Author James Patterson's characters come to life on ABC's Women's Murder Club. The show focuses on a small group of professional women: a cop, medical examiner, deputy district attorney, and reporter, who all work together to solve crimes. The relationship among the women is an essential element and the key to making this show work. If given a chance this show can become for ABC what Law & Order: SVU is for NBC.

Though promoted as an ensemble cast, there is a star in the mix. Angie Harmon plays Lindsay Boxer, a tough San Francisco police officer. The character takes punches as well as any of the guys, but often shows she can be tough and still be sensitive, too. In one scene Lindsay overhears her ex-husband's wedding vows on the phone, it is heartbreaking to watch. Angie's stand out performances certainly ought to be recognized with an Emmy nod.

The character of Lindsay is currently a target for a serial killer known as "The Kiss Me Not Killer". In the episode before the writers' strike, Lindsay confides in “the club” that she is now his target and wants their help. This case will be resolved in the last three episodes of the season starting on April 29th at 10pm, ET.

While a great series, I worry about the future of the show because ABC, like most networks, has a habit of wanting instant rating results and quickly dropping shows that don't give them the numbers they want. Now ABC has moved Women's Murder Club, from Friday at 10pm ET to Tuesday at 10pm ET, putting it up against Law & Order SVU. It will be hard for this new series to take on an established winner in the ratings, but if anyone can give Elliot Stabler and Olivia Benson a run for their money its James Patterson and Angie Harmon.

Women's Murder Club and Law & Order SVU, being shows of the same genre, very well may share a large number of viewers, so this move will unfortunately cause a conflict for fans. Some of them will, presumably, tape one of the shows for later viewing, so the overnight ratings may not be an accurate reading of actual viewership levels. I hope ABC will stick with Women's Murder Club, it's this season's winner — I just hope they know it.