The 24th Hour
Synopsis: In 24th Hour, Lindsay Boxer leads the Women’s Murder Club in the high-profile murder investigation of a billionaire couple—will they still be standing when the clock strikes midnight?
Pages: 346 Pages
Writer: James Patterson & Maxine Paetro
Recommendations: Eruption By Michael Crichton & James Patterson
As a longtime fan of the Women’s Murder Club series, I’ve always loved the dynamic characters and gripping mysteries James Patterson delivers. Unfortunately, 24th Hour feels like a misstep in what has otherwise been a consistently entertaining saga.
The first third of the novel focuses on a court case involving a brutal assault, but instead of delivering the intensity of a courtroom thriller, it feels forced and disconnected from the heart of the series. The trial wraps up abruptly, lacking both suspense and emotional payoff.
The story then shifts to Lindsay Boxer’s main investigation—the murder of a billionaire and the reopening of his wife’s unsolved death. On paper, this should have been a perfect setup for a layered mystery, but instead, the plot meanders. There’s little sense of danger or clever detective work, and the “twists” mostly involve messy relationships rather than thrilling revelations.
Lindsay is one of Patterson’s strongest characters, but here, she’s given little opportunity to shine. The narrative lacks the spark, wit, and mystery that made earlier books so compelling.
Overall: 24th Hour feels like a filler entry in the Women’s Murder Club series. The characters remain likable, but the storytelling falls flat. Fans can only hope that the next installment brings back the sharp writing, emotional stakes, and true mystery that made us fall in love with Lindsay and her crew in the first place.