25 Alive

 25 Alive (Women's Murder Club) - James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

Pub. Date: April 28,  2025

She read

The Women’s Murder Club is back in action when Lindsay Boxer’s former partner, mentor and friend Warren Jacobi is murdered and she heads the investigation. Meanwhile, Yuki is in danger prosecuting a cartel family member for murder which Joe, Lindsay’s FBI husband, gets involved with.

This is the twenty fifth in this best selling mystery series. I have read most of them, although I missed the last few. It was nice being reacquainted with these characters, whom I enjoy.

Trust Patterson and this series to deliver a fast paced, suspenseful story with twists, red herrings, and colorful characters. Fans of this series will welcome this addition. Anyone new to The Women’s Murder Club will have no difficulty catching up with the characters and their professional and personal relationships. This may be my first beach read recommendation of the year!

*****

Thanks to #NetGalley and @LittleBrown for the DRC.

Nightshade - Michael Connelly

 Nightshade - Michael Connelly

Pub. Date: May 20, 2025

She read

trouble. The latest one is stubborn, hard nosed, but very capable  Detective Stilwell. While building a relationship with a local woman, he is faced with solving two crimes; the beheading of a protected buffalo and the body of a young woman found trapped under the sea. While investigating, he crosses some lines and is also forced to work with an old nemesis. 

I have enjoyed Michael Connelly’s books for more years than I care to count so am thrilled that he is introducing a new character in this, his fortieth novel. Connelly writes consistently captivating stories; this is a solid addition to his body of work.

Well plotted, with memorable characters, Nightshade is an engrossing read. I always appreciate the bits of humor Connelly injects into his books. If you are a fan of this author, you will welcome this new character and setting. If he is new to you, be sure to get in on the ground floor of this first of a series.

Thanks to #NetGalley and @LittleBrown for the DRC.

*****

The Doorman - Chris Pavone

 The Doorman - Chris Pavone

She and he read

Pub. Date: May 20, 2025

As readers can easily find an online synopsis of this book, I am not going to summarize it other than to say it is the story of a doorman at an exclusive upper Manhattan apartment building and some of its inhabitants set in the social and political sphere of contemporary times. I don’t like to compare one book to another, but, for me, it is this generation’s Bonfire of the Vanities.

Well plotted and suspenseful, Pavone’s characterizations are masterful. He captures the pulse of New York City, along with the nuances and issues reflective of our societal and political culture. Here is social class, fiscal struggling and striving, racism, prejudice, blowback from so called woke values and initiatives. There are sharp, attuned, sometimes poignant observations of life. I did not want to put this book down and flew through it. Oh, and, yes, it is also a thriller.

Thanks to #NetGalley and @fsgBooks for the DRC.

*****