Patterson and Gross bring the Ladies Murder Club to a whole knew level with their third installment. In the post 9/11 world of literature, terrorism has definitely come to the fore, and the authors turn to domestic terrorism as a basis for their story.

It all starts one Sunday morning when Lt. Lindsay Boxer is doing her usual run with her friend Jill Bernhardt, San Francisco's Assistant DA. The two part ways after the run, leaving Lindsay to relax for a few minutes. It gives her just enough time to become a witness to a house explosion. Being the great cop that she is, she puts aside her safety and races into the burning building to look for survivors. She finds three dead bodies and evidence that there was a little girl in the building as well. Unfortunately, the toddler is missing. Other witness saw a young blond woman, the au pair, running off with the girl.

The home was owned by a wealthy (and some say greedy) businessman who owned a successful computer company. It does not take long before Cindy, a friend of Lindsay and Jill who is a leading reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle, start receiving information from Augustus Spies. This group is claiming ownership of the bombing as a protest against the approaching G8 conference that is going to be held in the city. They are blaming greed, big business, and the government for stepping on the "little man," leaving him abused and broken. Their vengeance will hopefully change that, and the bombing is just the first attack with others to follow later, each involving the poison sarin.

Since it has become clear that terrorism is tied to the case, the Department of Homeland Security is brought in. Fortunately for Lindsay, the assigned agent, Assistant Director Joe Molinari has decided to work with her rather than taking the case away from the locals. They create a strong working relationship, strong enough that it starts to have a tinge of romance involved.

As if Lindsay and her friends didn't have enough to worry about, she notices some bruises on Jill's arms. It is a pattern she has recognized in the past through her work, and Lindsay feels the need to bring it up with her long time friend. It does not take long for her to confirm that Jill's husband Stephen has been abusing her. Cindy, Lindsay, and city medical examiner and final member of the club Claire jump to the ready to lend their support to their good friend.

I finished this book in just one day. I couldn't put it down!!! It definitely has the usual level of action and intrigued, but the added element of the global economy adds a touch of a Tom Clancy feel to the story line. Patterson and Gross also make it clear that they are willing to sacrifice anything and anyone in the line of telling a good tale. Fans of the series will be totally surprised and shocked by what happens in this one.