The Black Book
by James Patterson, David Ellis
Little, Brown 2017
Book 5 of Inspector Rebus
Mature content — preview before assigning
Reading level 4.7 (4th grade) · ages 14+
Flagged for mature content — preview before assigning
Book 5 in a series — earlier books first
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Genre
Themes
- police corruption
- secrets and betrayal
- justice vs. loyalty
- political power and scandal
- memory and truth
- family legacy
- crime and morality
- conspiracy
About this book
When three people are found shot to death in a Chicago bedroom and a mysterious black book vanishes, Detective Billy Harney—scion of a police family—finds himself at the center of a scandal that threatens the department and City Hall. As he and his partner dig into a high-end vice operation and a web of political corruption, secrets, betrayals, and a missing ledger with explosive names put everyone in the crosshairs.
Setting: Contemporary Chicago—Chicago Police Department, courthouses, political backrooms, and a high-end vice operation’s orbit
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Black Book right for my child?
Use caution — The Black Book has mature content worth previewing first. The reading level is AR 4.7, which is typical for 4th grade. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 14+ (9th–12th grade). Themes include police corruption, secrets and betrayal, justice vs. loyalty. This book is flagged for mature content — worth previewing before assigning. Note: this is book 5 in a series — your child should read the earlier books first.
How long does it take to read The Black Book?
At a typical 4th grade reading pace, The Black Book takes around 12h to finish. The book has 110,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does The Black Book have an AR quiz?
Yes — The Black Book has an AR quiz available, worth 16 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is The Black Book?
The Black Book has an AR reading level of 4.7, which places it at a 4th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.