Choose Me

I am not good at remembering names, so when I read a book that doesn’t have lots of characters and names to learn, it’s always a relief. Choose Me only has about half-a-dozen key people, with chapters focussing on aspects of the story centred around one of them. Beyond that, the story jumps between two time periods (‘Before’ and ‘After’) in relation to a key event in the story – I seem to be reading many books at the moment with these two timelines (e.g. Beneath Devil’s Bridge by Loreth Anne White), and I have decided to do this with the next novel I write.While there were aspects of the book, then, that were easy to get into, I struggled with aspects of this book. There were particular phrases in the book that jarred with me – for example:- Suicide is a form of surrenderand- Silence is a coward’s way outI take issue with both of those ideas and so found it hard to connect with the character involved.On the other hand, I thought that I would identify more with one of the characters, Jack, as he was a university lecturer, as I am. Comments such as- Jack was happy to see everyone engaged in lively discussion, unlike those dispiriting days when he had to do all the talking and his students merely stared at him with bored and glassy eyes, like carp in a pond.were certainly ones that I could relate to as I have had many of those days and classes.- “Sometimes writing can be a healing experience. You know, empowering yourself to deal with hurt and doubt.”As both an academic and author, I also agree with this statement.But, the story went in a somewhat predictable direction in places. I haven’t read many novels that have a university setting, but the ones that do invariably have storylines where a male lecturer becomes involved with a female student. Yawn. Not only is this unoriginal, but some of the text is very shallow. For example,- “She may have, um, flirted with me. That’s not unusual for female students.”OK, so this is fiction – but really, I don’t think such things are so common at university (and based on my knowledge (which admittedly may not be aware of cases as the people involved have keep it secret) – not only are such circumstances incredibly rare, but I know of more where it has been a male student that has become involved with a female lecturer). And when it turns to the wife’s view about the female student, it is just as bad;- Now approaching her forties, she no longer glows with the rosy flush of youth; how can she compete with the parade of eternally fresh-faced girls who pass through her husband’s classroom?When dealing with characters who are inherently cerebral, to reduce the discussion to something so shallow was disappointing.Having said that, I did find the book engaging and it did have a number of good observations and comments that I could relate to…- “But look at what you do. It seems like you really love your job.” “Yes, I do. Being with young people, talking about the books I love. Doing research that fascinates me.”- “Like you won’t live long enough to get all your ideas down on paper.” “Yes.” “Do you still feel that way?” He shrugged, a gesture of weariness and defeat. “Life gets complicated. Responsibilities. Obligations.”The book also touched upon an issue which we are facing more and more at universities as lecturers…- However, for future reference, you might consider including trigger warnings on your syllabi. Other professors are doing that, alerting students that some of the course material might be offensive because of violence, sexual abuse, racism, et cetera.” “I know others are doing that, but I have a problem with trigger warnings.” “Why?” “Because feeling uncomfortable is what a college education is all about—being exposed to disturbing aspects of human experience. We’re talking about twentysomething adults who are exposed to a lot worse in the daily news. I’m not going to infantilize them.”This lead onto another issue, however, that I had with the book where it has references to a number of famous/infamous people. The references to classical characters was one thing (this was the second book I have read recently which included the story of Medea), but to those of the more contemporary world – particularly those who may only be familiar to those who live in the USA – jarred a bit more. These either passed me by completely or will make the book age quite rapidly as these people become less topical.Finally, I found the choice of title a bit odd and neither it nor the cover picture really did justice to what the book, I think, was trying to achieve.This review probably sounds quite negative – but, actually, I enjoyed it, but I won’t be looking out for any further books featuring the police officers in this one.

Great crime story without the usual gore, which I liked. The plot allows you to get to know each character. I couldn't out it down

I really enjoyed reading this book. So well written. Characters that I could believe in. An exciting storyline that kept me captivated.

I bought this book to take on holiday in the hope that I might get chance to read it despite having 2 children with me. The book is good as I have found previous Tess Gerritsen books, however it was really tricky to read as lots of the pages were loose. It took real dexterity to keep the pages in whilst reading one handed with a baby sleeping on my chest on the sun bed! Disappointed that I can’t really pass the book on either as it looks a mess now I have finished it!

I loved watching the characters develop and the interplay that built. Will probably read the book again soon. Well written.

I’ve not read a TG book in years, and I’m not familiar with her co-author in this novel, and tbh, the book lacked the intensity and attention to detail that I’m used to from her. It felt a little as if she’s an elderly-stateswoman-type author giving a helping hand to a lesser known author, whilst helping herself, too. Nothing wrong with that – James Patterson does it, but it does make you wonder if her heart wasn’t in it, as the tale was pretty transparent.The tale starts in the present, told in the present tense, and features the female detective investigating the death of a student, Taryn, who’s split from her boyfriend, and who may or may not have been seeing a married professor. Add in the ex, who’s a bit of a sleaze and another guy who had to settle for friendship, as she’d never see him as anything else, and there are enough red herrings to make for a half decent tale. In the past parts of the tale, told in past tense, we learn about Taryn’s roots, about the professor’s family and history and you get the usual backstory of most of the characters, including the detective’s.Taryn was particularly unlikeable but felt one dimensional, as if she couldn’t live without a man in her life, though she professed to be a feminist. She came across as a user and very, very selfish, and the woman scorned aspect just didn’t ring true in someone so young. I’m not sure if readers were meant to feel for her, but her actions just made her like one of the mean girls that featured in the tale. She had nothing appealing about her personality, so I couldn’t understand her hold over not one but three men. She claimed to be stronger than the scorned females in her studies and yet she debased herself publicly over her ex and threw herself at the professor, who seemed equally personality-less.It is a readable tale, but there was nothing gripping about it and it dragged in parts.