, and is in association with the local police. To provide, here, a potted introduction to each of the cases would be very difficult to do without spoilers, so I won’t do that. Nor will I say anything about the cold case murder that happened in the building where there offices are now located, nor anything about the young Texan model who has just arrived in town.
If you wanted to write a series of short stories with common protagonists, convention would be to write each case as a separate tale, with background continuity built in as required. Here the authors have chosen instead to write a continuous tale with aspects of the various stories appearing as appropriate. This gives a nice flow to the narrative. Also working in the creation of a fast pace is the general structure of the book, with lots of short chapters, and the general feel of being ‘tongue-in-cheek’. In some ways the crimes are incidental because the main object here is to discover the characters of Holmes, Marple and Poe. It is clear that these are aliases adopted by three highly experienced investigators who, for whatever reason, have completely concealed their pasts. A few incidents illustrate what might have gone before but their histories remain cryptic. There is some attempt to link their personal attributes to their names, for example Holmes has a drug habit, as does his fictional nominative precursor. If there are subsequent books, and this does look like it is set up for sequels, I suspect we will see a range of further links. As a light, even cosy, crime story it is a very enjoyable, easy read, which will not strain your deductive skills.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.

James Patterson is an experienced writer and knows how to write an engaging, page-turning detective story.
That said, this was not exactly page-turning for me.
A detective agency is established in the modern day by three detectives: Brendan Holmes, Auguste Poe and Margaret Marple.. There are lots of comments made by other characters throughout the book. Each of main trio shares at least one trait with their namesake.

I felt the story as a whole and the cases within were fragmented and difficult to become absorbed in. Each time I was invested in a storyline, it would shift very quickly to another or another again. The character names felt a bit gimmicky but that doesn't mean it couldn't have worked and did work in places.

This may be a bumpy first book in a series and could well settle down into another of his very successful series. In fact, I'm sure it will.

Another group of characters from the master James Patterson, A real page turner with the 3 PI's who are themselves a mystery, are they their real names, and what's their background. The fast paced story has them solving a series of crimes via some unusual and at times secretive methods, but always with a positive result.
I see these three as another arm to the James Patterson portfolio, and would hope to read much more of Holmes, Margaret and Poe.