Her Perfect Life by Hank Phillippi Ryan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I work in the news business, so I understand about sources. Sometimes they don't want to give a name. Sometimes their tips are spot-on right; sometimes they're way off the mark.
In "Her Perfect Life," reporter Lily Atwood, and her producer Greer, have gotten a couple of good leads from a caller, so when he calls again, they're inclined to trust him. It turns creepy, though, when the leads start hitting very close to home.
As a regular reader of Hank Phillippi Ryan, I must say her newest novel falls somewhere between my favorite Ryan books and my least favorite (not that the least favorite gets a very low rating, it's just lower on my list). The story moves quickly, with each chapter giving one more nugget of information; it definitely kept me racing through (which - word of warning - can be tough when you're reading on your lunch hour).
Ryan knows her stuff about journalism and the business of media. I love how she used social media and the trappings of fame to show both how hard Lily works for her #PerfectLily hashtag, and how important online perceptions are to a 21st century journalist's career.
Ryan also created a great antagonist; hopefully it's not giving too much away to say that this person is intelligent, methodical, and well organized.
I'm the type of mystery reader who likes to "play along" and try to guess whodunit. This book gives you all the clues, but because there are a lot of puzzle pieces, it's not simple to decide who should be trusted and who shouldn't. I will pat myself on the back and say one of my theories did turn out to be partly correct, but only partly.
If you love mysteries with intricate plots and surprises around every corner, you can't go wrong with Hank Phillippi Ryan. As soon as I finish one book, I am waiting (impatiently) for the next.
I received an advance reader copy of "Her Perfect Life" in exchange for my honest review.
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About Taminar
When I grow up, I want to make movies and write books. Now in my 50s, I wonder if I'll ever really accomplish the dreams of my youth. I have made two short films, one for a college film-making class, the other for an MTV-sponsored contest. I have written short plays that have been produced, and a few short stories and reviews that have been published. I also perform and direct for community theatre.
My working life has included stints in local TV news, public relations, retail management and cashier, and for a couple of years, I made the rides go at Walt Disney World.
I have two cats and a husband.
Rhyme Schemes and Daydreams 