Talk

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Popular TV talk-show host Jessica Wright finds herself stalked by an obsessed fan in this workaday romantic thriller from Van Wormer (Just for the Summer). Despite tough security, the creep infiltrates the television studio where she works, as well as her vacation house, where he leaves unsettling notes, a mysterious gift and, finally, the dead body of Jessica's secretary. Then he kidnaps Jessica. The convoluted plot initially moves briskly but then gets bogged down in the details of the abduction. Juxtaposed against the kidnapping story is the budding romance between Jessica, a recovering alcoholic, and news producer Will Rafferty, eventually a suspected accomplice in the crime. Van Wormer, a practiced talk-show guest and the "novelizer" of several TV serials, puts her behind-the-scenes experience to good use, showing the tense balletics inherent in live broadcast. When Jessica writes her autobiography, Van Wormer, who is also a former editor at Doubleday, takes the opportunity to introduce tidbits about the publicity aspect of publishing. Despite the urgent atmosphere that permeates this fast-paced thriller, however, it falls short on character development. Three key female characters introduced in earlier novels play major roles here, but it's difficult to tell these tough, attractive, driven career women apart. Agent, Loretta Barrett; editor, Diane Moggy; author tour. (Aug.)

Kirkus Reviews

A padded, paint-by-numbers stalker tale that takes on the trendy subject of TV talk shows. Jessica Wright's the host, but (at least in her own mind and seemingly in the author's) her show's no tabloid fodder. Instead, the winning, red-haired, amply endowed Jessica fancies herself the heart and soul of the masses, dispensing advice along with personal stories about her own fight with alcoholism and self-destructive behavior. But, truth be told, Jessica's show sounds just like every other talk show, and Jessica herself like a typically self-obsessed TV "personality", in spite of her harped-on failed relationships and battle with booze. In fact, all the characters at DBS seem familiar: the Diane Sawyerþlook-alike anchor Alexandra, whose dramatic secret turns out to be a not-so-shocking lesbian romance with a young starlet who smacks of Anne Heche; the mousy personal assistant with a fixation on Jessica; and the good-ole-boy producer Will, whose charisma more than makes up for his average looks. When Jessica acquires a stalker named Leopold, it's no surprise that literally everyone's a suspect, from the security guard to Jessica's nearest and dearest, including Will, with whom she's suddenly fallen in love. The violent death of Bea Blakely, the wannabe assistant, and the preponderance of obsessive love notes addressed to Jessica, have everyone at the station on edge. And so, two professional bodyguards, tough-as-nails Wendy and shady Denton, are hired to tail Jessica day and night. When she's finally kidnaped, it comes as something of a relief. No surprises here, but Van Wormer ("Just For the Summer", 1997, etc.) once again does deliver the goodsþthe usual thrills, chills,and dazzling wardrobes that fans look for in a lightweight late-summer read.

New York Times Book Review

"A slick and fun-filled page-turner... The novel's plot boasts dazzling special effects."

Publisher's Weekly

Van Wormer, a practiced talk-show guest and the "novelizer" of several TV serials, puts her behind-the-scenes experience to good use, showing the tense balletics inherent in live broadcast. When Jessica writes her autobiography, Van Wormer, who is also a former editor at Doubleday, takes the opportunity to introduce tidbits about the publicity aspect of publishing... Urgent atmosphere permeates this fast-paced thriller"