“I called Claire first - the medical examiner; then Cindy - the best crime reporter in San Francisco; then Jill - my lawyer. The girls came running.”

By page 10 of this book, I was completely hooked. That's when the true action kicks off, and it gives off the vibes of Law and Order: SVU and the first Bad Boys movie. Later on, it also reminds me of Criminal Minds, especially because of how sick and twisted the killer is.

I'm a major mood reader, and I often want to read multiple books at once. But this time, I told myself I couldn't pick up another one until I finished this. I'm so glad I did because this book is just that good. There are so many twists and turns on every page, keeping me on the edge of my seat throughout.

The epilogue...OMG! I was not expecting that ending at all, but I loved it. Usually, plot twists come a few pages before the end, but not this time. It was at the very end, and it was a real shocker. I could write an 8-page essay on this book alone because it's that amazing.

Cindy, the "boss reporter girl," is my favorite character. As a girl majoring in the same field, I really admire her. She never backs down, no matter what. The other women in the murder club are also well-written. They're all headstrong and not afraid to take on anyone, whether it's in their line of work or not. I've never read a James Patterson book that I didn't enjoy, and this one is no exception.

This is why I believe in going to Barnes and Nobles and randomly selecting books from different genres. Maybe by the same authors you know, or maybe by new ones. This year, I'm determined to read books from different genres, rather than just sticking to my usual favorites of fantasy and romance.

P.S. Maybe now that I've finished this book, I can finally get some sleep...*fingers crossed*

Am I the sole individual who believes that "Women's Murder Club" not only sounds cheesy but also juvenile and almost inviting mockery?

The storyline goes as follows: A psychotic serial killer commences murdering newlywed couples. Four women, each having her own personal stake in solving the case, are resolute in nailing the killer. Thus, they band together outside of the official channels to combine their resources and figure everything out. There is a red herring (if one can term it that) and a somewhat surprising twist at the end. However, I read this with an unusually high level of detachment and disinterest, and as a result, was not impressed by anything.

I simply was not overly impressed with this book. Patterson's portrayal of the female characters and their relationships with one another was stilted, forced, and lacked nuance from start to finish. I get the impression that Patterson does not truly understand how women function and how their relationships evolve.

Regarding the plot itself, well, it was marginally diverting, but not much more.

The only somewhat compelling aspect of this mystery was the main character's struggle with an illness that she has just discovered; an illness that is potentially fatal, can progress rapidly (and indeed does), and that starts to make her realize her own sense of mortality and how time might be running out.

I adore books in which the female characters are young, well-put-together, strong, and successful. I think what is most disappointing about this book is that there is so much untapped potential. Grrrr.

Oh god - I really hated the first book I read of Patterson's.

However, I'd read about the Women's Murder Club TV series and thought it sounded kind of cool, so I decided to give the books another try.

I'm about half way through this one, and it's pretty awful so far, just like the previous one. The writing is clumsy and cliched, the characters are ridiculous, and the really ridiculous killer makes it even worse.

Bah. I just don't understand why these books are so popular. At least it's a quick read.

***

I skimmed my way frantically through the second half of the book in order to finish it. It was truly awful, awful stuff. Patterson is an incredibly bad writer.

And that \\"twist\\" at the end? Jesus christ. I felt so embarrassed to be reading this on the train, in case someone was reading over my shoulder. Ergh.

This is my very first encounter with Patterson's work.

The book proved to be extremely captivating and enthralling. There are countless detective-serial killer novels in existence, but Patterson's offerings are undoubtedly among the very best, if not at the absolute top of the list.

His chapters are so concise and brisk that before you even realize it, you'll find yourself halfway through the book. Moreover, the suspense is masterfully paced, and he throws in numerous possibilities and clues regarding the murderer's identity, making it impossible for you to put the book down until you reach the finale.

In addition to the top-notch suspense, Patterson provides deep insights into the minds of our four heroines. We learn about their dark secrets and sympathize with them, especially Lindsay with her rare blood disorder, which is an original and engaging sub-plot. Therefore, we truly care about what happens to them.

As you approach the end of Patterson's "1st to Die," you let out a sigh of relief, only to be hit with another twist on the last page that nearly gives you a heart attack and makes you fall out of your seat! I have never read a novel with a final twist so close to the end that I can't help but applaud Patterson for his cleverness. Reading it is like driving a car through a beautiful countryside, relaxing and enjoying the ride until suddenly you see the road sink below the horizon, realizing you're approaching a cliff at a rapid speed! Kudos to Patterson for writing such a thrilling book!

Lindsay Boxer, a homicide detective, is deeply involved in a case that involves the brutal murder of newlyweds. The day after a wedding, two bodies are discovered in the honeymoon suite. Both the bride and groom have been stabbed. Just one day later, another pair of newlyweds vanish shortly after exchanging their vows. It becomes clear that a killer is specifically targeting newly married couples, and as a result, a task force is created.

Lindsay discusses the case with her friends during lunch. Claire, a medical examiner, Jill, an assistant district attorney, and Cindy, a reporter new to the crime beat, are all part of this discussion. All these ladies are highly interested in solving this case and firmly believe that their respective areas of expertise will be crucial in achieving that goal.

This is the first book in the Women's Murder Club series. However, I didn't have a great liking for Lindsay. She is the tough cop who constantly feels the need to prove herself in a male-dominated profession. Her manner is very brusque, and I simply didn't appreciate her style. Additionally, she has a serious medical problem to deal with and a new partner for this particular case.

While I like the concept of the women coming together to solve cases, I wasn't entirely satisfied with the execution. Lindsay becomes fixated on a suspect and refuses to let go. She is actively seeking clues that would confirm her suspicion, which is a dangerous approach as it could lead to arresting the wrong person. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Suzanne Toren. She did a decent job with the character voices, but the overall reading felt overly melodramatic. Perhaps I would have had a more enjoyable experience if I had read the book instead. My rating: 3.5 Stars.

It's likely not equitable for me to assess this book. Truly, it's not my kind of style at all. I didn't even make it past 50 pages. I've noticed that I identify with the characters far too much nowadays. This makes it extremely arduous to read a book such as this. Let me clarify. The book commences with the main character attempting to take her own life. Then, it provides us with a cheery introduction to the first victims in the story. Subsequently, it progresses to the perspective of the murderer as he slays those initial victims. He ponders to himself, what is the most heinous thing he could do? And then he proceeds to do it. And I'm certain that for some individuals, this might be diverting. However, for me, it's merely perturbing and something that I can't expunge from my mind. I'm sure the intention is that later on, there will be mystery and suspense, and the murderer will be apprehended and all will be resolved. But I simply don't have the inclination to reach that point. I read for amusement, and gut-wrenching, revolting, and dreadful murders are not amusing. In my opinion.

My goodness, I've finally completed this book. I decided to give this novel a try because it had (and still has) a really good rating on GR. I thought it would make for a great read.

I had imagined that it would be better than the Alex Cross series, but unfortunately, that wasn't the case.

It seems that Mr. Patterson has read a large number of Agatha Christie's works and may have had some confusion as to whether the ideas were his own or someone else's. In the end, he decided to write the book before fully determining the origin of those ideas and ignoring their essentiality in the real storylines.

I didn't like the narrative style at all. It was weird and annoying at times. The author seems to think that the book is being narrated by a woman (even though I'm not a woman), but trust me, this isn't the way a woman speaks, at least not for women with such credentials.

I also think he shouldn't have written the epilogue. It was completely out of touch with reality.

But anyway, thanks to Mr. Patterson for this book, which has given me the opportunity to write a completely opposing review (almost completely except for this part).

Please provide the article that needs to be rewritten and expanded so that I can help you.

That was a crap ending, Patterson. I was right with you until that wormy last chapter that was completely unnecessary.

It felt like a letdown after following the story so intently. The build-up was great, and I was fully engaged, but then that final chapter just seemed to come out of nowhere and didn't add anything of value.

However, the Murder Club is right up my alley though. The strong female characters taking charge of a heinous situation against all odds is a really enjoyable angle. It gives the story a unique and empowering feel.

I thoroughly enjoy reading about their adventures and how they work together to solve the crimes. It's refreshing to see female characters in such a dominant and capable role.

Despite the disappointing ending, I'll definitely ride this series a bit further. I'm curious to see where the story goes and how the characters develop. Maybe the next book will make up for the shortcomings of this one.

I truly have an intense love for all those thrilling twists and turns that continuously keep you in a state of suspense, guessing right until the very end.

It's that kind of excitement that makes you feel on the edge of your seat throughout the entire story.

And then, when the moment finally arrives and you discover who you had suspected all along to be the murderer, it's an incredibly satisfying feeling.

In my case, I was right, and that sense of validation just adds to the overall enjoyment of the experience.

It makes me appreciate the art of storytelling even more, as it has the power to engage and captivate our minds in such a profound way.

Whether it's in a mystery novel, a movie, or a TV show, those unexpected plot developments always manage to leave a lasting impression on me.

I can't wait to encounter more such exciting stories in the future and continue to be amazed by the creativity and ingenuity of the storytellers.

4 stars.

This simple rating of 4 stars holds a certain significance. It implies that the subject under consideration has achieved a relatively high level of quality or performance. Perhaps it has met most of the expectations and delivered a satisfying experience. However, it may not be perfect, as there is still room for improvement to reach that elusive 5-star status.

Maybe the product or service has some minor flaws or areas that could be enhanced. But overall, it has managed to stand out and earn a respectable 4-star rating. It could be a great choice for those who are looking for a reliable option that offers good value for money.

In conclusion, 4 stars is a notable achievement that indicates a certain level of excellence. It serves as a testament to the hard work and dedication of those involved in creating or providing the item being rated.

All a bit silly, but it just about kept me reading.

I haven't read any James Patterson since I got sick of Alex Cross twenty years ago. So I thought I'd give this a try and see if he'd changed at all.

Well, he hasn't.

It's the same old Patterson. The chapters are very short, just two pages each, which is supposed to prevent boredom. But the characters are one-dimensional, the plots are ridiculous, and there are far too many twists. I won't go on and on about it.

Patterson really shouldn't have a female protagonist because his writing can be so soppy that it makes you feel sick at times.

When Lindsay talks about "my girls" as if they are her best friends forever, even though she's only known them for a week or so, it's just plain silly.

There are so many artificial twists at the end that I completely lost interest in who the culprit was. A plot has to be organic and develop naturally from the facts. If the author ignores his own plot premise just to add another twist, why should I care about his plot?

The concept of the women's murder club is also quite insulting to any detective force. Why bother having professional detectives if three women can solve a case while sipping wine and eating chocolate cake?

In conclusion, I won't be reading any more books in this series.