Helpful Score: 3
I found this very good, interesting read. Some interesting plot twists. I really enjoyed reading this book and would read this author again
Helpful Score: 3
I loved this book! It was a combination of realistic fiction and fiction. It brought in the old television series and still remained a fiction piece with a bang-up ending!
Helpful Score: 2
A great mystery about a woman who returns to invertigate her mothers strange death and learns a lot of town secrets. Great read.
Helpful Score: 2
Silkwood and Peyton Place mixed together. An easy read.
Helpful Score: 2
I think this is one of Barbara Delinsky's best novels!! She has been a favorite author of mine for a long time and this book does not disappoint.
Annie Barnes is the kind of woman you'd like for a friend and when she goes to bat for a town that was anything but kind to her as she was growing up, you can't help but cheer her on as she goes head to head with the owners of the papermill that she feels has been the cause of so much sickness in Middle River. And when she finds an ally willing to help her expose the mill's owners, albeit anonymously, she also finds the man she's been waiting for in her love life. References to the novel Peyton Place make this even more interesting. This is a must read!!
Annie Barnes is the kind of woman you'd like for a friend and when she goes to bat for a town that was anything but kind to her as she was growing up, you can't help but cheer her on as she goes head to head with the owners of the papermill that she feels has been the cause of so much sickness in Middle River. And when she finds an ally willing to help her expose the mill's owners, albeit anonymously, she also finds the man she's been waiting for in her love life. References to the novel Peyton Place make this even more interesting. This is a must read!!
Helpful Score: 2
Skilled, popular novelist Delinsky writes about a writer who comes from the same town as Grace Metalius (who wrote Peyton Place). Needless, to say, when she comes home, people become worried about another book coming out about the town. Delinsky's always careful and sensitive characterizations continue to be effective.
Helpful Score: 1
growing up in a small New England town, a young girl has a relationship in her head with Grace Metalious, who encourages her to write. As an adult the writer returns to her hometown to uncover shady activities and find love.
Helpful Score: 1
It helps if you remember the TV show Peyton Place, but you do not have to have seen it. This book takes place in the same town 50 years later. Goood "you can go home again" book.
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed this book. Keeps you guessing until the end.
Another Delinsky masterpiece.
Good Book, Great to read,took me 1 day
A wonderful picture of small town NH and the people who live there. Delinsky never fails to entertain. A great summer read...or fall, winter, or spring.
Interesting story about a woman who goes back to her home town to investigate the death of her mother and the reason for so many people being sick in the town.
This is a mystery with alot of characters and funny at times. Very good book.
Another good book by Barbara Delinsky
I loved it. I read it all in one night. It pays great homage to Grace Metalious, the author of "Peyton Place". Which, I might add, is also an awesome book.
Slow read. But was good at times.
Interestng treatment, though not one of Delinsky's best.
A straight forward plot that still manages to keep you reading. The best feature of the book is the brilliant relationship between Annie (protagonist) and her mentor/imaginary friend Grace. Delinsky is able to reveal insights into her characters from the eccentric relationship that add complexity and maturity in humorous ways.
Subtle and fun to read, I was pleasantly surprised by Looking for Peyton Place.
Subtle and fun to read, I was pleasantly surprised by Looking for Peyton Place.
A picture-perfect New Hampshire town hides a history of scandal and intrigue - a legacy Annie Barnes has never shaken since growing up in tiny Middle River. Five decades ago the area was rocked by a bombshell of a book, Peyton Place, and its author, Grace Metalious, who seemed to know everyone's most intimate secrets. Now a bestselling novelist herself, Annie has come home to find answers to the strange circumstances of her mother's recent death, which leads her to uncover a shocking truth about the local paper mill. The townspeople fear Annie intends to pen a Peyton Place of her very own, and no one wants her stirring up trouble. But one intriguing man is captivated by Annie's determined spirit - and he wants to give the people of Middle River something to talk about...
I loved this book. Great story line.
One of her best books...excellent..couldn't put it down
fun twist on a book being about another book and the people involved
This was a great book, one of my favorites of Barbara Delinsky. Great characters and story line.
Excellent book, good mystery and relationship book. Has me wanting to read the original Peyton Place!
Like the author of Peyton Place, Grace Metalious, Annie Barnes is a writer who writes about her small town. She believes her town is the real "Peyton Place". Along the way, she gets embroiled in a environmental crisis and love with the "enemy".
About this title: Inspired by Grace Metalious, the pioneering author of "Peyton Place, New York Times" bestselling author Delinsky pens this bold, new novel. When a celebrated nonfiction writer returns to her small New Hampshire hometown, she finds herself going up against the powerful family who owns the local paper mill, and discovers the town is rocked by secrets and hostilities.
Small town secrets and deadly destruction.
very good from start to finish
This book was a bit different from Delinsky's other novels, but it was just enjoyable.
Another great Delinsky book. This one seems to hit close to home for her. She seems to have a passion for the subject of this book. I found myself lost in the story and unwilling to put the book down. Unfortunately I had to work and couldn't just read. My mother also liked the story.
A bold new novel about small-town secrets and deadly corruption-inspired by Grace Metalious, pioneering author of Peyton Place.
As excellent a read as Delinsky has offered.
a bold novel about small town secrets and deadly corruption
I could not put this one down. One of Barbara Delinsky's best.
A bold new novel about small town secrets amd deadly corruption-inspired by Grace Metalious, the pioneering author of "Peyton Place"
Annie Barnes is going home to deal with long buried truths and find out for sure what caused the death of her mother and why her sister is sick and not getting better...she finds out a whole lot more-scandel that goes back years and years. A very good read!
Annie Barnes is going home to deal with long buried truths and find out for sure what caused the death of her mother and why her sister is sick and not getting better...she finds out a whole lot more-scandel that goes back years and years. A very good read!
Not one of my favorites from her. OK book.
A novel about small-town secets and corruption. A book you won't want to put down.
Very different Barbara Delinsky book... not what I expected at all. Very interesting.
I bought this book because it was on the clearance rack at Borders and it sounded interesting enough. Happily, it was a wonderful read. A lot of story going on...her and her sisters, her and the town, her feelings about being home again and then the mystery on top of it all and how she deals with it and the town's resistance. Very good read!
Riveting might be too strong of a word to describe this story, but it was a page-turner. The small-town girl made big, returns to the small town to stir up some secrets and tick people off. Meanwhile, she finds time for forbidden love.
For Annie Barnes, going back to her hometown of Middle River, New Hampshire, meant facing truths long buried in the past; some of which she had buried herself. But it is a journey that she knows she must make, if she is ever to put to rest, once and for all, her misgivings about her mother's recent death.
To the outsider, Middle River is a picture-perfect New Hampshire town. But not to Annie Barnes. She grew up there and knows all its secrets; as did her idol Grace Metalious - author of the shocking novel Peyton Place, which laid bare a small town's sexual secrets for all to see. Although Grace had actually lived in a nearby town, the residents of Middle River had always believed that she had used them and their little town as the inspiration for her revolutionary novel. Some even insisted that Annie's own grandmother served as the model for Grace's most scandalous character. With those rumors and whispers about Peyton Place haunting her childhood, Annie found herself identifying so closely with Grace that she picked up everything and moved out of Middle River in order to start a whole new life for herself in Washington, D. C.
It's a good life too. Annie Barnes is now a bestselling author, reaching that level on the strength of only three novels. It has given Annie a confidence that she never believed she had growing up in Middle River, New Hampshire. Her attitude has the townspeople on edge when they learn she has come back into town for a rather lengthy visit. Everyone; including Annie's two sisters, believes that she has come back specifically to write about them.
Although she is amused by the discomfort that her return causes the town, Annie has no intention of writing a novel about the town or its people. It is her mother's death - under suspicious circumstances - that has drawn Annie back. Soon her probing investigations begin to make people nervous, and when she discovers evidence of harmful pollutants emanating from the local paper mill - she finds herself at odds with almost all the townspeople. She is amazed at how unfazed they, as well as members of her own family are by the possiblity that toxins are seeping through the town. Because the mill is the town's only employer, they are frightened of what could happen if Annie digs any deeper. That fear ultimately turns ugly. But Annie is on a mission; and with the legacy of Grace Metalious to guide her, she will come face-to-face with the decades of secrets and lies that Middle River hides. Annie will eventually find the strength to help heal the wounded town, as well as her own wounded family.
I did enjoy this book; it was very well-written and quite lyrical in places; however, I thought that it focused a bit too much on Grace Metalious and the writing of Peyton Place, so that it was slightly rushed towards the end. I give this book a B+!
To the outsider, Middle River is a picture-perfect New Hampshire town. But not to Annie Barnes. She grew up there and knows all its secrets; as did her idol Grace Metalious - author of the shocking novel Peyton Place, which laid bare a small town's sexual secrets for all to see. Although Grace had actually lived in a nearby town, the residents of Middle River had always believed that she had used them and their little town as the inspiration for her revolutionary novel. Some even insisted that Annie's own grandmother served as the model for Grace's most scandalous character. With those rumors and whispers about Peyton Place haunting her childhood, Annie found herself identifying so closely with Grace that she picked up everything and moved out of Middle River in order to start a whole new life for herself in Washington, D. C.
It's a good life too. Annie Barnes is now a bestselling author, reaching that level on the strength of only three novels. It has given Annie a confidence that she never believed she had growing up in Middle River, New Hampshire. Her attitude has the townspeople on edge when they learn she has come back into town for a rather lengthy visit. Everyone; including Annie's two sisters, believes that she has come back specifically to write about them.
Although she is amused by the discomfort that her return causes the town, Annie has no intention of writing a novel about the town or its people. It is her mother's death - under suspicious circumstances - that has drawn Annie back. Soon her probing investigations begin to make people nervous, and when she discovers evidence of harmful pollutants emanating from the local paper mill - she finds herself at odds with almost all the townspeople. She is amazed at how unfazed they, as well as members of her own family are by the possiblity that toxins are seeping through the town. Because the mill is the town's only employer, they are frightened of what could happen if Annie digs any deeper. That fear ultimately turns ugly. But Annie is on a mission; and with the legacy of Grace Metalious to guide her, she will come face-to-face with the decades of secrets and lies that Middle River hides. Annie will eventually find the strength to help heal the wounded town, as well as her own wounded family.
I did enjoy this book; it was very well-written and quite lyrical in places; however, I thought that it focused a bit too much on Grace Metalious and the writing of Peyton Place, so that it was slightly rushed towards the end. I give this book a B+!
Great read. Small town secrets and big company pollution secrets.
Easy Read - about a small town author coming home
This was a great read. I couldn't put it down.
For Annie Barnes, going home to Middle River means dealing with truths long hidden, some of which she buried there herself. But it is a journey she knows she must take if she is to put to rest, once and for all, her misgivings about her mother's recent death.
To an outsider, Middle River is a picture-perfect New Hampshire town. But Annie grew up there, and she knows all its secrets -- as did her idol Grace Metalious, author of the infamous novel Peyton Place, which laid a small town's sexual secrets bare for all the world to see. Though Grace actually lived in a nearby town, the residents of Middle River have always believed she used them as the model for her revolutionary novel, and some even insist Annie's grandmother was the model for one of Grace's most scandalous characters. With these rumors and whispers about Peyton Place haunting her childhood, Annie came to identify so closely with the author that it was Grace and her bold rebellion against 1950s conformity that inspired Annie to get out of Middle River and make a life for herself in Washington, D.C.
To an outsider, Middle River is a picture-perfect New Hampshire town. But Annie grew up there, and she knows all its secrets -- as did her idol Grace Metalious, author of the infamous novel Peyton Place, which laid a small town's sexual secrets bare for all the world to see. Though Grace actually lived in a nearby town, the residents of Middle River have always believed she used them as the model for her revolutionary novel, and some even insist Annie's grandmother was the model for one of Grace's most scandalous characters. With these rumors and whispers about Peyton Place haunting her childhood, Annie came to identify so closely with the author that it was Grace and her bold rebellion against 1950s conformity that inspired Annie to get out of Middle River and make a life for herself in Washington, D.C.
From Publishers Weekly
With her mother deceased and her older sister suffering similar symptoms, successful 30-something novelist Annie Barnes turns detectiveErin Brokovich-stylewhen she reluctantly returns to her "stifling, stagnant, and cruel" New Hampshire hometown of Middle River in Delinsky's diverting latest (after The Summer I Dared). A company town dominated by Northbrook Paper Mill, owned by the powerful Meades, Middle River's real claim to fame, according to Annie and other townspeople, is that it was the model for the once notorious bestseller Peyton Place by Grace Metalious. Annie's neighbors are equally sure that she's returned to dig up their dirt, and, like Metalious, write about it. Though Annie is less concerned with gossip than possible mercury poisoning, Metalious speaks to her from beyond the grave, egging her on in her investigation. The plucky heroine also begins a flirty e-mail conversation with a Deep Throat who calls himself "TrueBlue" and hints at Northbrook Mill's dark doings. And against all odds, handsome Meade scion James seems to be an ally in her environmental crusade. Readers with an appetite for light fare will find all the right ingredientsromance, mystery, suspense, sisterly rivalry and a thoroughly happy ending. (July)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
With her mother deceased and her older sister suffering similar symptoms, successful 30-something novelist Annie Barnes turns detectiveErin Brokovich-stylewhen she reluctantly returns to her "stifling, stagnant, and cruel" New Hampshire hometown of Middle River in Delinsky's diverting latest (after The Summer I Dared). A company town dominated by Northbrook Paper Mill, owned by the powerful Meades, Middle River's real claim to fame, according to Annie and other townspeople, is that it was the model for the once notorious bestseller Peyton Place by Grace Metalious. Annie's neighbors are equally sure that she's returned to dig up their dirt, and, like Metalious, write about it. Though Annie is less concerned with gossip than possible mercury poisoning, Metalious speaks to her from beyond the grave, egging her on in her investigation. The plucky heroine also begins a flirty e-mail conversation with a Deep Throat who calls himself "TrueBlue" and hints at Northbrook Mill's dark doings. And against all odds, handsome Meade scion James seems to be an ally in her environmental crusade. Readers with an appetite for light fare will find all the right ingredientsromance, mystery, suspense, sisterly rivalry and a thoroughly happy ending. (July)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
It was fun.
Started off a little slow but definately got better.
I love to ready anything by Barbara Delinsky. Reminds me of the old days.
This book is really good!!!!!!!!!!!!
great book
A picture perfect New Hampshire town hides a history o scandal and intrigue. A legacy Annie Barnes has never shaken since growing up in tiny Middle River. Five decades ago the are was rocked by a bombshell of a book, Peyton Place and it's author Grace Metalious ho seemed to know everyone's most intimate secrets.
A picture-perfect New Hampshire town hides a history of scandal and intrigue - a legacy Annie Barnes has never shaken since growing up in tiny Middle River. Five decades ago the area was rocked by a bombshell of a book, Peyton Place, and its author, Grace Metalious, who seemed to know everyone's most intimate secrets. Now a best-selling novelist herself, Annie has come home to find answers to the strange circumstances of her mother's recent death, which leads her to uncover shocking truth about the local paper mill. The townspeople fear Annie intends to pen a Peyton Place of her own, and no one wants her stirring up trouble. But one intriguing man is captivated by Annie's determined spirit - and he wants to give the people of Middle River something to talk about...
A picture perfect New Hampshire town hides a history of scandal and intrigue...a legacy Annie Barnes has never shaken since growing up in tiny Middle River. Five decades ago the area was rocked by a bombshell of a book, Peyton Place, and its author, Grace Metalious, who seemed to know everyone's most intimate secrets. Now a bestselling novelist herself, Annie has come home to find answers to the strange circumstances of her mother's recent death, which leads her to uncover a shocking truth about the local paper mill. The townspeople fear Annie intends to pen a Peyton Place of her very own, and no one wants her stirring up trouble. But one intriguing man is captivated by Annie's determined spirit...and he wants to give the people of Middle River something to talk about....Wonderful read in true Delinsky style.
NY times Bestseller
