Book 4 in The Women’s Murder Club series was published in 2005.

It is a light and easy 4-star read.

This turned out to be yet another book by JP that I relished.

There is never anything overly difficult or overly demanding in a JP book; it's just easy, light entertainment.

You may have read similar stories before, but it still manages to hold your interest, and the pages keep turning as your curiosity grows.

There is a bit of a change in the scenario this time. Besides Lindsay Boxer, the rest of the women’s murder club were absent for the most part.

Lindsay is up to her neck in trouble right from the start.

Lindsay finds herself in court, charged with shooting two teenagers while she was drunk! Shock horror!

Lindsay, in need of some personal time, takes a break to get some much-needed rest, only to find herself in the middle of some very nasty serial killings. These killings bring to mind an unsolved murder case from twenty years ago. The cold case and the new murders have the exact same modus operandi. So similar, in fact, that they have to be the work of the same killer. Her failure to solve the case from twenty years ago has haunted Lindsay ever since. Therefore, the chance to resolve the old case and solve the new murders is just too overwhelming for Lindsay to ignore.

Before this story ends, blood will flow as a community lives in fear of what will happen next.

Welcome to Half Moon Bay, a place where the unexpected lurks around every corner.

Here, not everything unfolds as one might anticipate. Gruesome killings have Lieutenant Lindsey Boxer deeply involved in the case.

She arrives at the resort with the intention of finding rest, but instead, she is immediately drawn into the heart of the investigation.

And, as fate would have it, she also finds herself directly in the line of fire.

Once again, James Patterson showcases his talent for crafting a thrilling adventure.

The story is so engaging that it feels like a rapid read.

Once you start turning the pages, it becomes nearly impossible to put the book down.

You'll be swept up in the mystery, the danger, and the excitement that Patterson expertly weaves throughout the narrative.

So, get ready to embark on a wild ride with Lieutenant Lindsey Boxer in Half Moon Bay.

I am seeking something mindless, something that can divert my thoughts from ISIS and Ebola. A bit of chaos perhaps. Patterson has been a more effective tonic than expected in the past, so I decide to give it another try.

Right from the start, it plunges in. There is no leisurely introduction. An electrocuted body in the bathtub. Alright, let's enter the world of filth and gore. I wonder if the name of the detective will be the only clue to her gender. I hope for a realistic female protagonist. In the end, I'm left feeling unfulfilled.

If you're interested in my initial general impression of the Women’s Murder Club series, check out my review of the first book at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show.... I won't repeat it here. I read it a couple of years ago, so it's taken me a while to reconnect with the series.

For those who love books with short chapters, this is a goldmine. In 4th of July, three pages is a long chapter! Page after page of two-page chapters. How can a book have 146 chapters? It's like dying and going to some unknown place! And it's a real page-turner. This book makes my manic side seem calm. Zoom!

But nothing can slow down a good murder mystery like an extended court diversion. And there's a major one here as our heroine is tried for excessive use of force in her police duties. The charges of killing a kid and maiming another fly as the good cop bad cop scenario unfolds. Since this is an early book in the series, the not guilty verdict isn't a huge shock despite some serious anti-cop mudslinging. But it's only mildly entertaining. Then we go back to chasing a serial murderer outside our good cop's jurisdiction. The super short chapters make up for a lot of filler in the story, with an incidental cute pet dog and a classic car being only mildly interesting. Of course, our heroine makes herself a target for the murderer along the way.

The premise of serial murderers for a good cause isn't believable in the end. There are both good and bad aspects throughout. The excitement is sometimes palpable, but the thrills can be overdone at times. There are thrills, but also some accompanying groans. Overall, there's a lack of consistency. And finding the perpetrator who spills out all the details is a bore.

I end up giving it a modest and weak three stars, but there's a nagging two stars lurking in the back of my mind. Maybe I'll read another one of these on some occasion just to see what it's like. I can breeze through one of these books when I'm looking for diversion.

I must say that this book didn't impress me as the other 3.

The court trial left a sense of suspense, but unfortunately, this book made Lindsay seem sometimes incompetent rather than a seasoned police officer.

There was a great deal of humdrum in between the stories that occurred in two different cities yet were connected.

By the time the killer or killers was identified, I was extremely happy to be nearly done with the story.

Let's hope that the next book in the series is significantly better. It would be nice to see Lindsay return to her competent and confident self, solving cases with ease and grace.

The story could also benefit from a more engaging plot, with fewer dull moments in between the action.

I'm looking forward to seeing what the author has in store for us in the next installment.

4.5 stars

This is an extremely strong addition to the series! It is truly captivating, intense, and engaging right from the very start.

While I have thoroughly enjoyed the other Women's Murder Club novels up until now, I was quite surprised by just how much I adored this one. I attribute this to Maxine Paetro's involvement in the series. The writing in "The 4th of July" seems to take a significant step forward. It makes Lindsay Boxer feel more dynamic and relatable. She appears more believable to me, and in my reading experience, I firmly believe that a woman's input and writing in this story have a great deal to do with that improvement.

The excitement of this book is palpable from the outset. There are thrilling car chases, a trial against Lindsay, some romantic development, the vivid and picturesque details of a charming sector of the Bay area, a cold case that regains momentum, new characters - some temporary, some seemingly not so much - that bring valuable and entertaining dialogue, and more of Martha (YAY!). This installment of the series has almost everything one could ask for.

**Spoilers**

The one aspect it lacks is the presence of the rest of the Club. I got very little page time with Claire and virtually nothing with Cindy. Yuki's inclusion got a fair amount of time, which was nice to see, but even she could have had more. It was very much a solo-Lindsay Boxer book. And as much as I love Lindsay, I also enjoy the entire crew together.

**End of spoilers.**

I am eagerly looking forward to continuing through this series! I have enjoyed all four of the books I have read so far.

3.5 Stars

These audio versions are truly remarkable for their quick listening experience.

They offer a convenient and efficient way to consume content, allowing you to listen on the go or during spare moments.

The pacing is well-done, ensuring that you can easily follow along without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

Whether you're commuting, exercising, or simply relaxing at home, these audio versions provide an engaging and enjoyable alternative to traditional reading.

However, it's important to note that they may not be suitable for everyone. Some people may prefer the visual and tactile experience of reading a physical book or may find it difficult to focus on audio alone.

Nevertheless, for those who enjoy multitasking or want to make the most of their time, these audio versions are definitely worth a try.

Overall, I would rate them 3.5 stars for their speed, convenience, and engaging content.

This is a fast-paced book that consists of short chapters, which I truly enjoyed.

The suspense it builds is palpable, constantly keeping me on the edge of my seat.

What I really appreciate is the way all the stories intertwine and cross with each other.

It creates a complex and engaging web of narratives that draw the reader in and make it difficult to put the book down.

Each chapter is like a little puzzle piece that fits into the bigger picture, gradually revealing the full story.

The author has done a great job of creating a sense of mystery and intrigue that lasts throughout the entire book.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a thrilling and engaging read.

The first book of this series was truly fantastic. It captured my attention from the very beginning and kept me engaged throughout. However, books 2 - 4 were just mediocre. They didn't have the same charm and excitement as the first one.

Now, I think I'm going to give "The 5th Horseman" a try. I'm hoping that it will be as good as the first book or even better. If it's mind-blowing, then I might continue with the series. But if it's just another average installment, then maybe I'll take a little break from it.

I'm giving this series 3 stars for now. I'll be writing a full review soon to share my detailed thoughts and opinions. Stay tuned!

Gah! What truly HORRIBLE writing this is! However, I must give Patterson and his coauthor some credit for penning a compulsively readable book. It indeed helps that the chapters are a mere four sentences long. But I REALLY grew tired of reading about those extremely cheesy euphemisms for drinking with the sassy gal pals. And for the love of god, please, just once write "I turned the car..." instead of "I angled deftly..." or "I determinedly pointed the nose of the car...".

Moreover, I have to add that this is the second book in a row where I let out a heartily sarcastic "REALLY?!" when they revealed the killer. Ugh. It's quite frustrating when the writing is so lacking in authenticity and the plot twists are somewhat predictable. Despite its readability, there are definitely areas that need improvement. Maybe in the next installment, Patterson and his coauthor will manage to raise the bar and deliver a more satisfying literary experience.

I keep reading this series for several reasons. Firstly, once I embark on a series, I typically have the determination to see it through to the end. Secondly, I am generally a rather big fan of James Patterson. However, I do have a bit of a struggle when he writes as a variety of different women. At times, certain things seem a little cliché and overly adherent to the female stereotype. But then again, I wouldn't anticipate much different when a man writes from a woman's perspective in the way that JP does.

Nevertheless, I still relished the overall story, the process of solving the crimes, and the diverse perspectives from which the author writes.

I will indeed be continuing the series, but it is most definitely not my favorite among Mr. Patterson's works.

It's an okay read, to be honest.

The fourth installment of the WMC series centers around the crucial issue of child exploitation.

Patterson joined forces with Maxine Paetro for this particular work, and it truly reaped the advantages of a woman's perspective.

Personally, I felt that this installment was marginally less foreseeable compared to the previous three, making it a real page turner.

The story had me on the edge of my seat, constantly eager to discover what would happen next.

I am now eagerly looking forward to the potential of her collaborating with him time and time again.

Their partnership seems to bring out the best in each other, resulting in a captivating and engaging read.

With each new installment, I am left with a sense of anticipation and excitement, wondering what new twists and turns they will introduce.

I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys thrilling and thought-provoking mysteries.

2024 me - back when this series was good! I miss this!

No doubt the best in the series so far. There were plenty of short and fast-pace chapters which made this a quick and easy read.

‘A decision had to be made about Lindsay Boxer. A tough one. The woman was a cop.’ This sets the stage for an intense story.

‘Their slashed partially nude bodies were found by their thirteen-year-old son.’ The gruesome discovery adds to the mystery and horror.

‘Who is doing this chief? Who the hell is murdering all these people?’ The characters' questions keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

Full of suspense, thrill and of course murder. This book was predominantly based on Lt Lindsey Boxer. The only thing that would’ve got this book a five star for me is for the other women of the murder club to be more involved (but Martha will do). Nevertheless, this book in my opinion is a great read – especially if you like James Patterson as this has all the characteristics of a great Patterson.

I think you could read this book as a standalone, but the Women’s Murder Club series is worth reading.

On to the next!