3rd Degree (The Women's Murder Club) by James Patterson, Andrew Gross
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Book Reviews of 3rd Degree (The Women's Murder Club)
Book Review: Whoosh!
Summary: 4 Stars
This book reads like it was written at top speed by Patterson and Gross ON speed (just kidding, guys, don't sue me)and that's the way I read it, too...I don't think I drew a breath until the last page.
I'm not going to try to pretend this is great literature and brilliantly written. But it sure moves! And it has some surprises, ugly and otherwise.
The plot involves some leftover Berkeley radicals, and having grown up in that era, it was jolting for me to read about some initially peaceful hippie types who morphed into radical terrorists for the sake of the cause--whatever that cause might be. In this book, a similar leftover from the Sixties has a cause all his own--and a very modern, 21st-century way of expressing it. Think Twin Towers toned down to San Francisco.
It is vital that Lindsay Boxer and a handsome, sexy member of Homeland Security, along with just about everybody else in the larger law enforcement community, catch "August Spies," a dead-serious domestic terrorist cell that has already committed terrifying high-profile murders--using enough deadly poison to take out all of San Francisco, and bombs capable of the same thing.
Linsday enlists her pals in the Women's Murder Club--and one of them doesn't make it to the end of the book. I haven't even processed that yet, it went so fast. Along the way, Lindsay and the Homeland Security guy, Joe, start a serious romance. Have I left anything out? Oh yes, the kitchen sink...
This is nothing less than pure fun. It's not a book to analyze, just to enjoy.
Book Review: Another Enjoyable Thriller
Summary: 4 Stars
Lindsay is just finishing up her jog when a neighboring building blows up. One minute, it is there, the next it is gone. Racing inside, she manages to save a 10-year-old child from the flames. A group named August Spies claims responsibility in the name of the poor nations in the world. Then they claim another victim, announcing they will continue to claim victims every three days through the G-8 summit scheduled for San Francisco next week. Can Lindsay and her friends piece things together in time? And what will happen when things take a very personal turn?
This book starts with a bang (literally) and doesn't let up until the final page. While it doesn't have quite the big twists in it the last one did, I was caught in the web that is the plot the entire time. All four leads contribute something this go around, although it is definitely still Lindsay's show.
Because the focus of the book is the plot, the characters suffer. This is really brought home when something tragic happens. I normally cry fairly easily at fiction, but it didn't happen here.
There is a sub-plot involving spousal abuse. I was actually surprised at how believable I found it considering the characters involved. However, the resolution to that storyline was abrupt and not at all satisfying.
So yes, the book has two strikes against it. But it was an enjoyable, fast read. Fans of thrillers won't want to miss it.
Book Review: Love the women...not so much the story
Summary: 4 Stars
By now, we're well established with The Women's Murder Club and each of the beautifully drawn members. I'm not sure anything will top the first book in the series, "First to Die", because not only was it our introduction to this unique group as they cautiously formed, but it was a whopping good story. This one is good but not great. The storyline is interesting, but doggone it, there are WAY too many coincidences. That makes it feel a little lazy (I'm on a tirade lately - I'm growing weary of getting settled into what feels like a good book only to find that the story is driven by coincidences and convenient character location - it really does feel lazy). Having said that, these are women with whom I want to keep company and time spent with them is still worthwhile. But are have the really good plot ideas already been taken?Book Review: Plot-driven and diverting
Summary: 4 Stars
No one would argue that this thriller is great literature. But if you are looking for something good to read on the beach or a long airplane flight, this is just the ticket (so to speak).
Patterson's plot draws you in, irrespective of the justifiable complaints by some other reviewers of its predictability. It's true that there are a lot of handy coincidences that put the heroine in the right place at the right time, but so what? It's entertaining. There are a couple of good, unanticipated plot twists that liven up the narrative, plus enough action to move things right along and keep readers interested.
If you're looking for an easy read that does not present an embarassment to carry around in public, this is it.
Book Review: A Super addition to the Club Series
Summary: 4 Stars
I always look forward to James Patterson's Womens Murder Club books, even though sometimes I read them out of order...like 3rd Degree. Anyway this is an exciting third entry into the The Women's Murder Club. I thought it was a rather fast, light read that I still enjoyed. I wouldn't consider it one of MR. Patterson's best but it was always nice to connect with Lt. Lindsay Boxer, Claire Washburn, Jill Bernhardt and Cindy Thomas. Secondary storylines add to the overall main story and new characters are introduced, (for me they were old..daa) and of course characters from the previous titles in this series are included. In my opinion this is a great series and I would recommend this book to all my friends (I always do anyway.)