Perfect Match

Not only did the story really strike me as a mother, it made me really reflect on morals and the lengths we go to for people we love. It left me very satisfied, and wanting to explore more of Jodi's books.

Nina Frost, an aptly named assistant district attorney in the State of Maine appears to have it all. She is married to Caleb, who is a gifted builder and outdoorsman and has a 5-year-old son named Nathaniel. He is a Beatle fan with a fondness for the White Album. By early October of 2001, Nathaniel begins to withdraw. He stops speaking; becomes enuretic and acts out in kindergarten. Nathaniel shuts down and only communicates via sign language. Gradually, Nathaniel opens up and discloses that it was a priest who abused him. Nina literally goes ballistic. When she faces the priest in court on October 30, 2001 she shoots him to death, in front of many witnesses. By November of 2001, it was determined that she shot the wrong man. Francesca "Frankie" Martine, whom readers "met" in SALEM FALLS makes an appearance as an expert witness in this book. Her explanation of DNA is very interesting; in fact, her character is interesting, even though she has a "walk on" part. The subplot of her possible romantic interest in defense attorney Quentin Brown was never taken very far. That is to this book's credit. I admit that I was not overly fond of the frosty Nina, but I could understand her actions. She ends up in jail and, in an amazing show of faith, is released. This lasts for a few weeks until Quentin Brown catches her talking to a colleague whom she encounters in a grocery store. He literally has her arrested in the store, torn from her own child. Re-arrsested, she has to bide her time until her cavalry-like lawyer Fisher Carrington (doesn't that name sound like something out of a soap opera) comes through for her. She's released in time for Christmas, only to spend it with officer Patrick Ducharme as Caleb has taken Nathaniel to Canada in light of Nina's recent arrest. I just hated Patrick. He carried the torch for Nina; like Chris and Emily of THE PACT, they were friends from infancy on. As the story progesses, he was plainly a threat to the Frosts' marriage. I didn't like it when he and Nina had an unsurprising affair on Christmas Day 2001 and I really turned against him when he attacked Caleb in his own home for not rushing to post bail for Nina and later in the men's room at the court house. I was glad when Caleb called him on the affair he had with Caleb's wife in the men's room during the trial. I felt Patrick was way out of line and I wish he could have been brought up on assault charges for attacking Caleb and for shoving him in the restroom. That really tore it for me. Plain and simple, I truly hate that character. He was like a stalker and a danger to the Frosts' marriage and one wonders why Caleb put up with him as long as he did. That schmendrick Patrick was also acting in a conflict of interests - he interrogated Caleb, hoping he was the perpetrator and he visited Nina in jail when he knew she was not supposed to talk to him prior to the trial. He was a pathetic loser. Still, this is a very riveting read and the ending caught me

What do you want from an author? If you have to have indisputable facts and flawless logic then perhaps non-fiction is for you. The nay sayers of this book are hard to figure. Picoult has offered up a story that is unique and included some pretty good characters. This is not an epic novel to rival Twain or Hemingway but that is not what it is meant to be.It is meant to be a really good story that is well told with excellent flow of words. Our hero is a prosecutor of child sexual assault cases whose own 5 year old is sexually assaulted. Picoult does not get too graphic but adds enough to give the feel of crime scene drama. The plot blazes some new ground in originality. How she handles having a son as a victim will make you say Holy cow. Don't you get sick of the same stuff over and over? That is not the case here. Here is a new twist with decent characters and what I thought was a very novel close.I read lots of great stuff and have no qualms about blasting the bad stuff but this is a really well written volume that keeps your interest and has good characters. What more do you want from a book?

The new book out by Jodi Picoult is all I was hoping for and more. The writing is exquisite, layered in textures presented from several points of view, including that of a five year old child, and unfortunately in this case, pertinent to the world around us. I don?t think this woman can write a bad book and her subject matter always touches on the relevant subjects of the day.Nina Frost has spent a lot of time on the front lines in court with child molesters. Nina is a prosecutor for the State of Maine, a difficult job, and damaging to all who have to take part in it, especially the children who find themselves face to face with the accused when testifying. Nina?s world is about to take an about face when her own son Nathaniel is the victim of a molester. The lengths she takes, and the insanity her life becomes, is expressed brilliantly by the author who writes of Nina?s inner turmoil so deftly. ?This isn?t something I can get over, it is an atmosphere I need to learn to breath.?There were times in this book where my mouth literally fell open and the expected became the unexpected. To tell you more would give away the plot and this is one that surprised me till the very last page. I wouldn?t want it to do anything less for you.Another great book by this author includes THE PACT which broaches the subject of teen suicide in a unique and wonderful story of love that will leave you wanting more.Kelsana 5/21/02

I couldn't put this one down. It is one of Jodi Picoults's best books yet.It concerns sexual abuse of a 5 year old boy. The mother, Nina, is a prosecuter by profession and is trying to put away these child molesters all the time. She knows how difficult this can be. When her husband and her find out her son is a victim you find out how this can tear a family apart.The book goes into how each parent, Nina the mother and Caleb the father cope. Plus, you go into the mind of Nicholas, the young boy, and how he is dealing with his world during this time.This is a very taut and suspensful story with a lot of twists and turns. I found myself admiring and loathing Nina all at the same time yet feeling nothing but deep concern for Caleb and Nicholas.This is a very good book with a great ending!!!!!

From the very beginning of this book I was hooked! It is a story about a married couple, Nina and Caleb, whose 5 year old son they discover has been sexually abused. Nina is a driven no nonsense prosecuter and understands the system and how it works all too well.You see how each parent reacts to what happens and how they deal with it. I found myself really not liking Nina so much and feeling more for the father, Caleb, and how he was reacting and feeling. You are also taken into the mind of young Nathaniel and how he is handling his world.It is written so well and the characters are well developed. I found the ending to be a surprise and quite satisfying. If you have read Jodi Picoult before, this is one you have to read!!