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Vertigo
In turn-of-the-century London, an exemplary Victorian wife begins a noble-minded writing letters to a lonely local prisoner. What happens next in this brilliantly crafted novel of literary suspense will change Emma Smith’s life forever—and ignite a dark, erotic drama of suspicion, loss, and awakening.
In the year 1898, Emma makes a New Year’s to become a better person. So, under the tutelage of her novelist husband, she begins an innocent correspondence with Chance Wood, a man serving his sentence for the murder of his wife. But from the beginning, in words that shock and intrigue her, Chance dares Emma to unveil her unspoken thoughts and desires. And when Chance receives a pardon, Emma is set dangerously free. She will use her freedom—and Chance’s—to pursue the fantasies that have been swirling dizzily around her. Slowly, recklessly, Emma exchanges all that was familiar and safe for her new, dangerous double life. As the risks mount and a friend turns blackmailer, Emma cannot stop her fall. For once she has given in to her truest, basest desires, she cannot avoid the ones that come next.…
In the year 1898, Emma makes a New Year’s to become a better person. So, under the tutelage of her novelist husband, she begins an innocent correspondence with Chance Wood, a man serving his sentence for the murder of his wife. But from the beginning, in words that shock and intrigue her, Chance dares Emma to unveil her unspoken thoughts and desires. And when Chance receives a pardon, Emma is set dangerously free. She will use her freedom—and Chance’s—to pursue the fantasies that have been swirling dizzily around her. Slowly, recklessly, Emma exchanges all that was familiar and safe for her new, dangerous double life. As the risks mount and a friend turns blackmailer, Emma cannot stop her fall. For once she has given in to her truest, basest desires, she cannot avoid the ones that come next.…
353 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
6 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Baratz-Logsted
53 books471 followersLauren grew up in Monroe, CT, where her father owned a drugstore at which her mother was the pharmacist. She is a graduate of the University of Connecticut at Storrs, where she majored in psychology. She also has what she calls her “half-Masters” in English from Western Connecticut State University (five courses down, another five to go…someday!).
Throughout college, she worked semester breaks as a doughnut salesperson, a job that she swears gave her white lung disease from all the powdered sugar she breathed.
Upon graduation, she began work at the venerable independent spacebookseller, now sadly defunct as such, Klein’s of Westport. There, she bought and sold for the better part of 11 years.
In November 1994, Lauren left the bookstore to finally take a chance on herself as a writer. Success did not happen over night. Between 1994 and May 2002 – when Red Dress Ink called with an offer to buy THE THIN PINK LINE – Lauren worked as a book reviewer, a freelance editor and writer, and a window washer, making her arguably the only woman in the world who has ever both hosted a book signing party and washed the windows of the late best-selling novelist Robert Ludlum.
Since Red Dress Ink’s call in 2002, Lauren has been kept very busy with writing more novels and checking her Amazon ranking on a daily basis. She still lives in Danbury, with her husband and daughter, where she has lived since 1991.
In addition to writing, Lauren’s daughter keeps her busy, accounting for the rest of her time.
Lauren’s favorite color is green.
Lauren’s favorite non-cat animals are penguins.
Lauren wants you to know that, however you are pronouncing her last name, you are probably pronouncing it wrong.
Throughout college, she worked semester breaks as a doughnut salesperson, a job that she swears gave her white lung disease from all the powdered sugar she breathed.
Upon graduation, she began work at the venerable independent spacebookseller, now sadly defunct as such, Klein’s of Westport. There, she bought and sold for the better part of 11 years.
In November 1994, Lauren left the bookstore to finally take a chance on herself as a writer. Success did not happen over night. Between 1994 and May 2002 – when Red Dress Ink called with an offer to buy THE THIN PINK LINE – Lauren worked as a book reviewer, a freelance editor and writer, and a window washer, making her arguably the only woman in the world who has ever both hosted a book signing party and washed the windows of the late best-selling novelist Robert Ludlum.
Since Red Dress Ink’s call in 2002, Lauren has been kept very busy with writing more novels and checking her Amazon ranking on a daily basis. She still lives in Danbury, with her husband and daughter, where she has lived since 1991.
In addition to writing, Lauren’s daughter keeps her busy, accounting for the rest of her time.
Lauren’s favorite color is green.
Lauren’s favorite non-cat animals are penguins.
Lauren wants you to know that, however you are pronouncing her last name, you are probably pronouncing it wrong.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 26, 2015
I started reading this novel with reservations based upon reviews, but I am glad I completed it. This author did a masterful job of dishing up surprises, twists and turns at the end that caught me by surprise; and made me want to read more of Baratz-Logsted's work.
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February 13, 2009Only checked this out of the library because Baratz-Logsted wrote it. Only finished it because I convinced myself that it's good to read things that suck so that things I write don't suck.
August 21, 2009
Technically, I didn't finish this one ~ just skimmed through it. Once I got midway through, I just couldn't bear to read any more, but wanted to see how it turned out. I get that the Baratz-Logsted is trying to make this sound as if it were written at the end of the 19th century. And I can appreciate the flowery language & drawn out passages. But the story never actually picks up ~ the reader sees very little action as it is happening. Action is all very vaguely preluded to, then mused over for multiple paragraphs before Baratz-Logsted actually reveals what that action is. Dialogue is also mostly told from the protagonists point of view. The reader is privy to very few conversations as they take place.
Not to imply that a novel has to be heavy on dialouge and action in order to be successful... but I swear at least 90% of this novel was inner monologue. Which doesn't exactly make this a "novel of twisting, erotic suspense" that the cover promised.
Also, my biggest pet peeve with romance novels is when the big, sexy love interest is such a big, sexy love interest because he is a good listener. Granted, it is certainly a good quality for a man to have... but not to the exclusion of his own personality. If a new guy you have met begs to hear you talk, and asks to hear all of your deepest thoughts and secrets.... yeah, it's nice. But so many authors seem to include that trait, but fail to add anything more interesting about guy. No reason for the woman to stay around, other than to open her piehole. (In more ways than one! *snark*) Anyhow... that is my beef with romance novels and this one is certainly guilty of it. It is easy to understand Emma's attraction to her prisoner in the beginning. But he never did much to justify the deeper feelings she began to develop for him.
Finally, the "erotic" aspsect of this novel was also a serious let down. Baratz-Logsted's pages devoted to masturbation were unfortuanely a lot longer than her descriptions of sex with another person. Uh, yeah....
This one was a disapointment and I regret even picking it up.
Not to imply that a novel has to be heavy on dialouge and action in order to be successful... but I swear at least 90% of this novel was inner monologue. Which doesn't exactly make this a "novel of twisting, erotic suspense" that the cover promised.
Also, my biggest pet peeve with romance novels is when the big, sexy love interest is such a big, sexy love interest because he is a good listener. Granted, it is certainly a good quality for a man to have... but not to the exclusion of his own personality. If a new guy you have met begs to hear you talk, and asks to hear all of your deepest thoughts and secrets.... yeah, it's nice. But so many authors seem to include that trait, but fail to add anything more interesting about guy. No reason for the woman to stay around, other than to open her piehole. (In more ways than one! *snark*) Anyhow... that is my beef with romance novels and this one is certainly guilty of it. It is easy to understand Emma's attraction to her prisoner in the beginning. But he never did much to justify the deeper feelings she began to develop for him.
Finally, the "erotic" aspsect of this novel was also a serious let down. Baratz-Logsted's pages devoted to masturbation were unfortuanely a lot longer than her descriptions of sex with another person. Uh, yeah....
This one was a disapointment and I regret even picking it up.
October 6, 2007
This book is wretched. It drove me crazy with what a waste of print it is! I couldn't get past the first 50 pages because my brain was screaming in agony. Treat it as if it were a giant pig of burning dog poop. You don't want to touch or get near.
June 7, 2022
Vertigo, Lauren Baratz-Logsted, 2006
(MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS)
My favorite quote: “John always said writing was a way to cheat the rules of the living. ‘Without it,’ he would say, ‘I would only get to live one life.’”
Notable characters: Emma Smith, a Victorian wife; John, her husband the novelist; Chance Wood, a man serving a sentence for the murder of his wife
Most memorable scene: When Chance is pardoned and freed from prison — I was as nervous as a manwhore in church that he’d come and murder Emma! Instead, they did … other stuff. I can’t say any more than that, but trust me -- good stuff
Greatest strengths: In Vertigo, Lauren Baratz-Logsted absolutely nails the setting, giving the book the perfect atmosphere of intrigue and spookiness. I can’t get enough of this stuff
Standout achievements: Its bodice ripper sensibilities. I’m a sucker for slightly over-the-top sexual spectacles (just ask my neighbors!) and Vertigo strikes a perfect balance between the erotic and the intriguing (too much erotica and I just kind of glaze over and start sinking into the couch -- I mean, we get it, you’re all sexy and randy and stuff, but come on … I need a little more story, you know?)
Fun facts: Lauren Baratz-Logsted’s novel, The Thin Pink Line, was the first book from a Harlequin imprint to receive a starred Kirkus review. That’s a pretty big achievement!
Other media: N/A
What it taught me: I think any reader will come away from Lauren Baratz-Logsted’s Vertigo with a clearer idea of the social and sexual repression that women bore during the Victorian era. I seriously don’t even know how anyone survived it without losing their minds -- but then, they did prop up their dead loved ones for pictures so maybe they were a little mad after all …
How it inspired me: I’ll say this: Lauren Baratz-Logsted’s Vertigo managed to make me feel like a sexually dissatisfied Victorian housewife -- which is pretty remarkable. Seriously. I almost began an erotic correspondence with a prison inmate like Emma did, but came to my senses when I began reading a different book: The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty by Anne Rice. Now I’m not sure how I feel about sex at all. And I definitely don’t want to bring any mysterious prison inmates into the fold
Additional thoughts: I really should check out more of Lauren Baratz-Logsted’s work. Given how much I enjoyed Vertigo, I don’t know why I haven’t yet, but I fully intend to amend that
Hit or miss: Hit
Haunt me: alistaircross.com
Read Vertigo: https://tinyurl.com/5x4vmxvx
(MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS)
My favorite quote: “John always said writing was a way to cheat the rules of the living. ‘Without it,’ he would say, ‘I would only get to live one life.’”
Notable characters: Emma Smith, a Victorian wife; John, her husband the novelist; Chance Wood, a man serving a sentence for the murder of his wife
Most memorable scene: When Chance is pardoned and freed from prison — I was as nervous as a manwhore in church that he’d come and murder Emma! Instead, they did … other stuff. I can’t say any more than that, but trust me -- good stuff
Greatest strengths: In Vertigo, Lauren Baratz-Logsted absolutely nails the setting, giving the book the perfect atmosphere of intrigue and spookiness. I can’t get enough of this stuff
Standout achievements: Its bodice ripper sensibilities. I’m a sucker for slightly over-the-top sexual spectacles (just ask my neighbors!) and Vertigo strikes a perfect balance between the erotic and the intriguing (too much erotica and I just kind of glaze over and start sinking into the couch -- I mean, we get it, you’re all sexy and randy and stuff, but come on … I need a little more story, you know?)
Fun facts: Lauren Baratz-Logsted’s novel, The Thin Pink Line, was the first book from a Harlequin imprint to receive a starred Kirkus review. That’s a pretty big achievement!
Other media: N/A
What it taught me: I think any reader will come away from Lauren Baratz-Logsted’s Vertigo with a clearer idea of the social and sexual repression that women bore during the Victorian era. I seriously don’t even know how anyone survived it without losing their minds -- but then, they did prop up their dead loved ones for pictures so maybe they were a little mad after all …
How it inspired me: I’ll say this: Lauren Baratz-Logsted’s Vertigo managed to make me feel like a sexually dissatisfied Victorian housewife -- which is pretty remarkable. Seriously. I almost began an erotic correspondence with a prison inmate like Emma did, but came to my senses when I began reading a different book: The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty by Anne Rice. Now I’m not sure how I feel about sex at all. And I definitely don’t want to bring any mysterious prison inmates into the fold
Additional thoughts: I really should check out more of Lauren Baratz-Logsted’s work. Given how much I enjoyed Vertigo, I don’t know why I haven’t yet, but I fully intend to amend that
Hit or miss: Hit
Haunt me: alistaircross.com
Read Vertigo: https://tinyurl.com/5x4vmxvx
June 4, 2009
Ugh. The back of the book made it sound interesting: an erotic tale of forbidden love in Victorian England between a proper wife and a convict. Boy, was it wrong. VERTIGO was gossipy drivel and characterless events ping-ponging one after the other with no sense of foreseeable point and end.
At the turn of the twentieth century, Mrs. Emma Smith makes a resolution to be a better person. Her novelist husband, John, whom she has known since they were little, decides that the way she is to go about this is to strike up a letter correspondence with a convict in prison, a Chance Wood. At first his replies are frustratingly hostile, but then they get staggeringly intimate and inappropriate. Chance asks Emma questions no one, not even her husband, has even cared to ask, seeming to really care about her, to care about them opening up to one another.
As Chance and Emma grow closer, Emma desperately weaves lies to prevent John from finding out, and she finds it more and more pointless to engage in the same social strife she and John have always been a part of. She withdraws into her mind, into the world she has created for Chance and herself.
And then comes the day Chance is released from prison. After that, Emma’s life explodes.
There. I made it sound all ‘oooh’ nice, but read at your own risk.
At the turn of the twentieth century, Mrs. Emma Smith makes a resolution to be a better person. Her novelist husband, John, whom she has known since they were little, decides that the way she is to go about this is to strike up a letter correspondence with a convict in prison, a Chance Wood. At first his replies are frustratingly hostile, but then they get staggeringly intimate and inappropriate. Chance asks Emma questions no one, not even her husband, has even cared to ask, seeming to really care about her, to care about them opening up to one another.
As Chance and Emma grow closer, Emma desperately weaves lies to prevent John from finding out, and she finds it more and more pointless to engage in the same social strife she and John have always been a part of. She withdraws into her mind, into the world she has created for Chance and herself.
And then comes the day Chance is released from prison. After that, Emma’s life explodes.
There. I made it sound all ‘oooh’ nice, but read at your own risk.
September 26, 2009
Be careful whom you trust would sum up the moral of this story. This is a book that will truly make you think. The heroine, Emma, is a wife and mother in the Victorian times, and literally lives for her husband and her son, never herself. The reader will understand and feel compassionate towards her as she faces life in what seems like a fancy birdcage. In seventeen years of marriage, the woman has never had an orgasm. I daresay, that alone would give us modern women a reason to kill our husbands! As she takes up correspondence with a prisoner, she begins to have urges and desires and finally identifies them as such. When the opportunity arrises, she finds the courage to act on them. Whereas the reader will not agree that killing her husband is the best answer, the reader will also sympathize with her regarding her plight. After the death of her husband, the novel takes a most shocking turn. The ending somewhat leaves you hanging tho, thus getting three stars from me instead of four.
February 8, 2010
This was really different from the other, more traditional chick lit, books I've read from Lauren Baratz-Logsted. I enjoyed it, but did find the end somewhat dissatisfying. I was really intrigued into what was going to happen, and sort of figured out what was happening to the main character at about the halfway point. Not totally predictable, though, because I didn't totally get it right.
In short, it was good although not great.
In short, it was good although not great.
May 24, 2007
Very, very fast read about a privileged Victorian woman who begins corresponding with a prisoner to "be a better person." Gripping and salacious and lots of twists and turns. Plus, the author is a really cool chick!
April 5, 2008
This book had me thinking about it even when I wasn't reading! I kept trying to guess where the plot was going, but none of my suspiscions were correct. I loved the unpredictable story, but after coming up with so many possible conclusions, I was a bit disappointed with the actual ending.
July 9, 2016
I think I'm rating everything at 4 stars...hmmm...not sure if that's good or bad.
I love reading stories where women, traditionally taught to be weak, learn to become strong and learn what it is to be a women. This book was that and more.
I love reading stories where women, traditionally taught to be weak, learn to become strong and learn what it is to be a women. This book was that and more.
August 16, 2007
This is an awesome book, aptly titled because it is so full of surprises it leaves the reader with vertigo! The main character is loveable and I couldn't put the story down.
January 20, 2008
This book is a little more sordid than I usually read, but I must admit that I did like it.
January 27, 2008
Just started it this morning... but so far so good!
September 6, 2025
I loved this book!
October 6, 2009
If this book had been more focused on the mystery and suspense and less focused on the bodice ripper scenes it could have been interesting book. Kind of a good plot twist at the end.
July 12, 2010
This is a pretty good chick/beach book with lots of plot in the second half. Some of the characters did not exactly work, but it is a page turner.
January 22, 2014
this was a strange story... the ending was interesting - i felt like the main character turned rather conniving and crazy. not my favorite book by this author.
May 29, 2016
She's a talented author and I enjoyed her first books. Since then, she's written in genres that don't interest me.
July 6, 2016
I became totally engrossed in this story. I highly recommend it - but only if you don't mind some slightly explicit sexual content...
July 8, 2022
Unreliable narration is one of my favorite tricks and this novel dances on the line between sanity and madness. Highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews