Book Review – Fool Me Once by Harlan Coben

I have just finished reading  ‘Fool Me Once’ by Harlen Coben.  This is the first book I have read by this author and I must admit it really exceeded my expectations.

The initial reason for chosing this book over any of the others that were calling to me from the shelves was the snippet on the back cover (see the bottom of this post).  I tend to choose a book the same way that I would choose a movie.  I like to read the blurb on the back to see if it is something that I think i could get into. My reasoning is that if I would like to watch it as a film then I would be able to get into it as a book.

There is nothing I hate more in the world than a book that you begin to read but you know in your heart that you are seeing the words but nothing is sinking in.  This book is the exact opposite.  I am not usually one for thrillers but this is one of those reads that you just can’t put down.

Breakdown

The book started by jumping straight into the action of the murder of Maya’s Husband, Joe.  Maya is ex-millitary and did not leave under honorable circumstances, but rest assured she is still a good guy.  The memories of her time in the airforce will forever haunt her.  She lays her husband to rest, which for any spouse I can only imagine is heartbreaking, but she does it with such class and composure.  Maya has always been around death as her profession would imply and with the recent murder of her sister, Claire, still fresh in her mind, she has had more than her fill over the last few months.

Her husband, Joe, was one of four siblings of the Burkett family who have also been touched by tragedy in the past when his younger brother, Andrew, died whilst partying on a yacht with friends.  The Burkett’s were a wealthy family so they did not want for anything, but where there is money there is sure to be scandal.  This comes in the form of a connection between the murder of Maya’s sister and her husband.  Maya takes it upon herself to investigate and get to the bottom of what has happened to connect these two deaths.

The more Maya digs to unearth the truth, the more secrets are revealed.  She must be careful who she can trust if she is to ever have any hope of finding out who killed her sister and how it can be linked to the death of her husband!

Overall Review

Great storyline, I loved the characters and their background stories.  Throughout this book I found myself guessing who the murderer could be.  I had an incline as to how it would end but there was always something that followed to dismiss that feeling and throw you right back off track.  I was hooked from beginning to end and would rate this book 9/10.

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xo Mello

Harry Potter Thoughts

So I’m home from work and sat here pondering about one thing and another when my train of thought brings me to the magical world of Harry Potter. (so wish that it could all be real) I really like to get my geek on when it comes to all things potter! 


I was thinking about the recent read, Harry Potter and The Cursed Child, which was totally amazing by the way. When I purchased it I wasn’t sure how I was going to rate it with it being a script and all but what you miss about it not being a novel was by no means compromised.  The scenes were all still set to perfection through dialogue and stage settings and no detail was missing.

Anyhow, off on a tangent a bit there. My original point is that JK Rowling has said previously that this is where Harry Potter has ended (sheds a tear) and it got me thinking, in the real world we have primary school/preschool then secondary school and finally university/college. I get that they don’t start to practice magic in Harry’s world until they are in secondary school as children and magic I can imagine would not be a good mix. In Harry’s world after Hogwarts they must simply get out in the real world and get jobs etc. Why is it that there has been no mention of any uni’s in that world at all! I think this is something that could keep this story going! Most 17 year olds have no idea what they want to do with their lives after school and therefore they ride the education train for as long as possible (not something I condone by the way). But for Harry and his pals I would be behind this all the way!

Thoughts on the subject?

The Power of Words

Words are such a powerful thing that most people don’t even think twice about.  I know a lot of people who will just blurt out what is going through their mind without any regard for how will affect others.

You never know how long your words will stay in someone’s mind long after you have forgotten you even spoke them.  It is not always easy to remember to think about what we are saying before we actually say it.  I know I have had my fair share of ‘foot in mouth’ moments in the past.  In some situations this problem is often unavoidable.  Some conversations move so fast that you don’t have time to think about what you have said until the words have already parted from you lips.  But at this point, it’s often too late.

Aside from the occasional slip up there are the people who intentionally say things to you to get a reaction.  These are the types of people I simply cannot tolerate. They are just downright nasty and will say things that they know will offend; but that of course is their intention. People can be so cruel to each other.  This is something that I have often had trouble wrapping my head around.  I have never completely understood what is gained by putting someone else down.  Does it make that person feel better about themselves or is it pure insecurity from the person being mean.  That they simply cannot make it through life without feeling that they are the superior person in any situation? I don’t think I will ever totally get this, but in a way I glad I don’t.

Another way that words can be dangerous is when someone is telling a story about another and they embellish a little to make them sound more interesting the listener.  The listener who could possibly be hearing about the person being talked about may never have met them and yet they already have a picture in their mind of what that person is like be it a true reflection or not.  The listener has allowed themselves to be influenced by person telling the story through their views of the person.

Not all people will get along but I am a strong beliver in finding out for myself what someone is like.  I am not saying for a second that i have not, in the past, listened to a friend talking about soemone that i know of; but am not so familiar with.  I too have taken on board what they have had to say about their opinions and experiences with the person but i still like to retain the final judgement for myself.

The moral of my ramblings are:

Be careful what you say to people.

Always think about what your intentions are when you are talking to someone.  Never intentionally say things that are not true to make yourself sound more interesting or to make the person you are talking to feel any less valued.  Always try to be polite and friendly; aside from making you into a nicer person to be around it actually does make you feel good.

Take car of eachother and be happy! 🙂

My furbaby’s Birthday

Well it has been one whole year since Jack entered the world and what a year it has been.

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We have had so much fun with him over the last year and I wouldn’t change a single second of it for the world.  He really is a little character with his own unique personality! I mean the guy even has a favourite song… I don’t think I know any dogs who have a favourite song.  But that’s my Monkey (Jack) and that is why he is one of a kind.

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I love my Monkey more than anything in this world.  He is so fun hardly ever in a bad mood and he is a total Mammys boy 🙂

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY JACK