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Summary: Economist? What Economist?
Review:
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing Mystery
Review: I was extremely excited to read a Harvard-set mystery featuring an academic sleuth who is both African-American and female. Unfortunately, the mystery (plot, surprises, credibility) is the most flawed aspect of this book, which reads more like a romance novel. I have no doubt that the author knows the territory (she is a graduate of Harvard-Radcliffe), but she has a lot to learn about writing and literature. Too many stereotypes, self-conscious "reversals" of stereotypes... BUT despite what I consider fatal flaws (I'd really rate it at 2 1/2 stars), it's an enjoyable read if you don't mind the Race Relations 101 sociology and the Intro to Feminism yadda-yadda. And isn't it a little odd that every single male at Harvard finds the heroine irresistible? Not nearly dark or well-crafted enough for my taste. However, since I went to graduate school at Yale, I'm going to try BLUE BLOOD, the second in her Ivy League series.
Rating: 
Summary: great book
Review: I have to admit that I'm quite surprised at the number of negative reviews. I thought this book was quite well written and felt that the character of Nicki (sp?) was much more three dimensional than most mystery heroines. My daughter & I both enjoyed it quite a bit. I've also read her second book and am looking forward to future Ivy mysteries.
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Summary: A nice shift into a gifted mind with multiple interests
Review: I was surprised at the negative reviews; this is a good book with an authoritative voice. With an entertainment industry throwing us the flimmsiest of plots, this one does fine. I look forward to the next book and appreciate the characterization and the faculty interplay.
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Summary: For a novice it was OK
Review: Even though I could relate immensely to Veronica Chase (her and I are nearly identical in thought and action), I still found the book to be pretty sophomoric and insipid for my mystery tastes.
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Summary: Bad in every way
Review: This book was so awful in so many ways that an attempt to fully review it would convey more of a suggestion that it should be read than I am willing to make. This was a real stinker. I made my way through not to find out the "surprise" ending but because I paid for the book. Don't make the same mistake.
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Summary: Definately worth reading. Had interesting plot twists.
Review: It was hard to put down this book. The plot twists were quite interesting. The plot did thin in spots as well as having some parts that did not tie in and had to re-read to make sure it made sense. A wonderful first try from this author. I'd like to read more Nikki Chase adventures.
Rating:
Summary: Not a very good book
Review: This book was horrible -- don't waste your money. If you really have to read it get it from a library. I wish I had. The plot is weak, the writing is stiff and the relationship between the lead characters silly.If you want a good thriller with an African American female, try Riding the Snake by Steven Cannell.
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Summary: This should be so much better...
Review: Well, why not exploit Harvard (or any other IVY League institution) if you went there? The problem with this book is it sounds like the energy must have gone into the pitch (obviously, the author made a few connections as a consultant to entertainment companies) rather than the content. Hopefully, sales will sustain Ms. Thomas' series long enough for her to grow into the craft. But this book is a clunker--the dialogue, structure, stereotyped characters, and narrative cliches all detract so much from the predictable plot, it was impossible to enjoy the book or ever forget you were reading an author who reminds you twice--on the back of the paperback and inside the cover--that she graduated Phi Beta Kappa etc, etc from Harvard.
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Summary: Way to exploite the Ivy League
Review: This book was poorly written and exploited the Harvard name. No, I don't go to Harvard, but I do go to Yale, and I think it's sad this woman needs resort to writing a super-market shelf novel using her alma mater as the selling point to make money. It's just a school, get over it! If you want to address race relations, or any other social situations at Harvard, don't do it through a mystery novel. I hope readers realize that this book does not fairly represent Harvard or any other Ivy League school.
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