I travel a lot for my job, so I am very selective about my reading. I am often many long hours on a plane, so I want something totally absorbing, gripping, an edge of your seat page turner that will get me so lost in the story that I forget about time passing. Yes, I read on my Kindle when I work out on an exercise bike and treadmill too, so you can imagine how important a good story is to me.
I really enjoyed Colleen's first Shelby Nichol's book, Carrots, and I liked Fast Money even better. I think that developing a believable, consistent character or set of characters is so important for a story. Unfortunately, we readers are extremely observant, and so often there are chinks and cracks that form in the foundation of a book. One false move by a character in an adventure, and the READER gets it. As in the story can fall apart in a heartbeat.
One of the things that I like best about Colleen's writing, and in fact her story telling is her amazing consistency. Collen's got a tough row to hoe, too, doesn't she? We're not just talking about what people say and DO in her books, we're talking about what they THINK!
With an amazing flair and style, and a consistency that would put a Swiss watch to shame, Collen has done it again! I think I liked Lie or Die even better than the previous two books, because Colleen has built her characters and foundations. She's not building a house any more, we're up to a village and town, and growing.
Shelby is so much like your neighbor. Your friend. Your kid's friend's mom. The person you go to a bake sale with, or run a Girl Scout Cookie sale with. She just has this one tiny little difference. Well, maybe not so tiny. She can read minds.
Being mixed up with the local mob boss, having a trial attorney for a husband, and two teens who thinks she's... well, a goofy parent, only add to the sheer reality of the mix. Let's see, avoid being kidnapped, go shopping, come home and get dinner ready for the kids. Sound familiar? She seems so ordinary. And even though she sometimes has a good front (sometimes not; I loved the parts where she's chugging the Mylanta)! she is so extraordinary in her ordinary every day-ness that you just can't help but be charmed by her.
Another of my favorite things about this and the other Colleen Helme novels is that they are blemish and error free. As an author, editor, former English Major and full time Reader, I am extremely picky about typo's, grammar, syntax, punctuation, and other annoying flies that can buzz about my reading pleasure, distracting and vexing me. Not so with a Shelby Nichols adventure. I can count on a FLAWLESS execution, and since we are in Olympics mode these days anyway, oh what the heck: Judges give it a 10.0!
So plot development is equally as good. You always think you can outguess Shelby, or Dimples, or Uncle Joey, but as you read Colleen does a masterful job at building and maintaining the suspense. She surprises you with a completely different turn of events, and keeps you wanting to read and turn pages until you come to the short and simple end of the tale. Now, the only problem with the end of the book is I am going to have to wait a LONG TIME for more Shelby Nichols adventures! She did leave us a clue this time, though, a little errand for Uncle Joey in Orlando. What will come next? Will it involve an Orlando adventure? Will the kids become targets this time? We'll have to wait and see. Hopefully not long, yes? We can count on you for this, Colleen?
To sum up, I really enjoy Shelby Nichols, and all the characters which have equally well developed and consistent expression. I love the mystery, I love the adventure, and I love the absorbing fun of a Shelby Nichols book. I do believe that Colleen continues to up her own level of writing and creativity with these books, such that they continue to get better, not just stay the same. They are a fun ride, they leave you wanting for more, and they make for a nice, real-life everyday style mystery.
I was originally on the fence about Carrots, but now I am so pleased that I bought it, along with Fast Money, and Lie or Die. I have enjoyed Shelby Nichols adventures long after the price is forgotten. If you're not sure you should read these books, avoid disappointment! Read them! While they don't have to be read in order, as with other building series, I do recommend that. You'll enjoy them all, so it's totally worth it. And you're worth it, come on, treat yourself!
Thanks, Colleen, for once again making Miami to Buenos Aires and back again go by SO fast that I didn't realize we were already turning off all electronic devices and putting our tray tables in their upright and locked positions!
Respectfully Submitted,
Dr. Geoff Parker
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
Frequently bought together
$13.24
Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16
In Stock
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Top reviews from other countries
Patricia D.
I absolutely love these Shelby Nichols Adventures
Reviewed in Canada on August 4, 2014J. Beyer
Shelby Nichols hat alle Hände voll zu tun
Reviewed in Germany on November 2, 2014