In Fidelity (Paperback)

by M.J. Rose (Author) "My daughter stood beyond the fieldstone fence that separated the house from the beach..." (more)
Key Phrases: Dan Mallory, Adrienne Blessing, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Psychotherapist Jordan Sloan's father was murdered by her ex-boyfriend nearly 20 years ago. Jordan has never forgiven Dan Mallory, but the state has, and he's now out of prison. Despite reassurance from everyone, including his parole officer, Jordan is certain Dan's stalking her, and that sooner or later he'll take his revenge for her betrayal of their relationship by the testimony she gave at his trial.

Betrayal is also the theme of Jordan's relationship with her husband, Robert, whose infidelity destroyed their otherwise perfect marriage. Although they continue to share their New York brownstone, she cannot bring herself to forgive him either. Into Jordan's already troubled existence comes a new patient, whose revelations will force her to reconsider whether her marriage--and, ultimately, her life--is worth saving. Well crafted and absorbing, this second novel by a writer whose first book, Lip Service, was originally self-published to substantial popular success, nonetheless misses the opportunity to explore in greater depth the inner conflicts of the central character. As a result, Jordan's actions and emotions are predictable from the very beginning. There's too much slack in the plot, but there are moments of real engagement between Jordan and her clients, husband, and daughter that showcase Rose's promise as a novelist. --Jane Adams

From Publishers Weekly
Rose made headlines and the talk shows after her Internet self-published first novel, Lip Service, became a bestseller on Amazon.com and elsewhere, and the first self-published novel to be bought by the Literary Guild. Her second novel, traditionally published (Pocket issued Lip Service in cloth and paper as well), is a suspenseful tale of murder, madness and forgiveness. Jordan Sloan is a successful Manhattan psychotherapist who has had a couple of hard knocks. Nineteen years ago, Jordan's father was murdered in his jewelry shop by Dan Mallory, an employee she had secretly been dating. Jordan's passionate marriage disintegrated five years ago when she caught her photographer husband, Robert Falconer, with another woman. The two maintain a cordial relationship, sharing their three-story brownstone in Greenwich Village with their 17-year-old daughter, Lilly, a budding photographer. As she begins to feel more confident about her ability to trust again, Jordan finally decides to move ahead and start divorce proceedings. But one of her new patients, Adrienne, a sexually aggressive narcissist, begins to trigger uncomfortable feelings in Jordan by alluding to her affair with a married photographer. Jordan and Robert find themselves on the same side in their mutual dislike of Lilly's older boyfriend, Cooper, who is threatened by Robert's artistic, nude photographs of Lilly. At the same time, Jordan discovers that Dan Mallory, her father's murderer, has been released from prison much earlier than expected. When Jordan starts receiving mysterious phone calls and seeing shadowy figures in her daughter's photographs, she becomes convinced that the "rehabilitated" prisoner is threatening her family. Rose fails to connect all the dots of the various subplots but, overall, she offers an entertaining, at times exciting, read. (Jan.) Forecast: Like Lip Service, In Fidelity escapes easy categorization, falling somewhat short of a thriller but with just enough tension to push it out of the general category of women's fiction. But Rose is becoming her own category (and doubtless will prove an enthusiastic and indefatigable booster for the book); her name is well known now, and should attract curious readers.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Atria; Later Printing edition (January 2, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743406451
• ISBN-13: 978-0743406451
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #396,903 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Romance, Sensuality & Suspense, January 7, 2001

By	K. Hewitt "kahtt" (Bronx, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In Fidelity by MJ Rose is a great sophomore follow up to Lip Service. Twenty years ago, Jordan saw her father die at the hands of her ex-boyfriend. She made sure he was convicted of that crime. For twenty years Jordan has been trying to adjust to her father's death, while building a family, falling in and out of love and helping her patients face their demons. Meanwhile for twenty years her ex-boyfriend has been dreaming of freedom and reclaiming Jordan.

Jordan's past has come pack to stalk her, during a time when she is trying to re-adjust to her ever maturing daughter, get back together with her husband and help a patient who has become obsessed with her life. In Fidelity is what I would call a good example of suspense romantica. The underlying theme of romance is spiced with erotica and suspense. Strong characterization and plot make this book a page-turner. I can't wait to see what MJ Rose comes up with next.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You won't be able to put it down - or stop thinking about it, April 20, 2001

By	Steven Van Stone (Los Angeles CA) - See all my reviews

What is so unusual about this book and Rose's writing in general is that she keeps you turning the pages and then for days after the book is over you are still thinking about some of the issues and questions her characters and her story line have brought to light.

The reviewer above must have skipped over a whole lot of this book to not understand what the fuss is about.

This is quality writing that is also entertaining. Smart and satisfying at the same time.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A page-turning erotic suspense!, February 14, 2002

By	CoffeeGurl (MA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

I thought that M. J. Rose's first novel, Lip Service, was one of the most clever thriller/erotica novels I have read. It was well developed and had excellent character and story development. Needless to say that her second novel, In Fidelity, is just as, if not more, suspenseful and erotic as her first novel.

Dr. Jordan Sloan's world shatters all over again when her father's murderer is released on parole. The key witness to his murder trial, she fears that he'll seek revenge -- though everyone, including her daughter, seems to think that she is just being paranoid. A psychotherapist, she tries to help her patients' problems while trying to figure the psyche of murderers and coming to terms with her about to be ex-husband's infidelity. Jordan is bound to suffer several more betrayals -- which leads to a spellbounding conclusion.

Suspenseful, erotic and, yes, romantic, In Fidelity should be devoured in one sitting! I highly recommend it!