Rating: 
Summary: 3rd time, not the charm
Review: 3rd Degree by James Patterson.In this, the third book featuring the Women's Murder Club the story follows tough homicide detective Lindsay Boxer, as she struggles through a burning fire, apparantly started by 'August Spies' in an apparant terrorist attack. Starting a terrorism investigation, bringing in Deputy Director Joe Molinari of Homeland Security. Through all this Boxer also struggles through her deep feelings for good friend Jill Barnhardt, whose perfect marriage isn't so perfect after all. This book truly was a matter of struggles. First you have to struggle with the slow pace of the book. It became almost painful to watch as Boxer was unable to put together simple concepts and come to clear conclusions. The story, which actually became quite intereseting over the last 10 chapters, was stretched too thin. In fact, while reading this book, it felt as if Patterson just couldn't be bothered to write a compelling story. Rather, he wrote a novella length story and just fleshed it out, taking far longer to get interesting. If you're stuck in an airport, with few other choices, you will want to pick this up. Otherwise, you should stick to more compelling stories.
Rating: 
Summary: Move Over Alex Cross, Linsey Boxer is in Town
Review: As a fan of the entire Alex Cross series except London Bridges. I loved all three of these!
Rating: 
Summary: Great sequel and character development
Review: Considering that his other series is starting to get a bit dull, these characters and the story are really fresh. A really good pro-women book from a man, as well.
Rating:
Summary: MUST READING!
Review: Detective Lindsay Boxer is out for her morning jog when an explosion tears through the streets leaving a townhouse in flames and three people dead including the owner, an Internet millionaire. As Lindsay looks for any survivors she learns there was an infant in the house who has since disappeared and a mysterious letter has been left behind by those responsible for the explosion. Another businessman is found murdered along with another message, this time a warning of what will come over the next few days. As Lindsay investigates the new murder, as well as the disappearance of the infant, her friend and fellow member of the Women's Murder Club, Chronicle reporter Cindy Thomas begins receiving email messages from the killers. The messages contain brief descriptions of what will happen and minor clues to who the victims will be. Lindsay, along with fellow members of the Women's Murder Club; Cindy, Claire Washburn of the medical examiner's office, and Assistant D.A. Jill Bernhardt, must work quickly to find out who is behind the murders and why they are intent on killing someone every three days, but the murder of one of their own will send the other women on dangerous mission to uncover the truth about a friend. Yes, a main character in the novel does die...but you need to read the novel to find out who. '3Rd Degree' is a great entry in the Women's Murder Club series. As always, the pages turn fast as each new surprise comes flying at you. Genuine characters combined with powerful plot twists make this an unforgettable reading experience and further proof that James Patterson is truly THE master of writing a suspense novel. What can be said about a James Patterson novel that has not been said before...the writing top-notch, the twists surprising, the plots original, the suspense thick and the pace lighting fast. Put this on your MUST read list! If you like conspiracy books here are a few. Having read the TOP books in the Government Cover-up Genre; "Unconventional Flying Objects" (NASA UFO Investigator for 30 years) by the scientist Dr. Paul Hill; my FAVORITE is "Alien Rapture" by Brad Steiger and Edgar Fouche (Top Secret Black Programs Insider) - (Great fiction-soon to be a movie); "Alien Agenda" by the best selling author of 'Crossfire' Jim Marrs; and "The Day After Roswell," by Colonel Corso - I'd say these books are fun and a MUST READ also!
Rating:
Summary: thrilling
Review: I have read several of James Patterson's stories and loved them all. I read this one too and loved it. The story is just wonderful. It kept me on the edge throughout the read.
3rd Degree will stick in your mind as a fast paced novel from the opening pages until the end. The plot begins when a townhouse goes up in flames and a note is discovered at the site. It became a controversial issue because no one could say for certain whether it is an arson/terrorist act or accident. But when more violence erupts in the city pointing to the August Spies group, it became clear who was behind the arson. In this high-geared investigative novel, the characters who featured in the other stories in this series (1st To Die and 2nd Chance) also featured here. There is the San Francisco Chronicle reporter Cindy Thomas, there is Lieutenant Lindsay Boxer of the San Francisco police, Medical Examiner Claire Washburn, and Assistant District Attorney Jill Bernhardt.
In what initially appeared to be for political reasons, it turns out to be something more when the Women's Murder Club gets to the bottom of it all. With an effective use of dialogue, succinct narrative, amazing plot and outstanding setting, this book stood up to Patterson's standards and the bestselling quality that we all love.
You won't regret picking this novel up for an interesting read.
Also recommended: DISCIPLES OF FORTUNE, HONEYMOON
Rating:
Summary: thrilling
Review: I have read several of James Patterson's stories and loved them all. I read this one too and loved it. The story is just wonderful. It kept me on the edge throughout the read. 3rd Degree will stick in your mind as a fast paced novel from the opening pages until the end. The plot begins when a townhouse goes up in flames and a note is discovered at the site. It became a controversial issue because no one could say for certain whether it is an arson/terrorist act or accident. But when more violence erupts in the city pointing to the August Spies group, it became clear who was behind the arson. In this high-geared investigative novel, the characters who featured in the other stories in this series (1st To Die and 2nd Chance) also featured here. There is the San Francisco Chronicle reporter Cindy Thomas, there is Lieutenant Lindsay Boxer of the San Francisco police, Medical Examiner Claire Washburn, and Assistant District Attorney Jill Bernhardt. In what initially appeared to be for political reasons, it turns out to be something more when the Women's Murder Club gets to the bottom of it all. With an effective use of dialogue, succinct narrative, amazing plot and outstanding setting, this book stood up to Patterson's standards and the bestselling quality that we all love.
You won't regret picking this novel up for an interesting read. Also recommended: DISCIPLES OF FORTUNE, HONEYMOON
Rating: 
Summary: What Is She, A One-Woman Police Department?
Review: I lost interest in this one early on. First Lt. Boxer just happens to be outside the house when it blows up. Then she's the one who bravely runs into the inferno to rescue the child. Then she's the only one who's smart enough to figure out that the red backpack in the street outside the house might be dangerous. None of the fire personnel on the scene, and none of the cops, is smart enough to even think of this. Then, when it's time for the police department to do a press briefing on the exploding house, who does it? You got it, Lt. Boxer. And finally, when someone needs to be arrested across the bay in Berkeley, SHE'S the one who travels to Berkeley to make the arrest. Isn't there anyone else in the San Francisco Police Department who can do anything? I put this one down about a third of the way through and won't be picking it up again.
Rating:
Summary: I JUST LOVED IT!
Review: IM NOT A FAST READER BUT THIS BOOK I READ IN 24 HOURS,I COULDNT PUT IT DOWN.I FEEL WHEN HE WRITES WITH ANDREW GROSS I ENJOY THEM MORE. I HAVE TO SAY I WAS VERY DISSAPOINTED WHEN ONE OF THE MAIN CHARACTURES WAS WRITTEN OFF,BUT IT STILL ENDED UP BEING A GREAT BOOK AS WERE THE FIRST TWO.IM LOOKING FORWARD TO READING THE FOURTH BOOK. KEEP GOING WITH THIS SERIES EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT THESE BOOKS.
Rating: 
Summary: 3 for 3
Review: Mr. P. maintains the excellent pace of his A.C. series. A mostly engaging story here-appropriate for post- 9/11 U.S.readers. Once again, a well placed hit prior to the last page.
Rating:
Summary: Four stars for 3rd Degree, which is anything but second rate
Review: Our book club usually sticks to bestsellers or more "literary" fiction like Roth's PLOT AGAINT AMERICA or McCrae's CHILDREN'S CORNER, but decided to veer into the land of Patterson. We're glad we did. This is another awesome book in a wonderful series. Please if you have not read 1st To Die or 2nd Chance, go back and make the time to read them first. The story and characters desire it. I also recommend you start this book when you have time to NOT put it down. It's a fast read. Enjoy
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