Custody

Rating:
Summary: Engrossing family drama
Review: If I'd been writing this book, I wouldn't have started with the teaser scene Thayer chose (and it was extremely confusing that the date at the top of the first chapter was an error--it should have read September 2000 rather than August 2000--who did the line edit, anyway?). After reading that first scene, I didn't want to go back a month and read what led up to it. I suspect that's why some readers found the beginning slow going. If Thayer had just started the story earlier and told it chronologically, it would have been a more satisfying read. Frankly, I didn't want to know what she revealed in that first scene. I'd have preferred to find out who the man in the custody case was on my own. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Thayer's strength is characterization, and these characters were three-dimensional and compelling. Ann was particularly fascinating, and Tessa was wonderful. I was a bit disappointed with the end of the book, though. Thayer wrapped things up a little too quickly, I felt. We never did get to see Ann's turnaround. I just couldn't buy into the idea that a woman so driven and obsessed would so quickly acquiesce to the changes wrought by the judge's decision. I also wanted to see more of how Tessa felt afterwards. Still, I would recommend this book and anything else Thayer writes.

Rating:
Summary: A Bit of a Stretch...
Review: While I agree witht the other reviewers concerning the characters and ending, my chief complaint was the dialogue. Found it stilted and artificial (does anyone really say "Yes, I am beset with problems") Early scene in cemetary was so artificial, I had to push to proceed, but Tessa was a pleasure. Would try another book by Thayer, but this didn't make may favorites list.

Rating:
Summary: Obvious plot, rushed ending
Review: While this is an easy read, a good "beach book," it had several problems. One is that instead of foreshadowing, the author practically boinks you on the head -- so many of the events "revealed" at towards the end were obvious from the very beginning. Additionally, the ending was rushed. After setting the scene for a custody battle, and allowing the reader to see various scenes leading up to it [e.g., the Guardian ad Litem's meetings with multiple characters], we get none of the actual custody trial. Finally, the problems of certain characters just seem to disappear by the ending, with no explanation on if they dealt with them or how, and how they adjusted to the ruling in the custody case. My first thought was "Is that it?" Haven't read any of the author's other books, but this one didn't really encourage me to do so.