Due to the sheer volume of books penned by James Patterson, I suppose it was inevitable for a book to come along that would deviate from his string of prior successes. Swimsuit does have a few elements that will entice readers to read the book from cover-to-cover. However, those who stick with it hoping to meet well-developed characters or find a remotely satisfying ending will be disappointed to learn that neither of these goals ever materializes.

The book revolves around a number of murders and rapes that are presented in graphic detail that are actually difficult to read and stayed with me long after I filed the book away on my shelf. As the gruesome murders are exposed, small clues are revealed to enable readers to start to figure out the motivations behind the mutilations. In addition, the killer reaches out to one character in particular, setting a clever and entertaining story line into motion. This thread results in a classic Patterson cat-and-mouse game, but the story becomes so convoluted that it seems that no one - including Patterson - can figure out how to tie up the loose ends. This situation makes the ending read like a race to the finish, with both the reader and author eager to finish up the story as quickly as possible to move on to a new story with more promise.

Swimsuit drowns on more than one account, but I for one am willing to simply place it high on a bookshelf surrounded by Patterson’s other books that have earned their well-deserved spots on the bestseller lists. I am also eagerly awaiting his next novel, which I am hopeful will more than make up for this dismal read.