by Lisa Lutz and David Hayward
One thumb each direction
Let me be right up front, and begin this review with the reason for the thumb down. The primary characters in this book are pot growers. Among some of their buyers are the typical college students and druggies. But others are nursing home residents, nurses, staff and doctors. Still more buyers are normal, everyday types who like to now and then smoke pot or sample from the "baked goods" line. My issue with the book is that it portrays a worldview that sees marijuana use as mainstream. I can't fully endorse a book that does this. I understand that many people use pot regularly. I also understand that in California, where the book is set, the demographics of marijuana use is probably skewed toward a more mainstream percentage of the population. But I still don't like to see plots that portray illegal activity as normal.
The flip side of the portrayal is that most of those who are totally immersed in the marijuana use lifestyle are the stereotypical pothead types with little or no ambition and who struggle with concentration and memory. This is a good thing to portray. It reflects a large part of the pot culture, and the primary dangers from which the law is intended to protect.
Continuing to the thumbs up side of the book, the concept behind Heads You Lose, and its execution, definitely deserves a two thumbs up.
The entire concept of the book, and a big part of its artistic appeal, is the method of collaboration that Ms Lutz chose when she invited friend and poet, David Hayward, to work with her. She sent her first chapter to Mr. Hayward with the suggestion that they take turns with the chapters, but that they don't consult together on plot ahead of time. They were allowed to send brief notes along with each chapter, to which the other may respond. They were allowed to add footnotes during each other's chapters. But those brief suggestions and criticisms were the only interactions they allowed themselves.
The editors went along with this and the format in which the book is published reflects those rules. What the readers get is actually both the story of Heads You Lose, and also the story of "The Writing of Heads You Lose". There was a certain amount of (I think good natured) ribbing along the way as Lutz and Hayward tossed out ideas and criticisms in these notes.
Because of the style of story development, it's somewhat hard to summarize the plot. In a nutshell, while Lacey is taking out the garbage late one night, she finds a headless body in her yard and frantically tells her brother, Paul, about it as she dials 911. Before the connection gets through, Paul hangs up the phone. Because Paul and Lacey grow pot professionally, there are some interior effects in their home that make a visit from the police undesirable. After a little debate on what to do with the body, they wrap it in a tarp, load it in their pick-up, and drop it into a low spot along the trail at a nearby state park.
Unlike Paul, who is fine with this solution, Lacey feels responsible for the corpse and so cannot rest easily until the case is solved. But as the bodies stack up, distrust and distance builds between Paul and Lacey; and one by one their friends and acquaintances start to seem shady, or even fearful.
There are some fun twists and turns as the two authors vie for the primacy of their favorite characters and ideas. The notes back and forth often bring a smile or chuckle.
All in all, I found the concept a pleasing one. As an aspiring author, I was intrigued by the idea of such an ad hoc collaboration. I admired the creativity that was loosed in this endeavor.
Showing posts with label mystery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mystery. Show all posts
Monday, June 13, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Thieves Break In
by One thumb up and one thumb down
I would have enjoyed this book more had I not read the quote on the back from The Santa Fe New Mexican, "For those who thrive on Jan Karon's Mitford novels." The protagonist in both is an Episcopalian Priest. The similarity stops about there. Yes, I'd say that's about the only commonality. But the comment would imply to me a hometown portrayal of American values and a rich depiction of the variety of personalities that makes life interesting. Those features are what makes the Mitford books stand out in the literary marketplace.
Another quote on the back, this from Sarah Graves, author of the Home Repair is Homicide mysteries, with which I'm unfamiliar "...Two smart quirky sleuths with a heart--and soul." The two quotes taken together gave the impression that the characters would be presenting some sort of morality. As I found out, they were. But the morality portrayed is not of the traditional Judeao-Christian bent.
For the one thumb up, the book is a pretty good murder mystery, nothing outstanding, but then, that's not usually the purpose in reading a murder mystery. The characters are mostly well developed, the plot has appropriate twists and turns, the settings are interesting and richly described.
An interesting departure from the typical murder mystery, is the sleuthing the primary gumshoes, Katherine and Tom, do. Although they are not primarily the ones who solve the mystery, they are instrumental in solving it, mostly through a series of coincidental incidents. Katherine and Tom spend their time unravelling the mysteries of the family line of the landowners where the murder took place. Everything of course falls together at the end, but I found this use of the sleuths an interesting twist.
The strong point is probably the author's use of time. The story-line unfolds in a non-linear manner and skips from one decade to another in a fashion exactly to my liking. I had to check back on people and places periodically, but not so much that it became frustrating. At two points, just when I thought I had lost all the connections completely, the author gave me a family tree to which I could refer. Some of the threads of story were only touched upon once early on and then left to the end. This device left me curious throughout as to how these strings were going to be woven in.
My disappointment with the book is based on my personal morality and my preference for reading books that either avoid moralizing completely or portray traditional moral lifestyles. This book seems to want to portray those things traditionally considered immoral, as sanctioned by those who are supposed to be the shepherds of the church.
The protagonist, the Reverend Kathryn Koerney, is an Episcopalian priest. Her cousin who has just died under mysterious circumstances was her best friend, and we find out was homosexual. This in itself is not important, nor was the gentleman's sexuality important to the story line, but the way it is portrayed is somewhat preachy and moralizing. I felt as though the whole reason for including it was as an opportunity to portray bigotry against the homosexual lifestyle.
Kathryn at one point in the book arranges to stay the night with a guy she's falling in love with, although because of the way the plot unravelled near the end, we're not told whether she kept that date.
From the beginning, it is clear that Tom, Kathryn's fellow sleuth and one of her parishioners is in love with her, but is himself married to another. At the end of the story, as a hooked line to the next book in the series, Tom is encouraged by a wise elder character to not give up on Kathryn. His final words of exhortation, "I seriously doubt that any man who does not have the balls to get out of a loveless marriage deserves Kathryn Korney."
All these moral points would not bother me as much in a different setting. But taken together and portrayed as they are, they seem designed to push the envelope. The idea of a pastor who accepts non-traditional values seems a bit contrived. At best, the effect does not make for pleasant diversionary reading. At worst, it just makes me plum mad. It seems deceitful and preachy. Especially when coupled with the endorsements the publishers chose to put on the back cover of the book.
I would have enjoyed this book more had I not read the quote on the back from The Santa Fe New Mexican, "For those who thrive on Jan Karon's Mitford novels." The protagonist in both is an Episcopalian Priest. The similarity stops about there. Yes, I'd say that's about the only commonality. But the comment would imply to me a hometown portrayal of American values and a rich depiction of the variety of personalities that makes life interesting. Those features are what makes the Mitford books stand out in the literary marketplace.
Another quote on the back, this from Sarah Graves, author of the Home Repair is Homicide mysteries, with which I'm unfamiliar "...Two smart quirky sleuths with a heart--and soul." The two quotes taken together gave the impression that the characters would be presenting some sort of morality. As I found out, they were. But the morality portrayed is not of the traditional Judeao-Christian bent.
For the one thumb up, the book is a pretty good murder mystery, nothing outstanding, but then, that's not usually the purpose in reading a murder mystery. The characters are mostly well developed, the plot has appropriate twists and turns, the settings are interesting and richly described.
An interesting departure from the typical murder mystery, is the sleuthing the primary gumshoes, Katherine and Tom, do. Although they are not primarily the ones who solve the mystery, they are instrumental in solving it, mostly through a series of coincidental incidents. Katherine and Tom spend their time unravelling the mysteries of the family line of the landowners where the murder took place. Everything of course falls together at the end, but I found this use of the sleuths an interesting twist.
The strong point is probably the author's use of time. The story-line unfolds in a non-linear manner and skips from one decade to another in a fashion exactly to my liking. I had to check back on people and places periodically, but not so much that it became frustrating. At two points, just when I thought I had lost all the connections completely, the author gave me a family tree to which I could refer. Some of the threads of story were only touched upon once early on and then left to the end. This device left me curious throughout as to how these strings were going to be woven in.
My disappointment with the book is based on my personal morality and my preference for reading books that either avoid moralizing completely or portray traditional moral lifestyles. This book seems to want to portray those things traditionally considered immoral, as sanctioned by those who are supposed to be the shepherds of the church.
The protagonist, the Reverend Kathryn Koerney, is an Episcopalian priest. Her cousin who has just died under mysterious circumstances was her best friend, and we find out was homosexual. This in itself is not important, nor was the gentleman's sexuality important to the story line, but the way it is portrayed is somewhat preachy and moralizing. I felt as though the whole reason for including it was as an opportunity to portray bigotry against the homosexual lifestyle.
Kathryn at one point in the book arranges to stay the night with a guy she's falling in love with, although because of the way the plot unravelled near the end, we're not told whether she kept that date.
From the beginning, it is clear that Tom, Kathryn's fellow sleuth and one of her parishioners is in love with her, but is himself married to another. At the end of the story, as a hooked line to the next book in the series, Tom is encouraged by a wise elder character to not give up on Kathryn. His final words of exhortation, "I seriously doubt that any man who does not have the balls to get out of a loveless marriage deserves Kathryn Korney."
All these moral points would not bother me as much in a different setting. But taken together and portrayed as they are, they seem designed to push the envelope. The idea of a pastor who accepts non-traditional values seems a bit contrived. At best, the effect does not make for pleasant diversionary reading. At worst, it just makes me plum mad. It seems deceitful and preachy. Especially when coupled with the endorsements the publishers chose to put on the back cover of the book.
Monday, October 11, 2010
The Whitechapel Conspiracy
by Anne Perry
Mostly Thumbs Up.
Scottish author, Ann Perry writes mysteries set in Victorian times. I've not read enough of her titles to speak with any real authority, but this book was much different than any of hers I've read previously. The Whitechapel Conspiracy, was an interesting book to read on the heels of Glenn Beck's The Overton Window.
Instead of the Sherlock Holmes type mystery that leads a reader along the quest for the culprit of the the crime and the method used by the criminal to commit the crime, this book, as is apparent in the title, is the unraveling of a huge, convoluted, societal and political conspiracy. The book takes place in London in the troubled years of the latter half of 19th century. The industrial areas of London are filled with poverty ridden, worked-to-the-bone poor. The royal family is seen as irrelevant; the prince is a prodigious spender. In the poorer sections of London, several people groups (Jews, Irish, Catholics) have become marginalized and are suspected of causing all the ills facing the city. Revolutions have risen around Europe and revolution fever is surging through certain segments of the London populace.
Bow Street police superintendent, Thomas Pitt, and his household are drawn into what appears to be a conspiracy to hide evidence in a murder trial. The deeper they dig, the more sinister the plot appears. Eventually Pitt's wife, servant and her suitor, and his distant aunt put all their various skills to work to solve the crime, and save the city and even the British Monarchy.
The reason I rated the book as only "mostly" thumbs up is that there are parts at which the reading is tedious. The plot gets bogged down a bit in the history of the various political and societal situations in London at the time. I also dislike historical fiction that mixes fact with fiction so thoroughly that it is hard for a reader to determine what parts are fiction and what parts are not. Sometimes historical fiction spurs me on the further research, but this time it just made me feel hopelessly uninformed. I wouldn't know where to start my research.
Mostly Thumbs Up.
Scottish author, Ann Perry writes mysteries set in Victorian times. I've not read enough of her titles to speak with any real authority, but this book was much different than any of hers I've read previously. The Whitechapel Conspiracy, was an interesting book to read on the heels of Glenn Beck's The Overton Window.
Instead of the Sherlock Holmes type mystery that leads a reader along the quest for the culprit of the the crime and the method used by the criminal to commit the crime, this book, as is apparent in the title, is the unraveling of a huge, convoluted, societal and political conspiracy. The book takes place in London in the troubled years of the latter half of 19th century. The industrial areas of London are filled with poverty ridden, worked-to-the-bone poor. The royal family is seen as irrelevant; the prince is a prodigious spender. In the poorer sections of London, several people groups (Jews, Irish, Catholics) have become marginalized and are suspected of causing all the ills facing the city. Revolutions have risen around Europe and revolution fever is surging through certain segments of the London populace.
Bow Street police superintendent, Thomas Pitt, and his household are drawn into what appears to be a conspiracy to hide evidence in a murder trial. The deeper they dig, the more sinister the plot appears. Eventually Pitt's wife, servant and her suitor, and his distant aunt put all their various skills to work to solve the crime, and save the city and even the British Monarchy.
The reason I rated the book as only "mostly" thumbs up is that there are parts at which the reading is tedious. The plot gets bogged down a bit in the history of the various political and societal situations in London at the time. I also dislike historical fiction that mixes fact with fiction so thoroughly that it is hard for a reader to determine what parts are fiction and what parts are not. Sometimes historical fiction spurs me on the further research, but this time it just made me feel hopelessly uninformed. I wouldn't know where to start my research.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Harvest
by Tess Gerritsen
One Thumb Up, One Thumb Down.
Abby DiMatteo is in the first year of her surgical residency. But some things at the hospital are beginning to seem, at best unusual, and at worst downright frightening. Dr. DiMatteo follows her conscience and solves the mystery at great peril to her future career and her personal safety.
Ms Gerritsen writes a great story. The characters are realistic and enjoyable. The plot is compelling. The suspense is just right. Ms. Gerritsen avoids explicit descriptions of the s*xual situations.
Although some of the medical descriptions are of a somewhat technical nature, Ms. Gerritsen smoothly pulls everything together so that her readers are able to understand the implications of the various details she later needs to use. Some detail of a seemingly unrelated episode will reappear later in the book where it has implications. But because the author has given the details and descriptions earlier on, the action does not have to slow down during the important parts. The book was remarkably well done in that regard.
The story line deals with serious lapses in medical ethics. It made me uneasy to think of people putting their lives into the hands of someone who may manipulate the health of another for their own personal ends. Although the story was a good read, it is one of those books that is realistic enough and whose premise is repulsive enough to me that it left me with an unsettled feeling that was hard to shake.
One Thumb Up, One Thumb Down.
Abby DiMatteo is in the first year of her surgical residency. But some things at the hospital are beginning to seem, at best unusual, and at worst downright frightening. Dr. DiMatteo follows her conscience and solves the mystery at great peril to her future career and her personal safety.
Ms Gerritsen writes a great story. The characters are realistic and enjoyable. The plot is compelling. The suspense is just right. Ms. Gerritsen avoids explicit descriptions of the s*xual situations.
Although some of the medical descriptions are of a somewhat technical nature, Ms. Gerritsen smoothly pulls everything together so that her readers are able to understand the implications of the various details she later needs to use. Some detail of a seemingly unrelated episode will reappear later in the book where it has implications. But because the author has given the details and descriptions earlier on, the action does not have to slow down during the important parts. The book was remarkably well done in that regard.
The story line deals with serious lapses in medical ethics. It made me uneasy to think of people putting their lives into the hands of someone who may manipulate the health of another for their own personal ends. Although the story was a good read, it is one of those books that is realistic enough and whose premise is repulsive enough to me that it left me with an unsettled feeling that was hard to shake.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Out of the Ruins
by Sally S. Wright
Thumbs up.
In this fourth book of the Ben Reese series, we travel with our hero, Ben Reese, to Cumberland Island off the coast of Georgia. Ms Wright gives detailed descriptions that bring to life the island's scenery and architectural history. She gives us another cast of interesting characters. And she spins a good tale.
Although equally satisfying, this story seems a bit different to her previous books, but I'm not sure I can quantify the difference. Ben is ready to begin to love again and that puts a different spin on things. (And I must say that I'm not pleased with his choice or girls; see my last Ben Reese review.) But the author continues to keep things clean which pleases me.
The story is also a bit slower paced than previous books. Ms Wright perhaps spends more time in this book on historical setting and less on character action and interaction.
Most interesting of all, however, is her use of a cliffhanger ending.
And yes, I've already requested the next one.
Thumbs up.
In this fourth book of the Ben Reese series, we travel with our hero, Ben Reese, to Cumberland Island off the coast of Georgia. Ms Wright gives detailed descriptions that bring to life the island's scenery and architectural history. She gives us another cast of interesting characters. And she spins a good tale.
Although equally satisfying, this story seems a bit different to her previous books, but I'm not sure I can quantify the difference. Ben is ready to begin to love again and that puts a different spin on things. (And I must say that I'm not pleased with his choice or girls; see my last Ben Reese review.) But the author continues to keep things clean which pleases me.
The story is also a bit slower paced than previous books. Ms Wright perhaps spends more time in this book on historical setting and less on character action and interaction.
Most interesting of all, however, is her use of a cliffhanger ending.
And yes, I've already requested the next one.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Conspiracy 365 series
by Gabrielle Lord
Thumbs up.
These books are great quick reads. They are definitely what I'd call candy reading. Certainly they will not change your life or challenge any of your life's foundations.
However, they are wonderful for easy, lazy suspense.
The premise is that Callum Ormond gets a warning from some guy who looks like a homeless lunatic. He must either hide away for one year or expect constant danger and trials.
This warning comes on the afternoon of New Year's Eve and by the time Callum's finished watching the midnight fireworks that night, the troubles have already begun.
The books are named after the months of the year, January, February, etc, with twelve planned. Each is nonstop thrills and danger as Callum, with the help of his best friend tries to unravel the mystery involved in his father's recent sudden death, and thereby stop the danger. Although the books race right along, the characters are developed enough that they are somewhat endearing.
The books are currently in publication with each title released on the first of the month coinciding with its title. So the next one, October, will be released on October 1.
My teen aged son likes them; I think my middle school daughter would like them. I think an advanced elementary aged child would enjoy them. The vocabulary is not too challenging. The stories are clean, so that is a big plus. The suspense is very intense, however, and at times a bit gruesome.
Reading these books reminds me of a kind of funny thing that happened to us after we first had a computer with a DVD player. We were new to the entire watching movies at home thing, having previously not even had TV. Our local library was just starting to invest in DVDs, so the selection was somewhat limited. But Wal-Mart had these great bins of really cheap DVDs of old classics. So we stocked up on a few now and then.
One of the selections we got was an old John Wayne western. We were watching it one night and kept waiting for the movie to get over. But every time we thought it might end, it started another round of adventure. We finally figured out that it was a serial. Each time there was a resolution, it was the end of an episode. We had been watching and watching and had inadvertently watched about six of these things. We were, truth be told, kind of sick of the whole buisiness.
I think I'd feel a bit the same way if I read these books all at once. Lots of excitement, lots of adrenaline; things slow down a bit; is it going to work out? Not on your life, just when a reader thinks a solution might be within reach, there is a tremendous cliffhanger with absolutely no rescue possible and the story ends.
So yes, read them for a fun thrill. But don't read them all at once. Make yourself wait a few weeks in between. Besides, if you read them all right away, you'll end up waiting for the last few to come out.
Thumbs up.
These books are great quick reads. They are definitely what I'd call candy reading. Certainly they will not change your life or challenge any of your life's foundations.
However, they are wonderful for easy, lazy suspense.
The premise is that Callum Ormond gets a warning from some guy who looks like a homeless lunatic. He must either hide away for one year or expect constant danger and trials.
This warning comes on the afternoon of New Year's Eve and by the time Callum's finished watching the midnight fireworks that night, the troubles have already begun.
The books are named after the months of the year, January, February, etc, with twelve planned. Each is nonstop thrills and danger as Callum, with the help of his best friend tries to unravel the mystery involved in his father's recent sudden death, and thereby stop the danger. Although the books race right along, the characters are developed enough that they are somewhat endearing.
The books are currently in publication with each title released on the first of the month coinciding with its title. So the next one, October, will be released on October 1.
My teen aged son likes them; I think my middle school daughter would like them. I think an advanced elementary aged child would enjoy them. The vocabulary is not too challenging. The stories are clean, so that is a big plus. The suspense is very intense, however, and at times a bit gruesome.
Reading these books reminds me of a kind of funny thing that happened to us after we first had a computer with a DVD player. We were new to the entire watching movies at home thing, having previously not even had TV. Our local library was just starting to invest in DVDs, so the selection was somewhat limited. But Wal-Mart had these great bins of really cheap DVDs of old classics. So we stocked up on a few now and then.
One of the selections we got was an old John Wayne western. We were watching it one night and kept waiting for the movie to get over. But every time we thought it might end, it started another round of adventure. We finally figured out that it was a serial. Each time there was a resolution, it was the end of an episode. We had been watching and watching and had inadvertently watched about six of these things. We were, truth be told, kind of sick of the whole buisiness.
I think I'd feel a bit the same way if I read these books all at once. Lots of excitement, lots of adrenaline; things slow down a bit; is it going to work out? Not on your life, just when a reader thinks a solution might be within reach, there is a tremendous cliffhanger with absolutely no rescue possible and the story ends.
So yes, read them for a fun thrill. But don't read them all at once. Make yourself wait a few weeks in between. Besides, if you read them all right away, you'll end up waiting for the last few to come out.
Monday, July 12, 2010
A is for Alibi
by Sue Grafton
Thumbs kind of half way up.
This is not a bad murder mystery. In fact, the plot was pretty good and kept me guessing until right near the end. The characters are well done. I could easily picture the personalities Ms Grafton was portraying.
I will probably read another in this Kinsey Millhone series; in fact, I've already requested the next one from the library.
That said, I am tired of a few of the stylistic things Ms Grafton used. I don't enjoy when an author cannot seem to imagine anyone with traditional morals. Ms Grafton portrays an attitude of, "How quaint. Those poor backward folks who have to live that way." And she uses a pathetic female heroine who is screwed up in her romantic relationships. Ugh! I think it is part of the noir detective genre to have such crazy psychoses. I just don't always have much patience for or sympathy toward this style of character.
I also seemed to get bogged down occasionally with the details in this story. I'm not sure if it was me, or the story, but I found myself reading and rereading the descriptive passages.
I'll give an update if I find myself enjoying the second one more.
Thumbs kind of half way up.
This is not a bad murder mystery. In fact, the plot was pretty good and kept me guessing until right near the end. The characters are well done. I could easily picture the personalities Ms Grafton was portraying.
I will probably read another in this Kinsey Millhone series; in fact, I've already requested the next one from the library.
That said, I am tired of a few of the stylistic things Ms Grafton used. I don't enjoy when an author cannot seem to imagine anyone with traditional morals. Ms Grafton portrays an attitude of, "How quaint. Those poor backward folks who have to live that way." And she uses a pathetic female heroine who is screwed up in her romantic relationships. Ugh! I think it is part of the noir detective genre to have such crazy psychoses. I just don't always have much patience for or sympathy toward this style of character.
I also seemed to get bogged down occasionally with the details in this story. I'm not sure if it was me, or the story, but I found myself reading and rereading the descriptive passages.
I'll give an update if I find myself enjoying the second one more.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Booked to Die
by John Dunning
Thumbs Up.
This is the first in the Cliff Janeway mystery series. When the book opens, Mr. Janeway is a homicide detective with the Denver Police Department. He also loves books. He loves to read and discuss them; he collects first editions.
Janeway has a long running relationship with serial killer, Jackie Newton. Janeway just can't seem to pin anything on Jackie. Nothing sticks to the guy. Janeway is getting a little burned out on the whole following the system thing. He knows Jackie is guilty, but can never seem to get the evidence he needs in the legal ways. He becomes increasingly more tempted to go outside the system and take care of the creep the old fashion way.
All this eventually leads to the opening of a new bookstore, several ladies, and several murders. The murders are all intertwined with the world of book collecting. It's fun to read about love for books and how that comes through in a variety of ways in different people's lives.
The mystery itself is good and keeps a reader guessing. I found the characters somewhat remote. I think it's because of the noir flavor of Dunning's writing. The attitude is somewhat dark. The characters have psychoses similar to those of characters in Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe books. They are not light-hearted murder mysteries, but instead they are somewhat oppressive in their feel.
I will probably read another at some point to see how Janeway's character evolves. The subject matter is interesting enough and the plots suspenseful enough to overlook the heavy hearted mood they elicit.
Thumbs Up.
This is the first in the Cliff Janeway mystery series. When the book opens, Mr. Janeway is a homicide detective with the Denver Police Department. He also loves books. He loves to read and discuss them; he collects first editions.
Janeway has a long running relationship with serial killer, Jackie Newton. Janeway just can't seem to pin anything on Jackie. Nothing sticks to the guy. Janeway is getting a little burned out on the whole following the system thing. He knows Jackie is guilty, but can never seem to get the evidence he needs in the legal ways. He becomes increasingly more tempted to go outside the system and take care of the creep the old fashion way.
All this eventually leads to the opening of a new bookstore, several ladies, and several murders. The murders are all intertwined with the world of book collecting. It's fun to read about love for books and how that comes through in a variety of ways in different people's lives.
The mystery itself is good and keeps a reader guessing. I found the characters somewhat remote. I think it's because of the noir flavor of Dunning's writing. The attitude is somewhat dark. The characters have psychoses similar to those of characters in Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe books. They are not light-hearted murder mysteries, but instead they are somewhat oppressive in their feel.
I will probably read another at some point to see how Janeway's character evolves. The subject matter is interesting enough and the plots suspenseful enough to overlook the heavy hearted mood they elicit.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
The Careful Use of Compliments
by Alexander McCall Smith
Thumbs Up.
Until the other day, I had been under the mistaken idea that the Isabel Dalhousie series was to have only three books. I suppose this was a surmise on my part based on the neatly finished feeling at the end of the third book. But I quickly grabbed this the forth installment when I saw it. And I look forward to picking up the fifth and sixth books in the series.
For those who are unfamiliar with Isabel Dalhousie, she is the the editor of the fictional Review of Applied Ethics. She lives in Edinburgh and is independently wealthy. She is now mother to Charlie, who in this book is a few months old. In each book, Isabel ends up investigating/prying into some mystery. The difference between investigating and prying into is a fine line when viewed through the lenses of an expert on ethical matters. And this crux gives Isabel much food for her musings.
Although these books are mysteries, the focus is more on the ethical and social implications of the various circumstances Isabel ponders. I find them excellent material for re-examining my own worldview and they challenge me to internally defend my own stance on various contemporary social and political issues.
The characters are very likable; their personalities are well developed. The plots are always compelling.
The series is also very culturally rich. Isabel and her friends frequent the opera and orchestra; they discuss poetry and works of art. Although I didn't take the time to do so this time, the books often inspire me to read up on some of the composers or musical works, literary figures or artists who are mentioned.
In The Careful Use of Compliments, Isabel investigates the authenticity of some paintings that have recently come into the market. She nearly loses her job and faces an ethically tough decision regarding that potential loss.
Although Isabel knows that children do better in two parent homes, she still will not marry Jamie, which does not sit well with me. I just want to reach in there an twist their conversations to allow each of their true feelings to be addressed. Because she a woman who is so ethically upright, Isabel is loth to let Jamie know how she feels for fear of making him feel trapped into marrying her. This is just one example of how her reasoned ethical stances often lead to contradictory ends.
In The Careful Use of Compliments, Isabel and Jamie travel to the Isle of Jura in the Inner Hebrides. And yes, thanks to Mr. McCall Smith's vivid descriptions I now have yet another vacation spot to dream about. The author makes the landscape come alive for his readers.
It has been a couple of years since I have read one of these books, but in this one Isabel seems to spend more time than in the previous books examining the ideas of big government and social programs, inherited wealth and wealth in general. George Orwell and his writing of 1984 play a role in this title, as do the disparity of financial background between Isabel and Jamie, and also Isabel's grandfather's money from the oil industry.
Although I don't always come to the same conclusions as Isabel, I always enjoy reading about her and her exploits. And yes, exploit is not a word Isabel would like me to use regarding her investigations. She always operates from an ethically well-thought argument. She holds herself to very high standards within her rational humanist worldview. She would most certainly never intentionally exploit anyone.
Thumbs Up.
Until the other day, I had been under the mistaken idea that the Isabel Dalhousie series was to have only three books. I suppose this was a surmise on my part based on the neatly finished feeling at the end of the third book. But I quickly grabbed this the forth installment when I saw it. And I look forward to picking up the fifth and sixth books in the series.
For those who are unfamiliar with Isabel Dalhousie, she is the the editor of the fictional Review of Applied Ethics. She lives in Edinburgh and is independently wealthy. She is now mother to Charlie, who in this book is a few months old. In each book, Isabel ends up investigating/prying into some mystery. The difference between investigating and prying into is a fine line when viewed through the lenses of an expert on ethical matters. And this crux gives Isabel much food for her musings.
Although these books are mysteries, the focus is more on the ethical and social implications of the various circumstances Isabel ponders. I find them excellent material for re-examining my own worldview and they challenge me to internally defend my own stance on various contemporary social and political issues.
The characters are very likable; their personalities are well developed. The plots are always compelling.
The series is also very culturally rich. Isabel and her friends frequent the opera and orchestra; they discuss poetry and works of art. Although I didn't take the time to do so this time, the books often inspire me to read up on some of the composers or musical works, literary figures or artists who are mentioned.
In The Careful Use of Compliments, Isabel investigates the authenticity of some paintings that have recently come into the market. She nearly loses her job and faces an ethically tough decision regarding that potential loss.
Although Isabel knows that children do better in two parent homes, she still will not marry Jamie, which does not sit well with me. I just want to reach in there an twist their conversations to allow each of their true feelings to be addressed. Because she a woman who is so ethically upright, Isabel is loth to let Jamie know how she feels for fear of making him feel trapped into marrying her. This is just one example of how her reasoned ethical stances often lead to contradictory ends.
In The Careful Use of Compliments, Isabel and Jamie travel to the Isle of Jura in the Inner Hebrides. And yes, thanks to Mr. McCall Smith's vivid descriptions I now have yet another vacation spot to dream about. The author makes the landscape come alive for his readers.
It has been a couple of years since I have read one of these books, but in this one Isabel seems to spend more time than in the previous books examining the ideas of big government and social programs, inherited wealth and wealth in general. George Orwell and his writing of 1984 play a role in this title, as do the disparity of financial background between Isabel and Jamie, and also Isabel's grandfather's money from the oil industry.
Although I don't always come to the same conclusions as Isabel, I always enjoy reading about her and her exploits. And yes, exploit is not a word Isabel would like me to use regarding her investigations. She always operates from an ethically well-thought argument. She holds herself to very high standards within her rational humanist worldview. She would most certainly never intentionally exploit anyone.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
The Spellmans Strike Again
by Lisa Lutz
Thumbs Up.
I think the Spellman books by Lisa Lutz, would probably fall under the chic lit genre, but with a crossover into noir fiction. Whatever one would call them, I love them. The Spellmans Strike Again is the fourth in the series.
The main gist of the Spellman books is that the Spellmans are PIs. Yes, the entire family. The parents raised the kids within this family run business. But they are all so ensconced in subterfuge that as the kids grow up, none of them can stop treating each other as if their family is one big case to be investigated and solved.
As in the first books of the series, the protagonist, Isabel Spellman tells her story by way of log entries, lists, transcripts of recorded conversations, and other sundry writings. The entire collection is lighthearted and witty, as Isabel tries to figure out her bizarre life. I especially got a kick out of Isabel's descriptions of the mandatory-Sunday-night-family-dinners being titled after cheesy horror flicks.
Each book has a mystery to solve, usually either a case the family is working on or something tangential to a case. But there are multiple familial mysteries throughout, and all the wacky interpersonal issues that result from this strange kind of a home life.
Those readers already familiar with the Spellmans will notice a difference in tone in this book. All the known and loved characters seem to be figuring out their lives this time around. They are growing up and evolving. I sincerely hope all the tying up of lose ends Ms. Lutz did at the end of this book does not signal the end of the Spellmans. Although I found the characters' growth very satisfactory, I would be sad to have this be the end.
All in all a good, quick candy read.
Thumbs Up.
I think the Spellman books by Lisa Lutz, would probably fall under the chic lit genre, but with a crossover into noir fiction. Whatever one would call them, I love them. The Spellmans Strike Again is the fourth in the series.
The main gist of the Spellman books is that the Spellmans are PIs. Yes, the entire family. The parents raised the kids within this family run business. But they are all so ensconced in subterfuge that as the kids grow up, none of them can stop treating each other as if their family is one big case to be investigated and solved.
As in the first books of the series, the protagonist, Isabel Spellman tells her story by way of log entries, lists, transcripts of recorded conversations, and other sundry writings. The entire collection is lighthearted and witty, as Isabel tries to figure out her bizarre life. I especially got a kick out of Isabel's descriptions of the mandatory-Sunday-night-family-dinners being titled after cheesy horror flicks.
Each book has a mystery to solve, usually either a case the family is working on or something tangential to a case. But there are multiple familial mysteries throughout, and all the wacky interpersonal issues that result from this strange kind of a home life.
Those readers already familiar with the Spellmans will notice a difference in tone in this book. All the known and loved characters seem to be figuring out their lives this time around. They are growing up and evolving. I sincerely hope all the tying up of lose ends Ms. Lutz did at the end of this book does not signal the end of the Spellmans. Although I found the characters' growth very satisfactory, I would be sad to have this be the end.
All in all a good, quick candy read.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
The Maze of Bones: The 39 Clues Book One
by: Rick Riordan
Thumbs up.
This is the first book in the "39 Clues" series by Scholastic. Amy and Dan, orphaned children being raised by a very distant great aunt by way of au pair, are sent on a wild hunt around the world for clues following the passing of their wealthy maternal grandmother. She was some sort of archaeologist/explorer, and has set up this elaborate scheme for her kin following her death. By following the 39 clues, they will discover some grand secret which will change the world.
The family breaks into teams to see who can discover the secret first. Dan and Amy discover that their family has some very famous members. In this volume, they discover they are related to Ben Franklin and follow in his footsteps from Philadelphia to Paris. At the end of the book, after they have discovered a clue from Franklin, they are moving on to discover more about Mozart, another one of their relatives.
While I found the writing uninspired, the mystery component kept me reading. Upper elementary students would enjoy the adventures of two kids and their au pair on their own against teams of adults and other children in this quest. There are scary moments, as some of their distant relatives are "evil" and try to eliminate the competition by attempting to kill Dan and Amy. There are plenty of educational opportunities for kids as they read, and it just might whet their appetites to learn more about the historical figures they encounter.
There are apparently going to be 10 books in the series, and they are releasing book 7 or 8 now. There also is an online component, where a child can play along and could possibly win $100,000. It's no Westing Game, but I recommend it and look forward to following the clues along with my children.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Betrayal
by Patricia Finney
Thumbs Up.
Betrayal is the second in the Lady Grace Mysteries, a children's mystery series. A narrow audience is probably girls in grades 4-8, although an independent reader of any age or gender could enjoy it.
Lady Grace is the youngest member of the Court of Honor to Queen Elizabeth I. The books of the series are her daybook entries.
In this story, Lady Grace, with the help of court tumbler, Masou, saves the honor of Lady Sarah when Grace thinks Sir Francis Drake has abducted her.
Lady Grace is a spirited girl who gets into some situations not really becoming of a lady of the court. This results in many humorous anecdotes.
Thumbs Up.
Betrayal is the second in the Lady Grace Mysteries, a children's mystery series. A narrow audience is probably girls in grades 4-8, although an independent reader of any age or gender could enjoy it.
Lady Grace is the youngest member of the Court of Honor to Queen Elizabeth I. The books of the series are her daybook entries.
In this story, Lady Grace, with the help of court tumbler, Masou, saves the honor of Lady Sarah when Grace thinks Sir Francis Drake has abducted her.
Lady Grace is a spirited girl who gets into some situations not really becoming of a lady of the court. This results in many humorous anecdotes.
Pursuit and Persuasion
by Sally Wright
Thumbs Up.
This is the third in the Ben Reese mysteries. Another winner.
Apprentice archivist Ellen Winter has inherited an estate in Scotland. But not only is the fact that she is not a relative of the decedent bringing up questions; there is also some mystery associated with the death of her friend, Georgina.
Ms. Wright continues to develop the characters we've come to know and introduces a few more. I like how she works in connections with her previous books and characters from them. It makes me want to go back and read them again to see if everything is consistent.
In this book, the possibly developing emotional bond between Ben and Ellen continues in subtlety, but Ms. Wright introduces another potential woman to vie for our hero's attentions.
There is one episode of Reese's marvelous feats that I found a bit cheesy. I know heroes in murder mysteries are supposed to be somewhat above average in their abilities, but in this case the hyperbole is beyond believability for me.
Ms Wright continues to include a Christian world view in her writings. The conversations and thoughts are natural and in character for the people who speak and think them. Nor do they come across in any way as preachy or self-righteous. So unlike many who write within the genre of Christian fiction.
In spite of the over-the-top previously mentioned scene, I will continue to read the series. The characters are at the same time human and noble. Very representative of a Christian's walk in life. We all struggle with many things. But ideally, our values show through to those with whom we come in contact.
Thumbs Up.
This is the third in the Ben Reese mysteries. Another winner.
Apprentice archivist Ellen Winter has inherited an estate in Scotland. But not only is the fact that she is not a relative of the decedent bringing up questions; there is also some mystery associated with the death of her friend, Georgina.
Ms. Wright continues to develop the characters we've come to know and introduces a few more. I like how she works in connections with her previous books and characters from them. It makes me want to go back and read them again to see if everything is consistent.
In this book, the possibly developing emotional bond between Ben and Ellen continues in subtlety, but Ms. Wright introduces another potential woman to vie for our hero's attentions.
There is one episode of Reese's marvelous feats that I found a bit cheesy. I know heroes in murder mysteries are supposed to be somewhat above average in their abilities, but in this case the hyperbole is beyond believability for me.
Ms Wright continues to include a Christian world view in her writings. The conversations and thoughts are natural and in character for the people who speak and think them. Nor do they come across in any way as preachy or self-righteous. So unlike many who write within the genre of Christian fiction.
In spite of the over-the-top previously mentioned scene, I will continue to read the series. The characters are at the same time human and noble. Very representative of a Christian's walk in life. We all struggle with many things. But ideally, our values show through to those with whom we come in contact.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
New England White
By Stephen L. Carter
Thumbs up.
In Carter's second fiction offering, we again find a post mortum mystery. Keller Zant has dies and left a series of clues that only Julie Lemaster can unravel.
The setting is, as in The Emperor of Ocean Park, the university in Elm Harbor and its surrounds. Although some of the characters have followed along from Carter's first book, the focus here is on different people and so the tone is different.
Again, Carter has written a somewhat philosophical and academic mystery that still manages to draw the reader along to the end. Themes include race relations, economics, ethics, and politics.
Thumbs up.
In Carter's second fiction offering, we again find a post mortum mystery. Keller Zant has dies and left a series of clues that only Julie Lemaster can unravel.
The setting is, as in The Emperor of Ocean Park, the university in Elm Harbor and its surrounds. Although some of the characters have followed along from Carter's first book, the focus here is on different people and so the tone is different.
Again, Carter has written a somewhat philosophical and academic mystery that still manages to draw the reader along to the end. Themes include race relations, economics, ethics, and politics.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Perish and Publish
by Sally Wright
Thumbs Up.
This is the first of the Ben Reese mysteries. I reviewed the second, Pride and Predator, previously.
I like this author. She develops lovable characters who are not flawless, but yet are noble. Noble as in people of virtue. Although not "Christian lit", Ms Wright places these stories among people who have a Christian world view. This is refreshing. They think and act and discuss life within this context.
In Publish and Perish, Professor and college Archivist Ben Reese is pulled into investigating the death of fellow professor and good friend, Richard West. The setting and some of the conversations were very realistic to me, having been a part of a college faculty community previously.
I will definitely try to find more of the Ben Reese mysteries.
Thumbs Up.
This is the first of the Ben Reese mysteries. I reviewed the second, Pride and Predator, previously.
I like this author. She develops lovable characters who are not flawless, but yet are noble. Noble as in people of virtue. Although not "Christian lit", Ms Wright places these stories among people who have a Christian world view. This is refreshing. They think and act and discuss life within this context.
In Publish and Perish, Professor and college Archivist Ben Reese is pulled into investigating the death of fellow professor and good friend, Richard West. The setting and some of the conversations were very realistic to me, having been a part of a college faculty community previously.
I will definitely try to find more of the Ben Reese mysteries.
Cover Her Face
by P.D. James
One thumb each way.
I was told awhile back that P.D. James was the premier murder mystery writer. Upon doing a little bit of research, I realized that, in fact, I had read some of her stuff, since I remember Dalgleish from some of my high school reading. I probably was on a Dalgleish bender at some point.
But on to this book. Yeah, I guess it was OK. It was a typical murder mystery that kept me on my toes as I went back and forth predicting first one then another character as the murderer. But it was really nothing spectacular. It was OK. I'd read another when I need some lazy reading.
My one disappointment was, again, the sentence or two stuck in there that alluded to illicit s**. Even described a bit. Grr. I have a twelve year old daughter who loves murder mysteries. But it's so hard to find books that I can recommend to her in good conscience. I really was hoping this would work.
I'll probably try a few more, just to see whether this is a regular occurrence with P.D. James or an isolated incident. Anyone know anything more about her books?
One thumb each way.
I was told awhile back that P.D. James was the premier murder mystery writer. Upon doing a little bit of research, I realized that, in fact, I had read some of her stuff, since I remember Dalgleish from some of my high school reading. I probably was on a Dalgleish bender at some point.
But on to this book. Yeah, I guess it was OK. It was a typical murder mystery that kept me on my toes as I went back and forth predicting first one then another character as the murderer. But it was really nothing spectacular. It was OK. I'd read another when I need some lazy reading.
My one disappointment was, again, the sentence or two stuck in there that alluded to illicit s**. Even described a bit. Grr. I have a twelve year old daughter who loves murder mysteries. But it's so hard to find books that I can recommend to her in good conscience. I really was hoping this would work.
I'll probably try a few more, just to see whether this is a regular occurrence with P.D. James or an isolated incident. Anyone know anything more about her books?
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Pride and Predator
by Sally Wright
Thumbs Up
No, this is not a novelization of the rumored Pride and Predator movie that's in the works. It's a good, old-fashioned, murder mystery. It's set in, I think, 1950s England/Scotland and features amateur sleuth, Ben Reese. If one likes this sort of thing, its a good, quick read.
The ending was a little bit of a disappointment. After all the twists and turns and subtlety of the characters throughout the book, the "tie up all the loose ends" part seemed kind of thrown out there. I don't really know how else to say it, but a really good author in the genre will allow his or her sleuth or criminal to tell you how the crime was committed and how it was discovered without losing the flow of the story. In this one, there was an unquantifiable something lacking.
It's part of a series. I liked it well enough I've requested the first one, Perish and Publish.
Thumbs Up
No, this is not a novelization of the rumored Pride and Predator movie that's in the works. It's a good, old-fashioned, murder mystery. It's set in, I think, 1950s England/Scotland and features amateur sleuth, Ben Reese. If one likes this sort of thing, its a good, quick read.
The ending was a little bit of a disappointment. After all the twists and turns and subtlety of the characters throughout the book, the "tie up all the loose ends" part seemed kind of thrown out there. I don't really know how else to say it, but a really good author in the genre will allow his or her sleuth or criminal to tell you how the crime was committed and how it was discovered without losing the flow of the story. In this one, there was an unquantifiable something lacking.
It's part of a series. I liked it well enough I've requested the first one, Perish and Publish.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
The Emperor of Ocean Park
by Stephen L Carter
Thumbs Up.
Mr. Carter is, from Wikipedia, "an American law professor, legal- and social-policy writer, columnist, and best-selling novelist." I became interested in him after stumbling upon a list of his non-fiction writings which have drawn a following from various political points of view. Since I knew I'd never be able to concentrate on a meaty non-fiction tome at this point, I chose to read his first novel.
The Emperor of Ocean Park is a narrative related by Judge Oliver Garland, an African American law professor at a fictional private East Coast university law school. The plot involves university politics and personality clashes, a federal court nomination, judicial rulings, family relationships, and mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of Judge Garland's father. But the chief conflict is Judge Garland unraveling a posthumous mystery left by his father.
Although not a fast paced novel, Mr. Carter leaves just enough intrigue to pull the reader through the book. I enjoyed reading about and pondering the sociological struggles the African American characters deal with. Each in their own way.
Although I have had many non-Caucasian friends throughout my life, I am pretty much from a single-cultural upbringing. I was however, taught to look at a person's heart not his skin; and that we are all children of God, made in His image. Is there anyone who wants to think of themselves as racist? But the book made me aware of how even someone who does not think of himself as racist probably carries unconscious racist attitudes and actions. And is that wrong, or merely unfortunate? And is it preferable to pretend we don't carry a certain bias or to put it all right out there? These are the kinds of ideas that Mr. Carter seems to address via his characters and their reactions to each other in a variety of social situations.
So no, the novel is not a quick read. But the plot is compelling, the characters are well sketched and consistent to the personalities Mr. Carter gave them, the personalities are colorful. And the writing itself is rich with both subtle and obvious metaphor and irony and historical allusion. The entire plot revolves around chess related symbolism.
Thumbs Up.
Mr. Carter is, from Wikipedia, "an American law professor, legal- and social-policy writer, columnist, and best-selling novelist." I became interested in him after stumbling upon a list of his non-fiction writings which have drawn a following from various political points of view. Since I knew I'd never be able to concentrate on a meaty non-fiction tome at this point, I chose to read his first novel.
The Emperor of Ocean Park is a narrative related by Judge Oliver Garland, an African American law professor at a fictional private East Coast university law school. The plot involves university politics and personality clashes, a federal court nomination, judicial rulings, family relationships, and mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of Judge Garland's father. But the chief conflict is Judge Garland unraveling a posthumous mystery left by his father.
Although not a fast paced novel, Mr. Carter leaves just enough intrigue to pull the reader through the book. I enjoyed reading about and pondering the sociological struggles the African American characters deal with. Each in their own way.
Although I have had many non-Caucasian friends throughout my life, I am pretty much from a single-cultural upbringing. I was however, taught to look at a person's heart not his skin; and that we are all children of God, made in His image. Is there anyone who wants to think of themselves as racist? But the book made me aware of how even someone who does not think of himself as racist probably carries unconscious racist attitudes and actions. And is that wrong, or merely unfortunate? And is it preferable to pretend we don't carry a certain bias or to put it all right out there? These are the kinds of ideas that Mr. Carter seems to address via his characters and their reactions to each other in a variety of social situations.
So no, the novel is not a quick read. But the plot is compelling, the characters are well sketched and consistent to the personalities Mr. Carter gave them, the personalities are colorful. And the writing itself is rich with both subtle and obvious metaphor and irony and historical allusion. The entire plot revolves around chess related symbolism.
Friday, December 4, 2009
The Westing Game
by Ellen Raskin
Thumbs way up to the ceiling!
This is one of my favorite books. I read this for school in 6th grade and then spent a year searching every Goodwill in the Twin Cities area for it. I hadn't had a chance to reread it since my children were born, but recently took the time to revisit it in preparation of sharing it with my oldest, who is 9 (who loved it too).
The book starts with a group of strangers moving into a new apartment complex- some of which have children. A famous businessman, Sam Westing, is found dead. Soon after, they are all summoned to the reading of his will, which says that one of them murdered him. The will outlines an elaborate "game" which the "players" need to follow to discover the identity of the murderer and get the proceeds of the will. The book primarily follows the attempts of the kids to solve the crime, and a girl named Turtle in particular.
Paging through this mystery, even as an adult, is a treat. It's one of those rare books that you reach the end of, then immediately want to reread it to see how everything unfolded in light of the information gained in the last chapter. This smartly written book is like a logic puzzle in prose and an excellent choice for readers- young and old alike.
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