Sunday, March 22, 2009

SRT 2009: Salty Like Blood by Harry Kraus, M.D.



Here's my first review and giveaway for Spring Reading Thing 2009:



If you want a good novel about law, you want a lawyer to write it. If you want a good novel about crime, you want a detective to be the author. For a good medical thriller, you'd want a doctor...

...but if you want a great mystery with twist and turns that keep your head spinning, and an ending that literally begs for a sequel, you want Harry Kraus, M.D.

"Salty Like Blood" is Dr. Kraus' best work to date, and I've read them all! It was not what I expected, and I'm pleased that it wasn't. The surface story is simple and all too common...

...a seven year old girl goes missing, and her father believes foul play is involved. You watch to see what lengths he's willing to go to in order to discover the truth about her disappearance, and just how far he'll stretch the bonds of his marriage before they snap.

Or before he does.

But the underlying story is about obsession. The power of it, the danger of it, and what an obsession can ultimately lead to. Every character, with the exception of the daughter, has an obsession that drives him or her.

For Dr. David Connors, it's finding his daughter or the truth about her disappearance. For Joanne Connors, it's convincing her husband of the truth as she sees it...or tells it. For Blake, it's Joanne.

What about the others in the story? You'll have to read "Salty Like Blood" to see. Be warned: Dr. Kraus loves to keep you guessing! Which is why I love his novels so much.

On an even deeper level, it's a story of forgiveness. Forgiveness for those who've done us wrong, for those we've done wrong...and forgiveness for us. Ultimately, Dr. David Connors obsession becomes about forgiveness--or does it??

As I said with Dr. Kraus' novels...you just never know:-)

My one issue with the book is the changing point of view. I'll give you a head's up on this; whenever you're reading 'I went' or 'I did'--that's David Connors, the dad. I found that a bit confusing, but ultimately it worked.

So, I'm rating "Salty Like Blood" four out of five bookmarks with a bonus tassel and a bottle of corn oil as a charm. If you'd like to win a copy, share with me an obsession of yours...and be wary that it doesn't consume you...

What's mine, you ask? Books. And I have to fight to keep it from dominating my life...what's yours?

I'll draw a winner next Sunday, March 29th.

Happy Reading!

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13 comments:

Virginia Smith said...

Sounds like a good book.

Just ONE obsession? Uh... okay. The weather. It's because my husband is an outdoorsman -- skiing in the winter, motorcycle riding in the summer, yard work all the time, weather permitting. The weather determines his activities for the day, which means it also determines MY activities for the day. If it's pretty outside, he's there. And that means he's not inside, underfoot, so I can get some work done. :-)

Debs Desk said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Andi said...

Hey Sis,

Don't include me in your giveaway. I just had to stop by and say that Harry Kraus is awesome and he's from VA. Haven't dove into this one yet but his others haven't disappointed!

Lynn Squire said...

Hmm, my obsession? Good question. I would say food. eek. I'm obsessed with it because I can't eat like other people can and then expect to live like other people can. LOL

Deena, I wanted to let you know I listed your site as an award recipient on my blog. I really enjoy your reviews and I love the concept of bookmarks for ratings - what a great idea.

Marilyn said...

My obsession is chocolate.
Fmartin816 at comcast dot net

Jill said...

I'm sorry to say my obsession is books too! My second obsession is DARK Chocolate. That's why when I'm reading you can usually find me eating DARK Chocolate! LOLROF
I would love to win this book with some DARK Chocolate, but I'll take the book and go buy some DARK Chockie (as my 2 year old says).

Blessings,
Jill(j4fortner at att dot net)

RedCaboose said...

ONE obsession?! I have MANY!
But alright. Hmm.....

Well, if I had to pick I would say my obsession is Live Theater. I LOVE going to live performances and I can't let a year pass without being in at LEAST one show myself.

The Lovely Wife said...

Just one obsession--hmmm--lets go with scrapbooking/photos. Its the one obsession that takes over most of my life and most of the space in my house as well. I can't wait till the next scrappers weekend with my friends. Its a chance to eat the food we obsess over and time to yak about all our other obsessions.

Yes, please include me in the give-away, the book sounds great and would be a new author for me which is always a bonus. Thanks.

Aymee said...

Wow, that sounds like one intense novel! Right up my alley!

As for obsessions... books, music, pictures... I love taking pictures of my kids and have more than any one parent ever should. LOL

Thanks for sharing this book with us - I might just have to buy it if I don't win it! LOL

Tarasview said...

yep, books for me too... and Ice cream :) Preferably eating ice cream while reading a wonderful book!

Stephanie said...

My obsession? I have to narrow it down to ONE? :-) I'd have to say my kids.

Thanks for sharing the great review!

Debs Desk said...

My obession is food and it is hard for it not to take over my life. Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9@verizon.net

apple blossom said...

My computer would have to be my obsession.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com