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 is'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. Paperback , pages. Women's Murder Club 1. San Francisco, California United States. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
To ask other readers questions about 1st to Die , please sign up. Can I read the full version of 1st to die online? Nanette Edmonds As far as I know the Kindle versions are full length. How can I read this there is no download for this book? Sionna Amazon has downloadable versions and possibly your nearby library.
I would check them out. See all 15 questions about 1st to Die…. Lists with This Book. Jan 16, Zach rated it did not like it Recommends it for: 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 How in the world is he a best-selling author?
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When you have as little time for leisure reading as I do, you waste as little time as possible reading crap. Also, he uses too much vulgarity and too much sex. It isn't even romantic sex; it's cheap. I recommend this book only to people who have already read every other book in the world and would rather read something they haven't read then reread a good book. View all 59 comments. Mar 18, The Book Maven rated it it was ok Shelves: Am I the only one that thinks that "Women's Murder Club" sounds not only hokey but juvenile and begging mockery?
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 Am I the only one that thinks that "Women's Murder Club" sounds not only hokey but juvenile and begging mockery? 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 level of detachment and disinterest, and so was not impressed by anything. I just wasn't hugely impressed with this book. Patterson's handling of the female characters and their relationships with each other were stilted, forced, and lacked nuance from beginning to end.
I get the impression that Patterson does not truly grasp how women operate, and how their relationships develop. As for the plot itself, well, it was vaguely diverting, but not much more. The only halfway compelling facet of this mystery was the main character's struggle with an illness of which she has just learned; an illness that is potentially fatal, can advance rapidly and in fact does , and that begins to make her realize her own sense of mortality, and how time might be running out.
I love books in which the female characters are young, put-together, strong, successful View all 12 comments. Feb 22, Lydia rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: This is my first Patterson experience. The book was quite captivating and enthralling.
tandjfoods.com: 1st to Die: A Novel (Women's Murder Club, No 1) (): James Patterson: Books
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 This is my first Patterson experience.
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 have reached the finale. In addition to top-notch suspense, Patterson gives deep insight into the minds of our four heroine's, we know their dark secrets , and sympathize with them especially Linday with the rare blood disorder, an original sub-plot therefore we truly care about what happens to them. And as you approach the end of Patterson's 1st to Die, you breath of sigh of relief, only until the last page where Patterson chucks another twist at you, you nearly fall out of your seat in cardiac arrest!
Never have I read a novel with a final twist so near the end of the book I can't help but applaud Patterson for being so clever. Reading it was like driving a car, through beautiful countryside relaxing and enjoying it- UNTIL you suddenly see the road sink below the horizon realizing your approaching a cliff at rapid speed! Kudos to Patterson, this book Thrills! View all 11 comments. View all 8 comments. I tend to read Patterson's books when I don't want my brain to work that hard. I loved the concept of a group of extraordinary females - including a detective, a lawyer, and a journalist - working together to solve crimes.
It was an easy to read, page-turning thriller featuring a complicated, gruesome killer of newly-weds, and more twists and turns than a twisty turny thing. Oct 30, Erica Poole rated it it was amazing. 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 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. I know it might be a bit extreme, but he ruined this series for me, as well as other series, such as those involving Alex Cross. Hard to enjoy work from an author who condescends to write for 'the masses'.
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Nov 28, Diane rated it it was ok 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 My impulse as I read 1st to Die was to start editing.
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 newspaper people are afraid to go after, and, of course, our depressed, troubled, obsessed main character who gets her life back just to lose everything and speaks in cliches throughout the narrative.
This book was a fast read, but I won't bother reading any of the other books in the series. I wonder if the TV show is any better? If so, it's only because some decent writers turned the script into something better than this book. View all 4 comments. Dec 15, Lorena rated it it was ok Shelves: 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. Also, I thought the plot was melodramatic, and the continual twists were more tedious than I was curious about this series because it's obviously very popular, but I can't say I'm terribly impressed by it. Also, I thought the plot was melodramatic, and the continual twists were more tedious than shocking or surprising. The first James Patterson book I ever read, and one of the best I read this year.
It has exceeded my expectations. Honestly I didn't know serial killer novels could be this fun. It's filled with suspense and thrill, and Just when you thought you've seen the last of the twists, another one jumps at you in the final pages. The plot revolves around a serial killer who targets newlyweds at their wedding night, and it's up to the homicide inspector, Lindsay Boxer to track him down.
However, in order to do that she needs the help of her friends in the women's murder club Claire Washburn, Cindy Thomas, and Jill Bernhardt. Together they work hard in order to bring the killer to justice before he strikes again. View all 6 comments. Jan 06, Heidi rated it did not like it Shelves: By page 45 I decided I hated James Patterson writing women.
What atrocity can these two strong, experienced, professional women not handle? A body with a single stab wound. Oh, but the male detective? He even steps in to offer our lead homicide investigator an arm to lean on! I found the interactions between the female friends not realistic in the slightest. Overall I found the writing to be stilted and not especially engaging.
And my most petty complaint: 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. Sep 04, Jessica rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: 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! View all 7 comments. This is an audio book that I listened to many, many years ago.
It's narrated by Suzanne Toren who did an excellent job.
1st to Die
I remember that I loved it so much that I listened to the entire series back to back, or at least up until the point where I had to wait for the next one to come out. Then I listened to it immediately. This was published in and I own all of them on Audible audio books. Now, the 16th one, 16th Seduction , is out so I've decided to start back to the beginning of the series fo This is an audio book that I listened to many, many years ago.
Now, the 16th one, 16th Seduction , is out so I've decided to start back to the beginning of the series for the second time. I didn't remember the intricate twists and turns it takes all the way up to the very end. I can definitely say that it was a great decision! I'm on to the second one, 2nd Chance. Now about this book. What an incredible ending!! James Patterson and Maxine Paetro have coauthored an ingenious novel staring Lindsey Boxer, slowly unfolding how the Woman's Murder Club gets started, all the way thru to dynamic ending that I guarantee you will NOT forsee!!
You will have to read it to find out anything more. Sep 14, Wendy rated it did not like it. 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 I n I believe this will be the last James Patterson novel that I read.
I need a homicide detective check , a medical examiner check , and oh, maybe a reporter check again. A district attorney too! Let's also make sure I represent the independent tough woman working in a man's world, the ethnic woman, the up-and-comer with moxie, and the uber-professional careerist. Whatever the reason, the end result just isn't for me. While I admire James Patterson's apparent marketing genius and entrepreneurial spirit in creating book outlines and farming out the actual storytelling and writing to other authors, he is now really just a brand cranking out books at breakneck speed.
But at least he's honest about it. Nothing wrong with that, but I'll be moving on. Sep 20, Joyce added it Shelves: 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 There's nothing specifically GOOD about this book, but damned if the pages don't practically turn themselves. 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 women and television.
Four chicks with different skills -- ensemble cast! They have complicated love lives and health problems and career setbacks for background color! It's a sign of Patterson's professionalism that he doesn't make you feel like a market segment while you're actually reading. He wants to tell a good story, and shows real interest in his characters' feelings no matter how banal.
I doubt I'll be reading another entry in this series, but new writers could do a lot worse than following this craftsman's lead. View all 3 comments. Jan 02, Celia rated it did not like it Recommends it for: 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 Why are these popular? At least it's a quick read. Awful, awful stuff - Patterson is an incredibly bad writer. And that "twist" at the end? I felt embarrassed to be reading this on the train, in case someone was reading over my shoulder.
Apr 02, Anuradha rated it it was ok Recommends it for: Quite forgettable, honestly, but it was exactly what I needed after the emotional turmoil I went through following my previous read. I needed fluff; either a laugh out loud romantic comedy or a conventional, highly predictable "thriller", and really, I wasn't quite in the mood for romance. Anyway, this was "high-octane", overly dramatic, and very fast. I mean, I'm feeling generous, because this book really doesn't deserve two stars. I'm sure Patterson is a bestsell Meh.
I'm sure Patterson is a bestselling author for the same reason that John Grisham or Dan Brown is one. Okay, well, I don't know the reason, but I know it has to be the same. When I figure it out, I'll let you all know. So this book is supposed to be dark and gritty and action-packed, but truthfully, it was long and rambling and unnecessarily dramatic. No, really, I was a little put off by the prologue, but I trudged along because I'm a little trooper.
I wasn't disappointed per se, because I was expecting There is only one place I see Patterson actually try, and he fails quite badly at there as well. You see, he tries too hard to imitate the voice of a woman, which, he really can't. Maybe just stick to third person POV, yeah, buddy? The first person POV is not. It is quite insipid and irritating, in fact. If you watch crime procedurals as much as I do, firstly, you need to stop, it is unhealthy, but secondly and more importantly, you'll be able to figure this out quite fast.
Basically, there's a serial killer who likes killing newly-wed couples and pays special attention to the brides. The twists were bland and uninteresting, the "strong, female characters" were caricatures of any number of female cops, medical examiners, DAs, and crime reporters you would see on criminal procedurals. There's helluva lot of drama, and that made my head hurt. The romance is gratuitous, as is its unexpected end. Lindsay has way too many problems, way too much baggage, and why Patterson wants to make the poor woman suffer more, is beyond me. Look, I didn't read this book to trash it, truthfully.
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I knew what I was getting into, and I wanted it, not because I'm a masochist which I am , but because I needed a palate cleanser. So I'm going to refrain from saying more. I mean, it served its purpose well, so all isn't lost. I don't recommend it unless you want to read something with the same level of detachment I did. Then, by all means, lose yourself in the book. Or maybe just lose the book. That would be a lot better for your health. Sep 06, Diana rated it really liked it.
Women's Murder Club: 1st to Die
I considered myself a fan in the past but then I felt disappointed after reading Zoo, so I took a break. This is the Patterson I remember loving to read. A really light easy read. Mysteries, dark dramas, offbeat movies, horrors, twisted thrillers and guilty pleasures! Haven't decided if its worth watching yet Share this Rating Title: Use the HTML below.
You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Learn more More Like This. Miracle on the 17th Green. Killer Single Dad Women's Murder Club — I Want to Believe The X Files Miracle on the 17th Green TV Movie Edit Cast Cast overview, first billed only: Lindsay Boxer Gil Bellows Chris Raleigh Carly Pope Cindy Thomas Megan Gallagher Jill Barnhart Angie Everhart Chessy Jenks Mitch Pileggi Warren Jacobi Sean Young Joanna Wade Jerry Wasserman Derek Lee Pam Grier Claire Washburn Robert Patrick Nicholas Jenks Kristina Copeland Merrill Cale John Reardon Melanie Brandt Ona Grauer Edit Storyline A homicide inspector -- Lindsay Boxer -- who teams with three other professional women to catch an ingenious serial killer targeting newlyweds on their wedding nights.
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Edit Did You Know? Goofs When Nicholas Jenks escapes from the Department of Corrections car, he kicks out the rear window in order to get out. When the police are at the crash scene, the window is back in place. Add the first question. User Reviews Mr Patterson Was this review helpful to you?