Book Review: The Writer by James Patterson and J.D. Barker

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The Writer by James Patterson and J.D. Barker  was published on March 17, 2025. It opens with Detective Declan Shaw at a closed subway station trying to work up the nerve to commit suicide when he receives a call from his partner about a break in and homicide at the home of a true crime author. Shaw makes his way to the crime scene to work the case, and in a turn of events, Declan comes under scrutiny in another case loosely connected to this new case. I received an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of The Writer  from NetGalley and Little , Brown, and Company for free in exchange for my honest review. I'm appreciative that my request for this book was approved. With this story opening with the main character trying to commit suicide, I almost didn't go any further with the book. However, I am glad I stuck with it as it took me on a fantastic ride and had my emotions all over the place. There were so many twists and turns that just when I thought I had it all figured out, there was ...
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Book Review: Roasting in Hell's Kitchen: Temper Tantrums, F Words, and the Pursuit of Perfection by Gordon Ramsay

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Non-Fiction Autobiography of Roasting in Hell's Kitchen: Temper Tantrums, F Words, and the Pursuit of Perfection by Gordon Ramsay
Roasting in Hell's Kitchen: Temper Tantrums, F Words, and the Pursuit of Perfection by Gordon Ramsay takes a mind-blowing look into the life of Gordon Ramsay. From his tough childhood to his father's alcoholism and brother's heroin addition to a failed soccer career, you'll learn what made Gordon Ramsay the chef he is today.

Several years ago, I stumbled on to a reality show on the Fox Network called Hell's Kitchen, which was in the middle of its third season. There was nothing else on television so I wanted to see what this "new" show was all about, and I immediately fell in love with it. Much to my surprise, it had two previous seasons. (I still don't know how I hadn't heard about this show before then.) 

From there, I fell in love with the show Kitchen Nightmares, 24 Hours to Hell and Back, and all things Gordon Ramsay. When he came out with his autobiography, Roasting in Hell's Kitchen: Temper Tantrums, F Words, and the Pursuit of Perfection, I knew I had to buy the book and read it.

One of the things I was most surprised about was that Ramsay was born in Scotland, not England and grew up in poverty. The other being that he was on track to having a soccer career until he tore some cartilage in his knee that kept him from going further with it. It was also interesting to learn that he worked in a French restaurant without knowing a word of French! I was shocked to learn how his father struggled with alcoholism and violence, and the way he treated everyone was horrifying. 

I have to say I have a new found respect of Gordon Ramsay with all he had to go through in his childhood. I don't want to give too much away, but Roasting in Hell's Kitchen:  Temper Tantrums, F Words, and the Pursuit of Perfection is well worth the read and getting to know Ramsay behind the television persona that has been created . . . everything isn't always what it seems. I gave it four out of five stars.

If you liked Roasting in Hell's Kitchen:  Temper Tantrums, F Words, and the Pursuit of Perfection, then you'll like Here's the Story:  Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice by Maureen McCormick.


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