4-1/2 Stars!

It has been a number of years since I last delved into the works of James Patterson. In the past, I regarded myself as a devoted fan. However, after reading Zoo, I was left feeling rather disappointed, which led me to take a hiatus from his books. Fortunately, the Women's Murder Club series turned out to be an excellent choice for me. This is precisely the kind of Patterson that I recall adoring to read. The stories are filled with suspense and are highly unpredictable. Each page turn keeps you on the edge of your seat, eagerly anticipating what will happen next. The characters are well-developed and engaging, making it easy to become invested in their lives and the mysteries they are trying to solve. I am truly enjoying this series and look forward to reading more from James Patterson in the future.

What to start with? First of all, between me and James Patterson was "The Quickie". After this quick and short reading, I realized that I don't really like the way the author writes and then I forgot about him.

Recently, I decided (like any woman changes her mind) to give him another chance (like any woman makes a mistake) and I started to read the present novel. Again, I realized that it didn't disappoint me. My problem is that I still have another book written by him and I don't know what to do... if you have it, you should read it, right? Of course it's not my choice...

Seriously, I want to offer some reasons why I didn't like this reading:

The first thing I noticed is that each chapter has one, two, at most three pages, which annoys me because it seems to me that it fragments the narration too much. Although now writing is simplified and reading is as easy as possible, it doesn't seem useful or aesthetic to me.

Then there is that kind of detective novel in which, after 10 pages, we already know who the criminal is because the author chooses to reveal it to us and thus we participate with him in all the crimes, instead of putting the clues together and finding out who it is.

Another thing I didn't like is that it has a modern concept being very girl-power. We are dealing with 4 successful, independent, career-oriented, idealistic women and I wonder where the ordinary housewives, the exhausted mothers or the housewives who work all day like ants have gone? Practically, nowadays, if a woman is not a CEO somewhere, she doesn't exist and I don't understand this aggressive promotion and the society's demand that a woman be successful by any means.

The book abounds in many clichés about weddings, wedding dresses, honeymoons and all kinds of related traditions. All these hardships make me think that if I ever took the step, I would prefer to run away to an isolated place, in an empty church and without guests.

Also, the main heroine, Inspector Lindsay Boxer has a weakness for men with "soft hands", so every time she meets one, she first asks if the respective man has this. Even when she makes love to them, she is concerned about this aspect. Of course I wonder what soft hands mean and what you do if the man is a carpenter and has calluses on his hands or is a "lumberjack", because it's all very trendy now.

Although I can very well tolerate violence and the morbid details, in this novel I found that some details are too disturbing and I didn't understand their purpose. The criminal, for example, chooses to perform a sexual gesture that I prefer not to reveal here because it is too stupid and degrading. Besides that, when he makes love to his wife, besides the fact that he hits her, he forces her to say "ham-ham-ham". Why? God knows...

As a conclusion, I would recommend you not to waste too much time with this book, go straight to "The Quickie"! :)

Too farfetched for me. A serial killer is on the loose in San Francisco, murdering brides and bridegrooms. The main character is the head of detectives, who has a life-threatening disease and decides to have an affair with her partner Chris. Chris is literally perfect, a man's fantasy of what he thinks is a perfect man for a woman. Apparently, the murderer is a famous novelist with no redeeming features at all, except for his ability to manipulate his wives to go on a murder spree. The motive is that his ex-wife is only getting $5000 a month alimony instead of a share of his millions. This is a very weak motive to murder several people.

The detective club of four women is ridiculous. There's a reporter and a cop. The coroner I can believe, but a lawyer as well? The ending was so silly, with Jenks coming back to murder Boxer.

However, the whole story is readable. If you suspend belief, it can be entertaining and in places even laugh out loud, such as Jenks' escape. I also thought the love scenes with Chris and Boxer at the sports game and elsewhere were ridiculously over the top. Overall, it's an okay read, but not without its flaws.

Much of this was just okay (Goodreads' 2 star rating), but I decided I enjoyed enough of it to raise it into the 3 star region.

I liked the brisk pacing, which was supported by very short chapters (a whopping 127 of them!). This made it read easily even when not much was actually going on. By following the points of view of both the police detective and the killer, most of the story felt like a mildly suspenseful crime novel. The excitement mainly stemmed from the ghastliness of the killings.

After the 80% mark, the twists began to increase, and that's always at least intellectually fun, isn't it? I do enjoy a good puzzle, and this one was really twisty. So yes, it gets 3 stars, despite what seem like inconsistencies along the way. These could potentially be explained if one tries hard enough. However, the motivation for that final twist (in the "epilogue" that would have been chapter 127) simply didn't ring true.

I bought this book in the first place because it's the foundation of a very successful series, now up to #20 I believe, called "The Women's Murder Club." I was fairly impressed with the way the principal narrator, Lindsay, a female detective in a man's world, drew together three other women - a medical examiner, a crime reporter, and an assistant district attorney. These women were also rising stars in mostly male professions. The best thing about the book, I'd say, is the way these four, with often conflicting agendas, learned to work together and trust each other. They do have the makings of a good series, though I wish there'd been more from the other three's points of view.

But the subplot of the fatal disease - that gets one star. I really hated it.

I found the manner in which the actual murders were executed to be rather spine-chilling. The short and curt delivery significantly contributed to the development of that eerie atmosphere.

Although it became relatively easy to推测 who the murderer would be around the halfway point, the tension remained palpable and never relented until it reached the climax. The characters, too, were moderately interesting. However, their interactions often felt somewhat artificial and stilted. Patterson tells me they're friends, but I fail to perceive that connection.

Nevertheless, the real disappointment for me was James Patterson's writing. Clearly, the man has some decent stories within him. Yet, the one constant is his inability to write effectively. His editor, it seems, is not earning their pay either, as the very first sentence in the novel was perhaps one of the most jarring and poorly constructed beginnings I've had the misfortune to encounter. The fact that he chose to present the story in the first person didn't assist matters, as it is extremely challenging to execute a great first-person perspective without sounding cumbersome, even for the most accomplished of authors.

Moreover, I identified issues with the flow of the story. Once again, the first chapter was particularly abysmal, as was the epilogue. They stood out prominently, and I struggled to connect them smoothly with the remainder of the narrative. Where were they intended to fit in? I might never have discovered if I hadn't come across a good review that provided a satisfactory interpretation. The ending was also a bit of a shocker, and the death occurred so rapidly that it bordered on the surreal. I found that rather anticlimactic. A character who was built up as Lindsay's new companion throughout the novel vanished just like that, leaving me wondering what the purpose of his presence was, aside from making Lindsay appear even more tragic.

James Patterson is not a great writer. However, if you read at a sufficient pace, all can be forgiven as the plot progresses rather briskly.

Meet the Women’s Murder Club:

Lindsay, a Special Agent/Homicide Inspector, Jill, a Lawyer, Cindy, a Crime Reporter, and Claire, a Medical Examiner.

These four remarkable women come together and combine their intellects to discuss their views on the recent tragedies that have struck their city. I may not be a feminist, but I wholeheartedly support women empowering one another! Go girls! Having four minds is undoubtedly better than one, especially when each has a unique perspective based on their profession. One woman can instantly spot a red flag that another might overlook.

In this first novel, there is a man they have dubbed “Red Beard” who is brutally murdering couples the night after they get married. It is truly gruesome, and you can immediately sense the intense rage behind the attacks.

The story is told from dual perspectives, one being Lindsay's and the other from the murderer's. I find the insight into the mind of a serial killer both fascinating and creepy.

This was a re-read for me, but in audiobook format. I began this series approximately ten years ago and stopped at book #4 (Patterson has now reached #20). This time, I am determined to complete the entire series. I plan to re-read the first 4 books in audio and then read the remaining 16 in physical format, which is my favorite.

When I first read this book, it was one of my all-time favorites. You think you know who the killer is, but like many of Patterson's novels, you know very little. You only know what he wants you to know.

This time, I would rate it 4.5 stars and round it up to 5 on Goodreads. It is still incredibly engaging, even though I remembered a significant portion of it. I was still surprised by the ending. However, having read many mystery/thrillers since then, I would no longer label this as a “favorite.”

I highly recommend this book, especially to beginners in this genre!

I particularly enjoyed the flashbacks of them listening to Tori Amos and doing Tae-Bo! Those were the good old 90s!

Between 4 and 4.5 stars.

I have now delved into five books penned by James Patterson. Two of them were merely average, and one I unfortunately had to abandon. However, "Roses are Red" from the Alex Cross series was an absolute delight for me and had hitherto held the top position among my JP reads. Now, it has been surpassed by "1st to Die", which serves as the world's introduction to the Women's Murder Club.

Just like all of Patterson's books, the pacing was unyielding. It was filled with non-stop action right up until the very last page. And every bit of that action seemed relevant, captivating my attention and making me feel as if real progress was being made in a grisly serial murder case that targeted brand new newlyweds.

I took a great liking to the protagonist, Lindsay Boxer. Although she does read like a woman cop as written by a man, she is on the better side of that spectrum. There were a few cliched and pandering/forced moments, but for the most part, she came across as determined, driven, courageous, and human. Her counterparts, Cindy, Claire, and Jill, were also engaging and interesting characters. Their dialogues together were truly great.

The reveal at the end was somewhat predictable. In fact, I didn't guess it precisely because it seemed too obvious. So, I suppose that counts as me "not seeing it coming", right? And the final, final twist was not as shocking as it was meant to be. In terms of the mystery aspect, that part I would have to label as a bit disappointing.

The best elements of this book were the characters themselves, the fast-paced action of solving the crime, and Lindsay's personal storyline, including the romance aspect. I actually felt that this was a nice addition to the book. Some other reviewers may not concur, but considering the genre, I thought it was well executed.

Both of the Patterson books that I have enjoyed the most hail from his back catalog rather than his newer works. I look forward to reuniting with the Murder Club in book 2 in the future and seeing how far I continue this exciting ride with them!

This is a thrilling and mysterious novel that marks the beginning of the Women's Murder Club series. I truly adored this book. The plot was filled with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.

There were two intertwined storylines. One focused on the exciting yet terrifying world of murder and the club's efforts to solve the cases. The detailed descriptions of the crimes and the investigations added an extra layer of authenticity to the story.

The other storyline delved into the personal lives of the characters, specifically the health problem that one of the office members was learning to cope with. This added a touch of realism and made the characters more relatable.

Overall, this book was a great read that combined elements of mystery, suspense, and drama. I can't wait to pick up the next book in the series and see what adventures the Women's Murder Club will embark on next.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The concept behind the Women’s Murder Club was truly captivating. There were four female friends - homicide inspector Lindsay, medical examiner Claire, assistant D.A. Jill, and reporter Cindy. They joined forces, collaborating to develop ideas in an attempt to solve the gruesome killings of newlywed couples. Each of them had unique qualities and skills to contribute. They were intelligent and had distinct personalities that made them stand out.

The secondary cast was equally remarkable. They were not only interesting but also a diverse and colorful group of characters. The plot moved at a rapid pace, filled with unexpected twists that kept me on the edge of my seat. I especially loved the San Francisco setting, which added an extra layer of authenticity and charm to the story.

Overall, this was an incredibly entertaining tale that held my interest from start to finish. It was a page-turner that I couldn't put down. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good mystery with strong female characters and a thrilling plot.

This is the first installment in the series of The Women's Murder Club.

It is an absolute page-turner, with a plot that is twisty, fast-paced, and filled with unexpected turns at every corner.

The story builds up tension and excitement, leading to a surprising emotional and totally staggering ending that will leave you breathless.

If the next 14 books in the series are anything like this, then I'm in for a truly fabulous roller coaster of a readathon.

I simply love James Patterson. His books are always well-written, with engaging characters and amazing storylines that keep you hooked from start to finish.

The Women's Murder Club series seems to be no exception, and I can't wait to dive into the rest of the books and see what other thrilling adventures await.

Overall, this first book has set a high standard for the series, and I'm looking forward to many more exciting reads to come.

James Patterson is not my cup of tea.

I read several of the Alex Cross books. Although I adored the character, the villains got so extremely deranged that I eventually gave up.

A while ago, a nurse who was taking care of my husband during his cancer treatment shared with me her deep love for this series. She said she eagerly anticipates the new installment every year. Based on her recommendation, I noted it down on my To Be Read (TBR) list. Now, I have read the first book in the series.

Am I a fan of the women in the club? Absolutely! The way the group was formed throughout the book was an engaging narrative, and they possess complementary skill sets that will undoubtedly be beneficial in future cases.

However, what I wasn't overly fond of was the narrator. I think I will give the audiobook for the second installment a try. If it doesn't suit my taste, I will switch to reading on my Kindle or borrow a hard copy.

I'm curious to see how the story progresses and whether my opinion of the series will change as I continue reading.

Kind of, sort of contains vague spoilers.

I know that many people are critical of James Patterson for his simplistic writing style and the creation of characters that they claim lack "substance." However, there are times when it's really nice to pick up one of these easy-to-read thrillers. It wasn't until I started reading "1st to Die" that I realized the TV series, "Women's Murder Club," was based on these novels. I used to watch that show and actually quite enjoyed it. It's a pity that it only lasted for a couple of seasons. Go figure.

I thought the plot of James Patterson's first novel in the series was a good one. I liked Lindsey Boxer's tough and no-nonsense character. Claire, the sassy medical examiner, was also a favorite of mine. I really enjoyed the chemistry among the four women throughout the story, and I'm eager to see how Patterson develops that further in this series.

My one reservation with this book ***spoiler alert*** was the already overused idea that the killer uses a cunning disguise. Haven't we already seen this with Gary Soneji in his early Alex Cross novels? I also remember that being a plot point in a later Cross novel. I just feel that it's been done too many times at this point, but perhaps all serial killers have expert makeup skills. Who knows?

The ending was a bit of a shocker. No, I don't expect every story to have a happy ending, but I felt that Lindsey didn't really get to experience happiness for long before it was snatched away from her, all in the first book.

Final thoughts: I enjoyed this book and look forward to continuing the series.