Deceptive Calm
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Deceptive Calm
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Narrated by:
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Tanya Reuter
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By:
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Patricia Skipper
About this listen
Against the turbulent backdrop of declared martial law in South Carolina, a stunning light-skinned beauty, Vanessa, lives in a Catholic orphanage for Blacks. After a series of racial traumas, Vanessa obtains the birth certificate of a deceased white baby and uses this document to assume the child's identity. She moves to California and enrolls at UC Berkeley under her newly acquired name.
Vanessa marries into one of California's wealthiest families. Her charmed life abruptly ends eighteen months after the birth of her first child who is diagnosed with sickle cell trait. Discovering that the woman he married is Black, as is his toddler son, Vanessa's ruthless husband plots his revenge but they both survive. The police investigation that follows seems pretty clear-cut until a curious, young detective uncovers some clues to her private life where nothing is as it appears. The aftermath of the discovery brings down a pillar of San Francisco society.
©2023 Patricia Skipper (P)2024 Patricia SkipperWhat listeners say about Deceptive Calm
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Mrs. Obasuyi
- 01-19-25
Decent Read
Deceptive Calm started out a bit slow for my taste. it was a fairly decent read, however I could have done without all of the unnecessary cursing and soft porn. I believe the overly descriptive nature of the sex scenes was more graffic than it needed to be. Most of all I was very disappointed with the end of the story. The fact that the end seems to suggest Barry was going to be with Vanessa in any capacity was stupid and unrealistic. Definitely not what I would consider a proper ending.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Keianndra Howard
- 12-14-24
A romantic book with a wonderful story
The book of Deceptive Calm follows the life of a light-skinned woman named Vanessa, who struggles with identity after traumatic events take place in her life, causing her to move away. She moved across the country with a new identity and was looking for a fresh start. With her new identity, she becomes the first female lead in broadcasting. She finds love and is living a dream that everyone wanted. However, her deceptions catch up to her, turning her life upside down.
The book highlights Vanessa's resilience, love, relationships, betrayal, marriage, and loyalty. I loved how the author depicted the difference in her love life. The love she got in marriage was not as strong as the love she had at home with her true love. The romance was well-written and gives you a different perspective on what love truly is and how it should feel. The flow was smooth. There was suspense, but it was overbearing in the last two chapters. The ending plot was the best part of the book. The characters were relatable and historical. Overall, the book was amazing and a wonderful story.
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 02-03-25
T
Patricia Skipper has recently entered the literary scene, and her novel "Deceitful Calm" presents a perplexing experience for readers. My initial encounter with her work left me with a rather lukewarm impression, leading me to assign a modest rating of two stars.
The narrative straddles multiple genres, creating an uncertain reading experience. At various points, I found myself questioning whether I was immersed in a steamy romance, a commentary on martial law, or a gripping tale of racism and murder. This lack of coherence made it difficult to engage with the story on a meaningful level.
Moreover, the conclusion of the book adds to the overall confusion, leaving readers with more questions than answers. Instead of a satisfying resolution, it felt as though the story ended abruptly, deepening the sense of mystery rather than providing clarity.
Given this experience, I am hesitant to explore more of Skipper's works in the immediate future. Her debut leaves much to be desired in terms of narrative cohesion and clarity, making it challenging to recommend to others who seek a well-defined storyline. As I reflect on "Deceitful Calm," I find myself ambivalent about the prospect of delving into her future publications.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- LJD
- 02-13-25
OVERVIEW OF BOOK
THE BOOK IS RIGHT UP MY ALLEY IN INTEREST OF GENRE'S. I ENJOYED THE STORYLINE AND ERA OF TIME OF THE BOOK. HOWEVER, THE NARRATOR DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING IN CAPTURING THE CHARACTERS IN THE BOOK. THE AUTHOR WROTE A GREAT BOOK, I TRULY ENJOY A LOVE STORY WITH A HAPPY ENDING, I WILL BE PURCHASING A HARDCOPY OF THE BOOK TO ADD TO MY LIBRARY
THIS WAS MY FIRST TIME ORDERING AN AUDIBLE BOOK AND I LOOK FORWARD TO ORDERING MORE,
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Bvc
- 01-16-25
the racist comments
it was uncomfortable to read and do not recommend to pple that dnt like rasim
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 12-09-24
Nothing really stood out.
The story just didn't involve any strong emotions in me. It was a cool story but rather bland.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Momma T
- 03-04-25
History lesson
I dislike this book. I found the book Deceptive Calm redundant. Although there were characters in this story of the struggles with discrimination it felt more as though I was having a history lesson.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Gabriela Montes
- 12-02-24
A striking story that delivers a powerful dose of reality
Deceptive Calm by Patricia Skipper is a powerful and emotional story of resilience. It follows Vanessa, a light-skinned Black woman, as she navigates nearly 40 years of challenges in a society shaped by racism, sexism, and inequality. Set in post-martial-law South Carolina, Vanessa’s journey highlights the struggles of women who face discrimination on multiple fronts. Yet, beneath her calm and composed exterior lies a fierce and determined heart.
One of the most striking parts of the story is when Vanessa gets a chance to completely reinvent herself. With the birth certificate of a deceased White baby, she creates a new identity and steps into a life of new challenges and opportunities. This pivotal moment shows her strength and her willingness to redefine her future despite the weight of her past.
Patricia Skipper’s storytelling is heartfelt and clear, making the emotional struggles and societal pressures feel very real. The book also celebrates Vanessa’s determination, her relationships, and her personal growth, showing how the people and places in her life shape her.
While the pacing can feel uneven at times, and the open-ended conclusion leaves some questions unanswered, the story’s focus on Vanessa’s resilience and strength is deeply inspiring. Deceptive Calm is a thought-provoking and moving read, especially for women who may see pieces of their own experiences reflected in Vanessa’s story.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Jamilla B.
- 12-26-24
It’s an emotionally powerful read!
Deceptive Calm is a heart-wrenching, uplifting, and provocative story that explores the emotional rollercoaster of life. From the beginning, it felt as if the story jumped straight into the middle of something, creating an immediate sense of intrigue. The protagonist experiences every imaginable emotion—love, disappointment, heartbreak, joy, and ecstasy—which makes her journey incredibly relatable and intense.
The central theme of the story focuses on the different types of people who come into our lives, each with their own purpose. Some people build us up, others love us, some challenge us, and some break us down. The way the author explores this idea adds layers to the story, showing the complexity of relationships and human connections.
At times, I found myself completely captivated by the drama unfolding in the book. There were days when I couldn't put it down, eager to know what would happen next. However, there were also moments when the emotional weight of the story became overwhelming, and I had to take breaks to process everything. This emotional push and pull made for a very engaging, though at times taxing, reading experience.
Despite its many strengths, I did find that the pacing in the beginning was a bit confusing. The first two chapters were especially difficult to follow, and I had to reread them multiple times to catch up with the story. While this did slow me down initially, once I found my footing, the book flowed more smoothly.
One of the aspects I appreciated most was how the author depicted life from a pure, almost innocent perspective. The protagonist’s experiences often teach her hard lessons, and her journey toward understanding who people really are, beyond their masks, felt poignant. It's a reminder that we often don't understand certain aspects of life until we are taught or experience them ourselves.
However, there were some aspects of the characters and their relationships that left me questioning their motivations. For example, the protagonist’s love interests, Barry and later her husband, came across as overly aggressive, which sometimes made the protagonist seem unsure of herself. She often seemed to flock to people who showed her interest, rather than sticking to her own principles, which was a bit frustrating.
It’s an emotionally powerful read, full of drama and real-life lessons. The story would likely translate well into a TV show, as it has the perfect mix of emotional intensity and intrigue. While there were some minor pacing issues and moments of confusion, the story's depth and emotional journey make it worth the read.
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- LaTonya Reed
- 03-13-25
I couldn't finish
I can't finish this book, and I read at least 50% before making my decision.
I didn't connect with any of the characters except one. They weren't the main character, and the person died early in the book. I'm a 56 year old African American woman with roots in the south, and this book felt foreign to me. The Black characters weren't believable for me. They felt cold and sounded like they were pretending to be Black. I was prepared for the racism and sexism because that was how life was during that time period.
After reading the synopsis, I really thought this would be a book I would enjoy.
This book was a review for Onlinebookclub.org
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