Who's Watching Who?-Intriguing expertly written novel.
353705
I didn't even know this book was out yet!-Such a nice surprise to happen upon a new book by an outstanding writer. Peter Heller is one of our best novelists writing today.

I love the way he paints a landscape for the reader in such vivid detail, that, a person can imagine exactly what it looks like. Celine and Peter's Loft, beneath the Brooklyn Bridge, which has views of the Atlantic and ships crossing. Delightful! Or Montana in all her changing colors and temperatures. The hard scrabble ranges juxtaposed with fairytale mountain settings. Such a rare treat! And then there is the lovely surprise of Maine, and these three Cheney sisters growing up on Fishers Island, sailing about and tragically missing their dad. That's probably my favorite part. Maine sounds idyllic, salty and full of sandy beaches and tall seagrass.
Celine is such a character! She almost reminds me of what Audrey Hepburn might have been like in real life. Or Kathryn Hepburn probably more so.
I didn't even know about those magnet tracker things people put on cars. Yikes!-she is such a pro, following the man following her, Mr. Tanner.
And the way Pa and her converse in their own special way, speaking volumes in a few short yups. Classic.

As the mystery unravels it does get strange. I can't wait to find out what really happened to Lamont. Something makes me wonder, and wonder hard, is this Gabrielle telling Celine the real story, or is Gabrielle on a different mission altogether? Stands noting, I think.

I adore this writer. He is a puller of heart strings. Reading this one nice and slow.
4215092
What a fabulously intriguing novel! One can almost feel the energy in the atmosphere of judges and elected representatives, and hear the dialog of realistic characters finely honed by the author. It is an excellent novel of a political arena best written by one who has worked in it. The author highlights several spiritual lessons that many of us learn through time and maturity, perhaps not to the degree that Sienna has, but sufficient to grow us in our walk with the Lord.

Sienna had been adopted at birth but doesnt feel part of her loving Christian family because she looks different from her siblings. Her parents were later blessed with several children, all of whom have the fair coloring of their Irish parents. Sienna knew her birth mother was from New York and hoped to find her.

Sienna wanted to work as a lobbyist. She left behind her loving family and Matt, the young man she had dated in high school, brother of her best friend Brea. While in college, she interned for a close friend of her family, a senator in Washington, DC. He offered her a job after graduation, but she followed her heart to a job offer in Albany, New York. Matt, an investigative reporter, realizes that after five years and failed relationships that he simply couldn't love anyone other than Sienna.

Sienna met Reese immediately after starting work for Conservative Family Coalition. Reese, good-looking, friendly, legal advisor to the governor, was interested in her! Unbeknownst to her, Reese and certain members of the party were skulking behind the scenes, having determined he needed to be married before the next election, that she would be a great politicians wife and look perfect as first lady of New York then later, all the way to the White House. She doesnt discern what her mom and Matt do, that something isn't right about Reese. Her relationships with them become rocky until it was almost too late, as Reese has too much on the line to let her walk away.

The strongest, or best-characterized people in the novel are Sienna, Matt, Reese, and Siennas mother. The author implements excellent dialog to express each personality; that and their actions show best who each of the characters is and what they are capable of. I like Sienna; if I were young and in her situation, I might do some of the same things. I like her mom, too, who wants the best for her. Knowing what we do about Reese, I don't like him at all, and didn't know the worst of it until later!

The plot is exciting because of the interactions of people, learning about lobbyists and representatives who genuinely work for the good of the people. It is exciting also because I love a mystery, and this was an excellent one! I learned about the viewpoints of many who are adopted. Im not sure why Sienna didn't at least question her boss about backing certain bills, but know well how a job can become too important. Ultimately I saw through this human example how much our Lord loves us when He adopts us into His family and how He must hurt when we still want to return to our old hangouts and habits. I highly recommend this novel to those who appreciate Christian fiction, intriguing novels with betrayal, fascinating characters and rich spiritual lessons.

From a grateful heart: I was given this eBook by Book Fun (The Book Club Network) and here is my honest review.
2694509
Richard Pook's novel "Who Wants to be President" is a thoroughly enjoyable, suspense filled, intriguing look into Washington politics and how one man's vision threatens the status quo. Of course, the Washington power structure will have none of it and therein lies a story that you will find hard to put down. Given the current state of the Presidential campaigns, Mr. Pook's novel is timely and relevant more now than ever. I found Mr. Pook's creative story to be an enjoyable, exciting read and, although fiction, definitely relevant to our times. "Who Wants to be President"  is an outstanding effort from a new and upcoming author who's future work is something worthy of anticipation.
2998257
An excellent mystery novel, with complex, fascinating characters - especially the private detective, Cleve Hawkins. Hartson holds our interest throughout the story, with many interesting twists that I did not see coming. His descriptive details are fresh and unique, and the reader feels involved in the story. The air of darkness in this tale is deliciously noir - the classic story of a moody but honest private eye is one that mystery lovers will enjoy from start to finish.
2700035
"The Watcher" is the d&eacute;but novel of British author and screen actor, Ross Armstrong. It is a taut and fast-paced psychological thriller set in North London.  The story has something of a Hitchcock screenplay to it, featuring, as it does, an ordinary person in the role of protagonist, an obsession with birds, a reliance on suspense over surprise and providing the reader with an uncomfortable sense of voyeurism. There are several other plot devices in the book which are characteristic of Hitchcock movies, too, but I would be giving too much away if I were to divulge what these are, beyond mentioning that Hitchcock himself does indeed get a cameo part in the book!

But if this makes you worry that the story is at all derivative in nature, fear not; "The Watcher" is a highly original and utterly engaging story, written in a way that pulls you in and has you wondering about things from the very first page right up until its exciting and nail-biting conclusion.  Along the way, you are pretty much guaranteed to become every bit as obsessed as the protagonist with getting to the bottom of things, walking (and watching) with her every crazy -- and scary -- step of the way.

Some of the book's mysteries (including the identity of the central villain) are not at all hard to guess but there remain many others that are not. In particular, the final outcome remains in doubt right until the very end and even if you have worked out (or guessed) where it is heading, there are still a great many things to enjoy about this book.  It is perhaps a bit rash to declare that one has found one's Best New Author of the Year in January but in this case I am sorely tempted to risk it!

Highly recommended.

DISCLOSURE: This review is of an advance reading copy provided free of charge via the Amazon UK Vine Programme.  It is an honest expression of my opinion of the product.
563669
An astonishingly incisive and suspenseful novel about a scandal amongst Britains privileged elite and the women caught up in its wake.

  Sophies husband James is a loving father, a handsome man, a charismatic and successful public figure. And yet he stands accused of a terrible crime. Sophie is convinced he is innocent and desperate to protect her precious family from the lies that threaten to rip them apart.

  Kate is the lawyer hired to prosecute the case: an experienced professional who knows that the law is all about winning the argument. And yet Kate seeks the truth at all times. She is certain James is guilty and is determined he will pay for his crimes.

  Who is right about James? Sophie or Kate? And is either of them informed by anything more than instinct and personal experience? Despite her privileged upbringing, Sophie is well aware that her beautiful life is not inviolable. She has known it since she and James were first lovers, at Oxford, and she witnessed how easily pleasure could tip into tragedy.

My Thoughts: Eager to read this story that could have been grabbed from todays headlines, I began&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Anatomy-of-a-Scandal-A-Novel/dp/B06ZZ1YD8M/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Anatomy of a Scandal: A Novel</a>&nbsp;with some idea of what would unfold.

Our alternating narrators take us from the present to the past, to a time when youth and bad choices set the tone for what would come next in the lives of these elite characters.

Setting in the past: Oxford University, with entitled students, mixed in with a handful of scholarship recipients. 1993 was a year that stood out for a number of reasons, and those secrets will stay in the past until something that happens in the present yanks them forward.

Did James rape his colleague? Or was it a misunderstanding between two lovers? What long term pattern of being flexible with the truth might be relevant in the present? What will Sophie realize about her husband, and how long will she stay loyal?

What, if anything, is the past connection between Kate Woodcroft, the barrister in Jamess case, and James and Sophie? How will Kate handle the delicacy of her situation? What will Sophie finally acknowledge? How does the longstanding friendship between James and Tom, his boss, inform the dynamics in the present?

Issues of consent are basic to the case before the Court and to this storywhile the existence of secrets, lies, and a feeling of being untouchable will ultimately change the course of all their lives, since nothing stays buried forever. 5 stars.
4465599
The author thoughtfully presents an analytical and dramatically exciting view of events that occur when it appears an alien invasion is approaching our world.  A family, led by a brilliant, famous and complex father, leave their New York Penthouse to a prepared hideout in Vail as the danger approaches.  The adventures and dangers along the way challenge each member of the family and reveals their thoughts, feelings and coping skills. The authors have created a fast-paced and intriguing novel that will leave you wanting to know much, much more.
4750688
This is a murder mystery with a fascinating twist.  The question is not only who the murderer is, but who is being murdered.  The answer lies in who's philosophic premises you agree with.  The book brilliantly explores the psychology of the murderer and the murderer's motivation.  The author provides ample clues and psychological insights, and as it builds to a climax, interruptions to reading cannot be permitted.  I think the book would make a riveting movie.  I look forward to Ms Peikoff's next novel.
4429458
One of the best books ever - highly entertaining and intriguing. The kind of book that gives one hope the novel is not dead!
2133014
A very well written novel with excellent characters. The narrator is well developed and each chapter reveals more about this fascinating yet flawed individual. I enjoyed the read even when the narrators actions made me wince. You won't regret purchasing this read.
1039968
Highly interesting and suspenseful novel. Multifaceted believable characters. Provides thought provoking issues for book group discussion!
1157037
An excellent read.  The characters were fully developed and thoughtfully presented with lots of attention to details.  The novel kept my attention for the entire read.
2112909
A captivating read that keeps you intrigued and engaged page after page......
I found the characters to be overall very personable and i could empathize with them and their experiences.
Easy to read, intriguing, exciting -  a page turner that keeps you wondering and delivers with an expected / yet very poignant end.
A must read!
3389002
Really enjoyed this novel. Interesting twists along the way. Unfortunately it was probably close to how many tv news networks run today. Recommended to mystery readers and anyone interested in tv news.
4394268
An outstanding novel filled with vivid characters and a strong sense of place, The Thousand is a sophisticated take on the conspiracy thriller. The plot involves a handful of characters, each connected in some way to the murdered Chicago composer Solomon Gold. First among these characters is Gold's troubled daughter Canada, who underwent a treatment for AD/HD as a child that has given her extraordinary (if unfocused) mental abilities. There is also Gold's lawyer, who is harboring a terrible secret; the detective who botched Gold's case; and Wayne, the casino security guard whose love for Canada borders on obsession. All of these characters find themselves caught in the middle of a battle between the feuding descendants of an ancient religious cult, who believe their efforts to keep their ancestors' secrets are the only thing that can keep mankind from eventually destroying itself. Thought-provoking and relentlessly paced, with humor and surprises that continue all the way to the last paragraph, The Thousand is filled with characters, especially Nada and Wayne, I wanted to spend more time with. It's a novel I thoroughly enjoyed.
779524
Imagine writing a novel about a novel. Hmmmm . . . a novel within a novel -- clever. This is a very, very entertaining novel and probably one of the most intriguing books I have ever read. Murder, romance, deceit, suspense, mystery, betrayal and lust is what you'll get in this outstanding novel. Also, I would like to recommend a novel called "The Upper Room," by Mary Monroe. A unique crime twisted novel.
870248
I wasn't going to read this book becuase the reviews didn't sound good enough but someone I trust recommended it, and I loved it.  It is well-written and assumes that the reader is intelligent and perceptive.  The subject matter is very interesting but what made this book a gem was the quality of the writing.  The author keeps your attention and makes you think.  Now my problem is that nothing else seems good enough.