| Title | : | Point Deception (Cape Perdido, #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0446611360 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780446611367 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 368 |
| Publication | : | First published July 1, 2001 |
Point Deception (Cape Perdido, #1) Reviews
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So much fog, so much screaming.
A moody but familiar setting from Muller, wrapped around the tale of (wait for it) a 1970s Northern California commune gone horribly wrong, with after-effects lingering into the present day. Muller always gives great place and this coastal California county sketched from whole cloth is vivid and familiar. I have driven through this county with this fog beading my windows, watching long grasses bent by the offshore breeze instead of the long single lane road that's carrying me away.
I was kind of meh on the heroine because a) her dog was a convenience rather than a character or character attribute but much more b) if you're a capable law enforcement person I find it hard to believe you let some New York City writer swan in and become your investigation partner.
I was very meh on the New York City writer, and much more enamored with his dead wife, which should tell you possibly more than you need to know about both me and him.
Great mystery, though.
Content notes: -
The book was a real page turner, not full of action, but the mystery was well crafted and kept my attention. The characters weren't as well rounded as Sharon and the Gang, but were decent enough for a standalone book.
The conclusion was rather anticlimatic and fell flat, especially if you're used to reading Sharon McCone shootouts and I felt the suicide near the end of the book served no purpose except to up the gore factor. Abusive men don't sudden get "conscience" and shoot themselves. -
Point Deception by Marcia Muller is the first book of the Cape Perdido mystery series, a contemporary mystery set on Highway 1 along the rugged, beautiful coastline of Northern California. Cape Perdido series books are set in fictitious Soledad County (between Mendocino & Humboldt counties), yet each is a standalone mystery.
Chrystal "Chryssie" is driving a borrowed Mercedes up the coast highway when it breaks down. She's unprepared for problems, under-dressed for the cool coastal breeze, desperate to get help and get away. She waits hours by the roadside as cars whiz by; even a sheriff's car passes.
Signal Port is "a town in trouble". 13 years ago, a horrific mass murder took place in nearby Cascada Canyon. Town residents are wary. They don't like outsiders. The case has not been solved. They don't talk about it at all; only refer to "Before" / "After".
Deputy Sheriff Rhoda Swift was first responder to the canyon, witnessed violent death up close. Mistakes were made by the team; as the rookie, she was blamed. It wrecked her life for years, now she keeps rigid control, works hard.
Guy Newberry writes books about "towns in trouble". He arrives from New York, begins asking about the murders (his enquiries are unwelcome). He too views life as "Before" / "After" a personal tragedy.
As the 13th anniversary of the canyon murders approaches, a "floater" is discovered (Chryssie), a town resident is killed on the highway, another disappears. Could these events be linked to the past? Rhoda decides she must reopen the unsolved case, find answers, right wrongs. With the town in denial, she can only rely on Guy to help investigate.
As events unfold, chapters alternate point of view between Chryssie, Rhoda and Guy. Why Chryssie was there; what she did before getting stranded. Rhoda's perspective reveals a great deal about the town's residents: relationships, strengths and weaknesses, crimes. Guy's perspective is an objective look by an experienced researcher, but without context.
An engrossing web of stories about past & present residents, their families, hopes and dreams. Many secrets come to light as Rhoda and Guy examine what led to the massacre and its subsequent cover-up. Together they uncover the truth; each overcome personal demons. But even Rhoda and Guy don't know it all - we the reader know more details, from Chryssie's memories. A real page-turner, that lingers in memory after its final page. -
This book was received from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
This is a non spoiler review, because you as reader need to read this book. Also, I feel sometimes I have in the past gave away to much of the plot line. This has diminished the pleasure for would be readers.
Wow this was a fast moving high stakes book that had me hooked from start to finish,
I literally couldn’t put it down. An immersive read here that is high on intrigue. A dynamic historical fiction with characters that you can root for. 1942 America is adjusting to its entrance into WW2, still reeling from the surprise military strike by the Japanese. Prejudice against Asians runs deep within New Orléans. Everyone held their breath as the steady march of The Axis campaign to seize the world. The Crescent City braced its self for an attack just like Pearl Harbor.
When Chinese-English scientist Thomas Ling on a mission, ends up in the psychic, Beatrix Patterson office of Finder of Lost Things.
The people and the detailed atmospheric imagery of Nola is brought to life through the authors exceptional writing expertise. Heart ponding suspenseful and engaging, I feel in love with both MC’s. Beatrix and Thomas mesh wonderfully together as their friendship develops as the storyline unfolds.
This a must read, for those who seek suburb characterization and gripping WW2 fiction. Make sure you grab yourself a copy Today! -
A young woman is stranded on a coastal highway and is seen by several of the drivers who pass her by. Then she disappears.
Police figure she got a ride and will be returning for her car, but days later she is found dead and local sheriff's Deputy Rhoda Swift feels guilty, she was among those sho passed by without stopping.
The death creates a fissure in the slowly dying community that hasn't been the same since a mass murder in the canyons of the area, a crime that has brought a writer among them asking questions about the massacre of two families.
Now both Swift and the writer, Guy Newberry, are asking questions. And two other woman turn up dead. There is something very serious happening in this town, and the short-staffed sheriff's department seems to be coming up short. Swift must look at her own past in her efforts to bring justice to the 13-year-old crime.
This is not my Marcia Muller book — I've read a number of her Sharon McCone novels and frankly, had a love-hate relationship with the character. But I don't have that with Rhoda Swift or this story. Swift is a gutsy and smart cookie - there's no self-pity for her situation or mistakes that she has made in the past. Just a job that she has and is determined to handle and see through to the end. This is a tense, suspenseful thriller that builds and builds, keeping the reader riveted to the pages. -
This is book one of a brand new urban fantasy series and I leaped at the opportunity to read and review.
I found myself struggling to get into this world and when I actually did, I found myself struggling to stay in this world. Don't get me wrong, Ms.Harper wove a brilliantly alternate London filled with supernatural creatures like vampires and werewolves so that wasn't the issue. The issue for me was Emma, the protagonist of the story. I did not connect with her at all. Maybe it was a you, it's me scenario but I really did not bond with her. Her idealistic views on how great the police is probably helped with that.
Consequently, some things didn't quite fit either, and seemed pretty unrealistic to me (yes yes I know, it's fiction) but she's essentially a rookie police detective and yet still, she was able to lead an investigation. Nope. That was a huge NOPE for me.
All in all, it was an ok read but it really didn't blow my mind. Would I pick up book 2? I might or I might not.
3 stars for the win though
**A copy of this book was provided through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.** -
I am not really into Supernatural series but this cover screamed read me!! Yes I do judge a book by their covers at first glance.
Sorry. But hey I am honest back to the review!
Helen Harper creates feisty, likable characters have a need to fight for what is right no matter what and a desire to be normal. Emma Bellamy was normal until something happened changing her forever!
I will be honest this would be a 5 star review but the ends had me scratching my head because it didn't match with the actions though out the series even when Emma spells it out for readers it still doesn't make since.
I love the author decision that using a persons name as the power to control another person. It was a interesting twist!
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advance copy of Helen Harper Brimstone Bound -
Helen Harper’s witty urban fantasies never fail to delight me, and Brimstone Bound is no exception. The first-person narrator, Emma Bellamy, has almost finished her training as a detective in London when she’s given her final trainee assignment: the Supernatural Squad. Although no one in their right mind wants such a post, she’s determined to make the best of policing the city’s vampires, werewolves, and assorted other “supes.” That is, until she herself is brutally murdered and wakes up in the morgue without a scratch on her. She’s not a vampire now, or a zombie, or anything anyone has heard of. Maybe her boss knows – oh no, now he’s been murdered, although it’s made to look like an accident.
Fast-paced, full of innovative plot twists, and always engaging, Harper’s latest is a quick, juicy read. -
I loved the world-building in an alternate London it was vivid and well written. The MC is a kick-ass heroine who is very close to completing training to become a full fledged detective.
I really enjoyed the original and well done take on the supernaturals in this world. It keeps some of the elements generally expected while adding new and intriguing elements. It was very well written
I feel this is a fantastic beginning to a new series. I am very excited for the next book.
Emma and Lukas have a fantastic team dynamic and are engagingcharacterswith great dynamics.
The book has a well paced stiry arc that keeps you interested. I will definitely be reading more from this author.
I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review. -
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC.
I really enjoyed this book, it was a strong beginning for the series, with both likeable and horrid characters, the fun is working out, who is who.
Emma Bellamy is one assignment away from making Detective when she’s assigned to Supernatural Squad, and it’s her worst fear becoming true, because nobody wants to be assigned to Supernatural Squad.
While attempting to solve the mystery of a missing werewolf, Emma meets a mysterious vampire, manages to get herself killed and wakes up in the morgue.
An excellent read, I’m looking forward to the next title in the series. -
The concept of this book intrigued me – a machine that records our dreams – it sounds like a very dangerous invention and I was interested to see how the story line would evolve. I enjoyed that characters, especially Ben but there were moments where I felt the story line was unrealistic. The twists and turns were good but could have been better. Whilst the book was interesting, I didn’t enjoy this read it as much as I thought I would after reading the premise. I was given a free copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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Rhoda Swift is a sheriff’s deputy in Soledad County in California where she
Works,lives, and is haunted by the murder that happened thirteen years ago.
Now a body has been found in the sea off Point Deception. Guy Newberry
An author has also come to town to write a book about the unsolved murder.
Can they work together to solve the case?
This is a different read from Muller’s McCone series, It moved slower and
Tied both cases together in the end. -
Absolutely amazing! I was a little hesitant at first to read. I am a big fan of urban fantasy, but find first person novels hard to relate to. That was not the case this time. Harper did a wonderful job right from the get-go. Emma is a strong female character and I loved the suspense. The ending was amazing and I am fascinated by the secondary characters the the relationships that developed with Emma. I highly recommend this book.
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I was not ready for this to end. If you are a fan of Anita Blake and any of the Darynda Jones novels, you will ABSOLUTELY LOVE this book. The story builds with twists that you do not see coming. I hope to learn more about Lukas and Emma. There are so many ways this series can go so I'm committed to the ride. Just amazing you will not be disappointed.
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A great middle grade book!
Well, great enough that it took me only a day to finish it out.
It is a kind of story everyone would love to indulge themselves into.
Glory is a really nice character, can be one of the "inspiration" kind of characters for the young readers.
The grown-ups don't seem to behave in properly adult manner! But, kind of a book which one would imagine as childhood dreams! -
I'm not sure what I was expecting with this one, but it surpassed my initial thoughts. It's a bit of a slow start, but then you're hooked. Fun little read and I will surely be keeping an eye out for future installments. Likable characters, believable world-building = fun escape for a few hours.
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This is my 1st review for Netgalley books:)
I really liked Glory, I thought she was really sweet, despite the heartrending things she had been thru in her life. I look forward to Reading further books by this author. -
Another Success
Marcia put together another successful murder mystery. First I’ve read in this series, so I had to learn the characters, but then I couldn’t put it down. Now I’m on to the next one! -
A novel set in WWII New Orleans .
Full of mystery and intrigue. A great storyline, and well developed characters. A very recommended read.
Five stars !
I received this ARC through Netgalley for a honest review. -
I have read a lot of books about World War II but this is the first set in New Orleans! It was an interesting and engaging read and I loved the main character, for all her flaws. A fairly short book, this is a good introduction into a genre which brings together fiction and history.
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First in new series. Like this better than the Sharon McCone mysteries by this author.
