James Patterson: Don't Blink

I have been reading this book slowly for a little over a month and have enjoyed every second of it. I assume my next post will either be about me finishing the book, or me starting a new one.

 For a brief recap for all of those who did not read my last post: 

The book don't blink is about a journalist named Nick Daniels, searching to find out who murdered a mob lawyer. Throughout the book Nick struggles with trust. Unsure of who he can put his faith into and who will stab him in the back, Nick decides to handle the investigation for the most part by himself (not a really good idea). he quickly starts to find out that anyone who gets close to finding out the truth about the murder winds up dead, and if Nick is not careful he will too.

One of the most interesting parts of this book is the different relationships Nick has. One of the most important ones is with his niece Elizabeth. She is a fourteen year old blind girl. There is no one Nick cares about more in the world. Her father, and Nicks brother-in-law, died when she was nine. Despite all of the pain Elizabeth has gone through she is still the bravest person Nick knows.

Page: 157

Then she did what she always did. She broke away from my grasp so she could walk on her own, her foldout white cane leading the way.

tap-tap-tap...

That's my niece, Elizabeth.

The bravest anybody I know.

The perfect antidote for everything that had happened this week. 

Nick loves Elizabeth, I can understand that exact feeling. I would do anything for my niece Michaela, she has me wrapped around her little finger. Nick has taken over the place of the father figure for Elizabeth, and I like to believe I too have done that for Michaela while my brother is deployed by the military. 

As Nick tries to find out the truth behind the murder he relies on Elizabeth to be a distraction, although that can only last so long and soon Nick must get back to work. The question is can Nick protect himself, those he loves, and find out the truth?

Page: 309

"That's a smart little niece you have there, Nick. But we all know her daddy's dead." he said. "And unless you com alone to Grand Central Station in one hour, this little girl will be dead, too. And remember this, Nick. I have no reason to hurt her. She hasn't seen a thing."

I don't even know what Nick will do to solve this problem. I  better not blink or I might miss the detail that helps Nick solve this seemingly endless puzzle. 

Reading response 1

Book: Don't Blink

By: James Patterson

Don't Blink is a mystery novel. I bought it at a used book store in Soldotna Alaska during a missions trip. It has been suspenseful, action-packed, and mysterious full of twist and turns that I love trying to predicting.

The book is told in the first person view of Journalist Nick Daniels as he tries to find out who murdered a mafia lawyer. He quickly realizes he cannot trust anyone when investigating this horrendous crime. Nick was in the restaurant when the crime occurred and witnessed not only the lawyer killed but also two police men. After several days of his own investigation he finds himself visited in another restaurant by a stranger.

Page:143

"I don't know yet," I said, "But for sure the cops sitting at the other end of the counter might. Would you like me to call them over?"

I have to admit I felt pretty smug pointing out the two policemen in uniform saddled up to the counter with their coffees about a dozen stools away.

 But the stranger-Doug?- didn't even bother to look. He kept his eyes trained on mine.

"The last time you were in a restaurant with two cops- that didn't work out too well, did it? I don't think so."

I suddenly didn't feel so smug, or protected, either.

Nick is a bit of a wild card.  In many ways he reminds me of my brother. they are both not afraid of anything, quick witted, and love being the hero. That mentality obviously isn't the safest way to deal with situations and gets Nick in trouble through out the book.

Page 130

"Shut up!" he barked at the poor girl. " You're fired." 

Fired? You've got to be kidding.

"what are you doing? she was only trying to help me," I said, dumbfounded. "I was a customer here, too. actually, I am a customer. I was about to have a steak."

My new best friend, Jason, gave me a drop-dead stare. "was I talking to you?"

"You are now."

This is a great example of Nick jumping into a situation that might not be the best to get involved in. In fact he gets beat up because of it. He is like any other hero in any other story. to be honest James Patterson wasn't exactly original with this character. nothing about him screams unique. Nick isn't the only character who makes me suffer from deja vu, but he is definitely the most predictable. 

I must say that I am impressed with Patterson's writing. although i may be a little board by the characters, the plot keeps you on edge. he in fact gives off the idea that you should not trust anyone! every person Nick talks to either winds up dead, or turns on him. It truly makes the reader feel a little paranoid themselves. the best example of this is when Nick is kiddnapped by Eddie Pinero a mafia boss.

page 118

So this is it. I couldn't help thinking, this is how i die. what a joke.

Not while fleeing an attack by the Janjaweed militia in Darfur, or by catching typhoid fever, as I did a couple of years back in India while doing a piece on the prime minister, Manmohan Singh.

No I go down in my own backyard, New York City. All because of a recording I had never intended to make.

Christ, how did Eddie Pinero find out about me so fast then again, am I really that surprised? he probably has more people on his payroll than the NYPD.

Nick drives off to what could possibly be his death, but in true hero fashion he proves he won't die because he is sarcastic. No one can die while being sarcastic (it is a rule of writing)! He escapes this dangerous scene but soon realizes he may never be safe again. It leaves a question though how many chances does nick have before he runs out of luck.

51 things about me

1. I hate cats, and LOVE PUGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2. I am the financial commissioner at PV
3. I love older music i.e. Billy Joel, The Beatles, Louis Armstrong
4. I listen to all types of music
5. My favorite song is David by Elton John
6. I was born in Dallas Texas, Raised in San Antonio Texas
7. I am proudly a fan of the San Antonio Spurs
8. I am sadly a fan of the Dallas Cowboys

9. I enjoy playing soccer
10. the sport I am the worst at is probably tennis, or volleyball
11. I am a national qualifier in speech and debate
12. The coolest place I've been to is Alaska
13. my favorite food is chicken fried steak
14. my favorite show of all time is Psych
15. I ran cross country for two years
16. I played soccer for 6 years
17. I played football for half a season before breaking my leg
18. A broken leg ended my football career
19. I have ran 400 miles in one summer
20. I want to be a Judge when I am older
21. I have a bone that sticks out of my chest
22. I have extremely long feet for my height (size 14)
23. I am terrible at spelling
24. my favorite book is Elephant Run by: Roland Smith
25. I hate the ACT with a burning passion
26. I come from 3 generations of pastors
27. my favorite color is blue
28. I want to move back to San Antonio when ever I can
29. I am an assistant children's pastor at my church the Chapel
30. I hold the record for the largest baby to need to go to the Dallas NICU
31. I collect those pennies that you put in the machine and they flatten them a put a design on them
32. one of my favorite cities I ever visited was Minneapolis
33. My favorite basketball players are Kawhi Leonard and Stephen Curry
34. I do not have a favorite football or baseball player
35. I enjoy playing golf, but i'm really bad
36. I think that humans need to protect the environment more
37. My favorite subject is History
38. my favorite subject in history is the Middle East, specifically Persia
39. My favorite movie series is the Dark Knight Trilogy

40. my favorite movie is The Dark Night
41. my favorite quote is, "Some men just want to watch the world burn."
42 my second favorite quote is, "You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain."
43. my favorite actor is Robert Downey Jr.
44. my favorite stand up comedian is Robin Williams (R.I.P)
45. my favorite super hero is Batman, but I like Marvel way more than DC comics
46. The number one place i want to go to right now is NYC
47. my favorite golfer is Adam Scott
48. I've been to more hockey games than any other sport, but i have never really cared about hockey
49. My favorite cars are Lincolns because I'm old fashion
50. I am very superstitious
51. I have several good luck charms, including a Pug Clip!