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Showing posts with label good read. Show all posts
Showing posts with label good read. Show all posts

Monday, April 21, 2014

Simple Genius - simply superb!


Simple Genius is my third book penned by Baldacci - and I had great expectations already (my first had been First Family, and second was Hour Game, which preludes Simple Genius).
Its a fast paced read, keeping the suspense intact till the very last pages; although I must admit that the subplot involving Michelle's past had me turning the pages with more enthusiasm than the actual story itself!
The book follows the protagonist duo - Sean King and Michelle Maxwell through some intense times. A financially hard pressed Sean turns to his ex-girlfriend for an assignment, whereas the events of the previous book have left Michelle in a bit of a psychological mess (understandably so)... Michelle is checked into a mental care institution, where she tries to pick up the pieces of her life after a suicide attempt (with some help from Sean's psychologist friend, Horatio). Sean is assigned to dig into a fishy murder at a laboratory which turns out to be much more than he signed up for!
Sean finds himself caught up in a web of intricate lies and deceit spun by two clandestine institutions, each treating the other as its sworn enemy; Michelle discovers that at the care facility, its not just those admitted who are mentally disturbed! She solves a murder, exposes a racket and rushes to Sean's side when things start to get sticky and violent... Sean and Michelle befriend the autistic daughter (an extraordinary genius) of the victim, and uncover some shocking truths behind it all! Through all of this, Horatio, on his quest to help Michelle come to terms with her past (although I could chalk it up to morbid curiosity), grudgingly tags along the duo on their adventures - and at the end of the book, is finally able to help Michelle put her demons to rest.
Quite an interesting read, though at times, as I mentioned earlier, the subplot took over and ran forward. 

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

TELL ME YOUR DREAMS – SIDNEY SHELDON



If you love thrillers, here’s a treat for all of you. Unlike others, this book will make sure you use your brains. A fast-paced read, there are numerous twists and turns, aptly placed.
The master storyteller, Sidney Sheldon toys with Multiple Personality Disorder also known as Dissociative Identity Disorder. The protagonist of the story, Ashley Patterson is a victim of MPD. She goes through a roller coaster of a life, and as the story progresses, a seed of doubt is sowed in the reader’s mind – is she the victim, or the predator?
The story begins with a day in the life of each character, Ashley Patterson, Antoinette Prescott, and Alette Peters. Each one of them has a different life, and in the course of the story, each one’s life is turned upside down when they are charged for murdering and castrating their closest ones. Suffering from a traumatic childhood and an abusive father, Ashley ruptures into three distinct characters, each of whom has a different outlook towards life. The characters are so diversified; they seem poles apart, facilitating deception of the mind. The plot has been skillfully handled, allowing the reader to enjoy the full impact of every twist.
The rest of the book is about how Ashley narrowly escapes the gallows, and is cured of her disorder.
The best part of the book though is its brilliant ending. Sheldon takes the final bow for the exemplary finale – the book is open ended. Just when you thought the fun has ended, Sheldon brings back Ashley’s alter, leaving one wondering whether the fun just got over, or did it just start...
The book is a definite page –turner, to use a clichéd adjective.