OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Friends in Low Places" by Evelena Evans.]

Friends in Low Places by Evelena Evans is a mystery novel that involves multiple murders. The story follows Jacy Adams who is an accountant. She resigns from a public accounting firm and joins Weaver Airlines for a less stressful life. However, her new company has many sinister secrets, and her life turns into a run for survival. There is a subplot involving two murders from Jacy’s past. The story is full of plot twists until the final page. The book deals with issues like sexual harassment in the workplace, child molestation and rape. However, the story is entertaining, fun-filled and fast-paced. It mostly reads like a cosy murder mystery with a tinge of romance.

I felt that Jacy’s story was a bit unrealistic. Even though she is a victim of rape, she jumps at every attractive man in her office. I could not fathom how a rape victim can be comfortable with any stranger invading her personal space. Even though she is introduced as a workaholic, her behaviour seems unprofessional. She observes the physical attractiveness of her co-workers and jokes to her friend, Krista, about it. She asks personal questions and participates in gossip straightaway. She lets people get too close and is not at all wary despite her past. Moreover, I felt Jacy and Krista were a tad over-dramatic in every scene.

The narrative alternates between multiple perspectives, but Jacy’s perspective dominates the story. In addition, there are repeated lines and some mansplaining. For example, Chad explains about Google Alerts and operating a TV remote. The lines about Jacy’s friends, Kevin and Krista, are repeated twice in different places. The definition of the term block hours is also repeated. There are also some loose plots, which do not necessarily move the story forward.

My initial observations and misgivings were shattered somewhere around the middle of the book. This is where the story's pace started to pick up and the twists appeared. Things started to make more sense as the author brought many hidden things to light. It was easy to keep track of the different storylines. Jacy has a set of warm and loving people around her. All of them are interesting. Jacy’s brother Danny and her friend Krista are likeable characters with spunk. By the end, I had started rooting for various characters like Danny, Kevin, Krista and even Paul, Jacy's ex-boyfriend. The romantic scenes are sweet and believable. The dog, Buddy, is a welcome addition to the story. The author keeps the reader guessing until the last page. Many mysterious threads thicken the suspense. I also liked that the author had addressed contemporary issues like sexual harassment in the workplace and drug trafficking.

I give Friends in Low Places by Evelena Evans 3 out of 4 stars. This is because of the incongruence in the portrayal of Jacy’s character as a rape victim. The author could have dealt with the issue a little deeper since the material for discussion was already there. Nevertheless, the book was well-edited, and I could find just one grammatical error. The story is a page-turner. Even though I have not given 4 stars, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and recommend it to anyone who likes page-turners and murder mysteries with romantic undertones. In short, this is an extremely enjoyable romance with likeable characters and the mystery of multiple murders. However, I do not recommend this book to anyone who likes serious characters and tight plots.

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Friends in Low Places
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Like srividyag1's review? Post a comment saying so!

Well, I guess the good outweighs the bad. The mystery, murder, romance, such a good combo in my book. I love tight plots and page turners as long as they're well written and devoid of glaring grammatical errors.

I hope there are enough plot twists to keep me glued to the end

Thanks for the review

Thank you for the great review! I agree, that Jacy's behavior looks very unrealistic for a rape victim. But the book still sounds engaging overall, and, I believe, the fans of mystery crime stories would appreciate it

Ellylion wrote: ↑27 Apr 2019, 08:01 Thank you for the great review! I agree, that Jacy's behavior looks very unrealistic for a rape victim. But the book still sounds engaging overall, and, I believe, the fans of mystery crime stories would appreciate it

Yes, I highly recommend the book since it’s very enjoyable. Thank you for your comment.

It sounds like this one was enjoyable once it got started. I'm not an expert in rape, but I think sometimes people deal with it by becoming more promiscuous, even though that seems counter-intuitive. This is a heavy book, so I'm not sure I'm up for it at the moment. I'll keep it in mind, though. Thanks.

I love fast-paced mysteries with a twist, and this book seems to be something I would enjoy. Thanks for a wonderful review!

This review almost opens up everything inside the book. I just loved the book and I will criticize the approach of reviewer on jacy, because there is no any standards to behave as a rape victim. And she overcame the dark past in easier way which is missing in many victims. The rape victim need not to scratch the same past and it's like some dog bitten in roadside which needs antibiotics but no worries throughout the life. I love the character jacy thoroughly.

I prefer more serious, deep and well-developed characters to go with the other mysteries in the plot. Jacy's personality is far from desirable, her behavior is regrettably ridiculous and as you have rightly noted, unrealistic. Thanks for such an on-point review.

I liked your comment that this almost reads like a cozy mystery. That piqued my interest. There are some heavy topics, but it seems like the author keeps you guessing and turning the pages. This looks good! Thanks for the recommendation.

Jachike 1 wrote: ↑27 Apr 2019, 02:53 Well, I guess the good outweighs the bad. The mystery, murder, romance, such a good combo in my book. I love tight plots and page turners as long as they're well written and devoid of glaring grammatical errors.

I hope there are enough plot twists to keep me glued to the end

Thanks for the review

Yes, there are some good plot twists till the end. Thanks for the comment

kandscreeley wrote: ↑27 Apr 2019, 11:25 It sounds like this one was enjoyable once it got started. I'm not an expert in rape, but I think sometimes people deal with it by becoming more promiscuous, even though that seems counter-intuitive. This is a heavy book, so I'm not sure I'm up for it at the moment. I'll keep it in mind, though. Thanks.

Yes, I agree with you. Sometimes people do deal with it that way. But I felt, in the book, it was quite incongruent - the way the character was described and the way she behaved. Anyway, the book was a cosy read, not at all heavy. I am sure anyone who likes cosy mysteries will love it. Thanks for the comment

Prisallen wrote: ↑27 Apr 2019, 12:20 I love fast-paced mysteries with a twist, and this book seems to be something I would enjoy. Thanks for a wonderful review!

Yes, I am sure you would. Happy reading! And, thanks for the comment!

Basmeen wrote: ↑28 Apr 2019, 01:47 This review almost opens up everything inside the book. I just loved the book and I will criticize the approach of reviewer on jacy, because there is no any standards to behave as a rape victim. And she overcame the dark past in easier way which is missing in many victims. The rape victim need not to scratch the same past and it's like some dog bitten in roadside which needs antibiotics but no worries throughout the life. I love the character jacy thoroughly.

Yes, I totally accept your criticism. I accept the fact that people deal with the trauma of rape in different ways. My observation was not at all on the psychology of rape victims. It was the observation of character development. Based on the character's description initially, her behaviour was different from how she actually behaved. Even before knowing she was a rape victim, I felt it. But, I loved Jacy by the end of the book, despite my initial thoughts. She is very easy-going and cool. Thanks for the comment

kdstrack wrote: ↑28 Apr 2019, 11:08 I liked your comment that this almost reads like a cozy mystery. That piqued my interest. There are some heavy topics, but it seems like the author keeps you guessing and turning the pages. This looks good! Thanks for the recommendation.

Yes, the author makes sure that the book doesn't go too serious despite the serious issues addressed. I loved that levity prescribed by the author. I do recommend it. Thanks for the comment

chiefsimplex wrote: ↑28 Apr 2019, 09:52 I prefer more serious, deep and well-developed characters to go with the other mysteries in the plot. Jacy's personality is far from desirable, her behavior is regrettably ridiculous and as you have rightly noted, unrealistic. Thanks for such an on-point review.

I would like to say that though the characters are not deep and mysterious, they were quite likeable. But, yes, it might not be what is expected by many who like their mysteries with all its complexities. Thank you for the comment