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3.18 AVERAGE
3.18 AVERAGE
For a Swanson book, fairly weak. The characters were fine, the twist was predictable and the reveal was anti climatic. Nothing to write home about.
Goodreads Description of book: On an ordinary Friday evening at his favorite Boston tavern, George Foss's comfortable, predictable life is shattered when a beautiful woman sits down at the bar, the same woman who vanished without a trace twenty years ago.
Liana Dector isn't just an ex-girlfriend, the first love George couldn't forget. She's also a dangerous enigma and possibly a cold-blooded killer wanted by the police. Suddenly, she's back-and she needs George's help. Ruthless men believe she stole some money . . . and will do whatever it takes to get it back.
George knows Liana is trouble. But he can't say no-he never could-a choice that will plunge him into a terrifying whirlpool of lies, secrets, betrayal, and murder from which there is no sure escape.
Bold and masterful, full of malicious foreboding and subtle surprises, The Girl with a Clock for a Heart is an addictive, nonstop thriller-an ever-tightening coil of suspense that grips you right up to its electrifying end.
Thoughts:
I was lucky enough to receive and advanced reader's copy of Peter Swanson's upcoming noir-like novel, "The Girl with a Clock for a Heart". From the moment I read the description of the book I knew it would be unlike anything I had read before and that I couldn't wait to dive into it. Needless to say, I was not disappointed in the book and the story it told. I loved how fast paced the book was and the fact that it not only kept my attention, but that it was so engrossing that I found it hard to put down at night in order to sleep. Had I not had to work, I would've stayed up all night in order to read the book from start to finish without interruption.
I loved that despite knowing better, that George couldn't help but feel the need to trust and believe in Liana yet again after years of not having seen her and knowing that she was wanted for two counts of murder from when they were freshman in college. As the trust with which he placed in Liana continued to lead him farther into a con in which he was an unwitting and completely naïve player, I continued to be just as surprised by each new twist and turn of the story as George himself was as he experienced it.
Fellow writer Dennis Lehane described Swanson's book as "A twisty, sexy, electric thrill ride and an absolute blast from start to finish." Lehane couldn't be more accurate in his description for that is exactly what this book is and I just loved it. With the way the book ends, I would love for there to be a follow up to this book as I loved the characters and I want to know what happens with George next. This is the kind of book that I hope manages to catch the eye of a film producer or director and for it to be auctioned up for a film deal as this would be a wonderful story to bring to the large screen.
For fans of the noir genre of both literature and film, I highly recommend this book when it is finally released in February 2014. I also recommend it to those who love a good mystery that keeps you guessing up to the end and wanting more even after the book ends. I can't wait to read more from Peter Swanson.
*Received through Goodreads First Reads
Liana Dector isn't just an ex-girlfriend, the first love George couldn't forget. She's also a dangerous enigma and possibly a cold-blooded killer wanted by the police. Suddenly, she's back-and she needs George's help. Ruthless men believe she stole some money . . . and will do whatever it takes to get it back.
George knows Liana is trouble. But he can't say no-he never could-a choice that will plunge him into a terrifying whirlpool of lies, secrets, betrayal, and murder from which there is no sure escape.
Bold and masterful, full of malicious foreboding and subtle surprises, The Girl with a Clock for a Heart is an addictive, nonstop thriller-an ever-tightening coil of suspense that grips you right up to its electrifying end.
Thoughts:
I was lucky enough to receive and advanced reader's copy of Peter Swanson's upcoming noir-like novel, "The Girl with a Clock for a Heart". From the moment I read the description of the book I knew it would be unlike anything I had read before and that I couldn't wait to dive into it. Needless to say, I was not disappointed in the book and the story it told. I loved how fast paced the book was and the fact that it not only kept my attention, but that it was so engrossing that I found it hard to put down at night in order to sleep. Had I not had to work, I would've stayed up all night in order to read the book from start to finish without interruption.
I loved that despite knowing better, that George couldn't help but feel the need to trust and believe in Liana yet again after years of not having seen her and knowing that she was wanted for two counts of murder from when they were freshman in college. As the trust with which he placed in Liana continued to lead him farther into a con in which he was an unwitting and completely naïve player, I continued to be just as surprised by each new twist and turn of the story as George himself was as he experienced it.
Fellow writer Dennis Lehane described Swanson's book as "A twisty, sexy, electric thrill ride and an absolute blast from start to finish." Lehane couldn't be more accurate in his description for that is exactly what this book is and I just loved it. With the way the book ends, I would love for there to be a follow up to this book as I loved the characters and I want to know what happens with George next. This is the kind of book that I hope manages to catch the eye of a film producer or director and for it to be auctioned up for a film deal as this would be a wonderful story to bring to the large screen.
For fans of the noir genre of both literature and film, I highly recommend this book when it is finally released in February 2014. I also recommend it to those who love a good mystery that keeps you guessing up to the end and wanting more even after the book ends. I can't wait to read more from Peter Swanson.
*Received through Goodreads First Reads
Not my favorite from him. Seemed a bit predictable the whole time.
This blew me away I could not put it down!
A friend let me borrow Kind Worth Killing which I enjoyed immensely, but this was even better.
RTC
A friend let me borrow Kind Worth Killing which I enjoyed immensely, but this was even better.
RTC
spoiler alert when you read the plot descriptions. spoiler alert there are still so many twists in this book you will continuously be guessing and thoroughly surprised. great mystery check it out.
Now this was what you call an edge of your seat amazing thriller! I think this author is fast becoming one of my favourites, alongside the likes of Ruth Ware and John Grisham. There's just something about the writing and the plot that just draws me in!
We follow George who after being happily in and out of a good (what I see to be a not very committed) relationship, sees his first love (having met at the start of University) at a bar. At first he doesn't believe it is her. Soon they meet and George is drawn back into her world again.
I picked this up one rainy Sunday and could not put it down. I just had to know what was going to happen next.
What I loved the most about this story was the plot. You have George meet his old love again and after that he gets drawn into her world, sometimes knowingly and sometimes unknowingly. For me, there were so many twists and turns in this story I could not keep count. Just when you thought something was true, it wasn't! Just when you thought the story was finished, it's not!
LOVED THIS! Can't wait to read more from this author.
For more reviews, please check out the link below:
Debra's Book Cafe
Debs :-)
We follow George who after being happily in and out of a good (what I see to be a not very committed) relationship, sees his first love (having met at the start of University) at a bar. At first he doesn't believe it is her. Soon they meet and George is drawn back into her world again.
I picked this up one rainy Sunday and could not put it down. I just had to know what was going to happen next.
What I loved the most about this story was the plot. You have George meet his old love again and after that he gets drawn into her world, sometimes knowingly and sometimes unknowingly. For me, there were so many twists and turns in this story I could not keep count. Just when you thought something was true, it wasn't! Just when you thought the story was finished, it's not!
LOVED THIS! Can't wait to read more from this author.
For more reviews, please check out the link below:
Debra's Book Cafe
Debs :-)
2.5*
Sorry but kind of meh... The tittle actually kind of revealed all...
It was a bit slow and I didn't feel a true connection to any of the characters, but yes you could see how everything would turn up...
Given the plot and how things started to unfold and get retorted, I was expecting a bigger splash that we actually get.
Sorry but kind of meh... The tittle actually kind of revealed all...
It was a bit slow and I didn't feel a true connection to any of the characters, but yes you could see how everything would turn up...
Given the plot and how things started to unfold and get retorted, I was expecting a bigger splash that we actually get.
Harlan Coen wrote this book several years ago. His was better.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Girl with a Clock for a Heart is the sort of thriller I can picture as a movie with Jimmy Stewart or Tom Hanks in the lead role. George Foss is at a local tavern with a long-time friend/lover when he sees a woman who looks just like his long-long college freshman love. After he and his friend leave, to go to their respective homes, he heads back to talk to her. It is her! Liana Dector, heartbreaker and suspected murderer.
She is also a woman in distress and in need of help. Of course, he has to help and thus falls into a complex and multi-layered scheme with more than one set of bad guys. He knows what she did back in his freshman year, but he understands how it happened and has sympathy for her and her decisions.
Do not start this before you fall asleep because you won’t get to sleep until 2 AM when you finish. I read this straight through from start to finish and yes, I was that silly one who thought I will read just one chapter so I am primed when I pick it up tomorrow. Nope, that is a bad idea.
Peter Swanson is one of those writers that grabs you and does not let you go. The plot never lets up and you end up caring about the characters. I liked George Foss. I understand his fascination with Liana and his chivalrous and perhaps, lecherous, need to help her. And wow, the complexity of the story. Now, some might think we need to be told how one of the great illusions was carried out, but no one explains a magic trick. And of course, whether that illusion was an illusion or reality, that is up to us, dear reader.
- The Girl with a Clock for a Heart from William Morrow | Harper Collins
- Eight Perfect Murders from William Morrow | Harper Collins
- Peter Swanson author site