Are You Afraid of the Dark? by Sidney Sheldon

Are You Afraid of the Dark? by Sidney Sheldon

Date Finished: November 18, 2010

Thriller, Paperback, 416 Pages, Borrowed from Library

The Story: Kelly's and Diane's husbands are both dead. Several others all around the globe are being reported missing or dead and all are connected with the world largest think tank, KIG. Kelly and Diane join forces to find the truth behind their beloved husbands' murders. But, the one who is helping them is the one that wants to cut their life short the way he ended their husbands'.

My Thought: This thriller by master of storyteller, Sidney Sheldon, pushes me to edge of my sit. Starts with a little bit sad and depressing since the main characters are mourning over their beloved husbands' deaths and keep on flashing back the sweet memories. But then, the fast fired suspense make me feel like riding a roller coaster, with the adrenaline rushing all over my body (if you got heart attack, read this at your own risk) and I just can't stop flipping the pages to get to know what is going to happen next. I loved Kelly and Diane, because they're both beauties, brave as well as very brilliant (as they manage to outwit the genius bastard!). I loved the whole part of "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" though the ending twist is a bit shaky (lost a cup of coffee). Sheldon also manages to relate the story with the "climate change" issue and it's effect especially to the world's economy. All in all, it was a satisfying read!! Recommended.

CoffeeNCracker's Meter: 4 Cups of Coffee

WWW Wednesdays: Nov. 17

What are you currently reading?

I'm just about to start "Are You Afraid of the Dark?", a thriller novel by Sidney Sheldon. Four people are die violently and mysteriously. The dead share a single crucial link. Who is responsible for the murders?? Currently on page 1.

What did you recently finished reading?

I'm just finished reading a magnificent love story! "The Wedding" by a chronicler of love stories, Nicholas Sparks. This sequel of "The Notebook" makes me smile and sometimes get all teary while reading. Definitely a 5 Stars read!

What do you think you'll read next?
Jodi Picoult's  "Plain Truth" is next on the list. A riveting story of a murder that shatters the picturesque calm of Amish country and tests the heart and soul of the lawyer defending the woman at the center of the storm. 

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The Friday 56: Are You Afraid of the Dark?

Title: Are You Afraid of the Dark?
Author: Sidney Sheldon
Series: Stand Alone
Genre: Thriller, Crime
Source: Library 
Details: Paperback, 398 Pages

When Kelly was eight years old, she was asleep one night in her small, darkened bedroom when she was awakened by a guttural whisper: "Shhh! Don't make a sound."

Note: Starting this week, The Friday 56 will be hosted by Freda @ Freda's Voice. Taken over from Tonya.

 ........

The Friday 56 Rules

• Grab a book. Any book.
• Turn to page 56. Post a sentence (or plus one or two others you like) along with this instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) you can post on Freda's comment section.
• Post a link along with your blog post back to Freda's Voice.

The Naked Face by Sidney Sheldon

Title: The Naked Face
Author: Sidney Sheldon
Publisher: Warner Books
Series: Stand Alone
Genre: Action, Thriller, Psychological
Details: Paperback, 316 pages

The Story

Judd Stevens is a psychoanalyst faced with the most critical case of his life. If he does not penetrate the mind of a murderer he will find himself arrested for murder or murdered himself..

Two people closely involved with Dr. Stevens have already been killed. Is one of his patients responsible? Someone overwhelmed by his problems? A neurotic driven by compulsion? A madman? Before the murder strikes again, Judd must strip away the mask of innocence the criminal wears, uncover his inner emotions, fears, and desires - exposed the naked face beneath..

My Thought

This is such a page turner and I just simply cannot put down this book. This book is brilliantly crafted by Sidney Sheldon and no doubt that he is one of the master of story telling. The naked Face is a fast pace psychological action thriller with the twists here and there. The story begins when two police detectives, McGreavy and Angeli came over to Dr. Stevens' clinic to investigate the murder of one of his patients. He was interrogated as if he is the murder and this made Dr. Stevens a bit tensed. Then the second murder occurred. The victim was Carol, his receptionist and Dr. Stevens himself almost got killed in the hit and run. Now, he knew that the real target is himself and told the detectives, But, McGreavy thought that Judd was  making it all up.While he was on the run from both the murder whose several time attempted to killed him and the police who treated him like a murderer he came across a private investigator but just before the investigator wanted to tell him who was behind all the scenes, he got murdered. Then, Judd was alone in pursue of the murderer.

The story was told in a simple language and easy to understand, but it was predictable and too straight forward. For me, a thriller book should make me thing harder what was going on and keep on guessing what  is happening? who's the real mastermind? how the hero will proceed to prove his innocent? This book have a bit of those things but not that much. It was an easy one. However, I loved the sessions of Judd and his dangerous patients, they are maniacs, mentally sick, and psychotic. Being a psychoanalyst is just way to dangerous and I don't think I'll dare to take his job as my profession. But Dr. Stevens did just alright and I kind of admire him. It's not easy to deal with mentally sick people right?

The main character, Dr. Stevens (Judd) developed very well but this is the only character who gave impact in my reading. I really expected that other characters such as McGreavy and Anne can give more spice to the story but Sheldon didn't tell much about them. There were too little involvement of these characters with the story and I really think that The Naked face would be much better if these characters got more roles. Well, I knew that this is Sidney Sheldon's first novel and this minor weaknesses can be forgiven. I'm looking forward for his other novels. For sure.

Favorite Quotes

 “Civilizationwas a thin, dangerously fragile veneer, and when that veneercracked, man became one of the beasts again, falling backinto the slime of the primeval abyss he prided himself onhaving climbed up from.”

CoffeeNCrackers' Meter

3 Cups of Coffee: This is one of those "I-simply-cannot-put-it-down" books. A bit predictable and too obvious but it was a good read. It left you wanting more from the author. Enjoy!