Barbara's Reviews > The Sequel

** spoiler alert ** Unlike some readers, I liked The Plot, this novel's predecessor, more than this one [3.5 for me!]. This one started too slowly for me, but it gained steam as I moved through its pages. There are plenty of twists, turns, and surprises, and as the protagonist, Anna Williams-Bonner, the widow of a deceased writer, goes to great lengths to hide her past and put to rest any ghosts who might possibly haunt her. The ghosts, of course, aren't actual supernatural beings, but excerpts of a manuscript written by her brother, the contents of which bear a striking resemblance to her husband's novel and to her past. All this is interesting on its own merits, providing glimpses into the world of publishing and book tours as Anna travels around the country in support of her own book, but what makes the story even more interesting for me is how Anna justifies her actions, almost as though she's simply clearing the road of unnecessary traffic or removing leftovers that have started to mold. Don't read this one before The Plot, but once you've read that one, definitely dive into this one with its totally amoral protagonist. (Well, maybe not completely amoral--after all, she does save the cat!)