The 9th Judgment by James Patterson
Overview: Detective Lindsay Boxer’s skills are put to the test. When a young mother and her infant are gunned down in a parking garage, the only evidence is a cryptic message left on the windshield in lipstick. The same night the body of a famous actor Marcus Dowling’s wife is discovered, along with an empty safe – once full of precious jewels worth millions. In order to catch the killers, Boxer must spend a lot more time with her partner – a situation that puts not only her engagement, but the Women’s Murder Club at risk.
Pages: 355 Pages
Writer: James Patterson
Recommendations: 3rd Degree By James Patterson, 15th Affair by James Patterson
Rating: 
I was starting to worry that this series had hit its peak, but then along came this book to prove me wrong. The SFPD is faced with two gruesome murders – one committed by a madman targeting women and children, and the other involving a slain celebrity. Both cases had me hooked from the get-go. The twist in one case added an exciting element to the story, while the intensity of the other kept me on the edge of my seat, empathizing with Boxer’s challenging circumstances. A cunning killer and a potential slip-up in their plan kept me guessing until the very end.
Despite the recent lackluster installments, this book steered the series back on track. The only hiccup? The unnecessary last chapter that seemed to be tacked on just to prolong the story. It felt like a desperate attempt to fill space rather than a natural progression of the plot. I appreciate the attempt to humanize Boxer, but let’s not diminish her badassery in the process. Let’s keep the focus on her crime-solving skills, not her vulnerabilities