Elizabeth Dewberry (Login chapteraday) Forum Owner
Mystery Book Club Sacrament of Lies by Elizabeth Dewberry Buy book: $9.89
In this compelling page-turner, set in New Orleans and framed by two Mardi Gras seasons, Dewberry ("Break the Heart of Me") shows that some families need look no further than their own homes for murder, mayhem, and madness.
Well, I was prepared to give this a real chance because I happen to like mysteries and I found the POV character fairly compelling. There's plenty of sensory detail; the hook is right up front. BUT I found today's installment not only a bit herky-jerky (the dialogue/internal thoughts? -- the author never makes this clear -- juxtaposed with descriptions of her packing), I got booted right out of this story by a slip-up that is either a typo from the transcription service, or one the author made. If the latter, then she didn't do her homework and that's just plain laziness.
The error: The lowest possible dose of Xanax is POINT-two-five milligrams, not twenty-five milligrams. If she took that much Xanax, I'd be doing CPR by now. In addition, Xanax is not the first-line med to use for PMS. It's a drug that's notorious in terms of abuse potential, and while some GPs might prescribe it, most wouldn't. And I should know because I'm a physician and do this stuff all the time.
If this is the author's mistake, that burns me. There's nothing that boots me out of a story faster than a preventable mistake, easily reconciled by a simple phone call.
I'm not so sure that everything in a book of FICTION is supposed to be analyzed and researched for total validity. Then again, I could be wrong. I suppose that it could be detrimental to a reader if they, in fact, took the character's word for it, and acted on that by taking the wrong dose of a medicine, but then again it isn't real life, but instead, a fictional story, with fictional characters, and in this case, fictional information. I'm not badgering your comment, I'm actually curious since you brought it to the table, if an author is obligated to offer valid facts in every case in works of fiction.
I'm enjoying the book so far, and I don't think I take anything in it as gospel, since you brought up that important point.
I agree, think it was job of bad editing or transcribing, of course not being a doctor or medical professional, think the editing dept. can be forgiven for this little detail. Most people unless a medical professional or one familiar with the medication would not even have noticed this error.
Of course, today was my first read. But enough to make me wonder what's going on and to check out the book further.
Don't think anyone is going to take the medication dosage based on this book.
I'm slowly losing interest in this one. It's too jumpy, too apprehensive - nearly to the point of nauseousness. I realize that our main character may have "issues" like her mother but these issues are weighing the story down...
All right - I've had enough. I just can't get past the neurosis of this character. Perhaps I'm not being fair, perhaps her apprehensiveness is just a part of her character development, but rather than pulling me in wanting to know more about her and the events of her mother's death, it's pushing me away, wishing she'd just get over it already.
It's interesting the descriptions you use regarding this book so far. I think you said something like jumpy, to the point of nausea. I think that the main character may very well be experiencing those same feelings, and the author is attempting to make the reader feel those same things. What is better than getting so into a book that you are feeling what the character is feeling??
Maybe that's the whole idea here. It's worth considering, don't you think?
Not a great read. The main character has too many troubles. Maybe we should feel sorry for her, but she just seems too self-absorbed to be deserving of any sympathy. Looking forward to next week's selection!
I think that when I find the time from my other TBR books I would like to continue with this one. I like the way the author discribes how the daughter feels about watching the tape. I did miss chap one and would like to get the book just to start off at the beginning.
