James Patterson has created a suspenseful trilogy of novels in the Instinct Series, which inspired the hit CBS TV series starring Alan Cumming. This series of novels begins with Murder Games (now called ‘Instinct’); continues on in Killer Instinct, and concludes in Steal. Following is a brief synopsis of each.
There are two main characters in this 3-book series.
- Dr. Dylan Reinhart, a psychology professor at Yale, who wrote what has become a definitive book on criminal behavior.
- Elizabeth Needham, a brilliant NYPD Detective.
Instinct (Murder Games)
As Book One begins, we learn that a copy of Dylan’s book has turned up at the scene of a gruesome murder, along with a threatening message from the killer. Detective Needham recruits Dr. Reinhart to help with the investigation, as well as helping to interpret another souvenir left at the scene: a playing card. This is followed by another murder…. and another card.
Dylan begins to suspect that the cards are not the killer’s signature, but actually a deadly hint pointing toward the next victim.
Can a criminal behavior expert and an NYPD detective track down a criminal the media is calling “The Dealer” before New York City completely descends into panic? A shocking novel of suspense.
Killer Instinct
Dr. Dylan Reinhart reunites with Detective Elizabeth Needham to find a killer when an Ivy League professor is murdered.
As the duo begin their investigation, suddenly there is a terrifying attack at Times Square in New York, sending the city into chaos. A name on the casualty list rocks Dylan’s world as it brings back a long-buried secret from his past that could possibly threaten his current life.
Then, Elizabeth performs a courageous act that makes her a reluctant hero. The resultant attention also makes her a prime target for the ruthless murderer behind the attack.
Dylan, who wrote the book on the psychology of murder, and Elizabeth have solved cases that have baffled conventional detectives. But now they face a sociopath unlike any other. With threats of another attack looming, failure is not an option.
STEAL
A student in Dr. Dylan Reinhart’s Abnormal Psychology class, who happens to be the son of the extremely wealthy hedge fund CEO, posts on Instagram he plans to kill himself. When his sailboat returns without him, a massive search begins. Did Carter really kill himself, or is something else going on?
Carter’s father doesn’t believe his son is dead. There is also the matter of an extremely valuable painting that represents a dangerous secret and has gone missing at the same time that Carter disappeared. He cannot go to the police without revealing the secret, so he convinces Dylan to look for him.
Wrapped up in multi-million-dollar secrets and danger, Dylan is going to need every bit of his wit and the help of his headstrong and brilliant friend, NYPC Detective Elizabeth Needham, to stay ahead of both his enemy … and his employer.
Summary
A trio of thrillers introduces two fascinating new characters to James Patterson’s suspense novels. The first book in the series (Instinct ~ formerly Murder Games) also became the basis for a hit TV series starring Alan Cummings as Dr. Dylan Reinhart. It ran for two seasons and is now available on DVD. I truly enjoyed this trilogy of novels by James Patterson.
*Book Reviews of the Instinct Series by James Patterson, written by Wednesday Elf
The 'Instinct' Triology and the "Instinct" TV Series:
