Reviews

Midwest Book Review

A small-town story of evil that stretches through generations of history. Patti Flinn's The List is a dark and dangerous suspense novel and the story of four African-American brothers who must marry women chosen from a list left by their late father, and stay married for at least three years, or else forfeit a $100 million dollar inheritance. Troubles, conflict, and life-threatening tension mark this unusual, powerful and compelling tale. April 2002

Amazon Reviews

A Slow-burn that... sizzles !!!!!!, November 29, 2001

Reviewer: williams1865 from Columbus, Ohio USA

"The List" by Patti Flinn, I found to be a great work of fiction.

The characters and story line are different and out of the norm which made it surprising refreshing and exciting as nothing and no one is as expected. As the story unfolded, I found it hard to put down. I tried to "guess" at what happens next and found myself "pleased" to be wrong. I was delighted with the authors ability to build a sizzling storyline and have me indenitifying with some of the characters and infuriated with others and then laughing out loud at the humor in it all. The ending was "icing" on the cake !!!!! Sequel???? I am ready !!!!

superb, excellent, wonderful, November 26, 2001

Reviewer: Natalie Wells (see more about me) from Forest Park, GA United States

first off i like to say that this book is worth your while and it is the best book i have ever written.

The Beauvilles are running scared. The List is the story of a small town rife with history and misery, and the family that embodies all that is good and evil within that town. A must-read for anyone who loves a good suspense with an unbelievable ending, i encourage you to read her book.you wont be disapointed and kudos on your next novel

Are You On The List?, October 12, 2001

Reviewer: RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (see more about me)

The Beauvilles are an old, powerful and rich family who controls the town of Sugartree. The power that the family has over the town is like a toxic chemical cloud. The late patriarch of the Beauville family, Pierre, was a millionaire and a very hard and vindictive man who liked to see people suffer. After Pierre's death his sons expected to inherit his fortune, and they would but it would not be easy.

There are four Beauville sons:Francois, Gerard, Rene and Leonard. Their father's will had very specific stipulations. These stipulations were: all of the sons had to be married by the time the youngest son, Leonard turned 21. They had to marry a woman who was on the list that was created when they were children. And the weddings had to be in the family wedding chapel and there could be no guests. The women's parents were paid a lump sum of money so that their daughters would marry Beauville men. Each son would inherit over 20 million dollars as long as they remained married for 3 years.

The women chosen from the list are: Yvette Collins, a smart headstrong attorney, she will marry Gerard. Shell Davis a shy, timid young woman with a secret, she will marry Rene. Tammy Duyden the towns school teacher will marry Francois. Each of these women have their own reasons for marrying one of the Beauville sons. Leornard is so enamored with one of his brother's fiancee's that who he would marry is in question.

The List is a constant rollarcoaster ride with the story rocking you from page to page. On the RAW scale The List is a 5.

Reviewed by Simone A. Hawks

Sugar Ain't Sweet in Sugartree, September 24, 2001

Reviewer: Dawn R Reeves (see more about me) from Harrisburg, PA USA

The List, by Patti Flinn, is one of the most profound and suspenseful books I have read. The List is a very poignant story filled with incest, evil, hate and color issues. Set in the small, southern town of Sugartree, the natives and other inhabitants must deal with the rich and powerful Beauville family.

The Beauville family had curses placed upon them four-generations ago but the current generation, while not outwardly believing in the curses, secretly harbors their fears of them.

The List is the story of four young men that must marry young women placed on "the list" by the twenty-first birthday of the youngest son, Leonard. Throughout the story, you are wondering why would Pierre Beauville, their father, place such a stipulation in his will. It is not until the end that you realize the list's significance and that revelation will have your mouth gaped.

Francois, Rene', Gerard and Leonard Beauville are four young men with deep-rooted issues from the past. You come to learn through a historical picture their lives as children and the lives of their ancestors. When the dust clears, after all hell breaks loose, you will be amazed at the result. The four young women they choose to marry have stories of their own and thus they are highlighted as main characters also and you have to love Grandma Dudyen! I had to make a family tree of this clan to follow the story but in the end it provided for a very absorbing read.

Told with clarity, The List is an engaging novel with a crazed proposition. Excellent and highly recommended!

Small Town Rife and Suspense on a large Scale, August 26, 2001

Reviewer: RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (see more about me)

The Beauvilles, a prominent and wealthy black family who reside in the small town of Sugartree are rumored to be cursed and insane, primarily because they are descendents of Ely Beauville, a slave who was evil and insane. Ely is responsible for the deaths of his owner's sons and escapes the plantation and lives as a white man. Ely then returns to the plantation after making a fortune and buys the plantation from the owner who is unaware of whom he is and Ely frees the slaves of the plantation, making them free townspeople. The Beauville curse is started when Ely marries the former owner's daughter who is his half sister.

The List, debut novel from Patti Flinn is laced with suspense, intrigue and small town rife. Beginning with the prologue, the reader is kept spellbound by the events that occur. She first introduces us to the scene at the Beauville Estate. This scene is the official engagement party for the Beauville men. Three of the participants are outside and they are very angry. The argument leads one of the participants to lose their cool and a terrible accident occurs. This scene is the beginning of the best suspense novel I have ever read. Pierre Beauville, deceased patriarch of the Beauville family was everything that is evil.

Pierre had four sons whom he hated with a passion. He abused his sons mentally, physically and emotionally and controlled every aspect of their lives. He ruled his family with an iron fist. Remember, Pierre is a descendent of Ely Beauville. Pierre found a way to continue his control over his sons' lives from the grave. His last will and testament contained a list that specified the names of women who he chose for his sons to marry. His sons would inherit one hundred million dollars, but their only choice was the women whose names appeared on The List. The will also stipulated that the sons must marry before the youngest son turned twenty-one and remain married for three years. The Beauville family has been plagued with one curse after another but they have continued to prosper. So they really believe that an arranged marriage will work. The Beauvilles are suddenly slapped with another curse and their world comes tumbling down.

The main characters in this novel are the four Beauville men and the women they marry. The characters have their own problems and history. There comes the time for healing and each one somehow finds their way to a different life. One person holds the truth and this is what sets them free. Flinn has created a novel of intense suspense. The storyline is not clear in the beginning but slowly moves into one of the most suspenseful novels you may ever read. Her description of each character is awesome and makes you believe that these are people you know. The plot is awesome and the ending is unbelievable. I have never read a novel with so much suspense! The storyline is like no other that I have read. If you want to read a good suspense novel read The List.

Reviewed by Dot

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