Reading Room - The 23rd Midnight

My book review on The 23rd Midnight for Still Moments Magazine.

The 23rd Midnight

James Patterson

May 2023 

Detective Lindsay Boxer put serial killer Evan Burke in jail.

Reporter Cindy Thomas wrote a book that put him on the bestseller list. 

An obsessed maniac has turned Burke’s true-crime story into a playbook. And is embellishing it with gruesome touches all his own. Now Lindsay’s tracking an elusive suspect, and the entire Murder Club is facing destruction. 

Between The Pages 

23rd Midnight is a fast paced, compelling addition to the Women’s Murder Club series. The story grabs your attention from the first chapter and doesn’t let go. Patterson and Paetro deliver a tense, emotionally charged plot as Lindsay confronts a chilling copycat who’s using Evan Burke’s crimes as a blueprint for new horrors. Maxine Paetro’s contribution continues to elevate the series. 

The stakes rise sharply when reporter Cindy becomes the target of a dangerous stalker and ultimately goes missing, pulling the entire Murder Club into a desperate search. This installment stands out for the way it deepens the emotional connection among the characters, highlighting how personal the danger feels when one of their own is at risk. A gripping read that blends suspense, heart, and intense storytelling. 

Rating: 5 Stars

Saturdays - The End

I am so happy to share the news that last night, I reached The End of my manuscript!

I started 'Saturdays' in 2015 - eleven years ago. I created a note book with story details and characters. Then I got lost in Redford Falls, and didn't find my way back to Saturdays until the summer of 2025. But even then, another story grabbed my attention. Finally in April 2026, I picked up that notebook again and made new notes. I then opened the file on my computer and my fingers have been typing ever since. Last night, I finished the story!

I'm excited and sad...and even scared. 

I'm excited because I finally finished this project that has been screaming at me for eleven years. 

I'm also sad because I've spent the past four and a half months with these characters. How do I say goodbye? Or do I? <wink>

And I'm scared of what comes next. The writing is finished. The story needs a quick edit to cross all the Ts and dot all the Is, but now I need to decided on publication. What direction to I take with this manuscript?

Thankfully, I have plenty of time to be excited, sad, and scared. Right now, I'm just going to celebrate typing The End.