Customer Reviews

What Goes Around: A Novel

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What an enjoyable book! I didn't really know what to expect as I started reading but it was great fun and also at times thought-provoking.

The story follows five women, members of a self-help group, who are shocked by the death of one of the members. Polly, Kate, Charlotte, Dinah and Justine believe the death was foul play and very quickly discover the three men they believe responsible. They then vow to get their revenge on these men and set about investigating their lives to find their weak spots.

What could have been a rather distasteful concept (seeking vengeance) was actually very well written and heartwarming. The women each have different skills and influences and we watch one of them in a gentle romance and the others finding new zest for life or ideas for the future. Although I felt the characters were well written I occasionally found it difficult to distinguish between Dinah and Charlotte and I found one or two plot improbabilities a little too convenient. Overall, however, this was an excellently-written and interesting book.

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008

I got this book for my wife, she loved it and kept talking about it. Then I read it, awsome book.

The reader of What Goes Around enters a participatory adventure with five characters, smart women who are resolute in wanting to avenge the murder of a friend. They plan their revenge not simply as personal payback, but as legitimate justice. Their targets are three powerful men who otherwise won't be held responsible. These men are protected by wealth and position, but if they can't be brought to justice, the victim's friends will bring justice to them. As satisfying as seeing the "good revenges" work out are the self-discoveries the women make in facing their own fears and dangerous situations.

I think Susan Diamond is an outstanding writer, presenting serious themes of public and private life, privilege and morality, and the power of friendship. Outstanding also is the aura of Los Angeles. The novel is a real page-turner: consequential, intelligent, witty, and yes, downright funny. What a surprise and pleasure is this gem!

I love the smart characters and fast-moving plot of this novel. The
women in WHAT GOES AROUND absolutely personify friendship and
bravery. I picked this up for a Summer read- but this book goes in my top 10 list of all time. I hope there's a sequel!

Susan Diamond's WHAT GOES AROUND not only is a good beach read, it's a great read, period. Clear a significant period of time when you dip into this compelling story because you'll be reading far longer than you had planned, maybe, as I did, the whole book in one sitting. I didn't want the book to end and came away with affection and admiration for the five terrific California women.
This is an all-weather winner, and I'll definitely recommend it when my book club meets again in September.