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Arden A. (Longboat Key, FL)
Write what you know, and fake the rest
Write what you know, and fake the rest is Jerry Grey's advice to aspiring writers and is the mantra for this novel. This book needs some editing in the first 75 pages, though. I almost gave up on it; too much time was spent laying the ground work for Alzheimer's victim Jerry Grey, aka Henry Cutter, best selling author of crime dramas, before actually getting into the nuts and bolts of the story. His diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer's at 49 years of age triggered a convoluted series of events related to actual crimes and crimes as a depicted in his numerous novels. Did he actually commit those crimes, and then
…more write the novels? Did he shoot his wife? Did the orderly in the nursing home, a frustrated novelist, diabolically frame him? And is his best friend really a friend at all? There are lots of twists and turns, which were entertaining once the author got going. All in all, this is an entertaining book. (less)Jerry Grey, under the pseudonym Henry Cutter, has written very successful thrillers for years. Now with the diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer's, the line between reality and fiction is blurring and becoming horrific - he believes he has actually committed the crimes of which he writes. His family and friends insist he is delusional, but what is the truth? If you do not like dark, disturbing books, this is not for you. But this book is well worth reading - well written and brilliantly plotted.
Catharine L. (Petoskey, MI)
Not for everyone
A real thriller. Jerry Grey (pen name Henry Cutter) is a very successful crime writer of brutal murders and bad men, He has been diagnosed with the early stages of Alzheimer's and that's where the story begins. He is convinced that he committed one murder and when more victims appear, the evidence all points to Jerry. He doesn't remember, but he doesn't feel like a murderer; and he keeps a journal - but can't find it. Lots of twists and turns, flash forward and backward - sometimes difficult to keep track. The story became too complicated toward the end, but overall, I enjoyed it.
Bea C. (Liberty Lake, WA)
Write What You Know
At age 49, Early Onset Alzheimer's victim, Jerry Grey is a popular crime writer, but has forgotten most of his 13 novels and much of his life is a confusing blur. Paul Cleave does a good job of illustrating the frustration and sadness of this disease while making a "unputdownable" thriller. I couldn't help but feel sorry for the members of his family who have to live through this tragedy and for Jerry himself, who forgets things daily, but remembers parts of his novels as though they are real life and confesses to some of the fictional crimes he made up. This a is great book for this genre, for people who like
…more twists and turns. It gets only a little too unbelievable toward the end (as most thrillers do) but is still a great read. (less)I have read some of Paul Cleave's earlier works and enjoyed them - Trust No One was dismal - All the characters were one dimensional and vapid- the story line, if not original was silly - I think it would have made a great short story, or one half hour television show- the surprise ending was summed up, the killer identified -the book over - not proportional to the 340 pages it took to get there.
Kenneth T. (Houston, TX)
Who is demented?
To the world Jerry is a famous novelist, telling stories of awful crimes. He is, in fact, a convicted killer under suspicion of yet another murder, living in nursing faculty for the criminally insane. He is also suffering from Alzheimer's Disease, losing memory and contact with reality.
This is a thumbnail sketch of "Trust No One," a novel by Paul Cleave. It is a stylishly written, clever story which I downgraded to average only because I am a physician and I know the premise of the story is wrong. Patients with Alzheimer's do not become psychotic killers. They suffer confusion, disorientation and profound
…more memory loss but become in general withdrawn, not aggressive. The description of Jerry is accurate; the perception of Jerry is not. (less)Not a bad read, but outcome is pretty obvious from the start. I did enjoy the narrative outline with the protagonist's declining state of mind.
Thomas F. (Cranberry Twp, PA)
Original but disappointing
I began this book with high anticipation, drawn into it by its intriguing and highly original idea for a crime novel about a writer with dementia who creates a diary-like journal addressed to his future self.
However, I found the book disappointing as "a thriller," its subtitle. "Mystery" might have been more appropriate. The story plodded along at a slow pace and the journal feature eventually became tiresome. I don't think the novel succeeds in eliciting any emotional connection to its lead character. Nor do we get to know any other character except from the uncertain viewpoint of one
…more character, the crime novelist who is confused about everything until the end when he suddenly seems to have insight into what is happening. So reading the novel was a mixed experience. Readers who appreciate an original conception for a crime novel might give it a try even if I can't be enthusiastic about that recommendation. (less)
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