This is a) the eighth book I've read by Alexander (and fifth in 5 days); b) 1 too many Alexander books all in a row.

That is basically what I wished to convey. That I've read this book. It's the 5th one I've read this year by Alexander, and that I probably read one too many Alexander books in a row for me to properly enjoy this one.

Though . . . it has been 3 days since I read the book, it is still fairly fresh in my mind (despite having read another book since then, and further stressed my mind with many tv shows and movies). And my rating is still were it would be. That does not specifically mean that I didn't overwhelm myself with Alexanderisms.

This book involves a relatively insane cast of characters. There's the two leads - Police Chief Kirsten Flyte (not so much insane as somewhat 'disturbed' from having to deal with all the crazy people around); and Rusty Martinez (hyperactive woman who has an inability to stop moving and doing stuff; and, depending on your desire/thoughts on the idea - a good or bad tendency to be incapable of keeping her clothing on (which is kind of bad, considering the nature of blinds/inability to remember to lock doors/and creepy pervert possible sexual predator lurking in the area).

The cast of 'others' includes the nearly insane older woman (who gets less insane once you get to know her), Stella, who likes to prance around in the very hot air wearing a coat and hat so that she can spy on people. There's also several 'real characters' police officers (the one who, though he has no military background, always struts around all military like, and is gung ho to do what his boss wants; and the other who is disagreeable and . . . um . . . crusty). There's the parents of Kirsten (Mona may or may not be a little clingy, and is a member of DOD - Daughters of Darkness (I forget if the final d is actually darkness or not), which is neither a heavy metal/death metal rock band, nor a satanic cult, but the name of the all woman 'secret' neighborhood watch; Tal, is grumpy, condescending, self-hating, and kind of a lackey for the mayor and city (town?) council, and the former police chief). Ah, yes, the mayor and his cronies – bunch of corrupt weirdoes. Oh, and then there’s Neil Bauer, who is super clingy, balding, and something of a real boneless dick – though that might just be how he rubs against me.

The plot consists of a woman really stressed out and needing rest who has been driven to a small town to get that rest. That would be Rusty. While there, Rusty becomes super bored and, since she’s kind of a hyperactive personality, almost goes insane. One thing leads to another, and the concept of a ‘hobby’ to fill her time is finally accepted. So, she then proceeds to spend her time building things. Like garden features. And bridges. Despite not needing or wanting a bridge (it was the building kit available at the hardware store, so she got it). Meanwhile Kirsten, the police chief, is wandering around doing her police job, which includes interacting with various busy-bodies (like Stella and her investigations), and investigating a possible peeping Tom who might be on the edge of, or is already over the edge into creepy sexual predator/rapist territory. So yes, there is also a mystery plot line going on here. The mystery one, actually, is pretty neat. The rest less so.

Rusty’s first interactions with the ‘townies’ involves screaming loudly when she spots someone in her window, and contacting the police. Who come out in force. The house ends up surrounded by many, and I mean many, police officers. It immediately becomes apparent to the police chief who the culprit is – Stella who lives across the street from Rusty and likes doing ‘investigations’. Stella thinks that Rusty looks like a terrorist, what with her dark hair and eyes and olive skin (what, Stella has never seen a Latina before?).
Eventually Rusty ‘settles’, both with finding something to do with her time (previously mentioned hobbies), and comes to an understanding with Stella (eventually).

On the romance side – Rusty and Kirsten kind of come to a near instant friendship. Then, eventually, some kind of sex/romance 'arrangement'. Rusty is the kind to want to come up with a contract; the idea is gotten across, whether or not said contract is ever made, that any and all relationships would be temporary and there might have been other considerations. Kirsten, for whatever reason, goes along with this ‘arrangement’. And so, they hump together for a while. While Rusty ‘gets better’, builds things, and dreams of the time she will be able to return to her business (while worrying it is being run into the ground and that she is being lied to about how things are going there). Hmms. I should not have used the word dreams there. She does desire that return, but ‘dreams’ is itself a plot-line – Rusty has these very vivid series of dreams involving her being in this bleak setting near a unbuilt house and some dead garden. Over time that setting morphs.

Interesting enough book. I just . . . found it a little too over the top and a little too cutesy. Still, that feeling might, again, be based on having read this book when I did – after four other Alexander books.

July 26 2016 ( )