BOOK BEGINNINGS:
Wisconsin, Fall, 1907. It was bitter cold, the air electric with all that had not happened yet. The world stood stock still, four o'clock dead on. Nothing moved anywhere, not a body, not a bird; for a split second there was only silence, there was only stillness. Figures stood frozen in the frozen land, men, women, and children.
FRIDAY 56:
"Sister, sit. I'm sorry. I'm bad and I'm sick and I say things. But just sit by me. I'm never alone, but I always feel so lonely. So far away from everybody. Nobody holds me. Nobody touches me or calls my name...."
[At 56% on my Kindle]
GENRE: Historical Fiction
LENGTH: 320 Pages
AMAZON LINK: A Reliable Wife
AMAZON SYNOPSIS:
He placed a notice in a Chicago paper, an advertisement for "a reliable wife." She responded, saying that she was "a simple, honest woman." She was, of course, anything but honest, and the only simple thing about her was her single-minded determination to marry this man and then kill him, slowly and carefully, leaving her a wealthy widow, able to take care of the one she truly loved.
What Catherine Land did not realize was that the enigmatic and lonely Ralph Truitt had a plan of his own. And what neither anticipated was that they would fall so completely in love.
Filled with unforgettable characters, and shimmering with color and atmosphere, A Reliable Wife is an enthralling tale of love and madness, of longing and murder.
MY THOUGHTS: The author does a great job of setting the scene in his opening, doesn't he? He also establishes the tone of the book: dark and brooding. Although the beginning was slow and seemed repetitious to me, I kept reading and I'm glad I did. Once I got into it, the story kept me riveted, wondering what would happen in the end.
*****
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ReplyDeleteThe cover is dark and brooding too!
ReplyDeleteHere's mine
http://bronasbooks.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/book-beginnings-on-friday-friday-56.html#comment-form
Thanks for sharing...I've been curious about this book, but now I am adding it to my list.
ReplyDeleteHere's MY FRIDAY MEMES POST
The book was definitely worth reading, but you may need patience to get through the opening pages. Hang in there!
DeleteSounds like quite the pity party.
ReplyDeleteI read this one several months ago and really did enjoy it. Hope you do too.
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy it! It's like no other book I've read, and that's always fun.
DeleteThe imagery is great at the beginning and the cover art sends a message of intrigue and possible deception. I'm wondering what the characters will discover about each other and how it will all turn out. I look forward to your review.
ReplyDeleteDeception! And with a title like that, it makes me wonder why the emphasis on "Reliable"!
DeleteI really like the descriptive opening. Sounds like a great read. I'll have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a book I would love--just my style. I read this type and write it. I'll have to putit on my ever-growing list.
ReplyDeleteMicki
Hi Sandra,
ReplyDeleteHaving checked out the author's website, I can see why you describe this book as dark and brooding. The whole tone of the site and the illustrative narrative from the three books Robert has written, are almost chilling and quite distant.
Your opening lines are brilliantly descriptive, but give nothing away about what is happening to cause this 'frozen' moment in time!
The page 56 lines appear touching and emotional, although perhaps everything isn't quite as it first seems?
I am not sure if this is one for my list or not, but then again, I really need to know what the final outcome of this impending tragedy is!
Thanks for sharing such a book with a difference and I hope that you have a good weekend.
Yvonne
I was surprised to see so many negative reviews for this book. If a reader wants a light and fun-filled story, this definitely isn't for her! The author definitely kept me wondering how the story would end.
DeleteI've been wanting to read this book. It sounds so good. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteI actually really like the 56. More than the beginning I think...
ReplyDeletehow interesting! the plot sounds intricate but alluring at the same time. thanks for stopping by today and sharing your friday 56!
ReplyDeleteAspen
http://inner-aspen.blogspot.com
i loved the beginning. so vivid and palpable and the 56 was so sad. what a lonely soul...
ReplyDeletethanks Sandy for sharing and for stopping by my blog as well. enjoy your weekend! :)
I have this one on my shelf just waiting to be read...hopefully I can get to it soon. It sounds so good!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog!
~Kristin @ Always With a Book
I like it. Even though it is dark and foreboding, I really like it. Glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteRead this book a while back and really liked it. I recommend it!
ReplyDeleteIt was quite unusual, wasn't it?
DeleteThis sounds like a mystery (from the Amazon description) which is my favorite type of reading. But seems like it is much more than that. Have to give it a try someday.
ReplyDeletethe story sounds intriguing! i am going to add it to my TBR.. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDelete