I've always enjoyed Ms. Fielding's books and picked up a couple off of her backlist a couple of weeks ago while I was at my local library. Lost was ok, definitely not my favorite by her, but a good, quick read. I give it a B.
From Amazon:
Julia Carver a twenty-four -old model and aspiring actress is moving in with her mother Cindy, after living with her father past 10 years Julia's return is a huge adjustment for Cindy and her sister Heather. As a child Julia was willful and self absorbed, as an audit she is even worse. When Julis disappears Cindy assumes that she is staying with friends. But after days and nights pass without any word Cindy suspects that something terrible has happened to her daughter and begins a frantic search.
I had a hard time liking a lot of the characters. They were really annoying. I am not sure why, but they all seemed to be a bit selfish. Heather was probably one of the only likeable characters. At first a lot of people thought Cindy was overreacting, and perhaps she was, because Julia is an adult, but I guess you can trust a mother's instinct. I thought Cindy's friends were really annoying in particular, expecting her to attend a movie festival while her daughter was missing. It was somewhat insensitive and I was a bit surprised by it. The ending was somewhat a surprise, but I thought it was a little far-reaching. Overall a good read but nothing that will probably stay with me for a bit. Happy Reading!
Showing posts with label women suspense. Show all posts
Showing posts with label women suspense. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
44. Tell Me No Secrets by Joy Fielding
A couple of weeks ago while browsing at one of my local libraries, I realized there were a few of Ms. Fielding's books on her backlist that I hadn't read. I had to rectify that immediately and picked up Tell Me No Secrets. It was just an ok read, somewhat predictible, and I give it a B.
From Amazon:
From Amazon:
Eight years after her mother mysteriously disappeared on her way to a doctor's appointment, Chicago prosecutor Jess Koster's panic attacks have returned--as she fights to convict a sadistic rapist who may have killed his latest victim. But Rick Ferguson--the man who threatened to kill Connie DeVuono if she pressed charges and then smiled at the news of her disappearance--may not even be the man behind Jess's stifling fear. Puzzling over the question of who sent her a urine-soaked letter garnished with pubic hairs, she wonders ``how many men [she had] managed to alienate in her young life'' It's a good question for a workaholic prosecutor--especially when you add Jess's hostility toward her lovesick father, her controlling brother-in-law Barry Peppler, her bedroom-minded colleague Greg Oliver, and Terry Wales, the Crossbow Murderer she's trying to nail on murder one. Even the two men she can bring herself to trust--her provocative new romantic interest, Adam Stohn, a shoe salesman; and her protective ex-husband, Don Shaw, who turns out to be Rick Ferguson's own attorney--are pulling her apart by their appeals to her loyalty. Maybe she's just imagining seeing Ferguson's face in so many crowds. But she's not imagining the vandalism to her car or the break-in to her house; and the prognosis on her pet canary doesn't look too good either.
I figured out who the bad guy was fairly early on, though I wasn't sure if I was 100% correct. It was a bit difficult to really like the amin character as I thought she was selfish and kind of self absorbed at times, but overall it was a good book. This one was fairly old though, written in 1993, so it was a bit dated. While not my favorite by Ms. Fielding, it was still an enjoyable book and one I was happy to read.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
39. After the Fall by Judith Kelman
The entire time I was reading this book, I felt like I had read it before. It seemed so familiar to me. That didn't stop me from reading and enjoy the story. I give it a B+.
From Amazon:
Daniel Magill is just about a perfect kid. He has everything going for him: looks, Graves, athletic ability, and a practically guaranteed admission to the college of his choice. Then the police come pounding at the Magill's door and arrest Danny for a shocking crime, shattering his family's apparently perfect world. But his Danny's mother, Jess, probes more deeply into the circumstances of his arrest, she discovers that things may not have really been "perfect" for quite some time. How could this nightmare be happening to this boy? This family? This town? And how will they all survive? Judith Kelman's gripping psychological novel goes beyond question of guilt or innocence to explore what the ties that bind are really made of.
This is just the perfect type of book I love to read on warm summer days. The perfect family thrown into an unperfect situation. I thought Ms. Kelman did a great job of describing how a family would react to a situation like this and really shows everyone reacting in a realistic way. I will be checking out more books by Ms. Kelman, as a matter of fact, I am pretty sure I have some on my shelves now! Happy Reading!
From Amazon:
Daniel Magill is just about a perfect kid. He has everything going for him: looks, Graves, athletic ability, and a practically guaranteed admission to the college of his choice. Then the police come pounding at the Magill's door and arrest Danny for a shocking crime, shattering his family's apparently perfect world. But his Danny's mother, Jess, probes more deeply into the circumstances of his arrest, she discovers that things may not have really been "perfect" for quite some time. How could this nightmare be happening to this boy? This family? This town? And how will they all survive? Judith Kelman's gripping psychological novel goes beyond question of guilt or innocence to explore what the ties that bind are really made of.
This is just the perfect type of book I love to read on warm summer days. The perfect family thrown into an unperfect situation. I thought Ms. Kelman did a great job of describing how a family would react to a situation like this and really shows everyone reacting in a realistic way. I will be checking out more books by Ms. Kelman, as a matter of fact, I am pretty sure I have some on my shelves now! Happy Reading!
Monday, April 26, 2010
31. U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton
I've been in love with Ms. Grafton for about 10 years since I received her first three books as a Christmas gift. I was excited to finally get my chance from the library on U is for Undertow and wasn't disappointed. I give it an A-.
From Amazon:
It's April, 1988, a month before Kinsey Millhone's thirty-eighth birthday, and she's alone in her office doing paperwork when a young man arrives unannounced. He has a preppy air about him and looks as if he'd be carded if he tried to buy booze, but Michael Sutton is twenty-seven, an unemployed college dropout. Twenty-one years earlier, a four-year-old girl disappeared. A recent reference to her kidnapping has triggered a flood of memories. Sutton now believes he stumbled on her lonely burial when he was six years old. He wants Kinsey's help in locating the child's remains and finding the men who killed her. It's a long shot but he's willing to pay cash up front, and Kinsey agrees to give him one day. As her investigation unfolds, she discovers Michael Sutton has an uneasy relationship with the truth. In essence, he's the boy who cried wolf. Is his current story true or simply one more in a long line of fabrications?
Written in true Grafton form, we are included in all of the day to day life of Kinsey and her personal problems she is having with her new found family. It's always like coming home and catching up with old friends and I really loved the book. While not the most thrilling book, it is fun and a great way to pass an afternoon. I just wish Ms. Grafton would write a bit faster!
From Amazon:
It's April, 1988, a month before Kinsey Millhone's thirty-eighth birthday, and she's alone in her office doing paperwork when a young man arrives unannounced. He has a preppy air about him and looks as if he'd be carded if he tried to buy booze, but Michael Sutton is twenty-seven, an unemployed college dropout. Twenty-one years earlier, a four-year-old girl disappeared. A recent reference to her kidnapping has triggered a flood of memories. Sutton now believes he stumbled on her lonely burial when he was six years old. He wants Kinsey's help in locating the child's remains and finding the men who killed her. It's a long shot but he's willing to pay cash up front, and Kinsey agrees to give him one day. As her investigation unfolds, she discovers Michael Sutton has an uneasy relationship with the truth. In essence, he's the boy who cried wolf. Is his current story true or simply one more in a long line of fabrications?
Written in true Grafton form, we are included in all of the day to day life of Kinsey and her personal problems she is having with her new found family. It's always like coming home and catching up with old friends and I really loved the book. While not the most thrilling book, it is fun and a great way to pass an afternoon. I just wish Ms. Grafton would write a bit faster!
30. Think Twice by Lisa Scottoline
Whew... I kind of disappeared there for awhile. I've still be reading but haven't been keeping up with my blog or others that I normally read. I miss it and hope to get back into the swing of things shortly, but for now I am going to do some quickie reviews. Think Twice was a B read.
From Amazon:
Bennie Rosato looks exactly like her identical twin, Alice Connolly, but the darkness in Alice’s soul makes them two very different women. Or at least that’s what Bennie believes, until she finds herself buried alive at the hands of her twin.
Meanwhile, Alice takes over Bennie’s life, impersonating her at work and even seducing her boyfriend in order to escape the deadly mess she has made of her own life. But Alice underestimates Bennie and the evil she has unleashed in her twin’s psyche, as well as Bennie’s determination to stay alive long enough to exact revenge.
Bennie must face the twisted truth that she is more like her sister Alice than she could have ever imagined, and by the novel’s shocking conclusion, Bennie finds herself engaged in a war she cannot win—with herself.
The idea of the story was a great one and I though there was a lot of potential there. However, there were too many cliches and sayings that had me rolling my eyes a bit. This is the third book by Ms. Scottoline that I've read, and I have to say the only one I really enjoyed was the one I listened to on CD. I will probably continue to try and read her books if anything grabs me, but will not be actively seeking them out.
From Amazon:
Bennie Rosato looks exactly like her identical twin, Alice Connolly, but the darkness in Alice’s soul makes them two very different women. Or at least that’s what Bennie believes, until she finds herself buried alive at the hands of her twin.
Meanwhile, Alice takes over Bennie’s life, impersonating her at work and even seducing her boyfriend in order to escape the deadly mess she has made of her own life. But Alice underestimates Bennie and the evil she has unleashed in her twin’s psyche, as well as Bennie’s determination to stay alive long enough to exact revenge.
Bennie must face the twisted truth that she is more like her sister Alice than she could have ever imagined, and by the novel’s shocking conclusion, Bennie finds herself engaged in a war she cannot win—with herself.
The idea of the story was a great one and I though there was a lot of potential there. However, there were too many cliches and sayings that had me rolling my eyes a bit. This is the third book by Ms. Scottoline that I've read, and I have to say the only one I really enjoyed was the one I listened to on CD. I will probably continue to try and read her books if anything grabs me, but will not be actively seeking them out.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
24. The Wild Zone by Joy Fielding
A couple more quickie reviews for you to glide through. Break starts in less than 16 hours and I can't wait! Joy Fielding is one of my favorite women suspense authors, I was excited to read The Wild Zone. I give it a B+.
From Amazon:
This is how it starts. With a joke. Two brothers -- Will and Jeff -- and their friend Tom are out one night at their favorite South Beach bar, the Wild Zone, and decide to make a bet on who can be the fi rst to seduce a mysterious-looking young woman drinking by herself. Pretty, dark-haired, blue-eyed Suzy has an innocent, almost ordinary girl-next-door way about her. "Just waiting for Prince Charming to hit on her," Jeff says.
Little do they know the secrets she hides from the outside world, particularly those having to do with the daily horror she experiences under the watchful eye of her abusive husband. Little do they know she has an agenda of her own. Little do they know their harmless bet is about to take on a life of its own, a life full of deadly consequences for all concerned.
This was a good book. One with twists and turns and a suprise ending that I didn't see coming. Some of Ms. Fielding's endings really remind me of old Hitchcock movies. If you haven't read anything by her, I would highly recommend you start, and soon. Set in one of my favorite places, Florida, The Wild Zone kept me hooked and I breezed through it. I would love to hear your thoughts if you've read it!
From Amazon:
This is how it starts. With a joke. Two brothers -- Will and Jeff -- and their friend Tom are out one night at their favorite South Beach bar, the Wild Zone, and decide to make a bet on who can be the fi rst to seduce a mysterious-looking young woman drinking by herself. Pretty, dark-haired, blue-eyed Suzy has an innocent, almost ordinary girl-next-door way about her. "Just waiting for Prince Charming to hit on her," Jeff says.
Little do they know the secrets she hides from the outside world, particularly those having to do with the daily horror she experiences under the watchful eye of her abusive husband. Little do they know she has an agenda of her own. Little do they know their harmless bet is about to take on a life of its own, a life full of deadly consequences for all concerned.
This was a good book. One with twists and turns and a suprise ending that I didn't see coming. Some of Ms. Fielding's endings really remind me of old Hitchcock movies. If you haven't read anything by her, I would highly recommend you start, and soon. Set in one of my favorite places, Florida, The Wild Zone kept me hooked and I breezed through it. I would love to hear your thoughts if you've read it!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
20. Hush by Kate White
I've enjoyed Ms. White's in the past, though they were part of a chick-lit/mystery series. Hush was the first stand-alone novel by Ms. White and one I enjoyed. I give it a B.
From Amazon:
When Lake Warren learns that her husband, Jack, is suing for full custody of their two kids four months after their separation, she's pretty certain that things can't get any worse. The upside is that she's working with the Advanced Fertility Center as a marketing consultant, alongside the attractive, flirtatious Dr. Keaton. But the morning after their one-night stand, Lake finds Keaton with his throat slashed and discovers that things can indeed become worse—they can become deadly.
So as not to jeopardize her case for custody, Lake is forced to lie to the police. Having just been intimate with a man who has been murdered, and wanting to protect herself from being charged with the crime, she begins her own search for the truth. Meanwhile, the police start looking at her closely, people at the clinic start treating her with hostility, and strange clues begin dropping—quite literally—on her doorstep, and Lake realizes that she is dangerously close to dark secrets, both about Keaton and the clinic. But can Lake stop what she's started before it's too late?
I had a hard time sympathizing with the main character, Lake, for some reason. She really got on my nerves at time, though that didn't bother me too much. The mystery was well done and it was hard to decide who the killer was. There were many plausible suspects and I ended up being wrong. That is always a nice surprise, as long as it doesn't come out of nowhere, that is. Hush takes place in one of my favorite setting, New York City, and while I couldn't classify it as chick-lit, it definitely wasn't a hard hitting thriller. I read it pretty quickly, finishing it in a day and half which is really saying something considering this slump I've been going through. Hopefully that means the end of the slump for me, but I have my doubts!
I don't even have much to write which is sad to me. Lately I've been so busy and then tired at the end of the day that the last thing I feel like doing is turning on my computer or opening a book. That in turn makes me more frustrated because I know I relax when I am reading a good book or reading about other people's good books, so hopefully I will break out of this soon. I guess I can be happy that Spring Break is in a few weeks and that should give me some more free time. Plus, several of my holds have been trickling in from the library that are books by some of my favorite authors so that should help. Well I am at work and I don't even think what I'm typing is making any sense, so I am going to leave with a Happy Reading!
From Amazon:
When Lake Warren learns that her husband, Jack, is suing for full custody of their two kids four months after their separation, she's pretty certain that things can't get any worse. The upside is that she's working with the Advanced Fertility Center as a marketing consultant, alongside the attractive, flirtatious Dr. Keaton. But the morning after their one-night stand, Lake finds Keaton with his throat slashed and discovers that things can indeed become worse—they can become deadly.
So as not to jeopardize her case for custody, Lake is forced to lie to the police. Having just been intimate with a man who has been murdered, and wanting to protect herself from being charged with the crime, she begins her own search for the truth. Meanwhile, the police start looking at her closely, people at the clinic start treating her with hostility, and strange clues begin dropping—quite literally—on her doorstep, and Lake realizes that she is dangerously close to dark secrets, both about Keaton and the clinic. But can Lake stop what she's started before it's too late?
I had a hard time sympathizing with the main character, Lake, for some reason. She really got on my nerves at time, though that didn't bother me too much. The mystery was well done and it was hard to decide who the killer was. There were many plausible suspects and I ended up being wrong. That is always a nice surprise, as long as it doesn't come out of nowhere, that is. Hush takes place in one of my favorite setting, New York City, and while I couldn't classify it as chick-lit, it definitely wasn't a hard hitting thriller. I read it pretty quickly, finishing it in a day and half which is really saying something considering this slump I've been going through. Hopefully that means the end of the slump for me, but I have my doubts!
I don't even have much to write which is sad to me. Lately I've been so busy and then tired at the end of the day that the last thing I feel like doing is turning on my computer or opening a book. That in turn makes me more frustrated because I know I relax when I am reading a good book or reading about other people's good books, so hopefully I will break out of this soon. I guess I can be happy that Spring Break is in a few weeks and that should give me some more free time. Plus, several of my holds have been trickling in from the library that are books by some of my favorite authors so that should help. Well I am at work and I don't even think what I'm typing is making any sense, so I am going to leave with a Happy Reading!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
19. Live to Tell by Wendy Corsi Staub
Wendy Corsi Staub is one of my favorite all time authors, and I always look forward to when a new book of hers is released. Unfortunetly, even one of her books isn't enough to break me out of this slump... it took me a week to read! So depressing... anyways, I give Live to Tell an A-.
Back cover:
In a lovely suburban town just north of New York City, the gossip mill runs more efficiently than the commuter-train line. And in every impeccably decorated house, they're talking about Lauren Walsh. They say that nothing could be worse tan being abandoned by your husband for another woman. They're wrong...
All Lauren wants is to protect her children from the pain of her messy divorce. But when their father goes missing, a case of mistaken identity puts all their lives in danger, and a stealthy predator lurks in the shadows, watching... waiting...
Lauren is about to uncover an unfathomable truth- a truth this cold-blooded mastermind would never let her live to tell...
I felt like the majority of this book was focused on Lauren's divorce and the effect that is having on her and her kids. While that was all right, I was looking for a bit more suspense. I loved how Ms. Staub has several characters in the story, though, whose lives intervene and soon the connections are being made when before I couldn't see why they were even part of the story. Ms. Staub does a fantastic job of making you care about the characters and I thought really gets Lauren's pain across in a believable way. The ending of the book leaves the reader wanting more, and I was pleased to see that Live to Tell is the first in a trilogy and the second will be released sometime later this year.
I am not sure what I am going to read next... I am just hoping I will be reading soon! I have a busy weekend ahead but I am going to promise myself that I will fit some reading in sometime soon! Happy Reading everyone!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
6. Until the Day You Die by Tina Wainscott
I've enjoyed Tina Wainscott's books in the past, so when trying to decide what to read next, I picked up Until the Day You Die. The book was a bit slow, but scary at times, and I give it a B.
Back cover:
When Maggie Fletcher's sister is murdered, presumably by stalker Colin Masters, Maggie is left devastated- and furious. There isn't enough evidenct to prove that Masters did it- unless Maggie falsely claims, under oath, that she saw him leaving the scene of the crime...
Maggie's testimony puts Masters behind bars- but also wrecks Maggie's life. When she and her son move to a small New Hampshire town to start a new life, Maggie can't help but feel that she's being shadowed.
Someone is slowly, stealthily invading every part of Maggie's world, turning everything and everyone against her. Now Maggie fears that a faceless, merciless pursuer wants to make her pay for her lie- with her life.
Maggie was a bit of an unsympathetic character. While I can understand her need and desire to lie under oath about seeing Colin Masters, it messes up not only her life, but all of those that love her. I guess the book does show what impact lying can have on your life and just continue to snowball and get out of control. There were a few other storylines that were thrown into the story that I really didn't understand and didn't think were necessary to building the suspense of the story, but all in all, it was a good book. There was some romantic aspects to the book that were fairly predictible, so that put a bit of a damper on the book as romance novels are not my cup of tea usually. All in all, Until the Day You Die was a good book, but nothing that will probably stick with me for that long.
I am not sure what I am going to read next. I have one library book to read and another to pick up tomorrow, but I think I may grab something off of my shelves. I have a bit of a headache right now so I may run some errands now so I can enjoy my day off tomorrow and just read and relax. I hope everyone had a great weekend and Happy Reading!
Back cover:
When Maggie Fletcher's sister is murdered, presumably by stalker Colin Masters, Maggie is left devastated- and furious. There isn't enough evidenct to prove that Masters did it- unless Maggie falsely claims, under oath, that she saw him leaving the scene of the crime...
Maggie's testimony puts Masters behind bars- but also wrecks Maggie's life. When she and her son move to a small New Hampshire town to start a new life, Maggie can't help but feel that she's being shadowed.
Someone is slowly, stealthily invading every part of Maggie's world, turning everything and everyone against her. Now Maggie fears that a faceless, merciless pursuer wants to make her pay for her lie- with her life.
Maggie was a bit of an unsympathetic character. While I can understand her need and desire to lie under oath about seeing Colin Masters, it messes up not only her life, but all of those that love her. I guess the book does show what impact lying can have on your life and just continue to snowball and get out of control. There were a few other storylines that were thrown into the story that I really didn't understand and didn't think were necessary to building the suspense of the story, but all in all, it was a good book. There was some romantic aspects to the book that were fairly predictible, so that put a bit of a damper on the book as romance novels are not my cup of tea usually. All in all, Until the Day You Die was a good book, but nothing that will probably stick with me for that long.
I am not sure what I am going to read next. I have one library book to read and another to pick up tomorrow, but I think I may grab something off of my shelves. I have a bit of a headache right now so I may run some errands now so I can enjoy my day off tomorrow and just read and relax. I hope everyone had a great weekend and Happy Reading!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
2. Lost Angel by Marilyn Wallace
Lost Angel is yet another library book I got awhile ago while browsing for reads over my break. It was a short read, yet older, though still good and holds up well. I give it a B.
Inside cover:
Valerie Vincent, a single mother, is struggling to make a life for herself in New York City. Her toddler daughter, Joanna, is safe- she assumes- in the hands of a trusted family friend. Until the day she sees her's baby's face on the television news. Her caregiver has been murdered, and the baby is being taken care of by the police. But when her mother arrives, frantic, to claim the child, she is already gone- taken by another woman!
Who could have done such a monstrous thing? Valerie's alchoholic ex-husband? His fanatically religious parents, who view Valerie as the devil incarnate? Perhaps even those who worship the devil himself? Or maybe someone much less likely- and much closer to home.
For Valerie, the hunt becomes a race against time. If the child was taken by Satanists, she may already have been spirited away for deadly ritual sacrifice. Now a mother must literally put her own life in jeopardy to save that of her child. And whom can Valerie trust, when even those closest to her may not be what they seem?
There are a ton of suspects in the disappearance of little Joanna, I admit throughout the book I was going back and forth in my head trying to decide who it was. It wasn't until the very end that I knew for sure, which is always a pleasant surprise! Ms. Wallace's book reminded me quite a bit of older Mary Higgins Clark books and it was nice to reminice of some of my first "adult" books I read in late middle school, early high school. This book is somewhat old, written in the early nineties, and I had to chuckle when the main character, Valerie, thinks about getting a Caller ID, the newest thing on the block, and how it was a brand new technology that is quite difficult to explain and fathom. It just goes to show how much technology does change and how quickly we become adapted to it.
I am not sure if I am going to read another library book or one off of my shelves. I may lean towards the library book just because it sitting right next to my chair, and I am feeling lazy. It was so cold at school today and I still haven't warmed up! Happy Reading!
Inside cover:
Valerie Vincent, a single mother, is struggling to make a life for herself in New York City. Her toddler daughter, Joanna, is safe- she assumes- in the hands of a trusted family friend. Until the day she sees her's baby's face on the television news. Her caregiver has been murdered, and the baby is being taken care of by the police. But when her mother arrives, frantic, to claim the child, she is already gone- taken by another woman!
Who could have done such a monstrous thing? Valerie's alchoholic ex-husband? His fanatically religious parents, who view Valerie as the devil incarnate? Perhaps even those who worship the devil himself? Or maybe someone much less likely- and much closer to home.
For Valerie, the hunt becomes a race against time. If the child was taken by Satanists, she may already have been spirited away for deadly ritual sacrifice. Now a mother must literally put her own life in jeopardy to save that of her child. And whom can Valerie trust, when even those closest to her may not be what they seem?
There are a ton of suspects in the disappearance of little Joanna, I admit throughout the book I was going back and forth in my head trying to decide who it was. It wasn't until the very end that I knew for sure, which is always a pleasant surprise! Ms. Wallace's book reminded me quite a bit of older Mary Higgins Clark books and it was nice to reminice of some of my first "adult" books I read in late middle school, early high school. This book is somewhat old, written in the early nineties, and I had to chuckle when the main character, Valerie, thinks about getting a Caller ID, the newest thing on the block, and how it was a brand new technology that is quite difficult to explain and fathom. It just goes to show how much technology does change and how quickly we become adapted to it.
I am not sure if I am going to read another library book or one off of my shelves. I may lean towards the library book just because it sitting right next to my chair, and I am feeling lazy. It was so cold at school today and I still haven't warmed up! Happy Reading!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
The Next Victim by Jonnie Jacobs
I have been in quite a reading slump and since my last post, I haven't read anything until Friday. Every time I went to go start a book, I would read a few paragraphs and put it down. I planned on getting some reading in over the holiday break and was busy shopping Thursday and Friday, and finally sat down and opened up The Next Victim on Saturday. By turning off the tv and computer, I was able to get into the book quickly and finished it today. I give it a B+.
Back cover:
When wealthy heiress Sloane Winslow is found murdered in her house along with the body of pretty college coed Olivia Perez, the evidence all points to one suspect, John O'Brien- San Francisco defense attorney Kali O'Brien's brother. The last time Kali spoke to John, he was desperate to tell her something but too drunk to get it out. Now he's dead, an apparent suicide by overdose...
Although Kali wasn't close to her brother, she can't believe he was capable of murder. But when she finds a clue hidden in his dictionary- a photo of three attractive young women, one of whom is the slain Olivia Perez, she realizes her brother had many secrets. And when one of the other women in the photo- a stripper and porn actress- is found brutally murdered in a ditch, Kali wonders if her brother really did commit suicide.
As Kali digs deeper for the truth, her search plunges her deep into the sex industry's hidden underworld. Now her only hope for solving the case lies in finding the last girl in the picture, a witness who knows far more than she should, maybe too much to live- and Kali has to get to her before she becomes the next victim...
This was a good book, though I had the killer figured out before the end of the book. Not too soon before the end of the book, but I suspected as much. I thought that Ms. Jacobs did a fantastic job of making all of the characters real and believeable, and even Kali was a bit annoying, she was real. I think Kali's job also allowed for to figure out a lot of the details of the case and gave her a good cover as to who she was and how she could investigate. Sometimes I feel like in suspense books there is a main character who figures out and solves a mystery and there is no way your average person could get all of that information. There were a few curve balls thrown into the story and they were good additions to the story. This is part of a series, and I am pretty sure it is in the middle of the series but it didn't seem to bother me as usual. I skimmed over a couple of paragraphs that talked about previous books in case I read any other books.
I am not sure what I am going to read next, but I do have some library books that I need to get to. My husband and I got new furniture from my way too generous mom today and they will be delivering it tomorrow. I need to get the old stuff out and vacaum and then tomorrow I have to sit around and wait for it, so hopefully I will get in some reading time. Happy Reading everyone!
Back cover:
When wealthy heiress Sloane Winslow is found murdered in her house along with the body of pretty college coed Olivia Perez, the evidence all points to one suspect, John O'Brien- San Francisco defense attorney Kali O'Brien's brother. The last time Kali spoke to John, he was desperate to tell her something but too drunk to get it out. Now he's dead, an apparent suicide by overdose...
Although Kali wasn't close to her brother, she can't believe he was capable of murder. But when she finds a clue hidden in his dictionary- a photo of three attractive young women, one of whom is the slain Olivia Perez, she realizes her brother had many secrets. And when one of the other women in the photo- a stripper and porn actress- is found brutally murdered in a ditch, Kali wonders if her brother really did commit suicide.
As Kali digs deeper for the truth, her search plunges her deep into the sex industry's hidden underworld. Now her only hope for solving the case lies in finding the last girl in the picture, a witness who knows far more than she should, maybe too much to live- and Kali has to get to her before she becomes the next victim...
This was a good book, though I had the killer figured out before the end of the book. Not too soon before the end of the book, but I suspected as much. I thought that Ms. Jacobs did a fantastic job of making all of the characters real and believeable, and even Kali was a bit annoying, she was real. I think Kali's job also allowed for to figure out a lot of the details of the case and gave her a good cover as to who she was and how she could investigate. Sometimes I feel like in suspense books there is a main character who figures out and solves a mystery and there is no way your average person could get all of that information. There were a few curve balls thrown into the story and they were good additions to the story. This is part of a series, and I am pretty sure it is in the middle of the series but it didn't seem to bother me as usual. I skimmed over a couple of paragraphs that talked about previous books in case I read any other books.
I am not sure what I am going to read next, but I do have some library books that I need to get to. My husband and I got new furniture from my way too generous mom today and they will be delivering it tomorrow. I need to get the old stuff out and vacaum and then tomorrow I have to sit around and wait for it, so hopefully I will get in some reading time. Happy Reading everyone!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
A Perfect Wife and Mother by Alexandra Frye
I picked up A Perfect Wife and Mother at the library last time I was browsing. This sounded like another Lifetime movie that I would love to see, and I had to get it. It was an enjoyable read, if not somewhat dated, and I give it a B.
From Amazon:
When pregnant Georgia Coffey, an affluent homemaker, finally discovers the perfect babysitter for her son Justin, she is exuberant. At first, beautiful and intelligent Harriet surpasses Georgia's spoiled expectations; Justin falls in love with her almost immediately, his mother finds in Harriet the confidante and helpmate she's been searching for all her life. Tucked in the elegant, cozy hills of St. George, New Jersey, Georgia's home epitomizes the American dream. Her husband, Lawerence Coffey, known as the Big Bear on Wall Street, prospers in his career, loves his family and indulges Georgia's every desire from psychiatrists to expensive haircuts and highly paid babysitters. So why does Georgia feel so insistently queasy, so anxious? Something is amiss in fairy-tale land, of course, and when Justin disappears with Harriet, a thrilling story of deception, treachery, old Wall Street money, and familial love unfolds.
Like I mentioned, this book is a bit dated, written, I believe, in 1992 and taking place in the late 80s/ early 90s. I had to keep reminding myself of this as I was reading and thinking to myself why don't they use their cell phones or search for things online but it really didn't take too much away from the story. Georgia was a very difficult character to like, one that is very self-serving and selfish. I mean, why does she need to have a baby nurse, housekeeper and nanny for her three year old when she isn't even working? Maybe it's because I wasn't raised that way, but doesn't it seem somewhat excessive? The story was told through three different viewpoints, Harriet, Georgia, and Larry, with also allowing the reader to hear some of the bad guys viewpoints as well. It was a good book, but probably nothing that will stick with me for much longer.
Up next is another library book. I just grabbed it real quick as I was getting ready to leave. I have a busy day ahead of me. In a bit I am leaving for a road rally (so MUCH FUN!) and then tonight we have bowling! We are currently in first place, which is truly amazing since our team is horrible, except for my husband, and tonight we are bowling the second place team. Hopefully luck is on my side today! Happy Reading everyone!
From Amazon:
When pregnant Georgia Coffey, an affluent homemaker, finally discovers the perfect babysitter for her son Justin, she is exuberant. At first, beautiful and intelligent Harriet surpasses Georgia's spoiled expectations; Justin falls in love with her almost immediately, his mother finds in Harriet the confidante and helpmate she's been searching for all her life. Tucked in the elegant, cozy hills of St. George, New Jersey, Georgia's home epitomizes the American dream. Her husband, Lawerence Coffey, known as the Big Bear on Wall Street, prospers in his career, loves his family and indulges Georgia's every desire from psychiatrists to expensive haircuts and highly paid babysitters. So why does Georgia feel so insistently queasy, so anxious? Something is amiss in fairy-tale land, of course, and when Justin disappears with Harriet, a thrilling story of deception, treachery, old Wall Street money, and familial love unfolds.
Like I mentioned, this book is a bit dated, written, I believe, in 1992 and taking place in the late 80s/ early 90s. I had to keep reminding myself of this as I was reading and thinking to myself why don't they use their cell phones or search for things online but it really didn't take too much away from the story. Georgia was a very difficult character to like, one that is very self-serving and selfish. I mean, why does she need to have a baby nurse, housekeeper and nanny for her three year old when she isn't even working? Maybe it's because I wasn't raised that way, but doesn't it seem somewhat excessive? The story was told through three different viewpoints, Harriet, Georgia, and Larry, with also allowing the reader to hear some of the bad guys viewpoints as well. It was a good book, but probably nothing that will stick with me for much longer.
Up next is another library book. I just grabbed it real quick as I was getting ready to leave. I have a busy day ahead of me. In a bit I am leaving for a road rally (so MUCH FUN!) and then tonight we have bowling! We are currently in first place, which is truly amazing since our team is horrible, except for my husband, and tonight we are bowling the second place team. Hopefully luck is on my side today! Happy Reading everyone!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The Dead Place by Rebecca Drake
Rebecca Drake is a relatively new-to-me author as I think I've only read two or three books by her. As a matter of fact, I think she only has published three books, but I hope she continues. I really liked The Dead Place and give it a B+.
Back cover:
The first victim is found floating in a creek- aked, beautiful, brutally garroted. Lily Locum was a college student with everything live for ad nothing to fear... until a madma made her his obsession...
At first glance, a quiet campus town like Wickfield seems like the ideal place for Kate Corbin to start over after a traumatic attack. But when another young girl disappears on her way to class, Kate's fear resurfaces in earnest. She's right to be afraid. Behind Wickfield's picture-perfect facade, a nightmare is unfolding... and it's about to strike chillingly close to home...
A serial killer is on the loose... ruthless, twisted, and lethally smart. Now locked in a desperate race against time, Kate's only chance of stopping a madman's grisly game is to venture deeper into a diabolical web where no one is who they seem to be... and the smallest mistake could be her last...
I love these suspense books where the main character is a typical, suburban mom placed into danger. I am not sure why, but perhaps it's because of the normalacy that is thrown out of whack. Kate has had a rough year and a half, but her and her family hope that the move to Wickfield will help change some of that, but of course it doesn't. I think there is a lot that the reader can relate to as well; a rebellious teenage daughter, marriage trying to stay together after quite a few years together, waking up every day facing the same mundane things. I had the killer figured out pretty early, but I suspect it was because I always suspect the least suspicious character. There were quite a few twisted things that this murderer does to his victims, but nothing that made it too difficult to read. I will definitely be checking out more of Ms. Drake's books in the future. As a matter of fact, I am going to check for her website right now and see if there are any other books coming out any time soon!
Up next is a library book. I seem to be in a good groove, alternating between library books and my own. I am not sure which library book I will read, though it will probably be whichever one I grab. I have them in a magazine holder next to my reading chair and I think I will just reach over and let fate decide my next read. Happy Reading everyone!
Back cover:
The first victim is found floating in a creek- aked, beautiful, brutally garroted. Lily Locum was a college student with everything live for ad nothing to fear... until a madma made her his obsession...
At first glance, a quiet campus town like Wickfield seems like the ideal place for Kate Corbin to start over after a traumatic attack. But when another young girl disappears on her way to class, Kate's fear resurfaces in earnest. She's right to be afraid. Behind Wickfield's picture-perfect facade, a nightmare is unfolding... and it's about to strike chillingly close to home...
A serial killer is on the loose... ruthless, twisted, and lethally smart. Now locked in a desperate race against time, Kate's only chance of stopping a madman's grisly game is to venture deeper into a diabolical web where no one is who they seem to be... and the smallest mistake could be her last...
I love these suspense books where the main character is a typical, suburban mom placed into danger. I am not sure why, but perhaps it's because of the normalacy that is thrown out of whack. Kate has had a rough year and a half, but her and her family hope that the move to Wickfield will help change some of that, but of course it doesn't. I think there is a lot that the reader can relate to as well; a rebellious teenage daughter, marriage trying to stay together after quite a few years together, waking up every day facing the same mundane things. I had the killer figured out pretty early, but I suspect it was because I always suspect the least suspicious character. There were quite a few twisted things that this murderer does to his victims, but nothing that made it too difficult to read. I will definitely be checking out more of Ms. Drake's books in the future. As a matter of fact, I am going to check for her website right now and see if there are any other books coming out any time soon!
Up next is a library book. I seem to be in a good groove, alternating between library books and my own. I am not sure which library book I will read, though it will probably be whichever one I grab. I have them in a magazine holder next to my reading chair and I think I will just reach over and let fate decide my next read. Happy Reading everyone!
Friday, October 9, 2009
The Eleventh Victim by Nancy Grace
I love Nancy Grace's show on Headline News and really started watching it all of the time when the Casey Anthony case hit the airwaves last summer. I love her no nonsense attitude and her passion for bringing justice those who become victims of crime. I was excited to read her first fiction book where the main character was loosly based on herself and was happy to finally get it from the library. Because of work it took me awhile to read it and I ended up being a bit disappointed with the story. I give it a B-.
Inside cover:
As a young psychology student, Hailey Dean's world explodes when Will, her fiancee, is murdered just weeks before their wedding. Reeling, she fights back the only way she know how: in court, prosecuting crime, putting away the bad guys away one rapist, doper, and killer at a time. But dedicating her life to justice takes a toll after courtroom battles and the endless tide of victims calling out from the crime scene photos and autopsy tables. Just as she truly grow weary, a serial killer unlike any other she's encountered begins to stalk Atlanta, targeting young prostitutes, each horrific murder bearing it's own unique mark. This courtroom battle will be her last.
Hailey heads to Manhattan to pick up the pieces of the life she had before Will's murder, training as a therapist. In a vibrant new world, she finally leaves the ghosts behind. But then her own clients are murdered one by one by a copycat M.O. as the Atlanta killer she hunted down years ago. As the body count rises in Manhattan, Hailey is forced to match wits against not only a killer, but the famed NYPD.
The premise sounded like something right up my alley, but it just fell a bit flat for me. There were several mistakes that bothered me and I couldn't look past it. For example, in one paragraph the narrator talks about how hot it is outside and how someone is sweating through their clothes and in the very next paragraph the narrator discusses the cool bite to the air and how their is a bit of frost on the car windows. To me, that is a huge error and something that should have been caught! There was also a problem with the timeline and the years not adding up. Sometimes that can just throw me through a huge loop and drives me up a world! With all of that being said, I did like the way Ms. Grace told the story. While Hailey is the main character, there are several other characters who tell their story, and though they don't seem to be connected in any way, they end up all coming together. The suspense was well done and I didn't figure out whodunit... though it may have been because I am a bit sick and so busy. I may look for more of Ms. Grace's fiction works, I won't be desperate to get first in line for it.
I just started a new book, another from the library. I have several in from the library and some that are due back next week. I need to get started and reading soon. I was planning on spending some quality time with my books but I found out I need to do progress reports for my class I'm subbing for. I wasn't going to be doing it, but then the principal changed her mind last thing today. They were supposed to go home with the kids today, and of course that didn't happen, so I need to get those done this weekend. I am going to try and get a bit done tonight, along with some cleaning perhaps. Guess it's time to sign off and get a crackin'! Happy Reading everyone!
Inside cover:
As a young psychology student, Hailey Dean's world explodes when Will, her fiancee, is murdered just weeks before their wedding. Reeling, she fights back the only way she know how: in court, prosecuting crime, putting away the bad guys away one rapist, doper, and killer at a time. But dedicating her life to justice takes a toll after courtroom battles and the endless tide of victims calling out from the crime scene photos and autopsy tables. Just as she truly grow weary, a serial killer unlike any other she's encountered begins to stalk Atlanta, targeting young prostitutes, each horrific murder bearing it's own unique mark. This courtroom battle will be her last.
Hailey heads to Manhattan to pick up the pieces of the life she had before Will's murder, training as a therapist. In a vibrant new world, she finally leaves the ghosts behind. But then her own clients are murdered one by one by a copycat M.O. as the Atlanta killer she hunted down years ago. As the body count rises in Manhattan, Hailey is forced to match wits against not only a killer, but the famed NYPD.
The premise sounded like something right up my alley, but it just fell a bit flat for me. There were several mistakes that bothered me and I couldn't look past it. For example, in one paragraph the narrator talks about how hot it is outside and how someone is sweating through their clothes and in the very next paragraph the narrator discusses the cool bite to the air and how their is a bit of frost on the car windows. To me, that is a huge error and something that should have been caught! There was also a problem with the timeline and the years not adding up. Sometimes that can just throw me through a huge loop and drives me up a world! With all of that being said, I did like the way Ms. Grace told the story. While Hailey is the main character, there are several other characters who tell their story, and though they don't seem to be connected in any way, they end up all coming together. The suspense was well done and I didn't figure out whodunit... though it may have been because I am a bit sick and so busy. I may look for more of Ms. Grace's fiction works, I won't be desperate to get first in line for it.
I just started a new book, another from the library. I have several in from the library and some that are due back next week. I need to get started and reading soon. I was planning on spending some quality time with my books but I found out I need to do progress reports for my class I'm subbing for. I wasn't going to be doing it, but then the principal changed her mind last thing today. They were supposed to go home with the kids today, and of course that didn't happen, so I need to get those done this weekend. I am going to try and get a bit done tonight, along with some cleaning perhaps. Guess it's time to sign off and get a crackin'! Happy Reading everyone!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
The Next Killing by Rebecca Drake
I enjoyed the one previous book I'd read by Rebecca Drake, so I decided to try this one. The receipt from when I bought it was still in the book, and it has been sitting on my shelves since August of 2007! It was a quick read, and while not that suspenseful, still a lot of fun to read. I give it a B.
Back cover:
For one hundred years, the best girls have come to St. Ursula's Preparatory Academy to learn. To achieve. To make both memories and friends. But now it's where they also come to die...
When the first body is found, the police call it an accident- an initation ritual gone terribly wrong. But the students know something isn't right at St. Ursula's. There are sounds in the darkened corridors, a figure glimpsed between the trees, locked doors somehow opened. Someone is watching them, judging them, hating them... killings them...
A twisted psychopath is turning the quiet campus into a school of fear. No sins will go unpunished. No girl will escape justice. And everyone will have a chance to join a serial killer's exclusive club...
I am not sure if this was the right book to read the night before I start teaching summer school. Lauren is a new teacher, hired to for her first teaching job, and immediately the girls begin making fun of her and hazing her. Hopefully my first day will go a bit better. I mentioned before that the suspense was a little lacking, mostly because it isn't difficult to find out who the bad guy is and that is confirmed about halfway through the book. There are a couple other story lines running through the story, which I found unnecessary, but it was still a fun story to read. It was interesting and I though portrayed a good look at how cruel some students can be, especially to each other. I do believe I have one more book by Rebecca Drake and I will read it.
Up next is the library book I have, title The Cheater by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg. I read about it on someone else's blog, though I am not sure where. I really do need to come up with a better system of recording where I heard about the books I request. I hope it is a good one, especially since I am on such a reading tear right now. I met my mom for lunch at the golf course/country club she belongs to and in the locker room members bring in old books they have read and leave them there for others to read and bring in their own books they no longer want, so I also picked up two books there. I may already have one, but I need to check my spreedsheet, but I do want to get those read pretty quickly so I can return them, but really there is no rush. I do need to finish some laundry and just quickly look over my notes for tomorrow and make sure I have everything put together, but then plan on catching up with the tivo and start my next book. I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend and Happy Reading!
Back cover:
For one hundred years, the best girls have come to St. Ursula's Preparatory Academy to learn. To achieve. To make both memories and friends. But now it's where they also come to die...
When the first body is found, the police call it an accident- an initation ritual gone terribly wrong. But the students know something isn't right at St. Ursula's. There are sounds in the darkened corridors, a figure glimpsed between the trees, locked doors somehow opened. Someone is watching them, judging them, hating them... killings them...
A twisted psychopath is turning the quiet campus into a school of fear. No sins will go unpunished. No girl will escape justice. And everyone will have a chance to join a serial killer's exclusive club...
I am not sure if this was the right book to read the night before I start teaching summer school. Lauren is a new teacher, hired to for her first teaching job, and immediately the girls begin making fun of her and hazing her. Hopefully my first day will go a bit better. I mentioned before that the suspense was a little lacking, mostly because it isn't difficult to find out who the bad guy is and that is confirmed about halfway through the book. There are a couple other story lines running through the story, which I found unnecessary, but it was still a fun story to read. It was interesting and I though portrayed a good look at how cruel some students can be, especially to each other. I do believe I have one more book by Rebecca Drake and I will read it.
Up next is the library book I have, title The Cheater by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg. I read about it on someone else's blog, though I am not sure where. I really do need to come up with a better system of recording where I heard about the books I request. I hope it is a good one, especially since I am on such a reading tear right now. I met my mom for lunch at the golf course/country club she belongs to and in the locker room members bring in old books they have read and leave them there for others to read and bring in their own books they no longer want, so I also picked up two books there. I may already have one, but I need to check my spreedsheet, but I do want to get those read pretty quickly so I can return them, but really there is no rush. I do need to finish some laundry and just quickly look over my notes for tomorrow and make sure I have everything put together, but then plan on catching up with the tivo and start my next book. I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend and Happy Reading!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Acts of Love by Emily Listfield
I think I have found a new author to love and I feel like I may have to run out the library right away and glom Ms. Listfield's backlist. Acts of Love was a beautifully written story, one that I immediately thought about when I woke up, anxious to get back to it. I give Acts of Love an A-.
Inside cover:
In a suburb near Albany, New York, Ted and Ann Waring are waiting for their divorce papers. They are also flirting with reconciliation- especially Ted- until, back from a hunting trip with their two adolescent daughters, he loses his temper one last time.
Was Ann's death an accident, or was it murder? Thirteen-year-old Julia- already in trouble before her mother's death- testifies against her father, setting in motion a struggle that pits family, friends, and townspeople against one another and exposes the interlocking compulsions of husband and wife, parent and child, sister and sister. As the many layers of truth about the killing unfold in the courtroom and in the characters' lives, Emily Listfield's lean and potent prose reveals the ways in which the emotions and evasions of the past reverberate uncontrallably in the present. Here is a chilling drama of suspense and passion from an astute and elegant writer.
I love the way that Ms. Listfield tells Acts of Loves, starting with the present, and then alternating back and forth from the past, going as far back as when Ann and Sandy were still children. We learn a lot of secrets about everyone throughout the story, and though at times I was thinking "what does this have to do with the story?" it all soon came together. None of the characters are exactly likeable, but it just goes to show how real they seem to be and really come to life on the pages. I could really relate to a lot of the things Ms. Listfield writes about in marriage, and one particluar point sticks in my mind. When talking with her sister, she says she can't stand the noise her husband makes while eating a grapefruit and how sometimes she dreams of slamming the grapefruit in her husbands face. As my husband has been working less, and we have been spending more time together, little things like that do grate on my nerves, especially when he eats cereal. It just made me chuckle and shows how well Ms. Listfield writes about real life. I highly recommend her books to you if you haven't tried one of them before.
Up next is my last library book, Relentless by Dean Koontz. I have heard a lot of good things about it, so I hope it proves to be a good one as it will be my first Koontz book. I am looking forward to reading some of my own books, but now I really want to read some more by Ms. Listfield. Maybe I will read a few of my own, and then one of Ms. Listfield. I really want to read Waiting to Surface, which is loosly based on something that happened in the author's own life. Well, I am off... I would love to sneak in a few chapters of Relentless before bed! Happy Reading!
Inside cover:
In a suburb near Albany, New York, Ted and Ann Waring are waiting for their divorce papers. They are also flirting with reconciliation- especially Ted- until, back from a hunting trip with their two adolescent daughters, he loses his temper one last time.
Was Ann's death an accident, or was it murder? Thirteen-year-old Julia- already in trouble before her mother's death- testifies against her father, setting in motion a struggle that pits family, friends, and townspeople against one another and exposes the interlocking compulsions of husband and wife, parent and child, sister and sister. As the many layers of truth about the killing unfold in the courtroom and in the characters' lives, Emily Listfield's lean and potent prose reveals the ways in which the emotions and evasions of the past reverberate uncontrallably in the present. Here is a chilling drama of suspense and passion from an astute and elegant writer.
I love the way that Ms. Listfield tells Acts of Loves, starting with the present, and then alternating back and forth from the past, going as far back as when Ann and Sandy were still children. We learn a lot of secrets about everyone throughout the story, and though at times I was thinking "what does this have to do with the story?" it all soon came together. None of the characters are exactly likeable, but it just goes to show how real they seem to be and really come to life on the pages. I could really relate to a lot of the things Ms. Listfield writes about in marriage, and one particluar point sticks in my mind. When talking with her sister, she says she can't stand the noise her husband makes while eating a grapefruit and how sometimes she dreams of slamming the grapefruit in her husbands face. As my husband has been working less, and we have been spending more time together, little things like that do grate on my nerves, especially when he eats cereal. It just made me chuckle and shows how well Ms. Listfield writes about real life. I highly recommend her books to you if you haven't tried one of them before.
Up next is my last library book, Relentless by Dean Koontz. I have heard a lot of good things about it, so I hope it proves to be a good one as it will be my first Koontz book. I am looking forward to reading some of my own books, but now I really want to read some more by Ms. Listfield. Maybe I will read a few of my own, and then one of Ms. Listfield. I really want to read Waiting to Surface, which is loosly based on something that happened in the author's own life. Well, I am off... I would love to sneak in a few chapters of Relentless before bed! Happy Reading!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
The First Wife by Diana Diamond
I love Diana Diamond and thought I had read everything by this author. As I was searching along Amazon, I discovered I had somehow missed The First Wife. I got it from my library and read it Friday night and this morning/afternoon while enjoying the pleasant weather. While not my favorite book, it was still an enjoyable read and I give it a B.
Inside cover:
Jane Warren swore she'd never marry again. Sure age isn't a problem. Neither are her looks. Heaven knows that plenty of perfectly respectable men who would consider themselves lucky to end up with someone like her. Then again, the last perfectly respecatable man to end up with her- her ex-husband- ended their marriage, not to mention Jane's belief in happy endings...
But she just can't muster the cynicism to resist William Andrews- a dashing, debonair widower with two children of his own. Soon Jane's doing what she swore she'd never do; marching down the aisle, promising to have, hold, serve, and protect, till death do them part. But why does Andrew seem so obsessed with his dead wife? And why do the children seem to hate Jane so passionately?
As Jane struggles to understand the nature of the powerful hold Andrew's ffirst wife still exerts over the husband and children she left behind, her day-to-day life grows increasingly more dangerous. During a family outing, she is suddenly thrown violently from her horse. Did someone deliberately spook the horse? As she takes a midnight swim, the mechanical drome over the pool closes on her. Did it short-circuit, or was it sabotage? Are these just coincidences, or are the stakes and risks getting higher the closer Jane gets to the truth? Someone would clearly like to see her follow the first Mrs. Andrews to the grave. Why?
Jane was a difficult person to feel any sympathy for, as throughout a large amount of the book, she is trying to decide whether or not she loves William even though she is planning on marrying her. William is a very rich man, and I am sure that played a part in her reasoning, right? A lot of the book was spent with Jane talking to herself and there was a lot of telling instead of showing. Though most of the book is told through Jane's eyes, at some points the point of view was flipped half way through a paragraph which was a bit confusing. With all of that being said, the story and the suspense was well done and held me into the story.
Up next is another library book. In my email today, I just saw I have yet another library book to be picked up tomorrow. Oh my, I am not sure if I am ever going to get these finished. With that being said, I am going to hop off of the computer and get started on the next book. I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend and a relaxing Sunday. Happy Reading everyone!
Inside cover:
Jane Warren swore she'd never marry again. Sure age isn't a problem. Neither are her looks. Heaven knows that plenty of perfectly respectable men who would consider themselves lucky to end up with someone like her. Then again, the last perfectly respecatable man to end up with her- her ex-husband- ended their marriage, not to mention Jane's belief in happy endings...
But she just can't muster the cynicism to resist William Andrews- a dashing, debonair widower with two children of his own. Soon Jane's doing what she swore she'd never do; marching down the aisle, promising to have, hold, serve, and protect, till death do them part. But why does Andrew seem so obsessed with his dead wife? And why do the children seem to hate Jane so passionately?
As Jane struggles to understand the nature of the powerful hold Andrew's ffirst wife still exerts over the husband and children she left behind, her day-to-day life grows increasingly more dangerous. During a family outing, she is suddenly thrown violently from her horse. Did someone deliberately spook the horse? As she takes a midnight swim, the mechanical drome over the pool closes on her. Did it short-circuit, or was it sabotage? Are these just coincidences, or are the stakes and risks getting higher the closer Jane gets to the truth? Someone would clearly like to see her follow the first Mrs. Andrews to the grave. Why?
Jane was a difficult person to feel any sympathy for, as throughout a large amount of the book, she is trying to decide whether or not she loves William even though she is planning on marrying her. William is a very rich man, and I am sure that played a part in her reasoning, right? A lot of the book was spent with Jane talking to herself and there was a lot of telling instead of showing. Though most of the book is told through Jane's eyes, at some points the point of view was flipped half way through a paragraph which was a bit confusing. With all of that being said, the story and the suspense was well done and held me into the story.
Up next is another library book. In my email today, I just saw I have yet another library book to be picked up tomorrow. Oh my, I am not sure if I am ever going to get these finished. With that being said, I am going to hop off of the computer and get started on the next book. I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend and a relaxing Sunday. Happy Reading everyone!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Best Intentions by Emily Listfield
As I mentioned in my previous post, I came across Best Intentions on many different blogs and had to get my hands on it. Since I am on a book buying strike (just trying to be thrifty), I stalked my library's catalog until they finally listed it. I was quite excited to begin reading it and finished it quickly. I end up grading Best Intentions with an A-.
Inside cover:
After tossing and turning all night, thirty-nine-year-old Lisa Barkley wakes up well before her alarm sounds. With two daughters about to start another year at their elite Upper East Side private school and her own career hitting a wall, the effort of trying to stay afloat in that privileged world of six-story twon houses and European jaunts has become increasingly difficult, especially as Manhattan descends into an economic freefall.
As Lisa looks over at her sleeping husband, Sam, she can't help but feel that their fifteen-year marriage is in a funk and that she isn't able to place. She tries to shake it off and tells herself that the strain must be due to their mounting financial pressures. But later that morning, as her family eats breakfast in the next room, Lisa finds herself checking Sam's voicemail and hears a whispered phone call from a woman he is to might that night. Is he having an affair?
When Lisa shares her suspicions with her best friend Deidre, at their weekly breakfast, Deidre claims it can't be true. But how can Lisa fully trust her opinion when Deirdre is still single and mired in an obsessive affair with a glamorous photographer even as it hovers near the edge of danger?
When Deirdre's former college flame, Jack, comes to town and the two couples meet to celebrate his fortieth birthday, the stage is set for an explosive series of discoveries with devasting consequences.
As I have mentioned several times, I love books set in New York City and enjoy those centered around the wealthly and famous even more. This was an interesting premise, where Lisa and Sam constantly feel the pressure to stay afloat and keep up with the extremely wealthy parents of their daughters' friends and sending them to a school that costs over $30,000 a year. I especially enjoyed how Ms. Listfield mixes in the recent economic downfall, especially since it is hit us here in the state of Michigan very hard. My "wonderful" state ranks first in unemployment along with leading in foreclosures, so it is always on my mind and on my local news. This story also had a bit of a mystery in it, which I always love, and I admit there was a good amount of suspense. I wasn't sure "whodunit" which is always a nice change.
I only have one complaint with this book... though it really isn't with the book but the author. When I started the book, I did some research on the author and wanted to read more about her other books and her life. While reading on her website, she gave away a bit of a spoiler in this book which somewhat disappointed me. I really hate spoilers so I was a bit mad about it. However, I was quite intrigued about some of her other books, especially Waiting to Surface, which is loosely based on her own life and the disappearance of her husband. I plan on looking at the library some time in the future for it.
Up next is my last library book that I have right now, though I do think there is one more waiting for me there. I really need to start reading some of my own books, especially for the RYOB challenge. I have Red Leaves by Thomas Cook which is another recommendation from a blog I read, so I plan on starting that tonight. I am very tired right now, but I would like to get a good jump on the boko. I hope everyone is enjoying what their reading and Happy Reading!
Inside cover:
After tossing and turning all night, thirty-nine-year-old Lisa Barkley wakes up well before her alarm sounds. With two daughters about to start another year at their elite Upper East Side private school and her own career hitting a wall, the effort of trying to stay afloat in that privileged world of six-story twon houses and European jaunts has become increasingly difficult, especially as Manhattan descends into an economic freefall.
As Lisa looks over at her sleeping husband, Sam, she can't help but feel that their fifteen-year marriage is in a funk and that she isn't able to place. She tries to shake it off and tells herself that the strain must be due to their mounting financial pressures. But later that morning, as her family eats breakfast in the next room, Lisa finds herself checking Sam's voicemail and hears a whispered phone call from a woman he is to might that night. Is he having an affair?
When Lisa shares her suspicions with her best friend Deidre, at their weekly breakfast, Deidre claims it can't be true. But how can Lisa fully trust her opinion when Deirdre is still single and mired in an obsessive affair with a glamorous photographer even as it hovers near the edge of danger?
When Deirdre's former college flame, Jack, comes to town and the two couples meet to celebrate his fortieth birthday, the stage is set for an explosive series of discoveries with devasting consequences.
As I have mentioned several times, I love books set in New York City and enjoy those centered around the wealthly and famous even more. This was an interesting premise, where Lisa and Sam constantly feel the pressure to stay afloat and keep up with the extremely wealthy parents of their daughters' friends and sending them to a school that costs over $30,000 a year. I especially enjoyed how Ms. Listfield mixes in the recent economic downfall, especially since it is hit us here in the state of Michigan very hard. My "wonderful" state ranks first in unemployment along with leading in foreclosures, so it is always on my mind and on my local news. This story also had a bit of a mystery in it, which I always love, and I admit there was a good amount of suspense. I wasn't sure "whodunit" which is always a nice change.
I only have one complaint with this book... though it really isn't with the book but the author. When I started the book, I did some research on the author and wanted to read more about her other books and her life. While reading on her website, she gave away a bit of a spoiler in this book which somewhat disappointed me. I really hate spoilers so I was a bit mad about it. However, I was quite intrigued about some of her other books, especially Waiting to Surface, which is loosely based on her own life and the disappearance of her husband. I plan on looking at the library some time in the future for it.
Up next is my last library book that I have right now, though I do think there is one more waiting for me there. I really need to start reading some of my own books, especially for the RYOB challenge. I have Red Leaves by Thomas Cook which is another recommendation from a blog I read, so I plan on starting that tonight. I am very tired right now, but I would like to get a good jump on the boko. I hope everyone is enjoying what their reading and Happy Reading!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Still Life by Joy Fielding
Well this afternoon after teaching online for a couple of hours, I sat down outside and started reading Still Life. After about an hour, driven by the threat of rain, I moved inside and quickly finished it off. Still Life was just what I needed to jump start the still life that was my reading and I give it a B+.
Back cover:
Beautiful, happily married, and owner of a successful interior design business, Casey Marshall couldn't be more content with her life until a car slams into her at almost 50 miles an hour, breaking nearly every bone in her body, and plunging her into a coma. Lying in her hospital bed, Casey realizes that although she is unable to see or communicate, she can hear everything. She quickly discovers that her friends aren't necessarily the people she thought them to be- and that her accident may not have been an accident after all. As she struggles to break free from her living death, she begins to wonder if what lies ahead could be even worse.
I loved the premise of this book... it just seemed like something completely different and new. Plus it reminded me a bit of one of my all time favorite movies, Rear Window. Who can forget when James Stewart can hear the footsteps of Raymond Burr as he climbs and Mr. Stewart is trapped in his wheelchair? I also enjoyed the way that Ms. Fielding told the story... the accident occurs right in the beginning of the story and the history of Casey and those close to her are told through dreams and people reminicsing while they assume Casey can't hear. The suspense was done well through most of the book, though I did feel like the ending was just a bit of a let down, hence the slightly lower rating. However, this is another great addition by one of my newest favorite authors.
I have already started another book by a new favorite author and this is one is by Greg Iles. I am not sure of the title and the book isn't right in front of me, but I can tell you that I am about 60 pages in and am enjoying it. Though it was written in 1997 and focuses on the internet when it was relatively new, I do think Mr. Iles has done a great job so far. Well, I am off! Happy Reading everyone!
Back cover:
Beautiful, happily married, and owner of a successful interior design business, Casey Marshall couldn't be more content with her life until a car slams into her at almost 50 miles an hour, breaking nearly every bone in her body, and plunging her into a coma. Lying in her hospital bed, Casey realizes that although she is unable to see or communicate, she can hear everything. She quickly discovers that her friends aren't necessarily the people she thought them to be- and that her accident may not have been an accident after all. As she struggles to break free from her living death, she begins to wonder if what lies ahead could be even worse.
I loved the premise of this book... it just seemed like something completely different and new. Plus it reminded me a bit of one of my all time favorite movies, Rear Window. Who can forget when James Stewart can hear the footsteps of Raymond Burr as he climbs and Mr. Stewart is trapped in his wheelchair? I also enjoyed the way that Ms. Fielding told the story... the accident occurs right in the beginning of the story and the history of Casey and those close to her are told through dreams and people reminicsing while they assume Casey can't hear. The suspense was done well through most of the book, though I did feel like the ending was just a bit of a let down, hence the slightly lower rating. However, this is another great addition by one of my newest favorite authors.
I have already started another book by a new favorite author and this is one is by Greg Iles. I am not sure of the title and the book isn't right in front of me, but I can tell you that I am about 60 pages in and am enjoying it. Though it was written in 1997 and focuses on the internet when it was relatively new, I do think Mr. Iles has done a great job so far. Well, I am off! Happy Reading everyone!
Friday, April 24, 2009
1st to Die by James Patterson
So after finishing my last book, The Other Woman, almost a week ago I have finally finished another one! I was reading a book that held a lot of promise, 28 Bones by Johnathan Nasaw, but I got sick on Sunday with the worst migraine I have had in a long time and left me bed ridden for 3 days. Finally on Tuesday I decided I wanted to read but needed something that I could read in small bursts when I was feeling a bit better so I picked up a James Patterson book. 1st to Die was a good read and a nice introduction to the Womens Club and I give it a B+.
Back cover:
In San Francisco newlyweds are being stalked- and slaughtered. Enter four unforgettable women, all friends... Lindsay, a homicide inspector in the city's police department... Claire, a medical examiner... Jill, an assistant D.A... and Cindy, a reporter who has just started working the crime desk of the San Francisco Chronicle. Joining forces, pooling all their talents, courage, and brains, they have one goal. To find, trap, and outwit the most diabolical and terrifying killer ever imagined.
I really liked the idea of having four women coming together to solve some of the craziest and scariest killers. The idea of newlyweds, barely newlyweds, who have only been married for hours being hunted down was very different and scary. As always, Mr. Patterson writes nice, short chapters that keeps the action moving and I thought he did a great job writing from a woman's point of view. There was even a little bit of romance through in to add to the story. I look forward to reading more of the Women's Murder Club in the future though I do have a question for those that have read more of this series. Does Patterson always have the main character be Lindsay, or are we treated to more of the other characters' personal lives as well? Thanks in advance for your help!
This weekend is planning on being beautiful and in fact today it was in the mid-80s! I absolutely love this weather and can't wait for summer to be here for good! My beloved Red Wings clinched the first round of the playoffs yesterday and off for the next week or so, so I am going to plan on spending some time reading and hanging out outside. I picked up the newest Joy Fielding book from the library yesterday and plan on getting that one in this weekend hopefully. I am still very nauseous at times, but I am popping Pepto Bismal and it is helping a bit. My DH and I are trying to get pregnant, so I am somewhat hopeful that this nausea isn't left over from my migraine but something totally different. I don't want to focus and dwell on it though, so all the more reason to pick up some great books and get lost in some wonderful stories! Happy Reading everyone!
Back cover:
In San Francisco newlyweds are being stalked- and slaughtered. Enter four unforgettable women, all friends... Lindsay, a homicide inspector in the city's police department... Claire, a medical examiner... Jill, an assistant D.A... and Cindy, a reporter who has just started working the crime desk of the San Francisco Chronicle. Joining forces, pooling all their talents, courage, and brains, they have one goal. To find, trap, and outwit the most diabolical and terrifying killer ever imagined.
I really liked the idea of having four women coming together to solve some of the craziest and scariest killers. The idea of newlyweds, barely newlyweds, who have only been married for hours being hunted down was very different and scary. As always, Mr. Patterson writes nice, short chapters that keeps the action moving and I thought he did a great job writing from a woman's point of view. There was even a little bit of romance through in to add to the story. I look forward to reading more of the Women's Murder Club in the future though I do have a question for those that have read more of this series. Does Patterson always have the main character be Lindsay, or are we treated to more of the other characters' personal lives as well? Thanks in advance for your help!
This weekend is planning on being beautiful and in fact today it was in the mid-80s! I absolutely love this weather and can't wait for summer to be here for good! My beloved Red Wings clinched the first round of the playoffs yesterday and off for the next week or so, so I am going to plan on spending some time reading and hanging out outside. I picked up the newest Joy Fielding book from the library yesterday and plan on getting that one in this weekend hopefully. I am still very nauseous at times, but I am popping Pepto Bismal and it is helping a bit. My DH and I are trying to get pregnant, so I am somewhat hopeful that this nausea isn't left over from my migraine but something totally different. I don't want to focus and dwell on it though, so all the more reason to pick up some great books and get lost in some wonderful stories! Happy Reading everyone!
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