Like A Long-Haul Flight To A Dull Destination… (Taking Chances - Susan Lewis)

Member Name: karenuk

Product:	Taking Chances - Susan Lewis
Date:	17/07/01 (54 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: not a bad read, escapism, nice cover

Disadvantages: disappointing, didn't get into it in the same way I did her other novels, never reached that 'unputdownable' stage

I read two novels by Susan Lewis last year and enjoyed them. I thought I now knew what to expect – lots of characters – almost without exception, of the glamorous and successful type. Add to this some exotic locations, some steamy sex scenes and you’re heading for a Jackie Collins of Jilly Cooper type ‘trash novel’.

But I found more in Susan Lewis. Just as you were getting weary of the perfect bodies having perfect sex in perfect mansions, another element kicks in – it becomes more of a mystery or a thriller, the pages turning quicker, your heart racing…

So, I was looking forward to reading another of her novels, this time Taking Chances – an old oft-read paperback borrowed from the library. A large volume (487 pages) with a simple, but attractive cover.

I had the usual slow start, but I expected that. Her books often feel like you’re at a friend’s wedding, are suddenly surrounded by a hundred faces and you realise you only know one person there. But, as with such social occasions, you make friends, it gets easier.

Some hundred pages or so in, I found I cared about the characters and their lives. It isn’t really surprising I got confused though – I mean, Michael was with Michelle and they had a son, Robbie. Michelle’s now with Michael’s brother, Cavan. Michael’s with Ellen and Robbie lives with them. Think EastEnders and you’ll know what I mean.

The novel is based around the making of a movie, which was a bit of a turn-off for me. I have little interest in the behind the scenes of financing a film, and the idea of business tycoons bandering millions of dollars around is rather yawnsome.

The film itself is about a woman called Rachel, who is murdered in Colombia after naming and shaming a group of hardened criminals – think the Mafia with less morals and Colombian accents. Her boyfriend, Tom, feels responsible
and writes the script which will become the film Rachel’s Story.

It’s hard to tell you much more without ruining the story. It is interesting, especially as people’s relationships are examined and ripped apart, the pieces put back together again and maybe, or maybe not, destroyed or strengthened. But overall, I was disappointed. It failed to deliver.

By page 300, I still hoped the novel would pick up the pace and I’d hit that unputdownable stage – but I never did. You know how sometimes, you get so into a book that someone could offer you money to hand it over and you just couldn’t, not without finishing the story. Well, I’d have given you this book for 50p, even during the last page.

It’s not a bad book, but it’s certainly nowhere near as good as her other novels I’ve read. The story is okay, the characters are fairly interesting, it’s written reasonably well – but the spark is missing.

Reading this book is like enduring a long-haul flight to a dull, dull destination…

Summary: