Well, I think this will bring to an end my foray onto James Patterson's Women's Murder Club Series.

This particular installment was basically the same format as the first one, "First to Die". It held few, if any, surprises for me. I had the distinct feeling that Patterson had simply taken the tried-and-true format and just inserted new names. It was almost like writing by numbers.

First, the murder occurs. Then Lindsay, the lead detective, decides who she thinks is responsible, but she needs evidence to prove it. There are more murders, and the circumstantial evidence seems to point towards her suspect. The women of the club band together and gather more evidence. The suspect is arrested, usually after a tense gunfight in which he may or may not be killed.

But then something always comes to light that rules that person out as the perpetrator. So they then have to re-examine the evidence and find something that points to the real murderer.

Bleh! It all felt so formulaic and predictable. Maybe one day, if I'm really desperate for something to read, I might tune into "3rd Degree". But I much preferred Patterson's earlier works and may just revisit those instead.

I'm hoping that future installments of the Women's Murder Club Series will offer more innovation and less repetition.

I have read numerous books written by Patterson and have discovered that the majority of them are crafted in a logical progression style. In these works, the 'facts' tend to outnumber the emotional appeal of the overall story. It's sort of like a'man's view' of the story rather than a feelings view. Due to this, while I have liked all of Patterson's books, I have truly loved only a few.

2nd Chance contains the theme of 'A women's murder club novel' simply because four remarkable professional women come together as friends to handle difficult cases. Perhaps it is this aspect of Patterson's focus that adds more emotional content to the book. The key character is a female operating in a dangerous male world, all while attempting to catch a deadly organized serial killer with a specific agenda. The subplots involve minimal romance, family drama, and friendship.

If you are a fan of the traditional Patterson novels, then you might like this one less. However, if you prefer more emotion in your stories, then, like me, you may find this one more appealing.

I awarded four stars because I am not an extremely avid Patterson fan. For a die-hard fan, it might be worthy of a five-star upgrade.

This book is really easy to read.

From the very first page, it grabs your attention and draws you in.

The language is simple and straightforward, yet engaging and interesting.

You don't have to struggle to understand what the author is trying to say.

It flows smoothly, like a gentle river, carrying you along with it.

But here's the thing - it's very difficult to put down!

Once you start reading, you just can't seem to stop.

You find yourself getting lost in the story, completely immersed in the characters and their lives.

Before you know it, hours have passed and you're still turning the pages.

It's like a drug, addictive and impossible to resist.

Whether you're a seasoned reader or just starting out, this book is sure to capture your heart and keep you entertained from beginning to end.

So what are you waiting for? Pick it up and start reading today!

This was an excellent book.

I truly relished the writing style of this book to a greater extent than that of the previous one. It was a delight to witness how the characters had evolved from the first book.

However, if I were to offer any criticism, it would be that both this book and the initial one had comparable endings in terms of how they unfolded.

Nevertheless, this book is truly amazing, and I adored every single moment of reading it. It had me hooked from the very beginning until the end. The story was engaging, the characters were well-developed, and the writing was top-notch. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good read.

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

Since these books have been on the bestseller's lists recently, I thought I'd give them a try. Apparently, James Patterson decided to ride the wave of the recent women's mystery series craze. The books in this series, thus far, are 1st to Die, 2nd Chance, 3rd Degree, 4th of July, and 5th Horseman.

Despite the rather uncreative title for the series (Women's Murder Club? Come on!), the books actually work quite well. We're not comparing them to the depth, detail, and complexity of Sherlock Holmes here, but they are an entertaining read, albeit a somewhat gory one.

The main character, Lindsay, is in the SFPD Homicide department. Her best friend is the Medical Examiner, another friend is the ADA, and in the first book, they add an up-and-coming reporter to the group. While they are supposed to solve these murders together, "cutting across the departmental bullshit," after the first book, Lindsay pretty much takes center stage and the others fade into the background.

The series does have its problems. Things that are very important in one book but have nothing to do with the case are often completely forgotten in the next. Also, some aspects of the characters seem to come out of nowhere with no connection. It's as if Mr. Patterson decided that a character needed to play the cello in this book, so all of a sudden, we have a couple of years of history, including a college scholarship, that wasn't even hinted at before. In other words, I don't think he developed his characters thoroughly before he started writing.

The mysteries are fairly simple, and the person you suspect as the murderer is usually, if not the actual murderer, another really bad person somehow connected to the case.

They're not the most uplifting books in the world or the best (again, I'm reminding myself that bestseller just means it sells well, not necessarily that it's good), but I still enjoyed reading them. For a guy, James Patterson writes realistic, strong female characters. While he's far from Shakespeare, he does have that in common with the Bard.

It was a truly remarkable book, and the ending had an excellent twist that kept me on the edge of my seat.

While I did find myself missing some of the more detailed and gruesome elements that Patterson is known for, it was only a fleeting thought.

The book was a surprisingly quick read, despite its appearance. The short chapters were a great help in keeping the story flowing smoothly, and I really liked the characters.

Sure, there were times when I wanted to reach through the pages and strangle Lindsey, and then her dad the next moment, but things settled down towards the end.

I can't wait to start reading "3rd Degree" and continue my journey through this exciting series in advance of "10th Anniversary".

I'm sure there are more thrilling adventures and unexpected twists waiting for me in the upcoming books.

I'm looking forward to seeing how the story develops and how the characters grow and change.

This series has really captured my imagination, and I can't get enough of it.

Sure kept me guessing!

It was an absolute thriller that had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The plot was so full of twists and turns that it was nearly impossible to predict what was going to happen next.

Every time I thought I had it all figured out, the story would take a completely unexpected turn, leaving me shocked and eager to read more.

I found myself completely immersed in the world of the book, unable to put it down.

The characters were well-developed and engaging, adding an extra layer of depth to the already captivating story.

Overall, it was a truly unforgettable reading experience that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a good mystery or thriller.

So good!

I'm truly loving this series!

It has been an absolute delight to follow along. The storylines are so engaging and full of surprises that they constantly keep me on my toes.

Every episode or chapter brings something new and exciting, making it impossible for me to look away. The characters are well-developed and relatable, which adds another layer of depth to the series.

I can't wait to see what happens next and how the story will unfold. This series has definitely become one of my favorites, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thrilling and entertaining read or watch.

Excellent book!

This is truly an outstanding piece of literature. From the moment I picked it up, I was completely engrossed. The story is captivating, filled with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. The characters are well-developed, each with their own unique personalities and motives. The author's writing style is engaging and easy to follow, making it a pleasure to read.

Not only is the plot exciting, but the book also offers valuable insights into human nature and society. It makes you think about important issues and challenges your perspective. The themes explored are relevant and thought-provoking, adding depth and substance to the story.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read. It is a must-have for book lovers and will leave you with a lasting impression. Whether you're into fiction or non-fiction, this book has something for everyone. So don't hesitate, pick up a copy and start reading today!

This book was an easy read.

It flowed smoothly, and the language was simple and straightforward.

However, it didn't captivate me like the first book did.

The first book had something special, a certain charm that drew me in and made me unable to put it down.

This one, on the other hand, felt a bit平淡.

It was enjoyable enough, but it didn't have that wow factor.

I liked it, but I didn't LOVE IT.

It was just an okay read, something to pass the time.

Maybe if I had gone into it with lower expectations, I would have been more impressed.

But as it stands, it was a decent book that didn't quite live up to my hopes.

4 STARS

"2nd Chance reunites the Women's Murder Club. These are four remarkable friends - a detective, a reporter, an assistant district attorney, and a medical examiner. In 1st to Die, they utilized their networking abilities, feminine intuition, and professional cunning to crack a puzzling series of murders. Now, the killings of two African Americans, a little girl and an old woman, exhibit all the hallmarks of a serial killer for Lindsay Boxer, who has just been promoted to lieutenant of San Francisco's homicide squad. However, there is an odd detail that she finds even more disconcerting: both victims were related to city cops. A symbol seen at both murder scenes points to a racist hate group. But the taunting killer continues to strike repeatedly, leaving deliberate clues and eluding the police with increasing cleverness. Meanwhile, each of the women has a personal stake in the balance - and the killer knows exactly who they are."

This is a truly great suspense/mystery novel, featuring a strong female lead. It keeps the reader on the edge of their seat from start to finish, with its intricate plot and well-developed characters. The story weaves together elements of mystery, crime, and personal drama, creating a captivating and engaging read. Fans of the genre will surely enjoy this book and be eager to see what the Women's Murder Club will face next.

New San Francisco Homicide Lieutenant, Lindsay Boxer, is on the hunt for a serial killer. This killer is targeting Blacks, seemingly trying to incite racial hatred. But could there be more to it than meets the eye? Is this just a blind?

Adding to the complexity, Lindsay's estranged father, an ex-cop, makes a surprise appearance. He claims to be seeking to right the wrongs he did to his family. But was he really running from more than just his family 20 years ago?

This book had the potential to be a great read. However, listening to it on CD during commutes might not have been the best way to experience it. The female reader's overemphasis on every phrase made even the simplest actions, like walking up steps, seem highly strung.

Moreover, in this modern crime novel, the female police lead gathering her "friends" at open coffee shops not only to chat during an investigation but also to help her solve the case was a bit off-putting. What about the trained team she's supposed to be working with?

If you're a fan of James Patterson/Andrew Gross, you might love this book. But for me, I won't be looking for more from the Women's Murder Club. I should note that this audio book was a gift from Father Christmas.