Reviewed by Robert McCool
It's a December with Christmas coming soon.
What a time to snuggle up with a good read to chase off the chill and enjoy the holiday with this group of professional women as they solve a mystery spun by a serial killer who has a plan to make a large heist on Christmas day.
Author James Patterson wrote the first book in this series, then collaborated with two other writers to follow his lead and write the next eighteen novels, including this title, “The 19th Christmas” (ISBN 978-0-316-49401-4).
The best collaborator he shares this series with is Maxine Paetro, who is at the top of her game in this edition.
The women in this club are all connected by crime; Lindsay Boxer, Detective, Claire Washburn, Medical Examiner, Cindy Thomas, reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle, Yuki Castellano, District Attorney, with each of them bringing their individual talents to solve this case.
The time frame occurs during the days and nights, from immediately before, and Christmas Day.
Lindsay and her partner catch a hit and running thief that leads to a tip on a possible heist happening soon, which leads to the serial killer planning the crime.
The killer distracts the detectives with false information that draws them away from him. Lindsay and her partner spend every day and and night working tips they receive from suspects. The chase follows a net of tips until they apprehend the killer/thief on Christmas day.
Meanwhile, Cindy gets a story of an immigrant falsely accused of murder, which she shares with Yuki. Together they free the man, and reunites the man with his family.
The action is well paced and proceeds smoothly from story to story, beginning to end. All in all this book is a fine read that contains the spirit of Christmas and family. It will accompany a winter's night reflection that all is as it should be.
