I just finished The 5th Horseman by James Patterson, and I think we’ve officially hit my favorite of the series so far. Things are getting wild in Women’s Murder Club world, and I’m here for it.
First off, I’m definitely liking Yuki more, even though she’s a lawyer. I know, I know — but she’s scrappy and dramatic and brings just the right amount of chaos to the group. She also had some genuinely strong moments in this one, and I’m starting to root for her in a big way.
Now let’s talk crime. Or should I say crimes. There were three major cases packed into this book, and somehow it didn’t feel crowded — it just felt like a great weekend binge read. The car murders came first, and honestly, that could’ve been a whole book on its own. I was fully invested. Then we had Dr. Garza, who let his ego go unchecked and ended up with a dead body in his house. Classic. And just when I thought we were wrapping up, here comes The Night Watcher, a nurse who helps people “cross over” by murdering them and putting buttons on their eyes. I repeat: BUTTONS ON THEIR EYES. That image is going to haunt me, and I weirdly loved it.
The pacing? No notes. Patterson’s short chapters and rotating POVs keep things zipping along. It’s the literary version of “just one more episode,” except it’s 2am and you’ve finished half the book without realizing it. I love how the momentum builds — even when we shift storylines, it never drags.
Also, Yuki’s mom. I could hear Yuki imitating her in my head and it cracked me up. The accent, the tone, the sheer mom-ness of it all. As someone who lovingly mocks her own mother (because it’s how we show affection, obviously), it hit close to home in the best way.
All in all, creepy, twisty, fast-paced, and somehow still funny in places. I was genuinely surprised by some of the turns this one took, and even more surprised that juggling three storylines didn’t trip it up. This series is getting better with each book, and I’m already eyeing the next one like it owes me money.
