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Toxic Side Effect
"A year after her disastrous relationship with Dylan Jagger, Jennifer Burns is almost back to having a normal life. But one more tragedy strikes when her beloved father Richard passes away without warning, shattering her family and leaving Jen scrambling to figure out what happened. Soon, however, one thing becomes his death was not from natural causes.
With her mother as the primary suspect of the murder, Jen has no choice but to uncover the real culprit. But in searching for the truth, she uncovers a secret kept hidden for decades—and the revelation that the perfect family she thought she had was all a façade. It doesn’t take long for Jen to find that clearing her mother’s name might not be as simple as she’d thought… and that unearthing secrets has consequences."
With her mother as the primary suspect of the murder, Jen has no choice but to uncover the real culprit. But in searching for the truth, she uncovers a secret kept hidden for decades—and the revelation that the perfect family she thought she had was all a façade. It doesn’t take long for Jen to find that clearing her mother’s name might not be as simple as she’d thought… and that unearthing secrets has consequences."
147 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 3, 2018
6 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 4, 2018
Richard Burns was rushed to the hospital by his wife, after a sudden illness resulting in violent vomiting and slipping into a coma. Not much longer, death followed, yet the sudden death becomes questionable to the doctors. His wife, Audrey, and daughter, Jennifer, devasted by the sudden loss of a husband and father, were not ready for what is lied ahead. Doctors and detectives suspect poisoning and all eyes are on Audrey! Family secrets will be uncovered and the mystery of who has poisoned Richard Burns!
Toxic Side Effect by Sandy Magner keeps getting better as we continue reading on because at the beginning of the story we are thrown into a hectic scene, makes us forget our surroundings, keeps us thinking and end up rooting for a character. Any book that begins with the frantic scene is a great way to start off the book and it made me want to continue reading if a book does not grab our attention within 20 to 50 pages in, then there is a problem. We will not notice our surroundings because while we are so focused on the book we end forgetting where we are, so literally, our noise would be in the book! It would make us think like a detective, and when we are thinking it is this person it will lead us to another person, even then takes us to a different person, but still the person we think it is, is not. Whether we realize it or not, we end up rooting for a character and secretly hope they will be the one to solve the mystery. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
Yes, this was close to being one of my favorite books, but it was a bit shy of being so, nonetheless, it is a great read and is a nail-biter. When reading the synopsis, I was intrigued because it has a sudden death, poisoning, and an unknown killer. We can relate the book to mystery, thriller, suspense, crime, and murder, which is all done well; especially “hiding” the murderer. Did not suspect that person until they started to connect the dots and that threw me off guard. Love it when a story can throw us off guard or lead us in a different direction than we initially intended to go. This story the author right off the back tosses us into to a frantic hospital scene and we are told from the beginning the man has been poisoned from potassium cyanide, this point on a detective and the victim's daughter tries to figure out who had done it. While this is going on Jennifer uncover secrets about her father that her mother has kept from her; however, she only knew of one family secret, but the other was a shock. These points in the story made me want to know more of what is going on while reading on I sometimes forget my surroundings, so I would end up yelling at the character to cheer them on, then realize people are staring at me. Yeah, definitely got me hooked on the story!
There is a part of the story that is not necessary, like one of the main character and the detective having a love interest but I do appreciate it being put at the end of the book rather than being part of the whole story. This is my only dislike about it other than that it is a great storyline. Love the characters, Jennifer and Kat, mostly Kat because she has this attitude of “telling it like it is”. She is a best friend type we all would love to have, not a sugar coating person, she would sometimes joke at the wrong times, but it is only to soften the mood. We all need a Kat in our lives! Jennifer has been through some tough times, but she is a strong woman and when she is focused on something she will not stop until she is satisfied with the answer. It is a good and bad trait, but for this story, it is a good thing for her to have because without it she would have never found out who murdered her father.
For a book to get a 5 out of 5 stars from myself it has to be a type of book I would want to pick up again and read it repeatedly, but this is not a book I would read again but still enjoyed reading it. Of course, it takes more than wanting to pick it up again to get a 5 out of 5 rating, but it is one of the main reasons for it. Would recommend it to those who enjoy a suspenseful crime and mystery.
Toxic Side Effect by Sandy Magner keeps getting better as we continue reading on because at the beginning of the story we are thrown into a hectic scene, makes us forget our surroundings, keeps us thinking and end up rooting for a character. Any book that begins with the frantic scene is a great way to start off the book and it made me want to continue reading if a book does not grab our attention within 20 to 50 pages in, then there is a problem. We will not notice our surroundings because while we are so focused on the book we end forgetting where we are, so literally, our noise would be in the book! It would make us think like a detective, and when we are thinking it is this person it will lead us to another person, even then takes us to a different person, but still the person we think it is, is not. Whether we realize it or not, we end up rooting for a character and secretly hope they will be the one to solve the mystery. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
Yes, this was close to being one of my favorite books, but it was a bit shy of being so, nonetheless, it is a great read and is a nail-biter. When reading the synopsis, I was intrigued because it has a sudden death, poisoning, and an unknown killer. We can relate the book to mystery, thriller, suspense, crime, and murder, which is all done well; especially “hiding” the murderer. Did not suspect that person until they started to connect the dots and that threw me off guard. Love it when a story can throw us off guard or lead us in a different direction than we initially intended to go. This story the author right off the back tosses us into to a frantic hospital scene and we are told from the beginning the man has been poisoned from potassium cyanide, this point on a detective and the victim's daughter tries to figure out who had done it. While this is going on Jennifer uncover secrets about her father that her mother has kept from her; however, she only knew of one family secret, but the other was a shock. These points in the story made me want to know more of what is going on while reading on I sometimes forget my surroundings, so I would end up yelling at the character to cheer them on, then realize people are staring at me. Yeah, definitely got me hooked on the story!
There is a part of the story that is not necessary, like one of the main character and the detective having a love interest but I do appreciate it being put at the end of the book rather than being part of the whole story. This is my only dislike about it other than that it is a great storyline. Love the characters, Jennifer and Kat, mostly Kat because she has this attitude of “telling it like it is”. She is a best friend type we all would love to have, not a sugar coating person, she would sometimes joke at the wrong times, but it is only to soften the mood. We all need a Kat in our lives! Jennifer has been through some tough times, but she is a strong woman and when she is focused on something she will not stop until she is satisfied with the answer. It is a good and bad trait, but for this story, it is a good thing for her to have because without it she would have never found out who murdered her father.
For a book to get a 5 out of 5 stars from myself it has to be a type of book I would want to pick up again and read it repeatedly, but this is not a book I would read again but still enjoyed reading it. Of course, it takes more than wanting to pick it up again to get a 5 out of 5 rating, but it is one of the main reasons for it. Would recommend it to those who enjoy a suspenseful crime and mystery.
May 23, 2018
Toxic Side Effect by Sandy Magner is a crime thriller telling the story of Richard Burns' murder, and the search for the killer, all through the eyes of his 45-year-old daughter. The secrets brought to light by his death will leave his daughter reeling in disillusionment, anger and determination to find her father’s murderer before her mother is accused for a crime she did not commit.
What I liked most about the book was that there weren’t any errors, which is good because the absence of errors made it a smooth read. The storyline had a great plot as well and the culprit was a surprise; quite unexpected. I particularly liked that as with most crime thrillers, you can almost always suspect who the killer is. In this case, I didn’t see it coming.
What I liked least about the book however, were that the scenes felt stilted most of the time. An example is the blossoming attraction between the main character and one of the detectives. It seems to appear out of nowhere in the middle of the book with too few interactions that lend to the view that something more could be happening there. The writing in first person, present continuous, was a bit distracting. Then, there was a lot of lack of protocol in some of the scenes; a doctor giving prognosis to a family member without carrying out tests in order to give conclusive results. Mostly, it was subtle nuances that could have been added to the first person’s view that wouldn’t have made everything seemed sudden and slightly amateurish.
This book is certainly for readers who crave the rush of an investigation and thrill of knowing the culprit before they are revealed. This book will give you that, in that it is rather inconclusive, until the end, on who the killer the is. And though there are tiny details that proof incongruent during the story, they can be ignored as they do not impact the end.
There was a lot of details that was not paid attention to in the book and I found that distracting and it made it hard for me to enjoy the book as much. For example, an information with regards to the case was provided only to be contradicted by something else later in the book. Ordinarily, this would be a great book because of the plot. However, if you are very particular about tiny details in fiction, then this might not be the book for you.
What I liked most about the book was that there weren’t any errors, which is good because the absence of errors made it a smooth read. The storyline had a great plot as well and the culprit was a surprise; quite unexpected. I particularly liked that as with most crime thrillers, you can almost always suspect who the killer is. In this case, I didn’t see it coming.
What I liked least about the book however, were that the scenes felt stilted most of the time. An example is the blossoming attraction between the main character and one of the detectives. It seems to appear out of nowhere in the middle of the book with too few interactions that lend to the view that something more could be happening there. The writing in first person, present continuous, was a bit distracting. Then, there was a lot of lack of protocol in some of the scenes; a doctor giving prognosis to a family member without carrying out tests in order to give conclusive results. Mostly, it was subtle nuances that could have been added to the first person’s view that wouldn’t have made everything seemed sudden and slightly amateurish.
This book is certainly for readers who crave the rush of an investigation and thrill of knowing the culprit before they are revealed. This book will give you that, in that it is rather inconclusive, until the end, on who the killer the is. And though there are tiny details that proof incongruent during the story, they can be ignored as they do not impact the end.
There was a lot of details that was not paid attention to in the book and I found that distracting and it made it hard for me to enjoy the book as much. For example, an information with regards to the case was provided only to be contradicted by something else later in the book. Ordinarily, this would be a great book because of the plot. However, if you are very particular about tiny details in fiction, then this might not be the book for you.
June 14, 2018
A great Whodunit that keeps you guessing until the end
I liked the flow of this story. It really makes you think about each character and their veritable motives. A great piece that will have you guessing, and guessing again, right up to the very end.
I liked the flow of this story. It really makes you think about each character and their veritable motives. A great piece that will have you guessing, and guessing again, right up to the very end.
December 4, 2018
Gripping and easy to read. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
I loved this book because it was gripping and a enjoyable read. I would recommend to anyone. I loved the story line and characters. Additionally, I loved how gripping and page turning this book was.
I loved this book because it was gripping and a enjoyable read. I would recommend to anyone. I loved the story line and characters. Additionally, I loved how gripping and page turning this book was.
June 9, 2018
The book starts dramatically, Jennifer is rushing to the hospital after a frantic call from her mother informs her , her father has been taken ill . Once at the hospital its determined that he has been poisoned. Sadly her father dies and her mother becomes the prime suspect. Jennifer despite her few doubts concerning her mother's innocence becomes involved in solving the murder.
One of the secrets that comes out, is the truth behind her father's decade long affair with a lady called Maureen .
This is book is a story of family, marriage and secrets. It raises the question of what would you do for the people you love.
I love murder mysteries and this book was a fun quick read. It had twists ,turns and unexpected ending. It was a beautiful read, that stirred up my emotions especially because it challenged my emotional reaction to the characters choices .
I would recommend this book to any reader who loves a good mystery.
One of the secrets that comes out, is the truth behind her father's decade long affair with a lady called Maureen .
This is book is a story of family, marriage and secrets. It raises the question of what would you do for the people you love.
I love murder mysteries and this book was a fun quick read. It had twists ,turns and unexpected ending. It was a beautiful read, that stirred up my emotions especially because it challenged my emotional reaction to the characters choices .
I would recommend this book to any reader who loves a good mystery.
March 10, 2023
Review to follow
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews