4th of July by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro {Book Review}

The fourth book in the Women’s Murder Club series, 4th of July, is one of my less liked books so far.

The premise of the book was very unrealistically put together, and didn’t leave much room for making the situations feel real for the readers.

James Patterson co-authored this book with Maxine Paetro, which I was super excited about because I was hoping would be a proper insight into female relationships and interactions.

The Women’s Murder Club series follows four successful women, putting their heads together as they navigate through crime scenes, love scenes and other personal situations. As of this post’s published date, there are 21 books in the series and probably counting. I have most of them already, with a few missing here and there that I still need to track down.

You can find the links for the previous books in this series at the end of this post.

DISCLAIMER: This review could contain possible spoilers based on my opinions. All opinions and views are my own.

Book review: 4th of July by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro #bookreview
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Plot:

In a deadly show of events, Lieutenant Lindsay Boxer fires her weapon in self-defence and sets off a chain of events that leaves the police force disgraced, an angry city crown and a family torn apart.

Lindsay’s future lies in the hands of twelve jurors and while waiting for the trial to begin, she retreats to her sister’s home in Half Moon Bay to escape the paparazzi and focus on her own recovery.

There’s a string of murders that is ripping through the Bay; there are no witnesses and no pattern.

A crucial detail reminds Lindsay of an unsolved murder that she worked on years before.

With her friends in the Women’s Murder Club, Lindsay has to battle for her life: finding the person committing the murders in Half Moon Bay, and fighting through the trial that can ruin everything she has worked so hard to build.

My Opinion: Positive Thoughts

The book is fast paced with easy language and short chapters. The second plot of the book was a lot more interesting than the trial plot, and had depth.

I did have an idea who was behind the murders but there was a twist at the end that I didn’t expect which was refreshing. The perfect timing of one character spilling the beans was a little convenient but could be overlooked. Without that scene, there wouldn’t have been a solid link to the killer.

My Opinion: Negative Thoughts

The books revolve around the Women’s Murder Club members but this one was very focused on Lindsay and overshadowed the other characters completely.

She is also praised on being an amazing police officer, however she breaks basic procedures throughout the book that shouldn’t be happening at all. This is where the reality element vanishes because her success is riding on breaking standards.

The whole trial was rushed and not really well thought through. It came across illogical and being based for the main plot, it wasn’t emotionally compelling. I felt no empathy for Lindsay throughout it all, especially with her behaviour throughout the book.

Overview:

The murder plot was interesting and unfolded very well, right to the end. The trial lacked emotion and a sense of reality, and I really expected it to be a major showdown in the book. It turned out to be a romanticised and rushed event that could’ve been left out of the book altogether.

Lindsay really needs character growth-desperately needs it. There wasn’t much focus on the other characters in the Club and I’m hoping that will change in the next book.