Dear
Readers,
I’ve
been immersed in writing short stories of late and I've neglected the blog.
So today I will add a book review on one of the books I've read in the
last month, Iris Johansen’s “And Then You Die.”
Let’s
start off with my opinion of Iris Johansen’s body of work. Though I haven’t
read everything she's written, I have read a lot of the early Eve Duncan
novels. Very engaging and I was quick to pick up the next book in the series
after each one I finished. I did get sidetracked along the way, and I must admit I haven’t
finished all the books about Eve and Quinn.
With this prior experience of Iris Johansen's writing, I was sure when I picked
up “And
Then You Die” I would like it. I was wrong. I could go down a long list
of what I didn’t like about the plot and character development in this book,
but that would be just as boring as the book. So I’ll voice my biggest complaint
and what I disliked the most with this story and leave it at that—the main character.
What I did like was the prologue and
it set me up to turn the pages. I settled in to go along for the ride as Bess
Grady, photo journalist, exposes to the world an atrocity that she has captured
on film. I was sure that Bess would partner up with some gorgeous hunk that
would keep Bess safe, as together they uncover the duplicity of various entities
and governments in this crime against humanity. Once again I was wrong.
What I got was probably the most
unlikable protagonist I have ever seen in any book. At some point in the story the
hero or heroine has to become either likable or do something to gain our
respect and admiration, to engage us so we can root for them to succeed. It didn’t
happen. Bess was obnoxious and belligerent to the point I almost hoped she
would get what she deserved, which in my opinion was to be cut lose to make it,
or not, on her own.
I will gladly pick up another Iris
Johansen book; one unfortunate mishap won’t poison me against her writing. She’s
written plenty of first rate stories that I have enjoyed immensely. Just not
this one, save your money, or better yet, spend your precious reading time on
something else she’s written.
In closing I want to thank all of
you who have bought Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure for holiday giving.
Take
care,
Shelley
Lee Riley
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