4th of July

by James Patterson

Hardcover, 2005

Call number

MYST PAT

Collection

Genres

Publication

Little, Brown and Company (2005), Edition: 1st, 392 pages

Description

After losing one of its own, Lindsay Boxer and the Women' Murder Club make a courageous return for their fourth and most chilling case ever--one that could easily be their last. A young girl is killed in crossfire after a routine arrest goes terribly wrong, and Lt. Lindsay Boxer has to defend herself against a charge of police brutality. In a landmark trial that transfixes the nation, Lindsay fights to save her career and her sanity. While awaiting trial, Lindsay escapes to the beautiful town of Half Moon Bay, but the peaceful community there is reeling from a string of unspeakable murders. Working with her friends in the Women's Murder Club, Lindsay finds a link between these killings and a case she worked on years before--an unsolved murder that has haunted her ever since. As summer comes into full swing, Lindsay battles for her life on two fronts: before a judge and jury as her trial comes to a climax, and facing unknown adversaries who will do anything to keep her from the truth about the killings--including killing again. It all comes to a head before the big annual 4th of July celebration on the waterfront at Half Moon Bay.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member vanedow
I didn't read books 2 and 3 of the series, but I really didn't have any trouble picking up the story. The authors do a good job of giving you pertinent facts about what happened in the last book, without ruining the story, either.

This wasn't my favorite installment of the series so far. These
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definitely aren't deep thinking, change-your-life books, but I really enjoyed the first one. This one just kept losing me. They spent so much time with Lindsay's trial, when I wish there would have been more focus on the mystery.

On the plus side, I like the addition of a new member to the Murder Club. And I think Lindsay's new beau is delightful. I'll keep going with the series in the hopes that the next story is better.
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LibraryThing member miyurose
It's been quite a while (over a year) since I read a James Patterson book, and this one reminded me why I like him! This is the 4th book in the Women's Murder Club series. It's quite fast-paced, typical of Patterson's books, since he writes the shortest 300 page books you've ever seen (white space,
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anyone?) Anyway, the trial is interesting, the murder mystery is interesting, and I didn't even have it all figured out before the end. I figured out 2 of the people involved, but had no idea about the third, or about the reasons.

Thumbs up!
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LibraryThing member melissagagnon
I read this book over the 4th of July weekend, 2008. I thought it was just ok, compared to his other books. It took way to long to explain the title. I think it was even a week title because of that.
LibraryThing member Jessiebeth
This was a very good story that kept me guessing until the very end where there were twists and turns you would never believe! I loved it! I will definately be reading more of Mr. Patterson's books.
LibraryThing member EmScape
Another Women's Murder Club story, introducing our new friend Yuki to the club...although I thought the outcome of the trial was a little unbelievable, it's really the only way it could have.
The eventual killer(s) were a huge surprise to me.
A good read, worth the time.
LibraryThing member momma2keira
I enjoyed this book I think perhaps because there was a side plot of Lt. Boxer being sued in a civil case. During her leave from the SFPD due to the trial, Lt. Boxer gets involved in an investigation involving several murders in Half Moon Bay, believing they relate to an unsolved from her office 10
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years prior. It was a pretty quick read.
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LibraryThing member callista83
This is the 4th book in the Women's Murder Club series. I have not as of yet reviewed the first 3 although I have read them.

I love all of James Patterson's novels but this one could have been a bit better. Most of the book was taken up by a trial. I think there should have been less on that and
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more on the crime solving as that's what I like about Patterson's books. I do like reading about trials in books but not when that's not what I was expecting.

Overall though this was another great book in the series and I can't wait to read the next one.
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LibraryThing member StefanY
This is a typical James Patterson book, but nothing really special. As in most of his books, 4th of July is a good read. It held my attention throughout and I had trouble putting it down as usual. However this is not his strongest offering. I found some of the events in the book to be a little
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contrived in that so many things happen to be inter-related. I also was able to quickly figure out some of the major "twists" fairly early on, so I wasn't constantly trying to figure things out because I already knew mostly what was going on.

All in all, I would recommend 4th of July to Patterson fans, especially those that are following the Women's Murder Club series. It was an enjoyable book, but let's hope that The 5th Horseman brings us back to the normally high standard of thriller that I'm accustomed to from Mr. Patterson.
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LibraryThing member Djupstrom
This is not the best of the series. Like almost all of Patterson's books, this was entertaining, but this one had nothing special.
LibraryThing member tipsister
4th of July, by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro, is the fourth book in the Women's Murder Club series. I've been slowly making my way through the series even though each is a quick typical Patterson read. The characters are established and the rythym moves the story along. The introduction of
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Yuki brings the group of women back up to four. I read a lot of James Patterson's books although I have mixed feelings about them. I won't get into all of that here and just try to review the book.

This book begins with a horrible event that sends Lindsey to her sister's home in Half Moon Bay. She needs a retreat and a break from the situation back in San Francisco. The news of murders in the quiet town peaks her interest and she becomes involved with local police force. She's suspicious about a link to the current murders and a John Doe that has haunted her since early in her career.

Lindsey's friends, Claire and Cindy, make cameo appearances but the focus is truly on Lindsey. This is all her story. Her boyfriend literally appears here and there as he flies back and forth to Washington. I don't have high hopes for this long distance relationship.

I figured out one of the murderers towards the end of the book but the others were unexpected. It was nice to not feel the need to read ahead (I'm a last page reader) as the book moved so quickly. While it's not the best writing in the world, it is still a solid story and was fine for a summer read.
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LibraryThing member Heptonj
Another excellent 'unputdownable' from James Patterson and his Womens Murder Club Series although I have to agree it's not one of his best.

Lyndsay and Jacobi are both shot by children and Lyndsay has to kill one and maim the other for self-preservation. This sparks off a brutality court case and
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leads Lt Boxer to take a break in peaceful Half Moon Bay. This turns out not to be so peaceful when she gets involved with a string of murders which appear to be related to an unsolved 'John Doe' case from early in her career and results in her life being put in danger yet again.

While some of the suspects could be worked out during the course of the book there was a shock waiting at the end.
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LibraryThing member skinglist
I liked this, but not as good as the first two in the series. The trial outcome was a foregone conclusion but I liked the Half Moon Bay ongoings
LibraryThing member Ti99er
The 4th of July is the day the United States celebrates it’s independence from England; it is also the name of the 4th book in James Patterson’s Women’s Murder Club series. The only similarity between the book and the holiday is the name, although the closing scene takes place on a year-less
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July 4th.

Since Patterson works with co-writers on so many of his works these days, I am not sure where his creative input begins or ends on any given story. It is due to this lack of knowledge, that I am not sure who should receive my praise. This book is definitely the best book in the series to date (this is of course keeping in mind that I have only read four books from the now 8 book series, so no wise cracks please).

This particular installment intertwined 3 sub-plots into one entertaining read. I won’t get into the plot since if you are reading this series you are aware of the main characters and the back cover (or inside jacket for hardcover readers) will give you the synopsis of this particular story.

I will say that I enjoy Patterson’s & (enter co-authors name here) work because they are quick reads with enough suspense to keep me interested. 4th of July is another solid book that has kept me interested for more.
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LibraryThing member FMRox
While in the course of a car chase Lieutenant Lindsey Boxer and Warren Jacobi get gunned down by two kids. Lindsey then gets sued and taken to court for a wrongful death claim by the family. While benched before the trial Lindsey stays out of town at her sisters home and gets involved in a local
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serial killing which reminds her of her first cold case.
Boxer gets a bit beat up in this one and tends to amazingly survive. Seems her instincts are off as well. It's unfortunate that the serial killers are so likeable in the end. You almost like them. Patterson/Maetro writing is face-paced, non-complex and likeable.
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LibraryThing member amacmillen
Lindsay Boxer is involved in solving a series of murders in a town near San Fresco. Three people are responsible for the killings which have taken place over several years. The perpetrators are a group of people who are justify the murders as vigilante justice. They slash the people and then whip
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them with a belt as they die.
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LibraryThing member mazda502001
This is the 4th in the Women's Murder Club series. Good quick read and page-turner.

Back Cover Blurb:
In a late-night showdown, Lindsay has to make an instantaneous decision: in self-defence she fires her weapon - and sets off a chain of events that leaves a police force disgraced, a city divided and
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a family destroyed. Now everything she's worked for her entire life hinges on the decision of twelve jurors.
To escape the media circus, Lindsay retreats to the picturesque town of Half Moon Bay. Soon after, a string of grisly murders punches through the community. There are no witnesses: there is no pattern. But a key detail reminds Lindsay of an unsolved murder she worked on years ago. As summer comes into full swing, Lindsay and her friends in the Women's Murder Club battle for her life on two fronts: in court, and against a ruthless killer.
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LibraryThing member honeydew69862004
4th Of July is about the WMC. Mainly is about Lindsy who shoots a couple of kids and has to go to court over the matter. While taking time away from work she stubbles on some cases that remind her of one of her cold cases from ten years ago. Yuki her lawyer joins the club to replace Jill. The
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ending took me by suprise.
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LibraryThing member dbhutch
There is nothing worse for a cop than shooting a kid. Be it child or teenager, it doesnt matter tot he cop who pulled the trigger, self-defense or not. Lindsay Boxer learns this firsthand when she returns fire and kills a teenage girl who shot her twice. Suddenly she's the victim of a lawsuit, and
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she decides to get out of town until the trial.
While staying at her sisters, she gets pulled into a local muder spree, and learns its tied to her first homicide from 10 years ago, that is still unsolved. Helping the local Chief, tryign to stay out of trouble, and not lose it in a high pressure trial, Lindsay struggles to keep her head above water.
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LibraryThing member jepeters333
San Francisco police lieutenant Lindsay Boxer fires her weapon. . .and sets off a dramatic chain of events that leaves a olice force disgraced, a family destroyed, and Lindsay herself at the mercy of twelve jurors. During a break in the trial, she retreats to a picturesque town that is reeling from
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a string of grisly murders - crimes that bear a link to a haunting, unsolved case from her rookie years. Now, with her friends in the Women's Murder Club, Lindsay must battle for her life on two fronts: in a trial rushing to a climax, and against on unknown adversary willing to do anything to hide the truth about the homicides - including kill again. This was so-so - I liked the first 3 Women's Murder Club better.
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LibraryThing member sallyawolf
In this book we are once again transported in to the dramatic life of Lieutenant Lindsay Boxer. This time around she is faced with a battle for her reputation as a cop and an unknown predator who doesn't like how close Lindsay is getting to the truth. This is the 4th book in the Woman's Murder club
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Series but it has not lost its allure or readability. I love the way that it always keeps you guessing exactly who did what right up till the very last page. The most obvious choice is not always the right one and many times it takes a dramatic turn sending you for a loop. I would highly recommend this book and the previous ones in this series to anyone who likes cop drama mysteries. I give it a four out of five stars.
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LibraryThing member meghayden
Too much courtroom for me, particularly when we already knew the "facts".
LibraryThing member martensgirl
A completely unbelievable story with one-dimensional characters. It is a quick read- I wasn't expecting a work of any profundity- but it was truly dire.
LibraryThing member beearedee
This book was different than any of the other books in the series. The plots of the first three were "Here is the problem, let's solve the problem, let's introduce the killer, let's find the killer, found the killer, the end." I love books like that, but this one was different and it so far my
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favorite book in the series. Within the first 20 pages in this book we knew who the killer(s) was/were for the particular crime they were trying to solve. So what did they do with the other 400 pages? They created a problem out of the solution of most other mystery novels. Easy read but also had lots of twists and turns which made it a nearly impossible book to put down.
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LibraryThing member becr
awesome, hard to put down
LibraryThing member thehistorychic
Listened for fun (Audible)
Overall Rating: 3.75
Story Rating: 3.50
Character Rating: 4.00

Audio Rating: 3.00 (not part of the overall rating)

First Thought When Finished: I love the new member of the team but the story was a little all over the place!

Speed Date Review:

First Date: 4th of July started
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with a bang! We hit it off right from the beginning with a fast and furious pace. It worked so well until we got drug to court. At that point, our mutual love fest hit a snag!

Second Date: We got a new member to the Murder Club! She is a perfect fit into this crafty group of women. It is too bad that her part was highlighted with a bit of drama that I think was overdone. I did love her closing statement though. There was just to much going on between the court drama and the secondary case that Lindsey is involved with. Something had to give and unfortunately that was rushed storytelling and over the top dramatics.

Third Date: The secondary case comes to a fast and furious end. There were some twists and turns that hooked me back into the story the last few chapters. With this my love affair is reignited and I am reminded of why I fell in love with the first place. The Murder Club and I will be spending time together in the future. I need to know more about them!

Audio Thoughts:

Narrated by Carolyn McCormick

These are relatively quick listens. Carolyn does an excellent job with voices, pacing, and emotion. I really enjoy her narration. However, the sound effects are HORRID and way overdone. Many times the distracting music tracks pulled me out of the story. In some cases, it even drowned out the narrator. I just was not a fan! I keep sticking with the audio hoping that these will eventually go away. We will see!

Relationship Status: Still Dating!
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Pages

392

ISBN

0316710601 / 9780316710602
Page: 0.4975 seconds