James Patterson's Women's Murder Club series is back with 7th Heaven, the seventh book in the popular series. Co-authored by Maxine Paetro, 7th Heaven is a step up from several of Patterson's recent novels.

In the book, the three-month-old disappearance of the former governor's son - a publicly-adored boy with a congenital heart defect - still is on the minds of residents.

Suddenly, homicide inspector Lindsay Boxer gets a tip that the teenager, Michael Campion, was last seen entering a prostitute's home. After questioning her, the prostitute admits that Campion's heart gave out during sex, but rather than calling for help like the teen had requested, she called her boyfriend who dismembered Campion's body and hit it.

Soon Lindsay's ADA friend Yuki Castellano is taking the case to court, hoping for a win despite the fact she only has a recanted confession and no evidence. It inevitably doesn't work out quite the way she has in mind.

Meanwhile, Lindsay and her partner are on the hunt for an arsonist who steals from wealthy couples and sets fires to their homes - while they are tied up inside.

Lindsay, Yuki and the other members of the Women's Murder Club are forced to solve the case of the arsonist and determine the truth about Michael Campion's disappearance.

But Patterson and Paetro also bring in some personal elements to the novel. Lindsay struggles with her feelings for both her live-in boyfriend and her partner, Yuki goes on her first date in over a year - with an author writing about Michael Campion - and medical examiner Claire Washburn is about to deliver her baby.

While 7th Heaven certainly isn't the best book in the world and is also not Patterson's best work, it is a relief from his tired, dry books he has been churning out recently. Moving at breakneck speed, 7th Heaven is a quick read that makes up for its lack of substance with its exciting story and nearly-frenetic pace.

- Ashley