Author: Daniel Nathan and Manfred Lepofsky under the pseudonym Ellery Queen
Title: The Scarlet Letters
First Impressions:
This book is a typically older book than the kind I usually enjoy reading. No science fiction or time machines, but a great plot- which a lot of newer books lack. The chapters are all assigned an alphabetical letter which makes more and more sense as the book pursues.
It turned out to be a real page turner. I was hooked to the point of sacrificing sleep, and finished it, while trying to maintain a facade of a real life, in two days.
Main Characters:
Ellery Queen is the writer/detective whom begins trailing his secretary's best friend for purely protection reasons, but throughout the course his motives change completely. Nikki Porter is his loyal secretary and even more die-hard loyal friend to Martha Lawrence, the woman being followed. Martha is married to Dirk Lawrence, a failed writer of somber detective stories.
In a nutshell:
At the beginning, everything appears fine, but soon the real issues come forth as Dirk develops an extreme jealousy complex and Martha becomes more and more emotionally fragmented. Nikki moves in to avoid Dirk's tantrums eventually seriously hurting Martha, posing as his secretary. What she doesn't realize is that her involvement in this couple's marriage is actually going to work for someone's benefit- a clever twist, and opens an entirely new can of worms. Suddenly a man appears in Martha's life whom seems to take all her worries away and both Nikki and Ellery fear the worst: adultery. Without spoiling it, let's just say its definitely a great mystery when the case goes out of Ellery's hands and into a crazy maze.
Nina's Take:
I loved this book. It kept me glued from page 1 to page 239. Once I thought I had it figured out and was literally trembling at the climax, I was blown away by the truth. It's all too good and a reminder that often times, things are not as they seem. A must read for anyone over the age of 16.
Rating: 4.7 out of 5
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