THE PERFECT MOTHER

In this fictionalized account of the Amanda Knox case, journalist Darnton asks the question any parent would dread: Is my child capable of murder?

Although certainly inspired by the Knox trial, Darnton focuses more on the emotional landscape?the relationship between mother and daughter, how a child’s accomplishment becomes the parent’s. On the surface, Jennifer Lewis seems that titular perfect mother, and the proof is in Emma, the kind of teenager who volunteers, makes good grades and gets into Princeton. Now on her junior year in Spain, Emma calls home with the shocking news that a man tried to rape her and has been killed. Jennifer flies to Seville, but her reconciliation with Emma is surprisingly rocky. Released after intensive questioning (she claims that after she screamed for help, a stranger came into her apartment, killed the rapist and fled), Emma is hostile and uncommunicative. Their high-priced Spanish lawyer and private detective Roberto Ortiz suggest more cooperation?according to Spanish law, if the police simply charge her with a crime, she can wait up to four years in prison before a trial even begins, and as it stands, the police don’t believe her story. And neither does Emma’s father, Mark, a corporate lawyer, though Jennifer is convinced her daughter would never lie. As Jennifer becomes angry at Mark for his disloyalty, she becomes close with Roberto, who offers just the reassurances (she really is a good mother) that Jennifer needs to hear. When Emma’s story begins to fall apart?her boyfriend, Paco, is an ex-con drug dealer, the “rapist” a good boy from an affluent family, and her own kitchen knife is the murder weapon?Jennifer considers other aspects of her daughter’s past, including lying, cheating and stealing, that reveal more than she can admit about her daughter and herself.

A fast-paced thriller with the kind of emotional impact that transcends a simple whodunit.

View the original article here

THE PERFECT MOTHER

In this fictionalized account of the Amanda Knox case, journalist Darnton asks the question any parent would dread: Is my child capable of murder?

Although certainly inspired by the Knox trial, Darnton focuses more on the emotional landscape?the relationship between mother and daughter, how a child’s accomplishment becomes the parent’s. On the surface, Jennifer Lewis seems that titular perfect mother, and the proof is in Emma, the kind of teenager who volunteers, makes good grades and gets into Princeton. Now on her junior year in Spain, Emma calls home with the shocking news that a man tried to rape her and has been killed. Jennifer flies to Seville, but her reconciliation with Emma is surprisingly rocky. Released after intensive questioning (she claims that after she screamed for help, a stranger came into her apartment, killed the rapist and fled), Emma is hostile and uncommunicative. Their high-priced Spanish lawyer and private detective Roberto Ortiz suggest more cooperation?according to Spanish law, if the police simply charge her with a crime, she can wait up to four years in prison before a trial even begins, and as it stands, the police don’t believe her story. And neither does Emma’s father, Mark, a corporate lawyer, though Jennifer is convinced her daughter would never lie. As Jennifer becomes angry at Mark for his disloyalty, she becomes close with Roberto, who offers just the reassurances (she really is a good mother) that Jennifer needs to hear. When Emma’s story begins to fall apart?her boyfriend, Paco, is an ex-con drug dealer, the “rapist” a good boy from an affluent family, and her own kitchen knife is the murder weapon?Jennifer considers other aspects of her daughter’s past, including lying, cheating and stealing, that reveal more than she can admit about her daughter and herself.

A fast-paced thriller with the kind of emotional impact that transcends a simple whodunit.

View the original article here

Now This Is Perfect

"Pitch Perfect" fans rejoice -- there's a new pitch perfect couple in town!

Two of the movie's biggest stars -- Anna Camp and Skylar Astin -- are reportedly dating, according to Us Weekly. The two "made it official" when they attended the 3rd Annual 24 Hour Plays in Santa Monica, Calif. this week, and left the event together.

Camp, 30, and Astin, 25, have "known each other for a while" and "have amazing chemistry," sources tell the magazine.

The gorgeous blonde just recently split from her husband of three years, actor Michael Mosley, who cited "irreconcilable differences" for the divorce, according to TMZ. Astin, who's close friends with "Glee"'s breakout star Lea Michele, doesn't seem to have any famous exes on his roster.

Over the past couple of weeks, a smitten-looking Camp posted photos of her and her new main man to Instagram, writing:

"What a good night. Xox"

And -- "Had the best time last night with the dashing @skylarastin at last nights #trueblood premiere!!!"

Both Camp and Astin's reps preferred not to comment on the matter.

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The Perfect Pedicure

Giving yourself a professional pedicure is an 8-step process. The first step is to remove the old polish from your nails.

Instead of cotton balls (which will leave fuzzies), I suggest using a lint-free cotton pad, such as Miss Webril ($5.60 per box; 800-545-2506) or a beauty editor favorite, Lippmann Collection The Stripper To Go, which you can carry around with you.

Saturate the cotton pad with polish remover and rub off the old polish. If the color doesn't come off easily, press the saturated cotton on the nail and let it soak in a few seconds. If you have stains on your nails, fix them fast using the tips in How to Get Rid of Nail Stains.

When choosing the perfect polish remover consider that alcohol- and acetone-free removers are less drying, but don't work as well, especially on dark shades. Use these these on lighter nail polish shades.

For manicure tips, see How to Give Yourself a Manicure.

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