Stepford USA (Accidental Spy Small Town Adventure) [Kindle Edition]

I enjoyed reading this uplifting book by Ms Ray, filled with intrigue and irresistible characters which make you question the very reality that we are living through during these uncertain times. Like the proverbial Alice falling the down the rabbit hole, this story leads you on a journey where the world we live in, with our conditioned beliefs and conclusions, are not what it seems. What if EVERYTHING you thought that's real was but manufactured illusion, and reality can only be pierced consciously by breaking out of ourselves to uncover the hidden truth within?

This is a reminder to question everything you hold sacred, all the sacred cows, established institutions of society that espouse living the "American Dream", where one must succeed at all cost. Jade Snow, an investigative journalist senses that all is not right in this idyllic sleepy/ creepy little town of Stepford. By all appearances, Stepford seems like the perfect place to nurture a pregnancy when one is not covering the latest reports from war torn countries. Well, Eden is about to reveal it's darkest secret, with the help of Jade's best friend Rachel- a psychoanalyst, an adorably smart and sassy cat named Lily and a group of small town ladies known only as "the knitting club". From paranormal psychic visions to virtual reality laboratories, Jade experiences this small town, which is not at all what it seems. Laced with cool humor and insight, Jade and her friends solve the daunting mystery. In total denial at first, the town's people must slowly come to the realization that not all is well in paradise and need to face their own prejudices and shortcomings in order to heal and come together as one community. A superb social commentary, Stepford USA is a microcosm for Anytown Internationale.

I love the positive, optimistic ending. Can't wait for the next Jade Snow adventure!

Of course, the name alone made me think of the Stepford Wives. Would it be predictable? Yes and no.

Jade was married and pregnant, so she gave up her world-traveling journalistic career and moved to a small town in Massachusetts.

She had a hard time adjusting to such a laid back atmosphere, until her visions started. She had never been psychic or had visions before, but Rebecca refused to be ignored.

To help pass the time and find out the secrets that were being covered up, she joined the knitting club. If her thinking was correct, these women would know everything that went on in town and she could learn about Rebecca from Gossip Central.

Adelaide, one of the ladies from the knitting club, missed another meeting. Jade used the excuse of her pride in her finished baby hat to visit her. That was when she met Lily, her cat. There was something special about her, she seemed human.

While she was there, Jason came in. He had been in prison, convicted of the rape and murder of Rebecca. He sat and had tea with Jade and Adelaide. On Jade's walk home, it went through her my mind that it couldn't have been him who tortured and killed Rebecca. She felt he was a victim.

The visions would only show part of what really happened. She kept trying to see more.

She was determined to prove Jason's innocence, but someone was just as determined to stop her. The question was - how far would they go?

5 STARS - Would Buy It For Them (lol)

I love Lada Ray's books and her writing keeps me in suspense, waiting for the next surprise, twist, turn, or delightfully evil surprise. Okay, I may be a little sick, but I love reading about the evil that men do. The minute I think I know what is going on and where the story is taking me, she pulls something else out of her magical bag of mystery.

The books I have read of Lada's have been pretty heavy and this seemed to be a departure from them. But, wait, she always has a surprise or two that you don't see coming and she didn't fail me now. I knew who the real murderers were early on, but she kept me guessing, as I tried to figure out how she was going to prove it. She puts in all the details to make you see how depraved people can be and the torture Rebecca suffered.

The cover is gorgeous and the title is so appropriate. Yes, the title does give away the background of the book, but the story goes so much further. A small town, with all the things that entails. Gossips. Good old boys club made up of the rich and connected. And a murder, but the victim, Rebecca, refuses to be silenced by death, reaching out to Jade for justice.

I loved her descriptions of the characters. They are so real, they can be your neighbor, your friend, or maybe even you.

Jason - an Adonis, spoiled

Marc - ambitious and full of himself, a sleazebag and politician. An oxymoron?

Peter - roving eyes and naughty fingers, a womanizer, married for money

Jack - a nerd, bad with women, a loner

Nick - chief of police.

The paranormal events are so believable. I have actually heard of some things that happen in the book, happening in real life. I have heard that people really have visions. Someone I know swears she has a psychic friend. The friend really does help the police occasionally solve cases. Doesn't it have to be true then? Is it really paranormal or is it something else?

Of course, there are always the pet lovers who say their critters talk to them and they understand every word of it. ^_^

The emotions I felt as she uncovered the sordid details ranged from disgust to anger, sorrow to happiness, and a feeling of relief when it was over. Even though it wasn't happy ever after for everyone, I felt very satisfied.

I won this book on Lada Ray's blog, along with Gold Train and Green Desert, books in the Accidental Spy Adventure Series. Once I read her book Earth Shifter, I was eager to read more.

I look forward to reading many more books from Lada Ray.

Stepford USA (Accidental Spy Small Town Adventure)

In this, the first full instalment of the Jade Snow, accidental spy series, we follow our protagonist Jade Snow as she embarks on her new life in quaint Stepford, Berkley, a small town with a questionable past. On the advice of her new career-minded husband, pregnant Jade prepares for a quiet life away from the city, only to find herself entangled in a decade's old conspiracy of Stepford's elite.

Like many a good mystery, the story is based on the premise that an innocent girl has been raped, an innocent man convicted, while the guilty parties escape without punishment. At the heart of the story is Jade's developing friendship with ageing pillar of the society Adelaide and her son, convicted Jason, a kind-hearted, misunderstood sheep in wolf's clothing whose recent return to Stepford following a full term behind bars has captivated the rumour mongers. As their friendship develops, Jade begins to suspect that Jason was the victim of a miscarriage of justice. Following a series of coincidences and various leads, Jade becomes convinced that there is treachery afoot and attempts to get to the bottom of things, determined to leave no stone unturned.

For me, the book was enjoyable for many reasons. Ms. Ray does a great job developing intrigue and maintaining it and the plot develops nicely throughout. Her easy to read, well-written narrative draws the reader in early on and allows for a close rapport with a likeable protagonist. The author describes the settings and scenarios in vivid detail, and, coupled with a strong female cast, it is not difficult to imagine the bustling, but quaint, Stepford as it would appear in real life. Better yet, it allows the personality of the characters to come through in clear detail. As a first person narrative, the standard follow the clues scenario develops into something of a personal crusade for the protagonist and the author's ability to explore the mental abilities, and limitations, of her heroes, villains and victims allows for some delightful character development.

Recommended for fans of the first person narrative.