2nd Chance (original 2002; edition 2002)

#18
Title: 2nd Chance
Author: James Patterson
Genre: Suspense
Challenges: Challenges: Winter Reading Challenge 2009, A to Z Reading Challenge, Numbers Challenge, 2009 Support Your Local Library, 2009 Audiobook Challenge, 20 Books in 2009, Pages Read Challenge 2009, Books Around the States Challenge, 101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge, States & Countries (OnThePorchSwing)

Rating: 4/5
No. of Pages: Audio (400)
Published: 2002

From the back:
The shooting of a little girl on a church’s front doorstep leads Detective Lindsay Boxer to round up “[four:] of the sharpest law-enforcement minds in the city” – the Woman’s Murder Club, composed of herself, Chronicle reporter Cindy Thomas, Assistant DA Jill Bernhardt, and a medical examiner Claire Washburn – to break the case. A serial killer, using different methods and choosing semmingly disparate victims, is leaving a trail of bodies across the greater San Francisco area. What is the logic behind this serial killer dubbed “Chimeria?” To her horror, Detective Boxer realizes that all the killings have affected relatives of policemen, and may have something to do with her estranged father, Detective Marty Boxer. Facing Chimera’s taunts and attacks, the WMC prepares for a showdown.

Mine: Funny thing about this series it that I started with book 4, little knowing what a great series and that it actually took place in my own backyard (San Francisco is about 40 miles away). How could you be so cold to be murdering children? Who is Chimeria? Lindsay must learn quickly before she is punished for her father’s sins as a police officer himself, can she do it?
( )

This book is about the newly promoted Lieutenant Lindsay Boxer and her friends in the Woman's Murder Club. They This book is about the newly promoted Lieutenant Lindsay Boxer and her friends in the Woman's Murder Club. They are at again, in this wonderful sequel to "1st To Die" This book expertly covers all of the different ways that a person deals with the pain you feel at the loss of someone you love. I also found the ending to be well written it kept me guessing right up until the last shot was fired. I would recommend this book as a well worthwhile read if you are a mystery lover ( )

How can Lindsay move on after the tragic death of her partner, friend, and lover during a shootout in the last case? She finally learned to trust a man and how to fight her rare blood disease, but then it all crashed down with the death of Chris. To make matters even worse she feels like she should have done something more to prevent his death. She was promoted at work after she solved the big bride/groom serial killer case and is just starting to get back into work after her time she took off to grieve the loss of Chris. Her first case when she comes back is no small one though. She is facing another serial killer, this one targeting blacks and more specifically blacks connected with cops. Just as she and her girls of the Women's Murder Club are starting to figure things out, all hell breaks loose in their professional and personal lives. Lindsay's long lost father returns, he says to make amends with her after twenty two years of being gone and out of her life; Cindy starts having feelings for the very nice and very well liked pastor, who happens to be in the middle of the new case; Claire finds herself in a shooting; and Jill finds out she's pregnant and is desperately trying to do things right after having lost a baby years ago while in her last few months of the pregnancy. Wish all that personal drama, can these friends find the answer to another serial killing? Can Lindsay overcome her past to see the future? Will they all survive to be able to break this case wide open?

Once again I am left in awe of Patterson's writing and talent. I love how he can write a main plot line and yet can also make many sub-plots that fit in oh so well AND make sense too. There is so much that happens in this second book of the Women's Murder Club Series, but at no point was I confused or frustrated by the many plots within the main plot. They all just seemed to flow wonderfully. The characters of Lindsay, Clair, Jill, and Cindy develop more and become even more likable to the reader. There is action, adventure, family drama, suspense, personal dilemas, and loads of mystery in this very well written book. My favorite part was all the twists in this book. It was like having James Patterson sitting next to you while you read saying...'You get it yet? Oh, you think you do, do you? Wait for it....ha, got ya to think in the complete wrong direction didn't I?'. The personal situations the women are in are not only great for the sub-plots, but are very easy for others to relate to. I can't wait to see what these wonderful ladies come up against next! There is nothing better than great friends, great situations, and murder thrown in too. :-)

5/5 Stars! ( )

Another smash hit by Mr Patterson!! I quickly ran out to get the next 2 in the series! I suggest you do the same! ( )

Read from February 22 to 23, 2012

Read for Fun
Challenges: Audiobook, Mystery/Suspense, Read for Fun
Overall Rating: 4.25
Mystery Rating: 4.50
Character Rating: 4.00
Audio Rating: 4.50 (Narrators Melissa Leo and Jeremy Piven)

First Thought When Finished: I really liked the mystery in this book!

What I Loved: The mystery was really strong in this addition to the series. I really loved how it weaved in all the characters and through that we got to know more about them. It also gave you a bit of back story which was really interesting. I am not going to give anything away but once I thought I figured it out--one more loop was thrown into the mix.

What I Liked: We are really getting to know the characters more! I am beginning to like them all and can't wait to read the rest of the series.

Audio Review: I liked the duel voices of a male and female narrator! However, Melissa Leo was a bit stronger which is good because she was the bulk of the book. I love Jeremy Piven though and he voices a good bad guy!

Final Thought: This was a great 2nd edition to the series. While I don't think you have to read these in order (each case stands alone), I think you would miss character development if you read them out of order. ( )