3rd Degree (novel)

3rd Degree
Author James Patterson, Andrew Gross
Country United States
Language English
Genre Crime, Mystery novel
Published 2004 (Hodder Headline)
Media type Print (Hardback & Paperback) & AudioBook (Cassette & CD)
Pages 278 pp (hardback edition)
ISBN ISBN 978-0-7553-0023-5 (hardback edition)
OCLC 59329570
Preceded by 2nd Chance
Followed by 4th of July

3rd Degree is a crime novel written by James Patterson and Andrew Gross. It is the third novel in the Women's Murder Club Series, And the sequel to 2nd Chance. The book was published on March 1, 2004.

About the author

James B. Patterson was born on March 22, 1947 in Newburgh, New York. He received a Bachelor of Art and a Master of Art in English. In 1996 Patterson started to devote his time to writing. In 1976 he released his first novel. In total Patterson has written 97 book for children and adults and has been acclaimed the author with the most published books. He is widely known for his thrilling novels. One of his best known books Alex Cross has been adapted to a film. Many of his book have been recognized by many audiences and because of the appeal of the book Patterson's book have received highly multiple acclaimed awards. Patterson currently lives in Palm Beach, Florida with his wife and son.

Plot

In this installment after a house with a family home blows up and Lindsay rushes in to save whoever may have survived the blast, a group of killers known as August Spies vow to kill every three days. They target various political figures time and time again. Lindsay Boxer, with the San Francisco PD, Claire Washburn, the Medical Examiner, Cindy Thomas, a Chronicle Reporter who recently broke up with her pastor boyfriend from the previous novel, and Jill Bernhardt an Assistant District Attorney who is revealed to have been a victim of spousal abuse for a while, dive into the case. The case takes a deadly turn when Jill is murdered.

Oddly enough this actually leads the remaining three ladies to find a tie-in to a case that Jill's father prosecuted and to a cover up years old that has launched this terrorist action.

Lindsay resolves the case in typical fashion by bringing in the college professor that caused it all. She had previously decided to make a go of a relationship with her FBI laison Joe Molinari when he is introduced in the middle of the book. He is Deputy Director of Homeland Securtiy. He ends up getting a call from the vice president while on a date with Lindsay. Lindsay and Joe have a date while traveling on the case, which ends up being mocked by her former partner (Warren J) while at work. Their second date is at Lt. Boxer's apartment although they ignore dinner because he comes early and they sleep together. Later she feels very guilty because Jill had just thrown out her abusive bullying husband, and ignored a chance to call her or visit with her because of the date.

Major characters

Important quotes

She was used to representing women who felt like this, not hiding a secret in the dark herself. p. 64

He had always preached the gospel: there is always another soldier. p. 45

"No," he said. "That's Lieutenant Boxer. She' s Homicide. A real bitch on wheels, I hear." p. 28

It had been eighteen months since he died. I was ready to put it behind me, to open myself to someone, if someone happened to be on the scene. p. 40

I walked out on the Lance Hart professor of Romance Languages before I blew him up. p. 103

I took a breath and stared into those very blue eyes. "You just make sure you're not an asshole, Joe Molinari." p. 193