Speak Softly, She Can Hear: A Novel

Well written for a first novel. Recommend this book for those who enjoy a well written book with a bit of a twist. I look forward to Ms Lewis's next book.

I found this book rivoting, have already paased it around to all my friends. Will look for more by the same author, good referral. Cathy

This is the story of a 16 year old girl who's made a terrible mistake, and has to live with it and pay for it for the next ten years of her life. The story is well written with characters who stick with you. You follow the main character through her journey to try to let go of something that is bigger than her. It is a thriller but it also touches on some issues we can all relate to, like cliques and friends, lying when it'll make things worse, friendship, etc. It's scary all right, and Pam Lewis puts in enough twists and turns to make you want to keep on reading all night. I really enjoyed that book a lot and would highly recommend it to anyone.

I would be lying if I didn't admit to being initially attracted to this book because of it's unique, intriguing cover. I have never seen a book jacket look that "cool"! So based on that, and reading the book summary inside, I took the plunge. I was not disappointed. I read this book over two days, and with all the snow and talk of "Vermont winters", it was a great way to cool down on these past 100+ degree August days. For a first novel, the author did a great job fleshing out the main character of Carole Mason. How a bad error in judgment by a 16 year old high school student ended up dictating the next 10 years of her life. The reader could actually feel the burden Carole carried around with her each and every day. "Eddie" was truly a character we could all loathe as well. Naomi on the other hand, was a bit sketchy in my eyes. I never did get a real feel for that character like I did the others. Nonetheless, it was a wonderful, coherent read, and I do recommend it!

In 1965 New York City Carole, an overweight shy student is determined to lose her virginity before she begins Vassar. Her best friend Naomi arranges for Carole to meet twenty-six year old Eddie in Vermont so he can teach her about sex. Carole gets very drunk so that when Rita appears for a ménage a trois she does it. Carole remembers little except that Rita is dead and Eddie claims she broke her neck. From that day forward, Carole's life is never the same. Eddie blackmails her for money and her parent's valuables. She runs away to San Francisco and lives in a commune with her friend Rachel and her son Pepper when Eddie once again shows up to terrorize Carole and even hits Pepper, scarring him for life. The small family relocates to Montpellier, Vermont where Carole opens a restaurant and moves in with the love of her life. She thinks she is safe until Naomi and Eddie arrive and their unholy triangle explodes in violence leaving two people dead and one severely injured. Carole is a vulnerable and frightened person but readers won't feel sorry for her because she allows herself to be a victim, first by letting Eddie intimidate her and then by causing her parents' untold grief when she runs away. Eddie is a true sociopath a remorseless stalker who enjoys tormenting Carole; he also keeps tabs on her so he can hurt her some more. Pam Lewis' debut novel is a chilling thriller, full of non-stop action that grips readers so much that they will finish this novel in one sitting. Harriet Klausner