Thriller

Accused 

by Lisa Scottoline

Synopsis:

Mary's first case as partner promises to be the most unusual one yet. The client, Allegra, is a thirteen year old genius girl whose sister was murdered at the age of sixteen. The crime was committed six years ago and was an open and shut case, but Allegra is convinced the man who went to jail is innocent. Mary will be up against many obstacles as Allegra's parents don't want Allegra digging up the past. Will Mary be able to find the truth?

Characteristics of Thriller:

• Thrillers move quickly, with a building intensity, making them great page turners.
• Extensive details about the protagonists occupation are vital and woven into the story.
• Conspiracies make great topics for thrillers, Protagonists face perils both physical and emotional, and violence or threat of violence propels the story line.
• Protagonists are strong, sympathetic characters, often working alone.
• The tone is often dark.
• The language used reflects the profession of the protagonist.

This book definitely meets the criteria to be a thriller. It is a fast paced story that includes a lot of legal jargon from the protagonist in the book. There is not a lot of violence in the book but the story doesn't need it.

Read-a-likes:

    

Lisa Scottoline and Linda Fairstein are the leading authors for female protagonists in legal thrillers.

References:

Saricks, Joyce G. The Readers' Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction. Chicago: American Library Association, 2009. Print.

Reader’s Advisory Week 3 Prompts

Reader’s Advisory Week 3 Prompts

1. I am looking for a book by Laurell K. Hamilton. I just read the third book in the Anita Blake series and I can’t figure out which one comes next!

The Lunatic Cafe is the fourth book in the series.  This is based on the information provided in NoveList under series.

2. What have I read recently? Well, I just finished this great book by Barbara Kingsolver, Prodigal Summer. I really liked the way it was written, you know, the way she used language. I wouldn't mind something a bit faster paced though.

I would recommend you try Anthill by E.O. Wilson. Both books are described as ecoficton and the writing styles is described as lush and lyrical. Anthill’s tone is suspenseful so the pace will be faster and should keep you engaged in the story.

3. I like reading books set in different countries. I just read one set in China, could you help me find one set in Japan? No, not modern – historical. I like it when the author describes it so much it feels like I was there!

I am recommending Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. This story is about a young girl sold into slavery to be trained as a geisha. I chose this book because it is described as being richly detailed and was a part of the following booklists.

Booklist Editors' Choice - Best Fiction Books: 1997

New York Times Notable Books - Fiction and Poetry: 1997

4. I read this great mystery by Elizabeth George called Well-Schooled in Murder and I loved it. Then my dentist said that if I liked mysteries I would probably like John Sandford, but boy was he creepy I couldn't finish it! Do you have any suggestions?

I recommend you try The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny, it is a leisurely paced mystery written in a similar way to Elizabeth George’s book. It does not have the gritty, violent characteristics of John Sanford’s books.

5. My husband has really gotten into zombies lately. He’s already read The Walking Dead and World War Z, is there anything else you can recommend?

I recommend your husband read Stephen King’s Cell. This zombie apocalypse is triggered by a pulse sent through your cell phone, those not on their phones at the time were not turned but will they manage to survive? You can never go wrong with Stephen King, he made his name writing horror.

6. I love books that get turned into movies, especially literary ones. Can you recommend some? Nothing too old, maybe just those from the last 5 years or so.

I recommend you read Room by Emily Donoghue.  A five-year-old boy narrates the story about growing up in a single room after his mother was kidnapped as a teenager.  It is a fast paced book, suspenseful book that I think will keep you intrigued.

7. I love thrillers but I hate foul language and sex scenes. I want something clean and fast paced.

I recommend you try author Ted Dekker’s book The Bride Collector. It is a Christian thriller, so it is a clean story but a great read.

I use Goodreads, Amazon, Epic Reads and friends to find new things to read.  I have a very long To Read list on Goodreads that I can always go back to if I am having trouble finding something. I also use Amazon and search by genre based on what I feel like reading.

Genre Selection

My 5 Genre Picks for Reading for the Semester:

1. Thriller

2. Horror

3. Women's Fiction

4. Historical Fiction-I don't read

5. Young Adult-My favorite genre

I plan on looking for bestsellers to read, but would gladly take suggestions for Horror, Women's Fiction, and Historical Fiction.

I have started All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda for my Thriller selection. 

Reading Profile

I love to read, and will typically read anything I can get my hands on. My Mom always swore I would even read the phonebook if I was desperate enough, it hasn't come to that but I have read the road atlas. My obsession with reading started in late elementary/ junior high. It took me about a year maybe less to outgrow the children's section and go looking for more books to read.

I believe I have read every genre at some point in time as my reading tastes have changed. My favorite genres are Young Adult, Fantasy, Mystery, and Adventure. I have also read Christian Fiction, Christian Romance, and Romance extensively.  I started reading YA because I teach teenagers and wanted to have something to talk to them about, I fell in love with the genre especially Dystopian Fiction. I just finished Yellow Brick War by Danielle Paige a book 3 of a series based on what happens after Dorothy left Oz.  I  recently became interested in narrative nonfiction books and I am looking to read more of this genre as well. I also enjoy reading books that are being made into movies, I am always checking to see what movies are coming out that are based on books so I have time to read them first.

I also frequently listen to audiobooks while driving to and from work, I enjoy this time immensely. I am currently listening to The Bronze Gauntlet by Cassandra Clare and Holly Black.

Favorite Books of 2016:
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Looking for Alaska by John Green
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
I'll Give You the Sun Jandy Nelson


Favorite Series:
Harry Potter
Hunger Games
Lunar Chronicles
Dirk Pitt Adventure
Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children


Favorite Authors:
Cassandra Clare
Kiera Cass
Kay Hooper
Patricia Cornwell
James Rollins
Clive Cussler

https://www.goodreads.com/jyergs