James Patterson’s New Book Self-Destructs in 24 Hours

Courtesy of James Patterson

The bomb defusing scene is, by now, an old storytelling trope. You know it well—you know the hero who’s sweating bullets down his face will clip the correct wire and right before the clock face hits zero the bomb will deactivate and whir to a halt—but nonetheless, it never fails to kick your adrenaline up to 11.

Bombs are terrifying, but the real tension comes from the clock. In chase scenes or horror flicks you always have—in theory—an infinite amount of time to get away safely. But those red digital numbers ticking to zero are totally unforgiving. That’s why thriller novelist James Patterson’s latest book Private Vegas comes with a clock counting down from 24 hours. Once time runs out, the book detonates. Either finish the book on time, or live the rest of your life in suspended curiosity.