Chalk up another winner for Patterson.
In 4TH OF JULY, the fourth installment of Patterson's Women's Murder Club, SFPD homicide detective Lindsay Boxer's professional life is on the line. A routine traffic stop following a wild car chase takes a tragic turn, resulting in Lindsay killing a female minor and seriously injuring a male minor, leaving him a wheelchair-bound quadriplegic. The parents file a lawsuit for "wrongful death, excessive use of force, and professional misconduct," with a potential $100 million in damages. While her attorney, Yuki Castellano, is confident, the trial's outcome is uncertain, and Patterson delivers some electrifying courtroom drama.
Plot number two - on administrative leave for the trial, Boxer seeks seclusion in Half Moon Bay. But the town's peace is shattered by a series of brutal murders. Boxer notices an uncanny resemblance to an unsolved case from her rookie days and decides to get involved. Patterson takes Boxer, the local police, and the town's residents on a tense, twist-filled ride that leads to a shocking climax.
Although the two plots are loosely connected through Boxer's leave, they are cleverly juxtaposed and form a seamless whole. Story #2 is a well-done thriller that meets Patterson fans' expectations, but I find Story #1 more interesting. It raises serious issues about minors and violent crime that will engage readers. I look forward to the next two novels, THE 5TH HORSEMAN and THE 6TH TARGET, but hope Patterson will return to the original style of 1ST TO DIE and give the entire club a more prominent role. 4TH OF JULY was a good read and comes recommended. Enjoy!
Paul Weiss

The fourth book in the Women's Murder Club series by Maxine Paetro is truly a gem.

It might just be the best one yet. The authors have stuck to the usual James Patterson proven formula, which makes the story highly engaging.

The book is known for its fast-paced nature, with short chapters that keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

Each chapter is like a little puzzle piece, gradually coming together to form a thrilling and complex mystery.

The characters in the Women's Murder Club are well-developed and relatable, adding an extra layer of depth to the story.

As the plot unfolds, readers will find themselves completely immersed in the world of the club, eager to discover the truth behind the murders.

This book is a must-read for fans of the mystery genre and those who enjoy a good page-turner.

Wow, this has been my favorite book of the series so far!

I absolutely loved the legal aspect that was incorporated into this book. It added a layer of complexity and intrigue that kept me on the edge of my seat.

The moral ambiguity present in the story was also fascinating. It made me question my own beliefs and values as I followed the characters' actions and decisions.

Another aspect that I really enjoyed was the introduction of Yuki. Her character brought a new dynamic to the story and added an element of mystery.

And let's not forget about Martha! Any book where she gets a starring role is going to win me over. She's such a good girl, and I always root for her.

Overall, this book was a great read and I can't wait to see what the next installment in the series has in store.

Once I read it in Brazilian Portuguese and, aside from one or another word, it read very well.

I love this series and I regret that in Portuguese not more was bet on it. Only the first three are available.

This series has a certain charm that吸引 me from the very beginning. The storylines are engaging and the characters are well-developed.

It's a pity that it didn't get more attention and investment in the Portuguese language.

I hope that in the future, more people will discover and appreciate this wonderful series, and that it will be made more widely available in Portuguese.

Maybe then, it can reach a larger audience and gain the recognition it truly deserves.

Another installment of the story has come and gone.

I must say that I did like it a great deal, but it didn't quite reach the level of love for me. The first part of the narrative was truly engaging, captivating my attention and making me eager to know more.

However, as the story progressed, I found myself getting slightly distracted in other areas.

Nonetheless, in the end, I discovered that the entire book was very enjoyable overall.

I have a soft spot for Boxer, and the addition of the new character after the surprise character killing in the last book was a nice touch.

I do hope that the next book will delve deeper into the crime details and perhaps tone down the emotional elements related to her love interests.

Alas, the ending of this particular installment makes me suspect that might not be the case.

Only time will tell what awaits in the next chapter of this series.

Several things in this installment really struck me as being rather off. The way the killers' solution and identity were presented was truly eye-rolling for me. I could somewhat understand the motivation that was given, but seriously?! It just seemed a bit too far-fetched. On the other hand, the trial was actually quite believable. However, overall, this installment just felt like it was trying too hard to be sensational, and that's really not my cup of tea. I prefer stories that are more grounded and less focused on shock value. It makes me wonder if the creators were more interested in getting people's attention rather than telling a good and meaningful story.

This e-book, which falls under the mystery genre, has received a rating of 3.5 stars. The format is convenient for digital readers. Although the number of pages or length is not specified, it still manages to engage the readers. The story does not involve a love triangle, insta love, or obsession, which is a refreshing aspect. The cliffhanger is rather mild, leaving the readers with a bit of anticipation but not overly frustrated. There are no specific triggers mentioned.

The cover of the book scores a 7, which implies it has an appealing design. The plot, characters, and flow all receive an 8, indicating that they are well-developed and engaging. The world-building and ending both score a 7, showing that they are solid but perhaps not outstanding. The series congruity scores a 9, suggesting that it fits well within the context of the series. The writing also receives an 8, indicating a high level of quality.

The best part of the book, according to the reviewer, are the scenes with Joe. There is no worst part mentioned. The reviewer had some thoughts such as "Oh no :((". In conclusion, the reviewer plans to continue the series and would recommend it to others. The short review highlights the situation of Lindsay, who had to shoot some kids to save her and her partner's life, and the subsequent trial where the kids' family wants to sue. The reviewer also comments on the importance of teaching kids respect. Additionally, the reviewer names Joe as the book boyfriend and Lindsay as the best friend material. The review is also accompanied by a GIF for added visual interest.

Basic Info

Format: E-book
Pages/Length: n/a
Genre: Mystery


At A Glance

Love Triangle/Insta Love/Obsession?: No
Cliff Hanger: Eh.
Triggers: n/a
Rating: 3.5 stars


Score Sheet
All out of ten


Cover: 7
Plot: 8
Characters: 8
World Building: 7
Flow: 8
Series Congruity: 9
Writing: 8
Ending: 7


Total: 7


In Dept

Best Part: Joe scenes :D
Worst Part: Nah.
Thoughts Had: Oh no :((


Conclusion

Continuing the Series: Yes
Recommending: Yes


Short Review: Poor Lindsay, those kids are horrible and they should have been throw in jail for sure. This trial made me sick, but this is how the justice system in America works. Lindsay had to shoot those kids to save her and her partner's life and their family wants to sue because of that. tisk tisk, people teach your damn kid respect and this shit wouldn't happen.


Misc.


Book Boyfriend: Joe.
Best Friend Material: Lindsay


Review in GIF Form:

These books fall into the category of "beach/vacation read."

They are designed to be a quick and easy read, perfect for those relaxing moments by the beach or during a vacation. However, they may not be the most thrilling of mysteries.

In my opinion, the first few books in the series were the best. They had a certain charm and kept me engaged.

But if you're looking for a book that doesn't require too much mental effort, then these mysteries are definitely for you.

They offer a light-hearted and enjoyable escape from reality.

(reviewed 5/27/19)

Highly enjoyable.

This simple phrase encapsulates a feeling that can bring great joy and satisfaction.

When we engage in activities that are highly enjoyable, time seems to fly by, and we are fully immersed in the moment.

It could be anything from reading a good book, to playing a sport, to spending time with loved ones.

These experiences have the power to lift our spirits, reduce stress, and make us feel truly alive.

We should all strive to find more activities that are highly enjoyable in our lives, and make time for them regularly.

Whether it's a hobby, a new adventure, or just a quiet moment of relaxation, the pursuit of enjoyment is an essential part of a fulfilling life.

So go ahead, embrace the things that bring you joy, and let the highly enjoyable moments fill your days.

I test drove five different books for my 2022 month-in-the-title reading quest. However, I didn't really like any of them. Eventually, I came back to this one simply because it was available.

The only somewhat positive thing I can mention about James Patterson is that he didn't actually pen this book on his own. He employs a "co-author" (in this instance, an apparent hack named Maxine Paetro). It's a gimmick of his that has managed to sell a zillion books, but this will most definitely be the last one I ever read or waste my precious time on.

Here's the situation. I think I read once that Hemingway's books were written at an eighth grade reading level, with simple and straightforward prose. I would estimate that this book was written at a fourth or fifth grade reading level. The plot, dialog, characterizations, scene descriptions, and overall use of the English language are all painfully and childishly simplistic.

Everything about it was bad. There are 148 chapters, each approximately a page and a half long.

Having said that, I once heard an art critic state that there is no bad reason to buy a painting. It could be as simple as the fact that it goes well with your couch or your curtains. As a reader, I'm glad for anything that encourages people to read. And clearly, a lot of people like these sorts of punk ass books. So, I grudgingly raise a tin can of flat beer in a half-hearted salute.

Now, on to August!

No matter whether the co-writer is Andrew Gloss or Maxine Paetro, the series is extremely entertaining.

The pace of the story never slows down at any moment, and the reading is fast and agile.

It's a pity that they have stopped translating this series into Spanish. Therefore, I will continue to read it in Portuguese to see how it goes for me.

In this story, Lindsay Boxer is the indisputable protagonist, much more so than in the previous installments.

She takes center stage and drives the narrative forward with her actions and decisions.

The plot is filled with twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

The characters are well-developed and the dialogue is engaging.

Overall, this is a great series that I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good mystery or thriller.

Despite the lack of a Spanish translation, I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next in the story.

Another outstanding installment in the Women’s Murder Club series. Lindsay Boxer not only excels as a police officer but also has to defend herself in a challenging situation where she must rely on her best judgment.

There is some excellent romance, her strong female friendships, an exciting trial, and of course, the red herrings that keep the reader guessing.

His short "potato chip" style chapters make it a very quick read, and I completed most of it by the pool in just one day! I'm sure my neighbors think I have a strange side, but that's okay!

I'm going to start the next one now, The 5th Horseman. I'm hoping for another thrilling adventure that will keep me on the edge of my seat!