Social Crimes

Social Crimes is the most fun, interesting book I have read in years! I would recommend it to anyone! I can't say enough about this book - yet i can't stop talking about it - and I'm not even finished with it yet! (2 more chapters to go! I don't want it to end!!!) You would think the author herself went through this ordeal - the writing and story seems so real, with every detail and emotion spelled out. The reader almost feels as if she's sitting down with an old friend over coffee or vodka as she tells the story. Amazing.

In my opinion this book was amazing. I was gripped from the very first sentence "murder was never my goal in life" and could not let go. I totally identified with the heroine, as her social, financial and mental deterioration is described gradually and logically, and so her plan seems fitting and the ending completely natural. Jo is a very engaging character: she has dignity, confidence, willpower and impeccable taste - you cannot help liking her. The fact that she realises that the New York social scene and all it represents are superficial, but admits this is all she knows and therefore where she is at home at, makes her completely honest and sincere - to the point where you feel honoured that she lets you, the reader, into her confidence. Sure, you do feel the whole preoccupation with money and class is hideous at times - some parts of the story do ring impossible; the characters might not be the types of people you socialise with or would like to know. That is exactly why this book is brilliant - it transports you to this world where things you find trivial are vital, but succeeds to make you sympathise with it. And it does so with a style of writing fitting to the lovely paintings and antiques it describes. This is a pageturner.

"I literally could not put this book down. It is not only a fabulous read, but you feel like this author really knows the world she is writing about from the inside, and I learned a lot. Jo Slater is a great character and I found myself rooting for her against all my better instincts. You have to love a book whose first sentence is: "Murder was never my goal in life." It is sublime and subversive. What a tour de force! I can't wait for the sequel.

I've been waiting for several years since devouring Jane Stanton Hitchcock's first two novels (the Edgar-nominated TRICK OF THE EYE, and the sinister WITCHES'HAMMER) and now she's back in brilliant form. Just in time for a great beach read, but far more clever and perceptive than simply a delightful diversion, SOCIAL CRIMES nails New York's society mavens and manners absolutely dead-on. This is a writer who clearly knows her subject and the world about which she writes, makes you care about her characters, has a great sense of humor, and uses an obscure and stunning legal device to set the devious plot in motion. Hitchcock took me directly into her world and kept me there, riveted to the pages. The book is smart, funny, well-written - and, as one of the reviewers said, drawing my attention to the book - just delicious. Highly recommended.