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Lay Death at Her Door
Twenty years ago, Kate Cranbrook's eyewitness testimony sent the wrong man to prison for rape and murder. When new evidence exonerates him, Kate says that in the darkness and confusion, she must have mistaken her attacker's identity.
She is lying.
Kate would like nothing better than to turn her back on the past, but she is trapped in a stand-off with the real killer. When a body turns up on her doorstep, she resorts to desperate measures to free herself once and for all from a secret that is ruining her life.
She is lying.
Kate would like nothing better than to turn her back on the past, but she is trapped in a stand-off with the real killer. When a body turns up on her doorstep, she resorts to desperate measures to free herself once and for all from a secret that is ruining her life.
314 pages, Paperback
First published May 10, 2013
275 people are currently reading
794 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Buhmann
9 books17 followersElizabeth Buhmann is originally from Virginia, where her first novel is set, and like her main character, she lived several years abroad while growing up. She graduated magna cum laude from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, and has a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Pittsburgh. For twenty years, she worked for the Texas Attorney General as a researcher and writer on criminal justice and crime victim issues.
Elizabeth now lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, dog, and two chickens. She is an avid gardener, loves murder mysteries, and has a black sash in Tai Chi.
Elizabeth now lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, dog, and two chickens. She is an avid gardener, loves murder mysteries, and has a black sash in Tai Chi.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
September 6, 2013
This hugely unpredictable book left me at a loss for words. Picture me shaking my head in an unlikely combination of disgust and awe. The heroine of the book, if you could even call her that, is a severely prejudiced compulsive liar with no redeeming qualities and an obvious inferiority complex: difficult to care for and excruciatingly true to life.
The story took its own sweet time to kick off and during that time, I couldn't relate to Kate, Pop, Tony or any of the other characters. It was only after almost half the book that I really started wondering about the truth, about what could really have happened, whether Kate knew the actual murderer, why she lied. When the last fifty pages were left, the mystery that was brewing slowly but steadily up to that point had begun bubbling with frenzy, quite ready to end in a fancy display of sparkly firecrackers: when I thought, the book was going to let me down. What could possibly go down in fifty pages that would make it all better!? The ending had to be a disappointment. BUT I was wrong. The climax was so... climactic. Deliciously surprisingly, wonderfully unceremonious and the ONLY reason I considered, if grudgingly, the possibility that I liked the book, after all. I loved how neatly the pieces of the puzzle fit together.
I couldn't stop thinking about the book, long after I was done reading; wondering about truth, innocence and mistakes, about how easy it is to be selfish, how no matter what people say, there is a big difference between good and bad, how you write your own destiny, about justice and the law and racism and for once, a female 'antagonist'.
I don't recall being in a loathe/love situation before. With Lay Death at her Door, I'm going to go with LOVE! But it was a close call. While I admire how the author somehow managed to wholly engross me in the story of such a horrible person, I'm not sure if I can sit patiently through another such read. One thing, however, is for sure, like it or not, Lay Death at her Door by Elizabeth Buhmann is a murder mystery like no other.
The story took its own sweet time to kick off and during that time, I couldn't relate to Kate, Pop, Tony or any of the other characters. It was only after almost half the book that I really started wondering about the truth, about what could really have happened, whether Kate knew the actual murderer, why she lied. When the last fifty pages were left, the mystery that was brewing slowly but steadily up to that point had begun bubbling with frenzy, quite ready to end in a fancy display of sparkly firecrackers: when I thought, the book was going to let me down. What could possibly go down in fifty pages that would make it all better!? The ending had to be a disappointment. BUT I was wrong. The climax was so... climactic. Deliciously surprisingly, wonderfully unceremonious and the ONLY reason I considered, if grudgingly, the possibility that I liked the book, after all. I loved how neatly the pieces of the puzzle fit together.
I couldn't stop thinking about the book, long after I was done reading; wondering about truth, innocence and mistakes, about how easy it is to be selfish, how no matter what people say, there is a big difference between good and bad, how you write your own destiny, about justice and the law and racism and for once, a female 'antagonist'.
I don't recall being in a loathe/love situation before. With Lay Death at her Door, I'm going to go with LOVE! But it was a close call. While I admire how the author somehow managed to wholly engross me in the story of such a horrible person, I'm not sure if I can sit patiently through another such read. One thing, however, is for sure, like it or not, Lay Death at her Door by Elizabeth Buhmann is a murder mystery like no other.
June 7, 2013
For years, Kate Cranbrook has lived with the secret that she lied at her own trial. She sent the wrong man to prison for something he didn't do. Deep inside, she knew she should have told someone. She should have said a word, but at the time, such a thing wasn't possible for her to do.
When the would-be rapist is released from his incarceration, Kate soon realizes that the past has just come back to haunt her. She told a needed lie to save herself, sent the wrong man to do time for a crime he didn't commit, and has lived with the consequences of her actions ever since. She knows that the man is likely to come after her. After all, she has some explaining to do. Deep inside, she prays that she'll never get to see his face. That he'll stay away, and never come to hash up the past. Though, she knows that's just wishful thinking.
When a body practically shows up on her doorstep, Kate comes to the realization that someone definitely wants to stir up the hornet's nest. Whoever it is wants the secrets she's held on to for so long to come to light, something she knows she can't allow to happen. She's carefully constructed her life around her rape and the events of that night that led to Elliot's murder. If she's to continue living the way she is now, her secrets must remain dead and buried.
Unfortunately, time is running out. The killer is edging ever closer, intent on making her remember everything she pushed aside. If she's to succeed in thwarting his advances, she'll need to play his own sordid game. To do that, she'll need to delve into a past that just might prove to be her complete undoing.
A dark and twisted tale, Lay Death At Her Door immerses the reader in the life of Kate Cranbrook and the consequences of her past actions. She's a woman full of conflict, dealing with a past she can't let go. To save herself so long ago, she accused a man of rape, and sent him into the bowels of prison. Deep inside, she's never lived easily with that fact, and she'll never be able to until she comes to terms with what she's done.
The book itself tells the story in the form of a diary. A memoir, I suppose. Kate does her best to exonerate herself of what she's done, but nothing erases the stain that has been left on her very soul. She's done things she's not proud of, all in the name of survival. Elizabeth has done a good job in painting such a sordid story. We're able to feel Kate's pain through every page, and at times, she's quite unlikeable. It's hard not to feel for her plight. Though I have to admit it's not for everyone, this is a truly remarkable story. One well worth reading.
When the would-be rapist is released from his incarceration, Kate soon realizes that the past has just come back to haunt her. She told a needed lie to save herself, sent the wrong man to do time for a crime he didn't commit, and has lived with the consequences of her actions ever since. She knows that the man is likely to come after her. After all, she has some explaining to do. Deep inside, she prays that she'll never get to see his face. That he'll stay away, and never come to hash up the past. Though, she knows that's just wishful thinking.
When a body practically shows up on her doorstep, Kate comes to the realization that someone definitely wants to stir up the hornet's nest. Whoever it is wants the secrets she's held on to for so long to come to light, something she knows she can't allow to happen. She's carefully constructed her life around her rape and the events of that night that led to Elliot's murder. If she's to continue living the way she is now, her secrets must remain dead and buried.
Unfortunately, time is running out. The killer is edging ever closer, intent on making her remember everything she pushed aside. If she's to succeed in thwarting his advances, she'll need to play his own sordid game. To do that, she'll need to delve into a past that just might prove to be her complete undoing.
A dark and twisted tale, Lay Death At Her Door immerses the reader in the life of Kate Cranbrook and the consequences of her past actions. She's a woman full of conflict, dealing with a past she can't let go. To save herself so long ago, she accused a man of rape, and sent him into the bowels of prison. Deep inside, she's never lived easily with that fact, and she'll never be able to until she comes to terms with what she's done.
The book itself tells the story in the form of a diary. A memoir, I suppose. Kate does her best to exonerate herself of what she's done, but nothing erases the stain that has been left on her very soul. She's done things she's not proud of, all in the name of survival. Elizabeth has done a good job in painting such a sordid story. We're able to feel Kate's pain through every page, and at times, she's quite unlikeable. It's hard not to feel for her plight. Though I have to admit it's not for everyone, this is a truly remarkable story. One well worth reading.
May 10, 2015
Twenty years ago Kate Cranbrook’s eye witness testimony sent an innocent man to prison for the murder of her boyfriend and for her brutal rape and beating. However, DNA evidence kept all these years has been tested with the new modern and sophisticated equipment and Jules Jefferson is exonerated. The lie that Kate told is coming back with a vengeance to roost on her doorstep. It was dark, she had been attacked, she was traumatized…she told the story so many times over the years that she had started to believe it. But the truth was she lied about the man’s identity. Why? Who is she protecting?
This mystery grabbed me from the two word second paragraph. ‘I lied.’ Kate lied about the identity of her attacker and Elliot’s murderer. She lied to the cops, to the jury, to everyone and Buhmann’s skillful writing pulled me along kicking and screaming for the entire book before giving me what I demanded, the reason behind the lie.
I have to tell you that Kate Cranbrook is a piece of work. And not a good one either. She is the most unlikeable protagonist that I’ve ever read and yet I couldn’t stop reading! Now, that’s an excellent writer for you, compelling you forward when you just want to stop and yell at the character, ‘Omg, you are the most selfish, self-centered snobbish bitch to ever live. Why am I still here?’ Because Kate is complex and yet a train wreck, because the lie is the elephant in the room, because Pop (her dad) is one weird dude and most of all…because I want to know why she lied! Why, why, why?! The ending was the biggest mind fuck I never saw coming. Totally.Awesome!
*Book source ~ Many thanks to Red Adept Publishing for providing a review copy. Please see disclaimer page on my blog.
This mystery grabbed me from the two word second paragraph. ‘I lied.’ Kate lied about the identity of her attacker and Elliot’s murderer. She lied to the cops, to the jury, to everyone and Buhmann’s skillful writing pulled me along kicking and screaming for the entire book before giving me what I demanded, the reason behind the lie.
I have to tell you that Kate Cranbrook is a piece of work. And not a good one either. She is the most unlikeable protagonist that I’ve ever read and yet I couldn’t stop reading! Now, that’s an excellent writer for you, compelling you forward when you just want to stop and yell at the character, ‘Omg, you are the most selfish, self-centered snobbish bitch to ever live. Why am I still here?’ Because Kate is complex and yet a train wreck, because the lie is the elephant in the room, because Pop (her dad) is one weird dude and most of all…because I want to know why she lied! Why, why, why?! The ending was the biggest mind fuck I never saw coming. Totally.Awesome!
*Book source ~ Many thanks to Red Adept Publishing for providing a review copy. Please see disclaimer page on my blog.
September 2, 2013
I really enjoyed this story. The character of Kate was not one you could like. She was a compulsive liar. She seemed to see beauty in someone until she didn’t get her way, then they became ugly and evil. She has a lot of underlying jealous feelings as well. While all that tends to make her a character the reader can’t like, she’s a well developed character, and the story itself is fascinating. As the story progresses, we see all the intricate spider web of lies that Kate has formed over the years start to fall apart. The more her lies and world crumbles, the more desperate she becomes to maintain control. This can often lead to tragic consequences.
Reading through, one cannot determine when Kate is telling the truth and when she is lying. The unreliable narrator is used in novels such as Huck Finn and Moll Flanders, and, in this case Ms. Buhmann uses it to her advantage in telling this story. Right off the bat you know the narrator can’t be trusted, so anything she says after that is suspect. This helps to lend the air of mystery to the story.
The supporting characters are well developed and their backgrounds play out through the narrative, particularly the Pops and Kate characters. There are twists and turns and surprises around ever corner, leading to a logical conclusion. I recommend this book for those who love mysteries or psychological dramas.
Due to the content, I’d say it’s for older teens and adults. I received an electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Reading through, one cannot determine when Kate is telling the truth and when she is lying. The unreliable narrator is used in novels such as Huck Finn and Moll Flanders, and, in this case Ms. Buhmann uses it to her advantage in telling this story. Right off the bat you know the narrator can’t be trusted, so anything she says after that is suspect. This helps to lend the air of mystery to the story.
The supporting characters are well developed and their backgrounds play out through the narrative, particularly the Pops and Kate characters. There are twists and turns and surprises around ever corner, leading to a logical conclusion. I recommend this book for those who love mysteries or psychological dramas.
Due to the content, I’d say it’s for older teens and adults. I received an electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
June 5, 2013
Kate Cranbrook was born, and ruined, in Kenya. When a coup threatened her safety with her father, she grabbed onto an inheritance in America and fled, at gunpoint.
Or did she?
You see, Kate lies. A lot. About everything.
~*~*~
This is a dark, and deeply disturbing story, with a 'heroine' who is extremely difficult to care about. There were points where I truly despised Kate.
She does things that simply shocked me, to the core. And, always, there is - to her mind - a logical reason for her choices.
As the novel progresses, one starts to disbelieve everything that Kate has said. Her relationship with her father is increasingly disturbing. And it simply becomes impossible to believe that all of the bits and pieces will ever make sense.
In an effort to avoid spoilers, all I can say is: Yes, it all comes together. Shockingly.
This is a dark, and deeply disturbing story. (It bears repeating.) As such, it takes some intestinal fortitude to get through to the end - I still feel as though I need a shower to wash Kate off.
You'll not forget her, no matter how you try. And, perhaps, that is the best recommendation I can offer.
~*~*~
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary electronic copy of this book from the publisher [...]. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Or did she?
You see, Kate lies. A lot. About everything.
~*~*~
This is a dark, and deeply disturbing story, with a 'heroine' who is extremely difficult to care about. There were points where I truly despised Kate.
She does things that simply shocked me, to the core. And, always, there is - to her mind - a logical reason for her choices.
As the novel progresses, one starts to disbelieve everything that Kate has said. Her relationship with her father is increasingly disturbing. And it simply becomes impossible to believe that all of the bits and pieces will ever make sense.
In an effort to avoid spoilers, all I can say is: Yes, it all comes together. Shockingly.
This is a dark, and deeply disturbing story. (It bears repeating.) As such, it takes some intestinal fortitude to get through to the end - I still feel as though I need a shower to wash Kate off.
You'll not forget her, no matter how you try. And, perhaps, that is the best recommendation I can offer.
~*~*~
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary electronic copy of this book from the publisher [...]. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
July 3, 2013
"In 1986, a man was murdered. I was beaten and raped. The ensuing trial dominated local headlines until my eyewitness testimony sent a man named Jules Jefferson to prison for life.
I lied."
You what? Oh, my.
Common wisdom says an author should grab the reader from the first few words, which is correct (or at least a good idea if you don’t want to lose too many readers). But that same advice says the way you do that is with action or conflict of some kind. I’m not sure these first words fit any of the most touted techniques for grabbing a reader’s attention, but they sure did mine.
From those first words we slowly learn what happens when Jefferson, convicted based on the narrator Kate’s testimony, is exonerated based on DNA evidence as she tells her side of the story. I’m hesitant to go into any kind of detail for fear of a spoiler other than to say that despite knowing from the outset that Kate knew she lied (and therefore must have some clue what the truth is) that each new revelation changed my perception of where the story was going, right up to the very end. A well written, unpredictable story. You’ll love it.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
I lied."
You what? Oh, my.
Common wisdom says an author should grab the reader from the first few words, which is correct (or at least a good idea if you don’t want to lose too many readers). But that same advice says the way you do that is with action or conflict of some kind. I’m not sure these first words fit any of the most touted techniques for grabbing a reader’s attention, but they sure did mine.
From those first words we slowly learn what happens when Jefferson, convicted based on the narrator Kate’s testimony, is exonerated based on DNA evidence as she tells her side of the story. I’m hesitant to go into any kind of detail for fear of a spoiler other than to say that despite knowing from the outset that Kate knew she lied (and therefore must have some clue what the truth is) that each new revelation changed my perception of where the story was going, right up to the very end. A well written, unpredictable story. You’ll love it.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
April 11, 2014
Lay Death At Her Door - by Elizabeth Buhmann
I’ve had my eye on this volume for some time. In fact, ever since it was a fledging project on a writers’ website. I didn’t want to read all of it then, but preferred to wait until it was published, as I was sure it would be, to read it properly.
How lovely to find a book which is well written, engaging from the outset and well finished. How relaxing and peaceful to read a text without stopping to wonder at typos, flubs and the like, as there were none that I could see, and the writing flowed well.
How interesting to notice the development of the plot, and not to want to flick to the end to cheat, to see how it ended, but to be perfectly content to read every word and wait for the final twists to reveal themselves.
I don’t read a lot of books in this genre. At least, I say I don’t. But give me one as well written and as slick as this, and I have no hesitation in settling down for a few days’ peaceful engagement. Thank you, Elizabeth, for giving us a careful, thoughtful story in which you have clearly made a huge investment. The result is an excellent piece of fiction, educative, engrossing and delightful to read.
Fran Macilvey, author, “My Life With Cerebral Palsy”
I’ve had my eye on this volume for some time. In fact, ever since it was a fledging project on a writers’ website. I didn’t want to read all of it then, but preferred to wait until it was published, as I was sure it would be, to read it properly.
How lovely to find a book which is well written, engaging from the outset and well finished. How relaxing and peaceful to read a text without stopping to wonder at typos, flubs and the like, as there were none that I could see, and the writing flowed well.
How interesting to notice the development of the plot, and not to want to flick to the end to cheat, to see how it ended, but to be perfectly content to read every word and wait for the final twists to reveal themselves.
I don’t read a lot of books in this genre. At least, I say I don’t. But give me one as well written and as slick as this, and I have no hesitation in settling down for a few days’ peaceful engagement. Thank you, Elizabeth, for giving us a careful, thoughtful story in which you have clearly made a huge investment. The result is an excellent piece of fiction, educative, engrossing and delightful to read.
Fran Macilvey, author, “My Life With Cerebral Palsy”
June 11, 2014
If you like dark and compelling mysteries, don't miss this fine first novel. I'd put it on a par with Gillian Flynn's 'Gone Girl,' and call it a spellbinding psycho thriller. Written in first person, from the point of view of an unlikeable protagonist, it's unusual, and uncomfortable at times to be inside such a character's head. At age 20, before DNA studies were routine, Kate accused an innocent man of rape and murder and sent him to prison. Twenty years later the accused has found the Justice Project and is being released. That's a great hook, but the story is much more layered and twisted underneath, just like our Kate. That girl is crazy. I was thoroughly entertained and thanks to good editing, the story is free of distraction. I look forward to more from this author.
January 20, 2020
Elizabeth Buhmann, the author of Lay Death At Her Door, writes at a leisurely pace that is both slow and boring — a terrible flaw in a story where the suspense could have written itself. By the end of her book it was obvious that suspense was only secondary to what the author wanted to accomplish, so it wound up as a psychological thriller without the thrills.
We learn at the outset that Kate, a sexually attractive, narcissistic college senior was raped, lied about the identity of her attacker, and sent an innocent man to prison for 22 years. Did I mention that Kate was having an affair with her drama professor at the time? Who was murdered by her rapist? And that the man she had falsely accused of murder and rape was about to be released from prison, perhaps out for revenge? And if he was innocent of the initial crimes, then who was guilty?
But what's sorely lacking in suspense, the author more than makes up for with pages full of romance, flowers and clothing; I suppose to appeal to the ladies among her readers. The problem is that I'm not a lady. (Some might say I'm also not a gentleman, but at least they'd have the gender right.)
Here are a number of examples of what to expect from Lay Death At Her Door. This list of gems is by no means exhaustive:
"I picked my way around stands of yellow toadflax and red clover."
"I turned my face up, closed my eyes, and pictured the way he smiled when he saw me. His lips would slowly curl up at the corners where I wanted to kiss him."
"He had the kind of sunny, laid-back disposition that is so incomprehensible to nervy Type-A personalities like me, that and smooth brown skin and muscles rippling to the surface every time he moved."
"The herringbone brick sidewalk where we got out was heaved up by the roots of a half-century-old magnolia just coming into bloom, drenching the cool air with intense perfume."
"I wore slim dark blue jeans, low lace-up boots, and a lightweight linen shirt with a faded, Japanesy print of red peonies on a sky blue background that I hoped would pick up the color of my eyes."
"He was younger than I was, muscular, with smooth dark skin, dark hair, and a touch of honey-gold in his brown eyes."
"He gave me a slow smile, and I got a little warm buzz going inside."
"The damp cotton of his T-shirt hugged the muscles of his back."
"Mostly I imagined what it would be like to taste the sweat and grit on his body or to tangle with him in the dirt."
"She was elegantly dressed in a white silk blouse and pleated beige slacks. She wore a single strand of large and lustrous pearls."
"I wanted to slide my hand across his shoulder, stroke his arm, and run my fingertips up under the sleeve of his T-shirt."
"Turquoise and silver called attention to her clear, light blue eyes."
"Deep blue delphiniums formed a backdrop for searing orange dahlias. In the mid-range, masses of sunny zinnias alternated with blue and white phlox, tiger lilies, and nicotiana."
"I wanted to grab his collar, kiss his mouth, but I had an awful fear that he would put warm hands on my wrists and smile and push me away."
"I’d been more than a little bit in love with him before that afternoon, as much as a woman could be in love with a man she hadn’t even kissed, which of course could be quite a lot."
"Lisa had on a loose emerald green sweater that made her eyes look like jewels in the afternoon sun that poured through the kitchen windows."
"I stopped by my apartment and changed into slinky black pants and a light silky top that picked up the pale gold of my hair."
"I put on a killer suit I’d bought on sale, made of a shiny black fabric, with a pencil skirt and a fitted jacket with a tiny waist and a longish ruffle from the waist down to the flare of the hip. I wore my grandmother’s jet-beaded necklace and earrings."
"His T-shirt was old, sun-faded, and soft. I wanted to run my hand over the smooth, rippling muscles of his back."
"I had the most beautiful dress. It was short, well above the knee, and made of the loveliest washed silk in pale shell-pink, bias-cut to curve. It felt like rose petals against my bare skin, so cool, light, and soft."
"Just inside the front door, Anita greeted guests in a stunning midnight-blue designer gown, with sapphires trickling down her throat."
"I fell asleep trying to imagine what it was going to be like with Tony, and my fantasies became dreams."
"Sweet-scented red roses left over from the weekend before were full blown, some hanging their heads and dropping petals on the glass-topped table."
"She held a glass of sherry, and she was dressed for a day in the country, in a soft plaid calf-length cotton skirt and a light cotton pullover with the sleeves pushed up to her elbows. She looked natural and handsome."
"I found a beautiful skimpy indigo denim dress with just the right amount of spandex. It fit like skin."
"I found a beautiful turquoise and silver pendant. It cost the earth but went perfectly with my skin and the denim dress. I bought a pair of sandals, too, and then a pair of leather pumps, classic, not too high."
"He was as handsome as ever, all brown and sweaty, hair in his eyes. And I felt absolutely nothing. How liberating. I felt powerful and calm."
See what I mean? And as a further warning, the author also uses the adjective "squashy" more than once. There may be an audience out there for this twaddle, but it's not me.
As for the mystery, nothing of significance happens until two-thirds through the book when the story starts to pick up some steam. The pay-off was a surprise that was almost worth the wait, but the book was a struggle to complete.
One final comment. I read some reviews of this book where the readers complained that Kate wasn't "likable." This complaint does not count as legitimate criticism. Characters can even be evil and still be well written and interesting, if not fascinating. Cathy Ames in John Steinbeck's East of Eden is perhaps literature's most famous example. Kate was no Cathy Ames, but you get my point.
We learn at the outset that Kate, a sexually attractive, narcissistic college senior was raped, lied about the identity of her attacker, and sent an innocent man to prison for 22 years. Did I mention that Kate was having an affair with her drama professor at the time? Who was murdered by her rapist? And that the man she had falsely accused of murder and rape was about to be released from prison, perhaps out for revenge? And if he was innocent of the initial crimes, then who was guilty?
But what's sorely lacking in suspense, the author more than makes up for with pages full of romance, flowers and clothing; I suppose to appeal to the ladies among her readers. The problem is that I'm not a lady. (Some might say I'm also not a gentleman, but at least they'd have the gender right.)
Here are a number of examples of what to expect from Lay Death At Her Door. This list of gems is by no means exhaustive:
"I picked my way around stands of yellow toadflax and red clover."
"I turned my face up, closed my eyes, and pictured the way he smiled when he saw me. His lips would slowly curl up at the corners where I wanted to kiss him."
"He had the kind of sunny, laid-back disposition that is so incomprehensible to nervy Type-A personalities like me, that and smooth brown skin and muscles rippling to the surface every time he moved."
"The herringbone brick sidewalk where we got out was heaved up by the roots of a half-century-old magnolia just coming into bloom, drenching the cool air with intense perfume."
"I wore slim dark blue jeans, low lace-up boots, and a lightweight linen shirt with a faded, Japanesy print of red peonies on a sky blue background that I hoped would pick up the color of my eyes."
"He was younger than I was, muscular, with smooth dark skin, dark hair, and a touch of honey-gold in his brown eyes."
"He gave me a slow smile, and I got a little warm buzz going inside."
"The damp cotton of his T-shirt hugged the muscles of his back."
"Mostly I imagined what it would be like to taste the sweat and grit on his body or to tangle with him in the dirt."
"She was elegantly dressed in a white silk blouse and pleated beige slacks. She wore a single strand of large and lustrous pearls."
"I wanted to slide my hand across his shoulder, stroke his arm, and run my fingertips up under the sleeve of his T-shirt."
"Turquoise and silver called attention to her clear, light blue eyes."
"Deep blue delphiniums formed a backdrop for searing orange dahlias. In the mid-range, masses of sunny zinnias alternated with blue and white phlox, tiger lilies, and nicotiana."
"I wanted to grab his collar, kiss his mouth, but I had an awful fear that he would put warm hands on my wrists and smile and push me away."
"I’d been more than a little bit in love with him before that afternoon, as much as a woman could be in love with a man she hadn’t even kissed, which of course could be quite a lot."
"Lisa had on a loose emerald green sweater that made her eyes look like jewels in the afternoon sun that poured through the kitchen windows."
"I stopped by my apartment and changed into slinky black pants and a light silky top that picked up the pale gold of my hair."
"I put on a killer suit I’d bought on sale, made of a shiny black fabric, with a pencil skirt and a fitted jacket with a tiny waist and a longish ruffle from the waist down to the flare of the hip. I wore my grandmother’s jet-beaded necklace and earrings."
"His T-shirt was old, sun-faded, and soft. I wanted to run my hand over the smooth, rippling muscles of his back."
"I had the most beautiful dress. It was short, well above the knee, and made of the loveliest washed silk in pale shell-pink, bias-cut to curve. It felt like rose petals against my bare skin, so cool, light, and soft."
"Just inside the front door, Anita greeted guests in a stunning midnight-blue designer gown, with sapphires trickling down her throat."
"I fell asleep trying to imagine what it was going to be like with Tony, and my fantasies became dreams."
"Sweet-scented red roses left over from the weekend before were full blown, some hanging their heads and dropping petals on the glass-topped table."
"She held a glass of sherry, and she was dressed for a day in the country, in a soft plaid calf-length cotton skirt and a light cotton pullover with the sleeves pushed up to her elbows. She looked natural and handsome."
"I found a beautiful skimpy indigo denim dress with just the right amount of spandex. It fit like skin."
"I found a beautiful turquoise and silver pendant. It cost the earth but went perfectly with my skin and the denim dress. I bought a pair of sandals, too, and then a pair of leather pumps, classic, not too high."
"He was as handsome as ever, all brown and sweaty, hair in his eyes. And I felt absolutely nothing. How liberating. I felt powerful and calm."
See what I mean? And as a further warning, the author also uses the adjective "squashy" more than once. There may be an audience out there for this twaddle, but it's not me.
As for the mystery, nothing of significance happens until two-thirds through the book when the story starts to pick up some steam. The pay-off was a surprise that was almost worth the wait, but the book was a struggle to complete.
One final comment. I read some reviews of this book where the readers complained that Kate wasn't "likable." This complaint does not count as legitimate criticism. Characters can even be evil and still be well written and interesting, if not fascinating. Cathy Ames in John Steinbeck's East of Eden is perhaps literature's most famous example. Kate was no Cathy Ames, but you get my point.
July 13, 2013
Synopsis:
After being raped and witnessing the murder of her lover Kate Cranbrook, a 20-year-old college girl, sent a man to prison. The wrong man. She lied during the trial because it was the most convenient way out. She had to protect her secrets even if it meant committing perjury. She had learned during a difficult childhood in Kenya that sometimes you have to be mendacious and ruthless in order to survive and achieve your goals. Then, deeply traumatized, she lived in seclusion with her father for two decades, isolated, bored, afraid. Now she thinks she's had enough. She is 42 and she wants to put her life in order – keep her landscaping job, become more independent, find a nice man, marry, be happy. She is also given a splendid occasion - new evidence exonerates her victim. Unfortunately it also means that her role in the trial is being examined anew
Kate tries to think of a good defence line; she claims that in the darkness and confusion she must have mistaken her attacker's identity. She is lying – again – but at least now she dares admit that truth to herself. Still the local community might never forgive her for putting an innocent man to prison for twenty years even if she is a white woman, he is a black man and they live in Virginia. Kate would like nothing better than to turn her back on the past, but she is trapped in an invisible stand-off with the real killer. What will it take to get rid of him?
Soon enough another dead body practically shows up on her doorstep. Kate comes to the realization that someone definitely wants to stir up the hornet's nest and draw the attention of local police to her shadowy past. Will anybody be able to see through her lies and help her before it's too late?
My impressions:
It was a story which grabs you with the first words and keeps you interested until you finishes it. It is a dark and twisted tale which I loved exploring. It presents an interesting, intelligent heroine, flawed to a great extend, who likes toying with the reader but also honestly recalls her own past mistakes because she feels her time is running out. Kate is a manipulative character, full of wit and ready to play on the sympathy of others. As the novel progresses, you starts to doubt her words but, at the same time, you are eager to find out the truth. The relationship with her father is increasingly disturbing and after a while, somewhere in the middle of the story, it simply becomes impossible to believe that all of the bits and pieces she told you will ever make sense. But they will, shockingly so, at the very end. Still it won’t be pleasant.
The character of Kate was constructed flawlessly. Firstly let me say how much I enjoyed a woman who is beautiful, cunning, rich and guess what? She doesn’t have a retinue of available men fawning on her and worshipping the ground beneath her feet. No love triangle, no love affair, nothing and not for the lack of trying, mind you. It was so refreshingly normal and right. Let me illustrate her situation with one quote. Kate comments bitterly on her friends' advice:
“Why don’t you marry, Kate? You could have anyone you wanted.”
I hate it when people say that. It isn’t true. No matter how beautiful you are, how intelligent and talented, no matter how accomplished, even if you have money, it is never true that you can have anyone you want. And the worst problem is that sometimes there simply isn’t anybody. In books and movies, there is always a likely man for the taking. In real life, there isn’t always.”
I instantly warmed to her after such words even if, from the very beginning, I was sure she hid too many darkness inside to be truly innocent and decent girl. As the novel is written in a form of a diary or a memoir, her first person narration allows us to look deep inside Kate’s mind and find many shadowy wardrobes full of rattling skeletons. Although Kate tries her best to exonerate herself of what she's done, a completely understandable and a very human thing to do, nothing erases the stain that has been left on her - and she is completely aware of it. She used to be a thoughtless little brat who behaved as if she had every right to own the world. She's done things she's not proud of, all in the name of survival. She was selfish, ruthless and greedy. She lied a lot and she did it so skillfully that sometimes she almost believed in her own lies. Now she must reap what she has sown.
Final verdict:
This novel was a real pleasure to read; I started it just to get the taste of the narration and, after a short while, I couldn’t let it go. It kept me awake late at night because I simply had to reach the final page and find out what role Kate played in all this. I won’t forget this heroine for a long time – I think it’s the highest praise any book can get. Thank you, Ms Buhman, for this great story!
After being raped and witnessing the murder of her lover Kate Cranbrook, a 20-year-old college girl, sent a man to prison. The wrong man. She lied during the trial because it was the most convenient way out. She had to protect her secrets even if it meant committing perjury. She had learned during a difficult childhood in Kenya that sometimes you have to be mendacious and ruthless in order to survive and achieve your goals. Then, deeply traumatized, she lived in seclusion with her father for two decades, isolated, bored, afraid. Now she thinks she's had enough. She is 42 and she wants to put her life in order – keep her landscaping job, become more independent, find a nice man, marry, be happy. She is also given a splendid occasion - new evidence exonerates her victim. Unfortunately it also means that her role in the trial is being examined anew
Kate tries to think of a good defence line; she claims that in the darkness and confusion she must have mistaken her attacker's identity. She is lying – again – but at least now she dares admit that truth to herself. Still the local community might never forgive her for putting an innocent man to prison for twenty years even if she is a white woman, he is a black man and they live in Virginia. Kate would like nothing better than to turn her back on the past, but she is trapped in an invisible stand-off with the real killer. What will it take to get rid of him?
Soon enough another dead body practically shows up on her doorstep. Kate comes to the realization that someone definitely wants to stir up the hornet's nest and draw the attention of local police to her shadowy past. Will anybody be able to see through her lies and help her before it's too late?
My impressions:
It was a story which grabs you with the first words and keeps you interested until you finishes it. It is a dark and twisted tale which I loved exploring. It presents an interesting, intelligent heroine, flawed to a great extend, who likes toying with the reader but also honestly recalls her own past mistakes because she feels her time is running out. Kate is a manipulative character, full of wit and ready to play on the sympathy of others. As the novel progresses, you starts to doubt her words but, at the same time, you are eager to find out the truth. The relationship with her father is increasingly disturbing and after a while, somewhere in the middle of the story, it simply becomes impossible to believe that all of the bits and pieces she told you will ever make sense. But they will, shockingly so, at the very end. Still it won’t be pleasant.
The character of Kate was constructed flawlessly. Firstly let me say how much I enjoyed a woman who is beautiful, cunning, rich and guess what? She doesn’t have a retinue of available men fawning on her and worshipping the ground beneath her feet. No love triangle, no love affair, nothing and not for the lack of trying, mind you. It was so refreshingly normal and right. Let me illustrate her situation with one quote. Kate comments bitterly on her friends' advice:
“Why don’t you marry, Kate? You could have anyone you wanted.”
I hate it when people say that. It isn’t true. No matter how beautiful you are, how intelligent and talented, no matter how accomplished, even if you have money, it is never true that you can have anyone you want. And the worst problem is that sometimes there simply isn’t anybody. In books and movies, there is always a likely man for the taking. In real life, there isn’t always.”
I instantly warmed to her after such words even if, from the very beginning, I was sure she hid too many darkness inside to be truly innocent and decent girl. As the novel is written in a form of a diary or a memoir, her first person narration allows us to look deep inside Kate’s mind and find many shadowy wardrobes full of rattling skeletons. Although Kate tries her best to exonerate herself of what she's done, a completely understandable and a very human thing to do, nothing erases the stain that has been left on her - and she is completely aware of it. She used to be a thoughtless little brat who behaved as if she had every right to own the world. She's done things she's not proud of, all in the name of survival. She was selfish, ruthless and greedy. She lied a lot and she did it so skillfully that sometimes she almost believed in her own lies. Now she must reap what she has sown.
Final verdict:
This novel was a real pleasure to read; I started it just to get the taste of the narration and, after a short while, I couldn’t let it go. It kept me awake late at night because I simply had to reach the final page and find out what role Kate played in all this. I won’t forget this heroine for a long time – I think it’s the highest praise any book can get. Thank you, Ms Buhman, for this great story!
November 15, 2014
This would've quite easily made 5 stars were it not for some daft mistakes that I think were a bit sloppy. I greatly enjoyed the whole story. It was something quite different to your run-of-the-mill murder-mystery for sure and held my interest. I despised Kate pretty much the whole way through. She's a real piece of work !! I've never had time for liars and she told some astounding porkies at times. However, she had a LOT of secrets and intrigue throughout her life as well and just didn't always cover herself properly. If you're going to be a liar of the highest calibre you have to have THE most amazing memory...
I'll certainly pick up the next story this author releases. All that cost it a star for me were some of my usual niggles...dropped speechmarks, misused apostrophes, persistent non-capitalisation of the word French, spelling jamb as jam,the word they being inexplicably added to a sentence twice at one point and the worst spelling mistake for me was using persepective when she meant prospective. Ouch !!
Another little irritation was that she kept referring to her father's right eye. Quite peculiar and needless and it became annoying after around the 6th time !! Tony's maths' skills weren't all that, either, when he worked out somebody would be in their fifties. He was easily a decade out and I thought that a little careless.
However, I've seen worse mistakes in books by best-selling authors and I'd recommend this regardless.
I'll certainly pick up the next story this author releases. All that cost it a star for me were some of my usual niggles...dropped speechmarks, misused apostrophes, persistent non-capitalisation of the word French, spelling jamb as jam,the word they being inexplicably added to a sentence twice at one point and the worst spelling mistake for me was using persepective when she meant prospective. Ouch !!
Another little irritation was that she kept referring to her father's right eye. Quite peculiar and needless and it became annoying after around the 6th time !! Tony's maths' skills weren't all that, either, when he worked out somebody would be in their fifties. He was easily a decade out and I thought that a little careless.
However, I've seen worse mistakes in books by best-selling authors and I'd recommend this regardless.
August 14, 2013
Kate Carnbook had her life before her until she saw a man murdered and was raped. Everything should have been cut and dry, after all they caught the guy, except Kate lied. Twenty years later Kate is a shadow of her former self, she has withdrawn and lives in seclusion with her father. When Kate is told the man who she accused of the crime is being released because of new evidence, her life is once more turned inside out.
This story retracts Kate's past and the reasons she did what she did. There was a sadness with Kate but at the same time you were torn with trying to understanding her reasoning at the time. I thought this was an intense story and completely different from other stories I have read. If your in the mood for a gripping story, this is one to pick up.
This story retracts Kate's past and the reasons she did what she did. There was a sadness with Kate but at the same time you were torn with trying to understanding her reasoning at the time. I thought this was an intense story and completely different from other stories I have read. If your in the mood for a gripping story, this is one to pick up.
June 17, 2017
Fast paced and well written!
Elizabeth Buhmann portrayed the protagonist, Kate Cranbrook, brilliantly in "Lay Death At Her Door".
I started this book not know what to expect, and surprisingly I didn't want to stop reading once I began.
The pace is comfortable and the storyline keeps you at the edge of your seat. It is a tornado of events and emotions, with a magnificent finale that will satisfy any reader.
A must read for lovers of the genre!
Elizabeth Buhmann portrayed the protagonist, Kate Cranbrook, brilliantly in "Lay Death At Her Door".
I started this book not know what to expect, and surprisingly I didn't want to stop reading once I began.
The pace is comfortable and the storyline keeps you at the edge of your seat. It is a tornado of events and emotions, with a magnificent finale that will satisfy any reader.
A must read for lovers of the genre!
September 23, 2015
Buckle up and get ready for a wild ride. This book has got twists and turns galore.
I'm reminded of an earlier Gillian Flynn book-- Dark Places. The protagonist is massively unlikeable, which is unusual for a crime victim. This woman is a mess. Watching her unravel is like rubber-necking a car accident. It's horrifying, but you can't seem to look away.
I'm reminded of an earlier Gillian Flynn book-- Dark Places. The protagonist is massively unlikeable, which is unusual for a crime victim. This woman is a mess. Watching her unravel is like rubber-necking a car accident. It's horrifying, but you can't seem to look away.
June 15, 2017
Solid Writing But....
The author writes well. The story progresses and hangs together. Personally I did not care for the narrator.
This is an example of the sub-genre of literature dedicated to exposing and flaunting amoral protagonists with no compassion, ethics or empathy.
Not my cup of tea.
The author writes well. The story progresses and hangs together. Personally I did not care for the narrator.
This is an example of the sub-genre of literature dedicated to exposing and flaunting amoral protagonists with no compassion, ethics or empathy.
Not my cup of tea.
June 19, 2017
Dreadful from first to last page. Several hours of my life that I will never get back! Give it a miss
March 12, 2017
Kate Cranbrook is a liar. She tells us that almost at the beginning of her sordid tale. This was another rather twisted psych thriller that I wanted to like, but a few things just seemed too far fetched to me. Kate was attacked and raped back in college and her boyfriend was murdered. She sent her attacker to jail, but it turns out Kate sent an innocent man to prison, AND she knew that he was innocent! Now, many years later, the man is getting out of jail when DNA evidence comes to light. Kate is put on the spot, having to come up with a tale that maybe she couldn't see her attacker. There's much more to Kate's story and that of her father, Pop, and it may or may not be tied to their early life in Kenya. It just seemed than we can imagine and that's where things started to unravel for me. I don't mind disliking the main character, but things need to be plausible.
March 11, 2015
Disclaimers first - I'm a fellow Red Adept Publishing author. Neither Red Adept Publishing nor Elizabeth Buhman asked me to write this review. The opinions are mine alone.
Lay Death at Her Door opens with a jarring confession: Twenty years ago, a man was murdered and a girl was raped, and the girl's testimony put the killer behind bars. She lied. Now 42, Kate Cranbrook finds that the past has come back to haunt her. The man convicted of both the crimes has been exonerated due to new evidence, and everyone wants to know what really happened. And Kate knows. But it's a secret she'll take to her grave.
The novel, told from Kate's first-person perspective, is written as if Kate herself sat down at the end of the story to write her side of it. And Kate is an incredibly unreliable narrator. She has her own motivations, and they don't include telling the reader the truth. And yet, bit by bit, the real story of what happened comes together, all building up to a shocking twist.
Buhman has crafted a skillfully constructed narrative and a truly memorable protagonist. You won't forget Kate. You'll probably hate her by the end, but she'll stay with you long after the book has ended. Kate is a manipulative storyteller whose deftness with words makes her sympathetic despite her general horridness. She's selfish, arrogant, elitist, and very possibly a psychopath (in the clinical sense - she doesn't seem capable of compassion). And yet you almost don't notice at first because of the way Buhman presents Kate's point of view. Kate is a perfectly rational person, and it's easy to see why she does the things she does.
Lay Death at Her Door has been called a thriller, but it really falls under that somewhat ill-defined crossover between thriller and women's fiction - along the lines of Gone Girl. Unlike a traditional thriller, Lay Death doesn't follow its protagonist through danger and mystery. Much of the story is devoted to depicting Kate's uncomfortable relationship with her father, Pops. There's a Grey Gardens-esque vibe to their relationship. Kate is a grown woman with a career, and yet she still feels compelled to live at home with her controlling father. But there are also elements of a crime novel through the reopened investigation into the twenty-year-old murder... and a new one that occurs right on Kate's doorstep.
All in all, this is an intriguing and addictive novel that may make some readers uncomfortable, but makes for one fascinating read.
Lay Death at Her Door opens with a jarring confession: Twenty years ago, a man was murdered and a girl was raped, and the girl's testimony put the killer behind bars. She lied. Now 42, Kate Cranbrook finds that the past has come back to haunt her. The man convicted of both the crimes has been exonerated due to new evidence, and everyone wants to know what really happened. And Kate knows. But it's a secret she'll take to her grave.
The novel, told from Kate's first-person perspective, is written as if Kate herself sat down at the end of the story to write her side of it. And Kate is an incredibly unreliable narrator. She has her own motivations, and they don't include telling the reader the truth. And yet, bit by bit, the real story of what happened comes together, all building up to a shocking twist.
Buhman has crafted a skillfully constructed narrative and a truly memorable protagonist. You won't forget Kate. You'll probably hate her by the end, but she'll stay with you long after the book has ended. Kate is a manipulative storyteller whose deftness with words makes her sympathetic despite her general horridness. She's selfish, arrogant, elitist, and very possibly a psychopath (in the clinical sense - she doesn't seem capable of compassion). And yet you almost don't notice at first because of the way Buhman presents Kate's point of view. Kate is a perfectly rational person, and it's easy to see why she does the things she does.
Lay Death at Her Door has been called a thriller, but it really falls under that somewhat ill-defined crossover between thriller and women's fiction - along the lines of Gone Girl. Unlike a traditional thriller, Lay Death doesn't follow its protagonist through danger and mystery. Much of the story is devoted to depicting Kate's uncomfortable relationship with her father, Pops. There's a Grey Gardens-esque vibe to their relationship. Kate is a grown woman with a career, and yet she still feels compelled to live at home with her controlling father. But there are also elements of a crime novel through the reopened investigation into the twenty-year-old murder... and a new one that occurs right on Kate's doorstep.
All in all, this is an intriguing and addictive novel that may make some readers uncomfortable, but makes for one fascinating read.
June 26, 2017
In spite of a wonderful opening, no story is worth spending time with the thoroughly despicable person the MC is.
DNF
DNF
June 28, 2017
Kate Cranbook was a victim and the only witness to a killer and her rape. Her testimony sent a man to jail. Now, twenty years later, DNA has proved that she sent an innocent man to jail and her whole life is being turned upside down.
I have to admit, I just didn't like Kate. She was very self centered, usually you love the heroine of the book..I almost quit reading, but was to curious about where this one was going..I never guessed the ending and it was truly one you will miss.
Kate's father, Pop, lives with her. They both fled from Africa when they had a coup and arrived in America. Thanks to Pop's sister, he is a rich man as she died and left everything to him. But Pop is so overly protective of Kate, he never lets her out of his sight and Kate is trying to run a business.
She does meet a man, and thinks she has fallen in love, but Pop always interferes with everything, even her love life..
When a man from Kate's past arrived in her town, she starts seeing him again..They are just good friends, but that doesn't stop him from being murdered! Now Kate is in the limelight again, she found his body and they think Kate may be involved.
I am glad that I didn't put this one down based on not liking Kate. I don't think you will see that end coming!
I have to admit, I just didn't like Kate. She was very self centered, usually you love the heroine of the book..I almost quit reading, but was to curious about where this one was going..I never guessed the ending and it was truly one you will miss.
Kate's father, Pop, lives with her. They both fled from Africa when they had a coup and arrived in America. Thanks to Pop's sister, he is a rich man as she died and left everything to him. But Pop is so overly protective of Kate, he never lets her out of his sight and Kate is trying to run a business.
She does meet a man, and thinks she has fallen in love, but Pop always interferes with everything, even her love life..
When a man from Kate's past arrived in her town, she starts seeing him again..They are just good friends, but that doesn't stop him from being murdered! Now Kate is in the limelight again, she found his body and they think Kate may be involved.
I am glad that I didn't put this one down based on not liking Kate. I don't think you will see that end coming!
October 5, 2017
I'm going with 3 stars because the writing is excellent. The protagonist, Kate, is so despicable that I had a hard time finishing the book (which I did, just to see what happened). It generally doesn't bother me if a main character is not likable, but for some reason, Kate was the worst. The pathological lying, conceit (I didn't pick up a sense of inferiority, as some did), and utter disdain for everyone but herself, put me off. There was a little too much detail on unimportant things, and it was boring after a lengthy discourse on garden plants.
Anyway, I don't know if I'll read Elizabeth Buhmann again, but this was definitely not one of my favorites.
Anyway, I don't know if I'll read Elizabeth Buhmann again, but this was definitely not one of my favorites.
March 29, 2018
I really enjoyed this --- the writing kept making me want to turn the page to see what happened next! The main character, Kate, is not something you'll end up liking, but it was a pretty interesting read to see how her mind worked through keeping track of all of her lies.
The plot is a little bit all over the place, although I think that's mainly b/c Kate's mind is also all over the place. There's a twist at the end that you may figure out before then (I figured out a part of it early on) and I actually liked the "summary" at the end -- there weren't any lingering questions except maybe "Well, what happens to Kate now?"
Overall, worth a read.
The plot is a little bit all over the place, although I think that's mainly b/c Kate's mind is also all over the place. There's a twist at the end that you may figure out before then (I figured out a part of it early on) and I actually liked the "summary" at the end -- there weren't any lingering questions except maybe "Well, what happens to Kate now?"
Overall, worth a read.
July 12, 2019
Kate Cranbook was the sole witness who identified Jules Jefferson as her rapist. When Jefferson is exonerated with DNA evidence and released after twenty years, Kate is forced to confront her lie that put him in prison.
This book is well written, with lots of layers and interesting characters. The character relationships and interactions are nicely crafted and woven into the story. Through most of the book, the plot seems secondary to the characterizations but is nevertheless very original. The prose is clean and straightforward, pulling the reader along effortlessly. The conclusion is surprising and ties up a multitude of loose ends.
This book is well written, with lots of layers and interesting characters. The character relationships and interactions are nicely crafted and woven into the story. Through most of the book, the plot seems secondary to the characterizations but is nevertheless very original. The prose is clean and straightforward, pulling the reader along effortlessly. The conclusion is surprising and ties up a multitude of loose ends.
January 10, 2018
Interesting
This story had some issues or I would have given higher rating. Moved too slow. Characters so infrequently mentioned that you can't recall who they are. Lastly, who is Jefferson, mentioned at end and I don't recall him.
Made no sense to kill max, at all. He would have been a great witness. Never should have had clipping. Made no sense to take it to begin with. Made no sense to show max. It was downfall that opened Pandora s box. Knowing what came from it I would not see her having it or instigating a divorce
This story had some issues or I would have given higher rating. Moved too slow. Characters so infrequently mentioned that you can't recall who they are. Lastly, who is Jefferson, mentioned at end and I don't recall him.
Made no sense to kill max, at all. He would have been a great witness. Never should have had clipping. Made no sense to take it to begin with. Made no sense to show max. It was downfall that opened Pandora s box. Knowing what came from it I would not see her having it or instigating a divorce
April 14, 2022
This was odd.
It was interesting at times, and infuriating at others.
There was a lot of time changes, and the narrator was less than reliable so there was a sense of... shakey ground and confusion throughout the story. None of the characters were relatable (not a big deal) but something about the way the story was written was difficult to get into.
If you have lots of patience, and enjoy Lifetime movies from a different time and messy unstable broads - this is the book for you.
It was interesting at times, and infuriating at others.
There was a lot of time changes, and the narrator was less than reliable so there was a sense of... shakey ground and confusion throughout the story. None of the characters were relatable (not a big deal) but something about the way the story was written was difficult to get into.
If you have lots of patience, and enjoy Lifetime movies from a different time and messy unstable broads - this is the book for you.
May 22, 2018
I don’t lie because I have a poor memory. Kate’s life is one huge lie. The relationship between Kate and her father is off, way off, but I was surprised but just how off it was. However, it all made sense.
Throughout the book, I thought Kate was a drama queen and a bit full of herself. She’s got an unnatural relationship with her father. She’s an alcoholic. She’s really not a nice person.
Throughout the book, I thought Kate was a drama queen and a bit full of herself. She’s got an unnatural relationship with her father. She’s an alcoholic. She’s really not a nice person.
July 11, 2017
Honestly the protagonist was so unlikeable, in all the wrong ways, I found myself completely unsympathetic and annoyed by her that it just spoiled the overall story. It is possible to create complex characters who are assholes who are still engaging, complicated and interesting. But in this case, nope.
August 8, 2017
I did not enjoy this book; I was able to figure out the "surprise" in the very beginning and I kept reading just because I started it. It was very long and drawn out (in my opinion) the main character Kate was all over the place and there was never a story line. I did not like her character at all; some people may enjoy the book and that is great but for me it fell flat.
June 16, 2017
Confusing story treat
The story starts out clearly then it starts to get confusing and as you get closer to the end starts to clear it was difficult to redirect didn't really enjoy it as much as some of the other stuff I've read
The story starts out clearly then it starts to get confusing and as you get closer to the end starts to clear it was difficult to redirect didn't really enjoy it as much as some of the other stuff I've read
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