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Doc Savage #1
The Perfect Assassin
Prof. Brandt Savage—grandson of the legendary action hero Doc Savage—is forced into a top-secret training program where he discovers his true calling...as the perfect assassin.
Dr. Brandt Savage is on sabbatical from the University of Chicago. Instead of doing solo fieldwork in anthropology, the gawky, bespectacled PhD finds himself enrolled in a school where he is the sole pupil. His professor, “Meed,” is demanding. She’s also his captor.
Savage emerges from their intensive training sessions physically and mentally transformed, but with no idea why he’s been chosen, and how he’ll use his fearsome abilities. Then his first mission with Meed takes them back to her own training ground, where Savage learns how deeply entwined their two lives have been. To prevent a new class of killers from escaping this harsh place where their ancestors first fought to make a better world, they must pledge anew : Do right to all, and wrong to no one.
Dr. Brandt Savage is on sabbatical from the University of Chicago. Instead of doing solo fieldwork in anthropology, the gawky, bespectacled PhD finds himself enrolled in a school where he is the sole pupil. His professor, “Meed,” is demanding. She’s also his captor.
Savage emerges from their intensive training sessions physically and mentally transformed, but with no idea why he’s been chosen, and how he’ll use his fearsome abilities. Then his first mission with Meed takes them back to her own training ground, where Savage learns how deeply entwined their two lives have been. To prevent a new class of killers from escaping this harsh place where their ancestors first fought to make a better world, they must pledge anew : Do right to all, and wrong to no one.
336 pages, Library Binding
First published November 15, 2022
About the author
James Patterson
1,559 books346k followersOfficial US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time. He is the creator of unforgettable characters and series, including Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride, and of breathtaking true stories about the Kennedys, John Lennon, and Tiger Woods, as well as our military heroes, police officers, and ER nurses. Patterson has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton, and collaborated most recently with Michael Crichton on the blockbuster Eruption. He has told the story of his own life in James Patterson by James Patterson and received an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time. He is the creator of unforgettable characters and series, including Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride, and of breathtaking true stories about the Kennedys, John Lennon, and Tiger Woods, as well as our military heroes, police officers, and ER nurses. Patterson has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton, and collaborated most recently with Michael Crichton on the blockbuster Eruption. He has told the story of his own life in James Patterson by James Patterson and received an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 605 reviews
March 19, 2023
Decent premise. Okay story with an alright end. 6 of 10 stars
November 27, 2022
Doc Savage became my favorite character when I was young, and I never outgrew him. I've been reading and collecting Doc Savage books since 1968, long before most of you have been alive, and have read the Farmer book and the twenty-two Murray stories in addition to all 182 of the original novels, so it was inevitable that I'd pick this one up as soon as I saw it. I wasn't too impressed with the authors' earlier Shadow book, so I was afraid that I'd -really- despise this one but I was pleasantly surprised. I do have some reservations, like it's somehow much more of a Black Widow book than a Doc Savage story, and Doc wouldn't have called in a support strike from the military, he would've found a way to handle the situation himself (and would the U.S. military really be that quick to respond with a strike on the Russian mainland when some random guy in a leaky submarine calls them up? I hope not.) But there were a lot of odd scenarios in the original originals, too, and sometimes Murray totally jumped multiple sharks. (Remember the time travel book?) This is the story of Doc's great-grandson, who's kidnapped by the descendant of one of original Doc's greatest enemies, and she turns him from weakling to superhero in six months. (This Doc doesn't have the aversion to females (or guns) that his ancestor proclaimed.) There's no mention of what finally happened to original Doc, and no mention of any of his six aids at all. I disliked the idea that original Doc had moved his headquarters from the famous 86th floor in New York to Chicago for some reason, and his Fortress of Solitude seems to have transformed to a floating iceberg, but I enjoyed the read, overall. Perhaps there'll be another and we'll visit the Hidalgo Trading Company and find Habeas Corpus cryogenically preserved... it'd be better than chasing down Red Room graduates with Natasha (oops, I meant Kira), but then again this isn't supposed to be your Grandpa's Doc.
November 23, 2022
THis book started out so slow, I was rating it a 2 in my head and anxious for it to move along. Half way through the plot was changing and strengthening and becoming more exciting. It wasn't until the last 20% of the book that you realize what was happening and how Patterson was shaping the characters and building the plot. I ended up loving the book and have placed Doc Savage #2 on my to read list.
December 20, 2023
This book reminds me more of a comic book about superheroes, but it was generally interesting to read.
September 22, 2022
4.5 ⭐
First time I've read these authors and based solely on The Perfect Assassin, I feel fairly confident saying at least one of these authors will write more NY Times bestsellers than anyone. Just a hunch. With the bookkeeping out of the way, I loved The Perfect Assassin. Dr. Brandt Savage is a professor of Anthropology and appears to be as dorky as you would expect. Savage is looking forward to playing in the dirt during his sabbatical but before he can don his overalls he is kidnapped off the street. by a beautiful woman, Meed. What follows is a fast paced thriller with incredible characters, fun dialogue, and a story just weird enough to keep you on your toes.
There was very little I didn't like about The Perfect Assassin. Patterson and Sitts take a familiar trope and turn it on its head. I'm not sure who the perfect assassin is referring to considering there is a smorgasbord of elite assassins in the book. There is a vagueness in The Perfect Assassin that works to the story's advantage. Not to mention someone gets "Mr. Myagi-ed" which is always fun.
The Perfect Assassin is a perfect beginning of a new series with oodles of potential. I can't wait to see what these 'new authors" have in store for Savage and Meed.
My sincere thanks to James Patterson and Brian Sitts, Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a galley of The Perfect Assassin.
First time I've read these authors and based solely on The Perfect Assassin, I feel fairly confident saying at least one of these authors will write more NY Times bestsellers than anyone. Just a hunch. With the bookkeeping out of the way, I loved The Perfect Assassin. Dr. Brandt Savage is a professor of Anthropology and appears to be as dorky as you would expect. Savage is looking forward to playing in the dirt during his sabbatical but before he can don his overalls he is kidnapped off the street. by a beautiful woman, Meed. What follows is a fast paced thriller with incredible characters, fun dialogue, and a story just weird enough to keep you on your toes.
There was very little I didn't like about The Perfect Assassin. Patterson and Sitts take a familiar trope and turn it on its head. I'm not sure who the perfect assassin is referring to considering there is a smorgasbord of elite assassins in the book. There is a vagueness in The Perfect Assassin that works to the story's advantage. Not to mention someone gets "Mr. Myagi-ed" which is always fun.
The Perfect Assassin is a perfect beginning of a new series with oodles of potential. I can't wait to see what these 'new authors" have in store for Savage and Meed.
My sincere thanks to James Patterson and Brian Sitts, Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a galley of The Perfect Assassin.
November 26, 2022
An interesting continuation of the Doc Savage saga into the modern age. Fans of the original novels will probably be evenly divided between hating it and being fairly indifferent. It is fun and entertaining, but not really sure what audience the authors are trying to target.
May 30, 2023
I'm surprised that I enjoyed listening to this audiobook! It's the type of story I haven't read before. I find it interesting. Sometimes unable to put down. Luckily I listened during holiday so I stayed up late. There were some intense moments. Although this book isn't all James Patterson, it's my first read from him as well as the co-author Brian Sitts.
This story followed Meed. When she was a baby, she was kidnapped. She was sent to this training program that train her and others to become an assassin. The story goes back and forth between past and present. The past starting when she was napped and on until she was 18 and did something no others have done before. The present is of Meed as an adult. She just kidnapped a Professor who just got approved for a sabbatical leave. She's been giving him some rigorous training lessons. She has plans for him and he's about to be surprised. The audiobook is a bit dry, but maybe that's the narrator play acting, I don't know. The story was good.
Thank you Grandcentralpub for the opportunity to read and review! I listened to the audiobook via Libby app.
This story followed Meed. When she was a baby, she was kidnapped. She was sent to this training program that train her and others to become an assassin. The story goes back and forth between past and present. The past starting when she was napped and on until she was 18 and did something no others have done before. The present is of Meed as an adult. She just kidnapped a Professor who just got approved for a sabbatical leave. She's been giving him some rigorous training lessons. She has plans for him and he's about to be surprised. The audiobook is a bit dry, but maybe that's the narrator play acting, I don't know. The story was good.
Thank you Grandcentralpub for the opportunity to read and review! I listened to the audiobook via Libby app.
November 25, 2022
A Riveting and Suspenseful Story
SUMMARY
Past: Two beautiful six-month-old babies are kidnapped from their nursery in a small village on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia. Their mother, Marisha, was a physicist, and her husband, Mikhail, was a brilliant mathematician. The parents and the officials were never able to find these babies. What happened to them?
Present: Anthropology Professor Brandt Savage has just been awarded a sabbatical from the University of Chicago. On his twenty-minute walk home from the college on a sub-zero, snowy day, the bespectacled Ph.D. is violently shoved head-first in the back of a green panel van. He is taken to an unknown location, where he is held prisoner by Meed. The two have a distant connection through their ancestors. She is the great grand-daughter of John Sunlight, and Savage is the grandson of the legendary action figure Doc Savage, the two of which were determined to kill each other. The demanding Meed begins an intensive training program with Savage, modifying his geeky physique into a superior physical and mental specimen, perhaps even a new superhero. But why is she doing this? Based on their family history, they should never have been in the same room together.
On one of their first missions after half a year of relentless training, Meed attempts to take Savage to the Russian training ground, where she escaped when she was 17. They run into trouble along the way. Someone has been looking for Meed. Returning to her old school is the only way to stop the killers after her and attempt to right the wrongs of those now in charge there.
REVIEW
The Perfect Assassin is riveting and suspenseful. The writing is as superior and smooth as an excellent smokey red wine. The story will keep you on your toes. It flows effortlessly and is smartly structured. The plot goes back and forth in time and uses multiple points of view. The read is quick and exciting, and the conclusion is smashing.
Both Meed and Savage’s characters are intelligent and intriguing. Meed’s character is original and unforgettable. She is the pillar of the story, and her strength, courage, and perseverance are admirable.
Author James Patterson, one of the most prolific writers of our time, and Brian Sitts have developed a new series to look forward to. Read this one now. You’ll see, by the end of this engaging story, you want more. They have managed to create not one but two dynamic characters in Meed and Savage who may perhaps in the future fulfill the code of striving to help others and “do right to all and wrong to no man.”
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Publisher Grand Central Publishing
Published November 15, 2022
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
SUMMARY
Past: Two beautiful six-month-old babies are kidnapped from their nursery in a small village on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia. Their mother, Marisha, was a physicist, and her husband, Mikhail, was a brilliant mathematician. The parents and the officials were never able to find these babies. What happened to them?
Present: Anthropology Professor Brandt Savage has just been awarded a sabbatical from the University of Chicago. On his twenty-minute walk home from the college on a sub-zero, snowy day, the bespectacled Ph.D. is violently shoved head-first in the back of a green panel van. He is taken to an unknown location, where he is held prisoner by Meed. The two have a distant connection through their ancestors. She is the great grand-daughter of John Sunlight, and Savage is the grandson of the legendary action figure Doc Savage, the two of which were determined to kill each other. The demanding Meed begins an intensive training program with Savage, modifying his geeky physique into a superior physical and mental specimen, perhaps even a new superhero. But why is she doing this? Based on their family history, they should never have been in the same room together.
On one of their first missions after half a year of relentless training, Meed attempts to take Savage to the Russian training ground, where she escaped when she was 17. They run into trouble along the way. Someone has been looking for Meed. Returning to her old school is the only way to stop the killers after her and attempt to right the wrongs of those now in charge there.
REVIEW
The Perfect Assassin is riveting and suspenseful. The writing is as superior and smooth as an excellent smokey red wine. The story will keep you on your toes. It flows effortlessly and is smartly structured. The plot goes back and forth in time and uses multiple points of view. The read is quick and exciting, and the conclusion is smashing.
Both Meed and Savage’s characters are intelligent and intriguing. Meed’s character is original and unforgettable. She is the pillar of the story, and her strength, courage, and perseverance are admirable.
Author James Patterson, one of the most prolific writers of our time, and Brian Sitts have developed a new series to look forward to. Read this one now. You’ll see, by the end of this engaging story, you want more. They have managed to create not one but two dynamic characters in Meed and Savage who may perhaps in the future fulfill the code of striving to help others and “do right to all and wrong to no man.”
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Publisher Grand Central Publishing
Published November 15, 2022
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
July 3, 2023
I was really hoping Patterson wouldn't bugger this up. But...yeah, well...I should have known better.
I've only read a smattering of Patterson books. Virgin, way back when no one knew who he was. Along Came a Spider, which was just as okay as Virgin. Not terrible, but not terribly good, either.
I moved on to better things and ignored James Patterson, while he was studiously turning himself into James Patterson: One Man Book of the Month Club.
About a year ago, against my better judgement, I picked up The Last Days of John Lennon, which was as dull and uninformative as I'd suspected it would be. And it was then that I swore I was done with his particular brand of hiring writers to vomit out a book in the "Patterson style" of ridiculously short chapters (more scenes, really), plodding narrative style, and offering nothing new information or entertainment-wise.
Then, the bastard discovered my one weakness. I loved the Doc Savage novels (and yes, I truly do understand that they have not aged well in the intervening almost century). But they were fun, ridiculous, larger-than-life, and comic-bookish in a time when there wasn't a lot of superhero comics. And it wasn't just Doc, it was his team. Monk, Ham, Renny, Long Tom, Johnny, and, on occasion, Doc's beautiful cousin, Pat Savage.
Anyway, that brings us to this particular trainwreck.
Patterson, from what I understand, craps out a 50ish page plot summary, then hands it off to some well-paid underling (in this case, Brian Sitts) to put some meat on its bones. So, for the duration of this review, I'll blame Patterson for the stupid plot, but I'll blame Sitts for the terrible writing.
The plot first...poor little Dr. Brandt Savage isn't crazy about his surname and the fame attached to it. He's a loner and a loser. Until he's kidnapped and, in the course of six months, turned into a carbon copy of his grandfather, Doctor Clark Savage Jr, better known as Doc Savage. This takes up a very dull first half of this novel, while we also get a history lesson on what Meed, his captor/trainer/coach, was doing for the past thirty years (hint: she was mostly going through the Natasha Romanov/Black Widow Russian school for precocious children).
The second half of the novel is the ridiculous global chase to get back to the school and save all the children.
The writing for this is...well, it's as unexciting and pedestrian as you can find. It reads like something a grade six student with a decent vocabulary would write. Meed is supposed to be mysterious and complex, but she's more just there to put him through his paces and tell him nothing. Brandt, earmarked as the worthy successor to Doc Savage's legacy, is simply dull, whiny, and prone to panic, then shock when he learns he can do anything (mostly because he learned it in his sleep...yeah, I'm not kidding).
Then there's the lack of respect, or outright ignorance of the series that Patterson and Sitts are basing this off.
At one point, Doc Savage is given a twin brother. Brandt is shocked that Clark Jr had any siblings...which completely erases the fact that Pat Savage was a well-known cousin. Um, did he think the stork brought great aunt Pat around? And it's not as though Pat could have come from Clark Jr's wife's side...because he had no wife. And don't even try to tell me that—with all the exploits—Brandt never heard of her. So...that's dumb.
Then there's the shocking, and mystifying lack of reference to Doc's Fabulous Five. Not a single sentence about the five men who accompanied his grandfather on all of his exploits? Not an update on where they ended up, or where their own grandkids are? Really? Five men who were world-reknowned experts in their various chosen fields? They're just swept off the table like crumbs?
And then there's the Fortress of Solitude. Located "somewhere in the Arctic" according to the original Doc Savage stories. Turns out it's an hour's swim from the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia...ohhhhh-kay... But even better—and yeah, this is a slight spoiler—in all the oceans of the world, covering 70% of the planet, Brandt happens to fall out of the sky within sight of the abandoned Fortress? And even better, something like six or seven decades later (because, y'know, the original Doc Savage just left all his crap lying around all over the planet), things like his submarines still work?
This is not a decent follow-up to a well-loved series. It's not a respectful carrying on of the legacy. This is a typical Patterson spend-two-minutes-with-Wikipedia-research-then-stick-a-wafer-thin-plot-on-it story knowing that there's a bunch of idiots (present company included) who'll pick it up.
You got me with Lennon and Doc Savage, Patterson. You'll never get me again.
I've only read a smattering of Patterson books. Virgin, way back when no one knew who he was. Along Came a Spider, which was just as okay as Virgin. Not terrible, but not terribly good, either.
I moved on to better things and ignored James Patterson, while he was studiously turning himself into James Patterson: One Man Book of the Month Club.
About a year ago, against my better judgement, I picked up The Last Days of John Lennon, which was as dull and uninformative as I'd suspected it would be. And it was then that I swore I was done with his particular brand of hiring writers to vomit out a book in the "Patterson style" of ridiculously short chapters (more scenes, really), plodding narrative style, and offering nothing new information or entertainment-wise.
Then, the bastard discovered my one weakness. I loved the Doc Savage novels (and yes, I truly do understand that they have not aged well in the intervening almost century). But they were fun, ridiculous, larger-than-life, and comic-bookish in a time when there wasn't a lot of superhero comics. And it wasn't just Doc, it was his team. Monk, Ham, Renny, Long Tom, Johnny, and, on occasion, Doc's beautiful cousin, Pat Savage.
Anyway, that brings us to this particular trainwreck.
Patterson, from what I understand, craps out a 50ish page plot summary, then hands it off to some well-paid underling (in this case, Brian Sitts) to put some meat on its bones. So, for the duration of this review, I'll blame Patterson for the stupid plot, but I'll blame Sitts for the terrible writing.
The plot first...poor little Dr. Brandt Savage isn't crazy about his surname and the fame attached to it. He's a loner and a loser. Until he's kidnapped and, in the course of six months, turned into a carbon copy of his grandfather, Doctor Clark Savage Jr, better known as Doc Savage. This takes up a very dull first half of this novel, while we also get a history lesson on what Meed, his captor/trainer/coach, was doing for the past thirty years (hint: she was mostly going through the Natasha Romanov/Black Widow Russian school for precocious children).
The second half of the novel is the ridiculous global chase to get back to the school and save all the children.
The writing for this is...well, it's as unexciting and pedestrian as you can find. It reads like something a grade six student with a decent vocabulary would write. Meed is supposed to be mysterious and complex, but she's more just there to put him through his paces and tell him nothing. Brandt, earmarked as the worthy successor to Doc Savage's legacy, is simply dull, whiny, and prone to panic, then shock when he learns he can do anything (mostly because he learned it in his sleep...yeah, I'm not kidding).
Then there's the lack of respect, or outright ignorance of the series that Patterson and Sitts are basing this off.
At one point, Doc Savage is given a twin brother. Brandt is shocked that Clark Jr had any siblings...which completely erases the fact that Pat Savage was a well-known cousin. Um, did he think the stork brought great aunt Pat around? And it's not as though Pat could have come from Clark Jr's wife's side...because he had no wife. And don't even try to tell me that—with all the exploits—Brandt never heard of her. So...that's dumb.
Then there's the shocking, and mystifying lack of reference to Doc's Fabulous Five. Not a single sentence about the five men who accompanied his grandfather on all of his exploits? Not an update on where they ended up, or where their own grandkids are? Really? Five men who were world-reknowned experts in their various chosen fields? They're just swept off the table like crumbs?
And then there's the Fortress of Solitude. Located "somewhere in the Arctic" according to the original Doc Savage stories. Turns out it's an hour's swim from the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia...ohhhhh-kay... But even better—and yeah, this is a slight spoiler—in all the oceans of the world, covering 70% of the planet, Brandt happens to fall out of the sky within sight of the abandoned Fortress? And even better, something like six or seven decades later (because, y'know, the original Doc Savage just left all his crap lying around all over the planet), things like his submarines still work?
This is not a decent follow-up to a well-loved series. It's not a respectful carrying on of the legacy. This is a typical Patterson spend-two-minutes-with-Wikipedia-research-then-stick-a-wafer-thin-plot-on-it story knowing that there's a bunch of idiots (present company included) who'll pick it up.
You got me with Lennon and Doc Savage, Patterson. You'll never get me again.
November 12, 2022
Thrilling, fierce, and action-packed!
The Perfect Assassin is a gripping, suspenseful tale that takes you into the life of Dr. Brandt Savage, a professor of anthropology whose planned sabbatical takes an unusual turn when he is kidnapped off the street by the enigmatic Meed and is schooled in the fine art of assassination.
The prose is taut and intense. The characters are complex, intelligent, and resourceful. And the plot using flashbacks and multiple POVs is a riveting tale of twists, turns, espionage, passion, intrigue, tension, terrorism, violence, corruption, elite training, and murder.
Overall, The Perfect Assassin is another successful collaboration by Patterson that features lots of different locales, sexual chemistry, battles, action, and adventure. It keeps you invested, engaged, and on the edge of your seat from the very first page, and if you can suspend disbelief for a little while, you will certainly be satisfied and highly entertained.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Perfect Assassin is a gripping, suspenseful tale that takes you into the life of Dr. Brandt Savage, a professor of anthropology whose planned sabbatical takes an unusual turn when he is kidnapped off the street by the enigmatic Meed and is schooled in the fine art of assassination.
The prose is taut and intense. The characters are complex, intelligent, and resourceful. And the plot using flashbacks and multiple POVs is a riveting tale of twists, turns, espionage, passion, intrigue, tension, terrorism, violence, corruption, elite training, and murder.
Overall, The Perfect Assassin is another successful collaboration by Patterson that features lots of different locales, sexual chemistry, battles, action, and adventure. It keeps you invested, engaged, and on the edge of your seat from the very first page, and if you can suspend disbelief for a little while, you will certainly be satisfied and highly entertained.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 15, 2023
I really enjoyed this modern take on Doc Savage. Just loved it. My only criticism? The title? Almost turned me off. Did I need another Will Robie, Victor, or Gray Man clone? A John Wick rip-off?
Then I read the fine print and discovered this book was a modern take on Doc Savage. I probably would have tried to tie in the word "Savage" into the title. I am all in for a sequel. Plus, I will soon read James' take on The Shadow as well. If it is not asking too much, how about a modern take on the Ghost Who Walks (The Phantom). Yeah.
If you buy into the whole Doc Savage storyline of characters, this novel is a great starting point. Next Doc Savage thriller can lead right off with a world-shattering event and our two heroes will need to use their wits, cool gadgets, and smarts to save the world. Looking forward to it.
Then I read the fine print and discovered this book was a modern take on Doc Savage. I probably would have tried to tie in the word "Savage" into the title. I am all in for a sequel. Plus, I will soon read James' take on The Shadow as well. If it is not asking too much, how about a modern take on the Ghost Who Walks (The Phantom). Yeah.
If you buy into the whole Doc Savage storyline of characters, this novel is a great starting point. Next Doc Savage thriller can lead right off with a world-shattering event and our two heroes will need to use their wits, cool gadgets, and smarts to save the world. Looking forward to it.
November 3, 2022
Book Review
The Perfect Assasin
Doc Savage series
James Patterson and Brian Sitts
Tropes
Kidnapping
Murder
Brainwashing
Eugenics
Thoughts
Easy reading. Fluid writing. No lulls. Potential for series. Played out in my head like a movie (think Red Sparrow or Black Widow).
Overall
Patterson is a writer who is consistent. I can always rely on his books to “hit the spot”. The collaboration with Sitts gives a fresh feel to the writing. I will be back for more.
Thank you to @grandcentralpub for my gofted copynin return for an honest review. Opinions expressed are my own.
The Perfect Assasin
Doc Savage series
James Patterson and Brian Sitts
Tropes
Kidnapping
Murder
Brainwashing
Eugenics
Thoughts
Easy reading. Fluid writing. No lulls. Potential for series. Played out in my head like a movie (think Red Sparrow or Black Widow).
Overall
Patterson is a writer who is consistent. I can always rely on his books to “hit the spot”. The collaboration with Sitts gives a fresh feel to the writing. I will be back for more.
Thank you to @grandcentralpub for my gofted copynin return for an honest review. Opinions expressed are my own.
August 6, 2023
Very, very easy read. Not a ton of depth but enjoyed it.
July 28, 2022
“The Perfect Assassin” is the start of a new series featuring the great-grandson of Doc Savage, a 1930s pulp fiction hero (Patterson has already revived “The Shadow”, a 1930s radio character). It’s present day and Dr. Brandt Savage, University of Chicago professor, has just been kidnapped by the almost superhuman Meed, who proceeds to “biohack” his out of shape body into the title. Meed has a purpose in mind for the doctor and it probably has something to with his heritage (and hers) but after 6 months in “captivity,” what is it? What happens next is a thrill ride that leaves you wanting a next book as soon as possible.
James Patterson books are sort of like the McDonald’s of thrillers —quality is always consistently good, it’s possibly a fast encounter, reading is a special treat, and you feel satisfied after completing one. Patterson is so prolific he could almost publish a book a week. I think he has 17 books (including children’s books) being published in 2022, so he’s a special treat to be enjoyed every 3 weeks or so. He’s noted as a trusted storyteller, but what I admire most is his ability to find terrific collaborators, like Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton. His co-authors often launch out on their own (Patterson has even turned one his series totally over to a writing partner). This time we welcome Brian Sitts as the co-author and he deserves as much praise as Patterson. A quick read and I loved it and its lead character duo. 5 stars!
Next: Patterson should consider bringing back The Phantom Detective, a wealthy playboy investigator (and the third most popular 1930s pulp hero after the Shadow and Doc Savage)!
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO Some blue and brown eyes, but no green. However, only 0.17 percent of the world’s population has red hair and blue eyes like Meed.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO It’s mostly Chicago or Russia during the winter.
James Patterson books are sort of like the McDonald’s of thrillers —quality is always consistently good, it’s possibly a fast encounter, reading is a special treat, and you feel satisfied after completing one. Patterson is so prolific he could almost publish a book a week. I think he has 17 books (including children’s books) being published in 2022, so he’s a special treat to be enjoyed every 3 weeks or so. He’s noted as a trusted storyteller, but what I admire most is his ability to find terrific collaborators, like Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton. His co-authors often launch out on their own (Patterson has even turned one his series totally over to a writing partner). This time we welcome Brian Sitts as the co-author and he deserves as much praise as Patterson. A quick read and I loved it and its lead character duo. 5 stars!
Next: Patterson should consider bringing back The Phantom Detective, a wealthy playboy investigator (and the third most popular 1930s pulp hero after the Shadow and Doc Savage)!
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO Some blue and brown eyes, but no green. However, only 0.17 percent of the world’s population has red hair and blue eyes like Meed.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO It’s mostly Chicago or Russia during the winter.
January 15, 2023
I found the character of Doc Savage (or he found me) when I was ten years old. I am a lot older than that now, but Doc had a big influence on me when I was a young person. So to say that I have a great amount of affection for Doc Savage would be an understatement.
The Perfect Assassin is the latest attempt to bring Doc (of at least his brand) into the modern era. In case you don’t know, Doc is a character that originated in the 1930s and 40s. Reared by a more than slightly maniacal father, Clark Savage Jr. is raised from birth to be superhuman. He is a physical and mental marvel. He is also definitely (in my opinion) a child of his time.
Doc is owned by Conde Nast who must not be making a lot of money with this property. So they have brought in superstar author James Patterson to presumably help generate some revenue along with Patterson’s ghost writer I mean co-author Brian Sitts. These geniuses totally raped The Shadow, another 30’s pulp hero when they revamped him recently. In their defense this novel (The Perfect Assassin) is not quite as bad.
Warning! Spoilers ahead. This novel is divided into two parts. The first part is incredibly boring as it features, the kidnapping and transmogrification of Dr. Brandt Savage, Doc’s grandson, from mild mannered university professor to ubermensch-in six months! If you can make it through that part two is relatively exciting. It is also filled with some incredible coincidences that stretch suspension of disbelief well past the breaking point. Brandt Savage finds his grandfather’s abandoned Fortress of Solitude (yes, Virginia, Clark Savage had a Fortress of Solitude before that other Clark did) and he successfully manages to call in Interpol for assistance-because anytime you call Interpol they will respond with a full strike team just because you asked nicely.
Unoriginal plot points abound-including an almost direct rip-off of the Black Widow’s backstory. Plus an incident near the end of the book seems to indicate our new Doc has now become bulletproof-what? At least the authors seem to be somewhat familiar with Doc’s backstory. One star.
The Perfect Assassin is the latest attempt to bring Doc (of at least his brand) into the modern era. In case you don’t know, Doc is a character that originated in the 1930s and 40s. Reared by a more than slightly maniacal father, Clark Savage Jr. is raised from birth to be superhuman. He is a physical and mental marvel. He is also definitely (in my opinion) a child of his time.
Doc is owned by Conde Nast who must not be making a lot of money with this property. So they have brought in superstar author James Patterson to presumably help generate some revenue along with Patterson’s ghost writer I mean co-author Brian Sitts. These geniuses totally raped The Shadow, another 30’s pulp hero when they revamped him recently. In their defense this novel (The Perfect Assassin) is not quite as bad.
Warning! Spoilers ahead. This novel is divided into two parts. The first part is incredibly boring as it features, the kidnapping and transmogrification of Dr. Brandt Savage, Doc’s grandson, from mild mannered university professor to ubermensch-in six months! If you can make it through that part two is relatively exciting. It is also filled with some incredible coincidences that stretch suspension of disbelief well past the breaking point. Brandt Savage finds his grandfather’s abandoned Fortress of Solitude (yes, Virginia, Clark Savage had a Fortress of Solitude before that other Clark did) and he successfully manages to call in Interpol for assistance-because anytime you call Interpol they will respond with a full strike team just because you asked nicely.
Unoriginal plot points abound-including an almost direct rip-off of the Black Widow’s backstory. Plus an incident near the end of the book seems to indicate our new Doc has now become bulletproof-what? At least the authors seem to be somewhat familiar with Doc’s backstory. One star.
January 13, 2023
When the nerdy and wimpy college professor, Brandt Savage, is kidnapped, he finds himself in a merciless school for one, where his captor, the enigmatic and beautiful Meed, puts him through a rigorous training session. The result? He practically becomes Superman. And it's all for the greater good: Meed knows of a class of killers who will stop at nothing to overthrow the world as they know it. And only Brandt and Meed have the power to stop it.
This book is WAY over the top, but it was a lot of fun. I really appreciate the voice of the Brandt Savage chapters, which provided some levity--it's a book that doesn't take itself too seriously. I have to say, the training sessions gave me flashbacks of Blake Crouch's recent Upgrade, but this one goes in a more interesting direction, especially given the flashback chapters of Meed's life.
The romance element was a little cringey to me and I hope that the final copy does away with the bold/italicized words--they were a bit distracting (and really, one question mark/exclamation point is all that's needed. Two doesn't strengthen the sentence), and some of the chapters felt unnecessary to the story--in particular the POV from the African runner.
But overall, this is an easy weekend read and I'd most likely read the next in the series.
Special thanks to Grand Central Publisher for sending a free copy of this book in exchange for a review.
This book is WAY over the top, but it was a lot of fun. I really appreciate the voice of the Brandt Savage chapters, which provided some levity--it's a book that doesn't take itself too seriously. I have to say, the training sessions gave me flashbacks of Blake Crouch's recent Upgrade, but this one goes in a more interesting direction, especially given the flashback chapters of Meed's life.
The romance element was a little cringey to me and I hope that the final copy does away with the bold/italicized words--they were a bit distracting (and really, one question mark/exclamation point is all that's needed. Two doesn't strengthen the sentence), and some of the chapters felt unnecessary to the story--in particular the POV from the African runner.
But overall, this is an easy weekend read and I'd most likely read the next in the series.
Special thanks to Grand Central Publisher for sending a free copy of this book in exchange for a review.
December 4, 2022
This was an odd book for me. I was enjoying it at the beginning and then there was a long bit that was boring and repetitive and then came the unsatisfying ending. The entire thing was totally unrealistic and put me in mind of a comic book. I’m not sure if I’d want to read more of this series.
November 18, 2022
Thank you Hachette Audio for the ALC and @NovelSuspects & Grand Central Publishing, #partner, for the advanced copy of The Perfect Assassin in exchange for my honest review.
It’s no secret that I am a huge James Patterson fan and of course am going to read whatever he writes! This latest book is a potential new series in collaboration with Brian Sitts, who is a new author for me and I absolutely loved what they created!
As I have come to love with any James Patterson book, we have the typical short chapters and break-neck speed and an opening that pulls you in immediately. What I especially loved with this book was the alternating timelines – as a lover of historical fiction, I found that to be quite intriguing here in a thriller and was so eager to see how these two plots would eventually intersect.
There are a lot of moving parts to this story – a kidnapping of a professor, kidnapping of babies, espionage, terrorism, corruption, elite training and murder – all combine to keep you on your toes as to what is really going on. The twists and turns keep you glued to the pages and I found myself unable to tear myself away from the book once I started it.
This book has a bit of a sci-fi feel to it while still staying in the thriller lane and I couldn’t have enjoyed it more. It is entertaining, exciting and I am quite eager to see what direction this series takes.
Audio thoughts: I ended up listening to this one and what a great choice that was – it translated very well onto audio! The narrators, Joshua Kane and Suzanne Elise Freeman, did a great job bringing this story to life and I found myself completely captivated and engaged. Their pacing and intonation was perfect and I think I will continue to listen to this series moving forward.
You can see all my reviews at: https://www.alwayswithabook.com/
It’s no secret that I am a huge James Patterson fan and of course am going to read whatever he writes! This latest book is a potential new series in collaboration with Brian Sitts, who is a new author for me and I absolutely loved what they created!
As I have come to love with any James Patterson book, we have the typical short chapters and break-neck speed and an opening that pulls you in immediately. What I especially loved with this book was the alternating timelines – as a lover of historical fiction, I found that to be quite intriguing here in a thriller and was so eager to see how these two plots would eventually intersect.
There are a lot of moving parts to this story – a kidnapping of a professor, kidnapping of babies, espionage, terrorism, corruption, elite training and murder – all combine to keep you on your toes as to what is really going on. The twists and turns keep you glued to the pages and I found myself unable to tear myself away from the book once I started it.
This book has a bit of a sci-fi feel to it while still staying in the thriller lane and I couldn’t have enjoyed it more. It is entertaining, exciting and I am quite eager to see what direction this series takes.
Audio thoughts: I ended up listening to this one and what a great choice that was – it translated very well onto audio! The narrators, Joshua Kane and Suzanne Elise Freeman, did a great job bringing this story to life and I found myself completely captivated and engaged. Their pacing and intonation was perfect and I think I will continue to listen to this series moving forward.
You can see all my reviews at: https://www.alwayswithabook.com/
April 26, 2023
Nobody can write a thriller like James Patterson and once again it's proven with The Perfect Assassin. Co-written with Brian Sitts, this is the first book in the Doc Savage series and it's fast-paced with lots of action!
This book was gripping from the start, it opens on a scene that already has the reader wondering where the story might go. That's what I like about Patterson's books, it makes you think, strategize and plan.
A university professor is kidnapped by a young woman and trained to become an assassin. The entire process is captivating as the reader can't place the purpose of this training. But as the chapters fly by, the pieces fall into place and everything becomes clear. There are a few side characters as there are different layers to the story, but each layer is more gripping than the next.
I highly recommend reading this if you're a fan of thrillers - it has everything you want and still exceeds your expectations. If you're new thrillers and want to give James Patterson's books a try, this is your sign to do it! You will not regret it.
Thank you Penguin Random House SA for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was gripping from the start, it opens on a scene that already has the reader wondering where the story might go. That's what I like about Patterson's books, it makes you think, strategize and plan.
A university professor is kidnapped by a young woman and trained to become an assassin. The entire process is captivating as the reader can't place the purpose of this training. But as the chapters fly by, the pieces fall into place and everything becomes clear. There are a few side characters as there are different layers to the story, but each layer is more gripping than the next.
I highly recommend reading this if you're a fan of thrillers - it has everything you want and still exceeds your expectations. If you're new thrillers and want to give James Patterson's books a try, this is your sign to do it! You will not regret it.
Thank you Penguin Random House SA for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 18, 2022
Another great Patterson book. Granted it was a little hard to follow sometimes because of the names of different characters but when I was finished I realized I had really like this book. I recommend it for everyone.
December 5, 2022
I don’t read James Patterson, and now I know I was right in that decision.
I read all the original 1930’s era Doc Savage pulp fiction novels - my brother had them all and I really enjoyed reading them.
This book was insufferably bad, awful, and plain terrible. The mild mannered Brandt Savage gets kidnapped and forced to train his body and mind and never once suspects it might have something to do with his great grandfather? And the guy has a PhD? His parentage is never discussed - Doc Savage never had a girlfriend in any of the books, but obviously there was someone. Maybe to be discussed in a subsequent book, if there are any.
The flashbacks between Meed/Kira’s training took up the first half of the book and just dragged it down.
So many suspensions of belief were needed - sure, Brandt Savage just happens to find the Fortress of Solitude in the middle of the Bering Sea at night. Stretches belief that Interpol would respond to an incident in Russia and that they would be accepting orders from Brandt Savage. And let’s not not forget the spiritual flashes from the original Doc.
And of course Kira/Meed falls for him and he for her. I wonder if he kept working out the whole time they were separated?
I was hoping for a novel that that would be campy and fun, or at least be a tribute to the pulp fiction genre and the original Doc Savage. This book was pure dreck and the authors should be ashamed of themselves.
I read all the original 1930’s era Doc Savage pulp fiction novels - my brother had them all and I really enjoyed reading them.
This book was insufferably bad, awful, and plain terrible. The mild mannered Brandt Savage gets kidnapped and forced to train his body and mind and never once suspects it might have something to do with his great grandfather? And the guy has a PhD? His parentage is never discussed - Doc Savage never had a girlfriend in any of the books, but obviously there was someone. Maybe to be discussed in a subsequent book, if there are any.
The flashbacks between Meed/Kira’s training took up the first half of the book and just dragged it down.
So many suspensions of belief were needed - sure, Brandt Savage just happens to find the Fortress of Solitude in the middle of the Bering Sea at night. Stretches belief that Interpol would respond to an incident in Russia and that they would be accepting orders from Brandt Savage. And let’s not not forget the spiritual flashes from the original Doc.
And of course Kira/Meed falls for him and he for her. I wonder if he kept working out the whole time they were separated?
I was hoping for a novel that that would be campy and fun, or at least be a tribute to the pulp fiction genre and the original Doc Savage. This book was pure dreck and the authors should be ashamed of themselves.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2022
Really a pretty stupid book.certainly one of the lesser of the Patterson books. Read like a comic book.
November 18, 2022
The Perfect Assassin: A Doc Savage Thriller is by James Patterson and Brian Sitts. Although this book was not exactly what I was expecting it was a fantastic read. I read it in only one day!
In this one, Dr. Brandt Savage is the great-grandson of the legendary Doc Savage. Doc Savage has been gone for many decades and the events which made him famous occurred almost 100 years ago. Like most people, Brandt Savage believes that most of the events that are attributed to Doc Savage are exaggerated or just plain fiction. Nevertheless, he has tried to keep the knowledge of his relationship with Doc Savage to a minimum. He lives a quiet and predictable life in Chicago teaching at a university. One day on his way home he is kidnapped and sedated by a strange young lady simply called Meed. He awakens in a large sealed space complete with a gym and a cell where is kept prisoner. He soon discovers he cannot escape and must submit to a rigorous training program both physically and mentally. He seems to develop at an astounding rate. The young lady soon reveals that she is Kira Sunlight, the great-granddaughter of John Sunlight. John Sunlight was one of Doc Savage's most dangerous adversaries. He put in place a program many decades ago that is still ongoing to take over the world. It will be up to Brandt and Kira to put a stop to his plans or die trying.
In this one, Dr. Brandt Savage is the great-grandson of the legendary Doc Savage. Doc Savage has been gone for many decades and the events which made him famous occurred almost 100 years ago. Like most people, Brandt Savage believes that most of the events that are attributed to Doc Savage are exaggerated or just plain fiction. Nevertheless, he has tried to keep the knowledge of his relationship with Doc Savage to a minimum. He lives a quiet and predictable life in Chicago teaching at a university. One day on his way home he is kidnapped and sedated by a strange young lady simply called Meed. He awakens in a large sealed space complete with a gym and a cell where is kept prisoner. He soon discovers he cannot escape and must submit to a rigorous training program both physically and mentally. He seems to develop at an astounding rate. The young lady soon reveals that she is Kira Sunlight, the great-granddaughter of John Sunlight. John Sunlight was one of Doc Savage's most dangerous adversaries. He put in place a program many decades ago that is still ongoing to take over the world. It will be up to Brandt and Kira to put a stop to his plans or die trying.
April 20, 2023
Doc Savage. I remember collecting the comic books as a teen. It helped that I worked in a bookstore. I was collecting the Avenger too. The number of books were one hundred or more.
Kenneth Robinson wrote book series.
This book was written by James Patterson. I was glad to see someone was going to revive Doc Savage. Some of the members of his crew were quite familiar. The plot wasn't like the formular style we read in the originals. If James has plans for a second book, I can barely contain myself.
Kenneth Robinson wrote book series.
This book was written by James Patterson. I was glad to see someone was going to revive Doc Savage. Some of the members of his crew were quite familiar. The plot wasn't like the formular style we read in the originals. If James has plans for a second book, I can barely contain myself.
January 26, 2023
Awesome
I really enjoyed this book, and look forward to the next in the series. Well done Brian Sitts and James Patterson. I highly suggest reading this book.
I really enjoyed this book, and look forward to the next in the series. Well done Brian Sitts and James Patterson. I highly suggest reading this book.
November 18, 2022
Lol this book man...a prime example of why James Patterson is a hack.
First of all, the plot is completely ripped from the Black Widow movie. A girl is taken from her real family as an infant to a school in Russia where she and other kids are trained to be killer assassins, but eventually she escapes, however she also eventually decides to return to the school to end it for good and free the kids still training there, and to do this she needs the help of her superhumanly strong friend.
Like?? How blatant can you be...
Admittedly I did take some liberties with the superhuman friend part, which is probably the biggest area of difference from the movie. She kidnaps this college nerd professor who she then somehow trains into being a literal Superman in 6 months. Huge suspension of disbelief required on that.. Its hand waved a little by saying his great grandfather had some experiment done to him so his genes are like exceptional or something. And his great grandfather's names? Clark and Cal, LOLL. Still trying to decide if this was superman fanfiction, captain america fanfiction, or black widow fanfiction.
Anyways with disbelief fully suspended it was still a generally fun read because I'm a sucker for comic bookesque stories so there's that.
First of all, the plot is completely ripped from the Black Widow movie. A girl is taken from her real family as an infant to a school in Russia where she and other kids are trained to be killer assassins, but eventually she escapes, however she also eventually decides to return to the school to end it for good and free the kids still training there, and to do this she needs the help of her superhumanly strong friend.
Like?? How blatant can you be...
Admittedly I did take some liberties with the superhuman friend part, which is probably the biggest area of difference from the movie. She kidnaps this college nerd professor who she then somehow trains into being a literal Superman in 6 months. Huge suspension of disbelief required on that.. Its hand waved a little by saying his great grandfather had some experiment done to him so his genes are like exceptional or something. And his great grandfather's names? Clark and Cal, LOLL. Still trying to decide if this was superman fanfiction, captain america fanfiction, or black widow fanfiction.
Anyways with disbelief fully suspended it was still a generally fun read because I'm a sucker for comic bookesque stories so there's that.
October 27, 2022
The Perfect Assasssin is the first installment of a new series. It is fabulous! I won’t give a summary of the plot, but suffice it to say it is a tension filled mystery! Brian Sitts’ execution is brilliant! and clever. The reader queries the mystery until the very end, It is sci-fi ( which I don’t usually read,) but I could not put this book down!! Very unique story plot, thrilling climax, and a very satisfying ending! I can’t wait for the next installment!
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and authors for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and authors for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
February 20, 2023
A fabulous read. Twists and turns on every page. Could not put it down.
September 26, 2022
Perfect Assassin(s)
Which one, there are soo,many…but don’t be fooled by the real deal. James Patterson is on my rolodex, my speed dial-we go way back.
Here’s the new and improved Indiana Jones.
I won’t mention any character names because I’ll tell the entire story, grandfathers, kidnapping, Chicago, Russia, Interpol and a kiss before it all begins anew.
I can’t wait for the next one. I expect this to follow a path similar to Alex Cross…lots of stories to tell.
Thank you Grand Central Publishing, James Patterson and Brian Sitts for an early copy. I took half a point off because of typos, but I’m sure they’ll be fixed in time.
Get ready, because here they come…#PerfectAssasin
Which one, there are soo,many…but don’t be fooled by the real deal. James Patterson is on my rolodex, my speed dial-we go way back.
Here’s the new and improved Indiana Jones.
I won’t mention any character names because I’ll tell the entire story, grandfathers, kidnapping, Chicago, Russia, Interpol and a kiss before it all begins anew.
I can’t wait for the next one. I expect this to follow a path similar to Alex Cross…lots of stories to tell.
Thank you Grand Central Publishing, James Patterson and Brian Sitts for an early copy. I took half a point off because of typos, but I’m sure they’ll be fixed in time.
Get ready, because here they come…#PerfectAssasin
December 15, 2022
The fact that this guy sells so many books is a sad indication of general intelligence
I checked to make sure, this book is not supposed to be YA fiction. The fact that it took two authors to write this is stunning. I mean it’s really pedantic, and is the book equivalent to a 17th fast and furious movie. Lame plot, poorly made money grab. I accidentally read like two chapters of a Clive Cussler book once. If you like that trash this book is right up your alley.
I checked to make sure, this book is not supposed to be YA fiction. The fact that it took two authors to write this is stunning. I mean it’s really pedantic, and is the book equivalent to a 17th fast and furious movie. Lame plot, poorly made money grab. I accidentally read like two chapters of a Clive Cussler book once. If you like that trash this book is right up your alley.
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