<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: Terrific telling of a horrific murder
Review: "Every man is wise when attacked by a mad dog; fewer when pursued by a mad woman.
Only the wisest survive when attacked by a mad notion." --Robertson Davies It's unfortunate that, so far, the only people that seem to be reading this book are ones who either knew--or are related to--the people involved (myself included). I say this is unfortunate because John Lawrence Reynolds has written a terrific narrative that deserves to be read by anyone with interest in the true crime genre. His relative closeness to the proceedings--his friend is Brett Rae's father and Reynolds was lucky in getting some of the relatives to help him out with the facts--makes for an engrossing insider's view of one of the worst scandals in East Tennessee's history. Mad Notions could be the best first-person true crime book since Ann Rule's The Stranger Beside Me. Alicia Shayne Good was adopted into a life of affluence when her mother left a volatile relationship with Shayne's father and married local banker Brent Mills from Sevier County, Tennessee. Shayne Mills was popular, intelligent, beautiful (the winner of a Junior Miss competition), and had the best of everything. Soon, however, events (starting with the suspicious death of Mills) conspired to take away Shayne's privilege, beginning her downward spiral. Poor Kelly Lovera, it seems, simply got in her way. A smart small-town boy who was making good, Kelly had just become a lecturer at the local Pellissippi College in Knoxville when Shayne began plotting his death. But she couldn't do it alone, so she began attempting to manipulate her many lovers into assisting her. Unfortunately for Brett Rae, he was in love with Shayne and would do anything she asked. And so November, 1994, found Kelly Lovera dead in his black Jeep on the side of an embankment. What happened exactly is unknown, due to the conflicting reports of those involved, but Reynolds paints a clear portrait of the before and after, while also showing the effects of how a brutal murder in this small town community was not that odd an occurrence, given the area's history of cover-ups. It's not hard to begin making judgments on behavior after the fact--and to sympathize with those we consider unjustly wronged--but one must remember that this is all after Reynolds has done all the work for us. 20/20 hindsight. Reynolds uses his award-winning mystery-writing skills (he has won two Arthur Ellis Awards for his books The Man Who Murdered God and Gypsy Sins) to present the events occurring in Mad Notions in a logical progression that ties everything together, presenting it in an easily understandable progression that leads to great reading. He displays remarkable restraint and doesn't go for the obvious sensationalist tack that often tarnishes otherwise good writing in this genre. There is a fascinating story here that doesn't need any assistance and Reynolds lets its own fast-paced, suspenseful nature take the fore. His first-person narration makes the reading that much more immediate, and his use of language makes for vivid description of the parties involved and of the Great Smoky Mountains setting. Even upon finishing the first reading, the reader will believe that he or she has actually met these people, and the irony is not lost on Reynolds that such heinous happenings went on in such beautiful country. Mad Notions is destined to be one of those books that gets unreserved recommendations from stranger to stranger.
Rating:
Summary: Terrific telling of a horrific murder
Review: "Every man is wise when attacked by a mad dog; fewer when pursued by a mad woman.
Only the wisest survive when attacked by a mad notion." --Robertson Davies It's unfortunate that, so far, the only people that seem to be reading this book are ones who either knew--or are related to--the people involved (myself included). I say this is unfortunate because John Lawrence Reynolds has written a terrific narrative that deserves to be read by anyone with interest in the true crime genre. His relative closeness to the proceedings--his friend is Brett Rae's father and Reynolds was lucky in getting some of the relatives to help him out with the facts--makes for an engrossing insider's view of one of the worst scandals in East Tennessee's history. Mad Notions could be the best first-person true crime book since Ann Rule's The Stranger Beside Me. Alicia Shayne Good was adopted into a life of affluence when her mother left a volatile relationship with Shayne's father and married local banker Brent Mills from Sevier County, Tennessee. Shayne Mills was popular, intelligent, beautiful (the winner of a Junior Miss competition), and had the best of everything. Soon, however, events (starting with the suspicious death of Mills) conspired to take away Shayne's privilege, beginning her downward spiral. Poor Kelly Lovera, it seems, simply got in her way. A smart small-town boy who was making good, Kelly had just become a lecturer at the local Pellissippi College in Knoxville when Shayne began plotting his death. But she couldn't do it alone, so she began attempting to manipulate her many lovers into assisting her. Unfortunately for Brett Rae, he was in love with Shayne and would do anything she asked. And so November, 1994, found Kelly Lovera dead in his black Jeep on the side of an embankment. What happened exactly is unknown, due to the conflicting reports of those involved, but Reynolds paints a clear portrait of the before and after, while also showing the effects of how a brutal murder in this small town community was not that odd an occurrence, given the area's history of cover-ups. It's not hard to begin making judgments on behavior after the fact--and to sympathize with those we consider unjustly wronged--but one must remember that this is all after Reynolds has done all the work for us. 20/20 hindsight. Reynolds uses his award-winning mystery-writing skills (he has won two Arthur Ellis Awards for his books The Man Who Murdered God and Gypsy Sins) to present the events occurring in Mad Notions in a logical progression that ties everything together, presenting it in an easily understandable progression that leads to great reading. He displays remarkable restraint and doesn't go for the obvious sensationalist tack that often tarnishes otherwise good writing in this genre. There is a fascinating story here that doesn't need any assistance and Reynolds lets its own fast-paced, suspenseful nature take the fore. His first-person narration makes the reading that much more immediate, and his use of language makes for vivid description of the parties involved and of the Great Smoky Mountains setting. Even upon finishing the first reading, the reader will believe that he or she has actually met these people, and the irony is not lost on Reynolds that such heinous happenings went on in such beautiful country. Mad Notions is destined to be one of those books that gets unreserved recommendations from stranger to stranger.
Rating: 
Summary: Mad Notions by John Lawrence Reynolds
Review: I RECEIVED THE BOOK AND READ IT ALL IN ONE DAY. I FOUND IT VERY INTERESTING AND FACTUAL EXCEPT FOR A COUPLE OF INDESCREPENCIES THAT DIDN'T EFFECT THE OUTCOME. IT WAS WELL WRITTEN AND WELL RESEARCHED. I ALSO FOUND THAT THE AUTHOR GAVE A EXTREMELY GOOD DESCRIPTION OF THE VICTIM CONSIDERING HE NEVER MET HIM. I SHOULD KNOW --- THE VICTIM IS MY STEPSON WHOM I LOVED DEARLY AND THE OTHER VICTIMS- OUR GRANDCHILDREN !! THE DESCRIPTION OF SHAYNE IS QUITE ACURATE AS WELL AS THE FACTS OF THE TRIAL. OUR FAMILY RELIVED THAT HELLISH EVENT ALL OVER. NOW WHEN OUR FRIENDS ASK DETAILS WHICH ARE HARD TO TALK ABOUT, WE JUST ADDRESS THEM TO READ THE STORY. IT HAS ALL THE HORRIBLE TRUTHS WE LIVED THROUGH.
Rating:
Summary: Mad Notions: A true tale of Murder & Mahem
Review: I received the book and read it in one day. The book was well researched and acurate but for only a couple of indescrepencies that did not effect the outcome. The author described the victim very well considering he never met him. I should know, the victim is my stepson whom I love and miss dearly. I read the book with tears in my eyes as I relived the hellish account of the murder and trial we went through. I could see each character and events vividly in my mind. Now when our friends ask many questions that arise, we simply tell them to read the book for all the answers. The reality of it is shocking to our family, friends, us and especially the greatest victims of all-our grandchildren. The first murder in Sevierville, Tenn. in 33 years. Hopefully the last - anywhere!!
Rating:
Summary: Mad Notions: A true tale of Murder & Mahem
Review: I received the book and read it in one day. The book was well researched and acurate but for only a couple of indescrepencies that did not effect the outcome. The author described the victim very well considering he never met him. I should know, the victim is my stepson whom I love and miss dearly. I read the book with tears in my eyes as I relived the hellish account of the murder and trial we went through. I could see each character and events vividly in my mind. Now when our friends ask many questions that arise, we simply tell them to read the book for all the answers. The reality of it is shocking to our family, friends, us and especially the greatest victims of all-our grandchildren. The first murder in Sevierville, Tenn. in 33 years. Hopefully the last - anywhere!!
Rating:
Summary: Close to Home
Review: Mr. Reynolds keeps you right there to the end. Even if I was not from Sevier County, I couldn't put this book down. The Rae family moved in across the street from me in the 80's. I quickly became friends with Lana, Brett's sister. They were a very nice family and I enjoyed spending time with them. This book gave me a better understanding of one of the most tragic stories my hometown has ever known, possibly since the tragic "Tattoo Eddie" murders. I will read this authors other books and would love to talk with him!
Rating:
Summary: Close to Home
Review: Mr. Reynolds keeps you right there to the end. Even if I was not from Sevier County, I couldn't put this book down. The Rae family moved in across the street from me in the 80's. I quickly became friends with Lana, Brett's sister. They were a very nice family and I enjoyed spending time with them. This book gave me a better understanding of one of the most tragic stories my hometown has ever known, possibly since the tragic "Tattoo Eddie" murders. I will read this authors other books and would love to talk with him!
Rating:
Summary: Mad Notions: A True Story of Murder and Mayhem
Review: This book was GREAT. I'm not big on reading books but I couldn't put this one down. I read the entire book in 2 days. I guess I was so interested because I know most of the main characters in the book. The book describes the area of Sevier County, Tennessee perfectly. I should know, I've lived here all of my life. Most everyone in the book I either know or know of them. My husband graduated with the main character of the book, and I went to school with the main character's younger sister. I was born and raised in a my mother's home that is built directly above the "marajuna mansion". Anyone that lives or has lived in this area or is even familiar with this area of the south would love this book.
<< 1 >>
| 
