This is not my favourite Women's Murder Club novel.

The story was divided into two distinct plots. The first plot centred around Lindsay's trial, which seemed to unfold in a rather disjointed manner.

The second plot was a murder case that, unfortunately, also lacked a seamless connection to the trial.

I didn't appreciate the constant back and forth between the two. It felt rather jarring and made it difficult to fully engage with either storyline.

Moreover, both plots wrapped up very quickly. It was as if the author was in a hurry to bring the story to a close.

I would have liked to know more about the murderers and their motives for committing such heinous acts.

The lack of depth in this regard left me feeling somewhat unsatisfied with the overall reading experience.

Perhaps in future installments, the author can focus on creating more cohesive storylines and delving deeper into the characters and their actions.

Not my favorite Women's Murder Club novel but definitely not the worst. Overall, it's decent.

The story was divided into two plots. The first plot was Lindsay's trial, and the second was a murder case. I didn't like the constant back and forth between the trial and the case since there wasn't a connection between the two. It felt a bit disjointed. I found that both plots wrapped up very quickly. I would have liked to know more about the murderers and their motives. What led them to commit such heinous acts?

Maxine Paetro takes over the series from Andrew Gross. She introduces a new character, Yuki Castellano, who joins the club and becomes close with the others. This new addition brings some fresh energy to the story.

The bulk of this book focuses on Lindsay on trial for a wrongful death suit. The courtroom scenes were engaging, although it was obvious that they were dramatized. However, they were still sufficiently convincing to me.

There was also the obligatory serial killer plot thrown in, with a decent twist ending. I'm not the best at guessing who the killers are, but they always seem to hide in plain sight, following the book version of Ebert's Law of Economy of Characters.

Joe Molinari, Lindsey's love interest, makes periodic appearances to visit her. He's in DC, and she's in SF, but their relationship doesn't really progress at this time. I hope to see them working together again in the future. I'm still trying to catch up on the series. I haven't been reading them in order, so my reading will be sporadic for a little longer. Overall, I would still recommend this book to fans of the Women's Murder Club series.

Lindsay was longing for a peaceful end to a tough week with her girlfriends. After having a margarita and a half, she was suddenly called back to work to track down what she believed were brutal killers who were murdering stray kids in a particularly gruesome manner.

When she caught up with the suspect's car, which lost control during the chase, she discovered that the killers were two teenage kids, high on meth.

As they were trapped inside the overturned car, pleading with Lindsay to help them out, she threw caution to the wind and holstered her gun. But then, to her horror, the kids started shooting at her and her old partner, Jacobi - shooting to kill. She had no choice but to defend herself and her partner, resulting in the death of one kid and the paralysis of the other for life.

Now, Lindsay is at the center of an investigation and facing a nasty lawsuit for millions of dollars from the parents of the killer kids.

Forced to take a leave, Lindsay decides to spend some alone time in a small beach town outside San Francisco. However, as bodies start to pile up around her in a chilling way similar to her old cold case, she can't resist but to investigate. Do these new murders have anything in common with the unsolved murder of Jon Doe from so many years ago?

The fourth book of WMC is full of action and excitement. We get to meet the new fourth member of the club, Yuki Castellano, who is my favorite.

The murders in the small town are fascinating, and although I correctly guessed two of the killers, it was still a pleasant surprise to learn who they all were and the motives behind the killings.

The trial is tense and feels very realistic. From the media frenzy to the injustice of being sued for millions of dollars regardless of right or wrong, it makes you think about the real world.

Morgan Johnson
February 21, 2018
English 12-2

Author’s Background
James Patterson, who grew up in Newburgh, New York, started writing at the age of nineteen. He received a full scholarship to Vanderbilt University for English but dropped out after the first year as he felt he couldn't fully engage in reading and writing. Instead, he attended Manhattan College and graduated in 1969. After graduation, he moved to New York to work as a junior copywriter for J. Walter Thompson. In 1976, he published his first book, The Thomas Berryman Number, which won the Edgar Award for best first novel. Some of his books have been adapted into films. Patterson is passionate about getting children to become avid readers. Since 2016, he has sold over 350 million books and now lives in Palm Beach with his wife and son.

Literary Time Period
In 2005, significant events took place. The Holocaust marked its sixtieth anniversary, Prince Charles finally married Camilla Parker Bowles, and London was tragically hit by four suicide bombers.

Setting
The story is set in Half Moon Bay. This coastal town provides a backdrop that is both peaceful and yet holds the potential for mystery and danger.

Characters
Lindsay Boxer, a homicide lieutenant in a male-dominated field, is not afraid to take charge, earning her a great deal of respect. However, in this book, she will face challenges that set her back. Claire Washburn, the main medical examiner in San Francisco and Lindsay's best friend, is always ready to do whatever it takes to help her. Cindy Thomas, a news reporter for the Chronicle and a member of the women's murder club, can play a major role in murder investigations. Yuki Castellano, Lindsay's ambitious district attorney, is determined to seek justice for Lindsay.

Theme
Justice is a major theme in this book. Lindsay desires justice for the events she has been involved in, especially after being wrongly convicted.

Plot Summary
Lindsay Boxer finds herself in a difficult situation when she shoots and kills a teenager and paralyses another during a confrontation where they were shooting at her and her partner. The parents of the kids press charges and take her to court. Her attorney, Yuki, does everything possible to ensure Lindsay gets justice. While waiting for her trial, Lindsay goes to stay at her sister's house in Half Moon Bay. There, she meets a sweet little girl who loves her sister's pet pig. Lindsay also becomes involved in a local murder case. Despite knowing the risks, she tries her best to help, as she has an unwavering sense of justice.

Literary Devices
Symbolism is used effectively in the book. A belt symbolises the method by which the people in the story were murdered. The marks left by the belts on the victims appear in multiple cases over many years, adding an element of mystery and connection to the plot.

Memorable Quotes
"Who is doing this Chief?" Lindsay asks the Chief, desperate to know who is responsible for the murders. "Today Lindsay, Welcome home." Jacobi's words welcome Lindsay back to the squad, showing the sense of community and support within the team.

It's truly mind-boggling how a so-called 'damned good officer' could make such a plethora of mistakes and repeatedly put herself in life-endangering situations.

One would expect an officer of her caliber to be more astute and cautious. However, it seems that her actions have been rather reckless.

Maybe there are underlying factors that we are not aware of, but the fact remains that her mistakes have had serious consequences.

It makes one wonder if there was a lack of proper training or if she was under excessive pressure.

Whatever the case may be, it is essential that steps are taken to address these issues and ensure that similar situations do not occur in the future.

The safety of both the officer and the public at large should always be the top priority.

Boxer had a drink over lunch and then decided to go on a call with her partner. Little did she know that this simple decision would lead to a series of events that would change lives forever.

Amid all the chaos and commotion that ensued, a tragic outcome occurred. A teen lost their life, and another was left paralyzed.

During the questioning that followed, Boxer, in the heat of the moment, forgot to mention the drink she had consumed. This oversight now has her freedom hanging precariously in the balance.

Overall, it's an okay read that presents a situation filled with drama and consequence. The story keeps the reader engaged as they wonder what will happen to Boxer and how her actions will ultimately impact the lives of those involved.

It serves as a reminder that even the smallest decisions can have far-reaching and unforeseen consequences.

I truly relished this book.

A significant portion of it indeed occurred within the courtroom, and yet I discovered the case to be extremely captivating.

It is rather difficult to state that if I were on that specific jury, what my vote would have been.

To me, this was such a captivating aspect of this book.

Even with having knowledge of the truth, I began to feel a sense of sympathy for Sam.

As crazy as it might seem for me to pen down this now.

Regarding the other part of this book involving the active killings, I had managed to guess two-thirds of the killers, and I had doubts about the other one.

Even so, I still found the story to be highly entertaining and an exciting read!

I am unable to decide whether I like this book or "1st to Die" more.

They are both truly engrossing stories, yet they possess two completely different atmospheres!

I sincerely hope that I will enjoy the remainder of the books as well.

Dang! This installment was by far the most intense of the series up until now, and it has quickly become my absolute favorite.

The action sequences were almost nonstop, keeping me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire story. It was like a wild ride that I didn't want to end.

The trial scene was simply awesome. The drama and tension were palpable, and I truly could have seen the verdict going in either direction. When the outcome was finally revealed, it was a complete shock that left me gasping.

I am now eagerly anticipating getting my hands on book #5. I just can't wait to see what adventures and surprises await in the next chapter of this thrilling series.

5 Stars

I am gradually getting used to the unrealistic coincidences and freak events that occur in this series.

At first, I really hated it. The storylines seemed so far-fetched and unbelievable. However, as I continued to watch, I found myself becoming more and more intrigued.

The characters are well-developed and the overall plot is engaging. Despite the absurdity of some of the events, there is a certain charm to the series that keeps me coming back for more.

I have learned to suspend my disbelief and just enjoy the ride. It's like entering a world where anything can happen, and that can be quite exciting.

While I still may not fully understand or agree with some of the choices made in the series, I have come to appreciate it for what it is - a fun and entertaining escape from reality.

Lindsay Boxer is on the hunt for a killer, accompanied by one of her ex-partners. The situation takes a terrifying turn when, while pursuing a suspect's car, it crashes.

As they rush to assist, they discover two pre-teen kids in the front seat. But to their horror, both kids pull out guns and open fire on the two cops. Lindsay manages to fire back, fatally wounding one and paralyzing the other from the neck down. However, she herself passes out due to her injuries.

Forced to take leave from the SFPD during her trial, Lindsay seeks refuge at her sister's house in Half Moon Bay, California. Her intention is to regroup and recover. But her detective instincts are too strong to ignore when the small coastal town is menaced by a serial killer. She simply cannot stay away.

This is yet another thrilling and fast-paced read from Patterson (alongside co-author Paetro). It serves as a reminder that perhaps it's time for Alex Cross to be put out to pasture once and for all.

A strong addition to the Women's Murder Club series!

Lindsay Boxer is predominantly flying solo in this installment. Her story line encompasses a nail-biting trial that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. There are also a few visits from her Homeland Honey, adding an element of romance and intrigue. Additionally, a twisty turny murder cluster unfolds in a coastal town, making the plot even more engaging.

The book is highly entertaining and holds the promise of a 4th club member for the 5th book. This is sure to excite fans of the series and leave them eagerly anticipating what's to come. Yay!

Overall, this addition to the Women's Murder Club series is a must-read for fans and newcomers alike. It combines mystery, romance, and thrilling plot twists to create a captivating story that will keep readers hooked from start to finish.

3.5 STARS

In a truly harrowing late-night showdown, San Francisco police lieutenant Lindsay Boxer finds herself in a situation that is nothing short of a nightmare. With a single pull of her weapon, she sets off a series of events that are both dramatic and far-reaching. The consequences are severe: a police force is left disgraced, a family is completely destroyed, and Lindsay herself is left at the mercy of twelve jurors.

During a break in the trial, Lindsay decides to seek solace in a charming and picturesque town. However, she soon discovers that this idyllic place is reeling from a string of grisly murders. To her horror, she realizes that these crimes bear a disturbing link to a haunting, unsolved case from her rookie years.

Now, Lindsay must draw on all her courage and resources as she battles for her life on two fronts. On one hand, she has to face the trial that is rapidly approaching its climax, fighting to clear her name and prove her innocence. On the other hand, she must confront an unknown adversary who is willing to go to any lengths to hide the truth about the homicides. This adversary is so desperate that they are not afraid to kill again, putting Lindsay and those she loves in grave danger.

Overall, this is a great suspense thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. The female leads are truly awesome,展现出 strength, courage, and determination in the face of overwhelming odds. It's a must-read for fans of the genre.