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claudetteb's review against another edition
1.0
It's a fun idea. Each renowned author writes a different chapter. Unfortunately that's where the fun ends. The only really good thing about this book is the length: it's only about 200 pages. Still a waste of time though.
jaxboiler's review
3.0
This was okay. It is the first time I have tried one of the collaborative novels. At times it seemed like it dragged and at times it was fine. Not sure if it was because of the story line or dealing with the way each author wrote their chapter in their style.
bookhero6's review
4.0
I received this book through the Goodreads Firstreads program.
This book has a lot going for it. Each chapter is written by an established author. The proceeds go to a good non-profit organization. It's a classic missing persons case filled with money. It reads fast and easy.
I never expected it to flow so well. Despite being written by 20 different authors, it is a cohesive mystery. I don't like to discuss plot in reviews because that is available on the book page. At first, I was worried it was a dumbed down version of Night Flim by Marisha Pessl. It's not.
Yes, we have a disgraced detective. Yes, we have a beautiful heiress. But it's more like a really awesome SVU episode brought to print. In fact, I would love to see SVU do a "ripped from the headlines" episode from this book.
I decided not to read it from the "it has a good purpose" perspective, and just for its value as a mystery novel. I have to admit, I was worried about Charlaine Harris' and Mary Higgins Clark's contributions being able to divert from their formulas. But I forgot how good Charlaine Harris is when not writing Sookie Stackhouse novels, and I forgot how Mary Higgins Clark knows how to write a good suspense sequence.
Despite being written by 20 different authors, it flows nicely and creates a good story with good atmosphere. It's 21st Century Noir, and I mean that the best way possible.
Even if youdon't buy the book for its good purpose, check it out from your library for a good read.
This book has a lot going for it. Each chapter is written by an established author. The proceeds go to a good non-profit organization. It's a classic missing persons case filled with money. It reads fast and easy.
I never expected it to flow so well. Despite being written by 20 different authors, it is a cohesive mystery. I don't like to discuss plot in reviews because that is available on the book page. At first, I was worried it was a dumbed down version of Night Flim by Marisha Pessl. It's not.
Yes, we have a disgraced detective. Yes, we have a beautiful heiress. But it's more like a really awesome SVU episode brought to print. In fact, I would love to see SVU do a "ripped from the headlines" episode from this book.
I decided not to read it from the "it has a good purpose" perspective, and just for its value as a mystery novel. I have to admit, I was worried about Charlaine Harris' and Mary Higgins Clark's contributions being able to divert from their formulas. But I forgot how good Charlaine Harris is when not writing Sookie Stackhouse novels, and I forgot how Mary Higgins Clark knows how to write a good suspense sequence.
Despite being written by 20 different authors, it flows nicely and creates a good story with good atmosphere. It's 21st Century Noir, and I mean that the best way possible.
Even if youdon't buy the book for its good purpose, check it out from your library for a good read.
kateangeloauthor's review against another edition
2.0
The story was good... the writing was great. My biggest issue with this book is with the editing of the main character, Peri. In several chapters, the author of that chapter took the character and made him "their own" instead of following who the character was in the first place. In one chapter he's a thoughtful dad who is compelled to find Angel out of a fatherly instinct. Then another author gets a hold of Peri and suddenly he's cursing and acting way out of character, only to slide back into the "normal Peri" when the next author picks up the Chapter. It would be a great story if the editor would have caught this character shift and made an adjustment so the reader would feel less frustrated.
I rather enjoyed the 2nd person villain POV at the end of most chapters. It really gave a sense of thrill and suspense to the novel.
I rather enjoyed the 2nd person villain POV at the end of most chapters. It really gave a sense of thrill and suspense to the novel.
bthorsson's review
4.0
Good mystery with good plot. Feels like 20 different stories but all fits together in the end. Recomend this book 100%
graff_fuller's review
4.0
On collaborations like this...I usually like to highlight the authors of the anthology. Rating each work as I go...so that by the end, I can add up all the entries and divide by the different writers...thus, the rating of the book.
So, you will see in the first few chapters I was trying to analyze the different writing styles and voices that the authors had...which either helped, but more often (when the spotlight was shown on it) deterred from the actual narrative, for me.
I then decided to just read it as ONE story. Not looking for problems, but just enjoying the tale being told. And this allowed this story to be more enjoyable.
This wasn't a project to show the particular talents of the authors AGAINST the other authors (look at me, look at me), but to show their ability to meld and weave a SINGULAR story...via TWENTY talented authors (hiding their differences and desires to spotlight themselves...for the greater good of the story. A true collaboration.
I think the process of gow this came to be...is a story in and of itself. I am going to look around to see how this work gor made. The ins and outs. The back and forths. Did each author have a hand (or control any of the ideas of the chapters after them)? Was it workshopped ahead of time...then written, then tweaked by the editor later...to form ONE cohesive story? Inquiring minds want to know.
I believe they did it. I was enthralled within the story. It isn't ground breaking in and of its self (as a story), but the way that it came to be...is a testament in favor of these incredible authors.
TWENTY voices to make ONE narrative....AND it was really good.
So, you will see in the first few chapters I was trying to analyze the different writing styles and voices that the authors had...which either helped, but more often (when the spotlight was shown on it) deterred from the actual narrative, for me.
I then decided to just read it as ONE story. Not looking for problems, but just enjoying the tale being told. And this allowed this story to be more enjoyable.
This wasn't a project to show the particular talents of the authors AGAINST the other authors (look at me, look at me), but to show their ability to meld and weave a SINGULAR story...via TWENTY talented authors (hiding their differences and desires to spotlight themselves...for the greater good of the story. A true collaboration.
I think the process of gow this came to be...is a story in and of itself. I am going to look around to see how this work gor made. The ins and outs. The back and forths. Did each author have a hand (or control any of the ideas of the chapters after them)? Was it workshopped ahead of time...then written, then tweaked by the editor later...to form ONE cohesive story? Inquiring minds want to know.
I believe they did it. I was enthralled within the story. It isn't ground breaking in and of its self (as a story), but the way that it came to be...is a testament in favor of these incredible authors.
TWENTY voices to make ONE narrative....AND it was really good.
unabashedlyemma's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book was fine, but I found the switching between authors to make it pretty disjointed and hard to stay interested. Aaaaaand I don’t care much about the problems of rich people