What do you think?
Rate this book
Women's Murder Club #8
The 8th Confession
As San Francisco's most glamorous millionaires mingle at the party of the year, someone is watching--waiting for a chance to take vengeance on Isa and Ethan Bailey, the city's most celebrated couple. Finally, the killer pinpoints the ideal moment, and it's the perfect murder. Not a trace of evidence is left behind in their glamorous home.
As Detective Lindsay Boxer investigates the high-profile murder, someone else is found brutally executed--a preacher with a message of hope for the homeless. His death nearly falls through the cracks, but when reporter Cindy Thomas hears about it, she knows the story could be huge. Probing deeper into the victim's history, she discovers he may not have been quite as saintly as everyone thought.
As the hunt for two criminals tests the limits of the Women's Murder Club, Lindsay sees sparks fly between Cindy and her partner, Detective Rich Conklin. The Women's Murder Club now faces its toughest will love destroy all that four friends have built? The exhilarating new chapter in the Women's Murder Club series, The 8th Confession serves up a double dose of speed-charged twists and shocking revelations as only James Patterson can. And remember, this is the only Murder Club episode of the year.
As Detective Lindsay Boxer investigates the high-profile murder, someone else is found brutally executed--a preacher with a message of hope for the homeless. His death nearly falls through the cracks, but when reporter Cindy Thomas hears about it, she knows the story could be huge. Probing deeper into the victim's history, she discovers he may not have been quite as saintly as everyone thought.
As the hunt for two criminals tests the limits of the Women's Murder Club, Lindsay sees sparks fly between Cindy and her partner, Detective Rich Conklin. The Women's Murder Club now faces its toughest will love destroy all that four friends have built? The exhilarating new chapter in the Women's Murder Club series, The 8th Confession serves up a double dose of speed-charged twists and shocking revelations as only James Patterson can. And remember, this is the only Murder Club episode of the year.
369 pages, ebook
First published April 27, 2009
3012 people are currently reading
19904 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,176 reviews
August 23, 2022
Book Blog | Bookstagram
Like all recent co-authored books in this series, The 8th Confession once again weaves together multiple plot lines. There is the dead homeless man, nicknamed Bagman Jesus who Cindy stumbles upon, as well as the murders of San Francisco's rich and famous, done in such a way that not even Claire can figure out exactly what the cause of death is.
Lindsay's trite inner turmoil over whether to get married to Joe or bang her partner, Rich, is uninteresting and exhausting. Maybe if either man were at all desirable, I would get it. But they are just cookie-cutter characters lacking any depth or personality. Lindsay's jealousy when Cindy starts hooking up with Rich is unjustified both realistically and morally, and boils down to female stereotype bullshit.
Yuki is still grappling with court cases in such a way that you wonder why she's even an attorney. She's also dealing with gender issues within her new relationship that could have opened up an interesting narrative on love being about the person, not the body. But Yuki's response to Doc's personal reveal was so appalling, in my opinion, that it was the nail in the coffin for whether or not I like her.
Verdict: I don't. I can't. I hope she gets written out of this series.
Cindy gets a larger plotline this time around, mostly due to her interference with Rich and Lindsay's non-relationship-relationship. But she also takes up a torch for the murder investigation of Bagman Jesus after it's made clear the police are more interested in the rich white people that are dying. True to life, at least. I was kind of digging the juxtaposition of the haves vs the have-nots, and the political and social struggles that surround that, until Patterson ruined it all by turning Bagman Jesus into a creep.
I mean, I thought we were going somewhere profound with this - that the homeless are, 9 times out of 10, just people who lack access to mental health treatment, whose addictions are stigmatized by society, who are mostly veterans and LGBT teens who have no home left to go to. I thought we were making a point that they are no less deserving of being treated like human beings and that their deaths should mean something. But no. Turns out all the homeless people in this book are deceptive lowlifes who play Cindy, the top-notch investigative reporter, for a fool.
Ugh, whatever. I'm lowering my expectations for the future.
⭐⭐ | 2 stars
Like all recent co-authored books in this series, The 8th Confession once again weaves together multiple plot lines. There is the dead homeless man, nicknamed Bagman Jesus who Cindy stumbles upon, as well as the murders of San Francisco's rich and famous, done in such a way that not even Claire can figure out exactly what the cause of death is.
Lindsay's trite inner turmoil over whether to get married to Joe or bang her partner, Rich, is uninteresting and exhausting. Maybe if either man were at all desirable, I would get it. But they are just cookie-cutter characters lacking any depth or personality. Lindsay's jealousy when Cindy starts hooking up with Rich is unjustified both realistically and morally, and boils down to female stereotype bullshit.
Yuki is still grappling with court cases in such a way that you wonder why she's even an attorney. She's also dealing with gender issues within her new relationship that could have opened up an interesting narrative on love being about the person, not the body. But Yuki's response to Doc's personal reveal was so appalling, in my opinion, that it was the nail in the coffin for whether or not I like her.
Verdict: I don't. I can't. I hope she gets written out of this series.
Cindy gets a larger plotline this time around, mostly due to her interference with Rich and Lindsay's non-relationship-relationship. But she also takes up a torch for the murder investigation of Bagman Jesus after it's made clear the police are more interested in the rich white people that are dying. True to life, at least. I was kind of digging the juxtaposition of the haves vs the have-nots, and the political and social struggles that surround that, until Patterson ruined it all by turning Bagman Jesus into a creep.
I mean, I thought we were going somewhere profound with this - that the homeless are, 9 times out of 10, just people who lack access to mental health treatment, whose addictions are stigmatized by society, who are mostly veterans and LGBT teens who have no home left to go to. I thought we were making a point that they are no less deserving of being treated like human beings and that their deaths should mean something. But no. Turns out all the homeless people in this book are deceptive lowlifes who play Cindy, the top-notch investigative reporter, for a fool.
Ugh, whatever. I'm lowering my expectations for the future.
⭐⭐ | 2 stars
August 6, 2019
This is the eighth book in the Woman's Murder Club series, and it's another thriller from the explosive beginning to the exhilarating ending!
Maxine Paetro hasn't missed a beat!
This edition is an audio book, narrated once again by the talented and exciting Carolyn McCormack who breathes life into the characters with ease.
The 8th Confession has multiple story lines intricately woven together.
A school bus explodes while at a busy intersection killing ten innocent people on their way to work. But who was on the bus? Please... Not kids.
Lindsay and Richy are trying to solve countless cases piling up on their desks when they're told to drop everything to investigate a very high profile case involving a series of deaths of some of San Francisco's richest and most famous celebrities. Despite all the resources of the SFPD being thrown into the investigation the motive behind the suspected murders, and the cause of death are yet unknown. The victims are all among high society's biggest partyers who combine a toxic mix of drugs, alcohol, and sex but the bodies are immaculate, seemingly in perfect health, no wounds, nothing fatal on toxicology. Zip, Zero, Nada. Even the brilliant ME, Clair Washburn, is at a complete loss as to the cause of death. And that alone is alarming. The brass wants the cases solved yesterday but Lindsay and Richy have nothing to go on, no where to start. And an endless list of people who could be involved. It's disheartening to say the least. When another celebrity lands in the morge Clair, Lindsay, and Richy get a shock when something wriggles out of the sheet the body has been brought in on. It's a startling discovery.
Cindy is keyed up and determined to find out who killed a defenseless, homeless man known only as Bagman Jesus. Everyone on the street says he was a saint who helped countless others, leaving two words in his wake - Jesus Saves. So who would want him dead? And why? The further Cindy digs into the man's life the more danger she's in. And nothing is as it seems.
Yuki is in the middle of another trial she thinks she has finally won. A young woman has gone to her parents house in the middle of the night and attached them in their bed with a crow bar. There's plenty of evidence to say that she was there. Her father is dead. While her mother lay dying she was able to tell the police, recorded on video tape, that it was her daughter who did this to them. Miraculously the mother survived but has since recanted her original statement to the police, saying she can't remember. Now, the jury is claiming that they may not be able to reach a verdict. Will Yuki lose yet another case?
Meanwhile, among all the chaos, sparks are still flying between Lindsay and Richy even though Joe has left his entire life behind to move to San Francisco to be with Lindsay. Joe has since proposed to her but Lindsay has yet to say YES. Or even NO. Isn't that what she always wanted? Then why is she so conflicted?
Then Cindy and Richy discover each other but aren't telling anyone. Including Lindsay.
Yuki, too, has found love. She's dating a doctor she met in the ER when she accidentally walked into a moving car. Everything about him is perfect. Is he too good to be true?
The 8th Confession is an exhilarating ride through a multitude of cases and a tangled web of personal hopes and dreams of finding true love. The end result of who ends up with whom made my head spin.
Yuki's case comes to an astonishing close that I didn't see coming and the discovery of what killed the rich and famous made my skin crawl! More than once! That's something I never would have guessed! Everything eventually gets tied up with a neat little bow. Sort of.
What the four girls get mixed up in next in The 9th Judgment, I can't even imagine, nor wait to find out! Maxine Paetro is at the top of her game! Don't miss out!
Maxine Paetro hasn't missed a beat!
This edition is an audio book, narrated once again by the talented and exciting Carolyn McCormack who breathes life into the characters with ease.
The 8th Confession has multiple story lines intricately woven together.
A school bus explodes while at a busy intersection killing ten innocent people on their way to work. But who was on the bus? Please... Not kids.
Lindsay and Richy are trying to solve countless cases piling up on their desks when they're told to drop everything to investigate a very high profile case involving a series of deaths of some of San Francisco's richest and most famous celebrities. Despite all the resources of the SFPD being thrown into the investigation the motive behind the suspected murders, and the cause of death are yet unknown. The victims are all among high society's biggest partyers who combine a toxic mix of drugs, alcohol, and sex but the bodies are immaculate, seemingly in perfect health, no wounds, nothing fatal on toxicology. Zip, Zero, Nada. Even the brilliant ME, Clair Washburn, is at a complete loss as to the cause of death. And that alone is alarming. The brass wants the cases solved yesterday but Lindsay and Richy have nothing to go on, no where to start. And an endless list of people who could be involved. It's disheartening to say the least. When another celebrity lands in the morge Clair, Lindsay, and Richy get a shock when something wriggles out of the sheet the body has been brought in on. It's a startling discovery.
Cindy is keyed up and determined to find out who killed a defenseless, homeless man known only as Bagman Jesus. Everyone on the street says he was a saint who helped countless others, leaving two words in his wake - Jesus Saves. So who would want him dead? And why? The further Cindy digs into the man's life the more danger she's in. And nothing is as it seems.
Yuki is in the middle of another trial she thinks she has finally won. A young woman has gone to her parents house in the middle of the night and attached them in their bed with a crow bar. There's plenty of evidence to say that she was there. Her father is dead. While her mother lay dying she was able to tell the police, recorded on video tape, that it was her daughter who did this to them. Miraculously the mother survived but has since recanted her original statement to the police, saying she can't remember. Now, the jury is claiming that they may not be able to reach a verdict. Will Yuki lose yet another case?
Meanwhile, among all the chaos, sparks are still flying between Lindsay and Richy even though Joe has left his entire life behind to move to San Francisco to be with Lindsay. Joe has since proposed to her but Lindsay has yet to say YES. Or even NO. Isn't that what she always wanted? Then why is she so conflicted?
Then Cindy and Richy discover each other but aren't telling anyone. Including Lindsay.
Yuki, too, has found love. She's dating a doctor she met in the ER when she accidentally walked into a moving car. Everything about him is perfect. Is he too good to be true?
The 8th Confession is an exhilarating ride through a multitude of cases and a tangled web of personal hopes and dreams of finding true love. The end result of who ends up with whom made my head spin.
Yuki's case comes to an astonishing close that I didn't see coming and the discovery of what killed the rich and famous made my skin crawl! More than once! That's something I never would have guessed! Everything eventually gets tied up with a neat little bow. Sort of.
What the four girls get mixed up in next in The 9th Judgment, I can't even imagine, nor wait to find out! Maxine Paetro is at the top of her game! Don't miss out!
January 30, 2018
Third Read: I'm eventually going to fill in all the blanks I have in this series. This one is kinda strange....many plot twists and turns. Don't want to spoil, but it's a good read. Recommend.
Second Read: 07/23/15 I enjoyed it very much the second time. Didn't remember I'd already read it.
First Read: This is the 5th book these two have co-authored and it's the 8th in the series of the Women's Murder Club. These stories are good and well worth reading if you are a Patterson fan. The main characters are a fun group of women plus a couple male detectives that work well together and have become very close.
Fourth Read: I really do like this story. There is just plain good reads here. There were a couple parts I was holding back on but this time it came through loud and clear. Good reads is the perfect name for the group. I love it and it really am enjoying getting to know all my good new friends!!!
This one keeps you guessing along with the detectives as they try to solve some mysterious deaths occurring among the super-rich in San Francisco while at the same time another murder of a homeless preacher who professes a story of hope to his listeners. The strange thing about these deaths, is that no known reason is being found for them...there is no sign of a struggle, no sign that someone killed them, just that they are found dead in their beds. One of the many who are interviewed as a person of interest brings up another cold-case death spree that happened in 1982...which leads them on an interesting search for a link between the cases! Of course the link is found and the reason is long and sharp and poisonous.
If you are a Patterson fan, you will no doubt enjoy reading this one too.
Second Read: 07/23/15 I enjoyed it very much the second time. Didn't remember I'd already read it.
First Read: This is the 5th book these two have co-authored and it's the 8th in the series of the Women's Murder Club. These stories are good and well worth reading if you are a Patterson fan. The main characters are a fun group of women plus a couple male detectives that work well together and have become very close.
Fourth Read: I really do like this story. There is just plain good reads here. There were a couple parts I was holding back on but this time it came through loud and clear. Good reads is the perfect name for the group. I love it and it really am enjoying getting to know all my good new friends!!!
This one keeps you guessing along with the detectives as they try to solve some mysterious deaths occurring among the super-rich in San Francisco while at the same time another murder of a homeless preacher who professes a story of hope to his listeners. The strange thing about these deaths, is that no known reason is being found for them...there is no sign of a struggle, no sign that someone killed them, just that they are found dead in their beds. One of the many who are interviewed as a person of interest brings up another cold-case death spree that happened in 1982...which leads them on an interesting search for a link between the cases! Of course the link is found and the reason is long and sharp and poisonous.
If you are a Patterson fan, you will no doubt enjoy reading this one too.
July 2, 2025
This is a Mystery/Suspense, and it is the 8th book in the Women's Murder Club series. I read the first seven books in this series before picking up this book. This book has more than one case in it, but I think it was done well. This is a fast paced book that was easy to follow. I really love the characters and the mysteries in this book. I really enjoyed this book.
July 15, 2023
The main story (the policier, I should say) is a decent one, despite Yuki's poor activity, both professional and amorous, and Claire's lack in finding some snake-bites, even at a third look.
The second "Sex and the City"-like part is quite a poor one and characters, especially Lindsay (Miss Ugly Menopause, I'd say...), are far from being pleasant at all. She is jealous and undecided in her sentimental life, she lies to Cindy about her relationship with Conkley. She is damned stupid leaving Joe at the restaurant and spoiling Jacobi's party. She and her partner almost fail into making at least three arrests (Wallis, the Pincus girl and Pet Girl), which make me think if she's even able to catch a dead dog...
The second "Sex and the City"-like part is quite a poor one and characters, especially Lindsay (Miss Ugly Menopause, I'd say...), are far from being pleasant at all. She is jealous and undecided in her sentimental life, she lies to Cindy about her relationship with Conkley. She is damned stupid leaving Joe at the restaurant and spoiling Jacobi's party. She and her partner almost fail into making at least three arrests (Wallis, the Pincus girl and Pet Girl), which make me think if she's even able to catch a dead dog...
March 15, 2024
I'm hoping this series starts to pick up again a little – I am struggling with these now but I am already so invested!
Still feeling like this leans towards a cringey romance rather than a thriller, this book was massively overshadowed by the love life of the Women’s Murder Club which I just don’t care about. I am now starting to dislike Lindsey she’s just turning into a woman only driven and concentrating on men YAWN! Why her love life, Cindy’s and Yuki’s need to be so dramatic and unbelievable – it really takes away from these characters likeability and power.
"The guy who’d kissed me last week—that guy was gone. Sure, I’d rejected him, and sure, I didn’t own him. But even so, it hurt. I missed the ## who’d mooned over me." BLAH!
"why does doing the right thing feel so bad?"
The investigations into Bagman Jesus and the Rich were interesting enough but as I said – just overshadowed I was skimming the ‘love scenes’ if you can call them that! I’m defiantly having a love/hate relationship with these books. These are still easy reads with short snappy chapters and I have all these books up to 18 so I can’t stop!
Car chase seen though YES that was a good one – full of suspense!
I don’t like Yuki but - Oh poor Yuki too!
Overall an average read and kind of worth it depending on if you feel like you have to finish a series and I can’t help to think these will get better again! I miss how the first 4 made me feel in this series like I couldn’t put them down but for this one I could defiantly put it down and there were a few moments I felt like not picking it back up!
Still feeling like this leans towards a cringey romance rather than a thriller, this book was massively overshadowed by the love life of the Women’s Murder Club which I just don’t care about. I am now starting to dislike Lindsey she’s just turning into a woman only driven and concentrating on men YAWN! Why her love life, Cindy’s and Yuki’s need to be so dramatic and unbelievable – it really takes away from these characters likeability and power.
"The guy who’d kissed me last week—that guy was gone. Sure, I’d rejected him, and sure, I didn’t own him. But even so, it hurt. I missed the ## who’d mooned over me." BLAH!
"why does doing the right thing feel so bad?"
The investigations into Bagman Jesus and the Rich were interesting enough but as I said – just overshadowed I was skimming the ‘love scenes’ if you can call them that! I’m defiantly having a love/hate relationship with these books. These are still easy reads with short snappy chapters and I have all these books up to 18 so I can’t stop!
Car chase seen though YES that was a good one – full of suspense!
I don’t like Yuki but - Oh poor Yuki too!
Overall an average read and kind of worth it depending on if you feel like you have to finish a series and I can’t help to think these will get better again! I miss how the first 4 made me feel in this series like I couldn’t put them down but for this one I could defiantly put it down and there were a few moments I felt like not picking it back up!
September 3, 2023
Just when you were feeling guilty for not noticing the homeless or caring enough, that all got flipped on it’s head. And what an interesting murder weapon with the other story line. This was a good one. I haven’t read any of this series in a while but I do enjoy it.
November 11, 2025
4 Stars for The 8th Confession: Women’s Murder Club, Book 8 (audiobook) by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro read by Carolyn McCormick.
Lindsay is investigating a high profile murder when she runs across a street preacher that’s been brutally killed. Cindy Thomas starts investigating the preacher’s background, she’s trying to figure out his true identity and find an angle to write a story about. This ends up being a dark rabbit hole that they go down. Some people loved the preacher but others wanted him off the streets for good.
Lindsay is investigating a high profile murder when she runs across a street preacher that’s been brutally killed. Cindy Thomas starts investigating the preacher’s background, she’s trying to figure out his true identity and find an angle to write a story about. This ends up being a dark rabbit hole that they go down. Some people loved the preacher but others wanted him off the streets for good.
May 10, 2010
He and I are thisclose to breaking up. I'm going to give the next Alex Cross book another try and if that isn't fantastic, Patterson and I are done.
For real.
This is the 8th installment in Patterson's Women's Murder Club series. There are two murder mysteries going on. The first is a series of crimes involving the wealthy; various people are found dead, but there's no apparent reason for it. The victims are all young and healthy and there's no definite cause of death. The other is a homeless man who was found shot and beaten to death. The first crime is the one that gets the most attention, partly due to the wealth factor and partly because nobody can figure out how the people died.
I've read James Patterson's mysteries for years now, and I've noticed that the quality seems to be going downhill lately. (I think it could probably be traced back to when he started relying on co-writers and releasing five books a year.) Like all of his books, this one is a fast read, but unlike other authors who have released multiple books in a year (for example, Stephen King), I can pretty much guarantee that in a few weeks, I won't be able to remember any details about this book.
Part of the problem may be that the dialogue doesn't seem that realistic. The police guess at first that something may be a "homicide/suicide." I'm not sure that they'd continue to use "homicide" instead of "murder" in that particular case. The dialogue just seems fairly wooden and not like what people would say.
For real.
This is the 8th installment in Patterson's Women's Murder Club series. There are two murder mysteries going on. The first is a series of crimes involving the wealthy; various people are found dead, but there's no apparent reason for it. The victims are all young and healthy and there's no definite cause of death. The other is a homeless man who was found shot and beaten to death. The first crime is the one that gets the most attention, partly due to the wealth factor and partly because nobody can figure out how the people died.
I've read James Patterson's mysteries for years now, and I've noticed that the quality seems to be going downhill lately. (I think it could probably be traced back to when he started relying on co-writers and releasing five books a year.) Like all of his books, this one is a fast read, but unlike other authors who have released multiple books in a year (for example, Stephen King), I can pretty much guarantee that in a few weeks, I won't be able to remember any details about this book.
Part of the problem may be that the dialogue doesn't seem that realistic. The police guess at first that something may be a "homicide/suicide." I'm not sure that they'd continue to use "homicide" instead of "murder" in that particular case. The dialogue just seems fairly wooden and not like what people would say.
August 31, 2020
CW: animal cruelty, transphobia
What a disappointment, having read 7 other books in this series, this book just felt different. The writing was poor, all the women were weirdly sexualized and described by their physical features instead of their character.
There was also a wildly transphobic subplot that was horrific to listen to.
Romance took up too much time in this book as well. Cindy, Yuki and Lindsay all have romance plots in this book, and compared to other books that have 1 romance plot for one of the girls it was complete overkill.
Additionally, there was so much music in this audiobook!! Usually they have some funky techno during a plot point with the main villain, but gosh every big scene had a backtrack. It was annoying and overdone. It made the attempts at sex scenes even more cringeworthy.
The plot itself was okay... tolerable at best.
Definitely the weakest book of the series so far. I will continue and hope this isn't the new standard because I love the women's murder club and I'd be pretty sad to let go of this series.
What a disappointment, having read 7 other books in this series, this book just felt different. The writing was poor, all the women were weirdly sexualized and described by their physical features instead of their character.
There was also a wildly transphobic subplot that was horrific to listen to.
Romance took up too much time in this book as well. Cindy, Yuki and Lindsay all have romance plots in this book, and compared to other books that have 1 romance plot for one of the girls it was complete overkill.
Additionally, there was so much music in this audiobook!! Usually they have some funky techno during a plot point with the main villain, but gosh every big scene had a backtrack. It was annoying and overdone. It made the attempts at sex scenes even more cringeworthy.
The plot itself was okay... tolerable at best.
Definitely the weakest book of the series so far. I will continue and hope this isn't the new standard because I love the women's murder club and I'd be pretty sad to let go of this series.
May 20, 2009
This is the first of the series that I actually read. I listened to all of the others on CD while working. I have come to the conclusion that's the best way to experience these books.
When I picked up the book at my library, I thought I'd mistakenly put the Large Print version on hold. Tons of white space, two or three page chapters. All short declarative sentences. Characters that don't act like themselves or real people...and who, if you haven't read the other books in the series, won't make a lick of sense. And there is almost never, NEVER a reason to switch points of view (first to third) when telling a story like this. Why bother putting Lindsay's parts in first person? It makes no sense...and yet, I read it to the end. It's like the worst kind of junk food fiction.
I got hooked on the books because of the TV series. This wasn't even as good as most of the episodes.
Spoiler alert!
Yuki's reaction to Doc's gender issues was just insultingly awful and completely out of character. In fact through out most of the book, Yuki was a schitzoid bitch--(Uh, no one would say something like what she says to Cindy near the end about the affair with Conklin: "Oh, Lindsay wouldn't bed him, so you can have him. yeah for you" {ok, not a direct quote, but soemthing like that}) Bring Jill back from the dead for the next one & have her kill Yuki. That would be as believable as anything else--or just pull a Bobby Ewing.
When I picked up the book at my library, I thought I'd mistakenly put the Large Print version on hold. Tons of white space, two or three page chapters. All short declarative sentences. Characters that don't act like themselves or real people...and who, if you haven't read the other books in the series, won't make a lick of sense. And there is almost never, NEVER a reason to switch points of view (first to third) when telling a story like this. Why bother putting Lindsay's parts in first person? It makes no sense...and yet, I read it to the end. It's like the worst kind of junk food fiction.
I got hooked on the books because of the TV series. This wasn't even as good as most of the episodes.
Spoiler alert!
Yuki's reaction to Doc's gender issues was just insultingly awful and completely out of character. In fact through out most of the book, Yuki was a schitzoid bitch--(Uh, no one would say something like what she says to Cindy near the end about the affair with Conklin: "Oh, Lindsay wouldn't bed him, so you can have him. yeah for you" {ok, not a direct quote, but soemthing like that}) Bring Jill back from the dead for the next one & have her kill Yuki. That would be as believable as anything else--or just pull a Bobby Ewing.
July 5, 2012
I can't help it. I love murder mysteries, especially the quick, easy-to-read one's. My obsession with one of these novels is such that I have to refrain from reading them during the school year, because otherwise I would get nothing done. I become so enthralled with whichever novel I'm reading that I will choose to read it over pretty much any other activity or obligation. This is why I save these books for my summer reads, when I can fill endless hours with disturbing images and high-adrenaline action. I have read every women's murder mystery club book so far and am finishing the series as we speak. I enjoy this series, but I didn't love this particular novel (even though I read through it at lightening speed). My problem was with the disjointed character stories. Yuki's inclusion in this novel felt forced. There was only a strained connection between her plot line and that of the rest of the novel, and that had to do with the doctor she met and briefly dated. I would have preferred her to be more central to the entirety of the plot or to have stayed out of the novel entirely.
April 23, 2020
A meth lab in a bus explodes killing ten people and injuring many others, the same day an allegedly saintly homeless man is found dead after a vicious assault and to make matters worse a 'celeb' is found dead, with no actual evidence of how she died... a few days later another 'celeb' is found dead in the same circumstances The Murder Club get caught up in the worlds of celebrity and murder! 4 out of 12.
November 1, 2011
So, I’ve had this love/hate relationship with James Patterson since I read my first Alex Cross novel quite a few years ago. See, he writes these amazing stories but he breaks them up into itty bitty chapters. Why is this a bad thing? Well, mainly it’s a bad thing because you find yourself sitting there, at nearly nine o’clock at night thinking, “Hmmm, it’s only three pages… I can do one more chpater.” Before you know it, it’s creeping up on eleven o’clock and five thirty AM is staring you in the face. I literally devour each and every one of his books that I’m presented with. And this was no exception.
As per usual, you have your main mystery coupled with at least one side story, to keep you guessing as well as entertained. However, he really outdid himself this time as there were two side stories as well as the personal interactions of the Women’s Murder Club, plus Lindsay’s partner, Rich, to think about. But in true James Patterson style, he wove all three stories, as well as the continuing story of the Women’s Murder Club, into one seamless tale by the end.
I love the way he works in not just the way Lindsay interacts with her friends – Cindy, Claire, and Yuki – but also their personal lives, like including Claire’s family and Lindsay’s relationship with Joe. It rounds out the characters and brings their choices and decisions into a more realistic light. Not only that, but I find it fun to know everything I can about a character. For me, that’s what brings them fully to life.
There are only two complaints in regards to this book. 1) There wasn’t nearly enough Lindsay/Claire interaction for my tastes. I love the way that Claire mothers her and Lindsay lets her. 2) Cindy. She’s always been a bit on the annoying side for my tastes, but knowing that she’s a reporter, I’ve always tried to put it to the side, blaming it on her doing what needed to be done to get her story. However, as far as I’m concerned, there were points in this book where she was a raving biotch, to put it lightly. And while you can chalk it up to being passionate about her cause, there wasn’t ever really any reason for it, other than Cindy being Cindy.
That said, everything else about The 8th Confession was awesome. There were surprises along the way and a lot of good times. You laugh, you cry, you shout out in disbelief or frustration. If there was ever a master of the rollercoaster emotion, it is James Patterson.
And thus, one more reason I have such a love/hate relationship with the man. Should I ever meet him, I’m afraid I’d hug him, stomp on his toes, and then hug him again.
I’d like to think that he’d understand why, too.
DISCLAIMER: I borrowed this book from the library, free of charge, via my Kindle. I did it solely out of my misguided love for Lindsay Boxer and her dog, Martha.
As per usual, you have your main mystery coupled with at least one side story, to keep you guessing as well as entertained. However, he really outdid himself this time as there were two side stories as well as the personal interactions of the Women’s Murder Club, plus Lindsay’s partner, Rich, to think about. But in true James Patterson style, he wove all three stories, as well as the continuing story of the Women’s Murder Club, into one seamless tale by the end.
I love the way he works in not just the way Lindsay interacts with her friends – Cindy, Claire, and Yuki – but also their personal lives, like including Claire’s family and Lindsay’s relationship with Joe. It rounds out the characters and brings their choices and decisions into a more realistic light. Not only that, but I find it fun to know everything I can about a character. For me, that’s what brings them fully to life.
There are only two complaints in regards to this book. 1) There wasn’t nearly enough Lindsay/Claire interaction for my tastes. I love the way that Claire mothers her and Lindsay lets her. 2) Cindy. She’s always been a bit on the annoying side for my tastes, but knowing that she’s a reporter, I’ve always tried to put it to the side, blaming it on her doing what needed to be done to get her story. However, as far as I’m concerned, there were points in this book where she was a raving biotch, to put it lightly. And while you can chalk it up to being passionate about her cause, there wasn’t ever really any reason for it, other than Cindy being Cindy.
That said, everything else about The 8th Confession was awesome. There were surprises along the way and a lot of good times. You laugh, you cry, you shout out in disbelief or frustration. If there was ever a master of the rollercoaster emotion, it is James Patterson.
And thus, one more reason I have such a love/hate relationship with the man. Should I ever meet him, I’m afraid I’d hug him, stomp on his toes, and then hug him again.
I’d like to think that he’d understand why, too.
DISCLAIMER: I borrowed this book from the library, free of charge, via my Kindle. I did it solely out of my misguided love for Lindsay Boxer and her dog, Martha.
June 19, 2012
James Petterson has been writing a series of books which are part of the 'Womens Murder Club' series.They involve four women who have all featured heavily in previous books. They are Lindsay, Cindy, Yuki and Claire.
The story for the 8th Confession focuses on two main threads. The first is a murder of a "saintly" homeless man and Cindy who is a journalist finds her senses telling her to keep on at this, and she is convinced there is a story there. The other thread features the serial murders of the rich society movers and shakers in the strangest manner. It appears they have all been killed by a snake bite. Lindsay and her partner Rich Conklin need to investigate the murders to find who is behind these strange killings. Yuki meanwhile is juggling her job as an attorney and falling for what she thinks is the man of her dreams.
I read this book just as quickly as other James Patterson books and found the pace pretty good but think that is down to the writing style as opposed to anything else. HoweverI have to say I still felt thatit was still a dissapointment. The plot just didn't seem to be there. It seemed to lack any substance and the four main characters that have featured in this series seem to have all changed personalities. What I loved about this series of books is that with each book you read you learn a little more about each of them. With this book, not only was the storyline lacking but so were the characters of the four women that us fans have come to know and love.
Usually the girls are brought together and fight together. This time round, you get glimpses of them all and only Lindsay and Cindy really stands out as being part of the plot line. Yuki and Claire barely get a mention. I am beginning to wonder if James Patterson has lost his touch with this series or if he is churning them out far too quickly?
The story for the 8th Confession focuses on two main threads. The first is a murder of a "saintly" homeless man and Cindy who is a journalist finds her senses telling her to keep on at this, and she is convinced there is a story there. The other thread features the serial murders of the rich society movers and shakers in the strangest manner. It appears they have all been killed by a snake bite. Lindsay and her partner Rich Conklin need to investigate the murders to find who is behind these strange killings. Yuki meanwhile is juggling her job as an attorney and falling for what she thinks is the man of her dreams.
I read this book just as quickly as other James Patterson books and found the pace pretty good but think that is down to the writing style as opposed to anything else. HoweverI have to say I still felt thatit was still a dissapointment. The plot just didn't seem to be there. It seemed to lack any substance and the four main characters that have featured in this series seem to have all changed personalities. What I loved about this series of books is that with each book you read you learn a little more about each of them. With this book, not only was the storyline lacking but so were the characters of the four women that us fans have come to know and love.
Usually the girls are brought together and fight together. This time round, you get glimpses of them all and only Lindsay and Cindy really stands out as being part of the plot line. Yuki and Claire barely get a mention. I am beginning to wonder if James Patterson has lost his touch with this series or if he is churning them out far too quickly?
March 26, 2017
Judging by how well this main case of super rich people getting murdered in San Francisco is progressing, I notice that there’s no real improvement to the detective skills of the southern division SFPD, as depicted here in this 8th installment of the Women’s Murder Club. There’s no question that the characters are enormously sympathetic. For instance, I enjoy the bond there’s between Lindsay Boxer and her old partner Warren Jacobi, now her superior. He’s older and more ornery, but he shows his heart now and then, and that makes him endearing.
I’m not so sure I understand Linsday Boxer all that well, especially when it comes to her relationship to the two men in her life, her younger partner Rich Conklin, and her boyfriend Joe Molinari. So I was glad she finally came to her senses by the end of the book. Like her wise friend Claire (my favorite) said, good thing Cindy helped her out by starting to date Conklin, so Lindsay could let Conklin go.
As for the case itself, it wasn’t very complicated, and I miss good police work that would make it more interesting.
As I said, I read these because I like the characters, and the short chapters make it such easy reads.
I’m not so sure I understand Linsday Boxer all that well, especially when it comes to her relationship to the two men in her life, her younger partner Rich Conklin, and her boyfriend Joe Molinari. So I was glad she finally came to her senses by the end of the book. Like her wise friend Claire (my favorite) said, good thing Cindy helped her out by starting to date Conklin, so Lindsay could let Conklin go.
As for the case itself, it wasn’t very complicated, and I miss good police work that would make it more interesting.
As I said, I read these because I like the characters, and the short chapters make it such easy reads.
April 13, 2024
Ugh.... Why do you do this to Lindsay? I do NOT like it.
Otherwise, I LOVE LOVE the cases.
Bagman Jesus and a Serial Killer of the rich and sexually explorative.
4 Stars
Otherwise, I LOVE LOVE the cases.
Bagman Jesus and a Serial Killer of the rich and sexually explorative.
4 Stars
October 8, 2009
San Francisco is once again confronted with a serial killer and it will be up to the Women's Murder Club and the beaus to solve the case. Someone is targeting high society folks, but no one can figure out how the killer is taking them out. Other than the fact that they might have a taste for partying, drinking, drugs and other debauchery, the victims show no signs of injury or illness. In fact, they are in prime shape.
Claire, the cities chief medical examiner, has done everything she can to find a sign of what might have happened. Nothing shows up in the bloodwork, and repeated looks at the bodies reveals nothing. She even reaches out to other MEs in other jurisdictions.
Lindsay and her partner Rich are not doing much better as they are hitting roadblocks at every bend, leaving no significant clues to work with. They finally get a break when a retired officer points out that the cases mirror similar a similar murder spree in the 1980's. It is that clue that shows them the pattern to finally start pulling the case together.
As all of this is going on Cindy finally gets an opportunity to come to the fore. She takes an interest in the murder of a local homeless man everyone calls Bagman Jesus. At first glance, he has a reputation for helping many of the local indigent population in getting the services they need. He was found beaten to death and with several gunshot wounds to the head. Cindy is horrified at the fact that the police seems to push these types of cases aside because they are overburdered, and no one "really cares." Considering the fact the city is throwing all their big guns on the mystery high society deaths, there is little question that she might be right. Unfortunately, she is not right about everything. As she and other dig deeper into the case, things aren't what they first seem.
As usual, the girls' romances really come to the fore. Yuki finds love after she is hurt in front of the courthouse. The doctor who helps to stitch her up is pretty much the kind of guy every mother would want for their daughter. To make things even better, he is sweet, considerate, and handsome. She hasn't felt like this for a guy in years, and no one knows where their relationship is going to lead.
Cindy also finds a new guy, though he is not as new to the reader. While they are a perfect match, the club members disagree, at first, about whether or not she should pursue him. All she knows is that she likes to spend time with him.
Patterson and Paetro do a nice job of weaving the various plots and subplots together throughout the course of the novel. Each character really has their chance to shine, and the readers get their usual "edge of their" seat reactions as the cases being investigated come to surprising closure. There is no question that fans will enjoy this book and will probably be left yearning for number 9!
Claire, the cities chief medical examiner, has done everything she can to find a sign of what might have happened. Nothing shows up in the bloodwork, and repeated looks at the bodies reveals nothing. She even reaches out to other MEs in other jurisdictions.
Lindsay and her partner Rich are not doing much better as they are hitting roadblocks at every bend, leaving no significant clues to work with. They finally get a break when a retired officer points out that the cases mirror similar a similar murder spree in the 1980's. It is that clue that shows them the pattern to finally start pulling the case together.
As all of this is going on Cindy finally gets an opportunity to come to the fore. She takes an interest in the murder of a local homeless man everyone calls Bagman Jesus. At first glance, he has a reputation for helping many of the local indigent population in getting the services they need. He was found beaten to death and with several gunshot wounds to the head. Cindy is horrified at the fact that the police seems to push these types of cases aside because they are overburdered, and no one "really cares." Considering the fact the city is throwing all their big guns on the mystery high society deaths, there is little question that she might be right. Unfortunately, she is not right about everything. As she and other dig deeper into the case, things aren't what they first seem.
As usual, the girls' romances really come to the fore. Yuki finds love after she is hurt in front of the courthouse. The doctor who helps to stitch her up is pretty much the kind of guy every mother would want for their daughter. To make things even better, he is sweet, considerate, and handsome. She hasn't felt like this for a guy in years, and no one knows where their relationship is going to lead.
Cindy also finds a new guy, though he is not as new to the reader. While they are a perfect match, the club members disagree, at first, about whether or not she should pursue him. All she knows is that she likes to spend time with him.
Patterson and Paetro do a nice job of weaving the various plots and subplots together throughout the course of the novel. Each character really has their chance to shine, and the readers get their usual "edge of their" seat reactions as the cases being investigated come to surprising closure. There is no question that fans will enjoy this book and will probably be left yearning for number 9!
February 8, 2015
I have been a James Patterson fan for quite awhile, and has given me a lot of reading pleasure. Patterson's books are by no means "heavy reads" and for me, this is part of their appeal and charm. This work, like many, many of his previous novels, which can easily be read over the weekend, are entertaining, you don't really have to think all that much while reading them and they are fast. I personally rather liked this 8th addition to the Women's Murder Club Series.
The authors have given us two separate plotlines to follow in this one. The first being that the police department finds that someone is killing off the rich and famous and they simply cannot figure how these people are being killed or why. Very mysterious deaths! The second plot involves a supposedly really, really nice man, a street person who everyone says is a great guy, being found dead; shot four times and his face beaten in and a couple of ribs being broken. Why would someone want this likable guy dead?
We of course have our regular band of ladies who make up the Women's Murder Club, an interesting group, I must say, involved with these two cases. Sprinkled among the major plot lines we have numerous accounts of the lives and happenings involving these ladies and their "friends." These little side ventures are what really make this series click for me.
The authors have given us a bit of everything to chew on here from deadly snakes, to meth dealers and producers to homeless people to the rich and famous to private boarding schools and of course the everyday lives of our intrepid women sleuths. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader turning the pages and everything is pretty logical; if you view it is a open minded way.
I did feel that the romance and sex which somewhat ran through the pages of this book were a bit contrived at times, more forced than natural, but that is of little moment for me as that is not the reason I read this particular series.
I am giving this work four stars because I enjoyed it, but I certainly would not get into a fight with anyone that give it a three or five star reviewing. To each his own; some, like me, will enjoy this one and others simply will not.
This is a definite "to be check out from the library book," and I am grateful that I did not pay good money for it.
The authors have given us two separate plotlines to follow in this one. The first being that the police department finds that someone is killing off the rich and famous and they simply cannot figure how these people are being killed or why. Very mysterious deaths! The second plot involves a supposedly really, really nice man, a street person who everyone says is a great guy, being found dead; shot four times and his face beaten in and a couple of ribs being broken. Why would someone want this likable guy dead?
We of course have our regular band of ladies who make up the Women's Murder Club, an interesting group, I must say, involved with these two cases. Sprinkled among the major plot lines we have numerous accounts of the lives and happenings involving these ladies and their "friends." These little side ventures are what really make this series click for me.
The authors have given us a bit of everything to chew on here from deadly snakes, to meth dealers and producers to homeless people to the rich and famous to private boarding schools and of course the everyday lives of our intrepid women sleuths. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader turning the pages and everything is pretty logical; if you view it is a open minded way.
I did feel that the romance and sex which somewhat ran through the pages of this book were a bit contrived at times, more forced than natural, but that is of little moment for me as that is not the reason I read this particular series.
I am giving this work four stars because I enjoyed it, but I certainly would not get into a fight with anyone that give it a three or five star reviewing. To each his own; some, like me, will enjoy this one and others simply will not.
This is a definite "to be check out from the library book," and I am grateful that I did not pay good money for it.
October 6, 2025
3.75⭐️. I have to admit, Lindsay really annoyed me in regard to her personal life, in this book and the last one too. A few times I wanted to pull her aside and tell her she can’t have it all ways and others deserve happiness too and quit being selfish, she’s 39, figure it out and let people move forward with their lives. (Okay so it reminded me of someone and I may have projected a little extra annoyance Lindsay’s way 🤷♀️). And then Yuki had a conversation with her and I calmed down. I almost felt a smidge bit guilty for being annoyed with her, because I really like her character. But sometimes…….anyways, with that rant over with.
Another good WMC story. Minus the snakes. I don’t even like thinking about them and had forgotten they make a presence in this one.
The story got a little confusing for me here and there, but that was probably just me being me, my mind was wandering a few times, so I had to refocus and get myself back in it. I am sometimes easily confused anyways. So it could have been a mix of both. Regardless, another good addition to the series.
Side note: I found the fizzle out of Yuki and her Doctor romance to be a little odd. A total random throw in that left me with questions that would go unanswered. It took me a second to realize that Claire’s reaction was to his parents, not him. At first I was like, whoa Claire, I didn’t expect that from you. I am not sure where I am going with this anymore, my alarm went off to remind me to get ready for something and my train of thought derailed!
Original review posted: 5/14/25
Corrected typos: 10/6/25
Another good WMC story. Minus the snakes. I don’t even like thinking about them and had forgotten they make a presence in this one.
The story got a little confusing for me here and there, but that was probably just me being me, my mind was wandering a few times, so I had to refocus and get myself back in it. I am sometimes easily confused anyways. So it could have been a mix of both. Regardless, another good addition to the series.
Side note: I found the fizzle out of Yuki and her Doctor romance to be a little odd. A total random throw in that left me with questions that would go unanswered. It took me a second to realize that Claire’s reaction was to his parents, not him. At first I was like, whoa Claire, I didn’t expect that from you. I am not sure where I am going with this anymore, my alarm went off to remind me to get ready for something and my train of thought derailed!
Original review posted: 5/14/25
Corrected typos: 10/6/25
June 12, 2021
The 8th Confession by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro is the 8th book in the Women's Murder Club Mystery series. Wealthy celebrities are being killed in an unusual method, while Cindy investigates the brutal killing of a homeless man known as Bagman Jesus. Another fast-paced book in the series with a lot happening to keep everyone busy. I love that Cindy and Rich have paired up. An entertaining book with plenty of action.
October 13, 2016
In 8th confession, the Women's Club are back with a few hot cases. One involving a well known homeless man and the other involving murder by special circumstances. Between trying to solve these crimes their love lives are in full bloom with plenty of drama.
December 30, 2015
Another great addition to this series!
I love that none of the storylines have been similar to this point. Easy one is unique and interesting and intense!
I can't wait to read the next book!
I love that none of the storylines have been similar to this point. Easy one is unique and interesting and intense!
I can't wait to read the next book!
December 11, 2021
Not the best one in the series but still a book u need to know what happens
May 19, 2022
These ladies never sleep until the job is done.....
October 12, 2023
Thank goodness for this installment as a follow-up to #7 which I really did not much enjoy! Hoping #9 is also as enjoyable for me!
July 9, 2018
another quick and easy read (probably a quick and easy write, too);
a cozy mystery for me, since i didn't really get anything of substance
the problem with titling patterns is that sometimes the story got molded to fit the title, instead of the other way around
a cozy mystery for me, since i didn't really get anything of substance
the problem with titling patterns is that sometimes the story got molded to fit the title, instead of the other way around
August 15, 2011
The four members of the Women’s Murder Club are present in this novel, but this time their activities are more disparate than collusive. Two main threads are woven through the tight 112 chapters: the sidewalk slaying of Bagman Jesus and the serial murders attributed to Pet Girl.
Reading almost like movie trailers, the first several pages describe two different, horrific scenes that seem irrelevant when Boxer initially takes up the storyline. Patterson’s usual cliff-hanging chapter endings are absent, although the clipped, juxtaposed chapters help propel the reader along when the material might not do so.
Detective Lindsay Boxer is the unifying narrator who bastes the divergent cases together. Where newspaper reporter Cindy Thomas elevates Bagman Jesus to the ranks of a savior to San Francisco’s homeless, Boxer defrocks him to anything but a liberator. Where coroner Claire Washburn struggles to identify the causes of the deaths of multiple super-rich San Franciscans, Boxer stumbles into the weapons’ lair. Meanwhile, Assistant District Attorney Yuki Castellano grapples with indefensible court cases and a perplexing romance, without any intrusion or help from Boxer. Yuki’s love life does introduce the topic of transgender operations that might spice up this novel over and above the meth-peddling or crack-selling whores stabled by Rodney Booker.
There are as many murder victims in this book as there are multiple confessions. And, where reasonable doubt cannot be foisted on a legal trial, human interference or vengeance solves the problem.
This issue from the Patterson group is not one of its better efforts. It is an average read—no wonder it remained on my slush shelf for so long.
Reading almost like movie trailers, the first several pages describe two different, horrific scenes that seem irrelevant when Boxer initially takes up the storyline. Patterson’s usual cliff-hanging chapter endings are absent, although the clipped, juxtaposed chapters help propel the reader along when the material might not do so.
Detective Lindsay Boxer is the unifying narrator who bastes the divergent cases together. Where newspaper reporter Cindy Thomas elevates Bagman Jesus to the ranks of a savior to San Francisco’s homeless, Boxer defrocks him to anything but a liberator. Where coroner Claire Washburn struggles to identify the causes of the deaths of multiple super-rich San Franciscans, Boxer stumbles into the weapons’ lair. Meanwhile, Assistant District Attorney Yuki Castellano grapples with indefensible court cases and a perplexing romance, without any intrusion or help from Boxer. Yuki’s love life does introduce the topic of transgender operations that might spice up this novel over and above the meth-peddling or crack-selling whores stabled by Rodney Booker.
There are as many murder victims in this book as there are multiple confessions. And, where reasonable doubt cannot be foisted on a legal trial, human interference or vengeance solves the problem.
This issue from the Patterson group is not one of its better efforts. It is an average read—no wonder it remained on my slush shelf for so long.
November 5, 2017
The eighth and latest instalment in Patterson’s popular Women’s Murder Club series starts with a bang, literally. A black-windowed school bus explodes on a busy San Francisco street, killing several innocent bystanders. Soon after a local hero in the homeless community is brutally murdered.
Reporter Cindy Thomas begins to investigate the murder of the ‘saint of the streets’, but her friend Detective Lindsay Boxer is quickly shifted by superiors to a ‘more important’ case involving a succession of glamorous local millionaires dying in unclear circumstances. If it’s murder, why is there no evidence? Once again the Women’s Murder Club – Thomas, Boxer, assistant district attorney Yuki Castellano, and medical examiner Claire Washburn – kicks into gear, seeking to solve both mysteries while juggling upheaval amongst their own professional and private lives.
Since co-opting co-authors to help accelerate his sales juggernaut, Patterson’s tales have become mixed, at best (but bestselling regardless) – often formulaic, and never really scaling the excitement heights of his earliest works. However, 8th Confession demonstrates something of a minor renaissance, at least in terms of his trademark page-turning plots. Fans of the series and readers looking for some quickly-read escapism – a hurtling whodunit sprinkled with the smallest smidgen of character development - will be well pleased.
Reporter Cindy Thomas begins to investigate the murder of the ‘saint of the streets’, but her friend Detective Lindsay Boxer is quickly shifted by superiors to a ‘more important’ case involving a succession of glamorous local millionaires dying in unclear circumstances. If it’s murder, why is there no evidence? Once again the Women’s Murder Club – Thomas, Boxer, assistant district attorney Yuki Castellano, and medical examiner Claire Washburn – kicks into gear, seeking to solve both mysteries while juggling upheaval amongst their own professional and private lives.
Since co-opting co-authors to help accelerate his sales juggernaut, Patterson’s tales have become mixed, at best (but bestselling regardless) – often formulaic, and never really scaling the excitement heights of his earliest works. However, 8th Confession demonstrates something of a minor renaissance, at least in terms of his trademark page-turning plots. Fans of the series and readers looking for some quickly-read escapism – a hurtling whodunit sprinkled with the smallest smidgen of character development - will be well pleased.
August 13, 2009
This one was good, but still not as good as the 1st or 6th in the series. I'm still on the edge of my seat for the 9th book, but I wasn't as speechless with this one. It was a little ho-hum.
I enjoyed the tension between Cindy and Lindsey in this one. It's made the whole situation a little more real as far as their personal lives are concerned. I also really liked the wisdom that Yuki gave to Lindsey about her love life. Then, Yuki's situation with Doc was a shocker! It was a great twist that I think may play out later in the series.
As for the crime solving in this one, well...I'm a little skeptical about a murderer using snakes to kill people. The murder of the homeless man seemed a little more possible, but the fact that Lindsey wasn't supposed to be working the crime at all was unsettling for me. I think what I'd have liked to see is more of a squabble between Cindy and Lindsey resulting from Cindy's supposed crime fighting, and not over their personal feelings for Rich.
Overall, glad that I've gotten myself hooked on this series. Also glad that I'm caught up and can wait patiently for book 9!
I enjoyed the tension between Cindy and Lindsey in this one. It's made the whole situation a little more real as far as their personal lives are concerned. I also really liked the wisdom that Yuki gave to Lindsey about her love life. Then, Yuki's situation with Doc was a shocker! It was a great twist that I think may play out later in the series.
As for the crime solving in this one, well...I'm a little skeptical about a murderer using snakes to kill people. The murder of the homeless man seemed a little more possible, but the fact that Lindsey wasn't supposed to be working the crime at all was unsettling for me. I think what I'd have liked to see is more of a squabble between Cindy and Lindsey resulting from Cindy's supposed crime fighting, and not over their personal feelings for Rich.
Overall, glad that I've gotten myself hooked on this series. Also glad that I'm caught up and can wait patiently for book 9!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,176 reviews