Every Shut Eye (Strivers Row)

Rating:
Summary: Slow, No Easy Rawlings
Review: Alex Baxter is an aide to Washington, DC's powerful mayor, Simon Blake, and
is also his son in law. Alex discovers that Simon in addition to being the
mayor is also the biggest drug dealer in DC and has implicated Alex and his
family in his dealings. Alex, with the help of his friends, security
expert Lisa, street wise Fortune and computer savvy Foody, attempt to clear
Alex's name and bring down Simon.

The plot was an interesting concept, but did not seem to deliver on paper.
The jacket cover Alex was touted as an Easy Rawlings for the 21st Century,
but neither he nor the book were anywhere close to Walter Mosley's fast
paced and smart Easy Rawlings Mystery novels. The book was slow, the
writing was flat, and the characters did not captivate. The book was
short, but difficult to finish, and is not one that I would recommend.
reviewed by
misrich



Rating:
Summary: Don't Be Fooled
Review: I waited for the sequel to Simon Says, and was not disappointed. I found the storyline stimulating, with the characters coming full circle. Every cliffhanger was answered, and the ending took me completely by surprise. Kudos to Ms. Dixon. I can't wait for the sequel to "Behind Closed Doors..."

Rating:
Summary: Remember Me?
Review: In Simon Says by Collen Dixon, we met the ruthless Simon Blake, Mayor of Washington D. C. Alex Baxter, his son-in-law and aid, discovered a seedy side of Simon and his business holdings. It is a story of power, political intrigue, greed and betrayal. Alex, a boy from the hood, met Simon's daughter Tiffany in college and the two became friends, protectors and lovers through a series of tragic events. EVERY SHUT EYE by Collen Dixon is the sequel to Simon Says.

As the story opens we find Alex and his wife Tiffany Blake Baxter still reeling from the events of a boating accident and the powers that be touting a spin on the misfortune to protect Simon's name. Although EVERY SHUT EYE is the sequel to Simon Says, Dixon penned a second novel, Behind Closed Doors: In My Father's House, which introduces the affluent and mighty Cavanaugh family of Washington D. C. via New York. This same family plays an integral role in EVERY SHUT EYE, and it is amazing to watch how it all plays out!

Dixon is an amazing mystery writer, leaving no stone unturned as the reader navigates through the history of the Blake, Baxter and Cavanaugh families. Her descriptions of places, things, and peoples' emotions are vivid and uncanny as she introduces and reintroduces some savory and humorous characters. Dixon also provides thorough information so that EVERY SHUT EYE can stand on its
own, but why miss the chance to read Simon Says and Behind Closed Doors: In My Father's House? They are very good reads and mystery buffs will simply love this series. Each book gets better and better as more tantalizing information is revealed. (RAW Rating: 4.5)

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers