Hello, MB4'rs.
Here's hoping your weekend has gone well. This year I'm giving myself the gift of working through a favorite author's books. While traveling last week, I was able to completely submerge myself in this wonderful novel by our esteemed colleague and bestselling writer, Mr. Warren Adler. Following is my review - enjoy!
Aaron Lazar
lazarbooks.com
Author: Warren Adler
Publisher: Stonehouse Press
(2004)
Genre: Suspense/Drama
Paperback: 344 pages
ISBN-10: 1931304653
ISBN-13: 978-1931304658
Price: Kindle eBook: $2.99;
Paperback: $19.95
Publisher website address: http://www.warrenadler.com/aboutstonehouse.shtml
PRIVATE LIES is a mesmerizing read, starting with the
powerful voice of Ken Kramer in the opening pages. I’m not going to provide a detailed
plot summary, other than to say that this novel is a commanding glimpse into
the minds of four very distinct characters. Mr. Adler rotates between these
points of view, from a dispirited writer who has lost his dream and now settles
for a job writing ads (Ken), to his long ago ballerina lover with whom he
parted ways twenty years earlier and who he now runs into by a pure twist of
fate (Carol), to his loving and enthusiastic wife, a virtual “earth mother,”
who has organized his life and bore him two children (Maggie), to the final
corner of this very odd rhombus, a self-engrossed, gourmand who’s always
touting his latest “cause” and who can talk the best dinner partners under the
table (Eliot).
One is immediately plunged into mystery and suspense when
the story opens with a chance meeting between Ken, his wife Maggie, her new
client Eliot, and his spouse, Carol. Ken knows she’s Carol—his past lover—yet
she doesn’t acknowledge him. Not a glance, no eye contact, no conversation. Ken
spends the whole evening wonder if this ethereal, swan-necked, divine creature
is really the woman with whom he spent months of hot passion two decades ago.
He’s positive it’s her; but why does she pretend not to know him?
Little by little, delicious secrets are unveiled. We
discover Carol’s past, which I won’t divulge here, and finally get a peak into
her mind.
I expected the story would stay in New York, set in
apartments and coffee shops and restaurants, when suddenly the plot twists and
we are airlifted to Africa!
The contrast between the scenes in the dark, dirty city to
Africa are vibrantly divergent. Africa—land of the parching sun, torrential
downpours, rare danger, and raw resplendent beauty—invades the minds of the
quartet by unleashing inner urges, some not so pretty. The land influences and
entices, invades sensible thoughts and tempts all four to go where they hadn’t
dared before.
If it seems like I’m being cryptic here, I am. I don’t want
to spoil the plot.
There are several twists in this story that made me stand up
and applaud. Well done, Mr. Adler! It was these twists that grabbed my
attention and made me love the book even more. As they should, secrets are
unveiled and the plot runs wild with surprises coming in more frequent waves
toward the end. Most satisfying.
I would recommend this book for adults only, particularly
those who aren’t shy about reading delicately described sexual encounters. These
tastefully drawn passages of great passion were evocative and sensual, adding
to the texture of this finely woven literary tapestry. As in THE DAVID EMBRACE,
Mr. Adler writes voluptuous and fiery passages when it comes to passion in the
bedroom, or in the mind.
I’ve heard that PRIVATE LIES was up for a movie, and that
was one of my first thoughts when I finished it. “What a great movie PRIVATE
LIES would make!” I do hope that Hollywood grabs hold of this one and runs with
it.
I highly recommend PRIVATE LIES for the thinking man or
woman, and for those who enjoy diabolical, twisty plots and lush scenery.
***
Aaron Paul Lazar writes to soothe his soul. The author of
three mystery series, Lazar enjoys the Genesee Valley countryside in upstate
New York, where his characters embrace life, play with their dogs and
grandkids, grow sumptuous gardens, and chase bad guys. Visit his websites at www.lazarbooks.com
upcoming releases, highlighted below:
LEGARDE MYSTERIES
DOUBLE FORTÉ (FEB 2012, author’s
preferred edition, 2012, eBook and print)
UPSTAGED (JUNE, 2012 author’s
preferred edition, 2012, eBook and print)
TREMOLO:
CRY OF THE LOON (2007)
MAZURKA (2009)
FIRESONG
(JULY 2011)
DON’T LET THE WIND CATCH
YOU (APRIL
2012)
MOORE MYSTERIES
HEALEY'S
CAVE (2010)
TERROR COMES KNOCKING (FEB 2012)
FOR KEEPS (MAY2012)
TALL PINES MYSTERIES
FOR
THE BIRDS (NOV
2011)
ESSENTIALLY YOURS (MARCH 2012)
SANCTUARY (2013)
Have a great Sunday, all!
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