Helpful Score: 3
I don't know why I read these collaborative novels. Okay, that's not quite true. Usually it's because one of my favorite authors wrote a chapter. In this case, that would be Jennifer Crusie. And when I hit chapter ten, I could feel the tension that had been building inside me with every successive chapter suddenly ease. Crusie wrote with her usual clarity, painting pictures in my mind with the subtlety of her prose. I felt like I'd come home to an old friend. The rest of the book was not so good. About a third of the other chapters were easy to read (only one made me think about reading more by that author.) Chapter 8 by Julie Smith was, IMO, so over the top that I'll never touch anything of hers. The rest of the chapter were (again my opinion) so badly written that I'm embarrassed for the authors.
That said, I admit that this type of mystery has never been on my list of must reads. They almost always have too many characters to keep straight without a scorecard. They almost always withhold vital clues (also know as making them up at the last minute to rescue the poorly crafted plot) so the reader has no chance to figure out who the killer is until the author chooses to reveal it. Not my idea of fun. I'm thinking that no matter who the authors are, this is my last collaborative novel.
That said, I admit that this type of mystery has never been on my list of must reads. They almost always have too many characters to keep straight without a scorecard. They almost always withhold vital clues (also know as making them up at the last minute to rescue the poorly crafted plot) so the reader has no chance to figure out who the killer is until the author chooses to reveal it. Not my idea of fun. I'm thinking that no matter who the authors are, this is my last collaborative novel.
Helpful Score: 1
The concept of this book is great, but it is very hard to follow the storyline and keep up with the characters because each writer adds a few more in her chapter. I had to make a list of characters on the inside cover so I wouldn't get confused!
Helpful Score: 1
A fun read. A collaborative effort of several female mystery writers. I enjoyed seeing how my favorites blended with the others.
Helpful Score: 1
great book suspenseful till the end
This book is a mystery story written by several of today's hottest writers, including Kathy Reichs, Jennifer Crusie, and Heather Graham. Each author wrote one chapter and then sent it on to the next writer. The result is a mystery surrounding some suspicious deaths at in a high-priced gated community that includes lots of humor throughout!
In I'd Kill for That, a dead body is discovered on the sixth hole of the Gryphon's Gate golf course after three people are mysteriously called to the exclusive gated community course one spring evening. Vanessa, a ruthless real-estate developer, quickly figures out that she is a suspect, given her many enemies, one of whom is obviously trying to set her up. Jerry, a down-on-his-luck trader, chalks the crusty academic's death up to bad luck--or so he hopes. And Toni, well, she has so much to live for, what with being a single parent and all; how could she get mixed up in this? But someone has the goods on all three and is playing them like puppets. The 13 contributors to this playful mystery include such popular and talented female mystery writers as Linda Fairstein and Rita Mae Brown. A thoroughly enjoyable tale.
This book got a bit confusing in the last couple of chapters. Whether it was or not, it seemed apparent that the killer had not been predetermined, so it was left up to the last chapter's author to tie everything together. But for a book written by 13 different authors, each with her own style, the flow was good. It wasn't quite so obvious that the author changed with each chapter.
Book Description
On the banks of the Truxton River lies Gryphon's Gate, a gated community built by Henry Drysdale where the rich and privileged live, work and play. Tempers flare when Henry's ex- decides to develop the adjoining land and environmentalists, developers, residents and the media clash. Then the violence turns ugly--a dead body is found on the golf course and Detective Diane Robards is called in to investigate. Diane's efforts are thwarted at every turn and as she uncovers the secrets behind the serene facade of Gryphon's Gate, she races against the clock to unmask a ruthless killer.
On the banks of the Truxton River lies Gryphon's Gate, a gated community built by Henry Drysdale where the rich and privileged live, work and play. Tempers flare when Henry's ex- decides to develop the adjoining land and environmentalists, developers, residents and the media clash. Then the violence turns ugly--a dead body is found on the golf course and Detective Diane Robards is called in to investigate. Diane's efforts are thwarted at every turn and as she uncovers the secrets behind the serene facade of Gryphon's Gate, she races against the clock to unmask a ruthless killer.
Well written, flows nicely between chapters. Ends suddenly. Left me wishing for a little more.
Compulation of short 'whodunnits' by a bunch of differnt authors
On the banks of the scenic Truxton River, nestled in rolling woodlands just minutes away from our nation's capital, lies Gryphon Gate. Drawn to its breathtaking view of the Chesapeake Bay, Henry Drysdale selected this waterfront location to create a premier gated community wher the affluent and privlgeed could live, work and play. However, tempers flare and tension grows when Vanessa, Henry's ex, decides to build a 300 unit condo development on and adjoining tract of land. The Gryphon Gate town meeting disintegrates into a free for all as environmentalists, developer, residents and the media clast.
Then the violence truns ugly - a body is discovered lying facedown in a sandtrap off the sixth hole. Called in to head the investigation, Police Captain Diane Robards is thwarted at every turn as she discovers that behind the elaborate landscaping and elegant doorways in the privacy of bedrooms, yachts' cabings, clubrooms and saunas, lie closely guarrded secrets. With the boyd count rising, Diane races against the clock to sort her allies from her enemies as she attempts to strip away the veneer and peak beneatht he facades to unmask a dangerous and ruthless killer.
Then the violence truns ugly - a body is discovered lying facedown in a sandtrap off the sixth hole. Called in to head the investigation, Police Captain Diane Robards is thwarted at every turn as she discovers that behind the elaborate landscaping and elegant doorways in the privacy of bedrooms, yachts' cabings, clubrooms and saunas, lie closely guarrded secrets. With the boyd count rising, Diane races against the clock to sort her allies from her enemies as she attempts to strip away the veneer and peak beneatht he facades to unmask a dangerous and ruthless killer.
This "serial novel", written round-robin style by a baker's dozen of authors, is basically a hot mess, with way too many characters, most of whom you wouldn't invite home for tea, despite their wealth and social status. There are several bodies and multiple suspects, but there's no heart and very little coherence to this tale.
