The Red Book

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Pub Date 1 Apr 2021 | Archive Date 31 Mar 2021

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Description

The highly-anticipated sequel to Sunday Times bestseller The Black Book
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Detective Billy Harney exposes an evil lurking deep within his city - but it also brings his own past demons to light...

To Billy Harney, the newest member of Chicago PD's elite strike force, getting shot in the head, stalked by a state's attorney, and accused of murder by his fellow cops is all part of breaking a case.

So, when a drive-by shooting on the Chicago's West Side turns political, he doesn't shy away from leading the investigation.

As the easy answers prove to be the wrong ones, Harney's quest to expose the evil that's rotting the city from the inside out takes him to the one place he vowed never to return to: his own troubled past.
___________________________

INCLUDES AN EXTRACT FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DAUGHTER, BY BILL CLINTON AND JAMES PATTERSON - AVAILABLE NOW TO PRE-ORDER
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Readers think The Red Book is one of James Patterson's best ever thrillers:


'The book was full of twists and turns, exciting to read, and just highly enjoyable.'
'One of the best books by James Patterson that I have read, and I've read them all.'
'Devoured this one. It was great. I actually gasped out loud in a few places.'
'It kept me on the edge of my seat. I didn't actually want this one to end.'
'A great thriller with lots of twists and turns. I couldn't put it down!'
'This is a very well-written thriller, with a clever plot and multiple characters. Guarantee you won't want to put this down once you start reading.'
'The perfect police detective novel.'
'Another read by James Patterson which had me gripped and desperate to know what happens next! Brilliant.'
'The Red Book is everything you expect from a James Patterson book: fast-paced, gripping, twists and turns at every corner.'
'A definite page-turner which I guarantee you won't want to put down, another gem from Patterson.'
'I genuinely don't understand how one author with so many books under his "pen" can still manage to deliver such high quality and inventiveness!'
'A page-turner with a twisty plot and great characters.'
'I was hooked - can't give it anything but five stars. I'm just disappointed it's now finished.'
'The storyline was fabulous and I loved the characters. So many twists and turns.'
'Fans will love it, and if you're not yet a fan then you will be after reading.'
'Absolutely love a James Patterson book and this one certainly didn't disappoint. Highly addictive read I'd recommend to anyone.'
'Love all the twists and turns.'
'Brilliantly intense.'
'To say this book is intense is an understatement. It is one of the most enjoyable reads I have had in a long time.'
'What a read!'
'Unputdownable.'
'Fantastic read. I have been completely unable to put this one down.'

The highly-anticipated sequel to Sunday Times bestseller The Black Book
___________________________

Detective Billy Harney exposes an evil lurking deep within his city - but it also brings his own past...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781529125375
PRICE £20.00 (GBP)
PAGES 400

Average rating from 107 members


Featured Reviews

What a read!
Sequel to the Black Book, and Det Billy Harney is back at work and placed in a new high profile team.
Is Billy placed there to fail?
Great book where Billy has to work out who to trust and also can he trust his own mind, following his head injury and past case.
Unputdownable.

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Fantastic read. I have been completely unable to put this one down. I cannot wait to read more by this author.
Full review to follow on publication.

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Just finished this addictive thriller by @jamespattersonbooks 👮🏻‍♂️
Thanks to @netgalley for giving me the opportunity to review this 📚

This is the second book in a new series (the black book is the first)

It’s full of twists & turns & you end up not knowing who to believe or trust 😱

A brilliant new outing for Detective Billy Harney 👮🏻‍♂️

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Another Page Turner From James Patterson 🤓

The sequel to The Black Book, I've not read the first book in this series but in no way did it affect my reading of the story. Any information that follows on, is covered.

The Red Book is told over three parts, part one: Detective Billy Harney returning to duty, after leave, given a new unexpected work position. Sent with his new partner, who due to his prior reputation doesn't wish to work with Billy. Their first case together to an apparent drive by shooting, which is not all what it first seems.

Part two, takes Billy back to memories from four years ago after the death of his wife and daughter, to the present. Desperately working his ongoing case and seeking more knowledge of how his wife died. Part three, again looking back to around the time Billy's wife died and endeavoring to find out what actually happened at this time, to the present.

Great read, the more you learn, the more you want to keep reading. Another page turner from James Patterson.

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Having read the previous book (The Black Book) by the same authors I was looking forward to this sequel. ONe of the things to consider when reading this book is that you don't have to have read the previous one, it just fills out some of the back story for you.

Summary: A drive-by shooting in a drug dealing neighbourhood open up a whole slew of problems for the newly promoted Billy Harney, who is back to work following a bullet to the head previously.

The authors on this throw a lot of twists and turns in this story that you don't always see where it is going next, and it is not necessarily relating to the main story. The characters introduced all have alternative motives for doing anything that could help or hinder the investigation and this makes the story very interesting.

If you like American police thrillers, you will enjoy this, especially the deceptions involved.

Would highly recommend.

I was provided a free ARC in return for a honest review.

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Coming back to the police force a hero but under a cloud. Partnered with another cop with a bad reputation. Life is not going to be easy. Reliving the death of his daughter and suicide of his wife adds more burdens. But all is not as it seems. Unpicking the lies, cover ups and downright manipulation from even inside his own family.
Keeps your turning the pages in a compulsive manner.

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Brilliantly intense.

Billy Harney, the broken detective, is partnered with a woman tainted by a harassment scandal. His first assignment after rehab for a family tragedy is a drive by shooting that spirals outward into a tense and moving drama.

To say this book is intense is an understatement. It is one of the most enjoyable reads I have had in a long time.

More a thriller than a procedural, this book is, in my view, on par with Michael Connelly at his finest.

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I am a big fan of James Patterson and his books and this was no different. I read the first one in the series and this was just as good. Love all the twists and turns that always come along

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I always enjoy James Patterson’s books, he tells such a good story. I haven’t read the preceding novel, but that didn’t matter. It is a high octane, well crafted novel with many hooks and side alleys. The troubled main detective has had a difficult past, which is not helped by his new partner who has a previous harassment charge against her and they get off to a poor start. However, nothing is as it seems and it is an exciting charge to the conclusion. Once all the characters are in place it becomes hard to put down and I enjoyed every minute of it. Definitely recommended. Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review..

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I hadn’t read the first book in this series, and although this is a stand-alone read, the background to why Billy Harney is such a damaged soul would be more understandable. Having lost both his 4 year old daughter and his wife at the same time, it’s something that would almost unbalance any sane person. Billy also brought down his own father who was a crooked cop. All this adds to why Billy is as he is.
This as usual is a fast paced action thriller. And people are not what they seem. There are lots of side stories, that inter link through the main story, with sex trafficking and drugs to name but two. A well written, and researched story that is easy to read with a satisfying ending as always.

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

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It’s a long time since I read a James Patterson book so I was looking forward to this one and wasn’t disappointed. I really like Detective Billy Harney, who has been on ‘paid administrative leave’ since he took down some corrupt police officers, and managed to get himself shot in the head in the process. To some of his colleagues he is a hero, to others he is a villain. On his return to work he is moved to a new department - Special Operations Section - and given a new partner, Carla Griffin, who has a bad reputation within the force. Of course, they both have interesting back stories which are revealed throughout the book. As they investigate a drive-by shooting where three people and a child are killed, Harney realises there is more to this than meets the eye. No need to tell the story here, it’s enough to know that it’s a great American police thriller with the usual good cops, bad cops, and enough twists and turns to keep you turning the pages. I really enjoyed the way Harney and Griffin’s relationship developed, and would read another book with them in it. A good read!

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Absolutely love a James Patterson book & this one certainly didn’t disappoint. Highly addictive read I’d recommend to anyone.

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I gave up on James Patterson books a few years ago, finding them a bit 'quick and slick' with the short chapters and pared down writing. The Red Book, written with the collaboration of David Ellis, was a pleasurable surprise and has re-affirmed me as a fan of Patterson. Although the main character, Detective Billy Harney, has the conventional troubled past, it doesn't dominate the story but is interwoven skilfully and completely believably. His sidekick has her own secrets and the twisty reveal is excellently done. I had not realised that this was the second in the series but will now search out its predecessor, The Black Book. Highly recommended.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Brilliant book from page one totally absorbed fast loving moving plenty of twists and turns, gritty right through to the conclusion

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Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book.
A usual from James Patterson, entertaining with a good plot and characters but a quick read.
Enjoyable and would recommend.

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You know that any book that James Patterson has been involved with will be fast paced and unputdownable. This book is no exception. although it is the second in a series it makes no difference, A gritty police novel dealing with drug gangs and prostitute rings in Chicago.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for the advance copy of this book.

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I have not read The Black Book and so feel I may have missed out a bit on some of the backstories of the characters (something I intend to remedy buy buying it!) but actually this book does work as a standalone as well as enough detail is given to allow you to keep up with the past. The main plot twist is very cleverly revealed with the focus of the investigation immediately shifting and yet more horrors revealed.
A great read and I look forward to going backward to The Black Book to meet Billy properly!

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I want to thank @netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book I am an ardent @jamespatterson fan and have read a huge number of his books
I have not however read the previous book to this one called The BlacK Book but I think you learn everything you need from this book
The story revolves around Detective Billy Harney who has just returned to the force and been put in charge of a new unit SOS he has also been partnered with a female detective who has a less than reputable past
There first day there is a shoot out involving a drug cartel but an innocent young child is killed so there is much pressure on them to solve it in record time

But have they got the right people? Billy is troubled that there is another girl who has been killed in shooting she has no name no identification no one knows her?... why? Billy sets out to find out if the small tattoo on her ankle means anything

Billy is about to enter a whole world of memories of his dead wife, his dead child, his corrupt father will he solve this crime?

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James Patterson never disappoints with his stories. This keeps you gripped from start to finish and is great in every way.

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Wow! A twisty, fast-paced, exciting thriller! 5 stars!
This is the follow up book to "The Black Book" and although I have not read this I found that this story gave enough background information that I wasn't lost or confused.
I have read a few of James Patterson's books but this is the first one I have read in a while and I was very impressed. I was addicted to this story from the start and couldn't wait to find out what happened!
The storyline was fabulous and I loved the characters. So many twists and turns and everything was tied up at the end. The only question I had by the end of the story was, "Will there be a third book?!"
Thank you to James Patterson, NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for the opportunity to read and review this book.

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I love James Patterson and have read a few of his books so I knew I wouldn't be disappointed.

I enjoyed reading this from start to end and it kept me interested with it's twists and turns.
I was hooked can't give it anything but five stars. I'm just disappointed it's now finished.

Fantastic.

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Exactly what you want when you pick up a James Patterson book.

Twisty and fast paced, it doesn’t reinvent the thriller but why would you when you do it so well?

Everything tied up neatly at the end, thoroughly enjoyed.

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A page turner with a twisty plot and great characters.

Detective Billy Harney returned to work in the special operations section after being shot in his last case when he brought down corrupt police officers, he is partnered with Carla who definitively does not want to work with him.
Their first case is a drive by shooting which included a child, Billy thinks it`s not a gang war shooting but maybe child abduction and prostitution due to the child having a tattoo.

Billy and Carla both have a troubled past which is revealed throughout the book especially the death of Billy`s wife who was told recently she did not kill herself but was killed.

A great storyline with lots of twists that I couldn`t put down and loved Billy.
Had read lots of James Patterson years ago but got a bit bored of the stories but will definitively read more especially by David Ellis.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review

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Another mind bender from Patterson! A fallen from grace cop moonlighting as a stand up comedian gets entangled in a web of lies, corruption and gang war. An unusual, funny and gripping read which makes you hold your breath right until the last page. I genuinely don’t understand how one author with so many books under his “pen” can still manage to deliver such high quality and inventivity!!!

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Book Two in the Black Book Series. The Red Book is everything you expect from a James Patterson Book, fast paced, gripping, twists and turns at every corner.
Nothing ever goes smoothly for the main character Detective Billy Harney, who at the beginning of the book is surprisingly assigned to the Special Operations Section (SOS).
A drive by shooting, possibly gang related results in the shooting of a young child, Harney and his new partner Carla Griffin are on the case. Their investigations lead them through a mix of crimes that include gang warfare, sex trafficking and corruption!!
A definite page turner which I guarantee you won’t want to put down, another gem from Patterson
A 5 Star rating from me and I would recommend to anyone who likes a good old American crime novel.
Thank you @Netgalley and Random House UK for the advanced copy

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Another read by James Patterson which had me gripped and desperate to know what happens next! Brilliant. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me review this book.

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When Detective Billy Harney returns back to work after being shot in the head an arrested for a murder he didn't commit by a fellow officer he knew that it wouldn't be a walk in the park. What he didn't expect was to be given a position in the new elite tasks task force SOS.
Not even a day in the job and Billy is given the job of finding out who murdered a rival gang member on his doorstep and three other victims including a young toddler.
Patterson and Ellis have a great understanding to make the perfect police Detective novel.

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This is a very well written thriller, with a clever plot and multiple characters. I like Billy, the lead detective and his new partner Carla. It's a follow up from The Black Book, which I haven't read but it is easily read as a stand alone. Billy is back at work and immediately gets involved in a drive by shooting. The plot centres around drugs, gangsters, sex trafficking and organised crime, with police corruption thrown in. I liked the Chicago setting and the fast pace, although it starts a bit slow. I would recommend the read and guarantee you won't want to put this down once you start reading. A good 5* thriller. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

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I love James Patterson books and this didn't disappoint. A great storyline with good characters and a plot that you couldn't predict which is always a good sign!
Detective Billy Harney returns to the force after being shot in the head and he wonders if he is going to be set up by his boss as he previously exposed corruption in the force. However he finds himself assigned to a new task force, still with the same boss, but with a new partner, Carla. We discover that Billy's wife committed suicide and he is still trying to live with this.
A drive by shooting in a dodgy area is easily solved - but is it as simple as it seems?

A great thriller with lots of twists and turns. I couldn't put it down!

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Oh James Patterson has done it again. He is an author that I can always rely on for an addictive and fantastic read and The Red Book was exactly that. The long awaited follow up to The Black Book, it was great to have Billy Harney back. You don 't need to have read the first book but it will help understand the characters and why they do some of the things they do.

After the explosive events of Black Book, including being shot in the head, Billy returns to work in the SOS team for Chicago PD. He has a new partner, a woman who is not quite what she seems and he is trying to put his life back together. Called to the scene of a drive-by shooting that gives even the killers more than they bargained for. As Billy and the team get to work investigating they discover that the shooting is just the tip of the iceberg.

As always there is alot of tangents and characters but it never gets confusing or hard to follow. I enjoyed every minute of it and highly recommend it.

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A return to James Patterson after some while. I’ve read a fair few. I’m now wondering why I’ve ever been away.
Devoured this one. It was great. I actually gasped out loud in a few places which doesn’t happen often.
Full of whys, whats, who’s etc. It kept me on the edge of my seat. I didn’t actually want this one to end.
Right, what James Patterson is next....?

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The Chicago Police force set up a new elite force, Bill Harney joins this group of men. He is made lead investigator on a drive past shooting on Chicago’s West Side. Things start to turn nasty, wonderful plot that keeps changing direction. One of the best books by James Patterson that I have read, and I’ve read them all to date.

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This book was quite good. I was an avid fan of James Patterson for years but his collaborations with other authors don’t really thrill me. But saying that this book was good fun and I did read it quickly which is a sign I must of enjoyed it.

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When I read the first couple of chapters, I'll be very honest I was all prepared to be bored, I thought it was going to be a bog-standard police detective injured and going back to work etc, a story we have all read before. How wrong was I!!

Detective Billy Harney is back to work after so many traumas, including being shot in the head, losing his daughter, and his wife killing herself, he thought he would be given a desk job and kept out of the way after uncovering police corruption and even helping to send his own father to prison, instead, he is sent to Special Operations Section, with a new partner, who seems to have her own history and issues.

Their first case is a drive-by shooting, which includes the death of a child, but Billy seems to find a link with a case his wife was working on, all will be revealed!!

The book was full of twists and turns, exciting to read, and just highly enjoyable.

I hadn't read the first book in the series but this did not detract at all from the story, there is enough 'back-fill so you know what has/is going on

Totally recommended. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for letting me read the book in exchange of an honest review.

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Wow read in a day so well written action packed a gripping read love the characters I felt I was there with them just so easy to reD jars is one of my favourite Arthur I love his way of writting so good

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The Red Book is a multilayered thriller that takes us into the murky world of gangs, drugs, organised crime and sex trafficking. Clever characterisation with Billy as the lead, he has a good depth and colour. Carla is another good character even though it takes a while to learn who she really is. A page turner with twist and violence. It won’t be for everyone but it’s definitely an entertaining read from James Patterson.

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My first book, that I have read by this author, absolutely brilliant! Highly recommended, and I will definitely read others written by this author!

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Second in the series but gives enough information that you know what is happening without having read the first.

Great read - and the audio is even better! Lots of plot twists, just as you think you know who someone is it turns out they are on the other side. very clever.

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I hadn’t read the first one in this series but it didn’t matter. This was an excellent book, fast paced and an easy read, I’m looking forward to the next one.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read this book in exchange for a review. I will be putting this on Amazon too.

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What a great read!

Another fantastic book by James Patterson, fast paced from the get go, had me completely hooked from the first couple of pages. Corruption in the Chicago police force, sex trafficking, drugs, addiction, blackmail, you name it, this book has it all and brilliantly portrayed.

Billy Harney is a fantastic character, tormented by the death of his wife, teamed up with a new partner, who is also a brilliant character, addicted to drugs after going deep, deep, deep undercover and now paying the price.

Highly recommend this one!

My thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced copy in return for an honest review

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I love James Patterson's books and this one did not disappoint. A fast paced gripping read that I did not want to put down. A brilliant plot with interesting characters.

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A classic James Patterson that keeps you turning the page. Billy Harney has returned to duty and has been assigned to the new SOS department in the Chicago police. His first case is high profile when a young girl is killed in what seems to be a drug gang related drive by shooting but as Billy investigates things are not what they seem & it brings back memories Billy would rather forget. He has to battle his demons while not knowing who he can fully trust. Can he get to the truth & survive the journey? Great read with the usual final twist that I certainly didn’t see coming.

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I thoroughly enjoyed The Black Book and was looking forward to reading this novel . It certainly didn't disappoint
As usual this author always delivers. With a clever plot, twists and turns, this is a real page turner.
I cannot recommend this book enough

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Now everyone has a couple of go to authors, ones they know without a doubt will knock the ball out if the park every single time without doubt! James Patterson is mine and once again he hasn't let me down.

The Red Book is the sequel to The Black Book. A story of gang violence, corruption within the police department and a Detective who follows his own rules.

As any JP fan comes to expect it's full if action, fast paced without a dull second, gritty and full of subtle twists that leave you stuck to your seat turning pages swiftly.

Told over three parts we see Detective Bill Harney return to work in the Soecial Operations Section of the Chicago PD after being shot in the head (The Black Book) but in the new High Profile Unit, looking like he's been set up to fail... or has he?

A new partner, a new unit, a new case... the story will unfold with twists and turns at every corner.

Huge thank you to netgalley and Random House UK for the ARC.

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