This book is an exercise in reader manipulation. Conditioned by the likes of Michael Connelly and Jonathan Kellerman, I was expecting a crime and a compelling search that had some semblance of reality. Instead, I experienced a peek-a-boo shell game that defies whatever scant logic the plot provided, simply to provide surprise. The sole purpose of the book seemed to be creating a compelling need to buy the follow up. That won't happen for me. The dialog and the characters are cardboard. The only way Patterson creates dimension to a character is to kill them or someone close. I'll have to be patient and wait for the good stuff. Michael, Jonathan, write faster!