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Summary and Reviews of 2nd Chance by James Patterson

2nd Chance by James Patterson, Andrew Gross

2nd Chance

by James Patterson, Andrew Gross
  • Critics' Consensus (3):
  • Readers' Rating (4):
  • First Published:
  • Mar 1, 2002, 416 pages
  • Paperback:
  • Jan 2003, 432 pages
  • Rate this book

About This Book

Book Summary

The partners in the Women's Murder Club realize that this killer is after something unspeakable and that the next target could be one of them - so they bait a trap that can't be resisted; but if their calculation is wrong, the consequences will be lethal.

Master of suspense James Patterson (writing with the assistance of Andrew Gross) takes us into a terrifying underworld with this second thriller in his dazzling new Women's Murder Club series.

The sensational killings that have rocked San Francisco appear to be unrelated except in their brutality. But detective Lindsay Boxer senses there's some thread connecting them all. She calls her friends in the Women's Murder Club together to see if they can discover what it is. Surely some clue has been overlooked by their bosses and male colleagues.

Working with Chronicle reporter Cindy Thomas, Assistant District Attorney Jill Bernhardt, and medical examiner Claire Washburn, Lindsay discovers that there is indeed a link. The victims were of different ages, lived in different locations, and were killed with different weapons. But each had a close relative in a particular profession, a profession that sends a chill through Lindsay's heart.

The partners in the Women's Murder Club realize that this killer is after something unspeakable, something deeper than revenge, and that the next target could be one of them. They deduce where the killer is likely to strike next and bait a trap that can't be resisted. But if their calculation is wrong, the consequences will be lethal. And there will be no second chance.

Part I
THE WOMEN'S MURDER CLUB - AGAIN
Chapter 1

ON A TUESDAY NIGHT, I found myself playing a game of crazy eights with three residents of the Hope Street Teen House. I was loving it.

On the beat-up couch across from me sat Hector, a barrio kid two days out of Juvenile; Alysha, quiet and pretty, but with a family history you wouldn't want to know; and Michelle, who at fourteen had already spent a year selling herself on the streets of San Francisco.

"Hearts," I declared, flipping down an eight and changing the suit just as Hector was about to lay out.

"Damn, badge lady," he whined. "How come each time I'm 'bout to go down, you stick your knife in me?"

"Teach you to ever trust a cop, fool." Michelle laughed, tossing a conspiratorial smile my way.

For the past month, I'd been spending a night or two a week at the Hope Street House. For so long after the terrible bride and groom case that summer, I'd felt completely lost. I took a month...

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Reviews

Media Reviews

USA Today
Full of the drama, heart-pounding suspense, and shocking twists that could only come from the mind of James Patterson, 2nd Chance is an unforgettable, relentlessly surprising thriller from one of the best novelists of crime stories ever.

Kirkus Reviews
Patterson, not one to stop and smell the roses, keeps up the pace by showing Chimera taunting Lindsay and attacking her and her buds, the SFPD running to and fro to counter the latest threat, and the body count rising en route to a showdown introduced by the killer's cool assessment that there's no one to kill right away. Lots of slam-bang action.

Library Journal
This is the second outing of the Women's Murder Club, which debuted in 1st To Die. This time 'round, the women confront the unthinkable the killer they are tracking may be an ex-cop.

Reader Reviews

Christina

This book was great. I read it twice and I still learned knew things I didn't catch the first time.
Kristen

It was very good, I couldn't put it down!
loretta pennell

I'd hate to start off my review of two different books the same way but if I must I must. This book is thrilling and exciting but it also has something,else it has a personally to this book is not just about the killer,even thought that is what the ...   Read More
Steph

the novel was fast paced. not very in depth but very enjoyable. a good read for a quick afternoon away from the hustle and bustle of the real world.

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Read-Alikes

Read-Alikes Full readalike results are for members only

If you liked 2nd Chance, try these:

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    Thundering to a stark and chilling revelation, The Hundredth Man marks the arrival of an author who raises the stakes on every page.

  • Blacklist jacket

    Blacklist

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    A story of secrets and betrayals that stretch across four generations--secrets political, social, sexual, financial: all of them with the power to kill.

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