Rating: 
Summary: See the train coming
Review: That's the gimmick you see, way down the track. And I would have stayed with it, except for the unbelievable "Deus ex machina" thrown in to save our flawed hero. Nice try. But try again.
Rating:
Summary: What Was That Ending??
Review: The premise for the novel was great: Middle-aged guy with bummer life meets perky hotie to rock his world. But it was pretty obvious halfway into the book that the guy was getting framed. And what was with that totally improbable and contrived ending? Did the author stay up the night before his deadline to get the last 50 pages done?
Rating: 
Summary: Unbelievable
Review: Charles Schine has a distant wife, a diabetic daughter and a midlife crisis. Bored, and full of self-pity, he drifts into an affair with a woman whom he meets on his daily commute. On the day they consummate their relationship things go badly awry, as they are accosted by an armed man in their hotel. After being terribly beaten, Charles is forced to watch as the malefactor repeatedly rapes his paramour. Subsequently, the man extorts money from Charles, threatening to expose his sordid secret. For most of its length, Derailed renders a convincing portrayal of an ordinary man trapped in a nightmare, a man who is repeatedly made to pay, emotionally, physically and financially for his lack of judgment. How much readers will enjoy it depends in part on how they would react in the same situation. Those who would just come clean to their spouse may quickly lose all sympathy for Charles. Those who would conceal their infidelity at all costs might find the story more convincing and engaging. The novel takes a definite turn for the worse when Charles decides to fight back against his tormentor. Although this satisfies readers' need to see justice done, it's here that the story becomes less and less believable. For example, Charles escapes from certain death due to a bizarre and extremely unlikely coincidence, a prime example of "deus ex machina." If you can overlook missteps like this, Derailed should satisfy your thirst for, in the words of the publisher, "a highly charged, suspenseful tale of murder, betrayal and revenge." If you can't, dip into some James M. Cain, a writer who handled this type of plot with greater skill and aplomb.
Rating: 
Summary: NEXT STOP: YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE
Review: Whenever I come upon a book that I simply CANNOT put down, it certainly warrants a 5 star rating from me. This was the case with DERAILED. I would also add that it might make you think twice about having an extramarital affair because what happens to this character, because of one infidelity, is nothing I'd ever like to live through. This scenario makes Fatal Attraction look like a fairytale. The title "Derailed" comes not only from the first scene, a chance meeting of a married man and a married woman on a train, but from the different tracks your life can follow if you make the wrong choices along the way. In this case, Charlie Shine is "guilty as charged" for being attracted to another woman but the price he will pay for that random encounter on the train is definitely not justified. The reader almost can't fault him for his indiscretion and will root for him all the way to extricate himself from this fiasco. But can he do it or is it too far gone for him to get his life back on track? You'll witness him making one mistake after another in an effort to get his life back and every page will have your own heart beating faster and faster in fear of what will come next. If you're the type of reader who enjoys books where events spin out of control, then definitely put this one on your list because it's a winner. I would put it in the same category as The Job by Douglas Kennedy, A Simple Plan by Scott Smith and About the Author by John Colapinto -- all favorites of mine. There's been a lot of hype about this book. Let's face it....how often do you see a book advertised on TV? It's what caught my eye so it obviously was a successful ad campaign. But the best thing about all the "Derailed" hoopla is that it's warranted. This is one heck of a book that will have your stomach in a knot for 339 pages...definitely well worth the price of admission into the perilous world of Charles Shine as created by author James Siegel.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Entertainment
Review: From the openning chapter I got the feeling DERAILED was going to be good. It has suspense, intrigue, some humor and numerous surprises. I expected it was going to have moments of mystery and shock but even with my "radar" on, I was still stunned more than once. I think for some readers the story will appear familiar since part of the plot has been used before. However, there are enough twists to make DERAILED a quick and satisfying dose of entertainment. There is one huge coincidence that at first causes an "aw come on" reaction but I remembered I was reading to be entertained and the scene became forgivable. The story is just plausible enough and the author addresses each potential hole in the plot that the entire story becomes possible.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible book!!
Review: This was the best book I've read in ages. I couldn't put it down and I was freaking out over all the horrible things that happen to this guy. I told 4 friends to read it and they loved it too. I loved it so much I bought his first book 'Epitaph' and loved it. I can't wait for more books from him and will recommend these books to more people. 'Derailed' should be on the bestseller list any day!
Rating:
Summary: Derailed is sure to keep your reading on track!!
Review: This is one of the best books I have read in years! The writing is supurb and the plot original. I hope Mr. Siegel is now writing a new book. I would not be surprised if this book became a movie although like most movies it would not be as good as the book.
Rating:
Summary: The best of the best!
Review: The best thriller I have read for over a year! And I read many of them. The plot is excellent and believable. The pace is quick. One of the rare thrillers that keep up from the first page right until the end. An absolute must for thriller fans! Do not wait! Order it now and you will not be sorry.
Rating:
Summary: Best Book I've Read In A Long Time!
Review: Beware! Once you start reading Derailed be prepared for your life to be derailed until you finish it. Simply stated, Derailed is about an ad executive who makes one stupid mistake that derails his (and others) whole life. The word to summarize this book is "great." Great writing style (in ways it will remind you of James Patterson's style but Siegel is a MUCH better writer), great characters, and great plot. If that's not enough, Derailed is chock full of suspense and excitement. And if that's still not enough, it's filled with surprises that will keep you guessing and panting for breath right up to the last page. Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to a book that will keep you glued to the edge of your seat. I had previously planned to read Harlan Coben's new book (No Second Chance) as my next book, but I enjoyed Derailed so much that I've gotten a copy of James Siegel's first book, Epitaph, and am going to start it right after writing this review.
Rating:
Summary: The "coincidences" or lucky breaks don't hurt the book
Review: This book reads extremely quickly and has a great ending. The lucky breaks/coincidences that everyone nags about are really serve to either advance the plot or put the guy in even more danger. The BIG lucky break only opens the story up to even more twists. Very satisfying read...you'll figure out some of it, but it goes so fast you won't care.
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