Ring of Truth

A few years back when True Crime stories were plentiful, I greedily goobled them all up. Suddenly they disappeared. Not to worry. Along comes Nancy Pickard to take the genre of True Crime, merge it with a fictional murder mystery filled with psychologically satisfying characters and PRESTO CHANGEO-a great series is born.Alchemy to be sure!To the reviewer who mentioned that she wondered about Marie's own childhood..I suspect you have a treat in store. In the first book of this series -The Whole Truth, Marie received 2 mysterious phone calls from someone who claimed to know her "real" parents. I think Ms.Pickard has some more tricks up her sleeve and I cant wait for this very clever writer to use her deft sleight of hand to baffle her audience at every turn.Just when you think you know what you thought you knew....

This is one of the BEST books I have ever read. It is a book in a book. I have 9 of Nancy Pickard's books and all of the are really great but this one is the top of the list. It was hard to put down. I read it every chance I had to read. She is a wonderful author. This is the story of a true crime writer and we get to read the book she wrote and then how she feels about the crime and what she did after she wrote it. Do read this book. You will be glad you did.

Maybe it was just a good night to stay up with a page-turner. Ring of Truth, the second installment in Nancy Pickard's new series about true crime writer, Marie Lightfoot, kept me up well past bedtime the other night. It's not a perfect book - I'd give it 4 and 1/2 stars if the system allowed - but it's a good read.Lightfoot continues writing about true crime in her home state of Florida (including a nice essay pondering why Florida spawns so many wierd criminals - shades of Carl Hiaasen). This case involves a liberal minister sentenced to death for killing his wife. Ironically, the minister is a leader in the anti-death penalty movement in the state and has be advocating the release of another condemned killer. Marie's book looks at both murders. She's sent it to her publisher but has nagging doubts that something isn't quite right. When new evidence turns up, Marie can't resist revisiting the case...There are a number of things that set this book apart from the usual mystery fare. First, Pickard really knows how to write. Secondly, a true crime writing protagonist provides a great angle on crime. Marie, in theory, can talk with everyone involved. Even better, for the reader, is that Pickard alternates chapters between Marie's book and Pickard's narrative about Marie's ongoing investigation. It's a refreshing mix. Third, the conclusion is clever without coming completely from left field.I'm still a bit ambivalent about Marie. In a genre stuffed to the gills with protagonists "haunted by their pasts", it's a bit wierd to have a protagonist with virtually no past. This book has a bit more about life as a writer and Marie's love affair. But she still has no family or childhood. Definately different.Bottom-line: A good page-turner. Reading of the first book "The Whole Truth" would be helpful but isn't imperative.

Crime writer Marie Lightfoot has written a book about the case of a preacher accused of the murder of his wife in collusion with his mistress. The preacher was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death while his alleged accomplice was acquitted. Case closed, right? Not quite. As an aside in her book, Marie wrote briefly about the case of a young woman murdered several years before and the conviction and death sentence of her killer. In a strange twist of fate, Marie is given cause to second-guess her belief in the guilt of both accuseds and sets out to reinvestigate both cases. The witnesses and evidence she uncovers create more questions than answers, and this is one exciting read as Ms. Pickard ties it all together.

True crime fighter Marie Lightfoot has completed her latest true crime novel, Anything To BE Together, and sends it to her editor in New York. Her latest book centers on Robert F. Wing, a Florida minister, convicted of murdering his wife. Robert's co-defendant, Artemis McGregor, the woman he was allegedly having an affair with, received a not guilty verdict. Marie feels the case has too many loose ends to fully satisfy her that Robert killed Susana. When she obtains new evidence, she uses it to bait the person she thinks committed the crime. However, that ends tragically with the person guarding the information dead and the evidence gone. As Marie digs deeper, she places herself in danger from someone who prefers the status quo rather than the truth.Once again, Nancy Pickard has created a fascinating thriller centering on people who are not what they seem to be. The novel contains several shocking revelations, but nothing matches the frightening climax. Proponents of the death penalty will reconsider their position after reading RING OF TRUTH as Ms. Pickard makes her views quite clear on the subject. Harriet Klausner