The first 100 pages took me almost a week to read while the final 70 took me but a small part of a Saturday afternoon. I blame the first person narration for many of the books shortcomings. I actually found myself using a piece of scrap paper to highlight the book's cons as I read for fear that I wouldn't be able to keep them all in my head. The pros were much easier to remember and kept the book from going unfinished. The rating is actually a 2.5.Cons:
1. Unlikeable lead - arrogant, self-absorbed, whiny and superficial
2. A weak and childish romantic plot that had more in common with a Sweet Valley High book that any semblance of an actual adult relationship.
3. The early portion of the book was either filled with some bothersome typos or contained two conversations that were incredibly difficult to follow
4. An inconsistent use of dialect
5. Police caricatures
6. Failures of common sense on the part of the authors - the sun setting a 5pm in the middle of summer on the East Coast and a statement about fraternal twins coming from the same zygote. Both are ridiculous mistakes
Pros:
1. The mystery provided little clues for its solution by the reader, though I never try, but it did capture my attention.
2. Some of the secondary characters were fascinating and enjoyable, if only we could dump the lead and go on without her.
3. The setting is incredibly unique and if the authors knowledge is genuine Renaissance Faires are far more compelling behind the scenes than I ever considered.