8th Confession (Women's Murder Club, #8)

Title: 8th Confession (Women's Murder Club, #8)

Author: James Patterson

Published in: 2009

Date read: 23rd October 2013

Score: 4/5

Genre: Crime, Thriller, Detective

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"8th Confession" by James Patterson (co-authored with Maxine Paetro) plunges Lieutenant Lindsay Boxer into a complex and disturbing case involving a string of seemingly unrelated murders that eventually lead to a chilling common thread, all while a new, dangerous serial killer terrorises the city.

The story opens with a shocking series of murders. Firstly, a well-known heiress is found brutally murdered in her luxurious home, with her young son as the only witness. This high-profile case immediately grabs headlines. Almost simultaneously, a series of homeless individuals are being systematically murdered across San Francisco. These cases, initially thought to be separate, appear random and motiveless, leaving the police baffled.

Lieutenant Lindsay Boxer and her partner, Rich Conklin, are tasked with leading both investigations, straining their resources and their wits. The heiress's murder is sensational, but the killings of the city's vulnerable population are equally disturbing, albeit receiving less media attention. Lindsay feels a strong compulsion to seek justice for all the victims, regardless of their social standing.

As the body count rises for both sets of victims, Lindsay turns to the Women's Murder Club for their invaluable insights:
• Medical examiner Claire Washburn works tirelessly to uncover forensic links between the disparate crime scenes, searching for any commonality in the methods or the victims themselves, no matter how subtle.
• Reporter Cindy Thomas delves into the lives of both the wealthy elite and the homeless community, using her journalistic skills to uncover potential motives or connections that the police might overlook. Her investigation into the heiress's past reveals a shocking secret.
• Assistant District Attorney Yuki Castellano is focused on a high-stakes legal battle, but she lends her legal expertise and moral support to Lindsay, helping her navigate the complexities of the intertwined cases.

The true horror of the book emerges as the seemingly unrelated cases begin to connect in unexpected and terrifying ways. The Women's Murder Club eventually uncovers a chilling pattern that links both the high-profile murder and the killings of the homeless, leading them to a very dangerous and elusive serial killer who seems to be operating under a unique and twisted form of justice. Lindsay finds herself racing against time to unmask this killer, whose motives are as disturbing as their methods.

Comments:
These stories are so entertaining that I forget to go to sleep and it takes a very entertaining story to stop me from falling asleep within seconds of my head touching the pillow.

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)