Maestra: The Talented MS. Ripley Who, Eyes Wide Shut, Went Gone, Girl!

Speed review:

Despite the hype that this book was heralded for its "original and modern femme fatale" plot, this is basically 60% "The Talented Mr. Ripley" + 20% "Eyes Wide Shut" + 20% "Gone Girl". The premise is exciting and kudos to L.S. Hilton for her research on the pretentious lifestyle of art houses, prestigious swinger clubs, and the wheeling and dealing of forgeries, guns, coke, etc. However, the "crime learning curve" for the initially simple yet ambitious Judith (the main character) is laughably unrealistic and things escalate too quickly for you to even appreciate Judith's growing ingenuity. This book showed promise, yet fell flat due to its terrible pacing and lack of realistic character development.

I give this one TWO STARS.