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Women's Murder Club #9
The 9th Judgment
The most personal
A young mother and her infant child are ruthlessly gunned down while returning to their car in the garage of a shopping mall. There are no witnesses, and Detective Lindsay Boxer is left with only one shred of evidence: a cryptic message scrawled across the windshield in bloodred lipstick.
The most dangerous
The same night, the wife of A-list actor Marcus Dowling is woken by a cat burglar who is about to steal millions of dollars' worth of precious jewels. In just seconds there is a nearly empty safe, a lifeless body, and another mystery that throws San Francisco into hysteria.
The most exciting Women's Murder Club novel ever
Lindsay spends every waking hour working with her partner, Rich--and her desire for him threatens to tear apart both her engagement and the Women's Murder Club. Before Lindsay and her friends can piece together either case, one of the killers forces Lindsay to put her own life on the line--but is it enough to save the city? With unparalleled danger and explosive action, The 9th Judgment is James Patterson at his compelling, unstoppable best!
A young mother and her infant child are ruthlessly gunned down while returning to their car in the garage of a shopping mall. There are no witnesses, and Detective Lindsay Boxer is left with only one shred of evidence: a cryptic message scrawled across the windshield in bloodred lipstick.
The most dangerous
The same night, the wife of A-list actor Marcus Dowling is woken by a cat burglar who is about to steal millions of dollars' worth of precious jewels. In just seconds there is a nearly empty safe, a lifeless body, and another mystery that throws San Francisco into hysteria.
The most exciting Women's Murder Club novel ever
Lindsay spends every waking hour working with her partner, Rich--and her desire for him threatens to tear apart both her engagement and the Women's Murder Club. Before Lindsay and her friends can piece together either case, one of the killers forces Lindsay to put her own life on the line--but is it enough to save the city? With unparalleled danger and explosive action, The 9th Judgment is James Patterson at his compelling, unstoppable best!
369 pages, ebook
First published May 7, 2010
3049 people are currently reading
19866 people want to read
About the author
James Patterson
964 books357k followersOfficial US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,348 reviews
February 8, 2024
Book Blog | Bookstagram
Why am I still reading this series you ask? I have no idea other than they're fast reads that don't require too much of my brainpower. I mean, they all suck and sometimes one sucks less. And maybe I'm just addicted to that suck-meter score.
In The 9th Judgement, a deranged killer is targeting women and children all over San Fran. I have to hand it to Patterson, the crimes were especially disturbing compared to some of his other works and the killer's calling card - WCF (meaning "women and children first") was pretty clever. As usual, there was a secondary plot moving the story along, but this time the two crimes were actually connected!
The plot flowed and everything came together in the end with a nice bow, except for that stupid epilogue that served no purpose! Yay! 1 out of 2 ain't bad.
My complaints about this one include my usual "women don't really behave that way" gripe, as well as my constant wondering about why a book about murder keeps its language within the boundaries of things like "stink bomb."
Like, what is this? The Baby Muppets Murder Club? It just didn't come across as an adult tale. People saying things like "fricken" and "gosh darn it" is just ridiculous given the overall subject matter.
⭐⭐⭐ | 3 stars
Why am I still reading this series you ask? I have no idea other than they're fast reads that don't require too much of my brainpower. I mean, they all suck and sometimes one sucks less. And maybe I'm just addicted to that suck-meter score.
In The 9th Judgement, a deranged killer is targeting women and children all over San Fran. I have to hand it to Patterson, the crimes were especially disturbing compared to some of his other works and the killer's calling card - WCF (meaning "women and children first") was pretty clever. As usual, there was a secondary plot moving the story along, but this time the two crimes were actually connected!
The plot flowed and everything came together in the end with a nice bow, except for that stupid epilogue that served no purpose! Yay! 1 out of 2 ain't bad.
My complaints about this one include my usual "women don't really behave that way" gripe, as well as my constant wondering about why a book about murder keeps its language within the boundaries of things like "stink bomb."
Like, what is this? The Baby Muppets Murder Club? It just didn't come across as an adult tale. People saying things like "fricken" and "gosh darn it" is just ridiculous given the overall subject matter.
⭐⭐⭐ | 3 stars
June 25, 2018
I am not usually a fan of this particular series. I find the four women high maintenance and tiresome. However in this one they are all more bearable than usual and anyway the story is so good I could ignore their sillinesses.
As with all Patterson novels the book moves at a very brisk pace with short, choppy chapters each leading straight into the next. I think this is the main reason I read his books. They are ideal reading for a tired brain - not much concentration needed but plenty of action to keep the reader awake.
I enjoyed the secondary story about the cat burglar and liked the way it was related to the main murder mystery. There was some foolishness (can you honestly ever imagine a cop stripping all her clothes off in public?) and some melodrama (that last unnecessary scene at the dinner party) but overall it was an entertaining read.
As with all Patterson novels the book moves at a very brisk pace with short, choppy chapters each leading straight into the next. I think this is the main reason I read his books. They are ideal reading for a tired brain - not much concentration needed but plenty of action to keep the reader awake.
I enjoyed the secondary story about the cat burglar and liked the way it was related to the main murder mystery. There was some foolishness (can you honestly ever imagine a cop stripping all her clothes off in public?) and some melodrama (that last unnecessary scene at the dinner party) but overall it was an entertaining read.
October 20, 2023
CHARLIE’S ANGELS meets HILL STREET BLUES meets DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Go ahead and bet the farm! It’s a sure thing that nobody is ever going to accuse James Patterson of writing stories with lasting literary values or subliminal moral messages. THE 9TH JUDGMENT is (surprise!!) the ninth installment in James Patterson’s and Maxine Paetro’s long-running and immensely popular WOMEN’S MURDER CLUB series. It has never pretended to be anything other than simple, fast-paced, entertaining brain candy fare that looks in the general direction of a suspense thriller but never makes any real strides toward actually reaching that level.
The story of a crazed serial killer brutally targeting women and children is tossed into the blender with the tale of a second-story cat burglar accused of murdering one of her victims. Meanwhile, back at the soap-opera home front, Lindsay Boxer, Claire Washburn, Yuki Castellano and Cindy Thomas regale each other with the heavy-breathing sagas of their intermittent, embattled love lives.
Recommended as enjoyable, page-turning, fun stuff. Just don’t look for any Pulitzer Prize nominations in James Patterson’s future.
Paul Weiss
Go ahead and bet the farm! It’s a sure thing that nobody is ever going to accuse James Patterson of writing stories with lasting literary values or subliminal moral messages. THE 9TH JUDGMENT is (surprise!!) the ninth installment in James Patterson’s and Maxine Paetro’s long-running and immensely popular WOMEN’S MURDER CLUB series. It has never pretended to be anything other than simple, fast-paced, entertaining brain candy fare that looks in the general direction of a suspense thriller but never makes any real strides toward actually reaching that level.
The story of a crazed serial killer brutally targeting women and children is tossed into the blender with the tale of a second-story cat burglar accused of murdering one of her victims. Meanwhile, back at the soap-opera home front, Lindsay Boxer, Claire Washburn, Yuki Castellano and Cindy Thomas regale each other with the heavy-breathing sagas of their intermittent, embattled love lives.
Recommended as enjoyable, page-turning, fun stuff. Just don’t look for any Pulitzer Prize nominations in James Patterson’s future.
Paul Weiss
June 28, 2018
Not my favourite James Patterson series (written with Maxine Paetro) but on the whole this was a good read. The main storyline was a killer shooting random women and children for no apparent reason, with a cat burglar nicknamed 'Hello Kitty', a secondary thread. I enjoyed the cat burglar more than the main thread, especially the way it ended. The main story didn't always make sense but it had a few twists and a good pace that kept me entertained for a few hours. 3.5★ but I'll bump it up to 4★ for Hello Kitty!
June 16, 2011
What makes a writer continue on when the story is over? I was enjoying this tale until James Patterson needed to continue with a couple of chapters at the end that were not necessary. Is there a certain word count or page number that an author has to hit before their book is complete?
Lindsay Boxer and her team respond to a gruesome murder – someone is killing young mothers and their children and leaving a horrific “WCF” message behind in the woman’s lipstick. It takes Boxer and her team most of the book to actually figure out the obvious, but that is typical Patterson.
In a parallel storyline, a cat burglar whom the media has referred to as “Hello Kitty” is robbing homes while the owners are having a party and have just happened to leave their safes unlocked. A narrow escape involving Hello Kitty opens up an opportunity for an aging movie star to take care of a bit of his own business.
As the two stories reach their conclusions and intertwine, Boxer and her team, with the help of a character from a previous book, try to end the WCF killings and bring peace once again to San Francisco. However, that would be too easy and once again, Lindsay is drawn into yet another round with a lying deceitful manipulating character that appears to turn Lindsay’s world on end.
Patterson writes a very simple easy to follow book. Are you going to be mesmerized and tantalized with his writing – no. Are you going to brag to all of your friends that you just read a Patterson – I hope not. Are you going to say – darn these books are addictive and I hope that one day he writes a books that lives up to all of the hype – most definitely.
Lindsay Boxer and her team respond to a gruesome murder – someone is killing young mothers and their children and leaving a horrific “WCF” message behind in the woman’s lipstick. It takes Boxer and her team most of the book to actually figure out the obvious, but that is typical Patterson.
In a parallel storyline, a cat burglar whom the media has referred to as “Hello Kitty” is robbing homes while the owners are having a party and have just happened to leave their safes unlocked. A narrow escape involving Hello Kitty opens up an opportunity for an aging movie star to take care of a bit of his own business.
As the two stories reach their conclusions and intertwine, Boxer and her team, with the help of a character from a previous book, try to end the WCF killings and bring peace once again to San Francisco. However, that would be too easy and once again, Lindsay is drawn into yet another round with a lying deceitful manipulating character that appears to turn Lindsay’s world on end.
Patterson writes a very simple easy to follow book. Are you going to be mesmerized and tantalized with his writing – no. Are you going to brag to all of your friends that you just read a Patterson – I hope not. Are you going to say – darn these books are addictive and I hope that one day he writes a books that lives up to all of the hype – most definitely.
November 4, 2024
I've read almost all from the first ten books from the series and I believe this one is probably one of the most successful ones.
The characters are more lively, the two plots sound plausible enough, and, most of all, there is less of Lindsay's stupid lamentations and more action. Unfortunately, Mr. Patterson isn't quite a genius in managing finals, which is commonplace in Gordon's capture and pathetic, as "dear" Joe escapes unharmed, in an unnecessary appendix...
The characters are more lively, the two plots sound plausible enough, and, most of all, there is less of Lindsay's stupid lamentations and more action. Unfortunately, Mr. Patterson isn't quite a genius in managing finals, which is commonplace in Gordon's capture and pathetic, as "dear" Joe escapes unharmed, in an unnecessary appendix...
April 13, 2024
Multiple criminals in this one ended up tied together in extremely crazy ways.
One of the greatest plot-twisting novels of this series yet.
Women and their babies are being killed.
A cat burglar
An actor's wife is killed after a dinner party.
All of the Women's Murder Club participants have to come together to solve this one and support one another after the horrific death of the babies.
How many more will die before they figure it out?
5 Star.
One of the greatest plot-twisting novels of this series yet.
Women and their babies are being killed.
A cat burglar
An actor's wife is killed after a dinner party.
All of the Women's Murder Club participants have to come together to solve this one and support one another after the horrific death of the babies.
How many more will die before they figure it out?
5 Star.
November 14, 2025
Wasn't one of his best books but a good read all the same.
Three stars.
Three stars.
August 6, 2019
The 9th Judgment audio book is number nine in the Woman's Murder Club series written by author Maxine Paetro and narrated by Carolyn McCormick
Once again author and narrator pair up
together creating another breathtaking, nail biting, thriller that's not to be missed!
Maxine Paetro is an old hand at blending several story lines together creating even higher levels of suspense and anticipation throughout the story while Carolyn McCormick deftly accentuates each character's individual personality portraying them into living, breathing, larger than life people.
A cat burglar, nicknamed Hello Kitty,
has been breaking into lavish homes,
stealing precious jewelry, then escaping into the night while the affluent owners are busy entertaining guests. Hello Kitty has never harmed anyone. Until now.
The prominent actor Marcus Dowling and his wife, Stephanie, are having an intimate dinner party downstairs, Hello Kitty breaks into the upstairs bedroom, grabs the jewels and is about to escape when something goes terribly wrong and Stephanie Dowling ends up dead.
Now it's up to Lindsay and Richie to find out why Hello Kitty has now killed someone. What went wrong? Lindsay has her suspicions that Marcus Dowling killed his wife, not Hello Kitty. But everyone else believes that the actor is truly devastated by his wife's death and that he couldn't have killed her.
Across town a mother with a baby is getting into her car when a stranger suddenly shoots the mother twice then pitilessly kills the baby with a gun shot to the head. The killer leaves no clues or evidence behind except for three big letters written in lipstick on the windshield. WCF
Who would do such a thing? Why a baby?
And what does WCF stand for?
Before Lindsay and Richie have a chance to find the first lead, the killer strikes again, this time killing a mother and her infant daughter outside a movie theater in the mall. The letters are again written in lipstick, dubbing the shooter The Lipstick Killer.
Lindsay and Richie are neck deep in two homicide investigations with little to go on when confidential information gets leaked out to the media adding additional pressure on them. They finally get a break in the Dowling case when someone claiming to be Hello Kitty calls Lindsay and says that she didn't kill Stephanie Dowling and giving information that only the burglar would know. Hello Kitty then hints at who did kill Stephanie Dowling, even giving them a possible motive.
Now they know that the cat burglar is female, but can they trust her that she is indeed innocent of murder? Is she telling them the truth about the person who did kill Mrs. Dowling?
The merciless Lipstick Killer has killed yet again, this time the letters have been rearranged to FWC. The investigation stalls when they're still unable to decipher the letters or catch any leads until a man calling himself the Lipstick Killer writes the Chronicle asking for two million dollars. In exchange he says he will stop
killing people in San Francisco.
Who's going to pay off a psycho killer? And can they trust him to keep his word that once he gets the money that he will stop killing people in San Francisco? But then what? Lindsay will stop at nothing to catch this deranged killer. Is she prepared to lose her life to stop him? And if she fails more woman and babies will be killed—and it will be her fault.
The 9th judgment has enough twists to keep things lively and exciting throughout and it never slows down enough for you to catch your breath. Despite the number of books in this series all of the characters remain fresh and the personal stories that occur amongst them raises the excitement level even higher with an extra zing alongside the suspense of the multiple murder investigations. There were several jaw dropping moments and a conclusion that brought me up short!
Next up 10th Anniversary by Maxine Paetro
Once again author and narrator pair up
together creating another breathtaking, nail biting, thriller that's not to be missed!
Maxine Paetro is an old hand at blending several story lines together creating even higher levels of suspense and anticipation throughout the story while Carolyn McCormick deftly accentuates each character's individual personality portraying them into living, breathing, larger than life people.
A cat burglar, nicknamed Hello Kitty,
has been breaking into lavish homes,
stealing precious jewelry, then escaping into the night while the affluent owners are busy entertaining guests. Hello Kitty has never harmed anyone. Until now.
The prominent actor Marcus Dowling and his wife, Stephanie, are having an intimate dinner party downstairs, Hello Kitty breaks into the upstairs bedroom, grabs the jewels and is about to escape when something goes terribly wrong and Stephanie Dowling ends up dead.
Now it's up to Lindsay and Richie to find out why Hello Kitty has now killed someone. What went wrong? Lindsay has her suspicions that Marcus Dowling killed his wife, not Hello Kitty. But everyone else believes that the actor is truly devastated by his wife's death and that he couldn't have killed her.
Across town a mother with a baby is getting into her car when a stranger suddenly shoots the mother twice then pitilessly kills the baby with a gun shot to the head. The killer leaves no clues or evidence behind except for three big letters written in lipstick on the windshield. WCF
Who would do such a thing? Why a baby?
And what does WCF stand for?
Before Lindsay and Richie have a chance to find the first lead, the killer strikes again, this time killing a mother and her infant daughter outside a movie theater in the mall. The letters are again written in lipstick, dubbing the shooter The Lipstick Killer.
Lindsay and Richie are neck deep in two homicide investigations with little to go on when confidential information gets leaked out to the media adding additional pressure on them. They finally get a break in the Dowling case when someone claiming to be Hello Kitty calls Lindsay and says that she didn't kill Stephanie Dowling and giving information that only the burglar would know. Hello Kitty then hints at who did kill Stephanie Dowling, even giving them a possible motive.
Now they know that the cat burglar is female, but can they trust her that she is indeed innocent of murder? Is she telling them the truth about the person who did kill Mrs. Dowling?
The merciless Lipstick Killer has killed yet again, this time the letters have been rearranged to FWC. The investigation stalls when they're still unable to decipher the letters or catch any leads until a man calling himself the Lipstick Killer writes the Chronicle asking for two million dollars. In exchange he says he will stop
killing people in San Francisco.
Who's going to pay off a psycho killer? And can they trust him to keep his word that once he gets the money that he will stop killing people in San Francisco? But then what? Lindsay will stop at nothing to catch this deranged killer. Is she prepared to lose her life to stop him? And if she fails more woman and babies will be killed—and it will be her fault.
The 9th judgment has enough twists to keep things lively and exciting throughout and it never slows down enough for you to catch your breath. Despite the number of books in this series all of the characters remain fresh and the personal stories that occur amongst them raises the excitement level even higher with an extra zing alongside the suspense of the multiple murder investigations. There were several jaw dropping moments and a conclusion that brought me up short!
Next up 10th Anniversary by Maxine Paetro
August 5, 2022
4 Stars
Getting better…… I hope!
I much preferred this one I love ‘Hello Kitty’ what a brilliant character. Unlike the last 2/3 books in the series this one got back to the murders, thrills and police work rather than sex and love struck Lyndsey!
These are still very fast reads with short and snappy chapters which means these books are only taking me a day or two to read. This book was quite a page turner and I didn’t really want to know how this one was going to end! Cindy and Yuki didn’t make that much of an appearance in this book and that’s fine with me – if you have read my review for the other books in this series you’ll know that I’m not overly fond of Yuki and I’ve decided I’m not much for Cindy either.
‘I hope the little boy hadn’t realised what was happening. I hoped he hadn’t had time to be afraid.’
‘Feeling almost giddy, she threaded her way between the hedge and the house until she reached the dimly lit street. She’d pulled it off. She was outta her. She wouldn’t get caught.’
This book focuses on two plots the first of a maniac woman and child murderer and the other a jewel thief after a new life and I enjoyed both! If you didn’t enjoy the last three books 6th Target, 7th Heaven and 8th Confession you might want to still give number 9 ago and not give up quite yet!
The ending was a little lacking for me and it could’ve been cut a little bit short maybe by a few chapters!
On to the next!!
Getting better…… I hope!
I much preferred this one I love ‘Hello Kitty’ what a brilliant character. Unlike the last 2/3 books in the series this one got back to the murders, thrills and police work rather than sex and love struck Lyndsey!
These are still very fast reads with short and snappy chapters which means these books are only taking me a day or two to read. This book was quite a page turner and I didn’t really want to know how this one was going to end! Cindy and Yuki didn’t make that much of an appearance in this book and that’s fine with me – if you have read my review for the other books in this series you’ll know that I’m not overly fond of Yuki and I’ve decided I’m not much for Cindy either.
‘I hope the little boy hadn’t realised what was happening. I hoped he hadn’t had time to be afraid.’
‘Feeling almost giddy, she threaded her way between the hedge and the house until she reached the dimly lit street. She’d pulled it off. She was outta her. She wouldn’t get caught.’
This book focuses on two plots the first of a maniac woman and child murderer and the other a jewel thief after a new life and I enjoyed both! If you didn’t enjoy the last three books 6th Target, 7th Heaven and 8th Confession you might want to still give number 9 ago and not give up quite yet!
The ending was a little lacking for me and it could’ve been cut a little bit short maybe by a few chapters!
On to the next!!
June 13, 2010
why am i still reading this series?? it's TERRIBLE. i mean, the first ones were good. but then . . . i swear, after 3rd Degree everything went down hill. and now it's what, six books later and i'm still surprised that they are getting worse?
there wasn't even anything INTERESTING in it. and it made NO SENSE. clues? a mystery? what? i'm kind of still confused. at least they used a map when plotting the chase scenes this time.
so glad i waited for this at the library. ugh. i still miss jill. the end.
there wasn't even anything INTERESTING in it. and it made NO SENSE. clues? a mystery? what? i'm kind of still confused. at least they used a map when plotting the chase scenes this time.
so glad i waited for this at the library. ugh. i still miss jill. the end.
January 14, 2018
Was so awesome to get back to the these characters after years being away from them. When we were moving bookshelves because of a pipe busting so now want to get caught up on the series. Yep so that's my month goal! They aren't huge books and are fast reads so....on to book ten!
My quick and simple overall: loved the plot and getting reunited with the characters! Fast read you can do in one sitting.
My quick and simple overall: loved the plot and getting reunited with the characters! Fast read you can do in one sitting.
October 17, 2010
Of all of the Women's Club Murder mysteries, this one has to be my favorite! James Patterson and Maxine Paetro do a stellar job of weaving a tale that keeps the reader interested, cover-to-cover. I had a very hard time putting this book down, and finished it in a matter of several days!
This has to be one of the toughest cases yet for the Women's Murder Club - a deranged killer is targeting women and children all over San Francisco, and the bodies are piling up. Meanwhile, a string of jewel thefts ends tragically for one high-profile couple, when the wife is murdered, presumably by the jewel thief. Everything is not what it seems as two women struggle to come to grips with their painful marriages, and plot their escape, never really realizing how much danger they will face as the story unravels. Lindsey, Claire, Cindy and Yuki deal with their own challenges as they go about their jobs trying to protect their beloved San Francisco. The ending will surprise readers!
The only disappointing part of the book is that we don't see much of Yuki this time!
This has to be one of the toughest cases yet for the Women's Murder Club - a deranged killer is targeting women and children all over San Francisco, and the bodies are piling up. Meanwhile, a string of jewel thefts ends tragically for one high-profile couple, when the wife is murdered, presumably by the jewel thief. Everything is not what it seems as two women struggle to come to grips with their painful marriages, and plot their escape, never really realizing how much danger they will face as the story unravels. Lindsey, Claire, Cindy and Yuki deal with their own challenges as they go about their jobs trying to protect their beloved San Francisco. The ending will surprise readers!
The only disappointing part of the book is that we don't see much of Yuki this time!
December 26, 2025
uhh?? why did i read this? i haven’t read the 7th or 8th 😭
(2024 btw)
(2024 btw)
February 5, 2024
The story was ridiculous. The characters were two dimensional. I mean Hello Kitty the jewel thief was weak. Giving back the jewels?? The Lipstick killer was just insane and silly. The brutality of his killings was motiveless which left me perplexed. Mind you he was insane. Avoid.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2025
4 Stars for The 9th Judgment: Women’s Murder Club, Book 9 (audiobook) by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro read by Carolyn McCormick.
A woman who’s trying to make her ends meet by being a cat burglar ends up being the prime suspect for murder.
A woman who’s trying to make her ends meet by being a cat burglar ends up being the prime suspect for murder.
October 13, 2016
I'm sick of this series and the fact that there's a 10th book already out pisses me off even more BECAUSE i CAN'T BELIEVE ITS NOT OVER YET. I followed this series because the first book was AMAZING, I enjoyed it and thought "Wow a women that's a cop and a series that centers around her life count me in!" I was interested in reading the rest of the series because I really enjoyed the first. Some of the other books I also enjoyed and the others not so much. But THIS one just pisses me off, its like Patterson just wrote it to write it. the story line was so terrible and so typical. I don't understand why Patterson likes to ruin a good series by writing another book for it every 15 freaking seconds. Just writing about this book is pissing me off. The only thing that kept me interested in actually reading it was the relationship between Cindy and Conklin. I'm sick of Lindsay shes an idiot who doesn't know what she wants and is jealous of Cindy and can't be content with Joe she needs to get over herself and get married already. I sincerely hope the 10th book was the last because I can't take this series anymore, its already ruined for me.
March 22, 2016
By far, the most twisted book in this series.
You know from the get go who the bad guy is and boy do you want the cops to get him. He's sick and twisted and ... Ugh he was just bad.
There there was the second case in the story that you couldn't get a read on until it was coming to an end and you were almost glad to see it end the way it did.
Very very good 9th book in a series.
You know from the get go who the bad guy is and boy do you want the cops to get him. He's sick and twisted and ... Ugh he was just bad.
There there was the second case in the story that you couldn't get a read on until it was coming to an end and you were almost glad to see it end the way it did.
Very very good 9th book in a series.
November 28, 2023
Powerful and drama filled tension. A great read.
November 30, 2016
After the disappointing 8th Confession, I didn't have high expectations with this book. Surprisingly, it was actually enjoyable. Here are the reasons why I like this book:
1. The lipstick killer. I like intelligence, even in serial killers. The harder they are to catch and figure out, the more difficult it is for the police to outsmart him, the more exciting it is for me because I become increasingly frustrated to get him caught. Dumb criminals invoke a 'meh' reaction from me because unless they undergo a miracle, they're bound to get caught in the end anyway.
2. The Hello Kitty burglar. I liked how the Kitty burglar was somehow pitiful, not in a snide way but sincerely worth the pity. She's like the female version of Robin Hood, only instead of giving the money to the poor, she's saving it up to save the person she people she loves, including herself.
3. How everything was intertwined. You'll understand after you read the book. Now go ahead and read it.
1. The lipstick killer. I like intelligence, even in serial killers. The harder they are to catch and figure out, the more difficult it is for the police to outsmart him, the more exciting it is for me because I become increasingly frustrated to get him caught. Dumb criminals invoke a 'meh' reaction from me because unless they undergo a miracle, they're bound to get caught in the end anyway.
2. The Hello Kitty burglar. I liked how the Kitty burglar was somehow pitiful, not in a snide way but sincerely worth the pity. She's like the female version of Robin Hood, only instead of giving the money to the poor, she's saving it up to save the person she people she loves, including herself.
3. How everything was intertwined. You'll understand after you read the book. Now go ahead and read it.
July 3, 2025
This is a Police Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, and this is the ninth book in the Women's Murder Club series. I read the first eight books in this series before picking up this book. There were two different cases (crime sprees) going on in this book, and I loved following these cases. I loved the characters in this book. I really enjoyed reading this book.
August 5, 2018
Time taken to read - 1 day
Pages - 368
Publisher - Little, Brown Young Readers
Sources - gifted from another reader
Blurb from Goodreads
Detective Lindsay Boxer chases a Jewel thief, a murderous movie star, and a killer with a vendetta against women and children.
A young mother and her infant child are ruthlessly gunned down in the garage of a shopping mall. There are no witnesses, and detective Lindsay Boxer is left with only one shred of evidence: a cryptic message scrawled across the windshield in blood-red lipstick.
The same night, the wife of A-list actor Marcus Dowling is woken by a cat burglar who is about to steal millions of dollars worth of precious jewels. In just seconds there is a nearly empty safe, a lifeless body, and another mystery that throws San Francisco into hysteria.
Lindsay spends every waking hour working with her partner, Rich, and her desire for him threatens to tear apart both her engagement and the Women's Murder Club. Before Lindsay and her friends can piece together either case, one of the killers forces Lindsay to put her own life on the line - but is it enough to save the city? With unparalleled danger and explosive action, The 9th Judgment is James Patterson at his compelling, unstoppable best!
My Review
Lindsay is on the path of a killer, murdering innocent mothers with their children. A jewel thief who has murdered an actors wife. Discussing the case with her friends also serving the city in their roles they put the worlds to right, discussing the issues in work and their lives.
We hear from the jewel thief, we hear from the killer and follow the investigation as the police try to catch the killer and jewel thief. As always with Patterson we have short chapters which I love and makes for easy reading. The plot is engaging, I do like the friendship aspect but some of it is a bit, well for me, I read like really?!?! However it doesn't spoil the actual book, some of the scenes are a bit hard hitting, murders of children are always hard to read. It is really good, action, friendship, relationships, police procedure and investigations.
An easy read, I think I have read one or two of the previous books and have enjoyed them and I will read them as I come across them. A pool side read for me, enjoyable, not my favourite James Patterson book by any means but I do recommend it, 3.5/5 for me.
Pages - 368
Publisher - Little, Brown Young Readers
Sources - gifted from another reader
Blurb from Goodreads
Detective Lindsay Boxer chases a Jewel thief, a murderous movie star, and a killer with a vendetta against women and children.
A young mother and her infant child are ruthlessly gunned down in the garage of a shopping mall. There are no witnesses, and detective Lindsay Boxer is left with only one shred of evidence: a cryptic message scrawled across the windshield in blood-red lipstick.
The same night, the wife of A-list actor Marcus Dowling is woken by a cat burglar who is about to steal millions of dollars worth of precious jewels. In just seconds there is a nearly empty safe, a lifeless body, and another mystery that throws San Francisco into hysteria.
Lindsay spends every waking hour working with her partner, Rich, and her desire for him threatens to tear apart both her engagement and the Women's Murder Club. Before Lindsay and her friends can piece together either case, one of the killers forces Lindsay to put her own life on the line - but is it enough to save the city? With unparalleled danger and explosive action, The 9th Judgment is James Patterson at his compelling, unstoppable best!
My Review
Lindsay is on the path of a killer, murdering innocent mothers with their children. A jewel thief who has murdered an actors wife. Discussing the case with her friends also serving the city in their roles they put the worlds to right, discussing the issues in work and their lives.
We hear from the jewel thief, we hear from the killer and follow the investigation as the police try to catch the killer and jewel thief. As always with Patterson we have short chapters which I love and makes for easy reading. The plot is engaging, I do like the friendship aspect but some of it is a bit, well for me, I read like really?!?! However it doesn't spoil the actual book, some of the scenes are a bit hard hitting, murders of children are always hard to read. It is really good, action, friendship, relationships, police procedure and investigations.
An easy read, I think I have read one or two of the previous books and have enjoyed them and I will read them as I come across them. A pool side read for me, enjoyable, not my favourite James Patterson book by any means but I do recommend it, 3.5/5 for me.
April 1, 2017
I mainly read these books in the Women’s Murder Club, because I enjoy the friendship between Lindsay, Sergeant in SFPD, Claire, Medical Examiner, Cindy, journalist at the Chronicle and Yuki working as an Assistant District Attorney. All 4 women are on the right side of the law – well except maybe not entirely true for Cindy – as a reporter she regularly antagonizes Lindsay by possibly printing information that shouldn’t be available to the public, yet. Mostly it works out and Cindy respectfully follows Lindsay’s lead.
This 9th book is very disappointing in the fact that 4 lead women hardly interacted and little was happening with Claire, who’s my favorite. What also horrified me was the nature of the crimes committed by the Lipstick Killer. I’m serious here – what motivated the authors to have that psychopath kill young mothers with babies in deserted parking garages? I don’t know, but it was so unsubtly written, in my opinion, without decorum and respect – I was repulsed. Especially, as we don’t know what motivated these killings? At least the authors should have made the effort to put this in perspective – This was violence and horror, for shock effect – No more, no less.
This 9th book is very disappointing in the fact that 4 lead women hardly interacted and little was happening with Claire, who’s my favorite. What also horrified me was the nature of the crimes committed by the Lipstick Killer. I’m serious here – what motivated the authors to have that psychopath kill young mothers with babies in deserted parking garages? I don’t know, but it was so unsubtly written, in my opinion, without decorum and respect – I was repulsed. Especially, as we don’t know what motivated these killings? At least the authors should have made the effort to put this in perspective – This was violence and horror, for shock effect – No more, no less.
July 2, 2022
Great story line. Loved this book
March 31, 2018
There's nothing better than Sgt Lindsay Boxer on a case. She's smart, dogmatic, calculating and good at her job. This time, the killer is a military veteran that has set his sights on women and children. The funny thing is he has kids of his own! The 2nd case involves a cat burglar who commits a crime but later finds out one of the people they robbed was murdered and they're being accused of murder.
James Patterson reels you in with the prologue and from there, the action begins. The stories are interesting and feels as if they're happening at the moment you're reading the book. The activities in the story were believable and plausible. As each story unfolds, the suspense mounts and you want to get to the end.
There's only one thing I don't like about this story. JP keeps dragging Lindsay's indecisiveness about her true feelings about Joe and marriage. She loves him but something is holding her back from saying I do. At least she's wearing the engagement ring.
I rated this book a 4 because there's no long-winded downtime within the story. The action is top notch, the storyline is very plausible and keeps you reading.
James Patterson reels you in with the prologue and from there, the action begins. The stories are interesting and feels as if they're happening at the moment you're reading the book. The activities in the story were believable and plausible. As each story unfolds, the suspense mounts and you want to get to the end.
There's only one thing I don't like about this story. JP keeps dragging Lindsay's indecisiveness about her true feelings about Joe and marriage. She loves him but something is holding her back from saying I do. At least she's wearing the engagement ring.
I rated this book a 4 because there's no long-winded downtime within the story. The action is top notch, the storyline is very plausible and keeps you reading.
April 29, 2010
Jen's Review
Dear James
I can call you James right, after all your books I have read, I feel we are on a first name basis. Now James, you know I love you, but lets talk about your latest novel, The 9th Judgment. For the first time I have had to put down one of your books and decide not to finish it. I know this is a first for us, so I need you to understand. James, you murdered an infant and sweetie, I just cannot seem to handle that sort of storyline. My youngest child is close in age to the infant you knocked off and that just hits too close to home.
Now I AM going to forgive you for this and not treat you like I did Stephen King after being horrified while reading Pet Cemetery. I actually finished that book, but it took me 20 years to get over my disgust and pick up another one of his books, even though his book The Stand is my favorite. Instead I have decided to treat you with the same respect that I gave Joss Whedon, even though he broke my heart twice. The first time with the sudden death of Buffy's Mom by brain aneurysm (Sorry Joss, but I like Buffy came home to find my mom dead of a brain aneurysm, I CANNOT watch that episode ever again) The second time from the abrupt death of Wash, one of your most beloved characters. Joss, you made me cry, but I came back for more and James I am going to do the same for you now.
Now promise me darling, no more murdering innocent children --or while we are at it no evil murdering toddlers back from the dead either. However I do approve of the killing of psychopaths or politicians -- oh never mind, that is the same thing, so keep up with that.
Thanks for all your previous books, I know many people say you aren't a good writer, but don't listen to them. A good writer to me, is someone who tells a good tale and makes you not want to put a story down, well except for when you murder off innocent children of course.
Thanks
Jen
Rating: DNF
Dear James
I can call you James right, after all your books I have read, I feel we are on a first name basis. Now James, you know I love you, but lets talk about your latest novel, The 9th Judgment. For the first time I have had to put down one of your books and decide not to finish it. I know this is a first for us, so I need you to understand. James, you murdered an infant and sweetie, I just cannot seem to handle that sort of storyline. My youngest child is close in age to the infant you knocked off and that just hits too close to home.
Now I AM going to forgive you for this and not treat you like I did Stephen King after being horrified while reading Pet Cemetery. I actually finished that book, but it took me 20 years to get over my disgust and pick up another one of his books, even though his book The Stand is my favorite. Instead I have decided to treat you with the same respect that I gave Joss Whedon, even though he broke my heart twice. The first time with the sudden death of Buffy's Mom by brain aneurysm (Sorry Joss, but I like Buffy came home to find my mom dead of a brain aneurysm, I CANNOT watch that episode ever again) The second time from the abrupt death of Wash, one of your most beloved characters. Joss, you made me cry, but I came back for more and James I am going to do the same for you now.
Now promise me darling, no more murdering innocent children --or while we are at it no evil murdering toddlers back from the dead either. However I do approve of the killing of psychopaths or politicians -- oh never mind, that is the same thing, so keep up with that.
Thanks for all your previous books, I know many people say you aren't a good writer, but don't listen to them. A good writer to me, is someone who tells a good tale and makes you not want to put a story down, well except for when you murder off innocent children of course.
Thanks
Jen
Rating: DNF
Read
May 30, 2016**Short "end of the month" Review**
Okay this was probably the hardest book for me to read. I really couldn't even rate this. I wanted to hate every part of it, i mean really, children are killed in this book. It was very hard for me to read, and i was glad when it was over. I really thought the guy was going to go after Claire when she was on tv and told people to carry a gun, it would have shown the city that even she isn't safe, but it's whatever. I would skip this one.
Okay this was probably the hardest book for me to read. I really couldn't even rate this. I wanted to hate every part of it, i mean really, children are killed in this book. It was very hard for me to read, and i was glad when it was over. I really thought the guy was going to go after Claire when she was on tv and told people to carry a gun, it would have shown the city that even she isn't safe, but it's whatever. I would skip this one.
March 27, 2021
Another good book in this series. This time it looks like a serial killer is loose on the streets of San Francisco and a cat burglar nicknamed "Hello Kitty" is visiting the houses of the rich and famous. Nice tie-in between the criminals. Not sure about that ending, but enough of a cliff hanger to get me to read #10 to see what happens next for Detective Lindsay Boxer. A 3.5 star but just couldn't round up to 4 this time.
February 6, 2015
Possibly one of the best book in this series.
May 1, 2018
Rated 3.5 stars
Still enjoying Lindsey Boxer and her girls
Still enjoying Lindsey Boxer and her girls
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