BookPath
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James Patterson

Alert

Quick Answer

Read "Alert" as the 7th book in the Michael Bennett Series sequence. This follows the recommended publication order to preserve character development.

Sequence Warning

⚠️ Do NOT read before "Burn" (Book 6)

❓ Can I skip this book?
❌ No — Required

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Verdict Insight: As the 7th installment, this volume is critical for following the central narrative progression and plot development.

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2015
In this New York Times bestseller, Detective Michael Bennett must race against time to save New York City from chaos by tracking down the source of two mysterious attacks. New Yorkers aren't easily intimidated, but someone is doing their best to scare them, badly: why? After two inexplicable high-tech attacks, the city that never sleeps is on edge. Detective Michael Bennett, along with his old pal, the FBI's Emily Parker, have to catch the shadowy criminals who claim responsibility—but they're as good at concealing their identities as they are at wreaking havoc. In the wake of a shocking assassination, Bennett begins to suspect that these mysterious events are just the prelude to the biggest threat of all. Soon he's racing against the clock, and against the most destructive enemy he's faced yet, to save his beloved city—before everyone's worst nightmare becomes a reality.
Next Recommended Book

Chase: A BookShot

Book #8 of 16 in Series

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for deep lore fans.

Order Confidence

Medium Confidence

Why this order?

Our team of curators analyzes publication history, author interviews, and internal narrative continuity to establish the definitive reading sequence. This ensures zero spoilers and maximum narrative impact.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Michael Bennett Series conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip reading Alert?

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Can I read Alert before Burn?

No. We recommend reading Burn first. Alert is the 7th book in the series and follows the core narrative established in earlier volumes.

Is Alert required reading for the Michael Bennett Series?

Yes, it is a core installment in the series reading order and contains critical character development and plot progression.

What comes after Alert in the reading order?

The next recommended book after Alert is Chase: A BookShot (Book #8).