s2m dips her toe back into the world of published prose...

[slr2moons]

I heard about a new book in the New York Times books section, which is sent to me in email every week. This particular book is called The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox, and was heralded as a well-written mystery full of family intrigue. The glowing review made me curious, so I added it the book to my paperbackswap.com wishlist, and proceeded to wait.

It arrived two days ago, and I began reading. Really, it IS a good read! I was burning through pages on my breaks and when I walked, not wanting to stop reading. What a fascinating mystery! How unconventional characterization! What mesmerizing and tantalizing use of present tense! Which are clues to the mystery, and which are just the babblings of an old woman with Alzheimer's???? OMG read read read read read--huh maybe--read read read--I wonder if--read read read--nah, too predictable--read read read--..........--read read read read---*headdesk* 

Sometimes it sucks to be right.

So now I'm wondering if my disappointment at the book's predictability is from having read too much fiction and thus have been exposed to this completely unoriginal scandalous family secret plot device one too many times, or if I just picked up on the clues faster than most people, thus giving me more time to become used to the idea. Which I have encountered fairly often in my vast readings.

*sigh*

I have about 30 pages left in the book, so maybe it can redeem itself by giving this completely expected family secret a new twist.

At least the main character has a very interesting and complicated relationship with her step brother, which is my fave part about the book, now that The Great Mystery has been confirmed. I'll let you guys know if the book recaptures my admiration. :P

Still no Clay 13, and now no Honey 8 either.....