How can you trust book reviews?
You cannot believe everything you read. You have to check it out.
Fake book reviews are rife on the internet and readers should be aware of the “fraudulent” practices of some writers, a group of leading British authors warn
Their condemnation came after RJ Ellory the bestselling British crime writer, was exposed for using pseudonyms to pen fake glowing reviews about his “magnificent genius” online while simultaneously criticising his rivals.
.The author of A Quiet Belief in Angels and A Simple Act of Violence whose real name is Roger Jon Ellory, (not to be confused for James Ellroy) apologised for his “lapse of judgment”. Sic.
Even Patricia Cornwell has been implicated. Cornwell rounds up friends, employees, relatives, etc. with fervor to post favorable reviews. She came under attack for her very open requests for good reviews a few years ago, but didn’t stop the practice. Even that – shameless self-promotion done in the open – brought tons of ridicule upon her. I don’t see it very different from Ellory.; says one reader.
Article here – http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/booknews/9518531/RJ-Ellory-fake-book-reviews-are-rife-on-internet-authors-warn.html
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But now Amazon is removing some of the suspect book reviews:- http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/nov/05/amazon-removes-book-reviews
Just Fletcher 
Jan 02, 2013 @ 11:06:10
Thiis doesn’t surprise me one bit. I know of one particular case of a rather inaccurate book with hoards of glowing reviews on Amazon.
Jan 02, 2013 @ 14:45:48
And sometimes it can do harm to a good book. I don’t take notice of amazon reviews any longer, in fact one can download the first chapter for free and come to your own conclusion..
Jan 02, 2013 @ 11:40:09
I’m always positive critical of everything I read
and like to collect information from several sites or media… 🙂
Jan 02, 2013 @ 14:46:51
That is the wise way to go.
If you read ebooks you can always download the first chapter for free and get an idea.
Jan 02, 2013 @ 12:06:45
Even media reviewers can be suspect – collusion with publishers or bribery seems to come into it quite frequently. Attracting reputable reviewers is almost as daunting as finding a good publisher, regardless of how good one’s writing may be.
Jan 02, 2013 @ 14:47:46
Very true indeed. We live and learn (not to trust).
Jan 02, 2013 @ 13:48:54
I think the only way is to read the book for yourself. All reviewers are bias and some give away too much of the plot, it`s like reading the last few pages first. 🙂
Jan 02, 2013 @ 14:49:56
Yes you are correct -I agree. My Kindle opened the last chapter of a book by acccident and I did not realize it and now I think I am not going to read it – a real spoiler, oh dear
😦
Jan 03, 2013 @ 11:19:00
I must be lucky as the only accident I had with my kindle was going back to the beginning, but i`ve got used to it now. 🙂
Jan 02, 2013 @ 18:05:36
I don’t put much faith in reviews, I read the dust jackets perhaps and the title of the book draws my attention.. I love the fact one can download a sample from Amazon before buying the book. What book you cirrently reading?
Jan 02, 2013 @ 20:53:52
Yes I do like a short summary of what the book is about and the dust cover is important. I am reading Peter the Great by Massy at the moment but it is very thick because I have been reading forever and I am only 20% through.
PS check your URL – still shows as gravatar.com….
Jan 03, 2013 @ 16:57:44
Check now if it’s better por favor?
Jan 03, 2013 @ 17:00:26
You’ll have to send a mail in english please??? LOL