Deceptions (Paperback)

~ (Author) "The way she drove a car was heartstopping..." (more)
Key Phrases: New Mexico, Benjamin Hawthorne, Connor Hawthorne (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Lauren Maddison's ambitious debut novel will more than satisfy fans of the emergent lesbian mystery genre. She offers an intricate and absorbing plot, and the excitement of a new heroine, Connor Hawthorne, a successful mystery novelist and former district attorney who owes something to Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta--and possibly to the glamorous Cornwell herself. The lesser characters in Deception tend to be overwritten (her Jews offer food and wisdom, her rich people can't take a step without crushing an oriental rug underfoot), but the story is rich and suspenseful enough to distract the reader from these minor flaws. In fact, the conventional elements of the plot--a secret, a break-in, a bomb blast, a friendship, a romance, a car chase through the Arizona desert--carry us further than the ancient magic that helps Connor flee from her pursuers and, with the help of others, solve the murder of her ex-lover Arianna. --Regina Marler

From Publishers Weekly

Opening a debut series set in Washington, D.C., this clumsily constructed novel quickly devolves into a poorly plotted, conspiracy-driven battle between agents of the conservative military-industrial complex and heroine Connor Hawthorne, an affluent, lesbian mystery writer and former assistant DA. After her long-time companion Ariana Gennaro is murdered, Connor is drawn into the tangled world of her own father, former senator Benjamin Hawthorne. Connors close friend, police detective Malcolm Jefferson, takes on the case as a favor. Unfortunately, Connors personal connection to D.C.s police department proves no match for her fathers influenceor for the numerous enemies he has acquired over the years. After an attempt on Connors life, Malcolm talks to the senator, who replies, The people involved in this are beyond your reach, believe me. Reluctantly, Malcolm agrees to accept the monstrous lie that Ariana was killed by a mugger who then took her keys and tried to kill Connor. But on a trip to a mystery writers conference in New Mexico, Connor discovers that the case of Arianas murder may have been closed too quickly. A race across the southwestern wild to find out who really killed Ariana ensues, as Connor follows the trail with the help of Laura Nez, a striking young Navajo woman who acts as her driver, bodyguard and guide. Maddisons hints about the Hawthorne familys gift for second sight only muddle an already awkward plot hobbled by a facile conspiracy theory rooted in both Masonic precepts and white magic.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Alyson Books; 1st edition (May 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555834906
• ISBN-13: 978-1555834906
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #567,235 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Complex and Absorbing..., August 26, 2000

By	Sharon D. Spiller "book fiend" (Erie, Pennsylvania USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Lauren Maddison has written what can only be described as a complex and incredibly absorbing first novel. The plot was intricate and highly believable and the characters were anything but ordinary. This novel is a maelstrom of action, adventure, suspense and unexpected plot twists that will leave anyone who reads it wanting more. I hesitate to give Deceptions the highest rating available because some of the devices used in this book were, in my opinion, extraneous. I really had no desire to know the inner thoughts of Connor Hawthorne's stalker and I thought the story would have been better served if the thoughts had not been included. As well, having a murder, a break in and a bombing all within the first three chapters seemed somewhat excessive, although readers who are fond of action sequences will greatly appreciate it. Regrettably, the last chapter of the novel is by far the weakest and most highly unbelievable. It strikes one as belonging in the realm of science fiction and fantasy and really seems out of place in a mystery novel. The most unfortunate aspect regarding this novel is that the portrayal of the main character as an uncloseted lesbian will probably prevent it from becoming the mainstream success it so richly deserves. That said, fans of Patricia Cornwell should take note. It now appears that Dr. Kay Scarpetta now has some very worthy competition. One note of caution, however. Make sure your schedule is clear before you start in on this novel. Once you open the cover, you won't be able to put it down.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent mystery for every reader, January 18, 2000

By	"sasbooks" (Irvine, California) - See all my reviews

Can't say enough good about this book. I adored the characters--Connor herself, and Laura Nez, the Navajo woman, and Malcom, the cop in D.C. Well, I won't list them all, but you'll get involved in the story, I promise. And the story line was totally unpredictable. I read a lot of mysteries, so I usually guess the ending well ahead of time. Not in this book. I hadn't even guessed the true villain! I do wonder why this book seems to be stuck in the gay fiction genre in the stores I've visited. Even Amazon seems to be doing that with the search criteria at the bottom of the description screen. Anyway, I recommend it to just about anyone who loves an exciting, fast-paced mystery where the good guys really do win in the end. This should be classified as a good old fashioned murder mystery/spy story/spirit quest. Or maybe this is a first for that combination.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, great characters, August 7, 1999

By A Customer

A great story with great characters. The author most certainly invested in peeling the layers of her characters for us to understand. I did appreciate that the plot take care in going through the cycle of betrayal and loss before Connor moves on emotionally. Great book Ms. Maddison, please, let us have more about Connor and Laura!