Ladies, start your engines!



The Women's Murder Club, which was introduced to legions of new fans in 1st To Die, is an intelligent, plausible, and modern idea whose time has truly arrived. It is also appealingly warm and cute without being the least bit trite, silly, or cloying. Lindsay Boxer, a police lieutenant in charge of San Francisco's homicide division, Cindy Thomas, the lead crime reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle, Jill Bernhardt, an assistant DA, and Claire Washburn, the Chief Medical Examiner, are four sharp, rising professionals in the field of law enforcement. They have broken the proverbial male glass ceiling and discovered the synergy of brainstorming their way to a solution of their mutual problems.



In 2nd Chance, our ladies are confronted with the brutal attacks of a serial mass murderer called "Chimera" who seems to be targeting black police officers and their families. While the thriller part of the novel is not pedestrian, it is also not the compelling, unique creative stuff that will draw gasps of shock and awe from every reader. What Patterson has done very well indeed is to put the apprehension of a dangerous psychopath into the format of an exceptionally well-crafted realistic police procedural. This includes both the formal internal workings of the San Francisco Police Department and the external informal deliberations of the four chums, aka The Women's Murder Club. There is more than enough of the stuff we've all come to expect - shoot-em-ups, twists and turns, red herrings - to keep the pages turning at a goodly clip! And the final climactic takedown of a sniper holed up in the bell tower overlooking the Stanford University campus in Palo Alto is a real heart stopper!



What lifts this particular tale from the realm of an ordinary thriller to the level of a much more thought-provoking novel is the realistic way in which the personal lives of the four ladies intrude on their professional lives (or perhaps vice-versa?). Jill Bernhardt deals with pregnancy and the loss of her baby by miscarriage. While she struggles with maintaining the personal detachment necessary to write a newspaper article, Cindy finds herself falling rather heavily for the pastor of the church that was the site of the first murder. And Lindsay struggles with the emotional trauma of meeting her ex-cop father who ran out on their family over 20 years earlier.



Patterson has also presented us with some very interesting philosophical discussion on the extent to which policemen have to tread that tightrope line between the law and the criminal. The concept of the "blue wall of silence" forms a chilling part of the killer's ultimate motivation and certainly stopped me in my tracks while reading. The unanswered question that the Chief of the SFPD asks in the final few paragraphs revolves around this same question and provides an exceptional ending to a fine addition to Patterson's continually growing body of work.



2nd Chance is an exciting, well-paced thriller that includes a good plot, great characters, realism, and just the right amount of hope that the third installment in the series will tell us more about the personal stories of these new heroines on the literary scene.



Paul Weiss

For me, the bell told a story that was truly captivating. I had the pleasure of reading my second book by this author, and I was simply delighted. The content was not only engaging but also of very high quality. It had these edgy elements that constantly kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering what would happen next.

For example, the mystery surrounding the shooter's identity was one aspect that really intrigued me. I felt that it could have been hidden for an even longer period, adding more suspense and keeping me guessing until the very end.

Overall, it was a great read that held my attention from start to finish. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I am now eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series. I have no doubt that the author will continue to deliver精彩的 stories that will keep me hooked.

Another great James Patterson read!

This book truly exceeded my expectations. I found it even more captivating than the first installment in the series. The story was filled with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Patterson's writing style is engaging and easy to follow, making it a pleasure to read. The characters were well-developed and relatable, which added an extra layer of depth to the narrative. I was completely invested in their stories and couldn't wait to see what would happen next.

Based on my experience with this book, I will definitely be continuing with the series. I have no doubt that Patterson will continue to deliver thrilling and entertaining reads. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mystery, thriller, or crime novels. It's a must-read for fans of the genre and for anyone looking for a great book to get lost in.

This is an amazing and extremely fast-paced read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

The story is filled with non-stop action, action, and more action!

Every page is packed with thrilling moments that will make your heart race and your blood pump.

You won't be able to put this book down as you follow the adventures of the characters through one exciting scene after another.

The author has done an excellent job of creating a vivid and engaging world that draws you in and doesn't let go.

Whether you're a fan of action-packed thrillers or just looking for a great read, this book is definitely worth checking out.

So don't wait any longer, pick up this book and get ready for an unforgettable adventure!

This is only my 2nd book by Patterson, but I am now a huge fan.

I usually don't LOL when reading books. It takes a lot for me to get to that point. However, towards the end of this book, I actually did.

Not to mention, I just couldn't put it down. The story was so engaging and thrilling that I was completely hooked.

I think Patterson knows what he is doing by having such short chapters. It makes it so much easier to continue reading the book. You can easily read one chapter and then tell yourself, "Just one more." Before you know it, you've read half the book.

The pacing is excellent, and the characters are well-developed. I can't wait to read more of Patterson's books.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good thriller. It's a page-turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Holy crap! These books are truly HORRIBLE. However, I find myself unable to stop reading them. It's an extremely strange and addictive experience, almost like picking a scab. I just can't seem to resist the urge to keep going, even though I know they're not good. It's driving me crazy! I really need someone to help me break this cycle. Maybe they can offer some advice or suggest some other books that are actually worth reading. I hope someone can come to my rescue soon because I don't know how much longer I can take this.

The twist in this story was rather underwhelming, to be honest. It didn't really have that "wow" factor that I was hoping for.

However, despite the lackluster twist, I still found myself enjoying a significant portion of the narrative. Patterson has a way of creating engaging characters and keeping the story moving at a decent pace.

The overall writing was solid, and there were enough interesting elements to hold my attention throughout. While it may not be a five-star masterpiece, it definitely earns a respectable three stars.

I would recommend this book to fans of Patterson's work or those who are looking for an easy, enjoyable read. It may not blow you away, but it will surely provide some entertainment.

I just cannot get enough of this series.

It is truly remarkable. The stories are not only extremely good but also incredibly easy to read. It's as if I am on a magical journey, effortlessly flying through these books.

I am eagerly anticipating starting book 3. I have a feeling that it will be just as exciting and engaging as the previous ones.

I highly recommend this series to anyone who has a passion for detective thrillers. It has all the elements that make a great mystery - intriguing plots, well-developed characters, and plenty of twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat. Once you start reading, you won't be able to put it down.

So, if you're looking for a thrilling and enjoyable read, give this series a try. You won't be disappointed.

Another excellent book from James Patterson.

I am truly relishing the process of delving into his numerous books! This particular one is the second installment in his Women's Murder Club series and it offers an enjoyable and effortless reading experience.

I perused the majority of this book during a train journey. Its concise chapters, engaging story, and abundant action and mystery rendered it a perfect choice for this purpose.

This is indeed a delightful series. I have a genuine fondness for the main characters, even when I have to set aside my disbelief regarding their actions and simply immerse myself in the narrative.

James Patterson has once again managed to create a book that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. The Women's Murder Club series continues to be a favorite among many, and this second book is no exception.

Whether you're a fan of mystery novels or simply looking for an entertaining read, this book is definitely worth checking out. So, hop on board the train of excitement and join the Women's Murder Club on their thrilling adventures!

I'm currently binge-reading through this series multiple times for a work-related task. So, I'm not going to provide a proper review at the moment. However, yeesh! Two members of the WMC have been shot, and one was even shot at.

As you can see from the image, there's something strange going on.

Am I right, ladies?

By the way, what the heck is that thing crawling on her counter? It's really creepy and makes you wonder what else is going to happen in this series.

I can't wait to find out, but for now, I need to focus on getting through these books for work.

Hopefully, I'll be able to come back and give a more detailed review later on.

4.5 Stars

The second book in the Women’s Murder Club series is truly a great one! I, personally, thoroughly enjoyed it. It was filled with suspense, action, and emotion, making it a really quick and easy read.

I like to read these series in between more complex and longer books to take a break and finish a book in a day or two. There was some character development for the ladies throughout this book, which I really loved.

Some of the quotes in the book are quite profound. For example, "You can't bring the dead back. You can't even make sense of why things happen. All you can do is the best you can to let the living believe their souls are at peace." And "courage abounds where guilt and rage run free."

I really like Boxer. I think she is a great character and a real powerhouse. The best thing about these books is that they are quick and hard to put down. However, this one doesn't quite reach 5 stars for me because it's not a book that will stick in my mind for a long time or one that I would re-read immediately.

The ending of this book was quite good, and the reveal of the killer was a bit of a shocker. I'm currently on the ninth book of this series, and there is a rough patch around books 5-8. But if you can get through those, book 9 is good, and hopefully, the series is on the upswing again.

On to the next!

I am completely in favor of the 'unconventional' approach to handling certain matters. However, the idea of a murder club composed of 4 women simply does not pique my interest. Nevertheless, I am delving into this series precisely because it is so unconventional.

Getting to know these women has proven to be an enjoyable experience. Each of them has their own set of problems, yet they also display strength when they are together. If this unconventional setup works, then why not give it a try?

There is more to come in this exploration of the series, and I am eager to see how the story unfolds and how these women continue to interact and grow.

Stay tuned for further updates as I continue to read and discover the unique aspects of this 'unconventional' murder club.