readingwithhippos's review against another edition
4.0
This book is utterly unique, in that it manages to be humorous, literary, sinister, suspenseful, and totally wacky, all at once. I've never read anything quite like it, and I can't wait to read more of Willett's work.
Amy Gallup is an aging writer whose success came too soon. She published her first book at age twenty-two, and hasn't written a word for publication or otherwise in years. Instead, she teaches a writing workshop one night a week, an extension course at the local college. An introvert who craves solitude but still feels pricks of loneliness, Amy's main company is her beloved but crotchety basset hound, Alphonse. As an introvert myself, I found Amy's compulsive desire for solitude and horror at being touched by acquaintances endearing.
Her latest group of would-be writers quickly proves to be very different than past classes. At first Amy thinks she can categorize her pupils into the usual, predictable categories, but then an anonymous prankster starts wreaking havoc on everyone. A cryptic late-night phone call, an obscenity-laden critique of a short story, a pornographic sketch of an elderly female classmate, seventy-six personal pan pizzas delivered to the home of another student...and then, someone turns up dead at the bottom of a cliff.
Clearly, Amy is dealing with much more than just a prankster, and she's terrified of how the perpetrator's antics might continue to escalate. The police are no help at all, citing jurisdictional issues and relegating Amy to the “hysterical old woman” category. So Amy and the class decide to take the case into their own hands and find out who among them is “The Sniper,” by doing what they've done since the first week of class—analyzing the writing.
Now that I've written all that plot summary, I'm pretty sure I haven't done justice to Willett's work. Yes, the premise is interesting, and the character development thorough and satisfying. What I haven't been able to capture here is the razor wit that Willett employs throughout. I couldn't believe how funny even the most macabre scenes could be, without descending into slapstick. Willett doesn't ever settle for a cheap laugh. The humor is subtle, sly, tasteful. And here I am, flapping my gums. Apparently I'm not feeling like much of a salesman today.
Bottom line: Ignore my inadequate ramblings, and read this book.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
Amy Gallup is an aging writer whose success came too soon. She published her first book at age twenty-two, and hasn't written a word for publication or otherwise in years. Instead, she teaches a writing workshop one night a week, an extension course at the local college. An introvert who craves solitude but still feels pricks of loneliness, Amy's main company is her beloved but crotchety basset hound, Alphonse. As an introvert myself, I found Amy's compulsive desire for solitude and horror at being touched by acquaintances endearing.
Her latest group of would-be writers quickly proves to be very different than past classes. At first Amy thinks she can categorize her pupils into the usual, predictable categories, but then an anonymous prankster starts wreaking havoc on everyone. A cryptic late-night phone call, an obscenity-laden critique of a short story, a pornographic sketch of an elderly female classmate, seventy-six personal pan pizzas delivered to the home of another student...and then, someone turns up dead at the bottom of a cliff.
Clearly, Amy is dealing with much more than just a prankster, and she's terrified of how the perpetrator's antics might continue to escalate. The police are no help at all, citing jurisdictional issues and relegating Amy to the “hysterical old woman” category. So Amy and the class decide to take the case into their own hands and find out who among them is “The Sniper,” by doing what they've done since the first week of class—analyzing the writing.
Now that I've written all that plot summary, I'm pretty sure I haven't done justice to Willett's work. Yes, the premise is interesting, and the character development thorough and satisfying. What I haven't been able to capture here is the razor wit that Willett employs throughout. I couldn't believe how funny even the most macabre scenes could be, without descending into slapstick. Willett doesn't ever settle for a cheap laugh. The humor is subtle, sly, tasteful. And here I am, flapping my gums. Apparently I'm not feeling like much of a salesman today.
Bottom line: Ignore my inadequate ramblings, and read this book.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
rebbemcc's review against another edition
3.0
I picked this book up because a Goodreads friend of mine (hi, Andrea!), who seems to always pick THE BEST BOOKS, posted a nice review of one of the author's later books. Anyhow, this book was fun to read, and so well-written. Great characters, even if there were a lot to keep track of. Honestly, I would have rated the book higher, except I found the plot execution a little uneven and a bit of a gimmick. But, no matter. I immediately began reading the next book in the series and can already tell that I love the way this author writes, and even if this particular book wasn't a five-star, I have no doubt one of the author's other titles will be!
c_rewie6's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
bxermom's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I think it was cleverly written. It had a variety of characters that made me laugh out loud. I was surprised by the ending. I definitely think I will check out more of Willets books.
trueblue28's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
celib120's review against another edition
3.0
Liked:
- focus on the characters for the first half before the murder happened, to know the characters without impending doom looming
- MC, Amy, got one on one time with characters
- the mystery of Amy's backstory is revealed in snippets throughout the story before it is revealed completely in the end
- the writing lessons in the story
- the small stories that the characters would write
Disliked:
- ending sequence somewhat confusing
- certain actions moments are rushed
- (Personal Problem) Forgot which characters are which
- characters very nonchalant with the death of classmates and the possibility that they are in the presents of the murder
- wish for a more decryption of clues from the characters
- focus on the characters for the first half before the murder happened, to know the characters without impending doom looming
- MC, Amy, got one on one time with characters
- the mystery of Amy's backstory is revealed in snippets throughout the story before it is revealed completely in the end
- the writing lessons in the story
- the small stories that the characters would write
Disliked:
- ending sequence somewhat confusing
- certain actions moments are rushed
- (Personal Problem) Forgot which characters are which
- characters very nonchalant with the death of classmates and the possibility that they are in the presents of the murder
- wish for a more decryption of clues from the characters
slherbel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
gracenow's review against another edition
4.0
Second reading of this book, after having just read the new one, Amy Among the Serial Killers, which was just great. It was good to know a bit more about Amy and Carla, the two main characters in this book, that had been revealed in the new book in the series. Excellent mystery, I did not guess the 'bad guy' before the person was revealed. The author used some clever ways to move the story forward including diary entries from the 'bad guy,' and excerpts from short stories done by the students in the class. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
beamsreads's review against another edition
4.0
Very sad I couldn’t be with Amy or the other characters after I finished the book!