Book Review: Now You See Me…

Reviewed By: Cheryl - RAM

Now You See Me…     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Rochelle Majer Krich
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character   Amateur Sleuth
Series: Molly Blume # 4

In this, the fourth Molly Blume book, Molly's life is going really well. She is happily married and busy promoting her new true crime book. Then a stranger who has followed her from one booksigning to another asks for her help. A devout Orthodox young woman has left home and her family to marry someone she has met in a chatroom, and her family, torn with fear for her well-being and fear of the scandal should word leak out, want someone familiar with the culture to find her and, if possible, persuade her to come home. Naturally, the situation is soon revealed to be far more complicated than it initially appeared to be.

"Woman in peril" is a popular theme in fiction and in the news, but such stories can simply portray stereotypes unless the reasons for such peril are plausible. It can be difficult to find a balance between respecting the right of an adult to make her own decisions and accepting the fears of more senior adults. In this book the balance is maintained by the descriptions of both the woman's age and her Orthodox Jewish background. In legal terms, Hadassah is an adult, but barely, and there is insufficient evidence of danger to her to involve the police. That, and the fear of an open scandal within the community, explain both the family's concern and their reluctance to approach the police. Molly reluctantly investigates, torn between her fear for Hadassah's safety and her dislike of Hadassah's father, but believing the danger to be real.

The ensuing plot twists are clever and complex. One twist appeared somewhat implausible, but the book is still an interesting and fast- paced read.

Cheryl - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Cheryl - RAM