Secrets & Lies

The Black Stiletto #4

by Raymond Benson

The Black Stiletto is back in the fourth book of the thrilling five-book saga. It’s 1961, and Judy, the Stiletto, meets Leo, a charismatic man who convinces her to move to Los Angeles when she is “run out” of New York by increasingly hazardous police heat. But Leo, who has connections with the West Coast mobs, has plenty of skeletons in his closet. His mysterious sister, Christina, who once served time for armed robbery, could also be a threat to the Stiletto’s new life in California. Meanwhile, in the present, Alzheimer’s-stricken Judy takes a turn for the worse as Martin comes to grips with the imminent end of his mother’s life. And when elements from the Stiletto’s past once again appear to threaten Martin’s family, it is up to his daughter, Gina, to step up and take matters into her own hands.

Genres: Adventure, Thriller, Superheroes, Fiction

336 pages, Hardcover

First published January 7, 2014

About the author

Raymond Benson is the author of approximately 40 titles. Among his works are the critically-acclaimed and New York Times best-selling serial THE BLACK STILETTO, and he was also the third--and first American--continuation author of the official James Bond 007 novels. His latest novels are HOTEL DESTINY--A GHOST NOIR, BLUES IN THE DARK, IN THE HUSH OF THE NIGHT and THE SECRETS ON CHICORY LANE.

Reviews

[Katarina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fourth book of the series, and unfortunately the second last.

Just as great as the others, the story deepens and gets a few new layers. The Black Stiletto is now in LA, and living a very different life than in New York.

No less action packed, but deeper as secrets start to be revealed and questions start to get answers.

Love this series

[Mark Mekkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest, after the last book I was a little bit afraid that this series was starting to become repetitive. But Book 4 took off and really went to new and interesting places. And really made me interested in finding out what happens next.

[Roger Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 4 in the series keeps the mystery and tension going. Very interesting characters keeps the plot intriguing and moving. Can't wait to read the conclusion in book 5.

[Bill · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book really annoyed me. The most annoying thing is that this is a SERIAL, not a series book. There is a cliffhanger ending, kind of, really it is more like the author got to a certain point in writing the book, said to himself, this is enough for now, I will publish this and then put out the second half in November. They should notate that this is Part One. I don't like books that don't complete any of the story in a book. (See my soapbox rant in "A Review of The Kill Room by Jeffery Deaver, http://bmackela.wordpress.com/2013/06...) I had read The Black Stiletto (Book One) and thought that it had an interesting premise, just that it seemed too simplistic, but it wasn't a serial book! The story had an ending. So therefore I decided that I would try another book in the series.

The main plot device that is used in this series is that there are 5 volumes of a diary written by Judy Talbot back in the early 60s, when she was a masked female crime fighter called The Black Stiletto. Each chapter of the book is written from a different character's point of view, and it is titled with that person's name and if it takes place in the present or the past. So for Martin Talbot, Judy's son, it would say "1 Martin - The Present" or for the diary portions it would say "2 Judy's Diary - 1961 - January 8, 1961". So the way that we get Judy's thoughts from 1961 is from her diary. How do we get "4 Leo - The Past"? Did Leo leave a diary, or do his thoughts just magically appear on the pages of this book? Mr. Benson, be consistent, don't cheat. If the diary is the plot device, how did Leo give his thoughts to you?

The story goes along just fine and if it had both parts of the story in this one book it would be a decent story. I probably would overlook the Leo thought problem, since his thoughts do add to the story, and I would give it 3 Stars out of 5. But since I get so bugged by the idea that you can just chop a book in two and then sell it as a complete novel, I can only give this book 1 Star. If you like SERIAL books, and you go into this knowing that, you may enjoy this book.

I received this Digital Review Copy for free from NetGalley.com.

[MD · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read in the series. I think there are three previous books. There are some references to the earlier books that you don't really care about if you haven't read those books, but overall, I didn't feel like I should have read the earlier books before reading this one.

There are two stories going on in this book, one in the past (1961) with Judy/The Black Stiletto, and one in the present with her son who is learning the past story by reading her diaries. Its hard to describe Judy/Black Stiletto. Bridget Jones as a superhero-ish vigilante? Or given the time period, maybe Doris Day? I found the character fun to read about and I enjoyed her somewhat ditzy take on the current events of 1961. I stayed up way too late two nights in a row reading this. Fortunately it's a quick read so two nights was enough.
Though, one of the things I didn't like about it is that the language seemed dumbed down as though the language was geared to a younger audience than the subject matter is.

I liked the idea of the second story and that we see Judy at the end of her life. It is very touching to go back and forth between the sharp, athletic young Judy and the frail elderly Judy who has fallen victim to Alzheimer's. I didn't care as much for her son though and found his anxiety annoying.

The other thing I didn't like is the ending. It didn't really have one. I suspect its predecessors didn't either. If it's all a single story, it should have been a single book.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Black Stiletto must be one of the most unique characters introduced within the last few years, presented in such a unique manner. The book and the series deserves the high rating for the entertainment value alone.

In Secrets & Lies, the fourth installment of a planned five-book series, we find Judy Cooper making the transition from New York to Los Angeles, and blooming into a truly independent woman. I commend author Raymond Benson for his ability to give voice to Judy through her diaries as a young woman in the early 1960s as she matures and deals with the changing moralities of her generation. Once again involved with a shady love interest, Judy struggles to maintain her balance between some newly-found respectability and the excitement and attention she craves; between her public life and her dangerous, secret identity.

Part of why Benson succeeds with this series is his unique device of managing multiple, interrelated story-lines. Judy's past as told through her diary; her son, Martin, discovering his Mother's secrets while dealing with her Alzheimer's Disease and the consequences of her past life, as well as his own personal issues and demons. Then there is Martin's daughter who may well have some of the same abilities and inclinations as her grandmother.

Many of the questions raised in the earlier installments of this series begin to be addressed in Secrets & Lies. My only disappointment with this book is that, having completed the book, I now have to wait for the full story to be told in the fifth and final (?) installment due later this year.

[Reading Rediscovered · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an odd book. I had high expectations with the writing because the author has also written some James Bond novels, so I expected it to have a decent style as well as plot.
I was disappointed.
This book was not written in a very clear, formal way. Some of the stylistic choices were understandable because there were diary entries, so more colloquial language made sense. But even here, the writing left something to be desired as they were to be entries from the late 1950s and the language was more what you would see in current journal entries.

I found the story to be somewhat well formed. The characters had minimal development, but they did feed the story when they needed to.

I have given the book 2 stars because I didn't feel it was a great book. I had a hard time getting through this book (it wasn't even that long) because of the writing style and a fairly slow moving story, but it was still an alright book.

[Darcie Duranceau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raymond Benson impresses, yet again, with this, the fourth book in The Black Stiletto series. I finished reading the first three several months ago, so it was a long wait. It was well worth it, though, for this is the perfect continuation. The relationships between many of the characters are strained and stretched in a manner than makes it impossible to set this book down. Though I strongly recommend reading it, you might be wise to hold off until later in the year... the fifth book is due to release in the second half of 2014. I don't know how I am going to be able to wait that long!

[David Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent blend of historical thriller and modern mystery. The series is now very nicely set up for the concluding episode due in November.

http://opionator.wordpress.com/2014/0...

[Joe O'Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent; Continuing character: The Black Stiletto; in the early sixties, Stiletto moves from NY to LA, and continues to battle crime, while in present time her son is confronted with the fact that his daughter has much in common with his mother

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each book is better and better. Love how the story is building and answers to questions are being answered. I feel like I am right there watching Judy Talbot! So happy the author introduced me to his series!

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

More comic book than novel.

[Connie Gudelauski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspense

Continue s to grab you and keep you in suspense. Constant twists and turns. Can't wait for the next book.

[Meri-Lyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

California wasn't really all that good for Judy. The story kept me interested and the characters are still engaging. Looking forward to one last book!

[Debbie Stark · Rating 4 out of 5]

was good..got the rest of the series curious to see where this goes!

[Judi Learned · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raymond Benson - I am a fan!