Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Fragile - Lisa Unger - Review and Giveaway

I'm a long time fan of Lisa Unger, but I have to say, I think her new novel Fragile is my favourite thus far.

Fragile's prologue opens with a cop throwing a bundle into the bottom of an abandoned well, shoveling in dirt to cover it completely.... The story then shifts to a month earlier.

Jones is the lead detective on the police force in the small town of The Hollows, just outside of New York City. He has lived there his entire life. His wife Maggie also grew up in The Hollows, but went away to school. She chose to return and works as a psychologist. Their son Ricky is unsettled, unsure if he wants to go to college or pursue a music career. When Ricky's girlfriend Charlene vanishes, history seems to be repeating itself. Her disappearance mirrors that of an unsolved case from the past - one Jones, Maggie and many others remember well.

Fragile is a departure from Unger's earlier works. Instead of just focusing strictly on the mystery, she  has combined a suspenseful whodunit that builds slowly with an introspective look at the population of a town that seems bent on keeping secrets. I enjoyed the mystery, but for me it took a back seat to the exploration of the characters.

In flashbacks and memories, we learn how the past has shaped every character and affected their present day relationships. Jones is torn between suspecting his son and protecting him. In such a small town and as a psychologist, Maggie is privy to many secrets, some that could hurt, some that could help. The relationships between the two of them as a couple and as parents were the most compelling to explore. But each new character introduced somehow has a connection. The plot is carefully and skillfully unraveled . The small town feeling is accurately captured, with everyone knowing everyone's business. This is at the heart of Fragile...
"He could sense the mingling of the past and the present, how one couldn't exist without the other. He wanted to find his way there, to a place where could understand it all, make sense of those connections that were too fragile to be easily defined."
Fragile captures the delicacy of the ties that bind us - to lovers, family, friends and community and how those connections can be our saving grace or our downfall.

Unger loosely based Fragile on an actual incident in her life - a fifteen year old acquaintance who went missing from the small town they both lived in.

Read an excerpt of Fragile.

An excellent read and one that you have a chance to win! One copy of Fragile to giveaway - open to US and Canada. Simply comment to be entered. Ends Sunday Sept 5th at 6 pm EST. Thanks BookSparksPR for the review copy.

115 comments:

Mystica said...

Sounds very good but dont count me in as I am overseas!

Kaye said...

It does sound very good and you can count me in! Thanks!

florida982002[at]yahoo.com

Erika Powell said...

This sounds completely fantastic! sportsDOTerikalynnATgmailDOTcom

holdenj said...

It sounds good and how eerie it was loosely based on a real event. Please count me in! Thanks!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I have heard great things about this book. Please enter me.

Linda said...

Sounds great - I'm really in the mood for a good mystery.
lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

Mozi Esme said...

Would love to read this!

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

bermudaonion said...

Fragile was my first experience with Unger's work, but it won't be my last. I really enjoyed it. No need to enter me.

clenna said...

Sounds good - I'd love to read this book.

clenna at aol dot com

Jo-Jo said...

I would love a chance to win this one.
joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

debbie said...

It sounds good, I would love to read it.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Cackleberry Homestead said...

Please enter me - it sounds really good and I have been meaning to read Lisa Unger for several years now.

crystalfulcher(at)ec.rr.com

PoCoKat said...

Would love to win! Love Lisa Unger...Die For You was amazing!

littleone AT shaw DOT ca

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a great book!! I would love to read this!!

billiondollarprincesss@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

Sounds very good!!

vivaglampink@yahoo.ca

fredamans said...

I would love to win, thanks for the chance!

freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca

ChristyJan said...

Sounds like a fantastic read ~ please enter me to win a copy.

hawkes(at)citlink.net

gcpeach17 said...

Nothing's better than a good mystery. Thank you for hosting and please enter me.

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abfantom said...

This sounds like an interesting book that I'd like to read. Please enter me in the giveaway.

abfantom at yahoo dot com

randio said...

Lisa Unger never disappoints.

Mary said...

I really, really want to read this one!

mryward(at)yahoo(dot)com

elaine said...

Reading the exerpt on this book has me hooked-hope I win!

Elaine R
emrosser@shaw.ca

Martha Lawson said...

I have been hearing good things about this one! Please count me in for it.

I follow on gfc

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I would like to win this.

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Lori said...

I've never read Lisa Unger but this looks like a good one to start with! I'd love to be entered! Thanks!!

Nan said...

Please enter me in the giveaway. Thanks!

vtgoat[at]gmail[dot]com

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

Sounds like this one's a hot commodity. No need to enter me, though (stupid TBR... How I hate thee). I'm dropping in to say thanks for the e-mail. I've got this posted at Win a Book for you.

Unknown said...

I have hear great things about Lisa Unger - and I would love to read this title.
polsen11atcomcastdotnet

Denise S. said...

This sounds great, thanks!

Sue said...

Looks great. Thanks for the giveaway.

s.mickelson at gmail dot com

Nicole C. said...

I love her books.

choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com

McKim said...

I've haven't read any books by this author, but would love to!

Melissa said...

I enjoy Unger's books and have seen lots of great reviews on this one. Thanks!

shhhimreading at hotmail dot com

Audrey said...

Thanks you so much for the giveaway! Looks really great.
twigerina[at]hotmail[dot]com

Amber said...

I've never read one of her books but it sounds good and I'm always looking for new authors!

amberf_03@hotmail.com

littlelatina said...

this sounds great

J.T. Oldfield said...

Please enter me.

j.t.oldfield[at]gmail.com

Pat said...

I love Lisa Unger's books and this one sounds fantastic!

Anonymous said...

Super, and I'd like a chance to win. Thanks for the giveaway. ruthing73@hotmail.com

linett said...

would love to have this, thanks

M.A.D. said...

Mary D
zenrei57 (at)hotmail (dot) com

Please count me in, Fragile sounds very good!

Carole Spring said...

I'm a Lisa Unger fan and I would love to read this book. Thank you for the chance!
blondie_31971(at)yahoo(dot)com

Nikki in Niagara said...

Please enter me!

nicolama at cogeco dot ca

Kerry said...

I would love to be entered!

ofabookworm AT gmail DOT com

Bacallsmom said...

It sounds like something I would enjoy reading.

bbentry [at] aol [dot] com

Carol M said...

This sounds really good! Please enter me. Thank you!
mittens0831 at aol dot com

JHS said...

This is a "must read."

JHS
Colloquium

jhsmail at comcast dot net

mindy said...

sounds like a wonderful read thanks for the giveaway minsthins at optonline dot net

Marilu said...

I have this title on my wishlist! Please enter me. I would love a copy! Thanks

lovemykidsandbooks AT gmail DOT com

Anonymous said...

I would love to read Fragile :) *Thanks* for the giveaway!
theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com

rubynreba said...

I'd love to read this. Thanks!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Meredith said...

Sounds good! Please enter me!

meredithfl at gmail dot com

Simply Stacie said...

Please count me in.

simplystacieblog at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Please count me in. I would love to read this.
peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com

Cathy said...

Sounds like a great book, count me in!

cbobbycat at yahoo dot com

Mona said...

Sounds good. Please enter me.

patelmona0113@gmail.com

Thanks!

justpeachy36 said...

Please enter me in the giveaway.

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

Ruthie said...

I've heard great things about this book & would enjoy reading it. Please enter me, thanks.

ruthiekb72@yahoo.com

Jenna said...

sounds great!.. please enter me

papajm25{AT}gmail.com

Sarah said...

Sounds like a great read! Thanks for the chance to win!

foxchick0323@live.com

Beth said...

This looks great! Please enter me!

bethsbookreviewblog2 AT gmail DOT com

Unknown said...

Thx for the chance to win.

newmanfmly@live.com

Moridin said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Thanks for the giveaway!

Debs Desk said...

Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Debbie D
debdesk9(at)verizon.net

Vidisha said...

Thanks for the giveaway

vidishamun@gmail.com

Jane said...

Sounds like a good read!
jcottey at aol dot com

HannahAchrissmile said...

enter me please!
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Mona said...

Tess Gerristen books are simply awesome. And so surely this book sounds very interesting.

Please enter me.
patelmona0113@gmail.com

Pamela Keener said...

This book sounds like a gr8 read.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

nfmgirl said...

I'd love a shot at this, especially since you deem it her best! Thank you!

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great read.

leroygladstone@hotmail.com

jillcy said...

Sounds like a great read! Please enter me and keeping fingers crossed!

Linda Henderson said...

I love suspense books, please enter me in your giveaway.

seriousreader at live dot com

Anonymous said...

I'm looking forward to this one. Please enter me.
stacybooks at yahoo

Aisling said...

This sounds really good - please enter me to win. Thanks.

karenk said...

thanks for the chance to read this fabulous novel :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Tammy said...

Sounds like a great read

Karen said...

Count me in for this one please :)

ktgonyea at gamil.com

Jlefkovenj said...

Sounds very good!

jackie said...

Sounds like an author that's maturing. I'd love to read this.

Susan O'Bryant said...

Please count me in; I'd love to read this one.

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Leslie (Under My Apple Tree) said...

I haven't read anything by this author yet. Please enter me in the giveaway.

undermyappletree at gmail dot com

Jenn S. said...

I have been wanting to read this one. :)
jas8929(at)gmail(Dot)com

wgbc1446 said...

Sounds like a good book! Thanks for the giveaway! wgbc1446[at]yahoo[dot]com

BookMarc Blogpants said...

Definitely emanating the literacious odor of cool beanz!

mckelly74(at)gmail(dot)com

Aleksandra Nearing said...

Thanks for the chance to win.
aleksa91 hotmail

Kim (Randominities) said...

This does sound like a great book. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

i am an avid reader and I would love to read this book

mjmeeks5@netscape.net

tallcapp said...

I am always looking for a good new mystery writer to start reading.

Valeen said...

Thanks for a great giveaway! I would love to read this book!

sweepyhead at gmail dot com

tattwo said...

I've never read anything by Lisa Unger and this sounds like a good first book to read. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I would like to read this work!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Would love to read this.
shawnac68@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

I am excited at the chance to read this! Thanks!

sherri419 at gmail dot com

twinmomoftwins said...

sounds like a good read.
ortizvelasquez@yahoo.com

SalanderServant said...

Lisa Unger is one of my ALL-TIME favorites...thanks for the chance at this.

Louis H said...

enter me please, thank you for the giveaway

07violet said...

this sounds like something I'd enjoy reading

alterna7 at hotmail dot com

lknott said...

Never have read Lisa Unger. Sounds suspenseful. Would love to win!!


lknott@partnercom.net

Bakersdozen said...

Thanks for the review. The book sounds interesting. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

Crystal F said...

Sounds really good! Thanks for the giveaway!

dvice12 said...

I'd like to read this

Unknown said...

It sounds like a very interesting book. I would love to read it. Thanks for the giveaway. garrettsambo@aol.com

Deborah Wellenstein said...

I'd love to read this-thanks!

Kathy P said...

Thank you for the Great giveaway please count me in :)
klp1965@myfairpoint.net

Betty C said...

Count me in. This sounds like just the kind of book I love, something that really pulls me into the story.

Benita said...

Please count me in.


bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Becky said...

Sounds like a good book...I would enjoy it.

sdianen said...

Always love to win a good book and this looks like one.

Amber said...

Sounds like a great book :) Thanks fir the giveaway!!

ayoung3360@hotmail.com

Lisanne624 said...

I love to read mysteries and suspenseful novels, so this one sounds great!

lahlstedt (at) gmail (dot) com

shanaelyse said...

shanaelyse@gmail.com

This looks great!

/\Heather/\ said...

Small town, USA is quite unique! Sounds like a mysterious read!

Miranda Ward said...

I love to read