Sunday, April 7, 2013

BOOK REVIEW: RUSSIAN DOLLS by CRISTELLE COMBY


Russian Dolls

Cristelle Comby

New Adult -           Mystery&Detective

Date Published:  3/13/2013
About the book . . . 
Alexandra Neve is a student at University College London whose world suddenly falls apart. When her best friend jumps from the university’s rooftop, she can’t stop herself from asking, ‘Why?’ The police rule her friend’s death a suicide and for them the case is closed — so whom can she turn to for help?



Sometimes the person you need the most is the one you least expect to find, and in this case it’s none other than Ashford Egan, a blind middle-aged history professor, who’s more willing than most to listen to what she has to say. 



Neve and Egan are as different as they come. She’s restless, careless at times, and fearless when the need arises, while he’s almost the complete opposite: a deep thinker with an analytical mind, a highly rational and collected individual.



As they enter the violent world of the Russian mafia, they must overcome their differences and learn to work together. It’s their only chance if they want to survive.
Virtual Book Tour March 13 - April 10 



March 13 -  - Reading Addiction Blog Tours - Meet and Greet

March 14 - Waiting on Sunday to Drown - Review/guest Post

March 15 - The Life and Lies of an Inanimate Object - Review/Interview

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March 18 - Fictional Reality - Review/Guest Post

March 20 - Author Ever Leigh - Review

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March 25 - Book Referees - Review/Guest Post

March 27 - Queen of All She Reads - Review/Guest Post

March 28 - My Devotional Thoughts - Review

March 29 - Just a Booklover - Review

April 1 - The Adventures Within - Review/Interview

April 3 - Playing Jokers - Review

April 4 - Cozie Corner - Review

April 5 - Texas Book Nook - Review

April 6 - Books and Needlepoint - Review

April 7 - The Self Taught Cook - Review

April 8 - Pixie Dust Reviews - Review/Interview

April 9 - 
April 10 - Comfortably Read - Review

April 10 - RABT Review - Review
 
About the author . . . 

Cristelle Comby was born and raised in the French-speaking area of Switzerland, somewhere between Geneva and Lausanne, where she still resides.


 Thanks to her insatiable thirst for American and British action films and television dramas, her English is fluent.
 She attributes to her origins her ever-peaceful nature and her undying love for chocolate. She has a passion for art, which also includes an interest in drawing and acting.
 Russian Dolls is her first new-adult novel, and she’s hard at work on the next titles in the series.

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Reader review . . . 


When Alexandra's friend Irina dies suddenly, she refuses to believe the police when they rule it suicide and close the case.  Finding a list of names and cities in Irina's room, she begins to investigate with the help of her history professor, Egan Ashford.  They stumble into a human trafficking ring run by the Russian Mafia. 

"Russian Dolls" is an absorbing mystery novel with a unique detective duo.  While they are amateurs, a popular device in many series, they are different from most.  Alexandra (Lexa) is a college student, and Egan (Ash) is her middle-aged, blind professor.  Much of the appeal of this novel is due to this pairing.  Lexa tends to rush into situations without thinking, while Ash is, of necessity, more careful.  They balance one another nicely.

While the plot wasn't the best I've read, it held my interest and did not drag.  The only problem was that the premise of the Russian Mafia somehow felt like overkill.  This, however, is only my opinion.   The novel is the first in a series, so I'm sure the characters and plots will develop over time.  I look forward to the next installment.

4 stars

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*
 

  

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