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23 of 23 found the following review helpful:
 Same Formula as 1st to DieDec 31, 2002
By TJ's Mommy
I had to give this book four stars, but only because it follows the EXACT same formula as the first book. The plot is still very exciting and the story grabs you. I made the mistake of reading one right after the other and it became too predictable to how the story was going to end. I would highly recommend this book, but not right after you've read the first one. In this novel you follow the Women's Murder Club again, but this time it is a serial sniper that is taking people out. There is a "women's" story intertwined, though not love this time, but there's a pregnancy and Lindsay is reunited with her dad. Patterson does a good job casting suspicion on certain characters to sidetrack you. The end will surprise the reader, but only as to who the killer actually is. You think you've caught him, but have you really? Same formula as the first one...
36 of 40 found the following review helpful:
 He's back in the saddle again!Mar 16, 2002
By Karen Kirsch
"blazerlib"
If you're looking for great fiction, don't read James
Patterson. If you're looking for a fast-paced, fast-read
mystery, then you might want to pick up this book. "First
to Die" was the first in the Women's Murder Club mysteries.
Loved it! This one didn't disappoint me. The premise of
a homicide detective, D.A., coroner, and news writer combining their talents and intellect to solve a mystery is quite innovative. "2nd Chance" begins with a murder that might be
viewed as a hate crime. However, with the help of her best
friend the coroner, Lindsey the detective sees another pattern forming. Another killing that leads in a totally different direction. Then, just when you think you know the
outcome...yikes! there are still 70 pages to go. Lindsey's dad returns after a 20 year hiatus. Sympathize or suspect
While I love those books that I can savor over a week's time,
I also love those I can't put down until I finish it the same
day. Patterson is a same day read...
15 of 16 found the following review helpful:
One of his better books...Jul 20, 2002
By J. Boccanfuso
Lately, I've been doubting James Patterson's ability to turn out a decent read. "When the Wind Blows" didn't work for me. "Cradle and All" just seemed silly. "1st to Die" was a great thriller, and it is followed by another great thriller, "2nd Chance." The Women's Murder Club is back in business when a killer strikes San Francisco, commiting hate crimes. Lindsay Boxer, the newly appointed Lieutenant, joins her pals Cindy, Claire, and Jill to solve the mystery. The plot of "2nd Chance" moves along rather quickly, rarely stopping for a breather. When Lindsay isn't dealing with the stresses of her job, her personal life is there to stress over. Her father returns to get a second chance at being a good dad, she finds out one of her friends is pregnant, and she still is trying to cope with the fact that Chris Raleigh is dead. "2nd Chance" is one of Patterson's better books. It moves the plot forward with every page, but doesn't feel rushed. It reassured me that the Patterson that wrote amazing thrillers wasn't dead... he was just sleeping. Here's to hoping he continues this series with another strong installment.
20 of 23 found the following review helpful:
Much Better than Violets are BlueMar 05, 2002
By JC
"JC"
I was beginning to worry about James Patterson. After a few great books early on in the Alex Cross series, the quality of his work had started to drop off significantly. It looks now, however, that he has turned his efforts to writing about the Women's Murder Club. Is he getting tired of writing Alex Cross? Tough to tell. One thing is certain - 2nd Chance is a fine read. The plot of the novel is similar to that of 1st to Die. Of course, there is a different killer, different murders, and different methods, but the basis of the book remains the same - 4 women - a cop, an assistant D.A., a medical examiner, and a reproter - get together to solve a series of killings that seemingly no one else can. The differing professions of the women allow Patterson to bring detail to the reader that would otherwise be tough to introduce. For example, Claire, the M.E., discovers that one of the victims has tattooed skin under her nails. Each character brings their own talents and insights to the investigation. Another glaring difference frequent Patterson readers will notice about 2nd Chance is that the author is much more attentive to character development in this series than he has been with the Alex Cross series. Each character has personality strengeths and flaws and Patterson illustraits them in detail. One deals with a pregnancy while Cindy becomes involved with a minister. By allowing the reader to feel personally connected with his characters, Patterson only makes the story that much more exciting. Highly recommended to anyone who liked 1st to Die or books from the Alex Cross series.
12 of 13 found the following review helpful:
 "5" for entertaining plot, "1" for stereotyping the womenMay 11, 2002
By Gerald M. Bull
"Jerry Bull"
The "Women's Murder Club" is back from Patterson's (solo) "1st to Die" -- three professional women friends of our leading lady, San Francisco Homicide Lieutenant Lindsay Boxer. Except for no sex, this book is a cross between "Sex and the City" and John Sandford's "... Prey" series about detectives against serial killers. But unlike the TV show, neither Patterson nor co-author Andrew Gross seem to have a clue about how women think, act, or interact with each other. While some might view Lindsay's rash actions in chasing the killer "to the death" as heroic, she violated every standard police procedure several times: proceeding without backup, failing to call in her location, not waiting for the SWAT team, etc. That action seens unrealistic as does Lindsay just dodging serious injury on each of those instances. The other three of "my girls" do exhibit really girlish behavior and dialogue, hardly what you would expect of any post-adolescent let alone these supposedly high-achieving experts in their respective posts of District Attorney, Reporter, and Medical Examiner. On the other hand, the identification and capture of the "Chimera", who seems to be targeting police or their relatives with a variety of deadly sharp shooting (although conveniently not as "sharp" when it comes to our protagonists!) kept me guessing til quite near the end. Even if one suspects a rat early, it's still a well-crafted story, Patterson's strength. Lindsay's father, gone since childhood, shows up for some interesting sub-plot material along the way... If you like short chapters, this book's for you, as a span of two to three pages is the most we can muster. Are our authors maybe angling for a screenplay and book all wrapped up in one? - probably you know Patterson has had a fair degree of luck selling his titles to the big screen people... Maybe what Patterson needs for "3rd Time's a Charm" or whatever he decides to call it is a FEMALE co-author. We like the foursome in these stories, but we need a lot more credible womanhood than this on display to do themselves justice.
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