Timothy Decker is eight-years-old and someone wants him dead. The people who care about him are dying at a rapid rate when Jane Whitefield steps in to help him disappear.
At the same time, Jane is trying to help Mary Perkins escape a predator who knows about Mary's S&L fraud and wants her money, after which she will be disposable.
I enjoyed this one, too, and I went directly into the next book.
Read in September.
Ivy Books. Mystery/Thriller.
Barry Award Nominee for Best Novel (1997), Dilys Award Nominee (1997). Print length: 400 pages.
Another twisty action-filled book with a pair of married killers who have been hired to find and kill Peter.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book, but this may not be the best series for binge reading as the plots are basically the same, although with new characters on the run and new villains pursuing them.
If I didn't already know that the series continues, I might have wondered if Shadow Woman was supposed to conclude a trilogy.
The suspense and adventure are satisfying, and these books kept me involved, providing an escape from depressing national, state, and local news. However, I think I'll give the series a pause for a month or so--not abandon it, just enough of a rest that I can appreciate the suspense again.
Read in September.
Ivy Books. Mystery/Thriller. Print length: 432 pages.
My only complaint is that it ended in a cliff-hanger. But I was willing to forgive that and pre-ordered the next book: Dance with the Sword.
Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy the second book as much AND it ended with another cliff-hanger. As much as I enjoyed the first book, Dance with the Sword failed to have the same effect.
Read in September.
Kindle Unlimited.
Fairytale re-telling. 2021. Print length: 311 pages.
I like to have a break, even if only for a book or two, between reading books in a series. It helps me to appreciate the individual plots more. But sometimes when one is particularly enthusiastic about a certain series, it is hard to wait. You just want to get on with it! That said, the Whitfield series does interest me. Not so sure about the other one.
ReplyDeleteI actually read books in between, but still too close together. I will continue to read the series (they are great escapism, for one thing), but spaced out a little further. :)
DeleteFly with the Arrow was my first Bluebeard retelling and I loved it so much! It was so unique and engaging. I was a bit disappointed though with the cliffhangers, especially the one in the second book. That was just mean. I still really want to find out what happens next though. I guess I'll just prepare myself for another cliffhanger with book three because that seems to be the way this series is going.
ReplyDeleteFly with the Arrow was so much fun! I don't like cliff hangers, though, and tend to resent authors that use them. It's great to have an overarching story that is continued, but I want each book to have a resolution. :\
DeleteI really don't like to read books in series and having an ending that is a cliffhanger is one of the very-good-reasons. But, oddly, I do tend to love books in a series.
ReplyDeleteI have many favorite series, but have to admit sometimes it is a good thing to have to wait for the next book. No, to cliff hangers, though. I love reuniting with characters in a good series, and I continue to follow many series because the characters have become friends.
DeleteThe sameness of the plots is something I wondered about in the Jane Whitefield series after reading the new one. Especially, as you mention here, if you try to binge read the series. I plan to go back to the earlier books in the series, but I'm definitely going to hold off for a while after reading your reviews of these two.
ReplyDeleteYes, the plots are exciting and suspenseful, but essentially the same with different characters in the Whitefield series. Great fun, but best given a rest in between each book. :)
Delete"A String of Beads," is next the read and a Perry first for me. It is wrapped in the fabric I use to place books in when I read.
ReplyDeleteYou'll have to let us know what you think! It is way down the line from where I am in the series. :)
DeleteCliffhangers are great only if the next books are available, ha. Fly with the Arrow sounds intriguing. Hopefully the third book will be better.
ReplyDeleteFly with the Arrow was such an interesting re-imagining of the Bluebeard fairy tale, but Dance with the Sword felt forced--and a second cliff hanger. Don't think there will be a third for me.
DeleteI tend not to binge read anything. My reading commitments usually keep me from doing it now, but when it did happen, I'd pick up on writers' quirks, etc. that would start to put me off their books. If I didn't binge read them, I'd forget what bugged me and I'd go back to enjoying the reads.
ReplyDeleteYes, those quirks. Funny how the mind holds on to small things like an author's too frequent use of a particular word or phrase.
DeleteI really want to read Perry's Jane Whitefield series! I just have a list of books I have to read first. But they do sound really good.
ReplyDeleteI know--I have a line up that is a little overwhelming right now!
DeleteThe cover for Fly with the Arrow is gorgeous! I like the premise of that one but two cliffhangers? Ugh. Then again it's not like I don't take my time with a series so by the time I'm ready for the third book the series is probably already up to 10 books or something! haha...
ReplyDeleteThe covers are wonderful! I loved Fly with the Arrow for it's unusual take on the Bluebeard tale, but I didn't like the second one nearly as much. And cliffhangers irk me. :(
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