Book cover of 1st to Die

Book description

As the only woman homicide inspector in San Francisco, Lindsay Boxer has to be tough. But nothing she has seen prepares her for the horror of the honeymoon murders, when a brutal maniac begins viciously slaughtering newly wed couples on their wedding nights. Lindsay is sickened by the deaths, but…

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Why read it?

3 authors picked 1st to Die as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This book made me realise that women’s role in fiction didn’t have to be the ‘little woman’ or the ‘love interest’.

It was published back in 2001 when female protagonists were a rarity, but James Patterson gives us not one, but four strong women who get together to solve crimes that the police alone cannot. I love the fact that these women are willing to break the rules in order to succeed in a man’s world. But at the same time, they are a club in the traditional sense: they eat, drink, and have fun together, while watching each other’s…

From Elizabeth's list on strong women fighting crime together.

I always enjoy a warped plot with lots of twists and this one certainly didn’t disappoint. It was riveting and kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. The fast pace of the story continually left me thirsty for what was to come next. I absolutely love the four strong female characters in this book. They are so unique and individual yet complement each other perfectly, making them a very believable and dynamic force of leading ladies. As the book progressed, I could see and feel the growth and development of each of the characters which…

Who does not like James Patterson, whose style of writing I have tried to adopt myself? Short fact-moving chapters Great character development. In the introduction in this first of several Women's Murder Club, Patterson creates characters that are fun and surrounds them with murder cases that are compelling. Following each case, as it unfolds is an adventure. Witnessing the crime as it's being committed is a hair puller and then following each main character's role in making sense of the atrocity is a great study in crime solving. I also love that the stories are set in San Francisco and…

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Shearwater Storm by Arthur Winer,

Charlotte Rose’s quiet life on a remote island is forever changed the day Michael Cordero, injured and bleeding, steers his ketch, Shearwater, into her cove. Charlotte tends to Michael’s wounds, using the skills she’s learned caring for her husband and son, who are away fishing for salmon. As Michael recovers,…

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