A story, with another story entwined in it. Well written, both parts are interesting. Although I had my suspicions about how the stories & the people were connected, the whole book was fascinating enough to keep me reading.
And I was right, in terms of outcome :-)
The surprise at the end of the book however, was really a surprise.
I enjoyed myself very much with this one! ( )

This is the story of Annie O'Neill she is 30 years old lives in New York and owns a second hand book shop that cant make any money.
An old man comes into her life saying he knows her father about the same time she meets a young man called David who she falls in love with.
The old man called Forrester gives Annie a series of manuscripts about 2 criminals that evolves from the 1950s to late 1970s.

Spoiler alert
Annies dead was one of the criminals in the story the other was Forrester.
Annies Dad ripped Forrester off and he sent his son to seduce Annie and steal her money but she doesn't have any.
Annie is upset but hopefully she is slowly putting her life back together. ( )

READ IN DUTCH

This was the first book I read by RJ Ellory, quite some time ago. At the moment this book isn't for sale in the Netherlands, something I find really strange, for it was one of the best thrillers I've ever read.

It's not primarily about the story, that wasn't too special, but the writing style is just terrific. Sometimes is closer to a novel than a suspense novel, but it is enjoyable anyways. Here in the Netherlands publicers like to use the word Literature when describing a thriller, but if there is one writer who deserves to be called 'Literature Thriller' it has to be RJ Ellory! ( )

Could not really catergorise this books genre but just to say was an engaging and enjoyable read although like many others I too guessed the ending. I loved the relationship between the three characters and found the book to be a real page turner. i found the writers descriptions of new york and the characters utterly convincing that they story really drew you in. A great story to lose yourself in. I would heartily recommend it. ( )

Annie O'Neill has it all - a cosy Manhattan apartment, a beautiful bookshop and a network of supportive friends. But at the heart of her life is a hole - a place vacated by her father when he died in her childhood. So when a mysterious man named Forrester enters the shop and claims to be her father's oldest friend she jumps at the chance to find out more of her own past. But he's not being free with the answers she needs. He's much more interested in telling her a story about a ruthless ganglord and a fifty year old betrayal. A betrayal that she will realise far too slowly, has something very much to do with her...

My Thoughts:

I had read this book before and looking back on my notes I can remember that I enjoyed it. I have been given it again to read for book group as we had a visit from R J Ellory as part of World Book Night.

Reading it a second time was no problem either as I felt I was enjoying it as if I had not read it before. I could remember that it was going to have a sad ending for Annie where David was concerned. First time around I can remember not been able to guess what was going to happen but second time around I couldn’t quite remember, I just knew there would be heartache.

I did love Sullivan, the guy from next door and felt his character held the book together. Annie I loved and wanted to put my arms around her and David I felt sorry for. Simply because I felt he didn’t have his own mind and I felt he did care for Annie deep down and should have followed his heart.

What I have found with R J’s books is either that they are very good or very bad. This one was very good and I would highly recommend it. ( )