"When I'm Gone" is a Rosemary Beach novel by Abbi Glines who is a New York Times bestselling author. You can learn more about her at AbbiGlines.com but you won't find her on my go-to source, fantasticfiction.co.uk.
I picked up this paperback from the "Best Picks" shelf at my local library and it was a quick read but disappointing. I might have enjoyed the sexual detail when I was a pre-adolescent or adolescent but it doesn't appeal to me as a more mature woman. I also found some of the language offensive and unnecessary.
However, the overall story line was a good one -- Reese Ellis was made to feel stupid by her teachers, her mother, her stepfather, and schoolmates growing up because she had an undiagnosed learning disorder - dyslexia. She also suffered sexual abuse at the hands of her stepfather. She is now supporting herself cleaning houses and her fear of men keeps her at home most of the time. The one male friend she feels safe with is her friend and neighbor, Jimmy, who is gay.
When Mase Colt-Manning, a Texas rancher, comes to town to visit his sister, their paths cross briefly but that brief meeting leaves them both changed forever. Mase has never felt about a woman the way he feels about Reese. He knows she's uncomfortable around men and he wants to be her protector.
Reese, on the other hand, slowly learns to trust Mase and is surprised when he genuinely appears to want to help her figure out why she can't read --- something he discovered accidentally. Their path to romance is rocky but they do eventually get there.
The book didn't convince me I want to read any more Rosemary Beach novels, though. pazt
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
"Love Begins In Winter"
"Love Begins In Winter" is a book of five short stories by Simon Van Booy. Although I have read several of his books and find it difficult to describe Van Booy's writings, I always return for more. Each of the stories told in this novel are unique and beautiful and Van Booy has a way of drawing me into his story with his character descriptions. All I can say is give his work a try for yourself. pazt
Sunday, December 27, 2015
"The Wrong Girl"
?The Wrong Girl" by Hank Phillippi Ryan is the first book I've read by this author and the second one in her Newspaper Reporter Jane Ryland and Detective Jack Brogan series. It mentions incidents from the first novel in the series and I liked this one so well that I'm already looking for that one!
Ryan is the investigative reporter for Boston's NBC affiliate as well an author. She's won 28 Emmys and 10 Edward R. Murrow awards for her journalism. Four of her mystery novels are best sellers and she's won 2 Agatha Awards as well as the Anthony and Macavity for her mystery novels. You can visit her on the web at www.HankPhillippiRyan.com for more info.
Three deaths happen in fairly quick succession in Boston and appear to be unrelated. The first two are declared murder by the new hotshot medical examiner and the third is suspicious but most likely not homicide. Detective Jack Brogan and his partner are called to the scene of the first murder where two small children have been left unattended when the young woman with them is found dead. Jane Ryland is on the scene trying to get a story for her newspaper without compromising the feelings that are growing between her and Jack which, if allowed to blossom, would jeopardize both their jobs.
In the meantime, a former colleague of Jane's has asked for her help in finding her real birth mother. While there are four or more different scenarios being explored in the book, it's a little difficult at first to move back and forth between the story lines. However, as the investigations and arrests proceed, everything that appeared to be unconnected may, in fact, be linked. Jane and Jack find themselves turning up at the same location following different leads -- on the murder investigations for him and story lines for her. Very well written and an absorbing read! pazt
Ryan is the investigative reporter for Boston's NBC affiliate as well an author. She's won 28 Emmys and 10 Edward R. Murrow awards for her journalism. Four of her mystery novels are best sellers and she's won 2 Agatha Awards as well as the Anthony and Macavity for her mystery novels. You can visit her on the web at www.HankPhillippiRyan.com for more info.
Three deaths happen in fairly quick succession in Boston and appear to be unrelated. The first two are declared murder by the new hotshot medical examiner and the third is suspicious but most likely not homicide. Detective Jack Brogan and his partner are called to the scene of the first murder where two small children have been left unattended when the young woman with them is found dead. Jane Ryland is on the scene trying to get a story for her newspaper without compromising the feelings that are growing between her and Jack which, if allowed to blossom, would jeopardize both their jobs.
In the meantime, a former colleague of Jane's has asked for her help in finding her real birth mother. While there are four or more different scenarios being explored in the book, it's a little difficult at first to move back and forth between the story lines. However, as the investigations and arrests proceed, everything that appeared to be unconnected may, in fact, be linked. Jane and Jack find themselves turning up at the same location following different leads -- on the murder investigations for him and story lines for her. Very well written and an absorbing read! pazt
Thursday, December 24, 2015
"Howl's Moving Castle"
"Howl's Moving Castle" was authored by an Englishwoman, Diana Wynne Jones, who was born in 1934 and died in 2011. This book has been made into a motion picture and it is this movie that I saw first before deciding I'd like to read the book.
I loved her dedication: "The idea for this book was suggested by a boy in a school I was visiting, who asked me to write a book called "The Moving Castle."
I wrote down his name, and put it in such a safe place, that I have been unable to find it ever since. I would like to thank him very much."
This book is about three sisters but mainly it is about the eldest sister, Sophie. When their father dies, their mother is unable to keep the sisters in their private schools and must send them out as apprentices -- all but Sophie who she apprentices in the family hat business because this is the store that Sophie will inherit. While Sophie toils in the store, her stepmother is out and about "drumming up business."
When the Wicked Witch of the Waste shows up in the shop one day and casts a spell on Sophie turning her into an old woman, she decides to go out into the world. She can't tell anyone that a spell has been cast on her and she won't be recognized as Sophie.
She finally ends up the Wizard Howl's moving castle worming her way in and getting him to allow her to stay. That is when Sophie and Howl's adventures begin.
Although I enjoyed the movie, the book is really quite different and the depth of the story unfolded the more I read. There were plenty of surprises along the way, too! It is science fiction/fantasy and may not appeal to everyone but I enjoyed it enough to look for the second book in this series. pazt
I loved her dedication: "The idea for this book was suggested by a boy in a school I was visiting, who asked me to write a book called "The Moving Castle."
I wrote down his name, and put it in such a safe place, that I have been unable to find it ever since. I would like to thank him very much."
This book is about three sisters but mainly it is about the eldest sister, Sophie. When their father dies, their mother is unable to keep the sisters in their private schools and must send them out as apprentices -- all but Sophie who she apprentices in the family hat business because this is the store that Sophie will inherit. While Sophie toils in the store, her stepmother is out and about "drumming up business."
When the Wicked Witch of the Waste shows up in the shop one day and casts a spell on Sophie turning her into an old woman, she decides to go out into the world. She can't tell anyone that a spell has been cast on her and she won't be recognized as Sophie.
She finally ends up the Wizard Howl's moving castle worming her way in and getting him to allow her to stay. That is when Sophie and Howl's adventures begin.
Although I enjoyed the movie, the book is really quite different and the depth of the story unfolded the more I read. There were plenty of surprises along the way, too! It is science fiction/fantasy and may not appeal to everyone but I enjoyed it enough to look for the second book in this series. pazt
Sunday, December 20, 2015
"Girl Waits With Gun"
"Girl Waits With Gun" is a novel by Amy Stewart but the three sisters, Constance, Norma, and Fleurette Kopp, who are the heroines of this story are real women and this novel is based on what actually happened to them.
The oldest sister, Constance, was 35 years old in 1914 and all three unmarried sisters lived on the rural New Jersey family farm. Although their brother encouraged them to move to town to live with he and his wife and their two children, they insisted on staying on the farm after their mother's death. They survived by selling off pieces of the farm, raising chickens, and most of their food.
When their buggy is destroyed by a speeding car, Constance seeks compensation from the owner of the car who is also the owner of the local silk mill. What would seem like a straightforward request turns into something much more when the girls are blackmailed, threatened with kidnapping, shot at, and more! As the oldest, Constance takes on the responsibility of getting the sheriff involved. The sheriff provides them with deputies to keep an eye on the farm and arms the three girls (women) and teaches them how to shoot.
Although history has not said much about Constance, she was the first woman to become a deputy sheriff. She was also a rarity in her time because she stood 6 feet tall.
Stewart adds her own story line to this true tale but also includes newspaper headlines and articles from the actual events. The book makes interesting reading as well as insight into the times that these women lived and why what happened to them could have happened. pazt
The oldest sister, Constance, was 35 years old in 1914 and all three unmarried sisters lived on the rural New Jersey family farm. Although their brother encouraged them to move to town to live with he and his wife and their two children, they insisted on staying on the farm after their mother's death. They survived by selling off pieces of the farm, raising chickens, and most of their food.
When their buggy is destroyed by a speeding car, Constance seeks compensation from the owner of the car who is also the owner of the local silk mill. What would seem like a straightforward request turns into something much more when the girls are blackmailed, threatened with kidnapping, shot at, and more! As the oldest, Constance takes on the responsibility of getting the sheriff involved. The sheriff provides them with deputies to keep an eye on the farm and arms the three girls (women) and teaches them how to shoot.
Although history has not said much about Constance, she was the first woman to become a deputy sheriff. She was also a rarity in her time because she stood 6 feet tall.
Stewart adds her own story line to this true tale but also includes newspaper headlines and articles from the actual events. The book makes interesting reading as well as insight into the times that these women lived and why what happened to them could have happened. pazt
Thursday, December 10, 2015
"Warning At One"
"Warning At One" is Ann Purser's 8th novel in the Lois Meade mystery series. Life seems to have settled into a routine for Lois and her cleaning business until Bill, one of her long term part-time cleaners, announces his wife is pregnant with their second child and has decided to stop working. That means he is going to accept an offer at the vet's where he works part-time to become a full-time employee. Although Lois and the crew will miss him and are sad to see him go, she was not totally surprised by his resignation.
Bill had just started cleaning for a visually impaired woman and she decides Dot Nemmo should take over there. The house happens to be across the street from the rental Lois and her husband purchased as an investment. However, the last tenants have moved out leaving it empty because the elderly man next door, Clem, has a cockerel that wakes everyone in the area very early in the morning with its loud crowing. The neighbor on Clem's other side appears antisocial and reclusive. Fortunately, for the Meade family, the eldest son, Douglas, is taking a job and moving back to the area and wants to rent their vacant home.
Inspector Cowgill has informed Lois that there may be shady things going on in the neighborhood and he'd appreciate Lois, her son, and Dot keeping an eye out for anything useful that they might report to him.
When Douglas moves in and meets Clem's granddaughter, Susie, sparks fly and a romance blossoms. Unfortunately, Clem and his cockerel are murdered and Douglas finds himself on the suspect list thanks to some anonymous tips.
However, not all is what it appears to be with the neighbors and, when threats are made, Lois gets involved and finds herself in hot water. Life is always interesting when Inspector Cowgill and Lois team up! Another good Lois Meade mystery! pazt
Bill had just started cleaning for a visually impaired woman and she decides Dot Nemmo should take over there. The house happens to be across the street from the rental Lois and her husband purchased as an investment. However, the last tenants have moved out leaving it empty because the elderly man next door, Clem, has a cockerel that wakes everyone in the area very early in the morning with its loud crowing. The neighbor on Clem's other side appears antisocial and reclusive. Fortunately, for the Meade family, the eldest son, Douglas, is taking a job and moving back to the area and wants to rent their vacant home.
Inspector Cowgill has informed Lois that there may be shady things going on in the neighborhood and he'd appreciate Lois, her son, and Dot keeping an eye out for anything useful that they might report to him.
When Douglas moves in and meets Clem's granddaughter, Susie, sparks fly and a romance blossoms. Unfortunately, Clem and his cockerel are murdered and Douglas finds himself on the suspect list thanks to some anonymous tips.
However, not all is what it appears to be with the neighbors and, when threats are made, Lois gets involved and finds herself in hot water. Life is always interesting when Inspector Cowgill and Lois team up! Another good Lois Meade mystery! pazt
Saturday, December 5, 2015
"The Illusion of Separateness"
Simon Van Booy's "The Illusion of Separateness" is a great novel. I just finished reading it but it is so familiar that I think I may have read it before but maybe not finished it -- maybe wrote about it and maybe not?
The book tells the stories of a deformed German infantryman, a lonely British film director, a young woman who is a blind museum curator, two Jewish American newlyweds separated by war, and a caretaker at a retirement home for actors in Santa Monica.
Each chapter talks about a different character -- sometimes returning more than once to that individual but what we learn in the end is that all these individuals lives have intersected in some way at some point -- all around events during and after World War II.
It was a joy to read -- sad at times but for the most part uplifting. pazt
The book tells the stories of a deformed German infantryman, a lonely British film director, a young woman who is a blind museum curator, two Jewish American newlyweds separated by war, and a caretaker at a retirement home for actors in Santa Monica.
Each chapter talks about a different character -- sometimes returning more than once to that individual but what we learn in the end is that all these individuals lives have intersected in some way at some point -- all around events during and after World War II.
It was a joy to read -- sad at times but for the most part uplifting. pazt
Thursday, November 26, 2015
"15 Seconds"
"15 Seconds" by Andrew Gross was inspired by something that happened to him in real life. Fortunately for Andrew, it didn't last as long as Dr. Henry Steadman's troubles!
Vance Hofer is an ex-cop who has lost everything - his wife died; his home was foreclosed on; and now his daughter, Amanda, is going to jail for vehicular homicide while under the influence of prescription drugs. He can't help Amanda who must serve her time in jail but he can track down her sources and make them pay.
Dr. Henry Steadman is a successful Florida plastic surgeon who also happens to be divorced. He and his ex-wife have one teenage daughter, Hallie, who means everything to both of them.
When Henry flies into Ft. Lauderdale to play golf with a friend and speak at a Doctors Without Borders regional conference, he has no idea that his life is about to be turned upside down. A routine traffic stop turns into a nightmare and he finds himself on the run with nowhere to turn.
Carrie Holmes is on her first day back at the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office as a Community Outreach Director. Her husband died unexpectedly and her son is recovering, too. She has the support of her family - her father an ex-cop and her brother is with the FBI - to help her return to a "normal" life.
When these three individuals find their lives colliding, they each have a decision to make about what their next step will be. Will they help one another or will they decide to not get involved?
This is an engrossing story with twists and turns and I'm ready to read more Andrew Gross novels. pazt
Vance Hofer is an ex-cop who has lost everything - his wife died; his home was foreclosed on; and now his daughter, Amanda, is going to jail for vehicular homicide while under the influence of prescription drugs. He can't help Amanda who must serve her time in jail but he can track down her sources and make them pay.
Dr. Henry Steadman is a successful Florida plastic surgeon who also happens to be divorced. He and his ex-wife have one teenage daughter, Hallie, who means everything to both of them.
When Henry flies into Ft. Lauderdale to play golf with a friend and speak at a Doctors Without Borders regional conference, he has no idea that his life is about to be turned upside down. A routine traffic stop turns into a nightmare and he finds himself on the run with nowhere to turn.
Carrie Holmes is on her first day back at the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office as a Community Outreach Director. Her husband died unexpectedly and her son is recovering, too. She has the support of her family - her father an ex-cop and her brother is with the FBI - to help her return to a "normal" life.
When these three individuals find their lives colliding, they each have a decision to make about what their next step will be. Will they help one another or will they decide to not get involved?
This is an engrossing story with twists and turns and I'm ready to read more Andrew Gross novels. pazt
Monday, November 23, 2015
"The Spider's Web"
"The Spider's Web" is a non-fiction novel written by Jerome Gold who was a juvenile rehabilitation counselor in a children's prison for a number of years. This book is based on his experiences with some of the youth he worked with for the last seven years he was at Ash Meadow. He was based in Wolf Cottage at Ash Meadow, a maximum security facility. A lot of the story focuses on Caitlin Weber, a thirteen year old girl, who along with her mother and four other children, murdered her mother's employer.
Caitlin stayed at Ash Meadow until she turned 18 then she was transferred to a prison for adult women, Purdy. Jerome (who goes by Jerry) and Caitlin become close and, in my opinion, he became the father figure that Caitlin lacked in her life. Even though Jerry is now retired, he and his wife continue to visit Caitlin in prison.
This book was an enlightening read - How many of us really know what happens to children who commit serious crimes? If you want to look behind the scenes in a juvenile facility as well as look at what may lead children to commit crimes, this book is for you. Although it's a difficult read at times, it is well worth the effort. pazt
Caitlin stayed at Ash Meadow until she turned 18 then she was transferred to a prison for adult women, Purdy. Jerome (who goes by Jerry) and Caitlin become close and, in my opinion, he became the father figure that Caitlin lacked in her life. Even though Jerry is now retired, he and his wife continue to visit Caitlin in prison.
This book was an enlightening read - How many of us really know what happens to children who commit serious crimes? If you want to look behind the scenes in a juvenile facility as well as look at what may lead children to commit crimes, this book is for you. Although it's a difficult read at times, it is well worth the effort. pazt
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
"The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind"
"The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind" by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer is William's story about growing up in Malawi where people believe in magic but science is a mystery.
William's story makes me realize how easy my life has been. This book is more than just a story about his accomplishments - It's the story of his and his family's survival during a major drought that caused so many deaths. It's also the story of how that drought inspired him to look for answers to help himself and his family and his neighbors.
William's village went to bed when it got dark -- at 7:00 p.m. -- because they had no electricity in their homes. William's schooling was limited because his parents did not have the money to pay his school fees. Did that stop him learning? No -- He had a dream to bring electricity and running water to his family. When he couldn't attend school, he found a local library and taught himself through studying books even though he had to struggle at times with the English they were written in. His desire motivated him to work hard to learn more. He used what he could scavenge from a junk yard and scraps around him and eventually he did build a rudimentary windmill and bring electricity first to his room then to his family's home. He didn't let people laughing at him or calling him crazy to stop him.
What he accomplished for himself was even more -- As word of what he had done spread and people stopped by to see his windmill, he attracted the attention of individuals who could not only offer him a chance to further his schooling but also help him find the resources financially to bring even more improvements to his family, his neighbors, his village. At the time this book was written, he was at a boarding school but he had also traveled to deliver a TED talk and to the U.S. to see windmill farms firsthand.
What really struck me as I finished reading William's life story was how much he loves his family and his village. Here is a boy from very humble beginnings who sleeps in a modest home where he can hear the termites chewing at night. When he is sleeping in what he would probably consider luxury in a bed in the U.S., he misses the quiet and the night sounds of his home village. He doesn't forget his roots and, when he has the opportunity and the financial resources, William returns to his village to bring better windmills and electricity, improved hygiene, and cleaner water that the village women can pump from the ground. William is an amazing young man and knows the true meaning of what it is to care for and give back to others. pazt
William's story makes me realize how easy my life has been. This book is more than just a story about his accomplishments - It's the story of his and his family's survival during a major drought that caused so many deaths. It's also the story of how that drought inspired him to look for answers to help himself and his family and his neighbors.
William's village went to bed when it got dark -- at 7:00 p.m. -- because they had no electricity in their homes. William's schooling was limited because his parents did not have the money to pay his school fees. Did that stop him learning? No -- He had a dream to bring electricity and running water to his family. When he couldn't attend school, he found a local library and taught himself through studying books even though he had to struggle at times with the English they were written in. His desire motivated him to work hard to learn more. He used what he could scavenge from a junk yard and scraps around him and eventually he did build a rudimentary windmill and bring electricity first to his room then to his family's home. He didn't let people laughing at him or calling him crazy to stop him.
What he accomplished for himself was even more -- As word of what he had done spread and people stopped by to see his windmill, he attracted the attention of individuals who could not only offer him a chance to further his schooling but also help him find the resources financially to bring even more improvements to his family, his neighbors, his village. At the time this book was written, he was at a boarding school but he had also traveled to deliver a TED talk and to the U.S. to see windmill farms firsthand.
What really struck me as I finished reading William's life story was how much he loves his family and his village. Here is a boy from very humble beginnings who sleeps in a modest home where he can hear the termites chewing at night. When he is sleeping in what he would probably consider luxury in a bed in the U.S., he misses the quiet and the night sounds of his home village. He doesn't forget his roots and, when he has the opportunity and the financial resources, William returns to his village to bring better windmills and electricity, improved hygiene, and cleaner water that the village women can pump from the ground. William is an amazing young man and knows the true meaning of what it is to care for and give back to others. pazt
Monday, November 16, 2015
"The Magdalen Martyrs"
Ken Bruen's "The Magdalen Martyrs" is his third book in the Jack Taylor novel series. His first book in this series, "The Guards," won him a Shamus Award for Best Novel of 2003 from the Private Eye Writers of America.
This novel is set in Galway where Jack is once again living in a room at Mrs. Bailey's hotel. He's trying to stay off the drugs and booze but finds himself unable to get a good night's rest.
Almost simultaneously Jack takes on two new cases. One is a favor called in by Bill Cassell, a Galway tough. He knew he'd have to "pay the piper" at some time for the favor Cassell did for him and thinks he's gotten off relatively easy. Cassell wants him to find a woman who he claims long ago helped his mom escape from the notorious Magdalen laundry. This was where wayward Catholic girls were sent -- either because they were pregnant or were disobedient to their parents. The girls were forced to work in the laundry and were physically and emotionally abused by the nuns in charge and the staff. Some decided to commit suicide to escape the conditions they'd been forced to endure.
Jack's paying case was a young man who believed his stepmother had killed his wealthy stepfather. He's a successful computer guy and was away at the time of his father's death. No autopsy was performed and his father was cremated so Jack has his hands full trying to decide where to start on this case.
In the meantime, Cassell, who is dying from cancer, doesn't think Jack is working hard enough on his request and has a couple of his thugs pay Jack a visit and that doesn't set well with Jack. In addition, he gets in a bit of trouble by assaulting a man who was physically assaulting his young children in front of a store. Witness statements varied and Jack ended up in jail.
So, Jack does what he does best and ends up back on drugs and booze. Eventually he's able to solve both cases but in very unusual ways. If he'd been paying attention to the news, maybe he'd solved one of them a little earlier.
I watched some of the Jack Taylor series produced for TV and this is one of the stories portrayed but the book (of course) has a totally different slant although part of the story doesn't vary from the book.
It is really hard for me to explain what reading one of the Jack Taylor novels is like for me. Bruen intersperses books, quotes, music, etc. throughout the books and sometimes their relevance makes sense to me in light of the story and at other times I'm totally stymied by the relevance and even begin to feel I'm just not smart enough or knowledgeable enough to figure out the link! I still like reading the books, though! pazt
This novel is set in Galway where Jack is once again living in a room at Mrs. Bailey's hotel. He's trying to stay off the drugs and booze but finds himself unable to get a good night's rest.
Almost simultaneously Jack takes on two new cases. One is a favor called in by Bill Cassell, a Galway tough. He knew he'd have to "pay the piper" at some time for the favor Cassell did for him and thinks he's gotten off relatively easy. Cassell wants him to find a woman who he claims long ago helped his mom escape from the notorious Magdalen laundry. This was where wayward Catholic girls were sent -- either because they were pregnant or were disobedient to their parents. The girls were forced to work in the laundry and were physically and emotionally abused by the nuns in charge and the staff. Some decided to commit suicide to escape the conditions they'd been forced to endure.
Jack's paying case was a young man who believed his stepmother had killed his wealthy stepfather. He's a successful computer guy and was away at the time of his father's death. No autopsy was performed and his father was cremated so Jack has his hands full trying to decide where to start on this case.
In the meantime, Cassell, who is dying from cancer, doesn't think Jack is working hard enough on his request and has a couple of his thugs pay Jack a visit and that doesn't set well with Jack. In addition, he gets in a bit of trouble by assaulting a man who was physically assaulting his young children in front of a store. Witness statements varied and Jack ended up in jail.
So, Jack does what he does best and ends up back on drugs and booze. Eventually he's able to solve both cases but in very unusual ways. If he'd been paying attention to the news, maybe he'd solved one of them a little earlier.
I watched some of the Jack Taylor series produced for TV and this is one of the stories portrayed but the book (of course) has a totally different slant although part of the story doesn't vary from the book.
It is really hard for me to explain what reading one of the Jack Taylor novels is like for me. Bruen intersperses books, quotes, music, etc. throughout the books and sometimes their relevance makes sense to me in light of the story and at other times I'm totally stymied by the relevance and even begin to feel I'm just not smart enough or knowledgeable enough to figure out the link! I still like reading the books, though! pazt
Sunday, November 15, 2015
"Baltimore Blues"
"Baltimore Blues" is Laura Lippman's first Tess Monaghan novel in a series that (as of 2015) includes 12 books. Laura is a New York Times bestselling author who has been awarded every major prize in crime fiction.
Tess Monaghan, the heroine in Lippman's novels, is an out-of-work former reporter for the Star in Baltimore who lives above a bookstore owned by her aunt who also lives there -- currently with her younger policeman boyfriend. Tess pays her rent by working part-time in the bookstore as well as doing other odd jobs.
Tess goes rowing every morning with her good friend Darryl "Rock" Paxton and one morning he asks her to do some sleuthing for him. His fiance is acting strangely and he would like to know if she is seeing someone else. The report she takes back to Rock upsets him and, when his fiance's boss is found dead after Rock confronts him about having an affair with his intended, he is arrested for the murder. Rock's attorney is also a rower and hires Tess to help him clear Rock's name.
In a city where there are murders daily and secrets powerful people would like to keep buried, is Tess endangering herself and those close to her when she begins sleuthing again? Her knowledge of the city and her reporter skills prove to be very helpful in uncovering some information that may or may not lead to Rock being cleared.
Want to know more about this author? Check her out at lauralippman.net or friend her on facebook at lauralippman.
After reading this novel, I'm ready for the next one in the series! pazt
Tess Monaghan, the heroine in Lippman's novels, is an out-of-work former reporter for the Star in Baltimore who lives above a bookstore owned by her aunt who also lives there -- currently with her younger policeman boyfriend. Tess pays her rent by working part-time in the bookstore as well as doing other odd jobs.
Tess goes rowing every morning with her good friend Darryl "Rock" Paxton and one morning he asks her to do some sleuthing for him. His fiance is acting strangely and he would like to know if she is seeing someone else. The report she takes back to Rock upsets him and, when his fiance's boss is found dead after Rock confronts him about having an affair with his intended, he is arrested for the murder. Rock's attorney is also a rower and hires Tess to help him clear Rock's name.
In a city where there are murders daily and secrets powerful people would like to keep buried, is Tess endangering herself and those close to her when she begins sleuthing again? Her knowledge of the city and her reporter skills prove to be very helpful in uncovering some information that may or may not lead to Rock being cleared.
Want to know more about this author? Check her out at lauralippman.net or friend her on facebook at lauralippman.
After reading this novel, I'm ready for the next one in the series! pazt
Sunday, November 1, 2015
"The Heist"
Janet Evanovich (best selling author of the Stephanie Plum series) and Lee Goldberg (author of the bestselling Monk series of mysteries) co-wrote "The Heist." It features FBI Special Agent Kate O'Hare who has been chasing Nicolas Fox, an international crook. However, when she catches him, nothing goes as she planned when he is offered the opportunity to work with Kate to catch a corrupt investment banker who has fled the country to avoid prosecution. Instead of seeing Fox go to jail she has to work side by side with him! Did I mention that he's also good looking and charming?
The adventure begins when the two of them hatch the biggest con of all to get the investment banker back to the States so he can be prosecuted. First they have to assemble a team and evade the FBI since Fox is still on their "Most Wanted" list officially. The fun is in getting there and that's what makes this novel an entertaining read. pazt
The adventure begins when the two of them hatch the biggest con of all to get the investment banker back to the States so he can be prosecuted. First they have to assemble a team and evade the FBI since Fox is still on their "Most Wanted" list officially. The fun is in getting there and that's what makes this novel an entertaining read. pazt
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
"Trouble In Paradise"
"Trouble In Paradise" is Robert B. Parker's second novel in his Jesse Stone series. Since I saw the made-for-TV movies before I read any of this series, I always see Tom Selleck as Jessie Stone since he plays him in the movies. What fun it was to get to the sixteenth chapter of this book and have Jesse say, "Well, it's not like they all married Tom Selleck." Since I'm pretty sure this book was written long before Tom Selleck ever started portraying Jesse Stone on TV, I had to laugh out loud.
Stone has his hands full with his ex-wife moving to Boston and taking a job as a weatherwoman on a local TV station. Jenn isn't ready to reconcile but she's also not ready to let him go and he doesn't want anyone else. However, he is an adult male with urges and Jenn is seeing someone else so he does have a couple of women he's seeing for casual sex.
The only excitement in Paradise is when some youth burn down a house belonging to a gay couple. Stone finds out who did it and wants to prosecute and the affluent parents want to oust him from his job.
There's a new couple visiting the area who have indicated an interest in purchasing a home on Stiles Island -- a wealthy enclave of homes and businesses connected to the mainland only by a bridge. As Stone gets to know them a little, he becomes suspicious of their motives and starts to check into their background but not before the male half of the couple and his friends take over Stiles Island, isolate it from the mainland, and separate the owners from their wealth. It's done in such a way that it appears the police can't stop them but Jesse has other ideas and he also wants to rescue any hostages.
Once again Parker has written a story that hangs together well and keeps the reader on the edge of her or his seat until the very end. pazt
Stone has his hands full with his ex-wife moving to Boston and taking a job as a weatherwoman on a local TV station. Jenn isn't ready to reconcile but she's also not ready to let him go and he doesn't want anyone else. However, he is an adult male with urges and Jenn is seeing someone else so he does have a couple of women he's seeing for casual sex.
The only excitement in Paradise is when some youth burn down a house belonging to a gay couple. Stone finds out who did it and wants to prosecute and the affluent parents want to oust him from his job.
There's a new couple visiting the area who have indicated an interest in purchasing a home on Stiles Island -- a wealthy enclave of homes and businesses connected to the mainland only by a bridge. As Stone gets to know them a little, he becomes suspicious of their motives and starts to check into their background but not before the male half of the couple and his friends take over Stiles Island, isolate it from the mainland, and separate the owners from their wealth. It's done in such a way that it appears the police can't stop them but Jesse has other ideas and he also wants to rescue any hostages.
Once again Parker has written a story that hangs together well and keeps the reader on the edge of her or his seat until the very end. pazt
Monday, October 26, 2015
"She Left Me The Gun - My Mother's Life Before Me"
"She Left Me The Gun - My Mother's Life Before Me" was written by Emma Brockes about her mother's life. Emma writes for The Guardian's Weekend Magazine and has contributed to The New York Times, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Elle. She has also won two British Press Awards -- Young Journalist of the Year and Feature Writer of the year. While she was at Oxford, she won the Philip Geddes Memorial Prize for Journalism. She has also written another book, What Would Barbra Do? How Musicals Saved My Life" which was serialized on the BBC. She currently lives in New York.
Emma's mother, Paula, moved from her childhood home in South Africa to London when she was a young adult, made friends, and started a new life for herself leaving her old life as a mystery for her daughter and husband to discover after her death. She met and married her attorney husband in London then they moved out of the city after Emma was born.
Paula showed Emma the gun she'd smuggled into England upon her arrival and promised it to Emma as her inheritance but ultimately turned it in when the police offered a grace period for giving up illegal guns. Paula also hinted that someday she'd tell her daughter the story of her life and that her daughter would be surprised. Although there were a few hints along the way and some contact with Emma's aunts and uncles, that day didn't arrive because Paula died of cancer when Emma was a young adult.
Emma decided to go to South Africa, find what she could of Paula's family, and try to discover what Paula's life had been before England. She discovers Paula's father was an abusive drunk, a murderer, and had incestuous relationships with some of his daughters. Paula had accused him of molesting a younger sister but, when her stepmother changed her testimony, her father (acting as his own attorney) was acquitted. It was at that point that Paula wavered between taking her own life or leaving the country but not before she shot her father five times. He survived and she left.
Emma begins to understand that her mother compartmentalized her "before" and "after" lives to protect Emma from the horrors of her mother's childhood and try to give Emma as normal a childhood as possible. Emma proves to be a gutsy woman when she goes to South Africa alone and begins to meet her mother's siblings and learn more of what her mother's life before was like.
Although the book could easily have been a "dark" read, it is not. It shows how the human spirit can triumph against tough odds! pazt
Emma's mother, Paula, moved from her childhood home in South Africa to London when she was a young adult, made friends, and started a new life for herself leaving her old life as a mystery for her daughter and husband to discover after her death. She met and married her attorney husband in London then they moved out of the city after Emma was born.
Paula showed Emma the gun she'd smuggled into England upon her arrival and promised it to Emma as her inheritance but ultimately turned it in when the police offered a grace period for giving up illegal guns. Paula also hinted that someday she'd tell her daughter the story of her life and that her daughter would be surprised. Although there were a few hints along the way and some contact with Emma's aunts and uncles, that day didn't arrive because Paula died of cancer when Emma was a young adult.
Emma decided to go to South Africa, find what she could of Paula's family, and try to discover what Paula's life had been before England. She discovers Paula's father was an abusive drunk, a murderer, and had incestuous relationships with some of his daughters. Paula had accused him of molesting a younger sister but, when her stepmother changed her testimony, her father (acting as his own attorney) was acquitted. It was at that point that Paula wavered between taking her own life or leaving the country but not before she shot her father five times. He survived and she left.
Emma begins to understand that her mother compartmentalized her "before" and "after" lives to protect Emma from the horrors of her mother's childhood and try to give Emma as normal a childhood as possible. Emma proves to be a gutsy woman when she goes to South Africa alone and begins to meet her mother's siblings and learn more of what her mother's life before was like.
Although the book could easily have been a "dark" read, it is not. It shows how the human spirit can triumph against tough odds! pazt
Saturday, October 24, 2015
"Engine 2 Diet"
The New York Times bestseller, "Engine 2 Diet" by Rip Esselstyn is a book I have checked and rechecked from my local library but a few weeks ago I decided to really sit down and read, study, and make notes from it.
My desire to acquaint myself with this book is for a number of reasons:
a) I have an adult daughter who has vascillated between vegan and vegetarianism since she went to college but for several years now she has been "plant-strong" feeding herself and her family a plant-based diet. When we visit, we eat what she prepares and I was surprised when my husband didn't complain and actually liked the food.
b) We've been on a successful weight loss/lifestyle change plan over the past 4-5 years. While the plan itself has been successful, our attempts to change our lifestyle has not and we gain some or all of the weight back.
c) We've watched videos like "Forks Over Knives" and read articles about the plant-strong diet and I am at a point where I want to pursue it seriously for both my and my spouse's long term health. As we age, I want us to be healthy and strong - not infirm and suffering from disease.
As I studied "Engine 2 Diet," I found plenty of solid health reasons to follow a plant-based diet. I have started down the path but I am not successful every day. One thing that has made it easier has been getting an organic weekly delivery of fruits and vegetables. Since I don't want them to go to waste, I found myself looking for new plant-based food recipes to try in addition to adding a couple of serving of fruits daily to my snacking. The more I have eaten plants and a lot less meat, dairy, and cheese, the more energy I've had and the healthier I've felt.
My goal is to have my cholesterol and blood pressure down by the time I see my doctor for my annual checkup in about one month. I still struggle and order meat when we dine out so dining in would be a healthier option! My spouse and I are about to spend a week away in a condo in Oregon and I look forward to having time to prepare more of the recipes from the "Engine 2 Diet" book.
The health information and facts that Esselstyn presents in this book should be enough to keep me on the path away from eating anything that has a face or comes from a product that has a face -- no meat, no dairy, no cheese, etc. However, the mind is willing but the flesh is weak at times and Esselstyn acknowledges that it is a journey and I may not be perfect in the beginning so I'm cutting myself some slack while continuing to reinforce the reasons I want to eat plant-based.
Rip was a firefighter and this plan is "The Texas Firefighter's 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that Lowers Cholesterol and Burns Away the Pounds." Rip is also the son of Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr. who shared a report at a medical conference in 1991 on his "dramatic results on reversing and curing heart disease." The forward to Rip's book is written by T. Colin Campbell, PhD who is the co-author (with Thomas M. Campbell II) of "The China Study."
In his own acknowledgement at the end of the book, Rip thanks "the brave and courageous giants in this field"...his father as well as T. Colin Campbell, Dean Ornish, Neal Barnard, John McDougall, Joel Fuhrman, and Jeff Novick.
Rip's book is well researched and well written and based on actual results of a group of people who were his "guinea pig" group following the E2 diet. After Rip explains the "why" behind the E2 diet, he goes on to give us a plan to follow and a number of recipes. If you want to turn your health around and are looking for motivation, I strongly recommend this book as well as his other work and work or books by any of the doctors he acknowledges in the book. Here's to better health for us all! pazt
My desire to acquaint myself with this book is for a number of reasons:
a) I have an adult daughter who has vascillated between vegan and vegetarianism since she went to college but for several years now she has been "plant-strong" feeding herself and her family a plant-based diet. When we visit, we eat what she prepares and I was surprised when my husband didn't complain and actually liked the food.
b) We've been on a successful weight loss/lifestyle change plan over the past 4-5 years. While the plan itself has been successful, our attempts to change our lifestyle has not and we gain some or all of the weight back.
c) We've watched videos like "Forks Over Knives" and read articles about the plant-strong diet and I am at a point where I want to pursue it seriously for both my and my spouse's long term health. As we age, I want us to be healthy and strong - not infirm and suffering from disease.
As I studied "Engine 2 Diet," I found plenty of solid health reasons to follow a plant-based diet. I have started down the path but I am not successful every day. One thing that has made it easier has been getting an organic weekly delivery of fruits and vegetables. Since I don't want them to go to waste, I found myself looking for new plant-based food recipes to try in addition to adding a couple of serving of fruits daily to my snacking. The more I have eaten plants and a lot less meat, dairy, and cheese, the more energy I've had and the healthier I've felt.
My goal is to have my cholesterol and blood pressure down by the time I see my doctor for my annual checkup in about one month. I still struggle and order meat when we dine out so dining in would be a healthier option! My spouse and I are about to spend a week away in a condo in Oregon and I look forward to having time to prepare more of the recipes from the "Engine 2 Diet" book.
The health information and facts that Esselstyn presents in this book should be enough to keep me on the path away from eating anything that has a face or comes from a product that has a face -- no meat, no dairy, no cheese, etc. However, the mind is willing but the flesh is weak at times and Esselstyn acknowledges that it is a journey and I may not be perfect in the beginning so I'm cutting myself some slack while continuing to reinforce the reasons I want to eat plant-based.
Rip was a firefighter and this plan is "The Texas Firefighter's 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that Lowers Cholesterol and Burns Away the Pounds." Rip is also the son of Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr. who shared a report at a medical conference in 1991 on his "dramatic results on reversing and curing heart disease." The forward to Rip's book is written by T. Colin Campbell, PhD who is the co-author (with Thomas M. Campbell II) of "The China Study."
In his own acknowledgement at the end of the book, Rip thanks "the brave and courageous giants in this field"...his father as well as T. Colin Campbell, Dean Ornish, Neal Barnard, John McDougall, Joel Fuhrman, and Jeff Novick.
Rip's book is well researched and well written and based on actual results of a group of people who were his "guinea pig" group following the E2 diet. After Rip explains the "why" behind the E2 diet, he goes on to give us a plan to follow and a number of recipes. If you want to turn your health around and are looking for motivation, I strongly recommend this book as well as his other work and work or books by any of the doctors he acknowledges in the book. Here's to better health for us all! pazt
Friday, October 16, 2015
"Lay Down My Sword and Shield"
"Lay Down My Sword and Shield" is James Lee Burke's first book in his Hackberry Holland series and also the first of Burke's books that I can remember reading. This novel was published in 1971.
Burke's descriptive prose really makes the story come alive with the sights, sounds, and smells sketched out throughout the book making me (as the reader) feel that I'm right there in the story.
Hackberry or Hack Holland was a corpsman in the Korean War and survived a brutal Chinese prisoner of war camp that has left him with nightmares. He comes from generations of Texans and is the son of a former Congressman and the grandson of a sheriff and justice of the peace.
Hack and his wife, Verisa, live on the family "farm" (where his ancestors are buried). Hack has thoroughbred horses and his wife has her social life. Although their marriage was a very happy one in its early days, the years and Hack's demons have taken their toll and the couple live their separate lives now.
Hack is a successful criminal attorney in practice with his brother, Bailey. Bailey and Verisa have ambitions for Hack to follow in his father's footsteps and become a Congressman but Hack has a way of sabotaging their dreams with his heavy drinking and partying.
When he goes to the aid of a buddy from the war, he meets a fascinating young woman, Rie, who, along with his friend, is involved in battling for rights for migrant workers. The encounter changes his life and his future.
Not only is Burke a good storyteller but he gives us a history lesson with his insights into the racism that was going on at the time this story was set -- and the battle for not only civil rights for blacks but fair wages and living conditions for migrant workers. He paints a picture that has me totally sympathetic with both. I look forward to reading more of his work. pazt
Burke's descriptive prose really makes the story come alive with the sights, sounds, and smells sketched out throughout the book making me (as the reader) feel that I'm right there in the story.
Hackberry or Hack Holland was a corpsman in the Korean War and survived a brutal Chinese prisoner of war camp that has left him with nightmares. He comes from generations of Texans and is the son of a former Congressman and the grandson of a sheriff and justice of the peace.
Hack and his wife, Verisa, live on the family "farm" (where his ancestors are buried). Hack has thoroughbred horses and his wife has her social life. Although their marriage was a very happy one in its early days, the years and Hack's demons have taken their toll and the couple live their separate lives now.
Hack is a successful criminal attorney in practice with his brother, Bailey. Bailey and Verisa have ambitions for Hack to follow in his father's footsteps and become a Congressman but Hack has a way of sabotaging their dreams with his heavy drinking and partying.
When he goes to the aid of a buddy from the war, he meets a fascinating young woman, Rie, who, along with his friend, is involved in battling for rights for migrant workers. The encounter changes his life and his future.
Not only is Burke a good storyteller but he gives us a history lesson with his insights into the racism that was going on at the time this story was set -- and the battle for not only civil rights for blacks but fair wages and living conditions for migrant workers. He paints a picture that has me totally sympathetic with both. I look forward to reading more of his work. pazt
Sunday, October 11, 2015
"Mayhem"
"Mayhem" is a novel by Sarah Pinborough set in the mid to late 1880's during the time of Jack the Ripper and another lesser known killer whose crimes were dubbed the "Torso Murders."
Pinborough weaves fact and fiction into a tale of detective work done by three men working together - Dr.Thomas Bond, a unique priest he meets, and a supposedly demented man who sees visions. The unlikely pair seek to find the truth of the torso murders and it leads them to hunt a "Upir" which is a vampire that can operate in daylight. Since the Upir has to find a host in order to feed and stay "alive," they are really seeking that host that they must stop to stop the killings.
Sometimes the shift in chapters between characters and times caused me some confusion but, when I got into the swing of it, the book provided a pleasant tale and an insight into a history of murders I had not heard of before. pazt
Pinborough weaves fact and fiction into a tale of detective work done by three men working together - Dr.Thomas Bond, a unique priest he meets, and a supposedly demented man who sees visions. The unlikely pair seek to find the truth of the torso murders and it leads them to hunt a "Upir" which is a vampire that can operate in daylight. Since the Upir has to find a host in order to feed and stay "alive," they are really seeking that host that they must stop to stop the killings.
Sometimes the shift in chapters between characters and times caused me some confusion but, when I got into the swing of it, the book provided a pleasant tale and an insight into a history of murders I had not heard of before. pazt
Saturday, October 10, 2015
"Agenda 21: Into The Shadows"
"Agenda 21: Into The Shadows" is a thriller that I picked up when I was browsing the best picks books at my library. It is written by Glenn Beck with Harriet Parke.
When I picked up the book, the name Glenn Beck rang a bell with me but it wasn't until I started reading the book that I remembered he is a conservative political commentator and his bias showed through in his writing. Not being a conservative myself I couldn't finish the book as it did not hold my interest that well.
The thesis of the book is that " 'Agenda 21' depicts not what is, but rather what could be if the words and statements from Agenda 21's actual documents and UN promoters were to be carried out to their fullest meaning..." according to The New American.
To me that smacks of conspiracy theory - unfortunately, some conspiracy theorists may have it right but I chose not to read this version. As I see our political process being corrupted, I do have to be concerned that we, as Americans, may be being led down a path that could lead us to become like those who failed to take a stand in Nazi Germany. For the sake of my children and grandchildren I hope I'm wrong....pazt
When I picked up the book, the name Glenn Beck rang a bell with me but it wasn't until I started reading the book that I remembered he is a conservative political commentator and his bias showed through in his writing. Not being a conservative myself I couldn't finish the book as it did not hold my interest that well.
The thesis of the book is that " 'Agenda 21' depicts not what is, but rather what could be if the words and statements from Agenda 21's actual documents and UN promoters were to be carried out to their fullest meaning..." according to The New American.
To me that smacks of conspiracy theory - unfortunately, some conspiracy theorists may have it right but I chose not to read this version. As I see our political process being corrupted, I do have to be concerned that we, as Americans, may be being led down a path that could lead us to become like those who failed to take a stand in Nazi Germany. For the sake of my children and grandchildren I hope I'm wrong....pazt
Thursday, October 8, 2015
"Smoke Gets In Your Eyes & Other Lessons from the Crematory"
"Smoke Gets In Your Eyes & Other Lessons from the Crematory" is based on the experience of author Caitlin Doughty. Caitlin was a 20-something with a degree in medieval history when she took a job at a crematory. Caitlin talks about her experience cremating bodies and her experiences with those bodies -- some are funny stories, some sad, and some just plain weird.
As a result of watching a young girl fall to her death when Caitlin herself was not much older, she has had a fascination with death and how people deal with death. After her experiences at the crematory, Caitlin became a licensed morticial and is the host and creator of the "Ask A Mortician" web series. She has also founded the death acceptance collective - The Order of the Good Death -- as well as cofounded Death Salon. She lives in Los Angeles.
I loved her candid stories, her sense of humor, and her compassion in telling about her journey from performing cremations to becoming a licensed mortician. Caitlin also talks throughout the book about our society's attempts to avoid facing death by always trying to appear younger and by shutting those who are dying away in nursing homes or hospice centers rather than keeping them home with us as used to be the custom. We no longer wash and prepare our loved one's body with care prior to burial. We no longer see and face death in our daily lives. Do we think we're immortal?
Did you know two humans die daily throughout the world? Unless it's a celebrity or public figure we tend to ignore death. Caitlin talks about the rituals surrounding death in other countries -- often quite different than our own and we might think their practices barbaric just as they would probably view ours. After all, embalming seems to be a fairly new practice -- something we sell to "customers" when their loved one dies.
Have you heard of "Forest Lawn" - a cemetary in Glendale, CA, where a lot of celebrities are buried? She describes it as not just a cemetary but a "memorial park." An article in a 1959 issue of "Time" called Forest Lawn the "Disneyland of Death."
Jessica Mitford, one of the infamous Mitford sisters as well as a writer and journalist, wrote a book in 1963 called "The American Way of Death" and she was not kind to funeral directors. It was a huge bestseller staying at the top of the New York Times bestseller list for weeks. She received thousands of letters from citizens and clergy alike in response to her book. Mitford declared she would forgo an expensive funeral service herself and be cremated simply. It was also in 1963 when Pope Paul VI overturned the Catholic Church's ban on cremation. When this book was written, most Americans were opting for embalming but rates of cremation have been rising steadily since its publication. It is predicted 50% or more Americans will choose cremation now and in the future.
Caitlin also asks the question as to why we want to view our loved ones after death and want them to look "natural" then goes on to give us examples of how challenging it can be for a mortician to make someone appear "natural" after death.
She also has a section on what happens if you donate your body to science and it is an eye opener! Another section covers what happens to your body when you commit suicide by jumping off the Golden Gate bridge. Caitlin also discusses what happens to unclaimed bodies and the laws that govern cremation and funeral home practices in California.
One of the things that surprised me from the book was the practice that allows the "convenience" of ordering a cremation on-line. You never have to talk to a person -- all you do is provide a credit card and information about where you want the ashes delivered! Another surprise is being able to have a "witness" cremation where family and friends can gather to watch the body being cremated and even have one of those present push the button that starts the cremation process. Some individuals appear to distrust funeral homes and think they're up to no good so they want to be sure their loved one is taken care of properly.
Caitlin also dispels some myths about death and rules about death -- setting straight some of the lies family members have been told by supposedly well meaning others or uninformed law officials. She also talks about her own brushes with death when she is almost wiped out in a car accident or when she thought seriously about committing suicide.
As I mentioned earlier, Caitlin has an internet side called "The Order of the Good Death" where she started publishing essays and manifestos looking for others who shared her desire for change. Caitlin's book has given me a lot to think about and strengthened my decision to be cremated when I die. I highly recommend this book -- It's thought provoking and funny and informative and much more.
My husband is a fan of Edward Abbey books and she shares that his friends stole his body and wrapped it in a sleeping bag and buried it somewhere in the Cabeza Prieta Desert in Arizona rather than have it end up in a traditional cemetary. Abbey "spent his career warning humanity of the harm in separating ourselves from nature. 'If my decomposing carcass helps nourish the roots of a juniper tree or the wings of a vulture--that is immortality enough for me. And as much as anyone deserves,' he once said." That practice of returning a body to nature is actually the practice of a number of cultures throughout the world -- They just have different ways of doing it. pazt
As a result of watching a young girl fall to her death when Caitlin herself was not much older, she has had a fascination with death and how people deal with death. After her experiences at the crematory, Caitlin became a licensed morticial and is the host and creator of the "Ask A Mortician" web series. She has also founded the death acceptance collective - The Order of the Good Death -- as well as cofounded Death Salon. She lives in Los Angeles.
I loved her candid stories, her sense of humor, and her compassion in telling about her journey from performing cremations to becoming a licensed mortician. Caitlin also talks throughout the book about our society's attempts to avoid facing death by always trying to appear younger and by shutting those who are dying away in nursing homes or hospice centers rather than keeping them home with us as used to be the custom. We no longer wash and prepare our loved one's body with care prior to burial. We no longer see and face death in our daily lives. Do we think we're immortal?
Did you know two humans die daily throughout the world? Unless it's a celebrity or public figure we tend to ignore death. Caitlin talks about the rituals surrounding death in other countries -- often quite different than our own and we might think their practices barbaric just as they would probably view ours. After all, embalming seems to be a fairly new practice -- something we sell to "customers" when their loved one dies.
Have you heard of "Forest Lawn" - a cemetary in Glendale, CA, where a lot of celebrities are buried? She describes it as not just a cemetary but a "memorial park." An article in a 1959 issue of "Time" called Forest Lawn the "Disneyland of Death."
Jessica Mitford, one of the infamous Mitford sisters as well as a writer and journalist, wrote a book in 1963 called "The American Way of Death" and she was not kind to funeral directors. It was a huge bestseller staying at the top of the New York Times bestseller list for weeks. She received thousands of letters from citizens and clergy alike in response to her book. Mitford declared she would forgo an expensive funeral service herself and be cremated simply. It was also in 1963 when Pope Paul VI overturned the Catholic Church's ban on cremation. When this book was written, most Americans were opting for embalming but rates of cremation have been rising steadily since its publication. It is predicted 50% or more Americans will choose cremation now and in the future.
Caitlin also asks the question as to why we want to view our loved ones after death and want them to look "natural" then goes on to give us examples of how challenging it can be for a mortician to make someone appear "natural" after death.
She also has a section on what happens if you donate your body to science and it is an eye opener! Another section covers what happens to your body when you commit suicide by jumping off the Golden Gate bridge. Caitlin also discusses what happens to unclaimed bodies and the laws that govern cremation and funeral home practices in California.
One of the things that surprised me from the book was the practice that allows the "convenience" of ordering a cremation on-line. You never have to talk to a person -- all you do is provide a credit card and information about where you want the ashes delivered! Another surprise is being able to have a "witness" cremation where family and friends can gather to watch the body being cremated and even have one of those present push the button that starts the cremation process. Some individuals appear to distrust funeral homes and think they're up to no good so they want to be sure their loved one is taken care of properly.
Caitlin also dispels some myths about death and rules about death -- setting straight some of the lies family members have been told by supposedly well meaning others or uninformed law officials. She also talks about her own brushes with death when she is almost wiped out in a car accident or when she thought seriously about committing suicide.
As I mentioned earlier, Caitlin has an internet side called "The Order of the Good Death" where she started publishing essays and manifestos looking for others who shared her desire for change. Caitlin's book has given me a lot to think about and strengthened my decision to be cremated when I die. I highly recommend this book -- It's thought provoking and funny and informative and much more.
My husband is a fan of Edward Abbey books and she shares that his friends stole his body and wrapped it in a sleeping bag and buried it somewhere in the Cabeza Prieta Desert in Arizona rather than have it end up in a traditional cemetary. Abbey "spent his career warning humanity of the harm in separating ourselves from nature. 'If my decomposing carcass helps nourish the roots of a juniper tree or the wings of a vulture--that is immortality enough for me. And as much as anyone deserves,' he once said." That practice of returning a body to nature is actually the practice of a number of cultures throughout the world -- They just have different ways of doing it. pazt
Sunday, September 27, 2015
"Naked Prey"
"Naked Prey" by John Sandford is his 14th novel in the Lucas Davenport series. Each time I read one I think to myself that there's no possible way Sandford can come up with another original story but I'm always wrong and am I glad! His mysteries are always a great read that I can't put down and "Naked Prey" was no exception. I read it in two days.
When a naked white woman and a naked black man are found hanging from a tree in the woods of northern Minnesota the newly created task forced headed by Davenport's former boss, Rose Marie, and now Davenport's employer, are called out by the Minnesota governor to solve the case and do damage control asap. Of course, the assumption is that it is racially motivated since the black man was one of only one or two in that area and he was living with a white woman.
However, as Lucas and his pal, Del, delve into the case, they uncover a lot more going on in the area than just these deaths and the problem is identifying which one of the illegal activities might have led to these murders. Although local law enforcement is helping them with their inquiries, there's a twelve year old girl, Letty, who seems to miss nothing that goes on in her town and becomes invaluable "eyes and ears" for Lucas and Del until her life is endangered.
Only Sandford could spin a story with so many surprises that kept me guessing till the end! pazt
When a naked white woman and a naked black man are found hanging from a tree in the woods of northern Minnesota the newly created task forced headed by Davenport's former boss, Rose Marie, and now Davenport's employer, are called out by the Minnesota governor to solve the case and do damage control asap. Of course, the assumption is that it is racially motivated since the black man was one of only one or two in that area and he was living with a white woman.
However, as Lucas and his pal, Del, delve into the case, they uncover a lot more going on in the area than just these deaths and the problem is identifying which one of the illegal activities might have led to these murders. Although local law enforcement is helping them with their inquiries, there's a twelve year old girl, Letty, who seems to miss nothing that goes on in her town and becomes invaluable "eyes and ears" for Lucas and Del until her life is endangered.
Only Sandford could spin a story with so many surprises that kept me guessing till the end! pazt
Thursday, September 24, 2015
"One Kick"
Chelsea Cain's new mystery novel, "One Kick," debuts Kick Lannigan as the "poster child" when it comes to child kidnappings because she was one of the lucky ones who was rescued five years after her abduction. That is, if you call "lucky" having to live with being one of the most prolific subjects of child pornography to still have her videos out there on the web for all to see.....if you call "lucky," having a mother who revels in the publicity and encourages news coverage and pictures of her daughter on every anniversary of her rescue in order to promote the book she wrote about it....
Kick's father left shortly after she came back and her sister seems to always be at war with her. To avoid her mother she sought early emancipation and control of her own funds and moved out. She lives in an apartment identical to her brother, James, only he's one floor below her in the same building. He's the computer wizard and she is doing all she can to learn how to protect herself which includes learning how to shoot and purchasing her own Glock 37 for her 21st birthday.
When a former arms dealer (or so he tells her) named Bishop, shows up to ask for help in finding two children who have recently been abducted, she is suspicious of his motives but eventually agrees to work with him. The path they take includes a visit in prison to Mel, the man who abducted her, molded her into his daughter, "Beth," and groomed her for the video roles she was to play. The investigation also leads them into danger as they look into the "families" that are part of the child pornography life.
This book was one I couldn't put down - was almost late to a lunch date as a result! The second book in the series, "Kick Back," came out in August 2015 but is not yet available at my local library so I'm starting the first in another series of thrillers that Cain has written featuring Archie Sheridan and Gretchen Lowell. After reading "One Kick" I don't expect to be disappointed. pazt
Kick's father left shortly after she came back and her sister seems to always be at war with her. To avoid her mother she sought early emancipation and control of her own funds and moved out. She lives in an apartment identical to her brother, James, only he's one floor below her in the same building. He's the computer wizard and she is doing all she can to learn how to protect herself which includes learning how to shoot and purchasing her own Glock 37 for her 21st birthday.
When a former arms dealer (or so he tells her) named Bishop, shows up to ask for help in finding two children who have recently been abducted, she is suspicious of his motives but eventually agrees to work with him. The path they take includes a visit in prison to Mel, the man who abducted her, molded her into his daughter, "Beth," and groomed her for the video roles she was to play. The investigation also leads them into danger as they look into the "families" that are part of the child pornography life.
This book was one I couldn't put down - was almost late to a lunch date as a result! The second book in the series, "Kick Back," came out in August 2015 but is not yet available at my local library so I'm starting the first in another series of thrillers that Cain has written featuring Archie Sheridan and Gretchen Lowell. After reading "One Kick" I don't expect to be disappointed. pazt
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
"All The Light We Cannot See"
"All The Light We Cannot See" is a novel by Anthony Doerr and it was recommended to me by two friends who are in the same book club. I first heard about it from them about a year ago and jotted it down to read in the future. When I checked it out from the library initially, I didn't start it and, when it was due, I couldn't renew it because it had been requested by someone else. This time I started it right away and just finished it a day after it was due back. It is 530 pages hardback but don't let that daunt you because it can be a quick read if you don't have to stop to go to work or prepare meals, etc.
This book was named one of the 10 best books of 2014 by The New York Time Book Review and it was a finalist for the National Book Award.The author has won numerous prizes in the United States and overseas including four O. Henry Prizes, three Pushcart Prizes. the Rome Prize, the New York Public Library's Young Lions Fiction Award, the National Magazine Award for fiction, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Story Prize. After reading this story I understand why. I can't tell you exactly why but there is a depth to his writing and a richness to this story that is amazing.
This story spans 70 years from 1934 to 2014 and is told in flashbacks by the two main characters, Werner, a German orphan, and Marie-Laure, a blind French girl. Werner goes from orphan to German soldier and Marie-Laure transitions from a sheltered daughter in Paris to living alone with her uncle and a housekeeper in Saint-Malo, France.
As we get to know each one's history and learn about the other people who play a significant part in their lives, we also hear about the horrors of war and its sometimes unintended consequences. Unknown to us in the beginning, there is a connection between Werner and Marie-Laure and that connection is their saving grace. The jacket cover says Doerr "illuminates the ways, against all odds, people try to be good to one another." Not only does Doerr tell a story but he also imparts life lessons and I hope some I have learned from reading his novel will stay with me and guide me. Don't miss this book! pazt
This book was named one of the 10 best books of 2014 by The New York Time Book Review and it was a finalist for the National Book Award.The author has won numerous prizes in the United States and overseas including four O. Henry Prizes, three Pushcart Prizes. the Rome Prize, the New York Public Library's Young Lions Fiction Award, the National Magazine Award for fiction, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Story Prize. After reading this story I understand why. I can't tell you exactly why but there is a depth to his writing and a richness to this story that is amazing.
This story spans 70 years from 1934 to 2014 and is told in flashbacks by the two main characters, Werner, a German orphan, and Marie-Laure, a blind French girl. Werner goes from orphan to German soldier and Marie-Laure transitions from a sheltered daughter in Paris to living alone with her uncle and a housekeeper in Saint-Malo, France.
As we get to know each one's history and learn about the other people who play a significant part in their lives, we also hear about the horrors of war and its sometimes unintended consequences. Unknown to us in the beginning, there is a connection between Werner and Marie-Laure and that connection is their saving grace. The jacket cover says Doerr "illuminates the ways, against all odds, people try to be good to one another." Not only does Doerr tell a story but he also imparts life lessons and I hope some I have learned from reading his novel will stay with me and guide me. Don't miss this book! pazt
Sunday, September 20, 2015
"No Witnesses"
Ridley Pearson's novel, "No Witnesses," is his third mystery in the Boldt/Matthews series. Lou Boldt is a Seattle police homicide detective who also plays jazz piano in a friend's club some evenings and shares duties with his banker wife, Liz, for their preschool son, Miles. In an attempt to keep his home life in balance because of his small son, Boldt also tries to work a reduced case load.
When his friend and colleague, police psychologist, Daphne Matthews, comes to him with a case that must be kept quiet, he is reluctant. However, the case involves an extortion attempt on her food chain boyfriend, Owen Adler, and has the potential to cost innocent victims their lives.
Boldt takes the case and pulls together a team to work it without putting it on the books because the extortionist has warned that deaths will escalate if there is any hint of police involvement. Unfortunately, the first few victims are just kids and that really angers Boldt. There is so little to go on and he has to work hand-in-hand with Adler's own security team which includes an ex-cop, Kenny Fowler, and eventually involves the FBI. Although Lou and Liz try to keep their professional lives out of their personal lives, this case is consuming Lou and he is getting worn down from lack of sleep. Liz knows enough about what is going on to realize her banking background might be helpful in the case and offers her insights reluctantly.
Daphne finds herself in situations where she is certain she is being followed or has the sense of being watched all the time. She tries to pass it off as just paranoia but her psychologist mind suggests it is not.
How do you work a case with no clues, no witnesses? You have to rely on a little luck and a lot of grueling police work. This case is another one of twists and turns, sadness over the loss of so many innocent lives, and a conclusion that is surprising. Pearson is a master storyteller! pazt
When his friend and colleague, police psychologist, Daphne Matthews, comes to him with a case that must be kept quiet, he is reluctant. However, the case involves an extortion attempt on her food chain boyfriend, Owen Adler, and has the potential to cost innocent victims their lives.
Boldt takes the case and pulls together a team to work it without putting it on the books because the extortionist has warned that deaths will escalate if there is any hint of police involvement. Unfortunately, the first few victims are just kids and that really angers Boldt. There is so little to go on and he has to work hand-in-hand with Adler's own security team which includes an ex-cop, Kenny Fowler, and eventually involves the FBI. Although Lou and Liz try to keep their professional lives out of their personal lives, this case is consuming Lou and he is getting worn down from lack of sleep. Liz knows enough about what is going on to realize her banking background might be helpful in the case and offers her insights reluctantly.
Daphne finds herself in situations where she is certain she is being followed or has the sense of being watched all the time. She tries to pass it off as just paranoia but her psychologist mind suggests it is not.
How do you work a case with no clues, no witnesses? You have to rely on a little luck and a lot of grueling police work. This case is another one of twists and turns, sadness over the loss of so many innocent lives, and a conclusion that is surprising. Pearson is a master storyteller! pazt
Sunday, September 13, 2015
"The First Wife"
"The First Wife" was my introduction to the author Erica Spindler's work and I look forward to reading more of her novels in the future.
After nursing her mother through a fatal illness, our heroine, Bailey Browne, vacations in the Grand Cayman's before returning to her life and future in Broken Bow, Nebraska. However, a storybook romance with Logan Abbott, ten years her senior, is just what she dreamed of as a child. When she meets Logan, they fall hard for each other and spend all their time together. When it is time for her to go home, Logan proposes and urges her to marry him and move to his Louisiana horse farm.
Bailey accepts but isn't prepared for a cold welcome by his sister or the history of loss in Logan's family. There's also a a local police office, Billy Ray Williams, who is convinced Logan's first wife didn't leave him but was killed by him instead. He also believes all the young women who have gone missing in the last few years are dead -- also at the hands of Logan.
Who does Bailey believe, Billy Ray who appears intent on a vendetta against Logan, or her new husband? This story is full of twists and turns - murders and disappearances -- and a family history that isn't what it seems.
When Bailey has an accident and temporarily loses her memory and an old hand at the ranch is murdered at the same time, everything starts coming to a head. Logan is arrested then released then arrested again and Billy Ray is sure he's going to get a search warrant for Logan's farm and find the bodies of all the women who went missing. If you like a mystery with a hint of romance, this is one to read. pazt
After nursing her mother through a fatal illness, our heroine, Bailey Browne, vacations in the Grand Cayman's before returning to her life and future in Broken Bow, Nebraska. However, a storybook romance with Logan Abbott, ten years her senior, is just what she dreamed of as a child. When she meets Logan, they fall hard for each other and spend all their time together. When it is time for her to go home, Logan proposes and urges her to marry him and move to his Louisiana horse farm.
Bailey accepts but isn't prepared for a cold welcome by his sister or the history of loss in Logan's family. There's also a a local police office, Billy Ray Williams, who is convinced Logan's first wife didn't leave him but was killed by him instead. He also believes all the young women who have gone missing in the last few years are dead -- also at the hands of Logan.
Who does Bailey believe, Billy Ray who appears intent on a vendetta against Logan, or her new husband? This story is full of twists and turns - murders and disappearances -- and a family history that isn't what it seems.
When Bailey has an accident and temporarily loses her memory and an old hand at the ranch is murdered at the same time, everything starts coming to a head. Logan is arrested then released then arrested again and Billy Ray is sure he's going to get a search warrant for Logan's farm and find the bodies of all the women who went missing. If you like a mystery with a hint of romance, this is one to read. pazt
Monday, September 7, 2015
"Mortal Prey"
"Mortal Prey" is John Sandford's 13th novel in the Lucas Davenport series and, as usual, is a great read. Clara Rinker is a beautiful young hit woman that crossed paths with Davenport in Minneapolis before she "retired" and went into hiding. Now she's back in Saint Louis out for revenge and to settle some old scores. Davenport has been called in to help the FBI find and arrest her but not before she decides he's on her hit list, too. Can they stop her before it's too late? pazt
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
"Dead Men's Harvest"
"Dead Men's Harvest" is Matt Hilton's 6th book in his Joe Hunter series. Joe's former (and sometimes current) CIA contact, Walter Hayes Conrad, makes a decision that costs the lives of some of Joe's friends and acquaintances and Joe is angry. Before he confronts Conrad about that, though, he sets out to avenge the deaths and prevent more.
In the meantime, Joe's long time friend, Rink, is missing and Joe fears he knows who might have him. Can he get to him before he, too, ends up dead? He enlists a friend of his and Rink's (Harvey Lucas) to help him locate Rink.
It seems a killer known as Tubal Cain survived when Joe thought he'd killed him. At the time Joe was rescuing his younger brother, John, from Cain. Now that John is set to testify in court against his former boss, Cain appears on the scene looking for revenge - a revenge that not only suits his purpose but will make it impossible for John to testify which suits another man's purpose. If Joe Hunter should show up to rescue his brother, killing two birds with one stone (so to speak) would be even better.
When I started reading this book and discovered Tubal Cain was still alive and was going to once again go on a killing spree, I wasn't sure I wanted to proceed. However, I did get caught up in the twists and turns of the plot and was glad I followed it to its satisfying conclusion. Will Tubal Cain reappear in future books? It appears very unlikely but then again I didn't think it was likely he'd show up in this one either! pazt
In the meantime, Joe's long time friend, Rink, is missing and Joe fears he knows who might have him. Can he get to him before he, too, ends up dead? He enlists a friend of his and Rink's (Harvey Lucas) to help him locate Rink.
It seems a killer known as Tubal Cain survived when Joe thought he'd killed him. At the time Joe was rescuing his younger brother, John, from Cain. Now that John is set to testify in court against his former boss, Cain appears on the scene looking for revenge - a revenge that not only suits his purpose but will make it impossible for John to testify which suits another man's purpose. If Joe Hunter should show up to rescue his brother, killing two birds with one stone (so to speak) would be even better.
When I started reading this book and discovered Tubal Cain was still alive and was going to once again go on a killing spree, I wasn't sure I wanted to proceed. However, I did get caught up in the twists and turns of the plot and was glad I followed it to its satisfying conclusion. Will Tubal Cain reappear in future books? It appears very unlikely but then again I didn't think it was likely he'd show up in this one either! pazt
Thursday, August 27, 2015
"Sorrow On Sunday"
Ann Purser's "Sorrow On Sunday" is her seventh book in the Lois Meade mystery novels. Life is good in Long Farnden except for a series of horse equipment thefts. Since Lois and her husband, Derek, don't keep horses, it doesn't affect them until one of Lois' cleaning business clients has a saddle stolen.
In the meantime, Derek and a group of his friends have been playing the lottery and they've won. It's a nice winning but not so much that either one of them is ready to give up their cleaning or plumbing business. It will be a nice cushion for them and Lois has some ideas about investments that might help them garner future income.
However, when Dot Nimmo (one of the infamous Nimmo crime family members) loses her one and only son to an accident, she's out for revenge because she's sure it is no accident. She's had her doubts about "accidents" ever since her late husband had one. She approaches Lois about working for New Brooms and Lois initially says no but after Inspector Cowgill asks Lois to see what information she can learn that might help him solve the recent thefts, Lois decides Dot might be just the person to do some sleuthing for her.
As usual, all does not go as planned and Dot ends up in the hospital near death's door as a result of a pedestrian hit and run accident. Next Lois and a young friend are almost run off the road and killed as a result of another hit and run. Lois would have died if the young friend hadn't pulled her from the wreckage. When a third near miss accident results in a death, Lois and Cowgill are certain these are not coincidences. It's up to Lois and her friends to help solve a crime once again. pazt
In the meantime, Derek and a group of his friends have been playing the lottery and they've won. It's a nice winning but not so much that either one of them is ready to give up their cleaning or plumbing business. It will be a nice cushion for them and Lois has some ideas about investments that might help them garner future income.
However, when Dot Nimmo (one of the infamous Nimmo crime family members) loses her one and only son to an accident, she's out for revenge because she's sure it is no accident. She's had her doubts about "accidents" ever since her late husband had one. She approaches Lois about working for New Brooms and Lois initially says no but after Inspector Cowgill asks Lois to see what information she can learn that might help him solve the recent thefts, Lois decides Dot might be just the person to do some sleuthing for her.
As usual, all does not go as planned and Dot ends up in the hospital near death's door as a result of a pedestrian hit and run accident. Next Lois and a young friend are almost run off the road and killed as a result of another hit and run. Lois would have died if the young friend hadn't pulled her from the wreckage. When a third near miss accident results in a death, Lois and Cowgill are certain these are not coincidences. It's up to Lois and her friends to help solve a crime once again. pazt
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
"Night Passage"
Robert B. Parker's "Night Passage" is the first in his Jesse Stone series of novels. After seeing some of the Jesse Stone made for TV movies based on Parker's books, I decided to start reading the novels.
"Night Passage" tells us why Jesse Stone started drinking on the job as a homicide cop in L.A. and how he ends up in Paradise, Massachusetts, as chief of police. During his interview he was drunk and was surprised when he got hired. That also intrigued him.
Settling into Paradise -- which seems like a nice quiet little town -- Stone discovers not all is what it seems on the outside and the people who hired him don't really want him to be a very competent cop. When he decreases his drinking and stops drinking on the job and begins to take notice of what is going on around him, he becomes a threat. Will he die like the last Police Chief who retired to the west and later was found blown up in his vehicle?
Parker has some mean people out to make life rough in Paradise and an ex-wife in L.A. who wanted out of the marriage but doesn't seem to want to let go of him or their relationship. Her nightly phone calls make it hard to forget her and move on. His problems in Paradise are putting his life in danger and he doesn't know who he can trust. A great read! pazt
"Night Passage" tells us why Jesse Stone started drinking on the job as a homicide cop in L.A. and how he ends up in Paradise, Massachusetts, as chief of police. During his interview he was drunk and was surprised when he got hired. That also intrigued him.
Settling into Paradise -- which seems like a nice quiet little town -- Stone discovers not all is what it seems on the outside and the people who hired him don't really want him to be a very competent cop. When he decreases his drinking and stops drinking on the job and begins to take notice of what is going on around him, he becomes a threat. Will he die like the last Police Chief who retired to the west and later was found blown up in his vehicle?
Parker has some mean people out to make life rough in Paradise and an ex-wife in L.A. who wanted out of the marriage but doesn't seem to want to let go of him or their relationship. Her nightly phone calls make it hard to forget her and move on. His problems in Paradise are putting his life in danger and he doesn't know who he can trust. A great read! pazt
"The Debt"
"The Debt" is a John Madden film starring Helen Mirren, Sam Worthington, Jessica Chastain, Ciaran Hinds and Tom Wilkinson. It was recommended to me by a co-worker who did say it might not be everyone's "cup of tea."
What happens when you make a decision that you later regret? Can you change events?
This R rated movie uses flashbacks and modern day scenes to tell the story of three Mossad agents who were assigned to track down a Nazi war criminal hiding in East Berlin. They were charged with bringing him back to Israel for trial but something goes wrong and the rest of the tale is one of twists and turns.
I've always been intrigued by World War II and anything to do with the Holocaust and I began researching it and writing school papers about it during high school. I watched the film to the end but my husband decided to check it out on the web and found out the secret so stopped watching it with me. I refused to let him tell me what happened so I could experience the film on my own. I would recommend it but, as my co-worker indicated, it might not be a film everyone wants to see. pazt
What happens when you make a decision that you later regret? Can you change events?
This R rated movie uses flashbacks and modern day scenes to tell the story of three Mossad agents who were assigned to track down a Nazi war criminal hiding in East Berlin. They were charged with bringing him back to Israel for trial but something goes wrong and the rest of the tale is one of twists and turns.
I've always been intrigued by World War II and anything to do with the Holocaust and I began researching it and writing school papers about it during high school. I watched the film to the end but my husband decided to check it out on the web and found out the secret so stopped watching it with me. I refused to let him tell me what happened so I could experience the film on my own. I would recommend it but, as my co-worker indicated, it might not be a film everyone wants to see. pazt
Sunday, August 23, 2015
"The Insane Train"
Sheldon Russell's "The Insane Train" is another Hook Runyon mystery in the series I've been reading. In this "chapter" of his life Hook finds himself in trouble with the railroad and up for a disciplinary hearing that might end his career as a "yard dog" -- or railroad detective.
However, before his hearing date arrives, Hook is sent to Barstow, California, to check out the Baldwin Insane Asylum. They've just had a fire that killed a large number of their residents and the doctor who owns and heads up the asylum has decided he wants to move all the "residents" to a place he owns in Oklahoma. Hook's job? How to transport some of the most dangerous criminally insane in the country safely halfway across the country?
The benefits: a pretty nurse named Andrea
The risks: Someone seems out to kill the patients.
Before the journey starts Hook encounters some servicemen hanging out on railroad property. They've returned from the war and seem at loose ends so Hook hires them to help him transport and guard the asylum inmates. When he encounters a woman "hooking" on railroad property, he offers her the choice of jail or going along to assist, too.
The adventure begins and with it more deaths and some serious sleuthing on Hook's part. When they finally arrive at their destination and the townsfolk don't want the new "business" in their town, Hook also has some negotiating to do to convince them why their town needs this.
Russell appears to be a writer with a high opinion of women -- case in point is the following quote from the beginning of Chapter 36:
"Soon Oatney slept, her head falling against Hook's shoulder, her hair brushing his ear. He wondered at her strength and her softness, how they coexisted, how in her world she could still manage a smile and face the day. She never railed against injustice or succumbed to the malice and hatred due her. Had she been a man, her spirit would have long since flickered away like a spent candle."
Another great read from Sheldon Russell - pazt.
However, before his hearing date arrives, Hook is sent to Barstow, California, to check out the Baldwin Insane Asylum. They've just had a fire that killed a large number of their residents and the doctor who owns and heads up the asylum has decided he wants to move all the "residents" to a place he owns in Oklahoma. Hook's job? How to transport some of the most dangerous criminally insane in the country safely halfway across the country?
The benefits: a pretty nurse named Andrea
The risks: Someone seems out to kill the patients.
Before the journey starts Hook encounters some servicemen hanging out on railroad property. They've returned from the war and seem at loose ends so Hook hires them to help him transport and guard the asylum inmates. When he encounters a woman "hooking" on railroad property, he offers her the choice of jail or going along to assist, too.
The adventure begins and with it more deaths and some serious sleuthing on Hook's part. When they finally arrive at their destination and the townsfolk don't want the new "business" in their town, Hook also has some negotiating to do to convince them why their town needs this.
Russell appears to be a writer with a high opinion of women -- case in point is the following quote from the beginning of Chapter 36:
"Soon Oatney slept, her head falling against Hook's shoulder, her hair brushing his ear. He wondered at her strength and her softness, how they coexisted, how in her world she could still manage a smile and face the day. She never railed against injustice or succumbed to the malice and hatred due her. Had she been a man, her spirit would have long since flickered away like a spent candle."
Another great read from Sheldon Russell - pazt.
Sunday, August 16, 2015
"The Spy Wore Red"
"The Spy Wore Red" is the true story of Aline, Countess of Romanones, and her adventures as an undercover agent in World War II.
Aline's story starts in 1943 when Aline is twenty and working as a model in New York. She has two brothers that are in the military and she confides to an acquaintance that she'd like to do her part for the war effort. Little did she realize that he (John Derby - code name Jupiter) could help her realize her goal. Aline became one of the original recruits of the newly formed OSS and was sent to Spain with the cover story that she was working for an American oil company. Although she did work at the "company," her work was more in the line of sending and decoding messages. Her real work was mingling with the cream of Spanish society making friends, cultivating contacts, and gathering information useful to the allies.
Although Aline's biography reads like a spy thriller, it's even more fascinating knowing that it's all true. Her OSS code name was Tiger and she fell for another OSS agent, Pierre, that she trained with. It was forbidden, though, to have a romance with fellow agents but when their paths crossed in the line of their work, romantic sparks flew.
As soon as Aline arrives in Spain, she is wooed by a famous bullfighter who takes her out and sends her flowers and chocolates -- not a bad way to be introduced to her new surroundings. A fellow agent acts as her contact and introduces her to others in society who would be helpful for her to get to know.
In her time as a spy, Aline's life is threatened several times and in one instance she actually has to kill a man to prevent her own murder. In another she happened to be away from home at just the right time. She helps uncover a double agent and is instrumental in misleading the Germans by the information she feeds to this agent.
Aline's story doesn't end there because after the war she continues to work undercover in France and Switzerland until 1947. At the time she resigned from the OSS to return to Madrid to marry a young man who she encountered when she initially arrived at her hotel in Madrid. Although introductions were not made at that time, she later learned that he was the future Count of Romanones.
I loved this biography and highly recommend it - pazt!
Aline's story starts in 1943 when Aline is twenty and working as a model in New York. She has two brothers that are in the military and she confides to an acquaintance that she'd like to do her part for the war effort. Little did she realize that he (John Derby - code name Jupiter) could help her realize her goal. Aline became one of the original recruits of the newly formed OSS and was sent to Spain with the cover story that she was working for an American oil company. Although she did work at the "company," her work was more in the line of sending and decoding messages. Her real work was mingling with the cream of Spanish society making friends, cultivating contacts, and gathering information useful to the allies.
Although Aline's biography reads like a spy thriller, it's even more fascinating knowing that it's all true. Her OSS code name was Tiger and she fell for another OSS agent, Pierre, that she trained with. It was forbidden, though, to have a romance with fellow agents but when their paths crossed in the line of their work, romantic sparks flew.
As soon as Aline arrives in Spain, she is wooed by a famous bullfighter who takes her out and sends her flowers and chocolates -- not a bad way to be introduced to her new surroundings. A fellow agent acts as her contact and introduces her to others in society who would be helpful for her to get to know.
In her time as a spy, Aline's life is threatened several times and in one instance she actually has to kill a man to prevent her own murder. In another she happened to be away from home at just the right time. She helps uncover a double agent and is instrumental in misleading the Germans by the information she feeds to this agent.
Aline's story doesn't end there because after the war she continues to work undercover in France and Switzerland until 1947. At the time she resigned from the OSS to return to Madrid to marry a young man who she encountered when she initially arrived at her hotel in Madrid. Although introductions were not made at that time, she later learned that he was the future Count of Romanones.
I loved this biography and highly recommend it - pazt!
Saturday, August 8, 2015
"The Boy On The Wooden Box"
"The Boy On The Wooden Box" is a memoir by Leon Leyson (with Marilyn J. Harran and Elisabeth B. Leyson). It's the story of how he and his parents and two siblings were saved from the Jewish death camps during World War II because his father was able to obtain a job in Oskar Schindler's factory. Leyson is an Americanized version of his family's name and he changed his first name to Leon. He was ten when the war began to alter his whole life and the lives of all the Jews he knew.
This book is not always an easy read but it is a reminder of how we all have the potential to become "monsters" or make the choice to buck the system (as Schindler did) and risk our own lives to help others. It's the story of how one brave man (Schindler) made a difference in the lives of so many people and how one boy (Leyson) took risks that helped him and his family survive the Nazi brutality. Leyson quotes Joseph Campbell's definition of a hero when he talks about Schindler: "a hero is an ordinary human being who does 'the best of things in the worst of times'."
Leyson was a remarkable man and gifted at learning languages. He lost two brothers during the war but his parents and he emigrated to the United States while a brother and sister went to Israel. Leon, despite having his schooling stopped by the Nazis at an early age, went on to work and go to school in the United States to become a gifted teacher. Leon died on January 12, 2013, after suffering from T-cell lymphoma for more than three years. He was survived by his wife of 47 years as well as a daughter, son, and grandchildren.
Stories of what happened to Jews under Nazi rule are sometimes discounted or people don't want to continue to hear about these horrors but they are important lessons for us to remember so we don't repeat past mistakes. These stories must be kept alive!
If you would like to learn more about the Holocaust, visit these sites:
The Rodgers Center for Holocaust Education, Chapman University
chapman.edu/holocausteducation
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
ushmm.org
USC Shoah Foundation-The Institute for Visual History and Education
sfi.usc.edu
The "1939" Club
1939club.com
Yad Vashem
yadvashem.org
This book is not always an easy read but it is a reminder of how we all have the potential to become "monsters" or make the choice to buck the system (as Schindler did) and risk our own lives to help others. It's the story of how one brave man (Schindler) made a difference in the lives of so many people and how one boy (Leyson) took risks that helped him and his family survive the Nazi brutality. Leyson quotes Joseph Campbell's definition of a hero when he talks about Schindler: "a hero is an ordinary human being who does 'the best of things in the worst of times'."
Leyson was a remarkable man and gifted at learning languages. He lost two brothers during the war but his parents and he emigrated to the United States while a brother and sister went to Israel. Leon, despite having his schooling stopped by the Nazis at an early age, went on to work and go to school in the United States to become a gifted teacher. Leon died on January 12, 2013, after suffering from T-cell lymphoma for more than three years. He was survived by his wife of 47 years as well as a daughter, son, and grandchildren.
Stories of what happened to Jews under Nazi rule are sometimes discounted or people don't want to continue to hear about these horrors but they are important lessons for us to remember so we don't repeat past mistakes. These stories must be kept alive!
If you would like to learn more about the Holocaust, visit these sites:
The Rodgers Center for Holocaust Education, Chapman University
chapman.edu/holocausteducation
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
ushmm.org
USC Shoah Foundation-The Institute for Visual History and Education
sfi.usc.edu
The "1939" Club
1939club.com
Yad Vashem
yadvashem.org
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
"Chosen Prey"
"Chosen Prey" is the latest Lucas Davenport novel I read by John Sandford and again he has crafted a well written murder mystery. This time there's a serial killer on the loose who has a "type" -- all young blonde women. When a body turns up in the countryside, a killer's graveyard is uncovered that leads to more bodies and the need to identify the young women buried there.
One body turns out to be the missing niece of a local law enforcement officer who involves himself with the team Lucas has put together to help find out who is behind these crimes. While they are busy solving the crimes, Lucas and his former fiance, Weather, are beginning to resolve their issues. She's sleeping over more nights than not and they're talking about having a family, getting married, settling down, etc.
Davenport's boss warns him that the coming election may bring some changes that will include her being replaced by a different political appointee, If that happens, there's also the possibility Lucas will lose his job, too. The pressure is on to solve this case to enhance both their records to enable them to move into other positions. As usual, Lucas puts together clues with his flashes of insight that lead to an unexpected conclusion. pazt
One body turns out to be the missing niece of a local law enforcement officer who involves himself with the team Lucas has put together to help find out who is behind these crimes. While they are busy solving the crimes, Lucas and his former fiance, Weather, are beginning to resolve their issues. She's sleeping over more nights than not and they're talking about having a family, getting married, settling down, etc.
Davenport's boss warns him that the coming election may bring some changes that will include her being replaced by a different political appointee, If that happens, there's also the possibility Lucas will lose his job, too. The pressure is on to solve this case to enhance both their records to enable them to move into other positions. As usual, Lucas puts together clues with his flashes of insight that lead to an unexpected conclusion. pazt
Thursday, July 23, 2015
"The Dark Tide"
"The Dark Tide" by Andrew Gross was nominated for the Best Thriller of the Year Award by the International Thriller Writers.
This book appears to be the first in a series featuring police detective Ty Hauck and it was hard to put down! As far as his friends and family know, Charles Friedman is a successful businessman living in Greenwich, Connecticut, with his wife, daughter, and son but unbeknownst to his wife, Karen, he's a worried man as his business seems to be in trouble. When he's killed in a rail explosion taking the train to work in the city one day, Karen and her children begin to be threatened. Someone wants money Charles owed them and they think Karen knows where it is.
Meanwhile, Ty is investigating a hit and run that happened on the same day that Charles died and the investigation leads him to Karen's door. Together they begin to unravel a mystery that is going to put them both in danger. Ty previously lost a daughter to an accident and their shared grief brings them closer as they offer each comfort. Don't miss this novel of twists and turns. You think you know who you can trust? Think again! pazt
This book appears to be the first in a series featuring police detective Ty Hauck and it was hard to put down! As far as his friends and family know, Charles Friedman is a successful businessman living in Greenwich, Connecticut, with his wife, daughter, and son but unbeknownst to his wife, Karen, he's a worried man as his business seems to be in trouble. When he's killed in a rail explosion taking the train to work in the city one day, Karen and her children begin to be threatened. Someone wants money Charles owed them and they think Karen knows where it is.
Meanwhile, Ty is investigating a hit and run that happened on the same day that Charles died and the investigation leads him to Karen's door. Together they begin to unravel a mystery that is going to put them both in danger. Ty previously lost a daughter to an accident and their shared grief brings them closer as they offer each comfort. Don't miss this novel of twists and turns. You think you know who you can trust? Think again! pazt
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
"Water, Stone, Heart"
"Water, Stone, Heart" is Will North's second novel and one review likens him to Nicholas Sparks and I suppose with the romance angle I can see that but it has so much depth to the story that I can't think of another author to compare North to.
The story centers around two people and the setting is in Bocastle. Bocastle is a real village on the north coast of Cornwall in southeast England that experienced a devastating flood in August of 2004. This novel is based on that event and some of the characters (renamed for privacy purposes) are real people but everything else is fiction. This was a devastating event and it was a miracle that not one person (tourists or locals) died in the flood.
Our main characters are Andrew Stratton, a Professor of archeology at a Philadelphia university and Nicola Rhys-Jones, an ex-pat and local artist. Andrew (renamed Drew by Lily, a local 9-year-old girl who claims Drew and Nicola as her best friends) is newly divorced and looking for an escape from his predictable life in Philadelphia. He has come to Bocastle to learn to piece rocks together to build intricate walls -- called stone hedges. It is hard work and a great distraction but building the wall changes Drew and the wall he's built around himself starts to come down as he works on the project.
Nicola has walls, too, that she hides from those around her -- childhood sexual abuse and a divorce from a man who also abused her physically. She's a brilliant artist who has found her place in this community but finds herself unable to open her heart to try to love again.
The community welcomes Drew and he and Nicola encounter each other through Lily and at the pub and almost anywhere they might go in this small village. At first they enjoy verbal sparring but eventually their banter deepens to love but first they have to conquer their personal demons.
I'm going to quote a passage that, to me, shows North's writing ability - It's on page 131 of the hardback book: "After Katerina left him, his heart had shriveled like a hard, infolded black raisin..."
In his acknowledgement, North thanks Lorie Dwinell, a teacher and friend, and Dr. Lucy Berliner at Seattle's Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress for their help with the very serious subject of the lifelong psychological effects of childhood sexual abuse. This is an important part of this story. pazt
The story centers around two people and the setting is in Bocastle. Bocastle is a real village on the north coast of Cornwall in southeast England that experienced a devastating flood in August of 2004. This novel is based on that event and some of the characters (renamed for privacy purposes) are real people but everything else is fiction. This was a devastating event and it was a miracle that not one person (tourists or locals) died in the flood.
Our main characters are Andrew Stratton, a Professor of archeology at a Philadelphia university and Nicola Rhys-Jones, an ex-pat and local artist. Andrew (renamed Drew by Lily, a local 9-year-old girl who claims Drew and Nicola as her best friends) is newly divorced and looking for an escape from his predictable life in Philadelphia. He has come to Bocastle to learn to piece rocks together to build intricate walls -- called stone hedges. It is hard work and a great distraction but building the wall changes Drew and the wall he's built around himself starts to come down as he works on the project.
Nicola has walls, too, that she hides from those around her -- childhood sexual abuse and a divorce from a man who also abused her physically. She's a brilliant artist who has found her place in this community but finds herself unable to open her heart to try to love again.
The community welcomes Drew and he and Nicola encounter each other through Lily and at the pub and almost anywhere they might go in this small village. At first they enjoy verbal sparring but eventually their banter deepens to love but first they have to conquer their personal demons.
I'm going to quote a passage that, to me, shows North's writing ability - It's on page 131 of the hardback book: "After Katerina left him, his heart had shriveled like a hard, infolded black raisin..."
In his acknowledgement, North thanks Lorie Dwinell, a teacher and friend, and Dr. Lucy Berliner at Seattle's Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress for their help with the very serious subject of the lifelong psychological effects of childhood sexual abuse. This is an important part of this story. pazt
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
"Killing Floor"
After watching the Jack Reacher movie I decided it was time to read the Jack Reacher series by Lee Child and I started with the first novel, "Killing Floor." Once I started reading I couldn't put the book down and read it straight through except for periods when I fell asleep because I just couldn't keep my eyes open any longer -- not because the book wasn't holding my attention.
This novel is full of twists and turns and once the first shocking twist came out it was nonstop from then on and I didn't anticipate any of them. The book reads like the story of someone's life (not the kind of life I'd wish for) because it goes into the depth of Reacher's life itself as well as some of the other characters. When Reacher talked about the closeness of his relationship growing up with his older brother and the distance that had grown between them now that they were both out of the military and leading adult lives, I thought about my husband and his younger brother. They moved a lot when they were young (just like Reacher and his brother as part of a military family) and I'm sure there were times when all they had was each other until they made new friends. Some of their moves came so close together that I'm sure they didn't have time to even make friends. Now that they are older and living in different parts of the country they have little contact -- just like Reacher and his brother. Perhaps, that is what made this story feel so real to me? If you like mystery and suspense that keeps you guessing, I highly recommend this book! Child has become a new favorite author. pazt
This novel is full of twists and turns and once the first shocking twist came out it was nonstop from then on and I didn't anticipate any of them. The book reads like the story of someone's life (not the kind of life I'd wish for) because it goes into the depth of Reacher's life itself as well as some of the other characters. When Reacher talked about the closeness of his relationship growing up with his older brother and the distance that had grown between them now that they were both out of the military and leading adult lives, I thought about my husband and his younger brother. They moved a lot when they were young (just like Reacher and his brother as part of a military family) and I'm sure there were times when all they had was each other until they made new friends. Some of their moves came so close together that I'm sure they didn't have time to even make friends. Now that they are older and living in different parts of the country they have little contact -- just like Reacher and his brother. Perhaps, that is what made this story feel so real to me? If you like mystery and suspense that keeps you guessing, I highly recommend this book! Child has become a new favorite author. pazt
Saturday, July 4, 2015
"Death Penalties"
"Death Penalties" by Paula Gosling is part of her Luke Abbott mystery series but actually highlights his Sergeant Tim Nightingale more than Abbott. When a retired policeman dies at home of what is ruled as natural causes, Nightingale discovers he'd been keeping a notebook about Roger Leland. Leland was killed in a traffic accident and the retired policeman was almost run over by Leland's car just before the accident. He seemed to think Leland was being chased by another car and that it might not have been an accident at all. Since Leland's young son, Max, was in the car with him, no believes he would be driving recklessly without good reason.
Nightingale tries to persuade Abbott to reopen the investigation into Leland's death but the police are busy and shorthanded and Abbott doesn't see a case there. He grudgingly allows Nightingale to do some sleuthing on his own time, however.
When Leland's widow reports break-ins and threatening phone calls at her home, the police begin to take it all a little more seriously. She's being wooed by her husband's ex-partner who did very well after her husband's death due to an insurance policy held by him through the business. His widow had her house paid off by insurance but otherwise is just scraping by financially. However, the partner wants her to marry him and let him take care of her. She's not sure she wants to go back to being taken care of, thouugh.
She's also being wooed by the nephew of a woman whose home she is redecorating and a new lodger -- a professor being offered free rent in return for tutoring Max while he recovers at home from rheumatic fever.
As the investigation continues and the violence escalates, she begins to wonder who she can really trust. At this point Max disappears and the danger to all of them increases. Don't miss this well told tale of intrigue. pazt
Nightingale tries to persuade Abbott to reopen the investigation into Leland's death but the police are busy and shorthanded and Abbott doesn't see a case there. He grudgingly allows Nightingale to do some sleuthing on his own time, however.
When Leland's widow reports break-ins and threatening phone calls at her home, the police begin to take it all a little more seriously. She's being wooed by her husband's ex-partner who did very well after her husband's death due to an insurance policy held by him through the business. His widow had her house paid off by insurance but otherwise is just scraping by financially. However, the partner wants her to marry him and let him take care of her. She's not sure she wants to go back to being taken care of, thouugh.
She's also being wooed by the nephew of a woman whose home she is redecorating and a new lodger -- a professor being offered free rent in return for tutoring Max while he recovers at home from rheumatic fever.
As the investigation continues and the violence escalates, she begins to wonder who she can really trust. At this point Max disappears and the danger to all of them increases. Don't miss this well told tale of intrigue. pazt
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
"Easy Prey"
For those who have been following my blogs, you know that I have been reading John Sandford's Lucas Davenport series in order. I just finished "Easy Prey" which is 407 pages in hardback! My sister was here visiting from Arizona last week and I knew I didn't dare start this book while she was here or I wouldn't be spending any time with her. That turned out to be a very wise decision because I started the book Saturday evening while I was watching my youngest grandchildren and continued it until I fell asleep in the early hours of Sunday morning. I didn't sleep long because I woke up and started reading again -- skipped church so I could finish the book!
If you're a Lucas Davenport fan, you'll love this tale.When a model and another woman are murdered at a party, Lucas and his team are called to investigate. Imagine his surprise when Lucas finds out one of his own men was at the party -- Will that complicate the investigation?
As the investigation continues, secrets are uncovered that keep the team guessing and shifting their focus. In the meantime, Lucas is dealing with four women -- an old lover comes back into his life, a former lover and co-worker joins the investigation, a murder victim's sister shows an interest in him and his ex-fiance is making overtures that might mean she wants to be back in his life! All this requires some juggling on Davenport's part in his personal life as well as the investigation. I think this might be one of the most interesting cases yet! pazt
If you're a Lucas Davenport fan, you'll love this tale.When a model and another woman are murdered at a party, Lucas and his team are called to investigate. Imagine his surprise when Lucas finds out one of his own men was at the party -- Will that complicate the investigation?
As the investigation continues, secrets are uncovered that keep the team guessing and shifting their focus. In the meantime, Lucas is dealing with four women -- an old lover comes back into his life, a former lover and co-worker joins the investigation, a murder victim's sister shows an interest in him and his ex-fiance is making overtures that might mean she wants to be back in his life! All this requires some juggling on Davenport's part in his personal life as well as the investigation. I think this might be one of the most interesting cases yet! pazt
Sunday, June 28, 2015
"Half Of Paradise"
"Half Of Paradise" is by Edgar Award winner, James Lee Burke, and was copyrighted in 1965 - his very first novel and now he's a best selling author.
This book is not a mystery -- my preferred genre -- so I'm not sure why I decided to read it -- maybe because Burke has also written mysteries? It's the story of three men:
1) Avery Broussard comes from what was once a line of distinguished landowners but the family fortune has dwindled and his weakness for alcohol lands him in prison.
2) J. P. Winfield comes from a poor background to become a famous singer but he is destroyed by addiction.
3) Toussaint Boudreaux is a black longshoreman who is convicted of a crime he didn't commit and he ends up in prison with Broussard.
I was surprised that I was not able to put this book down once I started reading. Burke has a way with language and story telling that kept me reading long after I should have turned out the light. I became part of his character's lives and wanted to know more. I'm definitely planning on reading more Burke! pazt
This book is not a mystery -- my preferred genre -- so I'm not sure why I decided to read it -- maybe because Burke has also written mysteries? It's the story of three men:
1) Avery Broussard comes from what was once a line of distinguished landowners but the family fortune has dwindled and his weakness for alcohol lands him in prison.
2) J. P. Winfield comes from a poor background to become a famous singer but he is destroyed by addiction.
3) Toussaint Boudreaux is a black longshoreman who is convicted of a crime he didn't commit and he ends up in prison with Broussard.
I was surprised that I was not able to put this book down once I started reading. Burke has a way with language and story telling that kept me reading long after I should have turned out the light. I became part of his character's lives and wanted to know more. I'm definitely planning on reading more Burke! pazt
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
"After I'm Gone"
"After I'm Gone" is a stand alone novel by Laura Lippman who authors the Tess Monaghan, P.I., mystery series. This book was suggested to her by her husband, David Simon, who insisted she should write a novel inspired by Julius Salsbury. Julius was the head of a large gambling operation in Baltimore in the 1970's until he disappeared while under house arrest after being convicted of mail fraud. He was appealing his sentence when he left behind his wife, three daughters, and a girlfriend.
Although Lippman admits using this true story as a basis for her novel, that is where the similarity ends - everything else is pure fiction.
"After I'm Gone" is a love story: Bernadette "Bambi" Gotttschalk was 19 when she met Felix Brewer at a Valentine's Day dance in 1959 - which he and two friends "crashed." They were smitten with each other and marriage followed soon after. Felix assured Bambi that he would provide for her financially but his method of earning money wasn't strictly legal and would require him working late nights. As an only child, Bambi wanted a larger family and Felix agreed. What he forgot to tell her, though, was his need to have girlfriends on the side and that it didn't mean he loved her any less. She knew about the girlfriends but understood it didn't lessen his love for her so she accepted it as part of his "other" life.
The story is told alternating between the past and the present and focusing on Bambi, each of her three daughters, and Julie -- the mistress Felix left behind. As a result, we get to know each character really well.
When "After I'm Gone" starts, it is twenty-six years after Felix' disappearance and Roberto "Sandy" Sanchez, a retired Baltimore detective working cold cases freelance for the police department, decides to open an old case. Julie, Felix' young mistress, disappeared ten years to the day after Felix and the assumption was that she'd gone to join Felix wherever he's hiding out -- until her remains are found in a secluded park. Sandy starts re-interviewing family and a couple of friends of Felix -- his bail bondsman and his attorney. Sandy is good at what he does and he gets results - fascinating how he gets to the truth in his methodical way. I enjoyed this book so much that I'm going to start reading the Tess Monaghan series in order. pazt
Although Lippman admits using this true story as a basis for her novel, that is where the similarity ends - everything else is pure fiction.
"After I'm Gone" is a love story: Bernadette "Bambi" Gotttschalk was 19 when she met Felix Brewer at a Valentine's Day dance in 1959 - which he and two friends "crashed." They were smitten with each other and marriage followed soon after. Felix assured Bambi that he would provide for her financially but his method of earning money wasn't strictly legal and would require him working late nights. As an only child, Bambi wanted a larger family and Felix agreed. What he forgot to tell her, though, was his need to have girlfriends on the side and that it didn't mean he loved her any less. She knew about the girlfriends but understood it didn't lessen his love for her so she accepted it as part of his "other" life.
The story is told alternating between the past and the present and focusing on Bambi, each of her three daughters, and Julie -- the mistress Felix left behind. As a result, we get to know each character really well.
When "After I'm Gone" starts, it is twenty-six years after Felix' disappearance and Roberto "Sandy" Sanchez, a retired Baltimore detective working cold cases freelance for the police department, decides to open an old case. Julie, Felix' young mistress, disappeared ten years to the day after Felix and the assumption was that she'd gone to join Felix wherever he's hiding out -- until her remains are found in a secluded park. Sandy starts re-interviewing family and a couple of friends of Felix -- his bail bondsman and his attorney. Sandy is good at what he does and he gets results - fascinating how he gets to the truth in his methodical way. I enjoyed this book so much that I'm going to start reading the Tess Monaghan series in order. pazt
Sunday, June 21, 2015
"Angel"
Barbara Taylor Bradford's "Angel" was the Good Housekeeping novel of the month in June of 1993 but I just read it last month while on vacation. I'm not a big romance fan - as those of you know who have been reading my blog for a while, I'm really a mystery or science fiction fan. However, this was a fun, light read -- just what the doctor ordered for a relaxing vacation. pazt
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
"Olympus Has Fallen"
I picked up the DVD, "Olympus Has Fallen," at the library when I was looking for some movies to take on vacation recently. However, when the first two didn't show well on the DVD player in our timeshare, I gave up. Now it's time to take it back to the library and I had a couple of hours to myself tonight and decided to watch it. Wow!
Gerard Butler plays a secret service agent and Aaron Eckhart is the current U.S. President while Morgan Freeman is Speaker of the House. Ashley Judd has a bit part as the President's wife.
Butler is Mike Banning, a former Presidential Guard, who had a close relationship with the President and his wife and son, Connor. When the White House (known by "Olympus" in the Secret Service Code) falls and the President and other bigwigs are secure underground (or so they think), they discover they are in the bunker with the head of the terrorist group. Banning finds his way to the scene from the Treasury Department where he has been working a desk job that he hates. He manages to find a way into the White House as well as a way to communicate with the acting President (Speaker of the House) and his team. He becomes their sole hope to save the President and the United States. If you're looking for nonstop thrills, this is the movie to watch! pazt
Gerard Butler plays a secret service agent and Aaron Eckhart is the current U.S. President while Morgan Freeman is Speaker of the House. Ashley Judd has a bit part as the President's wife.
Butler is Mike Banning, a former Presidential Guard, who had a close relationship with the President and his wife and son, Connor. When the White House (known by "Olympus" in the Secret Service Code) falls and the President and other bigwigs are secure underground (or so they think), they discover they are in the bunker with the head of the terrorist group. Banning finds his way to the scene from the Treasury Department where he has been working a desk job that he hates. He manages to find a way into the White House as well as a way to communicate with the acting President (Speaker of the House) and his team. He becomes their sole hope to save the President and the United States. If you're looking for nonstop thrills, this is the movie to watch! pazt
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Author, Jennifer Blake
Jennifer Blake is a pseudonym for romance novelist, Patricia Maxwell. I had some old "Good Housekeeping"magazines around and took some on a recent vacation to read then recycle. I always looked forward to the arrival of "Good Housekeeping" because they would have a novel of the month that I looked forward to reading. When they stopped that practice, I was less interested in a subscription.
The novel of the month in the June 1991 issue was "Behind The Scenes" authored by Jennifer Blake and was from the book, "Joy and Anger," which was published in 1991. Although I prefer mysteries over romances, this was a combination of both so I actually enjoyed the story. The heroine is Julie Bullard who is directing a movie that is being shot in a Louisiana swamp. When a stunt guy is killed in one of the scenes, her boss and fiance sends out her dad, Bull, to help her out -- a fact she resents. When her stunt guy's best friend, Rey, offers to take his place doing the movie stunts, she agrees reluctantly. She wonders what he's up to because he's a retired federal agent who has enough money of his own that he never has to work again so why would he opt to do the stunts in her movie? Little does Julie know that there is more going on on her set than making a movie and that is putting her and others involved in making this movie in danger. So.....there is romance in this story but also a mystery to solve - two of my favorite combinations! pazt
The novel of the month in the June 1991 issue was "Behind The Scenes" authored by Jennifer Blake and was from the book, "Joy and Anger," which was published in 1991. Although I prefer mysteries over romances, this was a combination of both so I actually enjoyed the story. The heroine is Julie Bullard who is directing a movie that is being shot in a Louisiana swamp. When a stunt guy is killed in one of the scenes, her boss and fiance sends out her dad, Bull, to help her out -- a fact she resents. When her stunt guy's best friend, Rey, offers to take his place doing the movie stunts, she agrees reluctantly. She wonders what he's up to because he's a retired federal agent who has enough money of his own that he never has to work again so why would he opt to do the stunts in her movie? Little does Julie know that there is more going on on her set than making a movie and that is putting her and others involved in making this movie in danger. So.....there is romance in this story but also a mystery to solve - two of my favorite combinations! pazt
Thursday, June 11, 2015
"The Red Room"
"The Red Room" by Ridley Pearson is his third book in the "Risk Agent" series but, hopefully, it won't the be last. Since it was released in 2014, I anticipate he's working on a sequel because he ended it with all the markings of more to come.
John Knox is a businessman importing trinkets to support himself and his brother but he's also a former government contractor trained in kidnapping extraction, surveillance, and delicate negotiations. The latter means that he has a sometime employer - Rutherford Risk - who offer him high paying "jobs" to supplement his income which he needs to help pay for medications and care for his brother. His travel world wide for the import business is also the perfect cover for wherever a job might take him.
When on assignment, Knox is often paired with Grace Chu who is brilliant with numbers and a computer geek but who also has a secret desire to be a field agent. When the duo are offered their latest assignment (which is on a need to know basis) by David "Sarge" Dulwich, Chu's wish leads them into trouble uncovering more than they were to know about this particular mission.
I didn't get into this book as quickly as usual as I slogged through the background for what was to follow but once Chu is kidnapped (I'm not giving anything away because it's disclosed on the book jacket!), everything begins to move at a faster pace and I couldn't put the book down unless absolutely forced to (Eating and work are such distractions!).
As Chu and Knox work closely together and uncover other countries and other agents involved, they begin to doubt whether Dulwich is really working for Rutherford Risk or does he have them on a rogue assignment. This mutual distrust brings them closer together and I see the nature of their relationship changing -- something to look forward to in future Pearson "Risk Agent" novels. pazt
John Knox is a businessman importing trinkets to support himself and his brother but he's also a former government contractor trained in kidnapping extraction, surveillance, and delicate negotiations. The latter means that he has a sometime employer - Rutherford Risk - who offer him high paying "jobs" to supplement his income which he needs to help pay for medications and care for his brother. His travel world wide for the import business is also the perfect cover for wherever a job might take him.
When on assignment, Knox is often paired with Grace Chu who is brilliant with numbers and a computer geek but who also has a secret desire to be a field agent. When the duo are offered their latest assignment (which is on a need to know basis) by David "Sarge" Dulwich, Chu's wish leads them into trouble uncovering more than they were to know about this particular mission.
I didn't get into this book as quickly as usual as I slogged through the background for what was to follow but once Chu is kidnapped (I'm not giving anything away because it's disclosed on the book jacket!), everything begins to move at a faster pace and I couldn't put the book down unless absolutely forced to (Eating and work are such distractions!).
As Chu and Knox work closely together and uncover other countries and other agents involved, they begin to doubt whether Dulwich is really working for Rutherford Risk or does he have them on a rogue assignment. This mutual distrust brings them closer together and I see the nature of their relationship changing -- something to look forward to in future Pearson "Risk Agent" novels. pazt
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
"Jack Reacher"
While on vacation last week, I watched Tom Cruise portraying "Jack Reacher" and I was hooked. Now I need to read the series of Jack Reacher books by Lee Childs.
In the movie Tom Cruise is Jack Reacher, an ex-military investigator, who has gone underground somewhere in the USA. When a crime is committed that involves someone he knew in the military, he surfaces to make sure justice will prevail but what Reacher thinks will be justice turns out to be something entirely different. As he works with the attorney defending the man who has been arrested, Reacher puts himself and others in danger as he seeks the truth. This is a thriller from start to finish! pazt
In the movie Tom Cruise is Jack Reacher, an ex-military investigator, who has gone underground somewhere in the USA. When a crime is committed that involves someone he knew in the military, he surfaces to make sure justice will prevail but what Reacher thinks will be justice turns out to be something entirely different. As he works with the attorney defending the man who has been arrested, Reacher puts himself and others in danger as he seeks the truth. This is a thriller from start to finish! pazt
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
"Miserere - An Autumn Tale"
"Miserere" is a dark fantasy novel by Teresa Frohock. When I first started reading this book, I thought it was a sequel to something I'd read in the last two years because there were parts of it that sounded familiar. However, when I read that it was the author's debut novel, I knew I was mistaken.
The first part of this novel sets the stage for the "story" and it was slower reading for me but, when I got to the "meat" of the tale, I found it hard to put the book down. In fact, I was almost late for church because I didn't want to stop reading!
Lucian Negru is an exiled exorcist who deserted his lover, Rachael, in hell in order to save his twin sister Catarina's soul. Unfortunately, Catarina didn't want to be saved and she made a covenant with the equivalent of the devil. In the meantime, she cripples Lucian and keeps him as her prisoner to do her bidding as she rules.
Everything comes to a head when Lucian has to choose between his sister and Rachael and the choice he makes brings some startling revelations that affect them all. The ending of the book sets it up perfectly for a sequel in my mind but in surfing the internet, it doesn't appear the author is working on that but she does have something different coming out later this year.
When I went on Facebook to ask to be a friend of the author because I want to know when her next novel is released, I had my own surprise. My oldest daughter is already her friend and evidently they are in a writing group together and my daughter is one of the individuals she names in her acknowledgements! pazt
The first part of this novel sets the stage for the "story" and it was slower reading for me but, when I got to the "meat" of the tale, I found it hard to put the book down. In fact, I was almost late for church because I didn't want to stop reading!
Lucian Negru is an exiled exorcist who deserted his lover, Rachael, in hell in order to save his twin sister Catarina's soul. Unfortunately, Catarina didn't want to be saved and she made a covenant with the equivalent of the devil. In the meantime, she cripples Lucian and keeps him as her prisoner to do her bidding as she rules.
Everything comes to a head when Lucian has to choose between his sister and Rachael and the choice he makes brings some startling revelations that affect them all. The ending of the book sets it up perfectly for a sequel in my mind but in surfing the internet, it doesn't appear the author is working on that but she does have something different coming out later this year.
When I went on Facebook to ask to be a friend of the author because I want to know when her next novel is released, I had my own surprise. My oldest daughter is already her friend and evidently they are in a writing group together and my daughter is one of the individuals she names in her acknowledgements! pazt
Sunday, May 31, 2015
"The Zero Trap"
"The Zero Trap" by Paula Gosling was published in the March 1980 issue of "Good Housekeeping." My favorite part of "Good Housekeeping" was always the novel in each issue so my interest waned when they stopped publishing them. However, I have some back issues and took them with me on a recent holiday and read all the novels and short stories they offered before sending them to recycling.
"The Zero Trap" was one of my favorites -- suspense and romance -- so I was disappointed to discover that, although Gosling has written a lot of books, only one is available at my local library - how disappointing! I may have to try to find some of them on Amazon.
In this story, a plane load of people are kidnapped and left in a mansion somewhere very cold which hinders their ability to try to escape. In the meantime, the kidnappers have ransom demands for the father and fiance of one of the passengers but they're not demands easily met. As they wait for rescue, some murders occur among the passengers. Who is doing it and who can they not trust? pazt
"The Zero Trap" was one of my favorites -- suspense and romance -- so I was disappointed to discover that, although Gosling has written a lot of books, only one is available at my local library - how disappointing! I may have to try to find some of them on Amazon.
In this story, a plane load of people are kidnapped and left in a mansion somewhere very cold which hinders their ability to try to escape. In the meantime, the kidnappers have ransom demands for the father and fiance of one of the passengers but they're not demands easily met. As they wait for rescue, some murders occur among the passengers. Who is doing it and who can they not trust? pazt
Thursday, May 28, 2015
"Angel Maker"
"Angel Maker" by Ridley Pearson is one of his Lou Boldt mysteries. Lou has left the Seattle Police Department and he and his wife have put their marriage back together. They've also had a baby boy and Lou is house-husband, caretaker to his infant son during the day and a night time jazz piano player at a downtown club owned by a friend.
Dr. Daphne Matthews, a psychologist for the Seattle Police Department, has also put her life back together after having her throat slit on the last case she and Boldt worked together. She's now volunteering with her friend, Sharon, at a local shelter for homeless and runaway youth. When she discovers some of them have had organs "harvested," she has a need to find out what is going on.
The more Daphne learns about what is happening, the more she realizes she needs a detective like Boldt on the case but...is it fair to ask him to jeopardize his happy family life to return to the Seattle Police Department? She knows, though, that he is someone her boss will listen to so she has to give it a try.
The case leads to covered up and unsolved murders as well as a "Doctor" who has convinced himself that harvesting organs to help others justifies the end even if it means a donor may (or must) die. When Daphne's friend is kidnapped, Boldt and Daphne are racing against the clock to find and save her before it is too late.
Wow! What a tale! I was on the edge of my seat reading this book and couldn't put it down until I'd finished it. I also learned a lot about transplants! I'm definitely ready for the next book in the Boldt series. pazt
Dr. Daphne Matthews, a psychologist for the Seattle Police Department, has also put her life back together after having her throat slit on the last case she and Boldt worked together. She's now volunteering with her friend, Sharon, at a local shelter for homeless and runaway youth. When she discovers some of them have had organs "harvested," she has a need to find out what is going on.
The more Daphne learns about what is happening, the more she realizes she needs a detective like Boldt on the case but...is it fair to ask him to jeopardize his happy family life to return to the Seattle Police Department? She knows, though, that he is someone her boss will listen to so she has to give it a try.
The case leads to covered up and unsolved murders as well as a "Doctor" who has convinced himself that harvesting organs to help others justifies the end even if it means a donor may (or must) die. When Daphne's friend is kidnapped, Boldt and Daphne are racing against the clock to find and save her before it is too late.
Wow! What a tale! I was on the edge of my seat reading this book and couldn't put it down until I'd finished it. I also learned a lot about transplants! I'm definitely ready for the next book in the Boldt series. pazt
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
"Across Many Mountains"
"Across Many Mountains" is a memoir written by Yangzom Brauen about her Tibetan grandparents and her mother's "epic journey from Oppression to Freedom." At first when the Chinese took over Tibet, they tolerated the country's traditions but eventually they were determined to stamp out all vestiges of the Tibetan culture and their religion.
Yangzom's grandmother, Kunsang, was a Buddhist nun who married a Buddhist monk, Tsering, and they decided to flee across the mountains with their two young daughters. They knew the Dalai Lama was in India and they wanted to take refuge there also.
Yangzom gives us background about both her grandparents but there is much more detail about her grandmother's younger life. Living in a monastery the young couple nor their children had a lot and depended on the gifts of others to sustain them. Perhaps it was this ability to make do with so little that helped them survive the very difficult journey across the mountains while evading Chinese soldiers.
However, their hardships didn't end there because there were many Tibetan refugees and finding a way to support their family and live in India was a challenge especially as family members became ill. Tsering soon became too ill to help support his family so it fell to Yangzom and her oldest daughter, Sonam, who was but a child herself, to earn a subsistence living for the family. Sonam longed to go to school and have a life like the girls she saw around her in India.
Yangzom shares how Kunsang's early years as a nun and pupil of Abe Rinpoche and the time she spent in contemplation and maturation "gave her the serenity that made everyday problems seem unimportant." She always looked for the good in others.
Good fortune seemed to follow the family at times - like when they missed a train because of Tsering's illness. They later learned that the Tibetans that were resettled in another area that the Indian government had set aside for them did not fare well. Many died in the inhospitable jungle where they were settled.
Yangzom felt she needed to be near hospitals for Tsering to receive the care he often needed and eventually she found work with a group called "Save The Children" who were caring for orphans. They provided lodging and food for her and Sonam as well as a small salary but both of them also worked very hard. Eventually, though, Sonam realized her dream of an education when she was allowed to attend a boarding school.
After Tsering's death many men took an interest in Sonam and wanted to marry her but both she and her mother felt she was too young for marriage despite the fact that she might have been married that young if they had still been in Tibet. Although Yangzom was very traditional in her Buddhist beliefs, she had no difficulty encouraging Sonam's desire to wait for marriage.
Eventually a young Swiss man, Martin Brauen, who was studying at a nearby university met and fell in love almost immediately with Sonam. There were many obstacles to his winning her hand but he first won her mother over. Then came the obstacles of their marrying and he getting both Sonam and her mother into Switzerland. Love prevailed and they settled happily in Switzerland where there were already some Tibetan refugees. Sonam gave birth to Yangzom and her young brother, Tashi, and they all lived together. Martin's work also involved him in the Tibetan culture. Eventually Sonam became an abstract artist and they are now living in Queens, New York.
The whole family had the opportunity to visit Tibet and found relatives who were still living that they were afraid might have died during the persecution by the Chinese. It was bittersweet for Kumsang and Sonam, though, because so much of their beloved Tibet had changed under Chinese rule.
The author, Yangzom, is an actress, model, and political activist who lives in both Los Angeles and Berlin. She has appeared in a number of German and American films and is also active in the Free Tibet movement. Her website is www.yanzombrauen.com. Sonam has a website at www.sonam.net. Her brother, Tashi, has a site also - www.tashibrauen.com..
I found this memoir very moving and instructive - so glad I read it! pazt
Yangzom's grandmother, Kunsang, was a Buddhist nun who married a Buddhist monk, Tsering, and they decided to flee across the mountains with their two young daughters. They knew the Dalai Lama was in India and they wanted to take refuge there also.
Yangzom gives us background about both her grandparents but there is much more detail about her grandmother's younger life. Living in a monastery the young couple nor their children had a lot and depended on the gifts of others to sustain them. Perhaps it was this ability to make do with so little that helped them survive the very difficult journey across the mountains while evading Chinese soldiers.
However, their hardships didn't end there because there were many Tibetan refugees and finding a way to support their family and live in India was a challenge especially as family members became ill. Tsering soon became too ill to help support his family so it fell to Yangzom and her oldest daughter, Sonam, who was but a child herself, to earn a subsistence living for the family. Sonam longed to go to school and have a life like the girls she saw around her in India.
Yangzom shares how Kunsang's early years as a nun and pupil of Abe Rinpoche and the time she spent in contemplation and maturation "gave her the serenity that made everyday problems seem unimportant." She always looked for the good in others.
Good fortune seemed to follow the family at times - like when they missed a train because of Tsering's illness. They later learned that the Tibetans that were resettled in another area that the Indian government had set aside for them did not fare well. Many died in the inhospitable jungle where they were settled.
Yangzom felt she needed to be near hospitals for Tsering to receive the care he often needed and eventually she found work with a group called "Save The Children" who were caring for orphans. They provided lodging and food for her and Sonam as well as a small salary but both of them also worked very hard. Eventually, though, Sonam realized her dream of an education when she was allowed to attend a boarding school.
After Tsering's death many men took an interest in Sonam and wanted to marry her but both she and her mother felt she was too young for marriage despite the fact that she might have been married that young if they had still been in Tibet. Although Yangzom was very traditional in her Buddhist beliefs, she had no difficulty encouraging Sonam's desire to wait for marriage.
Eventually a young Swiss man, Martin Brauen, who was studying at a nearby university met and fell in love almost immediately with Sonam. There were many obstacles to his winning her hand but he first won her mother over. Then came the obstacles of their marrying and he getting both Sonam and her mother into Switzerland. Love prevailed and they settled happily in Switzerland where there were already some Tibetan refugees. Sonam gave birth to Yangzom and her young brother, Tashi, and they all lived together. Martin's work also involved him in the Tibetan culture. Eventually Sonam became an abstract artist and they are now living in Queens, New York.
The whole family had the opportunity to visit Tibet and found relatives who were still living that they were afraid might have died during the persecution by the Chinese. It was bittersweet for Kumsang and Sonam, though, because so much of their beloved Tibet had changed under Chinese rule.
The author, Yangzom, is an actress, model, and political activist who lives in both Los Angeles and Berlin. She has appeared in a number of German and American films and is also active in the Free Tibet movement. Her website is www.yanzombrauen.com. Sonam has a website at www.sonam.net. Her brother, Tashi, has a site also - www.tashibrauen.com..
I found this memoir very moving and instructive - so glad I read it! pazt
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
"The City of Ember"
?The City of Ember" is the first Book of Ember written by New York Times bestselling author, Jeanne DuPrau. Although this book is geared towards youth ages 9-12, I became interested in reading it after my 10 year old granddaughter started reading the series. I'm always intrigued by any book that interests children and youth and excites them to read because I fear handheld games and other electronic devices may discourage reading in our next generation. Fortunately, the school my grandchildren attend encourages daily reading!
Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow are young citizens of the city of Ember who have just finished their schooling and have been assigned their lifetime work. When Lina draws the dreaded job of pipeworks laborer instead of the messenger job she wants, she is very disappointed. She is a fast runner and feels the job of messenger suits her better than working in damp tunnels deep underground.
Doon Harrow draws the job of messenger and he asks Lina to trade which she does willingly. Doon is concerned about the deterioration of Ember and the only light available in the city comes from the underground generator. Doon has some ideas of his own about how to fix it so the lights won't keep flickering and eventually thrust the whole city into darkness.
Meanwhile, the two young people discover some alarming facts about what is really going on in the city of Ember among its highest officials and their attempts to let the citizens know about this deceit only places them on the wrong side of the authorities and they find themselves fleeing to escape jail.
Where will they go and how will it affect everyone in Ember? You'll have to read for yourself to find out what happens....pazt
Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow are young citizens of the city of Ember who have just finished their schooling and have been assigned their lifetime work. When Lina draws the dreaded job of pipeworks laborer instead of the messenger job she wants, she is very disappointed. She is a fast runner and feels the job of messenger suits her better than working in damp tunnels deep underground.
Doon Harrow draws the job of messenger and he asks Lina to trade which she does willingly. Doon is concerned about the deterioration of Ember and the only light available in the city comes from the underground generator. Doon has some ideas of his own about how to fix it so the lights won't keep flickering and eventually thrust the whole city into darkness.
Meanwhile, the two young people discover some alarming facts about what is really going on in the city of Ember among its highest officials and their attempts to let the citizens know about this deceit only places them on the wrong side of the authorities and they find themselves fleeing to escape jail.
Where will they go and how will it affect everyone in Ember? You'll have to read for yourself to find out what happens....pazt
Monday, May 18, 2015
"Certain Prey"
"Certain Prey" is John Sandford's tenth book in the Lucas Davenport mystery series and it is one of the best so far in my opinion!
Carmel Loan is a successful criminal attorney who covets another woman's husband and she knows just the man who can put her in touch with someone to solve her problem. When she arranges for the wife to be killed, she doesn't count on the hit man to be a woman nor that the two of them will run into a few snags and become friends and co-killers along the way.
Tired of his administrative duties...Lucas Davenport welcomes a challenging case to occupy his time. His senses are in good shape and it doesn't take him long to figure out Carmel is involved somehow in a couple of recent killings but why is the question. As he and his team close in on her and her female hit woman, Lucas becomes a target. Solving the case and proving Carmel's involvement doesn't end the risk for Davenport and the ending is one of the most satisfying to date! If you're a Davenport (or John Sandford) fan, you won't want to miss this read. pazt
Carmel Loan is a successful criminal attorney who covets another woman's husband and she knows just the man who can put her in touch with someone to solve her problem. When she arranges for the wife to be killed, she doesn't count on the hit man to be a woman nor that the two of them will run into a few snags and become friends and co-killers along the way.
Tired of his administrative duties...Lucas Davenport welcomes a challenging case to occupy his time. His senses are in good shape and it doesn't take him long to figure out Carmel is involved somehow in a couple of recent killings but why is the question. As he and his team close in on her and her female hit woman, Lucas becomes a target. Solving the case and proving Carmel's involvement doesn't end the risk for Davenport and the ending is one of the most satisfying to date! If you're a Davenport (or John Sandford) fan, you won't want to miss this read. pazt
Sunday, May 17, 2015
"Organizing For Your Brain Type"
"Organizing For Your Brain Type - Finding Your Own Solution to Managing Time, Paper, and Stuff" by Lanna Nakone, M.A. has struck a chord with me. I picked this paperback book up at the library and decided to take it with me on a recent overnight trip. My husband was in a daylong workshop and I pulled out my yellow pad and a copy of this book and started reading and taking notes.
I'm halfway through the book, have taken a couple of the quizzes and have decided I'm a mix of two styles. There's the "Maintaining Style," the "Harmonizing Style," the "Innovating Style," and the "Prioritizing Style." The quiz places me firmly in the "Maintaining Style" but when I started reading about the various styles, I decided that yes, when I'm organizing in my brain, I'm in the "Maintaining Style" but when I'm organizing at home, I fit more closely the "Harmonizing Style."
I still need to take the sensory preferences quiz and have my husband take the quizzes to determine his style. It's pretty apparent to me that we have differing styles -- amazing we've been able to live together fairly harmoniously for over 50 years! The author promises that she can even help couples get organized who have differing styles.
Since what I've read so far resonates with me, I need my own copy of the book so I can start using it as a guide to implement some of her ideas for my style(s), If you're looking to make sense of your papers and other "stuff," I suggest you take a look at Lanna Nakone's ideas. pazt
I'm halfway through the book, have taken a couple of the quizzes and have decided I'm a mix of two styles. There's the "Maintaining Style," the "Harmonizing Style," the "Innovating Style," and the "Prioritizing Style." The quiz places me firmly in the "Maintaining Style" but when I started reading about the various styles, I decided that yes, when I'm organizing in my brain, I'm in the "Maintaining Style" but when I'm organizing at home, I fit more closely the "Harmonizing Style."
I still need to take the sensory preferences quiz and have my husband take the quizzes to determine his style. It's pretty apparent to me that we have differing styles -- amazing we've been able to live together fairly harmoniously for over 50 years! The author promises that she can even help couples get organized who have differing styles.
Since what I've read so far resonates with me, I need my own copy of the book so I can start using it as a guide to implement some of her ideas for my style(s), If you're looking to make sense of your papers and other "stuff," I suggest you take a look at Lanna Nakone's ideas. pazt
Sunday, May 3, 2015
"The Spellmans Strike Again:
"The Spellmans Strike Again" is a novel by Lisa Lutz - the 4th book in her tales of the Spellman family who run a private investigation firm (except for the oldest, David, who is 35 and currently an unemployed attorney).
I'm almost positive I have read this book before but was unable to search my own blog site to be sure. However, it has been long enough ago that, if I have, I had forgotten most of it so I probably should have started with the first book in the series and read them all over again!
Izzy (Isabel) Spellman is 32 and taking over Spellman Investigations from her parents who wish to retire. Her current boyfriend, Connor, is an Irish bartender who is likely to become Ex-boyfriend #12.
Her major case is investigating a missing person from an aging millionaire's home and she persuades her actor friend, Len, to work there undercover replacing the missing butler until she can figure out what is going on. However, this arrangement doesn't sit well with his partner when Len adopts a British accent that appears to be on the brink of becoming permanent.
Izzy's heart, however, is set on digging up dirt on a competitive firm owned by an ex-cop, Rick Harvey, who she believes is conducting his business in an unscrupulous manner.
At home (also known as the Spellman Headquarters) items seem to be disappearing throughout the house -- door knobs, light fixtures, etc -- but Izzy's parents don't seem to think it is odd.
Izzy's younger sister, Rae, is helping out David's girlfriend, Maggie, in her legal office and has decided they all need to work on getting a man out of jail that she believes innocent based on her research in Maggie's file room. (Izzy also discovers Rae has a boyfriend, Fred, who quickly becomes a family favorite.)
Izzy's friend and lawyer, Morty, (in his 80's) is calling her regularly from Florida where he and his wife, Ruthie, retired and he says he has a plan to return to San Francisco. Her landlord continues to show up unexpectedly in her flat when he and is wife are fighting -- causing a scene with Connor.
Henry, the policeman who helped them investigate Rae's disappearance in another book, is still on the scene as Rae's friend and wants Izzy to practice her friendship skills, too, by being his friend. (Interpersonal skills aren't Izzy's strong suit so Henry has his job cut out for him.)
Reading a Spellman book has always been a treat -- they're fun and full of surprises. I'm already looking for the next one in the series, "Trail of the Spellmans." pazt
I'm almost positive I have read this book before but was unable to search my own blog site to be sure. However, it has been long enough ago that, if I have, I had forgotten most of it so I probably should have started with the first book in the series and read them all over again!
Izzy (Isabel) Spellman is 32 and taking over Spellman Investigations from her parents who wish to retire. Her current boyfriend, Connor, is an Irish bartender who is likely to become Ex-boyfriend #12.
Her major case is investigating a missing person from an aging millionaire's home and she persuades her actor friend, Len, to work there undercover replacing the missing butler until she can figure out what is going on. However, this arrangement doesn't sit well with his partner when Len adopts a British accent that appears to be on the brink of becoming permanent.
Izzy's heart, however, is set on digging up dirt on a competitive firm owned by an ex-cop, Rick Harvey, who she believes is conducting his business in an unscrupulous manner.
At home (also known as the Spellman Headquarters) items seem to be disappearing throughout the house -- door knobs, light fixtures, etc -- but Izzy's parents don't seem to think it is odd.
Izzy's younger sister, Rae, is helping out David's girlfriend, Maggie, in her legal office and has decided they all need to work on getting a man out of jail that she believes innocent based on her research in Maggie's file room. (Izzy also discovers Rae has a boyfriend, Fred, who quickly becomes a family favorite.)
Izzy's friend and lawyer, Morty, (in his 80's) is calling her regularly from Florida where he and his wife, Ruthie, retired and he says he has a plan to return to San Francisco. Her landlord continues to show up unexpectedly in her flat when he and is wife are fighting -- causing a scene with Connor.
Henry, the policeman who helped them investigate Rae's disappearance in another book, is still on the scene as Rae's friend and wants Izzy to practice her friendship skills, too, by being his friend. (Interpersonal skills aren't Izzy's strong suit so Henry has his job cut out for him.)
Reading a Spellman book has always been a treat -- they're fun and full of surprises. I'm already looking for the next one in the series, "Trail of the Spellmans." pazt
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