No Rest for the Dead

Sep 13, 2012 Christine rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads

Ten years ago Jon Nunn investigated the murder of a museum curator. A murder performed in a most unlikely way. All evidence pointed to Rosemary Thomas having killed her husband in a jealous rage. Ten years ago Jon Nunn was convinced he had the right suspect and had even gone to her execution. However, the case always haunted him in some of its inconsistencies eventually costing him his job and his marriage. Can the case finally be solved on the eve of an odd memorial to Rosemary ten years after...more

like · see review

Jul 12, 2012 Wendy Hines rated it 5 of 5 stars

Jon Nunn, the detective who thought he got the right person ten years ago, is now having second thoughts. When an anniversary of Rosemary's death is being held, a memorial so to speak, Nunn figures now is the perfect time to re-evaluate the case of Christopher Thomas. Rosemary's Will stipulated that everyone who was present on the night of her husband's murder be invited to the memorial.

He just isn't sure that Rosemary really killed her husband all of those years ago and it doesn't sit right wi...more

like · see review

Jan 23, 2012 Colin rated it 3 of 5 stars

I'd prefer to give No Rest for the Dead 2.5 out of 5 stars, but instead of rounding down I'll round up due to the fact that the book was written by an army of writters, and the proceeds go towards a good cause. The fact that it was written by 26 writters is the most interesting thing about this book, to me.

To be honest, I don't often read mysteries--although the book I read previous to this one was also a mystery--but it is a genre that, when I do partake, I tend to enjoy. I didn't recognize mos...more I'd prefer to give No Rest for the Dead 2.5 out of 5 stars, but instead of rounding down I'll round up due to the fact that the book was written by an army of writters, and the proceeds go towards a good cause. The fact that it was written by 26 writters is the most interesting thing about this book, to me.

To be honest, I don't often read mysteries--although the book I read previous to this one was also a mystery--but it is a genre that, when I do partake, I tend to enjoy. I didn't recognize most of the names involved in this project, and so had no expectations regarding them, and there was only one authour--Raymond Khouri--whose books I had previously read. As a non-expert in mystery books, I can't really compare it to other books in the genre, or it's overall placing in the genre, but as a reader of books, I'd have to say my hope for a good result from an interesting experiment wasn't met.

The story itself felt quite banal and not particularly creative. Although there is a claim in the introduction to the book that this mystery is a hard one to figure out, I'd have to say that the mystery behind the murder was actually fairly easy to surmise, although, perhaps, all the details behind the mystery are difficult to fathom.

One of the most frustrating things about this book that I found, was that there were some characters who were featured throughout the book, but who were all but forgotten by the end, and I felt there was no closure with regards to them and things they were doing. In mysteries, I suppose you need to add misdirection and "red herrings", but I'm not entirely sure that that was what was going on with these characters, and rather that with the vast undertaking of multiple writers, that their story lines were left unintentionally to lag.

So, as an occasional reader of mysteries, I'm not sure for whom I would recommend this book. As said, the most interesting aspect is the multi-writer contributions. I would think that the mystery itself would be considered mediocre by hard-core mystery readers (just my guess), and for casual mystery readers such as myself, the story isn't that great that I could recommend it to this group either. In that regard, if you're interested in the project itself--mutliple writers--I'd say go for it! If you are just looking for a cracking read, and dont' really care about the mechanics, then I'd say you can probably safely skip this book.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Dec 08, 2011 Cori Sherman North rated it 1 of 5 stars

As an art curator, I had a Really hard time finishing this book. While the overall plot was fine, if not Terribly surprising, I was disappointed in that almost all my favorite authors did not sound as they usually do-- McCall-Smith and Gabaldon (less than 2 pages, really??). Deaver was successful, but that's likely more because his usual style fits this murder mystery anyway.

Problems with museum practice surfaced at once, and continued throughout the book, so it was too hard to stay focused on...more

like · see review

Nov 07, 2011 Lakis Fourouklas rated it 4 of 5 stars

Twenty six authors came together in order to write an action-packed thriller and the result is No Rest for the Dead. The original idea was to create a short story collection, but since this is not an especially commercial genre and the proceeds were meant to go to charity, it has been decided that it’d be better if all of them worked together to write a novel.
If you asked me I wouldn’t say that this book is something special, however it is a well-crafted book that moves at a fine pace and which...more Twenty six authors came together in order to write an action-packed thriller and the result is No Rest for the Dead. The original idea was to create a short story collection, but since this is not an especially commercial genre and the proceeds were meant to go to charity, it has been decided that it’d be better if all of them worked together to write a novel.
If you asked me I wouldn’t say that this book is something special, however it is a well-crafted book that moves at a fine pace and which manages to keep the reader’s interest alive from first page to last. And it is funny, in more than one ways; especially when, let’s say, author number one, decides to make the life of author number two a little bit hard, by driving the story in a completely different direction from the one at hand, and thus make him or her come up with some answers in questions that were not there in the first place. As a result there are many twists and turns and just when one thinks that he’s found the solution to the riddle, something turns up that brings things upside down.
But let’s take things from the start, or rather from the end; today. Following the last instructions or, maybe we should say, respecting the last wishes of Rosemary Thomas, a curator of a San Francisco Museum, her closest friends and relatives, as well as some other people who were in one way or another connected with her, meet at her workplace to celebrate the anniversary of her death. Rosemary has been tried, found guilty and executed ten years before for the murder of her husband Christopher. All the evidence at the time was overwhelmingly against her and no one, or almost no one, had any doubts that she committed the crime. Two men though were not so sure that she was guilty. The first one was Hank Zacharius, a journalist, who from the very beginning believed in her innocence and did everything he possibly could to help her, while the second was Jon Nunn, the detective who investigated the case and who was responsible at large for securing her conviction. That case has haunted his life ever since and now, as the anniversary of her death is approaching fast, he’s determined more than ever to put his doubts at rest. The truth will set you free, people say, but Nunn is not that certain that that applies in this case, since it was yesterday’s truths, the ones that he could sense but never dared to investigate that caused his fall. The road to redemption will prove long and painful for a lot of the characters in this unique, in a certain way, novel that travels the reader into the dark corners of some people psyches, but also to some special places in the world of art.
(less)

like · see review

Nov 04, 2011 Elizabeth Periale rated it 3 of 5 stars

No Rest For the Dead is a newly released mystery novel with 26 authors. But the mystery is more than a stunt. It’s a fast-paced mystery that will have the reader guessing until the final chapter. No Rest For the Dead tells its story from many characters’ points of view, suiting the different voices of its many different authors. With so many threads being pulled into a story that includes murder, art theft, and forgery, the plot still runs seamlessly. It is an exciting read.

In the introduction,...more

like · see review

Oct 11, 2011 Suspense Magazine rated it 4 of 5 stars

What happens when twenty-six mystery and thriller writers decide to write a story? I can’t imagine trying to coordinate such a massive collaboration. Who conceived this idea? How would one go about outlining it, then getting everybody to agree to contribute their little part? Whatever the process, “No Rest for the Dead” is a mulligan stew of authors that somehow pulls off a neat, little mystery.
It starts with the execution of Rosemary Thomas for the heinous murder of her art dealer husband, Chr...more

1 like · like · see review

Oct 09, 2011 Tonile {My Cup and Chaucer} rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I was particularly wary of this novel, only because I have never read a collaborative work before. With that said, the contributing authors included many of my favourites, and I trusted their judgement – feeling that they would not be involved in such a project if it wasn’t worthwhile. I’m glad I gave it a shot, because No Rest for the Dead is nothing short of spectacular and magnificent. With an extraordinary line-up of authors including Alexander McCall Smith, Tess Gerritsen, Jeffrey Deaver, D...more I was particularly wary of this novel, only because I have never read a collaborative work before. With that said, the contributing authors included many of my favourites, and I trusted their judgement – feeling that they would not be involved in such a project if it wasn’t worthwhile. I’m glad I gave it a shot, because No Rest for the Dead is nothing short of spectacular and magnificent. With an extraordinary line-up of authors including Alexander McCall Smith, Tess Gerritsen, Jeffrey Deaver, Diana Gabaldon, Jeff Lindsay, R.L. Stine and Kathy Reichs, the story flows seamlessly and each author brings something unique to each chapter to create one of the better crime novels I’ve read in 2011.

I read the opening couple of chapters on the bus ride home, and was instantly moved. Without giving too much away, the opening chapter describes the process of administering a lethal injection in such graphic and uncompromising detail. I was completely hooked. What follows is the extraordinary tale of Rosemary and Christopher Thomas and the art world in which they live in. Christopher is potentially the most loathsome character I’ve read about in years – a womanising and shady man and curator at a San Francisco gallery, who will stoop to incredible levels to make more money. What could have been a promising career turned sour as his greed and ambition destroyed any chance of happiness or fulfilment – he simply can’t help wanting more. And yet without his wife, he would be nothing. Rosemary comes from an incredibly wealthy family, and helped establish a life for her husband and children. Sick and tired of watching her husband flaunt his ways, Rosemary causes a scene at a public event at the gallery and after a vocal argument, the two leave the gallery. Christopher Thomas is never seen again.

With overwhelming evidence pointing to one suspect, Detective John Nunn has no choice but to follow the trail and arrest Rosemary. The case takes its toll on Nunn and his personal life, and we re-join him some ten years in the future; a shadow of his former self and still unsettled over the Thomas murder. When a ten-year memorial is raised by a friend close to the Thomas family, Nunn seizes the opportunity to have all the original suspects back together on the same night. No Rest for the Dead is no Agatha Christie novel, where the detective pieces the puzzle together. Nor is it a game of Cleudo, where logical deduction solves the case. Everyone had motives, everyone had means. If Rosemary was innocent – who killed Christopher Thomas?

The twists and turns that lead to the stunning conclusion are expertly delivered by some of the world’s greatest crime writers and with an ample pool of suspects, the revelation of the killer’s identity, as suggested by David Baldacci in the introduction, came as a huge surprise to me. I love nothing more than being surprised. Read this! (less)

1 like · like · see review

Jul 30, 2011 Cheryl rated it 5 of 5 stars

Ten years ago, Rosemary Thomas is found guilty of murdering her husband, Thomas. It was said that Thomas’s body was found encased within an iron maiden trap. His body was decayed and so decomposed that it was almost impossible to identify his body. The only thing that the police were able to use was a small, piece of a tooth.

Jon Nunn was the lead detective on the case. Present day. To this day the image of Rosemary’s execution still haunts Jon. Jon decides to reinvestigate the case for closure....more

1 like · like · see review

Aug 09, 2011 Patty rated it 5 of 5 stars

Twenty-six of the best mystery writers get together to write a book. Normally you would think, yeah, a bunch of short stories but not in this case, they actually write a complete mystery and Wow, what a mystery they write.

There is a good explanation about how they manage this feat but it doesn't really explain the magic. This is a solid, tight mystery with plenty of twists and turns. I did wonder at one point if I had the solution but I certainly didn't come up with the entire finish!

I'm not eve...more

like · see review

Aug 02, 2011 Readersentertainment rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Everything had gone wrong for Rosemary. She married the wrong guy. An
ass who cheated on her. She got accused of his murder, convicted,
sentenced to death and not even her death would go smoothly. In a
matter of pages you feel so deeply for Rosemary that you want to save
her, you want justice for her. And you want someone to solve the
murder of her husband and get the right killer.
No Rest for the Dead hooks you from the prologue to the final words of
the last chapter. Don’t think you’ll just sk...more

1 like · like · see review

Jul 16, 2011 Kaye rated it 5 of 5 stars

Over twenty leading mystery and thriller writers have formed The American Detection Club, a group dedicated to publishing high-quality anthologies and serial genre novels.

For their first endeavor, the group created the mystery behind the murder of the curator of a San Francisco Fine Arts Museum whose wife was executed for the crime. Ten years after the execution the detective instrumental in her conviction gathers all of the characters together at the museum for a memorial. No disrespect, but t...more

like · see review

Jul 15, 2012 Erin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Was very excited to read this book. I love mystery and am familiar with many of the authors. After reading the introduction I was eager to finish since an amazing unpredictable ending was promised. Not so much, I found it to be pretty easy to figure out. I am a forensic files, CSI, Dr G, true tv, id channel buff, so maybe that is why I found it predictable. The introduction specifically said "in my humble opinion it's a twist that is so original you won't have to concern yourself with bragging a...more

like · see review

Jul 26, 2011 Jesi rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: no one

Recommended to Jesi by: audible.com

Shelves: audio, suspense, mystery, one-star

FINALLY finished. I realize that it only took one day of my time, but really? that's one day that I could have spent listening to something, I don't know... GOOD. I only finished it out, because I'd stopped listening to a few books in a row before this one and felt guilty for the cost.

There are authors in this round-robin who I enjoy. Tess Gerritsen, for one. But when they all put their considerable talent together in this, it came out poorly. I think each author got a character synopsis, what w...more

2 likes · like · see review

Sep 17, 2011 BamaGal rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: suspense-thriller

3.5 Stars. Not a bad little book. It was an interesting idea to have all these authors write one book, and a pretty good read; but by no means the best of any of the combined authors. As I understand, the proceeds of the book were to go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (Blood Cancers).

The story was pretty straightforward. Christopher Thomas, a dipwad villainous snob of the highest order was murdered. His wife Rosemary went to prison and was executed for his murder. Ten years after her execut...more

1 like · like · see review

Jul 31, 2011 Ray Palen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Described as a `once-in-a-generation collaboration of New York Times bestselling authors', NO REST FOR THE DEAD brings together the talents of 26 of the top mystery/thriller writers working today to create an intriguing mystery.

The job of putting this novel together, and handling all the many egos that go along with it, go to the brother-and-sister editing team of Andrew and Lamia Gulli. More importantly, all of the proceeds of this effort (excluding contributor expenses) will be donated to the...more Described as a `once-in-a-generation collaboration of New York Times bestselling authors', NO REST FOR THE DEAD brings together the talents of 26 of the top mystery/thriller writers working today to create an intriguing mystery.

The job of putting this novel together, and handling all the many egos that go along with it, go to the brother-and-sister editing team of Andrew and Lamia Gulli. More importantly, all of the proceeds of this effort (excluding contributor expenses) will be donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

OK --- the novel has a philanthropic purpose and an introduction written by the great David Baldacci --- I'm already hooked. The end result is an interesting mystery that deftly weaves the contributions of these great authors into a surprisingly cogent and surprising mystery. Jonathan Santlofer provides the prologue that is sent 10 years in the past. We are inside Valley State Prison for Women where the convicted murderess, Rosemary Thomas, is about to be put to death. There to witness the final moments of her life is the man primarily responsible for putting her there, Detective Joe Nunn. The only trouble is that Nunn has had serious second thoughts about Rosemary's guilt and believes, deep inside, that he is about to witness an innocent woman put to death because of the evidence he provided at her trial.

Joe Nunn's conscience provides a good deal of the novel as several chapters are devoted to his diary (the first written by Andrew F. Gulli, himself). The murder that Rosemary was convicted of was that of her husband, Christopher Thomas. A ruthless museum curator based in San Francisco, Christopher was capable of double-dealing and perhaps more. At the time of his murder, he was estranged from his wife Rosemary as she was in the process of seeking a divorce from her unscrupulous and adulterous husband. When his body turns up inside an ancient torture device --- an iron maiden --- Rosemary is the number one suspect as many people saw them arguing the night Christopher disappeared.

NO REST FOR THE DEAD mainly takes place after Rosemary's execution as Detective Joe Nunn relentlessly pursues all of the previous leads and unanswered questions he turned up in the initial investigation. This time, he is on a personal mission to find out what actually happened to Christopher Thomas and hopefully vindicate the memory of Rosemary Thomas (and clear his own conscience in the process). What Nunn uncovers is a finely woven web of deceit where no one can be trusted and the circumstances of Christopher Thomas' murder are turned upside down --- with the truth hiding beneath the surface waiting for Nunn to grasp it.

Serial novels like NO REST FOR THE DEAD, featuring over 31 Chapters, are sometimes challenged to sustain the tension since the various writing styles of the different writers involved can sometimes bring things to a crashing halt. Thankfully, that does not occur here. The only criticism I have is that a few of the chapters are ultra-short (one in particular, is only a few paragraphs in length). I find that to be an awful waste of the author's talent. Some of the stand-out chapters for me were written by: Matthew Pearl, Michael Palmer, Peter James, Tess Gerritsen and Jeffery Deaver. Of special interest are the Forensic Police Reports composed by Kathy Reichs, which give a real investigative feel to the murderous proceedings of the novel.

NO REST FOR THE DEAD is far more than a novelty and I hope there are more collaborations like this in the future for fans of mystery/thrillers to relish!

Reviewed by Ray Palen for New Mystery Reader

(less)

like · see review

Jul 08, 2011 Lori rated it 5 of 5 stars

Christopher Thomas feels as if he’s on top of the world. He’s got the looks, the smarts, the prestigious job, the dutiful wife, the ladies on the side, and most importantly, he’s got the money. But, in reality, is all of that enough? Apparently not for Christopher, as he appears to also have a secret life. One that not only gives him a certain amount of exhilaration, but also brings with it a great deal of danger. On the eve of an event at his art gallery, after being seen with another woman by...more Christopher Thomas feels as if he’s on top of the world. He’s got the looks, the smarts, the prestigious job, the dutiful wife, the ladies on the side, and most importantly, he’s got the money. But, in reality, is all of that enough? Apparently not for Christopher, as he appears to also have a secret life. One that not only gives him a certain amount of exhilaration, but also brings with it a great deal of danger. On the eve of an event at his art gallery, after being seen with another woman by his wife, Christopher is never seen again. At least alive that is. Not too long later, his body is found stuffed and decaying in the Iron Maiden in a Berlin museum.

Christopher’s wife, Rosemary Thomas was content with her life. She enjoyed her job, had two beautiful children, and had family money to provide well for her and her family. What she didn’t have was a husband who adored her, loved her, doted on her, anymore. Yes, she knew about his little dalliances, and as long as it wasn’t thrown in her face, she didn’t care too much. She didn’t really want to put her children through the travesty of a divorce. But when she sees a woman flirting with her husband at an event she loses it and cannot handle the public shame. She confronts him and a fight ensues. When they both leave the event, it’s the last time Christopher is seen alive. Due to her being the last one seen with Christopher and some circumspect evidence, she is quickly arrested, tried, and executed for his murder. Rosemary died as she lived, with grace and dignity. Knowing in her heart what the truth was.

Now, ten years have passed since Rosemary’s execution, and Jon Nunn, the lead detective on the case, is riddled with guilt and doubt. Could he possibly have sent an innocent person to her death? It’s the one case he can never let go of, the one case that has chewed him up inside, the one case that has cost him everything – his wife, his job, and the life that he once knew. And when he gets a letter from Rosemary’s old friend, Tony Olsen, inviting everyone to a memorial to honor her death (per the instructions in her will), he realizes that it is the perfect time to have all of the suspects assembled in once place.

As the letters arrive to each of the guests inviting them to the memorial (how tacky to celebrate the execution of a murderess!), each of those invited begins to feel a bit more uncomfortable. And some are even harassed and/or threatened to keep quiet. Will the secrets they’ve tried so desperately to keep hidden finally be exposed? Peter (Rosemary’s brother) and Stan (a lawyer) know that there is no way their secret will be found out. Sarah (formerly married to Jon and now married to Stan) is starting to realize that her first husband just might not be so crazy after all. Belle is an artist and good friend of Rosemary’s. Rosemary gave her a chance when no one else would. She has something very important to say at the memorial, and won’t be scared away from doing so. Then someone is hurt and there is an attempt to rob the gallery. Are these acts a distraction to shut everyone up for good, a “simple” armed robbery, or is there something even more sinister going on? Something that no one would ever imagine?

The gathering of the suspects at the memorial will lead you to think that the big “Perry Mason” moment is coming. When they’re all standing around and the killer will be revealed. Someone will say the wrong thing without realizing it, a hidden clue is found, a glance is given in the wrong direction. Instead, what you get is more twists, more turns, and more questions than you have answers for. And just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, think again. And then again and again and again.

When I read the preview for this book I was immediately enticed. So many great authors all in one place?! A readers dream come true. Was it possible for twenty-five different authors to write one seamless story? I would quickly find out that the answer was – Heck yeah! Each author writes a different chapter in the book, and each one begins with the name of the author penning that particular chapter. Since some of my favorite authors (Faye Kellerman, Sandra Brown, Tess Gerritsen, to name a few) took part in this fantastic endeavor, I thought I would be able to differentiate their writing, their voice, from the authors that I don’t know as well. That just wasn’t the case. All of these authors worked so well together that the chapters blended into one another beautifully. I’d love to know how it was done. Did one author write an outline the others worked off of? Did one author write a chapter and then pass if off to the next in line? Who decided which chapter each other would write? Did all of the authors know how it would end (by an outline), or did only the authors of the last few chapters know where the book would go? If the authors name wasn’t at the beginning of each chapter, I would never have known that this book was written by so many different people. They all came together to emit one strong, fantastically woven tale.
(less)

like · see review

Sep 22, 2012 Doug rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

Jul 08, 2011 Charlotte rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: advanced-readers-copy, nook

http://charlotteswebofbooks.blogspot....

I have been on a big mystery/suspense/thriller kick lately. I have read some incredible novels that set the bar high. You would think that with so many talented authors involved in a project like this, that it would be the best book ever written. It is BECAUSE so many authors were involved that I have really lukewarm feelings about the novel. The transitions between authors was really choppy. Creating disconnected chapters and no real "flow". Each of these...more

like · see review

Jul 30, 2011 Phillis rated it 4 of 5 stars

It was a good book, not a great book. It was a little disjointed because of 26 authors writing one mystery with 26 different writing styles and ideas on how the storyline should go. All and all it was good as they put enough twists and turns it to keep you guessing. The book starts with the execution of the supposed murderer and then shifts to 10 years later when there is a planned memorial for the murderer, but not the victim. Those invited to the memorial are all the people involved with the m...more

1 like · like · see review

Dec 16, 2011 Lynn rated it 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. The characters were vivid and the end was quite suspenseful. I am in awe of the talent of these 26 writers, to each take a chapter (some more than one) and continue the tale where the last left off, particularly when the previous chapter would end with a twist that wasn't expounded on by that author. This couldn't have been easy, but what I was most impressed by was each author's ability (with only one or two exceptions) to adhere to the writing s...more

1 like · like · see review

Sep 09, 2012 Angela rated it 4 of 5 stars

Described as a `once-in-a-generation collaboration of New York Times bestselling authors', NO REST FOR THE DEAD brings together the talents of 26 of the top mystery/thriller writers working today to create an intriguing mystery. You would think with this many authors (with different writing styles) the story would not flow well. That is not the case with this book - the storyline and character development moved so smoothly that it truly seemed that 26 authors wrote as one.

I really enjoyed this...more

1 like · like · see review

Aug 06, 2011 Dan rated it 4 of 5 stars

I thought the concept of No Rest for the Dead was a unique one; twenty-six authors write a chapter our two telling a story. I also thought that it would be a little disjointed, but these mystery writers ended up writing a great book.

The story revolves around the tenth anniversary of the execution of Rosemary Thomas, who was convicted of murdering her husband. Even ten years later, the investigation officer has doubts that she was guilty.

Although each author took a chapter or scene, the book flow...more

1 like · like · see review

Sep 17, 2012 Kay rated it 4 of 5 stars

Intriguing multi-writer concept, intriguing plot--the murder mystery stands strong--until the moment about 4/5 of the way through when it is obvious what the ending will be....but that was OK, I wanted to see what would get worked out... The crazy quilt of 26 writers contributing a chapter at a time really worked for me. I loved the slight change in style, the addition of something or someone that became a thread in the mystery and the way it all really did hang tightly together--until the last...more

like · see review

Feb 22, 2013 Petra Sýkorová rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: czech, rc-review, krimi, drama

V posledních letech je celkem běžné, že se povídky známých i méně známých autorů objeví v jedné knize a to pod taktovkou jiného známého autora. Už méně obvyklé je ovšem to, že se kolektiv autorů podílí na vyprávění jednoho jediného příběhu. Přitom jde o příběh z několika různých pohledů několika postav pevně svázaných s dějem.

Tentokrát se jedni z nejznámějších a nejoblíbenějších spisovatelů detektivního žánru zaměřili na všechna zákoutí, která by jindy zůstala čtenářům ukryta. Kniha tak místy pů...more V posledních letech je celkem běžné, že se povídky známých i méně známých autorů objeví v jedné knize a to pod taktovkou jiného známého autora. Už méně obvyklé je ovšem to, že se kolektiv autorů podílí na vyprávění jednoho jediného příběhu. Přitom jde o příběh z několika různých pohledů několika postav pevně svázaných s dějem.

Tentokrát se jedni z nejznámějších a nejoblíbenějších spisovatelů detektivního žánru zaměřili na všechna zákoutí, která by jindy zůstala čtenářům ukryta. Kniha tak místy působí jako sledování napínavého televizního seriálu, v němž může být vrahem úplně každý a zároveň nikdo.

Před deseti lety byla Rosemary Thomasová odsouzena za vraždu svého manžela a před očima přátel, nepřátel a tisku popravena. Někteří jen stěží dokázali uvěřit, že by se žena z dobré rodiny, naprosto oddaná své práci a svým dětem, dokázala zbavit svého manžela. A ještě k tomu dosti brutálním způsobem. Samozřejmě, kdo ví, jak dlouho po svatbě jí vůbec byl její manžel Christopher věrný.

Jen díky Rosemary se stal kurátorem muzea a jen díky ní se dostal tak vysoko. Nikdy po něm nic nechtěla. Jen, aby ji měl rád. Ji i děti. Jenže jednoho večera hladina trpělivosti přetekla. Rosemary možná byla odsouzena za vraždu, kterou nespáchala. Anebo přece jenom ano? Tahle otázka nedává spát bývalému detektivovi Jonu Nunnovi, proto je rozhodnutý konečně případ rozlousknout.

Českému překladu nemám co vytknout. Chvílemi jsem se sice neorientovala, čí pohled zrovna čtu, protože v knize bylo poměrně dost postav a každá měla s případem co dočinění. Jediné, co mě ovšem zmátlo už na začátku, je chybička časového údaje, kdy zrovna dochází k popravě... následně je skok dopředu, jelikož se má konat setkání k desátému roku od popravy. Tu a tam jsem si pak nebyla jistá, jestli se časově orientuju dobře.

Ze začátku jsem nevěděla, jestli se mi kniha bude líbit. Přece jenom je postavená na netradičním konceptu. Nejen že jsem takový příběh ještě nečetla, ale s knižní tvorbou většiny autorů jsem se ještě nesetkala. Navíc jsem si nebyla jistá, jestli se jim jejich velkolepý plán nevymkne z rukou. Jsem ráda, že jsem se bála zbytečně.

S hlavními hrdiny příběhu jsem soucítila, hlavní neřády jsem chtěla vidět za mřížemi. Většina z nich se ovšem stala jen pouhými oběťmi okolností a když už do toho člověk někdy spadne, není cesty ven. Jiní ovšem mají zlo v krvi a sledují jen své vlastní cíle. Bylo zajímavé sledovat, který z nich patří mezi ty dobré a který zase na druhou stranu barikády.

Dostala jsem úžasný příběh, u něhož si nemůžete být ničím a nikým jistí. Pravda, můj tip se mi nakonec potvrdil a byla jsem sama na sebe pyšná, jak se mi to podařilo odhalit, přesto jsem stránky dychtivě otáčela jednu za druhou. Rozhodně tedy nejsem zklamaná.

Po dočtení knihy jsem zůstala dokonale omráčená. Hlavně tím, jak skvěle se autorům podařilo držet se jednotné linie příběhu a vše do sebe krásně zapadalo, aniž bych se pozastavovala nad některými odhaleními. Dávám tak tomuhle skvělému kousku 5 hvězdiček a ráda bych v budoucnu četla něco podobného.

----------Reakce po dočtení knihy-----------
Úžasná kniha. Klobouk dolů. Krásně propletený příběh. A vůbec to nepůsobilo rušivě. Výborně poskládané.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Jul 07, 2011 Karen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Twenty six authors writing in collaboration to tell the story of an innocent woman wrongly executed for her husband's murder. Huh? Twenty six authors? One book? When I read the synopsis of No Rest for the Dead and then looked at the list of contributing authors I knew that I just had to read this book. Could this work? WOULD this work? Yes it works just fine, thank you! Each author writes one chapter, or story, labeled with their name so you do know who wrote what. But the "who wrote what" dynam...more Twenty six authors writing in collaboration to tell the story of an innocent woman wrongly executed for her husband's murder. Huh? Twenty six authors? One book? When I read the synopsis of No Rest for the Dead and then looked at the list of contributing authors I knew that I just had to read this book. Could this work? WOULD this work? Yes it works just fine, thank you! Each author writes one chapter, or story, labeled with their name so you do know who wrote what. But the "who wrote what" dynamic quickly gets back burnered. Some of the writers aren't normally favorites but in No Rest for the Dead, it didn't matter to me. Every chapter and every story was seamless, every word was brilliant. What matters is that No Rest for the Dead is a great read and a great who-done-it.

As requested by the deceased innocent Rosemary Thomas in her will, ten years after her execution, all who were present on the night of her her husband's murder are to be brought together again in a sort of memorial. A letter is to be read by Rosemary's best friend. I immediately expected a "Nick Charles" type of scene when I read that all of the suspects would be together in one room. Nope...didn't happen. And that's OK. There's another, more interesting way that the facts are exposed and the mystery is solved.

No Rest for the Dead is a well told, well laid out and plotted mystery, I couldn't stop reading it. It's rather like a well designed quilt, all of the separate pieces are finally stitched together to make a solid piece. It's the fine stitching and the weaving of the threads that bind the pieces that make the finished quilt strong and sturdy. That's what you have in No Rest for the Dead. A strong and well crafted story.

Hands down, this is one of the best books I've read this year! The solution took me by surprise and no, I didn't see it coming. And I can usually figure these things out.

Buy it, read it, share it.

I received this e-galley from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Dec 27, 2012 Andrew Hildreth rated it 3 of 5 stars

I like the idea of many writers coming together to create a novel. The story was interesting, and I did like it. Unfortunately, having this many minds at work on one novel brought on some hindrances. The third-person perspective didn't always carry the same tone throughout the book; changes in the way a character acted, reacted, or spoke wasn't consistent. Some chapters featured a character in a first person perspective. This could work, but it wasn't always apparent who it was that was speaking...more

like · see review

Aug 13, 2011 Michael rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, 2011, thriller, detective, police-procedural

It was interesting to read a book by 26 authors, but I felt this story was just a normal bestselling mystery; and I was hoping from something more than that. The change in the writing style between chapters was only slightly different and possibly undetectable for people who aren’t trying to find the differences. While it felt a little generic for me, I’m still glad I had the chance to read this book. There was some interesting twists and turns through this book to keep me going; some I saw comi...more

1 like · like · see review

Jul 24, 2011 Elisha rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm not typically a fan of mysteries. Usually they're either way too predictable or have some completely random "twist" of an ending that doesn't make sense. I like mysteries where, once the killer has been revealed, you can look back over the story and say, "Oh yeah, now it all makes sense."

That is what this book does.

Did I guess the killer? No. Did I have inklings that could have pointed me in that direction? Yes. And that's a good thing.

Or maybe I just watch too much Bones and CSI (also a go...more

2 likes · like · see review

Oct 10, 2011 Shelly Blackmore rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery

I didn't know what I was getting into when I picked up this book, but when I realized it was a novel written by 26 different authors, I was excited. And I was not disappointed. It was action packed, and the flow from chapter to chapter was remarkable. Sometimes I would have to go back several chapters to see who had written what, because they all flowed so seemlessly together. However, with all due respect to Mr. Baldacci, who wrote the forward, I would not be lying to say I figured it out befor...more

1 like · like · see review

title link	preview: No Rest for the Dead
avg rating	preview: No Rest for the Dead Goodreads rating: 3.55 (1101 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9413879-no-rest-for-the-dead?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348675735l/9413879.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9413879-no-rest-for-the-dead?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]No Rest for the Dead by Andrew Gulli[/url]

No Rest for the Dead

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (18)

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

Books by Andrew Gulli

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About No Rest for the Dead

Quotes from No Rest for the Dead