26 Beauties: The unputdownable new thriller in the Number 1 Sunday Times bestselling series

Women's Murder Club #26

by James Patterson

Brought to you by Penguin.

The twenty-sixth thrilling novel in the globally bestselling Women's Murder Club series.



PRAISE FOR THE WOMEN'S MURDER CLUB

'Packed with action... a compelling read with great set pieces and, most of all, that charismatic cast of characters' SUN

'I couldn't turn the pages quick enough. Great plot, fantastic storytelling and characters that spring off the page - all the right ingredients for a thriller!' HEIDI PERKS

'Fast-moving, intricately plotted... Boxer steals the show as the tough cop with a good heart.' MIRROR

'Terrific, high-octane, really pacy... every scene is a film, every character real, and every plot point leaves us breathless.' JO SPAIN

James Patterson 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026

Genres: Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Thriller, Crime, Audiobook, Suspense

Audible Audio

First published May 4, 2026

About the author

Official 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.

Reviews

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another binge in a day listen from a favourite author. Love the murder club

[Siobhan Savitski · Rating 5 out of 5]

James Patterson’s 26 Beauties is a masterclass in controlled chaos, the kind of thriller that seduces you with elegance before dragging you into something far darker and infinitely more unsettling. From its opening pages, the novel moves with Patterson’s trademark velocity, yet beneath the relentless pacing lies an unexpectedly sharp meditation on fear, disappearance, and the fragility of identity in a city built on illusion.

What elevates this installment beyond a conventional procedural is the emotional architecture beneath the investigation. Lindsay Boxer and the Women’s Murder Club are no longer merely solving crimes; they are confronting the psychological residue left behind by absence itself. The missing women become more than statistics or plot devices, they linger like ghosts at the edge of every chapter, creating an atmosphere that feels simultaneously cinematic and intimate.

Patterson understands something many thriller writers do not: suspense is not created solely through violence, but through anticipation. Through implication. Through the unbearable possibility that the worst outcome may already be inevitable. The novel weaponizes that tension brilliantly.

The prose is lean without feeling hollow, polished without losing urgency. Every chapter lands like a controlled detonation, making the book nearly impossible to put down once its machinery begins turning. There is also a surprising emotional maturity threaded throughout the narrative, particularly in the exploration of loyalty, grief, and the quiet exhaustion carried by those tasked with chasing monsters for a living.

In an era oversaturated with formulaic thrillers, 26 Beauties reminds readers why Patterson remains a dominant force in the genre. He does not simply write page turners; he engineers momentum. This novel is sleek, intelligent, psychologically resonant, and ruthlessly effective.

A sophisticated, pulse driven thriller that proves the Women’s Murder Club series still has the power to evolve while delivering everything longtime readers crave. Patterson once again demonstrates that commercial fiction and literary tension do not have to exist on opposite ends of the spectrum.

[Elizabeth Lian · Rating 5 out of 5]

James Patterson, for sure!

The Women's Murder Club is back! It is the amazing, multi fabulous, hair razing, hold your breath suspense book as usual. This book is not as suspenseful as others, but it is still typical Patterson. You won't be sorry you've read it, enjoy! Liz/f S. Jersey, USA

[Mary Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a big JP fan but this was not very good.

[Marcie]

This book is truly awful. All of these books are formulaic, but this one wasn't even interesting. Might be time to give up on the series.

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read all of The Women’s Murder Club Thrillers and felt that this one fell short.

[Steven Boehle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zsa Zsa Gabor helps the staff sell tickets to the raffle for a world famous pork tenderloin and in the process gains a new friend to promote her product. Lacking the attention she wanted, Martha begs for table scraps for some killer pages in her scrapbook where she is chronicling her life as a house dog. Traffic seems to be picking up despite all efforts to slow it down signaling the cement company to kick up production and banter for higher employee wages. So, in the famous lyrics by Paul Simon, in the clearing stands a boxer. Cool, I was saving up to buy a Porsche, and the Boxster was one of my favorites.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was interesting. It seemed like for most of the book the women, except Cindy and Lindsay weren't working together or even getting together like normal. Also interesting was how Claire found a body, instead of being brought one. The things that Claire, Cindy and Lindsay were working on, all ended up connected, where Yuki had a case gone wild. The high light for me in this one was the Interpol guy who worked with Lindsay. He was funny and kept surprising her.

[Kimberly Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just another Lindsay Boxer novel. Four female friends from different disciplines. Murder, drugs, trafficking. Got their perps once again.

[Marianne Stehr · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always a great installment in the series now to wait another year!

[Hope Townsend · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great addition to the Women’s Murder Mystery Club!!! Love it!!!

[Tammy Adams · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t know if the women’s murder club has just ran its course or if I’ve outgrown it but this one was quite boring to me. It never felt like it flowed smoothly and the constant (right up to the end) calling these women by first and last names really bugged me. Have they all been like that or is this another aspect I’ve outgrown? I slogged through it but glad it’s over.

[Allan Bendert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not Up to Standard

Not one of Patterson's best stories. The narrative felt choppy and disjointed. This was not a page turner. The ending also felt unreal and rushed. Hope the next one is better.

[Nancy Morse · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have loved all of this series, but I feel this one fell short. Plots were not as intertwined as normal. This was almost a DNF for me, but I slogged along and finished. If you are like me and have read all the rest, it is worth the time to finish it.

[Thea Marquetta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know if I'm too used to mysteries now because these books aren't doing it for me like they used to. They just seem to end. There's no grand finish. It's just kind of over, if that makes sense.

[Wendy Nelson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Extremely disappointed in this book - It was not written by James Patterson. And it sure wasn't written by Maxine Paetro either.
The writing was very sophomoric and not very good and for sure not the work of a huge author like Patterson...
and I got sick and tired of the use of the 4 main character's last names whenever mentioned.
When someone referred to one of the women in the Murder Club they used her last name every single time.

For example:
I met Claire Washburn at the bar - instead of I met Claire
I took Yuki Castenaletto to her car.... instead of I took Yuki to her car
Cindy Thomas hoped to write a book on the case. Instead of Cindy hoped to write a book

Enough already. Do it once in the beginning if you have to and then be done.

The last names were said at least 6 times in each chapter depending on the woman talking or being talked about. I don't know why that bugged me so much, but it did. After 26 books I think we would know who was meant if they just said their first name when referenced or speaking.

Lindsey is the real main character and she is told in the first person, but then we get 3rd person with the other women. I remembered Lindsey as being tougher too. She seemed very wimpy in this book.

Maybe it's time to hang this one up, especially if Patterson and Paetro aren't writing it.

That said I did like the new character Alain from France, but am not sure if he would be in future books or not. He was the only saving grace for this book.

[Brandie (RoxxyReads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

🚓 26 Beauties
🚓 James Patterson
🚓 Women's Murder Club (book 26)
🚓 341 pages
🚓 4.5 stars
🚓 Summary 🚓
The women's murder club goes searching for 26 beauties-young women missing in San Francisco.
SFPD Sergeant Lindsay Boxer's best friend, Claire Washburn, is named medical examiner of the year.
But an uninvited guest crashes the Women's Murder Club's party; a concerned father seeking investigative reporter Cindy Thomas's help in locating his missing daughter. And she's not the only one.
Lindsay's been investigating the deaths of a Jane Doe washed up on a nearby beach and a young woman found in Golden Gate Park.
What if all these cases are connected?
The answers lie with the 26 beauties on the run and in the wind.
🚓 My Thoughts 🚓
I absolutely love this series so much! I have been reading it for quite some time, and each book gets better and better! So glad I was able to read this newest installment, a HUGE thank you to the publishing team for sending it my way!! I am already eager to read the next book whenever it comes out!

[Shelly Itkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the group had gathered to celebrate Claire being named Medical Examiner of the year, the large party was interrupted by an uninvited guest who wanted to speak to Cindy.

Only because everyone was in such a good mood did they allow him in, and he explained that his daughter was missing and that the police were not doing much to help.

Cindy listens and tells him she will get back to him. Since several women have been found dead recently, Lindsay and the crew are wondering if this is connected.

Claire is concerned about her niece, Hope, who is living with them but coming and going at weird hours and seems to have lots of cash and highly priced clothes, and she is wondering where the money is coming from.

Yuki is involved in a case where a victim is now paralyzed because he refused to let drugs be sold in his store or the area around.

Everyone is busy doing a million things, including trying to have a normal life.

I have read all 26 of this series and would rate it about 3, but will anxiously await number 27 next April, as I do love the Women's Murder Club.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished reading: 26 Beauties by James Patterson

This is a fiction, mystery, thriller suspense novel. Published May 2026 soft cover large print edition around 425 pages.

A Women’s Murder Club Thriller series, book 26 in series.

This was an excellent read👍 you can never go wrong with A Women’s Murder Club Thriller. The series is great. It was very well written. The characters are well developed and fully executed. The storylines are entertaining, engaging, suspenseful with a few unexpected.

Summary from back cover:
SFPD Sergeant Lindsay Boxer’s best friend ,Claire Washburn ,is named medical examiner of the year. But an uninvited guest crashes, the women’s murder club party: a concern for seeking investigative reporter Cindy Thomas’s help in locating his missing daughter. And she’s not the only one. Lindsay‘s been investigating the death of a Jane Doe washed up on a nearby beach and a young woman found in Golden Gate Park. What if all these cases are connected? The answers lie with the 26 Beauties on the run and in the wind. 

[Zyffyr · Rating 1 out of 5]

Barely a 1.5 Star ✨ read …..no enjoyment
This is my 2nd read of this series in the last year and it is my last. I loved Patterson’s first dozen books in this series read long ago when they first came out. Just not the same now.

This was disappointing. Huge download of characters presented in the first few pages (it’s been too long since I was into the series to recall the characters and their associations) made it difficult to engage the story. Characters were flat…….the only one I liked was Creasy from Interpol. Wanted to love the venue as I am familiar with the area but that was not evocative, just place names dropped like bread crumbs. Most of the time I was bored and found myself drifting off into my own thoughts. Just a slog. Wish I had my time back.

Do not recommend.

[sue lerner · Rating 5 out of 5]

26 magnificent suspense novels

Women's Murder Club thrillers are literally the BEST of the best. The characters are extraordinary and human. While being heartwarming in their private lives, each character is courageous, exemplary and so fantastically motivated to face evil, expose and end it and then indulge in bettering lives, relationships and living life to its fullest. It is inspiring to read, inspiring to motivate and awesime that its writers never, ever disappoint - just brilliant!

[Judy Donaldson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Typical James Patterson Woman's Murder Club books. Always enjoyable. No excessive violence, no sexual issues. An enjoyable read about 4 exceptional women who work together to solve crimes. The individual lives of each character is great. They totally support each other. Chapters are short, which makes it easy when you need to stop reading. I have read all of his Murder Club books and most of the Cross series and several of his stand alone books. They are great. I have also read several non-fiction books that are well researched and enlightening.

[Linda J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series

I've read every book in the Women's Murder Club series. Patterson brings the characters to life in a way that makes you feel like you're catching.up with friends in every book. I couldn't wait for 26 Beauties to be released to continue the journey. It was a great read that addressed a serious problem. I can hope that a young woman may read this book and decide not to choose this path for her life.

[Mandy Makarewicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely awesome. Action-packed. It also got me thinking hard about human trafficking in the United States and how much of an ignored problem it truly is. Just how dangerous life really is for beautiful young girls in any setting. As always the women's murder club ladies characters were extremely well written. Only disappoint part is waiting another year for next book

[John M. Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great bunch of ladies

Another great book in the Women’s Murder Club series. If you are looking for a good book to read the Women’s Murder Club series is a good place to start. I’ll warn you might not be able to put it down. You’ll be like me waiting for the next book to come out. ENJOY!!!

[Sue Denny · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 26th beauty in this series

I am a great fan of the Women’s Murder Club series and this latest offering did not disappoint. All four of the main protagonists had their role to play in a fast paced story involving the trafficking of young girls.
Can’t wait for the 27th adventure

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really surprised how much better this book was then previous Murder Club books in the series. I was not happy with previous books. This one had a good story, almost all the characters were involved . We were not jumping around as much because the case brought everyone together. I look forward to future books in the series.

[Nancy Keyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve loved every book in the women’s murder club series and enjoyed reconnecting with Lindsey and Joe in book 26. I was surprised to see Maxine Paetro did not co-author this book. I’m thrilled to see the story continue to unfold, and found the focus on human trafficking prescient. Not sure I bought the happy ending however!

[Amy L Wellman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been Reading This Series For Years

I've been reading this series for years. I started with #7, not realizing it was a series. I then went back and started with #1. James Patterson's writing is comfortable, like visiting an old friend. I have become invested in the characters and their families. I feel a little sad each time I get to the end of the book.

[Barbara Symons · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book

This was another good book in the series. These books are easy to read and I’ve enjoyed all of them. I can’t wait to see if another book eventually comes out in the series.