MISTRESS by James Patterson with David Ellis

MISTRESS by James Patterson with David Ellis is one of those collaborations between a well-known author (Patterson) and an up and comer (Ellis).  The main character, Ben Casper is a geeky 20 something who owns an online newspaper in Washington, D.C.  His ADHD like mind jumps from one thought to another and tends to focus on Presidential trivia when he is most excited.  Since it’s written in first person, present tense that can be both entertaining and annoying.

Ben has a thing for his woman friend Diana Hotchkiss until she mysteriously falls to her death from her apartment’s balcony.  Diana’s death is ruled a suicide but Ben doesn’t buy it and launches an investigation of his own.  He learns Diana is in fact leading a double life and sharing neither with her family back in Wisconsin.  On the surface Diana has a fabulous job at the CIA that brings her into contact with high level government officials.  But Ben soon discovers she has more personal and secret relationships with individuals in government… and not just our government.  Some are willing to kill to remain anonymous.

People formerly close the Diana begin to die suspiciously. Ben attempts to bluff the CIA to flush out the truth but succeeds only in turning the conspirator’s focus to him.  With only hunches, no evidence and two attempts on his life, Ben appeals to the police.  They agree that Diana's death may not have been a suicide but evidence points to Ben as her murderer. With his business and his life in jeopardy, Ben takes one last risk to clear himself and reveal Diana's murderer.

MISTRESS is a good effort for the team of authors.  I’m not sure I understand why the collaboration.  Ellis does the work, Paterson and staff provide the marketing I suspect.  I’ve read and reviewed David Ellis before and see a promising future as a stand-alone author.  If that career fails he is secure in his first chosen career as a prosecutor.  He prosecuted and convicted Governor Rod Blagojevich in the impeachment trial before the Illinois Senate.  I hope he sticks with career number two.