Windmills of the Gods

This was a little bit more campy than most Sheldon novels, but a guilty pleasure nonetheless.

We come into the world of the Ashleys. Mary is a professor at KSU, her husband is a doctor with a good medical practice. The POTUS, Paul Ellison, offers her a gig being an ambassador, which she turns down not wanting to leave her husband. Then he dies mysteriously in an accident. Grieving, she takes the POTUS up on his offer.

She's a great ambassador but her second in command, Mike Slade, wants her dead and tries non stop to kill her. Anybody on team Mary gets killed. This opens up a Scooby Doo who done it mystery to find out who wants her dead and why, which a campy ending that really doesn't make sense in the scheme of things in the book, like show more secret shadow societies in the highest offices of government making decisions, but you're glad it's over. show less

A powerful secret organization, a deadly assassin, a President with a dangerous new agenda—all outsmarted by a woman from Junction City, Kansas! Poor Mary Ashley has no idea what she is in for after being approached by the President of the USA to become his new Romanian Ambassador. She considers it a great honor but declines, not wanting to upend her life and family. She accepts only after her husband is killed in a suspicious auto accident. This political thriller is fast-paced, suspenseful, and sometimes very amusing. Smart and fun, I found this book very entertaining and highly recommend it.

Having read another Sidney Sheldon book that I highly enjoyed, I was disappointed with this one. The premise starts off well enough, but there are too many unbelievable twists in this one, especially with the revelation about Angel, and about Ms. Ashley's husband. I would have liked to see more time in Romania and more of a focus on her trying to help the people.

Sidney Sheldon's "Windmills of the Gods" is the story of Mary Ashley, a Junction City, Kansas wife, mother, and university professor plucked from obscurity to become the US Ambassador to Romania. Ashley has never left Kansas City and plenty of high-level political figures are (understandably) against the ambassadorship. The appointment of Mary Ashley is questionable and sets the reader up to expect some hefty shenanigans.

The beginning of the novel is exciting. Covert meetings are taking place and the suspense is already building. Sheldon's description of the Iron Curtain countries in the 80's is detailed and chilling. Mary's initial impression of her new undertaking is well crafted and realistic. However, the swift transition from an show more inexperienced housewife from a farming state to a global figure accomplishing astonishing feats is a little incredulous. It's also a little predictable, though Sheldon's writing style still creates sufficient intrigue with some nice unexpected twists to keep the reader turning the pages.

The suspense tends to overshadow the political aspect as Sheldon places more focus on Ashley's mistrust of her own staff and the belief one of more of them is behind the attempts on her life. In the midst of all the drama is a (questionable) deadly assassin whose true identity remains a mystery (vague to avoid spoilers). The text incorporates several murders and the conclusion is satisfying, though the novel itself never seems to achieve the gritty, heart-stopping level of a political thriller anticipated at the beginning. Perhaps the continual references to Ashley's inexperience in the political arena and her former Middle America background are contributory factors. Overall, it is a well-written and enjoyable read. show less

“Even when lightning flashes inside them [clouds], we say they are only clouds and turn our attention to the next meal, next pain, next breath, the next page. This is how we go on.”
― Sidney Sheldon, Windmills of the Gods

Another good Sheldon book. This one combines politics with plenty of mystery and intrigue and is an engrossing well written book.

In spite of my love for all things Sheldon, this one, for me, was not quite as good, as some of his others. There are though plenty of Windmill lovers who would say different! I have read some of the reviews on this book and I remember it as a best seller.

I have other favorite Sheldon books but this one is still a great quick read an d one that I have read a few times now. It is still show more complex with the signature Sheldon twist and plenty of twists and turns. show less

Classic Sheldon in his prime (written 1987), one of his best novels in fact.

Takes place in Kansas, USA and Bucharest, Romania - a female professor is drawn into politics and is pressured into taking the position of US Ambassador to Romania however all is not what it seems. Danger and conspiracy rises throughout the story as it develops, whilst I found one of the twists easy to see coming some of the others were a pleasant surprise.

Windmill of the Gods was an excellent read with a strong yet relatable female lead.

I didn't like this one as much as The Sky is Falling. I wasn't expecting it to be so heavy in the politics at the beginning, and I didn't really find Mary to be a compelling character. I was expecting someone strong and smart, and once she got to Washington she was turned into, well, a naive hayseed. I didn't buy it -- you don't get anywhere in academia by being naive. There were a couple of interesting twists, but if this were the first Sidney Sheldon I read, I wouldn't seek out any more.