If She Should Die

This was the first book I have read by Ms. Thompson. Anyone who says this is a bad book needs their head examined. All I can say is go out and buy a copy now. Great book for suspense lovers.

In looking over some of the customer reviews of Carlene Thompson's IF SHE SHOULD DIE, I've been surprised by how many people seem disappointed because the plot is neither simple nor formulaic. I have also been deeply offended of the many criticisms of Jeremy, the mentally challenged brother of the heroine. Having a mentally challenged brother of my own, I can tell you that Thompson has done an excellent job of portraying a person with an IQ of 70. As for the many characters in the book, each is interesting, different, and provides a believable red herring. And if anyone thinks the killer just "comes out of the blue," the reader did not pay attention to subtle clues. I have been a fan of Thompson's for a long time, but I believe her both her plots and her characters have become more complex. I, for one, see growth in her work, and would highly recommend IF SHE SHOULD DIE. And thank goodness someone has finally portrayed a mentally challenged young man as more than an entertaining fool!

Carlene Thompson is a master of suspense. She creates characters that you really "get to know". I have probably read every one of her books, and I am always surprised at the end. I hope that she keeps the books coming!

I found this book to be one of Thompson's most complex and interesting books. She creates a tale of a girl missing for years whose body turns up wrapped in plastic after a flood in the Ohio River. Shortly afterward, Dara's diary is found, giving clues as to who might have killed her. Christine Ireland, a woman who knew Dara and found the diary, sets out to find the killer, therefore putting her own life in danger. Christine's dilemna lies in the fact that she learns too late that the finding of the diary has also jeopardized the safety of her mentally challenged brother, Jeremy. Luckily, Thompson walks a fine line in characterizing Jeremy. While he is "slow," with an IQ of 70, he is not "cutsy" nor helpless. Think Forrest Gump--stong and skilled in some ways, childlike in others. I admit to being an avid fan of Thompson's, and in this book, I feel she has not only created a dark and haunting story, but several unforgettable characters.

In IF SHE SHOULD DIE, Carlene Thompson has created a haunting world of menace and murder. All of her characters are complex, but especially the first victim who largely comes to light through the pages of her diary. Thompson has also ventured into the world of the mentally challenged with the character of Jeremy, who is portrayed with accuracy and compassion. I loved this book and think it's another fine contribution to Thompson's body of work.