September 2012

Typically, Bookreporter.com Bets On selections are based on books that I love, but in the case of TRUST YOUR EYES, a thriller by Linwood Barclay, my husband and son, Greg, are voting with me. I have been a huge fan of Linwood’s for years, but the depth of his talent is shown in a whole new way in this book. There were so many aha moments, twists, turns and surprises that even a quarter of the way through I was thinking this is sooooo cleverly done. The plot revolves around two brothers. One is a schizophrenic and rarely leaves the house. Instead he explores the world through a website called Whirl360 (very similar to the Street View on Google Maps). As he “wanders” down a street in New York City "visits," he sees what appears to be a murder. He convinces his brother to investigate it further, and from there the action gets really wild. NONE of us could put this book down once we started it.

As I was reading it, I was outside. I did not notice the skies were darkening. My husband came out and said, “There is a severe thunderstorm watch in the next county.” My reply, “I am reading.” I heard thunder, the skies got darker, but I stayed under the umbrella in my lounge chair. My husband came out again and said, “I am watching the radar; a big storm is coming in.” I barely looked up and said, “I am reading.” He put down the umbrella as the wind was now whipping up as often happens before a storm. When I had a mere 20 pages left, the rain started coming down and I raced to the house with the book wrapped in a towel. It was close to 6:00, and Tom had the expectant face that I was going to make dinner. Instead, I headed to the couch and did not move until I finished the book. That, my friends, is a true sign of a book completely taking you to another place.

Fast forward later that week --- and Greg had the very same reaction as he read. “Do not disturb me” was written all over his face, as well as “Don’t say a word.” There’s something fun about watching a person read a book that you already have enjoyed. I am known for saying, “What part are you up to?” over and over! Then my husband lost a night of sleep on a business trip reading it as well. When he called to lament that he had done this, my only comment was, “I told you you should have taken a second book with you!” So there you go, our triple vote. And if you are not convinced, there’s a guy you might have heard of named Stephen King who gave it a rave as well!