Review "Maxine Nunes crafts an outstanding tale of friendship, murder, love, and betrayal in her impressive debut, Dazzled. Enough action and suspense to sustain reader interest and a tenacious and relatable heroine results in a page-turner readers won’t want to miss….Dazzled is skillfully written from the compelling opening to the surprising ending. Through Nikki, the narrative flows naturally, building suspense at a fast but comfortable pace. The plot is credible and well-realized, as are character relationships. Dialogue is natural and smooth, filled with enough nuance to emphasize each character’s personality….Nunes’ writing is top-notch from start to finish, and the increasingly suspenseful plot comes together with meticulous precision, keeping readers invested in the outcome…. Dazzled is a highly satisfying read and a solid debut, and Nunes is definitely a writer to watch." —ForeWord Reviews, Fall 2013"Nunes paints a brutally accurate portrait of a timeless Los Angeles, with all the romance of Raymond Chandler and the warts-and-all realism of Nathanael West. Dazzled is a first-rate page-turner, and if you don't fall in love with Nikki Easton, there must be something wrong with you." --Matt Maranian, author of the Los Angeles Times #1 Best Seller, L.A. Bizarro"Nothing is as it seems in Dazzled, Maxine Nunes' dark and vivid tale about the underside of the Hollywood dream. Surprising and sizzling." --Dianne Emley, Los Angeles Times bestselling author of Love Kills"L.A. has Philip Marlowe, and now it has Nikki Easton, the star of Maxine Nunes' dazzling crime debut!...Nikki personifies the Los Angeles that Nunes writes about in perfect punctuated prose. Noir fans, rejoice!" --Naomi Hirahara, Edgar Award-winning author of the Mas Arai and Officer Ellie Rush mysteries"Hollywood is both an attitude and a place. In Dazzled, Maxine Nunes has nailed them both. A great read!" --Charles Rosenberg, author of the #1 Best Selling Legal Thriller, Death on a High Floor Read more
D**K
So? When's Nikki coming back?
I miss Nikki! When is she due back in town? I lost some sleep over her...sometimes I just couldn't put the book down. Shades of Kinsey Millhone -- smart, independent, colors a little outside of the lines. A little romance, because that's part of life and part of Hollywood, but not sappy or saccharine, and certainly not a bodice-ripper. Nunes paints places I know well with layers of multi-hued words that make them new and shifted in unexpected ways, describing the mundane with phrases that are so far from ordinary it's as though you're seeing through alien eyes...and yet it all flows and meshes and carries you along. The seamy side of The Industry, politics, illegal drugs, and characters from high- level government to the homeless. So many threads woven into a pulsing brocade. But again, when is Nikki coming back to my neighborhood? I have a lovely bottle of Remy Martin and a couple of crystal snifters snugged away in the cupboard in case she needs a little courage.
T**Y
Very enjoyable read
I was riveted throughout the story. All fit together as it happened but remained fresh and unexpected. I was surprised by the killer's identity but should perhaps have seen it coming.
D**S
Unpredictable twists, great lead character
First, let me just say that the plot twists like a snake toward the end, and it can't be predicted. I found that wildly satisfying. Second, I loved the main character, Nikki Easton. She's a true Angeleno, a loyal friend, struggling to be an actor, trying hard to let some love into her life. Flawed, smart, ironically funny, not afraid to admit to an interior streak of darkness, she's just terrific. Finally, the writing is fabulously crisp and dry, kind of like the L.A. canyons in a drought—crackling with heat. I could read a lot more of Nikki Easton.
S**L
Haagen Dazs for the mind
Deliciously crafted and richly filled with insights into what makes us all unique. Gives the reader a real feel for Los Angeles as the city itself is as integral to the story as the other characters who drive the action. This was a delightful surprise for a reader expecting a typical who-dun-it mystery. Hope to see more novels by Ms. Nunes!
M**R
Fun, vivid and...dazzling
If Janet Evanovich wrote LA Noir, this would be it. Vivid, fun to read, with a wealth of sharply-drawn character and fun dialog and description. I'll follow the main character, damaged actress/detective Nicki, anywhere. I just finished reading it for the first time, and I'm starting over from the beginning. It is that good.Michael Guillebeau, author of JOSH WHOEVER
H**F
Keeps you guessing
People keep dying in this fast paced action filled mystery. The heroine, Nikki Easton, a struggling actress, faces danger and turbulent romance. Nikki takes risks that most sane people would be unlikely to do; however, the reader soon realizes that she is not conventional in many of her decisions. Highly enjoyable even for a reader, who usually reads different styles of mysteries.
D**E
A bullet train to adventure.
This was the most exciting page turner mystery I have ever read. I am usually not a big fan of mystery but this book caught my attention from the first few words and I could not stop reading. It was like I was on a bullet train to adventure.I loved the characters and the writer's sharp vivid pros. She is a magnificent talent.
T**E
Wonderful read, great gift
I loved the trip through LA's underside in Dazzled. Maxine Nunes is not only a keen observer, but also a very witty one. She has created a compelling character in Nikki Easton, and I look forward to reading her next novel. Dazzled also makes a great gift -- gave copies to two friends, both of whom shared my delight in reading it.
Trustpilot
2 months ago
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