Official Review: Pretty Maidens All In A Row by J.M. Brown

[beebee216]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Pretty Maidens All In A Row" by J.M. Brown.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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Looking for a rollercoaster of a book? A book that has your heart pounding and makes you power through a pot of coffee just so you can stay awake and finish it? Well my dears I have found such a book, and have the caffeine headaches to prove it. J.M Brown set the bar high with her debut novel Pretty Maidens All In A Row. Crafting together a suspense thriller laced with crime and dipped in romance this book has a little something for everyone. As a disclaimer though I should warn some of the crime/sexual scenes are graphic and may not be a little something you'd want.

Mary Elizabeth Grange, Beth to her friends, never intended to capture the attention of a delusional psychopath. But then again no one ever really intends for that. She was just a girl enjoying her youth, crushing on boys, and anxiously awaiting the summer with her best friend Sally. How could she know that lurking in the dark was Richard Reed, a Norman Bates of sorts, with an unhealthy obsession for her. Richard had convinced himself that he needed to save Beth from the sinful influences around her. Including but not limited to, Jack Ashton, Beth's handsome school teacher who also set his sights on her. Richard knew that no matter how he had to go about it, Mary Elizabeth would be his.

You're intrigued,right? Just dying to know how it ends for Beth? Well honey that’s only the beginning. No, really, that's just part one. Following the horrendous times of her youth, Beth, now known only as Liz, beings nursing school in Newfoundland. Finally feeling as though her life is headed in the right direction Liz is shaken when she begins receiving ominous gifts from a mystery man. She gives these gifts little thought until she learns of the multiple deaths involving girls that bear a striking resemblance to herself. Quickly her nice normal life begins to crash around her, forcing her to return to the town where it all started.

As if part one wasn’t shocking enough, the ending to part two will leave you absolutely breathless. And in my case spitting coffee all over the floor you just cleaned. A good lesson for readers, don't have a drink in your mouth before a climactic twist ending. J.M Brown has managed to create a story that while touching on some hard topics, has you rooting for Mary Elizabeth the entire time. Proving that a dark and twisted tale doesn’t have to be without happiness and love, after all isn't that what life itself is? Keep in mind though that as a debut novel, it isn't without some editing flaws. Regardless I will be excited to see what J.M Brown has up her sleeve next.

I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. If you've been looking for a book that somehow combines Bates Motel, Dexter, and just a sprinkle of Fifty shades of Grey look no further. If you don’t like books that contain topics of sex, rape and murder look far far away, actually just close your eyes because this book is not for you. My only other suggestion is after reading this book, have a Disney movie on deck. Nothing gets paranoid ideas of someone watching you out of your mind quite like a Walt Disney production

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Pretty Maidens All In A Row
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[janettemary27]

Thanks to online book club for the wonderful review. It is very accurate and I hope anyone who reads it enjoys the book.....J.M. Brown.