Latest Reads | James Patterson, Nita Prose y Jojo Moyes
Looking for something to read? Here are the reviews of my latest reads: the novels by James Patterson, Nita Prose and Jojo Moyes.
Puedes leer aquí el artículo en español. Y aquí sobre la novela de Jojo Moyes.
CROSS THE LINE by James Patterson
What’s more dangerous than a murderer? For Detective Alex Cross, it’s when the murderer is righteous. The city descends into chaos. A wave of crimes sweeps through it, and Cross must confront one of the most complex puzzles of his career as an investigator. A ruthless killer leaving a trail of blood and victims in his wake, a murderer who has taken justice into his own hands.
Review
I gave Detective Alex Cross a chance based on a friend’s recommendation, whose high praises encouraged me to explore James Patterson; partly also driven by the ongoing disappointments I’ve been experiencing in the genre lately. Acclaimed, admired, and endlessly recommended authors who leave me lukewarm. Where is that excitement, that tension that urges you to keep reading, that makes you shiver or be surprised by an unexpected twist? I can’t seem to find it or connect with the characters or enjoy the stories.
*Opinion:
The story is a mix of a serial killer biker; a dead policeman; a demolished glass factory; and a former criminal awaiting capture. A novel that seems chaotic where you have to find your way and raises the hackneyed question of ‘does the end justify the means?’. A story where I felt like many things were happening that seemed disconnected. Where rhythm and emotion are absent, and the author tries to give a resolution to a plot where the mix of themes. And subgenres prevents you from enjoying the conclusion of the investigation.
In fact, I found the parts where the detective steps away from the investigation. And the author presents aspects of his life such as his son’s departure for college; his relationship with his grandmother; or his wife’s promotion much more interesting and entertaining.
In conclusion, CROSSING THE LINE is a novel heavily influenced by American crime series. It has too many open fronts but it’s not a storyline that allows you to be part of the investigation and the process. A read that I did not enjoy and wished to finish.
Available on Amazon.
THE MAID by Nita Prose
Molly is a young maid at a luxury hotel. She is shy and awkward in social interactions. She is also diligent, committed, and professional. A perfectionist. In her job, she fluffs pillows and fixes the messes caused by guests, sweeping away their secrets. She’s just a maid, and nobody notices her. But an astonishing discovery in one of the suites turns her life upside down, forcing her to become a detective to clear her own name, to venture into a world that goes beyond the surface.
Review:
Like I mentioned in the previous review, I feel that the ‘mystery, thriller, suspense’ genre, which I have loved and been faithful to for years, fails to surprise or captivate me. With this novel, I had a love-hate relationship that made me doubt its worth. This is because for much of the novel, I was puzzled, feeling like nothing concrete was happening. And that I was just accompanying Molly in her daily routine.
However, I enjoyed speculating about what would happen, if Molly had actually committed any crime and if she was using her naive attitude to manipulate those around her. However, it wasn’t until Molly was finally accused that I truly began to enjoy the story, with the help that Mr. Preston offers her, how she obtains her bail, and the plan they devise to clear the waitress’s name. But by the time this happens, you’ve already read too many pages without anything relevant occurring.
*Opinion:
I must highlight as a positive aspect the original approach to conducting an investigation, with a protagonist character detached from the reality she lives, while the reader is aware of what is happening. Molly is a unique and peculiar character; she never understands if people are laughing at her or with her. She struggles to socialize, but I would say she has some disorder, judging by the decisions she makes. She is not aware of situations that are clear to the reader, who receives the information while she remains oblivious. At times, her attitude can be frustrating and confusing, perhaps that’s why the conclusion shakes you and forces you to evaluate whether the ending lives up to the development or is nothing more than a desperate twist intended to win back the reader.
‘THE WAITRESS,’ an original story with a different and unique character, where the uneven pace and the ending, which makes you feel like you haven’t properly read the story, overshadow the part where the routine is broken and, finally, the action unfolds.
Available on Amazon.
THE GIVER OF STARTS by Jojo Moyes
Alice, an Englishwoman whose parents fail to understand and control her, becomes enamored with the handsome and wealthy Bennet, an American who takes her to the United States with promises of luxury and freedom; but the reality is quite different.
The couple settles in a conservative town in Kentucky in the family home where they live with Mr. Van Clave – her authoritarian father-in-law – and an arrogant maid, Annie.
Fortunately, the launch of the traveling library will give her the opportunity to meet Margery O’Hare, a woman ahead of her time with whom she will form a beautiful friendship.
Riding through the mountains, Alice and the other traveling librarians will have to fight against prejudice and ignorance while taking control of their lives and discovering the value of friendship and love.
Review:
The original title “The Giver of Stars”. I don’t usually pay attention to these things, but after reading the novel, I still wonder what that title has to do with the story. At least the synopsis is a faithful reflection of the plot. Something that didn’t happen to me with the same author’s novel, “The Night Circus”.
I’m not usually a follower of authors – or authors -, I’m more of a books person, either I like them or I don’t – regardless of who wrote them. However, thinking back on her, I’ve read “Me Before You”, “The Night Circus”, and “The Giver of Stars”. Three completely different novels, obviously, and I haven’t enjoyed them equally.
*Opinion:
In this novel, I loved how the author addresses the constant struggle of women as individuals and as a collective, the power of knowledge, and the obstacles of conservatism; as well as the beginnings of the labor movement, racism, sexism, and religion.
It was very exciting to see how the traveling library breaks through despite the difficulties and how reading – the knowledge it provides – is an important resource.
The narrative style and the pace of the plot kept me glued to the reading the whole time, with intrigue and concern to know what would happen to the women and the library; as well as the outcome for the Van Cleve family.
Can you hate a character? Yes, you can, and I did, a lot, to Mr. Van Cleve; racist, sexist, ultraconservative… And what about his son? At least he knows how to redeem himself.
In conclusion, I recommend reading it for the entertaining plot it has, BUT if you expect a romantic reading – as the title suggests – you won’t find it here.
Available on Amazon.
