Book Review: Dial H for Hitchcock by Susan Kandel

In my review of The Recipe Club posted here on Blogcritics a couple of days ago, I mentioned how, tired of the fluff and air-headedness of some books aimed at women out there, I have been looking for chick lit with substance. Well, my hunt has led me to Dial H for Hitchcock by Susan Kandel

I have to admit that, after reading the first few pages, I seriously doubted my ability to pick out good books from a pile. I believe that at that point, my reaction to the story was something along this line: WHAT IN TARNATION IS GOING ON?

Actually, to be honest, that’s kind of the general feeling you and the story’s main character, Cece Caruso, are going to share throughout most of the story, making it all the more fun to read. You don’t quite know what is going on most of the time, and neither does she.

Cece is an author currently working on an Alfred Hitchcock biography. She just canceled her wedding to Gambino and has come back from her honeymoon which she decided to go on alone. She has a new neighbor who is a little odd (to say the least) and, for a woman who already feels like the world’s axis has dipped a couple of degrees, the weird occurrences happening after she witnessed a murder are enough to drive her over the edge. Now while she doesn’t quite go over the edge, she does careen very close to it a couple of times, enough for the poor reader to freak out just a tiny little bit.

What? I like Cece. I didn’t want her to fall apart!

Admittedly, Dial H for Hitchcock is a little hard to read. On the one hand, you really do feel a little lost at times, having no clue (just like Cece) as to what is going on. On the other hand, we have the slight obstacle of Cece herself. The book is written from her point of view, and thus reflects her sometimes erratic modes of thinking. So, in short, don’t start reading Dial H for Hitchcock trying to figure out what is going on. You will only give yourself a headache and consequently not enjoy the often hilarious and sometimes ridiculous adventure our fearless Cece gets herself involved in. Just read, enjoy the ride and at the end, in true Hitchcock style, all will be revealed.

Article Author: Sahar

The author of The Spirit Within Club, Sahar was born the first of three siblings and the first of eight cousins. Thrust in the role of head of the brood at a very early age, she honed her imagination by creating stories and plotlines the eight of them could play to all summer long. …

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