1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazingly written- I never wanted to put it down., July 10, 2007
This review is from: A Wager of Blood (Paperback)
Of course knowing J.W. Coffey I was anxious to read the book. I expected nothing less than incredible and that is EXACTLY what I got and then some. I found myself cursing her one night as it was already late, and by late I mean 2:30 in the morning, as I kept saying I'll stop after this next chapter. I simply couldn't. Knowing that I had to be at work at 8:30 the next morning I forced myself to put it down. But I found myself back in the book in my dreams. An amazing story teller, J.W. Coffey sent my imagination back into high gear. I can't tell you the last time a book's story replayed in my dreams. I owe her a HUGE thank you.
Her vivid descriptions allowed me to imagine what it would be like watching the story unfold. I could picture the inn perfectly. I could see Willow arguing with his father. I found myself willing Meg to go upstairs even though she had been told not to. At many points in the book I found myself on the edge of my seat- literally- as I turned the next page to find more. I found myself completely lost in the story, understanding the bond that Meg and Frankie have- no doubt much like the one I share with my two best friends.
She does a phenominal job going from one century to the other without ever confusing you or loosing you. If you are looking for one of those books that will allow you to sit back and dig deep into your imagination this is most definately the book for you!
I'm tapping my feet waiting for the next one. Write on J.W., write on!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Horror and History - Oh My, June 26, 2007
This review is from: A Wager of Blood (Paperback)
A Wager of Blood plays out in both the 18th and 21st Centuries. Good friends Meg and Frankie have a reunion in a small town in New Hampshire. Meg is married to Zach, the manager of the rebuilt Inn, now a restaurant. Frankie's significant other, Sean, couldn't come along on the trip, but also grew up in the same New Hampshire village.
We learn within the first fifty pages that a killer is on the loose, luring naive businessmen to their death by torture. Coffey has vividly written those opening scenes and made the hairs standup on the back of my neck.
Following this brief intro to the bad guy, the book takes the reader to the reunion of the two women. They go to lunch at the restaurant at the Inn. Meg has already expressed a fear of the old Inn, hearing whispering voices and experiencing some poltergeist activity.
While having lunch, the owner of the Inn appears. Frankie immediately fears the man. Of course, we readers will understand that nasty Mr. Thornton is part of the evil that Meg feels at the Inn. Frankie hears the whispering voices like Meg did and is drawn to the upper floors of the Inn, a place that is off-limits to the Inn's customers.
The two women ascend to the second floor and all hell breaks loose, complete with blood pouring across the floor, screams of tortured souls, and ghostly presences.
"Frankie opened her mouth to try and speak, to give some comfort or assurance, but she didn't get the chance. She turned to see the brass handle of the door twisting up and down; the door, violently, battering itself in the socket that held it. The shaking grew in strength until a picture hanging nearby flew off the nail holding it, dropping to the floor and shattering the glass. The shards mingled with the pool of blood, causing an obscene sparkle to the mess.
She felt a tingle and her right palm began to itch and crawl with unseen insects under the flesh. A burning began to build under the skin, making it feel like it was blistering. She held the hand up to reassure herself that the flesh was not about to bubble off. The pain was becoming increasingly
excruciating, and she cradled her palm against her ribs. It was a moment before she realized that the hallway had been plunged into silence again. The door had stopped its insane vibrations.
. . . rattle, rattle . . . ."
But that's all I'm going to say about the plot because I'd think the readers would like to discover for themselves what happens next in "A Wager of Blood."
I can add a few comments that aren't spoilers. J.W. Coffey is a very good writer and you'll have no problem being carried along in the book. I stayed up way too late reading the first day I received the book. I paced myself after that and firmly shut the book at the end of a part. Not a chapter, but a Part.
Coffey has cleverly divided the book into parts with intriguing titles taken from gambling terminology.
Part One - The New Shooter Steps to the Line
Part Two - Seven's a Bruiser, The Front Line's a Loser
Part Three - The Stickman and the Come Out Roll
Now, I don't know diddley about Craps, the dice game on which Coffey based these titles. That's okay, though. You don't have to know how to play the game to get the connection, sinister as those connections are.
If you like horror, Wager will satisfy your desire for blood. If you like historicals, there's plenty of time spent in the 18th Century. If you like romance, there's some of that going on, too. That's not to say the book doesn't know where it's going; it does. It provides an interesting and balanced crossover of genres to interest a broad range of readers.
From the first pages describing a kidnap and torture to the last page telling of an unholy alliance between an ambitious woman and the devil, Coffey carries you along with plenty of heart-pounding excitement, lots of the 'ew' factor. And maybe you'll learn how to play Craps, but you may wish you'd never heard of the game.
Okay, there are some down sides to the writing. Hey, I've got to be real here. Some chapters dragged for me. A few times (and it was few), I felt like saying "Get on with it. I already know this." An author, I think, doesn't need to keep restating the obvious. How about an example. In Part titled "Interlude Two: The Dark Side," we find Meg back in the office talking to Zach. She's hesitant to tell him what she saw and he's hesitant to tell her what he knows. I'm thinking, "Hey guys! You're in love. You trust each other! Get on with it!" I tended to skim here because I didn't think these two would be so cagey. If my hubby was beating about the bush like Zach, I'd smack him. I think Meg should buck up and tell Zach what she saw and Zach should trust his wife.
Okay, that may be coming from my LONG time marriage. Meg and Zach are newlyweds, so maybe don't have the trust established. I'd urge Coffey not to let these scenes drag down the pace. I think that "A Wager of Blood" is a wild ride of mayhem and, as a reader, I'm up for it tearing along at a fast pace.
On the other hand, maybe the average reader wants a breather once in a while. That's fine. I'll skim, though, and I think other readers will, too.
That is not a huge downside to "A Wager of Sin." I am of the opinion that most readers who like a bit of devil worship, torture, ghostly presences, and so on will enjoy this book immensely.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Read, May 12, 2007
This review is from: A Wager of Blood (Paperback)
The writer is Kentucky novelist J. W. Coffey, and her book is called A Wager of Blood. Here's the skinny on it.
Matthew Harper and his wife Hannah own and operate a small in New Hampshire, along a route that is about to become a very busy road - and the perfect stop-over on the way through New Hampshire to points north. Lodging is lush but affordable, and the food is to die for.
One night in 1760, foolishly enters into what he thinks is just a wee game of chance between friends with Newell Thornton. Before the night is over, and with the aid of loaded dice, Thornton owns the Inn, and the Harpers along with two others are dead.
Over three hundred years later, the Thornton Inn is still owned by the descendants of Newell Thornton, and by some strange fluke of cosmic fate, Zach Harper is the manager. It's more of a restaurant than anything else now because over the years, the place has gained the reputation that it's haunted.
Coffey has managed something that I honestly haven't done since probably Ann Rice's Vampire Armand - she's written something I simply could not put down! Twists and turns, brilliant characters you actually care about, fast paced action are all part of the stunning vista that her pen brings to life. The scenes shift seamlessly between the past, the present, the real and the surreal.
I read a lot, and often pass on to my friends recommendations. This is a list topper. If you are a fan of well written horror, you will want a copy of A Wager of Blood for your personal library. And, while they last, there is a nice caveat - Coffey will send a singed book plate to anyone who requests it. Get your book, and snatch up that autograph. When she's famous, you're gonna be able to say you read her way back when... I ordered mine.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
