25 Alive is the latest high-speed, twisty ride in James Patterson’s wildly popular Women’s Murder Club series, co-written with Maxine Paetro. If you’re into fast-paced mysteries with strong female leads, snappy chapters, and enough crime drama to keep you flipping pages all night, this is your jam.
The story kicks off with Detective Lindsay Boxer getting pulled into a series of murders rocking San Francisco. Someone is killing people who were once part of a notorious, decades-old criminal case,one that put 25 people behind bars. The killer leaves behind chilling notes that simply say “25 Alive.”
What does it mean? Are these murders revenge? Is someone trying to free the original 25 convicts? Or is this a new conspiracy altogether?
Lindsay’s digging into old case files when her personal life starts spiraling, too. Her husband Joe’s being pulled into a dangerous side investigation, and Lindsay’s left wondering who she can trust, even within her own department.
Meanwhile, the other members of the Women’s Murder Club are knee-deep in the chaos:
- Cindy Thomas, the reporter, is chasing the biggest story of her career but finds herself in someone’s crosshairs.
- Claire Washburn, the medical examiner, discovers clues in the victims’ autopsies that don’t match the official narratives from decades ago.
- Yuki Castellano, the district attorney, is facing political pressure as new evidence threatens to overturn old convictions.
As bodies keep piling up, Lindsay races the clock to unravel the meaning of “25 Alive” before the killer strikes again. The final showdown is classic Patterson, fast, explosive, and filled with last-minute twists.
By the end, secrets from the past are exposed, and the Women’s Murder Club comes through once again, but not without some bruises, both physical and emotional.
What I Thought
I had a blast reading 25 Alive. It’s everything you expect from James Patterson: super short chapters, a galloping plot, and plenty of red herrings. The Women’s Murder Club dynamic is still one of my favorite things in modern thrillers, it’s like watching a group of badass friends solve crimes while juggling real-life messes.
Is it literary fiction? Nope. But it’s perfect if you’re looking for a fun, quick, and addictive read that keeps you guessing. Highly recommend if you’re a fan of thrillers or just want to hang out with Lindsay Boxer and the gang again.
Craving a pulse-pounding mystery and some time with your favorite crime-fighting squad?
Grab your copy of 25 Alive and join Lindsay Boxer and the Women’s Murder Club as they tackle secrets, murder, and a killer who’s determined to bring the past roaring back to life.
