After being convicted of killing her mother and spending ten years in prison, Janie is now being released because some of the forensic evidence was mishandled. A technicality that gets her out of prison, but that in no way exonerates her of the crime.
Unsure of exactly what happened when her mother was murdered, Janie is determined to see if she can uncover the specifics. She doesn't have much to go on, but with the help of her lawyer, she plans to evade the press after her release and do some investigating on her own.
Now don't go thinking Janie is a sweet thing or that she is totally convinced of her own innocence. Janie and her mother definitely did not get along, and at seventeen, Janie excelled in the shallow, superficial, and spiteful.
Many readers have found her character unlikable, but I felt like Janie cultivated her image with precision--until the persona she created became an essential part of her. The events preceding her mother's murder reveal that her taunting words and behavior are not directed at everyone, and that she is aware of the triviality of the exclusive society in which she lived.
In some ways, the ten years Janie spent in prison have frozen her personality; however, removed from the influences of the outside word, Janie has pondered the events that resulted in her conviction and has done some research in the prison library. When she is finally released on the technicality, Janie is prepared to carry on her investigation in the real world. Still unsure about whether or not she is guilty, Janie and Noah, her lawyer, do everything possible to throw the media off the scent. But Janie plans to evade Noah as well.
The thing is...I like Janie. Maybe I wouldn't if I actually knew her, but I find her feisty and funny. She is stunted in some ways, but intelligent, and her sarcastic remarks are often both insightful and revealing.
I don't think I'll discuss any more about the plot, but Janie's personal search for the truth leads into the past. What I will say is that this book surprised me. Not just, "well, I wasn't thinking that could happen," more "that isn't what I was expecting AT ALL!" But I don't want to give anything away!
Elizabeth Little has written two nonfiction books about linguistics, but this is her debut in the field of fiction. I really liked it and hope for more. Maybe even more about Janie.
Library copy.
Mystery/Suspense. July, 2014. 364 pages.
OK, you did a good job piquing my interest. I've seen this book around - that match on the cover. Was wondering if I should try it. Guess I should.
ReplyDeleteIt was certainly an interesting novel in many ways. I'm not sure exactly why I chose to pull if off the library shelf; I'd never heard of either the book or the author, so maybe the cover caught my attention enough to slip it in my book bag. I'm glad I did!
DeleteYou've really got me curious about Janie, Jenclair. It sounds like there is more to her than meets the eye, and I like that in a character. I will have to look for this book. Thank you for your insightful review.
ReplyDeleteHer remarks can be both insightful and offensive, but often so funny. She's a hard case in many ways and has been so since long before her mother was murdered. Many readers were totally offended by her, but I found her fascinating, sympathetic, and entertaining. :)
DeleteYou've definitely piqued my interest on this, Jenclair. Janie sounds like an interesting character. I'll have to check this out.
ReplyDeleteJanie is definitely interesting, and I became totally involved with her investigation. I love a book that has the ability to surprise me.
DeleteWhat a beautiful review! I love the way you described Jamie's character development.
ReplyDeleteI think you'd like this one, Irene. The book is unusual in several ways. :)
DeleteI remember when this first came out. I think it was referred to as another Gone Girl. It didn't get a lot of hype and I forgot all about it. Wonder now if I should give it a chance.
ReplyDeleteI hope you read this one and review it. This is one of those books you want to discuss!
DeleteI found the characters in Gone Girl completely unsympathetic. I like Janie. Obviously, not everyone feels the same way, but I was rooting for her.
ReplyDeleteOkay I'm intrigued, Jen. She sounds like a fascinating character, likable or not. I'm reading The Last Breath by Kimberly Belle right now about a woman whose father was imprisoned for killing her stepmother but now it's come out he might not be guilty. It's very interesting! Have you read it?
ReplyDeleteI haven't read anything by Kimberly Belle, but I'll have to look into The Last Breath. I'm always looking for new authors!
DeleteWell, now I want to know what she uncovers and if she's really guilty or not! Another one for the TBR list.
ReplyDelete