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Crimes in a Second Language
Elnice Coker and her husband Arthur, retired schoolteachers, move from Indiana to the Hollywood Hills in a last-ditch attempt at novelty and happiness. California alone can’t do the trick, but when Elnice befriends her housecleaner, Solita, her life opens up to friendship and intrigue. Elnice teaches Solita English although Solita’s common-law husband, Luis, is against it. The women build a secret, tentative friendship.
Meanwhile, wannabe novelist Jason M is busy writing faulty information into tech manuals for airplane-making machines at a factory in the Valley. One of a swarm of corporate saboteurs scattered around Los Angeles, he’s bossed by a nameless, exacting mentor. But when he begins to have ethical doubts, he discovers it’s harder to get out than it was to get in.
The lure of easy money casts its spell over everybody, and as Elnice and Solita grow closer, they encounter treachery and danger where they least expect it. The saboteurs intertwine, innocent lives hang in the balance, and as Elnice risks everything to dig deeper, she learns the value of rejecting safety—and living life to the max.
Meanwhile, wannabe novelist Jason M is busy writing faulty information into tech manuals for airplane-making machines at a factory in the Valley. One of a swarm of corporate saboteurs scattered around Los Angeles, he’s bossed by a nameless, exacting mentor. But when he begins to have ethical doubts, he discovers it’s harder to get out than it was to get in.
The lure of easy money casts its spell over everybody, and as Elnice and Solita grow closer, they encounter treachery and danger where they least expect it. The saboteurs intertwine, innocent lives hang in the balance, and as Elnice risks everything to dig deeper, she learns the value of rejecting safety—and living life to the max.
271 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 21, 2017
21 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Sims
27 books112 followersElizabeth Sims is an American author and writing authority. Her novels include the Lambda Award-winning Lillian Byrd crime series and the Rita Farmer mystery series, and she writes frequently for Writer's Digest magazine, where she is a Contributing Editor.
Booklist calls her work "crime fiction as smart as it is compelling," and Crimespree magazine praises her "strong voice and wonderful characters."
Are you a writer too—or would you like to be one? If so, you might find inspiration in Elizabeth's book You've Got a Book in You: A Stress-Free Guide to Writing the Book of Your Dreams, published by Writer's Digest Books.
Elizabeth earned degrees in English from Michigan State University and Wayne State University, where she won the Tompkins Award for graduate fiction. She has worked as a reporter, editor, photographer, technical writer, bookseller, street busker, ranch hand, corporate executive, and symphonic percussionist. Elizabeth belongs to several literary societies as well as American Mensa.
To learn more about her and to view a full list of her available works, including free excerpts and book discussion guides, visit www.elizabethsims.com
There you can get in touch and / or join her newsgroup.
Booklist calls her work "crime fiction as smart as it is compelling," and Crimespree magazine praises her "strong voice and wonderful characters."
Are you a writer too—or would you like to be one? If so, you might find inspiration in Elizabeth's book You've Got a Book in You: A Stress-Free Guide to Writing the Book of Your Dreams, published by Writer's Digest Books.
Elizabeth earned degrees in English from Michigan State University and Wayne State University, where she won the Tompkins Award for graduate fiction. She has worked as a reporter, editor, photographer, technical writer, bookseller, street busker, ranch hand, corporate executive, and symphonic percussionist. Elizabeth belongs to several literary societies as well as American Mensa.
To learn more about her and to view a full list of her available works, including free excerpts and book discussion guides, visit www.elizabethsims.com
There you can get in touch and / or join her newsgroup.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 16, 2018
Quirky, eccentric, funny, thrilling, glorious -- I haven't enjoyed a novel so much in ages. As a writer, I loved taking note of how incredibly sharp all the descriptions are (and I generally don't like a whole lot of description) and as a reader, I just loved the style, content, plot and everything else about this novel.
June 28, 2017
Loved it! Great story, Brilliant Brilliant author.
Elizabeth Simms makes quite a departure from the witty outstanding Lillian Byrd Series . Crime is a Second Language is a stand-alone novel, which I read in one sitting. I just couldn’t put the book down until I found out what happened to Elnice and Solita.
Simms has a gifted ability to make the characters totally realistic and human. I love the depth of knowledge displayed in writing about Elnice and Arthur, you know them and care about what happens to them, that makes it an outstanding read. Totally recommend this enjoyable book.
Elizabeth Simms makes quite a departure from the witty outstanding Lillian Byrd Series . Crime is a Second Language is a stand-alone novel, which I read in one sitting. I just couldn’t put the book down until I found out what happened to Elnice and Solita.
Simms has a gifted ability to make the characters totally realistic and human. I love the depth of knowledge displayed in writing about Elnice and Arthur, you know them and care about what happens to them, that makes it an outstanding read. Totally recommend this enjoyable book.
November 10, 2020
This is by far the BEST BOOK I’ve read in 2020. The author does a fabulous job in ramping up the tension and keeping the reader glued to the pages. Great character and plot development. Elnice’s actions, Arthur’s rapid deterioration, Jason’s attack of conscience, Ty’s movie scheme, Luis’s dangerous secret, and Solina’s fears all come together for an incredible ending. Highly recommended!!!
Jason M is not a computer guy, and he’s not an engineer. He’s a writer. A writer, a bona fide writer. And has the hands to prove it: the slightly bent first joint of the right middle finger, the knuckles generally curled, a byproduct of extended writing, typing, and the general tension of genius. He works in a cube. A small one. A cubette.
…occasionally Elnice sees children peeking from the back seats of Range Rovers and Hummers, strapped in like quadriplegics. Their well-nourished faces view the world from identically rugged cocoons of safety.
Arthur releases her hand.
“Listen to me, Elnice. Ty Brandewine is not in the business of ripping people off. He’s our neighbor. We live next door to each other.”
“You mean we can’t afford to doubt him.”
Jason M is not a computer guy, and he’s not an engineer. He’s a writer. A writer, a bona fide writer. And has the hands to prove it: the slightly bent first joint of the right middle finger, the knuckles generally curled, a byproduct of extended writing, typing, and the general tension of genius. He works in a cube. A small one. A cubette.
…occasionally Elnice sees children peeking from the back seats of Range Rovers and Hummers, strapped in like quadriplegics. Their well-nourished faces view the world from identically rugged cocoons of safety.
Arthur releases her hand.
“Listen to me, Elnice. Ty Brandewine is not in the business of ripping people off. He’s our neighbor. We live next door to each other.”
“You mean we can’t afford to doubt him.”
May 18, 2021
I received a complimentary copy of this book with the request that I write an honest review. Elizabeth Sims has a knack for writing wildly divergent plot lines that are intriguing separately, and deeply compelling once intertwined in her deliberate, elegant style. Elnice is the textbook-typical retired teacher, and Solita, the stereotypical Mexican maid. Los Angeles is well, a crazy quilt of images and locations from the mean streets to the hills of Hollywood. Toss in corporate espionage and the draw of movie stardom, and you have, ta-da: Crimes in a Second Language. This wonderful book presents readers with an intricate mystery plot and deeply flawed, but appealing characters who manage to embrace life, even in its darkest form, while fighting to reinvent themselves. Grab your copy today.
November 13, 2020
Just exceptional. From sharp character development to deftly woven storylines to wry but poignant observations & asides, Sims delivers a mystery that goes well beyond the genre & truly stands as a genuine work of literature, while still proving an utterly satisfying page-turner. Truly fabulously done & can't wait to read more of her work....
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January 7, 2021I COULD NOT
Sorry. I kept reading.
Then went back to read the book description.
There was nothing interesting... no hook to pull me in and keep me.
I am sorry.
Sorry. I kept reading.
Then went back to read the book description.
There was nothing interesting... no hook to pull me in and keep me.
I am sorry.
October 10, 2018
As seen on Amazon: After receiving a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review, I can say that this book is awesome. I luffed this book, and I had been eagerly awaiting it for a year. Elnice proves to be an exciting and surprising protagonist. She's authentic and compassionate. When the need arises, she's tough as nails. Most of the chapters are from her point of view, but Sims has no problem switching it up between the sister storyline of corporate espionage. While weaving these tales, Sims tackles and criticizes timely issues of immigration, feminism, crony capitalism (not to be confused with laissez-faire capitalism), police states, gun rights, individual responsibility, and self-direction. Yet, this is a work novel purists will enjoy. My favorite part is commentary on the Watts Towers, which I'd never heard of before reading this book. Most of this story, however, takes place in the Hollywood Hills.You get 250+ pages and the first chapter of THE ACTRESS--a great deal. If you don't get this book, you will regret it.
August 2, 2017
Well written and entertaining.
November 12, 2018
I loved this book so much! Great characters, a plot that hooks you and keeps you guessing, and very well written!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews