Spencerville

Rating:
Summary: Who is ghost writing for DeMille?
Review: After reading DeMille's intelligent "Word of Honor" and the terrific, sardonic "General's Daughter," had high hopes for this book. But it never delivered - could not believe in the stupid actions of lead character and didn't really care. The book failed in plot line, tension buildup, and any semblance of realistic or interesting character definition. Makes me think that this book was written early in DeMille's career (or by someone else) and pulled out of mothballs. Nelson, please come back to us in "Plum Islsnd."

Rating:
Summary: A GRAND DISAPPOINTMENT FROM MY FAVORITE AUTHOR.
Review: NELSON DEMILLE IS MY FAVORITE AUTHOR AND I CAN'T WAIT FOR PLUM ISLAND TO BE PUBLISHED, HOWEVER, SPENCERVILLE WAS WITHOUT A DOUBT THE WEAKEST OF HIS BOOKS. AS USUAL, THE WRITING IS EXCELLENT, THE STORY IS LACKING. THE BOOK MOVES ALONG, BUT LACKS THE EXCITEMENT AND EDGE OF YOUR SEAT READING THAT I AM ACCUSTOMED TO WITH DEMILLE. READ IT IF YOU ARE A DEMILLE FAN, BUT READ THE OTHERS FIRST

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Summary: A departure, welcome or not, from his previous works,
Review: this is an engaging story that disproves the old saw, "you can't go home again." To the extent you find yourself rooting for the main character, it's basically like any other DeMille work. The good news for DeMille fans is that this book's setting and storyline prove that DeMille doesn't need war or a military base as a backdrop for fine storytelling. This book will definitely keep you engaged, and even if keen readers will be able to predict the ending, it's a good story nonetheless.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic and Captivating
Review: This book really held my attention. I could not put it down and when I absolutely had to, I couldn't wait to get back to it

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Summary: What a great love story from one of the great authors
Review: This was a wonderful novel of love and happiness. I read it at a time when I was going through some of the same feelings the main character was feeling. It just made me happy and warm to see how he dealt with everything. He could have been ultimately violent and out of control but he was in perfect control at all times. I loved it.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing effort from a talented writer.
Review: I became a huge fan of Mr. DeMille after by chance reading "Plum Island." I followed that with "The General's Daughter" (mostly because I wanted to read it before the movie comes out),which I also enjoyed, and now "Spencerville." I was very disappointed with the stupidity of our hero, Keith, and the weakness of our heroinne, Annie. For a retired intelligence officer courted by the President, Keith sure acted stupidly on many occassions. I also kept despising Annie for being another weak female character staying in an unhappy and abusive marriage. Our antaganist, Cliff, fluctuated from being a stupid hick and a "cunning" doer of evil. He would have been more threatening if hewouldn't have been so stupid (but maybe that was a subtle technique to connect Keith and Cliff as spiritual brothers...they're both stupid!) I gave the book three stars because I did want to find out how it ended, which is a tip of the hat to Mr. DeMille. I was, however, shocked to find that after fighting through my frustrations with the characters and their stupidity, that I was rewarded with a few chapters of extreme brutality towards Annie that not only made my stomach turn but was completely out of tone for the rest of the book and for Mr. DeMille himself. The first three quarters of the book had a few moments of the charm that I have come to expect from Mr. DeMille but it was not sustained throughout. I had the impression that he wanted to write a great literary romance and it came off as cheesy. It was a very frustrating and inconsistant read and if it was my first DeMille book I would never have read another. But I have not lost faith and will continue to read the entire DeMille library.

Rating:
Summary: Don't buy this book
Review: This was garbage. Usually DeMille writes a great story with good characters but this is nothing but macho sex and raw language with a stupid storyline. I am sorry I bought the book. Demille tricked his fans on this one.

Rating:
Summary: Thank You again Mr. DeMille
Review: A DeMille book is never a bad choice of a read and always entertains. Spencerville does indeed do that nicely. You've got to love these quirky characters with all their endearing flaws. While this all may sound funny, it's the place you only want to visit in a book. The cat and mouse game played throughout the book works well and keeps your attention. The sadistic side of things is edgy enough to give you a shiver, as does the invisible underworld Government angle. A darn good entertaining book.

Rating:
Summary: One redeeming factor of the book is...
Review: Nelson DeMille, whom I love because of the book Charm School, which even post Cold War should still be made into a movie, has with Spencerville written a more easily forgettable book.

The only redeeming factor is his description of a memorial to be built for the spook community in honor of their quiet, yet effective service to the nation during the Cold War.

I believe the Monuments Commission should definitely look into this proposed design for consideration.

Rating:
Summary: Garbage
Review: I can't believe I wasted a few hours on this piece of trash. Totally ridiculous plot, laughable dialogue, poor character development add up to one of the worst books I've ever read. Stay away!