Rating: 
Summary: A Bit Of Everything
Review: Alexandra Rafferty overcomes a shocking childhood incident before growing up to become a forensic photographer. Although appearing to have put her past behind her, she still lives with it, affecting her marriage to Stan, an armoured truck driver who thinks he has devised the perfect crime, a plan in which he would rob his own truck, after which he and his girlfriend would leave Miami to live on the proceeds.Inevitably, Stan's perfect crime isn't so perfect after all, having attracted the attention of some other life-long and low-life criminals who can see an easy profit for the taking. Somehow, the money falls into Alexandra's hands and she suddenly finds herself on the run from her husband, the opportunistic criminals and, just to add a nifty twist, a serial killer. With all of these people chasing the same person, their paths are bound to cross at some point with unpredictable results. There are all sorts of interesting and strange characters making up the book: with Emma, the young pool cleaner who keeps a pet cockroach on a string leash in her pocket; and Lawton, Alexandra's father, an ex-policeman who is slowly losing his memory. He is a tragic figure who still has a very important part to play in the story's outcome. This is a brisk thriller joining together a desperate chase across Florida with the tension and terror of not knowing when or where the serial killer will strike next.
Rating: 
Summary: Awesome
Review: An awesome suspense thriller which kept me turing the pages. This was definitely one of the best books I've read this year.
Rating:
Summary: excellant
Review: I have read other novels by Hall but found this particular one extremely satisifying. The humor alone caused me to laugh out loud several times. The characters very down-to-earth believeable. I've always been a big fan of Ed McBain's series of the "87th" due to the humor injected along with the suspense plot. I also have a soft spot for police dramas. BODY LANGUAGE reminded me of McBains writing style. I would highly recommend this novel. DO IT AGAIN, JAMES. e
Rating: 
Summary: HUGE Disappointment
Review: James Hall is a gifted writer; that's why I can't understand why or how this book was written. Hall writes two types of books; the series about unofficial private detective Thorn, and stand-alone books in the crime category which feature bold plots and crazy characters in the tradition of Elmore Leonard. Body Language was obviously meant to be the second type of book, but in addition to the "crime-gone-wrong" plot which is littered with bizarre villians, there is also a second plot which is a hackneyed, boring "Silence of the Lambs" rip-off plot of the type that sprang up in dozens of horrible novels after Thomas Harris hit the jackpot with his masterpiece in the early 90s. I honestly can't belive that anybody, especially a writer of Hall's caliber, would tackle such an overdone genre these days. He attempts to combine the serial killer and "crime of the century" plots, which turns the book into a muddled, confusing novel that doesn't seem to know what it's trying to be. The writing is also far below his normal standard; there are some sex scenes that are written so poorly that even the most low-paid romance writer would be embarrased to put her name on them. Hall's dialogue in this one is also stilted and uninteresting. In addition, the "mystery" of the serial killer is so simple and predictable that most readers will have it figured out before the first 100 pages. Try Hall's other books if you want a good, entertaining read. Only try Body Language if you're having trouble sleeping.
Rating:
Summary: HUGE Disappointment
Review: James Hall is a gifted writer; that's why I can't understand why or how this book was written. Hall writes two types of books; the series about unofficial private detective Thorn, and stand-alone books in the crime category which feature bold plots and crazy characters in the tradition of Elmore Leonard. Body Language was obviously meant to be the second type of book, but in addition to the "crime-gone-wrong" plot which is littered with bizarre villians, there is also a second plot which is a hackneyed, boring "Silence of the Lambs" rip-off plot of the type that sprang up in dozens of horrible novels after Thomas Harris hit the jackpot with his masterpiece in the early 90s. I honestly can't belive that anybody, especially a writer of Hall's caliber, would tackle such an overdone genre these days. He attempts to combine the serial killer and "crime of the century" plots, which turns the book into a muddled, confusing novel that doesn't seem to know what it's trying to be. The writing is also far below his normal standard; there are some sex scenes that are written so poorly that even the most low-paid romance writer would be embarrased to put her name on them. Hall's dialogue in this one is also stilted and uninteresting. In addition, the "mystery" of the serial killer is so simple and predictable that most readers will have it figured out before the first 100 pages. Try Hall's other books if you want a good, entertaining read. Only try Body Language if you're having trouble sleeping.
Rating:
Summary: From start to finish, hold on.
Review: James W. Hall just keeps getting better and better. He has such a talent for imparting wit and sensativity to his characters and settings and Body Language is no exception. I live in the NW Florida Panhandle and he paints such a vivid picture with his words that I think I got sunburned sitting on the couch reading it. I could taste the food at Bud and Allie's and feel sand between my toes walking down the idealic streets of SeaSide to the Gulf. From the first page to the last I never wanted to put it down and it left me "champing at the bit" for more. I hope he's busy on his next book, because I'm ready and waiting. He remains one of my very favorite authors and this is a good example as to why.
Rating:
Summary: Memorable Characters
Review: Miami-based Alexandra Rafferty's been on the run for eighteen years because she killed the neighbor boy who raped her and her father helped cover up the crime. These horrific events when she was eleven have overshadowed her entire childhood. A police crime scene photographer, she's kept the world at bay with karate, "the art of deflecting human touch," but feelings can't stay submerged forever. Her marriage to a thuggish ex- jock is dying and her father's Alzheimer's is dragging her down. Everything blows up when her husband, a Brinks truck driver and true crime buff, plans a heist. Readers will be intrigued to see the sparkling town in "The Truman Show"--Seaside, Florida--play a major role in the novel, but Hall's attempt at an Elmore Leonard or Carl Hiassen mix of crime and comedy doesn't always work. Still, Body Language is a well-written thriller, and Alexandra and her father make a surprisingly appealing pair. ...
Rating:
Summary: Memorable Characters
Review: Miami-based Alexandra Rafferty's been on the run for eighteen years because she killed the neighbor boy who raped her and her father helped cover up the crime. These horrific events when she was eleven have overshadowed her entire childhood. A police crime scene photographer, she's kept the world at bay with karate, "the art of deflecting human touch," but feelings can't stay submerged forever. Her marriage to a thuggish ex- jock is dying and her father's Alzheimer's is dragging her down. Everything blows up when her husband, a Brinks truck driver and true crime buff, plans a heist. Readers will be intrigued to see the sparkling town in "The Truman Show"--Seaside, Florida--play a major role in the novel, but Hall's attempt at an Elmore Leonard or Carl Hiassen mix of crime and comedy doesn't always work. Still, Body Language is a well-written thriller, and Alexandra and her father make a surprisingly appealing pair. ...
Rating: 
Summary: Not up to par
Review: Read Under Cover of Daylight, Buzz Cut or Mean High Tide if you want a good book by this author. This one has some great possibilities, but it just doesn't quite live up to those. Situations were too contrived and obvious. Check it out of the library and you will get your money's worth. :-)
Rating:
Summary: Edge of the Seat
Review: This book was riveting. You never knew what to expect around the next corner. The auther constantly kept you guessing and wondering how much more tragedy was necessary in this poor woman's life. I could never imagine the culprit as it turned out.
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