This is a mystery thriller that belongs to the Women's Murder Club series, specifically the second book in the series.

The characters in this book are presented in a super concise manner, which makes the book an easy read. I truly relished the process of reading this book.

In this story, the protagonists are engaged in the task of solving a murder case where the victims are black police officers. The plot unfolds with various twists and turns, keeping the readers on the edge of their seats.

The ending of this book is particularly remarkable as it has a twist that I really did not anticipate. It adds an extra layer of excitement and surprise to the overall narrative.

If you are in search of a quick and easy read that can still offer you an engaging mystery and a satisfying conclusion, then this book is a great choice. It manages to combine the elements of mystery, thriller, and a touch of unexpectedness in a seamless way.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys this genre and is looking for a light yet entertaining read.

Number 2 in The Women’s Murder Club series.

First and foremost, if you have relished James Patterson’s books previously, then you are bound to enjoy this one as well. This book bears James Patterson’s distinct stamp all over it. It features a fast-paced narrative with short chapters, and death is an integral part of the plot. I notice from the cover that it was written in collaboration with Andrew Gross, yet apart from a tiny ‘with Andrew Gross’ on the cover, there is no other mention of him. Consequently, I wonder what contribution Andrew Gross made to the writing of this book?

After more than twenty years of being separated from his daughter, ‘Lindsay Boxer’, who is now the Lt of the SFPD murder squad, Marty Boxer returns, attempting to make amends for the wrongs he committed in the past. Just as Lindsay and Marty are being reunited, the killings commence. All the victims are African Americans and all have connections with the police. Is it merely a coincidence that the killings start when Marty makes his reappearance?

To exacerbate the situation, Lindsay’s boss is one of the victims, and she now has a new boss who appears to be determined to make Lindsay’s life as arduous as possible.

With no clues other than an obscure mythical symbol present at each of the killings, Lindsay decides to bring the girls back together to brainstorm for solutions.

There are some twists and turns, but for the most part, it is rather standard fare. However, having said that, and to reiterate, if you have enjoyed reading James Patterson in the past, then you will enjoy this.

For me, this is a 3.5-star read that I have rounded up to 4 stars.

2nd Chance brings back the Women's Murder Club, a group of four friends. They are a detective, a reporter, an assistant district attorney, and a medical examiner. In 1st to Die, they used their networking skills, feminine intuition, and professional wiles to solve a series of baffling murders.

This time, the murders of two African Americans, a little girl and an old woman, have all the signs of a serial killer for Lindsay Boxer. She has just been promoted to lieutenant of San Francisco's homicide squad. But there is an odd detail that disturbs her even more: both victims were related to city cops. A symbol seen at both murder scenes leads to a racist hate group. However, the taunting killer strikes again and again, leaving deliberate clues and eluding the police more cleverly.

Meanwhile, each of the women has a personal stake at risk, and the killer knows who they are. 2nd Chance races along at a Formula One pace through many tight curves. But unlike recent entries in the Alex Cross series, it doesn't sacrifice good characters for a twisted plot. Lindsay is the star, but there is a great sense of teamwork among the four women. They are even better developed here than in the first book. What makes them both convincing and interesting as a criminal-justice force is their willingness to take risks, even if they suffer for it. If you haven't read a James Patterson novel in a while, this is a great opportunity to start again. --Barrie Trinkle

In the second book of the Women's Murder Club series, an unknown assassin, using the alias "Chimera", begins to target random people, including children, with bullets. What do these victims have in common and who wants to kill them? How personal can this case get for Lindsay Boxer and how will she manage to find the culprit with the help of her friends?

Classic, beloved Patterson, classic beloved police plot. With its twists, its cinematic, almost script-like writing, the race against time, the build-up of the case, the closing of the eye, everything one wants to find in a book by a beloved author. However, some characteristics of the first book start to be repeated in this one, such as that the culprit is not who he seems, that the right direction to the solution comes almost from the heavens etc. Especially regarding the last one, I forgive Patterson because, with a brilliant setting, the identity of the murderer was right there, in front of me, but being used to the fast-paced narration I overlooked it!

Moreover, here Patterson and Gross start to somewhat flesh out the superficial handling of the events and build the personalities of the heroines. They still don't go deep, but they started to build a somewhat more complete family environment for the members of the club.

In this thrilling thriller, the Women's Murder Club does not have a very active role as a whole, but only as a common meeting point for the women to be informed about the events in their lives. And indeed, there are many themes: Lindsay's father returns, Cindy finds a partner, Jill remains pregnant but continues to work at a fast pace while soon two of the members will unwillingly be involved in the relentless hunt for the murderer.

Lindsay's father was a policeman, who disappeared of his own accord for over twenty years without giving any signs of life, leaving a big void in his daughter's life. And in "Second Chance" he returns. Why? Out of guilt? Did he emigrate? Was he worried about Lindsay's health, since Chimera is a relentless hunter and his victims are increasing geometrically? How will she feel? Will they find some common points of reference, will she accept him back into her life, will she give him the second chance he asks for? And how will she feel when she discovers the real reasons that brought him back into her life? The father-daughter relationship is realistically and touchingly portrayed, I felt as if I was talking to my own people who have experienced similar situations.

What I didn't like at all about Lindsay and seemed to me either a completely new characteristic of hers or something inappropriate regarding her psychology, was the series of mistakes she made in the book. I believe that when you progress and take on more responsible positions or you are more careful not to expose yourself unnecessarily (you work as a role model for example) or you still have the safety rules at the top of your head. Lindsay, then, completely randomly, driven by instinct, follows a suspect who leads her to something she didn't expect. Yes but she is alone and without a battery in her phone! Then, when we approach the end and Lindsay has taken so much that she wants to mess with the culprit, she ignores the protective gear and the sirens blaring around her so she attacks her opponent almost unarmed and unprotected. Lindsay never seemed to me so superficial and impulsive, especially regarding the safety of her life. Ouch, ouch!

The central idea of the second book of the series has to do with many themes: racism, corruption within the police force, the inhuman conditions of detention in the most isolated correctional facilities of the state and the relationships that develop between a child and a father. Three months after the case of the newlyweds, which earned Lindsay the rank of lieutenant, the Women's Murder Club faces a monster that fears nothing, believing in his own chimera. The murderer's tracks are revealed one by one, the evidence piles up, the case reaches a climax, only to prove that we have two cases in one: revenge and racial violence. How the two authors handle this multi-layered story with the satisfying solution I leave the reader to discover on his own.

The second book of the Women's Murder Club series is an equally fast-paced book, with thrilling action, fast paces, twists and intensity while a realism and a deeper sense regarding the psychology of the heroines begin to emerge.

Here is how I finished volume 2 of the series. I got attached to the characters and it seems like I am with them there with each action they undertake. This also happened to me with the series written by Tess Gerritsen...where I got to the point of dreaming about the situations in the book;)) probably until I finish this series, the same will happen. I like it. I like the characters, I like that it is written lightly, without tiring you with useless details and descriptions... The second book comes with another case that must be solved by the girls' crime club, and if the first one was about a crazy person, the second case is about revenge and betrayal. This book is perfect for a cool autumn afternoon, in which you want to relax but don't feel like reading a heavy book. It is a weekend book. Let's move on to volume 3 and see what the girls do next!

I really enjoy reading this series. The author has done a great job of creating interesting characters and engaging storylines. Each book in the series is unique, yet they all fit together seamlessly. The second volume was especially exciting, with its twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. I can't wait to see what happens in volume 3.

Overall, I would highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys mystery and crime novels. It's a great read that will keep you entertained from start to finish.

For the most part, 2nd Chance is indeed sufficiently interesting.

I found myself truly and sufficiently intrigued by the mystery that it presented, which led me to stick with the novel all the way to its end.

However, just like its predecessor, 2nd Chance starts out in an okay manner. But as it draws closer to the end, it seems to get in over its head.

Suddenly, every single character has had a near-death run-in, and every event comes with a twist. While a couple of plot twists can be engaging and add to the excitement, there is no need to go overboard and get overly melodramatic.

It feels as if the author is trying too hard to make the story more thrilling and complex, rather than allowing the natural progression of the plot to carry the narrative.

This overabundance of twists and turns can sometimes leave the reader feeling confused and overwhelmed, rather than satisfied.

Overall, 2nd Chance has its moments of interest, but it could have benefited from a more balanced and less convoluted approach to its storyline.

In San Francisco, a spate of sensational killings has sent shockwaves through the community, compelling the Women’s Murder Club to step in and search for clues, untangling the threads that bind them together.

Lt. Lindsay Boxer is resolute in her determination to track down the killer. To achieve this, she must delve into the past to make sense of the present and uncover the motive that will shed light on what is transpiring.

Meanwhile, her long-absent father, Marty Boxer, makes an unexpected appearance one day, resurrecting the pain of his departure many years ago. While giving him a second chance might seem like the right thing to do, will Lindsay later rue this decision? And how does her father fit into the current situation?

Is the killer seeking vengeance, or is there a more complex story at play?

Similar to many of the tales in this series, "2nd Chance" leads the reader along a suspenseful trail in the quest for answers. Just when the women believe the case is solved, they are hit with a curveball. Will the real killer prove to be the most unexpected of suspects?

How does the theme of second chances reveal the true nature of what is happening? And what other astonishing twists and turns will serve as a reminder to Lindsay and her friends that nothing in life is certain and that nothing can replace the genuine connections in their lives? This story earns 3.5 stars for being both suspenseful and somewhat predictable.

4.5 stars.

This book truly kept me on the edge of my seat, constantly guessing until the very end.

The plot was filled with unexpected twists and turns that had me second-guessing my initial assumptions at every turn.

I found myself completely immersed in the story, unable to put the book down as I eagerly anticipated what would happen next.

The author did an excellent job of building suspense and keeping the reader engaged from start to finish.

Even when I thought I had finally figured out the mystery, there was yet another surprise waiting for me.

This made the reading experience all the more thrilling and enjoyable.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery or thriller that will keep them guessing until the very end.

It's definitely a must-read for fans of the genre.

I have liked the four women who ally to try to solve the crimes, in a predominantly male work environment.

At some moments, they are innocent; but despite that, they are entertaining novels, with some unforeseen plot twists but not being exceptional. The characters are well-described; and the plots are entertaining. Ideal for passing the time.

These novels offer a unique perspective on crime-solving, with the female protagonists bringing their own strengths and perspectives to the table.

Their innocence sometimes leads them into trouble, but it also gives them a fresh outlook on the cases.

The unforeseen plot twists keep the reader engaged and guessing, while the well-described characters make them easy to root for.

Overall, these novels are a great choice for anyone looking for an entertaining read that doesn't take itself too seriously.

Book on CD performed by Melissa Leo & Jeremy Piven.
2**

From the book jacket: The Women’s Murder Club is back! A brilliantly diabolical killer is murdering people from every walk of life. The deaths seem unrelated but police homicide inspector Lindsay Boxer senses a connection and, together with medical examiner Claire, assistant D.A. Jill, and Chronicle reporter Cindy, finds a link that sends a chill through the entire nation. This killer’s motives are unspeakable.

My Reactions:
The hyperbole on the jacket is a sign of the writing quality. I didn't feel any tension or suspense. I don't think the killer was "brilliantly diabolical" or his motives "unspeakable." Instead, the tired attempt at creating suspense makes it laughably melodramatic. The interaction between the women saved the first book for me, but not this time. Patterson gives the characters more medical issues, including gunshot wounds. Interestingly, Lindsay has completely recovered from the terminal illness in the first book. Patterson seems to be just going through the motions these days. He has a team of writers producing this work with his name at the top. That's too bad. His early Alex Cross novels, when he wrote them himself, were quite good. Melissa Leo and Jeremy Piven do a good job with the audio version. I gave them 4 stars for their skill as voice artists and pacing. But they had bad material to work with. Since the book was due back at the library, I gave up on the audio and read the last 100 pages. Patterson's short sentences and chapters make it a fast read, thankfully.

It gave 1st to Die, just like everyone said it did, and I don't like that.

However, it was still engaging. The story was good. It had elements that kept me interested from the beginning. The characters were well-developed, and their relationships added depth to the plot.

The author did a great job of creating a vivid world and making me feel like I was a part of it. Even though I didn't like the way it gave 1st to Die, I couldn't deny that the overall story was captivating.

I found myself turning the pages quickly, eager to see what would happen next. The twists and turns in the plot kept me on the edge of my seat.

Despite my initial misgivings, I ended up enjoying the book more than I thought I would. It was a great read, and I would recommend it to others who enjoy a good story.

This book was truly a page turner.

Once again, James Patterson managed to keep me on the edge of my seat, constantly making me think it was one person, only to find out it was someone else entirely.

The lengths a father will go to for his daughter and the things a son won't do for his father are explored in this captivating story.

It's a great book, and I highly recommend it for a definite read.

I'm really starting to get deeply into these James Patterson books.

Now, it's time to move on to the next book in the series and continue this thrilling literary journey.

I can't wait to see what Patterson has in store for us next.

His ability to craft engaging and unpredictable stories is truly remarkable.

Whether you're a long-time fan of his work or new to his books, this one is sure to satisfy.

So, pick up a copy and get ready to be swept away.