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133rd out of 185 books
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A Twisted Ladder
by
Rhodi Hawk
Psychologist Madeleine LeBlanc has spent her whole career trying to determine the cause of her father's schizophrenia. She always felt that she could unravel its origins and cure the man who left her and her brother, Marc, to practically raise themselves on the Louisiana Bayou. But when Marc takes his own life on a fishing boat in the middle of Bayou Black, Madeleine ...more
Paperback, 544 pages
Published
September 1st 2009
by Forge Books
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Kathrina
rated it
What a disappointment. How this first-time author conned her publisher into a trade paper, I'll never understand. This was a mass market thriller wrapped up in pretty packaging. Hawk attends the Dan Brown School of Dramatic Arc Chapter Construction, flip-flopping two concurrent stories from the 20's and present-day, not according to any parallel narrative, but apparently according to the author's whim. The basic premise showed promise, but when I reached the ridiculous sex scenes, I couldn't giv...more
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This book was absolutely horrible. I'm not sure what the worst part was; the terrible character development, the sloppy flip-flopping between the 1920's and the current time, or the absolutely ridiculous plotline.
The sex scenes in this book were just down-right gross. They added absolutely nothing to the plot, and went on far longer than was necessary.
The fact that Madeline's friends accepted so easily that she was being "mind-controlled" and had the ability t...more
The sex scenes in this book were just down-right gross. They added absolutely nothing to the plot, and went on far longer than was necessary.
The fact that Madeline's friends accepted so easily that she was being "mind-controlled" and had the ability t...more
What a great psychological read! I was drawn to this novel because of the short introduction on the back cover and I’m very happy that I picked it up.
I loved the back-story of family history running parallel with the narrative of current events. There were mysteries within the protagonist’s relatives lives that made this a very interesting story. I was held at attention from the beginning as events unfolded.
The realities of character development in each of us that is a...more
I loved the back-story of family history running parallel with the narrative of current events. There were mysteries within the protagonist’s relatives lives that made this a very interesting story. I was held at attention from the beginning as events unfolded.
The realities of character development in each of us that is a...more
It took me a while to get into this story, but when the point of view shifted to the past and focused on Remi, that's when it took off for me. It's the backstory that really gives strength to the mondern day story of Madeline. Once the story started moving, it moved at a really good pace. I liked it. I liked all the science behind the river demons and schizophrenia. I love the whole Lousianna Plantation, Mississippi River demons and Bayou voodoo.
Wasn't surprised by the storyin...more
Wasn't surprised by the storyin...more
The rot in New Orleans does not come only from the damp. This book kept me turning the pages and turning some more. It was creepy. It did switch back and forth from past to present and I have to admit I liked the story from the past and the characters more than the ones in the presen............a little too much unbelieveable action going on in the present.....BUT, it was a good read. Totally though provoking, combining scientific facts about schizophrenia and taboos and fears about mental i...more
This started out so promising. However, halfway through (and that's a long way in a 500+ page book) it just went down hill for me. My first glimpse of weak writing was the dialoque between MAdeline and Ethan.Cheesy! Also Ethan was a neurologist who frequently used poor grammar. I guess it was supposed to be cute but I hated it. Also, I got sick if Maddies "friend" Severin. I did like the setting and Remy's story. He was my favorite character. I could have taken all the creepiness and w...more
Creepy. Not quite horror, more like the Sixth Sense creepy. Madeleine, a psychologist, has been studying schizophrenia in her own family, and then seems to contract the same condition. But psychology isn't the core of the story, it's more of a voodoo-feeling type of psychic thriller.
Set in Louisiana, the story takes two paths: one through present-day with Madeleine, and one through the 1920's with her great-grandparents. While both are interesting, they don't really tie together very t...more
Set in Louisiana, the story takes two paths: one through present-day with Madeleine, and one through the 1920's with her great-grandparents. While both are interesting, they don't really tie together very t...more
An awesome Southern Gothic story of horror, voodoo, insanity and weird river devils. The book takes place in New Orleans. Dr. Madeline Leblanc a psychologist, trying to understand her father Daddy Blank's schizophrenia and her brother Marc's sudden suicide uncovers all kinds of strange family secrets. Rhodi Hawk takes the reader from present day 21st Century to flashbacks of 20th Century lifestyle to uncover these secrets and it keeps the reader hooked to the very last page and wanting to read m...more
As psychologist 'Madeline LeBlanc' strives to find answers to the demons that plague her family, she must also look back some 80 years earlier to determine whether its origins are rooted in the "black magic" of the Louisiana bayous or mired in the depths of true madness--or perhaps a dealy mixture of both. In the midst of this familial self-examination, she must explain to the police why she keeps finding dead bodies and how it is that she actually knows who killed them.
I honestly had no idea where this book was going and that doesn't happen too often. I enjoyed the back and forth between the two time periods though I did find the fact that you didn't necessarily learn anything a bit frustrating. No true answers are provided which I hope is intentional and not a fault of imagination on the author's part. All in all I enjoyed the ride.
A face paced book that jumps from the early 1900's to present day with the best of both worlds and characters that transend time. It plays with a little bit of black magic and the perils of of schizophenia. It kept me wanting to read all 500 plus pages as quickly as possible.
Very slow read. I find it hard to keep interested. Good story line. Bounces back and forth in time from early 1900s Creole/post-slavery to present time. 2/3 through the book and i'm still waiting for something to happen.
thank god! it's finally over. had a hard time trudging through this one. nothing like i was expecting based on the back cover description. the story line bounced all over and never really congealed. save your time on this one.
thank god! it's finally over. had a hard time trudging through this one. nothing like i was expecting based on the back cover description. the story line bounced all over and never really congealed. save your time on this one.
I liked this book. There wasn't very many parts where I felt like burning the book, which to me means it was a fairly good book. It was slightly creepy in that, "Am I going to start seeing people?" kind of way, but I mostly liked the book because I like the psychological aspect of it, not really the plot. Pretty good though anyway.
Schlock, truly. Extremely clumsily written. Had some flashbacks to The Da Vinci Code. But, tasteless whore that I am, I finished this one just like I finished Da Vinci. Ends shamelessly angling for a sequel. Did someone really give this woman a two-book deal?
More importantly, will I feel the need to read that too, since I've read so many hundreds of pages without denouement?
More importantly, will I feel the need to read that too, since I've read so many hundreds of pages without denouement?
I wanted to like this book more than I did. It had some great potential, but I don't think it really came together. Also based on the comments from other readers I am glad that I chose to skip all the sex scenes.
Oh my goodness...I can think of a handful of you guys who love this book - at first I was attracted to it due to its gothic qualities but then you add the local touch - characters traveling to Vacherie to get medical treatment!...it's worth the read, I think - still trying not to compare the author to Anne Rice...it's close, though.
FINALLY FINISHED IT - and yes, I would recommend it, particularly to those who love the 'Louisiana' novel complete with spookiness and inexplicable events.
FINALLY FINISHED IT - and yes, I would recommend it, particularly to those who love the 'Louisiana' novel complete with spookiness and inexplicable events.
I don't even want to review what I did read of this book. But this person summed it up well.
This book is really different than I thought that it would be, but in a good way. It was original and unexpected and I really enjoyed it.
A bit dark, set in New Orleans. Exploring the boundary of madness. Interesting, but a little difficult to read
Southern gothic set in New Orleans. Does this family have schizophrenia or the gift of second site. Pretty darn good
Jen
rated it
Recommends it for:
anyone who is a fan of horror or good writing in general!
Recommended to Jen by:
Robert Wilson
This was a very unique and interesting book! I've not read another story like this. Very original...
The imagery of New Orleans from 1800/1900s and today combined with the depiction of plantation life combined with explanations of mental illness and (something I won't give away because it is somewhat of a spoiler) were just fascinating. It made for a very good read! If you haven't checked it out, you should!
and now, about 12 hours later, I am revising my rating (from 3 to 4 ...more
The imagery of New Orleans from 1800/1900s and today combined with the depiction of plantation life combined with explanations of mental illness and (something I won't give away because it is somewhat of a spoiler) were just fascinating. It made for a very good read! If you haven't checked it out, you should!
and now, about 12 hours later, I am revising my rating (from 3 to 4 ...more
Rich description, but I didn't feel a 'connection' with any of the characters or the story.
Review will be on Paperback Dolls as part of the Passport to Louisiana feature in March.
It got a little too weird at the end but I liked it overall.
jumped around a little to much at the begining then I caught on and couldn't put it down. I was really disappointed in the last 7 or 8 chapters. I anticipated a showdown between good and evil. Really thought the ending sucked.
Started out slow, then got interesting, then totally nose dived. Cannot believe I finished it. Voodoo, river devils, gris-gris. Horrible.
The title is very accurate for this book, it's very TWISTED. It was interesting and I kept waiting for the final link to the past and present to come together but it never really did for me. I wanted to know who was related to whom (other than the obvious). It was an ok read for me.
It takes place in New Orleans. Madeline's father is schizophrenic. He would just take off and leave she and her brother for days or weeks at a time. Her brother Marc kills himself and Madeline embarks on s...more
It takes place in New Orleans. Madeline's father is schizophrenic. He would just take off and leave she and her brother for days or weeks at a time. Her brother Marc kills himself and Madeline embarks on s...more
Hope there will be a sequel!
Very strange book.
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