Fragile by Lisa Unger (review #138)

Title: Fragile

Author: Lisa Unger

Genre: Thriller

Publisher: Crown

Format: Library Loan

* Read for my 2011 A-Z Mystery Author Challenge

I discovered Lisa Unger many years ago during my bookselling days. I received an ARC of Beautiful Lies, one of her first books. I could not put it down! I found her to be a fresh, exciting, sharp, thrilling new voice in the thriller genre. It had the perfect blend of psychological thriller and mystery that I like.

One of her latest novels, Fragile, was shelved in the Fiction section at my last bookstore instead of Mystery, like her others. Perhaps this was a marketing tactic to change up her audience or perhaps the publisher felt it was more of a novel than a thriller. I found it be similar to her others. It had the psychological thriller piece matched with the whodunnit of two missing girl cases.

Here is a brief description from Goodreads:

Everybody knows everybody in The Hollows, a quaint, charming town outside of New York City. It’s a place where neighbors keep an eye on one another’s kids, where people say hello in the grocery store, and where high school cliques and antics are never quite forgotten. As a child, Maggie found living under the microscope of small-town life stifling. But as a wife and mother, she has happily returned to The Hollows’s insular embrace. As a psychologist, her knowledge of family histories provides powerful insights into her patients’ lives. So when the girlfriend of her teenage son, Rick, disappears, Maggie’s intuitive gift proves useful to the case—and also dangerous.

Eerie parallels soon emerge between Charlene’s disappearance and the abduction of another local girl that shook the community years ago when Maggie was a teenager. The investigation has her husband, Jones, the lead detective on the case, acting strangely. Rick, already a brooding teenager, becomes even more withdrawn. In a town where the past is always present, nobody is above suspicion, not even a son in the eyes of his father.

“I know how a moment can spiral out of control,” Jones says to a shocked Maggie as he searches Rick’s room for incriminating evidence. “How the consequences of one careless action can cost you everything.”

As she tries to reassure him that Rick embodies his father in all of the important ways, Maggie realizes this might be exactly what Jones fears most. Determined to uncover the truth, Maggie pursues her own leads into Charlene’s disappearance and exposes a long-buried town secret—one that could destroy everything she holds dear. This thrilling novel about one community’s intricate yet fragile bonds will leave readers asking, How well do I know the people I love? and How far would I go to protect them?

I really enjoyed the small town everyone- knows -everyone drama. It added to the tension of the book. All the characters seemed relatively believable to me, having come from a small town myself. The only flaw was that there was a bit too many story lines going on for me. Unger did a pretty good job weaving them together in the end. I still felt that some of the threads were too detailed and she could have wrapped it up a little bit better with some of the characters.

I was surprised with how it all turned out, which is a plus for me. I don't like figuring it all out before it ends. The ending gives you the sense that there is more story to be told, which is where the Darkness, my old Friend comes in. I wasn't aware there was a follow up until I investigated the author's website. Jones Cooper, the lead detective in Fragile, continues his story in Darkness...

Perhaps I will get to that next year in my challenge. :)

Rating: 5/6

Though I liked Beautiful Lies better than Fragile, I still think Lisa Unger is an author to read. I think she handles the twists of a psychological thriller quite well. Her characters get in your head and you want to figure them out. You want to uncover all of the secrets and get to the nitty gritty of the crime. If you are fans of Lisa Scottoline or Tana French, you may like Lisa Unger's books. I would say she may be a good middle ground between the two.

Author Website:

Lisa Unger

Happy Reading and as always, thanks for stopping by!

red headed book child

Remembering Matthew Shepard

We all must live with compassion for others.

This is what we must teach our children.

Put your fears aside and be kind to one another.

Thank you.

red headed book child

The Ladies' Book club: October 2011

Book Read:

Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

Ladies in Attendance:

4 regular members

1 new member

Treats shared:

Pita Chips
French Bread

Spinach Dip

Pumpkin Scones

Sugar Cookies

Pumpkin Wine

White Wine

Apples with Caramel, Chocolate and Nuts to dip

To Read or Not to Read:

1 read it all, 2 read over 3/4 of it, 2 did not read it

My Reaction:

I had received this book as a potential review a few months ago and opted not to review it because I didn't think it would be something I'd like. I gave it to my friend Amanda who LOVES anything Zombie related and she really liked it. She likes to pick the book for the spooky month so it was her choice to read it for October. Overall, even though it was not really in the genre that I enjoy reading, I thought it was different enough to keep my interest. I wouldn't categorize it as horror or thriller. It was more of a straight forward novel that just happened to have a zombie as the main character.

It was fairly simple and easy to read. "R" was the zombie who was discovering he was not like the others. He was starting to feel things, and yearning to be different. He falls in love with one of the Living, a girl named Julie. He is a sweet, sometimes sad, hopeful and honest in his quest to figure himself out and essentially, get the girl. Aside from that storytline, you have the world surrounding them in shambles. The dead taking over the living, apocalypse everywhere. I just pictured the movie 28 Days Later, but fluffier! I'm glad I read it. I had about 30 pages left when I got to book club last night and I plan on finishing it today.

Description from Author's Website:

R is a young man with an existential crisis–he is a zombie. He shuffles through an America destroyed by war, social collapse, and the mindless hunger of his undead comrades, but he craves something more than blood and brains. He can speak just a few grunted syllables, but his inner life is deep, full of wonder and longing. He has no memories, noidentity, and no pulse, but he has dreams.

After experiencing a teenage boy’s memories while consuming his brain, R makes an unexpected choice that begins a tense, awkward, and strangely sweet relationship with the victim’s human girlfriend. Julie is a blast of color in the otherwise dreary and gray landscape that surrounds R. His decision to protect her will transform not only R, but his fellow Dead, and perhaps their whole lifeless world.

Ladies' Reaction:

The Lady that picked it really, really liked it. She thought it was a straight forward social commentary on the life of zombies. Though parts did not match up to the zombie lore that she knew, it was still a twist on seeing zombies in a different light. Those that read it felt that "R", the Zombie had a lot more going on than the Living characters, especially Julie, the girl he falls for. Her character did not seem to evolve much throughout the book. This was an interesting contrast. As a reader you expect the Zombies to be lacking and the Living to have more depth. In this twist, it was quite the opposite. I have not read many other Zombie books but those that have, say it is quite different and worth reading.

Good Book Club Pick?

Our group was a bit smaller this time around, which happens this time of year but overall, the group of us that read it found it to be a different, unique read. We all agreed we needed something a little different and this was a good choice to shake it up!

Next Book Up:

Loving Frank by Nancy Horan

Happy Reading and as always, thanks for stopping by!

red headed book child

Live to Tell by Lisa Gardner (review #137)

Title: Live to Tell

Author: Lisa Gardner

Genre: Thriller

Publisher: Bantam

Format: My shelves

* Read for my 2011 A-Z Mystery Author Challenge

Thank you, Mystery Challenge, for finally prompting me to read Lisa Gardner. I could not put this book down! Silly me, I even felt a little hesitant because it wasn't the shiniest or newest book on my pile. Darnit, though, I was sticking to my challenge. I had not fulfilled the letter "G" yet so I read it. SO SO GLAD I DID!

I have never read her before but have definitely been curious. She seemed to do the psychological thriller type of mystery that I really like, if it's done well. My mom and my pal, Cheryl, had already read this one last summer after I got back from BEA. (Yes, I'm that behind). They both remarked that is was excellent. I would agree wholeheartedly.

Here is a description from the author's website:

He knows everything about you—including the first place you’ll hide.

On a warm summer night in one of Boston’s working-class neighborhoods, an unthinkable crime has been committed: Four members of a family have been brutally murdered. The father—and possible suspect—now lies clinging to life in the ICU. Murder-suicide? Or something worse? Veteran police detective D. D. Warren is certain of only one thing: There’s more to this case than meets the eye.

Danielle Burton is a survivor, a dedicated nurse whose passion is to help children at a locked-down pediatric psych ward. But she remains haunted by a family tragedy that shattered her life nearly twenty-five years ago. The dark anniversary is approaching, and when D. D. Warren and her partner show up at the facility, Danielle immediately realizes: It has started again.

A devoted mother, Victoria Oliver has a hard time remembering what normalcy is like. But she will do anything to ensure that her troubled son has some semblance of a childhood. She will love him no matter what. Nurture him. Keep him safe. Protect him. Even when the threat comes from within her own house.

In New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner’s most compelling work of suspense to date, the lives of these three women unfold and connect in unexpected ways, as sins from the past emerge—and stunning secrets reveal just how tightly blood ties can bind. Sometimes the most devastating crimes are the ones closest to home.

Lisa Gardner's writing style definitely has a hook to it. She has a way of building up suspense in each chapter even when not a whole lot happens. She leaves you hanging and then always comes back to satisfy you. It was told from three different perspectives, all women and you don't really see how they are all tied in until about half way. And then, BAM, it's none stop suspense.

I was especially intrigued (and a tad bit horrified) with the subject of mental health in children. It saddens me that there are children out there that have either been so badly abused or neglected that they are uncontrollable beings at this point. They have not received any of their basic needs in order for them to developmentally grow into healthy emotional children. This topic was pretty heavy throughout, in Danielle's work as a Pediatric Nurse and with Victoria and her son who suffered from a severe psychotic disorder.

The subject wasn't done is a flashy way or an over the top Lifetime movie of the week way. It was laid out pretty matter of fact, which made it even more terrifying and unputdownable to read.

All the women in this book were fascinating to read as well. They were all flawed and beaten up in their own way. D.D Warren was crass, sharp and brutally honest. In the midst of all the craziness in her work, she freely admits that all she really needed to do was get laid. This may sound flippant but it was real. With all the horror she sees on a daily basis, she was honest in needing the simple comfort of someone near her at the end of the day. I will definitely be reading more of her series.

Rating: 6/6

I give this my top rating. Though at times, the subject matter was a bit harsh and gruesome, I think Lisa Gardner wrote a well written, chilling thriller. I really liked the D.D Warren and want to go back and read the previous books in her series. As far as psychological thrillers go, Gardner rates at the top. I would put her up there with Harlan Coben, who is a huge favorite of mine.

I'm so glad I finally read this and also completed a letter in my Mystery Challenge!

Author Website:

Lisa Gardner

Happy reading and as always, thanks for stopping by!

red headed book child

The Year of Mysterious Giveaways: October 2011

The Year of Mysterious Giveaways: October 2011

The Ninth Day by Jamie Freveletti

I liked the cover for this one. It fits the October/Fall theme. It also sounds like a fantastic mystery thriller. Who's with me? Ready to enter another fabulous give away in the

Year of Mysterious Giveaways?!

Description from Goodreads:

In less than nine days, terror crosses the border . . .

Hiking in Arizona, biochemist Emma Caldridge inadvertently interrupts the operations of dangerous traffickers in human cargo—and is chased south into the arms of millionaire drug merchants. Suddenly a prisoner of Mexico’s most feared cartel, Emma makes a shocking discovery in the marijuana fields outside Ciudad Juarez: plants rotting with a flesh-eating toxin that causes a truly horrible death within nine days of exposure. And there is no antidote.

The cartel believes that U.S. agents contaminated the plants, and, determined to make their enemy pay, they prepare to spread their lethal product across America. Emma Caldridge searches desperately for a cure, but time is running out more quickly than she anticipated. For Emma herself has been infected—and, barring a miracle, she will die before the terrible dawning of . . .

Contest Rules:

Runs October 3- October 30

*Please be a follower of my blog.

*Please leave an email address.

* Please reside in the United States.

Thanks to Dana Kaye Publicity for sending me a copy to give away.

Happy reading and as always, thanks for stopping by!

red headed book child

Contest Winners!

CONTEST WINNERS!

I had multiple giveaways going this month and they ended around the same day so I am lumping the winners in one post!

Thanks to everyone who entered in both the Learning to Breathe contest and my current Year of Mysterious Giveaways contest. I appreciate all of you for stopping by! I wish I had gifts for you all.

:)

The winner of Cat in a Vegas Gold Vendetta is Miranda....

I follow on GFC ~ Miranda Ward
freebiegoddess03@aol.com
USA

Thanks Miranda! You will be notified!

The winner of Learning to Breathe and the very special extra gift from the author is Gayle...

I could probably benefit from this book even though I haven't had a panic attack for about a year. Sometimes I feel one close by and have to stop and remember how to breathe also. I have empathy for anyone who suffers this condition.

gaylelin@hotmail.com

Thanks Gayle! You too will be notified.

Both winners will be receiving their prizes straight from the publishers. Thank you to them for giving me and you this opportunity to win these wonderful items.

Happy Reading and as always, thanks for stopping by!

red headed book child

The Ladies' Book Club: September 2011

Book Read:

Bliss by Oz Livaneli

Ladies in Attendance:

6 regular members

Treats shared:

Chips & roasted red pepper hummus
Homemade Tabouli
Mint Milano cookies
Samoa Cookies
Bread & cheeses (Drunken Goat Cheese, Mushroom Brie & Jarlsburg)
Cupcakes from "Cupcake"

Peach Salsa & Chips

Matys ~ a south african white wine

Prosseco

To Read or Not to Read:

2 Read it all, 2 read 1/2, 2 not at all

My Reaction:

I read about 50 pages or so and just could not get into it. I was unable to make it to this meet up and was bummed I could not see the ladies but because I didn't read the whole book, I did not have much to contribute to the book discussion. I am including a detailed description of the book so the comments from the other Ladies below will make some more sense. It was a strong pick by Rachele and a lesser known author, which I like.

Description from Google Books:

Fifteen-year-old Meryem lives in a rural village in Eastern Anatolia, Turkey. Her simple, conventional way of life changes dramatically after her uncle, a sheikh in a dervish order, rapes her and condemns her to death for shaming the family. Asked to carry out the honor killing is his son Cemal, a commando in the Turkish army. So begins a long, mystifying voyage for Meryem as her shell-shocked cousin ushers her to the shining metropolis of Istanbul where another troubled soul, the Harvard-educated professor Irfan, embarks on his own journey of transformation'one that catapults him into the heart of Meryem and Cemal's conflict. The crossed-paths and interwoven destinies of these three characters makes for an affecting, by turns brutal and life-affirming portrayal of traditional and modern-day Turkey that no reader will soon forget. Livaneli is an essential force in Turkey's musical, cultural, and political scene.

Ladies' Reaction:

Because I was not in attendance this month, my good pal, Kari, took excellent notes. So these are straight from their mouths. I always like to keep the notes as is because I find them to be pretty funny, honest and to the point, even if them come across as a bit choppy from translation.

Maria- noticed there are lots of outdated traditions still carried out
in that village!
Erin- Did the girls transformation on the train seem realistic in just
a train ride?
Rachele- Maybe not in that time frame, but could be realistic.
Maria- I would assume that here would be a transformation as she
experienced & saw more away from her village . It did seem unrealistic
that it could all happen on 1 train ride ... eating in front of men,
talking to men, uncovering her head ...
Erin- She was faced with life or death and she decided to go for it
and figure out who she wanted to be. That's brave for a girl from a
small village.
Maria- I am glad I read it, it was a good book, but I didn't like the
ending. I don't know what I would do differently had I written the
ending though. It just seemed like an unrealistic ending for how the
plot unfolded.
Rachele- The Prof. sounded like such a coward - other people have
problems too, some much worse problems than he has ... his story, and
he just moved so slowly.
Maria- There wasn't much of a plot climax to the professor's story
Erin- His plot just fizzles out where the girls has resolution to it.
Maria - I kept thinking ... "did I miss something in his story? is that it?"
Rachel - I like the 3 different journeys in one story
Maria- Good character development. Stories/journeys don't connect ...
paths cross but journeys don't connect.

Good Book Club Pick?

Kari- Overall ~ Glad we had the discussion about the book - I don't know how
I feel about the book. I learned a lot about Turkish culture but I
don't know if I would recommend it. It's a unique type of story.

Next Book Up:

Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion (yay! spooky zombie book!)

Happy Reading and as always, thanks for stopping by!

red headed book child