Rating: 
Summary: New Characters!
Review: I really enjoyed this book. It was a great start to a new series. I know we will learn more about our "Girl's Club" as new books are written. I read this in one day. I was in a hurry to find out who did what! I was very surprised! A must read for Patterson fans.
Rating: 
Summary: Better than the last book but...
Review: I keep hoping for another "Along Came a Spider" or "Kiss the Girls" but I'm having my doubts that it will happen. Patterson writes from the female perspective this time with his character Lindsay Boxer. This book has a decent plot but Patterson never really scratches beneath the surface of his characters. I am happy to see that he has abandoned the exclamation point (!) as his favorite form of punctuation, though he still relies on italics too frequently. As always, chapter overkill helps this book to be "lots of pages - little substance". There are about 125 chapters in this 424 page book.I read this entire book, which is more that I did for the last two publications. This is why I feel it deserves more than one star. The story kept me fairly entertained but the lack of depth, short chapters, unneccessary killings, and flat characters keep me from giving it 3 stars. I would not recommend buying this book, check it out from the library like I did. If you are looking for something a little more detailed, check out a Jeffrey Deaver novel like The Bone Collector. Also, I just finished Candyland by Evan Hunter/Ed McBain which was very good. In closing I'd like to say that this book was not nearly as irritating as the last few. I enjoyed it but feel that in another author's hand it could have been much, much more rewarding. Overall, it was a disapointment.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed
Review: This is the second Patterson book I've read and I'm giving up; I can't believe this guy is so popular. There are much better writers like Connelly, Crais, Sandford, etc. I put Patterson in the same category as Mary Higgins Clark or Patricia Cornwell. He is not very good at characterization & his books just feel "light" to me. I thought this story line sounded like a good one; perhaps it could have been in the hands of a more capable writer.
Rating:
Summary: A GREAT START TO A NEW SERIES!
Review: The killer wonders "What is the worst thing anyone has ever done?", as he sets out to do worse. San Francisco homicide investigator, Lindsay Boxer, is called to the most disturbing crime scene, a young couple has been murdered on their wedding night, the bride still in her wedding gown. This horrifying scene lays heavy in Lindsay's mind. As the investigation begins, another murder is committed, again another young couple on their wedding night. Lindsay knows she is up against a sick serial killer preying on newlyweds. As the official investigation is leading nowhere, Lindsay teams up with the medical examiner on the case, who also happens to be her friend, to begin their own investigation of these murders. The two women enlist the help of an investigative reporter, and the assistant D.A. to form the women's murder club. The women will meet and discuss how they are going to stop this killer, using the information obtained through the official investigation. The search brings the women to their first, and only suspect...a bestselling author whose first un-published novel depicts each of the murders in detail. With no concrete evidence to pin the murders on the author, the women will be lead on a wild chase to find the killer. Twist and turns keep things spinning out of control, until the final shocking realization of who the killer is! "1st To Die" is the first novel in a brand new series, and what a great novel it is. The plot races along, combining the murders, devistating health issues for Lindsay, and some romance, twisting and turning all the way to the shocking the conclusion. James Patterson uses all the key elements used in his Alex Cross series, so fans of that series will not be disappointed with this new book. I read this book in one-sitting, it is THAT GOOD! James Patterson is THE master of creating up-all-night reads, and his new book "1st To Die" is another masterpiece in a long line of great books. A MUST read! Nick Gonnella
Rating:
Summary: A NEW GREAT SERIES IS BORN
Review: James Patterson has succeeded once again. We all know the sucess, and eloquent style in his Alex Cross series. Now Patterson does the unthinkable, producing another winning series. Hats off to this fine writer. This is a great read for anyone. The master of suspense does not disappoint once again!
Rating:
Summary: A RIVETING READING
Review: As they say, this looks like the start of something big - a riveting new series by ace thriller writer James Patterson. Mr. Patterson has created four strong characters - all women who unite to find a killer who has been terrorizing newlyweds in San Francisco. Each of the women brings her own unique gift to the chase - Lindsay Boxer is a homicide inspector, Claire Washburn is a medical examiner, Jill Bernhardt is an assistant district attorney, and Cindy Thomas is new on a newspaper's crime desk. They're a formidable group who track their way to an astounding finale. The persuasive voice of Suzanne Toren pieces the puzzle together in an astute reading. With Broadway and television experience, she's an able voice for this stunning tale.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: I checked this book out from my local library just before heading out to Hawaii on vacation. I had read another book by James Patterson before (Jester), and I enjoyed it. So, I figured I would try another one. The book captured my attention immediately and I could not put it down until I finished. I burned a whole day in Hawaii on this book---beware! (it was that good!).
Rating:
Summary: Overall -- Only 2 1/2 Stars
Review: In typical Patterson fashion, First To Die is a fast-paced read with lots of twists and turns. I enjoyed the basic plot Patterson has created; I only wish he'd remember how to "write" a story that has credible characters with some depth to them. A particular concern is Patterson's inability to write in the first person about a woman protagonist. Her feelings come across as too cliched. His description of Lindsay's, the main character, romance with her new love interest is too sappy. His other characters are mostly one-dimensional and I often had trouble getting into their heads (and after awhile I gave up trying to). Lastly, his dialogue is at best mediocre and, at times, is childish and unrealistic. While I don't often let these criticisms interfere with my ability to enjoy a book, this wasn't the case for me with First To Die. I found these criticisms to be distracting and annoying enough to prevent me from rating this book with any more than 2 1/2 stars. I doubt I'll be buying any more books in this series, and if I do it won't be in hardcover.
Rating:
Summary: Awful
Review: There are lots of favorable reviews for this potboiler, which I simply don't understand. The plot is simultaneously full of holes, full of coincidences that crush any suspension of disbelief, and almost completely predictable. Anyone who doesn't figure out "who dun it" by the middle of the book just isn't paying attention, and the final plot twist is so clearly telegraphed that it's just a relief when it's finally over. The characters are cliches, the angst of the central character generates no sympathy, the egregious use of over-the-top methaphor and simile is numbing, and this male author should be legally prohibited from trying to write sex scenes from a feminine perspective. Only those indulging a mild curiosity about sexual sadism would enjoy any part of this. In the interest of encouraging quality in the genre, please do not purchase this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting and a lot of fun
Review: Lindsay Boxer is a very likeable character because of her professional integrity and her personal fight with an illness she can't control. I could relate to her struggles because I am also a woman with an active career (school psychologist) and a serious illness(congestive heart failure). I understand Lindsay's fight to maintain her personal life and professional life while undergoing medical treatments. Patterson created a story that made me care about the mystery as well as the characters' personal lives. There are many twists in the ending that kept me guessing. I listened to this book on CD and thoroughly enjoyed it.
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