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The Midwife Murders: A newborn baby taken. A twisted truth.
A missing patient is a hospital ward's worst nightmare - until even more people disappear . . .Senior Midwife Lucy Ryuan is used to guiding expectant mothers through pregnancy. But when two kidnappings and a vicious stabbing happen on her watch, her focus abruptly changes.Something has to be done, and Lucy is fearless enough to try.As rumours and accusations fly around Manhattan, Lucy teams up with a sceptical NYPD detective to solve the case. But the truth is far more twisted than either of them could ever have imagined. _____________________________________Readers are loving The Midwife Murders . . .'Keeps you gripped''The characters really come alive''A great read''Fast-paced and kept me guessing''Very difficult to put down'__________________________________PRAISE FOR JAMES PATTERSON'It's no mystery why James Patterson is the world's most popular thriller writer ... Simply nobody does it better.' JEFFERY DEAVER'No one gets this big without amazing natural storytelling talent - which is what Jim has, in spades.' LEE CHILD'Patterson boils a scene down to the single, telling detail, the element that defines a character or moves a plot along. It's what fires off the movie projector in the reader's mind.' MICHAEL CONNELLY'James Patterson is The Boss. End of.' IAN RANKIN'The master storyteller of our times' HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON'One of the greatest storytellers of all time' PATRICIA CORNWELL'Patterson knows where our deepest fears are buried ... there's no stopping his imagination' NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW'Patterson is in a class by himself' GUARDIAN
339 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 11, 2020
6099 people are currently reading
13435 people want to read
About the author
James Patterson
954 books356k followersOfficial US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
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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 1,613 reviews
August 19, 2020
The novel title really does not even make sense
Oh, wow. That is 3 hours I will never get back. This book was just downright bad, awful, and overall just a waste of time.
Oh, wow. That is 3 hours I will never get back. This book was just downright bad, awful, and overall just a waste of time.
August 26, 2020
This book was a disappointing waste of my time. I'm guessing Patterson did not read the finished book prior to publishing and thought DiLallo had done a good job - he did not. The main character Lucy is not likable and spends most of the book acting crazy, angry and like she is a know it all. Det. Blumenthal is not much better - I don't know any police official who wouldn't have locked Lucy up. I'm not sure what was trying to be accomplished by bringing in Lucy's family from West VA except to give a clue as to where the book would end. The plot had holes so big in it that you really did know within the first 40 pages who the villain was.
August 13, 2020
I gave it 1 star because I couldn't give it any less. Worst book ever. Don't waste your time.
September 2, 2020
With another collaborative effort, James Patterson and Richard DiLallo present a thriller that will touch on some of the most panicked possibilities that many parents could imagine. This book will help pass the time, though should not be considered one of their stronger efforts. Working in the heart of New York City, Lucy Ryuan is a senior midwife. She helps women all throughout their pregnancy journey, culminating in live births and the joy of parenthood. When two babies are kidnapped from the hospital while she is on shift, Lucy is highly concerned and can only imagine the horror that follows for two mothers. When a woman is found cut open, clinging to life as her newborn is nowhere to be found, Lucy knows that she will have to help the authorities take action. She learns of a case where someone has been trying to purchase babies from mothers, wondering if there may be a connection. While Lucy is eager to follow a few leads, the detective on the case wants her out of his hair and sends her on a temporary vacation. Lucy and her son make their way to West Virginia, where Lucy’s family resides. While her mind is off the kidnapped babies, Lucy is forced to face some skeletons in her familial closet and come to terms with a past she hoped to put on the back burner. When the authorities learn of a potential new baby sale, Lucy’s called back to New York, where she can help with a sting operation. However, this is no regular couple looking for a baby and Lucy may find herself in a great deal of trouble. A decent book to add to the massive Patterson collection. Recommended to those who like the quick Patterson style, as well as readers who like a unique-style mystery.
While I know that this book has received mixed reviews, I tried to go into the experience with an open mind. I did not feel the book was as horrid as some panned it in their reviews, but I was also not left in a state of awe at the superior writing style. Patterson and DiLallo offer up an interesting mystery, told from a unique angle. Lucy Ryuan proves to be a decent protagonist, bringing a unique profession into the spotlight. Serving as a midwife, she educates the reader throughout the novel about her profession, while showing a great deal of compassion for the mothers and babies with whom she deals on a regular basis. The authors paint a well-rounded picture of Lucy’s life as a single mother, though some of the more rom-com moments proved to be a little over the top. She is gritty and shows where her priorities lie as she fights for the newly-born in a world where the lives of babies are sold for a price. Others who grace the pages of the book offer their own perspectives, flavouring things and keeping the story going. I cannot say that there were any that stuck out tremendously, but most could stand on their own. The story was decent enough, trying to find out who was kidnapping babies and then selling them, though there were some overly stereotypical discussions and antagonist labelling throughout. I was pleased to see Patterson and DiLallo tacking the ongoing issue with opioid overdose in a tangential plot line while Lucy was in West Virginia. This is an issue that has received much attention in the news, though it was also handled with grace here, neither diluting it nor making it into some sensational revelation. Overall, it was an enjoyable reading experience, though I am not sure it will resonate for months to come with it. Still, Patterson books tend to be good fillers between larger reading experiences.
Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and DiLallo, for this interesting piece of writing. Your parental sides are surely shining here, though I suspect you needed help with some of the more technical birthing terms.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
While I know that this book has received mixed reviews, I tried to go into the experience with an open mind. I did not feel the book was as horrid as some panned it in their reviews, but I was also not left in a state of awe at the superior writing style. Patterson and DiLallo offer up an interesting mystery, told from a unique angle. Lucy Ryuan proves to be a decent protagonist, bringing a unique profession into the spotlight. Serving as a midwife, she educates the reader throughout the novel about her profession, while showing a great deal of compassion for the mothers and babies with whom she deals on a regular basis. The authors paint a well-rounded picture of Lucy’s life as a single mother, though some of the more rom-com moments proved to be a little over the top. She is gritty and shows where her priorities lie as she fights for the newly-born in a world where the lives of babies are sold for a price. Others who grace the pages of the book offer their own perspectives, flavouring things and keeping the story going. I cannot say that there were any that stuck out tremendously, but most could stand on their own. The story was decent enough, trying to find out who was kidnapping babies and then selling them, though there were some overly stereotypical discussions and antagonist labelling throughout. I was pleased to see Patterson and DiLallo tacking the ongoing issue with opioid overdose in a tangential plot line while Lucy was in West Virginia. This is an issue that has received much attention in the news, though it was also handled with grace here, neither diluting it nor making it into some sensational revelation. Overall, it was an enjoyable reading experience, though I am not sure it will resonate for months to come with it. Still, Patterson books tend to be good fillers between larger reading experiences.
Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and DiLallo, for this interesting piece of writing. Your parental sides are surely shining here, though I suspect you needed help with some of the more technical birthing terms.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
August 21, 2020
Why is the writing so childish? This was a very disappointing book from James Patterson. I am sure the second author penned it but it was not worth the wait, or the money. I will continue to read it in the hopes more than halfway through it will get better, but with each italic thought bubble I want to throw the book away. The story has nothing to do with the title.
Is this what happens when you crank out this many books a year? Stop selling out and go back to writing great suspense novels.
Is this what happens when you crank out this many books a year? Stop selling out and go back to writing great suspense novels.
August 17, 2020
Poorly researched and really unbelievable. Not worth the time.
January 16, 2021
Gruesome and not fun. 2 of 10 stars
October 1, 2020
Seriously one of the worst books I’ve ever read!
Imagine if Wonder Woman and Donald Trump had a baby who grew up to be a midwife...
Need I say anymore more. The only credit goes to the first half of the book which was pretty entertaining but it just got worse and worse and then ridiculous.
Imagine if Wonder Woman and Donald Trump had a baby who grew up to be a midwife...
Need I say anymore more. The only credit goes to the first half of the book which was pretty entertaining but it just got worse and worse and then ridiculous.
September 7, 2020
Now that my local library is lending out books again, I am happy and working my way through a large backstock of reserved books, several of which are James Patterson novels since he published pretty much every other month….
In “The Midwife Murders” Patterson (and Richard Dilallo) introduce to a new protagonist, Senior Midwife, Lucy Ryuan, to whom pregnancy is her life's work. Lucy is a single parent to a nine-year-old son, Willie, and works with her mid-wife team at Gramatan University Hospital in Manhattan, New York. Like many of Patterson’s lead characters, Lucy is brash, sarcastic, and a non-conformist when it comes to authority.
Just when things are challenging enough for Lucy, a baby is kidnapped at the hospital. Days later, another baby kidnapping occurs, followed by a mother in labor being cut open and her baby taken while she is left to die. This changes everything for Lucy when she gets pulled into working with NYPD detective Blumenthal and Dr. Rudra Sarkar on the investigation to find the kidnapper(s).
The scary part is that the clues seem to show that the criminals have the medical skills of doctors, so is this an inside job? It’s one thing for Lucy to struggle with Blumenthal’s investigation methods, but she also finds herself concerned about being able to trust Sarkar, who seems to have a dark nature that comes out when he doesn’t get what he wants, which includes her. Lucy finds herself walking a tightrope in trying to capture a deranged criminal while trying to keep herself alive.
Unfortunately for this book, the news is mostly bad. There are a lot of problems with this one. The main character Lucy is so rebellious that she listens to know one, which leads to her own detriment several times. She gets uncontrollably angry at the drop of a hat. And it becomes annoying when every new male character she comes across is described as annoyingly handsome… And don’t get me started on the awkward and forced relationship with Blumenthal. It did not work on any level.
Moving on, the plotting is weak and predictable. As usual, Patterson starts off in one direction, holding back a surprise for later to surprise the readers by shifting gears in a different direction. However, it was easy within the first third of the novel to figure out where we were really going and who the secret villain really was. It was too obvious.
Also, I know that realism is not a major component of a Patterson novel, but the level of suspension needed with this storyline was unbelievable at times. Kidnapping from a major hospital – not once, not twice, but three times or more? And Lucy who has no training as a police detective suddenly feels like she should be leading the investigation because she is so smart? Almost ridiculous.
Overall, this was a very causal read, that only took a day to knock-off, which turned out to be a good thing. It’s actually a short read, barely more than 300 pages, which is about 100 pages less than his usual length. Out of the 10 books I’ve read by Patterson this year, this was by far the weakest of all of them. Mind candy at its most shallow.
In “The Midwife Murders” Patterson (and Richard Dilallo) introduce to a new protagonist, Senior Midwife, Lucy Ryuan, to whom pregnancy is her life's work. Lucy is a single parent to a nine-year-old son, Willie, and works with her mid-wife team at Gramatan University Hospital in Manhattan, New York. Like many of Patterson’s lead characters, Lucy is brash, sarcastic, and a non-conformist when it comes to authority.
Just when things are challenging enough for Lucy, a baby is kidnapped at the hospital. Days later, another baby kidnapping occurs, followed by a mother in labor being cut open and her baby taken while she is left to die. This changes everything for Lucy when she gets pulled into working with NYPD detective Blumenthal and Dr. Rudra Sarkar on the investigation to find the kidnapper(s).
The scary part is that the clues seem to show that the criminals have the medical skills of doctors, so is this an inside job? It’s one thing for Lucy to struggle with Blumenthal’s investigation methods, but she also finds herself concerned about being able to trust Sarkar, who seems to have a dark nature that comes out when he doesn’t get what he wants, which includes her. Lucy finds herself walking a tightrope in trying to capture a deranged criminal while trying to keep herself alive.
Unfortunately for this book, the news is mostly bad. There are a lot of problems with this one. The main character Lucy is so rebellious that she listens to know one, which leads to her own detriment several times. She gets uncontrollably angry at the drop of a hat. And it becomes annoying when every new male character she comes across is described as annoyingly handsome… And don’t get me started on the awkward and forced relationship with Blumenthal. It did not work on any level.
Moving on, the plotting is weak and predictable. As usual, Patterson starts off in one direction, holding back a surprise for later to surprise the readers by shifting gears in a different direction. However, it was easy within the first third of the novel to figure out where we were really going and who the secret villain really was. It was too obvious.
Also, I know that realism is not a major component of a Patterson novel, but the level of suspension needed with this storyline was unbelievable at times. Kidnapping from a major hospital – not once, not twice, but three times or more? And Lucy who has no training as a police detective suddenly feels like she should be leading the investigation because she is so smart? Almost ridiculous.
Overall, this was a very causal read, that only took a day to knock-off, which turned out to be a good thing. It’s actually a short read, barely more than 300 pages, which is about 100 pages less than his usual length. Out of the 10 books I’ve read by Patterson this year, this was by far the weakest of all of them. Mind candy at its most shallow.
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September 5, 2020Warning: Snarky review ahead. Please feel free to eye-roll and scroll. In fact, I'd much prefer that you do.
Still here? Fine. Imagine you could ask one writer on God's green earth one question. Who would it be? What would you ask? Take your time to think about it. I don't need to. I would love to ask the authors of The Midwife Murders this: Why, oh why, did the protagonist feel the need to drag her patient into the shower to give birth? I've pondered that question for 24 hours and am no closer to an answer.
Picture this: a loony, loose-cannon midwife called Lucy skids into a delivery room, still sweaty after her run. Her even-sweatier patient is a first-time mom. The poor girl is shackled to the bed (don't ask), a drug addict, and about to have twins. Vaginally, despite the fact that Twin 2 is known to be breech. Trust me, this is, well, unlikely in this day and age. Don't get me wrong, I am a passionate supporter of natural birth and midwives. I think water births are the bomb. And I am all for trying imaginative tricks to support fearful, hurting moms-to-be and to coax reluctant babies into the world. I used to be a doula; I can tell you some stories. (None quite as entertaining as this one, I fear.)
So after a bit of yelling, Lucy's preferred mode of communication, the unfortunate patient is unshackled. Well, maybe she isn't that unfortunate, since her first baby promptly slides out like "a Snickers bar from a candy machine." Ready for the unfortunate bit? Mom starts bleeding. Twin 2 clings to the walls of the womb. Lucy's assistant, Troy, a 300-pound male midwife (should I call him a mid-hubby or perhaps a delivery boy?) suggests a C-section. Sounds wise, even to to natural-birth-loving me.
But Lucy's gut has a better plan. For some unfathomable reason, it drags the mom bleeding and cursing into a hot, steamy, slippery shower. Baby's body appears, but her head gets stuck. Once again, Troy urges a C-section. Which doesn't sound quite as wise anymore. You know how new sleeping bags and tents never wanna fit back into the bags in which you bought them? The same pretty much goes for babies and their shoulders, except they don't much care for being manhandled back in where they came from. The birth canal was designed as a one-way street.
Meanwhile, Lucy's other assistant, Tracy, has her phone in her hand, ready to call the OR. That's what Lucy thinks, anyway. I suspect Tracy is videotaping the whole circus. The malpractice lawyer sure is gonna love footage of that newborn being dropped onto her downy little head...
"And then it happens..." I'm quoting, in case you haven't noticed. "The baby popped out like a cork from a bottle of champagne." Great catch, Lucy! All is well that ends well, right? (Teeny tiny spoiler alert: the baby dies in NICU a little later, most likely from non-shower-related causes. Lucy takes the time to cry in Dr. McCreepy's arms, but not to go comfort her patient. In fact, she seems to forget about her completely until they run into each other days later.)
I'll stop now. If you're looking for an entertainingly ridiculous read, look no further. Lucy is fun company. She is to midwifery what Homeland's Carrie Mathison is to the CIA - when Carrie is off her meds and snorting coffee and smack-bang in the middle of a bipolar episode. Lucy has more maternal instinct, to be fair. Worse taste in men though, in my humble --
OMG, I think I figured out the answer to my question!!! That often happens to me when I write about things I don't understand. Perhaps the shower birth had nothing to do with the birth. Perhaps Lucy's gut simply wanted to get clean after that run. With the handsome Dr. McCreepy in the vicinity, who can blame it? Guts work in mysterious ways, after all.
Still here? Fine. Imagine you could ask one writer on God's green earth one question. Who would it be? What would you ask? Take your time to think about it. I don't need to. I would love to ask the authors of The Midwife Murders this: Why, oh why, did the protagonist feel the need to drag her patient into the shower to give birth? I've pondered that question for 24 hours and am no closer to an answer.
Picture this: a loony, loose-cannon midwife called Lucy skids into a delivery room, still sweaty after her run. Her even-sweatier patient is a first-time mom. The poor girl is shackled to the bed (don't ask), a drug addict, and about to have twins. Vaginally, despite the fact that Twin 2 is known to be breech. Trust me, this is, well, unlikely in this day and age. Don't get me wrong, I am a passionate supporter of natural birth and midwives. I think water births are the bomb. And I am all for trying imaginative tricks to support fearful, hurting moms-to-be and to coax reluctant babies into the world. I used to be a doula; I can tell you some stories. (None quite as entertaining as this one, I fear.)
So after a bit of yelling, Lucy's preferred mode of communication, the unfortunate patient is unshackled. Well, maybe she isn't that unfortunate, since her first baby promptly slides out like "a Snickers bar from a candy machine." Ready for the unfortunate bit? Mom starts bleeding. Twin 2 clings to the walls of the womb. Lucy's assistant, Troy, a 300-pound male midwife (should I call him a mid-hubby or perhaps a delivery boy?) suggests a C-section. Sounds wise, even to to natural-birth-loving me.
But Lucy's gut has a better plan. For some unfathomable reason, it drags the mom bleeding and cursing into a hot, steamy, slippery shower. Baby's body appears, but her head gets stuck. Once again, Troy urges a C-section. Which doesn't sound quite as wise anymore. You know how new sleeping bags and tents never wanna fit back into the bags in which you bought them? The same pretty much goes for babies and their shoulders, except they don't much care for being manhandled back in where they came from. The birth canal was designed as a one-way street.
Meanwhile, Lucy's other assistant, Tracy, has her phone in her hand, ready to call the OR. That's what Lucy thinks, anyway. I suspect Tracy is videotaping the whole circus. The malpractice lawyer sure is gonna love footage of that newborn being dropped onto her downy little head...
"And then it happens..." I'm quoting, in case you haven't noticed. "The baby popped out like a cork from a bottle of champagne." Great catch, Lucy! All is well that ends well, right? (Teeny tiny spoiler alert: the baby dies in NICU a little later, most likely from non-shower-related causes. Lucy takes the time to cry in Dr. McCreepy's arms, but not to go comfort her patient. In fact, she seems to forget about her completely until they run into each other days later.)
I'll stop now. If you're looking for an entertainingly ridiculous read, look no further. Lucy is fun company. She is to midwifery what Homeland's Carrie Mathison is to the CIA - when Carrie is off her meds and snorting coffee and smack-bang in the middle of a bipolar episode. Lucy has more maternal instinct, to be fair. Worse taste in men though, in my humble --
OMG, I think I figured out the answer to my question!!! That often happens to me when I write about things I don't understand. Perhaps the shower birth had nothing to do with the birth. Perhaps Lucy's gut simply wanted to get clean after that run. With the handsome Dr. McCreepy in the vicinity, who can blame it? Guts work in mysterious ways, after all.
October 23, 2020
Well I committed to writing reviews for all of the books that I read, not just my favourites, so here we go lol. My Dad always said he loved Patterson's writing until he writes one with someone else. Well this one proves his theory right for me.
This could have been a great book... missing babies, detectives, tension between midwives and hospital staff.. but it wasn't.
I am a big fan of James Patterson, and one of the things that I enjoy is the speed and fluidity of the dialogue, well, I did not find that dialogue here. My biggest complaint about this book was the dialogue of the main character, and that is problematic. If she said, "I wanted to punch him in the face" one more time..? I could barely get through the book. Her character is not likeable or even believable. She's not a likeable person, friend, mother. And I definitely find her midwifery a lot questionable.
Moving on from the dialogue, did the authors do any research? Or was this just literal science fiction? I'll apply that just to the innerworkings of the hospital, the detective's procedures, social services (oh just lie and tell them you are a registered foster parent when they drop the baby off, they'll believe you and they'll pay you) and I wont list more issues that I had with the story so not to give spoilers. I wasn't even sure what kind or fantasy/reality I was reading at one point.
There was a major plot line running through about the missing babies that was just so ridiculous I couldn't handle it.
Anyway, this was pretty bad, like really bad, I maybe should have given it 1 star but I did finish it and I think there was a point where I was interested in where the story was going so yah, ugh... sorry but do not waste your time on this one.
This could have been a great book... missing babies, detectives, tension between midwives and hospital staff.. but it wasn't.
I am a big fan of James Patterson, and one of the things that I enjoy is the speed and fluidity of the dialogue, well, I did not find that dialogue here. My biggest complaint about this book was the dialogue of the main character, and that is problematic. If she said, "I wanted to punch him in the face" one more time..? I could barely get through the book. Her character is not likeable or even believable. She's not a likeable person, friend, mother. And I definitely find her midwifery a lot questionable.
Moving on from the dialogue, did the authors do any research? Or was this just literal science fiction? I'll apply that just to the innerworkings of the hospital, the detective's procedures, social services (oh just lie and tell them you are a registered foster parent when they drop the baby off, they'll believe you and they'll pay you) and I wont list more issues that I had with the story so not to give spoilers. I wasn't even sure what kind or fantasy/reality I was reading at one point.
There was a major plot line running through about the missing babies that was just so ridiculous I couldn't handle it.
Anyway, this was pretty bad, like really bad, I maybe should have given it 1 star but I did finish it and I think there was a point where I was interested in where the story was going so yah, ugh... sorry but do not waste your time on this one.
August 28, 2020
The book started off fast and initially the main character, Lucy, seemed interesting and likable. This didn’t last very long. Deeper into the novel, Lucy’s interactions with Detective Blumenthal, as well as a few other characters, are childish, and immature, and it seems like she has serious anger and/or impulse control issues. In her inner monologue, she comes off like she is a know it all. None of the supporting characters feel completely developed. The dialogue between characters seems choppy at best, and after a certain point the plot is slow moving and predictable. I usually like James Patterson books, but this was just dialed in, and poorly dialed in at that. Maybe stop churning out so many books every year and start to re-focus more on quality.
September 15, 2020
So, I don't write reviews for every book I read, I don't have time. But sometimes I have to, either because the book is so brilliant or to get the anger & vitriol out - this is the latter. I have not been so angry reading a book in a very long time, I fantasized about ripping it into tiny little shreds while reading it, however it was a library book and I have no desire to get blacklisted.
Two notes before I start my bullet point rant. 1 - I have nothing but respect for those who are midwives professionally and none of the criticism should be interpreted as a slight against those who do this. 2 - Spoilers. So many spoilers. But not really, because you shouldn't read this book, so spoiling that. No one has to read this review, it is enough that i wrote it to get it out of my brain, putting the poison on paper so to speak.
So, in no particular order.
- Most annoying main character ever! Lucy is an asshat. People keep saying "you're a nice person", I have seen no evidence. She is an ass to everyone around her. She orders her staff around like monkeys, she is pissy with people trying to do their jobs, she is just another cog in the machine but she thinks she can yell at the CEO of her JOB with no repercussions (and they are the ones who are stupid) and she takes an entitled and spoiled rage out on the police! Yes, we get it, they are babies, you care - stop being a raging bitch at everyone.
- Even though you are a bitch, two men are totally into you. And you are kinda into them, even though you treat each other completely toxically. Doctor Man stalked you to the point where he snuck into HR and looked up your address (which is bypassed over), freaked out when you wanted to spend time with your son, and then disrespected your profession and your work by sneaking his clients in over yours - even after you told him no. But, he lent you his outrageously expensive car and he's got a charming accent so it's all good. The other is a Detective who Lucy seems to view as the biggest idiot ever and treats him abusively throughout, but at the end "oh, I guess we might get together". She not only blames him for absolutely everything to do with the babies, but also about muggings in NYC because apparently he is responsible for everything.
- YOU'RE NOT A COP! Biggest pet peeve in books is when people think that they alone can solve a crime/mystery because they know so much more, but they have no training or anything. "My uncle was a cop in West Virginia" - who gives a flying fart, my mother drives a schoolbus but that has not imbued me with any secret abilities to drive or park large vehicles. I know you love babies. So keep doing your job you know, by helping babies. Stop chasing criminals. If the clues just came to you naturally, cool, share them, but charging in and screeching at the cops like a deranged baboon because they don't know how to do their jobs and you do.....if I were Leonard, I would have drop-kicked her ass
- Subpoint - WHO GOES INTO THE CRIMINAL LAIR WITH NO TRAINING, WEAPONS, OR BACKUP AND THINKS THIS IS A GOOD IDEA! Like what was her brilliant plan. To shame them into turning over the babies. To sneak in and steal the babies out with her 300lb assistant. NO THOUGHT. I get you're mad. What did you honestly think was going to happen if you were right.
- Why is nothing made of the fact that people show up at her house, such as her client's father. Why do they know where you live? Why are you not concerned about this? I work with many clients, many of whom are lovely people and not one of them know where I live nor will ever because BOUNDARIES. Why aren't you bothered about this! Do you give out your home address to the drug addicts and sketchy people who you admit you serve, you know, the home where your child lives.
- Constantly dumping your child on your friend because you get random ideas. Oh, and then basically lying to give a friend a baby to avoid the foster care system. Anyone can just have a baby because you say they are trustworthy. F* that.
So many more things. But those are the things I wrote down. I want to meet this people who gave this book a 5 star rating and interrogate them. I honestly don't know why I kept reading, it pissed me off within the first 100 pages and normally I would DNF, I don't know why I kept going. I am never going to get that time back. I feel guilty staring at all of the good books on my TBR that I wasted time on this. I don't even think James Patterson read it before it got his stamp. By far, the worst JP book I have read in my memory. So much anger.
Two notes before I start my bullet point rant. 1 - I have nothing but respect for those who are midwives professionally and none of the criticism should be interpreted as a slight against those who do this. 2 - Spoilers. So many spoilers. But not really, because you shouldn't read this book, so spoiling that. No one has to read this review, it is enough that i wrote it to get it out of my brain, putting the poison on paper so to speak.
So, in no particular order.
- Most annoying main character ever! Lucy is an asshat. People keep saying "you're a nice person", I have seen no evidence. She is an ass to everyone around her. She orders her staff around like monkeys, she is pissy with people trying to do their jobs, she is just another cog in the machine but she thinks she can yell at the CEO of her JOB with no repercussions (and they are the ones who are stupid) and she takes an entitled and spoiled rage out on the police! Yes, we get it, they are babies, you care - stop being a raging bitch at everyone.
- Even though you are a bitch, two men are totally into you. And you are kinda into them, even though you treat each other completely toxically. Doctor Man stalked you to the point where he snuck into HR and looked up your address (which is bypassed over), freaked out when you wanted to spend time with your son, and then disrespected your profession and your work by sneaking his clients in over yours - even after you told him no. But, he lent you his outrageously expensive car and he's got a charming accent so it's all good. The other is a Detective who Lucy seems to view as the biggest idiot ever and treats him abusively throughout, but at the end "oh, I guess we might get together". She not only blames him for absolutely everything to do with the babies, but also about muggings in NYC because apparently he is responsible for everything.
- YOU'RE NOT A COP! Biggest pet peeve in books is when people think that they alone can solve a crime/mystery because they know so much more, but they have no training or anything. "My uncle was a cop in West Virginia" - who gives a flying fart, my mother drives a schoolbus but that has not imbued me with any secret abilities to drive or park large vehicles. I know you love babies. So keep doing your job you know, by helping babies. Stop chasing criminals. If the clues just came to you naturally, cool, share them, but charging in and screeching at the cops like a deranged baboon because they don't know how to do their jobs and you do.....if I were Leonard, I would have drop-kicked her ass
- Subpoint - WHO GOES INTO THE CRIMINAL LAIR WITH NO TRAINING, WEAPONS, OR BACKUP AND THINKS THIS IS A GOOD IDEA! Like what was her brilliant plan. To shame them into turning over the babies. To sneak in and steal the babies out with her 300lb assistant. NO THOUGHT. I get you're mad. What did you honestly think was going to happen if you were right.
- Why is nothing made of the fact that people show up at her house, such as her client's father. Why do they know where you live? Why are you not concerned about this? I work with many clients, many of whom are lovely people and not one of them know where I live nor will ever because BOUNDARIES. Why aren't you bothered about this! Do you give out your home address to the drug addicts and sketchy people who you admit you serve, you know, the home where your child lives.
- Constantly dumping your child on your friend because you get random ideas. Oh, and then basically lying to give a friend a baby to avoid the foster care system. Anyone can just have a baby because you say they are trustworthy. F* that.
So many more things. But those are the things I wrote down. I want to meet this people who gave this book a 5 star rating and interrogate them. I honestly don't know why I kept reading, it pissed me off within the first 100 pages and normally I would DNF, I don't know why I kept going. I am never going to get that time back. I feel guilty staring at all of the good books on my TBR that I wasted time on this. I don't even think James Patterson read it before it got his stamp. By far, the worst JP book I have read in my memory. So much anger.
February 6, 2021
This is the third book co-authored by James Patterson I’ve read in succession and easily the worst. I’d like to think the esteemed Mr. Patterson had little say in how this one turned out. The co-author here is one Richard DiLallo, who, in another life is an “advertising executive”. Well he certainly isn’t an obstetrician; that soon becomes clear. Don’t give up the day-job, Dick.
Even the title is misleading. No midwives are murdered or commit murder in the novel. The crime is actually the stealing of new-born babies. We’re soon introduced to the central character, midwife Lucy Ryuan, who becomes increasing insufferable as the novel progresses. Headstrong, opinionated and impulsive; she is always putting herself and those around her in danger. Somehow, she feels she is qualified to interfere with a police investigation because her father was a patrolman back in rural West Virginia and, for some bizarre reason, the NYPD detective in charge of the case allows her.
As well as straining credibility beyond all limits, the big villain became pretty obvious early on but we have to endure 300 more pages of this garbage until he is “revealed”.
Even the title is misleading. No midwives are murdered or commit murder in the novel. The crime is actually the stealing of new-born babies. We’re soon introduced to the central character, midwife Lucy Ryuan, who becomes increasing insufferable as the novel progresses. Headstrong, opinionated and impulsive; she is always putting herself and those around her in danger. Somehow, she feels she is qualified to interfere with a police investigation because her father was a patrolman back in rural West Virginia and, for some bizarre reason, the NYPD detective in charge of the case allows her.
As well as straining credibility beyond all limits, the big villain became pretty obvious early on but we have to endure 300 more pages of this garbage until he is “revealed”.
September 10, 2024
The Midwife Murders by James Patterson and Richard DiLallo is about a Midwife who delivers babies in New York. Most of her births are performed in drug addicts or immigrants. Then all of a sudden the babies start disappearing from the hospitals. What is going on? Are the babies being adopted or murdered? What is going on at the university hospital in Manhattan? Fantastic, fast paced novel full of mystery. Fantastic book!
September 28, 2020
Worst book I've read....or tried to read in a long time. Couldn't get beyond the main character being so unlikable that I just wanted to reach into the pages and slap her. I realize this is a work of fiction, but if you want to write something so far fetched try science fiction! James Patterson has always been one of my favorites and I was just so disappointed in this one. Not sure how much was his versus Richard DiLallo, but his name is on this, so shame on you Mr. Patterson for allowing this to ever be printed!
August 28, 2020
Big disappointment. Main character is a disgrace to females and midwives. Acts like a weak, impulsive child. Story is weak, disjointed. Patterson is not what he used to be.
August 31, 2020
Another thrill ride from James Patterson. Always a good read, enjoyable from start to finish
March 10, 2021
If male authors want to write female characters, PLEASE get lots of women to read the story before you send it to publishers. NO female midwife would describe a woman who just gave birth as 'sexy' and compare her looks to another mother. Women don't promise to bring in a home-cooked dinner for a detective, then straight away walk out the door without the promised leftovers and think junk from the vending machine is a substitute. If a male boss insisted on driving a woman home then confessed he'd looked up and memorised her address, she'd be creeped out, not a little turned on. Women don't spend half a book in a rage calling everyone arseholes. This is truly a cringe-worthy story. So many things wrong.
August 24, 2020
I am a HUGE James Patterson reader! Ok that being said, overall I was really disappointed! The characters were rather ho-hum and not very interesting or well developed. The story was very dry at times and a bit drug out. It just seemed the writer wasn't really into it himself. I know James Patterson co-authored this but it didn't seem he had a lot to do with it. If by chance this is under consideration as the first in a new series...I will not be reading it! Just not up to par with James Patterson's best writing. I had a very hard time finishing this book at all!
August 29, 2020
I've read quite a few of Patterson's books and this one rates at the bottom for several reasons. The story line itself was not believable - how many hospital staff midwives can do what they want, when they want - including inserting themselves into an investigation of missing babies? I formed no attachment to the main character, Lucy as I thought the development of her character very shallow. I tried to like other characters (e.g. two other midwives, a detective, even the mothers whose babies were stolen) but there was just not enough there to become emotionally involved with them. When reading other books by Patterson, I read without interruption; with this one, I found myself reading news, playing word games (I read this on an e-reader), or checking email. Didn't hold my interest and I don't foresee a series of books based on Lucy.
September 26, 2020
Oh my......I feel like I just read a high school juniors diary. I honestly thought this was a young adult book as I was listening. Not fond of any of the characters so if/when she returns I will be able to skip her continuing efforts at out solving the local yolkers. Thank goodness I got it from the library.
October 27, 2020
Ugh. That sums up my feelings towards this book. To begin with, the main character, who is unnecessarily obnoxious and aggressive, has no business being involved in the plot at all. She constantly inserts herself in an investigation she should not be involved with, and for reasons unknown, the police actually rely on this random civilian! It makes no sense, and beyond the capacities for suspension of disbelief.
Add to that the amount of times the main character is having a regular conversation, only to say “I exploded” and then throw a random fit about things that she has no business being a part of, and you get a nonsensical and annoying book that’s just painful to read.
Add to that the amount of times the main character is having a regular conversation, only to say “I exploded” and then throw a random fit about things that she has no business being a part of, and you get a nonsensical and annoying book that’s just painful to read.
October 24, 2025
What a waste of time. I have never read a book by this author (or author team) before. I believe that James Patterson has been a name in this genre for quite some time.
We need minus stars.
The book was bad on every conceivable level and I am not going to waste any more time on it. I am just sorry to have paid for it. I wouldn’t insult anyone by giving it to them.
We need minus stars.
The book was bad on every conceivable level and I am not going to waste any more time on it. I am just sorry to have paid for it. I wouldn’t insult anyone by giving it to them.
January 9, 2021
WOW !!! There a lot of 1 & 2 star reviews and even some minus wishes. But I thought that it was an interesting read, with good characters and a plot that no-one has done before.
October 12, 2020
This book opens with a midwife declaring that midwives are better than doctors. Then attending the birth of twins where everyone is suggesting they deliver the twins by Caesarian as one is breech and they are premature- (to which the midwife threatens to assault them if they dare call the doctor) and then when one of the twins is stuck and dies- everyone declares the midwife did a great job- I could read no further....
I appreciate that midwives do a great job but to open a book with such a display of arrogance, ignorance and negligence and expect me to accept this as the hero of the story-no way.
The aim of birth is a healthy mother and baby- not proving you can get a mother to deliver a baby naturally. This whole natural birth agenda is ridiculous in the face of babies and mothers dying and I am so disappointed in the author jumping on this bandwagon blindly declaring the midwife a hero for delivering a baby naturally- as if the dead part was inconsequential.
‘Hero’ of book kills baby- stops others from saving baby by threatening them if they try = not a hero.
I appreciate that midwives do a great job but to open a book with such a display of arrogance, ignorance and negligence and expect me to accept this as the hero of the story-no way.
The aim of birth is a healthy mother and baby- not proving you can get a mother to deliver a baby naturally. This whole natural birth agenda is ridiculous in the face of babies and mothers dying and I am so disappointed in the author jumping on this bandwagon blindly declaring the midwife a hero for delivering a baby naturally- as if the dead part was inconsequential.
‘Hero’ of book kills baby- stops others from saving baby by threatening them if they try = not a hero.
November 12, 2020
An interesting Paterson book. It’s kind of an off-beat story, not necessarily believable, but also not impossible to envision. A lot of horrific crimes, and a lot of police runarounds, but enough action to hold one’s interest.
Two of the best lines: “Arrogant people always think they’re smart people.” And: “Proactive is the dumbest made-word in the English language. It’s a synonym for wasting time.” Words to live by.
Two of the best lines: “Arrogant people always think they’re smart people.” And: “Proactive is the dumbest made-word in the English language. It’s a synonym for wasting time.” Words to live by.
September 22, 2020
This book confirms that I will be sticking to reading J. Patterson's Alex Cross or Michael Bennett books from now on only. I had to force myself to finish this book. I could not understand the main character Lucy. There was many more disappointing points in this book, just know I thought about quitting several times during my reading.
August 30, 2020
DISAPPOINTED
This was mediocre. Nothing about this book points to the writings of James Patterson. I found it to be one of the worst I've ever read. I had a hard time getting through it or finishing it. I regret starting or finishing this book. James Patterson books are always great.This was a huge disappointment.
This was mediocre. Nothing about this book points to the writings of James Patterson. I found it to be one of the worst I've ever read. I had a hard time getting through it or finishing it. I regret starting or finishing this book. James Patterson books are always great.This was a huge disappointment.
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