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Pretty Maidens All In a Row
Mary Elizabeth Grange, also known as Beth to her friends, is little more than a child when she is noticed..
Her lanky, developing body and her childlike ways do nothing to dissuade his hungry eyes and his needy imagination. She glides through life happily, doing what happy teenagers do, but to him she becomes everything. Every flip of her long curly ebony hair, every smile, every gesture speaks to him as he quietly moves in the shadows, for no one ever sees him. His small, inconsequential world narrows even further, real life recedes. Fantasy, like a blazing fire consumes him.
Then their worlds collide in one brutal and obscene act as he brazenly flings reality aside and allows the delusions to totally devour him. Her world destroyed, Beth must fight for her very sanity.
Then at the farthest end of her nightmare and many miles away, happiness and love are finally within her reach. Much to her bemusement, she starts to receive flowers from a secret admirer. Things start to take on a darker tone and she senses anything but affection from the gifts being left to her.
But how can this be related in anyway to the vicious serial killer in her home state who is killing women that look so much like her? The answers will only be attained if she dares to fight the biggest battle of her life
Her lanky, developing body and her childlike ways do nothing to dissuade his hungry eyes and his needy imagination. She glides through life happily, doing what happy teenagers do, but to him she becomes everything. Every flip of her long curly ebony hair, every smile, every gesture speaks to him as he quietly moves in the shadows, for no one ever sees him. His small, inconsequential world narrows even further, real life recedes. Fantasy, like a blazing fire consumes him.
Then their worlds collide in one brutal and obscene act as he brazenly flings reality aside and allows the delusions to totally devour him. Her world destroyed, Beth must fight for her very sanity.
Then at the farthest end of her nightmare and many miles away, happiness and love are finally within her reach. Much to her bemusement, she starts to receive flowers from a secret admirer. Things start to take on a darker tone and she senses anything but affection from the gifts being left to her.
But how can this be related in anyway to the vicious serial killer in her home state who is killing women that look so much like her? The answers will only be attained if she dares to fight the biggest battle of her life
388 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 10, 2004
2 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
J.M. Brown
1 book24 followersBorn 1961 in Newfoundland, Canada Of English / Irish descent. Graduated from the Grace General Hospital School of Nursing in 1980 at nineteen years of age and went on the specialize in psychiatry / psychology. Always had a burning desire to write and create characters and finally in 2014 created "Pretty Maidens All In a Row." Presently at work on a new novel called "They All Fall Down." The titles of all my books will be based on a nursery rhyme. My novel can be found at this link:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00T3T3P1A
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
August 5, 2015
I received a copy of this novel from J.M. Brown in exchange for my honest review.
I have been lucky recently and have read some really good psychological thrillers and this was no exception. “Pretty Maidens All in a Row” is an excellent debut novel.
Main character Mary Elizabeth (Beth) is a happy-go-lucky teenager that is just starting to have an interest in boys and spends most of her time with her best friend Sally. However, Beth doesn't realize she's being stalked by a mentally unstable man. Richard Reed, is obsessed with Mary Elizabeth and for quite some time watches and spends all his time thinking of her. His obsession grows and he kidnaps both Beth and Sally on a day that ends in horrifying violence that leaves Beth devastated. Trying to pick up the pieces Beth and her family move to Canada where she tries to move on with her life. After a brief period of silence suddenly someone is sending roses with cryptic messages to Beth bringing the horror of the past to her new life.
This book is definitely not for the faint of heart as there is quite a bit of violence (especially in the first couple chapters) that may be hard for some to read. This book offers a believable look at insanity and obsession with many unique characters. I did find that I had to pay close attention at times as the point of views switched quite often mid page. A few times I had to go back and re-read a little bit. However, I did appreciate the insight into all of the different characters.
Overall an excellent novel. Brutal, dark and twisted with many unique and believable characters. Everything you want in a psychological thriller! Thank you J.M. Brown.
I have been lucky recently and have read some really good psychological thrillers and this was no exception. “Pretty Maidens All in a Row” is an excellent debut novel.
Main character Mary Elizabeth (Beth) is a happy-go-lucky teenager that is just starting to have an interest in boys and spends most of her time with her best friend Sally. However, Beth doesn't realize she's being stalked by a mentally unstable man. Richard Reed, is obsessed with Mary Elizabeth and for quite some time watches and spends all his time thinking of her. His obsession grows and he kidnaps both Beth and Sally on a day that ends in horrifying violence that leaves Beth devastated. Trying to pick up the pieces Beth and her family move to Canada where she tries to move on with her life. After a brief period of silence suddenly someone is sending roses with cryptic messages to Beth bringing the horror of the past to her new life.
This book is definitely not for the faint of heart as there is quite a bit of violence (especially in the first couple chapters) that may be hard for some to read. This book offers a believable look at insanity and obsession with many unique characters. I did find that I had to pay close attention at times as the point of views switched quite often mid page. A few times I had to go back and re-read a little bit. However, I did appreciate the insight into all of the different characters.
Overall an excellent novel. Brutal, dark and twisted with many unique and believable characters. Everything you want in a psychological thriller! Thank you J.M. Brown.
July 31, 2015
I wish to thank Ms. J. M. Brown for gifting me a copy of Pretty Maidens All in a Row in exchange for an unbiased review.
Ms. Brown, it was indeed a pleasure to read your debut novel! Pretty Maidens All in a Row was a very satisfying read for me. Basically, this is the story of a young woman named Mary Elizabeth Grange over an approximately 6-year time frame as she fights to survive and ultimately to find understanding and happiness in the face of unthinkable atrocities in her life. The book also raises the old, but still perplexing question of whether bad people are totally genetically engineered to be evil or whether their upbringing and environment play a more important role.
What is great about this novel? The feature I loved the most is the outstanding character development of both the good and the bad. Furthermore, Ms. Brown is a psychiatric nurse, and her experience and knowledge in the field is evident in this psychological thriller. I also liked that the narration is 3rd person and we are allowed access into the minds of several characters, giving us a great overview of the goings on. Though a number of reviewers have mentioned a significant lag in the action in the midportion of the story, I found that section flowed easily for me as the author had made me really care about Mary Elizabeth, and that part of her life held significant interest for me. Finally, I have to admit I really enjoyed the romantic angle in Pretty Maids.
What was not so good? Gosh, the police in this story were not deep thinkers and overall were pretty inept. There were times I wanted to jump into the pages and yell, “what are you people thinking?” I’m going to cut the author some slack here as this is her first novel and probably her first attempt at a bit of police procedural, something that is likely far outside her expertise. I actually figured out the perp before the end of the book, but I have to say that didn’t lessen my enjoyment of the novel. I was always anxious to pick the book up again and found it easy to continue reading one more chapter. Again, I believe this is because Ms. Brown had me very invested in Mary Elizabeth and how this tale would play out.
I also want to add that the final scenes were heart pounding and well done. The ending made me smile. Oh, and the book cover is terrific; I understand Ms. Brown did it herself!
I highly recommend Pretty Maidens All in a Row to all thriller fans. I see a lot of potential in Ms J.M. Brown’s writing, and I will definitely read her next book.
Ms. Brown, it was indeed a pleasure to read your debut novel! Pretty Maidens All in a Row was a very satisfying read for me. Basically, this is the story of a young woman named Mary Elizabeth Grange over an approximately 6-year time frame as she fights to survive and ultimately to find understanding and happiness in the face of unthinkable atrocities in her life. The book also raises the old, but still perplexing question of whether bad people are totally genetically engineered to be evil or whether their upbringing and environment play a more important role.
What is great about this novel? The feature I loved the most is the outstanding character development of both the good and the bad. Furthermore, Ms. Brown is a psychiatric nurse, and her experience and knowledge in the field is evident in this psychological thriller. I also liked that the narration is 3rd person and we are allowed access into the minds of several characters, giving us a great overview of the goings on. Though a number of reviewers have mentioned a significant lag in the action in the midportion of the story, I found that section flowed easily for me as the author had made me really care about Mary Elizabeth, and that part of her life held significant interest for me. Finally, I have to admit I really enjoyed the romantic angle in Pretty Maids.
What was not so good? Gosh, the police in this story were not deep thinkers and overall were pretty inept. There were times I wanted to jump into the pages and yell, “what are you people thinking?” I’m going to cut the author some slack here as this is her first novel and probably her first attempt at a bit of police procedural, something that is likely far outside her expertise. I actually figured out the perp before the end of the book, but I have to say that didn’t lessen my enjoyment of the novel. I was always anxious to pick the book up again and found it easy to continue reading one more chapter. Again, I believe this is because Ms. Brown had me very invested in Mary Elizabeth and how this tale would play out.
I also want to add that the final scenes were heart pounding and well done. The ending made me smile. Oh, and the book cover is terrific; I understand Ms. Brown did it herself!
I highly recommend Pretty Maidens All in a Row to all thriller fans. I see a lot of potential in Ms J.M. Brown’s writing, and I will definitely read her next book.
June 5, 2015
Thank you J. M. Brown for allowing me to read your first debut psychological thriller, “Pretty Maidens All in a Row”.
The author is a Canadian of English / Irish descent, a retired psychiatric nurse, who specialized in “mental disorders and deviations of the brain.” Since retiring she has become an author of suspense/thriller novels. Her former career gave her the ability to create realistic and believable characters. So also being a Canadian, of Irish descent, we have a lot in common…except I wish I had her talent. I really enjoyed reading this novel.
This is not a book for the faint of heart, but if it is a genre you enjoy reading then don’t miss out on this powerful emotional read.
I find I am reading more novels based on children’s nursery rhymes, such as Mark Edward’s series starting with Eeny Meeny, which again in this case is very appropriate…the innocence of children and how quickly they grow up. I am sure those readers who have children, will hold their children a little closer after reading this novel.
Mary Elizabeth Grange, (known to her friends as Beth), is just a child, fourteen years old…with a whole life in front of her. She gets on well with her parents, an only child, with a best friend, Sally. But terrible things were happening in the background. Beth had a stalker, who was obsessed with her beauty. And then he does the unthinkable… he kidnaps her and Sally. He is totally delusional, and she witnesses some terrible crimes, but is rescued just in time. Beth’s life would never be the same, and after a period of time, her family moves away in an attempt to begin fresh.
Starting a new life, one of possible hope and love, Beth begins to receive notes and roses….but from a secret admirer? Now the tension builds again, and things take on a darker tone, as she is about to cross the path of a serial killer. Has her stalker returned to finish what he started, totally obsessed with her? Beth must fight for her sanity and freedom.
A fast-paced psychological thriller that is sure to please! I loved it and was definitely in my element.
The author is a Canadian of English / Irish descent, a retired psychiatric nurse, who specialized in “mental disorders and deviations of the brain.” Since retiring she has become an author of suspense/thriller novels. Her former career gave her the ability to create realistic and believable characters. So also being a Canadian, of Irish descent, we have a lot in common…except I wish I had her talent. I really enjoyed reading this novel.
This is not a book for the faint of heart, but if it is a genre you enjoy reading then don’t miss out on this powerful emotional read.
I find I am reading more novels based on children’s nursery rhymes, such as Mark Edward’s series starting with Eeny Meeny, which again in this case is very appropriate…the innocence of children and how quickly they grow up. I am sure those readers who have children, will hold their children a little closer after reading this novel.
Mary Elizabeth Grange, (known to her friends as Beth), is just a child, fourteen years old…with a whole life in front of her. She gets on well with her parents, an only child, with a best friend, Sally. But terrible things were happening in the background. Beth had a stalker, who was obsessed with her beauty. And then he does the unthinkable… he kidnaps her and Sally. He is totally delusional, and she witnesses some terrible crimes, but is rescued just in time. Beth’s life would never be the same, and after a period of time, her family moves away in an attempt to begin fresh.
Starting a new life, one of possible hope and love, Beth begins to receive notes and roses….but from a secret admirer? Now the tension builds again, and things take on a darker tone, as she is about to cross the path of a serial killer. Has her stalker returned to finish what he started, totally obsessed with her? Beth must fight for her sanity and freedom.
A fast-paced psychological thriller that is sure to please! I loved it and was definitely in my element.
May 21, 2015
My gut knotted. My heart raced. At times I held my breath. Pretty Maidens All in a Row, JM Brown’s debut psychological thriller, had all the ups and downs of a giant rollercoaster ride.
Mary Elizabeth Grange is a fourteen-year-old student known as Beth to family and friends. She is an average teen with stunning ebony hair and alluring blue eyes. She has loving parents and a best friend, Sally. She also has a stalker, a man obsessed with her beauty and her “purity”. When his delusions overwhelm him, he kidnaps her and Sally. The event shatter’s Beth’s life, and eventually her family moves away in an attempt to begin anew.
At the onset of Part 2, life seems normal, even happy, for Liz, as she now calls herself. It was this part of the story that slowed down significantly for me. While I knew that the author was preparing for another big peak, this portion felt sluggish to me. My interest picked up when she began receiving packages from a “secret admirer,” however. This wasn’t her boyfriend Jack, but was it really an admirer? What if Richard Reed had been released from the psychiatric ward? Could this be a copycat? Or was it someone with a different agenda? Girls start turning up dead, their bodies assaulted and carved with puzzling messages. Is Liz in danger again?
I was sure I knew – until Ms Brown threw another small twist. It turned out that my instincts were correct, but it was a clever move nonetheless.
The rhyme “Mary, Mary quite contrary” is something that Beth’s dad used to sing to her when she was a girl, and the killer incorporates the phrase “pretty maidens all in a row” into his bizarre thought processes. Ms. Brown, a former psychiatric nurse, did an incredible job getting inside the head of her perpetrator in this book.
I did find a few things to be problematic. The transitions from one scene to the next were frequently abrupt, going from one character and place to another without warning, and I often had to reread a whole page to see what I had missed. Also, as I mentioned above, the middle of the book dragged quite a bit and could have used some editing. For the most part, though, Ms Brown did a great job making me squirm and feel anxious over and over again. Kudos for a fine start to your thriller writing career, JM!
4 stars
Mary Elizabeth Grange is a fourteen-year-old student known as Beth to family and friends. She is an average teen with stunning ebony hair and alluring blue eyes. She has loving parents and a best friend, Sally. She also has a stalker, a man obsessed with her beauty and her “purity”. When his delusions overwhelm him, he kidnaps her and Sally. The event shatter’s Beth’s life, and eventually her family moves away in an attempt to begin anew.
At the onset of Part 2, life seems normal, even happy, for Liz, as she now calls herself. It was this part of the story that slowed down significantly for me. While I knew that the author was preparing for another big peak, this portion felt sluggish to me. My interest picked up when she began receiving packages from a “secret admirer,” however. This wasn’t her boyfriend Jack, but was it really an admirer? What if Richard Reed had been released from the psychiatric ward? Could this be a copycat? Or was it someone with a different agenda? Girls start turning up dead, their bodies assaulted and carved with puzzling messages. Is Liz in danger again?
I was sure I knew – until Ms Brown threw another small twist. It turned out that my instincts were correct, but it was a clever move nonetheless.
The rhyme “Mary, Mary quite contrary” is something that Beth’s dad used to sing to her when she was a girl, and the killer incorporates the phrase “pretty maidens all in a row” into his bizarre thought processes. Ms. Brown, a former psychiatric nurse, did an incredible job getting inside the head of her perpetrator in this book.
I did find a few things to be problematic. The transitions from one scene to the next were frequently abrupt, going from one character and place to another without warning, and I often had to reread a whole page to see what I had missed. Also, as I mentioned above, the middle of the book dragged quite a bit and could have used some editing. For the most part, though, Ms Brown did a great job making me squirm and feel anxious over and over again. Kudos for a fine start to your thriller writing career, JM!
4 stars
June 3, 2015
Where do I start with this?
I am always apprehensive when starting an unknown authors debut novel. I know they are waiting with bated breath to read what you think. Well, I was READING with bated breath. This truly is an awesome read. I read it in one day.
I have been sitting waiting to write my review until the author made the it word perfect, she has given the best of the best inside and outside her book. She cares how she presents it, and it shows.
Mary is only 14 years old. She is kidnapped, she undergoes and witnesses some terrible mind splintering crimes. She is rescued just in time but of course, think of the impact on her. Aweful, terrible and something in her mind forever.
Her family are very close and they decide to move away, start afresh. BUT as soon as things seem to be plodding along nicely she starts to receive notes and roses. Now this is where I got to know where the author got her title from. I'm a sucker for a good cover and the title fitting in, its one of the things I kinda pay attention to. I don't know why.
Are the notes part of her past? Is it linked or is this something else entirely.
I can tell you this much, it did keep me reading, flicking my Kindle wanting to get to the next chapter, then the next chapter, alas it did keep me up until the wee early hours until I finished it.
Its a gripping tale, and I have been very very VERY lucky with debut novels so far this year that I haven't read one that I haven't enjoyed.
This author is someone I will be following as I love her style.
I have grown children now, but it sure brings out the 'Mother' in you to grab your kids and protect them.
Thank you to the author for indulging me in your lovely psychological thriller, it was a pleasure to read.
June 9, 2015
I feel like I'm getting off the roller coaster ride, weak knees and all.
I have a grand-daughter the same age as Mary Elizabeth, Beth as she is called by family and friends. Her BFF is Sally .. they have grown up together, laughed and giggled together, shared their most secret secrets together. And they both have such a bright future ahead of them ... that is, until Beth gains a stalker.
What happens to these two lovely young girls should never happen. As a mom and grandmom, I was emotionally spent when reading this book. The author does a terrific job in bringing those emotions front and center while watching Beth suffer through her trauma, and then deciding whether she could go on with her life. With the help of her music teacher, who also shares the trauma-bond with Beth, she does learn to live with what happened.
The author spent a lot of time in telling Beth's story.... how she learned to live again, how she decided she could and would go on to do something productive with her life..something Sally would be proud of.
Beth's stalker was caught and placed in a mental facility. When she starts receiving roses and notes from an "admirer", her first thought is that her stalker has escaped, been released, and has found her again, although she no longer lives in the US.
What follows is nightmare for Beth .. reliving the past, terrified of the future, leading to an explosive ending.
The reader will not want to put this one down. It certainly doesn't have the flavor of a debut novel; indeed, it has the robust taste of a very talented artist.
I will definitely be watching and following this author ... not to be confused with stalking...
August 26, 2015
I was asked my Ms Brown if I would like to read her book as a 'request for review' read. Having seen that a number of my friends here on GR had read and liked the book I agreed.
This book is billed as a psychological thriller and tells the story of Mary Elizabeth over a period of a few years from a young adolescent to a woman in her early twenties. The story is about obsession, stalking, kidnapping, murder and the aftermath of a particularly horrendous event.
This is a debut and there are some good points here but there were some things that niggled too. Firstly, for me, the story kind of read a bit like a made-for-tv movie. I found the lead up to the kidnapping, exciting in parts but dull in others. I did get bored at the over descriptiveness of how perfect and beautiful Mary Elizabeth was meant to be. I know it was meant to drive home points further down the line but it did kind of become repetitive. The whole stalking build up is nothing I haven't really seen (or read) before so felt that that particular angle didn't really offer anything new. Then we moved onto part two and this got a tad strange. On more than one occasion I kind of got lost and didn't know who was speaking as the setting would change abruptly without any clear distinction. I'd be reading along and then have to stop and go back to find where I was. It was odd because it didn't happen in the beginning or latter stages of the book. Just the middle section. Then we move onto part three and the book veers into a romance come thriller. At times I did think the book was trying to be too many things as if it wasn't sure where it really wanted to go. It was really obvious who the perpetrator was all the way through part three so I found it a long winded and slightly frustrating way to get to the big reveal, which of course it wasn't. The investigative side was inept and as a reader felt that they were all bordering on 'can you not see the obvious?' territory.
I'm not having a go at the author, there were some good parts that were very readable and kept the page turning but the middle section was weak and the latter was fairly obvious. But as a debut I thought it showed some real potential. If tighter editing was done with better proofreading, it could have been different. This wasn't a bad book at all and what I would find interesting is watching how this author develops. Sometimes it can be exciting to see where an author starts out and after a few books in, see the development curve. There is definitely promise here and I would read more by Ms Brown. Not everyone can start out with an instant bestseller!! A solid three stars from me.
My thanks go to the author for the reader copy. Appreciated.
This book is billed as a psychological thriller and tells the story of Mary Elizabeth over a period of a few years from a young adolescent to a woman in her early twenties. The story is about obsession, stalking, kidnapping, murder and the aftermath of a particularly horrendous event.
This is a debut and there are some good points here but there were some things that niggled too. Firstly, for me, the story kind of read a bit like a made-for-tv movie. I found the lead up to the kidnapping, exciting in parts but dull in others. I did get bored at the over descriptiveness of how perfect and beautiful Mary Elizabeth was meant to be. I know it was meant to drive home points further down the line but it did kind of become repetitive. The whole stalking build up is nothing I haven't really seen (or read) before so felt that that particular angle didn't really offer anything new. Then we moved onto part two and this got a tad strange. On more than one occasion I kind of got lost and didn't know who was speaking as the setting would change abruptly without any clear distinction. I'd be reading along and then have to stop and go back to find where I was. It was odd because it didn't happen in the beginning or latter stages of the book. Just the middle section. Then we move onto part three and the book veers into a romance come thriller. At times I did think the book was trying to be too many things as if it wasn't sure where it really wanted to go. It was really obvious who the perpetrator was all the way through part three so I found it a long winded and slightly frustrating way to get to the big reveal, which of course it wasn't. The investigative side was inept and as a reader felt that they were all bordering on 'can you not see the obvious?' territory.
I'm not having a go at the author, there were some good parts that were very readable and kept the page turning but the middle section was weak and the latter was fairly obvious. But as a debut I thought it showed some real potential. If tighter editing was done with better proofreading, it could have been different. This wasn't a bad book at all and what I would find interesting is watching how this author develops. Sometimes it can be exciting to see where an author starts out and after a few books in, see the development curve. There is definitely promise here and I would read more by Ms Brown. Not everyone can start out with an instant bestseller!! A solid three stars from me.
My thanks go to the author for the reader copy. Appreciated.
November 24, 2015
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This fast paced and suspenseful psychological thriller kept me on my toes. I was anticipating the ending, but the author pulled off the twist well. JM Brown is a very skilled writer in dialogue and suspense building.
While I struggled with the scenes from the killer's point of view (just because they make me squeamish) I though the heroine was wonderfully written and the ending was cathartic.
This fast paced and suspenseful psychological thriller kept me on my toes. I was anticipating the ending, but the author pulled off the twist well. JM Brown is a very skilled writer in dialogue and suspense building.
While I struggled with the scenes from the killer's point of view (just because they make me squeamish) I though the heroine was wonderfully written and the ending was cathartic.
June 4, 2015
Brutal, disturbing, twisted and dark, Pretty Maidens All in a Row by J. M. Brown follows a young teen as she is unknowingly stalked by a deranged admirer who has conjured an imaginary relationship between the two of them. When his obsession overpowers what minute amount of sanity he has, he takes action to ensure that Mary Beth will be his and his alone. What is left is a shattered teen, once happy and carefree, with a best friend to confide in, do everything with, she has become depressed, withdrawn and will fight for years to come out from under the crushing fear that has engulfed her. Will he return? Will he escape prison and find her?
When her knight in shining armor becomes her true love, a secret admirer begins a slow dance of stalking her once again. Is Beth not allowed to have any happiness? Is this just some sick joke or has her stalker returned to finish what he started, making her his prisoner in his twisted world of love?
Is this admirer showing her how much he wants her by killing her look alikes, trying to get to the “original?” Insanity and obsessions take on darker and more evil tones as, once again, her life becomes a living nightmare of fear and death.
J. M. Brown knows how to create atmosphere, there were times I wanted to wash my hands and scrub my eyeballs while reading this dark tale. She has gone for broke, with powerful scenes, and tension that feels like a high voltage wire has been connected to your body. Combining the innocence of youth, with the depravity of a lost soul, the collision arranged by J. M. Brown is a brilliant display of her writing prowess and her no nonsense approach to high quality psychological drama. Each page is an unexpected shock as she takes down a twisted path through darkness to an ending that had me fanning myself as my heart rate soared. Highly recommended for an wicked ride on the edge of insanity.
I received this copy from J.M. Brown in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: February 2, 2015
Publisher: J.M. Brown
ISBN-13: 9781507886922
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Print Length: 388 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
When her knight in shining armor becomes her true love, a secret admirer begins a slow dance of stalking her once again. Is Beth not allowed to have any happiness? Is this just some sick joke or has her stalker returned to finish what he started, making her his prisoner in his twisted world of love?
Is this admirer showing her how much he wants her by killing her look alikes, trying to get to the “original?” Insanity and obsessions take on darker and more evil tones as, once again, her life becomes a living nightmare of fear and death.
J. M. Brown knows how to create atmosphere, there were times I wanted to wash my hands and scrub my eyeballs while reading this dark tale. She has gone for broke, with powerful scenes, and tension that feels like a high voltage wire has been connected to your body. Combining the innocence of youth, with the depravity of a lost soul, the collision arranged by J. M. Brown is a brilliant display of her writing prowess and her no nonsense approach to high quality psychological drama. Each page is an unexpected shock as she takes down a twisted path through darkness to an ending that had me fanning myself as my heart rate soared. Highly recommended for an wicked ride on the edge of insanity.
I received this copy from J.M. Brown in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: February 2, 2015
Publisher: J.M. Brown
ISBN-13: 9781507886922
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Print Length: 388 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
July 30, 2015
Review: PRETTY MAIDENS ALL IN A ROW by J. M. Brown
First off, this is not a novel for the faint of heart nor the queasy of stomach. Don't be fooled by the lyrical writing style nor the scenic descriptions, nor even by the happy and content family lives. That's just one end of the continuum. Even in Paradise, there are poisonous snakes, scorpions, and spiders, in this case figuratively.
A question that has puzzled bright minds for centuries involves the transmission of insanity. Is it genetic, and some unknown cell trigger wakes up at some point, inciting preprogramming to incipient madness? Or does insanity come about through the horrors of the childhood environment? Nature or Nurture? Or Nature in concert with Nurture? Reading PRETTY MAIDENS ALL IN A ROW, the reader has the opportunity to ponder that question, as several aspects of insanity are presented, in several individuals, with the implacable, inescapable, horror, of an oncoming tsunami.
First off, this is not a novel for the faint of heart nor the queasy of stomach. Don't be fooled by the lyrical writing style nor the scenic descriptions, nor even by the happy and content family lives. That's just one end of the continuum. Even in Paradise, there are poisonous snakes, scorpions, and spiders, in this case figuratively.
A question that has puzzled bright minds for centuries involves the transmission of insanity. Is it genetic, and some unknown cell trigger wakes up at some point, inciting preprogramming to incipient madness? Or does insanity come about through the horrors of the childhood environment? Nature or Nurture? Or Nature in concert with Nurture? Reading PRETTY MAIDENS ALL IN A ROW, the reader has the opportunity to ponder that question, as several aspects of insanity are presented, in several individuals, with the implacable, inescapable, horror, of an oncoming tsunami.
September 12, 2015
One of the best psychological thrillers I've read! I knew what the story was about, and my heart kept beating while turning the pages... I was in no hurry to get to the part where Mary Elizabeth's life would change forever, but I knew I had to. Such raw emotions portrayed through words.
From carefree characters to insane ones, J.M. Brown did them all justice. Each character was complex and I found myself blinking away tears as Sally uttered "Beth". That particular scene is still in my head. I don't think I can forget it any time soon. As much as I despised Richard Reed, I felt sorry for him. Psychos are made. Not born.
50% into the book and I kinda guessed who the perpetrator was. I suppose anyone who reads psychological thrillers would have no trouble guessing the plot. But did that deter me from continuing the book? Hell no! I wanted to know more. I remember feeling sorry for the Banks even more towards the end. But all I wanted was for Mary Elizabeth to have a happy ending.
At some points, I did get a little confused, but all I had to do was re-read the sentences. Dark. Twisted. Beautiful. I truly enjoyed reading this book.
From carefree characters to insane ones, J.M. Brown did them all justice. Each character was complex and I found myself blinking away tears as Sally uttered "Beth". That particular scene is still in my head. I don't think I can forget it any time soon. As much as I despised Richard Reed, I felt sorry for him. Psychos are made. Not born.
50% into the book and I kinda guessed who the perpetrator was. I suppose anyone who reads psychological thrillers would have no trouble guessing the plot. But did that deter me from continuing the book? Hell no! I wanted to know more. I remember feeling sorry for the Banks even more towards the end. But all I wanted was for Mary Elizabeth to have a happy ending.
At some points, I did get a little confused, but all I had to do was re-read the sentences. Dark. Twisted. Beautiful. I truly enjoyed reading this book.
June 4, 2015
I want to thank J.M Brown for the honor of reading her first debut psychological thriller. Excellent start!
There are certain psychological thrillers that are harder for me to read than others. I really should have asked a few more questions before making the decision to read this novel for a review. I had to take a step back and re-read a couple of chapters to figure out if I could be objective about this story, the writing style, the dialogue and the ending. What I really wanted to do is post a quick rating and say, I loved it and I hated it and leave it at that. Since this is a debut novel and the author is patiently awaiting my thoughts, I really should say a few more words. Well folks, I'm going to babble my way through this.
While reading this novel, it was easy enough to get through the first half of the story. Pretty Maidens All In a Row is a creative way start a series of novels with children’s sentimental singing rhymes that can turn sour at the mention of it when used maliciously. Brilliant!
The protagonist, Mary Beth is a strong character and you get to watch her ‘grow’ up in the eyes of her parents, her schizophrenic neighbor, her music teacher, her best friend Sally, Sally’s brother and their parents. When Beth’s life is turned upside down and she loses her best friend in a brutal and violent way, her teacher saves her. As she resumes her life, busily finishing her education and starting her career, she also stays in touch with her teacher, and at some point they fall in love and romance ensues.
They do this in a good healthy way but for some reason it felt immoral to me. Ok, call me old fashioned. I did like the way that we were able to see how Beth was ‘healing’ after such a tragic event in her life.
As the story continues, the second half, we are tossed into several other chapters, new characters and their lives. This is where I had trouble following. It took me a while to figure out where the author was taking me and who these people were, but when I did figure it out, I had to read almost the rest of the novel to see if I was correct. Very clever, but I felt lost a lot of the time. The paragraphs changed too abruptly to a different scene. Personally, I like spaces between some paragraphs, it helps me pause, blink and start another. It also felt a little forced, ideas and thoughts coming too quickly and not edited to blend smoothly.
What had transpired from a perfect life, to a violent piece, then a romance, and then again another terrifying event was a great idea! It was a rollercoaster ride of some intense emotions, even the romance part of it. Probably more so than your average reader because I've experienced a few tragedies in my life. Unfortunately, I did not like the ending personally.
July 2, 2015
I received a free copy from the author, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, J.M. Brown!
Using her experience as a psychiatric nurse specialized in mental disorders, J.M. Brown gives a believable look at insanity and obsession. Mary Elizabeth Grange is at the center of this unwanted attention, and the untreated schizophrenia of her neighbor will change her life forever. The book has three parts, the first being the one I liked the most. Beth is a resourceful fighter, and her plight had me cheering for her. The second part takes a more procedural tone, following Beth's life as well as the exploits of a serial killer and the cops trying to catch him. The final part is the breathtaking conclusion. Through it all, Beth keeps being the same resourceful character, which made it hard for me to accept it when she willingly put herself in danger. I kept yelling at her... for such a smart woman, she makes very big mistakes - which I guess just shows she's human. I found the book a little long and a certain disconnection between the parts, but it still kept my attention. In this case, "write what you know" worked well for the author. I will keep my doors locked and my neighbors out of sight, just in case.
Using her experience as a psychiatric nurse specialized in mental disorders, J.M. Brown gives a believable look at insanity and obsession. Mary Elizabeth Grange is at the center of this unwanted attention, and the untreated schizophrenia of her neighbor will change her life forever. The book has three parts, the first being the one I liked the most. Beth is a resourceful fighter, and her plight had me cheering for her. The second part takes a more procedural tone, following Beth's life as well as the exploits of a serial killer and the cops trying to catch him. The final part is the breathtaking conclusion. Through it all, Beth keeps being the same resourceful character, which made it hard for me to accept it when she willingly put herself in danger. I kept yelling at her... for such a smart woman, she makes very big mistakes - which I guess just shows she's human. I found the book a little long and a certain disconnection between the parts, but it still kept my attention. In this case, "write what you know" worked well for the author. I will keep my doors locked and my neighbors out of sight, just in case.
December 13, 2015
J.M. Brown's debut novel, Pretty Maidens All In A Row, is stunning. Readers will be left will chill down their spines and the danger is worse than one can image. This novel is definitely for a mature audience and for fans of CSI. Suspense hangs like a thick blanket on every page. Readers will be clueless just like Mary Elizabeth Grange (aka Beth), until the secret admirer shows himself. A serial killer on the loose and a dangereous admirer, who could or could not be the killer. Mary had a great life and now, she lives in fear constantly. A tourment that she wishes would end so she could move on with her life. Readers will find themseves drawn deep into this thriller and feel fear and death at every corner. Pretty Maidens All In A Row, is a dark and frighteing story. Readers will constantly be on their toes. I highly recommend reading this during the day time. The aftermath of reading this, will leave you feeling spooked. A gripping edge of your seat masterpiece written by J.M. Brown. I loved it and look forward to her next chilling piece. Overall, I highly recommend this novel to readers everywhere.
August 13, 2015
This is definitely a dark one with graphic violence so is not for the faint hearted. It's a very intense book about a deranged man who is obsessed with a beautiful young girl. Many parents will be keeping an extra watch over their teenage girls after reading this one.
To Richard Reed, all women are impure except for his beloved Mary Elizabeth. It makes for a interesting read to see his stalking escalate. The author, who is a psychiatric nurse, puts her experience to good use in this book. It's a realistic portrayal of obsession.
The book is almost two books in one as the first part deals with Mary Elizabeth as a young girl and Richard Reed's obsession, while the second part deals with Mary Elizabeth as an adult whose secret admirer starts to turn frightening. I did feel that the book could have been shortened with some editing for a better effect. But it was an entertaining read.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
To Richard Reed, all women are impure except for his beloved Mary Elizabeth. It makes for a interesting read to see his stalking escalate. The author, who is a psychiatric nurse, puts her experience to good use in this book. It's a realistic portrayal of obsession.
The book is almost two books in one as the first part deals with Mary Elizabeth as a young girl and Richard Reed's obsession, while the second part deals with Mary Elizabeth as an adult whose secret admirer starts to turn frightening. I did feel that the book could have been shortened with some editing for a better effect. But it was an entertaining read.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
March 7, 2015
Mary Elizabeth is stalked and kidnapped, witnesses something horrendous, and rescued just in time. Years pass, and just as she begins to believe life can go on, she begins to receive notes and roses. This leads her, and all those she cares about, into the path of a serial killer. Is it somehow tied to the previous incident, or is she just a magnet for pyschos?
This book was a very emotional read. You feel everything that Mary Elizabeth feels, and you can't wait to find out what happens next. I stayed up all night reading as I couldn't bring myself to put it down.
Look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
This book was a very emotional read. You feel everything that Mary Elizabeth feels, and you can't wait to find out what happens next. I stayed up all night reading as I couldn't bring myself to put it down.
Look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
July 9, 2015
4.5 stars rounded up
Pretty Maidens All In A Row is truly a phenomenal book! It is intense, suspenseful and entertaining from the first page!
This story follows Mary Elizabeth from childhood into adulthood. As a happy, vibrant teenager, Mary Elizabeth has no idea that someone has become completely obsessed with her. We get to watch this obsessed man's behavior and hear his psychotic thought, eventually culminating in an extremely traumatic event involving Mary Elizabeth. After physically surviving this tragedy, Mary Elizabeth's life is forever changed as is she. She tries to create a new, healthy life for herself yet Mary Elizabeth won't ever be able to completely discard or forget what she experienced, especially since there's still someone out there, obsessing over her and killing young women who look like her.
I was shocked when I learned that this was Brown's first attempt at writing a book; I NEVER would have suspected that! This book does not read like it was written by an amateur but just the opposite. Due to the authors attention to detail, high-quality writing skills and thorough scene development, I was quickly sucked into this book. I felt connected to the characters, feeling like they were real people due to the comprehensive character development. The suspense and emotions were palpable, keeping me reading late into the night, eager to find out what was going on. In fact, at just 20% into the story then again at 50%, I was enjoying the book so much that I felt compelled to stop reading and get online to tell my friends how great this book is!
As I've stated, this is an absolutely fantastic book! I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone who likes suspense. I would rate this book 4.5 out of 5 if I could because of 3 minor issues:
1. The word, "gingerly" was used 26 times.
2. I was able to predict who the murderer was before it was revealed.
***Do not read the following spoiler unless you have read the entire book***
3. is a bit too far-fetched. There were a few other things I also felt were unrealistic or highly unlikely yet as a whole, this book was fantastic!
*I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review*
Pretty Maidens All In A Row is truly a phenomenal book! It is intense, suspenseful and entertaining from the first page!
This story follows Mary Elizabeth from childhood into adulthood. As a happy, vibrant teenager, Mary Elizabeth has no idea that someone has become completely obsessed with her. We get to watch this obsessed man's behavior and hear his psychotic thought, eventually culminating in an extremely traumatic event involving Mary Elizabeth. After physically surviving this tragedy, Mary Elizabeth's life is forever changed as is she. She tries to create a new, healthy life for herself yet Mary Elizabeth won't ever be able to completely discard or forget what she experienced, especially since there's still someone out there, obsessing over her and killing young women who look like her.
I was shocked when I learned that this was Brown's first attempt at writing a book; I NEVER would have suspected that! This book does not read like it was written by an amateur but just the opposite. Due to the authors attention to detail, high-quality writing skills and thorough scene development, I was quickly sucked into this book. I felt connected to the characters, feeling like they were real people due to the comprehensive character development. The suspense and emotions were palpable, keeping me reading late into the night, eager to find out what was going on. In fact, at just 20% into the story then again at 50%, I was enjoying the book so much that I felt compelled to stop reading and get online to tell my friends how great this book is!
As I've stated, this is an absolutely fantastic book! I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone who likes suspense. I would rate this book 4.5 out of 5 if I could because of 3 minor issues:
1. The word, "gingerly" was used 26 times.
2. I was able to predict who the murderer was before it was revealed.
***Do not read the following spoiler unless you have read the entire book***
3. is a bit too far-fetched. There were a few other things I also felt were unrealistic or highly unlikely yet as a whole, this book was fantastic!
*I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review*
August 15, 2015
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
From the get go this book kept me engaged. It was definitely a page turner and one that will keep you reading until the very end. This is one of those books that you can't put down until you are done. Once I finally had the time to sit down for more then 30 minutes I couldn't stop reading until I had the book done.
The characters are well done and fully fleshed out. I loved that it was not set in the current time. I think that it shows a writer's ability when they can write in the past and have it fit so well. This writer showed that she has the ability to write in the past and do it well.
The story was one of those that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I actually loved that we got a good picture of the stalker's mental illness during the first half of this book. His progression into full madness was wonderfully written.
I think the only issue I had with this book is the character changes that happened mid action in the chapters. I am glad we got to see so many different angles of things going on, but the sudden character changes left me confused at times. There were several times that I needed to go back and read things again. It made it hard to keep up with things at times.
Over all, this book was a well written book, and it is definitely one that everyone should read. It will keep you on the edge of your seat, it will keep you guessing and really it has a little everything for you. There is mystery, thrills and even a little romance. You get everything you could ever need in a book in this one.
Pros: Great story, well thought out characters
Cons: Sudden character POV changes
Overall rating: Recommended!
From the get go this book kept me engaged. It was definitely a page turner and one that will keep you reading until the very end. This is one of those books that you can't put down until you are done. Once I finally had the time to sit down for more then 30 minutes I couldn't stop reading until I had the book done.
The characters are well done and fully fleshed out. I loved that it was not set in the current time. I think that it shows a writer's ability when they can write in the past and have it fit so well. This writer showed that she has the ability to write in the past and do it well.
The story was one of those that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I actually loved that we got a good picture of the stalker's mental illness during the first half of this book. His progression into full madness was wonderfully written.
I think the only issue I had with this book is the character changes that happened mid action in the chapters. I am glad we got to see so many different angles of things going on, but the sudden character changes left me confused at times. There were several times that I needed to go back and read things again. It made it hard to keep up with things at times.
Over all, this book was a well written book, and it is definitely one that everyone should read. It will keep you on the edge of your seat, it will keep you guessing and really it has a little everything for you. There is mystery, thrills and even a little romance. You get everything you could ever need in a book in this one.
Pros: Great story, well thought out characters
Cons: Sudden character POV changes
Overall rating: Recommended!
July 3, 2015
I received a copy of PRETTY MAIDENS ALL IN A ROW from the author in exchange for an honest review. With suspense that ebbs and flows at appropriately chilling levels, the novel is definitely a psychological thriller. I think the novel benefits from the author’s background in psychiatry and psychology for she provides in depth and realistic insights into the disturbed minds of the novel’s sinister characters that not many authors could provide. I wholeheartedly recommend the read to those that are fans of the genre…
August 17, 2015
Mary Elizabeth was stalked and than kidnapped. He also took her best friend Sally . Mary managed to escape. Years later after her Family moved and she started calling herself Liz she believes life can go on , She starts to get notes and roses. This puts her and everyone she cares about into the path of a serial killer. Is it the same man who kidnapped her and Sally?Or is it another psycho out to kill her? A truly heart pounding, intense read i couldn't put the book down till the very end.
September 17, 2015
A very Gut Wrenching Intense Read.
This book is normally not the genre I read, but it opens one’s eyes to the state of mind of a psychotic human Richard Reed whom as a result of a terrible childhood and the emotional toxic unhealthy trauma’s he suffered at the hands of his mother made him a threat to society. This inhumane behaviour turned him into a lunatic and his mother and brother another deranged human the favourite of the mother a rapist and a drug pusher became a victim of his brothers psychological trauma when he was bludgeoned to death by Richard.
His mother’s treatments of him shaped his view of women, he sees all women as impure and imperfect except for young beautiful Mary Elizabeth. He formed these daily fantasies in his head of what life would be with her, while also stalking her and detesting anyone that is in her life. No one is good enough, everyone in her life in his mind were trying to corrupt his Mary Elizabeth.
In order to realize his fantasies he kidnaps the girl of his dreams, together with her best friend Sally. I am not going g to say what happened there because that would be giving it away but I must say it is gruesome and horrifying. However, It made me think about the constant danger and threat young children are facing without even being aware that they are the focus of a deranged human. It also enlightens one on the importance of making sure children are open to their parents when they notice a weird behaviour from strangers and not take things for granted. I must also say that Ally, Mary Elizabeth's mother should not have allowed her daughter so much freedom to roam the street especially since it was such a miracle that she fell pregnant with her..
The Kidnap and all the horror that followed traumatised the fifteen years old and the parents had to move away to enable the family heal and start living life anew.
She developed a romantic relationship with her music teacher who had fancied her when she was only fourteen but thought he would wait until she matured (Another adult I felt was wrong borderline wrong to have fancied her from such a young age) . But soon, things began to spiral out of control when Mary Elizabeth started to receive messages that made it hard for her to live a normal life, the question now is has Richard been released, or is this a copycat or an entirely new stalker /serial killer.
I applaud the writer for doing an excellent job of taking the readers on a rollercoaster of intense emotions. I recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a dark psychological thriller you would not be disappointed
This book is normally not the genre I read, but it opens one’s eyes to the state of mind of a psychotic human Richard Reed whom as a result of a terrible childhood and the emotional toxic unhealthy trauma’s he suffered at the hands of his mother made him a threat to society. This inhumane behaviour turned him into a lunatic and his mother and brother another deranged human the favourite of the mother a rapist and a drug pusher became a victim of his brothers psychological trauma when he was bludgeoned to death by Richard.
His mother’s treatments of him shaped his view of women, he sees all women as impure and imperfect except for young beautiful Mary Elizabeth. He formed these daily fantasies in his head of what life would be with her, while also stalking her and detesting anyone that is in her life. No one is good enough, everyone in her life in his mind were trying to corrupt his Mary Elizabeth.
In order to realize his fantasies he kidnaps the girl of his dreams, together with her best friend Sally. I am not going g to say what happened there because that would be giving it away but I must say it is gruesome and horrifying. However, It made me think about the constant danger and threat young children are facing without even being aware that they are the focus of a deranged human. It also enlightens one on the importance of making sure children are open to their parents when they notice a weird behaviour from strangers and not take things for granted. I must also say that Ally, Mary Elizabeth's mother should not have allowed her daughter so much freedom to roam the street especially since it was such a miracle that she fell pregnant with her..
The Kidnap and all the horror that followed traumatised the fifteen years old and the parents had to move away to enable the family heal and start living life anew.
She developed a romantic relationship with her music teacher who had fancied her when she was only fourteen but thought he would wait until she matured (Another adult I felt was wrong borderline wrong to have fancied her from such a young age) . But soon, things began to spiral out of control when Mary Elizabeth started to receive messages that made it hard for her to live a normal life, the question now is has Richard been released, or is this a copycat or an entirely new stalker /serial killer.
I applaud the writer for doing an excellent job of taking the readers on a rollercoaster of intense emotions. I recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a dark psychological thriller you would not be disappointed
September 26, 2015
J.M. Brown built a frightening thriller. I say built because each step is laid upon the other. The mind of Richard Reed is explored long before he attacks. The delusion and deception is pure evil, and you want to cringe as you read of his activities. You are along for the ride as an unstable mind becomes twisted in a black upside down world.
You know he is going to attack. The process makes you want to scream. You can see it happening, but can't stop it. He attacks and Mary Elizabeth's life is forever marked. At the same time her very survival afterwards depends on Jack. In the story you will get to know Jack Ashton. He's Mary Elizabeth's music teacher. Their lives intersect through out the story.
Just as Mary Elizabeth's life truly recovers, strange things start happening once more. Again that same slow process begins, and you're left becoming more and more tense. This time you are wondering if it is Richard Reed getting ready to pounce or someone new. And is he going for Mary Elizabeth or Jack? Or both?
This is a dark descending tale of a broken girl and the evil pursuer that destroys all around her and anything like her just to let her know he is coming. His sickness seeps into your skin and just can't be shaken off.
It was well written and I hated when I had to set it down. Usually I read things that are light and airy. This was dark and dangerous. It made me wonder about children who are abused and neglected-- if they will grow to be threatening and menacing. Honestly, it haunted me and when I wasn't reading it I was thinking about the story wondering what would happen next. It is a longer book. So, as much as I wanted to, I could not read it in one sitting. But it 's length allowed the author to explore the story in a depth that is frightening. The suspense and expectation is intense. I watched Mary Elizabeth and Sally's near perfect life, and enjoyed it, but also saw the dark one watching too. His plans were sinister and whether he realized it or not, meant for evil. His darkness takes over all the light and good. It was a suspenseful and all consuming read. I would highly recommend it for those who love thrillers and suspense. You won't be let down.
You know he is going to attack. The process makes you want to scream. You can see it happening, but can't stop it. He attacks and Mary Elizabeth's life is forever marked. At the same time her very survival afterwards depends on Jack. In the story you will get to know Jack Ashton. He's Mary Elizabeth's music teacher. Their lives intersect through out the story.
Just as Mary Elizabeth's life truly recovers, strange things start happening once more. Again that same slow process begins, and you're left becoming more and more tense. This time you are wondering if it is Richard Reed getting ready to pounce or someone new. And is he going for Mary Elizabeth or Jack? Or both?
This is a dark descending tale of a broken girl and the evil pursuer that destroys all around her and anything like her just to let her know he is coming. His sickness seeps into your skin and just can't be shaken off.
It was well written and I hated when I had to set it down. Usually I read things that are light and airy. This was dark and dangerous. It made me wonder about children who are abused and neglected-- if they will grow to be threatening and menacing. Honestly, it haunted me and when I wasn't reading it I was thinking about the story wondering what would happen next. It is a longer book. So, as much as I wanted to, I could not read it in one sitting. But it 's length allowed the author to explore the story in a depth that is frightening. The suspense and expectation is intense. I watched Mary Elizabeth and Sally's near perfect life, and enjoyed it, but also saw the dark one watching too. His plans were sinister and whether he realized it or not, meant for evil. His darkness takes over all the light and good. It was a suspenseful and all consuming read. I would highly recommend it for those who love thrillers and suspense. You won't be let down.
August 2, 2015
brrrr... the novel made me shiver. From a young age, Beth attracted the attention of a crazy pervert. The description of the guy watching her and getting excited made me sick. If I had to compare it to another thriller, it would be Thomas Harris, The Silence of the Lambs.
When she is hardly a teenager, Beth's neighbors are an horrible, insane, dangerous family. The father left years ago, scared by his wife who would have killed him. He left two boys with her, one insane from the beginning, the other made crazy by the abuse he had to take from his mother -or from birth on, who knows!
Richard, the worst of the two, stalks Beth. He loves her, in his twisted way. For her, he kills his brother, then he murders her best friend and would have killed her too if not stopped. He tries to get rid of Jack who will become the stable point in Beth's life.
The links could be clearer, and many questions are not answered. What happened to Richard's brother's boy, or to their mother? how could Richard get and hold the two girls?
Beth survives, but changes her nickname to Liz, and tries to manage. In the years following the brutal attack, she decides to become a nurse. Jack is a teacher in upstate New York, and Liz gets an unknown admirer who turns into a stalker while young girls are attacked and killed.
Who is behind it this time?
The problem I have with this book is linked to the huge number of characters who are mentally unstable or totally insane. I can only hope it never happens in real life o anybody.
The scary atmosphere is here, Liz is quite a decent heroine who could have more personality, but the amount of villains is too much for me.
The author says it is her first novel. I am sure the second one will be more believable and therefore scarier. I feel bad not to write I love it. I believe there is still place for improvement, and I'll be waiting for the second one.
When she is hardly a teenager, Beth's neighbors are an horrible, insane, dangerous family. The father left years ago, scared by his wife who would have killed him. He left two boys with her, one insane from the beginning, the other made crazy by the abuse he had to take from his mother -or from birth on, who knows!
Richard, the worst of the two, stalks Beth. He loves her, in his twisted way. For her, he kills his brother, then he murders her best friend and would have killed her too if not stopped. He tries to get rid of Jack who will become the stable point in Beth's life.
The links could be clearer, and many questions are not answered. What happened to Richard's brother's boy, or to their mother? how could Richard get and hold the two girls?
Beth survives, but changes her nickname to Liz, and tries to manage. In the years following the brutal attack, she decides to become a nurse. Jack is a teacher in upstate New York, and Liz gets an unknown admirer who turns into a stalker while young girls are attacked and killed.
Who is behind it this time?
The problem I have with this book is linked to the huge number of characters who are mentally unstable or totally insane. I can only hope it never happens in real life o anybody.
The scary atmosphere is here, Liz is quite a decent heroine who could have more personality, but the amount of villains is too much for me.
The author says it is her first novel. I am sure the second one will be more believable and therefore scarier. I feel bad not to write I love it. I believe there is still place for improvement, and I'll be waiting for the second one.
February 22, 2017
*I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*
*This review first appeared on Books That Hook on September 16, 2015.
Pretty Maidens All in a Row is a great debut effort by author J.M. Brown.
The story covers a long period of time, beginning with Beth as a teenager, and shows how the horrors of her past continue to terrorize her as an adult. Her reactions were very believable. Richard’s obsession with Beth is chilling. It doesn’t end with Richard, though. Poor Beth has more to worry about in this book. She is a sympathetic character who I feel readers will be able to relate to throughout the entire story.
I believe that a lot of aspects of this story will appeal to some readers and will put off other readers. For example, some readers don’t like omniscient narration. Other readers don’t like multiple points-of-view. The violence is another aspect that readers might disagree about. Personally, I thought it was just right. It wasn’t over-the-top gory.
I have to admit I got bored on and off while I read it, mainly because it reached a point where there was too much romance and not enough tension. I think the story could have been tightened up. There were scenes that weren’t necessary and could have been cut. Also, the book needed a little more editing, especially with punctuation.
Despite those minor complaints, I did enjoy reading Pretty Maidens All in a Row. The best aspect was the depth of characterization. I recommend it to readers who don’t mind reading stories set in a different time period. Also, I would recommend it to readers who like stories that span multiple years of a character’s life, which necessitates some summarizing.
*This review first appeared on Books That Hook on September 16, 2015.
Pretty Maidens All in a Row is a great debut effort by author J.M. Brown.
The story covers a long period of time, beginning with Beth as a teenager, and shows how the horrors of her past continue to terrorize her as an adult. Her reactions were very believable. Richard’s obsession with Beth is chilling. It doesn’t end with Richard, though. Poor Beth has more to worry about in this book. She is a sympathetic character who I feel readers will be able to relate to throughout the entire story.
I believe that a lot of aspects of this story will appeal to some readers and will put off other readers. For example, some readers don’t like omniscient narration. Other readers don’t like multiple points-of-view. The violence is another aspect that readers might disagree about. Personally, I thought it was just right. It wasn’t over-the-top gory.
I have to admit I got bored on and off while I read it, mainly because it reached a point where there was too much romance and not enough tension. I think the story could have been tightened up. There were scenes that weren’t necessary and could have been cut. Also, the book needed a little more editing, especially with punctuation.
Despite those minor complaints, I did enjoy reading Pretty Maidens All in a Row. The best aspect was the depth of characterization. I recommend it to readers who don’t mind reading stories set in a different time period. Also, I would recommend it to readers who like stories that span multiple years of a character’s life, which necessitates some summarizing.
November 24, 2015
I was given an electronic copy of Pretty Maidens All In a Row by the author, in exchange for an honest review.
Pretty Maidens All In a Row is a psychological thriller about Richard Reed, whose obsession with his thirteen year old neighbor Mary Elizabeth takes a drastic turn. The book follows Mary Elizabeth through different parts of her life, especially in regards to the trouble that seems to shadow her.
The author's attempt to show Richard's instability seemed forced at times, as the constant soliloquies and ramblings were overdone. Considering how uneasy he made people that he came into contact with, it just did not seem realistic that he did not draw the attention of the authorities. Richard's violent fits of rage, yelling at store clerks and others, would have been enough for him to be pulled in for a conversation. The explosive ending was not enough to make up for the confusing dialogue, sudden point of view changes, and grammatical errors. The author does not delineate between speakers at certain parts, leading to a fair amount of bewilderment.
This book does have promise and needs some editing to help the story be more cohesive and readable. Mary Elizabeth's story was compelling, but some of the issues lessened the impact.
Pretty Maidens All In a Row is a psychological thriller about Richard Reed, whose obsession with his thirteen year old neighbor Mary Elizabeth takes a drastic turn. The book follows Mary Elizabeth through different parts of her life, especially in regards to the trouble that seems to shadow her.
The author's attempt to show Richard's instability seemed forced at times, as the constant soliloquies and ramblings were overdone. Considering how uneasy he made people that he came into contact with, it just did not seem realistic that he did not draw the attention of the authorities. Richard's violent fits of rage, yelling at store clerks and others, would have been enough for him to be pulled in for a conversation. The explosive ending was not enough to make up for the confusing dialogue, sudden point of view changes, and grammatical errors. The author does not delineate between speakers at certain parts, leading to a fair amount of bewilderment.
This book does have promise and needs some editing to help the story be more cohesive and readable. Mary Elizabeth's story was compelling, but some of the issues lessened the impact.
July 26, 2015
This book was so good that I wanted to read it again and did. Mary Elizabeth, a young teen (known as Beth in the beginning of the novel) has a stalker. He gets more psychotic in the first couple of years to the point of kidnapping Mary Elizabeth and her friend Sally. That event and what he does changes her life forever. In fact, she know longer wishes to be known as Beth, because as far as she is concerned that person is dead. She battles back from her horrific past but all is not over. The stalking begins again, but Liz (as she is later known) is a stronger woman and strives to remain sane and safe. She doesn't want to think about the the past, but she has to; in order to deal with the present. One of the stable forces in Liz's life is a man who was there for her in the past and now is there for her as well. This time it is a romantic relationship and he helps to keep Mary Elizabeth strong to deal with what is going on in her life. It is hard to believe that this a debut novel for this author and I am anxiously awaiting her next work as J.M. is a fantastic storyteller.
September 1, 2015
Pretty Maidens All In a Row is not for the squeamish or faint of heart!
Beth Grange led an idyllic life, or so she thought. She was unaware that for years she was being stalked, until she and her friend Sally were abducted and her life changed forever.
Parts of this book are very compelling. The insights into the mind of the insane are illuminating if disturbing. In parts it is quite the page turner. Unfortunately it suffers from some rapid changes in Point of View which leave the reader confused as to what is happening. At times it seems the author tried a bit too hard to sound "literary." The thing I struggled with the most was the behavior of the heroine and hero in the last few chapters; at times it felt like a really predictable horror movie in which the characters are queuing up to be killed.
That said, the psychological insights were fascinating and I look forward to reading more from J.M. Brown!
Note: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Beth Grange led an idyllic life, or so she thought. She was unaware that for years she was being stalked, until she and her friend Sally were abducted and her life changed forever.
Parts of this book are very compelling. The insights into the mind of the insane are illuminating if disturbing. In parts it is quite the page turner. Unfortunately it suffers from some rapid changes in Point of View which leave the reader confused as to what is happening. At times it seems the author tried a bit too hard to sound "literary." The thing I struggled with the most was the behavior of the heroine and hero in the last few chapters; at times it felt like a really predictable horror movie in which the characters are queuing up to be killed.
That said, the psychological insights were fascinating and I look forward to reading more from J.M. Brown!
Note: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
September 4, 2015
First, thank you to J.M. for the copy of this book!
Second, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! This is definitely a thrilling, roller coaster ride!
I kept wanting to get back to reading this and every time I couldn't or didn't have time I got antsy!!
I highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves psychological thrillers. This is disturbing, twisted, crazy and makes you want to keep your doors locked and your children close by!
The only reason I didn't give the novel 5 stars is because I was really confused and frustrated with the name changing. Its Mary Elizabeth, Beth, Liz and then she goes by something else for a couple paragraphs as well. At first I didn't catch on and thought they were different people.
There were also some sentences that I didn't like. For example the last sentence. 'distant sirens could be heard in the distance...' Something along those lines. That frustrated my mind a bit!
Other than those things I LOVED this book and would definitely recommend it to other adults into this genre!!
Second, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! This is definitely a thrilling, roller coaster ride!
I kept wanting to get back to reading this and every time I couldn't or didn't have time I got antsy!!
I highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves psychological thrillers. This is disturbing, twisted, crazy and makes you want to keep your doors locked and your children close by!
The only reason I didn't give the novel 5 stars is because I was really confused and frustrated with the name changing. Its Mary Elizabeth, Beth, Liz and then she goes by something else for a couple paragraphs as well. At first I didn't catch on and thought they were different people.
There were also some sentences that I didn't like. For example the last sentence. 'distant sirens could be heard in the distance...' Something along those lines. That frustrated my mind a bit!
Other than those things I LOVED this book and would definitely recommend it to other adults into this genre!!
May 4, 2015
Pretty Maidens All in a Row
This book was suggested to me to read since I like mysteries and thrillers, and I was not disappointed to say the least!
Beth and Sally were the best of friends since they were small. The went everywhere together and did everything together; they we were like sisters. Beth was being stalked by a crazy man who thought he loved her and when he kidnapped Beth he took Sally too.
This book had my heart pounding so hard and I was so wrapped up in what was happening I lost track of time. This author told this story with such detail and credibility that I felt as though I lived through every painful minute.
I thought I had the ending all figured out, but the author was again ahead of me and tricked me into believing what she wanted me to believe.
I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a good murder mystery/thriller, you will not be disappointed.
This book was suggested to me to read since I like mysteries and thrillers, and I was not disappointed to say the least!
Beth and Sally were the best of friends since they were small. The went everywhere together and did everything together; they we were like sisters. Beth was being stalked by a crazy man who thought he loved her and when he kidnapped Beth he took Sally too.
This book had my heart pounding so hard and I was so wrapped up in what was happening I lost track of time. This author told this story with such detail and credibility that I felt as though I lived through every painful minute.
I thought I had the ending all figured out, but the author was again ahead of me and tricked me into believing what she wanted me to believe.
I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a good murder mystery/thriller, you will not be disappointed.
October 2, 2015
Pretty Maidens All in a Row by J.M. Brown
I received this book in exchange for a review. The story follows Mary Elizabeth, a beautiful teenager who becomes the obsession of a disturbed young man. With deadly intent, he captures her and her best friend. After the rescue and recovery, Mary Elizabeth and her parents move away. She finishes high school and goes to nursing school and reconnects with her former high school teacher, who had been instrumental in her escape. They fall in love. Unbeknownst to each of them, the other has been receiving mysterious messages with increasing frequency and threat. Who could possibly be sending these messages. Her attacker is in prison. Isn’t he? The tension builds nicely to the conclusion and Ms Brown does a good job with the twists and turns of the story. Ms Brown’s background informs her insights into the minds of the mentally ill and lends authenticity to the troubled antagonists.
I received this book in exchange for a review. The story follows Mary Elizabeth, a beautiful teenager who becomes the obsession of a disturbed young man. With deadly intent, he captures her and her best friend. After the rescue and recovery, Mary Elizabeth and her parents move away. She finishes high school and goes to nursing school and reconnects with her former high school teacher, who had been instrumental in her escape. They fall in love. Unbeknownst to each of them, the other has been receiving mysterious messages with increasing frequency and threat. Who could possibly be sending these messages. Her attacker is in prison. Isn’t he? The tension builds nicely to the conclusion and Ms Brown does a good job with the twists and turns of the story. Ms Brown’s background informs her insights into the minds of the mentally ill and lends authenticity to the troubled antagonists.
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