Review: And When She Was Good by Laura Lippman

And When She Was Good by Laura Lippman

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