Rating: 
Summary: Certainly Not One of His Best Shots
Review: I read his books as soon as they come out and waited with baited breath for this one as I enjoyed the first two in this genre. I was disappointed. First, I didn't find the character development which was so great in his other books quite as believable in this book. Second, I didn't see what spousal abuse had to do with the story, and when Jill was killed, I couldn't figure out why (in the long run). I liked her character and looked forward to her in future books. I like the "out there" plots, but in the past everything has fit together.
It would be nice if our little star would get married.
I know he can't bring Jill back, but hopefully he doesn't kill off any other important parts.
Sorry! But I'm waiting for his next Alex Cross novel. And I'll probably buy it the day it comes out and read it right away and forgive him for this one.
JNParsons@comcast.net
Rating: 
Summary: Fast pace action.
Review: When Lindsay and Jill feel that nothing of can wreck an enjoyably quiet afternoon in San Francisco, a townhouse in front of them explodes. Thus ends the peacefulness and starts the adventure as "August Spies" starts a rampage of violent acts throughout the city driven under the umbrella of political terrorism. Just to drive the interest up a notch, the upcoming economic summit will surely be the idea target for "August Spies". James Patterson is noted for fast-paced tales with twist and turns. However, some of the small points in the story just seemed to be thrown in with little reasoning because the writer appeared to run out of ideas to justify them. This doesn't affect the overall story, but it is a tad disturbing and something I hope the author leans away from in future projects. Still a recommended read.
Rating:
Summary: The Book Machine Needs a Rest
Review: I am an avid Patterson reader, having read all of the Alex Cross and Women's Murder Club books. I am amazed at Patterson's ability in the Alex Cross series to produce a good solid story and develop the characters and up until this book, I held the same opinion of the W.M.C. books. This one seemed to me like a book that was written in a very short amount of time. The plot seemed thrown together and the characters did not seem as seamless as in the past. I would be willing to wait a while for the next book if it translated into Patterson books of the past.
Rating:
Summary: August Spies
Review: Lindsay Boxer is back for her third novel, with the lives some of those in the Women's Murder Club not running as smoothly as desired the last thing Lindsay needs is for a terrorist group calling themselves August Spies to be murdering the world's financial heavyweights and decision makers every third day. Although a good read the first half of this book does not have the usual can't put down Patterson brilliance. It vastly improves for the second half with the usual Patterson flair. Although this could be read as a stand alone novel you won't really feel the emotional turmoil within the Women's Murder Club without having gotten to know them from 1st to Die and 2nd Chance. 1st to die is the best of this series but this one is still worthwhile.
Rating:
Summary: Not Patterson's Best
Review: 3rd Degree was not a bad book. It simply doesn't live up to Patterson's potential. The book, the third in the promising Women's Murder Club series, gets away from many of the things that made the first two books in the series work. The plot relied heavily on Lindsey's character helping to solve the crime but the rest of the ladies were only superficially involved. With that being said, the book was enjoyable and a fast read. The story was solid and started off strong with an explosion that rocked San Francisco and action that continued at a fast pace throughout most of the book. However, the story lacked any shocking plot twists that Patterson's books have become known for and the only real surprise comes early in the book. So while it is a fun read, don't expect anything earth shattering.
Rating:
Summary: Only my second
Review: This is only my second James Patterson novel, so I can't speak in relation to his many others (BIG BAD WOLF was my first and I enjoyed it). I thought 3RD DEGREE was excellent and would recommend it. Also recomended: McCrae's BARK OF THE DOGWOOD
Rating: 
Summary: Thrill Ride Feeeerrr Sure!
Review: Oh, my! What a thrill ride! I was so into this story that I lost all sense of time and almost forgot to pick my kid up from school, yikes! HA! (You'll enjoy this story if are are into this genre).
Rating: 
Summary: Poor story by usually reliable author
Review: I have enjoyed many of James Patterson's novels in the past, most notably The Beach House and The Jester. I had never read one of the Women's Murder Club series, but thought I would give it a try. What a disappointment! The story started out well, but quickly deteriorated. The love story was just terrible and very forced. The women don't really do anything useful to catch the killers, but just happen to be part of the law enforcement team that is after the spies. The ending was just awful with no new information, surprises, or excitement. The last few chapters were completely unnecessary and boring. I would not recommend this book and would suggest some of Patterson's other works instead.
Rating:
Summary: Fizzles out at the end
Review: When reading James Patterson, you have to compare his works to his other novels, and not to other authors, because as he continues to churn out fiction, the perceived value of each book falls because he writes so many. So, 3rd Degree was verging on five stars until the last 40 pages or so, then fell to a three star book. The ending provided no punch or excitement, or really even surprises. The book starts out with a terrorist group called August Spies targeting people related to the G8 summitt being held in San Fransisco. The entire city is in a panic and the Women's Murder Club is on the case, trying to find the left wing wackos that are behind the murders. Patterson is respectful I feel with the terrorism issue. He throws in the Department of Homeland Security and makes a few references to 9/11, but doesn't become too sentimental about it. 3rd Degree stands out from Alex Cross noves in that in this book, the police actually investigate. Patterson actually takes the time to tell the reader how the investigation is going. In Cross novels, Patterson tells us Cross is investigating, but never tells us what he's finding out. Lyndsey, Cindy, Jill and Claire all pitch in to uncover the identity of the terrorists, and their motives and the motives have a few layers, which is really the only good twist in the book. I'll recommend this book because it is fun and quick, but the ending is quite boring.
Rating:
Summary: "Third" time's a charm!
Review: I'm a big fan of James Patterson and the Women's Murder Club especially. This book rocks! With a suprise twist that will shock regular readers of this series, it is by far the best of James Patterson I've read so far. Right up there with "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas", which is a completely different genre. Short, quick, can't put it down chapters mean you'll finish this book in a day, maybe two.
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