Talk

I read Talk after I read Expose, and now I'm in the process of ordering more of Van Wormer's books. Talk was a great story. I appreciate how Van Wormer develops her characters, and how likeable yet diverse they are. The lead character, for instance, is a recovering alcholic. Her love interest is a possible suspect in the mystery, and "Alexandra Eyes" has her own secrets. When Jessica is kidnapped, she ends up rescuing and helping one of her kidnappers who was badly injured. I didn't feel compassion for him until the end of the book, when the plot comes together. And as for Leopold ... well you'll have to draw your own conclusions. It's an entertaining read. I want more.

Laura Van Wormer's books have the ability to keep me interested from the very first chapter. Usually it takes a few chapters to "get into" the story, but not with her books. I feel bad when I finish her books because I hate to leave the characters. "Just for the Summer" is another book that holds your attention from the beginning right to the end. Keep up the good work Laura.

This romantic mystery/thriller stands by itself as a well-structured story with the unusual twist of devoting the last fourth of the novel to the "fallout" from the kidnapping, instead of just ending with Jessica's rescue. But, the book is also a bonus for readers of Van Wormer's past novels. They have already spent a great deal of time with the main characters and so reading it is almost like attending a reunion, and "catching up." Let's hope that future books will also feature Cassy, Alexandra, Jessica and all of "The DBS Gang."

"Talk" stands by itself as a well-structured romantic mystery, with the unusual plot twist of devoting the last fourth of the novel to the characters' reactions AFTER the crime is solved. Readers of Van Wormer's past novels already know the characters and bring more to the story; it is almost like a reunion with old friends -- Cassy, Alexandra, and, of course, Jessica. While the book is not as densely-packed with wit and detail as "Riverside Drive" and "West End," it is still great to spend time with these characters again and I hope the author's future novels will continue to feature the DBS Gang.

Talk show host Jessica Wright owns prime time TV as her show seems to be watched by everyone. However, among her vast fan base is a nasty stalker, who knows more about the star than she knows about herself. This individual has information about the studio, Jessica's home, and her vacation house. He can enter any of the three without being caught even with the heightened security. The man has the audacity to leave personal gifts for Jessica without anyone seeing him drop the present off. Even with the police and the FBI searching for him and trying to discover his identity, he manages to kidnap Jessica, who is in for a fight where the stakes are her life. TALK is a well written novel that starts incredibly well, continues at a rapid pace, but slows down a bit after the abduction occurs. Jessica is a witty, intrepid character, but many of the recurring support players feel artificial when compared to their previous appearances. Still, Laura Van Wormer scribes an ent! ! ertaining thriller that will please fans of the series, female thrillers, and serial killer stories.Harriet Klausner