Finally Writing The Female Side Of Alex Cross

1st To Die by James Patterson

After creating a highly successful detective series around Washington detective Alex Cross, former advertising executive James Patterson turned to a familiar protagonist in his latest series - a woman detective. But unlike Agatha Christie, Patterson is too media-savvy an author to stick readers with a dowdy Miss Marple. His Lindsay Boxter is young, smart, athletic and a rising star in San Francisco's Homicide department.

Patterson's opening novel in the series, 1st To Die, introduces Lindsay to readers and immediately plunges her into a decent mystery with good plot twists, plenty of juicy forensics detail and a nice detective story.

Lindsay is a female Alex Cross, complete with the juxtaposition of character traits that makes Cross a multi-dimensional character. Lindsay is simultaneously coy but sexy, tough as nails but fragile and popular but introspective. Throughout her first story (two have been published as of this writing), Lindsay befriends strong, powerful female characters who are in positions of responsibility such as medical examiner, reporter and district attorney.

The Plot In Exactly One Hundred Words

A serial murderer is killing brides and grooms shortly after their wedding and taking their wedding rings as trophies. Homicide detective Lindsay Boxter must cope with managing the multi-jurisdictional investigation, a romantic relationship with her new partner and news of a life-threatening illness. Lindsay's network of friends includes professionals who are also related to the case. These four women ally to solve the murders, but Lindsay is clearly the alpha female. After a series of red herrings and extraneous sub-plots, Lindsay not only solves the case, but avenges a murder of someone close to her while beating back her disease.

What Works Well

The fast pace works for this story, but only barely. The introduction of a new serial character is nicely done, but an awful lot happens to that character in a single story. This is a movie written in book form, with the punchy style of a detective novel interspersed with name checks and a setting that is modern America.

I especially liked the red herrings Patterson uses throughout the story. Reading through his previous works and now this series, readers can easily tell that Patterson is working hard at honing his craft. The man could always write, but he is becoming a good storyteller.

What Doesn't Work As Well

The lightning fast pace leads to the introduction, romance and death of a single character in a relatively short time. Patterson tries to round the character through Lindsay's view, but readers may feel that the character was simply inserted as a throwaway device to flesh out Lindsay's character.

And that may be the biggest single issue in this story. Most supporting characters, even major ones, are little more than satellites around the main character. The sequel does a marvelous job at fleshing out most, if not all, of these characters, but perspective is really only gained after reading both.

Readers must substantially suspend disbelief over the rapid acceptance by Lindsay in her cronies into an intense relationship that leads them to simultaneously take career risks. Conflict is indeed the stuff of which stories are made, but my reading experience would have been more satisfying had one of the characters quickly muttered, "Uh-huh. No way I'm doing this. Find another gal." And I do not think the story would have suffered as a result.

Finally, the ending, written as an epilogue, is critical, but appears tacked on. One wonders why the story crashes to an end and then resumes. Presumably this allows Lindsay time to ponder the events she endured, but that section seems extraneous.

The Bottom Line, Dog Earred Pages and All

The cult of Patterson continues growing. His characters are likeable, his books sell in the millions, the stories and writing are accessible and he continues honing his craft. This is excellent light reading for beaches, airplanes or wherever readers spend escape time.

Five Things To Remember From This Review

1. 1st To Die is the first of a new series from the creator of the Alex Cross mysteries.
2. There is already one sequel published and undoubtedly more to come.
3. Think movie-in-waiting.
4. Patterson does a fine job in writing predominantly female characters.
5. The plot has plenty of twists, turns and red herrings - enough to delight any fan.

--G. Bounacos