By Wesley Thomas
The queen of prose is back with her latest novel, Cinderella. Simple and elegant, this book is as addictive as a luxurious cup of coffee. With a fascinating and unusual story, Paula proves that she has been working hard to bring us a miracle.
In Boston, there’s a killer killing people in alleys. This fills everyone with anticipation. Everyone except a certain musician. The murderer is the least of Alexey’s worries. A pianist fighting for career redemption after countless negative press hopes to fulfill his crazy dream of recording a whale symphony. I told you it was weird. But his vicious wife is totally against the idea and is willing to do whatever it takes to prevent his wish from coming true. If that wasn’t bad enough, Alexey can feel someone’s presence every time he performs on stage fighting for his career, but will this chilling companionship become more frequent? Will he have to fight for something more than his career? Will he be able to achieve his career ambitions? Will he be smarter than his wife? Or will she find a way to destroy his livelihood?
There are a large number of vivid characters in the book. Some we like, some we hate, and some make us shudder. These characters are portrayed in such detail that it is as if we are looking at photos instead of reading words.
The perfect depiction does not stop at the characters. Following Alexey, we take picturesque routes. Restaurants, dance studios, theaters, bars and many more. Each location is detailed down to the dust in the corners. This helps make the mystery even more real.
Music is a huge part of this novel, clearly the result of years of research. We hear the notes and gain a new appreciation for the piano and the musician. We get a deep understanding of how someone with musical talent deals with artistic struggles.
This is a story that goes beyond entertainment. It will linger in your mind long after you’ve finished watching it, and it is an unforgettable story. It will linger in the depths of your soul.
Having read all three of Paula’s novels, I can honestly say that her writing never disappoints. She casts a spell on her novels and makes us fall in love with them. But we know better that this is the result of research, intelligence, hard work, passion and a true talent for writing. Paula’s writing is truly magical and a true art form.
Paula caps off this masterpiece perfectly, with a shocking twist but a bittersweet ending.
If you’re going to read something before the year is over, read this!
Order yours here.
score:5/5
