Mom Turns Antihero Mastermind in James Patterson’s ‘113 Minutes’ [REVIEW]

When her son dies in front of her, a devastated mother takes the law into her own hands in James Patterson’s 113 Minutes. (Photo by Tobie Chapman, Flickr)

Molly Rourke just lived through every mother’s worst nightmare. She watched her son die in front of her, and she knows who is responsible. Grieving and angry, she is determined to get revenge. But will she be able to execute her plan before she gets caught by the Feds? Find out in James Patterson and Max DiLallo’s 113 Minutes.  

BookShots

Grief alone would be enough to drive many parents over the edge. But knowing her son was murdered has Molly seeing red, and she wants to see the callous killers pay. Working against the clock, she not only has to outwit the FBI, but she has to save her family’s farm from foreclosure in the process.

This novella has a lot going on, mixing emotional family drama with taught suspense. Per the usual, the book’s brief chapters are concise and keep the action moving at a lightning fast pace, so this book is easily consumed in one sitting.

Populated by characters with so much to lose, the story hooks us early on. Molly evolves from doting mom to antihero mastermind, and although this might strain our ability to suspend disbelief a bit, she is likable enough that we want to stay on the ride with her. Then there’s Mason, the FBI agent in hot pursuit. He’s determined, handsome, and likable, and yet readers may find themselves hoping he doesn’t catch his culprit.

This game of cat-and-mouse is like watching a rather enjoyable action flick, or an episode of Criminal Minds, and it could easily be translated into one. Yet it also has the surprising elements of a Hitchcock film, with the classic twist that readers won’t see coming. All in all, 113 Minutes is a thriller that does everything Patterson’s BookShots series promises: it packs tons of suspense into a short novel that is impossible to stop reading. Definitely check this one out.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

James Patterson
(Photo by Sue Patterson)

James Patterson is the bestselling author of the Alex Cross, Michael Bennett, Women’s Murder Club, Private, and NYPD Red series, as well as numerous stand-alone thrillers, non-fiction, children’s, middle-grade, and young-adult titles. He has sold more than 350 million books worldwide and currently holds the Guinness World Record for the most number one New York Times bestsellers.

He is the recipient of the National Book Foundation’s 2015 Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community, the Edgar Award, the International Thriller of the Year Award, and the Children’s Choice Book Award for Author of the Year.

His novels Along Came A Spider and Kiss the Girls were turned into major motion pictures starring Morgan Freeman. In 2012, Tyler Perry starred in Alex Cross, the film adaptation of the novel Cross. Movies have also been made of his young-adult titles, Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life and Maximum Ride in 2016.

Mr. Patterson lives in Palm Beach with his wife, Sue, and his son, Jack. Visit his home on the Web, like him on Facebook, or follow him on Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram.

Max DiLallo is a novelist, playwright, and screenwriter. He lives in Los Angeles.

113 MINUTES
By James Patterson with Max DiLallo
160 pgs. BookShots. $4.99