Rating: 
Summary: Loved It!
Review: I've read all of Patterson's books and was becoming disenhearted with his writing as of late. Roses are Red was his worst book and almost didn't even read this one. It was a pleasant surprise to see that he can still write a good book. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Rating: 
Summary: Simplicity is not always good.
Review: I eagerly reach for each new book by James Paterson, but MUCH prefer his Alex Cross character to these simple, predictable women. While the "bad guy" was awful the final chapter was too far fetched. I must confess I will not pass by any of Patterson's books but just enjoy Alex Cross more at this time. We'll see what the next book brings us..
Rating: 
Summary: It's interesting to wonder...
Review: ..how many books has Patterson just put out while you are reading these reviews? It's getting ridiculous, Patterson is on cruise control, raking in dough from stories that display neither creativity nor technical skill. Now I never have really loved Patterson, (and he has done worse) but please don't think I'm knocking him for no reason. In all honesty, I've taught High School Lit classes that featured more advanced stylist's than Patterson in his recent efforts. (Ron O' Reilly hit's this point on the head below) His theme plays painfully like a writer forcibly trying to make "Being A Woman" a tangible thread, and I can understand why so many women readers on this board have expressed such negative feedback. One would think the best way to portray a subject, regardless of gender or race, would be to craft characters that are beleivable and complex, not realizations of creaky social cliches. To be fair, more than a few "big name" authors pull this though. "1st to Die" plays like a whiny Nancy Drew squad, as written by your neighbors kid.
Rating:
Summary: The Women's Murder Club - new venue for Patterson
Review: Departing from the usual Alex Delaware novels, comes this refreshing detective story with a group of head strong career women. I enjoyed this novel, and hope there will be more of the "Women's Murder Club" in the near future. Patterson's fans will enjoy this book, and getting acquainted with the ladies. Having a pleasant change of characters, this is a good book for the beach.
Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic! Jennifer from Madison, Al
Review: This is one of the best books I have ever read!!!! It flowed and kept my attention until the very last page. I couldn't wait to get to the end. It has spoiled me for reading other books now because they don't quite measure up. I am a true James Patterson fan.
Rating:
Summary: Pure Drivel
Review: How could the same author who gives us Alex Cross also put out this drivel? James ......... You're a good writer ...how could you publish this junk? Pounding blood.. warm sweat on temples.. trembling lips and knees ... give us a break! Your heroine is portrayed as an immature twit who would not last 30 minutes in a real police department. Please .......... stick with Alex Cross!
Rating:
Summary: good, but Alex Cross is much better
Review: I think this is a superb story, a good start to a new series. But i hope that Patterson will continue to write the Alex Cross series because they are his best ones so far. And I hope to get an ending to the novel Roses are Red.
Rating:
Summary: Implausible "club" , but I wish I had friends like these!
Review: As another reviewer said..."Not his best"....but I did enjoy it. I am glad that he has started this series and I think he can get a lot of mileage out of the four main characters and the situations that they may find themselves in. I look forward to the next one in the series.
Rating:
Summary: No professional women I recognize
Review: I had the misfortune to spend time and money on the audio version of James Patterson's "First to Die." Further misfortune found me without another book on tape to listen to as I commuted to work. Mr. Patterson is obviously of the opinion that all women are weak and all readers are stupid. I've been a professional woman (a physician) for many years, my sister is a school nurse, my sister-in-law is a metropolitan child abuse detective, my brother is a metropolitan police sergeant. Never in all my life have I met apparently successful women who are as whining, crying and ineffectual as the heroines depicted by Mr. Patterson. Lord help us if women were as hopelessly Victorian, man hating and sniveling has his novel would suggest. The plot wasn't a bad one-but would benefit if book were cut to one third its length by the omission of the constant summarizing. This repetition only suggests the author believes the reader is too dim to keep track of his none-to-subtle clues. An additional annoying device of the author is to repeatedly tell the reader how to feel about some event or happening, rather than having his story lead you to the emotion. At the outset of the story the narrator, a police "inspector," is sitting on her terrace threatening to shoot herself in the head with her duty weapon. Very shortly, I felt if she did, that it would be doing herself and all of us a favor. This was to me an extremely annoying novel. I'd certainly steer far from any of his other attempts at fiction to avoid driving to work in a state of aggravation.
Rating:
Summary: Professional women do not act this way
Review: Patterson's attempt to portray professional women fails. Women who have reached positions of authority in police ranks, the DA's office and Coroner's office would not work outside of their chains of authority in what amounts to a teenage after school club! The characters were one dimensonal and unbelievable. The plot was predictable to anyone who has read many thrillers. I found it to be a great disappointment.
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