The Women's Murder Club Series by James Patterson

If you are looking for a good read this summer, and a great author, James Patterson is your answer. He has written over 45 books, beginning with his first book that was written in 1976. His selection of books is extensive, so narrowing it down may be tough.

If you are new to James Patterson, I recommend his Women's Murder Club series. There are six so far, beginning with 1st to Die. The series includes titles that numerically follow each other and include 2nd Chance, 3rd Degree, 4th of July, 5th Horseman, and his most recent, 6th Target was released in May.

The series include a group of four women that call themselves the Women's Murder Club. The main character is Lindsay Boxer, a homicide detective. Lindsay is a tough, yet emotional, cop, and being a cop is what she knows best. It's in her blood. Her friendships are incredibly strong, including her relationship with her best friend, Martha, her Labrador retriever. Each novel deals with a different perspective into her life, letting you get just a little closer to her character, and opening up new sides to her. James Patterson has created a character that is so complex and real, that at times you feel like she could walk right through your door.

Claire Washburn is the chief medical examiner of San Francisco and Lindsay's closest friend. The two have known each other for years and can often finish each other's thoughts. She's confident and funny. Another member of the Women's Murder Club is Cindy Thomas. She is the only member that barged her way into the club, and Lindsay's life. A reporter for the Chronicle, Cindy snuck into a crime scene one evening thus began a friendship between them. The fourth member of the club is Jill Bernhardt, the assistant D.A. Dedicated to her career, Jill often has marital trouble and leans on the girls for comfort. Eventually, you will meet a new member, Yuki Castellano, a young sharp district attorney that seems to have a passion for talking non stop.

Each book is filled with crime, drama, passion, and over the edge thrills. In the first book of the series, 1st to Die, the four friends race to stop a murderer who is brutally killing newlyweds of San Francisco. All the while, Lindsay is dealing with a rare blood disease that she decides not to share with any one else. As each member of the club seems to come up with a piece of the puzzle, Lindsay's continues to put her personal life off and focus on the case. The conclusion turns out to be devastatingly shocking as the girls work together to solve one of the cities most heinous crimes.

2nd Chance follows with the four members united again. This time they are solving hate crimes. Two African Americans are killed for no reason, first a little girl, then an old woman. The killer, Chimera, may be targeting black cops. Lindsay and the gang race against the clock to find him, hoping that it is not one of her own, another cop.

The books that follow in the Women's Murder Club series include: a terrorist planned bombing witnessed by Lindsay, gruesome murders in the town of Half Moon Bay, a killer taking out patients in a hospital, and kidnappers murdering nannies and selling the children for personal pleasure.

Each novel is fast paced, exciting, and constantly keeps you guessing. James Patterson has a way with his characters and story lines that make you feel involved. So when looking for an excellent read this summer, pick up a James Patterson novel. Better yet, start his Women's Murder Club series. You will be like the rest of us, hoping that Mr. Patterson is at home, typing up the next one.