Rating: 
Summary: A fun read that could have been tighter
Review: CPA Crystal Goldstein decided that she needed to get away from her Manhattan job and her current life which seems to be falling apart. Her fiancé loks like he prefer returning to his former spouse rather than marrying Crystal. She cannot turn to her senior citizen dad for some TLC so, listening to her secretary, Crystal decides to cleanse her soul by vacationing in the Tranquillity Hotel in Sedona, Arizona. When Crystal signs onto a tour group, she is shocked to learn her ex-spouse Terry, heads the group. Terry, whose irresponsible lifestyle broke the pair apart over two decades ago, wants a second chance with Crystal. However, before they can pursue any potential relationship, one of the guests, Amanda Reid, the self appointed New Age guru, vanishes. Even with the negative vibes emanating from the mysterious disappearance of Amanda, Crystal has reached a personal crossroads that requires decisions affecting the rest of her life. Jane Heller clearly has lots of writing talent as witnessed by her previous novel, PRINCESS CHAMRING and this tale, CRYSTAL CLEAR. However, her current book is not crystal clear as to what the author intended as she seems to bounce around several genres without successfully blending them into a honed story line. Some people will be turned off by Crystal's acerbic wit that cannonballs many of the characters (personally, this reviewer enjoyed the sidebar humor of this New Yawkish-technique to overwhelm the country rube). Overall, CRYSTAL CLEAR is a good novel that could have been an excellent romantic comedy with who-done-it overtones if a blender and not a superconductor was used. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: A fun read that could have been tighter
Review: CPA Crystal Goldstein decided that she needed to get away from her Manhattan job and her current life which seems to be falling apart. Her fiancé loks like he prefer returning to his former spouse rather than marrying Crystal. She cannot turn to her senior citizen dad for some TLC so, listening to her secretary, Crystal decides to cleanse her soul by vacationing in the Tranquillity Hotel in Sedona, Arizona. When Crystal signs onto a tour group, she is shocked to learn her ex-spouse Terry, heads the group. Terry, whose irresponsible lifestyle broke the pair apart over two decades ago, wants a second chance with Crystal. However, before they can pursue any potential relationship, one of the guests, Amanda Reid, the self appointed New Age guru, vanishes. Even with the negative vibes emanating from the mysterious disappearance of Amanda, Crystal has reached a personal crossroads that requires decisions affecting the rest of her life. Jane Heller clearly has lots of writing talent as witnessed by her previous novel, PRINCESS CHAMRING and this tale, CRYSTAL CLEAR. However, her current book is not crystal clear as to what the author intended as she seems to bounce around several genres without successfully blending them into a honed story line. Some people will be turned off by Crystal's acerbic wit that cannonballs many of the characters (personally, this reviewer enjoyed the sidebar humor of this New Yawkish-technique to overwhelm the country rube). Overall, CRYSTAL CLEAR is a good novel that could have been an excellent romantic comedy with who-done-it overtones if a blender and not a superconductor was used. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Heller is a hoot!
Review: Crystal Goldstein is only half-alive. She's overworked, has a father who doesn't care about her and a boyfriend she rarely sees, let alone sleeps with. When she's told to go "cleanse her aura" in Sedona, Arizona by her assistant, she thinks, "Why not?". Once in Sedona she realizes that the saying "All things happen for a reason" is true. Why else would she encounter the ex-husband she'd written off as a deadbeat? Why else would she become embroiled in a murder case? What a treat Jane Heller is! I read this book while stuck on the side of a road in Brazil and laughed all the way through it. Though you won't find this romance in the romance section, it's an incredible book. Funny, well-plotted, with wonderful characters and a voice that is very distinctive. Buy Heller and give yourself a treat!
Rating:
Summary: Heller is a hoot!
Review: Crystal Goldstein is only half-alive. She's overworked, has a father who doesn't care about her and a boyfriend she rarely sees, let alone sleeps with. When she's told to go "cleanse her aura" in Sedona, Arizona by her assistant, she thinks, "Why not?". Once in Sedona she realizes that the saying "All things happen for a reason" is true. Why else would she encounter the ex-husband she'd written off as a deadbeat? Why else would she become embroiled in a murder case? What a treat Jane Heller is! I read this book while stuck on the side of a road in Brazil and laughed all the way through it. Though you won't find this romance in the romance section, it's an incredible book. Funny, well-plotted, with wonderful characters and a voice that is very distinctive. Buy Heller and give yourself a treat!
Rating:
Summary: Heller is a hoot!
Review: Crystal Goldstein is only half-alive. She's overworked, has a father who doesn't care about her and a boyfriend she rarely sees, let alone sleeps with. When she's told to go "cleanse her aura" in Sedona, Arizona by her assistant, she thinks, "Why not?". Once in Sedona she realizes that the saying "All things happen for a reason" is true. Why else would she encounter the ex-husband she'd written off as a deadbeat? Why else would she become embroiled in a murder case? What a treat Jane Heller is! I read this book while stuck on the side of a road in Brazil and laughed all the way through it. Though you won't find this romance in the romance section, it's an incredible book. Funny, well-plotted, with wonderful characters and a voice that is very distinctive. Buy Heller and give yourself a treat!
Rating: 
Summary: Nobody dies and we still have a good mystery!
Review: Crystal is one of the most refreshing characters to hit the "funky woman detective" arena in recent years. This tongue-in-cheek poke at metaphysical Sedona, Arizona made me laugh so hard I could barely breathe! Whether you need or want your aura cleansed or not, this book is a real treat for your neo-vortex (or is that neo-cortex)?
Rating: 
Summary: Susan Isaacs She is NOT!
Review: I bought this book because the author was touted as being the next Susan Isaacs. In your dreams! Susan Isaacs is witty, literate, and her books are fast-paced and original. Jane Heller is dull, plodding, predictable, and banal. This was a struggle to get through. An awful piece of dreck.
Rating: 
Summary: A talented writer churns out a formula puff-piece
Review: I found this book entertaining for most of its length, but ultimately, I was disappointed. Jane Heller clearly has some writing talent and an acerbic sense of humor. The humor in the book is, in fact, its strongest quality. But the trajectory of the basic story line in *Crystal Clear* is indeed crystal clear from about page fifty or so, so there is little real suspense the rest of the way through. There's a "whodunit" aspect to the story, but who the "culprit" is just doesn't seem particularly important, actually. The inevitable resolution of the protagonist's emotional inner conflicts is the actual center of Heller's narrative, and how things will turn out is abundantly clear almost from the beginning. The final portion of the book is very much in the vein of Danielle Steele, and that is NOT a compliment, folks. I would recommend the book to someone looking for a fluffy summer-by-the-pool read that includes some gentle but competently executed satire on the New Age movement. But what frustrates me is that it is very clear that Jane Heller could write something a lot more memorable than this.
Rating:
Summary: Very good
Review: I have skimmed the other reviews and feel that people are being a little harsh. I liked this book. It may be predictable, but I didn't pick this up for any other reason than 'light reading'. I find Ms. Heller's writing to be very witty and humorous. Her writing just flows with the help of witty dialogue and not-too-thick descriptions. I have also read Sis Boom Bah and love it just the same. I am looking forward to reading more.
Rating:
Summary: A Pleasant Read
Review: I love Jane Heller's books! Although I didn't laugh out loud as much with this one as I did with Name Dropping, it was still a fun romance. I don't think it's meant to be a big mystery or believable. So, if you're looking for a fun book that's not heavy, this one's for you!
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