Book Review of The Lure of the Witch by Betty...

The Lure of the Witch

Book 11 of the Hawkman Series

by Betty Sullivan La Pierre

Mystery/Suspense

Booksurge, 2008

Trade Paperback, 280 pages

ISBN-1-4392-1104-3

ISBN-13: 978-1439211045

**** An Entertaining Read

Review by Douglas Quinn, Author of Blue Heron Marsh, etal (www.douglasquinn.com).

For those who like an old-fashioned mystery, The Lure of the Witch is for you. La Pierre's writing is crisp and she moves the story right along. Hawkman and Jennifer are relentless in their pursuit of information about a teenaged girl who has run away from home. The police are too busy to deal with a simple runaway and the girl's father hires Hawkman to find her.

The Lure of the Witch explores the teenage mind and how things can go very wrong when parents are so preoccupied with their own lives they don't know what's going on in their children's lives. In this story, one such spoiled and unsupervised teenage girl becomes a manipulative witch (pun intended) bent on using the lure of witchcraft to hold sway over unsuspecting runaway girls. Only, Hawkman and Jennifer foil her plans.

My only complaint is that the author doesn't provide a back story for Hawkman and Jennifer. When a writer has a series going, it is important for the reader who, as I did, picked up a book in the middle of the series, to know the history behind the main character or characters. For instance, I wasn't aware that Hawkman and Jennifer were married until page 41, and it was page 118 before I knew Hawkman wore an eye patch. Also, I would have liked to have found out more about Hawkman's detective business and how it got started.

The Lure of the Witch is the 11^th book in the Hawkman series. It is an entertaining read and I recommend it to all those who like a good solid mystery story. To find out more about the author and her other work, visit www.bettysullivanlapierre.com

Comments: 9

Marsha S. Nov 28, 2008, 11:55am EST

actually sounds like a great read....but puts me on the spot since I am always preoccupied with my online stuff anymore...who knows what my children are up to! hhhmmmmmm My 17 yr old I'm sure would love to read the book.

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Priscilla P. Nov 28, 2008, 1:08pm EST

sounds like something mystery lovers would enjoy

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CyberGwen ! Nov 28, 2008, 4:49pm EST

interesting. It is hard to pick up a book in the middle of a series. I guess it is also hard for an author to write as well, making sure that new readers are caught up, but not boring experienced ones.

I like the premise, sounds fun!

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Christine Zibas Nov 28, 2008, 5:19pm EST

I am with you. I read a lot of books in the middle of their series (for reviewing purposes), and I think each book has to stand alone. Still, it sounds like a good plot.

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Christine Zibas Nov 28, 2008, 5:19pm EST

Thanks for posting your review to the Gather group Bookin'.

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Andrea (Ms. Conservative) L. Dec 2, 2008, 12:41pm EST

I hear sleigh bells!!

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Jan S. Dec 3, 2008, 7:28pm EST

Great review. I know what you mean about lack of backstory. I have also felt like an outsider when I've read series book that doesn't give a bit of history. The one I'm reading now is part two of a trilogy, but there is sufficient information on the characters' history.

This sounds like an appealing story, although I'm not keen on witchcraft.

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Jeanette(Nettie) R. Dec 3, 2008, 9:34pm EST

Sounds interesting and I'm sure all the teens will love it. Thanks for the heads up about the back story. It makes the story so much more enjoyable to learn about the characters as you progress thru the book or at least have a page at the beginning of the book with a short intro. You do a great review.

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ELLEN B. Dec 4, 2008, 3:00pm EST

I love the honesty in your reviews Douglas. I thank you for letting me know about this one. I will probably be more interested in the next. My teenagers are all gone from home now, and going back to some of those memories will not be a pleasure, except we all survived:) There are so many good ones, and those are the ones I want to think of now:) You do so well at this, kind sir. I would appreciate it if you critiqued my story I wrote the a.m. It is called "The One Who Is No More"> If you have time.. Ellen B

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Book Review of The Lure of the Witch by Betty Sullivan La Pierre--Review by Douglas Quinn, Author of Blue Heron Marsh, etal

Comments: 9

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