Review: Elizabeth Llewellyn Paints with Words!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 1, 2014
I'm always a bit nervous to read a next-in-series book when the first one stripped me bare and left me panting for more. My reluctance stems from the fact that I don't want my love for the first book, and the characters in it, to be diminished or tainted by a book that doesn't measure up, isn't worthy of the one that initiated me. Well, I had no need for concern and realized that only a few chapters into THE FIX.Let me cut to the chase: Elizabeth Llewellyn paints with words. I can feel the texture of each stroke as she creates the three-dimensional world of Johnny Gellis, Norman Dimond and the other players lucky enough to be anywhere near their orbits. THE FIX delves deeper into the multi-faceted humanity of Johnny and Norman, answering questions from TPM, unearthing new ones and clearly demonstrating that the complexity of these two men cannot be unraveled in just one book.Their tenuous relationship buds and blooms over a matter of weeks until a riotous confrontation with the elder Dr. Gellis throws cold water on it, blanketing Johnny in doubts and confusion. Alcohol and out-of-control emotions lay the foundation for words that should never be spoken between Norman and Johnny. Norman's invectives were cringe-worthy, but I was left slack-jawed by Johnny's unexpected rebuttal, the collapse of his self-doubts, the emergence of the alpha, and the turn of events at the conclusion of THE FIX. I will give nothing away here other than to say: the tables--they have been turned.Apparently, Norman is unfamiliar with Ambrose Pierce's quote: "Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret."