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The prologue of a novel arrives in the Manhattan offices of a book editor, who's intrigued enough to chase its mysterious author, identified only by his initials, to his decrepit plantation on an island off the Georgia Coast. That's the first clue that fiction is stranger than fact; few publishers (if any) would go to that sort of trouble for anything less than a new J.D. Salinger novel. But bestselling author Sandra Brown makes the most of her far-fetched premise, setting up a convoluted plot that keeps the reader engrossed despite its flaws and foibles.
Maris Matherly-Reed is more than an editor. She's also the beloved daughter of the publishing house's highly respected and successful leader, and the wife of Matherly Press's second-in-command, the smooth, suave, double-dealing Noah Reed. Reed, it develops, is the real target of the literary scam set up by the reclusive writer of the novel whose opening pages so captivate Reed's spouse. P.M.E., the writer, has a score to settle with Maris's husband, and he doesn't care whom he hurts as long as he brings Noah down. At least, not until he meets Maris, who has an unfortunate habit of falling in love with her authors (see above; that's the second clue). Brown is a master at romantic suspense, and Envy displays the talents that have won her a devoted following: a deft hand at evoking the vulnerability and humanity of her protagonists, a sure command of narrative tension, and a nice sense of place. This is a terrific hammock read, just right for a summer day as sultry and humid as Envy's Low Country setting. --Jane Adams
From Publishers Weekly
Style and form are usually the least of prolific bestselling romance/thriller writer Brown's concerns, but in her latest effort she takes on an unusual challenge, setting out to craft a novel within a novel within a novel. The onion begins to peel when editor Maris Matherly-Reed plucks a prologue from the slush pile and finds herself hooked by the steamy prose. The author has furthermore titillated her by breaking the rules: no SASE, no cover letter. Maris knows only that his initials are P.M.E. and he lives on St. Anne Island in Georgia. (How does she know P.M.E. is a man? She... knows.) Gutsy, idealistic, deliciously sexy, Maris is married to philandering sociopath Noah Reed, who runs Matherly Press with Maris and her father, Daniel, last of the silver-maned gentleman publishers. As for P(arker) M(ackensie) E(vans), he's a bitter, wheelchair-bound, first-time novelist or is he? Is he using Maris to avenge himself against Noah, or does he love her madly or can the answer be all of the above? Cutting back and forth between the bernovel and Parker's autobiographical novel about a purloined novel, Brown stages one dramatic scene after another. The narrative voices don't change much (although the typefaces do), but Brown's loyal legions frankly won't give a damn. (Aug. 28) Forecast: Brown could probably write a novel in blank verse and still hit the bestseller lists, so her experimentation here (mild, in any case) won't throw readers. The book is a Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club main selection and a BOMC alternate, and major TV, radio and print media ad campaigns (plus New York transit ads) will blanket the country. Expect the expected: a blockbuster.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
A best-selling author hides behind a pseudonym, but a dark secret is about to come out. Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From AudioFile
In a husky, dramatic, and sexy voice, the motivations of the characters in this steamy novel of romantic suspense are revealed. The plot involves a book editor, a mysterious manuscript, and a convoluted literary scam. Victor Slezak's voice easily changes from that of the author, craggy Parker Evans, to the smooth and aloof publisher, Noah Reed, who both have an old score to settle. His treatment of the vixen and the heroine is equally well done. The characters come to life and are captured in both attitude and demeanor. At the end of the story, the past and the present converge to deliver a satisfying conclusion. A definite must for Sandra Brown fans. D.L.M. ©AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
From Booklist
Maris Matherly-Reed, an executive at Matherly Press, the publishing house that her father runs, is going through the slush pile of unsolicited manuscripts when she encounters one that intrigues her. But the author has submitted only the prologue and has put only his initials on it and the name of the island off the coast of Georgia where he lives. To the befuddlement of her husband, Noah, a writer who only published one novel and now works at Matherly Press, Maris is determined to pursue the manuscript. Maris has been concerned by her husband's inattentiveness and lately has been feeling dissatisfied with their marriage. Impulsively, she decides to go to Georgia to find the author, now identified as Parker Evans. At first, Parker puts off Maris--he's rude, abrasive, ruggedly handsome, and wheelchair bound from an accident he won't discuss. Nevertheless, Maris is totally drawn in by his novel, the story of the friendship between two young men that ends tragically when only one makes it back from a boating accident. Nor can Maris deny her attraction to Parker. Meanwhile, her two-faced husband, Noah, is back in New York, trying to secure a deal that will essentially allow him to sell Matherly Press out from under Maris and her father. As her marriage crumbles and her attraction to Parker grows, Maris finds that Parker and his novel are much more closely related to her life than she could have ever imagined. Suspenseful and satisfying, Brown's latest novel is sure to please readers, just as her many previous ones have. Kristine Huntley
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