Title:	3rd Degree
	Author:	James Patterson, Andrew Gross
	Published:	2004, Warner Books
	No. of Pages:	339
	Cover Price:	$7.99 US

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The third installment of the Women’s Murder Club, by James Patterson and Andrew Gross, begins when Lindsay and Martha (her dog) are jogging and run into Jill Bernhardt, a good friend and part of the Women’s Murder Club. Jill has some bruises and Lindsay asks her about them, but is brushed off with an explanation that she was caught in the shower door. Lindsay doesn’t buy it, but after Jill has gone, Lindsay sees a beautiful, expensive townhouse explode. The townhouse was owned by Morton Lightower, a businessman who supposedly cheated his investors out of millions of dollars. Lindsay rescues a young boy from the home, but the parents are dead, and a group that calls themselves August Spies takes responsibility for the murders. The au pair is missing, and also the family’s baby, so Lindsay not only is investigating a murder, but also a kidnapping. A few days later, a businessman who is responsible for cutting the insurance coverage of thousands of poor people, is murdered by ricin; again August Spies. Cindy Thomas, another member of the Women’s murder club, receives an email from August Spies, and she becomes involved in the investigation with Lindsay. As more murders occur, there is panic in the city, and there is pressure to solve the crimes and find August Spies.

During the course of the novel, there are issues with Jill, her husband, and the bruises; Lindsay meets Joe Molinari, a big wig in the FBI who lives in Washington. Not only is there chemistry, but Joe becomes Lindsay’s love interest in this and subsequent novels. These sub-plots add interest to the novel, but there is suspense during Lindsay’s investigation, since she and others are in danger, and as the investigation continues and she becomes closer to finding the real murderer. The investigation becomes personal as a member of the murder club becomes a victim. The other members are devastated and work together to find clues as more murders are occurring in the form of bombings and poisonings.

The Women’s Murder Club series is a little lighter than James Patterson’s mainstream novels; they are simply written, easy to follow, and very quick. Although there are murders, the descriptions of them are not as graphic or violent as in the novels written strictly by James Patterson. The Women’s Murder Club series is more about fun, mindless reading than about weaving characters through researched details and real or historical scenarios. Readers who are fans of Lindsay, Jill, Cindy, and Claire will enjoy this third installment; it’s fun to follow their personal lives, and they almost seem like real acquaintances. Besides the suspense, there is a little romance, a little drama, and a little humor.

This book was purchased with personal funds and no promotion of the book was solicited by the author or publisher.

This book may be purchased at Amazon: 3rd Degree (Women's Murder Club)