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smithers815's review
4.0
Rita Del Vecchio is probably one of my new favorite characters. She’s a tough as nails girl who goes through the craziness life offers her and winds up finding herself in one of the least likely places... herself! This fast-paced novel kept me on my toes the entire read and I couldn’t put it down because I wanted to know what was going to happen next. Multiple points of view tell us the story and that was great because we are able to see all sides of the story. There were parts where I wanted to scream at Rita for things that I as a reader knew about and that is a testament of great writing!
Being from the south, I don’t know much about the NYPD and this book definitely taught me some. Although there are many things that are particular to NY it was refreshing to read a plot that gives us insight into something we all probably know is there and yet don’t discuss: corruption, abuse and power. These topics are gracefully addressed though Kathleen’s plot and resolved within it. Kathleen’s fresh writing brings many things to light while keeping readers on their toes to see what is going to happen next with Rita. All in all, a great read that I am sure you will enjoy too!
Being from the south, I don’t know much about the NYPD and this book definitely taught me some. Although there are many things that are particular to NY it was refreshing to read a plot that gives us insight into something we all probably know is there and yet don’t discuss: corruption, abuse and power. These topics are gracefully addressed though Kathleen’s plot and resolved within it. Kathleen’s fresh writing brings many things to light while keeping readers on their toes to see what is going to happen next with Rita. All in all, a great read that I am sure you will enjoy too!
shelleyrae's review
4.0
Despite applying to the police academy on little more than a whim in the hopes of finding a husband, Rita Del Vecchio is nevertheless determined to graduate and join the NYPD in the wake of 9/11. Patrolling the subway as a transit officer isn't the job she hoped for but she quickly becomes best friends with her partner, Franko O'Malley and meets Sergeant Billy Quinn, attached to the Special Gun and Taskforce Unit. Smitten by his Irish charm, Rita is sure that Billy is 'the one' and despite oblique warnings from her partner and training officer, she accepts his proposal and they are married barely three months later. Unbeknownst to Rita, her new husband has long been under investigation by Internal Affairs for corruption and brutality and Rita's starry eyed idealism quickly fades as Billy's charming veneer slips revealing an irrational temper and a controlling nature. Rita's fairytale romance deteriorates into a nightmare and her marriage becomes more frightening than the streets of New York.
Despite the label, this is not a lighthearted romance with only a frisson of danger to create tension. Against a background of police corruption and street violence, this is a fast paced, dramatic novel with emotional impact. While the romance is an important aspect of the story it veers dramatically from the more traditional format though eventually Rita does get a happy ending. In Transit is a very contemporary novel that explores a number of serious issues, most notably domestic violence and the abuse of power. Though the plot is fairly predictable, Gerard maintains the tension well as Rita's life falls apart.
It's the details that create convincing characters and Gerard makes use of the third person point of view to illustrate the complexity of her characters. Initially portrayed as a somewhat frivolous and naive young woman, Rita's experiences sees her develop maturity and discover an inner strength over the course of the novel. I sympathised with her plight as her 'knight in shining armour' reveals himself as a tarnished bully and cheered for her when she stood up to him. While her emotional growth is admirable Rita never quite loses her idealism which almost destroys but ultimately saves her.
Billy's mental deterioration is similarly well handled and against the backdrop of his appalling behaviour as a police officer he is an interesting if nasty character. I did wish his Jekyll and Hyde personality hadn't been revealed quite so early as the reader knows what Rita is walking in to. Had Billy's behaviour remained hidden until Rita discovered it on her wedding day it would have had a stronger impact on the storyline.
I admit to being ambivalent about the relationship that develops between Sergeant Gary Hill and Rita, though it provides her with a happy ending, there is a considerable age difference and even though he is a good guy it doesn't quite work for me.
With a strong dramatic storyline and well developed characters, In Transit is a well crafted, gritty tale of romantic betrayal and explosive action. I very much enjoyed reading In Transit by award winning author, Kathleen Gerard and am happy to recommend it.
Despite the label, this is not a lighthearted romance with only a frisson of danger to create tension. Against a background of police corruption and street violence, this is a fast paced, dramatic novel with emotional impact. While the romance is an important aspect of the story it veers dramatically from the more traditional format though eventually Rita does get a happy ending. In Transit is a very contemporary novel that explores a number of serious issues, most notably domestic violence and the abuse of power. Though the plot is fairly predictable, Gerard maintains the tension well as Rita's life falls apart.
It's the details that create convincing characters and Gerard makes use of the third person point of view to illustrate the complexity of her characters. Initially portrayed as a somewhat frivolous and naive young woman, Rita's experiences sees her develop maturity and discover an inner strength over the course of the novel. I sympathised with her plight as her 'knight in shining armour' reveals himself as a tarnished bully and cheered for her when she stood up to him. While her emotional growth is admirable Rita never quite loses her idealism which almost destroys but ultimately saves her.
Billy's mental deterioration is similarly well handled and against the backdrop of his appalling behaviour as a police officer he is an interesting if nasty character. I did wish his Jekyll and Hyde personality hadn't been revealed quite so early as the reader knows what Rita is walking in to. Had Billy's behaviour remained hidden until Rita discovered it on her wedding day it would have had a stronger impact on the storyline.
I admit to being ambivalent about the relationship that develops between Sergeant Gary Hill and Rita, though it provides her with a happy ending, there is a considerable age difference and even though he is a good guy it doesn't quite work for me.
With a strong dramatic storyline and well developed characters, In Transit is a well crafted, gritty tale of romantic betrayal and explosive action. I very much enjoyed reading In Transit by award winning author, Kathleen Gerard and am happy to recommend it.
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