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Summary: Sex, lies, murder...The perfect beach read.
Review: Jo Slater is one of New York's elite. She runs in the social circles of the ultra rich, but life in the fast lane comes to an abrupt stop when her husband dies mysteriously and leaves all his money to Monique de
Passy, a French countess with more than her share of surprises up her sleeve.As Jo is left penniless, with no home or job she does what any other socialite would do...begin questioning everything you thought you knew about the man you married. Jo's search for answers will take her down a road filled with secrets, lies, and murder and at the end of the road is the countess. Determined to put her life back together, and destroy the woman who destroyed her, Jo sets out to uncover the shameful secrets lurking behind the glitz and glamour of New York high society, but what she discovers is that some people will stop at nothing...even murder if the price is right. 'Social Crimes' has it all; great plot, fast pace, sex, lies, secrets, and murder...what more could you want in a beach book. This highly readable expose of the ultra rich disguised as a murder mystery scores on all levels for not only being original, intelligent, and funny, but also very entertaining. Jane Stanton Hitchcock has written a wonderful novel of money, and murder, one that will have all of New York's upper crust wondering who the characters are based on. Dive into 'Social Crimes' you will not be disappointed. Nick Gonnella
Rating: 
Summary: Good to the last page
Review: In SOCIAL CRIMES, author Jane Stanton Hitchcock has crafted a page-turner that will fascinate her fans right up to the final sentence. Her story is clever, and the detail she offers about upper class life, its affectations and its hypocrisy, alone is worth the book's price. Hitchcock writes about what passes for high society in modern-day New York. Knowledgable readers will have a lot of fun identifying all of the mimimally disguised characters and places in this book. Hitchcock pokes fun at many of this society's pretensions, such as when she uses the heroine's fascination with Marie Antoinette as a counterpoint for the basic plot. Wait! Wasn't it Mrs. G, the former stewardess, who went French on "tout New York" exactly as the heroine, a former restaurant hostess, herself does in SOCIAL CRIMES? This story is stunning in its cleverness, and it is a credit to Ms. Hitchcock's fertile imagination. She hangs this entire novel on the one loophole under New York estate law that obviates a spouse's absolute right to claim a share of inheritance under the will of the deceased husband or wife, and she uses this loophole with brilliance. Hitchcock's storytelling skills are wonderful. SOCIAL CRIMES is a fun read that leaves one thinking after the book concludes.
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Summary: A Peek into the Glitzy World of the Wealthy
Review: I bought this book because of the review Dominick Dunne gave it on the cover. Dominick Dunne is one of my favorite authors. I admit, I am one of those people who loves to read about the fabulously rich folks in New York. The first sentence in this novel grabs you and doesn't let go. Ms. Hitchcock delivers lots of details of how bitchy and superficial the really wealthy people are and I love reading about it. The book itself was great. It was interesting enough that I read it in 3 days but I was a bit disappointed with the ending. I won't give away the finale but it was not what I expected and I felt let down. I guess not all books can have the ending that you want but I just expected more from this one. Besides the ending the book was awesome.
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Summary: Brilliant Plotting
Review: I've been waiting for several years since devouring Jane Stanton Hitchcock's first two novels (the Edgar-nominated TRICK OF THE EYE, and the sinister WITCHES'HAMMER) and now she's back in brilliant form. Just in time for a great beach read, but far more clever and perceptive than simply a delightful diversion, SOCIAL CRIMES nails New York's society mavens and manners absolutely dead-on. This is a writer who clearly knows her subject and the world about which she writes, makes you care about her characters, has a great sense of humor, and uses an obscure and stunning legal device to set the devious plot in motion. Hitchcock took me directly into her world and kept me there, riveted to the pages. The book is smart, funny, well-written - and, as one of the reviewers said, drawing my attention to the book - just delicious. Highly recommended.
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Summary: Revenge is always bittersweet
Review: This novel is typical of high society and the backstabbing and hardships that come along with the riches and power. The downfall of one grand woman amidst New York City's social elite was the plot to this riveting tale of lies and deception. I was constantly rooting for her to succeed at whatever costs. She was a great lead character, and a great example of a strong-willed woman. One no doubt that deserved her claim to fame and money. You could tell that the rich are rich for a reason; they know how to use their cunningness to achieve high set goals. She truly encompasses the cliche "you don't know what you have until it is gone". There was one small detail that I didn't particularly buy into while reading this novel. I couldn't help but think that it took place in the middle of the 20th century, circa 1940's, when it in actuality was set in almost the 21st century. I, for one, growing up in the New York modern atmosphere was not aware of the customs that one of such wealth was "supposed" to display. I believe that maybe this would be true for the older generation of wealth, but it's too vague details concerning style and modernimity was lost on me. Not including the single reference to MTV, there was no other sign that we lived in more of a modern era. No cell phones, computers, hell, even people under the age of forty. It was all too old world for me. Nevertheless, for being a murder mystery, that it was. It definitely didn't lack in the suspense department and it had a delightful ending. It was bittersweet to say the least, but a delight nonetheless. It leaves the reader hanging, but gripped until the last word. I recommend this to any reader looking for a light read with an edge. Definitely of the high class chick lit genre. It was much more well-written then the average chick lit book, though, and the author knew her art and history very well. As a true lover of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, I was ecstatic to read about Marie Antoinette, who plays a large part in this novel as well. I consider reading this author in the near future.
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Summary: SUPERB !!
Review: I TOTALLY LOVED THIS BOOK.
WENT OUT TODAY TO GET HER OTHERS.
Rating: 
Summary: ugh
Review: Maybe I just don't get it. These people just don't exist and if they did I would have no interest in them or their doings. The plot is contrived the characters are sick and I only wasted my time on this book because it was chosen by our book group. The hardest thing to believe is the high percentage of the people that reviewed the book gave it high marks. Maybe I just don't get it!
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Summary: Like Page 6? You Will Love This.
Review: If you read W Magazine every month, drooling at the "celebutantes", the parties, the clothes, the society; then you will love this book. It is impossible to put down (so make sure your laundry is done and the dog has been walked before picking it up). Hitchcock creates a modern day Edith Wharton novel about the dark side of New York society. The protaganist of the story, Jo Slater (queen of the middle aged socialites) is dethroned from her elite standing in society when a french countess appears on the social scene and steals her husband. After her downfall the reader is travels with Jo on her attempt to recover and regain her status--at any cost. Clever, well written, and plot driven, SOCIAL CRIMES is a mystery worth reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Okay, okay, I get it...
Review: So the writer is well versed in Marie Antoinette and proceeds to use 300+ pages to beat this expertise into our heads. The book was just a little too precious with its cast of characters and their turns of phrase. I was not the least bit surprised who would be murdered and how it would take place, as the author chose to telegraph the method at least 100 pages beforehand. I believe there is something inauthentic in writing what you know when the first 250 pages speak in exquisite, never-ending detail of historical anecdote and the author glosses over the actual point of the plot. By now it's anticlimatic.
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Summary: Amazing Book!!
Review: I could not put this book down. It is not only extremely well-written but it completely captures your attention. The characters and settings are so well-developed that you feel as if you are in the book. It just kept getting better!!
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