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Connections
When their beloved pets are threatened, a group of ordinary New Yorkers find surprising new connections. Played out against Manhattan's aging brownstones, tree-lined streets and pre-war buildings, Connections brings together an intriguing cast of New Yorkers -- a same-sex couple, a tough social worker finding love, a troubled boy, a lonely office manager -- who all come together through their love for animals, and join forces against a terrifying menace.
- GenresMystery
406 pages, Hardcover
Published April 19, 2016
16 people are currently reading
292 people want to read
About the author
Jacqueline Wein
1 book9 followersWhatever Jackie Wein was doing in her life, she was always committed to either a dog or cat at home, while the fate of all kinds of animals interrupted her thoughts and pierced her heart. Early in her career in a hectic New York advertising agency, she wrote Roommate, published by Crown. Then, she says, life just got in the way. Instead of novels, she wrote letters for people who didn’t have the flair, edited three books for other authors, and got caught up in her busy routine of organizing, proofreading, supervising, arranging. Once she retired, she transferred all the “what ifs” concerning her pets—what if she died, what if someone threatened them, what if she couldn’t take care of them—into some unusual characters. And then added a real menace. Too impatient to wait for the publishing process to drag out, she decided to self-publish Connections.
Although Jacqueline has been to many exotic places all over the world, her most unforgettable experiences were seeing wildlife on a few safaris. Unless you count cuddling with her little feline princess, that is.
Although Jacqueline has been to many exotic places all over the world, her most unforgettable experiences were seeing wildlife on a few safaris. Unless you count cuddling with her little feline princess, that is.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 3, 2016
Rosa Bassetti is an elderly resident of the Upper Eastside of Manhattan, an area inhabited by people who are not rich stockbrokers or financiers. All Rosa has is her dog and the connection with her neighbors who also have pets. When Eileen Hargan, another senior citizen who is her neighbor, receives a threat against her pet unless she pays money, Rosa springs into action, determined to get to the bottom of it.
Connections by Jacqueline Wein is a story of the connections people have with their pets, and those that develop because of a common love of their animal companions. Though the story has a strong focus on the interpersonal dynamics, it’s also a competently written mystery, that follows several characters as they learn that the threats against pet owners is more widespread than originally thought.
The author captures your imagination and interest from the very beginning and keeps it throughout the book. Her portrayal of the diverse people living in Manhattan, and the everyday travails the elderly face make this a book for the serious reader and the casual lover of mysteries alike.
Connections by Jacqueline Wein is a story of the connections people have with their pets, and those that develop because of a common love of their animal companions. Though the story has a strong focus on the interpersonal dynamics, it’s also a competently written mystery, that follows several characters as they learn that the threats against pet owners is more widespread than originally thought.
The author captures your imagination and interest from the very beginning and keeps it throughout the book. Her portrayal of the diverse people living in Manhattan, and the everyday travails the elderly face make this a book for the serious reader and the casual lover of mysteries alike.
October 19, 2016
I love books that are written about animals and the people who love them. I found this book at times sad and depressing for some of the characters but with the love from a great dog or cat how that gave that person's life meaning and a reason to live each day. I found I related to each character in this book and what they are feeling for their beloved animal and what they would do to protect them abuse and neglect as they each received a blackmail letter in the mail for money (one woman even got a dog ear in the mail) or their pet will be kidnapped or hurt. What would I do?!?! Pay, not pay, go to the police and hope the blackmailer won't do something to my pet? I love how everyone in this story is connected together especially, Rosa Bassetti, an old Italian woman who sets out to find out WHO is behind this evil crime and to save all the pets that the blackmailer is blackmailing in her neighborhood. God bless strong women like Rosa!
August 18, 2016
This was such a beautiful book. The majority of the time I read books about people and their relationships with other people. This book is all about people and their powerful connections to their pets. There are also parts of the books that related to the main characters and their relationships with family, friends, and co-workers but the most important relationships in this book are between the owners and their beloved pets.
For the most part Eileen and Rosa are two elderly women with simple lives in New York City. They love their pets, Fibber McGee and Princess, respectively, more than anything else in the world. Life for them is simple. Their lives revolve around their pets, tending to their responsibilities, being friends to one another and not much else save for Eileen’s relationship with her nephew.
Eileen’s entire world is turned upside down when she receives a note demanding $10,000, or her beloved Fibber McGee will be taken from her forever. Fearful of losing her beloved pet, she struggles with what to do. When she confides in Rosa about the note Rosa is determined to help her friend find out who is responsible for the threat.
In another part of the city, Jason and Chris are having relationship issues and housing issues. In the midst of all of this, Jason receives a similar note demanding money in exchange for the safety of his dog, Sabrina. Fearful for his beloved dog’s safety he makes the only decision he can, he pays the money.
There is also Jessica, Lenny, and Clifford Marcus. Clifford is there young son who is basically shut off from the world. He is the center of Jessica’s life. She takes care of him 24/7 while Lenny works. One day she decides getting a dog might be the key to opening Clifford up and getting him to communicate as well as behaving more like a “normal” boy. When they find Kola at the animal shelter, something clicks in the young boy. He speaks and soon the two have an incredible bond and Clifford is able to do things he never could previously. Unfortunately, they too, receive a note to pay the money in exchange for Kola’s safety.
I loved all of the different stories within this book. I enjoyed how despite being so different in their lives, the love of their dogs and the threat of losing them ties them all together. Connections made me smile and reminded me how much the animals in our lives mean to us. I liked the mystery of who the person threatening the safety of all the dogs was as well. I truly did not have any idea who it was. This is a great book and I highly recommend it to animal lovers.
For the most part Eileen and Rosa are two elderly women with simple lives in New York City. They love their pets, Fibber McGee and Princess, respectively, more than anything else in the world. Life for them is simple. Their lives revolve around their pets, tending to their responsibilities, being friends to one another and not much else save for Eileen’s relationship with her nephew.
Eileen’s entire world is turned upside down when she receives a note demanding $10,000, or her beloved Fibber McGee will be taken from her forever. Fearful of losing her beloved pet, she struggles with what to do. When she confides in Rosa about the note Rosa is determined to help her friend find out who is responsible for the threat.
In another part of the city, Jason and Chris are having relationship issues and housing issues. In the midst of all of this, Jason receives a similar note demanding money in exchange for the safety of his dog, Sabrina. Fearful for his beloved dog’s safety he makes the only decision he can, he pays the money.
There is also Jessica, Lenny, and Clifford Marcus. Clifford is there young son who is basically shut off from the world. He is the center of Jessica’s life. She takes care of him 24/7 while Lenny works. One day she decides getting a dog might be the key to opening Clifford up and getting him to communicate as well as behaving more like a “normal” boy. When they find Kola at the animal shelter, something clicks in the young boy. He speaks and soon the two have an incredible bond and Clifford is able to do things he never could previously. Unfortunately, they too, receive a note to pay the money in exchange for Kola’s safety.
I loved all of the different stories within this book. I enjoyed how despite being so different in their lives, the love of their dogs and the threat of losing them ties them all together. Connections made me smile and reminded me how much the animals in our lives mean to us. I liked the mystery of who the person threatening the safety of all the dogs was as well. I truly did not have any idea who it was. This is a great book and I highly recommend it to animal lovers.
September 13, 2016
This was a wonderful book! Anybody who has pets knows how important they are in our lives. They are family members and we would do just about anything to protect them. I recommend this book for any animal lover!
September 25, 2016
Very explicit for no reason. Did not fit into the story other than to throw in a sex act between two men.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews