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Here are comments from our group of Signed Copy Readers about Heather Terrell's THE CHRYSALIS.
Matt from Opelika, AL
What suspense/thriller authors do you read?
The list is very long, but my current favorites are: Nevada Barr, J. A. Jance, Julia Spencer-Fleming, Greg Iles and Stephen Hunter.
What did you think of THE CHRYSALIS?
After a slow start, I was swept away by the turn of events. At first, I kept thinking, how could this book be considered a thriller? It seemed more like a romance. I really liked the story of the painter and the evolution of the picture. I also learned something about how the Art World functions.
Would you ever read a future book by Heather Terrell?
Yes. Thanks for letting me read an advance copy of THE CHRYSALIS.
Phyllis from Louisville, MS
What suspense/thriller authors do you read?
David Baldacci, Nelson DeMille, and Steve Berry.
What did you think of THE CHRYSALIS?
Very enjoyable --- it kept my interest from beginning to end. Heather Terrell does a great job of weaving the story of the painting at its creation by the Flemish painter, its history during the Nazi era and its ownership fight in present day into a tight, suspenseful tale. She combines her love of art and her legal experience to write a fascinating first book.
Would you ever read a future book by Heather Terrell?
Absolutely --- I'm looking forward to her next book very much.
Thanks for letting me read an advance reader copy of THE CHRYSALIS.
Susan from Westerville, OH
What suspense/thriller authors do you read?
I have read Harlan Coben, James Siegel, Brian Freeman.
What did you think of THE CHRYSALIS?
I thought THE CHRYSALIS was very well written. I thought that the beginning drags somewhat; however, I am glad that I stuck with it. About halfway through, I could not put it down. Heather's description of the Chrysalis was so real that I could actually envision it, as though it were right in front of me. It made me want to go to the museum to actually see it, although it was made up. I liked how at the end, she explained the reason for the book and its moral indications. The mixture of religion and law had me intrigued. I would be happy to read the next one. I am passing this along to a friend.
Would you ever read a future book by Heather Terrell?
Yes, her indication of a future book has peaked my interest.
Torun from Tacoma, WA
What suspense/thriller authors do you read?
I love Laura Lippman, James Patterson, Sara Paretsky, Janet Evanovich and several others.
What did you think of THE CHRYSALIS?
I really enjoyed reading it. The easy transition from one time period to another made the characters believable. She also made the characters very interesting --- she described them well and they all kept my interest.
It was evident that she had done some good research for this story. It was easy to follow. I hope she continues to write --- her sentence structure was excellent, the story was easy to follow, and overall, it was a pleasure to read. The story line kept my interest.
Would you ever read a future book by Heather Terrell?
Yes, I would. Thank you for the opportunity to read this author.
Janet from Pinehurst, NC
What suspense/thriller authors do you read?
The line between mystery and thriller is pretty thin, but in the "thriller" category, I regularly read and enjoy books by Steve Berry, Lee Child, Nelson DeMille, Lisa Gardner, John Grisham, Michael Gruber, Greg Iles, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and the Robert Ludlum collaborations. Some of the mystery writers I particularly enjoy include Nevada Barr, C. J. Box, John Burdett, Harlan Coben, Michael Connelly, Lindsey Davis, Tess Gerritsen, Jack Kerley, William Kent Krueger, Paul Levine, Val McDermid, Archer Mayor, Anne Perry, Elizabeth Peters, Charles Todd, Kate Wilhelm, Jacqueline Winspear, and so many more. I am always looking for new ones.
And I did love several of Dan Brown's books, despite their flaws.
What did you think of THE CHRYSALIS?
I was so excited to get this book, as it was promoted as exactly the kind of book I most love. But after reading so many raves, I am wondering if the quoted reviewers even received the same version as the ARC I got. The item I read was --- in a single word --- AWFUL.
It read like a first draft and qualified as the single worst piece of writing I have struggled through since judging the Golden Heart contest a decade ago. I don't understand how someone as educated as this author could have such a casual acquaintance with grammar --- run on sentences, fragments, lack of agreement between subject and verb, lack of agreement between clauses, misplaced modifiers --- I'll be happy to quote examples if you want them. Words were used improperly and sometimes actually failed to make sense; I still don't know what color "Cimarron" is supposed to be --- was it the color of Oklahoma mud or did she mean "cinnabar" (so where was the copy editor?)?
Characterization is so thin that I, as a reader, wondered why these people were even spending time together, let alone declaring relationships. I failed to find a single character to like, let alone with whom to identify.
Plotting was so thin as to be transparent. Fully realized, this plot would have filled twice the page count. As is, it was at least twice as long as anyone could be expected to endure.
Please tell me that the final version is both different and better!
Would you ever read a future book by Heather Terrell?
No!
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