James Patterson was born and raised in New York. He belonged to a working-class Irish American family. Before becoming a popular writer, Patterson worked in advertising.
His first novel, The Thomas Berryman Number, was published in 1976. He has topped Forbes’s list of highest-paid authors with an estimated net worth of $700 million.
Before working as a writer, Patterson worked as an advertising executive. Since 1976, Patterson has written more than 200 novels out of which 114 are New York Times bestselling novels.
Some of his most popular works are Women’s Murder Club, Maximum Ride, Instinct, The Postcard Killings, and Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich. In this article, we will take a look at 30 of best James Patterson books and collaborations.
Best James Patterson Books
1) Red Alert by James Patterson and Marshall Karp (NYPD Red)
NYPD Alert is the fifth book in James Patterson and Marshall Karp’s NYPD Red series.
In this book, a renowned filmmaker is found dead after a sex game goes horribly wrong and at the same time, a bomb explodes at a charity benefit.
Detectives Kylie MacDonald and Zach Jordan are charged with the responsibility to solve the case.
During the process, they uncover details about corruption, blackmail, drugs, and sex that have the potential to shock even the most jaded New Yorker.
2) 1st to Die by James Patterson (Women’s Murder Club)
1st to Die by James Patterson is the first book in the Women’s Murder Club series.
The series follows four friends, Lindsay Boxer, Claire Washburn, Jill Bernhardt, and Cindy Thomas, who pool their skills together to crack San Francisco’s toughest murder cases.
In the first book, the friends must solve the case of David and Melanie Brandt’s brutal murder.
3) Along Came a Spider by James Patterson (Alex Cross)
Alex Cross, a detective and forensic psychologist for the Metropolitan Police Department, must work alongside Secret Service agent Jezzie Flanagan to find the person that has kidnapped two-rich kids.
4) The Murder House by James Patterson and David Ellis
Detective Jenna Murphy is a former New York City cop who is trying to rehabilitate her career and escape her past.
However, her rest is short-lived when a Hollywood powerbroker and his mistress are found dead at a beachfront estate known as the Murder House.
As more bodies continue to surface, Jenna begins her investigation into the town, its inhabitants, and the house itself, only to discover a dark history that will shock everybody.
5) The Thomas Berryman Number by James Patterson
The Thomas Berryman Number is a mystery, suspense, and crime fiction novel. It starts off with three terrifying murders in the South and ends with a relentless and unforgettable manhunt in the North.
In the midst of this investigation, the book also tells the riveting story of a chilling assassin and the leader he is hired to kill.
6) Lost by James Patterson and James O. Born
Lost is a mystery crime thriller by James Patterson and James O. Born. Detective Tom Moon is a Miami native that is now acting as the new leader of an FBI task force known as “Operation Guardian.”
His investigation into international crime syndicates leads him to ‘Blood Brothers,’ two Russian nationals who are running a vast crime syndicate, which includes trafficking children, throughout Europe and Miami.
The book is extremely fast-paced, introduces great new characters, and is full of twists and turns. It is a quick read and the human trafficking storyline does a great job of describing what human trafficking actually looks like.
7) NYPD Red by James Patterson and Marshall Karp (NYPD Red)
NYPD Red is a special task force that is tasked with the responsibility of protecting the interests of Manhattan’s wealthiest and most powerful citizens.
In the first novel, Detective Zach Jordan and his new partner, Detective Kylie MacDonald, who also happens to be his ex-girlfriend, are assigned the case of mysterious happenings at the Manhattan Film Festival.
The festival is marred with one tragedy after another, as on the first day a producer is poisoned, a Molotov cocktail is thrown at a movie premiere, and an actor is killed on the set.
It appears that whoever is behind the attack has planned it down to the last detail in an effort to bring New York and Hollywood elites to their knees.
8) Kiss the Girls by James Patterson (Alex Cross)
Washington, D.C. police detective Alex Cross embarks on a personal mission to find two serial killers that are terrorizing different regions of America.
9) Hide and Seek (1996)
James Patterson’s Hide and Seek is a standalone novel that follows Maggie Bradford, a beloved singer-songwriter who is on trial for the murder of not one but two of her husbands.
However, as the trial goes on, we get to learn about her second husband, who was not just a famous athlete and film star but also the keeper of a dark and dangerous secret that could change public perception about him.
10) Humans, Bow Down by James Patterson and Emily Raymond
The robots won after defeating the humans in the great war. Now, the entire world is run by machines and to survive, humans have only one of two options- either they serve their vicious rulers or be banished into an unforgiving landscape where it is a crime to be human.
However, the robots are not aware of Six, a rebel who is determined to save humanity before the robots wipe off the human race from the face of the earth.
Together with her boyfriend, she discovers a powerful secret that can set humanity free.
11) The Sixth Target by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro (Women’s Murder Club)
In the sixth outing of the Women’s Murder Club, a horrifying attack leaves one of the members struggling for her life while the others try to stop a madman’s rampage.
At the same time, Lindsay must work with her partner to stop a series of kidnappings terrifying the entire city.
12) Filthy Rich by James Patterson and John Connolly with Tim Malloy
Filthy Rich by James Patterson with John Connolly and Tim Malloy is a non-fiction true crime novel that delves deep into the life and crimes of Jeffrey Epstein, a powerful billionaire involved in sexually exploiting minor girls and sex trafficking.
The book examines Epstein’s business dealings, his relationship with Ghislaine Maxwell and other prominent world figures, his obsession with minor girls and how he, and other men exploited them sexually.
13) You’ve Been Warned (2007)
You’ve Been Warned by James Patterson and Howard Roughan is a mystery thriller novel that follows Kristin Burns, a woman who has lived by the philosophy of ‘Don’t think, just shoot,’ pictures, that.
She is finally getting the chance she needed to make her mark when an elite Manhattan art gallery considers her photography for their exhibition. However, she has a major distraction in her life, the man of her dreams.
14) The Postcard Killers by James Patterson and Liza Marklund
The Postcard Killers is a crime thriller novel by American author James Patterson and Swedish writer Liza Marklund.
The book starts off with a young American couple being murdered while vacationing in Europe.
The father of the young woman murdered is a New York City police investigator who travels to Europe to hunt down the murderer only to find that other young couples have been killed in a similar fashion.
15) See How They Run, or The Jericho Commandment (1979)
See How They Run, or The Jericho Commandment is a crime mystery thriller that is set in New York City.
Dr. David Strauss’ parents are attacked by gunmen during a glittering party.
At the same time, Dr. Strauss’ brother is killed in Los Angeles during the Academy Award ceremonies.
The obsession to find the person behind such horrendous attacks takes Dr. Strauss on a journey across Europe.
16) Gone by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge (Michael Bennett)
Perrine’s reign of terror continues. After escaping from jail, a bloody showdown leaves Perrine’s wife dead.
Now, Perrine is gunning for revenge which causes Bennett and his family to go into hiding in suburban California. Bennett must take matters into his own hands and end this nightmare.
17) Criss Cross by James Patterson and James O. Born (Alex Cross)
Hours after Alex Cross and John Sampson witness the execution of a convict they helped find, they are called to the scene of a copycat crime. Neither of them can evade the feeling that they might have convicted the wrong man.
18) Zoo by James Patterson with Michael Ledwidge
Zoo is a science fiction thriller novel that made its way to New York Times bestseller list.
It focuses on Jackson Oz, an ecologist and biologist who has been trying for years to get his peers to recognize the data he has been collecting on the increasing mammal attacks on humans.
After he returns from a trip to Botswana where he saved ecologist Chloe Tousignant from a pride of lions, he finds his girlfriend dead and partially eaten by his pet chimpanzee.
What is the possible reason behind these growing attacks?
19) Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson (Maximum Ride)
The Angel Experiment is the first book in the Maximum Ride series. It is also the first book in The Fugitives trilogy.
Set in the near future, the book revolves around the ‘Flock,’ a group of avian-human hybrids who are on the run from the scientists who created them.
All of these kids not only have the ability to fly but also have other amazing powers. Many critics have described the book as the best sort of action movie in book form.
20) Swimsuit (2009)
Swimsuits is a standalone novel by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro. When a beautiful supermodel suddenly disappears in the middle of a photoshoot in Hawaii, her parents receive a terrifying phone call.
They board the first flight to hunt their daughter. At the same time, an ex-cop who is now working as a reporter is covering the story and starts working on his own investigation into the disappearance.
21) The Murder of King Tut by James Patterson and Martin Dugard
The Murder of King Tut by James Patterson and Martin Dugard is a non-fiction that goes deep into the flourishing reign of King Tut and the bitter rivalries among the King’s most trusted advisors.
The book lays down the mysterious circumstances under which King Tut passed away, along with theories about his possible murderers.
22) The Injustice by James Patterson and Emily Raymond
The Injustice by James Patterson and Emily Raymond is a young adult thriller novel that follows the lives of four teenagers who are accused of crimes, that they did not commit.
They team together to investigate all possible suspects who could have set them up and catch their confessions on camera to redeem themselves. Will they be able to find justice?
23) The Beach House by James Patterson and Peter de Jonge
The Beach House by James Patterson and Peter De Jonge tells the story of Jack Mullen, a law student.
His brother, Peter is a servant to a rich family in the Hamptons and Jack suspects that he satisfies their most intimate needs as well.
When Peter’s body is found on the beach, Jack is convinced that the drowning was no accident.
24) Woman of God by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
Woman of God is a mystery novel by Maxine Paetro and James Patterson.
The book follows Brigid Fitzgerald, a physician working with an organization, Kind Hands, and is in South Sudan, where the situation is very dangerous and desperate.
She finds herself at God’s door when she is shot at and almost dies. Her struggles in life helps her find a new religious movement.
25) Ambush by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge (Michael Bennett)
The book starts with an ambush when an officer is taken down by an anonymous tip that proves to be a set-up.
Michael Bennett realizes that his life is not the only life at risk after one of his children sustains a mysterious injury.
Meanwhile, a professional killer is involved in a series of murders with very distinct signatures and clues that turn out to be phantoms.
Michael Bennett believes that the killer’s intentions are personal, however, he doesn’t understand his role in the killer’s plan.
26) The Summer House by James Patterson and Brendan DuBois
The Summer House is a crime mystery thriller novel by James Patterson and Brendan DuBois. The Summer House once used to be a luxurious southern getaway spot but now it is reduced to a crash pad which is the scene of a nightmarish mass murder.
The eyewitnesses point toward four Army Rangers, who recently returned from Afghanistan.
To ensure swift justice, the army sends Major Cook to investigate the crime but the struggle to uncover the truth as the evidence doesn’t necessarily fit together.
27) Run Rose Run by James Patterson and Dolly Parton
Run Rose Run is a romantic mystery thriller that is a collaborative effort between James Patterson and singer-songwriter, Dolly Parton.
It tells the story of a young singer-songwriter who is determined to claim her destiny and do whatever it takes to survive.
28) The First Lady by James Patterson and Brendan Dubois
The First Lady by James Patterson and Brendan Dubois is a crime mystery thriller. After it was revealed that President Tucker had an affair during his re-election campaign, the President is caught up in a media storm.
The only person that can solidify his win is her wife. However, she has decided that she has had enough of her husband’s life and escapes the city.
29) Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson
Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas is a standalone novel by James Patterson. It is James Patterson’s first attempt at the romance genre. The book interweaves two stories.
In one of the stories, Katie Wilkinson has finally found her perfect man but one day, he disappears from her life leaving behind only a diary. However, the diary he leaves behind is a love letter from a new mother for her baby.
30) Sundays at Tiffany’s (2008)
Sundays at Tiffany’s by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet is a romance novel that was adapted into a Lifetime Television original movie.
Jane is the lonely daughter of a powerful Broadway producer. She only has one friend, an imaginary man named Michael, who is handsome, funny, and comforting to her.
Fast forward twenty-odd years and Jane is now in her thirties and is lonelier than ever. Then one day, she meets Michael again who is just as perfect as she remembers him to be.
