Evocative Romance. Unexpected Evil.
 - Jonelle Patrick)
A solid debut
This book had both good and mediocre points for me. I found the mystery itself to be quite predictable, but this could be because I write suspense myself and am forever guessing whodunit in books and movies well before most people (I drive my husband nuts with this). I also found it hard to connect with the characters on an emotional level, often finding that Patrick's choice of words created distance between me and the story.
What I really enjoyed however -- and I mean really enjoyed -- was the portrayal of Japanese culture. Patrick absolutely shone at describing her setting; and her depiction of the Japanese way of life, their traditions, and the subcultures such as Lolita was utterly fascinating. I'll most likely be seeking out the next in the series.
