3rd DEGREE by James Patterson and Andrew Gross
James Patterson is one of America's most prolific writers. He made his name and fortune with the Alex Cross stories. Recently he has stepped out and created a new series of books focusing on the lives and adventures of several women who live and work in San Francisco. His latest novel in this series is titled 3rd DEGREE and it is co-written with Andrew Gross.
Police Lieutenant Lindsay Boxer, medical examiner Claire Washburn. reporter Cindy Thomas, and Assistant DA Jill Bernhardt are all good friends. Their jobs are inter-related and they feed off each other's insight and intelligence. At the start of this novel Lindsay is jogging close to an apartment building when it explodes. She later learns that the fire was the work of a group of political extremists who intend to carry out more such terrorist acts.
Cindy begins to receive messages from the group at the newspaper where she works. Claire is involved because she is on the scene examining bodies when the police are called to the scene of the explosion. Only Jill is on the outside but she has problems that are occupying her time. She is an abused wife, a fact she reluctantly confides to the others in her group. This rallies her three friends around her and gives her support for some tough decisions she has to make.
Joe Molinari is another key character in this story. He is a Deputy Assistant Homeland Security Officer who works with Lindsay after the threat of further violence has been received. He is also a possible love interest for her as they click from the start. They both lead active lives but in books as in life where there's a will there's a way.
Patterson/Gross have created an exciting, readable story that will entertain fans of this genre. They have a timely plot which is peopled with likeable heroes and boo-able villains. It is a book written at a fast pace which keeps the pages turning.
The best aspect of the story is that it reads like a pure Patterson book. Gross' input never diminishes Patterson's style and will keep his loyal fans satisfied. If you like the Alex Cross books then you will relish this series of stories as well.
3rd DEGREE is published by Little, Brown and Company. It contains 352 pages and sells for $26.95.