1st to Die by James Patterson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Crime Thriller Mystery
“What is the worst thing anyone has ever done? Phillip Campbell asked himself again, heart pounding in his chest. Was it this? Had he just done it? Not yet, a voice inside answered. Not quite yet.”
Homicide inspector Lindsey Boxer is called to the Mandarine Suite of the Grand Hyatt where a prominent couple that had just gotten married the night before are found brutally murdered.
“She was so young and beautiful: calm, tranquil, and undisturbed except for three crimson flowers of blood spread on her white chest. She looked as if she were a sleeping princess awaiting her prince, but her prince was in the other room, his guts spilled all over the floor.”
With the guest list including heads of state, all eyes are on Lindsey to get this case wrapped up quickly and quietly. But before they can even decipher any of the clues left behind, another newlywed couple goes missing. This case is going to take more than Lindsey to crack it, she is going to need some help.
“We’ve got the top guns of the M.E.’s office, Homicide, even the press, eye-deep in margaritas at this table.” The more I thought it out, the more I knew it could work. The woman’s Murder Club was born”
‘“So, this outfit have a name?” Jill inquired. We looked around, shrugged, shook our heads. “We’re sort of a murder club,” I said. “Lindsey deputized us.” Claire grinned. “The Margarita Posse,” Jill through out. “That has possibilities.” “Bad-ass Bitches.” Claire giggled. “One day, we’re all gonna be running things,” Cindy said. “Homicide Chicks,” she came back with a satisfied grin. “That’s who we. That’s what we do.” “Just shut me up if I start to roar,” said Jill. We looked around the table. We were bright, attractive, take-no-shit women. We were going to run things – some day.’
With the women working together, they seem to be getting closer and closer to tracking this monster down. After the third couple is found, they may just be the key to blowing this investigation wide open. Or will they?
“They know nothing. They are all wrong. They’ll find what I want them find. They only see what I want them to see.”
You can always rely on James Patterson to hook you from the start. There is a reason that he is rated #1 Mystery/Thriller writer. His books never have a dead zone, never a part where you think “okay, get on with it”. You are captivated from page one and you find yourself staying up into the night because you just can’t put it down. I am never disappointed in a Patterson novel but I enjoyed this one even more. Maybe it’s because I wish I could be part of a women’s murder club. I love how easy his books are to read and you find yourself flying through the pages. Patterson writes a female lead with such accuracy. It is always such a shock when a man nails the female psyche and all the range of emotions we feel. Lindsey is a woman to be proud of, tough, smart, and knows when to ask for help. I am definitely putting 2nd Chance on my TBR list and I suggest you do the same.
