Bibliography: Patterson, James. (1976). The Thomas Berryman Number. New York: Little, Brown. ISBN: 978-0446600453

Plot Summary:  The story of the investigation of Nashville reporter Ochs Jones into the murder of Jimmie Lee Horn, one of Nashville’s first black mayors. Jones meets with friends and family of an assassin named Thomas Berryman and discovers everything people thought they knew about Horn’s murder is wrong.

Critical Analysis:  This was Patterson’s first novel, and it won the Edgar for best first crime novel.  It is quite different from his later work, literary, complex, and full of layers and subtly.  Interestingly enough, his current fans probably won’t enjoy it while readers who would appreciate his craft won’t pick up.  That’s too bad, as there is a lot to recommend about this short title.  Too bad Patterson has become a novel writing machine, he is so much better than some of his work demonstrates.

Review Excerpts: “…complex plot…complexity of the characters. Patterson’s observations are masterfully transformed into critical insights with Patton’s skillful pacing.”–Audio File

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