Customer Reviews

On Maggie's Watch

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The only reason I read these days is to enjoy an author's language and style. I don't care much what a book is about, I just care about whether the words and sentences are fresh and skillful. Ann Garvin's "On Maggie's Watch" is a pleasure to read. I loved the natural dialogue and the direct, expert prose. Every line of dialogue rings true to the character who delivers it, and the story is told in a funny, light, and smart style. Under the light touch, there are some dark feelings, but Garvin handles the mix well. Can't wait to read her next book!

This is truly a story of a woman who has suffered a tragedy and her efforts to get her life back on course. Maggie Finley first child was still-born and while the grief was overwhelming for both her and her husband, it has turned Maggie into a entirely different person. When she finds out she is pregnant again, they pull up stakes and move back to her hometown in Wisconsin, where she reconnects with her best friend.

But Maggie becomes obsessed with protecting herself and her family. She restarts the Neighborhood Watch and even becomes the president. Then she learns from the internet that there is a sex offender in the neighborhood. This seems to push her over the edge and causes some very unusual actions.

Her friends and family are very worried about her and work hard to bring the old Maggie back. It may take the birth of this new child to set things right.

This was a very compelling book and the local connection made it even better. Yes, the Wisconsin town was fictional, as was the county, but this book could of took place practically in my backyard.

The topics taken on in this story are very relevant in today's world. The author handles these hot topics with care and makes it so easy to read and feel Maggie's pain and fall totally in love with her and want to be her friend.

I am amazed that this the author's first novel. I hope she is working on her next novel as I write this because I definitely want to read more by Ann Wertz Garvin soon. This is a perfect book for my blog because it will give you an "escape" for a few hours of pure pleasure with a peek into Maggie's life.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from THE AUTHOR. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

When I sat down to read this book, I was really expecting it to be rather slow, honestly. I am not afraid to admit that. But, what happened totally blew me away. I was instantly captured and taken by surprise at how fast of a read and how engrossing of a read this truly was. Garvin really did a FANTASTIC job at writing this novel.

On Maggie's Watch is a perfectly blended combination of humor, love, friendship, and worry. I'm not going to go into deep detail about the novel, for if I do, I will give away the spoilers, and my blog isn't about that. So, what I will tell you is this: Maggie is a flaw-filled character trying her best to not make another mistake in her unborn child's life. When she learns that one of her neighbors is harboring a deep and dark secret, she goes to great lengths to protect her neighborhood. She starts the Neighborhood Watch, but what she doesn't realize is that the people around....well, they are all flawed, just like her. They all have secrets they are harboring. But, still, she wanted to protect her baby and would do nothing to stop herself from vandalizing the neighbor who holds the dark secret. She will stop at nothing to make the world a "perfect" place for her sweet baby.

I truly loved this book in the end. It made me laugh in places, but it made me stop to think about the world today. Garvin took serious issues in the world today, and blended them with the flawed characters, and turned out a 4 star plot that will hook you and reel you in. It will get your mind turning and thinking and make you realize, as a parent that the world is not perfect, but sometimes you have to have a little TRUST. Well done, Ms. Garvin!

I usually do not read women's fiction, so I was pleasantly surprised with On Maggie's Watch. Ann Wertz Garvin has an accessible, efficient and fast-paced writing style. She is a wordsmith with slang and description. The two female characters, Maggie and Julia, have fun and are suburban, Midwestern soccer moms, but they also have a flair for the dramatic. And they have deep souls. Wertz Garvin takes the reader through the women's deepest fears: losing a child, whether in the womb or outside world. The plot line is well-structured with a mystery/suspense edge.

Overall, the perfect book for those who love women's fiction and even those who don't!

What a sweet book! I wanted a book I could sort of fall into and read leisurely at night. Unfortunately for me, I finished this book in just two sittings -- it was too good to put down. The writing is sharp and witty -- no wasted words here -- and the dialogue makes it hum. The characters are just wacky enough to be believable, and their repertoire is quite fun and engaging. While most of the book made me smile, there were a handful of scenes that will break your heart. When this author wants to make you feel something, watch out! This is a definitely something to add to your late-summer reading list.

Maggie and Martin Finley have returned to Maggie's Wisconsin hometown, leaving behind a fast-paced, high-profile life. The purpose is to create a safe environment for their child. With the birth impending, safety is increasingly important to Maggie, still recovering from a tragedy that is still fresh.

Maggie decides that the best way to create a safe environment for her baby is to resurrect the inactive neighborhood watch. In doing this, she gets more than she bargained for, including becoming the leader. Then, while organizing the group, Maggie discovers online that a predator is living in the neighborhood! The more Maggie tries to take control of the situation, the more she loses it!

Before she even realizes it, Maggie is making predawn cruises through the neighborhood streets, doing things she knows are not safe, including becoming too involved with the handyman. Her lifelong friend, Julia, tries to be a voice of reason, but has her own set of issues.

Nothing is what it seems for anyone. There are lessons to be learned by everyone. This suspenseful book is very unique and quirky. There are amusing moments and unexpected twists that will keep you guessing, and leave you thinking.

Anyone who has children can relate to Maggie - and will watch with sympathy and horror as her natural desire to keep her neighborhood safe from predators turns into an obsession. On Maggie's Watch is a timely book, with a memorable heroine and themes which could have been plucked from the headlines.

On Maggie's Watch was a delightful reminder of why we have girlfriends, mothers and home-towns to return to. Anne Garvin's prose glides - her characters are warm, imperfect and unique.

A delicious slice of life, I alternately laughed with and ached for Maggie as she frantically tried to control a life that is rapidly spinning out. For every mother who has longed to protect her child, for every girlfriend who relies on the safe harbour of her oldest friend and for the buried nut inside us, this book is a must read.

I was contacted by Ann Wertz Garvin asking me if I would be interested in reviewing her book On Maggie's Watch. I took a look to see what it was about and immediately thought that this would be a fun read. I was not disappointed. The two female characters, Maggie and Julia, are old friends and since Maggie and her husband have returned to a small Wisconsin town( I live in Wisconsin also), they have become friends again. Maggie decides to become interested in the Neighborhood Watch program because she has found that there is a registered sex offender in the neighborhood. What ensues is a story that is humerous and serious at the same time. Humerous because Maggie is a bit over the top at times and serious because the author has covered some serious topics. I loved this story because, even though it had very serious undertones it was told with compassion and understanding even if Maggie is a character who has lots of flaws, no pretentions. A great weekend summer read for the beach!!!

This was a fun book to read. It touches on the real fears that every woman/mother has at some time but does it in a thoughtful and humorous way. The relationship between the main character and her friend was very real and funny. It's a good read for the intelligent woman.