Another instalment in the Womens Murder Club series and decent enough though it wasn’t quite as immersive as some of Patterson other books in my opinion.
A solid plot with the odd twist and a slow burn pace but it just doesn’t seem to get right into the nitty gritty.

Dark thriller that had you hooked from the off. The book was very well written. Great plot. Very exciting. Fast paced to get your heart racing. Loved this book

My first book, that I have read by this author, absolutely brilliant! Highly recommended, and I will definitely read others written by this author!

#21stBirthday #NetGalley I love this authors style and I love this series. Although it is a series, each book is capable of being read as a standalone but if you have read the series you will understand more about the background of the main characters. This 21st in the series was fast paced with plenty of action and many twists and turns right from the start. This book focused more on the characters of Lindsey and Cindy which is fine as that was how the storyline progressed. Yuki and Claire were there as well but with slightly minor roles. I love this series, which after 21 books, is still going strong! I look forward to reading the next in the series.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers of this James Patterson novel for for the opportunity to read it early.
I have read all the others in this series and am glad to say that the four female characters do feature more prominently in 21. It took me a while to work out the connection with the title but as usual a most enjoyable book.

Enjoyed this reunion with The Murder Club. A compelling easy read that jogged along at a fair pace. Intriguing and believable twists The series progresses well because, even after 21 books in the series, the authors introduce new characters and change the focus of the investigation ever so slightly with each of the four women's murder club members getting their time in the spotlight. This time it's mainly Yuki and Lindsey with a side serving of Cindy and a bit of Claire.

I enjoyed this read, although it wasn't my absolute favourite from James Patterson. His four women are back again but the story line centres around Cindy and Lindsey more than the other two characters. There were quite a few minor characters that appeared throughout this novel, some played an important role, others possibly could have been left out if I'm being totally honest, they didn't play a significantly substantial role in the plot. The story started off really well, the husband was an ideal suspect. While he tries to point the finger at another plausible suspect the plot thickens when the body of a baby, appearing to have been smothered, washes up on the shore. While the story itself ebbs and flows at times, I enjoyed this read and i read it in just a few days as I was eager to discover who the culprit was. I'd easily give it 3.5 stars!!

Right from the very beginning, I was gripped by 21st Birthday, the twenty-first novel to feature San Francisco’s Women’s Murder Club. Even though have only read one of the other books in the series so far (book twenty, 20th Victim) I still found this a great read though obviously, I'm missing a lot of backstories. I love the characters in the WMC who are Lindsay Boxer (Homicide Detective) Claire Washburn (Chief Medical Examiner) Yuki Castellano (Lawyer) & Cindy Thomas (Journalist).

James Patterson's (written with Maxine Paetro ) latest novel follows a very intriguing, multi-layered story, and I was gripped by the perfect plotting and pacing. The authors' writing style is impressive and noteworthy and evidently, the authors are gifted storytellers who can provide readers with thrills, sophistication and a story packed with substance. I like the way the story evolved and there is further insight into their personal lives in there, too.

I have been inspired to read more from this impressive series. A very highly recommended five star read that will be of interest to many readers.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel, at my request, from Random House UK via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

This is a "women's murder club" book with the 4 strong female characters, Cindy the reporter, Lindsay the police officer, Yuki the lawyer and Claire the medical examiner. As usual it has the pithy, short chapter format which is so easy to read and keeps the reader's interest while maintaining a good pace. It contains twists and turns to keep you thinking about how it will unfold (I read a lot and often guess the ending, no so with this one). Patterson always manages to blend family backgrounds within the character's story which makes them more real and believable by showing their hopes and fears.
The key element of the storyline is the disappearance of a daughter and her baby. Although initially the reporter Cindy is the contact, Lindsay quickly becomes involved in the case. The stories of two main suspects are then woven together with a police hunt and courtroom drama, with suspicion as a reader twisting and turning between the two as evidence is uncovered.
All in all a bit of a rollercoaster, definitely gripping and worth reading!
Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

21st birthday

This group of women has been solving mysteries, catching killers and righting wrongs for a LONG time. The characters are like old friends, and if I’m honest with the 19th book I’d felt these friends stayed for one more drink than they should have. I didn’t read the 20th book as a result.⁣
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The 21st begins with journalist Cindy stepping into her book editor’s office in Washington DC, to talk about a potential book deal. What follows is the backstory to the book from 5 months prior, following a SFPD investigation into a missing young woman and her toddler. It’s partly told from Sergeant Lindsey Boxer’s POV and from then on it’s pretty much a dead-bodyathon which ups the tempo significantly.

The writing reflects the crisis unfolding. But when you reach the 50% mark the police have their man - or do they? The second part of the book then references prosecutor Yuki and journalist Cindy’s POVs. Medical examiner Clare also returns to work and features as well. ⁣
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What a relief this one picked up significantly from book 19. The pacing, the suspense, and the premise were all more interesting. I struggle a little with Boxer being so much of an anti-mother but appreciate the effort of the role reversal with her FBI agent husband (now stay at home Dad). ⁣
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If people have lost your way with this series I would say pick it up for this one. It might surprise you. ⁣

Love these Women’s Murder Club books
When a mother gets in touch with Cindy (the reporter ) that her daughter and granddaughter have disappeared and the mother thinks the husband Lucas has something to do with them going missing
All the team get together throughout this case to get it solved
There is plenty of twists and turns as usual in this book
Another great read
Thanks NetGalley

James Patterson never fails to deliver exciting and well written story that keeps on the edge till the last page.
This one is no exception and it's a page turner.
He's a master storyteller and his plot is fast paced and well developed, the mystery solid and the characters are fleshed out.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK Cornerstone for the arc of the next installement in the Women's Murder Club Series by James Patterson!

5 STARS- He never fails to impress with his books! They are so Thrilling compelling and page turning reads! I just love James Patterson's Books- HIGHLY HIGHLY Recommend!

Wow I loved this book James is my writer I read all his murder mystery girls book I loved catching up with the girls you can read as standalone book but I perfer to read it order
It fasted pace easy book to read so gripping a page turner it pulls your onto the plot from the first chapter to the end
5 stars just brill

I find it so hard to believe that The Woman's Murder Club has celebrated its 21st birthday.. I have devoured each and every one and they honestly just get better and better!

Cram packed with emotion, action and suspense, this was a truly addictive read, totally unputdownable..

For those if you that haven't heard of The Woman's Murder Club, where have you been? A group of strong, skilful, determined female characters all work together to reach the same goal. A really clever concept that works seamlessly again and again.

Don't worry if you haven't read any of the previous books in the series, it's easy enough to read as a one off but I'd be shocked if you then dont go back and read from the very 1st in the series.

In this edition we see Lindsay Boxer dealing with a new boss and all the changes that brings. Will he be able to reign her and her unorthodox ways in?

I love the dynamics of the Club and really enjoy watching their friendships grow, adapt and evolve throughout the series. Each new edition brings an extra insight into their personal lives and builds up the backgrounds.

As always there are twists and turns a plenty and you will not be left disappointed.

Roll on number 22!

Another excellent story in this series featuring the woman's murder club.. The characters are great and the story moved at a fast pace.

In the ten years since the inception of the Women’s Murder Club, the fearless foursome have tackled numerous thrilling cases and this latest instalment is no exception.

Kathleen Wyatt is convinced that her son-in-law, Lucas Burke, is behind the disappearance of her daughter, Tara, and her infant grandchild, Lorrie. When Wyatt storms Cindy’s offices at the San Francisco Chronicle and convinces her to investigate the case, Cindy calls on her friend and SFPD Sergeant Lindsay Boxer for assistance.

Shortly after, the storyline takes a sinister turn when Lorrie’s body washes up on nearby Baker Beach. As the body count increases, Lindsay and her team find themselves in a desperate search to find the killer. The investigation in Lucas Burke uncovers information that leads them to believe he is responsible for the crimes.

I didn’t find this book to be as thrilling a read as others in the series – much of the book was taken up with the court case rather than a heart-racing storyline. It was an enjoyable read, just not as fast-paced as I’m used to from James Patterson.

Many thanks to Random House UK, Cornerstone and NetGalley UK for the review copy.

Great to catch up with the Women's Murder Club again.

I didn't find this book as good as the earlier one's. The intensity wasn't there and I missed the trademark mini cliff hangers.

That said it was an enjoyable read.

James Patterson has churned out numerous bestsellers over many decades—probably more than any other contemporary author—and he doesn’t look like stopping anytime soon. 21st Birthday by Patterson and Maxine Paetro is the twenty-first book in the long-running Women’s Murder Club series featuring the four formidable women—and the dearest of friends—who fight crime like nobody else: Cindy the Journalist, Lindsay the Homicide Sergeant, Claire the Medical Examiner and Yuki the Assistant District Attorney.

In their latest case, Cindy is implored by a hysterical woman to look into the disappearance of her twenty-year-old daughter and sixteen-month-old granddaughter whom she believes her son-in-law has murdered. With no proof of any kind that he has committed the crime apart from the woman’s allegations, Lindsay draws her superior’s ire by investigating the son-in-law, Lucas, after being briefed by Cindy. Soon, things heat up as the dead body of the little girl washes up on the shore and more bodies of young women—all killed in a similar fashion—start to turn up. When the police arrest Lucas based on the threadbare evidence they have against him, he puts forward a theory that makes what the police have unearthed so far seem like only the tip of an iceberg.

21st Birthday’s strength lies in its superfast narrative and the short chapters that make the pages turn and turn relentlessly. The lead characters and their relationships are very well established in the earlier books and their easy camaraderie shines through in this one too. The shocking twist in the middle of the novel is totally unexpected and makes the reader turn the pages faster still.

But, in the end, the reader is left disappointed by the heavily rushed, utterly unconvincing conclusion that leaves way too many questions unanswered. There is no satisfactory explanation why and how several of the murders happen, and it is questionable that the killer remains free in spite of the law enforcement agency’s knowledge of his doings for a long time. Though the members of the Club play their parts quite efficiently, they do not actually solve the crime this time but the enigmatic killer himself does it for them.

21st Birthday is my first taste of the Women’s Murder Club series and, going by this book alone, I’m not much impressed. In my opinion, this book will appeal only to diehard fans of this series and James Patterson in general. For others, reading Patterson’s brilliant thrillers from the past would be a far more enjoyable experience. My sincere gratitude to the authors and the publishers of 21st Birthday, and NetGalley, for the e-ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

Over the years I have read quite a few of James Patterson’s books and this story was another reason while I always choose to read crime and police procedural books over other types.
When the opportunity of finding a missing woman and her child arises, The woman’s murder club takes over the case and they worked together to discover what’s actually happening behind all these crimes as more bodies show up and the prime suspect is not going to be the only one for a long time.
I was invested in the close friendship of the team and how they complement each other in more than one aspect. The twist and turns of the story kept coming and while I was looking forward to read the ending, I had my theories of what was happening and this time I was right.
Enjoyable and captivating story that many readers will enjoy.