Andrew J. Rush ha conseguido el aplauso del público y la crítica, un éxito con el que sueña la mayoría de los autores. Sus veintiocho novelas policiacas han vendido millones de ejemplares en decenas de países y tiene un poderoso agente y un editor brillante en Nueva York. También tiene una amante esposa y tres hijos ya adultos, y es una gloria local en el pueblo de Nueva Jersey donde reside.

Pero Rush esconde un oscuro secreto. Utilizando el seudónimo Rey de Picas escribe otro tipo de novelas, violentas y espeluznantes: el tipo de libros que el refinado Andrew nunca leería y mucho menos escribiría. Su vida perfecta se viene abajo cuando su hija encuentra una novela de Rey de Picas y comienza a hacer preguntas. Al mismo tiempo, Rush recibe una citación judicial tras ser demandado por una mujer del pueblo que lo acusa de plagio. Mientras la reputación, la familia y la carrera de Rush peligran, los pensamientos de Rey de Picas se vuelven cada vez más malvados. ( )

This was a relatively short but tautly written homage to mystery, suspense, and thriller writers. Dedicated to Otto Penzler, the Audible version has an intensity and drive reminiscent of Stephen King’s The Dark Half. Both are novels about authors who write literary books and, under a nom de plume, dark thrillers that delve into violence and the grotesque. I could not stop listening to either novel. Joyce Carol Oates has written another fine novel. ( )

This is one of Oates’ best books. It is dark and disturbing, and I could not put it down. The book is relatively short, just over 200 pages and is an extremely fast read. Most of the chapters are short and I could never resist reading each subsequent chapter, even after I had determined to stop with that chapter for the night.

The protagonist is a novelist Andrew Rush, who writes dark mysteries under a pseudonym, Jack of Spades. Rush’s character is well developed, but he is inconsistent in his behavior. On one hand, he does kind deeds, like not wanting to countersue C. W. Haider for court costs and legal fees, after she sued Rush for plagiarism and lost in court. Yet on the other hand, Rush has a darker side willing to commit murder, burglary, and theft. I felt his actions should have been more consistent. Also, his wife’s character, Irina, should have been developed deeper. She appeared very shallow.

My only issues with the book were craft issues. Early on there are some POV shifts which were distracting. And there are a couple of unresolved plot issues. There is mention of Andrew meeting a recently divorced woman for dinner, but it never happens or resurfaces in the plot again. Why mention and never follow up on this thread. Also, there is the hint of Irina’s unfaithfulness and having an affair with a fellow teacher, but we never learn more about this either. These subplots should have been removed or explored in more detail.

I especially liked the ending and thought it quite appropriate that it was very open ending. To further demonstrate this, the final sentence does not end with a period mark. The reader is left with some unanswered questions to think about after reading the book. I give this 4 stars. Were it not for the above mentioned issues, it would be a 5 star rating. Definitely worth the read, but beware, it is somewhat a dark story. ( )

Nope. Didn't work for me whatsoever. Andrew Rush has to be one of the most unlikable protagonists ever. He's a wimp, he's a liar, and he's an idiot.

He's written over twenty novels, and is a name author, and made in excess of $30M yet he's uncomfortable when referred to as rich. He's also shockingly naive when it comes to lawyers and being sued for plagiarism for a guy who's been in the business for half his life.

And he then proceeds to do incredibly stupid things throughout the entire span of this short novel. This book is literally a stitched-together collection of stupid actions and Stephen King references.

Seriously, get yourself a big-ass bottle of your favourite alcohol and make a drinking game out of every single mention of Stephen (or Steven) King. You'll be hammered in minutes.

And this is not even mentioning that the story is pretty much a slightly reworked mash-up of King's The Dark Half and Secret Window, Secret Garden.

Total waste of time. ( )

A really compelling story that holds special interest for fans of Stephen King, especially fans of “The Dark Half”. I found myself squirming as the protagonist dug a deeper and deeper hole and the story grew darker and darker. The description as a story of suspense is completely accurate. A first rate thriller.

One of my favorites for the year.

5 stars. ( )