James Patterson is well known whether you read his books or not. He writes multiple books every year by collaborating with other authors. Thus, he is one of the best paid authors around. Reportedly his books often account for one in 17 hardcover books sold in the U.S. and has sold over 400 million copies worldwide as of 2022. He holds the Guinness World Record for the most #1 New York Times bestsellers by a single author. Several of his books have either become movies, television shows, and even video games. 

Patterson has been called the "world’s best-selling author and a publishing phenomenon."  He has received the Edgar Award, the National Book Foundation's Literarian Award, and the National Humanities Medal.  But did you know he founded the ReadKiddoRead website to encourage children's reading?  He also donated over $1.75 million to U.S. public schools, $1 million to independent bookstores in 2015 alone, and provided thousands of grants to school libraries and independent bookstores. 

This particular series is now up to its twenty-sixth book, but I'm starting with the first in the series here.  I haven't read any books in this series before, so let's see how I like it.

Copyright: March 2001 (Little Brown & Co.) 488 pgs

Series: 1st in Women's Murder Club series

Sensuality: Some violence with clinical descriptions mostly, swearing, and adult topics and situations.  PG-18

Mystery Sub-genre: Police Procedural, police thriller

Main Character: Inspector Lindsey Boxer of the Homicide Squad

Setting: Modern day San Francisco, California

Obtained Through: Library

Book Blurb: "Each one holds a piece of the puzzle: Lindsay Boxer is a homicide inspector in the San Francisco Police Department, Claire Washburn is a medical examiner, Jill Bernhardt is an assistant D.A., and Cindy Thomas just started working the crime desk of the San Francisco Chronicle.

But the usual procedures aren't bringing them any closer to stopping the killings. So these women form a Women's Murder Club to collaborate outside the box and pursue the case by sidestepping their bosses and giving each other a hand.

The four women develop intense bonds as they pursue a killer whose crimes have stunned an entire city. Working together, they track down the most terrifying and unexpected killer they have ever encountered—before a shocking conclusion in which everything they knew turns out to be devastatingly wrong."

My Thoughts:

Lindsey Boxer is headstrong and determined, she isn't immediately likeable but she did grow on me as I learned more about her.  Each of the others in the club, Jill, Claire, and Cindy, are brought into the group by Lindsey. Her closest friend is Claire, the ME, and that was natural, but Cindy being a reporter that police usually avoid is a strange pick, and Jill being the Assist. DA wasn't an obvious choice either but it all works and they are becoming friends primarily. Lindsey needs a support group and so do each of these career driven ladies.

San Francisco is a big city as well as a busy tourist spot which is key to the story.  The wedding industry has become a bemouth the last few decades and this plot utilizes that as the central theme for a serial killer to target people in a large city full of local or destination weddings. It makes the murders shocking and Lindsey reacts emotionally to them.

The tension builds throughout the story. I felt the book moved along between the investigation, more murders, and Lindsey's personal life. In between all of that is the gradual formation of the Women's Murder Club. The concept of collaborating the investigation among police, ME, DA, and press is great. Wish that was the makeup of police task forces that get created today.

The climax was nail-biting tense and heartbreaking. My heart was pounding just reading it. What an emotional and adrenaline inducing killer confrontation.

The one thing I wish were improved upon is a man trying to write from a woman's perspective--it didn't work in some instances. There were little references where a woman would never have inner dialog like that.  I don't believe it was intentional, but it shows a male's viewpoint in several places (a woman's "fragile courage" is used- you would never say a man's fragile courage. That is a man's perspective). Just understand this handicap when reading it.

This is a gripping and entertaining novel with twists and turns, I appreciate the four women in the club are all strong female characters which we need more of in novels. I want to note how the human element is recognized in the story, not relegated to an afterthought or footnote. This is a strong genre book delivering a memorable police thriller.  I immediately started on the second in the series.

If you haven't read this book before and don't mind grittier mysteries, this could be for you.  If you have read it before, please leave your thoughts on it in the comments -- I would love to hear from you.

Rating: Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend. 

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Here is a great interview with James Patterson, well worth watching.

 This 2008 British film isn't flashy or have breathtaking thrills which so many think is required today. It's one of those movies that you either like or hate.  Many critics hated it while others weren't so critical or even liked it.  I like it and yes, even own it. Find out more below.

Taglines: "It took the heist of the century to settle the score" and "He had a scheme. She had a motive."

Cast:

• Demi Moore as Laura
• Michael Caine as Hobbs
• Lambert Wilson as Finch
• Nathaniel Parker as Ollie
• Shaughan Seymour as Eaton
• Nicholas Jones as Jameson
• David Barrass as Fenton
• Joss Ackland as MKA
• Director - Michael Radford
• Writer - Edward Anderson

Rated PG-13  1 hour 46 minutes

Rotten Tomatoes 56% and critics reviews:

"Yet for all the imperfections, Flawless is a film you find yourself rooting for. Heists involving a keen sense of history are pleasant to stumble across." Charlotte O'Sulivan - London Evening Standard

"It's Caine's old-timer who provides the acting sparkle. Flawless may not be a perfect gem, but thanks to Caine it's definitely not paste." Jason Best - Movie Talk

"There's little by way of thrills. Still, as a caper with a great cast and clever premise, Flawless works, despite its, um, flaws." Rosamund Witcher - Empire Magazine

"Ignore the dull framing device and this is a watchable period crime drama." Daniel Etherington - Film4

"Terrific performances elevate this extremely low-key heist thriller into something thoroughly intriguing. It may never crank up much excitement, but the 1960s vibe it generates is very cool." Rich Cline - Shadows on the Wall

"Demi Moore is excellent as the catalyst for the crime caper with a profoundly personal motive, something we don't discover until late in the film, and Michael Caine is wonderfully dry as the office cleaner with an agenda" Andrew L. Urban - Urban Cinefile

"May not quite live up to the daunting implication of its title, but as a solid piece of beautifully acted and precisely written filmmaking, you'll find nothing better." Ken Hanke - Mountain Xpress

"For about 100 of its 108 minutes, this film treats the viewer to a stylish, suspenseful roller coaster peppered with all manner of ugly, money-grubbing corporate types." Christy DeSmith - Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Retro London heist caper may not interest kids." James Rocchi - Common Sense Media

"The answers to its most intriguing puzzles disappoint, and the final motive provided for this near-perfect scheme can only be described as flawed." Sean O'Connell - Charlotte Weekly

"Fatuous and soulless." Kevin Maher - The Times (UK)

Trivia (from IMDB):

• Edward Anderson wrote the script with Sir Michael Caine in mind, and he was always his first choice for the part of Hobbs.
• The movie playing at the theater is The League of Gentlemen (1960), a much beloved heist movie.
• Sir Michael Caine's grandfather had a similar job to Hobbs.
• Hobbs is another name for the devil, and like the devil, Mr. Hobbs tempts Demi Moore to commit a sin.

My Thoughts:

If you like the pace of John leCarre movies, then this pace won't bother you. If you are used to fast paced thrillers that develop at the speed of light or Marvel movies, this definitely isn't for you. But if you enjoy a story that develops as it goes building some layers, then this could be your movie.

The story develops incrementally and there is a plot disconnect or two if you really churn over the details. But I personally found it an enjoyable movie to watch when I just want to loose myself in a movie and forget this world. It can be a respite in many ways. Michael Caine is always stellar and I thought Demi Moore was quite good in her role, too.  Some of the camera work could have been better and the ending wasn't as satisfying as I like, but it is good IMHO.

Movie Trailer:

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 This is another historical intrigue series that I have found and enjoy. Here are the prior books in the series and my reviews.

1) A Traitor in Whitehall (click here) 

2) Betrayal at Blackthorn Park (click here) 

Today I will review the third in this series.  Let's see how it stacked up below.

Copyright: Sept 2025 (Minotaur) 300 pgs

Series: 3rd in Evelyne Redfern Mysteries

Sensuality: n/a

Mystery Sub-genre: Spy Intrigue

Main Characters: Evelyne Redfern, newbie agent

Setting: World War II era, Primarily set in Lisbon, Portugal

Obtained Through: Library

Book Blurb: "After being sidelined for a pesky gunshot wound, typist-turned-field agent Evelyne Redfern is ready for her next assignment with Britain’s secretive Special Investigations Unit. When a British Intelligence informant in Portugal mysteriously disappears just after hinting that he has vital information about German plans that could tip the balance of World War Two, Evelyne and her dashingly irksome partner, David Poole, are sent headed to Lisbon to find him.

Once they land, Evelyne and David aren't even able to leave the airport, before she discovers one of their fellow airplane passengers murdered and uncovers a diary with a clear link between the victim and their missing informant. With their mission in jeopardy before it can truly begin, Evelyne and David fight to keep their cover intact as they descend deeper into the shadows that surround Lisbon’s glittering collection of wealthy expats and dangerous spies. This case will test Evelyne and David’s training, charm, and wit—and their growing attraction for one another."  

My Thoughts:    

Evelyn is smart and pretty self sufficient. In this outing she returns to duty after a bullet wound has mostly healed.

Aunt Amelia is the only family Evelyn has in her life since her father travels the world and doesn't even check in on her. Aunt Amelia is strong willed yet tender with Evelyn.

Mr. Fletcher, the head of a secret department investigating crimes in the wartime intelligence branches (SIU-Special Investigations Unit), sends her to find the missing agent and asks Evelyn to contact her father as a secondary mission. He explains the second mission is off the books, to determine if her absentee father is hobnobbing with Nazis in neutral countries indicates he is a Nazi sympathizer or if he could become a British confidential informant against them. But this part of the mission she is alone, and if she gets caught he would deny he asked her to do this mission.

Mrs white, supervisor of all field agents, shows no compassion. She doesn't like Evelyn and shows it as she dings her for even the slightest move outside of protocol.

David Poole is her partner in investigations, more seasoned in the field, and a by-the-book guy. In this outing it seems they are closer... or are they? 

Lisbon is a fascinating backdrop for the story. Portugal is neutral in the war, so Lisbon is crammed full of spies trying to turn Portugal to ally with their side. Evelyn sees the glamorous gambling venues like Estoril Casino as well as the coffee shops and police stations.

The plot is fairly straight forward with Evelyn working two missions simultaneously, in a foreign country where there is no actual privacy and even British Embassy staff may be questionable in allegiances. The sense of isolation is taut and I found myself on edge.  Well done there.  

The tension remains high throughout and every chapter has another tidbit in either mission. Will the missing agent be found alive? Will she find her father? Will she share with David about her second mission?  Will they get out alive?  The climax is scary and exciting, nail-biting even. Excellent job.

The wrap up is usually just long enough to give a little closure to any remaining questions and subplots, but in this case there was one final but huge twist on the last couple of pages. I won't lie, it was like a punch in the gut. Wow.

Rating:  Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend. 

Here are two short videos about spying in Lisbon:

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 This 1999 movie is one where critics hated it and audiences mostly enjoyed or loved. The basic legal concept of Double Jeopardy used in the film (you can't be tried twice for the same crime) many people point out doesn't work as it does in the film and become indignant about it. This is fictitious, it isn't the real world. Now if this point is a deal breaker, don't watch it.  I have watched this several times, even own it on DVD (remember those).  So read on if you want to know more.

When Nick Parsons appears to be murdered by his adoring wife, Libby, she is tried and convicted as the killer. While in prison, she discovers he is alive and must have set her up. After six years in prison, Libby is paroled and is pursued by Travis Lehman (her parole officer) as she sets out to find her son and settle the score with not-dead-Nick.

Rated R (language, some violence).  1 hour 45 minutes

Cast:

Ashley Judd as Libby

Tommy Lee Jones as Travis

Bruce Greenwood as Nick

Annabeth Gish as Angie

Roma Maffia as  Margaret

Director Bruce Beresford

Producers Leonard Goldberg and Richard Luke Rothschild

Screenwriters David Weisberg and Douglas Cook

Rotten Tomatoes (28%) Audience (61%) and critics reviews:

"28 on rotten tomatoes just goes to show you the critics do not judge movies like the regular folk do. This is an excellent little thriller. Good storyline. Someone wrongly accused trying to fight the justice system without anybody's help." Audience Reviewer "C T"

"Who doesn't love a 90s female-fronted action thriller? Judd completely sells Libby's transformation in this wannabe The Fugitive sequel. While some of the politics of Lee Jones' character are icky, it's very satisfying seeing Greenwood get his comeuppance." Joe Lipsett-Anatomy of a Scream Podcast Network

"Sit back, relax, and marvel at the wonder that is Ashley Judd." Karen Kemmerle-Decider

"Double Jeopardy has all the legal savvy of the O.J. Simpson jury." Martin Scribbs- Low IQ Canadian

"Implausible and contrived...it's "The Fugitive," complete with Tommy Lee Jones in essentially the same role." John J Puccio-Movie Metropolis

"It cannot be art, but commercially and emotionally, it aims to satisfy, and does." David Elliott-San Diego Union-Tribune

Noteworthy awards or rankings:

• 2000 Winner Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actress - Suspense  Ashley Judd
• 2000 Nominee Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actor - Suspense  Tommy Lee Jones
• 2000 Nominee Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Supporting Actor - Suspense Bruce Greenwood
• 2000 Nominee MTV Movie Award for Best Female Performance Ashley Judd

Trivia (from IMDB):

• Jodie Foster landed the role of Libby after Meg Ryan and Brooke Shields both declined, but was replaced by Ashley Judd when Foster became pregnant. Michelle Pfeiffer turned down the lead role in order to film the romantic comedy The Story of Us (1999), opposite Bruce Willis.

• Despite playing the main character and protagonist, Ashley Judd took second billing behind Tommy Lee Jones and even though Tommy Lee Jones does not appear on screen until over 33 minutes into it.  Tommy Lee Jones earned $10 million for appearing in the film. By comparison, Ashley Judd, who played the lead, was paid $1 million.

• According to director Bruce Beresford, Robert Benton did an uncredited ten-day rewrite shortly before production began.

• Greg Kinnear was offered the part of Nicholas Parsons, but passed.

• The portion of this film that is set in Evergreen, Colorado was filmed in Vancouver, BC.

• When Libby uses the pay phone in prison she is wearing her wedding ring. The ring would have been confiscated when she was first arrested.

• Ashley Judd and Roma Maffia also acted together in Kiss the Girls (1997).

• Ashley Judd and Tommy Lee Jones appeared with Val Kilmer in different films in the same year: Judd in Heat (1995) and Jones in Batman Forever (1995).

• Tommy Lee Jones and Bruce Greenwood would collaborate again in Rules of Engagement (2000).

• Bruce Greenwood played Batman in the animated movies Batman: Death in the Family (2020), Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010), and Batman: Gotham by Gaslight (2018). Tommy Lee Jones also played in a Batman movie: Batman Forever (1995).

• Bruce Greenwood also played Captain Christopher Pike in J.J. Abrams' movies Star Trek (2009) and Star Trek Into Darkness (2013).

My Thoughts:

First, let me just say that "there is nothing new under the sun." By which I mean that any stripped down plot has been done before and is what every single author or screenwriter faces today.  This movie has been discounted because they claim it's essentially The Fugitive. It is how you make it different and make it your own that matters. Double Jeopardy is different than The Fugitive in that Libby is fighting to get her son back and get back at her husband for setting her up, where The Fugitive is trying to find his wife's killer and clear his name thereby also getting his reputation and career back. Additionally, The Fugitive is rushing to find who the murderer really was and why, whereas in Double Jeopardy it becomes clear that nobody was murdered. Completely different emotional motivations at play and dinging this movie because of a somewhat similar concept is ludicrous. 

Any argument regarding whether or not the whole double jeopardy law works in the way that it was portrayed in the film is ridiculous. Think about it this way: perhaps there should be a one line disclaimer in bold print at the beginning of the movie along the lines of "this fictitious story does not claim to provide anyone legal advice."  That is right up there with the warning on fast food paper coffee cups to be careful because the coffee is hot or don't take a medicine if you are allergic to it! No Sh_t Sherlock. 

Double Jeopardy filming has gorgeous scenery with lush photography and solid editing. The music sets the atmosphere nicely, and the script is well paced with only a few brief slower parts. Tommy Lee Jones and especially Ashley Judd deliver solid and moving lead performances.  I will give a caveat that there are some logistics that are improbable in the storyline, but all fiction relies on a certain amount of suspending ones disbelief and this wasn't overly outlandish, so I was good with it.  Some will find it exciting while others may find it an average suspense tale. I find it entertaining and good for a popcorn night. This is a solid movie so settle in, route for Ashley Judd, and enjoy the ride without over thinking it all.

If you have watched it before, perhaps it would be a good one to re-watch.  Let me know your thoughts on this movie in the comments.  Also, tell me if there is a mystery movie you would like me to review in the comments. I don't do horror, gory, or overly violent movies so give me some suggestions.

Movie Trailer:

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  Jenn Mickinlay, the author of Library Lover's Mysteries, Cupcake Mysteries, Good Bye Girl's Mysteries (as Josie Belle), Decoupage Mysteries (as Lucy Lawrence), and London Hat Shop Mysteries.

This is my first book in this series and I had no trouble picking up and understanding the pertinent backstory.

Guest Post (2019) plus review of 11th Cupcake Bakery Mystery  (click here) 

Guest Post 2017 (click here) 

5th in Hat Shop Mysteries (click here)

This book is releasing Feb 24, 2026.

Copyright: Feb 2026 (Berkley) 304 pgs

Series: 16th in Library Lover's Mystery

Sensuality: Mild

Mystery Sub-genre: Cozy Mystery, Amateur Sleuth

Main Character: Lindsey Norris Sullivan, Library Director

Setting: Modern Day, Briar Creek, Connecticut & surrounding islands

Obtained Through: Publisher/Netgalley for honest review

Book Blurb: "Just off the shores of the coastal Connecticut town of Briar Creek are two small islands, which library director Lindsey Norris visits with her new book-boat, inspired by the bookmobiles she’s seen traveling across the country. Nothing, not even the infamous feud between the families who own the Split Islands, can stop Lindsey from getting books into the hands of readers. But when Lindsey and her boat captain husband, Mike Sullivan, discover a body on the rocky outcropping of one of the islands, Lindsey’s new library venture quickly becomes a murder investigation.

At news of the crime, hostilities between the two families are reignited. Long buried secrets are revealed, tensions spark, and suspects abound. As Lindsey navigates treacherous waters (both literal and metaphorical), she must use her research skills and community ties to solve the murder and bring peace to the islands before her book-boat dreams are sunk."

My Thoughts:

Lindsey is the 20-something year old director at the Briar Creek Library. She makes up for her lack of age and experience with a passion for libraries and the community. She is enjoyable and I found myself routing for her.  Mike Sullivan is her husband who runs a water-taxi and boat tour service for people and becomes the book-boat captain for once a week runs. I like Mike who is a warm and caring character.

Beth, a library school classmate of Lindsey's who is the children's librarian and now good friend plus Mrs. Cole are stalwart employees.  Then there is the Crafternoon group that pitch in to run down information during sleuthing.  They weren't as present in the story as I expected.

The isolation of being on a grouping of islands, called Thumb Islands, while a murderer is striking really drives home how remote the islands are. 

The plot is Lyndsey doesn't believe the murder was due to a decade old feud between two families living on "Split Island."  At first it seems that the feud resulted in blood shed, but there are too many questions surrounding it for Lyndsey.

The pacing was consistent with the added subplot of a city Counselman wanting to close the library completely. Lyndsey's fighting to keep the library funded while looking into the murder.

The killer reveal wasn't as suspenseful or dramatic as I love, but it was a good and conclusion with a twist that was well done.

If I could change anything it would be a little more depth to Lyndsey's character because sometimes it felt like she was a set-piece being moved around when she is the main  character. 

Rating:  Good - A fun enjoyable cozy read

Have you read any of the 16 books in this series? If so, what did you think of them? Please share in the comments.

    Here is a short video about an a series of islands in Connecticut that sounds exactly like the "Thumb Islands" in this book.  Check it out, it's quite interesting.

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