NOTORIOUS

Author: Iris Johansen ISBN: 9780553593440 1/2010 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: BANTAM (REISSUE)

Beautiful actress Mallory Thane endured the harsh, unforgiving glare of publicity during the trial in which she stood accused of murdering her husband. But even the acquittal that set her free couldn’t ease the heartache of her ordeal. Desperate to get back her life, her career, and her sanity, she accepts a new movie deal on an island paradise–only to realize that she has walked into a trap. Her captor is power player Sabin Wyatt, a dark, enigmatic man who still holds Mallory responsible for his brother Ben’s death. But at the root of his scheme is his obsessive need to possess the woman who haunts his dreams, no matter what truth she’s hiding.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

I've been reading Iris Johansen off and on for years. Recently, it's been books like QUICKSAND, PANDORA'S DAUGHTER and BLOODGAME. So, when I saw a book up for review by this author, it was an easy decision.

I picked up NOTORIOUS and began to read. After a few pages, I stopped and checked to make sure of the author on the cover. Right author. Why doesn't it feel like a book written by Iris Johansen?  Ahhh... Originally published in 1990.  Okay... regroup, start over.

So how was it? Pretty much what you would expect for a contemporary novel from 1990. Beautiful actress wrongly accused trying to get her life back, is tricked by the handsome, rich, and slightly obsessed brother of the murdered husband. A rocky start is followed by not so bad sex, learning about the other, falling in love, brushes with death, and a happily-ever-after. 

True, the premise is far from what we see in books today, so what is the difference? Today the books are usually deeper, wordier, and require more attention. I can't say this was a bad book. It was a quick (larger font stretched it to 267 pages) and easy read. It's a perfect choice when you are just looking for distraction—long car or plane ride, day at the beach, or even just wanting to fill some time.

Sue Cloud