First Impressions: Book Reviews

Member Reviews of forthcoming books.

Book Jacket

The Look of Love:
A Piper Donovan Mystery
by Mary Jane Clark

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Publication date: 01/17/2012.
Mysteries, 320 pp.

Number of reader reviews: 25
Readers' Consensus: 3.0

More information

First Impressions: Page 1 of 4

Rated of 5 by Barbara K. (Brooklyn, NY)

The Look of Love by Mary Jane Clark
This pleasant, fast paced, nicely detailed book was a 'quick read' that offered a view into the world of spas, Hollywood, plastic surgery, a monastery and the art of baking. There was also a mystery to solve and clues were interspersed throughout. The characters were realistic, especially the relationships between fathers and daughters. There is also an emphasis on how some women view their appearances in often unrealistic ways, giving the reader something to think about. Baking details, plus a recipe are an added bonus. This story flowed so smoothly that reading it was a 'mini vacation.' I would recommend it as a fun, escape novel.

Rated of 5 by Terrie J. (Eagan, MN)

The Look of Love was a fun read
I really enjoyed The Look of Love. It was a fun light hearted mystery and reminded me of reading Agatha Christie. There were many characters and while reading I wasn't sure which one was the "bad guy" - many of them could have been. I look forward to reading another Piper Donovan mystery.

Rated of 5 by Kimberly B. (Atlanta, GA)

A Grown-Up Nancy Drew
I have not been into mystery novels since I was an adolescent hoarding Nancy Drew mystery books like they were going to disappear; But alas The Look of Love; A Piper Donovan Mystery has reawakened my youthful curiosity and my desire for mystery and intrigue!

The book was fast-paced and well-written, rich in detail and very vivid. I tore through the pages to get to the end to figure it all out, making many assumptions and theories along the way!

My only issue is at times, the overwhelming discussion of the "rich" became monotonous and some of the characters were under-developed. It is impossible to give any more detail without spoiling the book, so I am going to say- READ IT, you will not be disappointed!!

I am officially a fan and I look forward to reading other Piper Donovan Mysteries.

Rated of 5 by Barbara C. (Lincolnshire, IL)

The Look of Love by Mary Jane Clark
The book was good but not great. It was very slow moving and a little predicable. I wouldn't say you had to read or buy it. I knew who the murderer was after a few chapters. I've read some of her other books and they were much better.

Rated of 5 by Elizabeth K. (glenshaw, PA)

The Look of Love
It was a pleasure to revisit with Piper Donovan. This time she is off to Los Angeles to make a wedding cake for the Director of Elysium, a world renown Spa owned by her plastic surgeon father. The added bonus is a free plane ticket and accommodations at the spa. There can't be a Piper Donovan novel without a murder and mystery. Although this was a fast paced easy read, it makes one ponder having elective plastic surgery.

Rated of 5 by Cheryl D. (Angola, NY)

Pleasant review
This book is a pleasant review. The main character decorates cakes, but she gets to travel among the rich and famous while she is doing it. It doesn't seem as the wedding will ever happen. The only weakness I saw was a repetition in the plots of the two books in the series.

Rated of 5 by Carol C. (Troy, NY)

The Look of Love
Arriving just before the pre-Halloween snowstorm here in the Northeast, this easy-going mystery was a pleasant way to set aside the premature winter outside the window. The plot, if not horribly original, held my interest. The killer wasn't too difficult to figure out, but there were enough red herrings to make you wonder if your guess was correct. My biggest issue relates to sentence and chapter length - both very short, which didn't seem to fit the otherwise "cozy" genre of the book.

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