Kevin's Corner

Earl Staggs on NETDRAG (PODCASTING)

2008-07-20T15:02:00.004-05:00

Earl Staggs, friend and fellow writer in a local writer's group, penned the mystery novel "Memory of A Murder" featuring Adam Kingston.

From the synopsis:

After a near-fatal accident, Adam Kingston, a former FBI profiler, develops psychic powers that allow him to “see” things most people can’t. Now, twelve years later, this special sight opens the doorway to a mystery man who comes to Adam for help.

“I think I killed someone.”

Chip Weathers, a homeless man suffering from amnesia, believes he may be behind the murder of a woman found buried in the basement of the house his family once owned. A fateful Newsweek article leads Chip to Adam in the hopes he can reach through the fog of memory to determine the truth. But soon after Chip enlists Adam’s help, someone takes a shot at them. It seems as though someone has a lot to lose by Chip regaining his memory of the violent events of the past. Only Adam can “see” what really happened, but will his visions lead him to the killer or will his gift lead him to his death?

I had the pleasure of reading this book and reviewing it here as well as a few other places sometime back. Yes, Earl is my friend and in my local writer's group. So, yes, you could consider me biased. But, those who have read my many reviews here and elsewhere know that I tell it like I see it. I don't care about issues such as gender of the author, publisher of the author, whether the person is a friend, acquaintance or somebody who just found my work and thought to try me, etc. I just want a good book. It is a good book and now is once again available after the last publisher went belly up on Earl and a bunch of other folks.

Now you get a chance to hear Earl talk about his book and the perils of publishing these days. Surf over to

http://www.wildvoice.com/NETDRAG/Posts/NETDRAG-EPISODE-3-AUTHOR-EARL-STAGGS

Take a listen to the podcast. It is worth it.

Kevin R. Tipple (c) 2008

Reviewing: "Blood Trail" by C. J. Box

2008-07-16T15:49:00.003-05:00

Having tried "Blue Heaven" and quitting after fifty pages because I absolutely hated it despite the glowing praise from others, I was thrilled to have this one come in at my local library. I have been a big fan of the exploits of Game Warden Joe Pickett for some time despite events such as author C.J. Box killing off Pickett's foster daughter in one novel. Despite the fact that I was so upset by that novel that I nearly swore off reading anything written by C. J. Box ever again, I came crawling back and stayed with him. The latest one reminds me of that past in a small way but overall the read is another good one featuring Joe Pickett.

Things have changed over the series and as this novel opens, Joe and his family now live in the town of Saddlestring, Wyoming. Instead of the quiet of his old home where he saw deer cross the meadows surrounding his state owned home, or the ranch where his conniving mother–in–law lived where he saw cattle, he now sees his nosy neighbor, Ed Nedney. Ed has an opinion on everything Joe does or doesn't do and can't understand why Joe isn't more receptive to his help especially because property values affect the whole neighborhood. The call from the Governor while bringing the horrible news brings a temporary respite from Ed for Joe.

The Governor wants Joe Pickett on the case of a hunter found dead in the nearby mountains. It was not a hunting accident. The man was gutted and hung like one would do a game animal and the killer's calling card; a red poker chip was left behind on the ground near the body. A team of investigators including Joe, and his old nemis and former bureaucratic boss, Randy Pope and others are assembled. While this is the first case Joe has been told about there have been others. And unknown to them there will be more too because the killer has an agenda and wants the story told in the nationwide media.

What follows is a complex tale in the Wyoming Mountains featuring violence, retribution and justice. Like many of the novels in this series, there is a certain old west feel to the book and the issues as well as the characters, despite the modern conveniences of pickup trucks, two-way radios, infrared equipment and all the rest of it. When it comes down to it this book, as are so many in this series, are a sequence of events that mark continuing escalations between Joe and his inner self as well as outside forces and these confrontations are only briefly settled in the Wyoming high country at the close of the novel.

After so many novels there really isn't any character development work here regarding the Joe Pickett character. Or, for that matter, any of the other returning characters in this series. A minor plot line of Sheridan, now 16 and dealing with high school issues, does little to advance the work and instead is used primarily to illustrate again how Joe and his wife Marybeth have raised their children in the real world they live in and how out of touch folks from the East Coast are to the way of life in Wyoming. Otherwise, the reader learns a couple of new things about the recurring characters that shed further insight upon their behavior, but there really isn't any character development.

At its heart, this novel is another part mystery, part adventure read, full of recurring characters and a new killer that walks among them with impunity. As always, the author's deep appreciation for the natural beauty of Wyoming landscape come through as he tell yet another very completed and very good tale

Blood Trail: A Joe Pickett Novel
C.J. Box
http://www.cjbox.net/
G. P. Putnam's Sons (Penguin Group)
2008
ISBN# 978-0-399-15488-1
Hardback
301 Pages
24.95

Review copy provided by the Plano, Texas Public Library System
http://www.plano.gov/Departments/Libraries/

Kevin R. Tipple © 2008

Reviewing: "The Moonpool" by P. T. Deutermann

2008-07-14T10:45:00.002-05:00

Allie Gardner had been with them since the beginning of Hide And Seek Investigations. Her specialty, and something that she went after with a certain fury, was cheating spouses. Her latest assignment was a simple case in Wilmington, North Carolina. It should not have gotten her killed.

But, it did.

For retired Lieutenant Cam Richter the news is a shock and a personal blow. After driving down and making the formal id of the body Cam wants answers. He isn't the only one. The state autopsy facility would like to know why her body is highly radioactive. She had to ingest something and the question is where did whatever it was come from? How did she get it? Who gave it to her? The search for answers for these questions and many others will take Cam up against the staff of a local nuclear power plant, the federal government, and other forces, as he begins to search for the truth as to what happened to Allie Lardner.

Building on "The Cat Dancers" and "Spider Mountain" this third novel in the series is another strong read through it does start very slowly. Character development is at a nill here as the recurring characters, especially Cam Richter, were fully established in the first two novels. The team is once again brought together to help Cam and there are also multiple appearances by Mary Ellen and discussion of their shared past as well as other events in the series. Therefore, readers are cautioned that the previous books in the series should be read before embarking on this novel.

A novel that is full of misdirection and deceit and political intrigue with frequent character commentary on the role of the FBI and homeland security criticism of both and a theme that many other authors seem to be mining in their fiction these days. The political commentary, though it may annoy some readers, does not take over the book. Instead, it is a piece of the book as are many other pieces that serve to entertain as well as confuse the reader.

The read as a whole is a novel featuring a complex tale full of nuance and innuendo, dark secrets and plenty of action. This is one of those books that it is not wise to start late in the evening or take to the beach because you will lose track of time and the real world.

The Moonpool
P. T. Deutermann
http://www.ptdeutermann.com/
St. Martin's Press
http://www.stmartins.com/
June 2008
ISBN# 0-312-37159-4
Hardback
292 Pages
$24.95

Review copy provided by the Plano, Texas Public Library System
http://www.plano.gov/Departments/Libraries/

Kevin R. Tipple © 2008

Reviewing: "Resort to Murder: Thirteen More Tales by Minnesota's Premier Writers"

2008-07-13T10:36:00.003-05:00

Awhile back, I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing the anthology "Silence of the Loons." Put out by the "Minnesota Crime Wave" (Ellen Hart, Carl Brookins and William Kent Krueger) the anthology was a good one and I enjoyed it immensely. So, Carl Brookins sent me a review copy of their latest anthology quite some time ago. I was thrilled and added it to mount TBR which promptly surrounded it, burped in satisfaction and continued to grow. I'm officially over 300 books now at last count and woefully behind in my reading. Fortunately, Texas is a long away from Minnesota so I should be relatively safe.

After a brief introduction by Lorna Landvik on why Minnesota produces so many good mystery writers, the book delves into the tales. There are 13 tales by 13 writers which include the three of the "Minnesota Crime Wave" and many more authors. Each tale is set at a fictional resort in Minnesota and each one is complex and enjoyable with no depictions of graphic violence, gore or sex. Some of the tales can be described more fully than others simply because to comment on some of them would blow the read. Having read many reviews that told way too much, I always lean towards being very cautious in my reviews so the tales will be explained as much as possible or not as the case may be.

William Kent Krueger kicks off the killing in his "Hills Like White Rabbits." Cooper knew they planned to kill him. Exactly how was the part that was still a mystery." (Page 2)

"The Locked Fish–cleaning House Mystery" by Jess Lourey is next. While the title may not be inspired, this tale about an elderly woman determined to party and solve a murder at the same time is.

Followed by "14-A" written by Ellen Hart that takes a look at the pain of love and how relationships evolve or de-evolve over time. The little things begin to burrow under the skin and an outside threat can make everything explode.

The age old theme of cheating comes to light in the tale of "Miss Behavin'" by David Housewright. A favorite author of mine whose most recent novel is "Dead Boyfriends" creates here a story a story full of misdirection and complications.

"Out of the Jacuzzi, Into the Sauna" by Scott Pearson marks the author's first published mystery story despite a long and impressive publishing history in various areas. Kate and Bill, a married couple, have known things at Great Lakes Lodges were wrong from the moment they called to confirm their check in. They didn't know that while they could check in, they easily might never check out.

Pat Dennis follows with a tale titled "Mother's Day." Carl has had enough of dear old mom and he has a plan.

If you haven't read Carl Brookins before you have really missed out. "Bloody Halls" was/is an excellent book as is the often laugh out loud "The Case of the Greedy Lawyers" featuring private investigator Sean no middle initial Sean always present in his red sneakers. Sean also makes an appearance here in the tale titled "Fish Story." Sean isn't much happy to be in a vacation resort in northern Minnesota. He had a more exotic climate in mind for vacation and if that isn't enough, he certainly didn't want to be dragged in to a local murder case.

While many of the stories are told from the viewpoint of the guests, Joel Arnold took a different angle. In "Leave No Wake" he weaves a tale told from the view point of one of the elderly owners of a resort who soon has a dead body to deal with along with a business to run. Along the way, Mr. Varney is reminded just how quickly time passes under business pressure. This very good story does feature a character with a penchant for graphic language that is out of tone with the rest of the anthology.

"The Moose Whisperer" by Deborah Woodworth features characters who aren't sleeping as well as they should be or need to. Police Chief Jens Johansson is one of the nocturnal wanderers and he saw something odd in the middle of the night while on vacation at Glass Lake. Something that he will need to follow on and something that is just a small piece of a bigger deal.

Barbara DaCosta is next with her disturbing story "Cabin 6". This is her first story and it is a good one. A story that really can't be explained at all without ruining it for other readers. So, I won't.

Like the "Bird of Prey" the human known as the "Falcon" goes after his next kill. In this tale written by Michael Allan Mallory, some things are obvious while many others are not.

"The Body at Dust Bowl Lake" is exactly that and much more. History plays the main role in this interesting tale written by Moira F. Harris.

Judith Yates-Borger concludes the anthology well with her tale "Hunter's Lodge." The past is a huge part of the tale as well and in this case the past must be honored and it will be. Like others in this anthology, this also marks her first foray into the field of mystery writing after an extensive and award winning journalist career.

Unlike many anthologies that place the interesting author biographical information at the back of the book, this anthology does the right thing and places it at the beginning of each tale. Also, pictures of the authors are included. Therefore, the book is well designed and places the picture of the author and bio on the left page with the tale written by the author on the right. By such format, one gets a feel for the author before delving into the tale.

Like the anthology "Silence of the Loons" the tales in this book feature intriguing character from a variety of viewpoints and walks of life. Some have seen this collection as darker in tone, but, I would not agree. Graphic descriptions are not present here with the focus being on the characters and the tales they tell. Each tale, well told, often is filled with misdirection while touching on some of the age old concepts of deceit, family honor, envy and others that ultimately lead to murder. Murder, well told and another good read compiled and edited by the members of the "Minnesota Crime Wave."

Resort to Murder: Thirteen More Tales of Mystery by Minnesota's Premier Writers
Compiled and Edited by the Minnesota Crime Wave
http://www.minnesotacrimewave.org
Nodin Press
http://www.nodinpress.com/
2007
ISBN# 1-932472-47-9
Paperback
184 Pages
$16.00

Kevin R. Tipple © 2008

Barry's Reviews: "Ten Second Staircase"

2008-07-12T09:59:00.003-05:00

TEN SECOND STAIRCASE (2006)
by Christopher Fowler

Reviewed by Barry Ergang

John May and Arthur Bryant are the (aptly designated, since they’re not young men) Senior Detectives for the North London Peculiar Crimes Unit, a unit that “was founded, along with a handful of other specialist departments, soon after the outbreak of World War II, as part of a government initiative to ease the burden on London’s overstretched Metropolitan Police Force, by tackling high-profile cases which had the capacity to compound social problems in urban areas.”

The case confronting them in this particular instance involves a series of murders, all of which are rather bizarre in nature, some of which are seemingly impossible. The victims are people who have achieved celebrity, however dubious, in various fields of endeavor. The perpetrator, according to a schoolboy witness, is a man dressed like a highwayman of old, right down to a cape and a tricorn hat. The boy claims he saw the Highwayman ride into a museum room on a black stallion, lift the first victim, a controversial artist, and dump her into the tank that’s part of her own exhibit. The problems? The Highwayman would have to be extraordinarily tall and strong to have done so, given the height of the tank. He’d also have to be capable of invisibility, since nobody else in the museum saw or heard him or his horse enter or leave.

But the Highwayman, Bryant and May discover, is leaving behind clues. To taunt them? Because he wants to be found out?

To compound matters, he begins to make appearances around the city, vanishing before anyone can capture him, and acquires a romantic, rock-star-like aura thanks to the media and the public’s unfavorable perception of his victims. “Highwayman-mania” soon grips London.

During the course of their investigation, Bryant and May notice similarities to an old case they’ve never been able to close: one concerning the so-called Leicester Square Vampire. It has a deeply personal resonance for them because May daughter was one of the Vampire’s victims.

Each sets out to solve the Highwayman case using his own preferred approach. May is the pragmatist and logician, Bryant the radical unhesitant about contacting psychics, self-styled mystics, or anyone else who might be useful. Besides dealing with the case, they have to contend with departmental politics. The Home Office wants to shut down the PCU on the grounds of obsolescence and recent fecklessness.

Bryant and May eventually solve both cases, of course, but not before May’s granddaughter is imperiled as her mother was years before.

Ten Second Staircase was a disappointment, but I have only myself to blame for it being so because I had wants and expectations going into it that were unmet. When I first heard about the Bryant and May novels, I had the impression they all involved impossible crimes of some sort, that like the works of Paul Halter they were modern adjuncts to the works of John Dickson Carr, Clayton Rawson, Hake Talbot, and other masters of the miraculous, that they‘d be puzzlers oozing atmosphere. (In fact, there’s a reviewer’s blurb on Ten Second Staircase that suggests it’s a locked-room mystery.) What I got was a police procedural about outré crimes complete with social, psychological, and philosophical observations over 464 pages, which is overlong for a mystery.

Apart from its length, the book contains more than a few abstract conversations that are often hard to follow. The characters, despite their quirks, are mostly flat, mere names instead of people who get up off the page and strut their stuff. For all that, Fowler’s style is literate and presumes an intelligent reader. It’s this quality that may eventually prompt me to read another—coupled with the assurance of someone I trust that there’s at least one legitimate locked-room whodunit/howdunit in the series. I can’t resist ’em!

Barry Ergang © 2008

Barry Ergang, former Managing Editor of Futures Mystery Anthology Magazine, has had fiction, poetry and non-fiction in numerous publications, print and electronic. His latest story, "Gunfight at the So-So Corral," one of the groaners for which he's become infamous, appears in the latest issue of Mysterical-E. http://www.geocities.com/b_ergang/Home.html

Reviewing: "The Front" by Patricia Cornwell

2008-07-08T17:01:00.001-05:00

The murder happened in 1962. On April fourth of that year in Watertown, Massachusetts, Janie Brolin was killed. Janie was blind and spending a year in the United States away from her home in Great Britain. It was never solved and District Attorney Monique Lamont has decided Massachusetts State Police Investigator Win Gerano is going to solve it. He should want to. After all, she believes that the case was the first murder committed by the notorious Boston strangler.

She sees the case as a "drama" to be played out in the media and ultimately solved because she made it happen. Not only will solving the case be a huge media public relations event for her, it will be a slap in the face of local law enforcement in the area that has formed an organization called "Front." The acronym stands for "Friends, Resources, Officers, Networking Together" and currently has sixty departments sharing resources, man power, etc in an effort to bypass the state police for funding, equipment, technical expertise, etc. It is politics pure and simple and D.A Monique Lamont is shoving Win down the local cop's throats whether or not they like it and the case is going to be solved. Period.

This novel is a sequel to the novel "At Risk" which first introduced the characters involved. While the events that happened in that novel could have easily caused this sequel to have depth, author Patrica Cornwell has continued to make the series as lean and as shallow as possible. Therefore, what could have led to deep character development instead is given short shrift because readers are often told about character emotions, needs and wants, but the characters never come alive for the reader. Multiple secondary storylines are given the barest of detail, discarded quickly, only to be left hanging, or quickly concluded at the of the novel depriving the reader of a meaningful read.

The reader is left with a short book at 180 pages driven relentlessly forward by the twin themes of political rage and an old murder case. Like the issue of character development, both themes could have been developed significantly and weren't. The result is a read that while interesting and fast moving so that the reader continues to turn pages, it disappointingly has zero depth and isn't worthy of much attention.

The Front
Patricia Cornwell
http://www.patriciacornwell.com/
G. P. Putnam's Sons (Penguin Group)
http://www.penguin.com/
2008
ISBN# 978-0-399-15418-8
Hardback
180 Pages
$22.95

Kevin R. Tipple © 2008

Reviewing: "Phantom Prey"

2008-07-07T13:09:00.001-05:00

Lucas Davenport of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension isn't slowing down at all. Despite being wounded frequently and despite the fact that he long ago should have been sitting behind a desk when he isn't home with his family, Lucas pushes cases hard. That fact is what makes him so good at what he does and also alleviates his frequent bouts of depression. He may grumble and groan when the case begins but before long the scent is in his noses and he is off on another one.

Sitting on a stakeout across the street from the wife of a cocaine dealer isn't doing much for him. It is boring. Sure, Heather Toms is naked a lot and is seemingly oblivious to the fact her blinds are open while she prances around her apartment, but Lucas doesn't much care. Sigitas Toms, aka Ziggy is on the run and Lucas and Del are occasionally keeping watch hoping he will come back. It's been eight months and still no sign of Ziggy. If they get lucky Ziggy's brother, Antsy, who was left behind and clearly the dumber brother of the two and who also recently beat the heck out of two St. Paul cops just might show up.

Lucas knows Ziggy will return at some point, but not exactly when. He can feel it though and isn't about to pull the plug on things like everyone else has. In the meantime, it is March, the paper work is endless, the skies are dreary and Lucas is slipping in to one of his dark moods. His wife, Weather asks Lucas to talk to Alyssa Austin. Alyssa is a friend of Weather and Allyssa's daughter, Frances has been missing for months. Blood was found in the seams of the flooring tiles in Alyssa's home and the other clues that seem to indicate Frances is dead. But, with no body, Alyssa refuses to give up hope and the vigil is tearing her apart. Frances was part of the Goth scene and a bartender she knew who is also part of that scene has now been found brutally murdered. Lucas doesn't think much of Alyssa because she is into astrology, planes of existence, and all that mumbo jumbo. Alyssa knows she is a suspect because they can't come up with a real suspect and have stopped looking. Weather wants him to help and reluctantly he agrees. Before long, Lucas is riding hard on a case that seems to have no end, a young Goth that appears and disappears at will, and an ever increasing body count.

Unfortunately for the reader much of this novel meanders around in the land of funhouse mirrors with ghosts and the like. Shifting in points of view from Lucas to Alyssa to imagery characters that may or may not be really real the novel drifts and flounders for more than half the book. The second half of the book is more of an anti climax than any thing because so much is telegraphed by the mid point all that is left is to tick off the checklist as the pages pass.

It would be easy to assign blame for this weak effort due to the fact hat John Sandford's wife died of cancer during the writing of this book. An event that must have been devastating for him and something I would have no idea how to handle – let alone manage to continue to write. I have no idea if that is behind the problem here or not. .

What I do know is that, for me, this novel is not the Lucas Davenport written by John Sanford I know and love. This is a poor imitator featuring weak writing, a convoluted main case and a much better secondary case that is much more interesting. John Sandford, when he is on a roll, is a damn good author .This isn't one of those times. One can only hope he will be back at that level soon.

Phantom Prey
John Sandford
http://www.johnsandford.org/
Thorndike Press
http://www.mlr.com/thorndike/
2008
ISBN# 1-4104-0535-4
Large Print
535 Pages
$34.95

Review copy provided by the Plano, Texas Public Library system. For more information on the library system, visit http://www.plano.gov/Departments/Libraries/

Kevin R. Tipple © 2008

Reviewing: "Little Big bend: Common, Uncommon, and Rare Plants of Big bend National Park"

2008-07-07T10:28:00.001-05:00

Devoted to the plants of Big Bend National Park this book also captures the stark beauty of the park. After brief sections on the preface, acknowledgement and design of the book, the book opens by explaining the environment in the short chapter headed, "Big Bend, The Land of Extremes." Along with rainfall rate, temperature extremes, elevation changes of thousands of feet, and other facts of interest the author also writes of the ecological diversity and the human influence on the park from the earliest hunters to modern time as well as the history of park itself.

That is followed by a brief section on how plants are named and a section on plants helpfully organized under the various family names. Page numbers are also noted for the family plant names making it easier for readers to find the pages grouped together for a certain family plant name.

Page 35 begins the actual heart if the book with a plant name, a close up color photograph and an easy to read and understand text on the plant. The text for each plant covers a description of the plant, where it is found, and some interesting history on the plant such as its reputation for inflicting damage on people and car tires (Lechuguilla), what the Aztecs used it for (Havard Agave) and other interesting information.

More than 250 pages later after a color picture of a beautiful Spanish dagger, the appendices begin. Appendix A is devoted to the status of the plants and how endangered they are in Texas. Appendix B is devoted to selected locations in the park such as Boot Canyon, Casa Grande, Panther Pass, and many others and the names of plants found at each location. Appendix C is devoted to the author's suggestions concerning photographing plants and necessary equipment. All of the pictures in the book were taken by the author and he explains how to achieve the quality photographs he does. Appendix D is a brief two page explanation of what sources were used for the names of the plants and why.

A glossary of terms, a list of sources for more information on the park, reference materials and an index brings this beautiful and easy to use book to a close. Designed for people who want to know what they are looking at in the park, this book is superbly done in text and photographs and is easy to understand. Not only does it depict many of the plants within the park, numerous photographs also capture the surrounding countryside and the beauty of the park. This is a must have book for your next trip to the park.

Little Big Bend: Common, Uncommon, and Rare Plants of Big Bend National Park
(Part of the "Grover E. Murray Studies In The American Southwest" Series)
Roy Morey
Texas Tech University Press
http://www.ttup.ttu.edu
2008
Flexbound with Flaps (Large Field Guide Style)
ISBN#0-89672-613-4
329 Pages
$34.95

My thanks to the staff of the library system of Texas Tech University who provided a copy of this book through the Interlibrary Loan system.

Kevin R. Tipple © 2008

Book Review: "Rare Plants of Texas"

2008-07-06T15:54:00.001-05:00

Recently released by Texas A&M University Press this reference guide is a comprehensive and detailed look at the rare plants of Texas. While useful for the layman, the book is primarily of interest for botanists and others deeply immersed in the subject matter. As such, the book is highly technical in nature and written in a dry academic tone.

After a brief preface and an acknowledgment section, there is a multi page section on the various natural regions of Texas. Filled with facts and figures and a single solitary map of the state that contains no reference points, this section goes into detail about the land mass and various types of plants typically found in the 11 regions. It is noted here and elsewhere in this book that rare species are still being found today in Texas as much of the state has not been surveyed in the manner required to note and document everything.

Sections on the history of planet conservation as well as a section on the law and terms being used as well as another section on the threats to rare plants which are primarily human related follow the natural regions section. This is followed by sections on "Management and Restoration of Rare Plants" and "Nomenclature and Species Selection." Quickly followed by instructions for and a copy of the official "Wildlife Diversity Reporting Form" issued by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to report a rare plant, animal or habitat that will be verified before being added to the wildlife diversity database.

This leads readers to the heart of the book "Species Treatments" which begins on page 55. Each plant is depicted in a drawing, a color picture, and located on the country map of Texas. Each plant has listed various facts such as scientific name, common name, family name, endangered status date, where it lives, and a detailed description of the plant, habitat of the plant, and comments and references on the plant. Listed in alphabetical order each plant is detailed across two pages with many plants depicted in multiple color photographs and ink drawings.

Beginning on page 521 there is a short section on what was excluded from this book and why. That leads to a very detailed glossary of terms and a seventy-nine page reference section. This field guide type book concludes with an extensive index of thirteen pages.

This is a comprehensive book and is a well done reference guide that should be of interest to the professional as well as the general layman interested in the field. Certainly it isn't of interest for everyone and it was not designed to be as it is highly technical in nature. Therefore, those with a deep interest in the topic will appreciate it the most. For that readership it was designed for, it works well and provides a glimpse of the many rare plants found across the great state of Texas.

Rare Plants Of Texas
By Jackie M. Poole, William R. Carr, Dana M. Price and Jason R. Singhurst.
Texas A&M University Press
http://www.tamu.edu/upress/
December 2007
Flexbound with Flaps (Field Guide Style)
ISBN# 1-58544-557-6
640 Pages
$35.00

My thanks to the staff of the University of Houston Library System who provided a copy of this title in response to my long standing request through the Interlibrary Loan program.

Kevin R Tipple © 2008

Publishing News

2008-07-04T19:07:00.000-05:00

My story, "Burning Questions" which was a Honorable Mention winner last fall in the Mysterical-e SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET contest is now appearing in the summer issue of the same. The link is http://www.mystericale.com/ and another sign that occasionally my weirdness gets published.

A big thank you to Joe DeMarco for publishing my effort.

Kevin

Book Review: "Williams-Sonoma Food Made Fast: Weeknight"

2008-07-03T14:46:00.000-05:00

As I noted in a recent review of another title in this series, the last thing I want to do when I come home from teaching and working with kids all day is to stand in the kitchen and work on making dinner. I primarily work with special needs students which are often physically demanding and by the end of the day I am worn out. I don't find it therapeutic to chop and slice stuff for dinner after getting the first load of laundry going and the dishwasher started. While the Slow Cooker installment of this series had been a real disappointment, I had high hopes for this one once it finally made the way to me through the local library system.

Broken down mainly into three sections titled, "30 Minutes Start To Finish," "20 Minutes Start To Finish," and "Make More To Store" this cookbook like others in the series is designed to make food preparation a fast activity while delighting people with the results. There is a wide range in dishes from "steaks with herb butter," to "farfalle with salsa cruda" (no, that really isn't a typo) to polenta with vegetable ragout," or "Greek lamb kebabs" and "chicken couscous with dried fruit." Like other books in the series, while providing detailed sections on food storage, pantry suggestions, what to buy at the store, weekly meal planning and other very helpful tips not one word is devoted to fat counts, calories levels, salt counts, etc. With so many people needing to watch what they eat because of dietary issues for a variety of reasons it is rather surprising that such important information is left out of these cookbooks.

What is here is another strong entry in the series and one that didn't work for me despite the promising opening of "steaks with herb butter." My family are rather picky scavengers and it quickly became clear with recipes noted above and others such as "lemongrass chicken and asparagus," "lime shrimp with coconut rice, or" pappardelle with beef ragu" that this book isn't going to work for us. Not just because these and many other recipes in this book feature ingredients that the scavengers won't eat. Many recipes lost me from the point that they said to prepare the grill or broiler and then do something. Most of the recipes in this book are rather complicated and exceed my modest abilities in the kitchen. Not only that but while the dishes are beautifully photographed as they always are in this series, most of the dishes just don't look good to me. Like other books in this series, each recipe gives a portion number but it is impossible to tell how realistic the portion sizes are.

While a beautifully done book, as are all of the books in the series I have seen, this book just won't work for me and my family. Most of the recipes are either way to complicated for this cook at this time or feature item such as "peas" or "asparagus" which my family absolutely won't eat for any reason. Not that I blame them as I don't like to eat them either. This book goes back to the library quickly and the hunt continues.

Williams-Sonoma Food Made Fast: Weeknight
Recipes by Melanie Barnard
General Editor Chuck Williams
Oxmoor House
October, 2006
ISBN# 0-84873137-9
Hardback
112
Pages$17.95

Reviewed book provided by the Plano, Texas Public Library system
http://www.plano.gov/Departments/Libraries/

Kevin R. Tipple © 2008

Book Review: "The Murderer Vine" by Shepard Rifkin

2008-06-29T11:22:00.000-05:00

Hiding out in Puerto Lagarto as the novel opens, our hero Joe Dunne begins a detailed confession to a traveling American priest. He has been hiding out for two years with no one to talk to and clearly is a bit lonely. Besides that, he has been watching the American in a clerical collar chasing butterflies with a net and thought it was funny. As the pages turn, he tells his story and explains how e got a job that was to set him up money wise pretty good as well as cause his exile far from home.

After handing a case that pushed the bounds, his name is passed on to an angry father by a client who really should have kept his big fat mouth firmly shut. The father is aware of some of the details of the other case and thinks that Joe Dunne could be willing to do what he wants done. It seems his boy was one of three men who went down to Mississippi to help with voter registration. His son, who was a good student at Harvard, along with two friends are now missing and presumed dead. Dad knows who did it thanks to another contact and Dad wants justice.

"'I know they're dead. I don't know what your political views are and I don't care. But I think you know what justice is. If it doesn't exist, then you make it. I want my boy's body. And I want justice."
"You mean revenge."
"I don't make any distinction. Shall we talk business?'"
(page 34)

Dad also knows that the legal system in 1970 Mississippi isn't going to do anything to the five that local gossip says were involved. He wants proof of their guilt and he wants justice.

Justice he is willing to pay for and justice of a kind that means Dunne will have to close his private investigation business, send his receptionist, Kirby, on her way and disappear. The father is willing to pay for finding the bodies of the victims, another higher amount for proof of the guilty and a still higher amount for their execution—no matter how many are ultimately guilty of the crime. Justice that he is wiling to pay for and will pay well for once he has the proof he needs of their guilt. Justice that can be bought at these prices and justice that Dunne is willing to deliver.

Like most releases from Hard Case Crime, this recent re-release is a dark atmospheric one. One knows from the opening page something went horribly wrong and the only real question as the pain filled narrative begins from Joe Dunne is exactly what went wrong. Everything and everyone is flawed in some fatal way and that certainly is the case here. Like many from this publisher, there is a certain inevitability in the read that means all the hard work, the meticulous planning of every last detail, in the end truly did not matter.

Joe Dunne is a complex character and as this slow moving novel tells the tale, a character that the reader begins to identify with more and more. A character, that while one knows is probably doomed, one that the reader pulls for all the way to the bitter end.

The novel is a read full of rich detailed characters, a time that wasn't the best in American history, and plenty of evil. It is a read that also makes one wonder just how much, if any, things have really changed.

The Murderer Vine
Shepard Rifkin
Hard Case Crime
http://www.hardcasecrime.com
May 2008
ISBN# 0-8439-5961-4
Paperback
254 Pages

Kevin R. Tipple © 2008

Book Review: "Williams-Sonoma Food Made Fast: Slow Cooker"

2008-06-29T10:09:00.001-05:00

After recently reviewing "Williams-Sonoma Food Made Fast: Grilling" primarily for my newspaper column in Senior News and later elsewhere because I liked the book so much, I decided to see what my library had to offer in the series. While I am primarily a meat and potatoes kind of guy, I like to cook and do have a slow cooker. The last thing I want to do after teaching all day is come and cook. So, I was especially interested in this title.

The book is broken down in what seems to be the standard format in this series. The three main sections are labeled as "15 Minutes Hands-On Time" followed by" 30 Minutes Hands-On Time" and "Make More To Store." Each section has a number of recipes such as "spring veal stew," "tuscan ribollita," "beef –chipotle chili" or the just flat out funny sounding "turkey breast in mole." That one is followed by "mole enchiladas" and " mole huevos rancheros." "Mole" in this case seems to refer to a cooked combination of spices, onions, tomatoes and chilies used as a base to add other items to in order to create whatever recipe. Unfortunately, there are no calorie counts, fat counts, salt levels, etc. making it impossible to realistically determine how healthy any of the dishes are though many make use of items in such quantities one gets the impression they aren't designed for cardiac or low fat diets. Each section contains numerous pictures of the dishes once they are completed. The three main sections lead to the back of the book where there are detailed instructions on types of cookers, planning ahead, stocking your pantry, ingredients to use along with seasonal suggestions, and storage tips making this area much more valuable than the preceding pages. The book closes with an easy to use index.

Clearly the book is well thought out and is done well. But, for me, this book is a serious disappointment.

As I said before, the last thing I want to do when I come home from teaching and working with kids all day is to stand in the kitchen and cook. I don't find it therapeutic to chop and slice stuff for dinner after getting the first load of laundry going and the dishwasher started. It is nice to come home and find something almost ready to eat assuming the local power folks have managed to keep the power on (something they certainly seem to have trouble with, since we changed into a deregulated market with resulting astronomical bills).

I certainly don't want to cook before I go to work. In order to use most of the recipes in this book, which are ones my family wouldn't eat anyway because they are picky scavengers, one would have to do a lot of cooking before finally moving items to the slow cooker to slow cook for the day. Many of the recipes start with the instruction to brown chicken, pork, beef, etc. in a large frying pan for 10 or 20 minutes. Other recipes start with cooking the meat on the grill or under the broiler for a specified period of time before moving the meat to the slow cooker. Not only am I not human in the morning until I have had a couple of cups of tea, I have no desire to get up an hour early or so to cook something before it is added to the slow cooker to simmer all day. That defeats the whole purpose of being able to throw whatever into the slow cooker, set it, and forget it. So, for me, this book is a dismal failure and while it's well done, it does not fit what want or need from a book with this title.

Williams-Sonoma Food Made Fast: Slow Cooker
Recipes by Norman Kolpas
General Editor Chuck Williams
Oxmoor House
October, 2006
ISBN# 0-8487-3139-5
Hardback
112
Pages$17.95

Reviewed book provided by the Plano, Texas Public Library system
http://www.plano.gov/Departments/Libraries/

Kevin R. Tipple © 2008

Reviewing: "Of All Sad Words: A Sheriff Dan Rhodes Mystery"

2008-06-27T16:35:00.001-05:00

Blacklin County, Texas is a fairly, quiet place most of the time which is how Sheriff Dan Rhodes likes it. His idea of a citizens' Sheriff's Academy had seemed like a good idea at the time in that it would teach folks about the department and generate some good publicity. Now he is getting flack over it from some, most notably county judge Jack Parry. Parry is convinced that some who went through the academy recently are vigilantes. There is more to his complaint but it boils down to the universal idea of politics and micromanagement.

Sheriff Dan Rhodes is finally saved from the county judge by a call about a trailer house explosion. The Crawford brothers, who have a bit of a reputation around the area, may have been inside when it blew. There had been accusations that the Crawford's were running a meth lab, something not uncommon these days in the East Texas woods. Rhodes never caught the Crawford's selling anything-not even Amway.

And while one brother has survived the blast, another has not and it quickly becomes clear that it was a murder. A murder that in the minds of some was caused by politics. Murder, that in the eyes of some others was caused by alleged drug dealing. No matter the cause, Sheriff Dan Rhodes intends to find out and isn't gong to let small town politics over a variety of matters stand in his way.

I'm ashamed to admit that this book, which was recommended to me by a friend, is my first Bill Crider novel. It puts me in the mind of the J. W. Jackson series penned by the late and missed Philip R. Craig. True, Sheriff Rhodes doesn't offer any recipes and is clearly not set anywhere near Martha's Vineyard. But, there is that same slow comfortable way of story telling that gradually spins the novel out while detailing the real world characters that live in the Dan Rhodes world. Instead of starting with an abrupt bang, this is the kind of book that slowly begins and allows the reader to get to know the people just a little bit before presenting the problem.

The result is a 265 page read featuring a steady hero who knows his limitations. This is a character, as well as many of the minor characters, that have universal appeal on one hand and are clearly Texan on the other. Dogged in his pursuit of justice Sheriff Dan Rhodes follows a trail with grace under pressure and a reserved calmness most of the time. Along the way, he deals with a variety of events and people from all walks of life who may or may not have his best interests at heart.

And he hooked a new reader.

Of All Sad Words: A Sheriff Dan Rhodes Mystery
Bill Crider
http://www.billcrider.com
Thomas Dunne Books (St. Martin's Press)
http://www.thomasdunnebooks.com/
February 2008
ISBN #0-312-34810-X
Hardback
265 Pages

Review copy provided by the Plano, Texas Public Library System
http://www.plano.gov/Departments/Libraries/

Kevin R. Tipple © 2008

Reviewing: "The Last Quarry" by Max Allan Collins

2008-06-23T15:27:00.001-05:00

Quarry was a hit man and very good at his job. These days he is retired and not so good at that. He retired not because his conscience was getting to him, but because he had amassed enough money to live comfortably and not kill for money any more. So, he quit and through a contact he started managing a small resort that may or may not he located along Sylvan Lake in Minnesota.

Life is pretty good all things considered. But, he is having a small issue with insomnia. The fact that it is winter and everyone is gone except the maintenance guy, José, doesn't help. With the place closed and nothing to do except keep an eye on things, he is bored out of his mind. Very late one night he takes a 10 mile trip to the nearest convenience store for a little junk food and instead finds a contract killer who knows him. That killer, like a domino in a long line of dominoes, provides a way to deal with his insomnia and ultimately one last job.

According to the multi page author's note, this book was originally inspired by his anthologized short story "A Matter of Principal" (which is also a short film in the "Shades of Noir" collection and his short story "Guest Services." Fortunately for the author and readers, Charles Ardai wanted to not only reprint some of his earlier books, he also wanted an original Quarry novel for Hard Case Crime.

That request ultimately became this book which is a fast read at 194 pages and features distinctive cover art by the legendary Robert McGinnis. In those 194 pages, Max Allan Collins showcases an anti-hero of sorts who is what he is and accepts that with no excuses. He knows what he is and how he became what he is and when he makes a mistake, Quarry accepts it and moves on. This is a guy who does his job, expects others to follow through on their part of the contractual bargain and is perfectly willing to enforce compliance as well as accept his change of plans should the need arise. The result novel is an engaging tale that pulls no punches as it touches on the themes of murder, deceit, familial love and jealousy and the plain simple truth that some folks just need killing.

The Last Quarry
Max Allan Collins
http://www.maxallancollins.com
Hard Case Crime
http://www.hardcasecrime.com
August 2006
ISBN#0-84395593-7
Paperback
201 Pages (Including author's note)

Review copy provided by the Plano Public Library System
http://www.plano.gov/Departments/Libraries/

Kevin R. Tipple © 2008

Reviewing: "Santa Fe Dead" by Stuart Woods

2008-06-22T13:34:00.001-05:00

"Santa Fe Dead" could easily have been named "The Boring Return of the Evil B-word Barbara." That might have been more honest and would have better reflected the disappointingly weak quality of Stuart Wood's latest effort. It would have also worked naming it "Santa Fe STUPID."

It is time once again to hang out with Ed Eagle, Santa Fe lawyer and all around older stud. Someday, we may finally find out that Ed Eagle is actually Stone Barrington's father as they seem to share the same concepts about the law, making money, bedding beautiful women, etc. When Ed Eagle isn't romping in bed with the gorgeous actress Susannah Wilde (yes, he romps by his own admission and does it very well with no unsatisfied customers or golden arches), or wheeling and dealing, is testifying in court about how his ex-wife Barbara tried to take his money, kill Ed's private investigators, have Ed killed, and generally cause mayhem in both Mexico and the U. S. Despite his testimony, as well as the fact that she flees the courthouse while the jury is deliberating her verdict, the jury in San Diego, California finds her not guilty.

Barbara begins to set her sights on the next husband to be whose biggest asset is his money while Ed Eagle begins to try to move on with his life. Part of his stated attempt to move on is to warn the next husband to be that Barbara is evil. That doesn't help create separation, closure, or whatever the shrinks call it this week and before long Barbara is mad as a hatter and going after him everyway possible. That is fine with Ed because he isn't through with her either.

Featuring stereotypical characters, gratuitous sex scenes inserted for no plot reason whatsoever, and plenty of action as well as references to money and designer goods, this is an incredible weak read. Barbara is the complete evil B word, Ed is an unflappable stud, and the bad guys are amazingly stupid. Finding good help is hard to do and in this case one really wonders how the bad guys lived long enough to be the stupid help in this novel. Apparently, they never were forced to get out of wet paper bags at any time of their lives and therefore have managed to live long enough to get here where they can fly planes and do all sorts of things but can't kill worth anything and leave clues behind that a sixth grader wouldn't. The result is a book typical of Wood's write it fast and sell it philosophy of the last few years and on that many of his fans will mindlessly continue to snap up and enjoy.

Santa Fe Dead
Stuart Woods
http://www.stuartwoods.com/
G. P. Putnam's Sons
http://www.penguin.com/
2008
ISBN #978-0-399-15490-4
309 Pages

Review copy provided by the Plano Public Library System
http://www.plano.gov/Departments/Libraries/

Kevin R. Tipple © 2008

Reviewing: "Baby Shark's High Plains Redemption"

2008-06-21T12:05:00.000-05:00

The third in the action crime Baby Shark series opens in May 1957. Kristin, aka Baby Shark, is still wielding guns and pool sticks with deadly accuracy. She is still working with Otis and the latest case and resulting plan of action were supposed to be relatively simple. Travis Horner has a girlfriend who got into some sort of trouble and is currently up in Oklahoma. She isn't kidnapped exactly, but she isn't free to leave either. In exchange for some money, Otis gets to bring the girlfriend back to Travis Horner. Kristin is supposed to lurk, provide support, and deal with anything unexpected that comes up.

Something she does very well and normally she is on time. However, as usual in May in Oklahoma, the weather is atrocious. A tornado that traveled through the vicinity has delayed her arrival by some two hours making the drive up from Fort Worth, Texas even harder.

Plenty of time for things to have gone badly and they have. Kristin never wanted any part of rescuing the girlfriend of a bootlegger, no matter how pretty or how well she can play the piano. Now, she has to rescue Otis also which will require violence. Violence is something Kristin has become very comfortable with the few years since her father died in front of her and she was brutally assaulted. Nobody does violence better than Kristin, aka Baby Shark, and there are serious consequences for those stupid enough to get in her way.

Featuring the same occasionally funny one liners, plenty of violence, and more break neck adventure, Robert Fate has penned another winner. Morality, always present in this series, plays a bigger role as Kristin in considers two major problems. One is the ease she steps into and out of violent actions which often leaves others dead in the chaos and wreckage. Truth be told, she likes it when circumstances force her into acting violently because she no longer knows any other way. Violence to those who interfere is simple while relationships and love are far more complicated. If violence is the answer, where does that leave the romance between herself and Lee, a detective with the Dallas PD?

Questions that have no easy answers much like what to do with the gorgeous redhead bootlegger's girlfriend, who is responsible for the waves of bad guys coming after them, and the major question as to the why of everything. Like the other books in the series, the motives of others, beside shooting at them is vague and unstated and Otis and Kristen have to survive long enough to get any answers at all. What is clear from the chaotic opening under an Oklahoma sky pulsing with jagged lighting to the final chaotic shoot out in a hospital in Fort Worth, Robert Fate's latest novel in the series easily is equal to the first two books. Another clear winner and one sure to please his growing legions of fans while recruiting new ones.

Baby Shark's High Plains Redemption
Robert Fate
http://www.robertfate.com
Capital Crime Press
http://www.capitalcrimepress.com
May 2008
ISBN # 0-9799960-2-3
ARC

Advance review copy was graciously provided by the author directly.

Kevin R. Tipple © 2008

Convention Time in Big D!!

2008-06-12T19:02:00.002-05:00

Thanks to a miracle assist from PJ Nunn, I will be attending the Hardboiled Heroes And Cozy Cats mystery writers convention in Dallas this weekennd. For more info, surf over to the convention link at http://www.mwasw.org/conf.html

Hope to see you there!

Kevin

Reviewing: "The Maya Stone Murders" by M. K. Shuman

2008-06-10T16:05:00.002-05:00

It is the late eighties as this novel set in New Orleans opens. Private Investigator Micah Dunn, home from Vietnam for quite some time and still suffering flashbacks and war injuries, is used to people staring at his left arm. He doesn't have much use of it and usually tucks his left hand into his pants pocket for support and control. Something that Dr. Gregory Thorpe notices immediately and asks if his handicap is a detriment in his line of work.

After Dunn explains that most PI work is documents related and waiting, lots of waiting, Dr. Thorpe finally begins to outline his problem and one that the police can't help him with at all. Somebody is messing with Dr. Thorpe's exhibition of artifacts brought back from the Mayan city of Ek Balam located on the Yucatán peninsula. Somebody keeps adding items one at a time to the various displays. When a display is supposed to contain three items and suddenly contains four, visitors and staff notice. Dr. Gregory isn't a popular man and he has several suspects in mind.

Somebody is going to considerable effort to plant the realistic fakes in an effort to discredit Dr. Thorpe and Micah Dunn figures a couple of days max and the case will be wrapped up. That is what he thinks, before a death of one of Dr. Thorpe's suspects happens literally outside Micah Dunn's home in front of him in the middle of the night and Dr. Thorpe is subsequently arrested for the murder. What begins simply enough in the Crescent City will finally end at the ancient Mayan city making everyone wonder about the curse.

Written by M. K. Shuman who also wrote as M. S. Karl ("Killer's Ink" among others)

this is the first novel of the Micah Dunn Series. Published in 1989 the novel doesn't follow the current conventions of mysteries that mandate a body to fall in the first chapter, a breakneck opening, etc. Instead, this is a novel that opens slowly and deliberately with background on the characters to give them depth before slowly picking up the story pace. Setting and character developments are the main keys here with action scenes few and far apart with most saved for the last thirty or so pages of the novel.

Slower moving that his Peter Brady Series written as M. S. Karl, this book also has a darker tone to it than that series. Not just because of the frequent Vietnam flashbacks which serve to build character back story in several very different areas, but Dunn's perceptions of the world are much darker. While Peter Brady packs it in and runs to rural Louisiana to own and operate a small town paper and lick his wounds, he believes ultimately that most people are good at heart and want to get along. Dunn is much more cynical about the world and looks it as a hard place where everyone is hiding some dark secret or action. Dunn is often right but is that because the world is such as he sees it or a self fulfilling prophecy?

While not engrossing, this book overall is a solidly good read that delivers on well thought out characters, a complex mystery and themes of history and morality. Not easily available, it is a novel well worth hunting for as it will keep you turning the pages.

The Maya Stone Murders
M. K. Shuman
St. Martin's Press
http://us.macmillan.com/SMP.aspx
1989
ISBN# 0-312-02608-8
Hardback
246 Pages

My sincere thanks to the staff of the Central Library of the Houston, Texas Public Library system who provided a copy of this book via the interlibrary loan program. If it was not for the staff of the local Plano, Texas library system as well as staff of libraries across the country, many of the reviews you have seen of mine in various places the past decade simply would not have ever appeared. I also would not have had the many hours of reading pleasure made possible by librarians.

Kevin R. Tipple © 2008

Reviewing: "Holy Moly" by Ben Rehder

2008-06-08T11:11:00.000-05:00

The death of backhoe operator Hollis Farley appears at first glance to be a tragic accident. Found underneath his overturned rig on land he was clearing to make way for a mega church near the Pedernales River, Hollis Farley died on the job. But, this is Blanco County where weird things happen and this one is another. Instead of being killed when the backhoe hit a boulder and flipped as first theorized, it turns out that he was shot in the back with an arrow capped with a broadhead hunting point.

As the case unfolds and Game Warden John Marlin's involvement increases, the facts and the people involved get stranger and stranger. Finding a dinosaur bone on the property of the planned mega church didn't get Hollis Farley killed. What he did afterwards just might have done the trick. With so many having a motive for doing the deed, it is up to John Marlin and Sheriff Bobby Garza to flush the real killer out before he or she strikes again.

Much like he did with "Gun Shy" Austin, Texas area writer Ben Rehder has penned another often funny novel that lets everyone in sight have it. This time his main target is the religious hypocrisy often found in the mega churches. It is tempting to speculate a bit as to which church served as inspiration but unnecessary. Considering past events across the country, this satiric novel could easily become too real in coming months as no doubt another religious leader of a mega church will be caught doing something very wrong. It is inevitable—much like news reports of Jesus sightings in recently washed windows and fried food products.

In the meantime what we have here is yet another often funny novel sent in Blanco County, Texas featuring a strange murder, a ton of offbeat characters, and the resulting twisted and often funny search for justice. The book is another tale of the weird, funny and often absurd that packs a punch to the mind and the gut. Beyond the continuing romance involving John Marlin there is no real character development to speak of regarding the returning characters. That romance is a minor factor in the book with most of the focus on the murder case and the cast of offbeat characters who are involved at various levels. The result is a good piece of work with plenty of comedy and mystery guaranteed to keep readers entertained to the very last page.

Holy Moly
Ben Rehder
http://www.benrehder.com
St. Martins Paperbacks
http://www.minotuarbooks.com
May 2008
ISBN# 0-312-35754-0
ARC

Review copy provided by PJ Nunn of Breakthrough Promotions
http://www.breakthroughpromotions.com

Kevin R. Tipple © 2008

Children's Book Review: "The Curious Child"

2008-06-06T18:28:00.001-05:00

This children's book tells the tale of a child full of questions. The child lives on a small island that contains a tiny village of 100 people. He constantly is asking questions and his curiosity is driving everyone, including his own parents, to the edge. It is decided that he shall be sent to the ancient dragon that lives at the top of the biggest mountain on the island.

While he is sent in the hopes that the dragon can help him by placing a magic spell on him, time has passed, and the dragon after spending so much time alone over the years has become mean. The dragon, known to all as the Old One soon comes face to face with the boy. After a brief discussion with the child, the dragon states that he will answer three questions the boy asks. Should the dragon answer all three, he and his two village escorts will be eaten and live in his belly for 100 years. Stump the dragon and the dragon will let them go free.

The first two questions are easily answered by the dragon. With his final question, the boy attempts to get the upper hand on the situation. While the dragon ponders the third question in confusion, the three manage to escape. Proving the author's idea that one can never ask too many questions.

This book works in nearly all areas as it tells a tale that is important for children and their parents. The text flows well, the message is clear, and the black and white illustrations by Grethel Peralta are a very nice touch. With the color cover, I expected interior illustrations to be in color and was surprised that they weren't in color. I also expected a few more illustrations than there are in this entertaining book. However, that is a very minor quibble as the story works as do the black and white illustrations used which do not overpower the simple, clear text. This is a book that works well and shows how self publishing can work when actually done properly. The quality shows and the book is sure to delight children and their parents.

The Curious Child
Donni Floyd
Illustrated by Grethel Peralta
Outskirts Press, Inc.
http://www.outskirtspress.com/
2008
ISBN# 978-1-59800-046-7
16 Pages

Kevin R. Tipple © 2008

Reviewing: "Winter Study" by Nevada Barr

2008-05-31T11:22:00.001-05:00

Anna Pigeon is back at Isle Royale in Lake Superior. The last time she was here it was summer and those events occurred in the book titled "A Superior Death." This time it is January and the island park is far different and not just because it is in the deep winter and closed to visitors. This time around she has been sent to observe the wolf study group in action. With the fact that her current home park of Rocky Mountain National Park is slated to have wolves reintroduced to the park, District Ranger Anna Pigeon needs to learn all she can.

The study has been going on for fifty years effectively making sure that the park remains closed every winter so as not to disturb the wolves. That might be changing as Homeland Security is interested in opening the park year around to help seal the border. The theory being that increased traffic means increased security and the park and its creatures will just have to adjust. But, if there is a compelling reason to keep the study group going, beyond the usual justifications, then the bureaucrats at Homeland Security won't get their way. That political undercurrent is at work in the team along with other forces Anna can't identify.

Anna also can't explain or identify why the three wolf packs are behaving so strangely right after her arrival in January. Beyond the strange wolf prints, the abnormal wolf scat, the shape Anna may or may not have seen from the study team plane, there are other things happening. Events that begin to lead to deaths of the survey team members. As the body count climbs and the count of survivors shrinks, Anna is pushed to her limits in an epic battle to survive.

This latest in the long running series is Nevada Barr's best in years. Featuring a cast of dysfunctional people, including Anna herself, under extreme weather conditions, Nevada Barr details one step at a time how otherwise competent people begin to crack under the constant strain. Some see this work as a locked room mystery set in the great outdoors. For this reader, the novel is more about how thin the veneer of civilization is and how easily it becomes to justify any action necessary to survive or excel.

Routinely comparing her physical limits now to the past when she was far younger, this is a more introspective Anna Pigeon, newly married and missing her husband. Nevada Barr has her frequently referring to the aging process and how the physical toll of the job, whether in the park on routine business or the events here, are taking a harder and harder toll as she ages. Instead of whining about it as it has seemed in the past, this is an Anna who not only has accepted the aging process, but frequently thinks that the younger generation has missed out on so much from a cultural and life experience standpoint. While there is always the suspicion in Anna's mind that there is a rational explanation for everything, it doesn't take long for her or readers to begin thinking otherwise. This is an Anna that is more at peace with herself and aware of both her faults and accomplishments. More than ever before, she has a life worth fighting for thanks to her recent marriage to Paul Davidson. Pushed as maybe never before the result is a monumental struggle to survive.

Not only is "Winter Study" a wonderful read in its own right, the work is powerful testament to the stark beauty in the nation's parks and a testament why some things have to be saved.

Winter Study
Nevada Barr
http://www.nevadabarr.com/
G. P. Putnam's Sons
http://www.penguin.com/
2008
ISBN# 978-0-399-15458-4
Hardback
370 Pages

Kevin R. Tipple © 2008

Reviewing: Beyond Eden

2008-05-28T19:13:00.001-05:00

Three years ago Chaplain Major Jamie Richards disappeared into the Iraq desert. On Thursday, February 23, 2006, she made her first appearance back in the real world when she flagged down a small U. S. Military convoy in Iraq. She soon is passed up the chain of command, her way eased at points along the way by various parties for reasons specified and otherwise as she returns to military life in far better shape than when she vanished.

Being in Eden the last three years at her own choice has helped her in many ways with just one of them being her improved health. Now, she has returned to our world among regular people on a mission for Eden. Simplifying greatly, members of Eden choose to live among us taking many roles within our various societies around the world. Children of those from Eden living among us are being kidnapped and Jamie Richards is back to find out why and recover the missing. No one knows why they are being taken but she has clues and her presence is known to both friend and foe alike. The trail will take her all over the globe while she reconnects with old friends, makes new friends, and desperately attempts to save the victims before it is too late.

While "Chasing Eden" combined the themes of history and religion to serve as a backdrop for the novel, the back drop of "Beyond Eden" is primarily religious in tone. Jamie, who was always portrayed as religious, has become more so and quotes and discusses the bible at length with various characters. Both friends and foes freely quote scripture verses and bible passages to support their positions. Immortality is a theme of the work and religion plays a heavy part in that as the authors attempt to address what it would mean to live forever.

The frequent religious discussions bring the novel nearly to a halt though they are interesting and are primarily used to show Jamie's evolving understanding of the world, Eden, and her place. Jamie has also, apparently because of her training though that is not always specified, gained considerable skills and there is now nothing she can't do. Those factors combine together to create a read that is uneven in pacing with a heavy religious tone and features a heroine that can do anything without the aid of bionics or six million dollars. The action hero antics along with the deep philosophical discussions make the book rather chaotic as one doesn't know whether to take it seriously or not. Then too, there is a cast of a thousand plus style to the book with numerous characters dropped in and out doing little to build story but helping with the page count.

All that being said, in the end the authors manage to keep one wanting to turn the pages. Buried in the noise and clutter of multiple storylines told through the point of view of far too many characters, there is an engaging story here worth reading. A tale that when finally found deep within the book does not rise to the level expected in the thriller genre with a heroine never in real danger, but does provide action, intrigue and deceit. Getting to it is the hard part.

Beyond Eden.
S. L. Linnea
http://www.edenthrillers.com/
St. Martin's Paperbacks
October 2007
Paperback
387 Pages

Kevin R. Tipple © 2008

Reviewing: Murder With Reservations

2008-05-25T12:57:00.003-05:00

Room 323 is a problem room at Sybil's Full Moon Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Guests frequently trash it and Helen is usually part of the group that has to clean it. Helen is working at the Full Moon Hotel as a maid and has been for sometime while she hides out from her ex-husband Rob. Worked over by the court system, she isn't about to let him have a penny of her money. She lives a cash only existence and the folks in room 323 don't tip. Tips are few and far between which is why the staff, except for Helen, is always searching for the loot left behind after a botched bank robbery. The dead bank robber stayed in that room and with 100K at stake the money is worth searching for.

In the meantime, there are three floors of a hotel to clean. The staff works hard, the guests are often rude and yet, employee turnover is surprisingly low. When Rhonda, who also worked as a maid, suddenly disappears everyone else assumes that she ran off with her often talked about but never seen rich boyfriend. Helen isn't so sure because she has her suspicions. Helen has a history of finding dead bodies on other jobs and she wonders if something bad has happened to Rhonda. Her history is hammered home by a local police detective soon after Helen finds Rhonda's body in the dumpster. Unfortunately, not only does she have to deal with the fact that Rob is coming closer and closer to finding her, Rhonda won't be the last body at The Full Moon bringing Helen unwanted scrutiny by the local police.

While some reviews have criticized the ending as killing off the series, it is sufficiently vague to allow the series to continue as it has. Beyond the fact that the series has continued with the recent release of "Clubbed To Death" and without going into detail, it should be clear to any reader that while the main events of this novel are resolved, the book on Rob is by no means closed.

What is also clear is that several earlier books are referred to in sufficient detail in this novel to make reading them rather pointless. That is always a risk when one starts reading a series out of order and that is the case here with several detailed references to earlier books.

Since the series is new to me, this novel being the first I have read, I can't address the overall consideration of the story arc across novels or development regarding the main character. Despite those issues as well as the ease that Helen seemingly moves through life with no identity and living a cash only existence, the novel itself is a comfortable enjoyable read. It moves fairly quickly and provides a case that will keep most readers guessing until the end. As it entertains it also reminds readers of something very important – don't lie on the bedspread.

Murder with Reservations: A Dead-End Job Mystery
Elaine Viets
http://www.elianeviets.com/
New American Library/Penguin Group
http://www.penguin.com/
May 2007
ISBN# 978-0-451-22111-7
Hardback
263 Pages

Kevin R. Tipple © 2008

Reviewing: The Battle Of The Labyrinth

2008-05-22T20:49:00.001-05:00

Percy Jackson is difficult to deal with from a parental perspective. Of course, one issue is that he is a teenager. Another is the fact that he is a half blood thanks to being the son of the sea god, Poseidon. Then, there is that whole blowing up the school issue which happens on a fairly regular basis.

The last is what he is pretty much known for but he doesn't want to destroy schools. He doesn't wake up and plan to destroy a school. It just happens. With Percy's planned attendance at an orientation at Goode High School on East 81st in New York City as the novel opens, mother and son are both a bit worried. There is extra pressure this time because mom's boyfriend, Paul Blofis pulled strings from his position as English teacher to get Percy accepted to Goode High School where he will begin the ninth grade in the fall despite Percy's history of being kicked out of every school he has ever attended. The plan is to attend the orientation, get out before anything happens, and go spend the summer at the Half Blood Camp. Everything would have been fine too except for one small problem.

Demonic cheerleaders.

The two cheerleaders wanted Percy dead in the worst way and didn't care what happened to the mortals that got in their way or the building itself. When all is said and done, Percy is on the run again headed for the Half Blood Camp. Not only will he have to clear his name yet again, but this time is going to have to go into the Labyrinth to delay Kronos who is building his army to take over the world and the modern day Mount Olympus.

This latest installment in the series is another action filled, often funny, read for both teenagers and adults. Greek mythology is again brought to noisy life by author Rick Riordan who draws parallels and links between the ancient myths and the modern world. While telling a great story, he continues to frequently satire various matters involving politics and education. Parents in Texas especially will appreciate the hilarious section involving the sphinx, the revised policy on the riddle, and TAKS as well as the No Child Left Behind Act. It's simply "exemplary" writing to be enjoyed and should be posted in every classroom across the state.

As he has done so well before, author Rick Riordan (who also authored the very good Tress Navarre mystery series) has penned another installment that while good in its own right is a small cog in the series arc detailing the coming epic battle with Kronos. Character development is secondary as the characters have been well established by this point. Instead, the focus is action. Therefore, the ongoing issue of Percy's prophecy is briefly touched on to remind readers with the main focus being the here and now as the battle of Labyrinth is a minor skirmish in the build up to the Great War. The war is coming and is should really be something.

Percy Jackson & The Olympians: Book 4—The Battle Of The Labyrinth
Rick Riordan
http://www.rickriordan.com/
Hyperion Books For Children
http://www.hyperionbooksforchildren.com/
2008
ISBN# 978-1-4231-0416-8
Hardback
361 Pages

Kevin R. Tipple © 2008