Adam Woog

Adam Woog, writing for The Seattle Times, reviewed Joyce Carol Oates's 2015 novel, "Jack of Spades: A Tale of Suspense." Woog's review highlighted the novel's compelling psychological suspense and praised its smooth narrative, noting how the author expertly builds tension.

The novel itself, as described in the provided text, follows Andrew J. Rush, a successful mystery author who adopts the pseudonym "Jack of Spades" to publish darker, more licentious stories. This secret life clashes with his public image, leading to complications when his daughters discover the lurid content and he faces accusations from another writer. The narrative explores Rush's descent into self-doubt and a struggle with his own literary creation.

In his review for The Seattle Times, Adam Woog commended Joyce Carol Oates's "Jack of Spades" for its "compelling psychological suspense." He described the novel's narrative as exceptionally smooth, suggesting that readers might not immediately recognize the increasing tension Oates builds throughout the plot. Woog's assessment contributed to the positive reception of the book, alongside commentary from literary critic Eric K. Anderson, who also noted the novel's fast pace and the skillful portrayal of a writer's mental decline.

“compelling psychological suspense”

“smooth—so smooth that readers barely notice how she tightens her silken noose of a plot around their throats.”