Shattered (Michael Bennett, 14)

Shattered by James Patterson and James O. Born is the newest installation in the Michael Bennett Thriller series. Michael is a newlywed and he and his new wife Mary Catherine are on a quick honeymoon when Michael receives a call from his good friend, FBI agent Emily Parker. Michael decides to call her back later on the way home but Emily doesn’t answer. He then finds out that she has gone missing and although he is an NYPD cop, he pulls some strings and sweet talks his way into staying on leave to go to DC to help find Emily. In true Bennett fashion, Michael finds himself getting his butt kicked by street thugs, having a green FBI agent on his back as his liaison, and making enemies with other agents and law enforcement. Of course he gains the respect of some as well.

Shattered is another well-written Patterson with a clear storyline and a great cast of characters. Detective Michael Bennett is tenacious and detail-oriented with theories that go off the beaten path.