The Other Extreme

Rating:
Summary: Trite work of fiction
Review: After having read many great books in my life, I have come to realize one thing about today's movement towards mass market fiction...in most cases you can hardly ever find a good book! The same can be said for TJ McGregor's work "The Other Extreme." The book's characters and plot, while sometimes showing flashes of glory and interest, are nothing more then the amalgamation of other characters from a host of different books. If you can, pick up a copy of a literary classic like "Great Expectations" or "Of Mice And Men" to show what an author can do to bring characters to life, and to make an even sometimes convoluted plot make sense. But stay away from this type of fiction! It's not worth your time!

Rating:
Summary: Eerie suspense
Review: Defense attorney Kit Parrish has her hands full with her new case -- a young doctor charged with the murder on Tango Key, Florida, of his lover, actress Diane Jackson. As she goes about her job of searching for evidence and planning a defense, Kit's troubles are compounded by bizarre episodes of nightmares and sleepwalking experienced by her young son, Ryan. Worse, he's hearing a voice which he calls The Other, causing Kit to fear he needs either a psychiatrist or a neurosurgeon. Thank goodness for the faithful retriever who looks out for him. What a great dog!

Although we know from the first chapter who the real killer is, the suspense mounts with each successive chapter as the killer covers his tracks and manipulates evidence, fully expecting the doctor to be convicted. And if Kit does her job too well, or troublesome witnesses turn up, why, he is not above killing again.

The sub-plot concerning the 10-year-old disappearance of Kit's brother is as compelling as the murder case, and while the reader just knows there has to be a connection, the author deftly keeps you guessing until the penultimate moment. This murder mystery/legal thriller is shrouded in supernatural overtones which in less skillful hands might have been over the top, but it works here to create a walloping good tale.

Rating:
Summary: Eerie suspense
Review: Defense attorney Kit Parrish has her hands full with her new case -- a young doctor charged with the murder on Tango Key, Florida, of his lover, actress Diane Jackson. As she goes about her job of searching for evidence and planning a defense, Kit's troubles are compounded by bizarre episodes of nightmares and sleepwalking experienced by her young son, Ryan. Worse, he's hearing a voice which he calls The Other, causing Kit to fear he needs either a psychiatrist or a neurosurgeon. Thank goodness for the faithful retriever who looks out for him. What a great dog!

Although we know from the first chapter who the real killer is, the suspense mounts with each successive chapter as the killer covers his tracks and manipulates evidence, fully expecting the doctor to be convicted. And if Kit does her job too well, or troublesome witnesses turn up, why, he is not above killing again.

The sub-plot concerning the 10-year-old disappearance of Kit's brother is as compelling as the murder case, and while the reader just knows there has to be a connection, the author deftly keeps you guessing until the penultimate moment. This murder mystery/legal thriller is shrouded in supernatural overtones which in less skillful hands might have been over the top, but it works here to create a walloping good tale.

Rating:
Summary: A Top-Notch Page Turner
Review: I've been reading T. J. MacGregor since before she was even published! This novel, like all of hers, is compelling and interesting, keeping you on your toes throughout. I liked THE OTHER EXTREME especially because I love the setting, Tango Key, an imaginary island in the Florida Keys created in some of her earlier books (written under the name Alison Drake). This book is full of suspense and intrigue, but more than that, it's full of personality. Kit Parrish and her son Ryan are easy to like people you would enjoy knowing in real life, something absolutely necessary in a good novel. Even though this is a murder mystery, the mystery is solved almost immediately producing a unique twist to grab the reader's attention so that we must keep reading to find out if the real killer is discovered or if the innocent party ends up convicted and jailed. The subplots are equally good and all the stories come together in the end like a well-made meal. You will finish this book without being hungry for anything else than another T. J. MacGregor novel.

MacGregor's use of astrology and past life experiences is done well and with obvious knowledge. Many of her novels include this new age side to them which is now very popular, but MacGregor was ahead of her time, including it in her early novels nearly 20 years ago.

This is a great book to take to read on the airplane, at the beach, while waiting for the dentist, during your lunch hour, heck, any time is a good time for THE OTHER EXTREME.

Rating:
Summary: "Extremely" Good!
Review: I've been reading T. J. MacGregor since before she was even published! This novel, like all of hers, is compelling and interesting, keeping you on your toes throughout. I liked THE OTHER EXTREME especially because I love the setting, Tango Key, an imaginary island in the Florida Keys created in some of her earlier books (written under the name Alison Drake). This book is full of suspense and intrigue, but more than that, it's full of personality. Kit Parrish and her son Ryan are easy to like people you would enjoy knowing in real life, something absolutely necessary in a good novel. Even though this is a murder mystery, the mystery is solved almost immediately producing a unique twist to grab the reader's attention so that we must keep reading to find out if the real killer is discovered or if the innocent party ends up convicted and jailed. The subplots are equally good and all the stories come together in the end like a well-made meal. You will finish this book without being hungry for anything else than another T. J. MacGregor novel.

MacGregor's use of astrology and past life experiences is done well and with obvious knowledge. Many of her novels include this new age side to them which is now very popular, but MacGregor was ahead of her time, including it in her early novels nearly 20 years ago.

This is a great book to take to read on the airplane, at the beach, while waiting for the dentist, during your lunch hour, heck, any time is a good time for THE OTHER EXTREME.

Rating:
Summary: The Other Extreme
Review: It's been GREAT to find T>J> MacGregor again! The book is excellent. Wonderful character development. My two favorites are Ben and and the older psychic. I enjoyed the intertwining of murder mystery and psychic past life concepts. All fell into its "cosmic" place in the end. I would love to see this group of characters again on another psychic crime solving mission. Everything Ms. MacGregor writes is unusual, daring, and captivating. I anxiously await more.

Rating:
Summary: The Other Extreme
Review: It's been GREAT to find T>J> MacGregor again! The book is excellent. Wonderful character development. My two favorites are Ben and and the older psychic. I enjoyed the intertwining of murder mystery and psychic past life concepts. All fell into its "cosmic" place in the end. I would love to see this group of characters again on another psychic crime solving mission. Everything Ms. MacGregor writes is unusual, daring, and captivating. I anxiously await more.

Rating:
Summary: Hitchcock like psychological suspense
Review: Jay Hutchin is a circuit court judge assigned to the criminal division of Tango County in the Florida Keys. He dresses right, makes the right kind of marriage, goes to society social events to see and be seen by the elite, and acts like a man who is totally in charge of his life. That is a false image because Jay is totally obsessed by Hollywood actress Diane Jackson, who is buying property in the area.
When he spots her stepping out on him, he becomes so enraged and jealous he strangles her to death. Jay tries to go on his way as if nothing happened, but two things stand in his way. He is on the short list to be the Attorney General of the United States and an innocent man is going to trial for the actress's murder. The defense council is Kit Parish who has only lost one case in her years practicing law. Jay was the one to mentor and train her. In a spooky turn of events, Kit's son seems to know too much about the murder and having killed one person, Jay will not hesitate to do so again if he feels his life is in danger, even Kit's son.

Although readers know from the very beginning who the killer is and that the jailed suspect is innocent of any crime, this work of psychological suspense fascinates the audience into making it a one slippery ride. The paranormal elements circling around Kit's son serve to enhance the feeling of believability in the plot and adds dimension to the story line. T.J. MacGregor has written another winner.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Hitchcock like psychological suspense
Review: Jay Hutchin is a circuit court judge assigned to the criminal division of Tango County in the Florida Keys. He dresses right, makes the right kind of marriage, goes to society social events to see and be seen by the elite, and acts like a man who is totally in charge of his life. That is a false image because Jay is totally obsessed by Hollywood actress Diane Jackson, who is buying property in the area.
When he spots her stepping out on him, he becomes so enraged and jealous he strangles her to death. Jay tries to go on his way as if nothing happened, but two things stand in his way. He is on the short list to be the Attorney General of the United States and an innocent man is going to trial for the actress's murder. The defense council is Kit Parish who has only lost one case in her years practicing law. Jay was the one to mentor and train her. In a spooky turn of events, Kit's son seems to know too much about the murder and having killed one person, Jay will not hesitate to do so again if he feels his life is in danger, even Kit's son.

Although readers know from the very beginning who the killer is and that the jailed suspect is innocent of any crime, this work of psychological suspense fascinates the audience into making it a one slippery ride. The paranormal elements circling around Kit's son serve to enhance the feeling of believability in the plot and adds dimension to the story line. T.J. MacGregor has written another winner.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: A Top-Notch Page Turner
Review: T.J. MacGregor has given us another engaging thriller set on Tango Key, the charming island she created for her earlier Tango Key Mystery Series (published under the pen name, Alison Drake). The Other Extreme is a skillfully woven tale of lawyer Kit Parrish's difficulties with her sleepwalking son Ryan, and the mysterious connection between Ryan's nightmares and nocturnal forays, a recent murder, and the 10-year old unexplained disappearance of Kit's brother. The story is further enriched by the presence of Ryan's wonderful Golden Retriever, Oro, and the author's deft use of astrology, past life experiences, and psychic detecting. Highly recommended.