Friday, March 06, 2015

PRACTICE TO DECEIVE

Author:  Ann Rule
Genre:  True Crime, Standalone
Published:  2013
Personal Rating:  3.5/5 (good)
Format/Narrator:  Audiobook/Anne Twomey
Yearly Count:  13


From NetGalley:
Nestled in Puget Sound, Whidbey Island is a gem of the Pacific Northwest; accessible only by ferry and the soaring Deception Pass Bridge, it is known for its artistic communities and stunning natural beauty. Life there is low-key, insular, and the island’s year-round residents tend to know one another’s business. But when the blood-drenched body of Russel Douglas was discovered the day after Christmas in his SUV in a hidden driveway near Whidbey’s most exclusive mansions, the whole island was shocked. A single bullet between his eyes was the cause of death, but no one could imagine who among them could plot such a devious, cold-blooded crime. At first, police suspected suicide, tragically common at the height of the holiday season. But when they found no gun in or near the SUV, Russel’s manner of death became homicide. Like a cast of characters from a classic mystery novel, a host of Whidbey residents fell under suspicion.

 I thought this was pretty good.  It was a little cumbersome with characters and side stories, but it wouldn't be a book if it were a cut and dry type of case, right?  Even though, the ending was a little anti-climatic, and it wasn't all that compelling, I still enjoyed the process of solving the crime.

Thoughts of Joy

My thanks go to Gallery Books and NetGalley for providing me with this eGalley.

5 comments:

  1. Does the author go into a lot of detail about the setting? I love that area and would probably enjoy the book, if she does.

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    Replies
    1. Les ~ Of course, it's mentioned, but I don't recall that being much of a focus. I have been in Seattle and the surrounding area, but never one of the islands. It still was a nice connection for me to be able to visualize the area in general.

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    2. Les ~ Forgot to add . . . I loved Inside the O'Briens. :)

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  2. I just re-read the blurb and realize this is a true crime book. Not really my cuppa, which is weird since I love a good mystery. Just not the real deal. ;)

    So glad to know that you loved Inside the O'Briens!! I snagged an ARC at work last week. It's next in my stack as soon as I finish The Next Time You See Me. Can't. Wait!!

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    Replies
    1. Les ~ I understand about your true crime dislike. I like as real as real can be in any type of book, so I'm kinda drawn to the true crime books being that I love mysteries.

      Can't wait to read your thoughts on Joe and his family!

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