Mary Martinez

The third book, ‘Quiet’ of the Beckett Series, is baffling to me. I cannot truly relate the title to the story plot. It could refer to a small portion of the story but not to the main content. If you missed reading Book #1 of the series, you have missed the main foundation of the characters. Although, this book briefly describes the other characters and situations, the reader will not get the full impact of the story unless the other previous books are read.

“Quiet’ centers on Christine and her law practice. It also delves into the past situation vaguely referred to in the other books of the series. She is a career-centered woman with no time or desire for a serious relationship. The family has “adopted” the police detective who assisted them so much with the criminal situations of the other siblings. He is, annoyingly, invited to all their family occasions. He seems to enjoy irritating and teasing her. It seems her family is trying to play match-maker, of which she has no interest in pursuing.

The story continues where ‘Innocent’ left off, then evolves into a murder investigation which involves both her and the detective, making it impossible to keep the distance between them. Each time they are forced to be together they have an argument. He seemed to bring out the worse in her. He couldn’t believe she actually shared the same genes as the rest of the Beckett family, who were always so nice and congenial. All the times they were together, “fireworks” combusted – both the good and bad kind of “fireworks”… How can that be possible?

The mystery and suspense holds the reader to the very end. Although this novel is full of profanity, the sexual content isn't as explicit.

Main topics: murder, courtroom drama, mystery/suspense, romance, single parenthood, career-minded, deceit, abuse, & family unity.

I do hope there is a Book#4. I think Matthew’s story could be very interesting and unique.

The author allowed me to receive the whole series for an honest review, of which I have given… (mais)

'Innocent' is book #2 of the Beckett Series. If you missed reading the first one you missed out on most of the foundation of the characters of this series. They are described briefly here but you miss the full effect.

This novel leaves off at the last of Book #1 then delves into the traumatic experiences of Jessica (youngest of the Beckett family). Being a High School teacher, you wouldn't think there would be that much to fear. Unfortunately, in today's society, that is not the case. (I really admire High School teachers who actually try to teach.)

In this second of the series, several of the characters in the first series reappear. Some who were more in the background are now in the forefront. Jessica is "tried" almost to her limit of self-control. The strength and independence, inherent in the characters if this Beckett family, is truly challenged. Will Jessica "pull through'? Can she stick to her integrity without losing everything? Will her stubbornness win or will the tenacity of other's win?

This story is very realistic. It progresses in a steady flow. There are very few areas it lulls at all. This is unbelievably better than Mary's first book. CSI could get a great plot idea from this.

'Innocent' portrays strong family bonds and trust. There is much suspense and mystery. It keeps the reader not really knowing what the outcome will be. Will everyone turn against Jessica? Will her family continue to support and believe in her? These are strong questions as the book moves along. Will the best friend/partner of her brother "throw in the towel" on her case? This story portrays the need for occasional sacrifice to accomplish future tasks.

These are just few main topics of the story.

There is some sex scenes and way too much profanity for me. However, these are my standards and not to be forced on others.

This book receives a strong Four Stars rating on overall content.

The author generously sent the series to me for an honest review, of which I have given.… (mais)

The Beckett family is indeed an interesting and ideal family. The personalities of the group are strong, yet, very individual. The "Elders" (Mom aka Martha] & Dad aka Fred) Beckett, raised their children to be independent and strong. Tyler is a FBI agent. Christine is an Attorney at Law. Matthew is a business man and computer "geek". Jessica is a High School teacher. All have strong patriotic, family unity and integrity principles which they value above life itself. Failure was never an option.

'Disappear' centers mostly on Tyler and his underground agent work debauched and vacillated. There are strong villain personalities and a strong victim personality. The foundation for the rest of the series is, also, set in this first novel. Mary does a great job in setting up the foundation and the character traits to accompany the reader through each of the series. If you like romance/mystery you will most likely enjoy this. It is better than a lot of the CSI series I have watched.

The plot unfolds and has a lot of action. The storyline is very good. The delivery of it is a little shaky in places. There are a couple of discrepancies in the writing. It is still an enjoyable book if you don't mind the profanity and the sexual situations and a couple of explicit scenes.

Topics included in this novel are: espionage, deceit, violence, trust/mistrust, team-work, love, and family unity, & honor.

I did really like the overall book but hated the language an sex scenes. The author generously sent me the series in exchange for an honest review, of which I have given.

However, because of a couple of discrepancies and of couple of places she seemed to be trying to stretch the story out.… (mais)