Rating: 
Summary: GREAT NOVEL - GREAT READ
Review: Couldn't put this down until the end. And what an end, you think the killer has been found several times.
Ronald Coats, Author of "In The Chips"
Rating: 
Summary: Predictable ...
Review: I've read other Patterson's novels that are far better constructed than this one. This one reads like the work of an amateur writer like the ones you find in those web sites where anyone can post his or her own work to share with others. I've read food labels that were more engaging than "First To Die".
The reason is that Patterson tries to stay away from the usual
"novel" characters by throwing in casual sex, unlikely friendships, and a medical illness that don't really go anywhere in the story and somehow get diluted, watered down into a story development that relegates all of these to mere basic genre structural devices.
This novel seems like a conglomeration of old ideas or unfinished novels put together because it doesn't fit the path of a solid well thought out plot, but a jagged one, with more dead ends than the suburbs in Chicago. We never feel that the inspector or her friends are in any real danger, so the edge of your seat suspense isn't present, and the plot is so predictable that once you know where it headed you may want to close the book... or use it as a coaster for your drink. After reading this I've decided-like many of you probably have too- to start writing a novel! I mean, my life's story is definitely more of a page-turner than "First To Die".
Rating:
Summary: A plot with a plot with a twist.
Review: The ending was unexpected and unbelievable. However, in hind sight it made sense. Jenks seemed to like women who he could control and manipulate. I have to give Jenks his due, because he did play everybody. However, he should have taken his money and let well enough alone.
Rating:
Summary: Patterson is in SUPERB form!
Review: I was VERY skeptical of a James Patterson novel without Alex Cross...maybe I'm just partial, but I haven't been able to enjoy ANY of his books without him. I suppose I have developed a great literary relationship with Cross and well, I just did NOT want to gamble on something else...but am I GLAD I DID!The 1st installment of the Woman's Murder Club is 1st RATE! Lindsay Boxer is a San Francisco detective whose life is thrown not just one, but two MAJOR curve balls all at once. First she finds out she has a rare and life threatening blood disorder, and next, she's called in to help investigate the murder of a bride & groom on their honeymoon. Before long she is forced to partner up with Chris Raleigh, something she hates -- at first. Lindsay's best friend is a county coroner and after an unlikely pairing up with a feisty journalist, the Murder Club is formed. But not before ANOTHER double murder takes place in nearby Napa...followed closely by another bride & groom taken out -- this time in Cleveland, Ohio! Are they connected? Lindsay is absolutely certain they are, but her health threatens to force her to either cut back on the investigation or possibly drop it altogether. Just when you think the story is over -- get ready! It's JUST beginning. As Lindsay develops feelings for her partner, and the drive to find the murderer becomes nearly an obsession, she must come to terms with her own mortality -- and just as suddenly, she must question the results of the final outcome of the investigation. Tightly plotted and loaded with great characters -- especially Lindsay Boxer and her partner -- 1st To Die is one of Patterson's best stories to date, and easily his best novel in 2 or 3 YEARS. I am thrilled to know that there are more novels coming in this series, and I anxiously await the next installment of the Woman's Murder Club. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: My First and Last James Patterson Novel
Review: This book was a "page turner" but the ending was so preposterous it only gets two stars. I felt completely gipped, the ending was so stupid. As is typical with books of this genre, the characters were totally wooden, and the plausibility of the crimes was so low that it rendered them completely uninteresting and meaningless, especially when you find out who actually did it, how, and why. Not thought provoking in the slightest. A third rate "Dressed to Kill." Pointless.
Rating: 
Summary: Great beginning, unsatisfying end
Review: This is only the 2nd Patterson book that I've read. His writing is good, and his chapters are short and very quick reads. There was quite a buildup in the first half and I was so engrossed in it, I read it in 2 sittings. The characters were believable, and interestingly, Patterson develops the feminine protagonists fairly well. I really enjoyed the chase and piecing together of the puzzle. I could see several of the twists that came up, but that didn't detract from the suspense and excitement of the chase itself. However, Patterson went a bit too far, and threw in a plot twist which seemed far-fetched and not well thought out. Without giving anything away, it simply didn't make sense and did not fit the carefully built plot. It ruined what would have been a solid 4 star work for me.
Rating:
Summary: Edge of your seat suspense!!
Review: It was interesting to see James Patterson writng a story about a character who is female. When reading this book sometimes I thought who ever wrote this was female then I remembered it was James Patterson. As I was reading I really truely hated the villian. It was so bad I wanted the villian to get caught already. I just couldn't wait the finish the book, I honestly didn't want to put it down. It was a nice change of pace to see a network of women trying to solve a case. Instead of your testostorone filled action packed suspense book this was fully charged with estrogen. There should be more room in the suspense genre where women should be chasing down the bad guys!!
Rating:
Summary: The women's murder club
Review: It's all about girl power. Lindsey Boxer with the help of an attorney, a reporter, and a medical examiner. That'a all they need to solve the Bride/Groom murder case. Everything changes when Linsey is diagnosed with aplastic anemia.
Rating: 
Summary: My 1st Patterson Book; 1st in Series
Review: "1st to Die" has a very simple format and short chapters (averaging about 3-4 pages a chapter), which makes this book a breeze to read. The narrative alternates between the first-person (the protagonist: Lindsay) and the second-person (her friends and the killer). The book is set up in four parts, as explained below: Book One--A newlywed couple is murdered on their honeymoon, and Inspector Lindsay Boxer of the San Francisco Police Department is assigned to the case, along with a new partner: Chris Raleigh, who becomes Lindsay's love interest. Book Two--Another two newlywed couples are killed. Lindsay organizes a women's murder club to help her solve the three murders, consisting of her best friend (Claire Washburn, a medical examiner) and recently-made friend (Cindy Thomas, a newspaper reporter). How these latter two women become friends is a bit unbelievable--Cindy finds Lindsay crying in the bathroom, and Lindsay just decides to befriend this random reporter. I would have expected more caution from Lindsay, but there it is. Also in this second part, a suspect is fingered--prominent novelist, Nicholas Jenks. Book Three--Jill Bernhardt, the assistant district attorney, is added to the "club," and the investigation gets into full swing. Book Four, of course, reveals the true identity of the killer--which I won't give away. Even though I wasn't able to guess the killer, I did suspicion something about him/her during the first murder investigation (despite the name of the killer that's given), mainly because of the type of sexual deviance performed on the bride. (A clue.) Nevertheless, the ending is certainly surprising; I wasn't expecting it. This is my first Patterson book (though I have seen a couple of his movies), and if his others are as suspenseful and quick as this one, then I'll probably continue reading his mysteries.
Rating:
Summary: Lindsay Boxer is no Alex Cross!
Review: And James Patterson obviously is not a woman. If you can get beyond those facts, this is a great Patterson-style mystery. Fast-moving, easy to read, involving. But unlike his Alex Cross mysteries, where you want to meet these people and become friends...I found the characters in this novel to be unbelievable. I was constantly made aware that the author did not have a handle on his protagonists. A homicide investigator deciding "on a whim" to befriend a reporter...and then trusting her immediately, and including her in a circle with her best friend...and opening up her investigation to them. No way! I just kept thinking, "Oh yeah, like THAT would ever happen!" I read Patterson when I am rushed and just want a quick-read. I guess this fills the bill, but I hope he doesn't continue with the "Women's Murder Club"...they are distractingly unreal.
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