Let me start by saying I don't need another series to obsess over. But here we are.
NYPD Red 6 kicks off with a man named Bobby stalking the so-called “wedding of the century”, a reality TV star marrying a ridiculously rich guy. As far as high-society weddings go, this one comes with its own spy-level surveillance setup, and I was instantly intrigued. Bobby has all the tech gadgets: Cameras, trackers, you name it. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind borrowing a few of his toys, minus the whole criminal intent thing.
This was my first introduction to Detectives Zach and Kylie, and I was pleasantly surprised by how well their dynamic worked. They're exes, sure, but they actually function like adults, which in the world of fiction is practically a superpower. You can tell they've got a solid partnership, even with some lingering tension simmering beneath the surface.
The plot centers around a kidnapping that’s believable enough to keep you invested without requiring a conspiracy theory flowchart. But once Jamie’s lovely mother (read: controlling, power-wielding, ultra-rich matriarch) winds up dead, I couldn’t help but side-eye the reality star bride. I mean... people do crazy things for money and fame. Just saying.
One of my favorite parts of the story was Shane. He is a chef, a friend of Zach's, and Kylie's new love interest. He brings a personal element that gives the story depth beyond just the case. It was refreshing to see characters with lives outside their jobs, even if their lives are also completely chaotic.
As for Victoria (a.k.a. the aforementioned mother-in-law from hell), her murder shocked me… briefly. Then I remembered she had more enemies than the IRS and enough money to make someone feel real motivated.
The pacing was lightning fast. I read it in one sitting, which probably says more about the writing than it does about my ability to ignore adult responsibilities.
I would definitely absolutely positively recommend it. And yes, it works perfectly well as a standalone, even if you've never touched another NYPD Red book. That said, I now have five more books to add to my already out-of-control TBR pile. Thanks, Patterson. Thanks a lot.
