This book is fast-paced, exciting and the side characters build up the suspense and intrigue that I have in this book. Although, the two sets of duos which work under the main Detectives did get a little bit mixed up in my mind initially, I loved how they played off each other and made things more interesting.

I really need to find or develop a synonymous phrase for that, because I use it too often in this post. Sorry about that. Truth be told, if I had read this book without knowing Patterson’s named was removed, I wouldn’t have noticed any differences. It felt just like their previous six books in the series. I am not sure whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing. It just is. I am also not sure what this says about Patterson’s involvement in their writing partnership. It’s weird. Patterson steps away and I can’t tell the difference. I am going to stop talking about this now and let you form your own opinion on the matter. I love reading books in this series, and NYPD Red 5 did not disappoint. As always James Patterson and Marshall Karp know how to keep me engaged with their plots. I like James Patterson and Marshall Karp portrayal of their characters and how they interact with each other. NYPD Red 5 is well written and researched by James Patterson and Marshall Karp. I did not expect the conclusion of NYPD Red 5. James Patterson and Marshall Karp did an excellent job in describing the setting of NYPD Red It's been a long time since I've read a Red Alert (NYPD, #5). It was overall quite entertaining, and I felt I was among old friends.

James Patterson’s NYPD Red books in order:

The characters are well-developed; the glimpses into the lifestyles of the uber-rich are intriguing and the obsession expressed toward a celebrity is a well-defined reality. The setting is effective for the telling of the tale; the unfolding narrative takes a fair number of twists and turns before arriving at a surprising revelation that changes everything. I didn't mind the story but I'm not sure I like the characters. Neither of them seemed overly sympathetic and they had a real abrasive way of talking. I think (and I may be wrong) that it's just the New York accent but I'm sure that most New Yorkers don't always sound so harsh. I wanted more variety in the speech, some emotions now and again. The various shenanigans that follow put the detectives in a difficult situation. To add to the pressure, another potential victim is kidnapped and will undoubtedly be killed if the Hazmat Killer isn't apprehended very soon.

In book one we meet a killer who is targeting those in the movie industry. From the beginning, we know who the killer is and why he is killing his victims, which he writes like a movie scene to play out in his head. Okay so after NYPD Red 4 came out January of 2016, and after A LONG TIME of no news of a 5th book because of all the open holes, I was STOKED and so excited to read this 5th book last year when it was announced to come out last March. BUT it changed to the end of March this year and I was PISSED of course. But after waiting a year and two months PLUS an additional month in a half of being on the library hold list for this book, I can say it was worth the wait. The Murder Sorority involves assassins in NYC, the Kappa Omega Delta or K-O-D "Killers On Demand". Apparently, someone hired the KODs to do the deeds when the rich and untouchables got away with murder. When a fellow detective got shot off duty it becomes personal.Kudos, Messrs. Patterson and Karp, for a decent police procedural. While I used this as a bridge between two larger reads, I am pleased to have taken the time. One of the reasons I love NYPD Red as a series, is for the characters of Zach and Kylie, in ‘NYPD Red 5’ we see their personal relationship with each other and with their romantic partners change, it was nice to read and refreshing and meant we see more character development from them. It is always great to have a bit of their personal lives included as they are so likeable so it was a welcome addition.

NYPD Red is a specialized unit of Detectives in the New York Police Department who are tasked with solving crimes that involve or revolve around the wealthy, politically connected, or just plain old celebrities. In other words these Detectives and their Captain need to know how to handle the elite and their harsh personalities. During their investigation, a theory begins to surface about a team of assassins operating under the name of a sorority—Kappa Omega Delta. KOD—Killers On Demand. It sounds farfetched to the partners (and their captain), but they keep running into the idea. And soon, they might start to find some actual evidence pointing to it. In this installment, a Harvey Weinstein type is unbelievably exonerated of killing a police officer and as he steps up to a microphone on the courthouse steps to gloat, an invisible sniper delivers Wild West justice. And then another assasination simultaneously takes place (the scumbag’s equally scummy brother who also got away with murder). So it seems that there is militarily trained squad of killers for hire (known as Kappa Omega Delta/KOD — Killers on Demand) operating in NYC. The subtitle of the book is “The Murder *Sorority*” and not “Murder *Fraternity.*” A clue for the reader in advance of Kylie and Zach uncovering what’s really going on? Or people who “were gender-fluid before it was cool”? This investigation is further complicated when someone close to the team is shot in a seemingly unrelated incident.

Publication Order of NYPD Red Books

The morals of the killer in this book are what made this book so interesting. Basically if somebody has committed a crime but not been punished for it, the killer makes them confess and then kills them personally. Although some New Yorkers accept the honesty in this, it almost makes you think that the killer is just as bad as their victims, if not more so!

It is Hollywood week where the Mayor along with lots of other dignitaries and the NYPD Red force are on special alert. The main reason is to attract the directors and producers to film more movies in the Big Apple.

NYPD Red 7: The Murder Sorority

I love the camaraderie between the two lead detectives though their banter wasn’t as full-on as in book one, especially as MacDonald’s mind was somewhere else with a personal issue for most of the book. I feel like I should apologise when I give such a high rating to a book like this. This is a book with absolutely no nutritional value. It is the "Olympus Has Fallen" of books.