I received this book as part of the LibraryThing giveaway program. I think that it is a nice little story that can be read in a couple of hours. The mystery itself wasn't very complicated but was somewhat of a surprise as to who did it. The story was well told, I think, and didn't spend time in endless descriptions of people, places, backgrounds etc. That helped to keep it to its short length. The series is geared to those who want to read but don't want to commit to a longer book. Also this series is good for those to whom reading is somewhat of a challenge. I can see these books being used for YAs who really don't like to read but need to for school and also this would be helpful for ESL or adult literacy programs.
My only complaint was the price- I doubt that I would pay $9.95 for a book like this. I can get a regular new paperback for $6.99 at Borders. ( )

This is a short mystery written for the Rapid Reads series. I found that it was a quick, fun read, and the mystery kept me guessing. Despite the simplified vocabulary and grammar, I did not find the story lacking in any way. The main character was sympathetic and engaging. I would recommend it for any reader who wants a quick read, but especially for those who may struggle a bit with longer books. I will be recomending this book and the Rapid Reads series to friends who work at the college and our local literacy society. ( )

This was my first "rapid read" and I really enjoyed the quick and smooth flow of the characters and plot. I would recommend it definitely! ( )

This was an enjoyable read. It was short because it is part of the Rapid Reads series. I did find the main character, Rick Montoya (aka the spider) interesting. The book left me more curious about his relationship with his estranged wife, Angela. If the other books in the Rapid Reads series are equally interesting and entertaining, I would recommend them to be your companions for your next trip to the beach or to settle down with while sitting around your campfire. ( )

The Spider Bites wasn't a terrible read – there just wasn't a lot there. The plot was certainly simple and easy to follow; in fact, it was so simple that there was almost no suspense involved – not a good thing in a mystery novel. And the lack of description and character development left me feeling like I was reading just part of a whole book. It also kept me from forming any real interest in or sympathy for the protagonist, or any of the other characters, for that matter. But while the book may be slight, it's well-written, there was a bit of humor thrown in along the way, and some of the dialogue did have the ring of truth. As I said, not terrible.

The idea of a series of short, easy-to-read books for adults sounds interesting, although I'm not sure how practical it is, in reality. I think it's possible that it might work well for (as the Rapid Reads brochure says) "those struggling with literacy challenges." Otherwise, I can't really see how the books are likely to hold anyone's attention long enough to finish them, even though they can definitely be read in one sitting.

Note: I received my copy of this book from the publisher, free of charge, through Library Thing's Early Reviewer program. The opinions expressed here are my own. ( )