14 Reasons to Love James Patterson’s 14th Deadly Sin

Now 14th Deadly Sin, by Patterson and Maxine Paetro, is here, and it’s a pleasure to dive back in to the adventures of the Women’s Murder Club and see how many times the master can surprise us. Here are 14 reasons we can confidently say you’ll love this book.
1. The twisty plot
14th Deadly Sin spins several plots: a rash of violent robberies committed by men in police windbreakers and masks, a wrongful death suit involving a mentally challenged young man arrested for a crime he didn’t commit, and a slowly emerging pattern of serial killings occurring each year on Claire’s birthday. Patterson and Paetro keep you on your toes with inspired twists you won’t predict, no matter how many Patterson books you’ve read.
2. The characters
The Women’s Murder Club and all the supporting characters around them—husbands, bosses, partners, and boyfriends—have become like old friends over the course of 13 books. They’ve evolved, growing professionally and personally, and we’ve been along for the ride. Lindsay Boxer is now happily married with a darling baby girl to go with her hard-nosed law enforcement career. Attorney Yuki Castellano was offered a career move she couldn’t resist. Cindy Thomas is publishing a book and moving up in her journalism career. And Claire Washburn continues to be the best medical examiner San Francisco has ever seen—although she might not be a fan of how her life becomes a plot thread in this installment.
3. The writing
As usual, Patterson delivers the straightforward, no-nonsense writing style we’ve come to love, putting a premium on storytelling without sacrificing character development or evocative details.
4. The entertainment value
The most compelling reason of all: these books are gosh-darn entertaining. Within a few pages, you’re hooked, and as the safety cage comes down, you know you’re in for an exciting ride.
5. The perfect beach read
14th Deadly Sin is almost genetically engineered to be stuffed into a carry-on bag and read on vacation—or while pretending to be on vacation. Brisk, exciting, and expertly paced, it’s perfect for your next trip or Mental Health Day.
6. No punches pulled
Patterson can have a light touch and inject warmth and humor into his story when appropriate, but he also doesn’t hold back, offering up some vivid—and sometimes grisly—images that will stay with you. This time, you won’t soon forget the villains who refer to each other only as numbers: One, Two, and Three.
7. The story takes place in the Real World
This is no silly fantasy—it’s a story about professionals struggling to keep an entire city safe while dealing with their own messy lives. This book keeps your feet on the ground while it entertains you.
8. It’s for adults
There’s nothing wrong with books intended for kids, and nothing wrong with adults enjoying them (Patterson himself happily writes for younger audiences). But adults sometimes like to read books that are made for them and their experience level, and this is one of them.
9. The complexity
The interwoven stories could all be standalone books, from the crimes that implicate every police officer in the city, to Claire’s husband’s spare-time investigation into the murders occurring on her birthday. All the threads come together elegantly, without feeling rushed or cramped.
10. The focus on women
The Women’s Murder Club stories spotlight four strong women and the people and professions in their gravitational pull. It’s refreshing to read a book that not only makes women the focus, but treats them as both as women and as respected professionals.
11. The fast start
It’s Patterson: you know that the story will get going right away, without any dawdling about. Patterson hooks you by page nine, and then it’s off to the races.
12. The empathetic approach
Each character feels real, no matter how brief his or her appearance. These people may suffer, or triumph—often within just a few paragraphs—but the reader will feel them when they do.
13. The collaborator
Maxine Paetro has collaborated with Patterson on 15 novels, and it’s easy to see why: she’s a pro, and she knows how to keep up with Patterson’s careening plots, unexpected twists, and take-no-prisoners style.
14. The whammy ending
Trust us: just when you think all the mysteries have been solved, the last line of this book will get your pulse pounding all over again.
There you have it—fourteen reasons you should read this book. And if you’ve never read any Patterson before, fourteen reasons to correct that!
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