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The 24th Hour
James Patterson

The 24th Hour

Quick Answer

Read "The 24th Hour" as the 24th book in the Women's Murder Club Series sequence. This follows the recommended publication order to preserve character development.

Sequence Warning

⚠️ Do NOT read before "The 23rd Midnight" (Book 23)

❓ Can I skip this book?
❌ No — Required

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Verdict Insight: As the 24th installment, this volume is critical for following the central narrative progression and plot development.

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2024359 pp
<b>As enemies lurk in the shadows, "Tough-but-tender cop Lindsay Boxer" (<i>People</i>) leads the Women's Murder Club in the high-profile murder investigation of a billionaire San Francisco couple--will Cindy, Claire, Yuki, and Lindsay still be standing when the clock strikes midnight?​</b><br> <br> ​<br> <br> SFPD Sergeant Lindsay Boxer, Medical Examiner Claire Washburn, Assistant District Attorney Yuki Castellano, and crime writer Cindy Thomas gather at one of San Francisco's finest restaurants to celebrate exciting news: Cindy is getting married.<br> <br> <br> <br> Before they can raise their glasses, there's a disturbance in the restaurant. A woman has been assaulted.<br> <br> <br> <br> Claire examines the victim. Lindsay makes an arrest. Yuki takes the case. Cindy covers it. <br> <br> <br> <br> The legal strategy is complicated by gaps in the plaintiff's memory--and the shocking reason behind her ever-changing testimony.<br> <br> <br> <br> As Yuki leads the prosecution, Lindsay chases down a high-society killer whose target practice may leave the Women's Murder Club short a bridesmaid ... or two.
Next Recommended Book

25 Alive

Book #25 of 25 in Series

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for deep lore fans.

Order Confidence

high Confidence

Why this order?

Our team of curators analyzes publication history, author interviews, and internal narrative continuity to establish the definitive reading sequence. This ensures zero spoilers and maximum narrative impact.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Women's Murder Club Series conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip reading The 24th Hour?

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Can I read The 24th Hour before The 23rd Midnight?

No. We recommend reading The 23rd Midnight first. The 24th Hour is the 24th book in the series and follows the core narrative established in earlier volumes.

Is The 24th Hour required reading for the Women's Murder Club Series?

Yes, it is a core installment in the series reading order and contains critical character development and plot progression.

What comes after The 24th Hour in the reading order?

The next recommended book after The 24th Hour is 25 Alive (Book #25).