The Thirteen

I, too, purchased this thinking it was by THE James Patterson but I have not been disappointed. A 60's graduate of Miami University (Ohio), sorority member and resident of Oxford, Ohio, I am familiar with Ohio University and Greek life. The story makes me smile as I remember some of the same experiences. I would recommend it to any Ohio collegiate, graduate or Greek member.

I ordered this book for my wife thinking it was written by the slightly more famous James Patterson who's books she devours avidly. As an Englishman living and working around Athens Ohio, I found this novel really interesting as it provides a great insight into both the area and College life in the US. In addition I also found The Thirteen to be an entertaining and grippingly realistic story, something I cannot always say about the authors alter ego. This book cleverly combines the journey of our freshman hero Five Lowry as he discovers the great mysteries of life, namely beer, women and commerce with a murder mystery. No mean feat in my opinion! My wife was somewhat grieved by my mistake, personally I was rather pleased and hope all my future errors turn out as happily.

My mother handed me this book to read about a year ago. I put it off at first but picked it up and once started...I had to finish. I recommend this for anyone who ever experienced Greek life on campus or wondered about it; For anyone who ever attended Ohio University, lived in Athens or intends to do so; and anyone who simply enjoys a good novel about college life.I've written a review for my own fraternity web page advising them to read it, alumni and actives. It was an excellent book but I think it will strike a very special cord for anyone who ever went to Ohio University or experienced Greek life in the last 50 years, and anyone who intends to do so. Patterson graduated from OU in 1958 and although this was all set twenty years before my time I know or have heard often of those places, which were no longer around when I started college. They were still here when I was young and my grandmother worked as the night manager at the burger joint (The Begorra) which plays a prominent role in the book. This was like reliving history for me and I'm sure for my mother who gave me the book filled with footnotes of her remembrances about the places and the people. You'll recognize in this book much that you knew about OU, Athens and Greek Life, or any small college town. Many of the people you knew and the experiences you had in college. I certainly did. Most of the characters in the story I could put real names and faces to and move the time setting by 20 years to about 1975 or another 25 years to 2000. Yes, I am back in Athens and my wife and I both work with those fraternity and sorority men and women. I intend to send a short thank you to the author telling him just how much I enjoyed his book and a little of why. I hope you'll read and enjoy it as much as I did.For those young people who are Greek or considering going Greek, I believe this will give you a very strong sense of insight into the campus and experiences of those who where here before you and some awareness of just how much alike we all are from generation to generation. I hope you will enjoy this book as much as I did.

First of all, this is a great book, and I am not just saying that b/c the author is my fraternity brother. I like books about fraternity life and this is the best one I have found so far. The book follows the freshman year of Five Lowry and it couldn't be more realistic. We see it all: leaving home, dorm life, rush, pledging, and activation. There were times in the book when I would stop and think, "I did that too." It was almost as fun to read as it was to experience myself. I recommend this book to anyone who misses their college days or those who want to see what's in store for them.

This is an excellent book. James Patterson is my favorite author though so I will read just about anything by him. This book is different from books he has written before but it is still very good. I recommend it.