Vincent Zandri

For me, the best way to get through unpolished writing is to take it in small chunks. For example, many of what Zandri calls "chapters" are actually "scenes," and I read two or three of these at a time. Thus, it took me a couple of weeks to get through the book.

Having finished the work, I feel that Zandri cheated his reader's by not going into greater detail about electroshock therapy. He gave hints, here or there, about Reece not being able to write The Damned, and a few other oblique references, and maybe that technique is part of the genre--don't give too much away.

Zandri took a similar approach with Lisa and David's "affair," though Reece's speculations here did have a foreshadowing aspect to them.

Having said that, I found the end to be a gratuitous--"I gotcha, reader! I bet you didn't expect that!"

I did find it interesting that Lisa had eye surgery, making her physically (as well as symbolically?) blind. Frankie, the dog, has more character depth than does Lisa. Blood, too, is monolithic--a type inserted to serve a function (how does it come to pass that, just in time, Blood makes it from inner city Albany to the Reynolds' mansion. As readers, we deserve to know a little more about Blood.

Other characters, too, remain undeveloped, though Detective Miller's notion the books are like footprints might be one of the better lines in the novel.

I got this as a freebie from Amazon. There are so many other choices that I'm not likely to add Zandri to my reading list--Greg Iles, David Lindsey, David Baldacci, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and others.… (mehr)

Paradox Lake... This is mainly told from the Rose's POV.
Rosie and her 12 year old daughter Anna head to Paradox Lake for three month's to get away. They are staying in this beautiful home right on the lake.
Anna isn't to thrilled about it.
They arrive to this small town out in the middle of nowhere.
Little do they know the horror that happened here back in 1986.

This was a really fast read. I finished in a day.
What I loved? I loved the writing. I loved the two main characters Rose and Anna.
What I disliked? About 87% of the way through it became clear what was happening!
(Don't want to give anything away) but it was pretty obvious.

Other then that it was great. Fast paced. Enjoyable read!

Thank you NetGalley Publisher and Author for this copy!… (mehr)