What occurs when a Medical Examiner, detective, reporter, and prosecutor converge? You have the Women's Murder Club, which is committed to resolving challenging cases.

This is an enjoyable, quick read that is precisely suitable at specific moments. From a plot perspective, it is rather foreseeable, but at times, that is perfectly okay as well. If you are seeking something profound and intellectually stimulating, this is not the book to select.

I delight in observing how the women unite and combine their efforts to solve the crime. There is the seemingly obligatory romantic encounter, which accompanies many of these books. I am uncertain if it was necessary, yet it functioned. The characters in the club bring their unique skills and perspectives, making the story engaging. The cooperation among them showcases the power of teamwork. Despite the predictability, the book still manages to hold the reader's attention with its fast-paced narrative and interesting twists. It's a light-hearted and entertaining read that provides a welcome escape from the daily grind.

It is a little-known fact that I was the first to bring Paterson's books to Serbia... and I was for years an editor of his books for various publishers... and that I probably know his rich opus best... :) Among all his diverse books and series, this one is the dearest to me, which I have stubbornly "chased" for years... Here we cannot talk about "great" literature, but we can talk about a real quality commercial author who will grab you and not let you go from the beginning to the end of each book... even those that you would rate with only two or three stars... :) And you can read three books in a row and still look for more... That's why he writes about 8 titles a year... one from each series plus some stand-alone titles... :)

Paterson's works have a certain charm that keeps readers hooked. His stories are engaging and full of twists and turns. Even though they may not be considered highbrow literature, they offer entertainment and a good escape from reality. The fact that he can produce so many titles each year shows his productivity and creativity. Whether you are a fan of his series or prefer the stand-alone books, there is always something new to discover in his writing. So, if you haven't given Paterson's books a try yet, I highly recommend you do so.

The first book in the Women's Murder Club series by James Patterson is truly a remarkable beginning.

It sets the stage for an exciting and engaging series that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The story introduces us to a group of strong and determined women who come together to solve crimes.

Each character is well-developed and brings her own unique skills and perspectives to the table. The plot is full of twists and turns, making it impossible to put the book down.

The writing is fast-paced and action-packed, yet still manages to explore the complex emotions and relationships of the characters. Overall, this is a very good start to the series and a must-read for fans of mystery and crime fiction.

The first installment in the Women's Murder Club series is truly a remarkable beginning. It presents a new series that is filled to the brim with drama and a fast-paced storyline, accompanied by characters that readers can truly relate to. I found myself completely engrossed and ended up reading all the way to book 19 in the series. While the ratings of these books may vary, I will always remember this series as one of the catalysts that helped me reignite my passion for reading.

This series is extremely easy to read and follow, making it the perfect break for me between my more complex reads. I understand that many people might claim that the plots are predictable or the writing seems amateurish, but for me, they serve as the ideal escape.

The quotes from the book add an extra layer of charm. For instance, "I remembered something my first partner had told me. Never wrestle with a pig, Lindsay. You both get dirty. The pig likes it." and "I'm in shape...Round's a shape." (Which I can totally relate to! Haha)

Normally, I can finish these books within a day or two, and they help me transition smoothly from one book to another. I hope to complete this series one day, but with James Patterson churning out books at such a rapid pace, I haven't even gotten to "Along Came the Spider" yet. Considering that a significant portion of his writing was done before I was born, I definitely have a lot of catching up to do!

This was my first encounter with a James Patterson novel, and I must admit that it will likely be my last. I had such high expectations from a best-selling author. I was anticipating a story with greater complexity, deeper emotional depth, and more profound feelings.

Although I can understand how the plot might be well-suited for a summer movie adaptation, similar to Patterson's previous works like Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider, I found the writing to be far too simplistic. It seemed as if it had been boiled down to appeal to the most basic level of readers. There was nothing overly challenging that might have offended the masses. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any real depth. The love affair? Oh, don't even get me started. Suffice it to say that you could clearly tell that a man had written this book. The two main detectives went from being begrudging partners to passionate lovers in the blink of an eye, with little to no development in between, which really annoyed me. The ending was a disjointed mess, with a killer-surprise-attack-for-one-final-bloody-act kind of deal. Meh...

I would only recommend this book to someone who is simply looking for a quick read during a plane trip, someone who is seeking a cheap and dirty thrill but not much else. It didn't offer me the kind of literary experience that I was hoping for.

I'm currently engaged in binge-reading this series multiple times for a work-related matter.

As a result, I'm not in a position to provide a proper review at the moment. However, I must admit that I did not anticipate the presence of post-mortem oral sex.

Now, I'm rereading these for the third time, all for workstuff. It's quite an interesting experience, to say the least.

With each reread, I notice new details and aspects that I might have missed before.

Although the unexpected content caught me off guard, it has also added an element of surprise to the reading process.

I'm curious to see what else I'll discover as I continue this binge-reading session for work.

How on earth is he a best-selling author?

His characters lack depth and are rather shallow. His writing style is mediocre at best, without any real sparkle or innovation. When it comes to writing about romance, it feels completely mechanical and formulaic, lacking the passion and authenticity that one would expect.

This particular book had a supposed twist at the end, but it was truly the worst kind. It was the sort of twist that you simply couldn't predict because it seemed as if he added it as an afterthought, without bothering to include any traces of foreshadowing. As a result, it felt forced and didn't add any real value to the story.

I have yet to read any of his other books, and after this experience, I have no intention of doing so. Given that I have very little time for leisure reading, I prefer to make the most of it and not waste precious moments on such subpar writing.

Furthermore, his excessive use of vulgarity and sex is quite off-putting. It's not even the kind of sex that is meant to be romantic or enhance the story; it just comes across as cheap and tawdry.

I would only recommend this book to those who have literally read every other book in the world and are so desperate for something new that they would rather read this than reread a truly good book.

What even?

Genuinely what?

I thought James Patterson was supposed to be an excellent writer.

What memo did I miss?

It seems that my perception of James Patterson as an outstanding writer might have been inaccurate.

I'm truly confused as to what I might have overlooked.

Perhaps there are aspects of his writing that I haven't fully grasped or appreciated.

Maybe I need to reevaluate my understanding of his work and look for the qualities that others seem to find so appealing.

Could it be that my expectations were set too high, or that I have a different standard for what constitutes excellent writing?

These are all questions that I need to consider as I try to make sense of my current confusion.

Regardless, I'm determined to figure out what I missed and gain a better understanding of why James Patterson is regarded as such a highly regarded writer by many.

Just a 3.5 star for me but I rounded up!

This is an older book that has received numerous reviews. There's nothing major that I can add to what has already been said. However, it's an easy read with short chapters. Each chapter is packed with a lot of action and storyline, which keeps the reader engaged. The crimes described in the book are a little gruesome, but I really liked the police procedural part. It was interesting to see how the investigators went about solving the cases. Additionally, I loved the settings. All the places mentioned in the book are ones that I have visited myself, which added an extra layer of authenticity and connection for me.

I'll definitely be continuing with this series as I'm curious to see what happens next and how the story develops. I'm looking forward to more action, more police procedures, and more of the familiar settings that I love.

The writing style employed in this piece was rather stilted, lacking the fluidity and charm that would have made it truly engaging.

Patterson's attempt at depicting the female characters seemed forced and artificial, failing to capture the true essence and complexity of how female relationships actually function. It was evident that he had a limited understanding of the nuances and subtleties involved.

Moreover, some of the plot twists that were supposed to add excitement and surprise turned out to be tedious and disappointingly predictable. Instead of keeping the reader on the edge of their seat, they fell flat and failed to deliver the intended impact.

Overall, while the story may have had some potential, the execution left much to be desired, resulting in a less than satisfying reading experience.

:: 5 Pretty Little Stars ::

This book offers an absolute rollercoaster ride. It is filled with excitement, darkness, intrigue, and intense thrills. I wonder how I managed to avoid Patterson's books until now. After reading just two, I'm officially addicted. Every single chapter in this book progresses at a rapid pace. Before you even realize it, you're already halfway through. I truly love this aspect as it allows me to devour a significant number of pages in a short period. It also makes me feel more engaged as I never have the fear of missing out on something crucial. Wow, this book is simply excellent.

The story revolves around a detective named Lindsay, who is hot on the trail of a bride and groom killer. She has a sharp eye for detail, is intelligent, and is an all-around likable character. However, while she's combating crime, she's also dealing with a personal issue. An illness that could be life-threatening without proper treatment. This additional subplot enriches the book, making it feel more realistic. Lindsay isn't just a cop; she's a real person fighting on two fronts. Patterson effectively portrays both sides of her story, which I adored. Of course, Lindsay is the central figure in this book. Nevertheless, there are secondary characters who are equally important and enhance the overall narrative. Three other women - a reporter, a medical examiner, and a district attorney - join forces with Lindsay with a common goal: to find the killer and seek justice for the brutally murdered victims. Initially, the four women seem like an unlikely combination, but they soon become integral to the story.

The killings and the killer in this book are extremely brutal. I wasn't prepared for the vivid descriptions of how the victims were killed. Patterson surprises us by revealing the details of these murders, and in some scenes, we witness the killings from the killer's perspective, which makes us feel a strange connection to him. I found this to be a fascinating and one of the best aspects of the entire book. However, readers should be warned that the unexpected will happen. I won't disclose more to avoid spoiling the story.

Overall, this is an incredibly thrilling read. I'm looking forward to continuing the series to see how the characters evolve and develop further. It will be exciting to discover what other adventures these ladies of the murder club will embark on! If you haven't read a Patterson novel yet, I highly recommend starting with this one. It's truly outstanding!

For me, James Patterson can be a bit of a hit or miss. On this particular occasion, 1st to Die was definitely a hit.

It follows the typical James Patterson format with short chapters, a strong plot, a fast pace, and more twists and turns than you could possibly imagine. In fact, there were perhaps a few too many twists and turns. By the time the last one occurred, I was starting to feel just a little bit tired of them.

The main theme of the book is that there is someone out there who gets a sick thrill from killing the bride and groom on their wedding night. And of course, once is never enough for this deranged individual.

It was a nice touch that James Patterson made the main characters in this story female. It was like a poke in the eye to the dominant male hierarchy. Having four women from four different professions come together to solve the murders was a refreshing change from the norm.

Overall, this was an entertaining read that I would highly recommend with a 4-star rating. It kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish and had me guessing until the very end.