TEST
Sometimes the slide into darkness is so gradual that we do not realize what we have gotten into until we are in too deep to extricate ourselves. That is what happens in Laura Caldwell’s latest book in which she explores various tests to the bonds of marriage and friendship. What seems like a damaged relationship on the mend soon turns into a quietly creepy tale of gathering darkness and ever more shocking revalations.
As the novel opens, the reader learns that its narrator, Rachel Blakely, has struggled to regain her life and rebuild her relationship with her husband Nick following his infidelity. Things seem to be on the mend when Rachel takes a business trip to Rome with her best friend Kit. While in Rome, Rachel finds herself enjoying a single night of passion with a Roman painter.
Though not her proudest moment, Rachel sees the fling as a final event in a difficult past. She returns home determined to leave the past behind and dedicate herself to starting over again with Nick. At first things do go well and Rachel is happy. However, darkness gradually surrounds her and Rachel find her life slowly taking a turn for the worse – and the downright scary.
First of all, I must point out that this is a work of suspense and, while it involves some romance, those who read this expecting a typical romance will likely walk away upset. I have read almost all of Laura Caldwell’s books and, while this one is masterfully done for the most part, it is also her darkest. Her greatest strength in this tale lies in the buildup of suspense. While the main characters are not always likable, Rachel is a compelling narrator and the author does a good job of quietly piling on the various elements of her story, drawing readers inexorably into Rachel’s haunted world.
In the second half of the book, the plotting becomes a little more outrageous and the web built around the Blakelys shows a few weak spots. However, even though The Rome Affair isn’t entirely realistic fiction, it is an interesting read. Taking the notion of actions having consequences to a far exteme leads Caldwell to a rich, almost gothic story.
Even with its rough spots, this is a rather unusual novel. In some ways, the dark psychological suspense reminded me of novelists such as Ruth Rendell, so those who like their suspense on the darker side may want to give this a try. While the second half of the book could bear a little polishing, Caldwell has written wonderful chick lit in the past and now shows promise as a suspense author as well.
Grade: B-
Book Type: Suspense
Sensuality: Subtle
Review Date: 31/05/06
Publication Date: 2006/06
I enjoy spending as much time as I can between the covers of a book, traveling through time and around the world. When I'm not having adventures with fictional characters, I'm an attorney in Virginia and I love just hanging out with my husband, little man, and the cat who rules our house.
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Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.