Fidelity

After finishing off the book, I thought the title could have been better, but after thinking about it, this was the perfect title because it applies to so many characters. Great beginning - right off, the person you think is going to be the main character is killed, and ferreting out "why" becomes the focus of the book as his widow and others search for the secrets he had. A very good and absorbing read with a straightforward style. Thomas Perry's suspense books are always interesting, with good plots and good writing (compound complex sentences, and no one-sentence paragraphs like the writers who just dash off a book). (I admit I don't care for the "Jane" novels; the first three were inventive, but the others didn't hold my interest.)

Avowed Perry fan so no whining about unrealized expectations.Perry writes very well and is a keen observer of the species. "Fidelity" is no exception. Perry captures the very essence of what it means to be "married" to someone, and as with his other works, Perry is able to coalesce the vapors, to bring words to the vague feelings that we all have but can't quite pin down. The plot in this one is fairly pedestrian - man is murdered, spouse discovers hidden life, rich bad guy, etc. But even the bad guy's reflections on marriage and relationships are worthy of attention.I have read all of Perry's works, and I believe that he is a unique talent producing some of the most interesting work in crime fiction. Plus he commands the English language like few others. The Jane Whitfield series, "Metzger's Dog," "The Island." Few authors have his breadth, quirkiness, and comedic touch. Fewer still manage to offer small truths so effortlessly. Clearly, some like his work; others not so much, but my sense is that he aims not for the middle so there are bound to be fans and critics. By all means though, give Perry a try.

I've read all of Thomas Perry & learnt that his earlier stories are not to my taste & why I passed over 'em way back when. You've gotta enjoy his outdated topical sense of humor to get thru 'em until... he got to The Butcher's Boy 5 stars The Butcher's Boy& then 5 star Jane Whitefield tales starting at Vanishing Act Vanishing Act , both of which are powerful, informative & fascinating starts to series. This is one of his stand-alones & a good read ;-0

I always enjoy Thomas Perry's novels. They are all told from an interesting perspective that holds your attention. Plus the y all have unique characters and you learn about how criminal activities are done.

Thomas Perry has a plot device that has worked well in almost every book: he has the characters travel. He has described more highways, byways and out-of-the-way places than any other writer I've read. With his famous character Jane Whitefield, the travel is completely integrated with the plot. But with his stand-alone novels, like Fidelity, it is becoming a shopworn element and could do with a bit of editing.Fidelity explores a different kind of travel: into the past, and into the minds of others. The physical driving around should have been dispensed with; it distracts from the inner explorations that the characters do. Emily, the woman whose husband is murdered, must find out what her husband was doing for the past year. She must come to terms with his sexual infidelity, and the fact that he has left her penniless. Hobart, the hit man, must find out what his employer is hiding, and how he can benefit from it. He must also come to terms with his own past, and envision a future.The characters are very interesting, yet oddly cold. Perry takes pains to describe an introspection, even under great stress, that most people don't have. Since the majority of his characters are manipulative, emotions take a backseat. Even the good guys are thinking coolly under life-and-death situations, putting aside their emotions with an ease that is unsettling.If you haven't read anything by Thomas Perry, I urge you to begin with the Jane Whitefield novels. Fidelity is not the best of his writing, but he is definitely worth reading in general. There is going to be another Jane novel coming out this winter, and I am more than eager to see it!

Thomas Perry is the master of his domain, and nobody writes crime fiction quite like him. I've never been disappointed by any of his books. This one is no exception.

I have been a fan of Thomas Perry's novels since The Butcher's Boy. He does so many things so well that it is disappointing to read a Perry novel that is only a little better than average.His professional killer was closer to ordinary than those in past efforts and the character development of his heroine struck me as flat. There were potential story lines that were left incomplete. It seemed to me that this novel could have been improved with some extra work. Perhaps Perry was looking ahead to Jane Whitfield's reemergence and neglected the necessary work on Fidelity that would have taken it out of the "wait for paperback" category.

Thomas Perry is a GOOD writer and I've particularly enjoyed his "Butcher Boy" stories, but the quality of character development, dialogue, suspense, intrigue in Fidelity is lame by comparison. Not one character had enough redeeming qualities for me to care whether they lived or died in the end. That's a book that is NOT a page-turner and is easy to put down. Thomas Perry must be ashamed of this one.