Morning, Noon, and Night by Sidney Sheldon

Last week, I decided to buy some books from Vixxio. I went gaga and lasted with purchasing 7 items in my shopping cart! What a shame! After all, I didn't regret it, though I bought used books, but they are all in good condition.

What should I review first? Three of them are Sidney Sheldon's, but most catching one is Morning, Noon, and Night. 

Summary

Cruising on his yacht, Harry Stanford, one of the world's wealthiest men, drowns under mysterious circumstances. Now, a young woman appears at the family gathering following the funeral claiming to be his daughter and heir. As the respected Stanford family seeks to learn whether she is genuine or an imposter, a hidden web of blackmail, drugs and murder emerges from behind the facade.

As his other book, Sheldon often presents twisted plot, which is revealed perfectly in ending. First, we will be fascinated with life of Harry Stanford, his luxurious business, always surrounded with lovely women everywhere. But, then he dies mysteriously,told as an accident.

Then, we're introduced with his heirs, Tyler, Woody, and Kendall. Three children with different characters, but same attitude. All of them takes no matter with their father's death. What they want is legacy, inheritance, money. So, when a young woman, named Julia, comes and claim to be Harry's daughter, they accuse her as an imposter, even call detective to investigate her parentage.

While Julia's history is investigated, family's secret starts to be revealed. It tells why Harry's children show hatred to their father. How they are underestimated along their life, unsupported to reach their dream, even often treated by harsh words. Then, we begin to wonder, is Harry's death really an accident? Or, one of his children, who hates him so much, plans to kill him? Is Julia real heir, or she is fake?

Many surprises be found in middle and ending of this story. Finally, like every stories do, truth is always be the winner.

PS. This week will be your last chance to win free book of Alice's Adventure in Wonderland!

Daddy's Little Girl by Mary Higgins Clark

Surprisingly, I’d been enlightened by Vixxio, one of used book store in Surabaya, that I won their free book giveaway. I was flattered, because I knew that many people want to win this book. Haha, sorry everyone! For mend your broken heart, I am going to share short review about this book.

Written by Mary Higgins Clark, queen of suspense, and titled “Daddy’s Little Girl”. I got one published by Gramedia Pustaka Utama, Indonesian-translated copy.

Summary

Ellie Cavanaugh was seven years old then her older sister was murdered near their home. Ellie, with tearful eyes, testified that Rob Westerfield, nineteen year old boy from upper class family, who did it, and successfully put him in a jail. Twenty-two years later, Rob, who maintains his innocence, is paroled. Ellie, who keeps certain that Rob is guilty, starts writing book that will conclusively prove Rob’s guilt. As she delves deeper into her research, however, she uncovers horrifying facts that shed new light on her sister’s murder. With each discovery she comes closer to a confrontation with a desperate killer.

Beyond my expectation before, it’s actually a must-read book, especially for suspense lover. First, I love how Clark describes the night when Andrea was murdered. I can feel deep fear, parents’ discomfort of her daughter missing. Whereas I haven’t had a child! In last minute, I still wish the girl is alive, though I’ve read its summary, and know for sure that she’ll be dead. And, when Ellie found her blood-drenched sister, screaming out and running to her parents hug, absolutely I am able to sense what she felt that night.

I love how Clark includes psychological effect in her book. It shows that Ellie’s parents, in some way blame Ellie for hear sister death. Ellie was abandoned, and we can read how she herself started to feel guilty, sheered of her parents. Even, after several years, she still can’t forget it, and forgive her sister’s murder. That’s why when Rob is arranged for parole, she keeps trying to throw him back to the jail.
What makes interesting is new evidences, which is collected by Ellie in her hometown, bring us to a million dollar question, was Rob actually murdering Andrea? Or, was it just Ellie imagination, testified Andrea’s fear to Rob? Ellie, herself, starts to hesitate her presumptive, and search other possibility that maybe somebody else, who murdered Andrea. It appeals us to consider many possibilities, and I feel annoyed, emotionally involved, and almost try to unlock the last page.

Finally, truth is revealed. So sorry, can’t tell you here who the murder is! Hahaha, just go get this book. Or, if you still feel anxious to find out, just email me! *wink*

PS. Visit Vixxio, to find other great books. Well, for everyone who asking about Vixxio, yes, it’s a book store. Yes, it sells used books (but still in good condition!), so you can purchase cheaper books here. But, nooo, it’s not mine. I just befriended with them. For further information about its winner, go visit Fanda’s blog. She’s an amazing reviewer too. I learn a lot from her! 

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

Well, at least i should notify you about this book. Latest Dan Brown's book, The Lost Symbol.
as the other admirer of Da Vinci Code, i also can't hang around of waiting this book retailed. i miss Langdon's breathtaking experience, his suspense act, and of course, other mystery revealed. Who doesn't? He always mesmerizes me, through his charm, calmness, and intelligent, of course!

Let's see. After his journey in Rome and Paris, now he discover something new in Washington DC. We are solicited to have trip around Capitol Building, Library of Congress, and Lincoln Memorial. Langdon is invited by his old mate, Peter Solomon, to give speech in Capitol Building, but when he gets there, he found nobody. Well, of course as usual, the invitation is only other trick from a bad guy who want to reveal old treasures, located in DC. Remember Night of Museum 2? You'll find Smithsonian Museum in this book, indeed it becomes one of important setting where Katherine Solomon does her researches. More information, her research connected with human power, or law of attraction.

Okay, if i speak nonstop, i am afraid i'll give you too many spoilers. At rest, i almost can't put this book away, and read this book continuously. You love The Secret? this book contains it much. ah, Dan Brown combines all modern aspects in our lives beautifully. Even, he insert Blackberry using, don't get me wrong, Blackberry has quite significant role in some scenes.

This book is like mixture of Da Vinci Code and Deception Point. In my humble opinion, it's very look alike National Treasure! :) you'll absolutely love it!

PS. Just ring a bell, i'll hold Giveaway when my followers reach 20! So, please follow! :)

Tell Me No Secrets by Joy Fielding

sure, Joy Fielding must not foreign name for all suspense readers. But, honestly, i never hear her name, til i got her book, titled Grand Avenue in a sale. but, now i wouldn't discuss Grand Avenue, i'll talk about Tell Me No Secrets.

Once again, like Grand Avenue, Joy brings a brave female as main role. it takes my attention, coz she always put outside dark side of woman. she combines it with suspense plot, which could make us anxious while reading it.

Jess Koster, main role in this book, lost her mother when she was about getting married with senior lawyer, named Don Shaw. Her mother body can't be found until now, and guilty always haunt Jess, because before her mother gone, they had hard quarrel. Since her mother lost, Jess often has panic attack, vomit propulsion, and she begin to act like crazy one. and, she finally got divorced from Don. She continues her life, but time goes by, and she found secrets, one by one.

Family is apparently become the point in this stories. Joy explain how Jess try to making peace with her housewife sister, while she is a career woman. And, when her father found new woman in his life, she try to fight her unwillingness to receive new mother in her life, indeed she thinks that her mother is alive. She also give a hard try to new love life, and feel great curious for choosing between two man.

You'll get surprise in the ending. Don't expect happy ending, because.. rrr, i won't give you any spoiler. Read it, you'll interested by court and jury system in USA.