517 pages, Hardcover
First published May 2,2005
Narrates part of the novel. She is a Detective Sergeant with the San Francisco Police Department....
Claire is black and heavyset; she always jokes, "Im in shape... rounds a shape." Claire is wise, confident, kind, and the Chief Medical Examiner for San Francisco. She is married to Edmund, a kettle drum-player in the San Francisco Symphony Or...
A rising star in the District Attorneys office. Married to Lindsay Boxers boss, Jackson Brady. In 14th, she is looking for a career change.more...
A top-tier crime reporter at the San Francisco Chronicle. In 14th, she has just written a true crime book. Her live-in boyfriend is Rich(ie) Conklin....
Lt Lindsay Boxer of the SF Police Department is enjoying a Friday evening relaxation with her closest friends, Claire (the SF Coroner) and Cindy, a SF news reporter. Just as she's having a few drinks and unwinding, one of her detectives calls, seeking her assistance. Despite having consumed some alcohol, Lindsay is confident in her ability to perform her job. She meets her ex-partner Jacob outside the restaurant and they head to San Fran's Tenderloin district. There have been a series of murders in the area, and a suspect car is now parked outside a hotel. When Lindsay and Jacob arrive, the driver of the car leads them on a high-speed chase, which ultimately ends with the car crashing into a pole. As they approach the vehicle, they realize that the driver and passenger are teenagers. They put away their pistols and attempt to provide assistance. But the situation quickly takes a turn for the worse when the two teenagers open fire on Lindsay and Jacob. Lindsay, who is severely wounded, manages to fire back, killing the girl and severely wounding her younger brother.
Although the PD clears Lindsay of any improper conduct, the family of the two teenagers files a lawsuit against her and the City. Lindsay is placed on administrative leave pending the trial and she decides to go to her sister's home down the coast to recuperate. While there, she becomes embroiled in a new series of murders that may be related to a cold case from ten years ago. Reluctantly, the local police chief accepts her assistance.
So, we have two parallel storylines: Lindsay's trial, which requires her to return to Frisco regularly, and the murders in the other town. We are also introduced to a new member of the Murder Club, Yuki, a young attorney who becomes Lindsay's lawyer. The story is filled with excitement as we follow the murderers as they stalk and kill new victims. There are numerous suspects and new friends to meet, and of course, Lindsay must grapple with her trial, public anger, and her own feelings of guilt.
Patterson's writing style is truly unique. Each chapter is extremely short, often only two or three pages long. While this can sometimes be a bit irritating, it's also a very skillful technique. It keeps you constantly turning the pages, eager to see what will happen next. Before you know it, you're at the end of the book. Patterson and Paetro have woven an intriguing mystery and thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Lindsay is a wonderful protagonist, and I especially love her dog and her friends. Overall, while this may not be the deepest story, it's still highly entertaining and a joy to read. I already have #5 on my bookshelf, and I think I'll pick it up a lot quicker this time. (4 stars)