Desperate Measures

by Kitty Neale

Here, four women seek the ultimate revenge against the men who betrayed them. Val Thorn, Paula Richardson, Cheryl Cutter, and Betty Grayson have one thing in common - they have all been betrayed by men. Now these four women want revenge. Masterminded by Val, the four women set out to right past wrongs. But will their role of avenging angels take them down a terrible road?

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction

556 pages, Hardcover

First published January 22, 2009

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was ok, zero concentration required, not sure I'd rush to read another book by this author.

Two stars.

[Jeanne Grice · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing

Having read several of Kitty Neale's books, I found this one quite disappointing. It was lacking her usual ability to keep you page turning in eagerness to read the next chapter.

[Kaye Arnold · Rating 3 out of 5]

A long read that seemed drawn out for a good portion of the story. Pace picked up near the end, but seemed rushed in the final chapters. However, it is very readable if you stick with it. Not my favourite by this author, but she remains on my 'good' list.

[Bookread2day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Desperate Measures is a beautiful story about friends coming together for a reason. This was such a really good story that I gave it to my mum to read.

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a strange read, set during the late 1960s in south London. It also feels padded and too long. A woman who lost her home during a divorce when her husband took up with a much younger woman, lives quietly in a flat and works at cleaning, with no other skills, having been a mother and housewife. A slightly older woman in the block of flats deliberately befriends her and eventually - on page 100 - starts telling her that they should do something about the way men treat women. Everyone smokes.
With another pair of like-minded and easily led women they start to play bad tricks on the men they despise. They do this without regard for ethics (morals) and we know it will turn on them.
The saying is that living well is the best revenge. Try it.
At the start we see a good many references to how London used to be in 1969, but these mentions become few, and arguments take over the whole narrative. I suggest more historical detail, more showing of how women generally are advancing, rather than revenge plots which I found frankly unbelievable. Women didn't do things like this, because the whole of society was set up so they could not and did not. From the fairytales children are told, to divorce and property laws, women were kept isolated at home and without agency. Women also knew that these revenges were wrong.
I read a paperback. This is an unbiased review.

[Mary Monks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four women band together to seek revenge on men who have done them wrong.
Paula was assaulted; Val lost he job to a conniving male employee; Cheryl was tricked out of her inheritance and Betty is alone and destitute after her husband left her for a younger woman.
What will they plan to do? Will what they choose to work?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just another great read from Kitty Neale

It’s so lovely to find an author that I just want to keep reading her books until I’ve caught up to the present day
And this is one author I’m doing just that

Such a wonderful story about getting revenge when 4 ladies plot to destroy who caused them unhappiness
And through the tough times when it goes wrong they can still find happiness at the end

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book as it was easy to feel empathy for the women. The ending, in my opinion, could have been written to tie all loose ends as I felt a lot of questions went unanswered, and as it is a stand alone novel, should have been addressed.

[Biddy Soutar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to this as an audio book. The reader made it come alive with convincing inflections and accents that made me forget that it was just one person reading it. I think that I would have enjoyed it less if I had read it.

[Suzanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy read

This was an easy read and, initially, believable characters with their background stories plausible, however, the rest of the book was a bit far fetched and slow. I nearly stopped reading half way through as it wasn’t a page turner for me.

[dave jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

gripping

This book has me gripped from start to finish and I think this ends my books as I’ve read them all so maybe I will start with the early ones again. Thanks Kitty Neale for keeping my nights filled with your wonderful stories

[Pauline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Average read I thought. Wasn’t to keen on the storyline seemed a bit far fetched to me. Enjoyed other books by her more than this one.

[Kerry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not finish.

[sandra hannan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

A very good read got lost in the story kitty neale brings the story alive a must read for all

[Jean P · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled with this book, very slow and tedious in parts. To me the women’s plans were rather far fetched. I have read much better from this author and am sure I will do so again.

[Leanne Hardy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This started out very promising but sadly flaws started to become very clear close to half way, one of the characters starts to have constant doubts which become more & more frequent once her 'revenge' is done. When the third one is done things go wrong & turns out her need for revenge is unjust and the ending from this is VERY poor. It all tidies up in a twee way which I didn't find believable at all. Could have been a great book for me to suggest to others but sadly not.

[Emma Smart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and it was first book I've read by this author and I'm quite happy how this book was written and really loved the ending I will definitely be reading more of hers and would recommend to ours

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this story dragged on a bit and tended to be a little repetitive. The characters kept me interested though.

[Judith Yeabsley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure why I picked this or continued reading it but I guess the fact that I finished it says something about the book ( or me!)

[SUSAN NICKEL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Once started could not put down. It just show s in some cases revenge is a dish best served cold. You really feel for Paula and Cheryl
Bio

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book.

[Rowlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Kitty Neale favourite.