Mortal Friends

I love Jane Stanton Hitchcock! Her psychological thrillers for the Dior wearing set are terrific. Loved (and feared) Social Crimes and Mortal Friends was just as good. I'm now going to read the submissions toClass Notes from my girls boarding school with greater care.

Okay, Hitchcock isn’t Tolstoy ...and Mortal Friends is NOT War and Peace. But, she is a good writer and Mortal Friends, like her four previous novels, is a very good read.<br /><br />Hitchcock writes in the first person and the protagonist in her previous three books was a women "of a certain age", prominent in New York City society. Her adventures on the social scene in NYC were interestingly played out and Hitchcock is a master at defining the ins and outs of that segment of New York high society, ie. living on the UES and active on charity boards.<br /><br />In her new book, Hitchcock has moved the scene to Washington DC. Her protagonist is a youngish, single woman, an owner of a Georgetown antiques store, who is active on the Washington DC social scene. Here, the merely wealthy businessmen and bankers are joined by politicians, lobbyists, and other characters unique to Washington DC. The story has a murder, several, actually, and Hitchcock gives the reader a great, and varied, supporting cast to Reven Lynch, her main character.<br /><br />Hitchcock is a good writer - she really is - and Mortal Friends, like her four previous novels has an easy flow to it. You'll enjoy it.

A murder mystery set in the political and social world of Washington D.C. has the potential to be incredibly intriguing, full of layers, and just plain suspenseful. Yet this book wasn't. It was a decent enough mystery, but the mystery portion was not the main focus of this book, being sidelined by the soap opera-y life of the main character, Reven, and it was, overall, just okay.<br /><br />Reven is on the fringes of D.C.'s social circles, being invited to attend events with her best friend and her husband. When a body is discovered in the park near her house, a detective recruits Reven to be his informant, reporting on all the happenings at these social events in the hopes that her information will help catch the serial killer. Meanwhile, Reven is introduced to a few love interests and a new enemy.<br /><br />I enjoyed the setting of the book. It was fun to read about the different events and all the ways people socialize and get business done. The love interests were less interesting, since Reven even admits she's not attracted to good guys, so it was hard at times to really sympathize with her when she was obviously going out with the wrong guys. Not only that, but Reven could be a bit dense when people were giving her information or hinting about stuff, so that frustrated me as well.<br /><br />But mainly, I was disappointed by the pace of the book. I know not all mysteries have the same pace or the same excitement or thrills, but I don't think it's too much to ask for to expect some suspense! I didn't feel any suspense while reading. The book did a lot of telling instead of showing (ie, "this happened and then happened and then this happened, and now I'm seeing her for the first time since then!"), which sort of made the book drag at parts. I did enjoy a few of the twists at the end, and I thought the pace picked up quite a bit in the last 50 pages or so, although I had already guessed a few of the twists. <br /><br />Overall, this was not a bad book by any means; it simply wasn't the <i>best</i> book either. I enjoyed reading it, but it's not one that I'd necessarily recommend to others.

A gentle and predictable thriller/mystery, if such a genre exists. By no means as cracking a read as <a href="https://goodreads.com/book/show/1517929.Social_Crimes__Jo_Slater__1_" title="Social Crimes (Jo Slater #1) by Jane Stanton Hitchcock" rel="noopener">Social Crimes</a> - a 4 star review - this was quite a respectable read about disrespectable people disguising them as respectable.<br /><br />Set in the whirlwind social scene of Washington, our main gal Reven (oh dear the story of why her parents named her that kind of sets the scene for the entire book, it's Never backwards) is on the very fringes of the power society that Washington seems to live and breathe by. Not a real 'player', she knows (and dates) players, and hence has an insider's knowledge of this scene.<br /><br />Which comes under scrutiny when a series of appalling crimes against young women of a particular type (thin, brunette, lithe, etc) start getting brutally attacked and murdered, then left in public parks. Reven isn't actually all that interested in these crimes, but one of those 'players' she's very close to (an old school friend) is. And very interested too.<br /><br />And so we follow along in Reven's not especially interesting life, although it's dressed up (like the proverbial sow with lipstick on) to seem fascinating. I actually got a little bored reading about all these supposedly magical social events amongst Washington's elite.<br /><br />Anyway. Reven. The main character herself is quite dim-witted, although she's supposedly quite a social catch, which is why she's supposedly managed to stay on the social scene, albeit on the very fringes, all these years - being the witty type. She's amazingly slow and rather dull actually. <br /><br />The story itself echoes our main gal's character, being rather dull and slow itself. But we cruise along, there's the occasional rock sticking out of the water where we can collectively go "oh, look, something interesting - look out!". But in the main, it's smooth sailing, with not a lot to look at. And whilst the ending is a surprise, it's a boring surprise. <br /><br />Light, uninspiring and forgettable reading.

Jane Stanton Hitchcock's newest novel <b>Mortal Friends</b> is a seductive mystery set in Georgetown, where the real Washington DC power lies.<br /><br />When the Beltway Basher's latest victim is found in a nearby park, best friends society matron Violet and antique shop owner Reven get involved in the crime. Violet is obsessed with true life crime stories, and Reven becomes entangled when a police detective asks her for help in solving the case.<br /><br /><p>Hitchcock expertly draws the reader into this story and the world of political high society in Washington DC. She gives enough clues for readers to think themselves very clever when they figure out a few of mysteries, then throws in some twists that will send the reader reeling with surprise.</p> <br /><br /><p>Her descriptions of characters place them firmly in the mind of the reader.</p><blockquote> "Grant was Mr. Straight Arrow. No, actually he was more like a totem pole: tall, wooden, and joyless."</blockquote> You get Grant right away from that. She describes an obscenely wealthy woman as wearing jewelry <blockquote>"clearly designed to illuminate her bank account as much as her face".</blockquote><br /><br /><p>Grant's statement about his overbearing mother </p><blockquote>"Mother can't admit she's wrong, therefore she never is"</blockquote> explains a lot about Grant's relationship with her. But my favorite line is Reven's about her boarding school reunion <blockquote> "Nobody looks great after forty. We just look better or worse than other people our age". </blockquote> That gives one pause to think.<br /><br /><p>The story moves along at a brisk pace, and Hitchcock spikes her novel with references to real events, like the Chandra Levy murder and the Washington DC sniper attacks, that add to its authenticity. Hitchcock clearly knows Washington DC society, and gives the reader the inside scoop on the intrigue of it.</p><br /><br /><p>Those who like mysteries that challenge the reader to pay close attention in an attempt to figure it out will appreciate this clever, seductive society story.</p>

Reven Lynch is a middle-aged divorcee living in Washington D.C. running a small antique shop. When the latest victim of the "Beltway Basher" is found in the park where Reven and best friend Victoria jog, she thinks they may need adjust their route. <br /><br />Victoria is the wife of prominent banker Grant Bolton. They rub elbows with many ambassadors, senators, and other members of high society. When they can, they include Reven in their plans. <br /><br />When Detective Gunner approaches Reven in her shop with questions, she wonders if the rumors are true. Someone in high society is killing these girls. When Gunner asks Reven to be his snitch, she uses her place in society to listen and see everything and report anything back to him that seems off. <br /><br />But when high rolling, trail blazing philanthropic Cynthia Rinehart appears suddenly on the scene, Victoria finds her marriage in deep water. Reven will have to keep her wits about her if she hopes to keep her friendship with Victoria. As secrets from the past are unleashed, the killer moves closer to his next victim. <br />Mortal Friends is a scandalous juicy mystery that rubs elbows with the rich and sultry. Written in the first person, Hitchcock takes us on a journey though the glitzy parties in Washington, and the dirty little secrets of many members of high society. With a splash of romance, a mystery to solve, and antics worthy of any front page newspaper, Mortal Friends is a gem! <br />

Washing DC’s high society set is not sleeping soundly these days and it’s not only due to the unsolved murders by the elusive Beltway Basher. <br /><br />Invitation only galas, charity balls and exclusive black-tie dinners attended by the ultra-wealthy and very self-important are being hijacked and upstaged by a glamorous new Philanthropist. Strategize your alliances and hold on to your husband!<br /><br />The wives of Ambassadors, Senators and Bank Presidents galavant around Georgetown during the day; lunching, shopping, schmoozing, gossiping (about each other), and conspiring on the serial killer’s identity. <br /><br />Evening events for The Who’s Who are designed to showcase your best jewels, designer frock and social status. You cannot solidify your social position until you make it on to the list to receive “the most important” invites to attend “the most important” events. The goal is to make an appearance in the society pages the next day. Out of sight is out of mind in these parts of town!<br /><br />Underneath the old world hierarchy and public displays of wealth and grandeur are people behaving badly (well, not all, but quite a few!). The lovely Georgetown life is a privileged house of cards. Play your cards right and Georgetown is your oyster. Get exposed as a commoner and you are off the list. <br /><br />Enjoy the titillating antics of the women who appear in the Washington DC social pages. These women (and men) will stop at nothing to maintain their coveted ranking amongst high society.

Just a suggestion, do NOT start this book thinking you'll just read a little here and there. I put off everything so I could finish this book! I absolutely loved Ms. Hitchcock's previous novels and was a little bummed to see she didn't continue with Jo Slater, but within the first couple chapters of this book, I was thinking 'Jo who?'<br /><br />I really liked the main character here, Reven Lynch, even if she was a little flighty at times (especially near the end). I thought numerous times I had everything figured out, only to be completely wrong! This is not at ALL a predictable, high society whodunit. A few mini-stories are going on all at the same time, but it's never confusing or too much...who is Cynthia Rinehart, and how exactly does she spend her money? Is the Beltway Basher someone in the upper crust of society, and how does he choose his victims? Does Reven REALLY know the people who are closest to her?<br /><br />Overall, I DEFINITELY recommend this. Ms. Hitchcock has a real knack for portraying an image of high society without making it seem silly and unrealistic. If you're at all interested in reading this, I say go for it, and when you've finished, pick up 'Social Crimes' and 'One Dangerous Lady', also excellent Hitchcock novels.

I had hoped this book would be an engrossing murder mystery sprinkled with some social satire and romance. It only achieved a "kind of" on most of those scores. <br /><br />While the book opens with the latest in a series of murders, the focus of the novel really is the social scene of DC's elite, as seen through the eyes of hanger-on Reven. Reven may take exception to that classification, but it is what she is. She seems to get no joy from the social gatherings she attends; yet, she continues to go while under no obligation to do so, as she does not have the power or status that requires her to see and be seen. This description may make it seem as though I disliked Reven. I didn't, but I also failed to connect with her. Despite the story being told from her POV, I felt that we got a much clearer picture of her best friend, Violet, than we ever got of Reven.<br /><br />The murder plotline had a few twists, but was also somewhat predictable, and the novel's secondary don't have much depth. Not a bad read, but not a great one either.

I choose Four Stars because the characters were rather odd in ways and I liked that part of the book, plus the characters were well drawn, I thought. I like puzzling over the characters in a story, that's part of the fun for me. The story was rather unpredictable with these somewhat unusual characters and the ones that seemed more normal seemed too normal not to have something hidden behind the façade, just maybe. And there was quite the villainess in a rather unusual fashion and she, too, seemed as though she might have another side to her underneath her nastiness although you couldn't care too much about it for all her shenanigans. Set in Washington DC, which is something I cannot imagine as far as the society and behavior there, the interesting yarn being spun, complete with the fictitious name dropping of dignitaries and the like was fun, too. I liked it all the way through until the end, not sure why I wouldn't give it a 5 Star rating... I did enjoy it, but it didn't completely keep me on the edge of my seat or up reading all night...maybe that's why it's a 4 Star instead. <br />