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Snake Eyes
The unacknowledged evil within us and the evil outside to which we naively imagine we are immune--these are the themes that Rosamond Smith plumbs to their most secret depths in this terrifying novel. A murderer paroled after 10 years as a model prisoner invades the lives of a philanthropic family with devastating results.
280 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1992
37 people are currently reading
282 people want to read
About the author
Rosamond Smith
11 books39 followersRosamond Smith is a pseudonym for Joyce Carol Oates.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 20, 2017
Lee Roy Sears is a Vietnam veteran on death row, he was charged with murder and also had charges for rape and kidnapping that were later dropped. Michael O’Meara takes Lee's case probono and gets his sentence changed to life in prison, which eventually leads to Lee being paroled and let out. Lee spends his last few years in prison reforming and even starts an art therapy class which he hopes to continue when he gets out. The problem is that Lee really has no where to go once he leaves prison and so Michael vouches for him and gets him a job and place to stay in his suburb in New Jersey. Lee seems to integrate into the community well and for all accounts and purposes everything seems like it's going great but troubling incidents keep popping up that Michael can't help but think may be Lee's doing.
I liked Oates' other book that I read recently Starr Bright much more than this one. The writing is similar but for some reason here it just didn't work for me. The narrative goes off on tangents about the characters pasts and while it was interesting to read I found myself wonder a lot of the time where exactly the story is supposed to be going or what the relevance of the back story was to the plot. I also found the plot a little lack luster and obvious, the whole time we all know Lee is just going to go flying off the handle and it's hard to feel that bad for Michael because it just felt so expected that Lee would do that. I just personally couldn't get as into this one but I did enjoy the writing and can't wait to read the other ARCs for her work I got on netgalley.
I liked Oates' other book that I read recently Starr Bright much more than this one. The writing is similar but for some reason here it just didn't work for me. The narrative goes off on tangents about the characters pasts and while it was interesting to read I found myself wonder a lot of the time where exactly the story is supposed to be going or what the relevance of the back story was to the plot. I also found the plot a little lack luster and obvious, the whole time we all know Lee is just going to go flying off the handle and it's hard to feel that bad for Michael because it just felt so expected that Lee would do that. I just personally couldn't get as into this one but I did enjoy the writing and can't wait to read the other ARCs for her work I got on netgalley.
April 8, 2023
A yuppie lawyer gets a killer paroled. The lawyer, Michael, is a bleeding-heart do-gooder who sees the Killer, Lee Roy, as a victim of oppression and injustice. This liberality backfires badly. Rosamond makes the reader suffer from inside Michael's pinstripe suit. The story felt Highsmithian to me.
Joyce Carol Oates said she wanted a separate identity (Rosamond) for lean thrillers like Snake Eyes. Maybe this is leaner than her other books, but you would need to cut out about 100 pages of somewhat repetitious tension-building to make it as lean as a Gold Medal paperback. I like it the way it is.
Joyce Carol Oates said she wanted a separate identity (Rosamond) for lean thrillers like Snake Eyes. Maybe this is leaner than her other books, but you would need to cut out about 100 pages of somewhat repetitious tension-building to make it as lean as a Gold Medal paperback. I like it the way it is.
April 14, 2022
My copy is older than the one pictured. Rosamond Smith is really Joyce Carol Oates. I've read some of her other books, and this certainly is not of that quality. What a disappointment. None of the characters are likeable. A couple of interesting moments, but other than that it went nowhere. I kept reading thinking there must be something noteworthy on the next page, or the next chapter. The best part may be the jacket cover.
May 23, 2016
Quite an interesting book. Well written to make you wanna keep reading. Shows anybody trying to do good can run into evils of the world.
April 28, 2014
Rosamond Smith is Joyce Carol Oates. This book is a psychological study of a family caught up in a nightmare. Michael and Gina seem to be a very well to do couple with children but the story asks "are they really happy". As with most of Joyce Carol Oates' books there is a lot of darkness and many unanswered questions, there's always much to think about after reading her books. I would not recommend this book to anyone who is not a fan of JCO.
September 4, 2018
You know that thing where you’re on a roller coaster ticking slowly upward to the drop and you say, “Whyyyyyyy do I do this to myself??”. This is me when I crack open the spine of a Rosamond Smith. Every time.
November 29, 2020
The protagonist of Snake Eyes is Michael O’Meara, a successful NJ lawyer who works for a big pharmaceutical company. Michael has a guilt complex, stemming from an incident from his early childhood. He works pro-bono on behalf of Lee Roy Sears, a Vietnam veteran and death row inmate. As a result of Michael’s efforts, Lee Roy is freed from death row and his sentence commuted. As a community leader, Michael gets Lee Roy a position as artist in residence at a local art center. He invites Lee Roy to his home, where Lee Roy acts shy, boyish, and overwhelmed (at first). As time progresses, Lee Roy becomes a magnetic figure of evil, who has a violent sexual encounter with Michael’s sister Janet, almost certainly has an affair with Michael’s wife Gina, and exerts a subtle but corrupting influence on Michael’s twin sons. The action culminates with a shockingly violent assault on Michael’s wife (foreshadowed heavily by Lee Roy’s increasingly violent sculpture and paintings).
February 21, 2024
Lawyer Michael O'Meara does everything in his power to get Vietnam vet Lee Roy Sears released from prison. He truly believes Lee Roy is not guilty of the crimes he supposedly committed. Success!!
Lee Roy is moved to a half-way house near the home of Michael and his family. Lee Roy is an artist and is embraced by the people in this small and elite town.
Until.....
This is one of the most violent, graphic, nerve-wracking, interesting, and disturbing books I've read in a long time. But, I LOVED it. Under the very capable writing talents of JCO, readers are quickly swept up in the lives of the O'Meara family, their privileged friends, and Lee Roy Sears. From the get go, readers know everything regarding this book will be chilling, dark, and uneasy.
A good book, perhaps not for everyone. Prepare yourself for savage and vicious events. However, the writing is superb and the characters are realistic. I was on constant needles and pins.
Lee Roy is moved to a half-way house near the home of Michael and his family. Lee Roy is an artist and is embraced by the people in this small and elite town.
Until.....
This is one of the most violent, graphic, nerve-wracking, interesting, and disturbing books I've read in a long time. But, I LOVED it. Under the very capable writing talents of JCO, readers are quickly swept up in the lives of the O'Meara family, their privileged friends, and Lee Roy Sears. From the get go, readers know everything regarding this book will be chilling, dark, and uneasy.
A good book, perhaps not for everyone. Prepare yourself for savage and vicious events. However, the writing is superb and the characters are realistic. I was on constant needles and pins.
December 2, 2019
I thought, I was reading a legal thriller. But, I got surprised. The story turned into a horror novel of the 1st order. This book is hard to describe without mentioning the endings and conclusions.
The characters are believable. The attorney, family man, Michael, who is the main character, and does volunteer work for a legal charity. Michael helps a death-row inmate get his sentence commuted to life in prison, and then helps him get out of prison and start a new life. Michael's beautiful wife, develops an interest in helping the ex-con. Michael has twin boys, that also get to know the ex-con.
Once the killings start and the drama builds, it is difficult to see where the story is going.
The thought comes to mind, that no good deed goes unpunished.
The characters are believable. The attorney, family man, Michael, who is the main character, and does volunteer work for a legal charity. Michael helps a death-row inmate get his sentence commuted to life in prison, and then helps him get out of prison and start a new life. Michael's beautiful wife, develops an interest in helping the ex-con. Michael has twin boys, that also get to know the ex-con.
Once the killings start and the drama builds, it is difficult to see where the story is going.
The thought comes to mind, that no good deed goes unpunished.
February 6, 2025
JCOates is a masterful storyteller of the dark side of human nature beneath the perfect facade. I would also recommend "Zombie."
July 25, 2023
The secrets been out of the bag for years that Rosamond Smith was a pseudonym for Joyce Carol Oates, whom, I have wanted to read something by but not really sure her writing was up my alley. I gave Snakes Eyes a read thinking this might be JCO-lite which would be a good intro to her. However, Snake Eyes was just a boring book I kept hoping would get better. The overall story is about a lawyer that befriends a convict on death row and the tumultuous relationship that grows from there. I never knew what to think about Lee Roy Sears (Snake Eyes), there just wasn't enough insight into who he was. There is some class humor as the tables are turned on the lawyer's family and we learn about his backstory at the end of the novel. Unfortunately, I won't read more Rosamond Smith and I'm still doubtful I'll read anything by JCO.
May 6, 2018
I quite enjoyed the book from the outset although Rosamond Smith or JCO writes an extremely rambling narrative. Lots of inconsequential detail to pad out what seems a very straightforward tale. Whether this adds to the tension of the book - which is palpable at times- i do not know. The end completely befuddled me Just what is the author suggesting in the final chapters and epilogue - it makes no sense. Are we meant to believe that those final events described by Michael O'Meara's mother were inaccurate or that his sister at least believes them to be so? it is Not credible in my eyes but if that is not so why is it in? This book leaves me with more questions than answers and unhappily dissatisfied. That i am afraid will be reflected in the rating
October 28, 2018
Another suspenseful psychological thriller from Joyce Carol Oates writing as Rosamond Smith. In this one well-meaning but gullible New Jersey lawyer Michael O’Meara helps reprieve alleged killer Lee Roy Sears who is on death row. When Sears is later set free on parole, O’Meara manages not only to get Sears an artist’s residency, but also welcomes him into his home. Inevitably it’s not long before Sears’ true character starts to emerge and it’s downhill all the way after that. Oates is very good at maintaining tension and although there’s a certain amount of predictability in her plotting, there are enough twists and turns to sustain interest, and I found this a compelling and very enjoyable read – although with perhaps a tad too much gratuitous violence.
August 27, 2017
Wicked, pulpy goodness.
June 3, 2020
Svensk översättning: "Ormöga".
Rosamond Smith, alias för Joyce Carol Oates, när hon skriver i thriller-genren.
Rosamond Smith, alias för Joyce Carol Oates, när hon skriver i thriller-genren.
August 6, 2020
really did not enjoy this book. very typical "is he the bad guy?" no... yes.... no... yes....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2022
I loved it. So well written...
June 9, 2013
Lee Roy Sears ist als Veteran des Vietnamkriegs versehrt und drogenabhängig in seine Heimat zurückkehrt. Aus der Armee wird Sears nach einer Prügelei unehrenhaft entlassen und 1983 wegen Mord zum Tode verurteilt. Sears hat die Tat begangen, doch das Urteil ist angesichts der schwachen Beweislage ungerecht. Sears' Pflichtverteidiger vermasselt den Fall, weil er das Zusammenwirken von Sears Posttraumatischer Belastungsstörung und Agent Orange vor Gericht nicht plausibel darlegen kann. Als Sears angeklagt wird, sind in den USA bereits kritische Zeitungsartikel erschienen über den Zusammenhang zwischen der auffälligen Gewaltneigung unter Vietnam-Veteranen, ihrer PTBS und der Wirkung des von den US-Streitkräften in Vietnam eingesetzten Entlaubungsmittels. Der Jurist Michael O'Meara erreicht als ehrenamtlicher Vertreter einer Bürgerrechtsinitiative wegen Verfahrensmängeln für Sears die Umwandlung der Todesstrafe in eine lebenslange Haftstrafe. Sears wird überraschend nach wenigen Jahren aus der Haft entlassen, weil er sich im Gefängnis therapiewillig und gottesfürchtig gegeben hat. Michael ist inzwischen in der Rechtsabteilung eines Pharmakonzerns beruflich aufgestiegen, Vater eines Zwillingspaars und von der Freilassung seines damaligen Schützlings ziemlich überrumpelt.
Früh heizt Rosamond Smith (d. i. Joyce Carol Oates) die Spannung kräftig an durch rätselhafte Andeutungen auf Michaels Herkunfts-Familie, die von einem düsteren Geheimnis umwabert sein könnte, und auf andere als ehrenhafte Motive, die Michael gehabt haben könnte, um sich damals so flammend für Sears einzusetzen. Sears bekommt einen von liberalen Schöngeistern finanzierten Job, um mit traumatisierten Vietnam-Veteranen kunsttherapeutisch zu arbeiten. Obwohl Michael beruflich mit mehreren Schadenersatzklagen in Millionenhöhe wegen unberechenbarer Nebenwirkungen von Psychopharmaka zu tun hat, realisiert er nicht, auf welch gefährliches Spiel er sich mit dem Kontakt zu Lee Roy eingelassen hat. Der entlassene Häftling, der regelmäßig Medikamente nehmen muss, wirkt mit seinen Problemen alleingelassen. Außer Michael kümmert sich nur ein gutmütiger Bewährungshelfer um Sears. Der Mann, der als Findelkind die übliche Odyssee zwischen Pflegestellen und Erziehungsheim durchlief, findet es an der Zeit sich endlich Respekt zu verschaffen - und zwar besonders bei Frauen. Michaels Frau Gina, gelangweilt, wohlhabend und nicht allzu gebildet, ist in dieser Konstellation nicht nur keine Hilfe, sondern heizt die gefährliche Situation in ihrer Blauäugigkeit weiter an. Nicht nur Lee Roys gewaltiges Schlangen-Tattoo auf dem Unterarm sorgt für gepflegten Schauer, sondern auch die schwierige Persönlichkeit Michaels. Vordergründig glücklich und erfolgreich, wirkt Michael in Privat- und Berufsleben wie ein Träger zu groß geratener Kleidungsstücke. Michael hat sowohl eine Ausbildung zum Pfarrer wie auch ein Medizinstudium abgebrochen. Er wird von unerklärlichen Selbstzweifeln und diffusen Schuldgefühlen angetrieben, Gutes zu tun.
Wenn auch die Konstellation blauäugiger Gutmenschen, die dem realen Leben nicht gewachsen sind, stark an Lockender Engel erinnert, ist Rosamond Smith mit "Schlangenhaut" ein weiterer fesselnder Psycho-Thriller gelungen.
Früh heizt Rosamond Smith (d. i. Joyce Carol Oates) die Spannung kräftig an durch rätselhafte Andeutungen auf Michaels Herkunfts-Familie, die von einem düsteren Geheimnis umwabert sein könnte, und auf andere als ehrenhafte Motive, die Michael gehabt haben könnte, um sich damals so flammend für Sears einzusetzen. Sears bekommt einen von liberalen Schöngeistern finanzierten Job, um mit traumatisierten Vietnam-Veteranen kunsttherapeutisch zu arbeiten. Obwohl Michael beruflich mit mehreren Schadenersatzklagen in Millionenhöhe wegen unberechenbarer Nebenwirkungen von Psychopharmaka zu tun hat, realisiert er nicht, auf welch gefährliches Spiel er sich mit dem Kontakt zu Lee Roy eingelassen hat. Der entlassene Häftling, der regelmäßig Medikamente nehmen muss, wirkt mit seinen Problemen alleingelassen. Außer Michael kümmert sich nur ein gutmütiger Bewährungshelfer um Sears. Der Mann, der als Findelkind die übliche Odyssee zwischen Pflegestellen und Erziehungsheim durchlief, findet es an der Zeit sich endlich Respekt zu verschaffen - und zwar besonders bei Frauen. Michaels Frau Gina, gelangweilt, wohlhabend und nicht allzu gebildet, ist in dieser Konstellation nicht nur keine Hilfe, sondern heizt die gefährliche Situation in ihrer Blauäugigkeit weiter an. Nicht nur Lee Roys gewaltiges Schlangen-Tattoo auf dem Unterarm sorgt für gepflegten Schauer, sondern auch die schwierige Persönlichkeit Michaels. Vordergründig glücklich und erfolgreich, wirkt Michael in Privat- und Berufsleben wie ein Träger zu groß geratener Kleidungsstücke. Michael hat sowohl eine Ausbildung zum Pfarrer wie auch ein Medizinstudium abgebrochen. Er wird von unerklärlichen Selbstzweifeln und diffusen Schuldgefühlen angetrieben, Gutes zu tun.
Wenn auch die Konstellation blauäugiger Gutmenschen, die dem realen Leben nicht gewachsen sind, stark an Lockender Engel erinnert, ist Rosamond Smith mit "Schlangenhaut" ein weiterer fesselnder Psycho-Thriller gelungen.
September 12, 2012
Snake Eyes by Rosamond Smith (aka Joyce Carol Oates) was a terrible book! Only sheer determination to finish it got me through the first half. Part one was very dry and tediously detailed with irrelevant information to the point that only the most stubborn reader would keep plowing through.
The story improved with some action that began at about the halfway mark, but it was at times very difficult to follow the long rambling conversations without the distinction of who was talking when. QUOTES HELP even if the author didn't want to reveal who was whom. The "twist" ending was pretty predictable, and the only thing that even remotely interested me is what might happen with their twin boys now that they've seen and been influenced by such dark and deeply disturbed forces.
The story improved with some action that began at about the halfway mark, but it was at times very difficult to follow the long rambling conversations without the distinction of who was talking when. QUOTES HELP even if the author didn't want to reveal who was whom. The "twist" ending was pretty predictable, and the only thing that even remotely interested me is what might happen with their twin boys now that they've seen and been influenced by such dark and deeply disturbed forces.
August 23, 2016
i remember...being too young to read this book. i didnt get it at all, why the characters were acting the way they were. now it's...too real
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews