Saturday, December 26, 2009

7TH HEAVEN: REVIEW, READERS' GROUP GUIDE, AND GIVEAWAY

7th HEAVEN
BY JAMES PATTERSON
AND MAXINE PAETRO

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The Women's Murder Club faces not one-but two-terrifying cases that may tear it apart. The teenage son of California's ex-governor has mysteriously vanished-and the pressure on Detective Lindsay Boxer to find him is overwhelming. When she finally does get a lead, it's devastating. At the same time, Lindsay and her partner, Rich Conklin, must investigate mysterious fires that are destroying some of San Francisco's most beautiful homes-and leaving their owners dead in the debris. But when Lindsay enlists her friends in the Women's Murder Club to help uncover the arsonist, the blazes suddenly rage much too close to home .

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:


James Patterson is the subject of a recent Time magazine feature called, "The Man Who Can't Miss," James Patterson is the bestselling author of the past year, bar none, with more than 16 million books sold in North America alone. In 2007, one of every 15 hardcover fiction books sold was a Patterson title. In total, James's books have sold an estimated 150 million copies worldwide. He is the first author to have #1 new titles simultaneously on The New York Times adult and children's lists and is the only author to have five new hardcover novels debut at #1 on the list in one year — a record-breaking feat he’s accomplished every year since 2005. To date, James Patterson has had nineteen consecutive #1 New York Times Bestselling Novels, and holds the New York Times record for most bestselling titles by a single author (40 total).

Patterson is a champion of reading and the founder of the PageTurner awards, which seek to spread the excitement and joy of books and reading in the United States. James's first foray into family fiction, the critically acclaimed Maximum Ride series, debuted on the New York Times list at #1 and remained there for 12 straight weeks. The series has so far made appearances on The New York Times bestsellers lists 87 times, proving that kids of all ages love page turners.

Patterson is the creator of the #1 new detective series of the past dozen years, featuring "Alex Cross" and including the Hollywood-adapted "Along Came a Spider" and "Kiss the Girls," starring Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman. He is also the creator of the #1 new detective series of the past five years, featuring Lindsay Boxer and the other members of the Women's Murder Club, from which the ABC television drama series is adapted. He has authored books behind six films on the Hollywood fast-track, including the upcoming Maximum Ride movie from Avi Arad, the producer of X-Men and Spiderman. Most recently, New Regency Pictures has optioned The Dangerous Days of Daniel X, James’s newest family Pageturner due out in July of 2008.

He is the author of novels — from The Thomas Berryman Number (1976) to Honeymoon (2005) — that have won awards including the Edgar, the BCA Mystery Guild's Thriller of the Year, the International Thriller of the Year award, and the Reader’s Digest Reader’s Choice Award.

One of Forbes magazine's Celebrity 100, James appeared as a guest star on the popular FOX TV show "The Simpsons" in March, 2007.

Maxine Paetro is a novelist and a journalist. She lives with her husband in New York.

READING GROUP GUIDE:

1. Arson is a very curious crime to commit. Why do you think someone would be drawn to this crime? Do you believe in Freud’s theory as stated in the book?

2. In your opinion, would Junie’s occupation affect her credibility in the courtroom? Should it? For example, is a lawyer or doctor a more credible defendant/witness than a garbage collector?

3. In trying Junie Moon, Yuki tried to use public sympathy for Michael Campion to turn the jury against the defendant. What do you think of that type of tactic in a trial setting?

4. Conklin suspects Chuck Hanni, the arson investigator, for actually committing the arson crimes in the book. Why do you think serial murderers would choose professions close to their crimes?

5. Junie Moon’s intelligence and self esteem are brought up by the defense as reasons why she could have given a false confession. Do you think everyone who confesses is guilty? Do you believe interrogations should be taped?

6. In Junie Moon’s trial, much of the prosecution’s case is based on spoken testimony. What is your opinion on convicting someone for murder without physical evidence, but compelling testimony?

7. The Moluccan cockatoo Peaches, formerly known as Horndog, was described as depressed when it was living in the pet store. Do you think it is possible for animals to get depressed or have psychological problems like people?

8. Joe voices his worry that Lindsay’s relationship with Rich has become more intimate than the typical office relationship. Do you think Lindsay’s relationship with Rich could lead to something inadvertently? Should she request a change of partner out of respect for her relationship with Joe? Who do you think is better suited to Lindsay?

9. Connor Campion was very controlling of Michael because he feared for his son’s life. How can modern parents set appropriate boundaries with their children in an age where kids have access to cell phones, computers and other devices that allow them to live lives fairly independent of their parents?

10. As prosecutor it is Yuki’s right to believe the Junie is guilty and her duty to try her as such. There is a moral dilemma if a prosecutor feels that a defendant could be innocent or if a defense lawyer feels their client may be guilty. How do you think defense lawyers and prosecutors reconcile these conflicts?

REVIEW:

7th HEAVEN is the latest in the Women's Murder Club series I have read and I feel like I know the characters so well that when they don't act like I think they would in real life, I am a little put off. This novel had two intertwining stories but also what was supposed to be a third that just didn't work well.

The first story dealt with the still missing son of the California governor, Michael Campion. Michael has a serious heart defect and disappeared three months ago and the case was stumping all of them until a tip comes in saying he was last seen entering the house of a prostitute. When this is checked out, the prostitute quickly admits that Michael died in her arms and she was frightened so she got a friend to help her get rid of the body. Of course, Lindsay Boxer and her partner Rich Conklin are investigating the case and with the help of Lindsay's friend Yuki, who is assigned to the case, they are privy to all the gruesome details of the death and the shocking reversal by the prostitute when she takes back her confession!

The second story part deals with the investigation into a case where multiple murders of wealthy couples has everyone demanding the criminal be found. The murders are brutal and the murderer also is an arsonist as he burns down the luxurious homes the victims live in. Readers will see this part from the killer's point of view so are able to see all that happens unlike Lindsay who doesn't have these "clues" to go on.

These two stories keep you interested but for me, the book fell down when what you might call the third part keeps getting in the way. Lindsay who loves and is living with Joe, starts to have an attraction to her partner, Rich. I think this part would have been better off left out as it didn't seem realistic to me and interrupted the two stories. I didn't believe a strong and confident woman like Lindsay who is head over heels with Joe and had just recently moved in with him would so suddenly be looking elsewhere and especially with her partner who she knows on a much different level. I just didn't believe this and therefore it seemed to get in the way of the real story.


If you can forget that and concentrate on the two intertwining stories about Michael's murder and the murder/arsons, you will find an decent and typical page turning Patterson book. But I think the authors just give this storyline too much attention and in fact, it wasn't believable to me so it made me impatient when some chapters about this nonsense came into play. The story is best played out by trying to find out where Michael is and who are behind the murders of the rich people.

GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO VALERIE AND THE
HACHETTE BOOK GROUP, I
HAVE FIVE COPIES OF THIS
EXCITING BOOK TO GIVE AWAY!

RULES:

--U.S. AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES, PLEASE
--INCLUDE EMAIL ADDRESS IN COMMENT
--ALL ENTRIES/COMMENTS MUST BE
SEPARATE IN ORDER TO COUNT
AS MORE THAN ONE ENTRY



HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY:COMMENT ON WHY YOU WOULD WANT TO WIN THIS PATTERSON BOOK

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND LEAVE A LINK I CAN FOLLOW IN THE ENTRY

GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, JANUARY 14

GOOD LUCK!

34 comments:

KR said...

I love his books and I haven't read this one.

mj.coward[at]gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I would love to win this book because James Patterson is one of my favorite writers and I have not as yet read "7th Heaven." Thanks, as always, for having this great giveaway!

Sheila
skkorman@bellsouth.net

Anonymous said...

James Patterson is ALWAYS a good read—please enter me to win!!

Donna
dlhaley@hotmail.com

bermudaonion said...

It's been a while since I read this book, but I do remember enjoying it. Sorry that one storyline bugged you like that. No need to enter me.

Simply Stacie said...

I love James Patterson books and this one sounds interesting. I like his short chapters that end on a cliffhanger.

simplystacieblog at gmail dot com

Reading said...

I would love to win this because I love everthing that Patterson does.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Winning Readings said...

I've got the Maximum Ride series and am interested in the Women's Murder Club series - I haven't read any yet. Your review was interesting - I'd love a chance to review for myself!

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

chey said...

I'd like to win this book because I like this series.

chey127 at hotmail dot com

Jane said...

I want this book because I have enjoyed a few of James Patterson's books and this series looks great.

janie1215 AT excite DOT com

Linda Kish said...

I would like to win this book because you can never have too many James Patterson books. I just finished I, Alex Cross and am ready for a new one.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Laurel-Rain Snow said...

I would love to enter this contest, and would like this book because I am a fan of the Women's Murder Club, and don't happen to have this book!

My e-mail: chezraine@gmail.com

Laurel-Rain Snow said...

I blogged about this giveaway over at Snow Impressions, here:

http://snowimpressions.blogspot.com/2009/12/great-giveaway-on-bookin-with-bingo.html

Laurel-Rain Snow said...

I also tweeted about this giveaway at http://twitter.com/laurelrainsnow

holdenj said...

I haven't attempted any of the Women's Murder club books yet, and they look pretty good--would love to give it a try. Remember the tv show? Was that pretty short-lived or is it still on hiatus? I did see an episode or two of that!
Thanks for the chance to win.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

CMash said...

Anything by James Patterson I HAVE to read !!!!!!!!!!! Please enter me.
CMash Loves To Read

Benita said...

I love reading James Patterson's work, and this book sounds terrific! Thanks for the chance.


bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

bison61 said...

please sign me up-I have read his books in the past and always enjoyed them

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Lee P said...

I would love to win this book because I am a huge James Patterson fan and haven't read this one yet. Thank you for this nice giveaway and please count me in.

chinook92 at gmail dot com

Lee P said...

I tweeted:

http://twitter.com/chinook92/status/7164166870

chinook92 at gmail dot com

g.g. said...

Love all things Patterson and that is why I would want to win


anjamie4 AT gmail dot com

Esme said...

I have not read any Patterson-but I enjoy crime/legal thrillers

chocolateandcroissants at yahoo dot com

Esme said...

cococroissants

http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/2009/12/7th-heaven-review-readers-group-guide.html 7th Heaven giveaway

chocolate and croissants at yahoo dot com

MarionG said...

I read two of Patterson's books this month and I would love to read this book as well. I think he's a great author.
polo-puppy-fluffy AT hotmail (dot) com

Lacey said...

new detective books always intrigue me.

Lacey914@sbcglobal.net

Lacey said...

http://twitter.com/HtxAstrosFan/status/7454999057

tweet!

Lacey914@sbcglobal.net

scottsgal said...

There's nothing like a Patterson book or audio to listen to on an airplane
msboatgal at aol.com

dsandyboy said...

Patterson is a great writer.

dsandyboy@gmail.com

FrankSandy said...

He's a great read.

walkerd@primus.ca

Commchick said...

Who wouldn't want to win a James Patterson book?

Sharon
belchers@jccal.org

CherylS22 said...

I'd like to win this Patterson book because I've been reading the Women's Murder Club series & I haven't read this one yet.

Thanks ~ megalon22 at yahoo dot com

renee said...

I read my first James Patterson book this year and loved it. I would love to read this one too.
reneetaylor at sympatico dot ca

Ziechick said...

I really love his books and I haven't read 7th Heaven yet.

Thank you for the opportunity to win it.

ziechick at gmaildotcom

Nancye said...

I would like to read/ win because I enjoy James Patterson books and I haven't read this one.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Tweet! Tweet!

http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/7763789767

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

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