High Stakes and High Chairs
It’s been a minute since I’ve dived into a new James Patterson release. Don’t get me wrong—I’m currently re-reading the Alex Cross series and the Women’s Murder Club remains my ultimate “comfy” read—but this latest pick was a breath of fresh air. I flew through 89% of it in a single day and polished off the rest this morning.
Patterson’s choice of humorist Susan DiLallo as a collaborator was a stroke of genius. I live for a thriller that can make me laugh out loud while simultaneously delivering the “thrills ‘n chills.” You get the best of both worlds here: Patterson’s signature rapid-fire pacing and brief chapters, seasoned with deadpan wit and genuine physical comedy.
The story centers on Elinor Gilbert, an underdog you can’t help but root for. Once a rising star in the FBI, she’s now scrounging for a living as a piano teacher after her vile ex-boss threw her under the bus to cover his own errors. When that same boss offers her a shot at redemption, she has to trade her badge for a diaper bag, infiltrating the home of a New York art dealer suspected of laundering cartel money.
Elinor thinks she’s invisible enough to blend into the wallpaper, but she’s terrified her nonexistent “nanny skills” will blow her cover. The comedy shines in her relatability; she is constantly at the mercy of explosive infant tantrums, “catastrophic” diaper changes, and her own frumpy, foam-padded disguise. I also have to mention that I loved the two dogs in this story so much—they added such a wonderful extra layer of heart and humor to the household!
However, the heart of the book lies in her transformation. Amid the danger and the volcanic outbursts of her target, Elinor finds herself bonding with a moody teenage girl and falling for the family’s infant daughter. As the criminal walls close in, she evolves from a cold investigator into a guardian fiercely protective of her young charges.
If you want the usual Patterson twists and turns with the added bonus of chuckling over a lead sleuth juggling a high-stakes mission and baby diarrhea at the same time, this is a guaranteed fun read.
