I Heard That Song Before: A Novel
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Disappointed Long Time Fan ...
  • I Heard that song Before
  • Comes with a quality guarantee!
  • I am a fan!!!!
  • Suspenseful
I Heard That Song Before: A Novel
Mary Higgins Clark
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

ContemporaryContemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
Psychological & SuspensePsychological & Suspense | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
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GeneralGeneral | Clark, Mary Higgins | ( C ) | Authors, A-Z | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
HardcoverHardcover | Clark, Mary Higgins | ( C ) | Authors, A-Z | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0743264916
Release Date: 2007-04-03

Book Description

In a riveting psychological thriller, Mary Higgins Clark takes the reader deep into the mysteries of the human mind, where memories may be the most dangerous things of all.

At the center of her novel is Kay Lansing, who has grown up in Englewood, New Jersey, daughter of the landscaper to the wealthy and powerful Carrington family. Their mansion -- a historic seventeenth-century manor house transported stone by stone from Wales in 1848 -- has a hidden chapel. One day, accompanying her father to work, six-year-old Kay succumbs to curiosity and sneaks into the chapel. There, she overhears a quarrel between a man and a woman who is demanding money from him. When she says that this will be the last time, his caustic response is: "I heard that song before."

That same evening, the Carringtons hold a formal dinner dance after which Peter Carrington, a student at Princeton, drives home Susan Althorp, the eighteen-year-old daughter of neighbors. While her parents hear her come in, she is not in her room the next morning and is never seen or heard from again.

Throughout the years, a cloud of suspicion hangs over Peter Carrington. At age forty-two, head of the family business empire, he is still "a person of interest" in the eyes of the police, not only for Susan Althorp's disappearance but also for the subsequent drowning death of his own pregnant wife in their swimming pool.

Kay Lansing, now living in New York and working as a librarian in Englewood, goes to see Peter Carrington to ask for permission to hold a cocktail party on his estate to benefit a literacy program, which he later grants. Kay comes to see Peter as maligned and misunderstood, and when he begins to court her after the cocktail party, she falls in love with him. Over the objections of her beloved grandmother Margaret O'Neil, who raised her after her parents' early deaths, she marries him. To her dismay, she soon finds that he is a sleepwalker whose nocturnal wanderings draw him to the spot at the pool where his wife met her end.

Susan Althorp's mother, Gladys, has always been convinced that Peter Carrington is responsible for her daughter's disappearance, a belief shared by many in the community. Disregarding her husband's protests about reopening the case, Gladys, now terminally ill, has hired a retired New York City detective to try to find out what happened to her daughter. Gladys wants to know before she dies.

Kay, too, has developed gnawing doubts about her husband. She believes that the key to the truth about his guilt or innocence lies in the scene she witnessed as a child in the chapel and knows she must learn the identity of the man and woman who quarreled there that day. Yet, she plunges into this pursuit realizing that "that knowledge may not be enough to save my husband's life, if indeed it deserves to be saved." What Kay does not even remotely suspect is that uncovering what lies behind these memories may cost her her own life.

I Heard That Song Before once again dramatically reconfirms Mary Higgins Clark's worldwide reputation as a master storyteller.

Customer Reviews:

2 out of 5 stars Disappointed Long Time Fan ..........2007-10-06

I've been a huge Mary Higgins Clark fan since day one. Her books are always dependable - page turners with likeable characters and good twists and turns. Her past few books have shown growth as an author, as well. This book, though, almost felt as though it were written to fulfill a contract ... the characters didn't really come to life, it was hard to feel any kind of caring for Peter or Kay, and it was fairly ridden with cliches. Despite occasional modern touches (one character refers to their mapquest directions), there are many dated instances in this book, such as when one character refers to another character's marriages not "lasting long enough to wash the tea towels." Say what? I adore this lady - her memoir, Kitchen Privileges, is a treat! - but this one didn't fit the bill.

1 out of 5 stars I Heard that song Before.......2007-09-28

It's time for MHC to pack up her computer. She has lost the knack of writing good novels. The killer is obvious from the beginning; the motive is so obvious I wonder why I bothered to read it. Read instead, Karin Slaughter, Brian Freeman, Harlan Coben, Joy Fielding.

5 out of 5 stars Comes with a quality guarantee!.......2007-09-14

Librarian Kay Lansing marries Peter Carrington, head of the wealthy Carrington family.

Peter Carrington has long been under suspicion for murdering his childhood sweetheart, and as after 22 years her body is discovered on the Carrington estate in Englewood, New Jersey, Peter is charged with her murder.

The fact tht Peter Carrington is a sleepwalker, adds an interesting twist to the story, and I got urged to read more about sleepwalking by reading this book.

I'll not reveal more details about the murder investigation - in fact, the investigation of several connected murders - but leave it to the readers.

"The queen of suspense" has a unique talent for intricate plots as well as phsycological insight into the human mind.

As all her books, "I Heard That Song Before" is a real page-turner. I brought it with me on holiday. Thought it would last me a few days but finished it overnight!

Mary Higgins Clark's books come with a quality guarantee. Her fans can always trust her to deliver the best.

Enjoy!

4 out of 5 stars I am a fan!!!!.......2007-09-12

I am a big fan of Mary Higgins Clark. The first section that I visit in the library is where her books are shelved. I am always looking for a new one. I think I have read them all. The nice thing about MHC is that her books are never smutty or improper and she doesn't use strong language, but the stories are still gripping and wonderful. I appreciate that!!! This was a page turner. I was hoping for a happy ending and it didn't disappoint! I am not a big fan of 'first person' dialog though. I prefer to read the novel from a third person point of view, but the story was still good. Different angles of the story really kept you guessing.....yeah, he's guilty...no he's not, yeah, he's guilty, no he's not!!! Kept me on the edge and up reading until I fell asleep with the book in my lap!

4 out of 5 stars Suspenseful.......2007-09-11

I always enjoy reading her books. She always has more than one story going on keeping you guessing. I highly recommend her. There is nothing offensive or vulgar in her books.
The Good Husband of Zebra Drive (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency 8)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Another triumph for McCall Smith
  • The Best So Far!
  • Another charmer
  • Earthy Wisdon
  • Not the best in the series...
The Good Husband of Zebra Drive (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency 8)
Alexander Mccall Smith
Manufacturer: Pantheon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Women SleuthsWomen Sleuths | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0375422730
Release Date: 2007-04-17

Book Description

In the life of Precious Ramotswe–a woman duly proud of her fine traditional build–there is rarely a dull moment, and in the latest installment in the universally beloved No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series there is much happening on Zebra Drive and Tlokweng Road. Mma Ramotswe is experiencing staffing difficulties. First Mr. J.L.B. Mate-koni asks to be put in charge of a case involving an errant husband. But can a man investigate such matters as successfully as the number one lady detective can? Then she has a minor falling-out with her assistant, Mma Makutsi, who decides to leave the agency, taking the 97 percent she received on her typing final from the Botswana Secretarial College with her.

Along the way, Mma Ramotswe is asked to investigate a couple of tricky cases. Will she be able to explain an unexpected series of deaths at the hospital in Mochudi? And what about the missing office supplies at a local printing company? These are the types of questions that she is uniquely well suited to answer.

In the end, whatever happens, Mma Ramotswe knows she can count on Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, who stands for all that is solid and true in a shifting world. And there is always her love for Botswana, a country of which she is justifiably proud.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Another triumph for McCall Smith.......2007-09-28

I eagerly awaited this new installment in the series, and was not disappointed, although there were a few parts in this novel that moved slowly. The situations in this novel seemed real, the types of human relationship issues we all deal with on a daily basis. Things are not always lovely, people do disagree and doubt one another, and this novel revealed this underside of humanity. I hope this series will continue, as I am anxious to find out more about Mme Makutsi and her upcoming marriage, and also about the kids, who appeared only briefly in this novel. If you have not listened to the audio, run to your public library and check it out. Lisette Lecat's wonderful voice has gotten me through many long and tedious road trips.

5 out of 5 stars The Best So Far!.......2007-09-20

My husband and I listened to this on our trips to my doctor and we really enjoyed this one. It has more than one subplot, and held our attention. As always, the narrator is wonderful. This series is like comfort food - always satisfying even if it doesn't have the most substance. No profanity, no real violence--just great entertainment.

5 out of 5 stars Another charmer.......2007-08-28

What can I say? This is another charming installment in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. I wish Mma Ramotswe and Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni really existed so I could meet them. At any rate, this series makes me want to visit Botswana. If you liked the other books, you will definitely like this one. If you are starting out, read them in order from the beginning.

5 out of 5 stars Earthy Wisdon.......2007-08-26

Close to the earth, close to what's real and true (if there is ever a 'true'). Very personal to me as I lived in Botswana some years ago for a few years. An authentic rendition of the ways of living and the general 'feeling' of Botswana. I have all 7 of the series and re-read the previous 6 before reading the newest one. I loved the immersion. Mma Ramotswe is wise. Her character is not unique to Botswana but Botswana offers a fine ambience for developing and displaying wisdom. Over the coming years I intend to re-read the series frequently.

3 out of 5 stars Not the best in the series..........2007-08-24

This was a surprise eighth installment to a series that was supposed to end with seven. While I am a big fan of the series, I found this particular book to be disappointing for a number of reasons, most of them related to the plot.
As is his usual set-up, McCall Smith starts a series of mini-mysteries to be solved by the ever-resourceful Mma Ramotswe and/or her colorful assistant, Mma Makutsi. In this book, several characters get their own mystery to solve, some with more success than others. Some of the plot lines break down, only to be gathered up hastily with weak explanations. There is also a lack of continuity between some of the story lines.
While the subplots have some definite leaks, the author's painting of the characters continues to be what makes these books so good. The reader learns a bit more about Mr. JLB Matekoni, although the mystery behind his depression remains as such. Mma Makutsi continues to have enjoyable dialogues with her shoes as she prepares for the next phase in her life. The children, Motholeli and Puso, make only brief appearances, as does Phuti Radiphuti.
There are still a few open loops in the tale of Mma Ramotswe and cohorts, so the author might not be finished with the series. Should there be a next installment, however, I hope that McCall Smith finds a fresh supply of creative plot lines.
Water for Elephants: A Novel
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Ninety or Ninety Three??
  • Simple compelling storytelling
  • Fun Read
  • Wonderful Story
  • water for elephants
Water for Elephants: A Novel
Sara Gruen
Manufacturer: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

ContemporaryContemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1565124995

Amazon.com

Jacob Jankowski says: "I am ninety. Or ninety-three. One or the other." At the beginning of Water for Elephants, he is living out his days in a nursing home, hating every second of it. His life wasn't always like this, however, because Jacob ran away and joined the circus when he was twenty-one. It wasn't a romantic, carefree decision, to be sure. His parents were killed in an auto accident one week before he was to sit for his veterinary medicine exams at Cornell. He buried his parents, learned that they left him nothing because they had mortgaged everything to pay his tuition, returned to school, went to the exams, and didn't write a single word. He walked out without completing the test and wound up on a circus train. The circus he joins, in Depression-era America, is second-rate at best. With Ringling Brothers as the standard, Benzini Brothers is far down the scale and pale by comparison.

Water for Elephants is the story of Jacob's life with this circus. Sara Gruen spares no detail in chronicling the squalid, filthy, brutish circumstances in which he finds himself. The animals are mangy, underfed or fed rotten food, and abused. Jacob, once it becomes known that he has veterinary skills, is put in charge of the "menagerie" and all its ills. Uncle Al, the circus impresario, is a self-serving, venal creep who slaps people around because he can. August, the animal trainer, is a certified paranoid schizophrenic whose occasional flights into madness and brutality often have Jacob as their object. Jacob is the only person in the book who has a handle on a moral compass and as his reward he spends most of the novel beaten, broken, concussed, bleeding, swollen and hungover. He is the self-appointed Protector of the Downtrodden, and... he falls in love with Marlena, crazy August's wife. Not his best idea.

The most interesting aspect of the book is all the circus lore that Gruen has so carefully researched. She has all the right vocabulary: grifters, roustabouts, workers, cooch tent, rubes, First of May, what the band plays when there's trouble, Jamaican ginger paralysis, life on a circus train, set-up and take-down, being run out of town by the "revenooers" or the cops, and losing all your hooch. There is one glorious passage about Marlena and Rosie, the bull elephant, that truly evokes the magic a circus can create. It is easy to see Marlena's and Rosie's pink sequins under the Big Top and to imagine their perfect choreography as they perform unbelievable stunts. The crowd loves it--and so will the reader. The ending is absolutely ludicrous and really quite lovely. --Valerie Ryan

Book Description

Though he may not speak of them, the memories still dwell inside Jacob Jankowski's ninety-something-year-old mind. Memories of himself as a young man, tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Memories of a world filled with freaks and clowns, with wonder and pain and anger and passion; a world with its own narrow, irrational rules, its own way of life, and its own way of death. The world of the circus: to Jacob it was both salvation and a living hell.
Jacob was there because his luck had run out—orphaned and penniless, he had no direction until he landed on this locomotive "ship of fools." It was the early part of the Great Depression, and everyone in this third-rate circus was lucky to have any job at all. Marlena, the star of the equestrian act, was there because she fell in love with the wrong man, a handsome circus boss with a wide mean streak. And Rosie the elephant was there because she was the great gray hope, the new act that was going to be the salvation of the circus; the only problem was, Rosie didn't have an act—in fact, she couldn't even follow instructions. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and ultimately, it was their only hope for survival.
Surprising, poignant, and funny, Water for Elephants is that rare novel with a story so engrossing, one is reluctant to put it down; with characters so engaging, they continue to live long after the last page has been turned; with a world built of wonder, a world so real, one starts to breathe its air.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Ninety or Ninety Three??.......2007-10-11

What a wonderful blending of the past and present. The main character weaves a warm story of today, although we are not sure if he is 90 or 93, as he relives his earlier days. The author has us feel the pain, and the injustices that surface based on education, wealth, ethnic background & social "standing" that are as real in a circus in the 1930s as today in a nursing home. Friendship and love triump but in some unexpected ways! A great read for ALL.

5 out of 5 stars Simple compelling storytelling.......2007-10-11

This is a great story about love and the passage of time. I normally do not read fiction, but took a chance on this book, and I'm so glad I did. The straight forward story telling keeps you in the moment. I thought about this tale long after I had finished reading it. I would recommend it to anyone.

4 out of 5 stars Fun Read.......2007-10-10

I'm very glad I picked up this book. There are moments that made me tear up and moments I laughed out loud. Other than some rather gratuitous sex, really good read.

5 out of 5 stars Wonderful Story.......2007-10-10

This book was a wonderful story and left me with a bit of hope. Even in the dark moments I could not turn away from it. Lots of genuine characters that made me feel as though I could reach out and touch them at times. It reminded me of circus visits and riding on elephants as a child with my face painted and a bag of cotton candy in hand! Though I normally do not like historical novels I loved this one.

5 out of 5 stars water for elephants.......2007-10-10

Wonderful story. Dark mood. This was a quick read for me and I absolutely loved the writing style and the storyline.
Obsession (Alex Delaware Novels)
Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
  • A real ho-hummer, unfortunately
  • Absolute rubbish
  • Is It Me?
  • A pedestrian effort
  • Not one of his best, but still decent.
Obsession (Alex Delaware Novels)
Jonathan Kellerman
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

ContemporaryContemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
Psychological & SuspensePsychological & Suspense | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0345452631
Release Date: 2007-03-27

Book Description

With scores of millions of books in print, translation into two dozen languages, and one of the most popular heroes in contemporary fiction to his name, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Kellerman is the unequivocal “master of the psychological thriller” (People). In his newest novel Kellerman delivers a tour de force–poignant, dark, and chilling–that illuminates a shadowy world where impulse rules.

Tanya Bigelow was a solemn little girl when Dr. Alex Delaware successfully treated her obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Now, at nineteen, she still seems older than her years–but her problems go beyond hyper-maturity. Patty Bigelow, Tanya’s aunt and adoptive mother, has made a deathbed confession of murder and urged the young woman to seek Delaware’s help. The doctor recalls Patty as a selfless E.R. nurse struggling to raise a child on her own–a woman seemingly incapable of the “terrible thing” she has admitted. But for Tanya’s peace of mind, Delaware agrees to investigate, and he enlists LAPD detective Milo Sturgis in the search for the phantom victim of a crime that may never have occurred.

Armed with only the vaguest details, psychologist and cop follow a trail twisting from L.A.’s sleaziest low-rent districts to its overblown mansions, retracing Patty and Tanya’s nomadic and increasingly puzzling life to the doorsteps of a sullen heroin addict; a randy real-estate broker; and a brilliant, enigmatic physics student. Suddenly a very real murder tears open a terrifying tunnel into the past, where secrets–and bodies–are buried. As the tension mounts, Delaware and Sturgis uncover a tangled history of desperation, vengeance, and death–a legacy of evil that refuses to die.

Dramatic, action-packed, and filled with the psychological detail that only Jonathan Kellerman can provide, Obsession is a whodunit, a whydunit–and something unique: a did-it-even-happen? This is Kellerman at his heart-racing best.

Customer Reviews:

2 out of 5 stars A real ho-hummer, unfortunately.......2007-09-12

About half-way through this book, I realized I didn't really care who did it. Or why. Or about any of the characters in the plot-line other than our regulars -- Alex, Milo, and Robin. I think the initial plot device, a vague deathbed confession from an unlikely murderer, was a good idea. The rest of the plot was a hot mess, involving characters discussed, but never really "present" in the book. I have loved many of Jonathan Kellerman's books, but this one didn't deliver.

1 out of 5 stars Absolute rubbish.......2007-08-30

That's it. Jonathanan Kellerman I gave you one last try, and you failed. This has to be the worst book I have read by anyone in years. A convoluted nonsensical plot with so much padding the author should be in the upholstery business. At least half the book is taken up by poorly developed characters arguing about whether this or that happened, or perhaps it was that or this, or perhaps none of the above. And at the end I simply did not care who had done what to whom and why. In fact I wonder if the author felt the same way.

Thomas H Cook and Dennis Lehane, you have nothing to fear from this author. You guys rule.

3 out of 5 stars Is It Me?.......2007-08-29

I always love the Alex Delaware novels, and I would never tell anybody not to read this latest entry in the series. And that is despite my ongoing complaint about Kellerman's ridiculous attention to every street in Los Angeles by name (what does this mean to a reader in Poughkeepsie?).

My problem with Obsession is that I simply could not keep the characters straight. I don't know whether this is a fault of my own as a reader, or whether, as it seemed to me, they are endless stock characters of such variety and of such little interest that I kept confusing them in my mind. It got so I had to keep turning back to make sure the gentle giant erstwhile bodyguard was who I thought he was; the sicko serial killer/would-be music impresario, who had TWO names, was indeed himself; the FBI informant, what was his name? who weaves in and out of the book in a confusing manner, and all sorts of other peripheral and confusing characters.

The main plot is easy enough, but as other reviewers have said, Why would the LAPD care? A dying nurse of stellar reputation confesses, or seems to confess, on her deathbed that she killed somebody. Her daughter, Tanya, an uptight, hard-to-like highly implausible character, wants her name cleared. Alex once treated Tanya; he wants to help. Milo, although on a much-needed and rare vacation, agrees to give up all his personal time to follow a trillion fruitless leads. Petra is always a wonderful addition to the series; she is very real. Robin doesn't bother me as much as she bothers other reviewers. I just find her annoying. And the puppy? Well I'm a dog lover, so I enjoyed her antics, figuring that in real life, the Kellermans have gotten themselves a bulldog puppy!

As stated above, I wouldn't tell anybody not to read this book, but I found it extremely confusing and the ending very lame. I like the series so much, and even with all the confusion, Kellerman is fun to read, so hence the lukewarm recommendation.

2 out of 5 stars A pedestrian effort.......2007-08-29

I felt Kellerman delivered a boilerplate thriller with Obsession. The murder mystery centered around a "possible" crime uttered by a dying woman, which seems pretty flimsy but in true Alex/Milo form they kept digging and made something of it. The psychological aspect was also rather weak, as Kellerman focused this time on OCD, which didn't seem relevant to the murder mystery aspect. If it did, then I missed it, but it certainly wasn't obvious. Kellerman has always been so good at intertwining the psychological aspects with the murder mystery, but he just falls short here.

I also found most of the new characters uninteresting, and the existing ones stale.

Petra seemed tired and bored at times.

The entire Bedard family was annoying. I didn't find myself rooting for Kyle despite his good intentions and goofy parents.

Tanya generated very little sympathy, and how many college kids refer to their mother as "Mommy"?

Robin was window dressing - a few short riffs on her working at the shop, going out to eat, etc. Nothing on their evolving relationship.

Issac Gomez, who has potential, was dismissed early.

The Mario Fortuno storyline was clumsy, and could have been more interesting if fleshed out further.

The interrogation of Fisk seemed too ordered and convenient (dumb con tells all).

And finally names. Where does he come up with Mary Whitbread?

In summary, it was a boilerplate, pedestrian effort by an author I love. The whole effort seemed rushed and lacked his normal attention to detail.

3 out of 5 stars Not one of his best, but still decent........2007-08-24

Jonathan Kellerman has set the bar for psychological thrillers, and he's set it high. Unfortunately, Obsession, the latest in the Alex Delaware series, falls short of his previous achievements.

While the usual elements are there -- a previous client needs help, and Delaware and his detective pal Milo Sturgis jump to the rescue -- things feel a bit stale. Everything is just a bit tepid. Their reason for becoming involved in the mystery (a dying request from Sturgis' lover's co-worker) is tenuous at best. Because there is no immediate crime to investigate, just the suspicion of one, things start off slow. And the character development seems to stagnate. Robin, Delaware's live-in love, is a mere two-dimensional place holder with no personality of her own, and nothing new about Delaware's or Sturgis' personalities is revealed.

The young girl they're interceding on behalf of is annoying and simple (does this college-aged girl REALLY call her mother "Mommy" ALL the time???). I wanted her to be guilty of something, just because she bugged me so much. Bad news when the reader is cheering for culpability on the part of the who's supposed to be protected.

All in all, a decently plotted and written mystery, but that spark of excitement and frisson of fear that accompanies most of Kellerman's books is missing.
Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Amazing
  • Practice discernment with this book
  • Validates the importance of womanhood and beauty
  • Wonderful Book Revealing Those Times We Were Broken As Women
  • Who is the source of your validation????
Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul
John Eldredge , and Stasi Eldredge
Manufacturer: Thomas Nelson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

GeneralGeneral | Christian Living | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0785264698

Book Description

Every little girl has dreams of being swept up into a great adventure, of being the beautiful princess. Sadly, when women grow up, they are often swept up into a life filled merely with duty and demands. Many Christian women are tired, struggling under the weight of the pressure to be a "good servant," a nurturing caregiver, or a capable home manager.

What Wild at Heart did for men, Captivating is doing for women. Setting their hearts free. This groundbreaking book shows readers the glorious design of women before the fall, describes how the feminine heart can be restored, and casts a vision for the power, freedom, and beauty of a woman released to be all she was meant to be. By revealing the core desires every woman shares-to be romanced, to play an irreplaceable role in a grand adventure, and to unveil beauty-John and Stasi Eldredge invite women to recover their feminine hearts, created in the image of an intimate and passionate God. Further, they encourage men to discover the secret of a woman's soul and to delight in the beauty and strength women were created to offer.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Amazing.......2007-10-03

This book is the best christian book that I've ever read. It really hit home with me and I could relate to all the things it talked about. I truly believe all teenage and young adult girls should read this book!

1 out of 5 stars Practice discernment with this book.......2007-09-29

The Eldredges have a penchant for writing pop culture into their books rather than stating what is Biblical. Much of their Scriptural quotations are deliberately picked and chosen to back up their personal opinions and experiences. Any true student of the Bible would be able to discern the poor exegesis right away. They read into the Scriptures their personal biases, rather than gleaning from the Scriptures what was truly meant.

Aside from that, contrary to what Eldredge has written, every woman's greatest longing and desire is not "to be a beauty." Every woman's (and man's) greatest need is to know that they are God's -- valued and accepted by Him. Sadly, many women have found that their only source of validation, from the time they were little girls, came from their external appearance. When they wore pretty dresses, had cute ribbons in their hair and looked pretty, they were complimented. This taught and reinforced for them that their value comes from their beauty. It then follows that many women long to 'unveil beauty' (as Eldredge writes) because that's the only way they know validation. Women, this is not what we should be teaching our younger women nor should this be what we believe. What we are all seeking is to be valued, and we can be valued by God simply because we belong to Him -- not because of how we look or what we've done. Our identity comes from Christ. And our purpose in life is not to be a beauty, to be rescued and romanced or join a man in his adventures -- rather, it is to follow God on the adventures He has us go on. We are not called to just be sidekicks to the hero, we are also called to be heroines. God's call is for both men and women to be 'fishers' of men and women. God's commission is for both men and women to make disciples of all nations. This means both men and women are to go on great adventures with God. Don't settle for a lesser role than God intended for you.

As a final note, we all know and understand from Prov 31:30 that "beauty if fleeting". A woman's greatest call is to be "a woman who fears the Lord." This is what we ought to pursue with passion.

I wouldn't recommend this book to any of my friends. But if you want to see what all the hype is about, I just wanted to encourage you to practice discernment in reading this book. Take their words with a grain of salt. Remember that it is THEIR words and opinions, not biblical words from the Lord.

5 out of 5 stars Validates the importance of womanhood and beauty.......2007-09-29

Being an aesthete, I always considered myself trivial in my need for beauty. I couldn't imagine why it was so important to me, but I figured it must be a dysfunction and I felt shallow for it. I also had trouble with femininity in general because what was feminine was not valued in my childhood home or in the media. That was until I read Captivating. Eldredge did an excellent job breaking down what is critical and powerful about beauty and womanhood, in a way that was impacting and memorable. I consider it a must-read for women.

4 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book Revealing Those Times We Were Broken As Women.......2007-09-25

I had to read this after I read Wild At Heart--This book pointed out so many times, places in my life when I was broken. When my spirit was crushed, when I missed getting something that I truly needed for my life--and it also gave me the strength to say, "Hey, that's okay -- I'm okay -- I'm beautiful." Thank you -- John and Stasi -- for your ministry and honesty!

5 out of 5 stars Who is the source of your validation????.......2007-09-18

WOW! This book not only gets to the heart of what I often feel it reminds me that the only antidote to feeling alone, unlovable, unwanted and... is to find my answers in my Savior, Fiance, and Lord. It gives real life examples from the authors' lives as well as other people. The Eldredges cover a lot of territory in these 200+ pages. They touch on issues of identity, Spiritual warfare, wounds from dysfunctional birth families and many other areas. This book only skims the surface in many areas as its main purpose is to help women see more clearly who God intended us to be in a general sense and for us as women to understand the role God designed men to play in our lives and us to play in theirs. I think this book could also help men to get a deeper glimpse at the things that we as women often keep buried between ourselves and hopefully God because we feel that the men just don't get it.

Maybe they do, maybe they don't but one of the points in the book is that we need to look to God, our Creator, for the true answer to our nagging questions regarding our worth as a man or a woman. The following quotes illustrate some of what the authors have to say on this topic.

"A man's deepest question is, `Do I have what it takes?'.... A woman's is, `Am I lovely?'....We can't wait until we feel safe to love and invite.... God calls us to trust Him and offer our true selves.... He wants us to entice, allure and invite others to Jesus by reflecting his glory in our lives. He will give no guarantee that others will respond well.... God's invitation is to bring our sorrow to Him. To keep our hearts open and alive, and find refuge and healing in His love."

This book also reminds the reader that God is ultimately the source of validation and fulfillment that we try so hard to find elsewhere. If our focus is on Him and the relationship He desires with us and built us to desire with Him then many of those feelings will be eliminated.

There is so much more to this book and it has created a hunger and thirst in me to pursue the more intimate relationship with my Lord that I have been neglecting. I would recommend this book wholeheartedly. I can't even begin to put down here all the gems and wealth the authors have managed to fit into this short span of pages. Read Captivating to get the full picture of what these authors have to say and how it can be applied to your own life.
What the Dead Know: A Novel
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Maybe Not Your Best Introduction to Lippman
  • Fatal oversight?
  • in the loop
  • A moving literary mystery
  • Another Great Psychological Drama from Lippman
What the Dead Know: A Novel
Laura Lippman
Manufacturer: William Morrow
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

GeneralGeneral | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
Police ProceduralsPolice Procedurals | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
Romantic SuspenseRomantic Suspense | Romance | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0061128856
Release Date: 2007-03-13

Book Description

Thirty years ago two sisters disappeared from a shopping mall. Their bodies were never found and those familiar with the case have always been tortured by these questions: How do you kidnap two girls? Who—or what—could have lured the two sisters away from a busy mall on a Saturday afternoon without leaving behind a single clue or witness?

Now a clearly disoriented woman involved in a rush-hour hit-and-run claims to be the younger of the long-gone Bethany sisters. But her involuntary admission and subsequent attempt to stonewall investigators only deepens the mystery. Where has she been? Why has she waited so long to come forward? Could her abductor truly be a beloved Baltimore cop? There isn't a shred of evidence to support her story, and every lead she gives the police seems to be another dead end—a dying, incoherent man, a razed house, a missing grave, and a family that disintegrated long ago, torn apart not only by the crime but by the fissures the tragedy revealed in what appeared to be the perfect household.

In a story that moves back and forth across the decades, there is only one person who dares to be skeptical of a woman who wants to claim the identity of one Bethany sister without revealing the fate of the other. Will he be able to discover the truth?

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Maybe Not Your Best Introduction to Lippman.......2007-10-05

Well, it was mine, after having been encouraged by my wife, who has consistently enjoed all those before it. Afterwards I wasn't quite sure what all the excitement has been about. Frankly, I found this book middling: neither a stunning success nor a total flop. The author has a good ear for dialogue, yet for me the characters remained fairly flat. It's true that the narrative is non-linear, but I wasn't put off by that: the style she's trying to put over (I think) matches the "revenant" plot-pivot. If anything, the circular narration may strike some readers as a bit pretentious for what is, finally, a good evening's read.

3 out of 5 stars Fatal oversight?.......2007-09-24

I've read all of Lippman's books and enjoyed most of them. Her Tess Monaghan series always entertains. "What the Dead Know," however, isn't her strongest novel.

The story suffers from a non-linear narrative. Not only does it jump around in time, but since there are two missing girls and two grieving parents, there are essentially multiple protagonists. Too much mental whiplash forced me to skip to the end for the resolution about halfway through, then continue reading. Yes, it's cheating, but it did help. I understand how Lippman, knowing the whole story when she began to write it, wouldn't be able to see the degree of confusion her structure would cause. This becomes clear because re-reading the book is a whole different experience than the first read-through. One can appreciate the craftsmanship without being distracted by the disjointed timeline.

However, for me there's an even bigger problem. Without revealing too much of the plot, I'll just ask: In 1975, didn't police reports of missing children include in their descriptions identifying physical characteristics, such as moles, birthmarks, and obvious scars? Today I'm sure a parent would be asked for such details, to help identify a child (dead or alive). If police reports included this information in 1975, the case should have been solved sooner. Those of you who have read the book will know what I'm talking about. Do you agree?

I enjoy Lippman's work and I'll continue to read anything she gives us. However, this particular volume probably won't make my top-five list of her work. Not to worry, there are plenty of others. Check them out.

2 out of 5 stars in the loop.......2007-09-24

This was the first of Lippman's novels I've read. And I was so flummoxed by the going round and around construct...and when the police said they'd let someone in the loop...I desperately wanted to get out of the loop....I felt like a hampster in a wheel...around and around....going nowhere....I simply didn't enjoy it; the way it was constructed it didn't pack a punch!
The mystery wasn't interesting to me; nor were the characters, with the possible exception of Miriam...who wasn't memorable but at least passable..
It occurs to me..post women's lib...now that women have to make a living...they're pumping out unspiring drivel like their male counterparts....Equal opportunity rum amok I suppose..

5 out of 5 stars A moving literary mystery.......2007-09-23

I've never read any of Laura Lippman's books, so I didn't know her if her style was the usual crime and thriller fast-paced writing or the literary sort, sentences pregnant with suggestion and nuance. I'm happy to say that it's very literary: wonderful and evocative prose, carefully structured and flowing like a dream. The case involves the disappearance of two girls, two sisters taken during an outing at the mall. Years later, one of them reappears and throws the case wide open again. But she doesn't quite seem to be who she says she is (is anyone ever?). Lippman builds up characters like a sculptor, taking great pains to evince personality traits, histories, and deep, simmering emotions. Each character, not just the sisters, was interesting to me and there seemed a wealth of stories that could be told about each of them.

While reading, there were moments when I felt I was aloft and enjoying an excellent view of the community, gently and generously invited by the author to remain there watching, occasionally descending and moving close to the characters until the tempests of fear or rage within them became palpable. Despite what "knowingness" I thought I felt, my position was never higher than the level of the author herself, who knew everything, yet her voice was never smug. I was happy to observe and learn and guess.

And I managed to guess the identity of the mystery person because of a few small details. I'm glad I was right because I never get anything right when I guess the end of crime or mystery novels. Still, the circumstances behind the mystery were impossible to guess. But when all was revealed, it made perfect sense. Heartbreaking sense. I've never been so affected by the end of a book, especially a crime one.

Parts of the book reminded me of Alice Sebold's "The Lovely Bones," which focuses heavily on the family breaking down after the disappearance of a young woman. In "What the dead know," two girls are taken (who takes two? many characters ask), and the parents are changed forever. Change is both internal and external. Time alters the town as well, and these altered landscapes reminded me how malleable our own appearances are, whether by our own hand or those of time and circumstance.

4 out of 5 stars Another Great Psychological Drama from Lippman.......2007-09-22

I read a lot of crime fiction, and I think Laura Lippman is really one of the best writers in the field. WHAT THE DEAD KNOW is a nice example of her talents.

The plot of WHAT THE DEAD KNOW is relatively straightforward. In 1975, two young sisters mysteriously disappeared during a trip to the local mall in Baltimore. Now, over thirty years later, a woman appears claiming to be one of the missing girls. The mystery of the novel is whether this woman is telling the truth.

WHAT THE DEAD KNOW is more of a psychological drama than a fast-paced thriller. There are a fair number of characters in this novel, and Lippman takes a lot of time exploring the psyche of each individual person. This is the type of novel with a lot of interior monologues, where the reader follows the character's thoughts and observations about life. As a result, most of the characters in this novel possess a great deal of depth and complexity.

The major flaw of WHAT THE DEAD KNOW is the lack of a genuinely likable protagonist. Nearly all the characters in this book are deeply flawed and some are downright annoying. While this is certainly realistic in many ways, it does make this novel tough to read in spots, since there is no specific person to root for.

Overall, however, I enjoyed this book a great deal, but not as much as EVERY SECRET THING, an earlier effort. Still, I think Lippman is an enormously talented crime writer, and I look forward to her future novels.

Lean Mean Thirteen (Stephanie Plum Novels)
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Love Triangle is Getting Tired--Put it to rest
  • same ole story
  • A Winner for the Plum Series!
  • lean,mean 13
  • For Pete's sake
Lean Mean Thirteen (Stephanie Plum Novels)
Janet Evanovich
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

ContemporaryContemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Women SleuthsWomen Sleuths | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Evanovich, Janet | ( E ) | Authors, A-Z | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0312349491
Release Date: 2007-06-19

Book Description

New secrets, old flames, and hidden agendas are about to send bounty hunter Stephanie Plum on her most outrageous adventure yet! MISTAKE #1Dickie OrrStephanie was married to him for about fifteen minutes before she caught him cheating on her with her archnemesis, Joyce Barnhardt. Another fifteen minutes after that, Stephanie filed for divorce, hoping never to see either one of them again. MISTAKE #2Doing favors for super bounty hunter Carlos Manoso (aka Ranger) Ranger needs Stephanie to meet with Dickie and find out if he's doing something shady. Turns out, he is. Turns out, Dickie's also back to doing Joyce Barnhardt. And it turns out Ranger's favors always come with a price. . . .MISTAKE #3Going completely nutso while doing the favor for Ranger, and trying to apply bodily injury to Dickie in front of the entire officeNow Dickie has disappeared, and Stephanie is the natural suspect in his disappearance. Is Dickie dead? Can he be found? And can Stephanie Plum stay one step ahead in this new, dangerous game? Joe Morelli, the hottest cop in Trenton, New Jersey, is also keeping Stephanie on her toes---and he may know more than he's saying about many things in Stephanie's life. It's a cat-and-mouse game for Stephanie Plum wherein the ultimate prize might be her life.With Janet Evanovich's flair for hilarious situations, breathtaking action, and unforgettable characters, Lean Mean Thirteen shows why no one can beat Evanovich for blockbuster entertainment.

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Love Triangle is Getting Tired--Put it to rest.......2007-10-08

The love triangle aspect of these stories is getting tired in my opinion. The humor is not as sharp anymore and with 13 books already published, I begin to wonder how fresh and witty the characters can remain over time? I hate to say this, but I think it's time to put the Stephanie Plum series to rest. The author needs to move on and begin something new and different.

2 out of 5 stars same ole story.......2007-10-07

I confess I have been a cupcake since book one. So as Janet has put Morelli on the back burner, domesticated him, emasculated him and increased Ranger's mystique, wealth etc. I have been very disappointed. This love triangle is boring plus dishonest. Stephanie was less of a s...(rhymes with "butt") in this one. But she professes love for Morelli while having an emotional and sometimes physical affair with Ranger. I have no respect for Stephanie plus she's incompetent. The jokes are old, the situations are old, the series is tired and needs to end. I've heard that Janet will end the series with two books: one for the cupcakes and one for the babes. I cannot imagine more of the same. Ugh. The first 6 books were the best.

4 out of 5 stars A Winner for the Plum Series!.......2007-10-05

I thought that "Lean Mean Thirteen" by Janet Evanovich was just a super winner for the Plumb series. She is one of my favorite writers and she has never disappointed me. Yes, there were some weak stories in the series, but overall Janet has been a real consistent writer and this book for me is no exception. The characters come alive in this story and the invigorating Stephanie keeps giving me one stimulating action packed adventure that is mixed with humor and intrigue. There are numerous excellent reviews, so I won't go into anymore detail about the story except to tell you that Ranger and Joe made the cut. A great read for the series.

Looking for a stunning Women's Fiction then check out Gathering of Cans by Robert L. Saunders. Zoie Baker, 55 is the heroine, and she feels right down to her bones that can build a swimming pool for her town by gathering aluminum cans. On this quest she stumbles on unique, cans. i.e., Nehi, Mountain Dew, etc., that sends the reader on a wondrous journey into Zoie's life. The Gold Bud can travels back to 1944 during World War II and Zoie meets Nat at the USO club. Each can delivers a fascinating story and all the characters return for a triumphal ending. Believe me this author delivers a spellbinding story with his silky and smooth prose. A fantastic story, believe me you won't be disappointed! Bye.

5 out of 5 stars lean,mean 13.......2007-10-03

Great book, as always. One of those you want to go on and on and never end.
I don't get tired of the Stephanie Plum books. I always look forward to lunch time so I can read more of the book.

2 out of 5 stars For Pete's sake.......2007-10-01

Can we please stop the love triangle already? Even though Stephanie is less of a s___ (rhymes with "butt") in this one, it still is a bit too "romantic novel" to me.
I gave two stars (and would have given .5 more) for the introduction of the taxidermist.
What really chaps my hide is that she has made Morelli into a lapdog and I think she did it only so she could justify Stephanie's obsession with Ranger. I think Ms Evanovich should create a nice female character for Morelli that he can marry and boot Stephanie to the curb.
The plot was thin and the characters old and stale.
Although it was better than #12. I will give her that.
Ms Evanovich, I don't mind waiting awhile for a GOOD book if you need the time to write it.
The Overlook (Harry Bosch)
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • The overlook
  • "12, not 24"
  • Suspenseful
  • Harry does it again
  • An enjoyable diversion from the normal Bosch stories
The Overlook (Harry Bosch)
Michael Connelly
Manufacturer: Little, Brown and Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

ContemporaryContemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
SuspenseSuspense | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Connelly, Michael | ( C ) | Authors, A-Z | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0316018953
Release Date: 2007-05-22

Book Description

In his first case since he left the LAPDs Open Unsolved Unit for the prestigious Homicide Special squad, Harry Bosch is called out to investigate a murder that may have chilling consequences for national security. A doctor with access to a dangerous radioactive substance is found murdered in the trunk of his car. Retracing his steps, Harry learns that a large quantity of radioactive cesium was stolen shortly before the doctors death. With the cesium in unknown hands, Harry fears the murder could be part of a terrorist plot to poison a major American city. Soon, Bosch is in a race against time, not only against the culprits, but also against the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI (in the form of Harrys one-time lover Rachel Walling), who are convinced that this case is too important for the likes of the LAPD. It is Boschs job to prove all of them wrong.

Customer Reviews:

1 out of 5 stars The overlook.......2007-10-10

I always like the way that Michael Connelly has to approach the description of crimes and love his Harry Bosch character. Unfortunately, this last book is way behind his standard.

4 out of 5 stars "12, not 24".......2007-10-04

"12, not 24 "

With the same intensity of the popular TV series 24, this Harry Bosch story moves with high tension compressed into twelve hours of non-stop action. When Bosch is called to investigate a murder at 1 a.m., he is drawn into a theft of radioactive material by the victim. The FBI and Homeland Security involve themselves in the murder probe, and Bosch finds himself pitted against government agents intent on taking the case away from him. His experience and intuition lead him to see through devious misdirections by the killers, and he must use all his skills to save his job and track down the perpetrators of an ingenious crime. A thrill-ride well worth the reading.

4 out of 5 stars Suspenseful.......2007-10-03

This is a short and punchy read, focusing on the execution style murder of a physicist and the theft of radio active material which had been meant for the treatment of cancer patients. The prospect of terrorists being responsible for the theft, with the horror of the material being used to create havoc, sends the police into shock so, when Harry Bosch is sent to investigate and runs into Federal Agents, headed by persons from his past, both sides try to seize control. It's very cleverly written and I must admit to being caught in total surprise at the ending. If you enjoy a suspense thriller which can be read in a night's sitting, this is just for you!

5 out of 5 stars Harry does it again.......2007-10-01

Starts out a little slow, but picks up speed and excitement. An obvious read after reading Echo park. Harry Bosch is his usual self, why follow the rules?

4 out of 5 stars An enjoyable diversion from the normal Bosch stories.......2007-09-30

Having read all of Connelly's work, I have to say that this story here was a welcome addition to his seminal Bosch series. 'The Overlook' does not fit the formula of the earlier Bosch stories. Instead it felt like a light version of the TV series 24. Instead of Jack Bauer we have Harry Bosch. Much of what makes 24 riveting is used here to good effect.

The story itself starts off with Bosch being called to a murder scene at on overlook along Mulholland Drive. It quickly becomes apparent that terrorists are involved and that the motives behind the murder are based on radioactive materials that could be used in the creation of a dirty bomb. The rest of this story involves Bosch battling the FBI and others for clues in order to solve the murder.

The ending of this book is unexpected and in my opinion is rather clever. I did not see it coming. I would say that Connelly does not always manage to write the perfect story, but this one comes fairly close. If you enjoy this series, you will enjoy this book.
Simple Genius
Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
  • A Terrible Book
  • Poor writing,characters and storyline=bad book
  • Baldacci comes through again
  • Another good one.....
  • Simple Genius is Simply Great
Simple Genius
David Baldacci
Manufacturer: Grand Central Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

ContemporaryContemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0446580341
Release Date: 2007-04-24

Book Description

In a world of secrets, human genius is power.And sometimes it is simply deadly...A three-hour drive from Washington, D.C., two clandestine institutions face each other across a heavily guarded river. One is the world's most unusual laboratory, whose goals and funding are a mystery. The other is an elite CIA training camp shrouded in secrecy. Now a man and a woman are about to run a gauntlet between these two puzzle factories, straight into a furious struggle to exploit a potentially world-shattering discovery--and keep some other secrets underwraps forever...Former secret service agents turned private investigators Sean King and Michelle Maxwell have seen their lives splinter around them. Michelle lies unconscious ina hospital bed after a night of suicidal violence. And Sean is forced to take on a thankless investigation into the mutder of a scientist just inside the CIA's razor-wire fence near Williamsburg, Virginia.Soon he is uncovering layer after layer of disinformation that shields a stunning world filled with elite mathematics, physicists, war heroes, spies, and deadly field agents. Amid more murder, a seemingly autistic girl's extraordinary genius, and a powerful breakthrough in the realm of classified codes, Sean soon learns enough to put his life at risk. Now more than ever, he needs Michelle--at her best--to help stop a conspiracy of traitors operating in the shadow of the White House itself.From Michelle's courageous struggle to defeat her long-buried personal demons to a centuries-old secret that surfaces in the heat of action, SIMPLE GENIUS pulses with stunning, high-intensity suspense. The heroes of Split Second and Hour Game, David Baldacci's #1 New York Times bestsellers, are back--as you've never seen them before.

Customer Reviews:

1 out of 5 stars A Terrible Book.......2007-10-05

As a long-standing fan it pains me to write a negative review for Mr. Baldacci's latest novel, but it seems as if he phoned this one into his publisher. Flat characters, over-plotted, silly dialogue...and those are the book's good points. Don't waste your time or money.

1 out of 5 stars Poor writing,characters and storyline=bad book.......2007-09-24

A member of our book group chose this book for us. We had read Camel Club and found the characters amusing and the story OK, but Simple Genius is embarrassingly boring. The characters lack any depth, the storyline is ridiculous and not even marginally believable;and the dialogue could have been written by a first grader. Do yourself a favor and don't buy this one.

5 out of 5 stars Baldacci comes through again.......2007-09-17

Briefly, an enjoyable "page-turner." It was hard to put down, both for the action and for the 3-dimensional main characters. Not a criticism, but the author in his credits should have given a nod to Clive Cussler.
Thanks, David. I'm awaiting your next one.

5 out of 5 stars Another good one............2007-09-15

I will never forgive Baldacci !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He got us started with these audio cd's with The Winner back in 1997- 98 ?

and found the perfect match for our love of driving trips !

As soon as he comes out with one, we get it... and have been enthralled every time !!!

I highly recommend Simple Genius!

5 out of 5 stars Simple Genius is Simply Great.......2007-09-13

Simple Genius, like all of David Baldacci's novels, is "simply great". This novel mixes suspence, a spy thriller, and detective mystery all into one speel-binding "edge of your chair" masterpiece. I couldn't stop listening to the un-abridged audio CD set. Great audio book. Recommended to all that enjoy this type of novel or this author.
Invisible Prey
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • boring, slow, and contrived
  • still the best writer today!!!
  • John Sandford's sense of humour grows
  • This is a fine novel
  • Great Book - Thoroughly Enjoyed It
Invisible Prey
John Sandford
Manufacturer: Putnam Adult
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

ContemporaryContemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0399154213
Release Date: 2007-05-15

Book Description

In the richest neighborhood of Minneapolis, two elderly women lie murdered in their home, killed with a pipe, the rooms tossed, only small items stolen. It is clearly the random work of someone looking for money to buy drugs. But as Davenport looks more closely, he begins to wonder whether the items are actually so small and the victims so random-if there might not be some invisible agenda at work here. Gradually, a pattern begins to emerge, and it leads him to . . . certainly nothing he ever expected. Which is too bad, because the killers-and, yes, there is more than one of them-the killers are expecting him. Brilliantly suspenseful, filled with rich characterization and exciting drama, Invisible Prey is further proof that Sandford is in a class of his own.

Customer Reviews:

1 out of 5 stars boring, slow, and contrived.......2007-10-07

Invisible Prey was a major disappointment in my eyes. Only a couple of months ago I read what I felt was Sandford's best book 'Dead Watch' and was looking forwards to more of his work. However I feel that the constraints of this series have tied Sandford's hands to such an extent that he is almost incapable of pushing any new life into it.

My main beef with this story is that everyone knows the Twin Cities are pretty calm when compared to places such as the inner corridors of Baltimore, New Orleans, or Detroit. This is the 17th time Davenport has confronted a mastermind criminal. He is so smart, so handsome, so wealthy, so comfortable in himself, that it is hard to find any sympathy for the guy. Why is it that only Davenport can take care of the Twin Cities problems. Time and time again in this story, the 'evil doers' talk about how Davenport is someone to watch out for and how only he can thwart them. What about the rest of the police force? Are they just chopped liver?

Lastly, this is just such a tedious plot. Sandford sets up a sort of Agatha Christie plot. Only he gives away the who-done-it aspect in the first few pages and we are left watching someone who can do no wrong stumble across one clue after another. Ohhhh how clever Sandford is to have the murderous couple end up on the inside of the investigation. Ohhh, how clever Sandford is in setting up a second plot that so perfectly co-insides with the murders and Davenport. Give me a break, and give me back the time I spent reading this drivel.

4 out of 5 stars still the best writer today!!!.......2007-10-05

John Sandford remains the best writer in his genre today with the latest Prey novel. Even though the great Lucas Davenport is "mellowing" with age, Sandfor still weaves an intricate, interesting plot that keeps his novels moving at a brisk pace that you can't put down. Sandford's strengths are his great characters and intelligent plots that let you in on the thoughts of both lawbreaker and lawman, a good technique to keep the reader clued in. I highly recommend this work and all of the Prey novels. I have been a fan since I picked up the first Prey novel years ago and eagerly await the next offering. Thanks John.

5 out of 5 stars John Sandford's sense of humour grows .......2007-09-28

John Sandford is a true craftsman. His "Invisible" works are consistent, intriguing, and growing in fun. As his charecter, Lucas Davenport, grows older an emerging note of humour (expressed through sarcasm and irony) is making these reads even more enjoyable. Invisible Prey is a fast paced, enjoyable read made all the more "fun" by the charecters as they emerge and Daveport's reactions to them and his contnuing family and friends. I look forward to what becomes "visible" next in the "Invisible" series.

5 out of 5 stars This is a fine novel.......2007-09-21

John Sandford does it again with Invisible Prey. Lucas Davenport, who is one of the most believable characters in modern crime fiction, continues his career in breaking a case that is deliciously complex, involves wonderfully convoluted and perverse characters and carries you from connection to connection until suddenly it will all make sense. This is a fine novel about interesting people, some of whom are doing violent and destructive things and others whom simply want to lead nice, decent lives and catches both the way in which the innocent can without cause be destroyed by evil, and the way in which good can in the end triumph. As an optimist, I find it always comforting to read John Sandford's novels and in particular I enjoy his Lucas Davenport pursuit of justice.

5 out of 5 stars Great Book - Thoroughly Enjoyed It.......2007-09-15

Lucas Davenport is my favorite - and he was up to par with this new book.
Your attention is grabbed at the very beginning of the story and keeps up the pace until the conclusion. This Prey book is different from the others but overall, it was very entertaining, a fast read. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Books:

  1. I Love Everybody (and Other Atrocious Lies): True Tales of a Loudmouth Girl
  2. Keys to the Vault: Lessons From the Pros on Raising Money and Igniting Your Business
  3. Killing Che: A Novel
  4. Kitchen Redos, Revamps, Remodels, and Replacements: Without Murder, Suicide, or Divorce
  5. Larklight: A Rousing Tale of Dauntless Pluck in the Farthest Reaches of Space
  6. Leading from the Heart: Choosing to Be a Servant Leader
  7. Listening for the Heartbeat of God: A Celtic Spirituality
  8. Locked Rooms (Mary Russell Novels)
  9. Maximum Ride #3: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports (Maximum Ride)
  10. My Sister's Keeper: A Novel

Books Index

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