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psalmcat's review
3.0
This is another of those "one book, [x number of] authors" books. Clever, but lacking in coherence. Honestly, I need to stop assuming the blurb gives me the straight story. I don't think I'd bother reading this again, but the cause for which it is raising money is worthwhile.
sarahvotes'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
3.0
quinnster's review
3.0
This was such a fun book! I love the idea of these authors writing their chapter and passing it along to the next. Sometimes the book felt repetitive and there were one or two chapters where I felt Perry was a bit different than he'd felt in the previous chapters. It wasn't bad enough to pull me out of the book completely and I still enjoyed it.
thebookpayne's review
2.0
This book is the result on the combined efforts of twenty prominent writers. While the story flowed along pretty well, having so many different minds creating it and staying true to his or her own style and voice makes things feel choppy. I found myself eager to finish it, not so much because I was enjoying it but just so I could check it off my list. It wasn't a terrible book, but I wouldn't recommend it. A portion of the proceeds from this book go to a vicim's charity, which is the best thing about it.
jodimcdonald's review
2.0
Loved the concept. I found the story super predictable and it lacked depth in my opinion.
krisrid's review
1.0
This was a disappointment for me. I didn't finish it.
Several of the reviews noted the differences in writing style due to the fact that each chapter of this book being written by a different author. Some other reviewers had a problem with that, but that wasn't my issue, and the differences in style didn't bother me, possibly because I listened to this on audiobook so the style shifts weren't as noticeable as if I'd been reading a paper book.
My problem with this book was two-fold:
1) there wasn't a single character in the book that I found in the slightest measure likeable or even relatable. I found all the characters, including the main one Peri, to be selfish or mean or downright rotten.
2) It's hard to care about a bunch of nasty people, and I realized about halfway through that I really just didn't care what happened to any of them enough to keep going. I wasn't even interested enough in what happened to the missing Angel to stick with the story.
I really wanted to be done with these people, so I am sending this one back to the library. This was a big miss.
Several of the reviews noted the differences in writing style due to the fact that each chapter of this book being written by a different author. Some other reviewers had a problem with that, but that wasn't my issue, and the differences in style didn't bother me, possibly because I listened to this on audiobook so the style shifts weren't as noticeable as if I'd been reading a paper book.
My problem with this book was two-fold:
1) there wasn't a single character in the book that I found in the slightest measure likeable or even relatable. I found all the characters, including the main one Peri, to be selfish or mean or downright rotten.
2) It's hard to care about a bunch of nasty people, and I realized about halfway through that I really just didn't care what happened to any of them enough to keep going. I wasn't even interested enough in what happened to the missing Angel to stick with the story.
I really wanted to be done with these people, so I am sending this one back to the library. This was a big miss.
1of3bookgirls's review against another edition
3.0
This was a super cool concept...however....
For the intelligent reader and especially those who have read multiple books in this genre, there are way too many holes and super obvious "revelations" in the product as a whole. The reason I'm rating this higher is because of the money raising aspect of the project. It was done for victims of violent crime as a charity project. With as many big dogs that were in this project, I expected better. Seriously.
For the intelligent reader and especially those who have read multiple books in this genre, there are way too many holes and super obvious "revelations" in the product as a whole. The reason I'm rating this higher is because of the money raising aspect of the project. It was done for victims of violent crime as a charity project. With as many big dogs that were in this project, I expected better. Seriously.
canada_matt's review against another edition
3.0
Perry Christo has tried to carve out a life for himself after a disgraceful exit from the NYPD. Surviving as a PI, Christo is called to a socialite's apartment for his next assignment; to find her missing daughter. After discovering young Angelina 'Angel' Loki has been missing for upwards of two weeks, Christo must begin that much further behind when it comes to his investigation. As he follows leads and tries to interview those who knew Angel well, he discovers that there are many who have a means to have taken her, each with their own motive. Christo also struggles with his single-dad life and trying to keep a relationship with his teenage daughter, which only adds to the struggle. While someone has been stalking Christo, potentially in search of Angel as well, the story flits from the heart of New York to the posh suburbs of the Hamptons, taking the reader on an adventure not soon to be forgotten. An explosive and somewhat hairpin turn ending (but so in line with this type of compilation), leaves the reader catching their breathe as the last chapter comes to a close.
I have always enjoyed these compilation novels, where well-known authors take time of their busy lives to add yet another layer to an evolving story. While I have read but a few of the authors in the compilation, and heard of only a few more on top of that, all contributors helped weave together a wonderfully dark novel. Never one to study writing nuances, I was not easily able to discern the writing styles, but could see that each author chose their respective niche to add to the larger plot. The reader should not expect a stellar story, nor a thoroughly riveting dialogue or concrete-strong character development, but they can, and should, expect the story's progression as it takes sharp turns from chapter to chapter, coming to a crashing conclusion just in time for the reader's heart to resume beating.
Kudos to all those who took the time to add their own personal flavour to this collection. Its successes show that even the busiest author can spare some time for a good cause.
I have always enjoyed these compilation novels, where well-known authors take time of their busy lives to add yet another layer to an evolving story. While I have read but a few of the authors in the compilation, and heard of only a few more on top of that, all contributors helped weave together a wonderfully dark novel. Never one to study writing nuances, I was not easily able to discern the writing styles, but could see that each author chose their respective niche to add to the larger plot. The reader should not expect a stellar story, nor a thoroughly riveting dialogue or concrete-strong character development, but they can, and should, expect the story's progression as it takes sharp turns from chapter to chapter, coming to a crashing conclusion just in time for the reader's heart to resume beating.
Kudos to all those who took the time to add their own personal flavour to this collection. Its successes show that even the busiest author can spare some time for a good cause.
canadianbookworm's review against another edition
3.0
This novel was a brainchild by Linda Fairstein who wanted to raise money for the victims' assistance organization Safe Horizon. Each chapter is written by a different author, and despite that it flows fairly well. Not as good as a novel by any of these authors working on their own, but still interesting with a plot that keeps you turning the pages.
The main character is an ex-cop turned private investigator, Pericles (Perry) Christo. Perry struggles to stay in his teenage daughter's life, and resents the way his exit from the force portrayed him as a bad guy when he was really a guy trying to expose corruption. Perry is hired by a wealthy woman, estranged from her daughter who has now gone missing. Perry is hired to find her, but he finds that the people he encounters are all playing some game of their own that he struggles to try and figure out.
An interesting idea for a good cause.
The main character is an ex-cop turned private investigator, Pericles (Perry) Christo. Perry struggles to stay in his teenage daughter's life, and resents the way his exit from the force portrayed him as a bad guy when he was really a guy trying to expose corruption. Perry is hired by a wealthy woman, estranged from her daughter who has now gone missing. Perry is hired to find her, but he finds that the people he encounters are all playing some game of their own that he struggles to try and figure out.
An interesting idea for a good cause.