Face of Deception

Rating:
Summary: I laughed and cried, sometimes at the same time.
Review: This book held me like no other has for some time. I literaly could not put it down. The characters were so vivid, so complete. The underlying story of "Bonnie" was enough to break your heart. This book was at the same time frightening and believable. As a mother it terrified me, as a woman it entertained me, as a couch sleuth it challenged me. I give it 5 stars!

Rating:
Summary: Couldn't even get through it.
Review: I must agree that "The Face of Deception" is riddled with incredibly contrived literary devices. My favorite such literary device, however, was the "chilling end-of-chapter one-liner," which was so self-consciously overused as to make for great comedy. You know the type of one-liner I mean; they usually occur when the dramatic action is rolling happily along, and then the protagonist insists on thinking something short, silly, and incredibly awkward, such as (in the case of this book) "It was hard to equate a savior with a killer." (I am paraphrasing.) Or something as trite as "If only they had enought time." (Paraphrasing again.)In such cases, one can almost imagine a director calling out "Aaaaand, cut!" Indeed, Iris, it is difficult to equate a savior with a killer; but it also hard to equate a forced chapter ending with a believable character, and this is one of the major problems of this book.

Rating:
Summary: The TWIST AND TURNS KEEP YOU GUESSING
Review: My firt novel by Iris Johansen, what an author! I've ordered two more of her books. The Face of Deceptions keeps your mind guessing what the next chapter will bring,and it's not what you think! One of the best authors of our time.

Rating:
Summary: intriguing
Review: I bought this book to read on my lunch hour, it was very intriguing, so mush so that I had a hard time putting it down to go back to work. This book has passed among three coworkers and all of us can't wait for the next book.

Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down
Review: I have never read a book by this author before. I couldn't put it down once I started. I loved the Eve character. I have already bought another book by this author and hope it is as entertaining as this one.

Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down
Review: This is the first book I've read by Iris Johansen, and I'm definitely going to read some more. Once I started, I couldn't put the book down. The characters are strong, willful, and even dislikeable at times. Although the plot is a stretch at times, the interest in the characters keeps you turning the pages. I can't wait for the sequel.

Rating:
Summary: Dynamic!!!!
Review: I picked this book up in an airport hoping that it was good, or would at least get me through my plane ride. I was hooked, it was like watching a action movie, I felt all of the emotions. Thanks Iris and I'm looking foward to the sequel.

Rating:
Summary: I'm kinda iffy on this one ...
Review: I'm no mystery/thriller guru, and this was my first Iris Johansen book. Although the back cover sounds really interesting, the story seriously lacks believability ... I tried explaining the (convoluted) plot to coworkers and had them looking at me like I had 2 heads ... it's OK for airplane reading, but I would not recommend this to a connoisseur ...

Rating:
Summary: Deceptive title - makes you think it's interesting
Review: This was my first and last book by Iris Johansen. To compare her to Patricia Cornwell (as one reviewer did) is an insult to Patricia Cornwell. I felt like the chapters should have been titled by their intention, the lack of craft was so obvious. "In this chapter I'll use other characters to describe the main character." Ever heard of show don't tell? The dialog was completely unbelievable. Don't be lured in. Take your $6.95 and buy a snack that won't leave you with the same bitter aftertaste this book will.

Rating:
Summary: earth to iris!
Review: Sorry, but I laughed aloud at the plot at parts. This book on its own would have relegated Iris to my "Authors I've Given Up On" list, but the day an author cheats me into buying a sequal to find the answers to unresolved issues is the day I stop reading that author.