Besides his Alex Rider series, James Patterson's biggest success is his Women's Murder Club series. This is the first novel in the series, which tells the story of four power-women in San Francisco. The primary narrator is Inspector Lindsay Boxer, a successful detective in the department. She has been brought into a bizarre case at a high society hotel. A couple that had just gotten married the night before were found dead in their suite. Each was shot, and the woman seemed to be uniquely violated.

During the first round of investigating at the scene, Cindy, a reporter trying to get her career started finds a way to sneak into the scene. She is shocked at what she finds, but she is even more shocked by the inspector's reaction. Lindsay is brought nearly to tears, but it is related more to recent knows that she is facing a battle with a blood disease that could be fatal. Cindy offers to talk, but Lindsay is reluctant to start such a conversation with a journalist.

Upon returning to the station, Lindsay gets another surprise. With the highly-collected nature of the victims' families, the chief of police has decided to partner her up with a desk-assigned officer named Chris Raleigh. He is a specialist on spin who is meant to help her not only solve the case, but also keep the press from going rabid.

The medical examiner who is assigned to the case is Lindsay's good friend Claire. Besides providing helpful insight to what happened to the victim's CSI-style, Claire is also the perfect person to help Lindsay through her health issues. Claire doesn't have the answers, but her medical knowledge and caring nature means she can really be a should to cry on and an ear to listen.

The case quickly starts to spin out of control when more bride and grooms start turning up dead. With details being similar, it is clear that this is a serial murderer. Thankfully, Lindsay finds some support in her investigation not only in her homicide, but her new Claire and Cindy both end up providing information because of their unique perspective. The three start up a club that meats for margaritas and to talk business. Before long, they find themselves being joined by the successful assistant DA, Jill Bernhardt.

As Lindsay gets closer and closer to the prime suspect, who turns out to be a successful writer, she also finds herself getting closer and closer to her new partner. He is there for her when she needs him when dealing with the case and with her disease.

The book is really all about girl-power. The friendship of the four women grows throughout the tale, and the resolution is really all about their shared abilities. I have to admit this might be my favorite, if not the favorite, book by Patterson. It is quick-paced and action-packed, while also allowing the characters to delve into their deeper selves as they are confronted with the harsh realities of the murders they are dealing with and Lindsay's illness.

I can really understand why they made a television series based on the book series. There are a number of strong characters here. The book may be called 1st to Die, but it really gives life to the characters and makes the reader want to know what happens to them in book number 2.