This is a novel that feels confined to an hour glass in which the sand slowly dissipates until nothing is left but the memory. The alluring vision that once was so clearly evident. That sudden sense of urgency is appealing, appalling towards the dead women of course; yet explosively dynamic resulting in astounding applause for the end result. The work of craftsmanship and skill displayed magnificently within every swirl of the pen in the written down word.
When everything is but a dream...Or IS IT?Dream Girl is a fab new thriller by Laura Lippman who takes readers on an epic man hunt for a killer perhaps but also for the truth.
You see it starts off rather simple. Gerry-60 yo novelist- suffering from a head injury-freak accident-requires round the care attention aka caretaking from a night nurse and a female assistant.
Gerry's competency and memory is a bit off as he covers plenty of ground over the course of his lifetime but who knows what's real and what's make believe. Could he truly be suffering from "delusional disorder?" OR will this all make for a great novel some day? Perhaps...
As we begin to piece it all together we realize he had an active lifestyle much like his father. Ergo, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
In fact it's ironic the parents separated but never divorced- I wonder why? Well, that's for a later discussion.
The timeline is all over the place from current times 2019 and beyond to latter parts in the 70's with multiple characters plus 3 marriages.
Dream Girl isn't just disturbing (in a good thrill/chill way) but also alluring as you can't simply put this one down. My word I had to pace myself on this one having completed 6 pages of journal notes to keep it all straight.
I'm in awe of this one because you clearly have no idea what's happening but you sure as hell are along for the ride. It's easy to find yourself wondering what is going on here. Who is telling the truth? Why is everyone coming and going and yet this man is lying in a bed strung up and possibly on meds unable to move?
Is he capable of harming anyone? Could he be a harm to himself?
Readers are led on a maze of sorts throughout his life. When one door opens another closes. That sudden sense of dread, death, and allusions all mentally playing on one's mental mindset.
I've been gaslighted, manipulated, brainwashed, triangulated, hovered, abused in every format by a malignant narc and I couldn't for the life of me tell what was going on here till the smoke dissipated and the fog cleared.
Speaking of that black hole what happened to Margot? What happened Leenie (aka Nurse Aileen) and what if anything are the caretakers doing? What is up with Victoria (assistant) and Kim- Really who is KIM-Kim Karpas-is explosive for sure when she enters the scene. Drama!! DRAMA!!DRAMA!!
Time is never on our side as we age. Lord knows we always need more of it.
When all we have is a distant memory of the love we once shared, the elusive lovers, the now distant former relationships, and the letters...it's always about those darn emails and letters -isn't it.
Oh, they hold so much relevance yet are so captivating to the naked eye. Speaking of which you must note -never jump the gun if you see a nurse or assistant in bed- they may just be helping a client or patient in some form. It may not be what you think. In fact, affairs are often sudden bursts of passion not love, mechanical sex -INDEED. Yet, there's truth in knowing that many take their jobs seriously and would never succumb to such pleasures.
Money is always at the root of all evil. Heck, you can make anyone do just about anything for the right price-RIGHT?
Surely, April is a time for taxes. Work hard. Pay harder. Insurance is such a fickle matter.
Dying is such an awful thing. Wills, Probates, Executors of Estates--it's all just so difficult when all one wants to do is grieve in peace.
Ahhh! Yes, but escrows are the tricky thing.
I suppose adultery is too now that I think about it. I wish I had signed a prenup but nope - Nothing but hard coal and the front sidewalk for me and our three kids.
Yet, these woman seemed so actively engaged- could it all been a set-up?
Who exactly is this MODEL we speak of in Gerry's novel?
Who knew -a letter opener....
Wait, I must stop myself as I'm getting carried away here and can't give out to much enticing information.
Look, I wish I could sit in bed some days and never leave the comforts of home. If only I didn't have to write all the time, type it up all day long, sun up till sun down -and do it all for free while raising a family.
The pleasures and the pain of writing, reviewing, editing, and blogging. Seriously, folks Laura deserves the gold on this one.
We've gone from zero to hero in one book with ease. Gerry is either a basket case or a hero and man it was WILD as we now have two women dead!
It's now hotter than ever in this place with action like I've never dreamt possible....Someone is at the door. Someone is near the bed. Someone is using a walker...Crashing...Falling....Succumbing to their injuries.
That reminds me I really do need a 'pay raise' or two (dreaming) but seriously Gerry and Aileen are quite the stealers of the show.
I just hope in the end the writing gets written, the fatal blows aren't fatal, the night train is still coming...
Or was that the 'A-Train' well folks -I don't want to miss my train so I'm off ....
This will blow your damn mind! Trust me!
Thank you to Laura Lippman, the publisher William Morrow, and NetGalley, as well as Amazon Kindle for keeping this gal entertained.
This is truly epic!!!! A must read for 2021!!
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