Book Review-Newer Books 19

Review—Rhett Butler’s People by Donald McCaig

Donald McCaig wrote the novel Rhett Butler’s People. St. Martin’s Press published the book in November 2007; the novel has 500 pages.

            Who would have thought that there was more to the classic novel and movie, Gone with the Wind?  Now, a new novel depicts the other side, Rhett’s side. From his early days as the rebellious son of a wealthy plantation owner to the days after Atlanta, post Civil War was once again prosperous. This, time, of course, includes his tumultuous and passionate relationship with Scarlett O’Hara.

            During his youth, Rhett seemed to have difficulty being what his father desired in the proper son. He showed respect to all around him from family to slave labor, often developing friendships with those least likely to be a part of his world. A perpetual trial to his father, punishment was often meted out with harsh judgments and little of the expected results. Eventually disowned, Rhett foresaw the future of the South’s battle and was one of the few not left devastated, through shrewd business dealings across the world. Even not believing the South would prevail, upon his return and viewing such destruction, he did join the fight of the rebel cause.

            Relationships were a primary part of what made Rhett Butler. His sister and friends were often the impetus that drove him to succeed. Close relationships with people from past scandals also developed the man he would become. Through pre-war to post-war days, loyalty and integrity were integral to his make-up. During this time, a chance meeting with a young vixen, named Scarlett O’Hara, sets new courses and trials in his path. As he is determined to deny the love to such a vain woman who thinks she is in love with another, death and tragedy mold what may or may not be their future.

            This novel, with the approval of Margaret Mitchell’s descendants, is a tribute to what was not portrayed in the movie. In this novel Rhett’s character and relationships were developed and explained. For Gone with the Wind fans, this should be an enjoyable read. The novel, for this writer was slow to plod along, as too much of the previous story was included. Often the very same situations arose with little view into the other side of the presentation. More of Scarlett and Rhett, and less of family and friends could have also been more interesting.

Book Review-Older Books 19

Garden of Beasts, a Novel of Berlin 1936; by Jeffery Deaver.  Published by Simon & Schuster, July 2004, 404 pgs.

The story begins in New York, 1936.  Paul Schumann is a mob “button man”, hit man in today’s vocabulary.  He is known for his caution, skill, and determination to only “tough off” those who he considers “God’s Mistakes”.  He may have done jobs for Segal and Lansky, but no one seems to know for sure.  Then in the course of his latest job, he is caught.  When he is caught, he is given the chance to start over, and it’s not the police who want to give him this chance.  Paul is taken to a government office and offered two choices; prison or taking a job and starting his life over. 

This job will take him to Berlin to the 1936 Olympics.  Suddenly, he is a traveling sports writer, on the boat with the US team.  It is Paul’s job to halt the progress of Germany’s rearmament after World War I.  In so doing he takes a room in the Tiergarten, also known as the garden of beasts, due to recent beatings of any citizens who may have any feelings different from the Fuhrers.  Hitler may seem crazy to some, but he surrounds himself with those who hold his dreams together.  One of those men is Reinhard Ernst, and he is the man who is orchestrating this rearmament.  Not only has he devised a way to rebuild the German Navy, but he is also in collusion with psychiatrists to study ways to determine what soldiers can and will handle mass exterminations.  And there are killings that indicate that the German’s have been putting this study to the test.  Paul’s assignment is to hunt down and kill Ernst, and after reading about the “Waltham study”, Paul knows this is a man to eliminate.

These are fictional characters, but the attitudes, and cultural and political beliefs in the United States and Germany hold true.  Paul is hired and led to believe one thing only to find out that one of his supporters is supporting Hitler’s rise.  The book demonstrates the followers and opposition on both sides of the Atlantic.  It shows how many were unaware of Hitler’s pure evil, and those who would have still supported him.  Jeffery Deaver delivers many plot twists and turns, and just when you think you know what’s coming next, you realize it’s just the opposite.

This book is a little slow to begin with, but quickly picks up speed and moves along. 

T.G. Stanton

Book Review-Newer Books 18

Review-Creation in Death

Nora Roberts as J.D. Robb wrote the novel Creation in Death. The Putnam Publishing Group published the book in November 2007; the novel has 352 pages.

            New York City in the future brings death in new ways for Lieutenant Eve Dallas on a regular basis. However, this time a new death shows the hand of a killer from a past cold case. Nine years ago, Eve and her mentor Feeney worked murders identical to the brunette presented here, young, very dead and showing signs of torture, now laid out in East River Park. The press dubbed this murderer, The Groom, those many years before and now, he is back.

            Many officers from nine years ago are still feeling the frustration of the killer who got away. Now Eve gathers her team, along with Feeney, to track this torturer down before another woman dies. The Groom has patterns they know about, a rhythm per se to his killing methods. Every one working this case will know every pattern and be continually searching for not only breaks in his rhythm, but also, mistakes the killer could make. As new information is discovered, Eve’s husband, Roarke, becomes embroiled in the day-to-day cop work he has often disdained. Each woman chosen has connections to Roarke; he employs the women. The nefarious plot of The Groom is unveiled through investigation and profiling by the men and women in search of this killer and his ultimate goal seems to be someone important to everyone working this crime. Roarke may not be the real target, making his contributions to the police work and the woman he loves even more significant.

            Nora Roberts has not only written many novels under her own name, but more than twenty in her pseudonym. This book continues the futuristic saga of familiar characters in yet another new twist of death. Combined in the story of mystery, drama, and danger, is the love and support of couples known to any who have read the previous books. The novel, itself, is singular enough for those who have not yet tried J.D. Robb as an author. The book has wonderful characters and moves at a satisfying pace. Creation in Death is another winner for Nora Roberts, and leaves this reader waiting for the next installment.

Book Review-Older Books 18

Killer Smile by Lisa Scottoline.  Published by Harper Collins, June 2004, 358 pgs.

The story begins in the law offices of Rosato & Associates in South Philly.  Mary DiNunzio is one of the associates.  She is a young lawyer, who is also a widow, and everyone she knows is trying to fix her up with someone they know. 

Mary is involved in a case where she is trying to find reparation for an Italian immigrant who was interned during World War II.  This is pro bono work for Mary, and many of her colleagues refer to it as the “History Channel” case.  Amadeo Brandolini had lived in Philadelphia, married, began a small fishing business and raised a son, who was fighting for America in the war.  Yet when the FBI began a mass internment of Italian-Americans Amadeo was taken and kept in a camp in Montana.

Mary starts her investigation with very little to go on.  She has a lock of hair, a sheet of paper with circular drawings and an old wallet.  She also finds out that though Amadeo could not read or write in English, he ran the three boats in his business successfully.   She finds connections between Amadeo, the attorney who referred this case to her, and a friend who was interred with Amadeo.  As these connections build, Mary runs into more and more obstacles to finding the answers of what happened to her long-deceased client.  She has never ventured out of the Philly area and has generally led a sheltered and quiet life.  As she continues to investigate she will draw on strengths of character and determination that even she did not know she was capable of, and that take her on new adventures. 

Lisa Scottoline is a new author for me and she has written other books revolving around the offices of Rosato and Associates.  The associates are vibrant and intriguing, the dialogue is snappy, and this combines with the action and danger, which Mary becomes embroiled in to make an enjoyable book.  It dragged a little at the beginning but picked up quite nicely shortly thereafter.

Book Review-Newer Books 17

Review-The Bourne Betrayal

Eric Van Lustbader wrote The Bourne Betrayal. Warner Books published the book in June 2007; it has 496 pages.

            Africa, the Middle East, and Washington D.C.; the chameleon, Jason Bourne is at it again. Jason’s best and only friend, Martin Lindros has been lost in the fieldwork, a field that has not been involved in for many years. The director may not trust him, but when the manager of Central Intelligence’s top-secret agency, Lindros, disappears; his only choice is to call on Bourne to rescue is friend. Many find Bourne to be a rebel with little regards to the way things need to be done, a loner with no respect for authority, and perhaps a situation to be handled.

            Jason, while still trying to deal with memory issues and the losses he has suffered, is pulled into a dramatic and diabolical plan to wreak havoc on not only himself, but also the United States. History has a way of playing a role in every decision and memory that plagues Bourne. However, are they real? Terrorist leaders have set plans in motion for retaliation against a serious insult and injury inflicted by Jason Bourne in the past. Will America suffer? The distrust of the CI director and the danger he is felt to present, adds extra danger to the aims and goals Bourne develops on the spur of the moment rescue he is now involved in. He is constantly making rapid-fire decisions, sometimes based on faulty memories and emotions. There are few that he can trust.  One agent in CI, whom he has worked with in the past and is a part of his burgeoning memory, may turn out to be his only hope, if only the conspiracy he presents to her is confirmed.

            Eric Van Lustbader has once again brought the character of Bourne to life, through mayhem, death, destruction, and plenty of action. Bourne continues to be the man of many faces and often a ghost who gets the job done. Throughout this novel, twists and turns run rampant; who to trust and who will trust Bourne seed every page. Another winner that will surely be good at the box office.

Book Review-Older Books 17

The Narrows, by Michael Connelly.  Published by Little, Brown and Company in May 2004, 404 pgs.

Rachel Walling, is an FBI agent, who is marking time investigating federal issues in South Dakota.  She was once involved in Quantico’s Behavioral department and she hunted serial killers, one such killer is The Poet, and it would seem that he is back.  The FBI has been led to a mound that is also a gravesite for multiple victims, and Rachel is called in to help investigate and maybe also act as bait,  because, some of the information leading to this site was personally addressed to her. 

Harry Bosch is retired LAPD, who occasionally does investigative work.  He is called on by the wife of an old friend, wanting him to look into some questionable circumstances regarding her husband’s death.  It would seem that he simply died of a failing heart, this after a recent transplant.  But several issues bring new information to light and the investigation begins.  This old friend was also involved with The Poet in the past.  As Harry investigates and uncovers the cases his old friend was unraveling, it brings him into contact with Rachel and into butting heads with the FBI.

The story takes them between California and Nevada, searching for clues surrounding an unusual exit, and the pathways and highways of a chilling mind.

This book delves into the many avenues that detective work takes and the perseverance it demands.

Michael Connelly has authored several other novels, including The Poet and Blood Work, which seem to be prequels to this book.  This book at times dragged and moved slowly through the tedious to the fantastical paths of detective work.  Seeing leaps in deductive reasoning bear fruit, though, made it more enjoyable.  Also, having seen the movie Blood Work, helped make it more interesting to find out what happened at the end. I may have to go back and read the book.

Book Review-Newer Books 16

Review-Pandora’s Daughter by Iris Johansen

Iris Johansen wrote the novel Pandora’s Daughter. St. Martin’s Press published the book in October 2007 and the novel has 374 pages.

            Greek mythology introduces Pandora as the first woman. She is then gifted by the Gods and given gifts. Pandora was in possession of a box containing the evils of the world. She unwittingly opens the box releasing the evil onto humanity. She release hope along with the evil, giving humankind a chance. 

Now, Megan Blair is coming of age. She is a doctor and her gifts of healing and sometimes feeling too much have shaped her career. Unexpectedly, a man from her past comes back into her life. The last time he was near, her mother was murdered. Grady is the man from her past, one she once had a crush on and he expects Megan to believe that she has special gifts. Not only is she supposed to be able to be a listener and hear the dead, but she may also be a Pandora, one who can release special gifts in others by touch. Sometimes these gifts may have been dormant, now when allowed to flourish, the effects can be positive or negative. The history of one family has been recorded in a Ledger over centuries and notes any special gifts they exhibit. Pandora’s of the past have been known to drive some people crazy with the touch and release of gifts. Others embrace the gifts and adapt to the changes that occur.

Megan rejects these declarations of special gifts that she has never been aware of and even after slow acceptance of being a listener, still has difficulties with being a Pandora. An evil man who is criminally sinister was responsible for the murder of her mother and plans to see to the destruction of all of those with special gifts, “freaks” as he calls them. He is not only out to kill Megan but also he wants the Ledger to track down any others. Through evil manipulation, he almost succeeds, Megan may be the only one who can stop him, Pandora or not.

Iris Johansen has written many novels containing mystery and danger. This book also touches on what many consider supernatural. The many characters in the novel are intriguing and sympathetic and the action is stimulating. They are barely one-step ahead of the evil following on their heels. The book is a quick read and will keep any reader entertained. 

Book Review-Older Books 16

Firestorm, by Iris Johansen.  Published by Bantam Books, April 2004, 321 pgs.

Kerry Murphy is a fire investigator, and one of her greatest secrets and investigation aids is her sniffing dog Sam.  Many years ago her mother was killed in a fire and while running to get help, Kerry (as a young child) is knocked unconscious and thrown into a long-term coma.  This coma left Kerry with a gift, a gift she tries to keep hidden and to just lead a normal life.  This is where Sam comes in.  There is group out there who teaches people with special gifts to use and control such gifts, but Kerry decides to handle this on her own.  But, this group has kept an eye on her.

Into Kerry’s life a stranger comes.  His name is Silver and he has secrets and gifts of his own.

A psychopath is out there, and he has created a weapon, Firestorm.  His weapon of choice is fire and he wields it against any who come against him.  This government funded weapons research was scuttled and this killer absconded with the device and is now clearing a path through fiery deaths to the highest bidder.  He has also developed an eerie obsession for Kerry.  He sees her as a kindred spirit, and if she doesn’t want to play his game, then Firestorm may just have to find her too.  This is where Silver and his gifts come in.  Not only is he using Kerry as bait, but in a short amount of time he must teach her to protect herself without becoming emotionally entangled with her.  Time will tell how effective he is and if together they can catch a killer.

Iris Johansen has done several books including dogs, fire and tragedies; this one revolves more around the people than the animals, but is just as compelling.  The characters are always enjoyable and easy to get entangled with.  Johansen is an intriguing read.

Book Review-Newer Books 15

Review—The Devil’s Labyrinth

John Saul wrote The Devil’s Labyrinth. Ballantine Books published the novel in July 2007; the book has 352 pages.

          Boston and the Catholic Church have been under fire for many issues in the past, but none as heinous as the plot proposed by John Saul in his latest novel. Catholic rites and beliefs are rooted in history and have undergone many transformation; many have been lost over the centuries. Exorcism though often focused on in movies is rarely truly achieved.

          Ryan McIntyre has been troubled since the death of his father in Iraq. After a particularly troubling event at his current school, his mother decides that St. Isaac’s boarding school will be a better place for him. Her husband has been dead for two years and she has become involved with a man who has connections to the school. Ryan is admitted to the school and soon finds himself in the midst of strange happenings. Other children have disappeared from the school under circumstances that have not been explained. Father Sebastian came to St. Isaac’s some time ago and the troubled children have been improving, at least on paper. This school has aspired to remove the evil from inside of the children that come to them with hope, faith, and trust. They hope to gain the notice of the Catholic leaders and through rituals performed in the tunnels deep below St. Isaac’s floors, Father Sebastian and a few selected staff choose teenagers troubled and not so troubled, to show that extracting evil that invades the world is a reality and possible. Only, this is not the only goal of Father Sebastian and his plans are much more insidious. Through videos of his achievements, he gains notice of the pontiff, who is not only planning a world tour, but also changes his plans to add Boston to his itinerary. The danger is not only to the children, the city of Boston and its visitors are in peril.

          John Saul has written numerous novels, yet this one is not only disturbing to a belief system that is already troubled, but this book trades on the perils our own country has been victim to and still guards against daily. The novel jumps around from belief system to belief system and throws in terror as an extra bonus. What is probably meant to be extra entertainment is only extraneous. There are few answers regarding the supposed exorcism and the evil this world faces will not be changed by such actions. 

Book Review-Older Books 15

Deliver Us From Evil, by Sean Hannity.  Published by Reagan Books March 2004, 296 pgs.

As we get closer to the tenth anniversary of the new date that “Will Live in Infamy”, September 11, 2001, I see more and more people forgetting what the War on Terror is all about.

Sean Hannity writes that many objectors say it is a war for oil.  Funny, my gas prices just keep getting higher.  He also indicates that many of the left accuse George W. Bush of just using this war for political gain, and that there really are no Weapons of Mass Destruction.  Recently missiles loaded with two different chemicals (Can You say Seran gas???, Can You say Mustard gas???) were found in Iraq.   As Hannity includes in his book, it has taken three years just to uncover less than this, not to mention the proceeding years of the United Nations searches.  How much more is out there?  Because mass graves proving Saddam’s brutality, is obviously not enough of a threat for some out there, neither is his past use of chemical warfare on his own people.  Sean Hannity includes in his book, the tragedies perpetrated by other past Evils, like Hitler, Stalin and others. He compares the past and present evil doings of these and many other so-called leaders of men.  Hannity’s book deals with all that has happened before and since the date the Two Towers were destroyed, the Pentagon was hit and a plane with another destination went down in Pennsylvania, killing some of our bravest heroes yet.  He even lists the findings of the chief coalition arms investigator from October, 2003, which clearly shows the intent of Saddam’s regime, and it is very scary.  Several items were discovered by this investigator, and were reported to Congress; 1.) “New research on biological warfare agents, Brucella and Congo Crimean hemorrhagis Fever and continuing work on ricin and aflatoxin were not declared to the UN”  2.) “Plans and advanced design work for new long-range missiles with ranges up to at least 1000 km—well beyond the 150-km range limit imposed by the UN” and several other blatant efforts to conceal and lie to UN investigators.

He writes that politicians initially declared to treat this in a non-partisan matter.  Two seconds later the games began.  Hannity’s book reports various maneuvers of the political left to manipulate the aftermath of this War.  He takes the democratic candidates and points out strengths and weaknesses and their prospects, not only against the Republicans, but against the Clinton machine. 

This Non-fiction book was hard for me to read, but as I kept on I continued uncovering issues that have only been lightly touched upon in the news (the left-sided media).  It also reminded me of “Threats” that are still out there and have yet to be dealt with.  Hilary seems to be setting up for a run in 2008, and that is as scary as some of these weapons.

We cannot forget what happened ten years ago.  This is a must read for those who believe in the Evil out there and that we must continue to fight Terror, in many cases just to protect ourselves, including our children, from another 9/11.

Book Review-Newer Books 14

Review—Double Take by Catherine Coulter

            Catherine Coulter wrote Double Take. The Putnam Publishing Group published the novel in June 2007 by the book and has 432 pages.

            Savich and Sherlock are into the fray again, this time in the beautiful city of San Francisco. These FBI agents are made curious after there is a report from a local agent regarding his rescue of a woman who was once the top suspect in the murder of her husband. August Ransom, a renowned psychic, was viciously murdered and his wife Julia is now in danger. Federal agent Cheney has rescued her after being dropped into the frigid bay. Through his contacts, Savich and Sherlock, Cheney is able to see to her protection on local and federal levels in addition to finding a new focus for the perpetrator of the attempt on her life and her husband’s murderer. Through Savich’s sophisticated computer program, MAX, they are able to determine the identity of the man who tried to kill Julia, and seems intent on completing his mission.

            While this is occurring in the city by the bay, another mystery arises with another couple of friends and colleagues of Savich and Sherlock, this time it is a mystery surrounding doppelgangers. Dix lost his wife, Christie, over three years ago and her disappearance has left many wondering just what had happened to her. Dix moved on to a relationship with Ruth, another FBI agent; she has filled the void left by a missing wife. Now his father-in-law has had reports that Christie has been seen and this is reported by someone who knew her well. The city she was spotted in is San Francisco. Dix has gone to the city and new issues arise that lead the whole group to try and solve the conundrums of attempted murders, murdered psychics, lost wives or not, and people in high-powered positions with connections.

            Catherine Coulter has again written a fast-paced and intriguing novel with enjoyable characters and entertaining plot twists. This novel is part of a series of novels that involve FBI agents and usually Savich and Sherlock are in the mix. Through compelling action and rich personalities, the novel is a quick and enjoyable read.

Book Review-Older Books 14

Divided in Death, by J.D. Robb.  Published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons, January 2004, 357 pgs.

The setting is New York City.  The year is 2059.  The future is rampant with air buses, stunners in place of handguns, and computer technology only dreamed of by today’s hackers.

Reva Ewing, an employee of Roarke Enterprises and past agent for the Secret Service, who took a bullet for the President she protected, is now a suspect in a double homicide.  Eve Dallas is New York City’s top cop and in charge of the investigation.  She also happens to be married to the owner of Roarke Enterprises, a company currently developing shields for super viruses, as part of a government contract.  When Dallas comes on the scene of this double murder, she finds that Reva had a very good reason for homicide.  Lying tangled among the bloody sheets are her husband and best friend.  But the picture is just a little too perfect, and Dallas is never one to be led around by the nose.  She soon finds that at the same time the husband was being killed, his security and computers were being violated in another part of town.  The fried computers just happen to resemble the virus that Roarke and his company have been preparing for and Reva as the head of research and development played a major role.  Is this just a crime of passion or could it be espionage?

As the case develops and new information comes to light, a top secret government agency seems to be implicated, bringing new dangers to an already delicate investigation.  And as Dallas never treads lightly and more bodies surface, toes will be stepped on and politics take a back seat.  New information is uncovered regarding this agency and it touches on Dallas’s past, causing a rift in her marriage, to a degree that may be insurmountable.  This only adds strife and pressure to see an end to this case. 

J.D. Robb, otherwise known as Nora Roberts, has done it again, keeping Dallas and Roarke an intriguing and passionate couple I love to spend time with.  This is the first Robb novel in hardback, and it is a winner. 

Book Review-Newer Books 13

Review—Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

J.K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Arthur A. Levine Books published the book in July 2007; the book has 784 pages.

          What a fantastic finish to a series of novels loved by children and adults across the world. Harry and his friends have grown to an age that they are free to do magic, yet this places Harry in even more danger than in the past. Any who have read the last novel know that Dumbledore entrusted Harry, Ron, and Hermione with a dangerous task. They are to search for the pieces of Voldemort’s soul. These have been cleverly hidden throughout the magical world in the form of Horcuxes.

          Many of Harry’s friends risk life and limb in the effort to protect and aid the search for what might free the magical world of a pervasive evil and the increasing use of dark magic. Through the use of old magic and new spells, Harry, Ron, and Hermione learn to hide and hunt at the same time. Their friendship is strained during the search and at times, the parting of ways occurs, but they also maintain loyalty and strengths of character to be admired. Ron is often haunted by the danger to his family and Harry feels the guilt of the danger many are under to help him. This is when he most often considers traveling alone. Hermione is the strength for both young men when emotions overcome their knowledge that they will be stronger together. Throughout this novel, many questions arise about Dumbledore’s past and beliefs, adding extra stress to their previously unshakable faith in their past teacher. The ministry is in turmoil and no longer is a safe place, any who believe in and follow Harry are in danger. Any of mixed blood are also considered inferior and there are plans to eliminate any but those of pureblood. This mirrors the beliefs held by the Nazi’s of the past and brings extra aid to Harry from unusual sources and from those who question these beliefs.

          Ms. Rowling has brought closure to her readers and though many will pine for more Harry Potter she has made it easier to let him go. The book moves fast and answers the questions that so many have been pondering about the end of Potter. Favorite characters are lost in the fray and new strengths are found among the many we have grown to love. Even in the midst of the biggest battle yet, new findings are uncovered. Dangers are inherent throughout the book and the deathly hallows provides a resounding source of aid and protection, one unknown from the previous novel but present since the beginning. Any follower will love the book and cry over some of the losses, but the end is true to the form Ms. Rowling has followed.

Book Review-Older Books 13

The Last Juror, by John Grisham.  Published by Doubleday, February, 2004, 355 pgs.

The town of Clanton, Mississippi in 1970, has one weekly newspaper, The Ford County Times.  Its current owner, who suffers from some mental imbalance (it could be the plate in his head), has run the paper into bankruptcy.  Willie Traynor is a 23-year-old college dropout, who has been working as a reporter. He manages to buy the paper and settles in to turn this rag around.

His first week in charge there is a violent rape and murder, witnessed by two young children and with the victim naming her assailant.  It seems like an open and shut case to this young and idealistic editor-in-chief.  The named man is Danny Padgitt, and his family has owned the town and sheriff for more than a few decades.  Any law enforcement that has gone after any Padgitt has died mysteriously or disappeared.  But Willie reports the news and the more spectacular and sensational the better.  It goes to trial and the evidence stacks up where it comes down to the jurors.  Before the jury is sent to render the verdict, Danny threatens every juror that if they convict him, he’ll get every one of them.  Danny is found guilty and rather that given the death penalty, he is sentenced to life in prison.  Well in 1970, in Mississippi, “life” is not necessarily “life”.  He eventually got paroled and soon jurors were being systematically murdered.

During Danny’s time in prison Willie Traynor kept the paper going and making a profit.  He is now less idealistic, but still believes in right and wrong and that’s how he runs his paper.  Miss Callie is a black woman that Willie writes about early in his career, she also happens to be one of the jurors.  She is also, the first black juror in Clanton history.  Their friendship spans his time at the paper and plays a significant part in Willie’s growth into adulthood. 

John Grisham continues to write enjoyable novels, with engaging characters.  This book is at times a slow read, but it realistically shows the south in the ‘70’s, especially in the way things stood in many very small towns.  It has a surprising ending and frequently the action comes at just the right time.

Book Review-Newer Books 12

Review—Bad Luck and Trouble

Lee Child wrote the novel Bad Luck and Trouble. Delacourte Press published the book in May 2007; the novel has 384 pages.

          Deserts are vast and often ominous places. The birds flying overhead usually mean death lies below. More than two vultures and the chances are great that it is something more than an animal lying in the desert sands. Reacher is a man down on his luck and when checking his dwindling bank account, he finds he has received a message.

          After leaving the military, for years, Reacher has just drifted through life. Now, a member of his old unit has reached out to him. Their unit was elite and secret. Now one and maybe more members are dead and being loyal, Reacher and the members left will search and find the answers to why at least one member was found dead in the desert after being thrown from a helicopter. They meet in southern California and begin the mission to seek and destroy any and all who are involved in the deaths. Pentagon money, potential terrorist threats, and secret weapons plans increase the dangers they may face. Through it all, their fallen comrades lay out hidden meanings and clues for them. The dead that lead them to more answers leave behind families. Money, power, and intrigue lay behind the deaths of the other members of Reacher’s team.

          Lee Child writes with wit and depth. The characters bring to life the meaning of loyalty and patriotism as the team races the clock to save not only each other but possibly the country too. The novel moves at a facts pace from beginning to end with irony and action in the search for answers. Twists and turns lead them through the west where gambling, money, and silicon technology rule. It may be time to go and find more books by this author, because this one wins.

Book Review-Older Books 12

Truth or Dare, by Jayne Ann Krentz.  Published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons, December 2003, 401 pgs.

Whispering Pines, Arizona, a place of retreat for many and a place for beginning a new life for others.  Zoe Luce, an interior designer has established her business and begins her newlywed life in this welcoming city.  She is married to Ethan Truax, a private investigator who also came to Whispering Pines to begin again.  They met under stressful circumstances and their marriage was a result, it is still a work in progress.  She has a secret, one she feels her husband does not fully understand or accept, and she has yet to completely disclose this secret to him.  Zoe has the ability, a sixth sense if you will, to sense the darker and more powerful emotions a house will hold within its walls.  She is also being stalked by one who knows all about her.  Her best friend Arcadia Ames is also being observed and possibly hunted, and she is the only other person who knows the truth about Zoe.  Could this same person be after them both?

Ethan has a few secrets of his own, that revolve around the death of his brother.  He left behind three ex-wives and a multi-million dollar bankruptcy to move to this city.  Could any of these issues have endangered his new bride?

While trying to keep his wife safe he discovers the answer to a locked door mystery with key significance to this budding metropolis.  And, with the help of family and friends this and other questions are also answered.

Many issues seem to be related throughout this book, and there are many twists and turns that bring you to the various final conclusions.  This book has many enjoyable characters and gripping mysteries embedded.  It also raises the question of whether it is better to share a secret of keep it.  This is Jayne Ann Krentz’s second novel placed in Whispering Pines.  I think I will find the first one. 

Book Review-Newer Books 11

Review—Body Surfing

          Anita Shreve wrote Body Surfing. Little Brown and Company published the 295-page book in April 2007.

          The freedom of body surfing in the spirited waves off the New Hampshire coast is the setting in which Sydney finds herself. She is divorced and recently widowed and the time is for healing and decisions about the future. Sydney has recently been hired to tutor a teenager, Julie, to prepare for college exams. The family though not seeming to expect servitude does at times leave her in an isolated position within the household. That is until Julie’s older brothers arrive for summer. Two brothers, seemingly from a family less dysfunctional than some, soon become a part of Sydney’s world. Jeff is one who appears guileless and honest as a professor at MIT. Ben, rooted in the business world seems less so. After a night of body surfing these images are secured. Sydney falls in love with the brother she found as endearing as Julie’s father. Even though the family matriarch has issues with Sydney and she finds her less than she had hoped for, the relationship thrives. The future is planned and in a humiliating turn of events, she is again left floating adrift and alone. She isolates herself and looses touch with the family she once cared about. After time has passed, she learns the family has suffered during her time of renewal. Julie’s father ahs died and the family is as adrift as she has been. Truths come to the surface regarding the dysfunction of the man she loved and misconceptions regarding other family members. Once again enjoying the spirit of the waves, Sydney finds a new beginning again.

          This is the first adventure into the novels of this writer, and the reading was enjoyable, yet at times slow and often predictable. The characters were portrayed as human and just like the rest of the world, a bit flawed. Anita Shreve, writes with compassion to those flaws and is worth trying again. 

Book Review-Older Books 11

Odd Thomas, by Dean Koontz. Published by Bantam Books, December 2003,
399 pgs.

Odd Thomas is a fry cook in a little town called Pico Mundo. He also happens to have strange abilities, in that he sees dead people and occasionally things that enjoy death. The dead frequently want justice for their deaths and Odd Thomas helps them find it. Being a good friend of the Chief of Police allows him to help find their answers. He regularly imagines other jobs, like selling tires or shoes, and perhaps this is his way of wishing for a normal life. Odd Thomas sees an odd man he’s fixing breakfast for. His spider sense alarms and this spirals into a conspiracy, a mysterious room and evil doings, resulting in too many deaths for Odd to prevent and some of his greatest fears are realized. Dean Koontz is the author of many, many thriller and horror novels and I have loved reading him for years. But, this book has me just wanting to get it finished.
The whole book moves very slow, with a story that jumps from various points and friendships in Odd Thomas’s life. They eventually make a point, but you get taken in so many directions, you easily lose your way to that point. The characters are poorly fleshed out and there is little reason to care about why they hang onto Odd, who is insipid at best.
I am not sure where Mr. Koontz was going with this, but it was like he saw the movie where the little boy whispers, “I see dead people” and he decided to write a book, with a little terrorism and mayhem thrown in. I truly had to work to finish this book, and even found it so difficult that I put it aside and read another book in between

Book Review-Newer Books 10

Review—Obsession

Karen Robards wrote the novel Obsession. Putnam Publishing Group released the book in April 2007; the novel has 352 pages.

Washington D.C., the home of the Alphabet Soup World, is often a place danger, mystery, and sometimes, even justice. Katherine Lawrence has been the other woman for the director of the CIA for some time. She has just woken up in the worst nightmare of her life. Doctor Dan, her next-door neighbor, has jumped into the fray beside her.

Burglars have attacked her and murdered one of her best friends. She wakes up in a hospital with a head injury and finds Dan standing over her. She instinctually feels threatened by everyone around her, even those she should be able to trust. Her head is telling her a different story every time she tries to grasp a memory, the pain is tremendous, and trying to remember is elusive. She is being bombarded at every turn. After a few traumas too many, her memory begins to return and her life is a doozy. She does not even remember the face in the mirror. Many people are not who she thinks they are and the reality is only stranger. The man who was supposed to be her lover is now alien to her and the man she hardly knows seems somehow familiar. The death of her friend has left her feeling apathetic and disconnected. She has been attacked on more than one occasion and is being hunted relentlessly.

Karen Robards novels are usually riveting and stimulating. The characters are engaging, likeable, and people you want to root for, no matter which pan they are jumping in to. The story moves rapidly and keeps the reader interested. A fast read and enjoyable.

Book Review-Older Books 10

Hollywood Divorces by Jackie Collins. Published by

Simon & Schuster, December 2003, 467 pgs.

The setting of course, is Hollywood. Land of dreams, schemes and the never-ending parade of the beautiful. If only all of them were beautiful inside as well as out. Do they do plastic surgery on the inside? Is that what liposuction is for?

This is Jackie Collins follow up book, to the previous Hollywood series. The story revolves around three strong, gorgeous and talented women. But what price fame? Shelby is an English actress, married to a movie star. Her last movie has just received rave reviews at Cannes, and she is preparing for a new movie with one to follow. Her career is taking off. While her 40-something husband works very hard at making a shambles of his own career and their marriage. Lola Sanchez is a Latin bombshell, and an actress who works her way to the top. Her ride to fame has cost her, and will probably continue to do so, as she loves the nightlife and all of the perks of being a celebrity. Finding her current husband boring and her lover dangerous only adds to the complications. Cat Harrison is young and very determined to do things her way. She’s today’s hot new director. Following the popularity of the first film that she did on a shoestring budget, this new film has stars, backing and all that that entails. She also has had an unconditional childhood. This gives her the strength to speak up for herself and take care of herself when the husband she loves shatters some of her illusions.

Many of the characters in this book are intriguing and make it easy to get into the spirit of standing on your own two feet. It is so often more than just looking out for number one, and this book illustrates the responsibilities involved. Another hit for Jackie Collins.

Book Review-Newer Books 9

Review—Fresh Disasters

Stuart Woods wrote the novel Fresh Disasters. The Penguin Group published the book in April 2007; the novel has 288 pages.

New York City, a place with bright lights, theatre, museums, and entertainment of all kinds; this place also has high-crime and drama. Stone Barrington is an attorney in the city that never sleeps. As a retired police officer, he has friends in interesting places.

The title of this novel says so much. Stone has clients that often lead him into many calamities, those that could be dangerous situations. He has a deal with his firm. He is the man who handles the less desirable cases. His current case involves a friend’s nephew who drives many to want to see him far, far away. Yet, his firm decides to represent him against a known Mafioso who has never been brought to court in any criminal action. Witnesses often disappear.

Just this one case spirals into so many other situations that Stone can barely keep up. He gets involved in the art world and psychopathic artists, in addition, to placing himself and those around him in danger. The direction the danger is coming from keeps Stone and his police-pal Dino guessing and having to constantly look in new directions. Through the crazed behavior of a local sculptor, more disasters occur. These situations bring Stone into contact with professional women who are about the only bright spots in his days or nights.

Stuart Woods has written many novels revolving around this witty, interesting, and often brave individual. His relationships and friendships often involve his loyalty and desire to see justice served though, being human, he sometimes walks a fine line in such service. Stone Barrington is regularly involved in less than simple cases and danger is usually nearby. The book is entertaining and enjoyable, a good read. One to read and look for more.

Book Review-Older Books 9

The Conspiracy Club, by Jonathan Kellerman. Published by Ballantine Books, December 2003, 376 pages.

Do pathology and psychology intersect, shall these twains ever meet?

Well in this new book by Jonathan Kellerman, the path begins.

Jeremy Carrier is a psychologist at City Central Hospital, who some time ago, suffered a loss that has left him a loner and apathetic to most situations around him. His girl friend, Jocelyn, was brutally murdered. This also led the local police to keep him under close scrutiny, especially as in the coming months, there are more murders resembling Jocelyn’s.

Arthur Chess, City Central’s venerated pathologist, has befriended Jeremy in an elusive fashion, sometimes warm and receptive, other times cool and enigmatic. Jeremy is invited to a dinner with Arthur and several other septuagenarians, where violence and its origins and such are eventually discussed, even though no reason for this dinner was ever revealed to him.

Arthur then takes an extended trip and strange postcards and interoffice mailings begin to be delivered to Jeremy. Through these postings, clues seem to be emerging, somehow related to the more recent brutal murders. And now Jeremy is on the hunt of a killer.

During his search, Jeremy has become involved with Dr. Angela Rios, and this adds to his returning to life after horror. Even though he frequently fights getting emotionally involved, he is inevitably drawn to seek this relationship with growing fervor and an almost-obsession to connect the clues and find the psychopath at large. He also pursues the connection between the group he dined with and whether or not they are behind the clues being left on his desk.

This is a new character for Jonathan Kellerman, author of so many Alex Delaware novels, and it comes together in an intriguing and satisfying ending.

Maybe the next Club novel will give us more insight into those septuagenarians along with a new thriller to solve.

T. S. Stanton