Enjoyable but familiar
587839
I started reading this and very quickly realized this was heavily, heavily influenced by CS Lewis, the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Ironic that the author is also a respected theologian. While the storyline is familiar, the writing doesn't hold a candle to CS Lewis's work. I found myself annoyed by the lack of vocabulary and plain descriptions. This could be much better.
2352238
Husband's Secret moves along quickly enough, and book clubs will have "discussion fodder" from the Epilogue. The characters were a bit of the "cardboard variety" and reminded me more of the pre-60's moms than women today. I enjoyed the read, though, and I will ponder fate and secrets a bit as a result. More enjoyable than the author's "What Alice Forgot."
4738353
While this novel was fairly lightweight and predictable, it was still an enjoyable read. The characters, while not drawn with much depth, were nevertheless likeable and it kept my attention. Sometimes you need a book for distraction from life, and this fit the bill.
1333771
This is very much like the author's other books.  A simple story about pleasant characters who provide
feel good situations that end happilly.  It is not intellectually too demanding.
332875
Same familiar characters (with a tip of the hat to some of his old ones that have been written out) keep the story fresh and interesting.  The story line itself could have been taken from the current news and makes the book believable and topical.  The writing style is delicious with an occasional hard edge that continues to remind you of how possible this scenario is.  He tends to over-leverage the animosity between the different agencies, almost implying that only Stone is the only character with integrity and love of country and all the other paid gov't employees are really only interested in glory, at the expense of the nation (not hardly).  However, it is easy to see how the information roadblocks can inhibit good detective work.  Thank goodness we have Stone to cut through this systemic tarpit  and save our country!
3819558
I've read most of Henning Mankell's books with pleasure but they're becoming too familiar; the same themes reoccur and are dealt with in the same way.  Even the books ostensibly from Linda's viewpoint strike me as a reiteration of Kurt's frequent self-evaluations.
124851
First off let me just ask why there so many books out there that have someone from a large police force come to a small town to become sheriff to get away from all that crime and relax a bit.  Of course when they take over suddenly there is a murder, the first one in decades.  Sometimes I feel like I am reading the same book over-and- over again.  Now having said that this book was pretty well written and interesting.  The main character was rather likeable but somehow everything felt too familiar.
2771325
I downloaded this book as a freebie.  Since this story was familiar it was fun to read.  I was swept into the story from the first few pages describing Eleanor's race from the ball and losing one of the glass slippers.  The story moved pretty quickly after that and kept my interest throughout.  Aside from all the typo's and grammar errors it was a good read.  Someone really needs to update those errors though because it does make you re-read some of the sentences in order to make sense.

When I first downloaded this book I wasn't aware of a sequel but now will most likely download that one as well.  I'm anxious to find out if that one is as clever as the first.  We'll see......

This is a very easy book to read and enjoy.  Nothing earth shattering and some people might call it fluff but it's an enjoyable story.
634213
Good second entry.  I like the story, but it seems a little repetitive.  Same drama, same feelings, etc.  If you read the first you have to complete the series, though.  It is worth it.
1287799
Engaging story that reminds me a bit of The Lovely Bones in places. The Nakeds had good characterization, especially with Hannah and Martin, and the plot kept my interest. For me, the weakest part of the book was the sense of time. The story setting is in the early 1970s, and I discovered several references that were too modern (like saying 'weed' for marijuana when everybody said 'grass' back then, for instance). The author continuously reminded the reader of the era by making reference to the '1972 Olympics,' which I don't think it would be referred at the time; it would just be the 'Olympics.' Anyhow, I enjoyed the book and recommend it.
112116
This won't be the best book you've ever read, but it is nevertheless an enjoyable read.  There is a section in the middle where a series of side-stories are a bit repetitive, to the point where I began to forget which character had which backstory.  But in the end, none of that mattered, nor did the fact that you sort of know that the young protagonist will find her personal story joined to that of her research project.  This isn't a perfect story but I still liked it.
3208426
Its story line is similar to others, but it's still a good read
1558779
A lightweight but fun read, a bit obvious in it's allusion, but still enjoyable entertainment!
480893
It's fun to read about somewhere familiar, so I bought this book on a friends recommendation.  Pretty good read, but I was tired of Claire before the end.  But still fun to read about the museum & art forgery & theft.
19062
I don't find very many original plots just a lot of variations on the same theme. This is an employable read with great expectations for the next book.
The author has a nice blend of humor and drama. The hero actually has decent morals and is a plausible character.
enjoy it - I did
3961646
Feels as if a different author wrote this one. Still, it is nice to be reconnected with the characters.
1064491
But it's old and dated - not new and fresh like it was the first time I read it. Still, the character is famous, the action satisfying - just a good read. No real mental effort required to enjoy.