Rating: 
Summary: No 2nd thoughts - Best Patterson Thriller to date!
Review: After the uncompromisingly riveting 1st to die as the progenitor of the Women's Murder Club helmed by homicide detective Lindsay Boxer, James Patterson returns with Lindsay as a lieutanent to uncover a racial serial killer after he has gunned down a 11-year-old choirgirl in La Salles High Church with hidden agendas. A similar killing of an elderly black woman in a building suggests hate crimes. Lindsay later discovers the connection between the seemingly two unrelated case and is shocked when a police detective and her chief later falls prey to the obnoxious killer. The Women's Murder Club is hence in full swing again hunting for clues with Claire as the M.E, Cindy as her friend cum reporter for Chronicles and Jill as the gutsy district attorney. Pieces of puzzle fall into pieces as their search links to Pelican Bay, a jail and a viper-nest for a vituperative racist group called the Chimera with a lion-like symbol that is left by the killer.... James Patterson delivers his latest thriller with relentless suspense through a series of well-developed subplots and bolsters it with fascinating camaraderie within the club. Lindsay Boxer as the female protagonist comes humane and emdearingly vulnerable in her steel mantle when she faces her trial with the death of her boyfriend and the entrance of her estranged father, Marty. The twist and turns are well-executed with precision to build a strong plot of racism, mayhem and vendetta. The climax is explosive and comes unpredictible with a red herring thrown in to disguise the real identity of the killer. Yet what makes 2nd Chance the best Patterson thriller to date is his ability to humanize Lindsay through the calamities in his sensitive and emotional narration. It is a gritty, smart thriller with an intimate style. The forensic details and research over the ammunition and racist gangs makes it compelling and disturbingly real. It is true that Patterson's simple and succinct descriptions may lack depth and sophistication for an adult's read, but the breakneck pace of the thriller will leave no second thoughts that it entertains and thrills with the chills.
Rating:
Summary: He's back in the saddle again!
Review: If you're looking for great fiction, don't read James
Patterson. If you're looking for a fast-paced, fast-read
mystery, then you might want to pick up this book. "First
to Die" was the first in the Women's Murder Club mysteries.
Loved it! This one didn't disappoint me. The premise of
a homicide detective, D.A., coroner, and news writer combining their talents and intellect to solve a mystery is quite innovative. "2nd Chance" begins with a murder that might be
viewed as a hate crime. However, with the help of her best
friend the coroner, Lindsey the detective sees another pattern forming. Another killing that leads in a totally different direction. Then, just when you think you know the
outcome...yikes! there are still 70 pages to go. Lindsey's dad returns after a 20 year hiatus. Sympathize or suspect
While I love those books that I can savor over a week's time,
I also love those I can't put down until I finish it the same
day. Patterson is a same day read...
Rating:
Summary: One of James Patterson's Best
Review: I have read all of Patterson's work, from Kiss the Girls, When the Wind Blows, to 1st to Die. All are good reads but this book, 2nd Chance, is a gem. Read the entire thing in a few days and wish I could read more. I look forward to more, more, more. Keep up the good work.
Rating: 
Summary: The Women's Murder Club Rules
Review: All in all, I enjoyed this book, primarily because I like the four women in the Murder Club .... It was the kind of book that, although you don't want to, you can put down easily because of the short chapters. There's always a good place to stop and pick up again. As for the plot, well, there was something that happened to one of the women that I did not care for at all. I felt that was a cheap trick. I also felt that the solution left something to be desired, but, as I do not want to spoil the book for anyone, I won't go on. I did get this book ..., so I feel that I got a choice burger for less than a steak price. I would not pay full price for it.
Rating:
Summary: Raises low spirits after his last novel
Review: In my opinion, the latest Alex Cross novel "Violets Are Blue" was one of the biggest let downs in my known life. Actually, sorry to say, but the Cross series is starting to get old. But with the new series that got off to a great start with "1st to Die" we can celebrate and rejoice as this one is much worth while page turner. The book takes place just about where "1st to Die" left off. Lindsay Boxer is to me what Cross was when the Cross novels were good (meaning before "Violets Are Blue"). The womens murder club returns and this time they meet a killer that is very clever and unsuspecting. The book brings back some of the past, which lets you know much more about Lindsay Boxer. So if you like character developement as much as I do, then this isn't a bad thing. But if you want the book to get to the action then forget the book it isn't much worth your time. I, on the other hand, love character developement and plot twist. This book is chock full of plot twist! The book actually DOES leave you guessing until the end. Unlike most of his past novels where the villian comes out before your even to part 2. The book is full of great complex plot twist, and if you like an emotional story that won't make you cry (that's me too, Patterson just comepletely got me here!) then this is definitely worth the read. Overall: After "Violets Are Blue" was disappointing. Patterson's "2nd Chance" is a thrill ride that will leave you guessing until the end. Not only that but the book doesn't have a cliff-hanger ending like the Alex Cross novels do.
Rating:
Summary: Another winner!
Review: I read this book in less than a day. I really like the Womens Murder Club. I thought I had this one figured out about half way through but was surprised at the outcome. I hope the Murder Club gets together again real soon!!
Rating:
Summary: Another great one
Review: Patterson has a way of writing that makes you keep reading, not matter what time you were suppose to go to sleep. He keeps you guessing until the end and throughout the book I was talking outloud to the characters!!! I wish he could write them faster!
Rating: 
Summary: Great Burger but, I Was Expecting Prime Rib'
Review: I'll admit it. I'm new to James Patterson novels. I read a few pages once from a beat up mass-market copy of Kiss the Girls left behind in the kitchen at work recently and did recall that it had been made into a Morgan Freeman movie. But, I didn't know a thing about the first book to the 'Women's Murder Club' series, "1st to Die" until Amazon began icon-links on it's site for the soon-to-be-published "2nd Chance". I'm normally not much of a thriller reader or 'popular fiction' but, I figured I'd give "2nd Chance" a try seeing as everyone else I know who reads has heard of James Patterson. I read plenty of reader and published reviews on "1st to Die" to try and catch me up on this much heralded best-seller because I figured there was no way I would be able to complete it before "2nd Chance" was published in early March. A first day, First Edition of "2nd Chance" was just in my hands and, after a few hours, is now completed. Yes, it's that quick of a read, even at 416 pages! But why do I have reader's indigestion now and a noticeable empty feeling after all that reading and all that hype? The trouble began quite quickly. A few pages in, there was a pair of sentences. "' She was followed by a stiff-looking black woman in a conservative gray suit. She had Department of Children and Families written all over her." Stiff-looking? In a conservative gray suit? Written all over her? "That's some mighty fine descriptive writing right there!" I couldn't help but think to myself quite condescendingly. There are innumerable other examples throughout this book. I read in one of the published reviews that James Patterson put out three books in 2001 alone. It almost seems that this book was a result of 'hurried' thought and writing as well. I'm not saying that all popular books should be dense, literary works; I was just surprised and somewhat let down with "2nd Chance". It seems geared for about a tenth grade reading level. Potato chips for a literate adult. I was also not too sold on the results of the male James Patterson trying to write the part of female lead characters. To me, they largely sounded like somewhat civil men with female names. The 'girls' were always reaching for beers and cussin' with the best of them at times. There is nothing much wrong with that to me but, it didn't have the ring of authenticity. Is James Patterson trying to cater this series to 'empowering' women characters to gain female readers? I got that distinct feeling but, it fell a bit short on substance. The plot was also quite lackluster. Seemingly innocent people are getting killed in San Francisco with indications leading to a racial motive. But some evidence points to the culprit being a minority and "The Women's Murder Club" of friends Lindsay, Cindy, Jill, and Claire are on it. There are some decent twists and turns but, the accumulated sense that this book was rushed and not really thought about enough permeates the whole read. My eyes were rolling more often than my pulse quickened. Overall, forking over near full price for this level of effort was not money well spent for me. I thought I ordered prime rib but, I got a well made cheeseburger and steak fries. They are not quite the same. Please pass the antacid.
Rating:
Summary: Another good one!
Review: This book is an easy read and has a very surprising ending. I have read all of James Patterson's books and if you are a fan of his work you will like this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Patterson's Soap Opera
Review: If you like Soap Operas, you might like this book. After James Patterson's previous works, I was expecting a nail-biter that I couldn't wait to continue. However, after listening to just one tape, I looked at the box (for the first time - my mistake) and saw that it was a selection of the Women's Murder Club. I had already guessed that this book was written for the female audience, based on the style. Still, I waited for the book to hook me, and was delighted by the parts narrated artfully by Jeremy Piven. Unfortunately, I became even more aware of the painfully condescending narration by Melissa Leo. Imagine a mother reading a Pooh book to her very young child - that is the style of this narrator. The story never worked, regardless of the delivery. Both stars are for Piven - lets hope that he does more of these.
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