Rating: 
Summary: Very Disappointing
Review: Fist to Die was a big disappointment compared to Kiss the Girls. I thought the dialogue was poor and a bit cheesy (for lack of better word). It got to the point where I didn't care who the killer was. There were just a lot of stupid elements in it that I don't want to mention because some people haven't read it. My opinion, don't bother.
Rating: 
Summary: 1ST TO DIE
Review: ATT: James Patterson Fans...This book was GREAT! I couldnt hardly put it down for a minute. I was worried about missing Alex Cross, but not anymore. This is a DEFINITE buy for any James Patterson fan.
Rating: 
Summary: Very average
Review: I'm one of the few people that found Patterson's Alex Cross novels inferior to his "stand alone" books, and this pattern seems to be continuing with the first installment in his new character series.Lindsay Boxer is the sole female homicide inspector in the San Fransisco Police Department. While she is tough and determined to succeed in her male-dominated environment, Patterson thankfully refrains from painting her as the typical bitter, man-hating quasi-lesbian usually found in this situation. Nevertheless, there is a depth lacking in Boxer's character that detracts from the story as whole. The other three quarters of the Woman's Murder Club are Claire, a medical examiner whose character, I feel, could have been developed a lot more, and Cindy, a rookie reporter who recovers from a shaky introduction (if her first scene doesn't annoy you, you must be very laid back) to become more or less likeable. The final member of the group, assistant DA Jill is the weakest character. She is introduced late in the story and her character never truly seems to fit in. The basic plot here is that a serial killer is brutally murdering newlywed couples and leaving them in sexually depraved positions. However, while Patterson attempts to be shocking in the tableaux the killer leaves, he seems to chicken out of it and leaves the reader feeling a little disappointed at the anti-climax in the details of the death. He tells too little to make a truly harrowing read but too much to leave it up to the reader to scare him or herself with their imagination. This book, while enjoyable, is certainly not Patterson's best work and seems to be a step backwards in accomplishment from some of his recent work. One can only hope that as the series progresses and the characters develop, the books will attain a bit more bite.
Rating:
Summary: Patterson at his best
Review: If you are a lover of suspence don't miss this fantastic book. Ist To Die will keep you guessing right to the very last page. Just when you think you can guess the outcome James Patterson will throw you completely off track. Time and again I thought I had the case solved only to find I was way off base. If Alex Cross was your hero Lindsay Boxer will become your heroin. I can't wait for the next in this series
Rating: 
Summary: IT'S ALL HERE--SUSPENSE, INTRIQUE & INGENIOUS PLOT TWISTS
Review: Although I did not particularly care for James Patterson's bestselling book, Along Came a Spider, I decided to give him another chance. I'm glad I did. I bought the CD audio version of 1st to Die. The plot was extremely engaging and suspenseful, & Patterson kept the reader guessing until the very end. I was very surprised over who the killer turned out to be--I did not expect it at all. The author was very clever over how he presented the foresenic evidence in each of the murder cases. I also enjoyed the way the 4 women decided to form their own private murder club in order to help solve the case. My only negative critique of the book: I thought the very last chapter was extraneous. Patterson would have done better to just let the book end in the next to the last chapter. That ending would have been perfect if he would've just stoppedt there.
Rating:
Summary: An enjoyable book!
Review: This was the first book I have read by this author and I must say that I will definately read other things he has written. I couldn't put it down. It was an intriguing story, one unlike any I have read. What is the worst thing anyone has ever done? I found that this was a great book, with well developed characters that you love and hate. Check it out!
Rating:
Summary: Reading a Patterson novel...
Review: ..is the equivalent of watching one of those endless supply of "teen slasher flicks." Formulatic, aimed at a particular audience, and the reader gets the impression that the author is cranking out this drivel solely for the money. That Mr. Patterson is a hugely popular author and having back to back #1 bestsellers, is more of a mystery and thriller than anything he will probably ever write. "1st to Die" is my third and final novel I will read from him. After finishing, I realized he basically writes the same novel repeatedly, but, making a few necessary changes as not to plagerize himself. He stretched his imagination as far as it would go this time around....the lead character was a female ! Why didn't he just call her Alex Cross ?....that name would certainly apply in this ultra tired story. My overall summary is, if you've read any of his books, then you've already read "1st to Die." Simply imagine Alex Cross as a female, and, of course, you already know the story. YAWN .
Rating: 
Summary: What just happened?
Review: I, being a fan of tense mystery-type plots, bought this book having read all the promotion promising a shocking twist for an ending. The ending is shocking, yes, but not in that way that makes you wanna go back and see what you missed the first time around. Perhaps I should start at the beginning: Submitted for your approval, an unncessarily gruesome, contrived, unconvincing mystery. I don't know if this is Patterson's usual style, but I'd like to see more coherent sentences rather than what appears to be an attempt to convey the sense of confusion and desperation his characters must be feeling. The style is erratic and uninvolving--it doesn't bring the reader in. The plot has a few good twists and turns, but it commits the cardinal sin of the murder mystery: Never latch onto a suspect halfway through, because that suspect will inevitably turn out to be innocent. The ending is surprising, but fairly undramatic and feels like a deadweight to the story. Overall: This book is predictable when it shouldn't be, and unpredictable just when it looks like the next scene might actually make sense. The characters generate no sympathy, and the killer(s?) generates mixed feelings just cause we're unsure what to do with him/her/them. Don't expect too much going in.
Rating:
Summary: More than disappointing
Review: I've read a lot of Patterson's books and, although I don't find him to be the best of mystery writers, his plots are usually engrossing. Actually this one has a "good" murder story, but the rest of it was extremely disappointing. I never found a good reason for these women to spend time with one another. I thought a really good detective could do the same thing, only better. Additionally, I saw no purpose bringing a life-threatening disease to the story (and then a miraculous recovery); it was an impediment. Thus, I'm off of Patterson for a good while, and I won't ever waste time reading another "women's murder club" mystery.
Rating:
Summary: Nancy Drew lives again!
Review: I agree with one of the other reviewers that if you enjoyed Nancy Drew as a kid, you will enjoy this book. It is not well written and the characters are not well developed. I listened to the entire book (unabridged) on tape and I am sure I heard the narrator laughing in the background a few times on the lines she had to read. Bottom line: A simple book not well done but will probably make some TV of the week mini-series because of location in San Francisco and Napa that will show well on the tube.
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