James Patterson and Andrew Gross. 3rd Degree (2004) 341 pp.
San Francisco Homicide lieutenant Lindsay Boxer is jogging with assistant DA Jill Barnhardt when the cop sees bruises on the shoulder of her companion. Before she asks about the injury, an explosion occurs in a nearby townhouse. Lindsay rushes inside rescuing a child, but three are dead at the scene. Apparently the terrorist group August Spies successfully targeted a CEO and his family and killed them. Lindsay’s investigation of the crime coincides with the inquiries of Joe Molinari of the Office of Homeland Security. Joe and Lindsay are attracted to one another while Jill’s spouse has turned abusive towards her. Then there are her other two pals that make up the “Women’s Murder Club,” medical examiner Claire Washburn and Chronicle reporter Cindy Thomas who help with the case, not realizing the danger as they get to close to the killers.

H.K.