Guilty Wives Mass Market Paperback – April 30, 2013

I've bashed more James Patterson books than I've praised, so this book was definitely a surprise. It isn't perfect and still has flaws, but it also reads more like a novel and less like a mass produced, by the numbers pulp novel he often produces.James Patterson churns out about 5 books a year that he shares authorship with a coauthor. I have no idea how much of these books Patterson writes, but it seems like about half of them are pretty good, and half of them are clunkers. I've given a lot of his books 5 stars before, but usually qualify it by saying you should only compare it to other Patterson novels. GUILTY WIVES is nothing like I expected. It is actually a good novel, and I think much of the credit must go to award winning coauthor David Ellis. Most of his coauthor stand alones feature lavish characters, improbable storylines, a twist every page, and absolutely no depth. Plus, you can finish the novel in about 3 hours.GUILTY WIVES starts out like it is going to follow the same formula. Four wives take a trip to Monte Carlo to gamble and party and escape their distant and sometimes abusive and unfaithful husbands. A party gets out of hand, trouble strikes, and soon the four women are arrested for murder. (this isn't a spoiler because the prologue reveals they are in jail). Abbie Elliot is the lead character, the wife of a US ambassador to Sweden.This novel is really about Abbie. We follow her as her four friends are put on trial in France, convicted, and then sent to jail where the suffer beatings and abuse. But Abbie never gives up hope that she can prove she was innocent.Why is this novel different? First, it must be one of the longest novels Patterson has ever written. It comes in at around 420 pages, and the print is noticeably smaller. Second, there aren't tons of outlandish twists and turns. Instead, there is just a good story and, surprise, actual character development. I actually cared what happened to Abbie.I haven't read any other reviews, so it'll be interesting to see what other readers think about this novel. I think it is a definite change of pace from Patterson, and hope he will write more novels with Ellis. And, I plan on checking out some of Ellis's other novels. GUILTY WIVES was a pleasant surprise and I recommend it to all Patterson fans, even those who have been turned off by some of his other novels.

I have read many of Mr. Patterson's books, some better than others but Guilty Wives had me on the edge of my seat for quite awhile. I found myself getting antsy wanting to know who really did commit the murders and thinking that if I wasn't reading this on my kindle, I probably would've skipped to the end to find out.I sunk my teeth into the beginning with the four wives, who were best friends, going off to Monte Carlo for a girls weekend. What I found a bit disbelieving was them drinking so heavily (I know a lot of people do, but with the amount of alcohol they consumed, they would've passed out hours before they actually did), flirting with the men at the pool, going topless without a second thought, going off with supposedly unknown men from the club, climbing aboard an unknown persons yacht, and handling a gun on said yacht. I know that was the set up of the story but I had a hard time accepting all that, but then again I reminded myself it's a book that's suppose to take me out of my everyday life and take me somewhere else for awhile, which it did. So I kept reading and I'm so glad I did. With each thing that happened to these women, with some of it being horrendous, it kept me guessing who the mastermind was. I had an idea but wasn't sure until close to the end. I loved Abbie and that she wasn't afraid to show she had some backbone and refused to take the easy way out by admitting guilt for something she didn't do, and that wanted her kids to know that your integrity and dignity wasn't something for sale. There were parts that were a bit drawn out, but it still kept my interest all the way to the end. All in all, a good book.

I just finished this. I have said it before but this book may be in my top 10. It was a non-stop roller coaster from the beginning. Just when you think you know everything, wham! Something else happens.It is easy to imagine this happening. Especially after everything that has happened to Americans overseas in courts. Brittney Griner, Amanda Knox, journalist, and the countless Americans arrested for drug charges overseas.James Patterson and David Ellis have done a simply masterful job in capturing the voice of Abbie. I would absolutely love to see this made into a movie. You have all the genres - thriller, adventure, mystery, a little romance... About everything except sci-fi.It could also be a one-time series of 10-15 shows. It really is that good.If you like thrillers and mystery download this book! I couldn't put it down. I know how good it is when I am sad it's over. It captivates your attention from page 1, and there are no slow parts at all.

This was my favorite Patterson thriller by far; certainly his most cohesive. There are four distinct parts in order: the party,the incarceration, the escape, and the denouement. Like a chef concocting a soup, Patterson adds just the right amounts of violence, sex, intrigue, and surprise. Much of the novel is set in Paris, site of the Louvre, but here we find a masterpiece which is not housed in that iconic building.

Wives has an exciting beginning and moves to a stimulating scene of glamor and entertainment. Then it goes through the lengthy French trial and the politics which are angering. I am still "working" through the middle part of the book and it is hard to keep interested. The poor treatment of American women in the French court and jail makes this a hard tale. You aren't sure who is the murderer, but the heroine gets my vote for wrongfully accused and treated. The point is clear, "Your not in Kansas anymore". Reality is what someone wants it to be. Anyone going out of US should read this book and know those rights and protections we take for granted, disappear when we cross the border.If you read this book, be ready to get angry and pissed off at our State Department and its protection of american citizens abroad.

I’m really enjoying this book, all of his books are so good

For all James Patterson fans this one is very good. Was a bit strange first 2 chapters working out who was who married too but after that well .... Very good read highly recommended

Just fantastic. It is wonderful written. I must say that the language used is easy flowing. Too goo to express. Congratulations on writing such a wonderful story.

This book is spellbinding to the extreme. Couldn't put it down. Well written and executed. Would recommend to anyone who likes intrigue. Can't wait to read another James Patterson.

FANTASTICO!!! Suspense do começo ao fim. É o tipo de livro que não dá vontade de parar de ler. EXCELENTE!!!