"The Trial" How has the author grabbed your attention, and kept you reading the book? 3-10-16

Just a few days ago, I began reading the book The Trial by Jen Bryant.  This book has already hooked me into its plot and convinced me to continue on with its story within only a chapter or two.  I've experienced books where I completely lose interest within the first few pages, and I just can not continue reading the book.  However, I've also had experiences where as soon as I pick up a book, I become engulfed and intrigued in the plot.  Therefore in this blog, I'm going to be analyzing what about the work of an author can produce this effect, specifically in this book.

As I further investigated the portion of the book that I've read, I came to the conclusion that the simplicity of the author's description and dialogue is one of the causes of my interest.  Now I do believe that this could have a completely different impact on other readers, and the results may vary.  However, I personally enjoy the basic nature of the author's writing.  Some readers may feel the need to have extremely descriptive word choice, but I think that the author has a phenomenal balance of painting a picture for readers, while still providing the capability to paint your own.  For example, on page five of the book the author says, "The streets are wide and clean, the shopkeepers are friendly, and all the children walk to school."  I prefer writing like this, opposed to an author who would instead say something like, "The extensive, vast pavement of the road is spotless.  Shopkeepers greet customers with bright eyed smiles, and children hurry to school in little groups."  Instead of laying out a cemented scene with absolutely nothing left implied, Jen Bryant grants readers the opportunity and choice to visualize the story unfolding in a way that makes the most sense to them.

Another reason for my pull to the book, is the actual plot itself.  The mystery, excitement, and wonderment of the story is a leading cause for my liking of the novel.  The story is about a young girl named Katie Leigh, who lives in a small town that goes by the name of Flemington.  What mainly interests me, is the upcoming trial in Flemington, for a case dealing with the kidnapping of an infant belonging to a famous and wealthy family (Katie is becoming obsessed with the case as well). This is described in the book on page 12, when the author writes, "Someone kidnapped Charles Lindbergh's firstborn son, leaving only some muddy footprints, a broken ladder, and a ransom note... no one saw who did it."  As the trial draws closer and closer, I become more and more curious with thoughts of potential outcomes, events, and/or endings to the story.