New Release Alert: Obsessed

And why fans say Michael Bennett is the best James Patterson hero

No one can deny that James Patterson has authored many popular thriller series featuring compelling lead characters, but many fans contend that the best of these is Michael Bennett, the NYPD's top detective. The series is co-authored by James O. Born and the fifteenth title in the series, Obsessed, comes out today!

A feel-good hero, the Irish-American Michael Bennett is a stalwart family man caring for a large brood of ten adopted children. At six foot three and 200 pounds, he is an imposing figure. But beneath his tough exterior, he's got a heart of gold.

Get caught up with the entire Michael Bennett series 

As with other James Patterson series, it's easy to read each installment as a standalone novel. But you'll get a better sense of the captivating, complex character of Michael Bennett if you read the books in order. Here are the main series titles in order with a brief description of each.

1. Step on a Crack—As he faces the devastating loss of his wife Maeve to cancer, Michael Bennet must free a group of celebrities and billionaires who have been taken hostage at the funeral of a beloved former first lady.
2. Run for Your Life—Still recovering from Maeve's death and trying to care for his family, Bennett is the only one who can stop an elusive Manhattan serial killer known as "the Teacher."
3. Worst Case—Bennett heads the investigation of a series of perplexing kidnappings of the children of wealthy families. And sparks fly between him and Agent Emily Parker, the FBI specialist sent in to help with the case.
4. Tick Tock—His love life grows more complicated as Bennett is forced to cut into vacation time with his family as a serial killer rips New York apart with a string of horrifying murders.
5. I, Michael Bennett—A South American drug lord terrorizes New York City as Bennett does his best to force this criminal mastermind to stand trial for his crimes. Meanwhile, Bennett tries to make sense of his deepening relationship with Mary Catherine, his children's nanny.
6. Gone—Following his angering of a powerful drug lord, Bennett and his family are in a witness protection program out in the boondocks of California.
7. Burn—As he and his family return home to New York City, Bennett investigates a high society dining club suspected of practicing ritual murder and cannibalism.
8. Alert—Bennett reunites with his old pal, FBI agent Emily Parker, to stop a wave of high-profile assassinations which are only a prelude to a more shocking and widespread terrorist plot.
9. Bullseye—Pulled away from his family, Bennett must trace the source of a threat that could rip the country apart and ignite war during an intense international conference in New York.
10. Haunted—Bennett is on vacation with his family in Maine when local kids start disappearing and he is asked to investigate. Finding an unlikely partner in a young girl, he races to unmask the culprit.
11. Ambush—An anonymous tip about a crime in New York proves to be a set-up designed to trap Bennett. When he eludes it, the killer starts targeting those closest to him.
12. Blindside—The NYC mayor has a daughter who's missing and in danger. Bennett has a son in prison. They make a deal.
13. The Russian—As Bennett prepares to marry his longtime love, Mary Catherine, an assassin announces his presence in the City with a string of grisly murders.
14. Shattered—Nothing could tear Bennett away from his new bride—except the murder of his partner and best friend.

What fans have to say about it

Michael Bennett is James Patterson's most beloved detective. That's right. Not Cross. Not Women's Murder Club. Bennett.

Do you agree? Let us know in the comments.

You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram for daily book recommendations, literary tidbits, and more.

Read more by Ashly Moore Sheldon