Move to Strike

Rating:
Summary: The sixth -- and best -- Nina Reilly novel
Review: This book represents the growth of Perri O'Shaughnessy (sisters Mary and Pamela) in both literary strength and daring. This novel, the sixth in the series, represents a benchmark. I get the feeling it's the novel they always wanted to write, but didn't... couldn't?... for infathomable reasons. It's bolder, it's more direct, and in total, it's more real.

At the onset, the heroine, Nina, confronts the most basic of conflicts. Her young son's friend is indicted for murder. Nina arranges to defend the girl, then finds her instincts as a mother (to protect children... even indicted ones... but not at the expense of her own son) at odds with her responsibility as an attorney. The young defendant is a dubious influence on Nina's son, but at the same time, free-spirited Nina sees herself in the girl -- and, as it is so often in real life, the "right" thing is impossible to determine.

Adding angst, Nina is grieving for her husband, a noble lawyer from previous novels whose death followed a marriage as brief as it was joyful. Unfortunately, Nina believes the disgruntled former client who caused her husband's accident is still out to get her... and then there's also the murderer from this novel, too, as she believes her client is innocent. Nina doesn't eat. She just drinks coffee. That doesn't help her relax... but who could blame her?

The supporting characters in this story also ring truer than in the past. Accused murderer Nicole and her Tahoe showgirl mother, Daria, are just a bit over the top on one hand, but then imagine how a real, prodigiously bright high schooler would behave next to her ditzy Tahoe showgirl of a mother. Also, the "real" murderer (you learn right off that Nicole did not kill anyone) is cleverly and ingenuously concealed in the story. You can look for the murderer, and you will see the murderer... but I doubt you will recognize the murderer.

I liked this book the most out of all the Nina Reilly novels, although novel number 5 was also good. Nina learns and grows in this novel, and the series is leaving behind its occasionally static chrysalis as the characters emerge into dynamically beautiful butterflies.

Rating:
Summary: The sixth -- and best -- Nina Reilly novel
Review: This book represents the growth of Perri O'Shaughnessy (sisters Mary and Pamela) in both literary strength and daring. This novel, the sixth in the series, represents a benchmark. I get the feeling it's the novel they always wanted to write, but didn't... couldn't?... for infathomable reasons. It's bolder, it's more direct, and in total, it's more real.

At the onset, the heroine, Nina, confronts the most basic of conflicts. Her young son's friend is indicted for murder. Nina arranges to defend the girl, then finds her instincts as a mother (to protect children... even indicted ones... but not at the expense of her own son) at odds with her responsibility as an attorney. The young defendant is a dubious influence on Nina's son, but at the same time, free-spirited Nina sees herself in the girl -- and, as it is so often in real life, the "right" thing is impossible to determine.

Adding angst, Nina is grieving for her husband, a noble lawyer from previous novels whose death followed a marriage as brief as it was joyful. Unfortunately, Nina believes the disgruntled former client who caused her husband's accident is still out to get her... and then there's also the murderer from this novel, too, as she believes her client is innocent. Nina doesn't eat. She just drinks coffee. That doesn't help her relax... but who could blame her?

The supporting characters in this story also ring truer than in the past. Accused murderer Nicole and her Tahoe showgirl mother, Daria, are just a bit over the top on one hand, but then imagine how a real, prodigiously bright high schooler would behave next to her ditzy Tahoe showgirl of a mother. Also, the "real" murderer (you learn right off that Nicole did not kill anyone) is cleverly and ingenuously concealed in the story. You can look for the murderer, and you will see the murderer... but I doubt you will recognize the murderer.

I liked this book the most out of all the Nina Reilly novels, although novel number 5 was also good. Nina learns and grows in this novel, and the series is leaving behind its occasionally static chrysalis as the characters emerge into dynamically beautiful butterflies.

Rating:
Summary: Just Okay
Review: This book starts out with a compelling premise - a young girl goes to her rich uncle's house to take back something that was rightfully hers, witnesses his murder, and may end up on trial for her life. Unfortunately, the plot quickly unravels into several threads - the many "whos" who possibly "dunnit." Each thread is equally plausible, or implausible, depending on your perspective. Evidence is thin on the ground for all of them, and the motives seem too easy/trite. While this "device" keeps the reader wondering, a little competition for the prime suspect would have been nice. Unlike many great thrillers, this book doesn't present you with someone who appears to be the most likely suspect, and then surprise you at the end with someone else, who is, in retrospect, the obvious choice.

The subplot of Nina and Paul's attempted romance is a little distracting, and the stilted dialogue between them doesn't convey a sense that they are uncomfortable or wary of each other. Rather, it suggests sloppy characterization and/or just plain bad dialogue.

The authors also attempt to weave in contemporary events in the descriptions and dialogue. The one that stands out is when Nina says something about begging the D.A. on her knees, and Paul responds with something about "pulling a Monica." This struck me as both lame and dated. It actually took me a second to get the reference. It also made Paul look like more of a jerk than I had originally assumed (he is a reckless skirt-chaser, with few other redeeming qualities). It's hard to understand what Nina, a widow, sees in him, making their attraction somewhat unbelievable.

The characterization of Nikki is okay. I thought the authors could do better in making her rebellious-yet-wounded persona less cliched and more real. The "good band name" and black fingernails schtick was a little tired. Vivid description and more realistic dialogue would have gone a long way.

Rating:
Summary: Move to Strike was Excellent!
Review: This is my first review. I will not go into detail on the storyline.

For those familiar with Nina Reilly, I believe this was her best!! I could not put the book down. I enjoyed the other books in the series, but the character development was richer than before.

For those unfamiliar with Nina Reilly, this is the sixth mystery of the series in the surroundings of Lake Tahoe. Unfortunately I am one of those readers that has to start with book one. So start reading and enjoy.