Thursday, August 25, 2011

IN SEARCH OF THE ROSE NOTES: A REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
IN SEARCH OF THE 
ROSE NOTES
BY EMILY ARSENAULT

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Eleven-year-olds Nora and Charlotte were best friends. When their teenage babysitter, Rose, disappeared under mysterious circumstances, the girls decided to “investigate.” But their search—aided by paranormal theories and techniques gleaned from old Time-Life books—went nowhere.

Years later, Nora, now in her late twenties, is drawn back to her old neighborhood—and to her estranged friend—when Rose’s remains are finally discovered. Upset over their earlier failure to solve the possible murder, Charlotte is adamant that they join forces and try again. But Nora was the last known person to see Rose alive, and she’s not ready to revisit her troubled adolescence and the events surrounding the disappearance—or face the disturbing secrets that are already beginning to reemerge.

PRAISE FOR IN SEARCH OF THE ROSE NOTES:
...a compelling psychological mystery, told from the alternating point of view of the 20-something narrator and her confused preteen self. ... Instead of dwelling on fear and pain, Arsenault guides the reader through grief, compassion, and understanding in this emotionally complex and deeply satisfying read.
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“A very clever wordsmith.”
New York Times Book Review 


“When Emily Arsenault was growing up, a teacher told the fifth-grader she was very good at writing. Give that teacher an A.”
Hartford Courant

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Emily Arsenault is the critically acclaimed author of The Broken Teaglass, a New York Times 2009 Notable Mystery. She lives in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts. To read more and really interesting notes on the life of Emily Arsenault, please check her website HERE.

MY REVIEW:
Emily Arsenault introduces readers to her psychological mystery, IN SEARCH OF THE ROSE NOTES, through her main character, Nora, as she narrates between alternating time periods that cover a 10-12 year span. She tells the story as an 11-year-old and then alternates as a young adult. Nora and her young friend Charlotte lived in a small town in Connecticut and they were fond of their babysitter, Rose Banks. However, Rose goes missing one day after she drops Nora off, and it is a mystery never solved even though the girls tried with all their might to find a way. Interested in a set of Time-Life books about prophecies, they thought perhaps some sort of vision might help but their efforts seem to be to no avail. Their obsession with Rose’s case actually becomes too much for these young girls and their friendship is never the same.

Sixteen years pass and Nora and Charlotte are grown and living their lives elsewhere when Rose’s bones are found in a local pond. Local authorities re-open the case and Charlotte contacts Nora to return to Waverly, Connecticut, since Nora was the last person to see Rose alive. When the two reunite, it is evident that they both still have many secrets about Rose and the story becomes very disturbing and complicated. The emotional and psychological toll this played on Nora’s and Charlotte’s lives is fascinating. They even go back to their old childhood notes they used to take with Rose about dreams and the paranormal surrounding those Time-Life books in hopes of understanding what happened. 

As much as Arsenault does a fine job of keeping the story going and the plot twists coming, IN SEARCH OF THE ROSE NOTES was an OK read but not one I went crazy for. I thought parts of it were too far-fetched for me personally, and I also didn’t care about the characters when they were young girls. I wish they had been written in a different way so I could have felt more empathy for them. But over all, it was a satisfying read and one I think most will enjoy especially if you are into psychological thrillers. 
 
GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO MEGAN AND THE GOOD PEOPLE
AT WILLIAM MORROW/HARPER COLLINS,
I HAVE ONE COPY OF THIS VERY
DIFFERENT MYSTERY TO GIVE AWAY
  
--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
 

COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON WHAT YOU THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT YOU READ ABOVE ABOUT IN SEARCH OF THE ROSE NOTES THAT MADE YOU WANT TO READ THIS BOOK,  AND DON'T FORGET YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FIND INTERESTING ABOUT AUTHOR EMILY ARSENAULT'S WEBSITE BY VISITING HERE

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG AND/OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK HERE AND LEAVE ME YOUR LINK, PLEASE

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE WAY THAT YOU FOLLOW MY BLOG. IF YOU FOLLOW MORE THAN ONE WAY, COMMENT ON EACH WAY SEPARATELY.

GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, SEPTEMBER 10

111 comments:

lag123 said...

This story is interesting and I would like to know more about the secrets and how the story ends.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I visited the author's website and read the description of The Broken Teaglass. I must add that to my TBR list as well! It sounds great,

lag110 at mchsi dot com

The Happy Booker said...

Its too bad the story doesn't live up to its potential because it sounds fascinating and I love the cover. I can understand how weak characters make it hard to get fully invested in a story though.

lag123 said...

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debbie said...

I enjoy reading mysteries, and this one sounds like it is surrounded with secrets. I would like to read it.
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debbie said...

I learned both her and her husband served in the peace corps in south africa.
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Unknown said...

I love murder mysteries. I would love to read this book. It sounds very good. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

Margie said...

This sounds like a good mystery. Now I want to know how it all turns out. Thanks for the giveaway.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

The author and her husband served in the Peace Corps together in rural South Africa. I noticed on the website that she wrote The Broken Teaglass. I read that one and enjoyed it.
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petite said...

I am fascinated with this novel. Many thanks. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I am an e-mail subscriber. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I would like to read The broken teaglass. Elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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traveler said...

This mystery sounds unique. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

Her first book, The Broken Teaglass would be interesting. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

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Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

I've got to admit, the who dun it is usually what pulls me in.

(\___/)
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Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

The Broken Teaglass does sound like one I'd enjoy.

(\___/)
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ann said...

I love to read mysteries and this one sounds like a good one

amhengst at verizon dot net

Gwendolyn B. said...

I'm interested in this story because I like the approach the girls take in trying to solve the mystery. And besides, I love a good mystery! Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

ann said...

It is great to know that her and her husband both were in the Peace Corps in Africa


amhengst at verizon dot net

ann said...

I am a email subscriber

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ann said...

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Gwendolyn B. said...

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Gwendolyn B. said...

+ I love that Emily Arsenault has posted the original TV commercial for Time-Life Books series - I even remember that commercial! I wanted those books very badly, but there was no way that sort of purchase would have been O.K'd!

geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

holdenj said...

How the girls used Time-Life books to help them learn to investigate sounds intriguing! Thanks!

JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I don't know how I've missed The Broken Teaglass, but it looks like a great read. I also thought it was interesting that she was Connecticut's "Miss Prevent Blindness" as a kid.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

mamabunny13 said...

I like that Nora, narrates between alternating time periods. It's like getting two for one!
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

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mamabunny13 said...

Something I find interesting isher and her husband served in the peace corps in south africa.
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maryf said...

it sounds like a story my teens could read as well since it involves young adults, i am always trying to find good mysteries for my daughter to read.

sweetpea0861@yahoo.com

maryf said...

emily wrote her first novel in fifth grade!!

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Linda Kish said...

I do like psychological thrillers. I'd like to give it a try.

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Linda Kish said...

She and her husband served in the Peace Corps, something I wish I had done.

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bison61 said...

disturbing secrets-this book sounds like a great read

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Jolee said...

well...it's still of interest because of the juvenile characters....and I'm intrigued by what PW saw in it. Thanks! joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

enjoyed reading about her other book on her website. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

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Anonymous said...

I would love to see how this ends....

pattifritz2000 at yahoo dot com
thanks

Misusedinnocence said...

This sounds incredible. I love the paranormal aspect. Would really love to read this.

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Misusedinnocence said...

I learned that she's happy to be contacted by readers or book clubs. So cool when authors are willing to talk to their audience!

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Anita Yancey said...

Emily is a new author to me, but her book sounds like a great mystery. I wonder if Nora had anything to do with Rose's death. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Anita Yancey said...

Emily worked as an editoral assistant at Mirriam-Webster from 1998-2002, and got to help write definitions for their dictionaries.

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Reading said...

I love when characters reconnect after years apart. There are so many possibilities.

Lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Reading said...

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Angelia said...

the thing that made me think I wanted to read this book was the sentence tha said "aided by paranormal theories"

Angelia said...

subscribed

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following on google

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tweeted!

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Angelia said...

thought it was awesome that the Author wrote her first Novel in 5th grade :)

Nancye said...

I like reading books that keeping me on my toes by having unexpected twists and turns. This book sounds like it fits the bill.

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Jaime said...

I love psychological mysteries
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