Lifeguard

by James Patterson and Andrew Gross

Book Overview

From the bestselling team behind The Jester comes a suspenseful new novel. Life is good for lifeguard Ned Kelley. He's involved with the beautiful Tess, and a million dollars awaits him as his share of the score for the robbery of some world-class art. But when Tess is murdered and others involved in the robbery are massacred, Ned is the prime suspect. He's been set up.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0316057851
• ISBN13: 9780316057851
• Release Date: July 2005
• Publisher: Little Brown and Company
• Length: 394 Pages
• Weight: 1.41 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.3" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Twisted! A Must Read!!!

As always James Patterson knows how to keep me engaged. I enjoyed reading this book! Famous painting were declared stolen, yet the FBI agent falls for the alleged criminal. Interesting twist at the end, unless you can catch right from the start who the real criminal is. Absolutely a must read page turning novel. Somewhat graphic. James Patterson knows how to keep his readers engaged! If you like this novel you will LOVE Honeymoon by James Patterson.

READ IT IN A DAY!

I read this book on a very nice day on the beach. I started it at 8am and by 830 pm, the sun had set and I had finished the book. What this all means is that it's VERY HARD TO PUT DOWN! Lots of action, surprises, mystery, all the great things that Patterson is known for!! I definitely recommend it !!!!!!

Pleasantly Surprised

I borrowed this book on audio cd for my 40 min drive to school. As it progressed, I found myself open-mouthed, often sitting in the parking lot (or driveway) listening. Sometimes I question how people get these reading gigs... but Billy Campbell is AWESOME. This book would make a terrific movie. Don't be surprised if you see it soon.

Patterson seems to be back in stride...

The last couple of James Patterson novels have given me hope that titles like London Bridges were an aberration... that he hasn't lost his touch. At least in my mind, Lifeguard is my proof that he's back to running on all eight cylinders (with the help of Andrew Gross). This was a great recreational read... Ned Kelly is enjoying life as a lifeguard and go-pher for a rich Florida resident. He meets a rich socialite woman on the beach one day and falls hard for her. But before he can get beyond the first afternoon fling, she's found dead in the hotel room where they romped. What's worse, he left her to try and pull off a one-time art heist with some long-time friends that would net him a cool million. The planned burglary goes sour when they are double-crossed and all of his partners are murdered. Panicking, he goes on the run, knowing that the killings and art deal all make him look utterly guilty. He compounds the issue when Ellie Shurtleff, an FBI special agent shows up at a place he's at, and he ends up taking her hostage to get out. He tells his story, and she actually believes him. The art theft was most likely an inside job, and the "victim" is looking like he could be both the mastermind of the theft and the architect of all the killings. She needs to prove who did the killings in order to clear Ned and save her job. Other than falling in love with Ned, the complicating factor is that she can't trust her boss at the Bureau as there's someone on the inside... Written in typical Patterson fashion (short three and four page chapters), the story speeds along at a rapid pace. While the story of "FBI agent falls for honest crook who's not guilty" might be somewhat implausible, the characters are likeable and it's easy to find yourself empathizing with and rooting for them to win. It's obvious early on that all the players probably aren't who they appear to be, but you're kept guessing until pretty much the end. If you have a day or two where you don't want to accomplish anything important and just want to get lost in a book, this works just fine. I'm glad to see that Patterson is back...

Another best for Patterson

The only complaint about this book is that I got no sleep, no housework done, no bills paid----all I could do was read this story from the first page until the end.It was impossible to put down. I loved the story about Ned, the lifeguard. It was the kind of story that grips you from the beginning and holds your interest the entire ride. I felt like I "know" the players and never wanted the story to end. I don't care if Patterson writes with another author as long as he continues to write fun stories such as this. Thanks for the entertainment. Now I must get back to my other life.

SKILLFUL VOICE PERFORMANCE OF A PRIME SUMMER READ

Actor Billy Campbell's career has been on the upswing since he made his Broadway debut in 1992. An in-demand performer, he starred in the ABC series "Once and Again" and acquired a number of screen credits. Campbell takes on the role of narrator in "Lifeguard" with skill and distinction, carrying reader's from Ned Kelly's initial bravado to later fear. Those who have read any of James Patterson's books (Kiss The Girls, Along Came A Spider) well know that he packs a wallop, and he does so again in this story of a guy from the wrong side of the tracks who thought he could take a quick ride to the top. Ned Kelly has left the chill of Boston for a sunnier clime - Palm Beach, Florida. That's a pretty heady switch for someone who suddenly finds himself surrounded by a posh lifestyle yet makes his living as a part-time lifeguard and go-fer. Then he meets gorgeous Tess, seemingly unattainable because she's rich and he most definitely is not. In an effort to become one of the haves Ned signs on for a robbery - supposedly a snap - steal some paintings from a wealthy man's home. It doesn't quite work that way. First, the paintings aren't where they're supposed to be and then his cohorts are killed. Tess, too, is found dead. Ned knows when it's time to make a run for it so he heads back to Massachusetts where he's nabbed by FBI agent Ellie Shurtleff. Ii looks like curtains for the fellow who had big dreams. Or is it? Listen as Patterson and Campbell treat you to a tension packed story. - Gail Cooke