Tongue in cheek, this seems to be a different approach from James Patterson and Brian Sitts. Still short snappy chapters but a different style. The characters arrive with no background. Just three P.I’s named after two fictional names and an Author, where money seems no object. They buy an abandoned bakery and refurbish it in luxury style and start solving crimes brilliantly with and without help from the police. A fast moving plot (you just need to keep up!} means that it is an entertaining read which is hard to pot down. A start of a series where we learn more about the enigmatic trio? I would read it!

Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review

A little over the top, but very entertaining
The book starts off brilliantly and would be a great start to a film. The extraordinary trio of investigators with endless resources is extremely likeable, but also enigmatic. Each of the three private detectives has very special characteristics and skills and they complement each other perfectly. I really liked the characters, even if they aren't really realistic, they are still very entertaining. The plot is spread across many very different cases, all of which are solved satisfactorily. Nevertheless, these changes sometimes make it a bit confusing. The plot is fast-paced and lively and reads a bit like a classic spy thriller. I enjoyed this series opener and would like to read more with this trio of detectives. Good four stars and trending upwards!

Presumably giving the three private detectives the same surnames as famous fictional detectives is meant to be funny but it is a distraction from the storyline. Against the wishes of NYPD they get involved in a range of different crimes which is actually quite confusing in the book. Then it emerges that each has a past they are trying to hide thus the pseudonyms. They also have other personal issues which are a further distraction. This is a trivial story, not up to Patterson’s own standards. I read it but can’t say I enjoyed it.

Hmm. This is the second Jsmes Patterson book I've read in the last few weeks, and have to comment on how different the style of this one was. The story and writing remind me of an American Richard Osman: entertaining, lightweight Sunday night drama. I enjoyed the book enough, but felt it s little formulaic, perhaps knowingly Having said that, I can see a sequel being written, and perhaps emmen a show based on it.

JAMES PATTERSON – HOLMES, MARPLE AND POE ***

Short sentences, short paragraphs, short chapters. Those are the hallmarks of a Patterson story. And that while he devises them, most are written by a member of his team.

There’s nothing wrong with the story. Kidnappings, missing antiques, plenty of dead bodies. Enough to keep you amused. The writing is basic, but it rattles along. Characteristics from the original sleuths are regurgitated for their modern-day counterparts – Holmes an addict, for example.

But right from the title (really? I thought), it all feels contrived, which the author obviously knows. The number of characters who do double-takes when they hear the name of the agency doesn’t make it right or comical. Having read several Patterson novels, which I have enjoyed, I feel this would have been more believable with fresh modern characters, keeping the same plot.

It will be successful, as all his books are, but I wouldn’t bother to read another in the series. Give him his due. According to legend he devises/writes 30 books at a time even in his 70s. An amazing man.

The fact that James Patterson is one of the authors, and the title intrigued me were the main reasons for requesting this book. I’ve also recently read Alex Cross Must Die, so had great hopes for this book. Whilst it was a nice, light, easy read, it didnt have the impact that I was expecting from a book by this author. The 3 main characters were ok, but felt a bit lacking, possibly in their backgrounds, but this also is presumably why we will read the next in this series. Nothing wrong with the story, it just didn’t feel as polished or in his usual style. That said, I would still recommend it, and will look out for its follow up.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thanks to netgalley and publishers for arc
Wow, I didn’t think I would enjoy new characters in a James Patterson book so much but I fell in love with these straight away! They made me laugh out loud so many times and make you wonder where they come from too? This novel as is usual with James Patterson follows more than one story at a time so stay on your toes but as long as you do I guarantee you won’t like me be be able to put it down. I read it all in one sitting as couldn’t put it down again like most JP books
A fantastic book can’t wait for the next one

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this eARC.

I have in the past read many books by James Patterson and thought this would be a book I'd like.

I did enjoy this book, although it didn't wow me or have me desperate to know more. It is written well, flows easily and has a good plotline. I quite liked the three main characters who have set up their own Private Investigation Agency and assist the police with their investigations. For me, the pacing is a bit too slow for my liking at times and because of this I feel the story drags a little and I found myself skimming pages. I liked the short chapters that really suited the story. I enjoyed following Holmes, Marple and Poe in their investigations and hope to find out more about them and their histories in the next book. Overall an enjoyable and good, easy read that I'd recommend.

3.5 stars ⭐⭐⭐

Yet another brilliant read from James Patterson. He has taken 3 classic characters from historical crime fiction and brought them to life in the middle of New York. Easy to read and well recommended.

I was drawn to this for both the title and the Author.
It’s a great concept a curious new detective agency in New York named Holmes’s, Poe and Marple. They have similarities to their namesakes and work as a team to solve mysteries. I hope that this will become a series and can see that it would be a great TV adaptation.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review

An interesting modern twist on these sleuths from yester-year. Whilst they may share the same name and certain traits, they are certainly of the modern era. The cases that seem to land in their lap are extraordinary as is their ability solve them, much to the displeasure of the police. It's a fun read and not very serious, whether it's a new string to Patterson's bow, I don't know but I think not.

A new detective agency moves into an old brick bakery in a dingy part of town and immediately the three investigators make headlines. Their first case involves a missing legal assistant and it is swiftly followed by an art theft, a hostage taking and some gruesome body finds that point to a serial killer, to say nothing of the murder of a worker that took place in the bakery many years before.
Most novels would focus on just one of the crimes, but this book moves rapidly through the cases, the collective minds of the three investigators - Poe, Marple and Homes - juggling the different situations of each and sifting through the evidence at lightning speed, solving the cases with apparent ease.
There is more than a passing nod to the original characters with these names and many references original books but this is no cosy crime novel. The crimes outlined here involve the richest and the poorest of New York city and don't shirk on the details.
It was a fast-paced and lively read and I enjoyed the humour. It was hard to get to know the characters who are shown with a light touch and swathed in mystery, and this is perhaps the biggest riddle of the novel, opening the way to many sequels.
I would be happy to read further books in this series.
With thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for an arc copy in return for an honest review.

This is a bit different for James Patterson. Not quite what I expected but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Holmes,Marple and Poe is something a bit different from James Patterson,aided and abetted apparently on this occasion by Brian Sitts.

I nearly gave the book a miss on reading the title thinking, "are you kidding me" ,a sentiment repeated several times in the book by those initially hearing the names of the 3 protagonists, friends who run a private investigation service.

I'm very glad I didn't as this is great fun, more a series of short episodes than a story there are a lot of references to the enigmatic main character's namesakes and books they've appeared in or written.
The main characters themselves are a mystery with tantalising hints as to their background and real identities suggesting that this is the start of a series with much more to come.

I'm not sure that all James Patterson fans will enjoy this as it's far from his regular style .I loved it and read it one hit,which had not been my intention on picking it up. Very entertaining and I hope there's plenty of the mysterious trio's adventures to come.

The names of the private investigators intrigued me. This is a fast paced story with lots going on but I was disappointed that I couldn’t get close to the main characters as we are not told much about them. The different crimes seem more like a series of short stories than a novel. There is a handful of f-bombs that were not necessary.
I’m glad I read it but I think it could have been so much better.

“Holmes, Marple and Poe” is the first thriller in James Patterson’s and Brian Sitts’ new series about a team of private investigators in New York City.
Most people see the glamorous side of NYC, the Michelin-star restaurants, the trendy water-view bars, the iconic museums and the beautiful parks, but Brendan Holmes, Margaret Marple, and August Poe also see the dark side.
In a fast-moving plot, the three private investigators juggle several difficult cases at the same time. These include an art theft, a murder, a kidnapping and gruesome serial killers. After a shocking discovery in a field, the PIs find something utterly disturbing in the cellar of the suspected serial killer.
Can Holmes, Marple and Poe solve the cases as well as their famous counterparts?
The background of the private investigators is much more mysterious and complex than at first glance. While collaborating with the PIs, Detective Helene Grey of the NYPD is intent on finding out the details about the PIs’ past, snooping around to discover their secrets.
“Are you kidding me?”, is the most frequently heard reaction when the three PIs introduce themselves as Holmes, Marple and Poe.
The three PIs have their office located in a remodeled bakery, where they also live and have a private library containing all known works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie and Edgar Allan Poe.
In a plot packed with many twists and turns and several interesting cases, it is easy to stay glued to the page until the very end.
An absolute delight to read and completely unputdownable. I finished the book in one sitting.

Thanks to NetGalley, Random House UK, Cornerstone, Century and James Patterson and Brian Sitts for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A new private investigator firm has started working in New York. Holmes, Marple and Poe have the same surnames as three famous fictional detectives but their background is more of a mysterious. The three PIs are kept busy with several cases on the go - an art theft, a suspected kidnap and the discovery of a mass grave.

This is a new book, and potential new series, by James Patterson and Brian Sitts. An enjoyable read with the usual short, punchy chapters. Will be interesting to see whether this does become a series and how the characters develop.

Thanks to Netgalley, Random House, James Patterson and Brian Sitts for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

This book made me smile. The title intrigued me, the characters are real and amusing. A quick paced and fun book. Not the usual style but I really enjoyed it and hope it's the start of a new series.
Finding the body of a missing attorney starts the cases and the fun of the private investigations with the police trying to keep up.

Absolutely fantastic book introducing hopefully a potential new series from the fabulous James Patterson. (Hint hint Mr Patterson 😁)
Holme, Marple and Poe, 3 P.I’s explode from nowhere in this page turner of a book where we get to follow them taking on a number of cases whilst forging relationships within the Police.. LOVE LOVE LOVE them so please hurry up and release the next instalment 😀

It's been quite some time since I read a James Patterson novel (or one of his collaborations) but the description of this one interested me enough to request it. I think it's a well known process of Patterson's now- teaming with a second author he provides an idea/ concept and they write the detail, normally following his style (ultra short chapters/ twisty turny plots/ etc).
The publisher's description says Brendan Holmes, Margaret Marple and August Poe, are PIs who solve a series of seemingly impossible crimes ...from a priceless art theft, high-stakes kidnapping and a decades-old unsolved murder, to a gruesome subterranean prison and corruption and bribery at the highest levels of power.'...
Those - and a couple of other subplots (including a model new to the city) are, along with our introduction to the sleuthing trio, what make up this book.
There's also NYPD Detective Helene Grey: who's, Patterson's website tells us 'solo investigation into her three unknowable competitors rivals the best mysteries of Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle, Agatha Christie, and Edgar Allan Poe.'
And, lastly in the book description from the publisher, there's the stinger line: 'After all, it's no surprise that there's a mystery or two to unravel in the city that never sleeps . . . not least, who really are Holmes, Marple and Poe?'
This all sounded intriguing to me.
Unfortunately, it wasn't really reflected in the book I read.
I expected the various plots to come together some how - they don't: it's like a few short stories (at times reading like a synopsis rather than a novel) mashed together (and in the case of the model story: I don't know why it was there at all).
I looked forward to finding out more about the three PIs and why they chose their names (and why they chose two fictional characters and an author which is never touched upon). Apart from quoting from their source inspiration works occasionally with some of the best known lines in literature (and in one case having a similar 'habit') there was no explanation/ relation.
And the detective's solo investigation to rival those masters? Neither that, nor any real insight into why they chose their nom-de-plumes, developed their super skills, got their money, or embarked on their agency is touched upon: the detective's brilliant investigation into the mysterious trio is one phone call asking someone to look into them... (with a very limited result).
I get that this may be intended as the start of a series where we, the reader, are drip fed detail about the trio to slowly reveal more but for me I wanted a little more about them in the first outing. As it is, I didn't learn much about the central characters and I didn't care for them in what I was told.
Obviously, Patterson has millions of fans out there and this will, no doubt, be another best seller. So my disappointment in this book is probably just down to me: I remember devouring the first few Alex Cross books and, even with the 'collaboration' aspect of this I was hoping for a new series with the originality and clever plotting of those books. Unfortunately this one just did not work for me.
Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for the opportunity to read.