TEST
With a title like Cause for Alarm, Erica Spindler’s newest suspense novel almost seems destined for life on the silver screen, or at least on the small screen as a T.V. movie of the week. If it ever does receive a second life in one of these incarnations, I recommend skipping it. The book has its charms, but they are mostly at the end, with the bulk of the novel centering on the lives of unsympathetic characters. They range from a selfish, philandering husband to a murderous child molester. This is not a “happy” read.
Julianna Starr is pregnant and on the run from the baby’s father, who has molested her since childhood. She stops in New Orleans and decides to put her baby up for adoption. When she looks at the profiles of prospective parents, one couple jumps out at her – Kate and Richard Ryan. But Julianna really falls in love with Richard, and decides that he is her destiny. While she is pregnant, she stalks Kate and Richard, copying Kate’s style and mannerisms so she can become more like her, and therefore more attractive to Richard.
When Kate and Richard find out that they have been selected by a birth mother, it is a dream come true – for Kate. Richard can’t get over the fact that he is sterile, and he doesn’t want to “share” Kate with a baby. After their baby is born, Kate takes to parenting right away, but Richard remains distant and jealous. When Julianna starts working for Richard’s law firm, he is susceptible to her charms and they have an affair. Kate begins to have doubts about Richard, and her thoughts turn to Luke Dallas, an old college flame from Tulane.
Meanwhile, the baby’s father, John Powers, is searching for Julianna. He has a sick fascination with her, and sees her as a little girl who needs his protection. When he finally finds her and discovers that she is having an affair with Richard, he is very angry indeed. Since he is a trained assassin for the CIA, he is also extremely dangerous. Will anyone outwit this despicable villain? Will Kate (the only “good guy” in this scenario) find happiness with her lost love?
This book is full of lurid scenes. There are murders galore, all at the hand of the psycho John. The reader is also privy to John’s perverted thoughts as he masturbates. There is a kidnaping scene sure to strike fear in the heart of all parents, particularly adoptive ones. And as if John isn’t hideous enough, we also have to hear about the equally offensive Richard. His selfishness and lack of interest in his baby should have paled in comparison to John’s foul deeds, but somehow he manages to seem almost as bad.
In fact, none of the characters were very sympathetic at first. Even Kate was hard to like initially; I kept wondering why on earth she had chosen Richard over Luke, and why it took her so long to realize what a jerk Richard was. She ended up coming across as a gold digger. And while anyone would be appalled at the abuse Julianna suffered, her behavior made her very difficult to like.
Assuming you can stomach all the grisly scenes, there is still another problem. It takes the characters far too long to realize they are in danger. Once they do, they never do anything practical like calling the police, or the CIA, or anyone who can help. At one point John, under an assumed name, threatens Kate. Rather than call the authorities, she just locks all the doors. Then, incredibly, she forgets all about the incident until she sees a picture of John.
During the final fifth of the book, Kate, Luke, Julianna, and the baby were all together and trying to outwit Richard. This part of the book was quite good, as Luke and Kate’s relationship held a lot of spark and interest. Too bad they couldn’t have been together for more of the book. It would have made for a much better read. Up until that point, there were few upbeat moments, and when you are reading about psycho child molesters, you really need an occasional upbeat moment. Unless you really like reading about the dark side of humanity, it’s best to avoid this gruesome tale.
Grade: C-
Book Type: Suspense
Sensuality: Subtle
Review Date: 26/12/98
Publication Date: 2002
I've been at AAR since dinosaurs roamed the Internet. I've been a Reviewer, Reviews Editor, Managing Editor, Publisher, and Blogger. Oh, and Advertising Corodinator. Right now I'm taking a step back to concentrate on kids, new husband, and new job in law...but I'll still keep my toe in the romance waters.
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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.