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lurker_stalker's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the story and the nice twist Nice!
I didn't care for the narrator. She sounded too harsh and gave nearly all the characters a very gruff, hard edge. Some aspects of her reading were very good but she could have softened the tones and voices in many places.
Spoiler
although the twist in the twist seemed too much and obvious to see coming but the final twist bumped up gave it an extra 1/2 star.I didn't care for the narrator. She sounded too harsh and gave nearly all the characters a very gruff, hard edge. Some aspects of her reading were very good but she could have softened the tones and voices in many places.
brendalovesbooks's review
3.0
The thing I most disliked about this book was the woman's murder club. It was so unnecessary to the plot, and I just found it annoying.
klippy's review
5.0
This book kept me guessing until the end. I did not think I would enjoy this series of books until I watched the TV series. I can hardly wait to read the 2nd one.
oumaima_mekni's review
4.0
This book was excitingly good as I expected, although I didn't quietly dig the end, seeing that after everything that happened and the excellent climax of the story, it was kind of disappointing and it killed my bubble of excitement. Nevertheless, Im giving 4 stars for the plot twists that sent me on edge everytime.
book_concierge's review against another edition
2.0
Book on CD read by Suzanne Toren
2.5**
From the book jacket: Debut of The Women’s Murder Club. In San Francisco newlyweds are being stalked and slaughtered. Enter four unforgettable women, all friends … Lindsay, a homicide inspector in the city’s police department … Claire, a medical examiner …Jill, an assistant D.A… and Cindy, a reporter who has just started working the crime desk. Joining forces, pooling their talents, courage, and brains, they have one goal to find, trap and outwit the most diabolical and terrifying killer ever imagined.
My reactions
Patterson definitely knows how to write a fast-paced mystery thriller, with plenty of plot twists to keep the most avid amateur (reading) sleuth guessing. That being said, I did figure this out way ahead of the Women’s Murder Club, but it was still a good ride.
What I liked most about the book was how he portrayed the four women who form the Murder Club. Cindy, in particular, was a pleasant surprise. A young, untried reporter stuck on the features desk, she more than rises to the occasion and shows a great deal of imagination, tenacity and courage. She is the one who grows the most, I think during this novel. The other three start out as crime-solving professionals and certainly show their own strengths. I did get a little tired of the emotional roller coaster Lindsay is suffering – she has a health problem and is juggling a possible romantic relationship in addition to trying to solve the case and catch the killer. The book opens with her contemplating suicide and then backtracks in time to explain how she got to that very low point. I found the subplot of her health issue to be somewhat manipulative and really unnecessary padding. Besides, given her health, I found it unrealistic that she resorted to Margaritas so frequently.
The audio book was performed by Suzanne Toren, and her gross over-acting lost a half-star (well, really lost a full star, but then I reconsidered and gave a half-star back). She “growls” or turns on a particularly “smarmy” voice when performing the bad guy. She “agonizes” when performing Lindsay’s emotional struggles. She’s simultaneously annoyingly smug and irritatingly chirpy when voicing “girl-reporter” Cindy. And she’s given to taking “meaningful” pregnant pauses to ensure the reader gets the significance of certain phrases.
I am not a big fan of Patterson, but I was reasonably entertained and I’ll probably read another in this series … emphasis on READ … not listen (especially if Toren performs all of them).
2.5**
From the book jacket: Debut of The Women’s Murder Club. In San Francisco newlyweds are being stalked and slaughtered. Enter four unforgettable women, all friends … Lindsay, a homicide inspector in the city’s police department … Claire, a medical examiner …Jill, an assistant D.A… and Cindy, a reporter who has just started working the crime desk. Joining forces, pooling their talents, courage, and brains, they have one goal to find, trap and outwit the most diabolical and terrifying killer ever imagined.
My reactions
Patterson definitely knows how to write a fast-paced mystery thriller, with plenty of plot twists to keep the most avid amateur (reading) sleuth guessing. That being said, I did figure this out way ahead of the Women’s Murder Club, but it was still a good ride.
What I liked most about the book was how he portrayed the four women who form the Murder Club. Cindy, in particular, was a pleasant surprise. A young, untried reporter stuck on the features desk, she more than rises to the occasion and shows a great deal of imagination, tenacity and courage. She is the one who grows the most, I think during this novel. The other three start out as crime-solving professionals and certainly show their own strengths. I did get a little tired of the emotional roller coaster Lindsay is suffering – she has a health problem and is juggling a possible romantic relationship in addition to trying to solve the case and catch the killer. The book opens with her contemplating suicide and then backtracks in time to explain how she got to that very low point. I found the subplot of her health issue to be somewhat manipulative and really unnecessary padding. Besides, given her health, I found it unrealistic that she resorted to Margaritas so frequently.
The audio book was performed by Suzanne Toren, and her gross over-acting lost a half-star (well, really lost a full star, but then I reconsidered and gave a half-star back). She “growls” or turns on a particularly “smarmy” voice when performing the bad guy. She “agonizes” when performing Lindsay’s emotional struggles. She’s simultaneously annoyingly smug and irritatingly chirpy when voicing “girl-reporter” Cindy. And she’s given to taking “meaningful” pregnant pauses to ensure the reader gets the significance of certain phrases.
I am not a big fan of Patterson, but I was reasonably entertained and I’ll probably read another in this series … emphasis on READ … not listen (especially if Toren performs all of them).
litalia's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Patterson manages to avoid the major men-writing-women errors, but something still felt ever so slightly off. I was on board with the story until the final final twist - it was just one too many for my suspension of disbelief.
alykat_reads's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.0
The thing I like about Patterson books is their simplicity. I don't have to concentrate too hard to follow the story and the chapters are short making them quick reads. Is Lindsay the best detective? Nah, but she's also going through a lot in her personal life throughout this (hello, capitalism and being unable to take some time off while going through chemo.. that's a rant for another day). I liked the aspect of 4 women coming together to solve murders, even if its a bit unethical. As long as Patterson doesn't do to this series what he did to the Alex Cross series (turn all the killers into people who are personally out to get the MC [side note: this seems to be a common theme in series I've been reading, and just whyyyyyyyy?! It completely ruins them]) it should be an enjoyable one to pick up a book every now and then when I need something simple.
blondierocket's review
4.0
It’s been awhile since I’ve read the beginning of the Women’s Murder Club series, but I’ve been wanting to for quite some time. So my goal this year was to re-read 1-8 before book 9 comes out.
1st to Die is about the bride and groom killer, who targets certain couples and expertly murders them in various ways. At the same time, Lindsay finds herself with a new partner, new feelings, and a serious health problem. With the help of her friends, the women’s murder club is born.
This is another of my favorite series, probably the first I ever read. The character of Lindsay Boxer is so dynamic and full of spunk and heart (when she needs it). She’s human and I love that everyone can relate to her. Now that the TV show has aired, my vision of Lindsay has changed and often times I forget she is a blond in the book, instead of a brunette.
I love her flaws and her strength through heartache. She has always been one of my favorite lead characters and sometimes I forget how much I enjoy these books.
1st to Die is about the bride and groom killer, who targets certain couples and expertly murders them in various ways. At the same time, Lindsay finds herself with a new partner, new feelings, and a serious health problem. With the help of her friends, the women’s murder club is born.
This is another of my favorite series, probably the first I ever read. The character of Lindsay Boxer is so dynamic and full of spunk and heart (when she needs it). She’s human and I love that everyone can relate to her. Now that the TV show has aired, my vision of Lindsay has changed and often times I forget she is a blond in the book, instead of a brunette.
I love her flaws and her strength through heartache. She has always been one of my favorite lead characters and sometimes I forget how much I enjoy these books.
jared_star's review
Was not interested in the main character, and the plot took too long to start, so I got bored. Not for me.