First to Die is the first in a James Patterson series involving a group of four women called the Women’s Murder Club.  It starts off with just one woman, Lindsy Boxer, who is a homicide cop.  Throughout the book (and her investigation, of course) she picks up cohorts to lend their expertise to the investigation.  This particular investigation involves a serial killer who targets newlyweds.

I admit, when my mom recommended this book to me, I was most attracted to the 2-5 page chapters.  I sometimes only get to read for a few minutes at a time, and having a good place to stop a maximum of 3 or 5 pages away was really, really attractive.  I had read some of Patterson’s Alex Cross books, and was expecting something similar.  I think the Woman’s Murder Club is a little less dark than the Cross books, but it’s still definitely by James Patterson.

First to Die is primarily about Lindsy Boxer, although different parts of the book let you see into the minds of the other characters as well, including the killer.  She is strong, smart, capable and flawed.  She seems like a real person, with different sides to her personality and even different moods.  Some of the relationships with other characters in the book seem a bit rushed, but to me, that’s forgivable.  This might be partially about the private lives and relationships of the women who make up the Murder Club, but this is, after all, a Patterson thriller.

The ending was a bit twisted, but now that I know it, I don’t have any need to go over it again.  This isn’t a book that I’ll be re-reading.  Classic literature this ain’t, but it was a fun ride.