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.

A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton

A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton
Genre: Crime Mystery
Age Group: Adults
Publisher: Pan
Year: 1993
Format: Paperback
Pages: 253
Source: Used bookshop
Buy It: $5 with free delivery
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

A tough-talking former cop, private investigator Kinsey Millhone has set up a modest detective agency in a quiet corner of Santa Teresa, California. A twice-divorced loner with few personal possessions and fewer personal attachments, she's got a soft spot for underdogs and lost causes. A IS FOR ACCUSED That's why she draws desperate clients like Nikki Fife. Eight years ago, she was convicted of killing her philandering husband. Now she's out on parole and needs Kinsey's help to find the real killer. But after all this time, clearing Nikki's bad name won't be easy. "A IS FOR ALIBI" If there's one thing that makes Kinsey Millhone feel alive, it's playing on the edge. When her investigation turns up a second corpse, more suspects, and a new reason to kill, Kinsey discovers that the edge is closer--and sharper--than she imagined. - Book Depository

This is my second time reading a murder mystery (first time being a couple of Agatha Christie books) and I loved it! It was first published in 1985 so I wasn't sure how enjoyable Grafton's writing style would be but it was amazing. If it wasn't for the great writing I probably wouldn't have liked it as much as I did. There was quite a few curse words but nothing major, which I thought was good as it helped create an image for Kinsey Millhone and helped me, as a reader depict what kind of character she was.

The "mystery" for this book is who murdered Laurence Fife? Eight years previous, Nikki Fife (Laurence's wife) was put in jail for his murder. She is out on parole now and needs Kinsey's help to find the real killer and get rid of her label as a murderer. I thought there was great suspense throughout and I never suspected one person out of all the people being interviewed in this book. Kinsey ends up being led to other connected murders whilst trying to solve this one. This added even for suspense. There was quite a big plot twist at the end which I loved! I did not see it coming--I didn't see anything coming in this book. It was not predictable in the slightest. I also loved how the it opened and ended with Kinsey confessing to a murder (the same murder).

The character development was great. I really loved Kinsey as a character. She was strong and witty which I loved. There was a great cast of other characters throughout this book too and they were not forgotten about--everyone in this book had very well developed characters and each had their own distinct personality. Trust me on this one, you will not forget the majority of characters in this book--especially not Kinsey.

If you're a fan of mystery/suspense/crime/thriller books, then read this. You won't be disappointed. I'm looking forward to getting the rest of the Alphabet Series.

*Just to let you know, the copy I have of this book is not pictured here as I bought it in a used book shop and I can't find my copy online anywhere to get a picture. I think it's out of print.

Used Book Haul

On Saturday I went to my local used book shop and found some good books I had been wanting to read for a while. And I got these amazing books:

Bag of Bones by Stephen King, Cell by Stephen King, Thinner by Stephen King  1st To Die by James Patterson and A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton.

 I've read many other King books before but A is for Alibi will be my first Sue Grafton and the only other James Patterson I read is Bloody Valentine which is a short story, originally wrote for World Book Day 2011 so I'm excited to be reading two new authors.

If you have read any of these, let me know what you think. I'd especially like to know what you think of Sue Grafton and James Patterson if you have read any of their works.

I'll be back at the weekend with a review for Thinner which I'm currently reading and almost finished with.