NYPD Red 2 by James Patterson

Synopsis:

When NYPD Red arrives at a crime scene, everyone takes notice. Known as the protectors of the rich, famous, and connected, NYPD Red is the elite task force called in only for New York City's most high-profile crimes. And Detective Zach Jordan is the best of the best, a brilliant and relentless pursuer of justice. He puts professionalism above all, ignoring his feelings for his partner, Detective Kylie MacDonald, the woman who broke his heart when they first met in the academy.

But even with their top-notch training, Zach and Kylie aren't prepared for what they see when they're called to a crime scene in the heart of Central Park. They arrive to find a carousel spinning round and round, its painted horses grinning eerily in the early morning dark. There is only one rider: a brutally slaughtered woman, her body tied up and dressed in a Hazmat suit, on display for the world to see.

The victim, a woman of vast wealth and even greater connections, is the fourth in a string of shocking murders that have hit the city. As the public pressure mounts, and political and personal secrets of the highest order hang in the balance, Zach and Kylie must find out what's really behind the murderer's rampage. But Kylie has been acting strange recently--and Zach knows whatever she's hiding could threaten the biggest case of their careers.

Overall, I liked the second book in this series. I did think it was a bit weaker than the first though. The writing and the characters were still up to par, I just didn’t really care about the case they were trying to solve.

It didn’t interest me as much as the one in the first book did, so that is what made it just a bit more dull for me. It took me longer to actually get into the book, but once I did, it was hard to put down.

Zach and Kylie have great chemistry, and I also love his relationship with Cheryl. It is well written, and Zach’s inner conflict is never forgotten. I feel that it gives the story more depth and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. It is easy to want him to just pick a side and stick with it, but that isn’t realistic, and I am glad that it is kept in the book. If it was overdone, it would be obnoxious to read, but I think it is done well.

I am interested in seeing how both Zach and Kylie’s relationships progress in the next book, and I hope that the next case catches my attention more than the Hazmat Killers.

4/5 Stars

Memorable Quotes: "Accept and agree? Were we kicking off a homicide investigation or downloading software?"

"He made no attempt to deny the fact that his daughter was a murderer -- as long as we didn't walk away thinking she was a homicidal lesbian. What a dad."

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