I am not writing a review for this novel, nor will I will be reading this at a later date. As I started reading it, I realized it was too much like Lolita (which I did not like) but way more uncomfortable to read. I read a lot gritty or controversial fiction and nonfiction books so not much scares me away. It wasn’t the subject matter as much as how it was written. I read about 35% and then skimmed to the end hoping it would pick up. The characters were not fleshed out. Walter is a nice guy, who has sexual “urges” for a child, but he’s too nice to do anything “horrible”. I am not sure if this is to make him look redeemable, as I don’t buy it. Also Walter forcing police to arrest him seemed unrealistic. But please check out the blogs below who also review this novel…

Overall, I found this one rather boring and the pace extremely slow at points. The writing itself felt choppy which interrupted how the story flowed. The concept and characters were unique and interesting (and the cover is beautiful) but this one just wasn't for me.

Some serious taboos crumbled, cultural/social norms came tumbling down.

This turbulent, unputdownable novel on love and friendship between a pre-pubescent girl and a thirty-three-year-old man has affected me in many ways I could not even imagine. Where do we draw the line when it comes to unconventional relationships? We are shaped by our beliefs and ideas injected to us by the rules of society, which we accept without even questioning. We are creeped out when we consider a relationship between a 13 and 33-year-old. However, if we look at it from an evolutionary or biological perspective, leaving our cultural prejudices behind, we start to see things differently.
Here in this book, we see the evolution of a relationship between two extraordinary people, one a genius, who was always a grown-up, started life all too soon and got married to a woman, who is 10 years older than him; and a fast-matured 13-year-old girl, who has never had a chance to be a child due to parental issues and can see the world from the perspective of a woman, who is at least twice her age. We see how these two people love each other, try to suppress the natural urges that come with those feelings and try to fit their relationship into a conventional form; otherwise, the only way the society can see it is as a crime.
I loved the way the story unfolds, how these broken people started to see each other other than just friends, consoled and comforted each other. It has opened up my mind to not see things as they are and consider different perspectives and possibilities. Overall, an amazing read!

I was not a fan of this book. There was a lot of attraction between a adult and a child. But kind of in a weird way. I guess it just seems unrealistic to me. It was well written and I am sure that most people will like it more than I did. Give it a shot, you might enjoy it.

At 79% of the way through this book, I finally said, "Enough." I was nauseated, disgusted, and doing way too much eye-rolling to read any further. The fact that I stopped after having gotten so far along speaks to how much I wanted to give the book a fair shake, considering it was a NetGalley ARC. However, the story was way too far-fetched in some ways and way too sickening in other ways for me to keep on reading.

The story centers around Walter, well-to-do former child prodigy and math wizard, now in his early 30's. He is married to Sterling, an older woman, and they have a 13-year old daughter, Olivia. The relationship among the three of them starts out fine, until Sterling decides to enter into a long-term affair with her interior designer. She takes Olivia and moves from their home in New York to Maine. I found the writing to be stilted and semi-unbelievable up to this point, but bearable. But this is where absolute ridiculousness, and an unbelievable and twisted plot takes over.

Amanda lives next door to Walter and his family. She is slightly younger than Olivia, and was her best friend when they were small. Walter adored both little girls and took pleasure in their sweet childishness. But Amanda basically lives alone - at 12 years old. Her mother is gone on business and/or pleasure trips the majority of the time, coming home a couple of times a year for two or three days at a time. There's no father in the picture at all, nor other relatives nor even a nanny. Amanda takes care of herself, and even though the neighbors and parents of her schoolmates know it, NONE of them seem to think this is odd or inappropriate or even worrisome.

After Sterling and Olivia leave (and by the way, Walter makes no effort to visit Olivia during the months that they're gone. Such a caring dad.), Walter becomes very close to Amanda. Too close. His inappropriate, sexual feelings for her are carefully described in the book, and even though he tries to place boundaries, the boundaries keep getting moved. But the two get physically and emotionally closer and closer, and at almost 80% of the way through the book, I didn't even want to know what happened next. The whole premise was nauseating, and the other situations in the book were so bizarre as to be totally unbelievable.

I'm sorry that I can't even give this a proper review, since I couldn't stand reading another word. I do thank NetGalley and RedDoor Publishing for the opportunity to read and review. 1 star.

I have just finished The Best Of Crimes this afternoon and I'm sure I'll struggle to find the right words to do this book the justice it deserves. It's a difficult one to review, but certainly one I recommend.
This story is quite beautifully written. I was completely captivated, but it will undoubtedly be controversial given the nature of the storyline.
Walter quite simply becomes besotted with his daughter's friend, Amanda, and they share a very close relationship when she is only thirteen years old. Amanda is left alone for long periods of time by her neglectful mother which leads to Walter's need to take care of her. His wife and daughter have moved away, so it's just the two of them in their quiet little street. Amanda wholeheartedly shares Walter's affections, but he is careful not to cross lines. There are many rules as Walter is aware that his love for Amanda will not be tolerated by the world. He knows it's wrong and he's petrified of the strength of his feelings. He doesn't come across as one who is naturally attracted to minors and is actually quite a likeable character in many ways, considering. As a mother though, alarm bells would be ringing if a man was paying my daughter that much attention, especially one who actually tried to explain to me how he was feeling about her, so Amanda's mother is a complete mystery to me! How a mother can be so uninterested in their own child is beyond me.
I also found Sterling to be an odd character. Swanning off with another bloke for months then coming home and expecting them to carry on as if she'd never been away. I'm sure Walter would be unlikely to welcome her home with open arms under normal circumstances. She also seems to be aware of Walter's relationship with Amanda and does nothing to intervene, too immersed in her own selfish needs. I find it quite odd how both of these women turn a blind eye to the situation. They could have nipped the whole thing in the bud quite early on, but that wouldn't make for such an intriguing story would it. Although naturally unsettling this book is truly compelling.
Many thanks to Anna & Julia at RedDoor Publishing for my review copy.

I couldn't finish this one...............................too creepy and the "unconventional love story" is just too weird for me. Did not like this one at all.

The descriptive bit: Walter Mitchell, a New Yorker, walks into his local police station at the beginning of this novel and confesses to kidnapping a thirteen-year-old. Then the story of his history begins.

Walter is a young math prodigy and at eighteen he lands a job in the twin towers. He meets and marries Sterling, who is ten years his elder. He’s overjoyed when he finds out that his wife is pregnant and his daughter, Olivia quickly becomes the light of his life. When his best friend dies in the Twin Tower attacks, Walter’s life seems to begin unraveling.

Walter prefers to be home parenting Olivia and her friend, Amanda rather than working or spending time with his wife. He doesn’t enjoy the pretentious lifestyle that Sterling seeks out.

Slowly, Walter’s attachment to Amanda morphs into something uncomfortable, and eventually potentially dangerous.

My thoughts bit: This is a challenging book to review. The subject matter is very uncomfortable and I’m not even sure how to review it. It was interesting enough that I kept reading … I was definitely intrigued enough to want to know how things ended.

Let’s talk about Walter. I liked Walter at the beginning of the novel. He was a sympathetic character. His sister died when he was young, his parents were absent at best, he lost his best friend during the Twin Towers attack and then finally his wife and daughter move out.

Amanda is the next door neighbor’s daughter and the friend of Walter’s daughter. But, long after Olivia loses interest in her friend, Walter keeps finding reasons to see her. The interesting part about the relationship between Walter and Amanda is that he creates boundaries in his mind of what’s crossing a line into being inappropriate. Now, I would argue that any relationship between a thirty-year-old man and a thirteen-year-old girl he’s not related to … is inappropriate. Somehow, Walter convinces himself that Amanda is getting the love she needs from him, and even though he has a clear physical desire for her, he doesn’t act on it.

The reason I struggle with reviewing the book is that the relationship between these two characters made me uncomfortable from beginning to end. Kudos to Maher for making me squirm in my seat as Walter and Amanda sat next to each other on the couch, barely touching and I still found myself horrified. I did find myself wishing that Walter’s character had been developed more fully. There were lots of reasons for me to feel sympathetic towards him, but I just didn’t. In fact, I found him rather frustrating. Sure, he tries to set boundaries, but he lets them be broken time and again. Despite the fact that he knows what he is doing is wrong, he continues to do it.

I also couldn’t help wondering how none of the adults in the book caught on to the fact that this totally inappropriate relationship was happening. Walter even went so far as to confess to Amanda’s mother that their relationship was dangerous and she does … nothing. Walter’s wife comments on it… and does nothing. Everyone seems to think that Walter is harmless and could never do something so terrible and I found that a bit unbelievable.

The overall premise of the book is interesting. There certainly is an argument to be made that thought crime isn’t a crime. But I felt as though the story didn’t go far enough… because I do think that Walter crossed clear lines. My respect to the author for tackling such an uncomfortable subject!

The warnings bit: Please be aware, I’m by no means an expert on what may or may not have the potential to disturb people. I simply list things that I think a reader might want to be aware of.

This book was disappointing on many levels. I think it was meant to be a sort of latter-day Robin Hood story. But, I found the writing all telling, no showing. The stiffness of the writing matched the stiffness of the main character. I really wanted to enjoy this book. I think the financial crisis is rife for emotional stories. This book was written in a sort of emotionless tone. The only recommendation I can make is that this book was very short.

This book will not be for everyone and it certainly wasn’t a favourite of mine. It is chilling and haunting in places

This book is about a man who develops an attraction and affection with a prepubescent girl. Will he cave to his inner desires or protect the child's innocence. Given this is the premise of the book, I failed to see the in-depth character developments that I thought were needed. I also wondered why everyone in the book didn't report him for his inappropriate behaviour.
I did not find it an easy read. Far too long, and it came to me via NetGalley as a PDF and the font is not changeable on my e-reader. Very difficult to stay with this story given the presentation. If you liked Lolita, this book may appeal to you.
Thanks to NetGalley for an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I found the book a little creepy as it was kind of sympathetic to an adult who kidnapped a child. It was well-written but I felt like less moral ambiguity was needed.

I was disappointed by how dull this book was. I picked it up several times and was disappointed by the writing style. There was nothing in the voice that sucked me in. I stopped reading about halfway in because life is too short to force your way through books,

If you are offended by the novel Lolita, (which happens to be my favorite book of all time) then this book is not for you.

This is a character study told in first person narration of a man struggling with his growing affection for a prepubescent girl.

Does he succumb and act on his illicit desires or does he ultimately protect this child's innocence despite his yearning?

I guess you'll have to read the book to find out.

My biggest critique would be that I wish the characters, as well as the story itself, had more depth. I feel like the author really restrained him/herself when fleshing out these characters and their inner thoughts leaving me wanting more. I would have loved some chapters to have offered a glimpse into the girl's inner dialogue.

When a writer chooses such a forbidden subject matter I think they should go for it. Take the reader out of the comfortable shade and into the darkest of corners.

Lastly, I found it unimaginable that, despite everyone knowing about this relationship, nobody batted an eye and felt compelled to question it.

I enjoyed this story, it's a quick and easy read that kept me rapt throughout despite it's failings.

3 Stars ⭐⭐⭐


I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A very well written book, although a bit slow at times. It certainly challenges your view of what is appropriate and inappropriate behaviour between an adult and an adolescent, as well as what are appropriate feelings to have. A good read and I would recommend it.

This book wasn't really for me. I did not understand being asked to not only empathise, but admire a character who was grooming a 13 year old girl. I found the tone of the whole book very odd.

I finished reading this book and sat in my corner torn between applauding the author for navigating the thin line between crime and intent.
So, before you roll your eyes, I'll give you a summary of this story: Walter hands himself to the police saying that he kidnapped Amanda. She's a pre-teen and from the first time he sees her (courtesy of his daughter Olivia, who starts out as friends with Amanda, plus given that they are neighbors) he's completely besotted or shall I say taken in by her. And how is this so? Well, he cannot stop gravitating towards her, wishing her well, checking up on her, buying her gifts and giving her his attention.
The one question that you cannot stop asking throughout this book is "did he" or "didn't he?" and on that basis alone, I'll say it makes for an interesting if not a psychological thriller one with characters who are not as deep or complex as you'd wish, but where they serve up the story all the same.
Thanks for the eARC Netgalley.

I'm always looking for a way around the old cliche "..couldn't put it down" but in this case I had to find out.
Did he or didn't he?
Not being a fan, at all, of reviewers who spend time telling readers the plot when it's right there in the synopsis I will get straight to crux. This is dangerous territory and I applaud both writer and publisher for stepping up to the crease and taking a big swing at it. Not that I remember too much of Humbert H. and Lolita but the situation was volatile then and is incendiary now; a pre-teen girl and a mature man.
It's an exciting read to watch a man fight against and ultimately abandon all societal taboos; to yield to the raging passion within him and yet never quite lose all self respect.
I will that this work be accepted for what it is. To find that out read it for yourself.
"And the rest is rust and stardust".

I'm a bad person,because I wanted this book to be more scandalous than it was.
I didn't want to hear some good guy was fighting his urges and managing to keep them in check.
That felt like half a story to me.
I also would have liked not to have such unpleasant female characters.
Just wasn't the book I was expecting.