Dull. Dark. Dreary. Depressing.

That's my quickie review of Nevada Barr's 13 ½.  In a departure from her Anne Pigeon series, Ms. Barr takes off in a completely different direction with this book.  Sadly, the result is a book that is - at times - actually painful to read.

The story unfolds in two timelines.  In the 1970's we meet a teenaged Polly, who seems to have no hope for successful life.  Being raised by an alcoholic mother, abused in every way imaginable, we cheer when she manages to break free and start her own life on the right track.

At the same time, we meet two brothers.  One who has just been convicted of murdering his parents and little sister.  And the other one who stands by his brother throughout the trial and the ensuing incarceration.

Then we have events in the present day where we get to meet the all-grown-up Polly.  Successful, with two children of her own, we're happy when she meets a charming man and falls in love.

But - this book is in the thriller genre - which means the two stories have to converge at some point.  So what does Polly's new-found bliss have to do with a murderous child from decades ago?

So - the premise is OK, but the book is a disappointment.  Why?

For one, it is so dull you'll want to pull your hair out when reading it.  The parts of the story that take place in the 70's aren't so bad.  But the parts in the present day are pure torture.  Polly and her beau, Marshall, are dreadfully dull to the point where you have to wonder how they can stand to be near each other. 

Another problem is that the BIG TWIST in the story was obvious from the start, as far as I was concerned.  And it's not that I'm so smart.  It's just that Ms. Barr drops clues in our lap that are not very subtle.  One would have to be really distracted to not figure out how this story is going to play out.

Furthermore, the story is just very unpleasant.  The events in the 70's are difficult to read as they involve gory violence and abuse of a child.  In addition, major sections of the book are prefaced by a journal entry written by a would-be serial killer who idolizes (real-life) historical serial killers.  In the present day, we have a woman murdered, and someone who knows this has taken place but ignores it, because having the police come by would be "inconvenient". 

And, worst of all, there is a vivid description of an act of animal cruelty that was unbearable for me to read.  It would not be an exaggeration to say that this passage will cause nightmares for animal-lovers.

So, was there anything good about this book at all?  Well, not a lot.  But there were two young girls who were quite lovely and a delight to read about.  And the meaning behind the book's numerical title was interesting.  But that's about it. Feel free to skip.


Liberty Falling

Recommended: No