Publisher: William Morrow
Pages: 320
Format: book
Buy the Book: Amazon
Goodreads: When Hector Lewis told his daughter that she had a nothing face, it was just another bit of tossed-off cruelty from a man who specialized in harsh words. But now, Heloise considers it a blessing to know how to avoid attention. At home, she's merely a mom and a lobbyist with a good cause and a mediocre track record.
But in discreet hotel rooms, she's the woman of your dreams--if you can afford her hourly fee.
For more than a decade, Heloise has believed she is safe. Only now her secret life is under siege. One county over, another so-called suburban madam has been found dead in her car, a suicide. Or is it?
And then she learns that her son's father might be released from prison, which is problematic because he doesn't know he has a son. He also doesn't realize that he's serving a life sentence because Heloise betrayed him.
Heloise has to remake her life--again. Disappearing will be the easy part. The trick will be living long enough to start a new life.
Kritters Thoughts: Yes, the main character of this book is a prostitute, but before you run Laura Lippman gives this character depth and a real quality and a story beyond her career that is definitely worth reading. Although many may not agree with the career path Heloise has chosen, there may be a reason as to why she is living the way she is. I thought it was a little predictable that Heloise had a less than cheery childhood; I just wish that something else could have lead her down that path.
But beyond that one discrepency, I loved the full story. The drama and wonder of what would come next kept me turning the page again and again. I couldn't believe the great lengths that Heloise went to to keep all of her ducks in a row and even with that something definitely fell through the cracks. Lippman keeps the reader on high alert as to how things will unravel and where will they unravel.
I have not read all of Laura Lippman's books, but I definitely liked this one. It was light on the mystery, but high in drama.
Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one copy of this book free of charge from TLC Book Tours. I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The tour schedule:
Tuesday, June 4th: Kritters Ramblings
Wednesday, June 5th: Book Reviews by Elizabeth White
Monday, June 10th: Sara’s Organized Chaos
Tuesday, June 11th: A Book Geek
Wednesday, June 12th: Sharon’s Garden of Book Reviews
Thursday, June 13th: Literary Feline
Monday, June 17th: What She Read – joint review
Wednesday, June 19th: Tina’s Book Reviews
Thursday, June 20th: she treads softly
Tuesday, June 25th: Drey’s Library
I'm glad you enjoyed this one overall. From what I recall, Heloise appears in other books by Lippman and you learn a bit more about her character in those books. Intriguing for sure!
ReplyDeleteThanks for being on the tour.