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1st to Die (Women's Murder Club #1)

by James Patterson (Goodreads Author)

3.97 of 5 stars 3.97 · rating details · 102,008 ratings · 3,032 reviews

James Patterson, bestselling author of the Alex Cross novels Along Came a Spider, Kiss the Girls, and Pop Goes the Weasel, offers the first of a new series dubbed The Women s Murder Club, featuring a four-woman team that occasionally works outside the system. None of the gritty darkness or frenzied action is lost in 1st to Die, although the female protagonists offer an eve...more James Patterson, bestselling author of the Alex Cross novels Along Came a Spider, Kiss the Girls, and Pop Goes the Weasel, offers the first of a new series dubbed The Women s Murder Club, featuring a four-woman team that occasionally works outside the system. None of the gritty darkness or frenzied action is lost in 1st to Die, although the female protagonists offer an even deeper emotional context to this suspense thriller.

Inspector Lindsay Boxer of the San Francisco Police Department suddenly finds herself in the middle of two horrifying situations: The first is that she s just learned she has an often-fatal blood disease. The second is a double homicide case she s now heading up that involves the murder of newlyweds on their wedding night. Burdened with Chris Raleigh, a new partner reassigned from the mayor s office, Lindsay finds that she has too much to deal with and turns to her best friend, Claire, the head ME on the case. Claire offers helpful advice and human, friendly contact amid a job filled with violence, cruelty, and fear.

Soon a fledgling newspaper reporter, Cindy, makes contact with Lindsay looking for a career-making story. Although Lindsay can t officially comment on the case, the two women form a rapport, and Cindy joins Lindsay and Claire for their weekly meeting. When a second pair of newlyweds is murdered, and later a third, the investigation leads to a prominent crime writer, Nicholas Jenks, who has a history of spousal abuse and a predilection for kinky, dangerous sex games. With the help of an understanding assistant D.A., Jill Bernhardt, Lindsay tries to make a case against Jenks, who even had an affair with one of the slain women. Eventually Jill joins the Murder Club, and the four ladies share private interdepartmental information in an effort to track and stop the killer before he strikes again.

The major subplot -- Lindsay's facing up to her illness even while she learns to fall in love again -- carefully compensates for the novel s coarse scenes of brutality. Lindsay Boxer isn t merely an obsessed cop trailing a maniac; she s also a terrified woman confronting the onslaught of disease. The story lines balance out to show us the true mettle of someone who puts the safety of others before her own.

Again, Patterson s skill for producing furiously paced fiction are evident as the novel breezes by rapidly. The short chapters keep the narrative leaping with increasingly taut plot elements, but there s an emotional commitment that makes our protagonist even more amiable and involving. 1st to Die is a novel that works as an intense series of character portraits that will leave the reader touched and delighted.

--Tom Piccirilli(less)

Paperback, 462 pages

Published May 20th 2005 by Grand Central Publishing (first published January 1st 2001)

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Jan 16, 2008 Zach rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: almost nobody

Recommended to Zach by: my mom

Shelves: stupid-books

How in the world is he a best-selling author? His characters are shallow, his writing is mediocre, and when he writes about romance it feels mechanical and formulaic. This book had a twist at the end, but it was the worst sort of twist - the kind that you can't really predict because he probably didn't think to add it until after the book was already written - leaving out any traces of foreshadowing. I haven't read any of his other books and don't plan to now. When you have as little time for le...more

34 likes · like · see review

Mar 18, 2008 The Book Maven rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery, thriller

Am I the only one that thinks that "Women's Murder Club" sounds not only hokey but juvenile and begging mockery?

The story: a psycho serial killer begins murdering newly married couples. 4 women, each with their own stake in cracking the case, are determined to nail the killer, and so band together outside of official channels to pool their resources and figure it all out. There is a red herring (if one could call it that) and a vaguely surprising twist at the end, but I read this with an unusual...more

25 likes · like · see review

Mar 29, 2008 Lydia rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Mystery/ Thriller/ Suspense Lovers

Shelves: mystery-thriller-suspense

This is my first Patterson experience. The book was quite captivating and enthralling.There are half a million detective-serial killer novels out there... Patterson's are by far near if not at the top of the list! His chapters are so brisk you'll find your self half-way through the book before you know it. As well, the suspense is so well paced, and he also tosses in so many possibilities and clues to murderer's identity into the mix, there's no way you'll be able to set the book down until you...more

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Nov 28, 2007 Diane rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone who likes James Patterson

My impulse as I read 1st to Die was to start editing. Overwriting, reduncancy, and sentimentality took the place of plot structure, character development, and freshness. Each of the four women was described in terms of her profession and ethnic background--sassy Black woman medical examiner with a faithful musician husband, sleek, sophisticated put-upon woman DA who gets no respect from her male superiors, perky newspaper reporter whose risk-taking allows her to get the scoops that more seasoned...more

16 likes · like · see review

Oct 30, 2007 Erica Poole rated it 5 of 5 stars

While I greatly enjoyed this and the next 2 books in the Women's Murder Club series, I was unable to continue reading the series with the same enjoyment due to comments that Patterson himself made in regards to it. He basically said that they were crap, that he just wrote them because he knew that they would sell, and he basically made me feel as if by reading them, and enjoying them, he was belittling me. I know it might be a bit extreme, but he ruined this series for me, as well as other serie...more

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Dec 15, 2007 Lorena rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery

I was curious about this series because it's obviously very popular, but I can't say I'm terribly impressed by it. First of all, the sappy "you go girl" female characters didn't seem very true to life to me. Patterson seems to think that name-checking Sarah McLachlan and Tori Amos, plus a lot of hugging and randomly saying "I love you, girl", means he has created believable female characters. Not so much.

Also, I thought the plot was melodramatic, and the continual twists were more tedious than...more

13 likes · like · see review

Oct 30, 2007 Jessica rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: anyone who likes a good crime novel

Shelves: readin07, mustreads, fiction, wasrecommended, crimenovel

I love love love James Patterson, he's my new favorite author. His writing style is great, easy to read and fast. He explains things so you understand but without making you feel stupid. His characters are well developed in this series and are entertaining. Another thing I love, his chapters are very very short so you can always get to a good stopping place!

11 likes · like · see review

Jan 02, 2013 Serena Cloos rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebooks

Ik wist al dat James Patterson een goede schrijver was en daarom begon ik vanmiddag dan ook met goede zin aan dit boek. Nu is hij het schuld dat ik binnen zeer korte tijd nog 10 boeken moet gaan lezen.
Wat een goed boek en super doordacht plot. Het boek wordt geschreven met een onheilspellende spanning en tot op de laatste bladzijde wist ik niet wie de dader was.
Ik leefde helemaal mee in het onderzoek van de vier vrouwen en ben erg benieuwd welke zaken ze nog meer op zullen lossen.
Op naar deel...more

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Oct 29, 2012 Maria João Fernandes rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: own

"Primeira a Morrer" é o primeiro livro da série "O Clube das Investigadoras" do James Patterson. Este thriller apresenta-nos a inspectora de homicídios, Lindsay Boxer e segue, detalhadamente, a sua vida pessoal e profissional. A presente investigação foca-se na procura de um assassino em série de recém-casados.

Tive alguma dificuldade em relacionar-me com a protagonista. Apesar de o autor fazer uma descrição pormenorizada, sinto que, por vezes, o comportamento da mulher retratada é teatral, isto...more "Primeira a Morrer" é o primeiro livro da série "O Clube das Investigadoras" do James Patterson. Este thriller apresenta-nos a inspectora de homicídios, Lindsay Boxer e segue, detalhadamente, a sua vida pessoal e profissional. A presente investigação foca-se na procura de um assassino em série de recém-casados.

Tive alguma dificuldade em relacionar-me com a protagonista. Apesar de o autor fazer uma descrição pormenorizada, sinto que, por vezes, o comportamento da mulher retratada é teatral, isto é, encenado. Não consigo imaginá-la como uma pessoa de verdade, no mundo real e este facto não me permitiu envolver e estabelecer uma ligação com o livro.

Para além de Lindsay existem mais três membros no "Clube das Investigadoras": Claire, Cindy e Jill. Cada uma delas representa uma entidade diferente. O clube conta com uma investigadora, uma médica legista, uma jornalista e uma procuradora. A constituição do grupo promete uma junção de personalidades e vidas diferentes, contudo tal não é proporcionado ao leitor. James Patterson não desenvolve, neste primeiro livro, os pormenores relativos a cada uma das mulheres. Supostamente, estas três personagens desempenham um papel importante na vida de Linsay e, acima de tudo, têm um influência enorme na resolução do crime em questão. Contudo, as suas histórias e pensamentos são regalados para segundo plano.

Apesar de o livro ser produto de uma mente masculina, senti que o autor tenta provar que as mulheres são capazes de resolver um mistério, sem a ajuda de um homem. Apesar disso e, como não podia deixar de ser, o sexo masculino é um tema debatido pelas quatro amigas.

Inicialmente, esta obra cativou-me bastante. Contudo, à medida que a história avançou e determinados detalhes me foram desvendados, senti a desilusão apoderar-se de mim. Os acontecimentos revelaram-se previsíveis, os diálogos cansativos e o desfecho decepcionante.

Apesar de terem sido poucas as surpresas do enredo e o fio condutor principal se revelar simples e pouco criativo foi uma leitura interessante. É um bom livro para quem deseja ler algo leve, que não exiga concentração ou especial atenção. Uma boa forma de descontrair ou fazer uma pausa em leituras mais exigentes.

É sempre difícil para mim gostar verdadeiramente de um livro cujas personagens mantêm uma distância considerável do meu mundo. Contudo, como está divido em muitos capítulos e a escrita é bastante simples, o ritmo é muito rápido e o livro lê-se num instante.

Do James Patterson apenas ainda tinha lido "A Noiva Assassina" e esse vale a pena o investimento.(less)

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Sep 14, 2012 Wendy Scott rated it 1 of 5 stars

I believe this will be the last James Patterson novel that I read. It was another of his titles with cardboard characters, stilted dialogue, and a plot with unlikely but convenient and contrived coincidences, which all equal a very thin read.

In this book, the women's "friendship" came across as canned and forced. I think the characters were developed solely on a quota system for just the perfect mix that could solve murders. It was almost as if I could hear him thinking, "Hmmm...let's see...I n...more

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Jun 20, 2009 Hannah rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery

I found the way the actual murders were carried out rather chilling, and the short, curt delivery helped develop that atmosphere. Although it was fairly easy to guess who the murderer was going to be after about halfway, the tension never eased until it reached the climax. The characters were also reasonably interesting, although their interactions always felt somewhat fake and stiff. Patterson tells me they're friends, but I don't see it.

However, the real letdown for me was James Patterson's wr...more

3 likes · like · see review

Oct 04, 2008 Joyce added it

There's nothing specifically GOOD about this book, but damned if the pages don't practically turn themselves. It's pure junk food, and I mean that as a compliment insofar as processed food is very highly engineered by very skilled workers to be universally appealing to the widest possible market.

Patterson -- a top advertising exec before his writing career -- seems to have decided that in addition to his bestselling Alex Cross novels and film adaptations, he needed a series that appealed to wome...more

6 likes · like · see review

Jul 14, 2008 Larisa rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: mysteries-thrillers-spy, book-club-picks

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

5 likes · like · see review

Jul 16, 2008 Andrew Neveils rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone who likes suspense/thrillers/mysteries

Wow! This book was great! I almost gave it 4-stars, as there are some subplot development issues (the main character, Lindsay, developed well as a character, but has a lot of things that happen out of the main plot that do not directly relate, but don't exactly take away - Patterson is trying to add more emotional, real-life appeal to the novel). Overall I loved it!

The book has a lot of suspense is a very quick read! Lindsay is trying to catch a "bride and groom" pyschopath killer while dealing...more

5 likes · like · see review

May 15, 2008 Tabby Kat rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: woman-s-murder-club-james-patterson

When Lindsey Boxer joined the San Francisco Police Department, she threw everything into her career. Hundreds of cases and one failed marriage later, Lindsey is now a successful Inspector with enough skill and determination to climb even higher in the ranks, until one visit to the doctor threatens to tear her world apart. As if bad news at the doctor’s office wasn’t enough, Inspector Lindsey Boxer is faced with one of the most challenging cases of her career – a serial killer who targets newlyw...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 29, 2008 Jen rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Law & Order and CSI fans

It's probably not fair for me to rate this book. It's really not my style. I didn't get more than 50 pages into it. I find that I empathize with the characters too much these days. That makes it very difficult to read a book like this. To explain, the book starts out with the main character trying to kill herself, then gives us a happy intro to the first victims in the story, and moves on to the point of view of the murderer as he kills those first victims. He thinks to himself, what is the wors...more

4 likes · like · see review

Jan 08, 2008 Celia Powell rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: nobody

Shelves: mystery, really-awful

Oh god - I really hated the first book I read of Patterson's, but I'd read about the Women's Murder Club TV series, and thought it sounded kind of cool, so I wanted to try the books. I'm about half way through, and this is pretty awful so far, in the same way as the previous book I read. Clumsy, cliched writing, ridiculous characters, a really ridiculous killer... bah. Why are these popular? At least it's a quick read.

***

Skimmed my way frantically through the second half of the book in order to...more

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Feb 19, 2013 Anke rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Goed boek! Ik ga meer lezen van deze serie. Ik hou wel van boeken met spanning, waarbij je ook meer over de privé levens van de hoofdpersonen (Lindsay) leest.

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Dec 22, 2012 Peggy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Good plot development with interesting settings and just the right amount of detail to paint a picture without delaying the action. The book was hard to put down. I liked most of the characterization. (There was some contradiction in character voice that made me raise my eyebrows, like the security supervisor who says "overzealous" and "crapper" in the same breath). Some of the romance details were a little implausible, in my opinion, but I guess romance isn't the same for everyone. I am a super...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 06, 2009 Heidi rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009-reads, mystery

I’ve been having trouble concentrating enough to read anything involving thought and effort so mindless mysteries/thrillers are just what the doctor ordered. This one, though? No thanks.

By page 45 I decided I hated James Patterson writing women. The head of the homicide division and the chief medical examiner of San Francisco are disgusted, sickened, and “have to turn away” from a body. What atrocity can these two strong, experienced, professional women not handle? A body with a single stab woun...more I’ve been having trouble concentrating enough to read anything involving thought and effort so mindless mysteries/thrillers are just what the doctor ordered. This one, though? No thanks.

By page 45 I decided I hated James Patterson writing women. The head of the homicide division and the chief medical examiner of San Francisco are disgusted, sickened, and “have to turn away” from a body. What atrocity can these two strong, experienced, professional women not handle? A body with a single stab wound. What?! Oh, but the male detective? He’s just fine! He even steps in to offer our lead homicide investigator an arm to lean on! Seriously? You’ve got to be kidding me.

I found the interactions between the female friends not realistic in the slightest. I actually snorted with laughter a few times at how ridiculous and cliché they were.

Overall I found the writing to be stilted and not especially engaging. I can’t say I enjoyed it much at all. And I don’t normally notice these things but the man used the word, “chilling” so many times that, not only did I notice, but was really annoyed by it. Good writers don’t need to tell their readers how to react to their writing. I should find your descriptions “chilling” without being told to over and over and over again.

And my most petty complaint: The Women’s Murder Club. Four intelligent, urbane professionals and that’s the name of their group? Couldn’t he have come up with a name that wasn’t so hackneyed and immature? It might as well be The Four Females Who Find Killers Club or The Four Awesome Chicks Hunting Bad Guys Club. Would a homicide investigator, coroner, prosecutor, and reporter who were male have to create a “club” and name it something so hokey? Again, I think it goes back to Patterson’s inability to write women with any realism or truth. And his desire to create a series and characters that could easily be marketed and turned into a movie and/or TV show.

I enjoy gruesome, bloody thrillers but really doubt I can bring myself to skim through the rest of these books based solely on how poorly written I find the characters.

ETA: I just found out that James Patterson earned $50 million from June 2007 to June 2008. No, that’s not a typo. I’m equal parts horrified and inspired to write something that my biggest fans will excitedly describe as a “quick and easy read.”(less)

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Apr 03, 2013 Madelyn DeWitt added it

Over spring break I read the book "First to die" by James Patterson. This book is about a woman named Lindsey Boxer. Lindsey is a homicide inspector for the San Fransisco police department and she is on a case about a serial killer who kills newlywed couples. Lindsey sort of thinks that the police can't do this and it is now up to her to crack this case, but not alone. She develops a friendship with three other woman, Claire Washburn who is a medical examiner, Jill Bernhardt who is a assistant t...more

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Feb 21, 2013 Caitlin Reed rated it 4 of 5 stars

Lindsay Boxer, a homicide inspector for the police department, took on the challenge of finding a killer that has been murdering newly weds in San Francisco. These unusual murders aren't giving many clues to help Lindsay solve the cases. She confides in her three friends, Claire, Jill, and Cindy to help her solve the strange murders. Together, the friends devise a Woman's Murder Club to collaborate outside of the workplace to share and develop ideas about the cases.
The murders aren't Lindsay's...more

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Dec 19, 2012 Kara Jorges rated it 4 of 5 stars

Lindsay Boxer is a homicide detective in San Francisco. Lindsay is normally pretty tough, but when her doctor tells her she’s got a degenerative blood disease that could kill her, it knocks her for a loop. Added to that is a new case she draws where someone is murdering newly married couples on their wedding night. She has to have a nosy reporter named Cindy removed from the scene, and winds up driving back to town with her. To her surprise, Lindsay finds she really likes Cindy, and invites her...more Lindsay Boxer is a homicide detective in San Francisco. Lindsay is normally pretty tough, but when her doctor tells her she’s got a degenerative blood disease that could kill her, it knocks her for a loop. Added to that is a new case she draws where someone is murdering newly married couples on their wedding night. She has to have a nosy reporter named Cindy removed from the scene, and winds up driving back to town with her. To her surprise, Lindsay finds she really likes Cindy, and invites her to lunch with her best friend Claire, who happens to be the assistant medical examiner. Lindsay and Claire have always discussed cases they work on, and Lindsay thinks her investigation can only be helped by including Cindy and getting her reporter’s take on the case. Cindy isn’t the only one new to Lindsay’s world, though, as Lindsay also draws a new partner for the honeymoon killer, a “marketing man” from the mayor’s office, Chris Raleigh. To her consternation, Lindsay finds herself attracted to her new partner, but is afraid to pursue a relationship with him, not only because they work together, but because she might be dying. As Lindsay’s case progresses and she focuses in on a suspect, Lindsay has occasion to talk to Jill from the prosecutor’s office. She likes Jill, and by adding Jill to her lunch club, the four women will have all aspects of the investigation into the honeymoon killer covered. They decide to call their little group the women’s murder club.

This is not a story about women taking lunch, however. It is a well-drawn mystery that bounces from Lindsay’s first-person perspective in some chapters to a third-person view that often includes the killer’s thoughts. The story is about the investigation and how the mystery is solved, the lunch aspect simply adding some flavor and character depth. After reading other, over-the-top cop stories lately, this was a refreshingly “realistic” book about a cop who’s dedicated to her job, yet still has a life outside the precinct and actually gets some sleep. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep it moving, too. It’s certainly no mystery why James Patterson’s books are so popular.
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Nov 16, 2012 Cindy rated it 2 of 5 stars

After reading and hearing great things about James Patterson I was looking forward to read this book. I was ready for a good mystery I could get lost in, but I was disappointed. While I was able to finish the book, I feel like I cheated because I did skim some pages.

I did not like how some parts of the book were told in Lindsay's point of view, then it would jump to a random point of view and then jump right back to Lindsay's perspective. I know this happens with other books & I have never h...more

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Aug 19, 2012 Bonnie rated it 5 of 5 stars

A friend suggested the “11th Hour” by James Patterson. We listened to it first, got hooked and are now listening to the rest of the series in order.

"1st to Die" is definitely a fast-paced suspenseful novel from the first page to the end. Mr. Patterson has done a masterful job developing the characters in this series. It is somewhat surprising that a man wrote it. He has a police officer, lawyer, coroner and reporter working together to solve a murder mystery. All are female and very likable and...more

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Jul 13, 2012 Kenya rated it 2 of 5 stars

Overall the book seemed like an imitation of an overhyped cop movie. There was enough dialogue, a lot of action and fairly interesting plotting, which I can respect. However, the characters all struck me as variations of a single person. The female characters differed from each other mainly in terms of appearance and profession, with very little variety in temperament. I could not tell why the two best friends were best friends. Because of the lack of character development, the romance, along wi...more

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Jun 24, 2012 Eric rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mysteries

1st to Die
by James Patterson

This was a book that I have been wanting to read for a very long time. There was a tv series that only lasted 13 episodes based on this book series. The few episodes I saw of that show made me interested in the books, but I never got around to reading them (the story of my reading life). I saw that my local library had an ebook copy of the books, so I decided to put it on hold. Little did I know how quickly the hold for the ebook would come in. It came in on friday an...more 1st to Die
by James Patterson

This was a book that I have been wanting to read for a very long time. There was a tv series that only lasted 13 episodes based on this book series. The few episodes I saw of that show made me interested in the books, but I never got around to reading them (the story of my reading life). I saw that my local library had an ebook copy of the books, so I decided to put it on hold. Little did I know how quickly the hold for the ebook would come in. It came in on friday and I started reading it on Saturday.

I have never truly had the experience of reading a page-turner where I couldn't put a book down, but I can no longer say that. This book was one that gripped me from the first page. I loved the fact that each chapter is so short because it helps to keep your attention on the story and knowing that each chapter serves a particular point in the plot. I had to only put the book down when I finally went to bed at 2 am. Then I picked it up almost immediately on Sunday.

James Patterson created interesting characters in Lindsay, Claire, Cindy, and Jill. These women are the members of the Women's Murder Club. Most of the time in a series the introduction book or first novel is so busy trying to introduce the concept that there is a lot left to be desired. This doesn't happen here because the story focuses mainly on the mystery instead of the introduction of the club. Patterson was intelligent enough to let Lindsay take the book fully and let the formation of the group be secondary. This helps make this book be a strong introduction to the series and one that stands apart from the other introductory novels in other series (think Janet Evanovich's One for the Money).

The other shocking thing about this book is that Patterson being male seems to understand somewhat the basic idea of a female relationship. He doesn't try to oversell these women becoming friends. He simply guides them together and lets them do the rest. It appears almost effortlessly.

The one issue with Patterson, in the beginning of the book, is that he keeps mentioning the location of the book being in San Francisco. Every other line felt that he was beating back into our heads that this was there. He would do this by restating where it was and also putting in little gems like San Francisco State University thus again stating the exact locale. In subsequent novels in the series I hope Patterson has learned to trust that his readers can get it the first time around.

Overall this is a solid first book in the Women's Murder Club series and makes this reader want to continue on with the series. I am looking forward to reading "2nd Chance", which is the second book. I will however have to put it on reserve at the library as well. We will see how fast I get this next edition. As soon as I receive it I will read it and review it stat.
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May 22, 2012 Nicole Green rated it 5 of 5 stars

I believe that it is safe for me to say that this book is the best book that I have read so far this year. I absolutely loved it! I can also safely say that I think that I may end up liking the Women's Murder Club series better than James Patterson's other series starring notable black psychologist, Alex Cross.

At first, well not really, more like halfway through the book, I kept contemplating why the book was called "1st To Die". I can tell you now that it isn't revealed until the end of the boo...more I believe that it is safe for me to say that this book is the best book that I have read so far this year. I absolutely loved it! I can also safely say that I think that I may end up liking the Women's Murder Club series better than James Patterson's other series starring notable black psychologist, Alex Cross.

At first, well not really, more like halfway through the book, I kept contemplating why the book was called "1st To Die". I can tell you now that it isn't revealed until the end of the book. That really was my only complaint. I love that the main character is female, I love that there is something wrong with her, I love that she isn't in her 20-somethings, and I love that her dog is named "Sweet Martha." If I ever get a female dog, I am totally convincing my boyfriend to name it that. Anyway, Lindsay Boxer has to be my all-time favourite female character. Though, I can't really remember how she is described in the book, I kept on picturing her as Olivia Benson (played by Mariska Hargitay) from "Law & Order: SVU." It could be because I have been watching the show religiously for the past couple of months, or the fact that the characters are really similar when it comes to their personality.

As I have said countless times before, James Patterson does a great job of leading you on, then quickly twisting the storyline around, forcing you to come to new conclusions, which end up being tossed aside as he twists the storyline on you again. That is my favourite aspect of anything so far that I have read of his. In 1st To Die, Phillip Campbell is revealed to be the killer (don't worry, no spoilers, this occurs on like the fourth page). Well, usually I hate when Patterson, or any other author, reveals to the reader who the killer is, seeing as I like to play detective and figure it out myself. Turns out, Phillip Campbell isn't really who he says he is. Which makes the plot line so much more interesting once you figure it out. That's all I'm going to say on that subject.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a crime/thriller novel that likes to mess with your mind and also likes you to come to your own conclusions before making the big reveal. I have to say, I started reading this book with more than 100 pages left, now it is 5:13 in the morning. I just could not put the book down. Thank you James Patterson for being a genius... though I blame you for my lack of sleep...

READ THIS BOOK!(less)

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Jan 15, 2012 Kari Anderson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Someone is targeting newylweds before they even have a chance to get out of their dresses and tuxes. Four hard working women, including a homicide inspector, a medical examiner, an assistant DA and a crime desk reporter are doing their best to track this homicidal creep down, but the usual procedures aren’t working. So, they step outside the box and make the “Women’s Murder Club.” They sit around and toss back a drink and just lay it all out on the table, off the record of course, and hope that...more Someone is targeting newylweds before they even have a chance to get out of their dresses and tuxes. Four hard working women, including a homicide inspector, a medical examiner, an assistant DA and a crime desk reporter are doing their best to track this homicidal creep down, but the usual procedures aren’t working. So, they step outside the box and make the “Women’s Murder Club.” They sit around and toss back a drink and just lay it all out on the table, off the record of course, and hope that four heads will be better than one. They need all the help they can get to get this homicidal maniac off the streets and give soon-to-be married couples a sigh of relief before their big days.

I have heard wonderful things about this book for years and fell in love with James Patterson after reading a random book I picked up of his a couple of years ago for a reading challenge. He always writes in so many twists and turns and just when you think you have it all figured out, BAM, everything you thought you know is out the door. I picked this book up at a book sale at our local library last year, along with the second one in the series. They had them both in hardback and I had to get them. But it took me a while to actually get to the book.

But once I started it, I couldn’t put it down. I loved the mystery this book brought along with it. And I am admittedly creepily intrigued by the view point of a killer during books. Although I know it’s not a real killer, I always want to get inside their minds. I think that’s the part of me that wanted to be a psychologist in the prison system and figure out why people kill. Instead, I went into news to report on these people.

So, I guess I could still be part of the group right? And that leads me to the group. I am always a fan of strong female characters and this book not only had one, but four bad ass women. I wonder if there are groups that do this in real life? I know when there are major unsolved stories that we cover, we always speculate in the newsroom what could have possibly happened. I actually ran one of these by a local sheriff recently on an unsolved case and he laughed at my idea. I followed up with that I watch way too many Lifetime movies. He did not disagree

But I loved this book and can’t wait to see how this group continues to grow in the rest of this series. I give 1st to Die 5 bookmarks.

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Dec 31, 2011 Tra Mi Nguyen rated it 4 of 5 stars

I heard many good reviews about this series a while ago but haven't read any, even when I played the Women's Murder Club Hidden Object games, until few weeks ago. Since you can easily read the general and short summary about the plot for each book on his website (here: http://www.jamespatterson.com/books_w...), I'm just gonna comment on what I like and dislike about this series.

First, I like the stories. Most of them are very interesting and appealing, in terms of how brutally the crimes are don...more

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The subject of a Time magazine feature called, "The Man Who Can't Miss," James Patterson is the bestselling author of the past year, bar none, with more than 16 million books sold in North America alone. In 2007, one of every fifteen hardcover fiction books sold was a Patterson title. In the past three years, James has sold more books than any other author (according...more

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“I remembered something my first partner had told me. Never wrestle with a pig, Lindsay. You both get dirty. The pig likes it.” — 12 people liked it

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1st to Die (Women's Murder Club #1)

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