Saturday, August 23, 2008

Judy Mercer: Fast Forward

I enjoy stories where an unusual event changes the life of an otherwise normal person. Fast Forward by Judy Mercer falls into this category.

The book opens with a woman waking up, the room is a blur, and she does not recognize it. She also does not recognize the face in the mirror. The blurring cleared up when she found a pair of glasses. She found a German Shepard in the house, who seemed to be friendly. And she realized that she did not know who she was. To make matters worse, her face was cut and bruised, the house has been ransacked, she finds a bloody shirt, and a gun.

It doesn’t take long for her to figure out that she is probably Ariel Gold, a producer for an investigative TV show. But she does not know what a TV producer does. And she does not know what is going on. Did she hurt someone, or did someone hurt her. Assuming someone attacked her, who could it be? Why? Who can she trust when she no longer knows anyone? She decides to hide her amnesia and improvise as she goes along.

It really is interesting to see the things she does to cope with re-establishing her life. It is also fun to watch her dormant investigative skills come to life as she tries to find out what is happening. Suspense builds as she discovers aspects of her past, and as current life proceeds on. She is in a dangerous position. Although she does eventually get some help, she really has to work things out for herself.

As readers we know more about what is going on than Ariel does. But we don’t know who, among several suspects, the bad guy really is. But the pieces all fall together in appropriately believable ways.

Ariel is a great character as a strong, independent woman standing on her own. And many in supporting cast are interesting characters. But I don’t want to say too much about them. You should learn about them while Ariel does.

Fast Forward was a re-read for me, but it’s been thirteen years. So I couldn’t remember whom she should trust. I find myself wondering why there’s nothing else by Judy Mercer on my shelf. I may have to correct that.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Ms. Mercer has 4 books to her credit, the last of which was published in 2000. Can anyone inform me of Mr. Mercer's status?

In your response, put Ms Mercer's name in the subject box, please

Anonymous said...

I too have been searching for information regarding Judy Mercer. I fell in love with her books and wonder what happened to her.

Anonymous said...

I, too, am searching for information regarding Judy Mercer. An e-mail sent to Joy Harris Literary Agency (who represented Miss Mercer) has gone unanswered. I recently e-mailed someone else mentioned in the acknowledgements of "Split Image" and hope to get a response as to whether or not Judy Mercer is still alive.