The Women's Murder Club is Born

In the beginning of 1st to Die (Patterson, 2001), the main character, Detective Lindsay Boxer asks her friends to help her to solve a serial murder case. The two friends, Claire, a medical examiner and Cindy, a reporter agree and the "Women's Murder Club" is born.

Boxer thinks to herself: "...I knew it could work. We could reassemble whatever clues came out of the official investigation, share what we had, cut through the political cover-your-ass and the bureaucracy. Three women, who would get a kick out of showing up the male orthodoxy. More important, we shared a heartfelt empathy for the victims" (p. 140).

Note the mention of sharing information,  "male orthodoxy" and "empathy for the victims." 

Later in 1st to Die (p. 174), while sipping beers at Susie's, a regular meeting place for the club (at least in the novels), Lindsay thinks to herself: "The Women's Murder Club. This was good. No men allowed."

In Chapter 73 a new member joins the club, Jill Bernhardt, assistant district attorney. Before Jill officially joins the group, Lindsay notes:

Claire had met her [Jill] a few times when she testified at trials. They had developed a mutual respect for each other rise through their male-dominated departments. (p. 278)

Note: The novel is told in first person from Lindsay's perspective.


After Jill officially joins the group she asks what is the group named.  At this point in the novel Lindsay has not voiced out loud what she has thinking -- "Women's Murder Club."

Lindsay says: "We're sort of a murder club."

Jill suggests: "The Margarita Posse."  Margaritas seem to be their favorite drink at Susie's.

Clarie suggests: "Bad-ass Bitches."

Cindy says: "One day, we're all gonna be running things... Homicide Chicks... That's who we are.  That's what we do."

Lindsay echoed this in thought: "we were bright, attractive, take-no-shit women.  We were going to run things -- some day" (p. 280).

When comparing the novels to the TV series, we don't see this talk of the "male orthodoxy" in the TV series.  I wonder why?  :)  This seems to be safe for a novel, but not TV.  What is it about TV that would not allow this sort of talk to air?