The Page 69 Test

I've been seeing this test mentioned all over the blogosphere lately. It's not a new idea, but one I'd forgotten about. In theory, you turn to page 69 of a book and if you like what you read, you buy it.

I'm trying it out on a couple of books that are already within arm's reach (because I'm lazy). I won't retype the whole page, but just the first paragraph or so. You can decide whether or not the book pulls you in.

"Of course it's relevant. They are going to say that Miss Johnson is making up these charges to shake down their clients financially. I'm trying to establish her frame of mind on that night."

"I'll allow," Judge Pierce said.

I repeated the question.

Chamique squirmed a little and it made her look her age.
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Without pause, I rattled off the story Max had come up with. I’d practiced it enough in my head on the way over that it had the ring of truth. At least I hoped it did. “My cousin works at the morgue at Austin General. When the body was being transported to the county medical examiner’s office, he noticed the missing toe. He knew Nevvie, too, so he mentioned it to me.”
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Though Norris had never before met Mr. Pratt of Boston's Night Watch, he had known other men just like him, men too puffed up on authority to ever acknowledge the undeniable fact, recognized by everyone else, that they are stupid.
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This sort of indifference held true for the brokers who tempted him and the buyers who played along, he said. "They could've cared less. They needed the material and they sent me the check. I had plane tickets given to me. Clothing. Cases of wine!" he said. "The money you could make was incredible. It was like putting a mountain of money in a field and no one accounting for it."