Since James Patterson publishes a steady stream of books, you can never quite be sure which of his stories will meet your expectations and which will exceed them. True fans will be likely be pleased with Kill Me If You Can, a fast-paced and compelling story that is a prime example of exactly why so many people continue to gravitate to Patterson’s work year after year.

The novel begins with a chaotic murder in New York’s Grand Central Station terminal, which results in an art student coming across a locker full of diamonds. When faced with the temptation of surreptitiously taking the treasure, turning it over to authorities, or walking away, he opts for the chance to build a new life that the newfound wealth could provide.

It turns out that the original murder target was Walter Zelvas, a member of the Internal Diamond Syndicate, targeted because he had stolen diamonds in his possession. It is not surprising that the failure of the assassin to produce the stolen diamonds (due to the art student’s intervention) triggers a string of events. Much of the book revolves around a fast-paced international chase stemming from the hiring of two competing trained assassins to hunt down the seemingly innocent art student - and who also conclude that murdering their competition would be a wise and rewarding addition to their original assignment.

Kill Me If You Can has all the elements of a classic Patterson novel: a quick read with enough details and interwoven plot lines to maintain the interest of most readers. Although it is unlikely that the book will have an impact on your life or be discussed with colleagues around the water cooler, the straightforward entertainment and enjoyment readers will get from this book is likely perfectly aligned with what they have come to expect from Patterson’s books.