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Rating: 
Summary: A sophisticated mystery
Review: Natalie Joday is a reporter for the Bergen Evening Star in a fictional suburb of N.J. In this second installment of the NJ Mystery Series someone has been sending riddles to Louise, the gossip columnist at the Star. Only problem is, Louise usually sends herself mail. She asks for Natalie's help in responding and figuring out if there is anything worth investigating in the riddles. Natalie soon realizes the pen pal eludes to a murder and the possible involvement of the owners of the Bergen Star. Subsequent letters and riddles leads Natalie to several suspects. The riddles propel the storyline. The author has a knack for evoking emotion by her rich characterization, from the opening scene where Natalie's brother is waiting at the airport to see his daughter, to the crackling tension between Natalie and a could-be romantic interest, Sergeant Geoff Allen. The author writes with humor and emotion, and her knowledge of her characters is obvious. Natalie is one gutsy, smart lady, and one I can't wait to meet again soon.
Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly satisfying!!
Review: Unfold The Evil is Ellen Larson's second Natalie Joday mystery (not New Jersey, as the cover suggests), although Ellen Larson IS from New Jersey. Coincidence? Maybe. Ellen Larson is a New Jersey native, and her second novel is once again set in Bergen County, New Jersey. Ms. Larson presently lives in Cairo, Egypt.Unfold The Evil once again finds ace stringer Natalie Joday working at the Bergen Evening Star. Times are rocky, rumors abound, and Louise Hunt, their newest advice columnist hired via her nephew, a board member of the paper, has been receiving odd letters full of riddles hinting at a murder from someone named Enigma. Louise is terrified and asks for Natalie's help. Natalie begins her research with a particularly chilling letter from Enigma: "...If they knew, they would come and get me. They are a traitorous Gang, and the night winds whisper of an Evil Deed they once did-- My pride won't let me tell my name...But if you guess it I'll be tame: Begin with twenty-six, Take twelve steps forward, Subtract three, Add six, Then take one step backward. Don't think this was the Villain's only crime. And now he asks us to trust him?..." Natalie correctly identifies the rhyme with liberal Maurizio Marconi, a Senate hopeful embarrassed by a sex scandal, whose career spiraled downwards until his death in 1992. Natalie, depressed by a sudden drought of stories at the paper, decides to investigate Marconi's death further. When Natalie's well-placed questions lead to an autopsy, it turns out Marconi's death was a murder. Suddenly the paper puts Natalie on the path of the murder, never dreaming the trail would double back to the paper itself. Unfold The Evil is a polished sophomore offering by Ms. Larson, who takes the reader into a labyrinth with more booby traps than the tombs of Egypt. The plot is absorbing, the characters compelling, Natalie's love life is tantalizingly out of reach, and the end is thoroughly satisfying. Shelley Glodowski, Reviewer
Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly satisfying!!
Review: Unfold The Evil is Ellen Larson's second Natalie Joday mystery (not New Jersey, as the cover suggests), although Ellen Larson IS from New Jersey. Coincidence? Maybe. Ellen Larson is a New Jersey native, and her second novel is once again set in Bergen County, New Jersey. Ms. Larson presently lives in Cairo, Egypt. Unfold The Evil once again finds ace stringer Natalie Joday working at the Bergen Evening Star. Times are rocky, rumors abound, and Louise Hunt, their newest advice columnist hired via her nephew, a board member of the paper, has been receiving odd letters full of riddles hinting at a murder from someone named Enigma. Louise is terrified and asks for Natalie's help. Natalie begins her research with a particularly chilling letter from Enigma: "...If they knew, they would come and get me. They are a traitorous Gang, and the night winds whisper of an Evil Deed they once did-- My pride won't let me tell my name...But if you guess it I'll be tame: Begin with twenty-six, Take twelve steps forward, Subtract three, Add six, Then take one step backward. Don't think this was the Villain's only crime. And now he asks us to trust him?..." Natalie correctly identifies the rhyme with liberal Maurizio Marconi, a Senate hopeful embarrassed by a sex scandal, whose career spiraled downwards until his death in 1992. Natalie, depressed by a sudden drought of stories at the paper, decides to investigate Marconi's death further. When Natalie's well-placed questions lead to an autopsy, it turns out Marconi's death was a murder. Suddenly the paper puts Natalie on the path of the murder, never dreaming the trail would double back to the paper itself. Unfold The Evil is a polished sophomore offering by Ms. Larson, who takes the reader into a labyrinth with more booby traps than the tombs of Egypt. The plot is absorbing, the characters compelling, Natalie's love life is tantalizingly out of reach, and the end is thoroughly satisfying. Shelley Glodowski, Reviewer
Rating: 
Summary: A GREAT THRILLER
Review: UNFOLD THE EVIL is the second in a projected four title series; the first was THE HATCH AND BROOD OF TIME. This second outing of Natalie Joday finds her still working for the Star, but this time she is at odds over her job. She feels as if she has had enough of cops and courtrooms with all the trouble she has gone through with her brother Daniel, who seems to be more settled now. Louise Hunt, an advice columnist for the Star, is receiving terrifying letters from someone. At first, Natalie does not take them seriously because every one knows that Louise writes herself letters to answer. Natalie suggests that Louise write a response to the writer of the letter and that would put a stop to the letters. The letters continue and become bolder. They are written in riddles and containing references to murders committed and a thirst for vengeance. Natalie turns to Rebecca Elias, a psychologist, who also happens to be Daniel's girlfriend. Natalie and Rebecca decide if they can figure out the riddles, they can figure out who the writer is. Can they figure out the mystery before there are more murders? UNFOLD THE EVIL is well written with ups and downs that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat. Ms. Lars has created characters that have depth to them and are true to life. Natalie is still my favorite. She is very bright, very gutsy, and a protector to those she loves. I can hardly wait for the 3rd installment with Natalie Joday to come out.
Rating:
Summary: A GREAT THRILLER
Review: UNFOLD THE EVIL is the second in a projected four title series; the first was THE HATCH AND BROOD OF TIME. This second outing of Natalie Joday finds her still working for the Star, but this time she is at odds over her job. She feels as if she has had enough of cops and courtrooms with all the trouble she has gone through with her brother Daniel, who seems to be more settled now. Louise Hunt, an advice columnist for the Star, is receiving terrifying letters from someone. At first, Natalie does not take them seriously because every one knows that Louise writes herself letters to answer. Natalie suggests that Louise write a response to the writer of the letter and that would put a stop to the letters. The letters continue and become bolder. They are written in riddles and containing references to murders committed and a thirst for vengeance. Natalie turns to Rebecca Elias, a psychologist, who also happens to be Daniel's girlfriend. Natalie and Rebecca decide if they can figure out the riddles, they can figure out who the writer is. Can they figure out the mystery before there are more murders? UNFOLD THE EVIL is well written with ups and downs that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat. Ms. Lars has created characters that have depth to them and are true to life. Natalie is still my favorite. She is very bright, very gutsy, and a protector to those she loves. I can hardly wait for the 3rd installment with Natalie Joday to come out.
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