Customer Reviews

Chat Room

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm so glad I finally found the time to read Chat Room by Linda Hall. I had heard really good things about her books, but this was the first one I have read.

Chat Room was a very fun read, the perfect choice for a long flight when I had the time and opportunity to lose myself in a gripping story. The characters were compelling, the plot quite complex (in a good way!), and the pacing just right.

The thing I liked best, though, was the way the P.I. pursued her case. I have to wonder if Hall is a P.I. in real life, because the character, Teri, seems to do her job exactly the way she should, carefully plodding along, working mostly within the law, and paying close attention to details. It was a pleasure to follow along as she solved the mystery.

I look forward to other books in the series! If you like complex stories with good pacing and compelling leads, you will enjoy this book a whole lot!

This is a great mystery about the possibilities of the dangers laying in wait in chat rooms. Glynis' best friend Kim, who works for a law firm is missing after going to visit Gil Williamson, a man she'd met through an internet dating video-the new love of her life. He had said there was a better law firm she could work for where he lived and that she needed to come immediately if she was to get an interview for the job. But after Kim leaves, Glynis never hears from Kim again, other than emails.

Glynis becomes nervous when Kim emails her that she isn't coming back-that she and Gill are planning on getting married. Kim was only supposed to be gone a week. Then she asks Glynis to loan her $500, and when Glynis goes to Kim's apartment, finds it empty. Shortly after that the emails stop.

Glynis hires Terry, a PI (former Police officer) and in Terry's search through a box Kim had left for safe keeping at Glynis' house, finds a dusty green backpack at the bottom full of money. Glynis had no idea the money was there or where it came from. More intriguing are personal letters found in the box from someone named "L", mentioning to Kim about danger that Kim had warned her about. Only there is no return address.

Glynis had always been dependant on Kim and becomes a recluse now that Kim's gone. She stops going to church and instead, joins an internet church group, where no one knows her or what she looks like and she becomes comfortable with the position given her there as a confidant of Chasco's, the internet pastor. He is adept at drawing people out and woes her and makes her feel needed. Thus, she sends him monies for his ministry and other needs. She is unaware of the danger he poses.

This intriguing mystery has depth and is hard to connect the dots. It's full of twists and turns, as are all of Linda Hall's mysteries. You'll love this book!

Linda Hall's _Chat Room_ is peopled with real characters: the sort of folks you meet every day. And the way their personal foibles drive the plot is a mark of the best fiction in this genre. Highly recommended.

In Maine, thirty-two years old wealthy Glynis Pigott hires former cop turned private detective Teri Addison to learn what happened to her missing best friend lawyer Kim Shock. Apparently Kim quit her job to join her lover Gil Williamson in Texas.

Meanwhile, the unhappy six-foot plus tall Glynis is thinking of quitting her in town church to attend exclusively one sponsored over the Internet. She feels she belongs there with the daily readings and sermons hosted by Chasco as he and the other attendees warmly welcome her. Chasco even flirts with her and feels bad accepting her donations. As Teri's investigations lead her to Chasco, she must persuade Glynis that her life is in danger due to her link to Kim and an alleged cult murder-suicide from four years ago.

CHAT ROOM is an intriguing romantic suspense that also contains a powerful message of opening the tent to everyone even those who seem reticent about belonging. The story line is loaded with action as the two subplots cleverly converge in dramatic fashion. Teri and Glynis co-sharing lead protagonists with both of them delightful in opposite ways. The rest of the cast adds depth to both characters so that the audience understands both of them on an intimate level. Though the ending seems to pat readers will appreciate this strong thriller.

Harriet Klausner

Once again, Linda Hall does not disappoint! She can be counted on to provide a good solid story with twists and turns that keep the reader happily struggling to sort out some of the mysteries right to the end. Chat Room does just that. Teri is a delightful character with real flaws and needs. A very enjoyable read that also brings to light some of the dangers we face in this electronic world we live in. This is a great follow-up to Steal Away. I anxiously anticipate the next book in the series!

Linda Hall's Chat Room, the second in her Terri Blake-Addison mystery series, is riveting not so much because of the action but because you can see yourself in so many of the characters.

Glynis, the loner who finds friends on the internet, counts time by when the next chat starts. As she gets lured farther and farther away from reality and into cyberspace, she stumbles upon deception, fraud, and even murder. But perhaps the most telling is how she truly believes, for a time, that these are her friends. It's a great warning for those of us who can't seem to resist checking our email every few minutes!

I find all of Linda's books great reads because of the rich characters. For days afterwards, I'm often pondering them and their situations. A great follow-up to Steal Away.

There are not many mystery writers that I can get into. I first got interested in Linda Hall with her first Teri Blake-Addison mystery which was Steal Away. That was another good one and I didn't think she could get any better but she did. Chat Room has even more suspense than Steal Away. This book as did the other one captivated me in the opening chapter. I read on Linda Hall's website that this is the last Teri Blake Addison mystery book in the series since she was dropped from her publisher. I am very disappointed but looking forward to reading other books by her when she gets a different publisher.

A truly captivating book, from start to finish. There are enough clues given to figure out what was happening - but they are presented in a seemingly random - and yet, very purposeful order. You are torn between two equally powerful desires - to go back and re-read/re-organize the clues, and to keep reading forward as fast as you can, to find out the answer as soon as possible!

It's been a wonderful read; and first mystery book I read in the last 4 years; I believe it re-kindled my love for mystery.

There was quite a few thought-provoking bits in there. If Jesus came today, would he be just another person with a web site? Perhaps...

Teri and her family and friends are so well written that i feel like i know them. Really enjoyed the theme of this suspense story involving our involvement with social media as a way of connecting instead of actually getting to kmow people face to face. please dont tell me that there arent going to be anymore in this series, it is soo much better than the bestsellers currently available!

This author is so good. She keeps you on the edge of your seat as you read...in fact, very unlikely you can sleep until it's done.