Escape Diaries

by Juliet Rosetti

[Cocktails and Books]

Hilarious, well-written, sweet love story, interesting, are all appropriate when describing The Escape Diaries. Main character Mazie Maguire, convicted of killing her husband, escapes from prison during a freak tornado using tips she learned from her fellow inmates and from watching The Fugitive. What Mazie finds on the run is not what she expected. Instead of turning her in, people are cheering her on and helping her elude the authorities. One member of her fan club is an intrepid photojournalist/ jack of all trades and is the key to finding the evidence Mazie needs to clear her name. It doesn’t hurt that he is super sexy.

Mazie’s story is less romance and more mystery. Although Labeck shapes up to a valid love interest, what drives the story is not their relationship it is Mazie’s quest to find out who killed her husband and to stay out of jail. I loved Mazie as a character, she’s funny and resourceful. There are several places where I had to suspend belief, for instance the idea that the public would aid a convicted murderer with her escape plans and how she continually thwarts the authorities. However, those are minor issues and I have dealt with less believable plot devices for the sake of a good story. The murder subplot is pretty intricate and in some ways takes away from the relationship that develops between Labeck and Mazie but overall, The Escape Diaries is an enjoyable read.

Reviewed by Karon for Cocktails and Books.