James Patterson
Joan G. Kotker
(Reviewer - Narayan Radhakrishnan)
2004 Greenwood Press
ISBN: 0313320853

A Critical Companion of the most prolific & popular fiction author today.

Since the publication & cinematic success of 1992's Along Came a Spider, James Patterson seems to have taken up permanent residence on bestseller lists. In the ensuing decade, his hit detective novels, with memorable nursery rhyme titles, came in rapid-fire succession & generated similar popularity & praise.

Sr. Associate Reviewer Narayan Radhakrishnan writes:

James Patterson, who I've noticed readers either adore or hate, is the complete mystery author…rather the complete popular fiction author. Having read & enjoyed all his books, which have achieved stupendous success no matter the genre -- be it Science Fiction/Fantasy: The Lake House, When The Wind Blows, etc.; Legal Thrillers: The Beach House; Historical Mysteries: The Jester; Psychological “Whodunits”: Liefguard, Kiss The Girls, etc.; Romance: Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas, Sam's Letters for Jennifer; Children's: The Santa Kid... it was with delight I picked up my copy of Joan Kotker’s James Patterson: A Critical Companion.

A good work, neatly & stylishly written, it will prove real useful to the author's many fans. It succeeds in both counts as a biography as well as a critical companion.

From his first fiction efforts (The Thomas Berryman Number) to the critically acclaimed & super bestsellers featuring Detective Alex Cross & the Women's Murder Club Series: 4th of July etc., the book is wide-ranging in its coverage.

I was particularly impressed with the Introduction of the subject, where Ms. Kotker gives us a brief outline of what the Mystery genre is, its manifestations & finally James Patterson's contribution to the same. The author's research seems immaculate -- even the cover jacket looks like one straight from a Patterson novel (ardent readers of the author will know what I mean). Likewise Ms. Kotker also compares the Patterson psychological thrillers with those of Thomas Harris -- The Silence of the Lambs & Hannibal, & highlights the similarities & differences in approach of these two great authors.

However, I have one major complaint - all Patterson's works are not covered. This book focuses only on seven Alex Cross Psychological Thrillers & two Women's Murder Club Series whodunit Thrillers, in addition to the award-winning The Thomas Berryman Number. All other noteworthy & great reads are conspicuously absent. So, a complete & comprehensive Critical Companion this is not, but as a selected comprehensive Companion -- Ms. Kotker's work deserves praise.

Joan G. Kotker is a member of the English Faculty at Bellevue Community College in Bellevue, Washington. Her essays on popular fiction have been published in Encyclopedia of Popular Culture, The Oxford Companion to Crime and Mystery Writing, & Great Women Mystery Writersamong others.

Ms. Kotker has also authored a critical companion on Dean Koontz.

(11/06/05)

Narayan
2005©Narayan Radhakrishnan
A RebeccasReads.Com Sr. Associate Reviewer

Reviewer's Bio:
I am a 26 years old lawyer practicing in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Along with my legal practice, I have finished post-graduate studies for both Business Law & Human Rights. I am a self proclaimed numero-uno legal thriller lover & am the proud owner of all of Grisham's & Turow's novels. I enjoy John Mortimer's Rumpole & relish an occasional Martini & a rare Scot(ch)t-oline with a Patterson on the side.

My work A FICTION OF LAW is now about 500 pages in length & features 500 lawyer authors & 2000 legal thrillers covering a 300 year period - inclusive of entries from the USA, UK, Asia, Europe, China, Middle East etc. Still in search of a publisher.
www.keralatourism.org