Customer Reviews

The Shadow of Her Smile

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As beguiling as her heroine's smile, Ms. Taylor's newest mystery is a novel that entertained me. Easy to read, this book has all of the elements that created a fan base for the author. Yet, with The Shadow of Her Smile, Ms Taylor has come to a crossroads. The over-the-top, soap-sudsey, often hilarious style of the Lambert Books I found utterly delighting and totally gutsy has been toned down in this new book which begs to be taken more seriously.

The three main characters, Nikki, Corbin, and Charlie are well drawn and I liked them a lot. The interaction between Nikki and Corbin charmed me. As for the mystery and plot, we shall leave that alone. I wouldn't want to spoil surprises.

To Ms. Taylor, I say, "You have a knack for story telling. Whether you decide to improve your craft and get serious or to stick to the earthy, unstifled, and joyous writing that won you so many fans, you'll succeed as an author."

I look forward to reading many more stories by this gracious lady.

This is a wonderful novel to relax with. You find yourself believeing these characters are real. Nice people stand out drastically against the corrupt rich society they must mingle with.

The heroine is childlike, humble, non-judgemental. However, she is intelligent. You find yourself rooting for her as she realizes that she can no longer trust anyone who is close to her because any of them could be the one who wants her dead.

Victoria Taylor Murray creates a world of beautiful redheaded women who could pass for clones of different ages and social standing. She keeps you in the dark as to whom the killer until the end.

(...)

"Reading The Shadow of Her Smile was like slurping a long, cold lemonade on a sultry, summer day--I couldn't devour it fast enough! The story started off with a bang, growing increasingly suspenseful as Victoria Taylor Murray drew me into her exciting plot with the ease that only the best writers can achieve. From Trump Towers to the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel to Little Italy to NYPD and a grandmother's run-down mansion, she painted a New York seldom seen by outsiders. I especially relished the historical vignettes of The Big Apple woven in at appropriate places in the story. Although many of the supporting characters were ultra-worldly--obviously shallow, greedy, and lustful--each one was unique and thoroughly flushed out. Through them, Murray captures the true essence of the city's diversity of cultures and life-styles. And the hero and heroine are to die for! The excitement was nonstop as handsome Corbin Douglas searched for beautiful, red-haired Nikki Rourke--a "woman in a photograph" with an unforgettable smile--overcoming death-defying, breath-stealing obstacles to help her. This well-written, fast-paced book has everything: believable characters, realistic dialogue, suspense, romance, and "original" humor. For example, when Corbin, a cop-turned-private-investegator, told his former partner, "I have a headache the size of Stephen King's Buick 8," I laughed out loud... a welcome relief from the tension of the book's drama. I join this talented author's legions of fans in applauding her on penning another winner. My one regret is that I didn't discover her from her very first book." -- Betty Dravis, author of "The Toonies Invade Silicon Valley."

A former French Playmate of the year, exotic dancer, and a rich man's wife, soon learn the road to fame and glory is riddled with betrayal, can the same road lead to murder as well?

I really enjoyed this book and think anyone who likes mystery stories laced with the perfect touch of romance will have as much fun as I did while reading, The Shadow of Her Smile. I'd say Ms. Murray has another winner on her hands with this story.

Love this author; love all her books ... even her new cookbook.

I had the pleasure of meeting VTM at one of her booksignings and she's a very sweet, knowledgable women. I meet a lot of celebrities in my line of work (even doubling for the stars routinely), but never met an author before ... so that's an occasion I'll long remember.

I look forward to her next book. Hurry up, Victoria!

The Shadow of Her Smile by Victoria Taylor Murray was my first novel by this fun writer BUT it will most certainly not be my last!

I loved the characters Corbin Douglas and Nikki Rourke. I could actually feel the spark they shared upon seeing each other for the first time.

I also got lost in the FUN plot of the story line. I believe any reader who enjoys a fun way to spend an afternoon will love getting lost in this book.

I look forward to reading this writer's other books.

Victoria Taylor Murray has done it again. Provided her fans with a spell-binding thriller, filled with plenty of mystery and suspense. And great characters. Why is someone trying to kill Nikki Roarke, who had it all, before her whole world fell out from beneath her? And why? Read the book - believe me, you'll love it as much as I did.

Just a week earlier Nikki Rourke lived a life most people would envy- she had a billionaire boyfriend who enjoyed spoiling her beyond reason and a job she loved more than anything- now, her world is suddenly crumbling around her...the reason- someone is trying to kill her. But who? Possibly more importantly, why?

The Shadow of Her Smile by one of my favorite writer's, Victoria Taylor Murray, has it all, a tight plot, great characters, and terrific dialogue. Loved the humor and the romance.

If your thing is romantic thrillers then this is the book for you. Give it a try.

I cannot begin to tell you how much I enjoyed The Shadow of Her Smile by Victoria Murray.

I took this book to the beach with me and had it read in no time at all. My only regret was that I didn't think to pack more books by this fun writer to take along on my vacation as well.

After I got home I huried on the net and ordered Ms. Murray's four-book Lambert series and couldn't wait to read them. BOY OH BOY...What a fun set of books they were. Now, I am anxious to get my hands on more of this writer's books! She is a terrific writer who sure knows how to show her readers a fun, fun time! I only have one question? When's the next book coming out? I can't wait!

The Shadow of Her Smile by exciting writer, Victoria Murray, is one of those marvelously engrossing stories that is perfect for curling up with on a rainy day, a lazy weekend, or at the beach.