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The 9th Judgment
James Patterson

The 9th Judgment

Quick Answer

Read "The 9th Judgment" as the 9th 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 8th Confession" (Book 8)

❓ Can I skip this book?
❌ No — Required

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

Verdict Insight: As the 9th installment, this volume is critical for following the central narrative progression and plot development.

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2010448 pp
The most personalA young mother and her infant child are ruthlessly gunned down while returning to their car in the garage of a shopping mall. There are no witnesses, and Detective Lindsay Boxer is left with only one shred of evidence: a cryptic message scrawled across the windshield in bloodred lipstick. The most dangerousThe same night, the wife of A-list actor Marcus Dowling is woken by a cat burglar who is about to steal millions of dollars' worth of precious jewels. In just seconds there is a nearly empty safe, a lifeless body, and another mystery that throws San Francisco into hysteria. The most exciting Women's Murder Club novel everLindsay spends every waking hour working with her partner, Rich--and her desire for him threatens to tear apart both her engagement and the Women's Murder Club. Before Lindsay and her friends can piece together either case, one of the killers forces Lindsay to put her own life on the line--but is it enough to save the city? With unparalleled danger and explosive action, The 9th Judgment is James Patterson at his compelling, unstoppable best!
Next Recommended Book

10th Anniversary

Book #10 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 9th Judgment?

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

Can I read The 9th Judgment before The 8th Confession?

No. We recommend reading The 8th Confession first. The 9th Judgment is the 9th book in the series and follows the core narrative established in earlier volumes.

Is The 9th Judgment 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 9th Judgment in the reading order?

The next recommended book after The 9th Judgment is 10th Anniversary (Book #10).