THE STORE IS WATCHING YOU. Jacob and Megan Brandeis have gotten jobs with the mega-successful, ultra-secretive Store. Seems perfect. Seems safe. But their lives are about to become anything but perfect, anything but safe. ALWAYS WATCHING. Especially since Jacob and Megan have a dark secret of their own. They’re writing a book that will expose the Store–a forbidden book, a dangerous book. ALWAYS. forbidden book, a dangerous book.
ALWAYS.
And if the Store finds out, there’s only one thing Jacob, Megan and their kids can do–run for their bloody lives. Which is probably impossible, because–
THE STORE IS ALWAYS WATCHING.
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Ok, I realize I’m in the minority, but I liked this book a lot. Now, I am by no means a conspiracy theorist, but I lived at Main Gate Disney for several yrs. Had to move! Couldn’t take it anymore. You couldn’t even go to the grocery store without being assaulted by Mickey Mouse. I used to joke that Mickey & Ronald McDonald were going to get together to take over the world. Bear in mind, this was before computers & cell phones.
Now, I can see it happening with The Sore/ Amazon. Before I read this I didn’t know about Patterson’s trouble with Amazon. New Burg reminded me a lot of the Stepford Wives on steroids. OK, Knowing of JP’s feelings toward Amazon does make it seem a little heavy handed, but I still enjoyed it & was pleasantly surprised at the twist at the end.
Personally, I don’t understand all this reliance on online shopping. I’ve tried on a lot of clothes that look great on the hanger, not so good on me. I can’t imagine buying shoes without trying them on. Food? If you can’t get it locally, ok. But if you don’t go to the store yourself, you’ll never see new products. And I like to make sure I get the best dates on things.
OK, enough rambling on my soapbox. Not one of Patterson’s best, but a decent, quick read. By the way, I used to devour his books the minute they came out, but the last few yrs., they’ve felt like they’re all pretty much the same. At least this one was different.
PS. Shop local. Support small businesses!
Can’t really recommend much here. Was I the only one in the world who was terribly disappointed?
Some nice parts with real feeling that felt tense. Most of this story was set to warn us of the “Big Brother ” who is already here. I was looking for entertainment, fast pace with the intensity that makes Patterson a treat to read. I really wasn’t looking for a beat it to death philosophical overview.
Next time, write a better synopsis. That way I can avoid it if it’s like , ” The Store”.
I could not stop reading this book! Fascinating! I was pretty upset with this family, but the ending made things so much better for me. I wonder if the author created this novel from an experience with Amazon. How many of us have purchased a product on Amazon, and then suddenly there is an advertisement for the product on your social media page? Or when you look at something on EBay, and now it is on the social media page? This book is definitely big brother is watching. I wish someone would come into my home and clean up everything when I am at work! Great read!!!!
Boring. Don’t know who really wrote this but it was not Patterson.
I don’t usually read Patterson’s ‘out of series’ book much anymore, but this one caught my attention. It’s premise of ‘big brother’ watching us constantly is too close to being a reality in certain areas of our lives. Without giving away the whole plot line, suffice to say that electronics are becoming a BIG part of everyday life and those of us who are not ‘tech’ savvy will be at the mercy of those who are. Patterson writes fast paced books regardless of subject matter. And BTW, I purchased this book from an independent bookseller not online. 🙂
A look into the future if a big online store takes over. It had a good ending.
I recently returned home from Cornwall to Staffordshire, and actually got the audio book of this. I tore through it on x1.25 speed in around 5.5 hours, so it seems to be one of the shorter books, and a really good thriller.
Can’t help feeling “The Store” of the story (set a short distance in the future) is satirizing a certain highly dominant online store from real life – at least at first. It soon veers into an incredibly elevated reality, a toxic vision of pure capitalism taken too far. It also has things to say about lobbyists and the tribal nature of social discourse – unusual for what is, essentially, a fun, pulpy thriller.
Of course, you don’t have to read that much into it. At its core is a writer investigating the company he views as having ruined his life, and the lives of countless others. But, more pertinently, it has taken away much of life that the character values – paper books, for one. Perhaps he holds onto the past a little too firmly, with those rose-tinted glasses that so many people have welded to their faces these days, but ultimately he and his wife believe in what they are doing. Some neat twists, although a couple are a tad predictable, but then if they weren’t there I’d have felt a cheated, and they were delivered well.
Throughout, I always wanted to turn the page, though, and I was smiling by the end. A great book to read on the beach or by the pool, or simply enjoying a bit of time lost in a fast-paced read.
Oh my God, this book was so good. Very unlike a James Patterson book. You will enjoy reading this. And maybe you will think of something going on today that fits this story.
Interesting concept
I was a little disappointed in James Patterson. I haven’t read one of his books in a while and browsing at the library I came across this one. Just didn’t seem to have the usual suspense ” can’t put it down” writing I’ve always associated with Patterson.
James Patterson proves he’s the king of thrillers! Fast-paced page turner with an ending you won’t see coming!
Written timely, about the big “store” who began as a book seller and now deals in everything – sound familiar – and has its hands in everyone’s lives, watching, controlling, etc. With so much “big brother” activity occurring right now… between government spying on its own citizens to retailers and marketers watching, buying and sharing info on what everyone is buying, interested in, and eves dropping on our lives, the “horror” genre is becoming very realistic. An eye opener to some things that seem benign….
Love this book.
Love all of James Patterson’s suspense novels. He keeps your interest by having short chapters which keeps you reading until the end. I have read many of his books and he is one of my favorite suspense writers.
Different
I thought it was boring
This book grabs you at page one and hangs on until the surprise ending! Entertaining read that leave you with lots to think about. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a quick yet thought provoking book.
If you aren’t paranoid about your online purchases this book will make you paranoid!
This book takes what seems like a good idea and turns it into a nightmare. It is easy to read and holds ones interest all the way through it.
Made me think more about my shopping habits!