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megmcclure's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-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? It's complicated
3.0
mcearl12's review against another edition
3.0
It was a decent read, a bit predictable, but I really didn't like the way the ending really didn't feel like an ending.
mschrock8's review against another edition
3.0
So complicated. And, poor Samantha to lose in the end.
shadowling's review against another edition
2.0
I'm giving it two stars, only because the idea of the book was good. The author failed in the execution.
krobart's review against another edition
3.0
See my review here:
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2016/02/01/day-842-literary-wives-a-circle-of-wives/
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2016/02/01/day-842-literary-wives-a-circle-of-wives/
judithdcollins's review against another edition
3.0
A Circle of Wives by Alice LaPlante is a gripping psychological suspense of a renowned plastic surgeon with three wives, found murdered. With a new detective on the case, a mystery of a closet polygamist with wives in three different cities. Whodunit and the motive?
A prominent reconstruction surgeon, Dr. John Taylor is found dead in an upscale Westin Hotel, after paying cash. He was a well known plastic surgeon who specializes in helping children with facial deformities.
At first glance, it appears the deceased has died of an apparent heart attack. After closer examination by rookie detective, Samantha Adams, Palo Alto Police – it appears to be murder caused by potassium being injected.
When the three wives show up at the funeral, readers find well know doctor had three wives in three different cities. Why get married? Why not just have an affair?
Readers hear from the three wives: The southern belle, MJ from Gatlinburg, TN, (the author was unable to capture the southern girl), Deborah of thirty-three years, and Helen the latest wife. All have nice careers and different personalities. Sam is drawn into the domestic web while she examines her own relationship. No likable characters here. The novel had great potential; however, fell flat. You keep reading as you want to learn the identity of the killer.
Having read LaPlante’s Turn of Mind, narrated by Jean Reed Bahle, which I enjoyed; however, Circle of Wives, narrated by: George Newbern, Betsy Zajko, Nan McNamara, Deanna Hurst, Kyla Garcia, not so much.
The narrator (Samantha) was so boring! There is no humor, emotion, or suspense. I have an ARC of Coming of Age at the End of Days” coming Aug 4, 2015. Here’s hoping it will be better than Circle of Wives.
The novel reminded me of I Love You More By Jennifer Murphy (three wives one husband murdered). I actually liked Murphy’s tale of murder and conspiracy as it was at least, funny and suspenseful . . much better than LaPlante’s Circle of Wives.
A prominent reconstruction surgeon, Dr. John Taylor is found dead in an upscale Westin Hotel, after paying cash. He was a well known plastic surgeon who specializes in helping children with facial deformities.
At first glance, it appears the deceased has died of an apparent heart attack. After closer examination by rookie detective, Samantha Adams, Palo Alto Police – it appears to be murder caused by potassium being injected.
When the three wives show up at the funeral, readers find well know doctor had three wives in three different cities. Why get married? Why not just have an affair?
Readers hear from the three wives: The southern belle, MJ from Gatlinburg, TN, (the author was unable to capture the southern girl), Deborah of thirty-three years, and Helen the latest wife. All have nice careers and different personalities. Sam is drawn into the domestic web while she examines her own relationship. No likable characters here. The novel had great potential; however, fell flat. You keep reading as you want to learn the identity of the killer.
Having read LaPlante’s Turn of Mind, narrated by Jean Reed Bahle, which I enjoyed; however, Circle of Wives, narrated by: George Newbern, Betsy Zajko, Nan McNamara, Deanna Hurst, Kyla Garcia, not so much.
The narrator (Samantha) was so boring! There is no humor, emotion, or suspense. I have an ARC of Coming of Age at the End of Days” coming Aug 4, 2015. Here’s hoping it will be better than Circle of Wives.
The novel reminded me of I Love You More By Jennifer Murphy (three wives one husband murdered). I actually liked Murphy’s tale of murder and conspiracy as it was at least, funny and suspenseful . . much better than LaPlante’s Circle of Wives.
carolpk's review against another edition
2.0
I couldn't wait to get my hands on Circle of Wives. It promised all the things I like in a book. An interesting premise, a psychological tale and exploration of holy matrimony.
A doctor is found dead in a hotel room. At first look Dr. John Taylor, appears to be the victim of a heart attack. Very quickly there's enough evidence for police to investigate the death as murder. Dr. John Taylor is a famed plastic surgeon, married for many years to Deborah, who on the service seems quite nice but who becomes very unlikeable quickly. Who'd want to murder this Dr. Taylor, a man respected and loved by his patients? Possibly his partners who want to see their clinic go in a different direction? Dr. Taylor is resistant to changes they would make. Possibly Deborah? Oh, did I mention, Dr. Taylor was leading a secret life unbeknownst to many. First we learn there is wife number two, then wife number three comes on scene. The plot thickens and the idea of a bigamist lures me in.
Sounds so good but somehow Circle of Wives does not quite live up to its promise. Detective Samantha Adams, a young cop who usually covers small time crime , is given the task of solving the cause of Dr. Taylor's death. She just doesn't ring true for me and as much of the story is seen through her eyes, it quickly falls shot for me. I was interested in what the other two wives had to say and what they saw in the good doctor. These two, Helen and MJ and a desire to know if my thoughts on the outcome would hold true encouraged me to finish.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Atlantic Monthly Press for the opportunity to read this advance e-galley.
A doctor is found dead in a hotel room. At first look Dr. John Taylor, appears to be the victim of a heart attack. Very quickly there's enough evidence for police to investigate the death as murder. Dr. John Taylor is a famed plastic surgeon, married for many years to Deborah, who on the service seems quite nice but who becomes very unlikeable quickly. Who'd want to murder this Dr. Taylor, a man respected and loved by his patients? Possibly his partners who want to see their clinic go in a different direction? Dr. Taylor is resistant to changes they would make. Possibly Deborah? Oh, did I mention, Dr. Taylor was leading a secret life unbeknownst to many. First we learn there is wife number two, then wife number three comes on scene. The plot thickens and the idea of a bigamist lures me in.
Sounds so good but somehow Circle of Wives does not quite live up to its promise. Detective Samantha Adams, a young cop who usually covers small time crime , is given the task of solving the cause of Dr. Taylor's death. She just doesn't ring true for me and as much of the story is seen through her eyes, it quickly falls shot for me. I was interested in what the other two wives had to say and what they saw in the good doctor. These two, Helen and MJ and a desire to know if my thoughts on the outcome would hold true encouraged me to finish.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Atlantic Monthly Press for the opportunity to read this advance e-galley.
amycrea's review against another edition
2.0
I was excited to get an ARC of this via NetGalley after reading and loving LaPlante's previous book, Turn of Mind. But this one just didn't quite work. The premise is interesting--a prominent surgeon is murdered, and it turns out he had three wives, two of whom didn't know about the others. Lots of possibility there. But the narrative is divided between the three wives and a young police detective assigned to the case, and it spreads the story too thin to go through all those POVs. Besides, one of the most interesting characters--the surgeon--is only seen from a distance, via the other viewpoints, and that's unfortunate. This could have been a better book with a drastically different structure.