Patterson in NYT Magazine

[John Sullivan]

http://www.nytimes.com/magazine/

Wow. Fascinating. Repulsive. Inspiring? But he's right. If that many people like his stuff -- and they're READING -- what's the problem? Sure, it's a sad comment on mass taste, but what else is new? Who's he hurting? Still, it confirms in my mind that he doesn't need a place in my monthly newspaper review column. Better to find and opine about newer writers who are advancing the genre.

[I. J. Parker]

Aha! Thanks all. This is beginning to make some sense to me now. Apparently, both reviewer and editor have in-put on choices, except for some really important release -- which gets reviewed as a public service. :) Add this to the sheer mass of material, and it's easy to see that many books have to be passed over.
That's a whole lot better than the evil thoughts I've been having on the subject.