Review and giveaway of The Girl, The Gold Tooth and Everything

Just to confuse you, this week we are having the book review today and the author, Francine LaSala's interview, on Friday. Hope you are all ready for Christmas. I have 2 presents to wrap and a dessert to decide upon, but apart from that, I am tickety boo!

So without further ado, what's this book all about?

 

Mina Clark is losing her mind—or maybe it’s already gone. She isn’t quite sure. Feeling displaced in her over-priced McMansion-dotted suburban world, she is grappling not only with deep debt, a mostly absent husband, and her playground-terrorizer 3-year old Emma, but also with a significant amnesia she can’t shake—a “temporary” condition now going on several years, brought on by a traumatic event she cannot remember, and which everyone around her feels is best forgotten. A routine trip to the dentist changes everything for Mina, and suddenly she's not sure if what's happening is real, of if she's just now fully losing her mind... especially when she realizes the only person she thought she could trust is the one she fears the most.

This latest novel by Francine LaSala (Rita Hayworth’s Shoes) is a fast-paced, richly layered, and darkly humorous satire filled with quirky characters and unforgettable moments of humanity.

 

 

If you love mystery and quirky books, this is for you!
I was given an Advance Review Copy by the author.
I have rated it Amazon 4 stars, but had it been possible, I would have rated it 4.5
Initially I was intrigued by the title, and thought, I really must find out what this is about!
The book was nothing like I expected. I saw amnesia and for some reason had decided it was going to be akin to Jodi Picoult's books. It wasn't, but it was all the better for it, because it showed a type of book that I would never have thought of reading, but which I hugely enjoyed, devouring it in only 3 days.
I didn't guess who the baddies were. There are some very clever mind games going on not just for the amnesiac, but as regards the author toying with the reader. It is very subtly done and is very effective.
I liked the protagonist, Mina, particularly when she started to act more like her old self. I thought the way this came about and what was later revealed about this, was funny and also very well choreographed.
The little old lady, Esther, and the larger than life female friend whom Mina meets, were very well portrayed indeed, as was the main male character( can't tell you too much about him - as would be giving you clues!)
What is real to Mina and to the rest of the world may not always be the same thing, or is it? That's the quintessential question. Is she imagining things? If so, what? Who is she really?
If you like mystery, combined with relationships within families and a little bit of surrealism thrown in, then you are on to a winner with this novel. A sinister tale.

Francine has kindly offered a Kindle copy of The Girl, The Gold Tooth and Everything. To be in with a chance of winning, please just leave a comment on the blog about today's post, including your email address, so I can contact you if you win. Good luck!
Winner will be drawn on Christmas Eve

You can buy The Girl, The Gold Tooth and Everything here:
http://amzn.to/XIaMXK (UK)
http://amzn.to/ZNaB2F (US)
http://amzn.to/YjryRY (Can)
The novel is also available in paperback from Amazon and I am guessing other outlets too!
and Francine's debut novel, Rita Hayworth's Shoes (on my reading list!) here:
http://amzn.to/U7XMMn (UK)
http://amzn.to/UbXPI5 (US)
http://amzn.to/UCoH0O (Can)