1st to Die by James Patterson

1st to Die by James Patterson
Series: Woman's Murder Club #1
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Age Group: Adults
Publisher: Headline
Published: 2001
Format: Paperback
Pages: 453
Source: Used book store
Buy: $8 with free delivery
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Four women--four friends--share a determination to stop a killer who has been stalking newlyweds in San Francisco. Each one holds a piece of the puzzle: Lindsay Boxer is a homicide inspector in the San Francisco Police Department, Claire Washburn is a medical examiner, Jill Bernhardt is an assistant D.A., and Cindy Thomas just started working the crime desk of the San Francisco Chronicle. But the usual procedures aren't bringing them any closer to stopping the killings. So these women form a Women's Murder Club to collaborate outside the box and pursue the case by sidestepping their bosses and giving each other a hand. The four women develop intense bonds as they pursue a killer whose crimes have stunned an entire city. Working together, they track down the most terrifying and unexpected killer they have ever encountered--before a shocking conclusion in which everything they knew turns out to be devastatingly wrong. Full of the breathtaking drama and unforgettable emotions for which James Patterson is famous, 1st to Die is the start of a blazingly fast-paced and sensationally entertaining series of crime thrillers. - Book Depository

It starts out with a simple murder scene of a couple on their honeymoon in their hotel suite. A person whom we believe to be called 'Philip Campbell' has murdered these newlyweds. This is the part in third person. It then switches to first person from Lindsay's POV and from there on, with the help of her partner Raleigh, they try to solve this murder. Soon enough, there is a murder of another two newlywed couples and they attempt to track down the killer of the connected three murders.

Aside from the main plot there is a lot of character development. There is a little romance which I wasn't too sure about, it seemed to sudden. I also love how the main character had a suddenly diagnosed terminal illness at the beginning. It added more to Lindsay's character. Patterson definitely succeeded in adding some real life drama into this too, it wasn't just about the murders.

The last 100 or so pages were great! It was filled with so many twists. I thought I had the whole thing figured out until something else happened, and then something else, and something else! It ended and I was satisfied with the ending but I saw there was an epilogue. I read that (which was set about 6 months ahead) and there was an even bigger twist! It was amazing. It kept you guessing throughout.

My only critique with this book was the writing was a little too simple and help back. Nothing really impressed me with the writing but that's not too big of a deal.

If you like a good murder mystery, read this. This book is what I would call a page-turner! I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.