The 8th Confession - James Patterson

I've read the previous 7 novels in Patterson's Women's Murder Club serious, but this is the first one I've listened to. Co-written with Maxine Paetro, it is read by Carolyn McCormick. When you read a book, you picture what the characters will look and sound like. There was a short lived television show based on this series as well so I was almost expecting Angie Harmon's voice. But McCormick has read the entire series for the Hachette Book Group and I did enjoy her reading. Although she doesn't overly differentiate, each of the four main characters is easily identified vocally. There are sound effects and music used to heighten key parts of the plot.

There are two cases in this book. Reporter Cindy Thomas is on the story of Bagman Jesus, a homeless man whose death rates more attention than it's getting Cindy decides. But is he really the saint everyone says he was?

Wealthy socialites are dying and no one can find a cause of death or a reason to tie the cases together. Detective Lindsay Boxer is on the case.

The other two members of the Club - Assistant District Attorney Yukio Castellano and Coroner Claire Washburn play secondary roles in this novel.

The two cases are never connected and it somewhat feels like you are listening to two different books. However the meetings between the friends are used to connect the two story lines.

You always know what you're getting with a Patterson novel. A quick, easy, breezy read (or listen) as the case may be. I listened to this one on the way back and forth to work. The short chapters make it easy to stop and start and the plot is not overly involved - easy to pick up and put down. (or turn off and on!)

Patterson and Paetro have crafted yet another easily enjoyed best seller.

Listen to an excerpt of The 8th Confession.