2nd Chance

Written by James Patterson and Andrew Gross

Narrated by Pat Starr

When a little girl is shot on the steps of a San Francisco church, Detective Lindsay Boxer reconvenes the Women's Murder Club.

Working with reporter Cindy Thomas, assistant DA Jill Bernhardt, and medical examiner Claire Washburn, Lindsay tracks a mystifying killer who quickly turns his pursuers into victims. The unorthodox allegiances of the Women's Murder Club lead them to suspect the unexpected - the killer may be an ex-cop. But nothing prepares them for the demented logic behind his choice of victims.

(P)2012 Headline Digital

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hachette UK Audio
• Release date: Apr 16, 2012
• ISBN: 9780755397013

James Patterson

James Patterson is the CEO of J. Walter Thompson, an advertising agency in New York. He has written several successful fiction and nonfiction books, including The New York Times best seller The Day America Told the Truth.

Reviews for 2nd Chance

[jpsnow · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It was fast and captivating as a beach read - also somewhat of a time capsule as set in San Francisco, circa 2000

[chazzifrazz · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A murderer is on the loose. It seems as if there is no connection between the multiple murders or the random shootings that cause destruction.Lindsay Boxer has her work cut out on this case. She feels there must be some connection, but what is it? Even with the help of the other members of the Women’s Murder Club, it is hard to get the pieces to fit.While dealing with this case, her father walks back into her life. The father who left her, her sister and her mother with no real explanation of why or where he was going. Why did he show up at this time and can she handle it? Will she finally get answers to all her questions? Why did her father choose this particular time to come back into her life? The last time she saw or heard from him was when he showed up at her graduation from the police academy. Proud she followed in his footsteps, but not enough to be in her life till now?Again, this is a fast paced read. The shooter is brutal and very active. The prime suspect seems to be perfect, but yet something is a bit off. Lindsay can’t quite see it, but feels it is there.At times, Lindsay puts herself, her job and the case in jeopardy. She becomes obsessed that she has it figured out, but then things hit very close to home and cause her to have to re-evaluate and review what she’s seen and heard. What was the one thing she saw during her investigation that points to the real killer?Another fast and tense read.

[paulagalvan-323293 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

2nd Chance, the second in the Women's Murder Club series, was a bit disappointing. Although I still love the characters, their interaction with each other felt flat and superficial in this tale of a revenge killer on the loose. Even Lindsay's reunion with her father lacked emotional depth. The plot was fast-paced but predictable. Hopefully, the next installment in the series will be better.

[soosthemoose · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another great book in this series. Nice to revisit characters and develop them. Also enough twists and turns to keep it exciting.

[payday1999-430350 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the 2nd book in the series and It's a great book. It follows the same premise as the first book and it has an exciting plot. Overall I was very pleased with this book.

[tiffy_reads · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Women's Murder Club is back at it. This time they are chasing a killer who is throwing more curveballs at them than they can handle. I enjoyed this book as much as I did the first book of the series and am excited to get my hands on the rest of the series.

[bingereader87 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

great book. it had a lot of action and a lot of twists.

[kebets_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lindsay and her club are at it again. This time it all starts with the death of an 11-year old at a church shooting. It looks racially motivated - but is it really. This is a black church in a tough but improving neighborhood - and it looks random at first. But the shooter killed only one person and that shot was pretty incredible...maybe not as random as it seemed.The second death or maybe the first is the hanging of an elderly black woman in the basement of her apartment building. And then a police officer is gunned down responding to a domestic abuse call in a derelict building.Lindsay and her friends are digging. Cindy becomes entangled romantically with the handsome pastor of that church. Jill has a medical emergency and Claire is pulled in to this crime when the shooter attacks her home.And then the chief of police is gunned down outside his home.Lindsay's father makes an appearance and is somehow tied in to this whole thing. Is he there to cover his own back and make sure the investigation moves away from him - or is he there to keep Lindsay safe??This is another page turner and a fast read. My only complaint is the epilogue again...is this a pattern? But that won't keep me from reading the 3rd one and then moving on to the 4th!!I love a good series!!Costa Rica book #4!

[andrew1theqm · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was an enjoyable read, but I've enjoyed others in the series more.

[bookconcierge · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Book on CD performed by Melissa Leo & Jeremy Piven.
2**

From the book jacket: The Women’s Murder Club is back! a brilliantly diabolical killer is murdering people from every walk of life. The deaths seem unrelated but police homicide inspector Lindsay Boxer senses a connection and , together with medical examiner Claire, assistant D.A. Jill, and Chronicle reporter Cindy, finds a link that sends a chill through the entire nation. This killer’s motives are unspeakable.

MY REACTIONS
The hyperbole of the jacket is indicative of the quality of the writing. I didn’t feel any tension or suspense. I do not agree that the killer was “brilliantly diabolical” or that his motives “are unspeakable.” If anything the hackneyed attempt at suspense makes it laughably melodramatic (think Carol Burnett’s talented ensemble cast).

The interaction between the women was what saved the first book for me (still only gave it 2.5**). Not so this time. Patterson gives us more medical issues for “the girls” ... including a couple of gunshot wounds. Interestingly enough, Lindsay has apparently completely recovered from the terminal illness she had in book one.

Patterson is just phoning it in these days. He has a team of writers who churn this stuff out with his name getting top billing (and top sales). That’s too bad. His early Alex Cross novels (when he was writing them himself) were quite good.

Melissa Leo and Jeremy Piven do a good job of performing the audio version. I’d given them 4**** for their skill as voice artists and pacing. But they had terrible material to work with. Because the book was due back at the library, I gave up on the audio and read the last 100 pages. Patterson’s short sentences and short chapters make this a fast read, thank heavens.

[jimocracy · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I don't know that I want to continue with this series. Unlike Patricia Cornwell novels, I am not really getting attached to the characters. Overall, the story wasn't bad but it was derivative of the first and a little flat. I'm glad to be done with this book and this series.

[tony2704 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Usual Patterson brilliance. Really enjoying the 'Women's Murder Club' series

[martensgirl · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I can only explain Patterson's popularity by guessing that people like the rapid pace of the plots. Patterson's prose is poor: riddled with cliches and repeated metaphors. His characters are also fairly one-dimensional.

[sugar_and_snark · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was even better than the first one! James Patterson has me hooked! Will be reading the next one :)

[jlapac-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book wasn't quite as overtly violent as the first one in the series. I think this series is a little formulaic in the way the story develops. I found the markers of progression to be similar to those in the first book.

Patterson's style in this series is very short chapters, which was mostly effective. On occasion he would move to a new chapter practically in the middle of the sentence, which was odd.

I was hoping to see some character development of the four women in this story. There was development in the things going on in their lives, but not very much in the way of understanding their characters. We did learn more about Lindsay's relationship with her father and I think she progressed a bit in that realm.

[lindagail-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Several black people are killed by a sharp shooter. Lindsay Boxer, a Lieutenant for the San Francisco Police and her best friends, Jill Bernhardt, Assistant DA in SF, Clair Washburn, the main medical examiner, and Cindy Washburn (?) a reporter for the Chronicle Newspaper, work together to solve the mysterious killer

[sallyawolf · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is about the newly promoted Lieutenant Lindsay Boxer and her friends in the Woman's Murder Club. They This book is about the newly promoted Lieutenant Lindsay Boxer and her friends in the Woman's Murder Club. They are at again, in this wonderful sequel to "1st To Die" This book expertly covers all of the different ways that a person deals with the pain you feel at the loss of someone you love. I also found the ending to be well written it kept me guessing right up until the last shot was fired. I would recommend this book as a well worthwhile read if you are a mystery lover.

[liz_s_24 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another smash hit by Mr Patterson!! I quickly ran out to get the next 2 in the series! I suggest you do the same!

[thehistorychic · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Read from February 22 to 23, 2012Read for FunChallenges: Audiobook, Mystery/Suspense, Read for FunOverall Rating: 4.25Mystery Rating: 4.50Character Rating: 4.00Audio Rating: 4.50 (Narrators Melissa Leo and Jeremy Piven)First Thought When Finished: I really liked the mystery in this book!What I Loved: The mystery was really strong in this addition to the series. I really loved how it weaved in all the characters and through that we got to know more about them. It also gave you a bit of back story which was really interesting. I am not going to give anything away but once I thought I figured it out--one more loop was thrown into the mix.What I Liked: We are really getting to know the characters more! I am beginning to like them all and can't wait to read the rest of the series.Audio Review: I liked the duel voices of a male and female narrator! However, Melissa Leo was a bit stronger which is good because she was the bulk of the book. I love Jeremy Piven though and he voices a good bad guy!Final Thought: This was a great 2nd edition to the series. While I don't think you have to read these in order (each case stands alone), I think you would miss character development if you read them out of order.

[backyardhorse · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

If you like James Patterson you will like the story of The Woman's Murder Club members who set out to solve a murder that their male counterparts had already marked unsolved.

[fallingforbooks · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

First Line: Aaron Winslow would never forget the next few minutes.Favorite Quote: “You willing to consider the possibility that maybe your gunman hit exactly what he was aiming at?”My thoughts: This is my 2nd installment in The Women’s Murder Club series. I really liked this book a lot. I really like mystery murder type books. I find myself questioning and wondering who the killer is all the way to the end of the book. I like how James Patterson writes his books. I’m drawn into them from the very first page. I love the short chapters and often find myself reading longer than expected!I love all of the characters in the book. I think the Murder Club gals could really exist and be friends. I feel like his books are based upon things that have or could happen in real life. They contains lots of action and many different twist and turns, all the way until the end. I love this series and will continue reading it!Overall: Great, fast paced book!

[darlenesbooknook · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the second book in the Women’s Murder Club series and is co-authored by Andrew Gross (someone whose work that I am unfamiliar with).Four women (a police lieutenant, medical examiner, assistant DA, and a crime reporter) join forces to solve crimes. A serial killer is murdering people from every walk of life. At first, it does not appear that the deaths are related but “the girls” find the connection.I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as its predecessor, 1st To Die, but it was still a fast read and enjoyable.The one thing that bugs me about the series is that the way the women are portrayed and relate to each other is not at all realistic. These “professional” women relate to each other in an immature way that is reminiscent of adolescence!Another pet peeve is redundancy of vocabulary…I lost track of how many times the author used “clapboard.”I enjoyed the plot twist, and I still plan to continue with the series.MY RATING: 3.5 stars!

[drt_4 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The next book was 2nd Chance by James Patterson. This was the second book in a series that started with First To Die. The women’s murder club reconvenes following a shooting at a church that leaves the taste of a racial murder. This book had Lindsey as the new lieutenant in the homicide department and she meets with her other 3 girlfriends. This book had the “whodoneitness” that I appreciated but also drew us deeper into the characters by having other person stuff like romance, returning father, other health concerns, going to a prison to meet with the head of a prison gang and some twists and turns. While I expected some of them it was still entertaining and fun to see how they played out. This book was fun.

[puckrobin · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Like others in the series, good fun brain candy if you like police / mystery novels. Lindsay and her friends are back to find another killer, and as per usual, they do so with some laughter and some style.

[chrissywest · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The second book in the Woman's Murder Club Series. I enjoyed this book more then 1st To Die. 2nd Chance was so fast paced and the plot was exciting. I started it in the morning and I finished by 7pm. This book went into the woman's personal lives a little more. Cindy finds love...but Jill has sad times. Lindsay's father shows up - I hope he shows up more in the future books - I really like him. I did find this book a little rushed, there didn't seem to be as many details as in the 1st. I did feel the ending of this book could have been a little stronger. It was not as exciting as the 1st to Die ending. I can't wait to read 3rd Degree.

[veranaz22 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

If the first one got you hooked to the series, then this one will keep you in. As always, well written and story flows nicely. Hard to put down.Here, the main character finds herself (so does the department) stumped on a suspected serial killing/hate crime.Four stars.

[sonicquack · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

'2nd Chance' takes place four months after the successful end to the crime spree detailed in '1st to Die' and starts a new adventure for the Women's Murder Club. Since the characters have been introduced and fleshed out in the first novel, this leaves Patterson to centre on a single plot and this creates a real page-turner. It's somewhat predictable in places, however '2nd Chance' is entertaining throughout and uses the trademark Patterson style to full effect. Best read in sequence, this is an engaging book from cover to cover.

[honeydew69862004 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

2nd Chance was a good book that I couldn't get enough of. I finished it in three days. It's about the womens murder club who come upon a case of racial shootings that involve people with relation to cops. I especially like the ending how Lindseys "relationship" with that special person, who I'll let remain nameless so I don't give anything away, isn't completely hopeless.

[dbhutch_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Things get personal for Lindsay Boxer in Patterson's second installment in the Womens Murder Club series. When a killer starts a spree of what everyone else sees as "hate crimes" in SF, Lindsay and her friends find the true link in the murders. The bad part - it brings the killer closer to them as well. And Lindsay gets and unexpected blast from the past in her life, further complicating things.

[bons_11 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

First, please do not start this book without reading 1st To Die in this series. As Lindsey picks up her life to go forward with her circle of tight professional friends, a nightmare occurs. I definately relate to the group of girls trying to be their best with almost a bit of the "perfection disease". Each friend cares and needs each other on a personal level now as well as professional level. They have had to invest great "trust" in one another. Lindsey is so human. She has been promoted due to focused goals. She works out, is a great cook, lives alone with her dog Molly and has her personal struggles that make her and her group so authentic. Great suspense that I kept trying to solve. Eagar to see the characters grow in book #3.