This is the 24th in the Women's Murder Club series (I've read them all but #23). Though it is part of a series, it works as a stand alone. There are four members of the Women's Murder Club who have been friends for years ... police officer Lindsay, reporter Cindy, medical examiner Claire and prosecutor Yuki.

Six months ago friends Lindsay, Cindy, Claire and Yuki were settling in for lunch at a nice restaurant when they heard a scream from upstairs. Lindsay rushed up and found a woman who had just been beaten and raped and a half-naked man hiding. She arrested him and that set up Yuki's storyline as she is the lead prosecutor during his trial in present day. The closure to this was lame.

Six months ago, Holly, the wife of a wealthy man, was gunned down and her killer hasn't been found. Jamie, her husband, is killed in the same way in present day and Lindsay is the lead in the case. This storyline was convoluted and ridiculous as was the "whodunnit" which came together quickly at the end.

Claire and Cindy don't have a lot to offer in either storylines.

Joe, Lindsay's husband, is former FBI and now a freelance "consultant". He gets called in to help find out who is downloading malware at hospitals and demanding large amounts of crypto to stop. This was boring a storyline and there was way too much time devoted to it as it had nothing to do with the other two storylines involving the "Women's Murder Club".

The only thing I liked about this book was the short choppy chapters. The point of view shifted ... it was first person perspective when the focus was on Lindsay and third person perspective when the focus was on others such as Joe and Yuki. I found this story long, draggy and drawn out. This is the end of the series for me.

First, it's James Patterson. He writes nothing but bangers. Two, it's Women's Murder Club. My favorite series of his. Nothing but thrills!

"The 24th Hour" by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro was a thrilling 4-star read! This book is the latest installment in the Women's Murder Club series, comprising three separate stories intricately woven together. The main storyline follows the investigation into the murders of an elite husband and wife, compelling Sergeant Lindsay Boxer to solve the case before the murderer strikes again. Meanwhile, during a lunch break, the Women’s Murder Club's meal is interrupted by a scream, leading to a subplot involving a rape victim with a mental disorder who seeks justice with the help of Assistant DA Yuki Castellano. Additionally, outside the murder club, Lindsey’s husband, Joe Molinari, endeavors to halt a cybercrime before innocent lives are lost.

True to James Patterson's style, the chapters were short, making for a quick read. The main storyline was engaging and felt consistent with the tone of the series. Yuki's subplot was also compelling, though it seemed slightly rushed to conclude the trial. However, the storyline involving Joe and the cybercrime lacked interest for me. It lacked a smooth flow and abruptly ended. Nevertheless, overall, the book was enjoyable, and I would recommend it to fans of the Women’s Murder Club series.

Thanks to Little, Brown and Company, James Patterson and Maxine Paetro, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.

The premise of the series is four women in different jobs related to solving crimes or crime reporting have become close friends and family to one another. In this book, Sgt. Lindsay Boxer of the San Francisco Police Department, Medical Examiner Dr. Claire Washburn, crime reporter Cindy Thomas, and ADA Yuki Castellano are having lunch together, but come first on the scene of a brutal attack on a woman in the employee dressing room. The case is more complex than it appears, but Yuki is determined to get justice for the victim.

In the meantime, Lindsay is assigned to a case involving the death of a billionaire, six months and one block from where his wife had been killed six months before. Holly's case is still unsolved, so Lindsay's commanding officer wants results on her husband's case as soon as possible. Many unexpected secrets are uncovered during this difficult case that has lots of suspects, but no evidence. I was very surprised when the final resolution was revealed.

Lindsay's husband Joe Molinari is an FBI agent working on a cybercrime involving a ransom demand to a hospital for access to their patient records and endangering many lives. The three cases are unrelated, so sometimes things seem a little disjointed which slows down an otherwise fast-paced book. I especially enjoyed the courtroom drama of Yuki's case and reading about the steps Lindsay takes to solve a crime. Joe's case was interesting on its own and is very relevant, but somehow didn't seem to fit in with the rest of the book.

It has been a while since I had read a book in this series, but I enjoyed the plot, as well as catching up with all of the main characters. Everyone gathers together at the end of the book for a happy, hopeful occasion. Fans of this series will really enjoy this installment of this long-running series.

I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company. My review is voluntary and unbiased.

Many thanks to Little, Brown and Company for the free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

What's not to like from the master, James Patterson? I love his books, especially the women's murder club series. While the 'club' is having lunch, screams are heard above the restaurant. As they rush upstairs, the team discovers that a woman with dissociative identity disorder has been raped. Lindsay, Cindy, Claire and Yuki are on the case!

This is another fantastic installment! For me, these stories are always immersively entertaining! If you love Patterson, this is another fast paced thriller with a satisfying ending. I read this in one setting! Loved it!!!

Lindsay, Claire, Yuki and Cindy are celebrating Claire's birthday in a restaurant when a woman's scream stops the celebration. Lindsay follows the scream to the employee change room to find a woman who claims to have been attacked. But the alleged attacker, Tyler, swears the victim is setting him up. Who is telling the truth? Lindsay being a sergeant, arrests Tyler, Claire, a medical examiner, examins the alleged victim, Yuki, assistant DA, takes on the case while Cindy, a crime writer, reports it. And they all go through this case while planning a wedding...
This mystery is book 24 in the Women's Murder Club series. Standalone. First off, 350 pages, 116 chapters, what an amazing ratio! I'm a sucker for short chapters. But I can't say that I was a fan of the narration style. While one of the characters POV in first person, the other are in third, which doesn't make sense. There were too many side stories/investigations made it hard to follow or care about any of them, and only one of them was actually resolved in a somewhat satisfying way. Yuki's POV was the only one I found interestinf. Also, I wish the main subject (mental health) would've been handled with much more sensitivity instead of being used for shock factor. I find over time that while I do love James Patterson, I'm usually disappointed by his collaborations. All in all, I've read many great reviews, but this one was not for me.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The 24th Hour is a well written easy flowing but yet complex storyline that weaves in and out of three different plots filled with action drama and some very nicely executed unexpected surprise's as a bonus we have the same group of recurring character's throughout the series and have experienced their highs and lows and unwavering devotion to one another.

I received a advance readers copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC of The 24th Hour by James Patterson and Maxie Paetro published by Little, Brown and Company

I enjoyed this novel, it's part of a series although I've not read the whole series. It can be read as a stand alone as fast as I'm concerned.
I liked the plot, there was more than one investigation going on, so lots of characters and action. The story moved at a good pace. I wanted to keep reading
The description of characters and situations was good, everything well described as though watching a movie. The plot was great and I liked the ending.
I would definitely read more books by this author

The 24th Hour is the 24th book in the Women's Murder Club series by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro. The writing duo is back with the latest installment of kick-ass friends in the Women's Murder Club. The book opens with Sergeant Lindsay Boxer, Medical Examiner Claire Washburn, Assistant District Attorney Yuki Castellano and crime writer Cindy Thomas gathered at San Francisco's finest restaurant to celebrate a birthday and a wedding.

Before the women can raise their glass for a toast, there's a loud disturbance. On instinct, Lindsay runs toward the scream and finds a woman has been assaulted. Claire examines the victim. Lindsay makes an arrest. Yuki takes the case. Cindy covers it in the media.

Patterson and Paetro are great at making sure every character plays a major role. In The 24th Hour, each of the WMC members are showcased in their professional environment along with their personal lives. It is a good balance making it an easy read. Although there was a main mystery, two other minor subplots were explored but didn't add much to the story. There was even another murder very late in the book...welp, at the 24th hour true to the title. It felt more like filler.

Was this latest installment good or nah? I cannot give up on this series after investing so much time into these characters. However, something drastic needs to happen to give this series a reset. I recommend The 24th Hour for followers of the series for continuity purposes but take your time getting to it. If you're new to the WMC series, you will enjoy the beginning books far more than the recent releases.

Happy Early Pub Day, Patterson and Paetro! The 24th Hour will be available Monday, May 6.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

24th Hour is the 24th book in the New Woman's Murder Club series. I have read this series from the beginning. This story has three stories within the one. The first is a story with Lindsay Boxer, SFPD detective and her partner, Rich Conklin have to solve 3 murders, Joe Molinari, Lindsay's husband, who is an FBI agent working part=time as a Risk Assessment Consultant is assigned with Bao Wong, director of cyber-terrorism trying to stop hackers getting into Vartan hospital and Yuki Castellano, District Attorney Prosecutor trial of rape case. It all takes place in the town of San Franciso, CA.

The ladies, Lindsay Boxer, Medical Examiner, Claire Washburn, Yuki Castellano and Cindy Thomas, crime reporter, are an upscale restaurant,
X-E Soginito celebrate Cindy getting married and Claire's birthday. Shortly after their arrival there is a disturbance and a woman has been assaulted. Lindsay runs upstairs and finds Mary Elena Haynes telling her that Tyler Cates has raped her. He is captured and arrested. He says that she asked him to have sex with her. Yuki is assigned to defend her. Mary Elena has a severe disorder known as DID. She has multiple personality disorder Doctor Stewart Aronson is her psychiatrist. During the trial, Mary Elena's different personalities come to the surface defending her, There is so much going on with the trial I will leave it to the reader to enjoy to the final end with Tyler Cates confessing to rape and aggreavated assault.

Lindsay is assigned to the murders of Holly Bergen Fricke who was shot in her driveway, and her husband, James Fricke killed 6 months later on a street. The two murders seem alike with each being shot 5 times in the same areas. There are many supporting characters that add to this story.. Again there is so much going on that I will again leave the story to the reader to enjoy to the unexpected and surprising ending.

Joe is called and asked to come into the office of his boss. He is introduced to Bao Wong, director of cyber-terrorism. He is paired up with her to investigate and stop hackers from causing havac with Vartan Hospital's computers. They get a tip and do a stakeout on a house. They raid the house but find it is not the hackers but a drug distribution center. They arrested all that was there. Joe and Bao go to a coffee shop and find a unattended computer and take it. They find the man who left it and after talking to him and his helping them find the hackers the case is closed. Joe is offered a full=time position and after much consideration decides to take the position.

The book ends with the marriage of Cindy Thomas to Rich Conklin. Again I enjoyed this story with all the twists and turns. I look forward to the next book in New Woman's Murder Club.

Thank you NetGalley and Little Brown and Company for this ARC.

This is the last James Patterson book I will ever be reading or reviewing. Patterson, along with his many coauthors, has become dully repetitive and lacking the page-turning compulsion they once had.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this offering.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone, Century for this book.

James Patterson books are always exceptional.

I found this one no exception. I love the characters he creates and the story is always so intriguing. I don't know how his mind creates such thrilling and exciting mysteries. I am always second guessing myself.

This book was an exciting fast read.

Enjoyed it thoroughly.

Five stars.

Not my favorite of the series

I normally like this series, and pretty much everything co-written by maxine Paetro. This was too disjointed for me to want to stay up all night and read.

There are three stories going on at once. They don't tie together.

Lindsay is a San Francisco police officer. She is working on the murder of a wealthy man, which may be tied to the murder of his wife a few months earlier.

Her husband, Joe, is trying to find out who is behind a ransomeware attach on a local hospital.

Her attorney friend, Yuki, is prosecuting a man for the rape of a woman with multi-personality disorder.

Lindsay's case is the most prominent and the most fleshed-out. Still, the ending could be a bit more intricate.

Joe and Yuki's end abruptly. In fact, I kept waiting for twists to occur on both of these, but nothing happened.

Any of these plot lines would have made a good book if they had been developed. But the cursory attention they got made this feel choppy, like I was channel surfing and only catching parts of each story.

There were some things that set me off early in the book. First, Lindsay used restaurant valet parking for a squad car.. Second, a character has what I assume was a felony conviction (car theft) and admits to having a gun. That seemed to raise no eyebrows with the police. Now, maybe California laws are different than those in my state, but where i live neither would be allowed.

"Love Lindsay Boxer" can't get enough. The Women’s Murder Club are investigating a billionaire San Francisco couple. A lot of suspects but, will Cindy, Claire, Yuki, and Lindsay be able to solve this one.
Before they can start to celebrate Cindy getting married, there’s a disturbance in the restaurant. A woman has been assaulted.
​Trying to solve cases. All the interviews, the guess "who did it" will keep you at the edge of your seat.

I don't want to give to much away. It kept me guessing all thru the book!

Can't get enough of The Women's Murder Club

Thank you Netgalley and Little Brown and Company for the ARC!

I love James Patterson and this was another fun one, if murder mysteries are fun for you! Patterson does a great job writing books that make you feel like you’re in an episode of a crime show or movie. His writing makes you feel like you’re right there, doing the investigating and trying to solve the mysteries along with our main characters. The 24th Hour had awesome plot twists and a really interesting plot. I had a lot of fun with this one!

The 24th Hour has three storylines intertwined and changing chapter by chapter. One thread is about a young woman with multiple personalities (Dissociative Identity Disorder)who has been viciously raped in the locker room area of a large restaurant where the Murder Mystery Club has been celebrating a member’s birthday. When they hear an outcry , the women rush upstairs and each in her professional role, doctor, lawyer, police officer, and news reporter become involved. Homicide is the topic of the second story, in which a husband and his wife are murdered a short time apart. Again multiple characters become involved in that case too. Lastly, a hospital is the target of a cyber ransom attack. The stakes are high and the perpetrators hard to track down .

There is a little too much on an off each topic for my liking. Three things going on at once made the storyline choppy and disjointed for me. Each segment had potential and could have been the plot of an entire book instead of being one of three winding roads that never intersected. Nonetheless, the brief chapters helped get past that design flaw. . Mixing chapters of three short discrete stories seemed
like an attempt to create one book of suitable length for publication.

The 24th Hour has short chapters, detailed police procedures, information on topics both psychological and technical , and a look into the friendships, romances and private lives of the women who form the Murder Mystery Club. Since this is number 24 I wouldn’t recommend it as a starting place in this series, as there is a great deal of background into the recurrent characters that is presumed, and not developed in this book. It’s a quick, easy read making it just right for times you don’t want to think or work too hard to get to the end- not my usual cup of tea. My rating is 2 1/2 stars rounded up to 3. Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for an ARC in exchange for my review. Publication date is May 6, 2024.

The Women's Murder Club is at it again. The group is meeting for lunch when scream is heard. So much for lunch! Of course, a trial comes out of the scream and the victim has DID (or multiple personality disorder) so who is on trial? One or all of the DIDs? While this is happening, two murders, six months apart, are being investigated. Someone you will not see as being a murderer has done it and you have to read to the end to figure it out. But who would want to put down one of James Patterson's novels? No me and I find myself reading way past my bedtime.

I always love a good women's murder/mystery club book by James Patterson, and this one didn't disappoint. As usual, there's more than one story wrapped in one. While Joe is trying to find out who is behind holding hospitals hostage for crypto money, Yuki is trying to convict a rapist who took advantage of someone with multiple personality disorder.
Sonia, and Richie are busy trying to track down who killed a husband and wife six months apart, and what the motive was. The book was a fast read, and at the end I almost kind of felt like they were wrapping the series up, the way some loose knots were cared for.
If you love James Patterson books, add this one to your list.
Thank you #netgalley for the #arc

This is a fast read.
It does get your attention from the start.
However, this isn’t a favorite for me. It felt kind of flat. These are usually some of my favorite books but I felt disappointed with this one. I can’t tell what’s missing but it felt like this book was missing something.

I still can’t wait to read the next one!

I received an advanced copy of this book from Little, Brown and Company via NetGalley.

In the latest installment of the Women's Murder Club series, where the formidable quartet finds themselves embroiled in not one, but three separate tales of intrigue and suspense. As a seasoned reader of Patterson's works, I found myself drawn into the whirlwind of their investigations. From the outset, it's evident that Patterson's signature style is in full force, with short, punchy chapters that propel the narrative forward at breakneck speed. Each storyline is meticulously crafted, offering just the right balance of detail and insight into the personal lives of our intrepid heroines as they navigate the murky waters of crime and justice.

However, as much as I enjoyed the fast-paced action and gripping plot twists, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. While the individual storylines were compelling in their own right, they struggled to coalesce into a cohesive whole.

Overall, while this latest installment may not have been my favorite in the series, it still delivered the fast-paced thrills and entertaining escapades that I've come to expect from Patterson.