13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Not Wainscott quality, February 17, 2008
This review is from: What Lies in Shadow (Mass Market Paperback)
I have to start by saying that I normally enjoy Tina Wainscott. "What Lies In Shadow" bothered me almost to the point that I did not want to read it at all. Being as no other readers had reviewed this book, I felt it necessary to give my opinion. However, it may not be what readers want to hear.
Here is a little of the story line as well as my dilemna with how it is written:
Jonna suspects her husband is cheating, but rather than confront him with her concerns, she chooses to have an affair with a man she met on her web blog. When she meets this man and realizes that she can not go through with the affair, the man (Dominic) begins stalking her. Even when she finds out her husband was not cheating on her, she does not tell him what has happened even though she knows he must suspect something is going on.
The author makes the lead female character into a mousy female who is not even strong enough to say "Hey, I thought you were cheating and I made a horrible mistake, but nothing happened. Except for the fact that this crazy guy is now stalking me." Not even her so called best friend supports her. If any friend of mine, best or not, encouraged me to cheat on my husband and didn't believe me that this guy was hounding me and leaving creepy gifts, they wouldn't be my friend anymore. On top of that, I just hate it when authors make the cops out to be unwilling to help. So what if one or two cops give you a bad time and don't believe your story? You go to their supervisor, and get another cop who will listen. Instead, the characters take it upon themselves to bring the entire situation to a close even when murder is an issue without outside assistance. Dumb.
Ok, so that's my opinion. The characters came across as having no common sense and I found nothing likable about them. If this had been Tina Wainscott's first novel and she were trying to submit it to an agent, it would have quickly been tossed in the slush pile. It has no opening hook, weak character establishment and is extremely anti-climactic. It is blatantly obvious who is involved because there are no red herrings, no mystery or unanswered questions, and very little suspense to pull the reader on.
Sorry this isn't what most would expect of Tina Wainscott and if I've bashed the writing too harshly. I just don't believe in giving some flim flam review to be nice. I want readers to know how extremely frustrating it really was to read this novel, but I do not believe it is fair to give a review without reading the book through to the very end. Therefore, I gave it every opportunity I could for the author to redeem herself, but "What Lies in Shadow" is not a book I would recommend to anyone.
Is it worth buying?
I paid full price and will end up throwing the book in the trash. But then, that's just one opinion. Just wanted to be straight with the readers, because I know of many of the top reviewers who will say nothing negative about a book in fairness to the author. But what about the readers? Don't they deserve to know the truth?
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
modern day cautionary suspense thriller, February 21, 2008
This review is from: What Lies in Shadow (Mass Market Paperback)
In Boston Jonna Karakosta is bored as her successful husband Rush ignores her except when he needs his trophy on display for business purposes. Still she tries to remain loyal to him even if he mostly disregards her needs. Instead feeling all alone with no outlet for her frustration, Jonna sets up a blog where she anonymously releases her inner torment.
She provides her innermost desires and disappointments on her "Montene's Diary", which to her surprise becomes popular thanks to the Globe claiming she is an every person; people write back on her blog including Dominic. Meanwhile Jonna becomes hurt when she concludes that Rush is cheating on her. She accepts Dominic's request to meet in person and see where that goes. However, she begins to have second thoughts as she decides to save her marriage; but Dominic has a different outcome in mind.
WHAT LIES ON SHADOW is a modern day cautionary suspense thriller that makes a case not to provide personal information on the Internet. The story line is fast-paced but driven by the characters as Dominic knows what he wants and will do anything to achieve his desired rush. Although some of the twists are obvious, fans will appreciate this look at the dark side of blogging and wonder whether Montene is a part of Jonna or just her imagination running wild.
Harriet Klausner
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
What Lies in Shadow, February 18, 2009
This review is from: What Lies in Shadow (Mass Market Paperback)
Jonna Karakosta blogs a lot. She has one of the hottest blogs on the internet. For her safety she does not give her real name, but her blog is a place where she can be herself, totally honest about her private needs and wants. She does, however, keep the knowledge of her online persona from everyone, even her new husband. Now that she thinks her husband is cheating on her, she is relying on her online supporters for help on dealing with her real life.
A frequent guest to Jonna's blog is `Dominic.' Jonna decides to meet `Dominic' in person. `Dominic' wants more than Jonna is willing to give.
Jonna makes the decision that her marriage is worth saving and decides to fight for it. A decision `Dominic' does not agree with.
What Lies In Shadow is a gripping novel, that shows some of the dangers that blogging on the internet can cause in extreme situations. From beginning to end, the reader is drawn into Jonna's life both online and in reality. Ms. Wainscott writes a tale of twisted personal lives that holds onto the reader and draws them in. Jonna has to learn to live with the decisions she has been making with her blogging of her secrets and what the telling of those secrets can cause in real life. What Lies In Shadow is a diverting story, worthy of a rainy afternoon.
Emma
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed
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