The Revenge of the Radioactive Lady By Elizabeth Stuckey-French is one quirky book. Elderly Marylou Ahearn has moved to Florida to seek revenge on the doctor she blames for her daughter's death. Back in the 1950s, she was given a radioactive cocktail without her knowledge as part of an experiment. She was pregnant at the time.
Now calling herself Nancy Archer, she eventually worms her way into the home of Dr. Wilson Spriggs' family and occasionally manages to make attempts on his life, even though the doctor has Alzheimer's and can't keep a thought in his head. When she peppers him with questions about why he did such an evil thing, he is unable to answer.
Will this potential elderly murderess have a change of heart and stop trying to destroy the doctor and his family? Or, will she succeed? What really happened when she drank the radioactive cocktail and what was the doctor's part in the experiment? Did he have regrets?
All those questions are answered. I found The Revenge of the Radioactive Lady a bit slow and the ending a little strange but I enjoyed it, for the most part. I just felt like the pacing made it a little tiresome. While it's not a favorite, I did like the writer's unique style and the quirkiness of her characters. It was entertaining in spite of the pace and even a bit heartwarming, in the end. Recommended, but not a favorite.
My thanks to Random House for the Advance Review Copy.
This sounds a bit entertaining.
ReplyDeleteI have this one and am actually really excited about reading it. It sounds so weird and unique that I don't really want to pass it up, though I will probably be reading with your reservations in mind. Thanks for the great review. I will have to let you know what I think of it!
ReplyDeleteKailana,
ReplyDeleteIt is. It's a book that falls into the "I liked it but didn't love it," category, but it was definitely unique reading. Also, I really thought it was fascinating to find out that the book was based on a real-life incident. Radioactive cocktails were fed to unsuspecting pregnant women -- I think it was the 1950s. They were told they were being given a vitamin drink. Hard to believe, isn't it?
Zibilee,
While I thought the pace was slow, I really did like the book so hopefully you'll love it. I think it was the cover that sucked me in. I love that very retro cover.
Yes, please do let me know what you think!
I love the title and the cover so much, I want to read this book!
ReplyDeleteKathy,
ReplyDeleteIt was the cover that grabbed me, too!
This one does sound interesting!
ReplyDeleteHolly,
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely a unique story! :)