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Hello everyone! This is the first book club I have every joined and well, I am going to get broken in immediately by leading this group discussion.

I have yet to read this book but it was on the list that I wanted to read. Below is a link to James Patterson's website and his description of the book.



I just bought the book today and will start reading. I'm a little nervous to be leading this discussion and hope all of you can help me out. ;)

Started it today and so far so good. I usually love Patterson's books so I thought this would be a good one to go with. This is the first time I'm participating in the group read too. I already have the other one ready on my Kindle for when I finish this one. You'll do fine Jannene and I give you lots of credit for jumping in and leading the discussion.

I'm waiting for the book to arrive at my house from Amazon. I'm kind of skeptical about this book, but still interested. I read a few reviews on Amazon, and they described the book as a little lackluster. But, I don't know those people, and I'm hoping to form my own opinion about this book. James Patterson is a little wishywashy for me. I have adored some of his books, but some left a funny taste in my mouth so to say. I love the Women's Murder Club series. I just finished the first Michael Bennet book, and it left a lot to desired.

I didn't like the Michael Bennett series as much as I did the Women's Murder Club. In fact I love the Women's Murder Club series and am on the 6th book now.

The first book on the Michael Bennett series "Step on a Crack" I didn't like (rated it a 3) but gave the series another go. The 2nd book "Run for You Life" is really good (rated it a 5) and so is the 3rd one "Worst Case" (rated it a 5) but I didn't care for "Tick Tock" (gave that a 3).

I'm 17% in the book right now on this current book and find it pretty interesting. It is kind of creepy how the couple makes friends so quick. I've never been able to make friends that quick. ;)

I was excited to see this book for this months group read. I am on vacation and working on finishing The Confession by James Patterson (very good book) but will start this one when I get back home!!!

I'm going to start 5th Horseman soon. I'm rereading Run for Your Life (it was the first MB book I read).

Does this book have the annoying trait of chapters being only 2 or 3 pages long?

I will be skipping this read. I can't read Patterson anymore, haven't read his stuff since I found When The Wind Blows so godawful.

Laurin, I just finished the 5th Horseman and loved it. I loved the dual plots in it. The book does have really short chapters and the current book seems to keep with that trend.

Gatorman, you have me worried. I put that book on hold at the library and am waiting for my name to come up. Maybe I should just keep with what I know I like from him like the Women's Murder Club series.

Probably a good idea, Jannene. WTWB was one of the most poorly written books I have ever read. Truly embarrassing.

2 page chapters are ridiculous.

So are we going to have an order to this discussion? Is it going to be where we read a certain amount of pages, talk, then another set, etc?

Um, is that how it is usually done? I've never joined a book club let alone lead one. Do we typically set pages to read and then discuss them?

Hi Everyone, Up to now we have not have organized our group reads quite that closely. We normally have a more open format of discussion and use the spoiler feature in posts which reveal key plot events.

Ok, I just wanted to make sure. I tend to read quickly, so I wanted to make sure I could go at my own pace.

finished it today. It was a good book. It was fast read and I felt like it just kind of ended for me. A little unrealistic - an American cop that can just barge into an investigation in another country and be privy to all the details? He was the most likable character though and I would have like to have seen the other stuffed shirts get told off. I did enjoy it and would recommend it as a good read.

I'll see how I like the kindle sample. I got that the other day.

I have lots of James Patterson books here but I think I have only acutally read 1-2. Another 1-2 I thought were too bad to read.

So I'll see how this one goes before committing myself.

I should have will have it finished it this week. I usually read about 2-4 books a week.

Jan, read the Women's Murder Club series. The first book will have you completely hooked. It did for me. If you read the Michael Bennett series, I can totally understand why you didn't care for them.

Dottie, I'm 25% into the book and I feel the same way. No outside police department from another country would let him come in and basically run the investigation.

Jannene wrote: "I should have will have it finished it this week. I usually read about 2-4 books a week.

Jan, read the Women's Murder Club series. The first book will have you completely hooked. It did for me...."

I think I may have tried one of the WMC but just didn't care for the premise. Either that or it was one I devoured. He seems to me to be either hot or cold. Either I am crazy for the book or I can't stand it.

The WMC are ones that I loved. I did like his earlier ones, but then I kind of just drifted away from his works. I have kept up with the WMC ones though.

How are we doing on the book? I'm 40% of the way through it now and still find it interesting.

Jannene wrote: "Laurin, I just finished the 5th Horseman and loved it. I loved the dual plots in it. The book does have really short chapters and the current book seems to keep with that trend.

Gatorman, you ha..."

Jannene, I really like James Patterson, I read When the Wind Blows so long ago, but I do remember thinking, that I didn't enjoy this one as much. I think he patterned The Maximum Ride series after this one, if you don't like that series, then you may not like When the Wind Blows.

I have not started this book yet, but will be starting in a few days.

I'm 17% through, and I have yet to read anything about Italy except for a quick mention.

Laurin, They will mention the murder in Italy. Then go in more detail about a couple murders done there. I'm only 40% of the way through though.

I enjoyed this book. I was always second guessing what was going to happen next and failing at figuring out the outcome on my own. It was very creepy in certain spots and some of the deaths were a little horrid. I would give it a 4.5 overall. It had suspense and a little thrill.

I was also looking for it to take place in Italy, then I after I was done I went back and looked at the criteria and realilzed that this category isn't the one that takes place in Italy! The other one is! I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who was thinking both books were going to be in Italy. I did enjoy the book and it was already on my to read list so I'm glad it was chosen though.

Just as I figured from reading reviews on Amazon, this book is making me mad.

Dottie wrote: "I was also looking for it to take place in Italy, then I after I was done I went back and looked at the criteria and realilzed that this category isn't the one that takes place in Italy! The other..."

I think this is the one that was supposed to be taking place in Italy. I have the sample but haven't started it yet. I will try it. But it doesn't sound like very much of it even takes place there.

Jan C wrote: "Dottie wrote: "I was also looking for it to take place in Italy, then I after I was done I went back and looked at the criteria and realilzed that this category isn't the one that takes place in It..."

It doesn't, mentions a murder in Italy throughout the story but it doesn't take place there. It is mostly placed in Sweden.

I read this earlier and loved it. The whole feel of it is quite different from his other books due to the particular co-writer. I read an interview a while back where Patterson said he comes up with ideas and copious notes and plotting then turns it over to the co-writer to write with him having input on the editing which means each book is different depending on who the co-author is.

The murders take place in several different countries and involve multiple killers who place the victims into poses representing works of art in the local museums. This causes confusion to the American cop whose daughter was one of the victims and the Swedish officer (a female) he works with in Sweden as some overlap and they puzzle not only whodunit but also howdunit. There is one case also of incest between a brother and sister as "art".

I enjoyed this so much, I am going to blaze through it again since our group is reading it. I enjoyed it a lot. This was one of the grittiest James Patterson novels I have ever read (and I have read them all) due to the co-author writing this one. She is a bestselling Swedish mystery writer. I am delighted this book was chosen.

Like several of you, I do not like the James Patterson novels written with Michael Ledwidge about Michael Bennett. As I mentioned, Patterson comes up with the ideas and puts them into form and lets the co-writer run with it. Michael Ledwidge just doesn't do it for me.

Oops, I meant to write that the cop from New York in this book was working with a Swedish reporter, not officer. I'm rather sleepy right now.

Just finished Still Missing (which is very good, BTW) and as soon as MP3 is charged, will start listening to The Postcard Killers. The thing I like most about Patterson's books are that they are a fast read...not always a good one...but a fast one.

The release of the suspects frustrates me.

I just finished this book. It did not end how I thought it would, at all.

i have read it and not sure if i enjoyed it as much as his others

I just finished it. It was not my favorite Patterson book. Like others the ending surprised me.

I'm listening to this book because I am trying to finish some knitting projects. I'm about 75% through the story. I'm enjoying it, but not feeling like I want to rave about it.
I used to enjoy Patterson's books, but since he started churning out all these co-written books, I've stopped reading his books. It makes me feel like he's just mass producing formulaic books with other authors who will benefit from his fame. I think I've lost respect for him as a writer.
Do you folks think this is fair? The other way of thinking is that he is very cutting-edge to collaborate with other authors. I have tried to take that opinion, but I haven't been successful!
I do like Scandinavian crime writers like Mankell Henning and
Jo Nesbo. They do write more violent details which are often mixed with sex. It's definitely a big change and I see some of this influence in this book.

Carol wrote: "I'm listening to this book because I am trying to finish some knitting projects. I'm about 75% through the story. I'm enjoying it, but not feeling like I want to rave about it.
I used to enjoy Pa..."

I don't think it is fair that he co-writes these stories and yet he gets all the credit. However, I think if the co-writer had an issue with it; they would just stop writing with him.

**Spoiler**So, what do you think of the murders? Do they seem realistic or creative? I thought it was an interesting concept having them take after art pieces.

Did you doubt that the two suspects that were arrested didn't do the crimes? I know that I did and then started to come to the conclusion that they had help once the online site was introduced.

Who was your favorite character and why? I liked Dessie. She seemed to really have her head on her shoulders and came from a crime family which didn't hold her back. She had morals and I come to this conclusion from her not wanting to print that article about paying the murders money for their story.

i used to read james patterson until i realized there was really no character development, no depth, easy to predict plots and a very, very quick read - meaning i scanned the books rather than read the books - i thought i'd try a book of his again, since it was the group read, and found that nothing's changed even with a coauthor - just not what i enjoy - if i had to rate it this would be 1 star

Gail wrote: "i used to read james patterson until i realized there was really no character development, no depth, easy to predict plots and a very, very quick read - meaning i scanned the books rather than read..."

I agree with you Gail. Granted I've only read 3 of James Patterson's earlier books 1st to Die, 2nd Chance and Along Came a Spider, but I find his writing style for this particular book to be lacking compared to his earlier works.

The characters are unremarkable, the plot is predictable and the ending left so many questions unanswered eg. (view spoiler)[ what motivated the members of the Internet site to join them in their murderous rampage? (hide spoiler)]. At least this book is a pretty fast read and I'm happy to move on to a new book.

I liked the story: art, the cities of Europe and, unfortunately, murder. It was a quick read.

My favorite character was Dessie. I identified with her: the horror at the murders as well as the need to resolve the crime.

Jannene wrote: "**Spoiler**So, what do you think of the murders? Do they seem realistic or creative? I thought it was an interesting concept having them take after art pieces.

Did you doubt that the two suspec..."

(view spoiler)[I had no doubt in my mind that they did it. I also liked Dessie.

I ABSOLUTELY hated how Jacob could just walk in, show his badge, and VOILA!

Also, I didn't think that they needed to get together. It didn't really add much to the story. I would have rather heard more about the murders, perhaps adding another. (hide spoiler)]

I have to say that I was really suprised by this book. I've read a few of the WMC and they just didn't do it for me. I won't go into to much detail about why I didn't like them because I wouldn't want to put anyone off that hasn't read them yet.

I enjoyed this book a lot even though I found at times it was a little tedious to get through. I liked that it had a touch of Mystery Nordic along the lines of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.

Postcard Killers did not disappoint. This crime fiction novel was fast-paced (Patterson's forte), had smart twists and turns, and was suspenseful (Marklund's forte).

I'm glad you liked it Hapzydeco. :)

For some reason, I really enjoyed this one. While I do agree with some of the other posters about many of Patterson's flaws, I couldn't help but to be thoroughly entertained. The novel is fast paced and quick to provide many twists and turns. It is undeniable that Patterson knows how to craft a really good thriller.

Laurin wrote: "I'm going to start 5th Horseman soon. I'm rereading Run for Your Life (it was the first MB book I read).

Does this book have the annoying trait of chapters being only 2 or 3 pages long?"

I love Patterson's short chapters! When I'm too busy to read much, I still feel like I've accomplished something by getting through several chapters quickly!

I am about half way through and am really liking the book. I love Patterson's earlier books, but I have been disappointed i a few of his more recent ones. This one is pretty good so far, I think.