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A review by book_concierge
2nd Chance by James Patterson
2.0
Book on CD performed by Melissa Leo & Jeremy Piven.
2**
From the book jacket: The Women’s Murder Club is back! a brilliantly diabolical killer is murdering people from every walk of life. The deaths seem unrelated but police homicide inspector Lindsay Boxer senses a connection and , together with medical examiner Claire, assistant D.A. Jill, and Chronicle reporter Cindy, finds a link that sends a chill through the entire nation. This killer’s motives are unspeakable.
MY REACTIONS
The hyperbole of the jacket is indicative of the quality of the writing. I didn’t feel any tension or suspense. I do not agree that the killer was “brilliantly diabolical” or that his motives “are unspeakable.” If anything the hackneyed attempt at suspense makes it laughably melodramatic (think Carol Burnett’s talented ensemble cast).
The interaction between the women was what saved the first book for me (still only gave it 2.5**). Not so this time. Patterson gives us more medical issues for “the girls” ... including a couple of gunshot wounds. Interestingly enough, Lindsay has apparently completely recovered from the terminal illness she had in book one.
Patterson is just phoning it in these days. He has a team of writers who churn this stuff out with his name getting top billing (and top sales). That’s too bad. His early Alex Cross novels (when he was writing them himself) were quite good.
Melissa Leo and Jeremy Piven do a good job of performing the audio version. I’d given them 4**** for their skill as voice artists and pacing. But they had terrible material to work with. Because the book was due back at the library, I gave up on the audio and read the last 100 pages. Patterson’s short sentences and short chapters make this a fast read, thank heavens.
2**
From the book jacket: The Women’s Murder Club is back! a brilliantly diabolical killer is murdering people from every walk of life. The deaths seem unrelated but police homicide inspector Lindsay Boxer senses a connection and , together with medical examiner Claire, assistant D.A. Jill, and Chronicle reporter Cindy, finds a link that sends a chill through the entire nation. This killer’s motives are unspeakable.
MY REACTIONS
The hyperbole of the jacket is indicative of the quality of the writing. I didn’t feel any tension or suspense. I do not agree that the killer was “brilliantly diabolical” or that his motives “are unspeakable.” If anything the hackneyed attempt at suspense makes it laughably melodramatic (think Carol Burnett’s talented ensemble cast).
The interaction between the women was what saved the first book for me (still only gave it 2.5**). Not so this time. Patterson gives us more medical issues for “the girls” ... including a couple of gunshot wounds. Interestingly enough, Lindsay has apparently completely recovered from the terminal illness she had in book one.
Patterson is just phoning it in these days. He has a team of writers who churn this stuff out with his name getting top billing (and top sales). That’s too bad. His early Alex Cross novels (when he was writing them himself) were quite good.
Melissa Leo and Jeremy Piven do a good job of performing the audio version. I’d given them 4**** for their skill as voice artists and pacing. But they had terrible material to work with. Because the book was due back at the library, I gave up on the audio and read the last 100 pages. Patterson’s short sentences and short chapters make this a fast read, thank heavens.