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Trusting Claire
Claire Perova has always struggled to find the people and places that make up "home." After a lengthy university adventure in Greece, she returns to Canada where she eventually meets two men. But just as her romantic life starts getting complicated, Claire becomes embroiled in a strange death. Or was it murder? Despite her best efforts, she can't escape the aftermath of the crime. Every new step gives rise to surprise encounters, risky situations, and all-or-nothing alternatives. Soon, Claire learns that people are not always what they seem, and smiling faces conceal scheming motives. Should she listen to her sensible friend, Kate, and drop the whole thing, or should she follow her gut and chase the truth?
This is a story about love, loss, friendship, and courage. Trusting Claire brings Claire to the point of no return. Along the way, she might just solve the riddles that have followed her since childhood.
This is a story about love, loss, friendship, and courage. Trusting Claire brings Claire to the point of no return. Along the way, she might just solve the riddles that have followed her since childhood.
222 pages, Paperback
Published November 17, 2020
About the author
Alyssa Hall
9 books189 followersAlyssa was born in Newmarket, Ontario. She grew up in a multi-generational household of WWII refugees. When she was old enough to get away, she spent two years travelling and working across Europe, after which she returned to Newmarket. She currently resides in Langley, BC, with her husband, David. The couple divides their time between Langley and Arizona, where they enjoy their winters. On the urging of a dear friend, Alyssa started her Covid-induced writing in April 2020, needing a project. Trusting Claire was her first novel, parts of which were drawn from her early life experiences. Alyssa's second novel, a British detective murder mystery entitled Wanting Aidan, became a series which included Hero of Blackpool and You Can Never Go Back. Her work has received three Literary Titan Awards. Her novel Romero Pools has one a Readers Choice award.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 29, 2020
A knock-out story from a first time author. I was drawn in quickly and impressed with the pace and style of writing. The characters really came to life and I especially enjoyed the twist at the end, it caught me off guard. Kudos to Ms Hall!
January 29, 2021
I too know the author and congratulations on your debut novel. You brought back lots o memories of our town , and I felt like I was revisiting my past. Even picturing your grandparents home .
The story worked well, perhaps a few too many characters at first to keep track,but it all came together nicely.
Was Claire too trusting ? Or did people trust Claire?
The story worked well, perhaps a few too many characters at first to keep track,but it all came together nicely.
Was Claire too trusting ? Or did people trust Claire?
January 31, 2021
I enjoyed this book very much.
I was especially impressed with the style of the writer, and the quality of the written work.
So many twists and turns on the road to resolution.
And what a surprise at how it all came together in the end.
Well done!
I was especially impressed with the style of the writer, and the quality of the written work.
So many twists and turns on the road to resolution.
And what a surprise at how it all came together in the end.
Well done!
August 20, 2022
Are you...awake? The first words of the first page. Glad I woke up to this new author. She won me over right from the start. I started her book in the morning and finished it all just before dinner time.
The story starts out as if it's a romance or possibly a love triangle...
Soon, the words weave in some darker threads. There is a mystery death, and a police investigation commences. The pages lure and conspire as the story is told.
The novel is well written, some passages almost lyrical. It is peppered with some wry humor and wit, to keep the pages alive and entertaining.
Just try to conjure up the strut of a "peacock in heat"!
The characters are superbly ushered into the story as the plot unfolds. But, can the heroine trust how these people present themselves? The story is fast paced, and the intrigue builds.
The author aquaints the readers with an endearing account of life
in a small town, of southern Ontario, Canada.
The author also employs the use of long forgotten news events. Historical events that rippled subtle reverberations, among the communities absorbing these shocks...
The author keeps the curious engaged, with recollections of the trauma of her Russian immigrant family background. It is not just all small town stuff.
She brought back the glory days of Toronto's Yorkville in the sixties. I felt like I was there with her, on those exciting romantic Greek islands. The author brought it all to my senses, with her words. I could smell the sea, taste the food, see the sights, and hear the bouzouki's play...
The author charms the reader, with popular music and lyrics to date stamp the times. Radio waves of yesterday to reminisce.
Trusting Claire, has lots to tell. Trusting Claire has keen insights.
Trusting Claire, makes one wonder if we really truly know ourselves...
This is a new Canadian Author to celebrate!
I will be buying the next two books of this new remarkable author. Wanting Aidan, and Romero Pools, by Alyssa Hall
The story starts out as if it's a romance or possibly a love triangle...
Soon, the words weave in some darker threads. There is a mystery death, and a police investigation commences. The pages lure and conspire as the story is told.
The novel is well written, some passages almost lyrical. It is peppered with some wry humor and wit, to keep the pages alive and entertaining.
Just try to conjure up the strut of a "peacock in heat"!
The characters are superbly ushered into the story as the plot unfolds. But, can the heroine trust how these people present themselves? The story is fast paced, and the intrigue builds.
The author aquaints the readers with an endearing account of life
in a small town, of southern Ontario, Canada.
The author also employs the use of long forgotten news events. Historical events that rippled subtle reverberations, among the communities absorbing these shocks...
The author keeps the curious engaged, with recollections of the trauma of her Russian immigrant family background. It is not just all small town stuff.
She brought back the glory days of Toronto's Yorkville in the sixties. I felt like I was there with her, on those exciting romantic Greek islands. The author brought it all to my senses, with her words. I could smell the sea, taste the food, see the sights, and hear the bouzouki's play...
The author charms the reader, with popular music and lyrics to date stamp the times. Radio waves of yesterday to reminisce.
Trusting Claire, has lots to tell. Trusting Claire has keen insights.
Trusting Claire, makes one wonder if we really truly know ourselves...
This is a new Canadian Author to celebrate!
I will be buying the next two books of this new remarkable author. Wanting Aidan, and Romero Pools, by Alyssa Hall
November 9, 2021
I liked the characters and plot, but was a little upset at the lack of editing and the cover.
The book is set in 1987 so I was confused as to why there’s a new(ish) camera on the front and not one from 1987?
As I read this I found multiple mistakes that should’ve been removed during the editing process.
i.e.:
Page 21: “Claire had witnessed how he hard he had worked to obtain his grant to study cultural, historical and political issues.”
Page 28: “The back porch with the shingled roof, the little detached garage where her grandfather kept all of his tools, him lawnmower and his little glass jar filled with nuts and bolts”
Page 29: “They had saved for the records Claire, and she would be eternally grateful for that.”
Those are just a few of the many mistakes I found. I got my copy at a little library, so maybe mine is an ARC, even though it doesn’t say that anywhere on the book. All of these should’ve been caught and removed. Otherwise, I enjoyed the book.
The book is set in 1987 so I was confused as to why there’s a new(ish) camera on the front and not one from 1987?
As I read this I found multiple mistakes that should’ve been removed during the editing process.
i.e.:
Page 21: “Claire had witnessed how he hard he had worked to obtain his grant to study cultural, historical and political issues.”
Page 28: “The back porch with the shingled roof, the little detached garage where her grandfather kept all of his tools, him lawnmower and his little glass jar filled with nuts and bolts”
Page 29: “They had saved for the records Claire, and she would be eternally grateful for that.”
Those are just a few of the many mistakes I found. I got my copy at a little library, so maybe mine is an ARC, even though it doesn’t say that anywhere on the book. All of these should’ve been caught and removed. Otherwise, I enjoyed the book.
April 29, 2023
I had trouble deciding what kind of book this was. It started out like a romance, detoured into a travelogue, suddenly became a murder mystery and then bounced around without a lot of direction. Even after the murders were solved it sort of meandered along before petering out. I still don't know what the years in Greece had to do with the plot of the story! If at all necessary as background, it could have been covered in a paragraph. I kept thinking, maybe her knowledge of Greece or the Greek language will provide some essential clue. But no, it was basically irrelevant. It was interesting enough to finish reading it, but I will probably forget it pretty quickly.
December 28, 2020
It’s incredible how many interesting and vivid details the author was able to put in the relatively small package. Her writing is full of life and allows to create a complete visual about places and characters.
I love how the author gives you a chance to travel in time and experience different cultures and places. This is a great debut full of sharp observations about the world, the human nature and relationships, the lives of immigrants and their children and more.
This book is delicious to read and I can’t wait for a next book by Alyssa Hall.
I love how the author gives you a chance to travel in time and experience different cultures and places. This is a great debut full of sharp observations about the world, the human nature and relationships, the lives of immigrants and their children and more.
This book is delicious to read and I can’t wait for a next book by Alyssa Hall.
December 14, 2020
Alyssa Hall’s first book “Trusting Claire” is fantastic! The storyline is engaging, easy to follow and entertaining. The language flows beautifully off the page and Alyssa does a wonderful job of developing her characters and the setting. I was thoroughly impressed and I look forward to her second book!
October 4, 2022
Poorly edited. A lot of errors in the print- a lot. Awkward introduction to many characters. A lot of irrelevant information that did not add to the story and it was quite obvious how things would turn out.
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February 24, 2021I enjoyed this book. I thought the author had a different style of character development. I hope she writes more.
November 29, 2020
I am beginning my comments by acknowledging I am a friend of Alyssa, and that I have been honored to read early drafts of Trusting Claire.
Trusting Claire is very fine storytelling, unpretentious, and beautifully written. The story is fast-paced and never loses its way. This book is much more than the intrigue of its complex story and is rich at multiple levels. The dialogue is mature, bringing life to characters that are well-developed and credible, all exposed by their moral choices. Although this is a well-crafted mystery, it is also a hopeful book with insights into life in Canada, and I think the beauty of this book lies in its sensitivity to the human condition.
I love this book.
Trusting Claire is very fine storytelling, unpretentious, and beautifully written. The story is fast-paced and never loses its way. This book is much more than the intrigue of its complex story and is rich at multiple levels. The dialogue is mature, bringing life to characters that are well-developed and credible, all exposed by their moral choices. Although this is a well-crafted mystery, it is also a hopeful book with insights into life in Canada, and I think the beauty of this book lies in its sensitivity to the human condition.
I love this book.
November 29, 2020
"I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It has a good story line, interesting characters, and kept me interested and intrigued right to the end of the book. Definitely one to buy if you haven’t already! Congratulations! Well done Alyssa! Look forward to reading your next book! ."
September 2, 2021
This was her first book & I think it was well done. Everyone I’ve passed it onto has enjoyed it also. I can’t wait to read her second novel, Wanting Aidan.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews