14th Deadly Sin by James Patterson
Pros: decent stories, great character development
Cons: main investigation was a bit convoluted
#14 in the Women’s Murder Club series is called 14th Deadly Sin. James Patterson and Maxine Paetro give us a few different stories as well as some developments is our characters’ lives.
For those who don’t know, the series is about four women who get together and help solves crimes in San Francisco. Lindsay is the detective. Claire is the medical examiner. Cindy is the reporter. And Yuki is with the DA’s office. However, in this book, Yuki gets a new job, one that has her looking at things from a whole new perspective. Cindy has just written a best-seller. Claire has very little “screen time” but she does utter one sentence which turns a murder investigation on its head. So she’s vital to the story, even though she’s barely seen.
As for Lindsay, she has her hands full. She’s a mom and a wife, now. And she’s still solving the department’s toughest cases. In this book there have been a series of robberies, some of which have included fatalities. In all cases, the perps are wearing SFPD jackets. Are these cop-wannabes? Or is it possible that we’re looking at a group of rogue cops? Worst, could some of the very cops that Lindsay works with every day – officers in whose hands her life sometimes rests – be playing both sides?
In usual fashion, the story is told from multiple viewpoints. When it’s Lindsay’s turn, she speaks in first-person. All of the other stories are told from a third person point of view. It’s an odd style, but it’s how all the books in the series work. And, we have Patterson’s trademark short chapters. Just a couple of pages before we’re off to a different part of the story, and sometimes a different voice. It can be a bit choppy, but I don’t really mind.
The main story, about the robbers in cops’ jackets gets a bit convoluted. And, if I’m being honest, it had so many characters that I had trouble keeping track of them all. There’s also an extra little subplot that gets tossed in for no reason other than mucking up an already messy investigation.
On the other hand, Yuki’s story was quite interesting. She’s taken a new job, and her first case is a real doozy. It was great watching Yuki set her goals and go after them without looking back. Best of all is that she stands her ground in a tough situation and comes out with her head held high. I like this confident Yuki!
Cindy is barely present in this one. She’s doing great professionally and while she’s been “on-again” and “off-again” with Lindsay’s boss, in this story they get to take things to another level.
Overall, 14th Deadly Sin is a decent book in a series that always holds my attention. I enjoy watching these women grow and work together. And, the ending of 14 definitely makes me look forward to 15 !
2nd Chance
3rd Degree
4th Of July
The 5th Horseman
The 6th Target
7th Heaven
The 8th Confession
The 9th Judgment
10th Anniversary
11th Hour
12th of Never
Unlucky 13
