Amanda Travis is a high-powered, 28-year-old lawyer whose greatest likes are spinning classes at her Palm Beach gym and a compliant jury. As for th...
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reviews
Jan 03, 2010
Joy H.
rated it: 
RE: _Puppet_ by Joy Fielding
An easy read. Good plot, excellent ending, but gets a bit boring in the middle. Sometimes I found it annoying when the protagonist talked to herself too much. It's not stream of consciousness; somehow it just seemed sophomoric at times. (The following GR reviewer calls it an "introspective crapfest". LOL : ====>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/532...
Also, the author wastes time on boring details which aren't relevant to the stor More...
An easy read. Good plot, excellent ending, but gets a bit boring in the middle. Sometimes I found it annoying when the protagonist talked to herself too much. It's not stream of consciousness; somehow it just seemed sophomoric at times. (The following GR reviewer calls it an "introspective crapfest". LOL : ====>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/532...
Also, the author wastes time on boring details which aren't relevant to the stor More...
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Feb 16, 2011
Karalee
rated it:
In this novel, Amanda Travis is an emotionally-closed-off woman in her late 20s working as a criminal defense attorney in Florida. When Amanda gets an unexpected, urgent phone call from her ex-husband, she is shocked and dismayed to learn that her estranged mother has shot and killed a man in her hometown of Toronto. Her ex urges her to come home and assist in dealing with her mother, who appears to want to plead guilty and go directly to prison. Amanda wants nothing more than to hide in Florida
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Jul 15, 2010
Dawn
rated it:
I enjoyed the mystery, but I also enjoyed the static of the mother-daughter friction that was an interesting undercurrent of the story. Though Amanda may seem cold and in a sense, uncaring and rebellious toward the first half of the book, I was intrigued by the way Fielding gradually "warmed" up Amanda's personality by unveiling things from her past that explains where she's coming from and why she is the way she is, to a certain degree. As I got to know more about Amanda and her relat
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Apr 10, 2009
Louise
rated it: 
As usual, Fielding delivers a gripping mystery that is very, very well crafted. I thought I had the story figured out but, surprisingly, I was WRONG! lol
From dust jacket:
"Puppet features the beautiful Amanda Travis, a successful twenty-eight-year-old criminal attorney who wins just about every case for her less than admirable clientele. A Florida transplant, Amanda races through her glamorous life, her only concerns being herself, a good bottle of red, and her pristi More...
From dust jacket:
"Puppet features the beautiful Amanda Travis, a successful twenty-eight-year-old criminal attorney who wins just about every case for her less than admirable clientele. A Florida transplant, Amanda races through her glamorous life, her only concerns being herself, a good bottle of red, and her pristi More...
Jul 27, 2011
Genna
rated it: 
I picked this book up at Goodwill. I didn't know what to expect at all, and I found it to be pretty good. It was kind of cool that it was set, at least partly, in West Palm Beach, and actually mentioned a bunch of places I have been. Nifty. The mystery Fielding set up was pretty good. I was pretty amazed that I actually cared about the heroine, because she really comes across, at first, as a horrible person. The ultimate twist, I had guessed at early on...but then thought...nah...she wouldn't
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Aug 24, 2009
Becky
rated it:
I liked the plotline behind this book but I found the main character annoying. She is a man-stealing emotional cripple who constantly plays with the emotions of pretty much everyone around here and then has crying pity fests over how messed up she is. I found it hard to connect with that although I suppose it worked as far as the "big picture" of the book was concerned. I liked her ex-husband (the first, not the second) much better. Actually, I liked pretty much everyone else better, a
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Sep 11, 2011
Kendra
rated it:
This is a fast-moving interesting read. There were a few moments when I was exasperated with the main character, Amanda, but overall…it’s a good intriguing mystery. The story centers on Amanda. She has married and divorced twice, sleeps with just about everyone and everything, and has horrible memories of her mother. Then she gets a call from her first ex-husband telling her that her mother has shot and killed a complete stranger. Amanda returns home to Toronto to help solve the mystery as
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Oct 20, 2011
Eunira
rated it:
This is a quick read, with a dysfunctional main character, the twice-divorced criminal lawyer, Amanda Travis. After her divorce, she has sex with any attractive man who is willing, and while in bed with a stranger, she gets a phone call from her first husband saying that her mother has killed a man in the lobby of the Four Seasons in Toronto for no reason at all. Unwillingly, Amanda travels to Toronto, where she digs until she finds her mother's motive (creepy...) and the cause of her unhappy ch
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Dec 14, 2010
Marney
rated it: 
I listened to this one while doing chores around the house; the first audio book I'd listened to in a long time. I chose it because I had enjoyed a few Fielding mysteries in the past, but this seemed excruciatingly slow, perhaps because the plot was so predictable, or maybe because the reader read it so slowly. I actually only listened to the end to confirm that I was correct about the "revelation". If I had actually sat down to read this one I would have considered it time wasted.
May 09, 2011
Marca
rated it:
The main characters are not sympathetic or likeable. The main character Amanda talks to voices from the past in her head, which can be confusing. That said, the mystery at hand is a good one with several twists that I did not see coming. Amanda Travis, an attorney in Palm Beach, learns that her mother back home in Toronto shot a man in a hotel lobby at point blank and is prepared to plead guilty. Amanda reluctantly returns to Toronto where her ex-husband, also an attorney, is trying to defend
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Mar 06, 2011
♥ Marlene♥
rated it:
Finished last night. I did end up liking this book but like other reviewers before me, some parts were boring. Especially the parts where indeed she is talking to herself or thinking about her ex husband. Loved the end and it was hard to put down. I've read just a few Joy Fielding books. I loved Grand Avenue and The First Time. The first book is more a fiction book than her usual mystery/thriller style. I am planning to borrow some more books from the library by this author.
Oct 08, 2007
Kelly
rated it: 
**SPOILERS**
I like stories about powerful women. Our main character is a defense attorney who loves 'em and leaves 'em. After reading a few of her novels, I've come to the conclusion that you don't read Joy Fielding for the excellent writing. Puppet is plot-driven and kept me engaged while travelling for business - a good escapist bit of fluff. The love story with the ex-husband was predictable, yet I was still rooting for them at the end so I suppose that says something for the develo More...
I like stories about powerful women. Our main character is a defense attorney who loves 'em and leaves 'em. After reading a few of her novels, I've come to the conclusion that you don't read Joy Fielding for the excellent writing. Puppet is plot-driven and kept me engaged while travelling for business - a good escapist bit of fluff. The love story with the ex-husband was predictable, yet I was still rooting for them at the end so I suppose that says something for the develo More...
Apr 23, 2009
The Listmaker
rated it:
I was given this book without one word of review. I can see why.
The mystery itself is actually sort of compelling, but what drags this book down is the introspective crapfest surrounding the main character. I found myself skimming those portions of the book just looking to get to the meat of the story.
It didn't help that Amanda was a most unlikable character.
Methinks this is an author I won't be reading again.
The mystery itself is actually sort of compelling, but what drags this book down is the introspective crapfest surrounding the main character. I found myself skimming those portions of the book just looking to get to the meat of the story.
It didn't help that Amanda was a most unlikable character.
Methinks this is an author I won't be reading again.
Jul 29, 2011
I don't really enjoy stories peopled with unlikeable characters. Every character is given plausible reasons for being the way they are, but it's hard to feel any sympathy for such selfish characters. Some people might like this kind of story telling as it might make it feel more real to them.
However, the story is written well enough for me to read it to the end.
However, the story is written well enough for me to read it to the end.
Feb 11, 2010
Teresa in Ohio
rated it:
Amanda Travis has spent her life running from commitment, family ties and facing her past. She moves to Florida to be far away from her mother and her first ex-husband. One day the phone rings and it is Ben her ex, telling her to come home to Tornoto because her mother just shot a man in cold blood. After making it very clear, she has no intentions of coming home, she is on a plane to Canada. Once there, her mother is cold and aloof, refusing to answering any questions about the man she kille
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Oct 19, 2010
Mary
rated it:
I liked the story line of this book. I didn't guess the ending as it had a unique twist at the end. I didn't like the bad language in this book and would hesitate to recommend it because of that. I am pretty good and skipping over the words, but still don't like it and wish authors wouldn't use bad language. Overall, I like Joy fielding books. This is the second one I've read.
Aug 25, 2010
Joel
rated it:
Foi o meu primeiro contacto com a esta escritora e de imediato fiquei surpreendido pelo ritmo da história. Apreciei bastante a construção dos personagens; estavam bem delineados, reais.
A história desenrola-se numa cadência vertiginosa, culminando num final em cheio. Aconselho para quem gosta de bom suspense, bom policial.
A história desenrola-se numa cadência vertiginosa, culminando num final em cheio. Aconselho para quem gosta de bom suspense, bom policial.
Dec 07, 2008
Jenn
rated it:
This was the first mystery I have ever read! Kind of a corny story, but still a page-turner. I wouldn't have paid money for this book, but since I picked it up from a stack left in my co-op's laundry room, I felt ok about passing the time with this book.
Aug 23, 2010
B.D.
rated it:
This is the first Joy Fielding book I've read, but it won't be my last. There was a nice twist at the end that I didn't see coming. The main character was very flawed, which made her realistic. I recommend this read for mystery book lovers.
May 17, 2010
Sally
rated it:
Typical Joy Fielding story--good mystery with an unusual twist--but the language is getting to be too much for me. What's with these authors who think they need to add sex and/or profanity to sell? This will be the last one I read of hers. I'll just have to find another mystery writer that meets my "tame" needs.
May 20, 2010
Petula
rated it:
The mystery wasn't bad, but the main character was so awful that the book was a challenge to get through. Add to that a plethora of annoying fantasy sequences, and I had to give one star to an author I have previously enjoyed.
Feb 05, 2009
Michele
rated it:
A good mystery. Kept me guessing till the end. Quite a bombshell at the finish. I enjoyed Amanda, she was quirky, always talking to herself. It had a sweet, happy ending which I always enjoy.
Dec 04, 2008
Allison
rated it:
I would probably give this a 3 and a half.
Okay, here's the deal with this one. It wasn't what I was expecting in that I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop... and it never did. I guess it didn't have as much suspense and surprise in the end for me. Also, I found a lot of storylines left unfinished. All in all, I still loved the writing and it still had a couple good twists, but I wasn't shocked.
Okay, here's the deal with this one. It wasn't what I was expecting in that I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop... and it never did. I guess it didn't have as much suspense and surprise in the end for me. Also, I found a lot of storylines left unfinished. All in all, I still loved the writing and it still had a couple good twists, but I wasn't shocked.
May 01, 2009
Michelle
rated it:
thought it was going to be more of a "crime" novel and it was but mixed with a bit of chicklit. Interesting twists. A strong yet emotionally challenged woman find out ome dar secrets about her childhood.
Jul 13, 2009
Marilyn
rated it:
I did not like how Amanda talked to herself all the time. Also, it is just disgusting to think about what is revealed at the end of the book with Lucy and her father.
Feb 12, 2010
Laura
rated it:
Just too much gratuitous sex. I gave upon page 68. If there was a good part, I didn't get to it yet. Are Joy Fielding's books all like that?
Nov 02, 2011
Ginny
rated it:
I would have given it 3 1/2 half stars but the computer wouldn't let me. Okay book, liked that it took place in Toronto; however, I found the book predictable. I was not surprised at the ending, I expected more. Kind of cliche---
May 04, 2010
Krystle
rated it:
I actually really loved this book. It wasn't too scary for me (scary books tend to only be beach books....definitely not night-reading).
Oct 21, 2009
Radka
rated it:
That was I think one of the best books I have read by Joy Fielding so far. Totally didn't see the unfolding of events coming! Couldn't out it down last night and that's why I am now tired and grumpy...:O)
But it was all worth it!
But it was all worth it!
Nov 02, 2010
Ghinelle
rated it:
Love this book :)
Reading the first chapter makes me excited and eager to finish the book!
Job well done JF :)
Reading the first chapter makes me excited and eager to finish the book!
Job well done JF :)
