James Patterson, synonymous with gripping thrillers and masterful storytelling, delivers yet again with "Blowback." As a staunch lover of Patterson's expansive body of work, I approached this book with high expectations, which were met and exceeded. The pace of "Blowback" is relentless, propelling the reader through a narrative that is as intoxicating as it is swift. It's a hallmark of Patterson's ability to trap readers in a web of intrigue and suspense from the first page to the last. Set against the backdrop of political turmoil, "Blowback" introduces us to a scenario that, while familiar, resonates deeply in today's climate: a psychotic president entangled in a web of power and deceit. This political thriller, with its echoes of reality, is a stark reminder of the fragile state of world affairs. Patterson's genius lies in his ability to blend the fantastical elements of fiction with the unnerving realities of our time, creating an engaging and thought-provoking narrative. As someone who has always found Patterson's stand-alone thrillers particularly compelling, "Blowback" solidifies my preference. Something about the self-contained stories, free from the continuity of his series, allows Patterson's creativity and storytelling prowess to shine even brighter. This book is no exception, delivering a high-stakes drama that kept me turning pages at an alarming rate. The recommendation to read "Blowback" came with high praise, and upon completion, I found myself eagerly passing on the recommendation to others, confident in its ability to captivate. Despite my attempts to find faults or areas of improvement, "Blowback" is a testament to Patterson's unparalleled skill in crafting thrilling narratives. It is a book devoid of shortcomings, at least in the eyes of this reader and those I have recommended it to, who have all been equally enthralled by its narrative. "Blowback" earns a resounding 5 out of 5 stars from me. It's a must-read for anyone who craves a thrilling narrative that mirrors the complexities and anxieties of our modern world, all while offering an escape into the realm of high-stakes fiction. James Patterson has once again proven why he is a titan of the thriller genre, and "Blowback" is a shining example of his literary prowess. For those who have yet to experience the thrill of a Patterson novel, let "Blowback" be your introduction to a world where every turn of the page brings you deeper into a masterfully crafted story. If you’re a seasoned Patterson reader, prepare for a book that stands tall among his best works, offering all the excitement and intrigue you've expected from one of the world's most beloved storytellers.

Blow Back is a standalone thriller by James Patterson and Brendan DuBois, and it is really a fantastic thriller. Blow Back is the story of a president that goes off the rails and ignore his staff and advisors, which sounds familiar. As a former director of the CIA the president knows where all the bodies are buried and would like to add a few more to that pile. Keegan Barrett has swept to power and his popularity is sky high and believes all the hype about himself and lives in his own paranoid world. Outside the president’s office, in a waiting room CIA agent Liam Grey is waiting to give the president his daily briefing. The briefing does not quite go to plan, as when he enters the room the president tells him to sit down and listen. Grey is aware that fellow agent Noa Himel is present and the president lays out why they are both present, as he has chosen them to head two teams too attack the enemies of the United States abroad and at home. This instruction goes directly against the constitution of the United States, but the president reassures them that everything will be okay. As Grey begins his work following the president’s orders which are easy at first but then his conscience kicks in. For Himel like Grey things start easy and then they become very uncomfortable for him. Both realise that they could and should be arrested and spend the rest of their lives in prison. But they have a problem, who do they tell that the president is mentally unstable. As war seems to take a step closer, they are in desperate need of finding allies as they both know the president would give them up in a heart beat to save himself. With an unstable president who happens to be popular in the country who will they tell? Are they able to stop a war and who can help them? Who will take over after the president if they can remove him especially as the vice-president is in a coma and the speaker of the House is fighting for her political career. This really is an excellent political thriller and could almost be taken as warning about the future.

5 stars for sheer entertainment value with action that never stops and a plot that draws you in from page one and keeps those pages turning. US President Keegan Barrett is on his own mission for the country he professes to love so much. The problem is he mentally unwell: paranoid to say the least and narcistic not to mention psychopathic tendencies. People including his own staff are dying all around him. Did Barrett order it? How can Noa, Liam and others stop him. Twists and turns keep the lights on and the pages turning. Blowback will entertain you and scare you all at the same time