❤️ What I Liked

• The premise is immediately gripping: bombings in New York, stolen military explosives in New Jersey, and violence in Montana gradually begin to look connected.
• Michael Bennett is still the main draw. His combination of detective instincts, determination, and family responsibilities gives the action a personal dimension.
• The cross-country investigation keeps the story feeling bigger than a typical police procedural.
• Rob Trilling is a strong addition, particularly because his military background complements Bennett’s investigative approach.
• The book has the classic Patterson bingeability: short, direct chapters and a plot that keeps moving.
• The escalating threat works well because the antagonists genuinely believe they’re doing something justified—even as their actions become increasingly dangerous.

❌ What Didn’t Work

• Several investigations and locations are competing for attention, which can make the story feel busy.
• Some of the conspiracy elements are more action-oriented than deeply complex.
• Readers looking for a highly nuanced exploration of the antagonists may find them somewhat simplified.
• The Michael Bennett series’ long history means some emotional beats will have more impact for longtime readers than newcomers.

👥 Characters

Michael Bennett — ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Bennett remains the heart of the novel. He’s competent without feeling completely invincible, and his family life gives him something personal to lose.

Rob Trilling — ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

An army sniper turned NYPD officer, Trilling brings a different skill set and perspective to the investigation. His partnership with Bennett is one of the more enjoyable aspects of the book.

The Antagonists — ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The mysterious group is interesting because they see themselves as people trying to “make the world a better place,” while law enforcement sees their ideology and actions as dangerous and delusional.

Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

💕 Romance/Chemistry Analysis

Romance/Chemistry: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is not a romance-focused thriller, so the 5/5 is better interpreted as relationship chemistry and emotional connection rather than romantic spice.

Bennett’s family relationships are an important part of what distinguishes the Michael Bennett books from more purely procedural thrillers. His personal life provides warmth and emotional stakes alongside the violence and investigation.

The Bennett/Trilling partnership also has good professional chemistry—two very different law-enforcement backgrounds working toward the same goal.

If you’re specifically looking for a romance subplot, though, this isn’t the book for that.

🏷️ Tropes

• 🚨 Detective protagonist
• 💣 Bomb threats
• 🕵️ Cross-state investigation
• 🪖 Military connection
• 🔫 Former military operative
• 🏙️ New York crime
• 🏔️ Small-town Montana
• 🏛️ Anti-government conspiracy
• 🧩 Multiple seemingly unrelated crimes
• 🤝 Detective partnership
• 👨‍👧‍👦 Family man protagonist
• ⏳ Race against time
• 💥 Escalating threat
• 🧠 Ideological extremism

🌶️ Spice & Content Guide

Spice: 🌶️ / 5

There isn’t a meaningful romance/spice component. This is firmly a crime/action thriller.

Content warnings

• Bombings
• Murder
• Gun violence
• Explosives
• Arson
• Death and injury
• Threats of mass violence
• Military weapons
• Extremist/anti-government ideology
• Crime and conspiracy
• Family danger
• Psychological manipulation

The central plot explicitly involves deadly bombs, stolen munitions, murder, and arson.

✍️ Pacing & Writing

Pacing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is classic Patterson territory: short chapters, accessible prose, frequent scene changes, and a plot designed to keep you moving forward.

The story has several threads—New York bombings, the stolen explosives, Montana violence, and the larger investigation—so it can occasionally feel crowded. But that same structure creates a strong sense of momentum.

At 368 pages, it is also a relatively quick commitment for a thriller.

🔚 Ending — Spoiler-Free

The ending aims for a high-stakes thriller payoff rather than a quiet character-driven resolution.

The various investigative threads converge as Bennett and the authorities race to understand what the antagonists are planning.

Spoiler-free verdict: satisfying if you enjoy escalating action and a race-against-the-clock finale. Don’t go in expecting an extremely intricate puzzle-box ending—the appeal is more in momentum, danger, and the resolution of the conspiracy.

📖 Who Should Read It?

Definitely consider it if you enjoy:

• James Patterson
• Michael Bennett
• Police procedurals
• Bomb-threat thrillers
• Conspiracy thrillers
• FBI/ATF/military investigations
• Short chapters and fast reads
• Cross-country investigations
• Action-heavy crime fiction
• Detective/federal-agent team-ups

It’s especially worthwhile if you’ve already read the earlier Michael Bennett books. Delusional is the 18th installment in the series.

🚫 Who Might Not Enjoy It?

You may want to skip it if you prefer:

• Slow-burn psychological thrillers
• Highly literary prose
• Deeply complex villains
• Romance-heavy stories
• A single-location mystery
• Minimal action
• Completely standalone characters
• Very subtle political themes

📚 Books Similar to It

If you enjoyed Delusional, try:

• Ambush — James Patterson & James O. Born — another Michael Bennett thriller with high-stakes threats.
• Paranoia — James Patterson & James O. Born — the previous Michael Bennett installment.
• The 18th Abduction — James Patterson & Maxine Paetro — if you enjoy Patterson’s fast-paced investigative style.
• The Terminal List — Jack Carr — much more military/action focused.
• The Gray Man — Mark Greaney — faster and more action-heavy.
• The President Is Missing — James Patterson & Bill Clinton — for large-scale national threats.
• The Last Mile — David Baldacci — for another accessible, character-driven crime thriller.

❓ FAQ

Is Delusional a standalone?
It’s the 18th Michael Bennett novel. You can follow the individual investigation, but reading earlier books will give you much more context for Bennett and his personal life.

Is it romantic?
No. The emotional relationships are important, but romance isn’t the focus.

Is it spicy?
Very low: 🌶️/5.

Is it violent?
Yes. Bombings, murder, explosives, arson, and firearms are central to the story.

Is it fast-paced?
Yes, overall. The multiple plot threads can occasionally slow the momentum, but it’s designed as a highly readable action thriller.

Is there a military element?
Yes. A military installation is burglarized for munitions, and Rob Trilling’s military background is important to the investigation.

Where does it take place?
The investigation spans New York, New Jersey, and Montana, including a small town outside Bozeman.

How long is it?
The hardcover edition is 368 pages.

🏆 Final Verdict

⭐ 4.5/5

Delusional is a fast, explosive, highly bingeable Michael Bennett thriller that delivers on action, suspense, crime, and escalating danger.

Best parts:
💣 High-stakes premise
🕵️ Michael Bennett
🤝 Bennett & Trilling
🏔️ Montana setting
⚡ Quick pacing
👨‍👧‍👦 Emotional family element

Weakest parts:
🧩 Busy plot
🎯 Some predictable elements
👥 Antagonists could have more depth
🏛️ Not ideal if you want a purely character-driven mystery

Bottom line:

Yes—worth reading, especially for Patterson fans. I’d give it 4.5⭐ as an entertaining thriller, with the biggest appeal being its speed, action, and Michael Bennett himself rather than an exceptionally intricate mystery.