Rebecca

The protagonist of this story is an all-too-human young woman raising twin babies alone. I quickly came to care about her and to be gripped by the twists and turns of the story. The supporting characters seem like real people and not props. I will be looking for this author's next one.

This is a sentimental, heartwarming story read with a lovely British accent that will get you in the Christmas spirit. The historical detail of what it was like to be poor in Victorian England is vivid and educational as well. I would recommend this to any female age 8 and up! Not that the guys aren't welcome to read it too, but I think girls and women will particularly like the theme of sisterly devotion.

I am a longtime Anne Perry fan and thoroughly enjoyed this story even though the usual cast is not around. The interior life of a middle-aged man who knows his shortcomings--who is in love with his soulmate btw--is sensitively and realistically drawn.

This covers an interesting case and is as full of intrigue as any novel. However, the Italian names were hard for me to keep straight and made the story more difficult to follow than it would be as a traditional book.

I loved the spirited females in this story but most of the plot devices were very contrived, and the motivations of the male lead were inexplicable. I enjoy period romances and this one does not stay true to its era's voice. Among a number of anachronisms the word "sexy" is used at least twice--no way in Victorian England. I have seen Lindsey do a better job in other books.

This story might kind of get you in the Christmas mood, but there are better choices than this earnest, humorless piece of banality. The heroine is not very likeable and the plot depends upon many, many untenable coincidences. Plus there are some distracting grammatical errors such as a dangling participle and subject-verb agreement issues. The strongest aspect of the writing concerns Jason and his work with underprivileged children, which was believable and moving and _showed_ us a change of heart rather than telling us.

This was full of plot twists and though grisly, has some unexpected humor. The narrator interpreted the story pretty well but has a slight lisp on the sibilants that is a bit distracting.

This is my least favorite Dance novel. Like everyone else, I did not enjoy the constant explanation of computer terminology (does anyone in 2008-2009 need to have terms like "http" defined!?). He also put a lot of preaching about internet safety in the mouth of the professor. However, there were some good plot twists.

This is more like a prose poem than a book, often presented in disjointed stream of consciousness. I think the author is trying to capture the feel of NYC, but in a whiny, self-absorbed way. (I know that probably doesn't make much sense; sorry!) I have spent some time in NY and this didn't make me say, "Yes, that's just how it is!" It just isn't very interesting to be inside his head.
A minor irritant was that the narrator/author pronounces "didn't" as "din"; a speed bump on what should be a series of flowing riffs.

I got the feeling Preston&Child ran out of time at the end and wrapped up things rather perfunctorily. Still, I enjoy this series and they seem to have set things up for another book. As usual Rene A. does a great job reading.