Reviewed by L.D.Y.

Mass market, 372 pages, 1998

Rating: 6/10

Reason for Reading: My mom passed this one on to me; I wanted something quick to read.

Synopsis: A series of murders are being committed, and the only tie appears to be that three beautiful 20-something women, Ashely, Toni, and Alette, who each knew one of the victims, all work at the same computer graphics company. Who will David Singer be asked to defend in court, where a shocking bombshell will be dropped on the jury?

Why you should read this book: If you want something you can blow through in a day or two, here’s your ticket. Pretty mediocre, but Sheldon does keep you turning the pages. The book contains a mix of mystery and courtroom drama that provides some variety from books that are typically just one genre. A controversial medical phenomenon gives the book a bit of a kick.

Why you should avoid this book: The chapters are broken down into a lot of quick sections, sometimes of just a few paragraphs, which can feel choppy rather than like break-neck pacing. The courtroom scenes aren’t the greatest or most entertaining. It feels as though Sheldon included them out of necessity to the storyline but rushed through them because the scenes were so predictable. Not exactly something that will stick with you for life, but fun enough until the ride is over.

Opening paragraph:

Someone was following her. She had read about stalkers, but they belonged in a different, violent world. She had no idea who it could be, who would want to harm her. She was trying desperately hard not to panic, but lately her sleep had been filled with unbearable nightmares, and she had awakened each morning with a feeling of impending doom. Perhaps it’s all in my imagination, Ashley Patterson thought. I’m working too hard. I need a vacation.

Fabulous quotes:

Every night was different. There was a polo player in Argentina, an automobile salesman in Japan, a department store clerk in Chicago, a television technician in New York. The Internet was a fascinating game, and Toni enjoyed it to the fullest. She could go as far as she wanted and yet know that she was safe because she was anonymous.
And then one night, in an on-line chat room, she met Jean Claude Parent.

Ashley wondered where this was leading. Careful. ‘From time to time, yes.’
‘Did you ever meet an artist there named Richard Melton?’
‘No. I don’t know anyone by that name.’
Deputy Blake sat there studying Ashley, frustrated. ‘Miss Patterson, would you mind coming down to headquarters and taking a polygraph test? If you want to, you can call your lawyer and -‘
‘I don’t need a lawyer. I’ll be glad to take a test.’

Also recommended: Nobody’s Fool by Richard Russo; The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells; Crow Lake by Mary Lawson.

Also by this author: The Other Side of Me; Are You Afraid of the Dark?; Bloodline; The Doomsday Conspiracy; If Tomorrow Comes; Master of the Game; Memories of Midnight; Morning Noon & Night; The Naked Face; Nothing Lasts Forever; The Other Side of Midnight; Rage of Angels; The Sands of Time; The Stars Shine Down; A Stranger in the Mirror; Windmills of the Gods; The Best Laid Plans; The Sky is Falling.

Author’s website: sidneysheldon.com

Fun tidbit: Sheldon made the 1997 Guinness Book of World Records as “Most Translated Author in the World.”

© Lisa Yanaky 2003-2007