Below is the complete list of James Patterson’s Women’s Murder Club books in order. For this series, the chronological reading order is the same as the order of publication.
Publication Order of Women’s Murder Club Books
By James Patterson, Andrew Gross, Maxine Paetro
- 1st to Die (2000)
1st to Die was published in 2000 and is listed as book #1 in the Women's Murder Club series. - 2nd Chance (2002)
(With Andrew Gross)
Published in 2002, 2nd Chance is listed as book #2 in the Women's Murder Club series. - 3rd Degree (2004)
(With Andrew Gross)
3rd Degree is a 2004 release and appears as book #3 in the Women's Murder Club series. - 4th of July (2005)
(With Maxine Paetro)
In the Women's Murder Club series, 4th of July is book #4 and was published in 2005. - The 5th Horseman (2006)
(With Maxine Paetro)
The 5th Horseman was first published in 2006; within the Women's Murder Club series, it is listed as book #5. - The 6th Target (2007)
(With Maxine Paetro)
The 6th Target was published in 2007 and is listed as book #6 in the Women's Murder Club series. - 7th Heaven (2008)
(With Maxine Paetro)
Published in 2008, 7th Heaven is listed as book #7 in the Women's Murder Club series. - The 8th Confession (2009)
(With Maxine Paetro)
The 8th Confession is a 2009 release and appears as book #8 in the Women's Murder Club series. - The 9th Judgment (2010)
(With Maxine Paetro)
In the Women's Murder Club series, The 9th Judgment is book #9 and was published in 2010. - 10th Anniversary (2011)
(With Maxine Paetro)
10th Anniversary was first published in 2011; within the Women's Murder Club series, it is listed as book #10. - 11th Hour (2012)
(With Maxine Paetro)
11th Hour was published in 2012 and is listed as book #11 in the Women's Murder Club series. - 12th of Never (2013)
(With Maxine Paetro)
Published in 2013, 12th of Never is listed as book #12 in the Women's Murder Club series. - Unlucky 13 (2014)
(With Maxine Paetro)
Unlucky 13 is a 2014 release and appears as book #13 in the Women's Murder Club series. - 14th Deadly Sin (2015)
(With Maxine Paetro)
In the Women's Murder Club series, 14th Deadly Sin is book #14 and was published in 2015. - 15th Affair (2016)
(With Maxine Paetro)
15th Affair was first published in 2016; within the Women's Murder Club series, it is listed as book #15. - 16th Seduction (2017)
(With Maxine Paetro)
16th Seduction was published in 2017 and is listed as book #16 in the Women's Murder Club series. - The 17th Suspect (2018)
(With Maxine Paetro)
Published in 2018, The 17th Suspect is listed as book #17 in the Women's Murder Club series. - The 18th Abduction (2019)
(With Maxine Paetro)
The 18th Abduction is a 2019 release and appears as book #18 in the Women's Murder Club series. - The 19th Christmas (2019)
(With Maxine Paetro)
In the Women's Murder Club series, The 19th Christmas is book #19 and was published in 2019. - The 20th Victim (2020)
(With Maxine Paetro)
The 20th Victim was first published in 2020; within the Women's Murder Club series, it is listed as book #20. - 21st Birthday (2021)
(With Maxine Paetro)
21st Birthday was published in 2021 and is listed as book #21 in the Women's Murder Club series. - 22 Seconds (2022)
(With Maxine Paetro)
Published in 2022, 22 Seconds is listed as book #22 in the Women's Murder Club series. - The 23rd Midnight (2023)
(With Maxine Paetro)
The 23rd Midnight is a 2023 release and appears as book #23 in the Women's Murder Club series. - The 24th Hour (2024)
(With Maxine Paetro)
In the Women's Murder Club series, The 24th Hour is book #24 and was published in 2024. - 25 Alive (2025)
(With Maxine Paetro)
25 Alive was first published in 2025; within the Women's Murder Club series, it is listed as book #25. - 26 Beauties (2026)
26 Beauties was published in 2026 and is listed as book #26 in the Women's Murder Club series.
Publication Order of Bookshots: Women’s Murder Club Books
By James Patterson, Maxine Paetro
- The Trial (2016)
Published in 2016, The Trial is listed as book #27 in the Women's Murder Club series. - The Medical Examiner (2017)
The Medical Examiner is a 2017 release and appears as book #28 in the Women's Murder Club series. - 23 1/2 Lies (2023)
In the Women's Murder Club series, 23 1/2 Lies is book #29 and was published in 2023.
About Women’s Murder Club
The Women’s Murder Club series by James Patterson is one of the most recognizable crime thriller franchises in modern popular fiction. Set primarily in San Francisco, the books follow a group of four professional women who combine their expertise to solve complex and often brutal crimes. Each member of the club brings a different perspective to investigations, allowing the stories to move across law enforcement, journalism, and the courtroom.
The central figure in the series is Lindsay Boxer, a determined homicide detective with the San Francisco Police Department. She forms the informal “Murder Club” alongside three close friends: medical examiner Claire Washburn, crime reporter Cindy Thomas, and assistant district attorney Jill Bernhardt. Together, they share information, insights, and personal support while confronting cases that often leave official investigations stalled.
The series begins with 1st to Die, which introduces the group and establishes the format that defines the books that follow. A string of shocking murders draws the four women together as they work outside normal institutional boundaries to piece together clues. This collaboration becomes the foundation of the series, with each member contributing specialized knowledge that strengthens the investigation.
Reading the Women’s Murder Club books in publication order shows how the characters’ relationships evolve alongside the increasingly complex cases they encounter. Early novels focus heavily on establishing the dynamic between the four women, while later installments expand their professional responsibilities and personal lives.
Lindsay Boxer serves as the anchor of the series. As a homicide detective, she is often the first to confront the violence at the center of each story. Her dedication to solving cases and protecting victims drives much of the narrative tension. While she is highly capable in the field, the emotional toll of the work is a recurring theme throughout the books.
Claire Washburn provides the forensic expertise that helps uncover crucial evidence. As the city’s chief medical examiner, she analyzes crime scenes and autopsy reports to determine how victims died and what clues may have been overlooked. Her role often bridges the gap between raw crime scene evidence and the broader investigative picture.
Cindy Thomas contributes a journalist’s perspective. As a crime reporter, she has access to information and sources beyond the police department. Her curiosity and determination frequently lead to discoveries that move investigations forward. Cindy’s storyline also explores the ethical challenges of reporting on ongoing criminal cases.
The legal dimension of the group comes through Jill Bernhardt, an assistant district attorney responsible for prosecuting cases once suspects are identified. Her involvement ensures that the club’s work does not stop with solving the mystery; the ultimate goal is securing justice within the legal system.
The setting of San Francisco plays an important role in the series’ atmosphere. Patterson frequently uses the city’s geography and neighborhoods to shape the narrative, from waterfront districts and crowded downtown streets to quieter residential areas. This urban landscape creates a backdrop for crimes that range from serial murders to organized criminal conspiracies.
Over time, the Women’s Murder Club novels explore not only individual cases but also the personal growth of the characters. Their friendships deepen as they face both professional challenges and private struggles. The balance between investigative suspense and character-driven storytelling has helped the series maintain its popularity across many installments.
Following the books in publication order highlights how the collaboration between the four women remains the heart of the series. Each investigation becomes not only a search for answers but also a reflection of their shared commitment to uncovering the truth and protecting the community they serve.