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Mortal Friends
“Murder, blackmail, and betrayal, all set against the glittering backdrop of Washington society.”
— The Today Show No one knows the world of high society better that New York Times bestselling author Jane Stanton Hitchcock—and no one captures its behind-the-scenes scandals and secrets better. In Mortal Friends, the Edgar® Award-nominated author of Trick of the Eye and Social Crimes offers readers a comedy of manners and murders which Barbara Goldsmith describes as a “dizzying dash through the heights of Washington society, a high velocity novel with more twists than a corkscrew.” Dominick Dunne said, “I had a great weekend with this book.” Find out how the other half live—and die—by spending some quality time with Mortal Friends .
— The Today Show No one knows the world of high society better that New York Times bestselling author Jane Stanton Hitchcock—and no one captures its behind-the-scenes scandals and secrets better. In Mortal Friends, the Edgar® Award-nominated author of Trick of the Eye and Social Crimes offers readers a comedy of manners and murders which Barbara Goldsmith describes as a “dizzying dash through the heights of Washington society, a high velocity novel with more twists than a corkscrew.” Dominick Dunne said, “I had a great weekend with this book.” Find out how the other half live—and die—by spending some quality time with Mortal Friends .
352 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2009
57 people are currently reading
354 people want to read
About the author
Jane Stanton Hitchcock
15 books222 followersJane Stanton Hitchcock was an American author, playwright, and screenwriter. She wrote several plays but is known mostly for her mystery novels Trick of the Eye, The Witches' Hammer, Social Crimes, One Dangerous Lady, Mortal Friends, and Bluff, which was the winner of the 2019 Hammett Prize. Hitchcock also wrote the screenplays for Our Time and First Love.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
April 6, 2013
I love Jane Stanton Hitchcock! Her psychological thrillers for the Dior wearing set are terrific. Loved (and feared) Social Crimes and Mortal Friends was just as good. I'm now going to read the submissions toClass Notes from my girls boarding school with greater care.
July 25, 2009
A murder mystery set in the political and social world of Washington D.C. has the potential to be incredibly intriguing, full of layers, and just plain suspenseful. Yet this book wasn't. It was a decent enough mystery, but the mystery portion was not the main focus of this book, being sidelined by the soap opera-y life of the main character, Reven, and it was, overall, just okay.
Reven is on the fringes of D.C.'s social circles, being invited to attend events with her best friend and her husband. When a body is discovered in the park near her house, a detective recruits Reven to be his informant, reporting on all the happenings at these social events in the hopes that her information will help catch the serial killer. Meanwhile, Reven is introduced to a few love interests and a new enemy.
I enjoyed the setting of the book. It was fun to read about the different events and all the ways people socialize and get business done. The love interests were less interesting, since Reven even admits she's not attracted to good guys, so it was hard at times to really sympathize with her when she was obviously going out with the wrong guys. Not only that, but Reven could be a bit dense when people were giving her information or hinting about stuff, so that frustrated me as well.
But mainly, I was disappointed by the pace of the book. I know not all mysteries have the same pace or the same excitement or thrills, but I don't think it's too much to ask for to expect some suspense! I didn't feel any suspense while reading. The book did a lot of telling instead of showing (ie, "this happened and then happened and then this happened, and now I'm seeing her for the first time since then!"), which sort of made the book drag at parts. I did enjoy a few of the twists at the end, and I thought the pace picked up quite a bit in the last 50 pages or so, although I had already guessed a few of the twists.
Overall, this was not a bad book by any means; it simply wasn't the best book either. I enjoyed reading it, but it's not one that I'd necessarily recommend to others.
Reven is on the fringes of D.C.'s social circles, being invited to attend events with her best friend and her husband. When a body is discovered in the park near her house, a detective recruits Reven to be his informant, reporting on all the happenings at these social events in the hopes that her information will help catch the serial killer. Meanwhile, Reven is introduced to a few love interests and a new enemy.
I enjoyed the setting of the book. It was fun to read about the different events and all the ways people socialize and get business done. The love interests were less interesting, since Reven even admits she's not attracted to good guys, so it was hard at times to really sympathize with her when she was obviously going out with the wrong guys. Not only that, but Reven could be a bit dense when people were giving her information or hinting about stuff, so that frustrated me as well.
But mainly, I was disappointed by the pace of the book. I know not all mysteries have the same pace or the same excitement or thrills, but I don't think it's too much to ask for to expect some suspense! I didn't feel any suspense while reading. The book did a lot of telling instead of showing (ie, "this happened and then happened and then this happened, and now I'm seeing her for the first time since then!"), which sort of made the book drag at parts. I did enjoy a few of the twists at the end, and I thought the pace picked up quite a bit in the last 50 pages or so, although I had already guessed a few of the twists.
Overall, this was not a bad book by any means; it simply wasn't the best book either. I enjoyed reading it, but it's not one that I'd necessarily recommend to others.
March 27, 2019
I choose Four Stars because the characters were rather odd in ways and I liked that part of the book, plus the characters were well drawn, I thought. I like puzzling over the characters in a story, that's part of the fun for me. The story was rather unpredictable with these somewhat unusual characters and the ones that seemed more normal seemed too normal not to have something hidden behind the façade, just maybe. And there was quite the villainess in a rather unusual fashion and she, too, seemed as though she might have another side to her underneath her nastiness although you couldn't care too much about it for all her shenanigans. Set in Washington DC, which is something I cannot imagine as far as the society and behavior there, the interesting yarn being spun, complete with the fictitious name dropping of dignitaries and the like was fun, too. I liked it all the way through until the end, not sure why I wouldn't give it a 5 Star rating... I did enjoy it, but it didn't completely keep me on the edge of my seat or up reading all night...maybe that's why it's a 4 Star instead.
June 8, 2022
Okay, Hitchcock isn’t Tolstoy ...and Mortal Friends is NOT War and Peace. But, she is a good writer and Mortal Friends, like her four previous novels, is a very good read.
Hitchcock writes in the first person and the protagonist in her previous three books was a women "of a certain age", prominent in New York City society. Her adventures on the social scene in NYC were interestingly played out and Hitchcock is a master at defining the ins and outs of that segment of New York high society, ie. living on the UES and active on charity boards.
In her new book, Hitchcock has moved the scene to Washington DC. Her protagonist is a youngish, single woman, an owner of a Georgetown antiques store, who is active on the Washington DC social scene. Here, the merely wealthy businessmen and bankers are joined by politicians, lobbyists, and other characters unique to Washington DC. The story has a murder, several, actually, and Hitchcock gives the reader a great, and varied, supporting cast to Reven Lynch, her main character.
Hitchcock is a good writer - she really is - and Mortal Friends, like her four previous novels has an easy flow to it. You'll enjoy it.
Hitchcock writes in the first person and the protagonist in her previous three books was a women "of a certain age", prominent in New York City society. Her adventures on the social scene in NYC were interestingly played out and Hitchcock is a master at defining the ins and outs of that segment of New York high society, ie. living on the UES and active on charity boards.
In her new book, Hitchcock has moved the scene to Washington DC. Her protagonist is a youngish, single woman, an owner of a Georgetown antiques store, who is active on the Washington DC social scene. Here, the merely wealthy businessmen and bankers are joined by politicians, lobbyists, and other characters unique to Washington DC. The story has a murder, several, actually, and Hitchcock gives the reader a great, and varied, supporting cast to Reven Lynch, her main character.
Hitchcock is a good writer - she really is - and Mortal Friends, like her four previous novels has an easy flow to it. You'll enjoy it.
August 5, 2018
A gentle and predictable thriller/mystery, if such a genre exists. By no means as cracking a read as Social Crimes - a 4 star review - this was quite a respectable read about disrespectable people disguising them as respectable.
Set in the whirlwind social scene of Washington, our main gal Reven (oh dear the story of why her parents named her that kind of sets the scene for the entire book, it's Never backwards) is on the very fringes of the power society that Washington seems to live and breathe by. Not a real 'player', she knows (and dates) players, and hence has an insider's knowledge of this scene.
Which comes under scrutiny when a series of appalling crimes against young women of a particular type (thin, brunette, lithe, etc) start getting brutally attacked and murdered, then left in public parks. Reven isn't actually all that interested in these crimes, but one of those 'players' she's very close to (an old school friend) is. And very interested too.
And so we follow along in Reven's not especially interesting life, although it's dressed up (like the proverbial sow with lipstick on) to seem fascinating. I actually got a little bored reading about all these supposedly magical social events amongst Washington's elite.
Anyway. Reven. The main character herself is quite dim-witted, although she's supposedly quite a social catch, which is why she's supposedly managed to stay on the social scene, albeit on the very fringes, all these years - being the witty type. She's amazingly slow and rather dull actually.
The story itself echoes our main gal's character, being rather dull and slow itself. But we cruise along, there's the occasional rock sticking out of the water where we can collectively go "oh, look, something interesting - look out!". But in the main, it's smooth sailing, with not a lot to look at. And whilst the ending is a surprise, it's a boring surprise.
Light, uninspiring and forgettable reading.
Set in the whirlwind social scene of Washington, our main gal Reven (oh dear the story of why her parents named her that kind of sets the scene for the entire book, it's Never backwards) is on the very fringes of the power society that Washington seems to live and breathe by. Not a real 'player', she knows (and dates) players, and hence has an insider's knowledge of this scene.
Which comes under scrutiny when a series of appalling crimes against young women of a particular type (thin, brunette, lithe, etc) start getting brutally attacked and murdered, then left in public parks. Reven isn't actually all that interested in these crimes, but one of those 'players' she's very close to (an old school friend) is. And very interested too.
And so we follow along in Reven's not especially interesting life, although it's dressed up (like the proverbial sow with lipstick on) to seem fascinating. I actually got a little bored reading about all these supposedly magical social events amongst Washington's elite.
Anyway. Reven. The main character herself is quite dim-witted, although she's supposedly quite a social catch, which is why she's supposedly managed to stay on the social scene, albeit on the very fringes, all these years - being the witty type. She's amazingly slow and rather dull actually.
The story itself echoes our main gal's character, being rather dull and slow itself. But we cruise along, there's the occasional rock sticking out of the water where we can collectively go "oh, look, something interesting - look out!". But in the main, it's smooth sailing, with not a lot to look at. And whilst the ending is a surprise, it's a boring surprise.
Light, uninspiring and forgettable reading.
August 18, 2009
Jane Stanton Hitchcock's newest novel Mortal Friends is a seductive mystery set in Georgetown, where the real Washington DC power lies.
When the Beltway Basher's latest victim is found in a nearby park, best friends society matron Violet and antique shop owner Reven get involved in the crime. Violet is obsessed with true life crime stories, and Reven becomes entangled when a police detective asks her for help in solving the case.
When the Beltway Basher's latest victim is found in a nearby park, best friends society matron Violet and antique shop owner Reven get involved in the crime. Violet is obsessed with true life crime stories, and Reven becomes entangled when a police detective asks her for help in solving the case.
Hitchcock expertly draws the reader into this story and the world of political high society in Washington DC. She gives enough clues for readers to think themselves very clever when they figure out a few of mysteries, then throws in some twists that will send the reader reeling with surprise.
Her descriptions of characters place them firmly in the mind of the reader.
"Grant was Mr. Straight Arrow. No, actually he was more like a totem pole: tall, wooden, and joyless."You get Grant right away from that. She describes an obscenely wealthy woman as wearing jewelry
"clearly designed to illuminate her bank account as much as her face".
Grant's statement about his overbearing mother
"Mother can't admit she's wrong, therefore she never is"explains a lot about Grant's relationship with her. But my favorite line is Reven's about her boarding school reunion
"Nobody looks great after forty. We just look better or worse than other people our age".That gives one pause to think.
The story moves along at a brisk pace, and Hitchcock spikes her novel with references to real events, like the Chandra Levy murder and the Washington DC sniper attacks, that add to its authenticity. Hitchcock clearly knows Washington DC society, and gives the reader the inside scoop on the intrigue of it.
Those who like mysteries that challenge the reader to pay close attention in an attempt to figure it out will appreciate this clever, seductive society story.
January 16, 2012
Reven Lynch is a middle-aged divorcee living in Washington D.C. running a small antique shop. When the latest victim of the "Beltway Basher" is found in the park where Reven and best friend Victoria jog, she thinks they may need adjust their route.
Victoria is the wife of prominent banker Grant Bolton. They rub elbows with many ambassadors, senators, and other members of high society. When they can, they include Reven in their plans.
When Detective Gunner approaches Reven in her shop with questions, she wonders if the rumors are true. Someone in high society is killing these girls. When Gunner asks Reven to be his snitch, she uses her place in society to listen and see everything and report anything back to him that seems off.
But when high rolling, trail blazing philanthropic Cynthia Rinehart appears suddenly on the scene, Victoria finds her marriage in deep water. Reven will have to keep her wits about her if she hopes to keep her friendship with Victoria. As secrets from the past are unleashed, the killer moves closer to his next victim.
Mortal Friends is a scandalous juicy mystery that rubs elbows with the rich and sultry. Written in the first person, Hitchcock takes us on a journey though the glitzy parties in Washington, and the dirty little secrets of many members of high society. With a splash of romance, a mystery to solve, and antics worthy of any front page newspaper, Mortal Friends is a gem!
Victoria is the wife of prominent banker Grant Bolton. They rub elbows with many ambassadors, senators, and other members of high society. When they can, they include Reven in their plans.
When Detective Gunner approaches Reven in her shop with questions, she wonders if the rumors are true. Someone in high society is killing these girls. When Gunner asks Reven to be his snitch, she uses her place in society to listen and see everything and report anything back to him that seems off.
But when high rolling, trail blazing philanthropic Cynthia Rinehart appears suddenly on the scene, Victoria finds her marriage in deep water. Reven will have to keep her wits about her if she hopes to keep her friendship with Victoria. As secrets from the past are unleashed, the killer moves closer to his next victim.
Mortal Friends is a scandalous juicy mystery that rubs elbows with the rich and sultry. Written in the first person, Hitchcock takes us on a journey though the glitzy parties in Washington, and the dirty little secrets of many members of high society. With a splash of romance, a mystery to solve, and antics worthy of any front page newspaper, Mortal Friends is a gem!
February 27, 2022
Washing DC’s high society set is not sleeping soundly these days and it’s not only due to the unsolved murders by the elusive Beltway Basher.
Invitation only galas, charity balls and exclusive black-tie dinners attended by the ultra-wealthy and very self-important are being hijacked and upstaged by a glamorous new Philanthropist. Strategize your alliances and hold on to your husband!
The wives of Ambassadors, Senators and Bank Presidents galavant around Georgetown during the day; lunching, shopping, schmoozing, gossiping (about each other), and conspiring on the serial killer’s identity.
Evening events for The Who’s Who are designed to showcase your best jewels, designer frock and social status. You cannot solidify your social position until you make it on to the list to receive “the most important” invites to attend “the most important” events. The goal is to make an appearance in the society pages the next day. Out of sight is out of mind in these parts of town!
Underneath the old world hierarchy and public displays of wealth and grandeur are people behaving badly (well, not all, but quite a few!). The lovely Georgetown life is a privileged house of cards. Play your cards right and Georgetown is your oyster. Get exposed as a commoner and you are off the list.
Enjoy the titillating antics of the women who appear in the Washington DC social pages. These women (and men) will stop at nothing to maintain their coveted ranking amongst high society.
Invitation only galas, charity balls and exclusive black-tie dinners attended by the ultra-wealthy and very self-important are being hijacked and upstaged by a glamorous new Philanthropist. Strategize your alliances and hold on to your husband!
The wives of Ambassadors, Senators and Bank Presidents galavant around Georgetown during the day; lunching, shopping, schmoozing, gossiping (about each other), and conspiring on the serial killer’s identity.
Evening events for The Who’s Who are designed to showcase your best jewels, designer frock and social status. You cannot solidify your social position until you make it on to the list to receive “the most important” invites to attend “the most important” events. The goal is to make an appearance in the society pages the next day. Out of sight is out of mind in these parts of town!
Underneath the old world hierarchy and public displays of wealth and grandeur are people behaving badly (well, not all, but quite a few!). The lovely Georgetown life is a privileged house of cards. Play your cards right and Georgetown is your oyster. Get exposed as a commoner and you are off the list.
Enjoy the titillating antics of the women who appear in the Washington DC social pages. These women (and men) will stop at nothing to maintain their coveted ranking amongst high society.
April 16, 2020
Just a suggestion, do NOT start this book thinking you'll just read a little here and there. I put off everything so I could finish this book! I absolutely loved Ms. Hitchcock's previous novels and was a little bummed to see she didn't continue with Jo Slater, but within the first couple chapters of this book, I was thinking 'Jo who?'
I really liked the main character here, Reven Lynch, even if she was a little flighty at times (especially near the end). I thought numerous times I had everything figured out, only to be completely wrong! This is not at ALL a predictable, high society whodunit. A few mini-stories are going on all at the same time, but it's never confusing or too much...who is Cynthia Rinehart, and how exactly does she spend her money? Is the Beltway Basher someone in the upper crust of society, and how does he choose his victims? Does Reven REALLY know the people who are closest to her?
Overall, I DEFINITELY recommend this. Ms. Hitchcock has a real knack for portraying an image of high society without making it seem silly and unrealistic. If you're at all interested in reading this, I say go for it, and when you've finished, pick up 'Social Crimes' and 'One Dangerous Lady', also excellent Hitchcock novels.
I really liked the main character here, Reven Lynch, even if she was a little flighty at times (especially near the end). I thought numerous times I had everything figured out, only to be completely wrong! This is not at ALL a predictable, high society whodunit. A few mini-stories are going on all at the same time, but it's never confusing or too much...who is Cynthia Rinehart, and how exactly does she spend her money? Is the Beltway Basher someone in the upper crust of society, and how does he choose his victims? Does Reven REALLY know the people who are closest to her?
Overall, I DEFINITELY recommend this. Ms. Hitchcock has a real knack for portraying an image of high society without making it seem silly and unrealistic. If you're at all interested in reading this, I say go for it, and when you've finished, pick up 'Social Crimes' and 'One Dangerous Lady', also excellent Hitchcock novels.
May 19, 2014
I had hoped this book would be an engrossing murder mystery sprinkled with some social satire and romance. It only achieved a "kind of" on most of those scores.
While the book opens with the latest in a series of murders, the focus of the novel really is the social scene of DC's elite, as seen through the eyes of hanger-on Reven. Reven may take exception to that classification, but it is what she is. She seems to get no joy from the social gatherings she attends; yet, she continues to go while under no obligation to do so, as she does not have the power or status that requires her to see and be seen. This description may make it seem as though I disliked Reven. I didn't, but I also failed to connect with her. Despite the story being told from her POV, I felt that we got a much clearer picture of her best friend, Violet, than we ever got of Reven.
The murder plotline had a few twists, but was also somewhat predictable, and the novel's secondary don't have much depth. Not a bad read, but not a great one either.
While the book opens with the latest in a series of murders, the focus of the novel really is the social scene of DC's elite, as seen through the eyes of hanger-on Reven. Reven may take exception to that classification, but it is what she is. She seems to get no joy from the social gatherings she attends; yet, she continues to go while under no obligation to do so, as she does not have the power or status that requires her to see and be seen. This description may make it seem as though I disliked Reven. I didn't, but I also failed to connect with her. Despite the story being told from her POV, I felt that we got a much clearer picture of her best friend, Violet, than we ever got of Reven.
The murder plotline had a few twists, but was also somewhat predictable, and the novel's secondary don't have much depth. Not a bad read, but not a great one either.
March 23, 2010
Reven Lynch is the sophisticated owner of an antiques business in Georgetown; she travels with the social elite of Washington DC. This 40+ witty, beautiful woman's best friend and former classmate is Violet who is married to one of the monied powerful of D.C. Violet is obsessed with crime and serial killers while Reven struggles to find a good man and keep her business solvent.
A new philanthropic woman comes on the scene and sets her talons into men, money, fame, and infamy. At the same time, a serial killer called the Beltway Basher is murdering young women. Reven is approached by the police to help since the suspects seem to run in the same social strata.
An entertaining novel with a good mystery. You like the characters despite their allusions and pretensions. The details and glitterati of WDC is great, though I'm sure there are some pretty good insider jokes. Really enjoyable!
A new philanthropic woman comes on the scene and sets her talons into men, money, fame, and infamy. At the same time, a serial killer called the Beltway Basher is murdering young women. Reven is approached by the police to help since the suspects seem to run in the same social strata.
An entertaining novel with a good mystery. You like the characters despite their allusions and pretensions. The details and glitterati of WDC is great, though I'm sure there are some pretty good insider jokes. Really enjoyable!
February 8, 2013
I looked for Hitchcock's books on the library shelves because Linda Fairstein mentioned her as a mentor and friend in her books, and I do like Linda Fairstein's mystery thrillers! At first I thought I was going to abandon this book as being shallow, but it got to be a fun mystery. It is nothing like Fairstein's, which are much more serious. Reven, the main character in Mortal Friends, owns an antique shop in Georgetown in D.C., attends a parties where she gets to rub elbows with the rich and powerful, and ever has a few dates with a Senator farmer from Kansas. A serial killer has everyone nervous in Washington, and, of course, Reven finds herself involved, as well as her best friend Violet, who is married to a rich and powerful (and connected) old-money Potomas banker. It is a quick and fun mystery.
August 18, 2009
I've read everything that Jane Stanton Hitchcok has written, and this book was the least satisfying. A quick read, and fairly engaging, but also a bit predictable and cetainly not as acidly humorous as Social Crimes or Trompe L'oil. It seems as if she is doing the same book again and again, and for me it is losing it's freshness.
Plus, I really did not like her heroine (the narrator) very much--and there was a big loose end at the end, so it felt a bit unresolved.
If this is your first JSH book, you might like it more. But for me, she is getting a bit repetitive--same characters, different settings.
Plus, I really did not like her heroine (the narrator) very much--and there was a big loose end at the end, so it felt a bit unresolved.
If this is your first JSH book, you might like it more. But for me, she is getting a bit repetitive--same characters, different settings.
June 15, 2013
This book was delightfully bitchy. It's literary merit may be laughably minimal, but I couldn't put it down.
My edition of the book contained an interview with the author in which the interviewer asked what the author's hopes for the book were. The author replied that she hoped it would be a great beach read.
Well, mission accomplished. After a year, I won't even remember what happened in it. But damn, it was fun for a few days!
Added bonuses: 1) the book had a neat little insider's view of Washington snarkery and 2) I learned a new word: eleemosynary.
My edition of the book contained an interview with the author in which the interviewer asked what the author's hopes for the book were. The author replied that she hoped it would be a great beach read.
Well, mission accomplished. After a year, I won't even remember what happened in it. But damn, it was fun for a few days!
Added bonuses: 1) the book had a neat little insider's view of Washington snarkery and 2) I learned a new word: eleemosynary.
January 23, 2013
I enjoyed this book as I got into it. I had to understand the social inner workings of the DC socialites. After reading a few chapters, I began to love the story. I kept guessing at who was killing these girls and was sure I had figured it out several times. But I was wrong every time. Reven was a great character. I loved the way she trusted every one as I often do. She was wrong too. A great mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end.
March 13, 2019
Another great book by Jan Stanton Hitchcock! This time the author takes a swipe at the society circle of wealth, privilege, politics and influence in Washington D.C. and what an eye opening read it is. All the characters are skillfully and realistically portrayed, but it still keeps you guessing until the end. Love, love, love this book!!
September 7, 2009
There is something about Jane Stanton Hitchcock's books I really like. A mystery to solve, interesting women characters, the world of the rich and famous, good writing.
The whole mix makes it a good, fast and satisfying read.
The whole mix makes it a good, fast and satisfying read.
January 18, 2013
This was my favorite by her thus far. I could not put it down because I was dying to know "whodunit". I liked the fact that things weren't always what they seemed in the book, so it does keep you on your toes a bit.
October 12, 2021
Mortal Friends is a well written good story. All through the book the reader has ideas as to who did what to who only to be shockingly surprised at the end. The book received four stars in this review. It is highly recommended for a good story.
June 25, 2019
I listened to the audio in the car, in the heat, in traffic, in Florida. Glitzy novel. I enjoyed Bluff more.
February 4, 2020
Another fun read by Jane Stanton Hitchcock. Her writing is crisp, smart and witty. It involves murder and friendship in the Washington DC social scene.
December 28, 2019
Washington D.C. and the political and social world is reeling from the brutal murders of young women in the area. One detective thinks it’s someone high on the political ladder. He elects to enlist the help of an owner of an antique store to give him the gossip the detective needs to find out who the killer is. I loved this novel. It kept me guessing and the women are so much fun. They’re sweet to your face but they’ll stab you in the back if it helps them on the social ladder. A delightful read.
April 20, 2023
This book was actually quite ok! I’m surprised that I found out who the culprit was only at the very end of the book. Usually I have a good hunch of them way earlier.
The main character’s view of herself (being so proud of having gorgeous blonde hair, skinny waist and big boobs), was a bit annoying and unrealistic to be honest. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great to portray a woman with self-confidence in a book, but it could also be a bit more relatable.
Easy and fast to read!
The main character’s view of herself (being so proud of having gorgeous blonde hair, skinny waist and big boobs), was a bit annoying and unrealistic to be honest. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great to portray a woman with self-confidence in a book, but it could also be a bit more relatable.
Easy and fast to read!
July 28, 2025
A couple reasons to not waste time on this novel are the shallow, boring characters that don't grow throughout the book, and a convoluted plot that's not worth the energy to follow.
Some lines were tiresomely repeated, such as the non-stop comments about Violet's obsession with serial killers. Or sentences such as these in Chapter 38--"The twenty-fifth [reunion] is the one where even the most determined flower child realizes that she is now old enough to be her own mother"--which is replayed a few pages later--"I kept thinking that some of these girls looked old enough to be my mother. And then I realized we all looked old enough to be our mothers, because we were old enough to be our mothers!"
Some lines were tiresomely repeated, such as the non-stop comments about Violet's obsession with serial killers. Or sentences such as these in Chapter 38--"The twenty-fifth [reunion] is the one where even the most determined flower child realizes that she is now old enough to be her own mother"--which is replayed a few pages later--"I kept thinking that some of these girls looked old enough to be my mother. And then I realized we all looked old enough to be our mothers, because we were old enough to be our mothers!"
March 16, 2022
Not my favorite of her's, but I will always read anything she writes. I like over the top revenge stories and she's good at those. This isn't one of those, more of a high society lady trying to solve some murders, I still enjoyed it.
October 8, 2022
I love Jane Stanton Hitchcock's book. However, I wasn't thrilled with the ending of this one. Before then though, I wanted to abandon all my work and just listen to this story. I will read all of her books.
February 26, 2019
Interesting, engaging, nice twist at the end. I don't read a ton of mysteries but I thought this one was pretty fun.
August 27, 2021
Made me nostalgic for DC.
June 20, 2022
Enjoyable book
December 18, 2022
Love all her books. I’ve reread them all so many times. Usually every other year or so.
I wish she would write more books
Some day hopefully we will have another Jo Slater book
I wish she would write more books
Some day hopefully we will have another Jo Slater book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews