25 Alive

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. As the 25th book in a long-running series, 25 Alive builds on decades of character history. How well does the novel stand on its own for a new reader? For those familiar with the series, how does this installment compare to earlier books or other series like Patterson’s Alex Cross novels?

2. Did you find the parallel storylines of Lindsay and Cindy’s serial killer investigation and Yuki’s cartel trial to be an effective way to build tension? How did the constant switching between the two plots affect your reading experience?

3. James Patterson and Maxine Paetro are known for their short, fast-paced chapters that create a cinematic feel. Did you feel this structure enhanced the story’s suspense and urgency, or did it feel fragmented at times?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Lindsay receives a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis that she initially resists. How does her reaction resonate with your own experience or understanding of mental health in high-pressure professions? 

2. The Women’s Murder Club meetings at Susie’s Café serve as their headquarters for both case-solving and emotional support. How vital do you think these moments of friendship and solidarity are for the characters’ ability to cope with their high-stress professions? Do you have a similar group and/or meeting place? What role does it play in your life?

3. Warren Jacobi spends his retirement trying to solve a cold case that haunted him, which ultimately leads to his death. What did you make of his secret, off-the-books investigation? Do you see it as a noble quest for justice or a dangerous personal vendetta?

4. Cindy pursues her leads with a reporter’s intuition, sometimes putting herself at risk, while Lindsay and her team follow more formal police procedures. Which character’s approach to finding the truth did you find more compelling? Which one reflects your own approach to uncovering the truth? 

5. How is grief portrayed in the novel, particularly through Lindsay’s reactions to Jacobi’s murder and the potential loss of her dog, Martha? How do these representations resonate with your personal experiences with grief and loss, or those that you’ve witnessed?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The killer first communicates with the public through a tabloid website, shaping the narrative before the police can. What does the novel suggest about the role of digital media and online speculation in modern criminal investigations? How does this reflect real-world challenges for law enforcement?

2. How does the Garza cartel’s assault on the justice system, from murdering a judge to attacking a courthouse inside a maximum-security prison, comment on the vulnerability of public institutions?

3. This story presents law enforcement from multiple angles, featuring dedicated heroes like Lindsay, a corrupt killer within the FBI like Brett Palmer, and morally ambiguous ex-cops. What kind of overall picture of policing in America do you feel the novel paints? How, in your opinion, does this portrait reflect (or not reflect) the reality?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. The signature phrase “I said. You dead” is used by two different killers for very different reasons. How does the novel use this recurring motif as both a central clue and a clever red herring?

2. What is the effect of having two distinct primary antagonists, the methodical serial killer Brett Palmer and the bombastic cartel boss Tiago Garza? How do they serve as foils for each other in the novel’s exploration of vengeance?

3. How does Lindsay’s character, with her professional competence, emotional vulnerability, and PTSD diagnosis, challenge the traditional archetype of the “tough detective” in crime fiction?

4. Cindy’s role as a tenacious reporter who operates outside official police channels is crucial to solving the case. How does her investigation compare to that of other famous literary sleuths who are not in law enforcement, such as Lisbeth Salander from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo?

5. What significance does Jacobi’s bird-watching hobby hold as a symbol in the narrative? How does he use the hobby’s representation as a sign of peaceful retirement to serve as a cover for a dangerous obsession?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. The Women’s Murder Club is comprised of members whose expertise ranges across law, medicine, and journalism. If you were to add a fifth member from a different profession to help solve the cases in this book, what would their job be, and what unique perspective might they offer?

2. Imagine you were tasked with writing the next scene after Brett Palmer’s arrest. What would his interrogation with Lindsay and Agent Walsh look like? Would he confess, continue to deny everything, or try to manipulate them one last time?