Down the Rabbit Hole

Down the Rabbit Hole by J.D. Robb

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Picked this up for In Death 41.5: Wonderment in Death.

In Death 41.5: Wonderment in Death by J.D. Robb
Obviously this one held my attention. I didn't want to put it down, thought 2 kids and a day job insisted I must. One thing that struck me after the fact was that there is absolutely no Mavis or Nadine in this one. Might not be so strange given Mavis is busy with her own family & career while Nadine might not get wind of this Mad Hatter given it was originally considered a murder/suicide. Still, it's unusual for our favorite reporter not to be sniffing around when an unusual story stirs up around Eve. That might have detracted a bit given the short nature of this story though, and the fact that we do get some Louise and Charles on the side. The parallels to the classic Alice in Wonderland are woven in wonderfully with this dangerous cocktail. It's a good thing Eve has plenty of help from all the right angles so there isn't another "Alice."

Alice & the Earl in Wonderland by Mary Blayney
Not exactly the thrill seaker. This one is more of a mild simmer as man pines after girl and girl insists it would destroy his social standing, so no go. All thanks to a little time travel and a small matter of a wishing coing though, these two get their happily ever after, neatly solving a few other wishes for changed fates along the way.

ILove by Elaine Fox
This was by far one of the odder stories as those with addictions are literally sucked into technology and forced to "pay attention" until they figure out what is important in life. Really it all felt very convoluted and cheesy. Not exactly the strong character draw from some of the other stories.

A True Heart by Mary Kay McComas
Elise is by far one of the hardest characters for me to get into, mostly because she is so negative about everything. It becomes amptly apparent that it's a large part of why she's drawn into this costume nightmare to discover herself so to speak. The constantly changing personas as they characters literally change "costumes" to become someone else with each discussion, revelation, and/or history viewing is a little mind boggling. It would be far easier on the subconscious if they picked a "character" to be the guide and stuck with it. Otherwise it's this constant game of trying to remember who is talking to whom in the costume sense of the charade. Add to that a complete 180 where the main character rushes off on her friend to "make everything right" and you're left wondering what exactly you just read. Still, the various cameos are entertaining, ranging from Zorro, to Star Wars, Avatar, Curious George, and even Abraham Lincoln.

Fallen by R.C. Ryan
Another time travel as the "rabbit hole" analogy feature. This one is also a bit of a second life/magic story as Colin is very much alive in both the past and the present both being meant for one Bethany Campbell. I do have to admit though, all the hunts on horseback have me wishing to go out riding in the hills myself (though certainly not sidesaddle in a skirt).

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Mirror, Mirror

Mirror, Mirror by J.D. Robb

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Picked this up for In Death 37.5: Taken in Death, and found wonderful bonuses in the other stories.

In Death 37.5: Taken in Death by J.D. Robb
I actually enjoyed this more than the latest In Death full book. The parallel to Hansel and Gretel worked wonderfully. There wasn't much outside the case as it was too focused and fast moving, but what was there was spectacular. These characters always come together in the best ways. Dallas made a very interesting "good witch" with her interaction with the little boy to save the twins.

If Wishes Were Horses by Mary Blayney
As if the title wasn't enough to grab my attention? This one paralleled with The Three Little Bears in a old English manor style during war time. There were many good lessons in the idea of being careful what you wish for - you never know just how it will come true. Lucky for our odd couple, their wish still worked out.

Beauty, Sleeping by Elaine Fox
A different twist on Sleeping Beauty, this one had the "princess" saving the "prince." The set up could have been stronger, but the story has it's own unique twists that make it wonderful.

The Christmas Comet by Mary Kay McComas
This one took aspects from 2 tales: The Little Matchstick Girl and The Star Money. Natalie is both wise, wonderful, naive, and a little dense sometimes. You can't help but love her character while feeling concern for not only her homeless adopted family she's trying to help, but her own circumstances as it's so much easier for everyone else (reader included) to see her own dire situation. Magic comet indeed.

Stroke of Midnight by R. C. Ryan
An Irish twist on Cinderella, Sydney is very much downtrodden and abused by her step mother. They peg the wounded girl and abusive step mother routine nicely. Cullen is an odd twist that you never quiet know what to expect from. Their romance is more than a little bit of a whirlwind. Cullen is a mystery from the get go, and the sudden explanation at the end certainly makes the shoe fit, but leaves it feeling a little surreal. Regardless of this drastic bit of magic, this was one of favorites in the book.

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