The List

Rating:
Summary: Great beach book
Review: Steve Martini delivers an absorbing male figure-- Jack Jermaine. The character's progression is slow, deliberate, much like his insinuation into Abby Chandlis' love life. Abby, the author of a novel expected to be a bestseller (and an attorney) should know better than to join a barely legal alliance with this mystery man. Following her indecision, temptation, regret, and determination made for a fast-paced thrill. Add to the mix some impressive, well-crafted supporting characters: a long-suffering colleague, the literary agent, Jack's kid brother, a dangerous estranged husband, and a shrewd ex-husband. While I don't see a way to credibly bring the characters back, I must say by the end of "The List," I already missed them. Can hardly wait for the next Martini venture

Rating:
Summary: Martini bites the hand that feeds him.
Review: Martini bites the hand that feeds him as he trashes all aspects of the publishing industry in The List. It almost seems as if he is bitter about the way he was treated in the early part of his writing career. Now that he has vented his spleen he should go back to what he does best. This is a mediocre effort at best

Rating:
Summary: A different Martini book; I like the Madriani books better.
Review: I've read all of Martini's books and enjoy his Paul Madriani character. This book is definitely different, with a female leadcharacter, and many insider literary references. I have to admit I was surprised, and disappointed by the ending. The book was a real page-turner, but I felt let down by the ending.

Rating:
Summary: GOOD MARTINI
Review: I LOVED THIS BOOK!! I MUST ADMIT THAT I PRETTY MUCH HAD IT FIGURED OUT FOUR CHAPTERS FROM THE END, BUT IT WAS A "PAGE TURNER"!! AS WITH ALL GOOD BOOKS, WORK SEEMS TO GET IN THE WAY OF MY READING

Rating:
Summary: Fast read
Review: Don't expect this to be like Martini's other books, because it really isn't. But it's a fast-paced fun read with well-drawn characters that are interesting. This will be a good beach book for the summer

Rating:
Summary: Boring, boring, boring is all I can say!!
Review: This is probably one of the slowest books I've ever read. If you want to know everything there is to know about publishing a book, then you will like this book, but I could care less. He goes into too many details about "the trials" of publishing and not enough about the mystery and storyline. I kept thinking, who cares, what's the point!!!??? The story line is pretty lame. A lawyer who is a part time writer becomes disillusioned with the publishing world. She writes a best seller and hires this mystery man, who is actually a mercenary, to be pretend he's the writer. Of course he is wildly popular with his good looks, give me a break! This is definately not one of his better books!

Rating:
Summary: STEVE MEETS SIDNEY
Review: It's somewhat hard to believe that the man who has written the outstanding Paul Madriani series is the same guy who pens this spiffy little "potboiler". It reminds me a lot of Sidney Sheldon's forays, but Martini's brisk pace and innate sense of plot and characterization propel this novel into higher ground. The plot revolves around an author/lawyer who after several misfires in writing finds she's written a hit---a big, money-making bestseller. Only problem is, she's an over-40 woman, not incredibly beautiful, and she knows her past flops will prevent any publisher from wanting the book no matter how good it is. She creates a pseudonymn, Gable Cooper, as the author and then sets out to find a handsome hunk to "play the role." In steps incredibly gorgeous hunk Jack Jermayne, a perfect fit to play the role. But, what have we here: murders of author's friend, ex-husband and her friends' vicious ex-husband start to point evidence that Jack may not be what he seems?? Hmm..in typical cinematic fashion, the author flees for her life to seek help from her long-time friend, Spencer.
The climax is appropriately suspenseful and the little "twist" at the end satisfying.
A fun, involving tour de force for Mr. Martini.