The 17th Suspect

Someone is methodically killing the homeless, and a woman comes to Sergeant Lindsay Boxer for help. What Lindsay discovers seems to reveal a problem in the police department itself. But Lindsay’s hunt for the killer takes her out of her jurisdiction, setting her up for more problems. And, to make things even more difficult, she’s suffering some serious health issues.

Meanwhile, Yuki is first chair, prosecuting a case that promises to bring far-reaching changes . . . if she wins. However, her courtroom confidence doesn’t extend to her home life, where she’s worried that something has gone terribly wrong with her marriage.

Lindsay and Yuki take center stage in the latest Women’s Murder Club mystery, relegating Claire and Cindy show more largely to the sidelines. But the unfolding stories are first-rate, and, although astute readers will easily identify the killer in Lindsay’s case, the ever-building tension keeps the pages turning. It’s a quick read, thanks to the short chapters, but some unexpected twists are sure to make it a hit with both fans of the series and readers meeting the Women’s Murder Club ladies for the first time.

Highly recommended. show less

I have tried to read all the Women’s Murder Club books because it is one of my favorite series of all times. I don’t know the idea of girlfriends solving crimes while having drinks and dealing with life sounds like my kind of party. All and all I am glad 17th Suspect was in my library and I was able to read it. I am very pleased with the fact that all the books in the series have kept up their pace.
Summary:

An informant pulls Lindsay into a heartbreaking series of murders outside her jurisdiction. She can’t let go, even though she knows she should- someone is taking down San Francisco’s homeless and the cops working the cases don’t seem to care. Millie, her informant, is kind and lucid… and scared. Someone needs to protect show more her and Lindsay just knows she has to be the one to do it. At the same time, though, her health is failing and she is getting backlash for going into another’s jurisdiction. Can she keep it together and help her informant? Or has she finally taken on too much?

While all this is happening Yuki is taking on an explosive case. A handsome young man claims to have been raped by his ex-girlfriends and supervisor. Matt’s story breaks Yuki’s heart and she takes on the case against Brianna Hall. The internet is going nuts- can an able-bodied man truly be raped by a woman? Yes, Yuki knows they can… but was Matt? Both sides have their own story- and both are believable. Who’s telling the truth? At the same time, Yuki feels like her husband Brady is taking a step back from her. They are both busy professionals…. can they keep their careers and marriage?

My thoughts:

Patterson is still one of my all-time favorite authors- and this is one of his top three best series’. I love Lindsay and her crew- they are a well-developed and interesting group of characters that each bring something special and unique to the group. We have watched this team learn and grow for years, becoming a part of us. I think that’s why this is one of my favorites along with the Alex Cross and Michael Bennett series. I need to be able to revisit these old friends, join in their adventures. All three are instant-buys for me, no matter what.

The plot was good and the story had a nice transition from Yuki to Lindsay. It was fast paced, action packed, and held the perfect amount of emotion. I loved it to death. I even found myself feeling for the shooter, just a little. That’s another thing I like about Patterson- you get to visit the shooter’s mind, find his motivation and quirks. They’ll never be your BFF, but it’s interesting to see this side. My only complaint is that I felt like Cindy and Claire took a backseat in this one- they were barely present at all! It brought the book down for me- just a touch. Admittedly, I can’t see how you could bring them in without adding at least a hundred pages to the book…. but they’re still part of what makes this a successful series. For me, this is a four-and-a-half-star book. I highly recommend it, but read the other ones first- and don’t forget the book shot!

On the adult content scale there’s violence, language and sexual content. I have to say that this is one for more mature audiences. show less

The 17th Suspect
Women’s Murder Club, Book 17

I Picked Up This Book Because: Continue the series.

Media Type: Audiobook
Source: CC Public Library
Dates Read: 7/17/23 - 7/19/23
Stars: 4

The Characters:

Lindsay Boxer: Police detective
Clair Washburn: Medical Examiner
Yuki Castellano: Attorney
Cindy Thomas: Crime desk reporter


The Story:

I enjoyed spending more time with Yuki. I like that our supporting characters are enjoying some time in the spotlight without their lives being in danger. It was also nice to get a peek into her relationship with Jackson. They both have very demanding jobs that can’t be easy to juggle.

Changes are coming for this series. I'm not sure if I am scared or excited. Maybe a bit of both. The ending of this was very show more tidy. I almost get the feeling our writers didn't know if another book would come. Fortunately, it did and I'm looking forward to it.

The Random Thoughts: show less

ADA Yuki Castellano, a rising star prosecutor, faces her most challenging case yet when she takes on a rape case. That doesn't sound so extraordinary, except the rape victim is a man! While Lieutenant Lindsay Boxer and her partner, Richie Conklin, track down a murderer killing the homeless, Yuki's case and marriage to Brady slide sideways. This book, the seventeenth in the series, is another fast-paced thriller with multiple plots in the city by the bay. Lindsay gets an unwanted surprise at the end, making this one a cliffhanger. It gets a little emotional, too. I enjoyed it immensely.

Enjoyable, if not typical. Lindsay and Yuki take center stage as they work two crimes from their perspectives. Joe's back, but does only child care. Pretty good story, but not fine literature.

A big fan of the series and the 17th Suspect didn't disappoint. Two major plots in book 17:
Lindsay and Conklin solving murder case on homeless people, while Yuki represents a male rape victim. There are many main character development in this installment. The book was fun, fast, and kept me interested all the way to the end.

The interfering Jessica Fletcher of the San Fransico Police Department is back in the seventeenth rendition of the women’s murder club. This is no exciting thriller, and it is not really a mystery either this really is a plodder but if you have time to waste then this book will help.

The homeless of San Fransico are being murdered in the central district of the city and Boxer has a confidential informer who contacts her about the police’s attitude. When another homeless person is killed, she manages to get to the scene before the assigned detectives. Jumping to the conclusion that the detectives do not care she reports them to IAD with little or no evidence.

Yuki has convinced the DA to charge a woman with rape and there is a video of show more the event which she has entered into evidence. As the trial continues things come to light that begin to raise questions and the rapist has been named and shamed in the press. People now hold opinions on her without actually knowing the truth.

As both stories continue through the book the expected outcomes are achieved but then that has been telegraphed from the beginning. This is not a thriller but rather boring. show less