Delightful reading for the not too squeamish

This is at least the 11th time James Patterson has teamed up with Michael Ledwidge – notably on the Michael Bennett series, of which this is one – and the two have obviously developed a comfortable writing style which allows the reader to concentrate on the storyline.

Patterson has more than 70 books under his belt, including the multi-filmed Alex Cross collection and the Women’s Murder Club. His credentials as a writer are impeccable.

Ledwidge allows his Irish heritage to shine through in his knack of telling a story well.

Together they are dynamite.

In Gone, when crime lord Manuel Perrine declares war on America, former detective Michael Bennett is called out of the forced witness protection into which he, his 10 adopted children, their nanny and his grandfather have been forced.

Bennett is the only US lawman to have put Perrine behind bars. Now Perrine is out, and he has sworn to find and kill him and everyone dear to him.

Perrine has begun a growing series of assassinations across the country. He must be stopped before he totally discredits the viability of America’ safety and law enforcement. Urbane and charismatic, Perrine, in his trademark white suit, is a vicious killer who delights in torturing his victims while he gets his hands bloody.

Helping him at long distance a team of psychotics led by a woman who was once his lover and will do anything it takes to prove she should be again.

It’s a delightful read for the not too squeamish. In the end you get to where you expect to be but the journey is the thing.