A few housekeeping items first:
1) You will notice I didn't blog last night (Tuesday). As I blogged about Monday, I could feel something coming, something big. Yesterday, what that
may be happened. I haven't actually slept and it's 4:23 AM. I've been up all night working on the details to see if it's doable... I'll let you know details when I have some answers!
2) Today is the book review for Double Deceit! Please visit her website at
http://shumphreys.blogspot.com/ after reading my review. More importantly, please leave a quick hello on her website/blog. I've notice comments are low there, and you can fix that! So support an author, and a good one at that!
On to the review!
Book Review:
Double Deceit by Stephanie Humphreys
Overview:
The story is set in various parts of Canada and follows the events over a few months in the life of Elaina. She had recently suffered spousal separation due to an obsessively controlling husband, and then a greater tragedy when her husband dies with her little girl. She returns to her childhood home, reunites with family and old friends, and even begins to relearn how to love and be loved. Everything isn't as perfect as it seems though. Mysterious phone calls, haunting letters, threats, and doubts about friends and family surface. Who is trying to scare her and what do they want? Or is she imagining all of it?
What I Liked:
Stephanie wrote a fantastic novel! The story is well crafted in many different areas. Her main character is well defined, believable, and someone whom even as a guy I feel I can easily empathize with. The tragedies she has suffered in her life are all too real, and multiple times I wanted to go find certain fictional characters and beat them to a pulp. I only refrained because it's hard to continue reading a book when the paper is mush.;-).
What really makes the novel though is the supporting cast of secondary characters and environment. Each of the secondary characters have very distinct and realist personalities. I did not once feel like I was pulled out of the story by anything they did, which is an achievement. The way they interacted with each other and Elaina just seemed natural and I cared about each of them. In line with that, Stephanie vividly portrays the Canadian countryside and small town feel to someone who has only seen pictures. More importantly, she does so subtly throughout the book, never focusing directly on it, but rather weaving it into the narrative.
Finally, I would be remiss if I did not mention the mystery element of this romantic suspense novel. In my not so humble way, I say that I am rarely unable to figure out what the
real answer is to a mystery earlier on than most. But Stephanie had me guessing to the very end, and when the big reveal happened, I had to pause and think about how wrong I had been. This alone makes picking up the book worth it for anyone and everyone. You are missing out on one fantastic twist if you don't!
What Didn't Suit My Tastes:
I don't say these things are bad, wrong, or need to be correct; only that they weren't my cup of tea. The first chapter just did not work for me. I pressed on though and by the third I was already caring about the characters and what happened to them. Secondly, the novel is in 1st person perspective. I have to admit I haven't read a novel like that in a very long time and it too me a while to wrap my brain around it. In time, it became very natural, but I would still say it is not my preferred method of delivery. I know many others feel differently. Finally, without going into great detail and giving away story plots, the only thing that made me think "well, this is unbelievable" and took me out a small way from the narrative was how Elaina (the MC) chose to handle certain events on her own after multiple experiences had taught her better. I understand the feelings she had of wanting to sort things out alone, move past them, and even concern about how others would perceive her. It just happened one or two times too many, making her appear silly rather than troubled. All of these are minor observations and feelings of taste.
Final View:
Pick this one up immediately. You can read it in less than a day and the story will stay with you. I finished it a week ago and images of it keep popping into my head on a daily basis. And that my friends is the hallmark of a truly memorable book that is worth your time. Stephanie, great job.
And now... go visit her blog and tell her you plan on picking up a copy of her book soon!
http://shumphreys.blogspot.com/
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