In Sheeps Clothing by Mary Monroe

In Sheeps Clothing Reviews

• 
  Mocha Drop

  At age 25, Anita Bell aka "Trudy" has suffered enough loss and loneliness that could fill three lifetimes. Her White mother, a flight attendant, was tragically taken from her in the much publicized airline terrorist attack over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988 and her older brother was killed in a car accident two years later. Largely abandoned by her mother's family because they disapproved of their daughter's choice of a black man for a husband, Trudy and her father were left on their own to grieve and support each other. Considered a "plain Jane," Trudy has since lived a sheltered, conservative life in South Bay, California clerking in the family business when in between jobs. She is engaged to James Long, a hen-pecked, chauvinistic, "mama's boy" who she has dated exclusively for the past ten years. When her father's store is robbed and Trudy is sexually assaulted during the burglary, she is determined to find and keep a job that will allow her to escape the ever-increasing crime filled neighborhood.
  
  She lands a secretarial position at Bon Voyage Travel Agency where she meets a group of eccentric travel representatives and a couple of busybody administrative assistants. Ann Oliver, a headstrong, no nonsense office manager, is the most enigmatic of the group. She routinely praises and demeans Trudy; so much so, that Trudy cannot determine if she is friend or foe, causing her to struggle with feelings of admiration and loathing toward Ann. In an act of retribution, Trudy justifies small charges on Ann's corporate account as compensation for ill treatment. Initially, Trudy has no worries of getting caught despite her best friend's warnings. Knowing her job entails paying the corporate accounts, coupled with a striking physical resemblance to Ann - there is no one to challenge her spending. However, exposure to beautiful people who travel to exotic places with marvelous jobs and wonderful love lives sprouts a bout of depression and second thoughts concerning her passionless relationship with James, listless life, and modest appearance. She taps into a resurrecting cure from childhood to energize herself - elaborate shopping sprees and makeovers - funded on Ann's credit! So begins the lies to cover the expensive dinners, parties, trips, couture clothing, etc. She becomes addicted to the lifestyle and when she finally admits to being "the" Ann Oliver things quickly spiral out of control.
  
  Monroe's latest offering is entertaining enough, albeit a tad predictable. As with her previous novels, the characters are wonderfully imagined "everyday" people with vibrant personalities. She aptly taps into the modern problem of identity theft and hypothesizes how an innocent like Trudy could easily succumb to the temptation and how simple it is to accomplish in the Information/Digital Age. Monroe weaves a fairly believable tale via Trudy and leaves the reader with two adages to ponder: "Be careful for what you wish, you may just get it" and "Nothing is free, everything costs".
• 
  Pearl

  It was an okay read, but I thought the author could have done it in less chapters. A lot of the story was told early on and she seem to be repeating herself throughout the story. I will say that I was glad that Trudy got it together at the end and didn't end up going to jail. She was a very angry and confused young lady.
• 
  Toni

  I felt compelled to finish this book and desperately wanted to like it, but the plot dragged on longer than necessary. Several aspects of the novel were disjointed, as some details weren’t as well-explored as others. I was sorely disappointed with the predictable outcome.
• 
  Twoshay

  This book had me mad for so many reasons. First it was so slow I had to fight my way thru it. When it finally picked up, I had the impression Trudy was 18 or something. I knew her age but she was so naive with men, her job, her friend and the way she let herself be taken advantage of. It's a good read to get thru this pandemic.
• 
  Madlyn

  This book storylines were not consistent and unrealistic. I keep wanting to find out how Tracy would get caught with the credit cards. From the way she kelp using them it was only a matter of time the law would come knocking at her door.
• 
  Bunnita (Worth Reading It?)

  Good book. Trudy (Gertrude) Bell is a trip and so is her friend. Unfortunately, it's a close mimick to real life situations.
• 
  Lisa

  Just goes to tell you, you never really know a person! Good read.
• 
  Michael Bell

  Boring and predictable.
• 
  Lizzie Winns

  Loved loved loved it. Mary Monroe is one of my favorite authors. I have read over half of all of her books and will continue reading until I've conquered them all.
• 
  Ta

  Didn't care for this much. Pretending to be someone who is pretending to be themselves. I guess.
• 
  Claudia

  This is a laugh out book that keep the pages turning. I was looking forward to a slow pace mood. The characters is very well developed along with the scenes that take place. I was looking for a not so many happy endings, was looking for some bloodshed for what Trudy aka Ann had done. Trudy didn't deserved a happy ending with all the may ham she cause. From a reader point of view some jail time would served her right.
  
  Trudy is a lost lady with a plan, it all starts off wrong the day she lets her father take over her life. Agreeing to work at his store and gets robbed and vol never to return to that place again. That's when a call comes in from a travel agency for hire of course she takes the offer. From there everything for Trudy goes bad but by her choices she knew was wrong. Stealing from the company come to easy and for Trudy.
  
  Ann is a she devil that makes her way to the top by lieing and stubbing employees in the back. Ann is Trudy boss that enjoys giving her hell but the firey pit opens up once Trudy figured out her ways enough to steal her identity.
  
  Four out of five stars is because I really was looking forward to see what happen to the real Ann. If I have to read between the lines she skipped town with all that guys money's.
• 
  deryl taylor

  Deception, greed and betrayal
  
  the author did a masterful job weaving a story of love, betrayal, deception and greed as well as right vs wrong. It shows how greed and dissatisfaction with one's life can lead to deception and betrayal of loved ones. I highly recommend this book.
• 
  Kandiz Oliver

  It was interesting.. I learned never 2 still someone's else identity cuz you'll never know wats going on in their lives.. Its deadly
• 
  Lanetta

  The book was sooo realistic!!! But, then again, the ending was pretty crappy. Good read, though!
• 
  Alfred

  this was an outstanding book
• 
  Wanda

  I really enjoyed this book because although it isn't a path i followed, i have come mighty close!
• 
  Susan

  Not exactly the person you want to model your life on, but difficult times can lead to questionable choices! An engaging story, regardless.
• 
  Brandi Nikkale

  Great book! But I felt that the ending missed the target. I was all riled up and then it just ended with no "spark". But engaging story nonetheless!
• 
  Lady Lakisha L. Clark

  It was ok
• 
  Patti Tindal

  Not my favorite Mary Monroe book. I prefer the Annette Goode stories (God Don't Like Ugly etc) but still a good solid read.
• 
  Ruth Palmer

  We got to keep our eyes open for people. Never know what they're gonna come up with.