If you love a good murder mystery with twists that make you go, “Wait, what just happened?” Steal by James Patterson is a ride you’ll want to hop on. The third book in the Dylan Reinhart series is fast-paced, filled with surprises, and just the right amount of sarcasm (from both the plot and the characters).
Dylan Reinhart is, hands down, the star of this show. His quick wit and dry humor are so spot-on that I’m pretty sure we’d be best friends — especially if we all went out for wine (Dylan, his husband, and me). He's that guy who can keep you on your toes with a punchline and still make you feel like you’re part of his inner circle.
The plot? Wild. There are so many moments where I found myself thinking, “Did I just read that right?” The suspense keeps you guessing, and just when you think you’ve figured it out, Patterson pulls the rug out from under you. The Russian crime boss? Not the bad guy! The big reveal — that Mathias von Billionaire Jerk is behind his son’s kidnapping — totally threw me off. Who does that? Seriously, the man’s got issues. It felt like an Olympic-level betrayal. I was not ready for that one.
Patterson’s signature short chapters are a godsend. They keep the action moving, even when the pace slows down a bit. You don’t have time to get bored because just when you think things are settling, bam, another twist. His style is addictive, and I’m always hooked, page after page.
One of the funniest lines comes when Dylan quotes Elizabeth’s take on journalist Grimes: “His libido thinks he's 20, his liver thinks he's 80, and his ego thinks he's the pope.” I’m still laughing. Grimes is that guy — always up in everyone’s business and somehow making it all about him. His antics definitely add some levity to the tension-filled story.
If you love murder mysteries with plenty of plot twists and unexpected endings, Steal is for you. It’s fast-paced, keeps you guessing, and is filled with witty dialogue and a few laugh-out-loud moments. Definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a gripping, fun read.
