Break my

Kumski Book Club 2022. – 1

Global Goals: Series Continuation

The third part of Patterson's series "The Women's Murder Club" about Inspector Lindsay Boxer and her three friends who are a medical examiner, an assistant district attorney, and a journalist, and together they solve crimes.

It's another intense, fast-paced thriller with no overly long descriptions or philosophizing. Everything is subordinated to the action that is designed as if I'm watching an action movie. The chapters are short, only two to three pages, which contributes to uncertainty and the speed of the plot's development. I read the previous installment a long time ago and so I had forgotten some things a little, but Patterson quickly helped me remember.

I love Lindsay and her friends and I'm glad I returned to them again. This time, the villains were really excellent and the whole theme, that is, the reason for the crimes, was really interesting. Of course, it all seems that the reason is one, but towards the end it begins to be revealed that it is actually something completely different. Somewhere around the middle of the book, there was also a twist that really shocked and disappointed me. Hey Patterson, that's not fair! Now I'm really curious how he will "fix" that in the upcoming installments.

I read the second installment of the series three years ago. That's too long. Since I decided this year to solve the series that I started, I hope that Patterson will again be in my hands in a few months.

Dang, how on earth do you mess with the book title when we're already on book 3?

The premise of this story was actually quite good. The mystery that was mainly unfolding seemed to be going along just fine.

However, unfortunately, when coming to this particular installment right after reading a spectacular Alex Cross novel, some of the weaknesses in the plot flow became rather evident. It almost felt a bit like a female echo.

The biggest element that is missing in this series compared to Alex Cross is the characters' relationships. In the Alex Cross series, the relationships add a little bit more depth to the characters. Here, with Lindsay Boxer and multiple narrators on the good guy side, it just doesn't quite have that same level of depth.

Overall, it's still a solid 4 Stars, but there are definitely areas that could be improved upon to make it even better.

Another installment of this series that is both fast-paced and highly entertaining, making it an absolute joy to read!

I have a particular affinity for the "Women's Murder Club" books by Patterson, in a way that I don't usually have for his other works. This is precisely why I keep coming back for more. The cases presented thus far have been radically different from one another, which serves to maintain a high level of interest and engagement.

The characters also play a significant role in my continued enjoyment of the series. They are likable, and although there are moments when they might seem a bit cringe-worthy, they are written in such a way that makes you cheer for them.

However, I was both shocked and saddened by one of the twists in this particular book. It's going to be a real downer as I progress through the series, but I'm fully committed at this point! All three of the books I've read so far deserve a solid four-star rating.

Didn't see that coming???

Life is full of unexpected twists and turns. We often go about our daily lives with a certain set of expectations, only to be caught off guard by something completely unforeseen. It could be a sudden change in circumstances, a new opportunity that presents itself out of nowhere, or an event that challenges our beliefs and assumptions. These unexpected moments can be both thrilling and terrifying. They force us to step out of our comfort zones and adapt to new situations. Sometimes, they even lead to personal growth and transformation. However, not seeing something coming can also leave us feeling vulnerable and unprepared. It's important to remember that while we can't predict everything that will happen in life, we can learn to be more flexible and resilient in the face of the unexpected. By staying open-minded and embracing change, we can turn these unforeseen events into opportunities for growth and discovery.

I'm not entirely certain whether I would rate this as a five-star read if I were to reread it now. However, it's clear that I truly enjoyed the third installment in the Women's Murder Club series. I believe it was almost on par with the first and second books.

Admittedly, this book may not be the most innovative or imaginative, but it's still a great read. The fast-paced nature, along with the short and snappy chapters, made it an easy and engaging read. If you're a fan of James Patterson, I think you'll like this book. I'm currently on the tenth book of the series, and I must pre-warn you that the quality dips a little around books 6 - 8. However, I can say that book 9 was just as good as the first few, and I'm hopeful that the series is picking up again.

"No," he said. "That's Lieutenant Boxer. She's Homicide. A real bitch on wheels, I hear."

“Every time I glanced in the rear view mirror and caught a glimpse of my own eyes, I kept thinking, I've seen those eyes before.”

You can read this book as a stand-alone since each one follows a different crime and plot. However, the lives of the Women's Murder Club members change throughout the series. So, if you don't want spoilers and plan to read them all, it might be beneficial to read them in order.

This book also has at least one BIG shock. Even I didn't see it coming. Was it a good move? I'm not so sure, but was it entertaining? Absolutely!

I'm determined to finish this series!

4 STARS

The Women's Murder Club makes a highly anticipated return in a shockingly suspenseful thriller. Detective Lindsay Boxer, with her unwavering courage, plunges into a burning town house. There, she discovers three lifeless bodies, their presence sending shivers down her spine. Adding to the mystery, a mysterious message is found at the scene. As more corpses start to turn up, Lindsay realizes she needs the help of her trusted friends. Claire Washburn from the medical examiner's office, Assistant D.A. Jill Bernhardt, and San Francisco Chronicle reporter Cindy Thomas all come together to assist Lindsay in the hunt for a murderer with a terrifying pattern. He vows to kill every three days, and what's even more alarming is that he has targeted one of the four friends. The question looms large: which one of them will it be?

This novel is a great addition to the suspense/mystery genre, boasting a strong female lead in Lindsay Boxer. Her determination and resourcefulness make her a captivating character, and the reader can't help but be drawn into the thrilling plot as she races against time to solve the case and protect her friends.

The first two audio books in this series were truly horrible. They failed to capture my interest and left me feeling rather disappointed.

However, this third one was WAY better. The plot had significantly improved, becoming more engaging and captivating. It had a certain charm that the previous ones lacked.

Unfortunately, when looking at the series as a whole so far, it has just been kind of...eh. It doesn't really stand out in any particular way.

I'm still sticking with my 3-star rating though. These books are easy to listen to and quite fun. I know exactly what I'm getting into when I start one. They may not be award-winning in terms of writing, but they do make for an enjoyable audio book during a long commute. They can help pass the time and provide some entertainment.

Overall, while this third audio book is an improvement, the series as a whole still has some room for growth. But for now, it's a decent option for those looking for a light and easy listen during their daily travels.

Beware of spoilers.

3.5 rounded up.

I blew through this on a long car ride. I might have ditched it early on if I'd brought another book. There's some ridiculousness in this book. Did the world really need another sexy federal agent man as lead love interest? Hopefully he's out of the series soon. I was already overloaded by Benton Wesley and Gabriel Dean without adding what's his name.

Btw, here is another warning that there shall be spoilery stuff ahead.

Then there's the intro with Lindsay seeing the explosion and running into the burning house, saving the child and somehow not getting injured. Um, ok. I was hoping that the action hero thing from the last book was a fluke but I guess it's going to be part of the series. I'll deal with it. I like Lindsay.

So what made me want to throw the book? He KILLED JILL! Ffs... She just threw out her husband that night. Couldn't she have a few days of happiness?

Overall, I liked the plot. Jill's dad prosecuted a domestic terrorist way back when. Now someone close to him has rebranded and recruited new footsoldiers. The murders appear to be just terrorism/assassinations, until the girls discover the link that made it personal. Lindsay saves the day in a spectacular, last-minute fashion.

Um, but could we have an alternate reality where maybe she didn't save that particular VP?

I wasn't a fan of Lindsay going in and threatening Jill's husband without talking to Jill. Or when Claire interrupts the investigation and calls Lindsay down to the morgue in case she needs a hug. However, the positives outweighed the negatives. I plan to keep reading as I'm still intrigued by the story and the characters. I hope the next installment will address some of my concerns and continue to provide an engaging and exciting read.

Ehhh. This book truly highlights all the flaws within the Women's Murder Club series. There was an overwhelming amount of plotlines going on simultaneously, which ultimately led to a significant disappointment by the end.

Lindsay is delving into what seems to be a murder followed by arson to conceal the crime of a wealthy Internet millionaire. However, the motives and the overall scenario don't quite add up. The individuals responsible for this and other killings aim to eradicate capitalism, which is an odd and rather convoluted premise. The murder case doesn't really take center stage until it directly affects one of the women in the Women's Murder Club.

Lindsay encounters a new love interest in this installment, but to be honest, he has as much impact as her previous lover, which is practically nil.

Most of the other women in the club are largely ignored, with the exception of Jill. We are suddenly bombarded with some history about her marriage, and it feels completely out of the blue. Patterson fails to establish these elements in a smooth and logical manner.

Eventually, the case and the personal aspects collide, but it all seems rather disjointed and makes little sense to me. It gives the impression that Patterson was in a rush to conclude the story without taking the time to ensure that everything was developed coherently.

Vague spoilers - this is only the third book in the series and this is the second time he’s killed off a main character! WTH?! That would be like killing off two main characters in a TV show within the first 3 episodes, who does that?!

It's truly astonishing. The author seems to have a penchant for shock value by eliminating important characters so early on. This kind of decision can have a significant impact on the readers' experience and investment in the story.

I'm looking forward to the next book in the series with a different co-writer. Perhaps a new perspective and writing style will bring a fresh and more satisfying approach to the narrative. It will be interesting to see how the story progresses and if the new co-writer can manage to create a more engaging and less controversial plot.

Overall, while the killing off of main characters has left me somewhat disappointed, I'm still hopeful that the series can redeem itself with the next installment.

I do not recall crying while reading the book; but this time, as I listened to this story, I found tears dripping down my cheeks.

The story kicks off with Lindsey Boxer, a detective with the SFPD. She stops to take a breather after her morning run with her Border Collie, Martha. She is standing in front of a massive home, simply admiring it when suddenly the entire second floor explodes! Without hesitation, Lindsey calls for the police and fire personnel. Then, she ties Martha to a post and charges into the burning structure.

After rescuing a young boy who is still alive and being treated for smoke inhalation, Lindsey spots a backpack abandoned near the scene. Once the area is cleared and the bomb squad is brought in, they discover that although the backpack did not contain an armed explosive, it was indeed part of the scene. It holds a note indicating that demands must be met or another person will die in three days.

Hour by hour, Lindsey enlists the help of her friends from the Women’s Murder Club, only to learn that Jill is being abused by her husband. How can Lindsey allow a maniac to continue his killing spree and her friend to suffer abuse?

With the Feds joining the search, Lindsey finds herself collaborating with Joe Mollinari. Despite all the chaos and wrongdoings, her heart starts to twist. While Lindsey attempts to calm her feelings for Joe and assist her friend, she must also find a way to stop these killers. Little does she know that a member of the Women’s Murder Club has been targeted!

This story is filled with suspense, drama, and complex emotions that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. It explores themes of friendship, love, and the fight against evil. As Lindsey navigates through this dangerous situation, we can't help but root for her and hope that she can solve the case and protect those she loves.

The vivid descriptions and engaging plot make this story a must-read for any mystery lover. It will keep you guessing until the very end and leave you with a sense of satisfaction and a desire to read more.

So, if you're looking for a thrilling and emotional read, look no further than this story. You won't be disappointed!