Wishing Makes It So

by: Marilyn Meredith

Published by: Hard Shell Word Factory

Reviewed by Mayra Calvani

In this psychological thriller, Steven and Alyse Chrestman share a loving marriage, a beautiful home, and three wonderful children. Their lives could be described as close to perfect...that is, until they decide to adopt four-year-old Belinda.

Soon after Belinda''s arrival, a series of unfortunate mishaps begin to occur. But who can resist the child''s innocent blue eyes and soft, dark curls? In spite of Alyse''s patient, affectionate disposition and Steven''s experience as a counselor, the new addition to the family proves too difficult to handle. Little lies and tricks soon escalate into bloody, deadly games. But how to convince Steven of Belinda''s evil--and mysteriously supernatural--nature when he seems smitten with the little girl? Will Alyse seek help before Belinda destroys them, one by one?

Though the book has an interesting premise, it fails to deliver because of technical problems like tilted dialogue, intrusions by the author omniscient at the end of chapters, stock characterization, and redundancies of phrases and events. One of the biggest problems with this novel is that there is not one main character. Who is the reader supposed to identify with Alyse? Steven? Belinda? All are unsympathetic.

Ultimately, the reader can''t identify with any because practically nothing is revealed of these characters: their past, likes, dislikes, hopes, fantasies, fears. Who are these people?

In this sense, the novel reads like a synopsis, a storyline without depth. The biggest problem, however, is the lack of credibility. To serve the plot, both Steven and Alyse show illogical and unbelievable reactions to situations, even when the obvious truth is staring them in the face. A normal person, however naive, cannot be so gullible, especially if he is a social worker and counselor, as Steven happens to be.

Armchair Interviews says: Many reasons make it impossible for the reader to become engaged in this story.