Solid 4 ⭐

I truly relished the premise of this case. It was engaging from the start, and just as I believed it was drawing near to a conclusion, lo and behold, another incident occurred. The idea of a large hospital being "responsible" for numerous deaths is indeed a concept that could potentially transpire anywhere. This is because I have the perception that hospitals might possess the means to conceal uncertain deaths.

Moreover, at times, these cases give the impression of being more realistic than they perhaps ought to be. They bear a striking resemblance to a true crime podcast, which adds an extra layer of authenticity and intrigue.

However, I do earnestly hope that the smaller case that Claire, the medical examiner, was handling will make its appearance in the next book. It would be fascinating to see how that particular storyline develops and intertwines with the overarching narrative.

Very enjoyable and entirely forgettable!

Patterson and Paetro gave it away on the dust jacket blurb. They wrote, "The Women's Murder Club faces an unspeakable horror in an irresistible hospital and courtroom thriller...". However, the problem is that they weren't referring to one novel being two things at once. Instead, they were talking about two separate novellas that had nothing to do with each other being combined into a single novel.

The bad news first. The first story is a typical and overly used hospital plot. There are a series of inexplicable hospital deaths that ultimately, and not very surprisingly, come down to a runaway serial murderer roaming the halls of a creepy hospital. The other story is an uninspired police procedural about the apprehension of a kinky serial killer who liked to kill young girls and dress them up after they were already dead.

The good news is that, unlike YOU'VE BEEN WARNED, which was a complete waste of even the energy needed to turn the pages, the writing in THE 5TH HORSEMAN is snappy, entertaining, and actually quite compelling. The novel is diverting and enjoyable despite its obvious shortcomings. Even though I was aware of the weaknesses in the plot's originality, I was definitely hooked and unwilling to put the book down. I have to admit that's a good thing!

Despite the fact that Patterson's reputation as a novelist is hanging by a very thin thread, I still recommend THE 5TH HORSEMAN as a thoroughly enjoyable, if entirely forgettable piece of literary brain candy. By all means, take it on the plane or to the beach.

Paul Weiss

Alright, if you have been following my updates for this series, you probably know that I am not a huge fan.

I am going to come out and say that before I continue with the review. That being said, this novel had the potential to be so much better. Maybe it could have received a 3 or 4-star rating if they would have cut out the Car Girl story line.

All of the other plots were related to what was happening at the Hospital, except for that one. Not only that, but it wasn't an overly compelling mystery that it could serve as a good sidebar to the investigation into the deaths at the hospital.

Between Yuki's emotional turmoil, the trial, and the actual hospital investigation, that would have been sufficient. We really didn't gain anything from the Car Girl story line.

I also have a major issue with Lindsey's characterization, or rather the lack thereof. In this novel, she goes to the Chief and requests to be relieved from her post as Lieutenant because she wants to be back on the street. However, all we see her doing is tracking down leads.

If during this novel she had actually been stuck behind a desk when good leads came in, it might have been understandable. But it made no sense considering what we have seen so far.

It didn't have any impact on this novel. It was mentioned once and then barely brought up again. It just seemed out of place, out of character, and without any foundation within the pages of the novel.

It has been such a roller coaster ride that ended in a lot of adrenaline rush.

I am glad that the book didn't lack any of the thrills needed.

Although things might have been a bit slow in the beginning, it surely paid off in the end.

The dual story technique used here was amusing. However, one story was weaker than the other, which made it work as sort of a filler.

The book was cleverly tricking us into expecting a sequel until the very last word of the last page. This is a smart move as it gives you a nice sense of closure at the end.

The next book is already here with me, and it will get its turn in reading very shortly. I can't wait to see what adventures and thrills it has in store for me.

I am sure it will be just as exciting as this one, if not more.

Let the reading marathon continue!

I truly adored this book even more upon re-reading it for the second time than I did during the first reading!

The character of Lindsay Boxer is simply amazing.

The 5th book in the Women's Murder Club series by Maxine Paetro

I am still thoroughly enjoying this captivating series that centers around four remarkable women. There's Lindsay, the dedicated Homicide Detective, who is always on the hunt for justice. Cindy, the Journalist, brings a unique perspective with her investigative skills and determination to uncover the truth. Yuki, the Attorney, uses her legal expertise to fight for the rights of the victims. And Claire, the Chief Medical Examiner, provides crucial insights through her autopsies and medical knowledge.

Together, these women form a powerful club that works tirelessly to solve crimes and make the city a safer place. The storylines in this series are engaging, filled with twists and turns that keep me on the edge of my seat. I can't wait to see what adventures and challenges the Women's Murder Club will face in the next book.

The 5th Horseman, written by James Patterson in collaboration with Maxine Paetro, holds a significant position as the 5th installment in the Women's Murder Club series. It presents a captivating blend of a hospital and courtroom thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

I have been thoroughly enjoying this series, and this particular book is no exception. It encompasses all the trademark James Patterson elements - the unexpected twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end, the fast-paced chapters that make it nearly impossible to put the book down, and the well-developed characters that you can't help but become invested in. Patterson's writing style is refreshingly uncomplicated, making it extremely easy to read and follow along. Whether you're an avid Patterson fan or simply someone who enjoys quick and easy thrillers, I wholeheartedly recommend this book. It's a thrilling ride that will leave you satisfied and eager for more from the Women's Murder Club series.

In this book, there were two cases presented.

Personally, I had the impression that it might have been more effective if James Patterson and Maxine Paetro had concentrated on just one of them.

The mysterious deaths of the patients provided the two authors with an abundance of materials that could have been used to craft a highly engaging and fast-paced thriller.

The story also featured four strong and independent women who offered each other unwavering support whenever the need arose. It was truly enjoyable to follow Lindsay as she delved into the investigations.

Although this book couldn't be classified as a masterpiece, it was still a cozy and pleasant read that allowed readers to spend some quality time with Lindsay and her friends.

Overall, it had its own charm and managed to keep the readers entertained throughout.

The best volume so far in the Girls' Club at Crime series.

This time, we are dealing with two different cases, which further deepens the mystery of the novel.

When one of the club members, Yuki Castellano, tragically loses her mother due to a medical error in one of the largest hospitals in San Francisco, Lieutenant Lindsay Boxer launches an investigation that will reveal a series of similar coincidences, indicating the presence of a killer who acts on his own with a sadism hard to imagine.

The story unfolds with intense drama and suspense as Lindsay and the girls of the club race against time to solve the cases and bring the culprit to justice. With vivid descriptions and engaging characters, this book keeps the reader on the edge of their seat from beginning to end. It is a must-read for fans of mystery and thriller novels.

3.5 ⭐

I thoroughly enjoyed the story as it masterfully blended a court case and mystery together.

The cast of characters was truly interesting, each with their own unique traits and motives. The suspense gradually built up, keeping me on the edge of my seat throughout most of the book.

However, I did have a few critiques. I felt that the first 100 pages were a bit slow-paced, perhaps taking a bit too long to set the stage and introduce the characters.

Moreover, the ending was extremely abrupt. There was no proper build-up to the discovery of who the nightwalker is. We are simply told that they are arrested and that Lindsay has figured it out, but we don't get to see how she pieced together the clues or what the exact thought process was. This lack of detail left me feeling disappointed and a bit cheated.

Overall, despite these flaws, I still found the story engaging and entertaining, but it could have been even better with a more refined pacing and a more satisfying ending.

Can I give zero stars?

I have long been a fan of James Patterson, especially for those mindless thriller page turners that are perfect for reading on aircraft and during beach holidays. They usually provide just the right amount of entertainment and excitement to pass the time.

However, this particular book was a huge disappointment. It felt like a shameless excuse for killing trees. One has to wonder if James Patterson simply had a boat payment due and needed to churn out a book quickly.

Worse still, the author paid very little attention to what could have been a truly fabulous connection between the women in the story. Instead, they were presented in a very one-dimensional way. There was no depth or complexity to their characters or relationships, making it difficult for the reader to become invested in the story.

Overall, this book was a waste of time and paper, and I would not recommend it to anyone.

I finally managed to finish this book after going through a reading slump for a while.