The Chef

I’m going to start by saying, the audible book was well narrated and being a Louisiana girl I enjoyed that the setting was in NOLA. I am a big fan of James Patterson and while the storyline had potential, the writing fell short. It was like the author was reaching too hard to add in a criminal element, suspense, cooking flair, CSI and romance. A little bit too much going on making it far reaching, even for fiction. There was all the build up, and build up and build up and then a rushed, fizzled ending. Also, in my opinion, a GREAT writer can get their point across without having to use such foul language and damning God with every sentence. The book was going good until about the last 1/3 and then it’s like it was written by a mediocre writer needing filler material. So disappointed!

This is the first story by Andy Weir that I had read, and it probably won't be the last one. There is no way I can tell you what this is about without spoiling it for you, so go and read it. And once you have finishing, read it again like the author suggests. (view spoiler)[There are two possible interpretations for this story: ► She really is a prostitute and a killer or, ► The Doctors are trying to brainwash her. I'm leaning toward the second one. For me, there are certain inconsistencies for the first interpretation. Mainly, the Doctor tells her she went to her father's house: "“Doris?” the doctor said. “Hmm?” “Doris, do you know where you are?” “Certainly,” Doris replied. “I’m in a hospital.” “Good, good. Do you remember what happened?” Doris furrowed her brow. “Not all of it, no… I think there was an explosion?” “Yes, that’s right,” the doctor confirmed. “You were very lucky, Doris. Your father’s entire kitchen was destroyed by the explosion..." And at the end: "He checked his notes. Two days ago, she didn’t remember the explosion at all. Yesterday, she remembered the explosion, but not that it was at her father’s house. Tomorrow, she’d remember more. He was sure of it..." So, yes, I think the Doctor is imposing this idea on her mind. Even more, every single day, the Doctor is "planting" a little further. First, the explotion; second, his father's house; and now that she allegedly is a prostitute and that she killed her father. (hide spoiler)] Anyway, it doesn't matter which of the interpretations is correct, the most awesome thing about this story is the amount of literary resources it possesses in very few lines and how it can get us to consider different possibilities.