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WORK TITLE: Circled
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE:
CITY:
STATE: VA
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY:
https://www.facebook.com/annemcanenybooks/
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Married; children.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer.
AVOCATIONS:Biking and hiking.
AWARDS:Silver Independent Book Publishers Award in the mystery/thriller category, 2016, for Circled.
WRITINGS
Has written screenplays.
SIDELIGHTS
Anne McAneny is the author of several screenplays and seven books. Her first two novel offerings fall into the category of “chicklit”: Our Eyes Met over Cantaloupe and Chunneling Through Forty. Our Eyes Met over Cantaloupe finds twenty-something Millie Morris at loose ends in her love life, having lost her boyfriend to a high-powered attorney in town. The bride-to-be soon places a wedding order at Millie’s mother’s bake shop. Adding to the complications, her ex-boyfriend begins to confide his doubts to her. A critic at Kim the Bookworm commented that McAneny “writes in a lovely way, her writing is extremely humerous and she has created the most delightful characters.” Chunneling Through Forty finds another female character, Susanna Greyson, in the midst of life’s challenges. She is facing her fortieth birthday with trepidation. As she makes her way through the five goals she has set for herself, among them to become an aerobics instructor and a bartender, she finds both complications and humor. As a reviewer at Chicklit Club put it: “Is 40 really the end or is it sometimes the beginning? It’s all in how you view it.”
"Crime after Time" Series
McAneny next began her “Crime after Time” series, which includes Foreteller, Raveled, Skewed, and Circled. These mysteries with a touch of the paranormal share a premise. as McAneny explained to Ognian Georgiev online at Land of Books: “The consequences of crime are borne by those who survive, even decades later. My protagonists are the survivors, and they each discover something unexpected that upends the narrative of their lives.” Foreteller, the first in this series, follows archaeologist Zoey Kincaid as she finds an old letter from her long-dead mother locked away in a safe-deposit box. The letter tells of her mother’s rape by Corbin Black, who her mother says may have Zoey as a target. He may also be her own father. A contributor to Kirkus Reviews called it a “fresh, snappy thriller.”
In Raveled, Allison Fennimore has tried to leave her past behind—a past that includes a father who committed suicide after being convicted of the murder of two teens and a brother who languishes in rehab. Her brother wants Allison to reinvestigate the circumstances of their father’s conviction. She returns to her hometown and begins to dig into the matter, but she uncovers much more than she bargained for. Writing online at Escape with Dollycas, a critic deemed Raveled a “complex mystery” that paints a “vivid picture of time and place.” D.L. White at The Sweet Escape summarized the novel as a “fast paced, plot driven, complicated, twisty ride” with a “comedic tone.”
The third in the series, Skewed, follows the story of twins Jack and Jane Perkins, who were born after their mother was shot—supposedly by their father—and lay brain-dead in the hospital. Then, three decades later, Jane receives photos of the crime scene shot minutes after the murder. The story is told in both the present and the past, by Jane and her mother. Online at I Was Angelized_1st, a writer commented that the novel “has lots of twists, turns, and suspects” that “converge to one final conclusion.” Leiah Cooper noted at her website, So, I Read This Book Today, that McAneny “has a deft hand with characters” in this tale of “madness, murder and skewed social truths.”
The fourth series installment, Circled, centers on the murder of fourteen-year-old Macy LeGrange a dozen years earlier. The town drunk, who was also her boyfriend’s father, was thought to be driving the vehicle that struck her down on her bicycle. Boyfriend Hoope vanishes shortly after the event, never to be seen again. Years later, after a fire burns down the general store, clues found in the basement suggest that a body was there. As Chloe Keyes investigates, she makes discoveries that could shake the town to its core. A Publishers Weekly reviewer commented that the author “does a fine job maintaining suspense.” In the San Francisco Review of Books, Grady Harp praised McAneny as “that rara avis of a writer who creates a solidly entertaining story with as many unique aspects as the inside of a Faberge egg.” He likewise found the prose “as intoxicating as is the story she is weaving.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Publishers Weekly, October 23, 2017, review of Circled, p. 68.
ONLINE
Chicklit Club, http://www.chicklitclub.com (March 9, 2018), review of Chunneling Through Forty.
Escape with Dollycas, https://www.escapewithdollycas.com (March 28, 2013), review of Raveled.
I Was Angelized_1st, http://www.iwasangelized1st.com (December 21, 2016 ), review of Skewed.
Kim the Bookworm, https://www.kimthebookworm.co.uk (October 19, 2011), review of Our Eyes Met Over Cantaloupe.
Kirkus Reviews, https://www.kirkusreviews.com (May 24, 2012), review of Foreteller.
Land of Books, https://landofbooks.org (September 11, 2015), Ognian Georgiev, author interview.
San Francisco Review of Books, http://www.sanfranciscoreviewofbooks.com (February 26, 2018), Grady Harp, review of Circled.
So, I Read This Book Today, https://soireadthisbooktoday.com (March 15, 2015), Leiah Cooper, review of Skewed.
The Sweet Escape, http://www.thesweetescape.net (July 29, 2013), D.L. White, review of Raveled.
Series
Crime After Time
1. Foreteller (2010)
2. Raveled (2013)
3. Skewed (2014)
4. Circled (2015)
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Detective Jeremy Upton
Vicarious (2016)
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Novels
Chunneling Through Forty (2010)
Our Eyes Met Over Cantaloupe (2011)
For many years, Anne sharpened her writing skills on screenplays that often became contest finalists. Today, she lives in Virginia with her husband and children, along with an adopted puggle and a formerly stray cat that sneaked into the basement years ago. She enjoys biking, hiking, and all manner of activity, as long as it's balanced by chocolate and Belgian beer—or a tasty combination thereof. She loves to hear from readers, so please connect with her on her Facebook Fan Page (Books by Anne McAneny) or on Twitter (@AnneMcAneny).
Anne's new mystery, VICARIOUS, is now out while CIRCLED has won the 2016 Silver Independent Book Publishers Award in the mystery/thriller category. CIRCLED is part of Anne's "Crime After Time" Collection, which also includes RAVELED, SKEWED, and FORETELLER. The collection revolves around everyday people who feel compelled to investigate old crimes against loved ones. Their discoveries rewrite the past and shake up the future in exciting, twist-filled plots. All four "Crime After Time" books have become Amazon Bestsellers.
ANNE MCANENY: I LIVE A LIFE NOT NEARLY AS EXCITING AS MY CHARACTERS
SEP 11
Posted by Ognian Georgiev
Anne McAneny’s latest novel Circled was released in late July. The book is part of Crime After Time collection and once again combines crime with mystery. The story received flawless reviews and currently is standing with strong average of 4,9 Amazon stars. We’ve got a chance to speak with our guest about her most popular novel Skewed and for many more interesting things. Get ready for the next Land of Books interview.
anne
– Anne, what is your new book Circled about?
– Circled tells the story of reporter Chloe Keyes who is investigating events that took place in her hometown twelve years ago. In the course of one week, her town experienced the biggest lottery win in the state’s history, as well as the death of three locals. It was a time filled with highs and lows, tragedy and triumph—and all of it left a dark mark on Chloe’s soul.
circled
– How did you decide to write the books from Crime After Time Collection?
– “Crime After Time” refers to a common theme in my four mystery books: The consequences of crime are borne by those who survive, even decades later. My protagonists are the survivors, and they each discover something unexpected that upends the narrative of their lives. The new information propels them to unveil long-hidden truths—not an easy task with buried evidence, faded memories, and cover-ups still worth lying about.
I wrote the collection because after completing the first one—Foreteller—I realized there were many similar stories to be told, but with vastly different crimes and outcomes.
– What was the biggest challenge during the writing process?
– My stories involve varying points of view along with shifts between past and present. Keeping all the balls in the air while revealing information at just the right moment is my biggest challenge. It can be dizzying!
– Tell us something more about your main character Chloe Keyes from Circled. Is she close to someone from your real life?
– Chloe Keyes is a survivor. She lives on the edge of a South Carolina swamp, rumored to own a pet alligator. She backs down from nothing—except the truth of her own scars. Inside, she carries the loss of two childhood friends close to her heart, never realizing its effect on her coarsened adulthood. Of course, fire, murder, and fresh clues converge to change everything—and that’s only the first few chapters.
Chloe is a product of pure imagination, although her sarcasm probably has roots in yours truly.
– How much time did you need to finish the story and to publish it?
– I am a never-ending editor. Circled and Skewed took me about eight months each, while Raveled was written cover-to-cover in one exhausting month, followed by three months of editing.
SKEWED
– What will the readers find in your most popular novel Skewed?
– In Skewed, I hope they’ll find the traditional elements of a good mystery told in a unique way. I love to hear from readers who enjoy the twists and red herrings, but who ultimately feel surprised and satisfied by the ending. Skewed is the story of a crime scene photographer with a warped habit. When she receives new crime scene photos from her mother’s death thirty years earlier, her life is suddenly framed differently and she struggles to bring it back into focus.
– Who are you?
– I live a life not nearly as exciting as my characters! I’m a mom, wife, animal lover, biker/hiker/gym rat, volunteer, and eavesdropper (because really, how else can one write good dialogue?)
– What are your writing habits?
– When I write, I get deep into it, spending six to twelve hours a day at my laptop. I write at home and go wherever it’s quiet because all I need is my laptop, a pen and paper, and a chair. I’ve written in a closet, a basement corner, and in bed.
I make valiant attempts to outline stories before diving in, but inevitably, I change everything. Once I have a complete first draft, I feel like I’ve finished a marathon. From then on, it’s edit, edit, edit, and I actually find that fun.
– Are you satisfied by the sales of your books?
– Absolutely, but who doesn’t want to reach more readers? Sales volume comes down to exposure and word-of-mouth. There’s not much a writer can do about word-of-mouth except create a water-cooler-worthy book. As for gaining exposure, that can be harder than writing the book; other times, it just happens (which is when a writer should sit back, smile, and give thanks!)
– What are you doing to promote your book in the best possible way?
– Blogs like yours certainly help. I also use price promotions, occasional prize giveaways, guest blogging, and podcast interviews—almost anything to let readers know a book exists. Lots of reviews from readers are also quite helpful. By the way, if anyone out there knows a celebrity who wants to pose with one of my books, please let me know!
– When will we see your next novel and would you unveil something more about it?
– I have two books in the works. The first is a sequel to Skewed, with an increased focus on Sophie Andricola; readers asked for more of her character. The second is set in the 1980’s and revolves around an eccentric woman who witnesses a possible crime, but the woman proves to be an unreliable witness—or does she?
– You wrote a lot of screenplays. What is the difference in plotting a film story compared to a novel?
– There’s not much difference in plotting; the difference comes in presentation. In a screenplay, the pages contain a lot of blank space. The writer must convey a complete and compelling story using far fewer words. Those three to four lines of description that pop up between bits of dialogue must be treated like gold because they relay the story as much as the characters’ spoken words do.
– How did you become a fan of Belgium beer?
– I tasted one! That’s all it takes. My favorites are tripels and quadrupels, but they’re usually strong, so no guzzling!
– If you may ask yourself one question in the interview what it will be? (Don’t forget to answer)
– “Who does your covers?” I am in awe of people with artistic talent, so I’d like to acknowledge my cover designers: Ray Lillard, Rita Toews, and Tyler Anderson, who respectively designed covers for Foreteller, Raveled, and Circled. Each of them created layered images that reflect the story in a way that cannot be fully appreciated until the last page is turned.
My current cover for Skewed was done by the awesome folks at Thomas & Mercer, but Ray and Rita had worked together to create the original Skewed cover. It gave off a Vertigo/Alice in Wonderland vibe that reflected how my protagonist felt while investigating her mother’s case.
To learn more about Anne McAneny take a look at her Facebook
Twitter
Check out her books:
Skewed
Circled
Foreteller
Raveled
Chunneling Through Forty
Our Eyes Met Over Cantaloupe
Circled
Publishers Weekly. 264.43 (Oct. 23, 2017): p68.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Circled
Anne McAneny. Farrington, $9.99 trade paper (392p) ISBN 978-0-9888469-9-9
The death of 14-year-old Macy LeGrange, who had "heart-shaped lips and ever-pink cheeks" and "possessed a laugh worthy of a jolly, self-assured woman," is at the center of McAneny's intriguing fourth entry (after Skewed) in her Crime After Time series. Macy was riding her bike when she was fatally struck by a car driven by her boyfriend Hoop Whitaker's father, the town drunk in Beulah, S.C. The next day, Hoop disappeared. Twelve years later, Macy and Hoop's former classmate Chloe Keyes, who works as a reporter, revisits the tragedy after a fire at the town's general store leads to a dark discovery in the basement: not only was the store's proprietor, Boyd Sexton, using it to manufacture meth, but a bloodstain and duct tape suggest that Boyd kept a captive there as well. Chloe fears the prisoner was Hoop. McAneny does a fine job maintaining suspense throughout. (BookLife)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Circled." Publishers Weekly, 23 Oct. 2017, p. 68. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A512184184/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=65f4c09c. Accessed 17 Feb. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A512184184
Review: Skewed by Anne Mcaneny
24982697Since narcissism is fueled by a greater need to be admired than to be liked, psychologists might use that fact as a therapeutic lever – stressing to patients that being known as a narcissist will actually cause them to lose the respect and social status they crave. – Jeffrey Kluger
Jack and Jane Perkins never had a chance at privacy, even before they were born. The story itself has been described before, in the blurb and in the reviews. What is most interesting to me are the personalities involved. While Jane prefers to put the past behind her, dreaming of the sort of quiet life she has always wanted, Jack, her twin, becomes a politician – the perfect life for a totally self-obsessed narcissist who has lived his life in the limelight.
McAneny has a deft hand with characters. From the twins themselves to Grady, the man who went to prison for their mother’s murder to Jane’s beloved grandfather (I really don’t see Jack as caring about anyone other than himself, as he proves over and over again . . . though he does show the occasional thought for his sister – when he isn’t ridiculing her), The fact that my brother now worshipped that phony murderer-cum-jail hero was the sharpest edge of the wedge driven between us. There is a level of ‘quirky’ that drew me into the story. I could see many of the police officers and crime scene analysts I used to know in the qualities of the characters.
Wexler rubbed his chin. “Who were the Haiku Killer’s Other victims?”
”A priest, a philosophy professor, and a doctor,” I said.
“Religion, philosophy, and medicine,” Wexler said. “Renaissance killer.”
What is just as interesting to me is how McAneny explores the phenomenon of Hybristophilia, blending it with the types of political paraphilia inherent in the mindset of the public. It slides beneath the storyline, twisting and turning through and across a story of madness, murder and skewed social truths.
The serial killer story is well written overall, though I did find some glitches that made me scratch my head a bit. But overall, the story is tight. Sophia is probably my favorite character – her personality and particular thought process makes me want to read a book about her!
I received the book from the publisher in return for a realistic review. All thoughts are my own.
FORETELLER
by Anne McAneny
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KIRKUS REVIEW
In McAneny’s debut thriller, a smart, snarky archaeologist digs up clues surrounding her mother’s death.
When Kyra Collette changed her name to Zoey Kincaid to elude an obsessed college friend, she had no idea that, a decade later, a far more dangerous man would pursue her with deadly intent. In love, pregnant and rather pleased with herself for her detached and sardonic outlook on life, Zoey is blindsided to learn that her mother’s fatal stroke had been caused by a sexual assault. When the family attorney directs her to a safe-deposit box in Virginia, she finds only a letter—but one that predicts her death by the hand of the same rapist, Corbin Black, whom Zoey fears may be her real father. A falling out with her fiancé sets her on a solo quest to unearth the truth about and origins of her mother’s premonition, with only the amiable detective Farnham on her side. Ignorant to the details of her own history, Zoey tracks down her mother’s confidants and estranged sister—all while keeping one step ahead of Black and college stalker Cesar Descutner, the latter tormented by his own psychic tendencies. The swift pacing and tight unfolding of clues makes the book an enjoyable and involving read, particularly as the point of view shifts from Zoey to Corbin to Cesar, keeping readers apprised of each character’s progress and chilling intentions. The shifting perspective of the narrative is less effective when it jumps erratically to minor characters, and a few tangential revelations could have been better placed. However, the distraction is minimal. Although an overly long explanation of the story’s red herring takes some bite off the ending, the buildup to the denouement brings satisfaction. A fresh, snappy thriller that doesn’t dig too deeply for subtext.
Will appeal especially to readers who like a pinch of the paranormal with their suspense.
Pub Date: March 7th, 2012
ISBN: 978-1470123284
Page count: 256pp
Publisher: CreateSpace
Program: Kirkus Indie
Review Posted Online: May 24th, 2012
BOOK REVIEW: SKEWED BY ANNE MCANENY
POSTED DECEMBER 21, 2016 BY @ANGELIZED_1ST IN BOOKS, ENTERTAINMENT / 0 COMMENTS
Book Review: Skewed by Anne McAnenySkewed by Anne McAneny
Published by Thomas & Mercer on March 24th 2015
Genres: Fiction, Mystery
Pages: 382
Format: eBook
Source: Kindle Unlimited
ISBN: B00O4FK87M
Buy on: Amazon, Barnes & Noble
Goodreads
four-stars
SKEWED… a tantalizing mystery thriller that opens with a bang, turns lives upside down, and delivers a shocking jolt of a finale...
Janie Perkins rocks a warped relationship with cameras. Forced in front of them as an infant under grim circumstances, she now hides behind them as a crime scene photographer with a bad habit. But for a girl born to a waitress in a coma—courtesy of a bullet from her famous father—warped relationships are the norm. When Janie receives two photos of her mother's crime scene, she gains a dire perspective on the decades-old death, one that threatens to upend her life and resurrect the wrath of the long-dormant Haiku Killer.
With her twin brother running for office and her own problems rising to the fore, Janie finds herself in the dreaded spotlight once again. These recent photos won't help matters. Enlisting the help of a unique crime consultant, a newbie detective, and her estranged father, Janie pries off the layers of deceit that marked her mother's final day. But as an unwelcome truth finally comes into focus, Janie may wish she'd left things undeveloped. Will she now pay the ultimate price for finally righting her skewed existence?
“political language . . . is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.”—george orwell
I’ve been interested in reading Skewed ever since its release, but like many other novels it got put on the back burner. When I discovered it for free with my Kindle Unlimited subscription, I couldn’t pass it up. Yet, it remained on my reader just waiting to be read for months on end. I’m glad I finally got around to reading it, as Skewed was a gripping, suspenseful, murder mystery.
The story centers around the famous “Haiku Twins,” who were born to a brain-dead woman a month after she’s shot in the head and murdered. The culprit is the man believed to be their father, and has been sitting in prison for the past 30 years. However, his guilt comes into question when Janie Perkins, crime scene photographer, receives a photo of her mother’s murder in the mail. If her father is the killer, then who is sending her photos taken moments after her mother’s murder?
I liked Jack and Jane’s characters, and would love to see them involved in another crime involving their town. Everyone there has lots of character (no pun intended), and I could see a series sprung off of this novel. While Jane loves staying behind the camera, her brother Jack is following in their father’s footsteps by running for political office. It was interesting to see how much has come between the twins over the years, yet how tight their bond remains in spite of it all.
The mystery is told from two perspectives: Jane’s in present day, and her mother’s thirty years prior. McAneny slowly unravels the clues to the mystery as both POVs converge to one final conclusion. The story has lots of twists, turns, and suspects to this heinous crime. Jack and Jane’s father came off as a likable character, and I couldn’t help to root for his exoneration. If you’re looking for a whodunit to read by the fire this winter, Skewed is definitely a book you should put on your list.
About Anne McAneny
For many years, Anne sharpened her writing skills on screenplays that often became contest finalists. Today, she lives in Virginia with her husband and children, along with a puggle and a formerly stray cat that sneaked into the basement years ago. She enjoys biking, hiking, and all manner of activity, as long as it’s balanced by chocolate and Belgian beer–or a tasty combination thereof. She loves to hear from readers, so please connect with her on her Facebook Fan Page (Books by Anne McAneny) or on Twitter (@AnneMcAneny).
Mar
28
2013
raveled
Raveled
Mystery
Published by Farrington Press (January 28, 2013)
Trade Paperback: 332 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0988846906
E-Book File Size: 629 KB
ASIN: B00B1SRBHK
Raveled
Allison Fennimore has tried to put her life in Lavitte behind her. Sixteen years ago her father was accused of killing two teenagers. He committed suicide in jail. Now Allison’s brother reaches out from rehab to beg her to dig into her father’s conviction. She knows she will not be welcomed with open arms in Lavitte bit agrees to review the case. Once she starts digging she can’t stop. One lie leads to another and then a key source of information turns up dead and the revelations start to get ugly. Alison may wish she never started down this path but she can’t stop until she knows the truth.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
When I read the Ibsen quote at the start of the book, It was then that I began to look into the seams of your doctrine. I wanted only to pick at a single knot; but when I had got that undone, the whole thing Raveled out, I knew I was headed for a suspenseful journey.
This small town is an epitome of everything that go can wrong when secrets roll out of control. Allison’s quest for the truth puts herself in danger along with those that try to help help her. All the secrets and lies are Raveled together and as she works to untangle them she starts to wish she never would have opened this can of worms.
Anne McAneny brings a unique writing style to this complex mystery. She has a very descriptive way of telling a story that gives readers a vivid picture of time and place. It could be a very dark tale but she drops little tidbits of humor in the dialogue and characterization that refreshes the scenes.
I enjoyed my first McAneny experience. This is an author I will be watching.
just you and a friend
4 STARFISH
Dollycas
Your Escape With A Good Book Travel Agent
About This Author
As often as possible, Anne McAneny uses her writing as an excuse not to cook dinner. Her children learned the words bland and flavorless as soon as they graduated from Cheerios, so they were thrilled when Anne decided to follow her passion and write.
Anne also got certified as a Personal Trainer recently, but is not actually training anyone in a personal manner. No dummy, however, she knows that exercise serves as a perfectly valid reason to avoid that pesky dinner thing. Anne lives in Virginia with her husband and three hungry boys, a well-fed cat, and a newly adopted puggle whose energy dwarfs hers. When she’s not at her laptop, you will find her on her bike, pounding the pavement, or eating Goobers in front of the TV—but rarely in the kitchen. To read more of Anne’s slightly askew thoughts, check out her blog at www.AnneMcAneny.blogspot.com.
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RAVELED BY ANNE MCANENY [REVIEW]
POSTED 29 JULY, 2013 BY DLWHITE IN REVIEWS, WRITERS READ 0 COMMENTS
RaveledRaveled by Anne McAneny
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Summary:
What’s a girl to do when her imprisoned brother begs her to delve into their father’s sixteen-year-old murder conviction? How about peel back the lies, upend the fairy tales, and roil the populace of Lavitte—a sweet apple of a town with a wormy, festering core? That’s what Allison Fennimore chooses. Despite her infamous surname and people’s wilted memories, this jaded cynic of a daughter sinks her teeth in and refuses to let go. She can practically taste the bitterness of that long-ago, twisted night when two teenagers died, linked to her father by bad luck and a few strands of rope.
Ignoring the dense local atmosphere where image trumps substance and lies become legend, Allison stirs the pot. The more layers she discards, the more elusive the truth becomes. And when a key source of information turns up dead, the dark edges of resentment coil in around her like a slowly tightening noose. As revelations get ugly, Allison may wish she’d never ventured toward the forbidden fruit of truth.
My Review:
I really enjoyed this book. I love a good thriller/mystery/dramatic story to unfold and Raveled delivered.
The MC Allison (actually her brother Kevin) has a burning question that needs to be answered. Answering this question sends her back to Levitte, the scene of the crime. The crime being her father being convicted of the murder of two teens.
The Fennimore family is in shambles since Artie’s untimely death before he can be declared Guilty of murder. Her mother’s brain has become its own worst enemy, sending her into fugue, demented states with short, infrequent moments of clarity. Her brother found solace at the bottom of a bottle and is currently in rehab. Allison, who tends bar in New York and enjoys the nameless facelessness of her job, might be the most “put together” member of the family. Hence why she’s chosen to investigate what really happened the night of the murder and clear her father’s name.
Raveled is a fast paced, plot driven, complicated, twisty ride from beginning to end. McAneny uses a familiar, conversational, comedic tone that makes reading go quickly and easily. There were a few times I thought I had solved the mystery, and I was wrong. Once it began to unfold and the pieces started to come together, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.
I would definitely read another Anne McAneny Mystery.
Review – Our Eyes Met Over Cantaloupe by Anee McAneny
By john@hibbsco.uk | October 19, 2011
A thoroughly enjoyable read from yet another author who is new to me.
Journalist Millie Morris’s Mom runs a very special cake shop – The Secret Lives of Cupcakes which one day gets a very special wedding order – Millie’s ex boyfriend. The rogue that one morning when cooking her eggs, announced that he was leaving her for someone else which came as a total surprise to her.
When he comes around to her new home to talk to her about whether he’s doing the right thing or not she tries to be nice, as that’s her nature, even though she thinks she’s really not the right person he should be discussing this with, her feelings for him are questioned. When she finds herself covering an important court case, she discovers that the bride and the lady she was dumped for is the leading lawyer on this particular case, which puts her in a very bizarre position.
Anne writes in a lovely way, her writing is extremely humerous and she has created the most delightful characters especially Millie, and her friend Pauline, that you ‘get’ right from the start. Her style of writing is easy to read, and just generally enjoyable.
Lots of laugh out loud moments from the moment you start reading along with a good storyline and the great characters hook you from the start of the book. With twists and turns and hilarious events along the way to keep you interested, it certainly was a book that I’d recommend to others. It was good fun, and really enjoyable. I’ve read some great reviews from her other books too, details of which I’ve added below and I shall really look forward to looking them up and reading them soon.
Anne McAneny, has also written two other books: CHUNNELING THROUGH FORTY (humor/chick-lit) and FORETELLER (fast-paced mystery thriller). She has written several screenplays which have been successful in contests and are now circulating through Hollywood in the hope of making it to the big screen. Anne lives in Virginia with her family, two ferrets and a cat whose name changes weekly. He currently answers to “Mythical Flarb” and “Food.”
Chunneling Through Forty - Anne McAneny (2010)
With the big 4-0 staring her in the face, stay-at-home mum Susanna decides to do something monumental to mark the milestone. She makes a list of five things she's always wanted to do and sets out to accomplish each item one by one. Aerobics instructor? Check. Bartender? Sort of check. What she doesn't take into account are the people she meets along the way who are instrumental in helping her work towards her goals and the things she learns about herself and her life during the process. Is 40 really the end or is it sometimes the beginning? It's all in how you view it. Having gone through something similar, I can completely relate to what Susanna is feeling. Forty is basically the mid-point of life and an excellent time to examine where and how you want the next half of your life to go. I found myself chuckling at several points and agreeing with a lot of what Susanna was saying and feeling. Chunneling Through Forty is a good reminder to live life to the fullest, no matter what age you are. (LEK)
Monday, February 26, 2018
Book Review: 'Circled' by Anne McAneny
Anne McAneny is that rara avis of a writer who creates a solidly entertaining story with as many unique aspects as the inside of a Faberge egg and then tells it with language that is equally as intoxicating as is the story she is weaving. There are many pages of both SKEWED and RAVELED, brilliantly novel mystery stories that pleads to be read repeatedly (or memorized) because the words are so magically strung together. From her bio we know that McAneny is a screenwriter of note (and that explains why this novel seems to plead to be adapted as a movie) but not all screenwriters can narrate strictly on the page without storyboards in head - simply dependent on the gift of writing well. Anne McAneny can.
To say Anne’s books are addictive would be an understatement. Each new release indicates yet more polish not only in her elegant prose but also in her outward spinning sense of intrigue that magnetically attaches to our attention span and will simply not release until book’s end.
The plot summary is well described: ‘A fire ignites a whirlwind of action and accusation in a swamp town that hasn’t seen excitement since the big lottery win twelve years ago. Little does reporter Chloe Keyes know that when she sniffs around for clues, she’ll end up facing her own demons while unsettling the very foundation of her hometown. Chloe starts her day by pulling a gun on two intruders—and things only go downhill from there. Driving to Boyd’s General for her daily caffeine fix, she finds the place ablaze. When the flames die down, she uncovers evidence that points to a dire fate for her missing childhood friend, Hoop. He disappeared twelve years ago, on the same day his girlfriend was struck and killed by a car. The events have left a dark mark on Chloe. Over the next two days, strange occurrences pile up: Chloe’s neighbor is found floating and bloated in Black Swamp; the head of a cosmetics conglomerate is arrested by federal agents; phone records point to a dead girl making calls; and a handsome stranger mystifies everyone he encounters. Through it all, the promise of a spectacular magic show captivates the local residents. Close calls with gators, crossbows, and armed felons lead to a startling conclusion, complete with illusion, chicanery, and the most divisive trick of all: cold, hard truth. Will Chloe’s murky existence finally be clarified, or will she succumb to the demons that haunt her?’
Closing the last page of this book it is obvious that Anne McAneny is one of the more gifted writers of the day. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, August 15