Customer Reviews

The Face-Changers

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first read "Metzger's Dog" years ago, and had to get up out of bed to finish reading it, as I kept laughing out loud and waking my husband. It is a gripping, suspenseful, rocket-ride of a read, but with the notable difference from most thrillers in that it is a heck of a lot of fun, too. Perry manages to make the most technical subject easy to understand with his clear, concise writing, and the sly humor catches you by surprise. I'd never read anyone who could blend suspense and humor so well, and became an instant fan. Finishing one of his books always brings a sense of sadness, and anticipation for the next one.

I am always willing to travel down whatever road Thomas Perry's imagination wants to take me. The Jane Whitefield novels are wonderful, start at the beginning with "Vanishing Act".

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE Thomas Perry's novels. They are all incredible. I stumbled upon Shadow Woman, then went back and read the first two of the Jane Whitefield series. I am an AVID mystery/thriller reader, and read an average of 2-3 books a week. I've been reading for years now, and Thomas Perry is my favorite author in this genre, and he clearly stands above all the rest, when it comes to suspense, spy tricks of the trade, and intricate plot.

As with some of the other reviewers, I was THRILLED to see that Jane Whitefield hadn't retired and grabbed this book off the shelf right away. While this novel was well written and well-constructed as usual, I thought it wasn't nearly as creative or suspenseful as his other novels.

I was totally disappointed, for example, at the discovery of the identity of the "Face-Changer." It was a real let-down after all that build-up. It was no one that would make the situation more of a 'stake' for Jane.

Also, I felt that more could have been done with the "identity-tampering" theme. The final show-downs Jane had with the enemies weren't nearly as huge or intricate or exciting as her other ones.

Still, I hold Perry up to very high standards -- his own (that he has set in other Jane novels)! So this book is still excellent!!! A HIGH RECOMMENDATION to all. Beautifully written and detailed without slowing down at all.

And I agree with the latest reviewer -- THOMAS PERRY, IF YOU'RE READING THIS, PLEASE DON'T RETIRE JANE!!! I CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF YOUR JANE NOVELS!!!

I've read all of the Jane Whitefield novels, and I felt this was the best one. I was worried after Shadow Woman that Jane might retire for good, and the author would find something else to write about. What a surprise when I was looking for a new book and found THE FACE CHANGERS. I was surprised to find it, and I was thrilled that Jane was still with us. I love to find an author who stays with a character. Sue Grafton's Kinsey; Patricia Cornwell's Kay; Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware--it's like renewing a friendship when a new book of theirs comes out. I hope to find more Jane Whitefield's adventures for many years to come!!

Enjoyed this fourth Jane Whitefield novel. I love the character--her strength, brilliance, logical thinking, ability to strategize and come up with great plans. Glad her husband's character, Carey MacKinnon, was part of the plot more than he was in the past. However, thought the ending was a little strange, the villains as it were. It could have been just one (Quinn)without the second--(Christie) that seems tacked on and too melodramatic and unnecessary. It was very clever until then. However, the book was a good suspenseful read. Even though it seems as if Jane Whitefield is going into retirement for real this time to have a family, it would be a real letdown for her fans. This is one of the better-written mystery series and one of the most interesting characters. To Thomas Perry--please do not let Jane Whitefield retire. It would leave too big a gap in the field of good mysteries and good and unique women major characters. Keep writing about Jane Whitefield--h! er fans plead.

Thomas Perry is an amazing writer, but somehow I didn't feel that this latest venture meets his high standards. There is the usual Jane Whitefield dance with her evil pursuers, close calls, and a subtext that you don't figure out till the end. Neverthless, the fact that Jane is performing her magic not out of her devotion to her work, but because she is somewhat reluctantly pushed into it, robs the story of its customary magic. Thomas, let Jane live out a quiet life with her husband, and write about Jane's earlier adventures instead.

The only thing I can't figure out is - how did Thomas Perry go from writing amazing and humorous crime noir like "Metzger's Dog" and the "Butcher's Boy", to the somber (but no less readable) Jane Whitefield?

Jane Whitefield, a Seneca Indian, has spent the last ten years as a guardian, an occupation that helps people in life threatening danger, obtain new identities. It is a dangerous job because she would accompany her clients when they were on the run. She finally quit out of respect for her new spouse, Dr. Carey Mckinnon, who pleaded with her to stop her dangerous avocation.

Following a year of serene, domestic bliss, Carey asks Jane to assist a patient of his, falsely accused of murder, with vanishing. The mark is a dedicated medical research genius that Carey believes humanity needs kept alive. Jane joyfully reclaims her old life, but has a different problem to contend with than in the past. Someone is masquerading as her and that person wants to insure that Jane is permanently removed from the playing field.

Jane Whitefield is an amazing heroine because she is an everyday person doing extraordinary things. THE FACE-CHANGERS is one of the best Whitefield books to come out in this stupendous, unique series, primarily because of the heroine's needs to settle down, yet do whatever for someone she loves. Thomas Perry is a very talented author, who has written an outstanding story.

Harriet Klausner

Book Club Review
THE FACE-CHANGERS
Thomas Perry

Our book club's book for May was THE FACE-CHANGERS, a Jane Whitefield novel by Thomas Perry. For those who have not read Perry before, Jane Whitefield is a Native American "guide" whose job is to help people (usually innocent people accused of crimes they didn't commit) disappear, to move "off the grid." Her job is always made much more challenging by the fact that by the time she gets involved in any particular "case," the person she's helping to save is already in a lot of trouble with the bad guys closing fast.

We chose this book because we wanted to try something with a Native American/American Indian theme, but we didn't want to read Tony Hillerman. Not that we don't like him, but we've all ready several books by him and we wanted to try something different. Some of us had read earlier books in this series and recommended them enthusiastically, which is how we came to this book.

In THE FACE-CHANGERS, Jane has tried to "retire"; she is now the wife of a respected doctor and she wants to get out of the danger business. But she's pulled back in by a surprising source--her own husband, whose mentor in medical school is now falsely accused of murder and is on the run from the law, because he has been framed. Unable to say no to her husband, Jane jumps into the case with mastery.

To say more would be moving into spoiler territory, because the plot is quite intricate and involved many twists and turns as Jane tries to stay a step ahead of the "bad guys," while also finding herself saving another unwitting victim from some truly unscrupulous thugs.

The joy of reading this book is in the really exquisite detail of Jane's brilliant mind...how she observes every situation, tries to stay a step or two ahead, outwit someone, or pull off a scam of her own, all with the goal of keeping her charges safe. Jane is like a Harry Houdini, and what makes the book such a fascinating read is that her exploits don't strain credibility. There's action, and a fast pace, but you never think, "Oh, come on, this is ridiculous." That's because Perry has so perfectly plotted everything out. As a group, we were highly impressed by this aspect of the book..."awed" might even be a better word.

There are just a few small caveats. Though labeled a "novel of suspense" -- and it is very suspenseful -- this is not a book that you can read quickly or breeze through. Because the detail of the escape arts is so intricate, you really do have to read every line, every paragraph; as a result the book seems to paradoxically move suspensefully but slowly. Also, Jane herself, while a provocative character, is not explored in much depth if at all. She is absolutely a master at what she does, and she is devoted to her craft and to the people she protects, but we don't really get to know much about her. So, really, as good as THE FACE-CHANGERS is, it can't be said that the book has deep characterization or a heroine you come to "love." We all admired Jane, without exception; it's just that she's really hard to get a handle on as a character. (Perhaps there is more about her history or her backstory in earlier novels; this is the first Perry book I read. Some other members said they remember the earlier books being the same way, with Jane always formidable but never quite developed fully.)

We all felt that we would like to read more by Thomas Perry. He has written several excellent non-series books, too, so I personally may try one of those before going to another Jane Whitefield book.

Please Mr. Perry don't let Jane retire, not yet. I can't get enough. I became a fan when I just happened upon "Vanishing Act" the first Jane Whitefield novel. I quickly read and then went in search of anything else I could get my hands on. I was lucky enough to read Dance of the Dead and Shadow Woman in quick succession. Then I had to wait several months for "The Face Changers". Most books leave you feeling "tired of them" after you've read about the same character, but Thomas Perry is a master at giving you just enough to make you want more and more. I am now in search of all of his early works - again, please Mr. Perry don't stop now.

Thank you, thank you.

Every time I sit down with one of Thomas Perry's Jane Whitefield novels I always forget to set aside enough time to finish it in one reading. THE FACE-CHANGERS is the rule to any exception. From the gripping beginning to the chilling ending Perry deftly builds the tension and the characterization of the players like Mozart writing music. What's facinating about the Whitefield books is the Native American rationalization of Jane, the woman who 'hides' people from the danger they've usually created for themselves. She's always failed to voice the reality that she does what she does for 'good'. But in FACE-CHANGERS it becomes sparklingly clear that just that is her motivation. As Jane dreams about the death of her father, there is the juxtaposition of her own husband being in danger, and the reader wonders if she will recognize it in time to save herself, as well the many lives in jeopardy around her. This may well be the last tale in as fine a thriller series as any on the shelves today...but that's what I thought about the last Jane Whitefield novel. This Perry novel deserves bestseller status. If you like suspense, do yourself a favor; read it, then tell all your friends.

Don't get me wrong, I'm an absolute Perry fan, first picking up Vansihing Act in Buffalo where I went to school and where he's from. I was terrified when I thought it was going to end with Jane's marriage to her good doctor Carey and I was elated to find out about The Face-Changers, I even rushed out and bought it hardcover, full price. The beginning was a little stilted, a little too pat and the overall threat to Jane, Carey and their way of life by helping his mentor too neatly resolved. I felt that Shadow Woman really got a hold of what it meant that oppotunistic hunters and hiders were getting wise to Jane's work and that this novel would take it to another level. There was a little scrimping on the depth of the villains here, in previous books we got to see how Jane was found out and how she had to double cross her own tracks. Her tricks here are still good and inventive to the point where I did believe her hiding of the wanted doctor and the gullible Janet but it lagged soemwhere in the tension that is generally much more taunt.