Rating: 
Summary: Read it for the Story
Review: Much like Perfect Match, Picoult has written a real page turner with controversy and plausible characters.This novel centers around Jack who has been convicted of a crime and is trying to start over. Unfortunately he is accused a of a second similar crime in his new surroundings. The dialog is well crafted and does not cause you to read the same line three times to understand. The prose is smooth and the story moves along at a swift pace. Picoult develops her characters so you identify with them and have a vested interest in them. The plot is a little weird including some witch practice by teenagers. But unlike others who have reviewed this book I do not think it is far fetched. If you have been in the high schools today you will know it happens every day. Main guy Jack is the subject of a trial for the allegations. Trial scenes are well crafted but not too in depth. Read this book for the action. It goes fast and is very entertaining.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't rush out to buy this book
Review: I picked up this book in desperation because I had nothing to read. Although I wasn't thrilled about the topic of teenage witches, it actually was even less interesting than I thought it would be. Just too "teeny-bop" if you know what I mean. A few things were interesting like Gillian's abuse by her father, and how it influenced her, but never really explored. I had to skim through parts just to finish it.
Rating: 
Summary: Two and a half stars for this one, not her best.
Review: ... This is readable, likeable, but not great. I read the large print hard cover. This is the story of Jack St. Bride, a former teacher who although innocent, was convicted of the statutory rape of a student, after being convinced by his attorney to plea-bargain. He spent 8 months in jail and moves to Salem Falls to make a new start. He goes to work in a diner, for Addie, who was also raped as a teen, got pregnant and lost her daughter at a young age and is still grieving. I found it unbelievable that Addie still talks of her daughter as if she is still alive, sets a place for her at the diner, and although she is supposed to be perfectly sane, and ultimately a love interest for Jack, everyone around her accepts these unnatural things about her dealing with her daughters death. A sub-plot about teens involved in witchcraft wasn't my cup of tea either. This was my first book by Ms. Picoult, and it wasn't bad - I finished it, but now I know she can do better, as in "Plain Truth."...
Rating:
Summary: Fun, but flawed
Review: "Salem Falls" is readable, likeable and decidedly unspectacular. Picoult masterfully weaves a suspenseful plot, yet the entire novel somehow manages to disappoint. Perhaps it was her somewhat flat portrayal of Jack, the main character. Despite having a rather intimate understanding of his situation, I found him to be a listless and uninteresting character.
Or perhaps is was the rather trite manner in which Addie, Amos, Gillian and many of the other characters were crafted. Many of the images and characterizations seem overly dependent upon a twenty-first century sensibility. I often distrust novels in which the character portrayals are laced with media references and cliché images of current fashion and I found the four young girls to be very much to that effect. References to Alanis Morissette and electric blue nail polish may not withstand the test of time.
On the other hand, I appreciated Ms. Picoult's lack of negativity toward wicca and her openness towards the possibility of magic. Although the love interest sub-plot did not work for me, those moments of "magic" rescued the novel from becoming overly trite and predictable.
Such assets and flaws aside, I'll admit that read the book happily eagerly to discover the outcome. One cannot help being drawn into the story. It was simply a "fun read".
Rating:
Summary: 3.5 stars probably but not Picoult's best
Review: I have to preface this by saying that I have read all of Jodi Picoult's books, and always wait anxiously for her next to arrive. She is an incredible writer, who always has compelling and interesting plots and characters, but Salem Falls was not up to her usual standards. It starts with a bang -- a brilliant Ph.D who landed himself in prison with false charges of statatory rape gets out and settles in Salem Falls, a quaint, nothing ever happens, type of North East coast town. I was immediately drawn to his character as well as that of the woman who "takes him in," Addie. She is a woman tied to the past, and psychologically impacted by it -- afraid that those she loves will leave her, and unwilling to accept that those she has lost are truly gone. It takes her many years, for example, to accept that her daughter has passed away. Aside from these two likeable characters and some less visible ones, the main characters are four teenagers. One of whom accuses Jack of rape, puts him on trial, and has the whole town defending her. And this is where the book lost its draw for me. The punch of a start fizzled out half way through as I began to piece together everything I knew would happen next, and it did. The ending might have been a surprise, had I not guessed it at the very beginning. And had I not been drawn to Jack, longing for him to earn the respect he deserves, I might have given up. I suppose if I had never read Picoult, this one might have appealed to me. But my expectations were so high that this was a let down. All of her other books are incredible, this one, mediocre in my opinion. But I would still recommend it, just not before any of her other jewels.
Rating: 
Summary: Again, Jodi writes a winner!
Review: Not unlike her previous novels, Jodi's newest, "Salem Falls," is spectacular. From the first page, I was hooked...I read and read and read! This book is definately one of my favorites and is a MUST-READ!
Rating:
Summary: Predictable but likeable..
Review: I enjoyed Salem Falls, perhaps it wasn't as good as Keeping Faith or The Plain Truth, but it was an interesting read in it's own right.
The ending was predictable & the graphic details of Addie & Jack's sexual acts was a bit gratuitious but overall it was a decent book.
If you are a first time reader of Jodi Picoult, I would recommend you read her previous novels first, but if not Salem Falls still has the easy going writing style & interesting plots with a hint of courtroom drama.
It's worth a look.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable as usual
Review: I have read "The Pact" and "Mercy" by Ms. Picoult and I could not wait to read "Salem Falls." I thought the writing was wonderful, as usual, and I again found myself unable to put the book down as I felt with her previous novels. The only disappointing part was that the story was pretty predictable, unlike the Pact where it was a surprise ending. But for Picoult fans, such as myself, you will still enjoy this book and it makes for an interesting story of character building!
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I have read most of Jodi Picoult's books and could not wait to sink my teeth into this one. It was very difficult, for one, to get into the story. The book jacket tells you most of the story without turning a page. Secondly, I was really not interested in the characters. They seemed to be just that, superficial. Lastly, too much of the story was unbelievable.
Rating:
Summary: Grabs my attention
Review: I personally find this book very interesting and I keep wanting to read more. I can't stand the characters and I think it's a good thing becuase I wait for them all to be shot down in their own ways. I can't compare this to Picoult's other books, but I certainly liked it. I always enjoy a little witchcraft in a book and that's one reason I enjoyed it.
| 
