Step on a Crack (Michael Bennett series)

Step on a Crack by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge is the first novel in the Michael Bennett series, combining a tense hostage crisis with deeply personal loss. When a beloved former First Lady dies, powerful figures from around the world gather in New York City for her funeral. Then a ruthless criminal traps thirty-four billionaires, politicians, and celebrities inside a deadly kidnapping scheme. NYPD Detective Michael Bennett is called in to negotiate, but the case becomes even more difficult when his wife dies after a long illness. While grieving and trying to support their ten children, Bennett must outthink a criminal who seems prepared for every move made by the police and FBI. Fast-paced, emotional, and full of suspense, this thriller is a strong choice for readers who enjoy police procedurals, hostage dramas, family tension, and high-stakes crime fiction. Paperback, Very Good