Senior News-- June 2013 Column

For some time now I have been writing a monthly book review column for the Senior News newspaper. The Senior News is aimed to the 50 and over crowd with news relevant to seniors regarding various issues, humor pieces, and my review column among other things. The newspaper is a giveaway at doctor offices, stores, etc. and can be received by mail via a paid subscription. There are multiple editions across the state of Texas and therefore there is some fluctuation in content in each edition.

My column every month focuses on books of interest to the Texas audience. Therefore the books selected for the column, fiction or non-fiction, are written by Texas residents, feature Texans in some way, or would have some other connection to the Texas based readership. At least two books are covered each month in the short space I am given.

Below is/was my June 2013 column with the addition here of the relevant book covers……

The Texas Capital Murders

Bill Crider

ASIN: B00BV8ZCC6

E-book

The Texas Capitol Murders features romance, murder, a Texas Ranger, a governor afraid of his own shadow, strident anti-abortionists, at least one pervert (depending on your personal definition of “pervert” there could be a couple more), and other unique human beings. Originally published in 1992 by St. Martin’s Press, the book has recently been released again in an e-book version with a much better cover than the original. The setting of the late eighties may be twenty plus years old, but the story itself is not dated and could easily be happening right now considering how things work at the state capitol.

Nearly everyone involved in this story is trying to use their job at the state capitol to move up to better things.  That is, except for the first murder victim. Far different than his Sheriff Rhodes series where Sheriff Dan Rhodes is the main focus while investigating the latest murder, here author Bill Crider puts a number of characters into motion and unleashes chaos as those involved randomly collide and ricochet off each other while going through their day to day activities.

Occasionally a little raunchy, sometimes sarcastic, The Texas Capitol Murders is an entertaining tale that is quirky and funny while delivering a top flight mystery to its fitting dangerous end at the top of the capitol dome. Like the floor below, nearly everyone is cracked in this story that is well worth your time.

Charred & Scruffed: Bold new techniques for explosive flavor on and off the grill

Adam Perry Lang

Artisan (division of Workman Publishing Company, Inc.)

ISBN#  978-1-57965-465-8

Paperback

280 Pages

It quickly becomes clear Charred & Scruffed: Bold new techniques for explosive flavor on and off the grill is not a normal cookbook. This is as 280 page cookbook with serious attitude.  Adam Perry Lang does barbequing and grilling quite a bit differently than the way most of us gave been taught through family traditions as he constantly moves the meat and pokes it during the cooking process.

The reasoning for that is explained in great detail as are sections on his preferred seasonings, scuffing the meat, basting, layering flavor, working the heat correctly and other topics.  Along with plenty of recipes covering every meal and more, there are numerous pictures and plenty of informative text to make this book perfect for both the novice and experienced cook.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2013