As the opening promises this is one for the fans of the Women’s Murder Club and it certainly delivers on that promise.

23rd Midnight - Penguin Books UK

As expected the chapters are short and punchy, just making you want to read on and on and because they are short you keep promising yourself 'just one more chapter ' which turns into 5, 6, 7.... Another winner from James Patterson! I love the Women's Murder Club series and James Patterson's style of writing with the short chapters makes his books easy to read. This was one I didn't want to put down. Through the years I have come to actually care about the characters in his books and I feel like I have gotten to know the characters in this series pretty well.An obsessed fan is studying every detail-and committing fresh horrors that carry Burke's signature.

The 23rd Midnight by James Patterson | James Patterson

Yuki Castellano, a Prosecutor, working on an incredibly violent domestic abuse case against Lewis Sullivan. What I would add though, is that I think it would be good to give Yuki a different kind of storyline. It seems that every plotline she’s involved with is prosecuting the case of her career. It’s time to develop her in other ways that are outside of the courtroom. Show that she’s more well-rounded and has other aspects to be explored. Detective Lindsay Boxer put serial killer Evan Burke behind bars. Now a new killer has recreated Burke's most infamous crimes-and disappeared without a trace. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a James Patterson mega fan girl 😆 I just love his books, with their short and punchy chapters, characters that feel like family now and killers that you can’t wait to get what is coming to them. I am always thrilled to get approved for early copies of his books, so a massive thank you to Random House UK for feeding my addiction.I thoroughly enjoyed 23rd Midnight, which is another high octane hunt for a serial killer, with the added bonus of interactions between Lindsay and Burke. It is told from Lindsay’s first person point of view and various other characters in the third person. It works well, mixing the personal reactions with a more distant view of events. This year’s outing - “The 23rd Midnight”- has three primary plots – Lindsey’s police team’s hunt for a serial killer, Cindy’s troubled book tour, and Yuki’s courtroom case involving a battered wife. This time it’s Claire’s turn to play more of a supporting role.

James Patterson - The 23rd Midnight James Patterson - The 23rd Midnight

First of all thank you to the publisher, the author and Netgalley for the privilege of reading this book. I hadn’t read any of the books in this series before but reading this one made me want to become better acquainted with journalist Cindy Thomas, Det. Lindsay Boxer, prosecutor Yuki Castellano and chief medical examiner Claire Washburn. Up front disclosure. I read most of James Patterson’s books and have for several years. Some might ask why and that’s another whole discussion best saved for another day. I have really enjoyed some, liked some, and didn’t really care for others. On a personal level, I must admit that his Women’s Murder Club series – focused on the professional and personal lives of four women in San Francisco - has been very hit and miss over the last couple of years with more weak outings than not.

An attention-seeking copycat is recreating murders by a famous killer from the Women’s Murder Club’s past—with devastating new twists. An obsessed maniac has turned Burke’s true-crime story into a playbook. And is embellishing it with gruesome touches all his own. This is a fast paced thriller which draws the reader in and is, in my opinion an unputdownable book. Another great read following the Women’s Murder Club in Detective Lynsey Boxers latest case, putting more than one of them potentially in harms way. Cindy has just promoting her published her new true crime novel and becomes embroiled when an obsessed fan starts causing problems that mirror the original serial killers actions. Lindsay has to try and catch the criminal.