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Here are comments from our group of Advance Readers about Pam Lewis's SPEAK SOFTLY, SHE CAN HEAR.
Barbwatergrove@aol.com
What other suspense/thriller writers do you read?
I read many. Some of the authors include Nelson DeMille, Robert Ludlum, James Patterson, Dan Brown and Faye Kellerman.
What did you think of SPEAK SOFTLY, SHE CAN HEAR?
What could be more delightful for an avid reader than to review a book by a new author, Pamela Lewis, who crafts her story with such fine art that the book is hard to put down. I was entertained by the author’s compelling storytelling technique and drawn in by the plot. Carole, a naive young woman is befriended by Naomi, another more sophisticated student from Spence, a private high school in Manhattan, New York. They agree to lose their virginity to Eddie, an older guy, during a trip they plan to Stowe, Vermont. Carole lies to her parents telling them she is going skiing and the plot thickens when an unintentional murder occurs in Stowe and Carol believes she is responsible. The threesome, Carole, Naomi and Eddie become entangled in unexpected complicity and the secrets and lies begin. Carole’s innocence, Naomi’s continual betrayals and Eddie’s evil ego blend together to weave a thriller that jolts the unsuspecting reader.
SPEAK SOFTLY, SHE CAN HEAR is an unusual story set in the 1960's taking the reader from the big city of Manhattan, New York to the small town of Montpelier, Vermont as Carole tries to escape her plight of being caught between the past and the present. She is trying to live her life as if a single event that shapes her entire future does not belong to her. “It was amazing how easily you could fit lies into truth, the truth into lies,” Carol says.
Not only does Lewis tell a gripping tale of suspense, but she includes the fine details that make you want to read more. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was eager to follow Carole through the years to see how she tries to “act like normal as if nothing ever happened” even as she is haunted by the unclear memories of the trauma of a single night in her life. There is both intrigue and wisdom in this novel. Lewis is a wonderful writer and already I look forward to reading her next novel.
Would you ever read a future title by Pam Lewis?
Yes, absolutely.
Donnaleggate@aol.com
What other suspense/thriller writers do you read?
Also mysteries...I have my favorite authors but really have expanded reading and trying different authors in the genre. Winning this ARC is a wonderful way for me to explore more new authors and I really can't tell you how happy I am I won. Some authors I read are: Steve Berry, Dan Brown, M.C. Beaton, Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason, Agatha Christie, Mary Higgins Clark, Carol Higgins Clark, Douglas Clegg, Patricia Cornwell, Michael Crichton, Tananarive Due, Joseph Finder, Lisa Gardner, Elizabeth George, Dorothy Gilman, Greg Iles, Jonathan Kellerman, P.D. James, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Barbara Michaels, Jonathan Nasaw, James Patterson, Elizabeth Peters, Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, and many more.
What did you think of SPEAK SOFTLY, SHE CAN HEAR?
I am so glad I won an advance readers copy of SPEAK SOFTLY, SHE CAN HEAR. I finished it last night. Pam Lewis wrote a gripping novel that grabbed me from the first few pages. It was a suspenseful psychological thriller that really surprised me. I thought it was a great read and Pam Lewis did a great job on her first novel. Congratulations!
Would I ever read a future title by Pam Lewis?
Yes, I would love to. I think she will only get better and I'm eager to see what she writes next.
Marge.Guthrie@CIGNA.COM
What other suspense/thriller writers do you read?
I am a VORACIOUS reader of books of the mystery/suspense/thriller genre, everything from the big "guns" (Patterson, DeMille, Grisham, Coben) to the not-so big (Rose Connors' ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY, Laura Grimaldi's SUSPICION, Sarah Dunant's MAPPING THE WORLD).
What did you think of SPEAK SOFTLY, SHE CAN HEAR?
Wow --- talk about suspense! I really became engrossed with these characters and the story and couldn't wait to see what would happen next
Would you ever read a future title by Pam Lewis?
I would definitely read another one of her books.
Megan.Battaglia@RoswellPark.org
What did you think of SPEAK SOFTLY, SHE CAN HEAR?
If you are a fan of Donna Tartt’s THE SECRET HISTORY or Patricia Highsmith's THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY, I guarantee you will love Pam Lewis’ SPEAK SOFTLY, SHE CAN HEAR. The book starts right off with a shocking first chapter, which at times was a bit uncomfortable to read. But before long, you will be compelled to continue, being drawn into the characters and the secret that changed their lives forever.
The story takes place in 1965 at an exclusive prep school where 16 year old Carole Mason and her reckless friend, Naomi, concoct a plan to lose their virginity to the charismatic Eddie Lindbaeck. Events quickly turn into a nightmare for Carol who remembers little of what happened except that by the end of the night, a woman was dead and buried in the snow, and a secret was born, tying Carole, Naomi and Eddie to each other forever. Over the next 11 years, Carole runs from her family and the life she had planned to escape the guilt and shame of that fateful night. As with all lies and secrets, Carole never fully escapes her past and when Naomi and Eddie catch up with her 11 years later, Carole must decide if she will run again or face the secret she has kept for so long, either way risking the life she has finally claimed for herself.
What struck me throughout the book was the fact that no matter how we live our lives or what we plan for ourselves, one moment can come along and change our lives forever. Pam Lewis’ characters are well developed and multidimensional and the story moves at a quick pace touching upon issues such as family, friendship, and guilt behind keeping secrets and lies. I finished the book days ago and find that I cannot stop thinking about the characters --- now that’s the sign of a great book to me!
PWeppner@gc.cuny.edu
What did you think of SPEAK SOFTLY, SHE CAN HEAR?
I enjoyed Pam Lewis' new book very much. Her knowledge and description of the private school life hits the nail on the head. She has it down pat.
This is a solid thriller with twists and turns that had me eagerly turning pages to see what would happen next.
Would you ever read a future title by Pam Lewis?
I will be interested to see where she goes next and will be happy to read any future books she writes. She is a writer in the vein of Carol Higgins Clark, Susan Sloan and Laura Lippman; all fascinating writers with great stories to tell. My other favorites are Daniel Silva, Sue Grafton, Michael Connelly and S.J. Rozan, to name but a few.
fk1818@sbc.com
What other suspense/thriller writers do you read?
Daniel Silva, John Sandford, Iris Johansen, James Patterson, Sara Paretsky, Jonathan Kellerman
What did you think of SPEAK SOFTLY, SHE CAN HEAR?
It seemed to drag at times and be somewhat unrealistic. The author did a good job of tying things together and I enjoyed the ending.
Would you ever read a future title by Pam Lewis?
Yes.
KARLWG@aol.com
What other suspense/thriller writers do you read?
I read mysteries much more often then suspense/thrillers. I have read a number of Michael Crichton and have enjoyed most of them.
What did you think of SPEAK SOFTLY, SHE CAN HEAR?
I was so looking forward to reading a new author and my first for Bookreporter.com, but how disappointing. I have made a promise to myself that if I find a book that I dislike I shouldn't feel guilty if I stop reading it, why torture myself with a bad book. I should stop here as I was taught (obviously not well enough) if you don't have something good to say keep your mouth shut and I already have said to much. But I feel compelled as I was sent this attractive looking book free of charge.
First, I would like to apologize to the author for my comments. It must be difficult to write a novel, and to hear some reader bash your book.
The big event in the first chapter was salacious and almost totally unbelievable to me for the time period and what little I knew of the characters. As I read the next few chapters, the book just made me mad and I gave up on reading it. I would not ever suggest this book to anyone I know.
This of course is just one person's opinion.
Would you ever read a future title by Pam Lewis?
No way.
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