2nd Chance (Women's Murder Club) by James Patterson
|
List Price: Our Price: $5.85 You Save: $9.14 (61%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.79 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of 2nd Chance (Women's Murder Club)
Book Review: Go to beach. Read book
Summary: 3 Stars
This second book in the Women's Murder Club reads just as quickly as the first. A reader gets sucked in, but not bogged down. Chapters are short, proofreading was not a priority, but the plot is cohesive. If you're not looking for more than that, this will wet your whistle.Book Review: Same as the First
Summary: 2 Stars
I ended up reading James Patterson much the same way Frederick became a pirate--a foolish misunderstanding between two alternatives one plausible (Richard North Patterson) and the other not (James Patterson), with the stupid protagonist (starring me in the role of Ruth) blithely taking the implausible path. Indeed, the book itself, not just this reader, shares certain characteristics with the Pirates of Penzance: an absurd plot, paper thin characters, and an air of humor surrounding all the proceedings. These traits are welcome in light opera. Much less so in a thriller.
You are likely reading this review of this second-in-a-series book only if you have already read the first, 1st to Die: A Novel. If so, you know exactly what to expect because this one is no better (and no worse). On the second go round, however, what was thin becomes threadbare. Despite starting by error, I decided to try another. After this one, though, I'm done. There are just too many better books out there.
Book Review: Waste of Time
Summary: 2 Stars
The good news is that it doesn't waste a lot of time because it's a very fast read. Simple characters, simple dialogue, short chapters, simple story. It starts out fairly well but nothing believable develops in this book about the Black, female cop, her pals, or the various suspects. The dialogue between Lindsay, the homocide detective, and her female prosecutor and medical examiner friends, trying to solve a series of horrendous serial murders, reads like sorority sister chit chat. I don't think anyone who appreciates good cop mysteries, can enjoy this story.Book Review: Didn't like it as well as 1st to Die or Alex Cross Series
Summary: 2 Stars
Sometimes it's hard for a second book in a series to live up to the first one. This one didn't disappoint. I did finish it and somewhat enjoyed the story, but decided I probably wouldn't get the next in the series. I guess I'm spoiled to the Alex Cross series and was hoping this would be as good, it wasn't.Book Review: One and Done
Summary: 1 Stars
I love a good mystery, but this isn't it. I didn't like the first book in this series, 1st to Die, but thought I'd give 2nd Chance a chance and Patterson still can't get it right. I love the premise of the "women's murder club" and I actually think it could be a good television series for all of us who love mysteries and strong female characters (how can you miss with Angie Harmon as Lt. Boxer) - however, I'd give the books a pass. Patterson tries to characterize his women as strong, caring and intelligent, but they come across as emotional, cheesy and blind.
In this book, the new chief of police tries to shut down Lt. Boxer's further investigations into the killings when she becomes convinced that they've got the wrong guy - I'm sorry, but if a Chief would blindly tell his homocide lieutenant to shut down an investigation when there are still significant questions, I just don't believe it - any politically astute or just CYA guy would want to make sure the case is really closed because the fallout of being wrong would be disasatrous. Maybe I'm being a female chauvinist but Patterson can't get his female characters remotely right. Boxer gets shot twice in the space of a few days and just keeps on hitting - Patterson isn't the only author who tries to give his hero or heroine superpowers, but this just isn't believable. We get detailed descriptions of food and clothing but no one ever bothers to explain how a prosecutor or police detective can afford an Armani suit with matching Ferragamo pumps OR why you'd be wearing them when you go out to apprehend a criminal. Also, what police lieutenant is stupid enough to chase down a criminal and approach a whole "nest" of them without back-up and without a cellphone or radio - a dead one. Too many loose ends in this novel, too many stretches of the imagination and too much bull.