couldn't put it down, the way you can't help looking at a bad wreck.
356970
If you love GWTW, you will have to read this just because the curiosity will be too much to resist, and I promise you will hate it.  If you have never read GWTW, you will probably like it, because as a story that has no connection to GWTW, it is interesting and readable.  But once you read the real thing, it is impossible to enjoy the characters or story in this book.  It is a weak retelling of the story that is already told so well, why tell it again? And if you're going to tell it again using pivotal characters from the original, you should have a basic understanding of what is reasonable for the characters to have done. Scarlett inviting Belle to be a guest at Tara? Kissing her nite nite?  On what planet? All the respectable ladies of Atlanta showing up to pay their respects to Belle?  NOT going to happen!  Ever.  And then there is the way he destroyed Melly.  Melly, who's prenatal visits with Dr Meade in GWTW had caused her tortures of embarrasment, would simply NOT have mentioned sex in letters to ANYONE, let alone someone she had recently met.  LIke I said, I couldn't put it down, if only to see what else he would destroy.  And I was rewarded with the destruction of Tara. This and Ripley's Scarlett just demonstrate that no one could possibly write a sequel to GWTW except possibly the woman who created it.  And do we really need a sequel?  We all know Scarlett got Rhett back, do we really need to know how?
268434
A harrowing account of a platoon commander's experience with plenty of space given to tactics, keeping in mind conditions and other factors that have a bearing on strategy. It's kind of like a traffic accident, you want to respectfully look away and maintain your speed but you end up being a pathetic rubbernecker anyway. You can't look away from this book. You can't put it down. I think one way it is so successful in doing that is that the author keeps on moving forward when you as the reader feel like stopping to reel in the misery, unfairness, or danger of it all, he doesn't let you, because the circumstances didn't allow him that luxury. What a testimony to the strength of character of the man behind the book.

There's another side to that coin though. One thing I missed that is part of other eyewitness narratives is a personal touch and by that I mean a glimpse into what the man was feeling and thinking on a personal level not just on the level of a man with a life-and-death job to do as well as personal information about the men who served with him. I feel like I did enough emoting for the both of us as I read it!  So many frustrating, frightening, no-end-in-sight situations that I don't know how the author survived it with his sanity intact.  I have tremendous respect for all veterans (and for those who never came back of course) and that goes double or triple for this author.  The things he did and survived through are truly remarkable and I thank him for his service. I feel so strongly about the author that I want to give 5 stars or more but it is a book review after all and not a review of the man himself. I found myself wanting more personal detail than the author gave and the writing didn't seem up to professional author standards, that is why I didn't give it the full 5 stars. Definitely worth a read though. You will not be sorry.
3142641
Can't stop reading.  The subject is grim and terrifying, but I couldn't stop reading.  Thank God for the ending.  You'll need a strong stomach.
1210511
This book captivates you from the first paragraph and doesnt let you go. The details are hard to read, but you can't put the book down. It makes you emotional to think what others have gone through in their life. It brings you to tears.
904778
In a sense, and I think Ms. Fisher might agree with this statement: Enjoying this book is similar to when you pass a really interesting car wreck.  The amazingness of it outweighs the horror (like when the entire cargo of a truck hauling tractors accidentally collapses onto the car following behind, but somehow, no one was hurt.  You slow down and look; you talk about it for days!).

This book is full of awful wrecks:  drug addiction, alcohol use, neglectful parents, mental illness, predatory people circling the stars.  Having said that, Ms. Fisher is just so darned entertaining about it, that you have to love it.

This woman is so talented, and so completely smart, that it was a joy to read this book.  I had never read any of her work before, but I will certainly do so now.

I especially enjoyed her story about dinner with the senators (condescending *#$%s that they were).  But really the best is that she clearly has done the right thing by her parents.  Not that she owed her father anything, as she says.  But taking care of him in his last days was so truly good of her.  I hope her karmic reward is huge.

I also found her comments on Michael Jackson interesting.  I was never a particular fan of his, but he was clearly very talented.  It is nice to think that he had a supportive friend.

This is just good reading.  I hope any reader enjoys it as much as I did.
608254
When a tragic accident takes a few high school girls lives, stories unfold about how it happened to the whole and how the town healed.  Great read, another book you just can't put down.
2153352
Reading this book was like watching a car crash, you want to but you can't look away! This book was disturbing on a number of levels. You begin to feel the futility and exaustion of the boys as the book drags on, but you  just can't stop reading until you reach the end, if you reach the end, but  then what...?
2919176
Couldn't put it down. One hardship after another. I didn't know the fate of the crew before reading the book so I was on the edge of my seat for at least 2/3 of the book.
2301682
Fast read, sometimes you just can't put this book down.
1922978
Moments on a moving train. You're sitting quietly, anonymously. Life out the window flashes by in an instant, in segments -- scenery, sunlight, shadow, flash, flash, changing fast, continuous movement, continuous change, with heavy clicks of wheels on track. This is what I feel, what I see when I read The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. In those moments you witness time and life at 50 mph. Going too fast to know if there's more behind the glimpse. Your perception influenced by what you want to envision, what you like seeing outside. But you witness something bad in a quick out your window. Then you think you know something even worse. Now you're able to step off the train and delve deep into the mystery. Reality may be a whole different story. Your keen perception, off. You think you know. But now you don't. Maybe it's best to remain anonymous.. No way. You're too far gone. Now that you're either entirely intrigued, or slightly confused, read this fun thriller. It's really, really good. And it's been a long time since I've read a book I couldn't put down. We all loved it - 4 out of 5 stars from each one of the Mindful Readers
4953405
Although I couldn't set this book aside without wanting to read more, it's not for the faint of heart. The details can be quite graphic at times, which was not exactly necessary to tell this horrific story, but it definately put into context how truly psycopathic Paul Bernardo and Karla Holmoka are. What really amazed me is the fact that neither of them is remorseful for what they did to those poor young girls. Mr. Williams does seem to focus more on Karla in this book, which lets us see that she may have been the true mastermind of all the crimes commited, but I would have liked to have read more on Paul as well. The only possible complaint that I could have about this story is that sometimes Mr. Williams jumped around with some details and also there were too many names associated with this case to keep straight. I was astounded that the police could "bungle" the investigations so badly, maybe those three girls would be alive today if Paul Bernardo was stopped earlier than he had been. I can't quite comprehend why the police settled themselves on facts which proved to be incorrect. It's as if they walked around with blinders on instead of meticulously checking out every piece of evidence. This is absolutely worth the read and it shows the great injustice served to all the victims of the sick minds of Paul and Karla. They should rot in jail, and I'm not talking about "country clubish", I'm talking about hard time in general population. Let's see how long they survive there!
1918404
This book was fascinating from the first page until the last. Mr. Kunen has a way with words that will grip the reader as he did me. The intimate details of the crash and the lives of the young victims will bring a tear to your eye. And how Ford Motors was defeated in the end will have you cheering in a bittersweet way. A masterpiece. I have read hundreds of books and this book tops my list to this day even though I first read it 6 years ago.
4635354
I loved this book. Don't get me wrong, it is not a beach book. It is not lighthearted but it is brutal in its honesty and it talks about hard subjects that people don't want to usually discuss. Claire is a fabulous character with her own set of flaws that she has to over come both over her own sexuality but also surrounding her issues with the way sexuality has been placed in her life. It is very much a car crash that is hard to look away from but is amazing to watch unfold. I kept thinking I had it figured and was hoping I did, but the outcome was so much better than I envisioned.
762566
It's hard to admit to enjoying this book given the subject matter. But I have to say, it was fascinating from cover to cover and, again I hate to admit, I couldn't put it down. I think what kept me glued to it was the fact that this stuff actually happened during my lifetime.

Very well written book by two people (Stephen G. Michaud & Hugh Aynesworth) who had access to Bundy and interviewed him with as much vigor as possible attempting to get into his head and bring the real Bundy out. Each went at it in their own way. One very intriguing and telling point was Bundy's habit of referring to himself in 2nd person as in "yes, he probably would have beaten her ....". This type of answering led the interviewer to ask the questions in the same manner "And, would he most likely have ...". This was an indication of how much Ted had removed himself from reality.

The authors didn't just focus on Ted's trail of devastation from his side alone. They also gave us time lines on some of the victims on the day of their individual murders. This put so much a human face on everything as well as kept us abreast of Bundy's viciousness and absolute disregard of people as human beings.

Also we get an inside look at how law enforcement worked back then. As in similar cross state line cases, it seems that thanks to the tenacity of one or two detectives in at the start (Seattle) jig saw pieces were put together and the puzzle of all the dead girls started to look like the work of one man, Ted Bundy.

The book is well written and moves along at, for me, the right pace. The authors did a great job of mingling victim time lines in with Bundy's actions and the moves of the police force.

I thoroughly enjoyed it despite the gruesome nature of the content. I have to add, it's not too graphic and doesn't attempt to put the reader at the scene of the crime during the crime in progress. It's more "after speak" in describing the crime scene and the injuries sustained with "probable" reasoning.

Great account of a mad man who looked just like everyone else and by no means fit any stereo type we might have of a gruesome, cold and callous killer.
97740
Hard to look away from a train wreck. But also really funny at times.
1913644
Jimmy, a young man who thrives on violence, and Robert, along for the ride, cause the death of woman while driving. Was it intentional? Was it an accident caused by a young driver who didn't think about the potential consequences of his actions but nevertheless got a thrill from them?

Thomas Ford, the woman's husband, manages to survive the accident. Barely. Did he do what he could to try and save his wife?

Lorna, a young woman with a mercenary heart is determined to find a shortcut to a better life. She has come into information about the cause of the wreck. Her motives are crystal clear. Unfortunately she will set events in motion that will have dire, and deadly, consequences.

I truly enjoyed this book. It's becomes almost mesmerizing to watch the ever widening ripples caused by a bad decision- and there are several bad decisions made in this story.

This is not a book for the faint of heart. There is violence and, in my opinion, true evil here. Some of the characters are both victims and aggressors. That is part of why I found the story so fascinating- the kindest person may still be guilty while the most evil person is dead set on protecting the people he "loves". If you're looking for something with little or no gray areas it won't be here.
4216586
fast paced,,,,,can't put it down,,,,,,,,
unbelievable,,so descriptive,,,makes you feel that you are right there,,,you c
an feel the way things are done,,,,makes you sick,,,,,