Reading Level 4.1

Rapid Reads is a line of short novels for new young adult and adult readers. Rapid Reads are intended for a diverse audience, including ESL students, reluctant readers, adults who struggle with literacy and anyone who wants and enjoys high-interest short novels.  The plots are contemporary and entertaining, with adult language and themes.

Love You to Death by Gail Bowen

Charlie D is the host of a successful late-night radio call-in show. His listeners have a particularly intimate relationship with him and often reveal much about themselves, confident that he will honor their trust and that he can save them. In their minds, he is perfect: one of life's winners. But Charlie feels he's something of a fake. His easy confidence on-air belies the reality for a man born with a wine-colored birthmark that covers half his face.

Love You to Death covers one hour on "The World According to Charlie D"- an hour during which he must both discover the long-time listener who is killing the people who trust him and attempt to come to terms with the man behind the birthmark.

Sample Pages for "Love You to Death" (click here)

Reading Guide for "Love You to Death" (click here)

Gail Bowen is the author of the best-selling mystery featuring Joanne Kilbourn. The first six books have appeared as made-for-television movies with worldwide distribution. Winner of both the Arthur Ellis Best Novel Award and the Derrick Murdoch Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Crime Writers of Canada, Gail Bowen was also named "Canada's Best Mystery Novelist" by Reader's Digest in 2008.

Review

"I can tell you that you will read the entire book (it's less than 100 pages) in two hours, not only because you can, but because you are compelled to do so. One of Canada's best mystery novelists, Gail Bowen takes a concept and crafts a story that is tightly-paced and thoroughly gripping." - CM Magazine