To Die in Provence

Rating:
Summary: Should have died in Provence
Review: Bogner's writing smacks of the forced sexual indulgence of the '60's. The construct is poor, the metaphors are absurd, and whole resembles the stylized rantings of a troubled teenager. I do not understand how it can have been given good reviews.

Rating:
Summary: Great!!! Words can't deswcribe how good this is
Review: Former porno star Boy has left America to travel to Provence, France in order to join his girl friend Maddie Gold, daughter of a very successful TV producer. However, Boy is nothing like his name as he is a vicious person, who wrecks havoc wherever he is. While in France, Boy has brutally murdered two visiting Americans and has become a noted serial killer.

Adam has hired Jennifer Bowen to keep his daughter out of trouble, however, Maddie wants nothing to do except rejoin her beloved Boy and she will do whatever it takes to accomplish that feat. Meanwhile, suspended police officer Michael Danton tries to ferret out the identity of the evil killer, who has frightened the entire countryside before the death count is raised even higher.

TO DIE IN PROVENCE is the frightening sequel to Norman Bogner's brilliant SEVENTH AVENUE and like its predecessor, this novel is a great, but scary tale. The story line is typical serial killer fare except that the aud! ience knows almost from the beginning who the killer is. However, it is the characters, especially the seemingly angelic first impressions of the evil Boy, who turn this novel into a first rate and refreshing sub-genre entry. Readers will welcome Mr. Bogner's triumphant return to fiction after a three decade self-imposed exile with his two Danton novels.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Should have died in Provence
Review: I looked forward to this book because of the plot and the location (Provence)and bought it to read on my vacation flight. I was appalled at the awfulness of the writing. The dialogue was atrocious and the characters were completely wrong for the 1990s. I've read books that weren't brilliantly written before because the story and/or the characters were strong enough to overcome the the author's expository limitations, but there is a degree of dreadfulness that completely gets in the way of the plot, no matter how ingenious or interesting. That was the case here. I was only able to read about 30 pages before throwing it (literally) into the waste paper basket. Warning: Don't waste your money. P.S.: I didn't wish to give this book ANY stars. Your program for submitting reviews insists on at least one. Don't be fooled. It didn't deserve even that one.

Rating:
Summary: Disgusted and disappointed
Review: The novel is a charming, compelling sexual/psychological thriller with European flair. It is set in Aix-en-Provence with lots of local color and texture, including French gastronomy, right down to the kitchen smells. In the opening chapter, Provence homicide detective Michel Danton is trying to get himself back to duty and off the medical furlough and get over being dumped by Yvette, his live-in girlfriend and tabloid TV reporter in her own right. Circumstances, including a couple of gruesome homicides, bring him together with Jennifer Bowen, a young, attractive American art history prof who is there doing field work. Arrangements for her research stipend are a bit unusual, but sufficient for her purposes. Plane ticket and living expenses were paid by Mr. & Mrs. Adam Gold, Los Angeles TV producer, in return for her keeping an eye on their rebellious daughter Maddie. The problem is that tarty Maddie has a trouble-making has brought along her friend, "Boy". As the story unwinds, he is revealed as a cunning psychopath. Can unhorsed Det. Danton climb back into the saddle and get his man? Veteran storyteller Norman Bogner spins a fascinating tale, building hero Michel Danton and heroine Jennifer Bowen from flesh, sinew, intellect and emotion, and providing tantalizing peeks into the minds of rebellious Maddie and psychopathic "Boy." Francophile and Francophone Norman Bogner has an eye for the landscape around the French Riviera and a good ear for the tone, rhythm of the language and the nuances of Gaelic wit. It made me wish I had stayed longer when motoring through in 1971.

Rating:
Summary: HANNIBAL LECTER'S SON VACATIONING IN PROVENCE?
Review: yes, the character of BOY would certainly make dr. lecter most proud!!! just about the perfect sociopath ever and wow!! what a setting......provence! bogner captured the true essence and flavors of this marvelous area perfectly and added dashes of such amazing characters....this would make an awesome tv mini-series...many juicy roles and colorful locales....I LOVED IT!!! cannot wait to read a sequel with the incredible local cop!!! will there be one soooooon???????