The Inn * James Patterson, Candice Fox * Bill Robinson #1

When a highly ruthless, low-profile criminal mastermind brings a wave of violent drug trafficking and human extortion to a quiet coastal Massachusetts town, a disgraced former Boston detective hiding out at a local inn must mobilize an eccentric band of town outcasts to protect their home sanctuary.

The Story: Written by prominent master of suspense James Patterson alongside multi-award-winning Australian crime fiction author Candice Fox, this critically acclaimed 2019 masterpiece transforms an idyllic seaside refuge into an exceptionally sharp, fast-paced battleground. The authors establish an exceptionally sharp framework that masterfully balances a high-stakes vigilante counter-campaign with the quirky, found-family dynamics of a local coastal boarding house.

The plot follows the intuitive Bill Robinson, a disgraced former Boston PD detective who has built a peaceful, low-profile life managing a beautiful, centuries-old inn tucked away on the rocky shores of Gloucester, Massachusetts. Robinson coordinates a safe, low-stress sanctuary for a versatile ledger of eccentric, down-on-their-luck boarders, including an elderly ex-mobster, a brilliant hacker, and a broken war veteran. Their quiet routine permanently fractures when Mako, a vicious and highly sophisticated crime boss, relocates his dangerous operations to the quiet town, instantly subverting local enforcement and turning the beautiful community into a suspect pool of corrupt entities, fear, and violence.

Rather than letting his sanctuary fall to pieces, Bill is legally forced to take matters into his own hands when the local authorities turn a blind eye. The situation hits a highly volatile crisis point when Mako targets the inn directly, leaving the boarders with a strict deadline to fight back or face total destruction. Bill utilizes his sharp tactical instincts, training his unusual team to build an ironclad defense, collect leverage, and dismantle Mako's network from the inside out. Published as a standout chart-topper by Little, Brown and Company, this pacy, heart-pounding thriller keeps the tension at an absolute boil, proving that an ordinary group of outcasts can build an unbreakable shield against the dark.

Perfect For: Devotees of traditional, fast-reading crime thrillers and vigilante justice stories with a strong found-family dynamic like the works of Lee Child, John Sandford, or C.J. Box; readers looking to embark on a fun, high-octane tracking loop through James Patterson and Candice Fox's collaborations; and fiction lovers who appreciate atmospheric coastal New England settings and pacy, page-turning drama.

Published 2019 by Little, Brown and Company, stated first edition.

Thriller & Suspense / Vigilante Justice / Small-Town Crime Thrillers / Coastal Suspense / Series Premieres / All-Time Bestsellers