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sharivanwyk's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
joemmemm's review against another edition
3.0
I like the flawed characters and the general premise but a lot of Sandra Brown s books feel like the sex is there as an add on rather than contributing to the overall story. The story was not enhanced by some of this detail. It made it more like a racy Mills and Boon rather than the good story it already was.
406knits's review against another edition
4.0
This story line is certainly a unique one. I'd really like to give away some details, but I won't. What I will mention is that a certain unforeseen event occurs which puts Griff in danger of taking the blame. We as the readers follow as Griff runs from the law and solves the crime. It's a wonderful whirlwind of activity. Again, Sandra Brown knocks one out of the park.
For any of you who enjoy a good thriller, put this on your TBR list!
For any of you who enjoy a good thriller, put this on your TBR list!
morganmartin's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ccgwalt's review against another edition
4.0
TBR Challenge: Personal Challenge-- Play Dirty was added to my tbr list in June 2010.
SOA Listening Challenge 2012--Surprise by Quarter (3rd Quarter): Listen to a book by an author with at least 10 audiobooks on her backlist.
Grade B
Playing Dirty was a bumpy ride for me at times because it took awhile to emotionally connect to any of the characters. The story is interesting and the narration by Viktor Slezak is excellent, as usual, but all the characters have major flaws, even Laura. Griff, the ex-football star just getting out of prison for gambling and throwing a game, is a tough hero to like at times, even though the reader can tell he's not as bad as everyone seems to think.
As the story unfolds, and the backstory is slowly revealed, the characters actions and words add to the confusion about personalities and motives. By this time, however, it's clear this is just what the author intends. Sandra Brown masterfully manipulates how much the reader knows while at the same time revealing tantalizing hints about what is really going on.
Playing Dirty is not a upbeat book overall, although there should be enough resolution to make most romance readers happy. The story is dark and twisted, as are several of the characters. While not as perfectly plotted or intricate as [b:Envy|76179|Envy|Sandra Brown|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1263146546s/76179.jpg|82614], the mystery is satisfyingly complex.
Slezak doesn't change his voice much, if at all, for the female characters, but usually succeeds in conveying the gender of the speaker. There were a couple of places where this wasn't completely clear, but textual clues were enough to keep the listener from confusion. His timing is excellent, and his male voices are especially good.
SOA Listening Challenge 2012--Surprise by Quarter (3rd Quarter): Listen to a book by an author with at least 10 audiobooks on her backlist.
Grade B
Playing Dirty was a bumpy ride for me at times because it took awhile to emotionally connect to any of the characters. The story is interesting and the narration by Viktor Slezak is excellent, as usual, but all the characters have major flaws, even Laura. Griff, the ex-football star just getting out of prison for gambling and throwing a game, is a tough hero to like at times, even though the reader can tell he's not as bad as everyone seems to think.
As the story unfolds, and the backstory is slowly revealed, the characters actions and words add to the confusion about personalities and motives. By this time, however, it's clear this is just what the author intends. Sandra Brown masterfully manipulates how much the reader knows while at the same time revealing tantalizing hints about what is really going on.
Playing Dirty is not a upbeat book overall, although there should be enough resolution to make most romance readers happy. The story is dark and twisted, as are several of the characters. While not as perfectly plotted or intricate as [b:Envy|76179|Envy|Sandra Brown|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1263146546s/76179.jpg|82614], the mystery is satisfyingly complex.
Slezak doesn't change his voice much, if at all, for the female characters, but usually succeeds in conveying the gender of the speaker. There were a couple of places where this wasn't completely clear, but textual clues were enough to keep the listener from confusion. His timing is excellent, and his male voices are especially good.
srreid's review against another edition
4.0
Wasn't sure what to expect from the blurb of this one, had never read any Sandra Brown before and it had been sitting on my shelf for a good few years, but now having finished it I'm eager for more.
Each chapter isn't too long which made it easier late at night for 'just one more chapter'. The story unfolded fairly quickly with an excellent little character twist right in the middle I hadn't seen coming, and from there I tried to read the second half in a single sitting as i had to know what happened next, but sleep one and I finished the last 50 pages the next day.
Each chapter isn't too long which made it easier late at night for 'just one more chapter'. The story unfolded fairly quickly with an excellent little character twist right in the middle I hadn't seen coming, and from there I tried to read the second half in a single sitting as i had to know what happened next, but sleep one and I finished the last 50 pages the next day.
mackenzierm's review against another edition
4.0
I love Sandra Brown's work and this novel was no disappointment at all! Given that I read this in 2013 and am writing this review in 2017, I can sincerely say that I do not have any recollection of the plot whatsoever, but I rated it 5 stars - so it must have been good!