French Kiss

A fast-paced crime thriller by James Patterson and Richard DiLallo, published in 2016 as the first Detective Luc Moncrief novel and part of Patterson's BookShots series. Designed to be read in just a few hours, it delivers a complete mystery packed with action and suspense.

French detective Luc Moncrief leaves Paris for a fresh start with the New York Police Department (NYPD). Handsome, charismatic, and highly skilled, Luc quickly finds himself investigating a string of brutal serial murders that have shocked New York City. Just as he begins adjusting to his new life, he unexpectedly reconnects with a woman from his past, complicating both his personal life and his investigation.

As the killer grows increasingly bold, Luc realizes that the murders are more than random acts of violence—they form part of a carefully orchestrated game in which he himself has become a target. Racing against time, he must unravel the killer's motives before becoming the next victim. The novel combines Patterson's trademark short chapters, rapid pacing, and frequent twists with a likable new detective protagonist.