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Women's Murder Club #24
The 24th Hour
Murders are happening all over San Francisco, and the stress on the Women’s Murder Club has never been higher. How can the Club survive?
Trouble always finds the Women’s Murder Club.
Sergeant Lindsay Boxer, Medical Examiner Claire Washburn, Assistant District Attorney Yuki Castellano, and crime writer Cindy Thomas are celebrating at San Francisco’s finest restaurant.
But before they can raise their glasses to both a birthday and a wedding, a violent assault interrupts their festivities.
Claire examines the victim. Lindsay makes an arrest. Yuki takes the case. Cindy covers it.
The case is complicated by the plaintiff’s unreliable version of events—and the shocking reason behind her ever-changing memory.
As Yuki argues the toughest case of her career, Lindsay chases down a high-society killer whose target practice may leave the Women’s Murder Club short a bridesmaid … or two.
Trouble always finds the Women’s Murder Club.
Sergeant Lindsay Boxer, Medical Examiner Claire Washburn, Assistant District Attorney Yuki Castellano, and crime writer Cindy Thomas are celebrating at San Francisco’s finest restaurant.
But before they can raise their glasses to both a birthday and a wedding, a violent assault interrupts their festivities.
Claire examines the victim. Lindsay makes an arrest. Yuki takes the case. Cindy covers it.
The case is complicated by the plaintiff’s unreliable version of events—and the shocking reason behind her ever-changing memory.
As Yuki argues the toughest case of her career, Lindsay chases down a high-society killer whose target practice may leave the Women’s Murder Club short a bridesmaid … or two.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 6, 2024
5821 people are currently reading
8259 people want to read
About the author
James Patterson
955 books355k followersOfficial US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,589 reviews
April 24, 2024
Didn’t really like this one. There are 3 different storyline lines going on, one for Yuki, one for Lindsay and one for Joe but they are all a bit underwhelming. It took me 10 days to complete this one. Normally it’s only about 2.
July 23, 2024
3.5⭐
January 16, 2024
The Women’s Murder Club #24
The murder club members, Sergeant Lindsay Boxer of the SFPD, Claire Washburn at the coroners office,Yuki Castellano, an Assistant DA are celebrating Claire’s birthday at a prestigious San Francisco restaurant, when a loud scream from above interrupts one of the courses. Lindsay races upstairs to find a virtually naked woman, just about alive. She then realises the perpetrator is probably still there and duly arrests him. However, Tyler Cates insists that the victim, Mary Elena Hayes, has set him up. The story gets stranger and stranger as time goes on, who is telling the truth? It certainly seems as if wherever they go trouble seems to follow these friends, they aren’t called the Murder Club for nothing. However, this case may be one of their toughest and most shocking yet, and of course for Lindsay, it’s never a simple as just one case.
This is another enjoyable, quick read in the entertaining series which I’ve dipped in and out of if the thought of 24 is daunting! The characters in this are really good, they’re comfortable together as the dialogue shows, there’s trust, and they compliment each other in terms of personality and skills. You get a good insight into what makes them tick and there’s just enough of their personal life to see another side of them..
The case of Mary Elena Hayes is an interesting one which types a dive into psychology and the case goes to trial with some intriguing courtroom scenes. There’s never a dull moment as not only do you get this case, but there is a murder investigation of a husband and wife, though several months apart and a cyber terrorism threat. The storytelling switches seamlessly between the cases and the murders in particular reveal some complex relationships which muddy the waters. It’s fast paced with the trademark short, sharp chapters and snappy sentences, there’s plenty of action, multiple twists, lots of puzzling questions and for a long time few answers. Some resolutions are perhaps a bit abrupt, but they do fit and one is quite dramatic. There’s a happy ending too, which is very satisfying.
Overall, this is a fun read.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House U.K., Cornerstone for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
The murder club members, Sergeant Lindsay Boxer of the SFPD, Claire Washburn at the coroners office,Yuki Castellano, an Assistant DA are celebrating Claire’s birthday at a prestigious San Francisco restaurant, when a loud scream from above interrupts one of the courses. Lindsay races upstairs to find a virtually naked woman, just about alive. She then realises the perpetrator is probably still there and duly arrests him. However, Tyler Cates insists that the victim, Mary Elena Hayes, has set him up. The story gets stranger and stranger as time goes on, who is telling the truth? It certainly seems as if wherever they go trouble seems to follow these friends, they aren’t called the Murder Club for nothing. However, this case may be one of their toughest and most shocking yet, and of course for Lindsay, it’s never a simple as just one case.
This is another enjoyable, quick read in the entertaining series which I’ve dipped in and out of if the thought of 24 is daunting! The characters in this are really good, they’re comfortable together as the dialogue shows, there’s trust, and they compliment each other in terms of personality and skills. You get a good insight into what makes them tick and there’s just enough of their personal life to see another side of them..
The case of Mary Elena Hayes is an interesting one which types a dive into psychology and the case goes to trial with some intriguing courtroom scenes. There’s never a dull moment as not only do you get this case, but there is a murder investigation of a husband and wife, though several months apart and a cyber terrorism threat. The storytelling switches seamlessly between the cases and the murders in particular reveal some complex relationships which muddy the waters. It’s fast paced with the trademark short, sharp chapters and snappy sentences, there’s plenty of action, multiple twists, lots of puzzling questions and for a long time few answers. Some resolutions are perhaps a bit abrupt, but they do fit and one is quite dramatic. There’s a happy ending too, which is very satisfying.
Overall, this is a fun read.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House U.K., Cornerstone for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
February 26, 2024
Well I know I’m going to be in the minority here and may incur the wrath of die-hard James Patterson fans, but this was not a good read.
There were three consecutive story lines running, none of which had anything to do with each other. A common device used in many genres, but…..
As each one only constituted a part of the overall book, they all felt as if they were dealt with very superficially, and at least two of them were concluded in a way which had nothing to do with the efforts and skills of the main characters. Even in the main murder story, Boxer basically gets handed the answer on a plate with about twenty pages to go.
The cyber crime thread failed to interest me at all, but each of the three could have made a much better book in their own right, with the opportunity to get some really interesting mileage out of each. The court case theme in particular could have been gritty and intense but completely fizzled out.
And the closing two chapters with their ‘well, aren’t we just the most gosh-darnedest nice people you could ever hope to meet’ ending was just a bit saccharine for me.
This felt as if it been written for television- no need for quality wordcraft that pulls you in to the story and won’t let you leave.
I loved Patterson’s early Alex Cross novels - they were books I did struggle to put down, and also enjoyed the early Women’s Murder Club books. And ‘The Girl in the Castle’, a fairly recent release, was also very good. But this disappointed.
There were three consecutive story lines running, none of which had anything to do with each other. A common device used in many genres, but…..
As each one only constituted a part of the overall book, they all felt as if they were dealt with very superficially, and at least two of them were concluded in a way which had nothing to do with the efforts and skills of the main characters. Even in the main murder story, Boxer basically gets handed the answer on a plate with about twenty pages to go.
The cyber crime thread failed to interest me at all, but each of the three could have made a much better book in their own right, with the opportunity to get some really interesting mileage out of each. The court case theme in particular could have been gritty and intense but completely fizzled out.
And the closing two chapters with their ‘well, aren’t we just the most gosh-darnedest nice people you could ever hope to meet’ ending was just a bit saccharine for me.
This felt as if it been written for television- no need for quality wordcraft that pulls you in to the story and won’t let you leave.
I loved Patterson’s early Alex Cross novels - they were books I did struggle to put down, and also enjoyed the early Women’s Murder Club books. And ‘The Girl in the Castle’, a fairly recent release, was also very good. But this disappointed.
July 12, 2024
This is another book featuring the New Women’s Murder Club. Patterson is weaving three plots in his writing. One is a rape trial. Another is a murder. And the third is cyberterrorism. The murder plot has some good twists and turns. The rape trial is not nearly as exciting. The cyberterrorism allows the reader to see how low people can go for money. There was enough conflict resolution to keep the readers attention. It is not the type of book that will blow you out of the water but it will paddle you downstream at a moderate speed. It is a read I would recommend to my fellow GR readers.
June 11, 2024
Always a safe author to turn to when you need an easy read. Twenty four books into this series and they are all entertaining.
In The 24th Hour all four members of the group have a part to play in the case of a very unusual rape victim. Yuki is in the court room, Lindsay was the arresting officer, Claire examined the victim medically and Cindy of course is there to get the news. With the usual short, choppy chapters the reader follows the progress in court of the rape case, plus Lindsay's current case, Joe who is dealing with some serious cyber hackers, and less seriously Cindy's upcoming marriage.
Definitely a page turner with never a dull moment. Four stars.
In The 24th Hour all four members of the group have a part to play in the case of a very unusual rape victim. Yuki is in the court room, Lindsay was the arresting officer, Claire examined the victim medically and Cindy of course is there to get the news. With the usual short, choppy chapters the reader follows the progress in court of the rape case, plus Lindsay's current case, Joe who is dealing with some serious cyber hackers, and less seriously Cindy's upcoming marriage.
Definitely a page turner with never a dull moment. Four stars.
June 9, 2024
The Women's Murder Club members - Lindsay, Yuki, Cindy and Claire - were at a posh restaurant celebrating Cindy's engagement to long time beau, Richie Conklin, when they all heard a scream from above. Sergeant Lindsay Boxer was on the scene in seconds, finding an almost naked woman brutally beaten and bruised. Dr Claire Washburn was next on scene, assessing the victim, while Lindsay arrested the man nearby. Yuki Castellano - Assistant DA - took the case.
Meanwhile a six month old murder of an Olympic medalist was keeping Lindsay busy, and when Holly's husband was murdered in the same way, the two cases caused headaches and frustration as the LAPD searched for answers. Would they find the killer/s of the two well-to-do people? And would Yuki win her case?
The 24th Hour is the 24th in the Women's Murder Club series by James Patterson and I enjoyed it just as much as the previous 23. Fast paced, quick and easy to read, with the short, choppy chapters, I find Patterson's stories a breath of fresh air. The four women are a close-knit group, always having each other's backs. I'm looking forward to #25 to see where the author goes next. Recommended.
Meanwhile a six month old murder of an Olympic medalist was keeping Lindsay busy, and when Holly's husband was murdered in the same way, the two cases caused headaches and frustration as the LAPD searched for answers. Would they find the killer/s of the two well-to-do people? And would Yuki win her case?
The 24th Hour is the 24th in the Women's Murder Club series by James Patterson and I enjoyed it just as much as the previous 23. Fast paced, quick and easy to read, with the short, choppy chapters, I find Patterson's stories a breath of fresh air. The four women are a close-knit group, always having each other's backs. I'm looking forward to #25 to see where the author goes next. Recommended.
May 17, 2024
This is the 24th edition of the women’s murder club series. I wanted to like this as Lindsay and pals are easily one of my favourite series, but it was very forgettable.
Out of the three storyline cases, only one really interested me and it was a case of a woman with multiple personality getting raped and assaulted. Did one of her alter egos ask for it? Or was she a hapless victim? Thought it was the only interesting spin on an otherwise lame instalment . Cindy gets married as well but wasn’t a huge part of the storyline. She was actually left out of a lot of this.
Overall, eh…take it or leave it. I’m mostly disappointed with Patterson these days, yet I can’t let certain series go and will continue to buy these, even though they are underwhelming. I’m a glutton for punishment. Or maybe just sentimental. 3 stars
Out of the three storyline cases, only one really interested me and it was a case of a woman with multiple personality getting raped and assaulted. Did one of her alter egos ask for it? Or was she a hapless victim? Thought it was the only interesting spin on an otherwise lame instalment . Cindy gets married as well but wasn’t a huge part of the storyline. She was actually left out of a lot of this.
Overall, eh…take it or leave it. I’m mostly disappointed with Patterson these days, yet I can’t let certain series go and will continue to buy these, even though they are underwhelming. I’m a glutton for punishment. Or maybe just sentimental. 3 stars
May 15, 2024
Up front disclosure. I read most of James Patterson’s books and have for several years. Some might ask why and that’s another whole discussion best saved for another day. I have really enjoyed some, liked some, and didn’t really care for others. On a personal level, I must admit that his Women’s Murder Club series – focused on the professional and personal lives of four women in San Francisco - has been very hit and miss over the last couple of years.
This year’s outing - “The 24th Hour”- is being advertised as “Is this the end?” (Amazon) and “In twenty-four hours, the Women’s Murder Club could lose a member” (inside book jacket). My initial reaction was that this felt like a bit of promotional overkill. Only once in the last 23 books can I remember one of the club members being killed, and I believe that was in book four or five. However, I realize there needs to be a sense of drama and worry about our heroes – Lindsay, Claire, Yuki, and Cindy – so that we can feel the tension and concern for their safety, that their survival is always in doubt.
“The 24th Hour” begins with the women’s celebration of Cindy finally accepting Rich’s proposal to get married and turns into a vicious attack. Like most books in the series, this one has three primary plots – Yuki’s courtroom case involving a brutalized rape victim who suffers from dissociative identity disorder, Lindsay’s police team’s investigation of a rich man who was killed in the exact same manner as his wife was in the previous year, and Joe (Lindsay’s husband) trying to protect a major hospital from a ransomware attack that has put the lives of the patients at risk.
Each of the plots feel like twists on previously used storylines, which are starting to feel a bit formulaic. Yuki fighting a courtroom battle, Lindsay searching for a killer, and Claire playing a supporting role in providing the necessary medical information that help breaks the case wide open. Sound familiar? Maybe it’s me, but it feels like Cindy has the most character arc and development of the main characters. Over the last several books, she has grown from a news beat writer to a published author, struggled to get comfortable with marriage, and had to deal with the repercussions of being associated with a serial killer. She has experienced the most growth of the four women while the others have remained the same. However, I will add that I noticed some aging and medical issues popping with Claire over the last two books that might be foreshadowing her own future issues. We’ll see.
As I was about a third of the way into this one, I had an aha moment that made realize what I assessment of this series was heading to. As a reader, I have become comfortable with the Women’s Murder Club. That is both and bad. Please don’t get me wrong because I like the series more often than not. But hear me out.
It’s good because we have proven characters that have built up history, experience, supporting characters, and important love interests. Most of the time, their storylines are pretty interesting and keep my attention. I know them and each year it’s like a family reunion when I get to visit them again.
On the other hand, with comfort comes complacency, and even repetitiveness. For example, how many times is Joe going to be offered a government job, take it, get burned out, and go back to being a house husband and independent contractor? How many times is Lindsay going to be the only one to hunt down a psychotic killer? And how many times is Yuki going to pull a John Grisham lawyer rabbit out of her hat and win a big case?
Again, this is not a completely bad book. More of a middle of grading curve kind of read. I give it 2.5 out of five stars and enjoyed most of the escapist, mind candy reading experience. But the current writing approach has lost some steam, including storylines that start off with potentially good mysteries and then suddenly get resolved in the last 30 pages with either lucky (and unrealistic) breaks or the murderer unexpectedly does something stupid to give themselves away. Unfortunately, most of the time this sacrifices professional or personal growth of most of the primary characters. For example, the way that Joe’s ransomware plotline wrapped up so quickly in an unrealistic and convenient manner, was rather ludicrous to me. To add to my frustration, Joe wasn’t even around for the climax of it, but the reader was told how it turned out as he described to Lindsay when he returned home. In addition, the Lindsay killer investigation ended with more of a whimper than a bang and the Yuki court case had quite the what-the heck, flat climax that I am still rubbing my head over.
It would be nice to see some character conflict and development built into the storylines. I want to see these characters learn and grow from their challenges. How about some professional development for Yuki or Lindsay? For example, I think it would be good to give Yuki a different kind of storyline. It seems that every plotline she’s involved with is prosecuting the case of her career. It’s time to develop her in other ways that are outside of the courtroom. Show that she’s more well-rounded and has other aspects to be explored. In addition, Yuki’s husband Brady has turned into a mid-level manager who has disappeared, and Rich has faded into the background as Lindey’s partner. There’s more that can be explored with these characters and their relationships.
My biggest frustration is that this series could be better if Patterson and Paetro focused more on character development and took some risks rather than settling for proven formulas that are losing some of its strengths and uniqueness. For me, the Epilogue captured the magic of the characters and the heart of what makes this series greatest strength – their relationships. It delivered the emotional payoff that the three storylines lacked.
Overall, after all that constructive feedback, I give it a grudgingly passing grade but most of that is due to legacy and the relationships these characters have built with me rather than the comfortable state that their current storylines and weaker endings have been delivering.
This year’s outing - “The 24th Hour”- is being advertised as “Is this the end?” (Amazon) and “In twenty-four hours, the Women’s Murder Club could lose a member” (inside book jacket). My initial reaction was that this felt like a bit of promotional overkill. Only once in the last 23 books can I remember one of the club members being killed, and I believe that was in book four or five. However, I realize there needs to be a sense of drama and worry about our heroes – Lindsay, Claire, Yuki, and Cindy – so that we can feel the tension and concern for their safety, that their survival is always in doubt.
“The 24th Hour” begins with the women’s celebration of Cindy finally accepting Rich’s proposal to get married and turns into a vicious attack. Like most books in the series, this one has three primary plots – Yuki’s courtroom case involving a brutalized rape victim who suffers from dissociative identity disorder, Lindsay’s police team’s investigation of a rich man who was killed in the exact same manner as his wife was in the previous year, and Joe (Lindsay’s husband) trying to protect a major hospital from a ransomware attack that has put the lives of the patients at risk.
Each of the plots feel like twists on previously used storylines, which are starting to feel a bit formulaic. Yuki fighting a courtroom battle, Lindsay searching for a killer, and Claire playing a supporting role in providing the necessary medical information that help breaks the case wide open. Sound familiar? Maybe it’s me, but it feels like Cindy has the most character arc and development of the main characters. Over the last several books, she has grown from a news beat writer to a published author, struggled to get comfortable with marriage, and had to deal with the repercussions of being associated with a serial killer. She has experienced the most growth of the four women while the others have remained the same. However, I will add that I noticed some aging and medical issues popping with Claire over the last two books that might be foreshadowing her own future issues. We’ll see.
As I was about a third of the way into this one, I had an aha moment that made realize what I assessment of this series was heading to. As a reader, I have become comfortable with the Women’s Murder Club. That is both and bad. Please don’t get me wrong because I like the series more often than not. But hear me out.
It’s good because we have proven characters that have built up history, experience, supporting characters, and important love interests. Most of the time, their storylines are pretty interesting and keep my attention. I know them and each year it’s like a family reunion when I get to visit them again.
On the other hand, with comfort comes complacency, and even repetitiveness. For example, how many times is Joe going to be offered a government job, take it, get burned out, and go back to being a house husband and independent contractor? How many times is Lindsay going to be the only one to hunt down a psychotic killer? And how many times is Yuki going to pull a John Grisham lawyer rabbit out of her hat and win a big case?
Again, this is not a completely bad book. More of a middle of grading curve kind of read. I give it 2.5 out of five stars and enjoyed most of the escapist, mind candy reading experience. But the current writing approach has lost some steam, including storylines that start off with potentially good mysteries and then suddenly get resolved in the last 30 pages with either lucky (and unrealistic) breaks or the murderer unexpectedly does something stupid to give themselves away. Unfortunately, most of the time this sacrifices professional or personal growth of most of the primary characters. For example, the way that Joe’s ransomware plotline wrapped up so quickly in an unrealistic and convenient manner, was rather ludicrous to me. To add to my frustration, Joe wasn’t even around for the climax of it, but the reader was told how it turned out as he described to Lindsay when he returned home. In addition, the Lindsay killer investigation ended with more of a whimper than a bang and the Yuki court case had quite the what-the heck, flat climax that I am still rubbing my head over.
It would be nice to see some character conflict and development built into the storylines. I want to see these characters learn and grow from their challenges. How about some professional development for Yuki or Lindsay? For example, I think it would be good to give Yuki a different kind of storyline. It seems that every plotline she’s involved with is prosecuting the case of her career. It’s time to develop her in other ways that are outside of the courtroom. Show that she’s more well-rounded and has other aspects to be explored. In addition, Yuki’s husband Brady has turned into a mid-level manager who has disappeared, and Rich has faded into the background as Lindey’s partner. There’s more that can be explored with these characters and their relationships.
My biggest frustration is that this series could be better if Patterson and Paetro focused more on character development and took some risks rather than settling for proven formulas that are losing some of its strengths and uniqueness. For me, the Epilogue captured the magic of the characters and the heart of what makes this series greatest strength – their relationships. It delivered the emotional payoff that the three storylines lacked.
Overall, after all that constructive feedback, I give it a grudgingly passing grade but most of that is due to legacy and the relationships these characters have built with me rather than the comfortable state that their current storylines and weaker endings have been delivering.
May 4, 2024
Embarrassed to say this is a new series for me, even though I've known about it for a long time. Here it is the twenty-fourth book and I'm jumping in extremely late to the party.
Description:
Trouble always finds the Women's Murder Club...
Sergeant Lindsay Boxer, Medical Examiner Claire Washburn, Assistant District Attorney Yuki Castellano, and crime writer Cindy Thomas are celebrating at San Francisco's finest restaurant.
But before they can raise their glasses to both a birthday and a wedding, a violent assault interrupts their festivities.
Claire examines the victim. Lindsay makes an arrest. Yuki takes the case. Cindy covers it.
The case is complicated by the plaintiff's unreliable version of events - and the shocking reason behind her ever-changing memory.
As Yuki argues the toughest case of her career, Lindsay chases down a high-society killer whose target practice may leave the Women's Murder Club short a bridesmaid . . . or two.
My Thoughts:
There is a lot going on in this book. Not one, but three active cases to follow and quite a few characters. I think I had better go back and read some of the early books in the series just to get me grounded in the characters - I'm sure those who have followed the books would enjoy it more. I don't think this is a stand-alone read as there is a lot of history with this group of women - and their men. However, I did enjoy the book and think I will go back and read some of the earlier books - maybe even the entire series because I think this would be a fun one to follow. All the cases in the book were interesting - one a young woman was multiple personalities is raped and there's a trial to follow; then, there is a hospital being held hostage by ransomware; then a couple is murdered a few weeks apart, but in the same manner. That's a lot to solve! Oh and one of the women may or may not be getting married? This murder club is a very busy group!
Thanks to Little, Brown and Company through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Description:
Trouble always finds the Women's Murder Club...
Sergeant Lindsay Boxer, Medical Examiner Claire Washburn, Assistant District Attorney Yuki Castellano, and crime writer Cindy Thomas are celebrating at San Francisco's finest restaurant.
But before they can raise their glasses to both a birthday and a wedding, a violent assault interrupts their festivities.
Claire examines the victim. Lindsay makes an arrest. Yuki takes the case. Cindy covers it.
The case is complicated by the plaintiff's unreliable version of events - and the shocking reason behind her ever-changing memory.
As Yuki argues the toughest case of her career, Lindsay chases down a high-society killer whose target practice may leave the Women's Murder Club short a bridesmaid . . . or two.
My Thoughts:
There is a lot going on in this book. Not one, but three active cases to follow and quite a few characters. I think I had better go back and read some of the early books in the series just to get me grounded in the characters - I'm sure those who have followed the books would enjoy it more. I don't think this is a stand-alone read as there is a lot of history with this group of women - and their men. However, I did enjoy the book and think I will go back and read some of the earlier books - maybe even the entire series because I think this would be a fun one to follow. All the cases in the book were interesting - one a young woman was multiple personalities is raped and there's a trial to follow; then, there is a hospital being held hostage by ransomware; then a couple is murdered a few weeks apart, but in the same manner. That's a lot to solve! Oh and one of the women may or may not be getting married? This murder club is a very busy group!
Thanks to Little, Brown and Company through Netgalley for an advance copy.
May 15, 2024
This book was just not interesting. 3 different stories - 2 where the bad guys just say hey I did it. And the 3rd with such an obvious killer it was terrible police work to not know. The writing was unbelievably choppy. Read more like a screenplay describing the movements the actors should make. I’ve read all the women’s murders club and this one was just bad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2024
James Patterson is always guaranteed to stop a reading slump and The 24th Hour did the trick. Easily devoured in a day, it was great to be part of the women’s murder again. These ladies are like family to me after 24 books now and still going strong.
As always, the ladies have their hands full. Yuki finds herself working with a woman with multiple personalities who has been raped, Lindsay is in the hunt for the killer of a celebrity couple, 6 months apart. And Joe is working on a massive cyber hacking case. The drama is everywhere, plenty of twists and turns. Oh, and there is a wedding to plan for.
Short chapters as always make for a super entertaining and fast read. Lovers of this series are going to love it.
Thanks to Random House UK, Cornerstone, Century for the advanced copy. Always a pleasure to read.
As always, the ladies have their hands full. Yuki finds herself working with a woman with multiple personalities who has been raped, Lindsay is in the hunt for the killer of a celebrity couple, 6 months apart. And Joe is working on a massive cyber hacking case. The drama is everywhere, plenty of twists and turns. Oh, and there is a wedding to plan for.
Short chapters as always make for a super entertaining and fast read. Lovers of this series are going to love it.
Thanks to Random House UK, Cornerstone, Century for the advanced copy. Always a pleasure to read.
September 1, 2025
Two separate investigations involving the group and combined into one novel. I especially liked the one involving the rape and trial of a young woman with multiple personality disorder. She was attacked while in her true personality but protective personalities took over and her true personality didn’t recall most of it. The trial was interesting and the expert witness testimony was informative.
May 31, 2024
Reading the latest novel in the Women’s Murder Club series, I was able to determine that James Patterson and Maxine Paetro are still at the top of their game. Chilling and intense, Sergeant Lindsay Boxer and her crew tackle a few cases, all of which require their undivided attention. Never one to keep things predictable, the authors tap into their creative sides and present another stellar read. This is one series that bears the Patterson name I cannot dismiss as stale!
The Women’s Murder Coub have gathered for an informal event. Sergeant Lindsay Boxer, Medical Examiner Claire Washburn, Assistant District Attorney Yuki Castellano, and crime writer Cindy Thomas find themselves gathering together for a birthday celebration. Things go awry when screams fill the restaurant and a violent assault is discovered, the victim presenting in a very odd manner.
While each of the Club members kick into action, the case will need more than their prowess to ensure a conviction. The suspect has a story that is contradicted by the victim, but soon the story changes significantly. It will be the victim’s memory that guides the case in many directions. However, there is a psychological aspect to the victim that could derail things for everyone!
While Yuki argues the most complex case of her career, the memory and personality changes of the victim add a new layer of difficulty to the courtroom presentation. Yuki will have to wrest control of the psychiatric and psychological aspects of the case or the accused could go free.
All the while, Lindsay is thrust into the middle of a case where a killer is working their way through San Francisco’s high-society members. The pressure Lindsay puts on the hunt could put herself, as well as her Club members, in the crosshairs. It will be a true test of wills, even with matrimonial bells lightly ringing for various Club members. Patterson and Paetro serve up another hit thriller that series fans can enjoy with ease.
There is something about this series that has always impressed me. Great narrative foundations help keep the story strong and provides a clear pathway to success. Great development, both in plot and characters, provides the reader with something they can enjoy. Characters have found a way to grow over time and their personal foibles help add flavouring to the larger story. The authors have a firm grip on their characters and have found ways to add great intrigue with the one-off people as well.
Plot is key to keeping these stories strong. The authors find new ways to tackle crimes and legal situations throughout the series, keeping the reader keenly aware of all that is going on. There are surprises, both with cases and the characters, which add depth to the stories and provides a fresh approach. I am eager to see how a Patterson and Paetro will keep the momentum going, and I am still hoping for some crossover work with some of the other strong protagonist Patterson novels have developed!
Kudos Mr. Patterson and Madame Paetro, for another stunning addition to the series.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
The Women’s Murder Coub have gathered for an informal event. Sergeant Lindsay Boxer, Medical Examiner Claire Washburn, Assistant District Attorney Yuki Castellano, and crime writer Cindy Thomas find themselves gathering together for a birthday celebration. Things go awry when screams fill the restaurant and a violent assault is discovered, the victim presenting in a very odd manner.
While each of the Club members kick into action, the case will need more than their prowess to ensure a conviction. The suspect has a story that is contradicted by the victim, but soon the story changes significantly. It will be the victim’s memory that guides the case in many directions. However, there is a psychological aspect to the victim that could derail things for everyone!
While Yuki argues the most complex case of her career, the memory and personality changes of the victim add a new layer of difficulty to the courtroom presentation. Yuki will have to wrest control of the psychiatric and psychological aspects of the case or the accused could go free.
All the while, Lindsay is thrust into the middle of a case where a killer is working their way through San Francisco’s high-society members. The pressure Lindsay puts on the hunt could put herself, as well as her Club members, in the crosshairs. It will be a true test of wills, even with matrimonial bells lightly ringing for various Club members. Patterson and Paetro serve up another hit thriller that series fans can enjoy with ease.
There is something about this series that has always impressed me. Great narrative foundations help keep the story strong and provides a clear pathway to success. Great development, both in plot and characters, provides the reader with something they can enjoy. Characters have found a way to grow over time and their personal foibles help add flavouring to the larger story. The authors have a firm grip on their characters and have found ways to add great intrigue with the one-off people as well.
Plot is key to keeping these stories strong. The authors find new ways to tackle crimes and legal situations throughout the series, keeping the reader keenly aware of all that is going on. There are surprises, both with cases and the characters, which add depth to the stories and provides a fresh approach. I am eager to see how a Patterson and Paetro will keep the momentum going, and I am still hoping for some crossover work with some of the other strong protagonist Patterson novels have developed!
Kudos Mr. Patterson and Madame Paetro, for another stunning addition to the series.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
May 20, 2024
I was SO disappointed in this book. It felt so rushed. Given the fact it’s the 24th book in the series I am not totally surprised, but I loved all the other books. This one just didn’t do it for me, I thought all the cases weren’t exciting, not once was I hooked… and I feel the blurb of this book was a complete lie. Women’s murder club is a great series but this was a major let down.
May 11, 2024
This book, which contains multiple unrelated storylines that share subsets of characters, seemed more like a collection of short stories than a cohesive novel. The main story is a murder mystery that nearly strangles itself in ridiculously entangled relationships. Then the book concludes with a sappy ending. Patterson & Paetro need to get this series back on track or end it.
Read
June 19, 2024RTC!
April 25, 2025
Love the WMC series. And narrator January LaVoy…..can’t say enough about how amazing and talented she is. Her talent boggles my mind.
The 4 members of the Women’s Murder Club mesh together so well and I enjoy following their friendships with each other. Some books in the series aren’t as good as others, but as a whole, I love reading (well in my case, listening) about these women.
As far as this particular book, not as intense as some of the others or as fast paced. I have already listened to this book and since I am in another mini book slump, decided to come back and listen to some available on Libby right now. AND January LaVoy narrating, well, frustration with book slump is on pause!
Sometimes I can’t wrap my mind around the lives people in these books live. How terrible and destructive and rotten and how careless people can be with others’ lives. The wrap up at the end is a prime example, but I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone by sharing any of that wrap up.
Also…..the dynamics between Joe, Lindsay (so many spellings for that name, hope I picked the correct one) and Julie cracks me up sometimes. I love the little snippets of happy their interactions sprinkle into the later books. 🙂.
When you now depend on audiobooks to make it through the day, books slumps are excruciatingly frustrating and unwelcome. Thank you WMC (and January LaVoy) for helping me out of this current one.
The 4 members of the Women’s Murder Club mesh together so well and I enjoy following their friendships with each other. Some books in the series aren’t as good as others, but as a whole, I love reading (well in my case, listening) about these women.
As far as this particular book, not as intense as some of the others or as fast paced. I have already listened to this book and since I am in another mini book slump, decided to come back and listen to some available on Libby right now. AND January LaVoy narrating, well, frustration with book slump is on pause!
Sometimes I can’t wrap my mind around the lives people in these books live. How terrible and destructive and rotten and how careless people can be with others’ lives. The wrap up at the end is a prime example, but I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone by sharing any of that wrap up.
Also…..the dynamics between Joe, Lindsay (so many spellings for that name, hope I picked the correct one) and Julie cracks me up sometimes. I love the little snippets of happy their interactions sprinkle into the later books. 🙂.
When you now depend on audiobooks to make it through the day, books slumps are excruciatingly frustrating and unwelcome. Thank you WMC (and January LaVoy) for helping me out of this current one.
March 17, 2024
I have read all the Women’s Murder Club books, so I was excited to read this next installment, The 24th Hour by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro. The book follows three stories, an assault in a restaurant locker room, an online cyber attack investigated by Lindsay's husband, Joe Molinari, and the double murder of a wealthy couple six months apart.
Overall, it was okay. However, I am starting to get a bit bored with this series, and the books just don't seem to be the same as the earlier books in this series.
I would still recommend this book to fans of this series and these authors.
#The24thHour #NetGalley @littlebrown
Overall, it was okay. However, I am starting to get a bit bored with this series, and the books just don't seem to be the same as the earlier books in this series.
I would still recommend this book to fans of this series and these authors.
#The24thHour #NetGalley @littlebrown
May 10, 2024
Boring
This was one of the most boring books I have ever read, and the only reason I finished it was because I wasted $14.50 on it. I have read all the books in this series, and I have to say, I hope the title is correct and this is the end. And there was nothing “thrilling” about it.
This was one of the most boring books I have ever read, and the only reason I finished it was because I wasted $14.50 on it. I have read all the books in this series, and I have to say, I hope the title is correct and this is the end. And there was nothing “thrilling” about it.
May 2, 2024
This is the last James Patterson book I will ever be reading or reviewing. Patterson, along with his many co-authors, has become dully repetitive and lacking the page-turning compulsion they once had.
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this offering.
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this offering.
May 5, 2024
Another great continuation of this series. I loved the different storylines and getting back to the same characters time and time again. They’ve become like family. Many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for read and review
June 24, 2024
2.5 rounded up, book
July 18, 2025
Standard fare for this series. Each of the ladies doing their thing, but this installment was a little more blah than others. But these books are always quick, easy reads with characters who feel like you're slipping on a comfy pair of reliable shoes. Sometimes that's all you need from a book.
May 23, 2024
Great characters, plot and writing. The 24th hour is a fast tension-filled read that does not disappoint fans of the Womens Murder Club series.
May 10, 2024
I think I pretty much read this series just out of habit now. It only takes a couple of hours because everything is quick and to the point without much depth or description. Just a simple story without much of a surprise.
May 16, 2024
Fun, easy read.
February 25, 2025
I really like this series, The Women's Murder Club (obviously if I'm on book 24, lol). However, this one is not great. There are three different storylines and two of them abruptly end with no real explanation. Not great writing.
October 21, 2024
The 24th Hour
Women’s Murder Club, Book 24
I Picked Up This Book Because: Continue the series.
Media Type: Audiobook
Source: CC Public Library
Dates Read: 10/19/24 - 10/20/24
Stars: 4
The Characters:
Lindsay Boxer: Police Detective
Clair Washburn: Medical Examiner
Yuki Castellano: Attorney
Cindy Thomas: Crime Desk Reporter
Joe Molinari, Warren Jacobi, Ritchie Conklin, Julie Molinari, Jackson Brady
The Story:
I started this while on the road and completely forgot there is a 23.5 so I’m out of order. This book has been different. It follows Joe for a great deal of time, and it was nice to see him in the spotlight. big changes are coming for him, Lindsay and Julie. And Cindy too. *wink*
Women’s Murder Club, Book 24
I Picked Up This Book Because: Continue the series.
Media Type: Audiobook
Source: CC Public Library
Dates Read: 10/19/24 - 10/20/24
Stars: 4
The Characters:
Lindsay Boxer: Police Detective
Clair Washburn: Medical Examiner
Yuki Castellano: Attorney
Cindy Thomas: Crime Desk Reporter
Joe Molinari, Warren Jacobi, Ritchie Conklin, Julie Molinari, Jackson Brady
The Story:
I started this while on the road and completely forgot there is a 23.5 so I’m out of order. This book has been different. It follows Joe for a great deal of time, and it was nice to see him in the spotlight. big changes are coming for him, Lindsay and Julie. And Cindy too. *wink*
July 28, 2024
These Women’s Murder Club mysteries have become the same type of draw that soap operas, like “All My Children” had during the lunch hours, in Seventies, in college student unions…It’s not the plot, so much, as it is, you’re getting caught up in the lives and lives of the characters…In “The 24th Hour,” we’re getting involved in wedding planning, the prosecution of a brutal rape of a woman suffering from a multiple personality disorder, the murders of a millionaire couple and a ransomware attack on a hospital…I’m caught up in it all!
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