Customer Comments

I received this Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) through LibraryThing Early Reviewers. I liked this book a lot; in fact, so did the hundreds before me that read this ARC. It's the best book I read of its genre. Period. This is the author's third book, and even though the first two stories won him many awards, "Defending Jacob" is the one that's going to put him on the map. The book has already been compared to Scott Tudrow's "Presumed Innocent", but in my eyes it blows that book out of the water. The beginning of the book sets the stage, and I could feel the tension building right from page one. At first I thought it was me, that it's my fault I'm tense and anxious, so I closed the book for twenty minutes or so. My blood pressure went down, my tense feeling stopped and my general well-being calmed down. When I reopened the book and continued reading, the cycle began again. So, it's not me, it's the book. This is one page-turning murder mystery that you won't be able to put down, and the ending blew me away. I highly recommend this book to Tudrow and John Grisham fans.

This review is based on reading an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) of this book. I enjoyed reading this book very much; in fact, I couldn't put it down. I cringed every time I had to do other trivial things such as eating or sleeping, because that would mean putting this book down for the duration. I was caught up in the story, and had to know what was going to happen next. This is a page-turner, and the author has a writing style that is easy to understand but compelling. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to be wrapped up in a story that you can't put down.

This is one sensational book; it is by far the best memoir I ever read, (and I read quite a few), and whenever I feel in my own life, that I can't go on, that it's too tough, I should re-read this story and it will give me the courage to overcome my obstacle. The bottom line? You have to read this; it's an inspirational and motivational book that will make you laugh and make you cry, and perhaps you too will believe in miracles like the one in this story.

I have been a Dean Koontz fan ever since I read his book "Strangers" many years ago. That book to me, was the best story the author ever wrote... until now. "What the Night Knows" is a page-turner, and a ghost story like no other, and written as only Dean Koontz knows how. The terrifying conclusion is a satisfying end to a well written book. A must read for the Koontz fan, and quite possibly, Koontz's best to date.

It didn't take me long to read this fascinating tale, and I really enjoyed it. The chapters are short, and the pace is fast; truly a page turner. On the back of the book, the genre is listed as "Romance/Mystery". Although romance is not my favorite genre, mystery is. I thought the protagonists seemed alive, as I could see actual people in my life who resembled them, so the story is believable and very plausable. The author did an excellent job of writing this tale, and I can't wait to read another one of her works. I highly recommend this book to those who love a good romance with a flair for mystery. 4 stars

I received and read an advance copy of this novel. I know mere words cannot begin to express what I felt while reading this novel, but here it goes: Have you ever begun to read a book and after a few pages realized that what is in your hands is a work of genius, a masterpiece, or something truly great? That is what I felt reading this story; it captivated me until the very last page. It was actually speaking to me, and I never experienced anything like that before. I hear the book again, can you hear it? It's calling me back to read it a second time. I must go now.

I received and read an advance copy of this novel. I know mere words cannot begin to express what I felt while reading this novel, but here it goes: Have you ever begun to read a book and after a few pages realized that what is in your hands is a work of genius, a masterpiece, or something truly great? That is what I felt reading this story; it captivated me until the very last page. It was actually speaking to me, and I never experirnced anything like that before. I hear the book again, can you hear it? It's calling me back to read it a second time. I must go now.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the author; what I agreed to do in return was to read the book, then write at least 75 words in a review and post it on at least 2 websites. So here it goes: This book is phenomenal; scary just isn't a strong enough word to describe this story; it's more like terrifying. It was an adrenaline rush for me right from page one, and the storyline grabbed me by my throat and would not let go until the very end. It's definitely a page-turner, and because I read most of it late at night, I lost many hours of sleep staying up way past my bedtime; I couldn't put the book down. When it comes to terror, three authors come to mind: Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Jack Kilborn. You say you never heard of Jack Kilborn? You will my friend, you will. 5 stars

When I received an advanced copy of this novel, a note from Cindy Spiegel, the publisher, was included, and she compares this author to John Steinbeck. After reading this page-turner, I was pleasantly surprised that I couldn't put this book down and each character was named as the title of each chapter, alternating until the fast-paced end. The novel is well written, and for a first book of the author, it has Pulitzer Prize written all over it. The next John Steinbeck? Read this book and you be the judge. 5 stars

This book was a fast and very enjoyable read. The movie "Slumdog Millionaire" is loosely based on the book, and both movie and book are written well, although the two stories are very different. I liked the ending to the book much better, and the movie has won many awards so far, including the Golden Globe Best Picture. A must read for 2009, you'll thank me later. 5 stars

I picked up this book between recommendations, and it was a quick satisfying read. The author has written close to 40 novels and his writing style is very readable. I loved the story and how the main character, Stone Barrington, seems to be "busy" at all times, but still has time to solve a mystery. four stars

This bizarre tale of a lullaby that is lethal when spoken is probably one of the best stories this author has written. It's darkly humorous with many twists and turns, and is also a quick read. Bravo! five stars

This book is amazing. It took me a few hours to read, and I didn't want it to end. I'm sure that this book will be on discussion groups and book reader clubs far into the future. This is one book that needs to be discussed; it is sometimes funny, sometimes sad, but altogether it sums up to be a great read. Put this one on your to-read list NOW!!!

It's been a while since this author wrote a novel, five years, and having already read "Mystic River" and loving it, I couldn't wait to sink my teeth into this 700 pager. After finishing this novel, I now have a new favorite author, Dennis LeHane; his writing draws the reader in, and there's no sleep until you're finished. "The Given Day" is well written and the characters have depth and seem to come alive. The bottom line - My challange to you is read the first chapter, if it doesn't hook you, then close the book and find another; but as for myself, I couldn't put this book down. 5 stars

I seldom read children's books, but this was recommended for me to read. I read this book in one sitting. It's a very fast read, well written and very entertaining. The 2008 Caldecott Winner. 3 stars

It took me a while to read and finish this book, (6 days),not because of being a bad story, (which it isn't), but because I never wanted this book to end. The writing flowed brilliantly, each character painsakedly described uniquely, so I could distinguish each one by his mannerisms and way of speaking. It is amazingly written. The basic concept of this politically incorrect tale is about a large man who proclaims himself to be very smart, and he is surrounded by idiots. (Hence the title.) He seemed to be at least one step ahead of everyone else, as he lives his lousy life day by day. It says a lot about the writing and the author's abilities, when the reader wants to strangle the main character, one Ignatius Reilly, because of his irritating whining about everyone and everything. The way the manuscript was published is in itself an amazing story, and it is described in full in the foreward to this book. The bottom line -- "A Confederacy of Dunces" is a satisfying read, and it's no wonder it won the Pulitzer Prize for best in fiction in 1981. 5 stars