You’ll never look at dolls in quite the same way again after reading THE DOLLMAKER!

Seven years ago, Ruby was kidnapped, leaving behind the shattered marriage of her parents, Claire Doucett and Dave Creasy.  Both Claire and Dave have struggled to pick up the pieces of their own lives, but now the past is pulling them back together.  The appearance of a portrait doll with the exact likeness of Ruby may be a clue to what happened to Ruby, if only anyone is willing to believe Claire.  Will Dave help Claire discover what really happened to Ruby or will the secrets of the past destroy them all?

THE DOLLMAKER is perhaps the creepiest book I’ve read in a long time!  Amanda Stevens does a superb job at creating an eerie atmosphere that doesn’t rely on gore or gratuitous violence.  Instead, the tension is carefully built up with some truly horrifying twists to keep readers on their toes.  While the reader will likely deduce aspects of the ending, there are some wickedly clever surprises in store that make this an absolutely phenomenal thriller.

Claire and Dave are not the usual sort of heroes for a thriller.  Both are tortured by their past choices.  Claire is in the midst of her second divorce and still sees Ruby everywhere she turns, while Dave struggles one day at a time to defeat the urge to pick up the bottle.  Their private battles make THE DOLLMAKER a stronger novel as Claire and Dave seek their own sort of redemption after the loss of both Ruby and their marriage. 

THE DOLLMAKER is an edgier story than many may expect as the author strives hard to remain true to the story and the characters.  Those looking for the typical romantic suspense thriller will probably be a bit shocked by this story as Amanda Stevens definitely steps outside the box with this one.  THE DOLLMAKER certainly has me eyeing dolls in an entirely different light!  Fantastic job, Ms. Stevens!

Reviewed by Debbie

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Posted April 2007