Jill HandReseñas

Funny stuff! What a family! I was somewhat disappointed that this was book 3 and I hadn't read books one and two, but it made me want to go read books one into now. Although I had it figured out fairly early in the book it was still a fun escape from life funny book.

The Trapnell books keep getting better and better! I received this book through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program, and when I saw that it was book 3, I of course had to read books 1 and 2 first because that's just what I do. I'm glad I did because I have gotten to know the members of this rather dysfunctional family quite well. The new characters that appear in this book do not disappoint - an FBI agent, a deposed dictator, and an interesting former family member. Murders are solved and criminals are caught, although the book ends on a rather interesting note that makes me think (and hope) that a 4th book is in the works. Being a Georgia girl myself, I really enjoy the humor as these crazy rich Southerners do some truly bizarre things.½

In book 2 of the Trapnell series, we continue to see just how disfunctional the Trapnell children are. Someone appears apparently from the dead, they encounter a Voodoo priestess, and some people are not what they seem. I enjoyed this book better than the first one, White Oaks, especially since I'm getting to know the characters better. It isn't necessary to read the first book, but it adds to the enjoyment of this book. I love the humor since it's a bit on the bizarre side, just like I like it.

Red Pines by Jill Hand is the third book in the series. It centers on the wealthy, quirky Trapnell family. A murder on land owned by a relative brings the three siblings together at the family mansion. Mysterious things start to happen, endangering the lives of the family members. They are being protected by an FBI agent ,who got more than she bargained for. The plot was a little thin and hard to follow, but a fun, quick read.

I was really excited to read this book based on the book blurb, but it was not for me. I did not enjoy the pacing or like any of the characters. I also expected humor, but did not find any.

I received the 3rd book in this series to review through Early Reviewers, so I decided to read books 1 and 2 first. The books are not long, and it did not take me too long to read this one. At first, I thought that the book was going to be nothing more than an attempt at humor involving stereotypical residents of Georgia. Being one of those people in a family that has been here since before the state was a state, I was getting bristly at the beginning. It turned out that the book was less that than it was a story about an insanely rich man with four awful children who all want their perceived inheritance. It all turns a bit weird with a thermonuclear weapon in a suitcase and a plot to blow up the world. I did enjoy the humor, even sharing some of it with others, but it was all a bit much for a short book. I also got tired of all the high-end name brands of clothes, shoes, jewelry, purses, etc. I got the point that they were filthy rich fairly quickly and didn't need to be reminded repeatedly.

Sadly the characters in this story didn’t engage me at all and I gave up reading after chapter 2. Other people might love it but it just wasn’t my cup of tea.

Everything about White Oaks appeals to me, from the fabulous cover to the wonderful blurb and the southern location. I was hooked from the beginning. Written in a comic style with characters that fit the southern profile, including the family’s three siblings that want to control their father’s fortune.

White Oaks is the Trapnell family’s plantation.

White Oaks starts out with a yellow Lamborghini racing into town and a foxy woman, Aimee, holding a bottle of Southern Comfort getting out. You may draw your own conclusions. lol

We also have Trainor, driving a beat up, rusted truck, feigning poverty because of his divorce from his gold digging third wife

And Marsh, am arms dealer.

Don’t forget Karen, the older sibling by another mother.

Blanton, their father, has no trouble playing them off against each other, sticking the knife in and twisting it. I’m not sure if any of them are worth the paper I am writing my notes on, even the grandchildren, who learn nothing good from their elders.

Blanton is celebrating his 90th birthday, and his wish? “I want to kill a man.”

His children’s bumbling and fumbling to grant his wish lead them on a wild mystery ride of gators, snakes, and treachery, all done with a comically light touch. There is more than meets the eye going on and I loved the twists and turns that Jill Hand came up with.

Humor, mystery, murder and a plot to bring on Ragnarok.

The characters are ones that I love to hate, at times showing some redeeming qualities as they traverse the world on a mission that has so many twists and turn I was constantly surprised.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of White Oaks by Jill Hand.

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Thrillers aren't generally my genre, but I had a lot of fun reading this one. Starting in rural Georgia and then jetting off to locales around the globe, this comedic and somewhat dark thriller let me live vicariously as one of the world's super rich. Somehow the author made me sympathetic to these spoiled, self-centered, and even criminal heirs to a vast fortune. Some amateurish turns of phrase, but overall nicely done. I'm ready to read more. Library Thing Early Reviewer copy.½

I've never read anything like this. A funny southern story of 3 siblings from a very wealthy family. All waiting for their elderly dad to kick the bucket.
This story took some turns that I was not expecting at all. I could have NEVER guessed what was gonna happen next. I would like to throw some examples out, but that would be a giveaway.
One crazy thing after another. Super refreshing!

Beware, if you want to see every designer name and the word “bespoke” a gazillion times, this is your book. If on the other hand Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Emilio Zegna, Patek Philippe, and on and on and on is not your thing, don’t even bother opening this book.

One sentence and you need to know nothing else: “The Trapnell children were as suspicious and watchful of each other as Medicis.” To say that the descriptions of clothing, food and everything else was trite and cliche is being generous. It was all very, very, annoying. The whole storyline seems to writhe with the winner takes all and hell be damned if you aren’t the winner.

Strange, the whole running around and back was just too strange. But you can always pick up a few designers with whom me you might not be acquainted; Turnbull & Asser, Cartier, Roberto Cavalli, Tom Ford. There is a whole lot of that and not much else going on in White Oaks.

I received this book from NetGalley and Black Rose Writing in exchange for a review.