3rd Degree (Women's Murder Club, #3)

Title: 3rd Degree (Women's Murder Club, #3)

Author: James Patterson

Published in: 2004

Date read: 4th July 2013

Score: 4/5

Genre: Crime, Thriller, Detective

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"3rd Degree" by James Patterson (co-authored with Andrew Gross) is the third gripping novel in the Women's Murder Club series, plunging the characters into a terrifying new threat that becomes deeply personal.

The story opens with a shocking act of violence: a powerful explosion rips through a San Francisco townhouse, leaving multiple fatalities and a chilling message at the scene. Lieutenant Lindsay Boxer is among the first responders, and the scale and nature of the attack suggest something far beyond typical crime.

As more victims surface, seemingly at random but with a clear, escalating pattern, the police realise they are facing a sophisticated and ruthless group of domestic terrorists. This group, calling themselves "August Spies," claims responsibility for the attacks and issues a chilling vow: they will continue their deadly work, striking every three days. Their targets appear to be prominent and wealthy figures, and their motives are steeped in a twisted sense of social justice.

With the city gripped by fear and the authorities struggling to understand the full scope of the threat, Lindsay once again relies on her invaluable friends in the Women's Murder Club:
• Claire Washburn, the medical examiner, delves into the forensics, trying to find patterns in the methods of the "August Spies."
• Cindy Thomas, the crime reporter, finds herself in a unique and dangerous position as the terrorists begin directly communicating with her, using the press to spread their message and fear.
• Jill Bernhardt, the Assistant District Attorney, faces immense personal struggles even as she lends her legal expertise to the case.

The pressure mounts as the "August Spies" continue their deadly campaign, and the Women's Murder Club works frantically to decipher their motives and predict their next move. The terror intensifies when it becomes horrifyingly clear that one of the four friends has been targeted, raising the stakes to an unimaginable level and forcing them to confront the possibility that one of them may not survive. The book balances the high-octane procedural elements with the evolving personal lives and unwavering bond of the Women's Murder Club.

Comments:
Another excellent instalment that rises to the challenge of the last one with equal ferocity.

Books that we've read by James Patterson (32):
Along Came a Spider (Alex Cross, #1) (1993), Kiss the Girls (Alex Cross, #2) (1995), Jack & Jill (Alex Cross, #3) (1996), Cat & Mouse (Alex Cross, #4) (1997), Pop Goes the Weasel (Alex Cross, #5) (1999), Roses Are Red (Alex Cross, #6) (2000), 1st to Die (Women's Murder Club, #1) (2001), Violets Are Blue (Alex Cross, #7) (2001), 2nd Chance (Women's Murder Club, #2) (2002), Four Blind Mice (Alex Cross, #8) (2002), The Big Bad Wolf (Alex Cross, #9) (2003), The Jester (2003), 3rd Degree (Women's Murder Club, #3) (2004), London Bridges (Alex Cross, #10) (2004), 4th of July (Women's Murder Club, #4) (2005), Mary, Mary (Alex Cross, #11) (2005), 5th Horseman (Women's Murder Club, #5) (2006), Cross (Alex Cross, #12) (2006), The 6th Target (Women's Murder Club, #6) (2007), Double Cross (Alex Cross, #13) (2007), 7th Heaven (Women's Murder Club, #7) (2008), Cross Country (Alex Cross, #14) (2008), 8th Confession (Women's Murder Club, #8) (2009), Alex Cross's Trial (Alex Cross, #15) (2009), I, Alex Cross (Alex Cross, #16) (2009), The 9th Judgment (Women's Murder Club, #9) (2010), Cross Fire (Alex Cross, #17) (2010), 10th Anniversary (Women's Murder Club, #10) (2011), Kill Alex Cross (Alex Cross, #18) (2011), 11th Hour (Women's Murder Club, #11) (2012), Merry Christmas, Alex Cross (Alex Cross, #19) (2012), Alex Cross, Run (Alex Cross, #20) (2013)