Rating: 
Summary: typical soap opera
Review: Well now all the women (who seemed self reliant in the first book) are now going to have find the man of their dreams (Lindsey just had hers killed off in the previous book so she will have to wait another one or two books) marry them and produce children, because what else is there for women to do with their lives. The main characters in this book are supposed to be smart, sassy and successful but I felt like this was "Days of our Lives". It was a nauseating and wimpy read. Patterson now seems to be afraid of the strong women he created in the first book!
Who is Andrew Grossman anyway?
Rating: 
Summary: Patterson Makes Good on His 2nd Chance
Review: I'd really lost almost all interest in Patterson's work lately--he's gotten so caught up in double and triple plot twists that his storylines just don't make sense anymore--but I'd retained a bit of respect for the man who gave us Alex Cross and Along Came a Spider, a truly terrific book. So although I'd sworn not to purchase another Patterson, at least at full price, when I got the chance to borrow 2nd Chance, I decided to give Patterson his own eponymous opportunity. And how fortunate that I'd just read DC Comic's re-issue of Crisis on Infinite Earths, because that book gave me the perspective to really enjoy Patterson from a different perspective.The tiny chapters, the snappy pace of the book (even though it is over 400 pages, don't be put off, about a third of those are blank, what with the beginning and ending margins!), the abbreviated dialogue, stylized characters and plot driven story--Patterson reads like a comic book for adults, I realized! And when I'd come to this realization I began to enjoy him quite a bit more. Instead of comparing his books to those featuring Alex Delaware (by Jonathan Kellerman), Hieronymous Bosch (by Michael Connelly), or Lucas Davenport (by John Stanford), none of which he can hold the proverbial candle to, I began comparing them to Batman and Spiderman comics and the like. Now, granted there are no pictures and his characters have no superpowers, but there is a very similar approach--no moral ambiguity, stereotypical characters, and everything in service of the duel between good and evil. And to his own credit, Patterson dispensed with the obligatory double plot twist in 2nd Chance, keeping the story credible. What effect co-author Andrew Gross had on this book is a mystery and will probably remain so, but it seemed to be entirely beneficial. I enjoyed 2nd Chance more than I'd enjoyed any Patterson book in years. (For your own good, stay away from Cradle And All unless you want to experience the depths to which an author can sink and still get published--even the comic book analogy can't save this one!) I'll surely borrow a copy of whatever Patterson writes next, and who knows, I might even find myself actually paying good money for his stuff sometime in the future.
Rating: 
Summary: Boring, over hyped book
Review: This book is by far the most boring "mystery" I've ever read. I am new to Patterson; after hearing the hype, I had to read one of his books. I couldn't believe that the chapters are 2 pages long at best (and he feels the need to end each one with a bang, which lends itself to a rollercoaster affect), the characters are poorly defined, the conversations abismal ("honey", "sister", "girl", etc.)and the story line just plain boring. I read it in 2 hours, too, which isn't always a good sign.
Rating:
Summary: Not Sure
Review: I'm not sure what I think of this book. On the surface it was entertaining, and I liked it. It had some really good action scenes, and a decent plot. The plot in 1st To Die was a lot stronger, and I liked it a lot better. I think the author(s) sacrified some on the plot to try to do a little more character development. I understand wanting to do that to try to strengthen the series as a whole, but I'm not sure they pulled it off. I'm not sure I feel I "know" any of the characters any better than I did in 1st To Die. Maybe Patterson needs to think about the old adage "write what you know". He has always tried to write from the point of view of a woman or an african-american when he is neither. I don't think he pulls it off as well as he thinks he does. Anyway, I guess this one is worth the read for the entertainment value, but for something better try anything by John Sandford, Jeffery Deaver, or Greg Iles. Also don't miss Tell No One by Harlan Coben and Plum Island by Nelson DeMille.
Rating:
Summary: Last Chance
Review: This is the last time I read a James Patterson novel. They seem to keep getting worse. This time I read the LARGE PRINT edition hoping it would make the characters jump out at me but that didn't work either. I give up.
Mary
Huntington Beach, CA
Rating: 
Summary: Perfect for a plane ride
Review: As the series continues I'm impressed! I enjoyed the first and I'm glad I took the 2nd Chance. A quick read that keeps you interested.
Rating:
Summary: Last Chance
Review: The first meeting of the murder club, was different from A. Cross, but fast and enjoyable. This one doesn't make sense even in San Francisco, there are times when the group can find clues where none exists and at other times can't figure how to pick up a suspect that is a parole violator. I realize Mr. Patterson had a coauthor on this book, it seems the "co" did most the authoring.
Rating:
Summary: Who REALLY wrote this book?
Review: 2nd Chance w/ Andrew Gross. I would say that Mr. Patterson should be grossly embarrassed. "1st To Die" is pretty much up to Patterson standard. This (2nd Chance)is several levels below that standard. Example - what good writer uses the worn out "I had no choice but to ---" in sequential paragraghs! That was just one example of many that just rubbed me the wrong way, took me away from the story. Sophomoric writing. I finished only because I am a compulsive reader. A high school freshman might enjoy this.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: I was not happy with this book. In fact, I was so disappointed I am not reading anymore of his work, although I have read many of his books. The Women's Murder Club, silly in the first book, is even less believable in this one. The writing is is stilted, and full of cliches. I don't think Mr. Patterson should make his main characters be women, as he doesn't really think like one. I finished the book because I wanted to see who the real killer was, but I suffered through it. Lindsey seems very stupid to me, not some super cop like Patterson wants her to be. I think in the next book Lindsey should get killed by the dangerous suspect when she follows him with no back-up. Now that would be a twist we wouldn't expect!
Rating:
Summary: Elementary drivel
Review: I have been a long time Patterson fan but this book is nothing short of literary drivel. The diaglog is juvenile, the plot thin and the book in general, boring. I would be thrilled to see Mr. Patterson return to what he does best - creating solo rather than co-authoring. Maybe other things are influencing this drop in caliber but whatever, I won't be purchasing anymore unless something changes. Thank you,
Melle Sensiaugh
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