Dragonfly [Mass Market Paperback]

John Farris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1996

A beautiful, wealthy, best-selling romance novelist, Abby Abelard finds herself tangled in deceit, betrayal, and a life turned upside down while she becomes involved with the handsome Dr. Joe Bryce on the beaches of her estate. Reprint. PW. NYT.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Farris's (Sacrifice) latest novel is a real Southern gothic melodrama?with all the requisite over-the-top set pieces and labyrinthine plot twists?that grabs readers instantly. A swank society wedding is halted because the groom has left his millionaire fiancee on the lawn of her Omaha, Neb., manse. He is Joe Bryce (ne Mazcarek, or maybe Smith), a con man of the highest and smoothest order who's made his fortune preying on wealthy, marriageable ladies?made enough, in fact, to live in the Caribbean in the off-swindling season aboard his yacht, Dragonfly. But Joe meets his match in Nimrod's Chapel, Ga., where he contrives an introduction to bestselling romance writer Pamela Abelard. Paralyzed after a hit-and-run accident, the wheelchair-bound Abby is tended by her uncle, Dr. Luke, whose unctuous facade conceals unhealthy secrets. Also on hand are Luke's wife, Charlene, a substance abuser whose finest moment comes when, "naked as a peeled egg," she scrapes $300-a-roll wallpaper off the parlor walls. Among the many richly realized supporting players is a killer who in his downtime paints scenes of Christ. Never letting up on the suspense, Farris piles one Grand Guignol moment on top of another with unerring dexterity, a keen knowledge of human nature and a wicked sense of humor. Literary Guild alternate.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Joe, he of many last names, craves and seduces wealthy, vulnerable women and bilks them of a portion of their riches. Joe excuses his behavior with the rationale that he gives the ladies "what they want" while donating the proceeds to various charities. Joe's next project is Abby, a famous historical romance writer. Abby, injured in a hit-and-run accident, has been paraplegic for 13 years. Joe cannot bring himself to continue the seduction, but Abby-being the feisty female that she is-cannot let Joe leave her life, so they become platonic friends. Naturally, there is an evil genie in this paradise-Dr. Lucas Thomason, a sexually warped, thrice-married gubernatorial hopeful who is Abby's uncle. Predictably, our tarnished hero rescues Abby from a plethora of horrors. Farris (Sacrifice, LJ 8/94) has learned his writing craft and does it well, but he needs to shed his chauvinism and flesh out his paper-doll characters. Buy, but only if you need to spend year-end budget money.
Dawn L. Anderson, North Richland Hills P.L., Tex.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Forge (July 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812552636
• ISBN-13: 978-0812552638
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,074,337 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I would read this book again....., July 20, 2000

By 

"jaquita874" (Waynesboro, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dragonfly (Hardcover)

I thought Dragonfly was a great thought-provoking novel. When I read the last words inside the jacket, I was thinking 'what does that mean?' I found out when I really got into the book and it got me more interested. This book is a real find. I strongly recommend it for anyone who likes John Farris.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read!, May 15, 2001

By 

Tara Barros - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dragonfly (Mass Market Paperback)

This was my first John Farris book and I was really surprized at how interesting it was. Without giving anything away, I could not believe how well he wrapped up so many plot twists at the end. If you like Dean Koontz or books like that, you will love this book.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Southern Inhospitality, April 7, 2002

By 

Bruce Rux (Aurora, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dragonfly (Mass Market Paperback)

When Farris writes straight thrillers, they're pretty gritty. This is one of his grittiest.

A CIA adventurer, recovering from having bitten off more than he could chew, finds himself falling in love with a besieged heiress. The usual cast of stock Southern baddies have their own agendas for the heiress' money - but, of course, there's this little problem of getting her out of the way, first.

Nothing you haven't read or seen before, but Farris writes it splendidly. This one's mostly in the Phillip Marlowe mold, a crime novel set in a decaying Southern manse as opposed to the streets of the city. If you like that kind of thing, jump on in. The water's fine.