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Here are comments from our group of Advance Readers about Reed Arvin's THE LAST GOODBYE.
ALEMESH@aol.com
Have you read Reed Arvin's previous book?
I have never read him before, but have enjoyed Harlan Coben, Dennis Lehane's stand alone MYSTIC RIVER, Lydia LaPlante, Thomas Perry, Dan Brown, David Baldacci, and Nelson DeMille.
What did you think of THE LAST GOODBYE?
I had a very favorable impression of THE LAST GOODBYE. It was a real page turner, which is what I think we all expect from this type of book. I also was enthralled with his details of Atlanta, which I have never visited. I reminded me very much of the trouble Dennis Lehane takes with his revealing portrait of South Boston. I think the book had all the elements of a good suspense novel and the social commentary was troublingly true which caused me to figure out how it would all end.
Would you read future Reed Arvin books?
I wouldn't hesitate to pick up another of Mr Arvin's books and will look for his first one. I am a voracious reader and once I latch on to an author I typically devour everything he/she writes.
Bookcollector2@aol.com
Have you read Reed Arvin's previous book?
No, this is the first novel.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
David Baldacci
Dan Brown
Linda Howard
Nora Roberts
John Grisham
Karen Robards
Suzanne Brockmann
What did you think of THE LAST GOODBYE?
I truly enjoyed the book. The writing was wonderful. The beginning was a little difficult but after I got into the flow of Arvin's writing, it grew on me. The main character, Jack Hammond's mantra may have been 'strip it down and let it go' but Arvin's writing style is more thoughtful and complex.
Jack Hammond grew on me as well. I was moved by his struggle. "Until I make this one thing right in my life, I will have no peace." It's a great line. The author also did an amazing job of bringing together different worlds --- the world of criminal law, opera stars and pharmaceutical research. The computer hacking stuff was good too. THE LAST GOODBYE has a great cast of characters. Sammy Liston, Blu McClendon and Nightmare were fascinating secondary characters.
It was classified as a thriller but it's a slow build thriller. Arvin strength is in the powerful characters he creates rather than nail biting suspense. The payoff is just as powerful though. I highly recommend THE LAST GOODBYE.
Would you read future Reed Arvin books?
Oh yes, I'm sure I will try to read his previous book, THE WILL.
dashofbasenji@charter.net
Have you read Reed Arvin's previous book?
No, this was my first Reed Arvin Novel.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
I generally read James Patterson, Jonathan Kellerman, Faye Kellerman, Patricia Cornwall, J.A. Jance, and Mary Higgins Clark, just to name a few.
What did you think of THE LAST GOODBYE?
I enjoyed it. It was different than other similar books I have read and I am not sure I would have picked this one up to read had I not been given the opportunity to preview it. I am glad that I did read it though. I felt the beginning was a bit on the slow side if only because of the style of writing (which is necessary and a positive quality in a book like this), and I found that this is not the fast paced thriller (at least not until the end) I am used to. It definitely picked up speed near the end, however. The book was well written, I thought. The author touched upon a number of topics that went beyond the plot, such as race, class, and morality, which added depth to not only the characters but the story as well. Reed Arvin is a gifted story teller.
Would you read future Reed Arvin books?
Yes, I would.
DFSn180@aol.com
Have you read Reed Arvin's previous book?
I have not read Mr.Arvin's previous book, but plan to do so.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
I read: Michael Connelly, John Grisham, Joseph Kanon, Dennis Lehane, T. Jefferson Parker, Lincoln Child and Jeffery Deaver, et al.
What did you think of THE LAST GOODBYE?
I really liked this book. I am so glad I had the opportunity to be introduced to this author. He writes a "thinking man's" thriller that keeps you guessing and intrigued. I also liked the humor that popped up occasionally.
Would you read future Reed Arvin books?
I absolutely plan to read any future books he writes.
ndcontractor@yahoo.com
Have you read Reed Arvin's previous book?
I would love to read THE WILL but it is not available at library here.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
Some that come to mind are Grisham, North, Koontz,and also Capote, Brontes, DuMaurrier, and Poe.
What did you think of THE LAST GOODBYE?
Complex read narrated by failed lawyer, Jack Hammond, who falls in love with dark, mysterious beautiful opera singer, Michelle Sonnier and helps her search for her lost secret child. She is married to the evil Charles Ralston who will do anything to test the miracle drug, Lipitran AX, which would cure hepatitis C and make his stock in Horizon go sky high. Seven have died from testing and the last one on the test appears to have killed himself. A miscreant, by the name of Nightmare unlocks secrets from computer and with the unhinged scientist, Dr. Robinson manages to make a fortune when truth comes out before stock falls. Today's headlines are stranger than any fiction so this story is timely as well as entertaining with an old V-8 Buick, Johnny Cash quotes, and the summer scented streets of Atlanta. "Love does not always prevail" but this book surely answers "And yet, there is no other way to live." I discovered many truths about life in this book.
Would you read future Reed Arvin books?
Yes.
reenie_leonard@msn.com
Have you read Reed Arvin's previous book?
NO.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
James Patterson, John Sandford, Robert B Parker, John Lescroart, Dennis Lehane.
What did you think of THE LAST GOODBYE?
It is an enjoyable read. Enough suspense to keep you interested. I would have liked at least one female characters to be stronger...they were all too helpless and needy.
Would you read future Reed Arvin books?
Yes.
stephejl@mail.stclair.k12.il.us
Have you read Reed Arvin's previous book?
No, I haven't read Mr. Arvin's previous book.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
I have read many works by authors Tony Hillerman, Connelly, James Lee Burke, Phillip Margolin, Richard North Patterson, Tami Hoag, Dennis Lehane, Harlan Coben, Scott Turow, Michael Crichton, Brad Meltzer, Sue Grafton, Janet Evanovich, Diane Mott Davidson.
What did you think of THE LAST GOODBYE?
I thought it was a typical suspense thriller. . . fast paced, easy to read, interesting characters and enough mystique in the plot to compell me to read it in one 24 hour period. I also appreciated the way he used such a variety of locales and themes. It seemed part medical mystery (ala Robin Cook), part legal thriller (ala Peterson), and part technology (ala Crichton). Well done for tying such diverse segments of society together in a coherent manner.
Would you read future Reed Arvin books?
Definitely, and I'd recommend them to fellow readers who like the genre.
MTK12345@aol.com
Have you read Reed Arvin's previous book?
No.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
This was my first in many years. I used to read some Sidney Sheldon.
What did you think of THE LAST GOODBYE?
I enjoyed reading THE LAST GOODBYE. There were a few areas that I found hard to "buy into", such as the meeting of Jack and Michele when she unleashed all of her secrets and past, etc. I thought they should have had a deeper relationship, or connection, before she told him of her previous life, even things she didn't share with her husband! I believe this was only the second time they ever met each other so it seemed a little unrealistic.
Would you read future Reed Arvin books?
Yes I would.
WHampton@aol.com
Have you read Reed Arvin's previous book?
No.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
Grisham, Clancy, Ludlum, Patterson, Cornwell.
What did you think of THE LAST GOODBYE?
I thought it was well written and was an intriguing story line that kept your interest throughout. The main character was a little weak. It seemed he had no control over his hormones so he did things that seemed to go against his sense of "integrity" the author tried to portray in the rest of the book. The author didn't wrap up Briah at the end. You were left wondering what happened to her but all the rest of the characters were neatly put to bed. Overall an enjoyable read...I would recommend it to others
Would you read future Reed Arvin books?
Yes.
g_handle@bellsouth.net
Have you read Reed Arvin's previous book?
No, I have not.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
I read David Baldacci, Preston-Child, Jon Land, David Morrell, Clive Cussler, Robert Ludlum, Jonathan and Faye Kellerman.
What did you think of THE LAST GOODBYE?
I found it to be an "uneven" read. It took eight chapters until it really grabbed my attention. The next 8-10 chapters I could hardly put it down. Then it plateaued again and it was a push to keep reading. That's what I mean by an "uneven" read.
Would you read future Reed Arvin books?
I might. I think the subject matter would have to really capture my attention.
MParloff@aol.com
Have you read Reed Arvin's previous book?
No, I haven't read Arvin's previous book.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
I occasionally read other suspense/thriller authors --- notably Dan Brown, whose THE DA VINCI CODE and ANGELS AND DEMONS I have read. Have also read 3 books by Martin Cruz Smith, Frederick Forsyth's DAY OF THE JACKAL, and a few others.
What did you think of THE LAST GOODBYE?
I thought THE LAST GOODBYE was a clever, absorbing book with an unusual plot, quite well written and constructed and fast-paced, with a catchy beginning. The descriptions of Atlanta, computer hacking, and the Hepatitis C medication were especially interesting. I also appreciated the fact that Arvin did not follow the current trend toward extreme vulgarity and brutality. On the other hand, I also found a few awkward passages and what I thought were a few holes in the plot. Further, the ending is tied up too quickly and rather implausibly.
Would you read future Reed Arvin books?
I might read future Reed Arvin books.
jlmartin7@cfl.rr.com
Have you read Reed Arvin's previous book?
No.
What other suspense/thriller authors do you read?
Tim Green, Patricia Cornwell, Sue Grafton.
What did you think of THE LAST GOODBYE?
Slow start in the beginning. The story is a little unbelievable. Since I work at a law firm, my view is skewed and the first chapter just alerted my skepticism.
Would you read future Reed Arvin books?
Maybe.
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