Rating: 
Summary: a good book overall
Review: This is a very good book. however there are two things that stop me from giving it 5 stars. 1 there are way way to many plot leaps and it leaves a lot to accept. 2 the chapter break, there is like 100 hundred something chapters, that it way way too many cut in half at the very lest.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Book! James Patterson has New Characters!
Review: I thought this was classic Patterson, but with an added bonus: new characters! I love the Alex Cross books, but J.P. was running out of character development and personal "additions" for Alex and his family. With this book I got classic Patterson thrills, but also new character development. And the ending was wonderful. About mid-way through the book, you start thinking you know the ending, then you don't, then you do, then you don't, all the way to the end, when you're surprised!
Rating:
Summary: Can These Women Solve the Murder Mystery?
Review: In San Francisco, newlyweds are being stalked and then slaughtered. Four unforgettable women all in law enforcement, will enter the picture here, and try to solve these heinous crimes.In the story, you'll meet Lindsay Boxer, an inspector in the city's police department. There is Claire, who is a diligent medical examiner and tries to put the pieces of the horrible evidence together. Jill is an assistant D.A. also trying to solve this puzzle, and then Cindy who is a reporter who has just started working the crime desk of the San Francisco Chronicle. The four women will all put their talents, courage and brains together to find and trap one of the most diabolical killers of all.And they want to solve the crimes as quickly as possible before this killer commits more heinous crimes. I completely enjoyed this book and found it an exciting read!
Rating: 
Summary: Good ideas, mediocre execution
Review: At least this novel doesn't suffer from the plentiful typos, 'English as a third language' grammar and cliché-ridden speech patterns of "Four Blind Mice". It does, however, have the same 3.5 page chapter structure, regardless of necessity; jarring shifts in viewpoint; a multitude of characters who use the same vocabulary and mouth off in the same manner, regardless of their age, sex, position or educational status. "1st to Die" has an interesting story line, possesses a large degree of creativity, is fast-paced (perhaps too fast) and an easy read. However, the 'women's club' concept reeks of a ploy to sell more books to a new readership demographic and the main characters (and the secondary ones, too) are wooden and unidimensional. I imagine that James Patterson will eventually be credited with inspiring a record number of people to write novels, because never have the barriers been set so low.
Rating: 
Summary: one of his worst
Review: Hard-to-believe ending and weak character development. The second Lindsay Boxer book (2nd Chance) is slightly better, but still not more than two and a half stars. The Alex Cross series is much better.
Rating: 
Summary: Horrible writing
Review: I bought this book in an airport gift shop, hoping for a diversion on a long flight. The only reason I finished it was that it was better than trying to sleep in the cramped seat. The plot was only mildly original and the writing was awful. I would also advise Mr. Patterson to never write about female protagonists, as he does not understand women at all.
Rating:
Summary: 1st to Die - 5 Starz!
Review: Well, well, well, it took me a long time to come around to Mr. Patterson's books. 1st To Die is my very first read of this mastermind of mystery and I am hooked! I am almost done with 2nd Chance which I also love. You think you know "who done it" but you really don't. Patterson takes you to one clue, ahhh but there is another one. Not only is there a murder mystery here but a story about people too. It's great to see the formation of the Women's Murder Club that will carry you into his sequel, 2nd Chance. I hope there will be more after 2nd Chance! Jame's books are easy read with short chapters. Highly recommend!
Rating:
Summary: Another Winner
Review: After reading Patterson's "2nd Chance," I was hooked. "1st to Die" is a powerful tale of murder. Patterson is a master at weaving intrigue and a master at writing from the point-of-view of the opposite sex. "1st To Die" introduces us to a serial killer targeting Newly weds. Patterson's narrative has more twists and turns than a mountain road. If you are looking for an armchair adventure, you will enjoy this book. Great Read.
Beverly J Scott author of RIGHTEOUS REVENGE
Rating:
Summary: GREAT NOVEL - GREAT READ
Review: Couldn't put this down until the end. And what an end, you think the killer has been found several times.
Ronald Coats, Author of "In The Chips"
Rating:
Summary: Predictable ...
Review: I've read other Patterson's novels that are far better constructed than this one. This one reads like the work of an amateur writer like the ones you find in those web sites where anyone can post his or her own work to share with others. I've read food labels that were more engaging than "First To Die".
The reason is that Patterson tries to stay away from the usual
"novel" characters by throwing in casual sex, unlikely friendships, and a medical illness that don't really go anywhere in the story and somehow get diluted, watered down into a story development that relegates all of these to mere basic genre structural devices.
This novel seems like a conglomeration of old ideas or unfinished novels put together because it doesn't fit the path of a solid well thought out plot, but a jagged one, with more dead ends than the suburbs in Chicago. We never feel that the inspector or her friends are in any real danger, so the edge of your seat suspense isn't present, and the plot is so predictable that once you know where it headed you may want to close the book... or use it as a coaster for your drink. After reading this I've decided-like many of you probably have too- to start writing a novel! I mean, my life's story is definitely more of a page-turner than "First To Die".
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