3rd Degree [Hardcover]

3rd Degree is the third book in Patterson's Women's Murder Club series. For those who are unfamiliar with the series, the protagonist is Lieutenant Lindsay Boxer with the San Francisco Police Department, who solves crimes with the aid of her three friends: District Attorney Jill Bernhardt, Chief Medical Examiner Claire Washburn, and San Francisco Chronicle Reporter Cindy Thomas.

A group of people is targeting high-profile businessmen, and they have vowed to continue to kill someone every three days to mete out their own form of justice. As the body count rises, it is up to Lindsay and the girls to figure out who the perpetrators are, why they are doing it, and how to stop them.

I really enjoyed the crime aspect of the book, and I thought this installment was better than the last, 2nd Chance. There is a lot of drama in the lives of the girls, particularly with Jill and Lindsay: Jill is dealing with marital problems, and Lindsay is debating whether to enter the dating pool again. There are a couple of surprises in 3rd Degree that I didn't expect, and I won't give any spoilers!

Despite the chick-lit drama (which is my least favourite part of the series and why I believe that I am probably better suited to Patterson's Alex Cross series, which I plan to read after I finish this one), I really enjoyed the story! I also really like that Patterson's books are fast reads for me and that the crime keeps me engaged in the story.

Narrator Carolyn McCormick is new-to-me, and her narration was fine. However, I dislike that a different narrator has been used for each book in the series so far. With a series, I prefer narrator continuity because I get used to the vocal characterizations of one narrator and then a different one might interpret the character's voice in a completely different manner. It would be my preference to have the same person narrate the entire series.

MY RATING: 4 stars!! It was really good, and you should put it on your TBR list!

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. HONEYMOON, TRIPLE AGENT DOUBLE CROSS are other books I enjoyed this season.

I have become a real fan of this series, the suspense is never ending, the plot is intriguing and the characters are charming. I am totally hooked and it takes me no time to devour the novel