Plot Twist

PLOT TWIST is the first Jane Rubino book I'd read but it was enough to convince me to immediately buy her backlist and put her on my auto-buy list for the future. If you like dialogue-driven stories, as I do, you'll like PLOT TWIST. It moves along at a snappy pace and never drags. The plot and characters remained fresh and kept my interest until the very last word. The very best part was that the ending totally surprised me. I had no clue as to the resolution of the mystery. I'm looking forward to catching up on the Cat Austen stories and hope Ms.Rubino has more in store for the readers.

...except for one small detail--this one should have been titled Plot Twists *Plural*, because that's what the book delivers. And delivers. And delivers. In addition, there's witty dialogue, memorable characters, and references to literature inserted with an entertaining deftness that amazes. Much of this particular book references earlier episodes in the series, but if you're a first time Rubino reader, that simply means you'll have the delightful opportunity of discovering and reading the earlier books. Personally, I'm now anticipating Cat Austen #5. Plot twists aside, I want to know what's REALLY going to happen between Cat and Victor...

Only Jane Rubino would have the boldness to write a devilishly entertaining parody of her own first novel! PLOT TWIST returns Cat Austen to the scene of the crime when a film crew comes to Atlantic City to re-create the DJ's murder from Cat's first escapade (Death of a DJ). Cat is hired as a consultant and finds herself mired in an eclectic mix of bizarre Hollywood folk- the rapper who is starting an acting career, the washed-out former TV star who is directing, the aspiring actress, the paranoid screenwriter and the elegant and beautiful Oscar award nominee who is playing Cat. Toss into the mix Rubino's own biting and hilarious observations on filmmaking, stardom, talk show hosts and hostesses and a very off-beat black market, add Rubino's signature Jersey dialogue, populate it with Cat's raucous Sicilian family all trying to get involved with the movie and Lieutenant Victor Calderone's unit trying to get themselves hired on as consultants, then spin it out to an out-of-the-blue plot twist that will leave you breathless, and you've got one of the best reads of the year! Intricately plotted with an unforgettable ending, PLOT TWIST will be among the best mystery reads of this year.

Cat Austin is the "Entertainment Girl" for a South jersey magazine when she becomes involved in a media blazing homicide investigation. In the aftermath of the case, the TV show Copwatch becomes interested in filming an actualization of what happened. Cat writes a few articles on the "Death of a Shock Jock." Victor Cardenas, Cat's significant other remains fascinated with only getting closer with her and avoids the movie people. Cat quickly turns bored with the whole affair and all the related retinue and wants to just go home.Starring in the film is movie goddess Tommi Ann Butler. Also snagging a bit part is one of the victims Ron Spivak, a reporter with the reputation of a vicious pit bull. In the midst of filming, Ron disappears, which leaves Cat to want to know what the odious journalist is writing about. He returns for the final shoot, but the prop gun contains a real bullet inside it. For her own peace of mind Cat needs to know was this an accident like that of Lee or was someone trying to silence Ron?Anytime a new Jane Rubino mystery is published, readers have just cause to celebrate, as her stories are witty and fun to figure out. PLOT TWIST, the author's latest and best novel, is a complex story line filled with saints who act like sinners and sinners who are actually saints. Trying to uncover who,s who leads to an entertaining satire. The supporting cast, especially Cat's family, add to the plot by providing a family drama feel to it. Ms. Rubino continues to provide enjoyable books that will send readers looking for previous Austen-Cardenas stories like DEATH OF A DJ.Harriet Klausner

There is a point in PLOT TWIST that will have you throwing the book down in amazement at how completely you've been taken in. But this book amounts to more than a couple of very stunning plot twists. It is an superbly plotted, often wildly funny and ultimately poignant book that is five stars above the ordinary mystery. Once again, Jane Rubino takes her southern New Jersey setting and her wonderful characters and sets them in motion in a page-turner that allows Rubino to take aim at targets like entertainment unions, talk show hosts, celebrities, and moviemaking, while provoking the reader to examine some interesting themes involving reality versus illusion. This is the most involving and entertaining book I have read in a long time. Rubino gets very high marks for the way in which she has developed one of the best casts and series around.