Women's Murder Club Mini-reviews

 Title: 8th Confession
Author: James Patterson with Maxine Paetro
Read: January 2, 2014
Series: Women's Murder Club #8

Summary: As San Francisco's most glamorous millionaires mingle at the party of the year, someone is watching--waiting for a chance to take vengeance on Isa and Ethan Bailey, the city's most celebrated couple. Finally, the killer pinpoints the ideal moment, and it's the perfect murder. Not a trace of evidence is left behind in their glamorous home.

As Detective Lindsay Boxer investigates the high-profile murder, someone else is found brutally executed--a preacher with a message of hope for the homeless. His death nearly falls through the cracks, but when reporter Cindy Thomas hears about it, she knows the story could be huge. Probing deeper into the victim's history, she discovers he may not have been quite as saintly as everyone thought.

As the hunt for two criminals tests the limits of the Women's Murder Club, Lindsay sees sparks fly between Cindy and her partner, Detective Rich Conklin. The Women's Murder Club now faces its toughest challenge: will love destroy all that four friends have built? The exhilarating new chapter in the Women's Murder Club series, The 8th Confession serves up a double dose of speed-charged twists and shocking revelations as only James Patterson can. goodreads

Review: Once again, Boxer has found herself in a whirlwind of homicides and dangerous situations. Overall, I like Lindsay as a person but I have to say, as a detective, I'm not sure how she survives. Oh, that's right. The hunky dudes come in to save her once she has caught herself in another ridiculous situation that she didn't see coming and can't get out of. Hmmm, maybe you should reconsider your day job with that type of luck... Or maybe that's how homicide detectives actually live their lives. I don't know. I'm just saying, Olivia Benson doesn't make the same stupid mistakes...

Okay, back to the book. I enjoyed the "mysterious" method of killing by the murderer in this story. Well actually, it creeped me out but I thought it was clever (no spoilers here people. Vaugue and proud of it!) I also liked that this story focused more on Cindy's love life rather than just Lindsay's. It made it seem more like a Women's Murder Club story rather than the Lindsay Boxer's Trials and Tribulations. Overall, pretty good for a quick read from James.


Title: The 9th Judgement
Author: James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
Read: January 24, 2014
Series: Women's Murder Club #9

Summary:

The most personal

A young mother and her infant child are ruthlessly gunned down while returning to their car in the garage of a shopping mall. There are no witnesses, and Detective Lindsay Boxer is left with only one shred of evidence: a cryptic message scrawled across the windshield in bloodred lipstick.

The most dangerous

The same night, the wife of A-list actor Marcus Dowling is woken by a cat burglar who is about to steal millions of dollars' worth of precious jewels. In just seconds there is a nearly empty safe, a lifeless body, and another mystery that throws San Francisco into hysteria.

The most exciting Women's Murder Club novel ever

Lindsay spends every waking hour working with her partner, Rich--and her desire for him threatens to tear apart both her engagement and the Women's Murder Club. Before Lindsay and her friends can piece together either case, one of the killers forces Lindsay to put her own life on the line--but is it enough to save the city? With unparalleled danger and explosive action, The 9th Judgment is James Patterson at his compelling, unstoppable best! goodreads

Review: I think I liked this story better because it pulled on the heart strings. A murderer who targets women and infants? What kind of sick f*** does such a thing?!?! Lindsay needs to step in and save the day! Yet in true Boxer fashion, she steps in and gets herself into a precarious situation that makes the murderer seem smarter than the police and has to be saved again. Typical. Why do I read these books if I continue to make fun of Lindsay you ask? Well because I started the series and they're easy to read and sometimes I just like making fun of characters! It's sick. I know.

I also enjoyed that the other story in this novel had a thief that you just kinda rooted for. Yea, she's stealing and that is wrong but she's also kind of a good person. You know, despite the cat burglar thing. The reader could at least understand why she would do it in order to get out of the situation she was in and to give her lover a chance to go with her. More power to them! Going Robin Hood on the rich people!

Both of these books are entertaining and very quick reads. They aren't by any means fantastic literature but they are fast paced and Patterson is known for his short chapters. I gave both (and maybe all of the books in this series so far) a 3/5 and I'd recommend them to anyone looking for a quick thriller with hints of girl power.