Monday, May 12, 2008
Reviewing: Third Strike
J. W. Jackson is used to having his wife Zee pushing him to stay out of the deaths and other mysteries that occur on Martha's Vineyard. But, this time, when Eduardo Alverez is killed by an explosion in the engine room of the car and passenger ferry Trident, Zee feels differently. Eduardo may have been a striker but he was also by all accounts a quiet, hard working devoted family man who had no enemies. While the ferry strike continues unabated, Eduardo leaves behind a wife and child full of pain and heartache. Daddy isn't coming home and the police seem to have decided that since he was a striker, he was planting a bomb that just went off earlier than intended. With a little nudge from Zee, J. W. Jackson gets to poking around in the case.
It also doesn't take much convincing to get J. W. to help his old friend Brady Coyne. Coyne is a Boston attorney who has been contacted by one of his clients. The client also lives on Martha's Vineyard and has witnessed strange happenings in the middle of the night at an isolated dock. Men with automatic guns, large crates, and small boats running without their lights seem to indicate trouble but the nature of the trouble is unknown.
Coyne and Jackson begin poking around separately and soon find that their cases are linked. It leads them on a wild chase and a thrilling, though totally unbelievable climax, at one of the island's airstrips.
This is the fundamental problem with this novel. Since this is the third joint book, as well as the latest in a long series by each author, one does not expect sudden character revelations or some abrupt shift in character development. These are well established characters with long histories that aren't about to change. One does expect the plot to make sense. Especially with regards to terrorism these days and it doesn't come close.
Instead, the novel relies on a Hollywood B movie style ending in the big climax that just doesn't work. As such, any reader mildly aware of anything the last few years is apt to lose all suspension of disbelief. Savvy readers may find themselves laughing uncontrollably or launching the book across the room in a fit of annoyance. Either is possible and somebody should have addressed the issue long before the book saw print.
One wonders if this is a case where the author's prestigious names and body of work overruled any editorial considerations regarding the logic of the ending. Or maybe somebody thought Hollywood, where bad guys miss despite emptying clip after clip at the hero, will come calling with their big bucks. Either way, what up until the end had been a fairly good read, was destroyed by ludicrous sheer implausibility.
The authors can and usually do better. It is sad that this time that didn't happen.
Third Strike
Philip R. Craig
http://www.philiprcraig.com/
William G. Tapply
http://www.williamgtapply/
Scribner
http://simonandschuster.com/
December 2007
ISBN# 1-4165-3256-0
Hardback
323 Pages (including recipes)
Kevin R. Tipple © 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
A Weekend Well Spent
This truly was a weekend well spent. Read a bit, worked on my novel, wrote a flash piece, and spent most of my time outside while doing all of it.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Children's Book Review: Bitter Tastes by V. B. Rosendal
This middle school novel's theme is secrets. Just like in real life, everyone in this book has them. Kathy Harmon, the new kid in town because she just moved to Warner, North Carolina, an island town on the outer banks, has them. One of her secrets is what happened to her left hand that causes her to hide it in her left pants pocket as much as possible.
Her new friend, Martha Cunningham, has a secret as well. While she is willing to go everywhere with Kathy, she won't let Kathy come over to Martha's home. Martha always has an excuse and Kathy is ready to investigate that mystery.
That is when she isn't poking around in what happened to her friend Janine McCallum. Janine ran a restaurant and taught a class for kids known as "Kooking with Kids." Janine also had an injured hand and despite that obstacle was able to do anything she wanted. She was leading by example in overcoming her handicap and her fear of it and she and Kathy had bonded. Now, she is dead and Kathy, who witnessed a violent altercation between Janine and one of many suspects, wants answers.
Billed like many books featuring young girls poking around in cases as "The New Nancy Drew" this novel tells an interesting tale written in an adult voice. As such it does not read as a middle school or young adult novel. It also features the occasional missing comma in dialogue and a rather abrupt ending.
Despite those issues, taken as a whole, this is an enjoyable novel that tells a good tale while not talking down to its intended audience. As the pages pass, the novel works back and forth through time with well done flashbacks to fill in character development and back story. For those readers that prefer a linear story this could be an issue but the way the story is told works well.
While back story on various issues is developed along with the characters, the central question of who killed Janine McCallum and why is never far from the mind of readers. The result is a good novel that offers a strong start to a possible series. Time and a number of novels within the series will settle the question of whether this author or one of many others will actually be able to lay claim to the title of "The New Nancy Drew."
Bitter Tastes
V. B. Rosendahl
http://www.vbrosendahl.com/
Stargazer Press
http://www.stargazerpress.com/
2007
ISBN #0-9734940-9-3
Paperback
108 Pages
Kevin R. Tipple © 2008
Her new friend, Martha Cunningham, has a secret as well. While she is willing to go everywhere with Kathy, she won't let Kathy come over to Martha's home. Martha always has an excuse and Kathy is ready to investigate that mystery.
That is when she isn't poking around in what happened to her friend Janine McCallum. Janine ran a restaurant and taught a class for kids known as "Kooking with Kids." Janine also had an injured hand and despite that obstacle was able to do anything she wanted. She was leading by example in overcoming her handicap and her fear of it and she and Kathy had bonded. Now, she is dead and Kathy, who witnessed a violent altercation between Janine and one of many suspects, wants answers.
Billed like many books featuring young girls poking around in cases as "The New Nancy Drew" this novel tells an interesting tale written in an adult voice. As such it does not read as a middle school or young adult novel. It also features the occasional missing comma in dialogue and a rather abrupt ending.
Despite those issues, taken as a whole, this is an enjoyable novel that tells a good tale while not talking down to its intended audience. As the pages pass, the novel works back and forth through time with well done flashbacks to fill in character development and back story. For those readers that prefer a linear story this could be an issue but the way the story is told works well.
While back story on various issues is developed along with the characters, the central question of who killed Janine McCallum and why is never far from the mind of readers. The result is a good novel that offers a strong start to a possible series. Time and a number of novels within the series will settle the question of whether this author or one of many others will actually be able to lay claim to the title of "The New Nancy Drew."
Bitter Tastes
V. B. Rosendahl
http://www.vbrosendahl.com/
Stargazer Press
http://www.stargazerpress.com/
2007
ISBN #0-9734940-9-3
Paperback
108 Pages
Kevin R. Tipple © 2008
Friday, May 09, 2008
May meeting of the Writer's Guild of Texas
Mark the third Monday of every month for the Writers' Guild of Texas meeting.
Monday, 19 May 2008
7-8:30 p.m.
Topic: Three Essentials of the Screenwriting Trade
Speaker: Jeffrey Turner
Richardson Public Library
900 Civic Center Dr.
Richardson TX 75080
Basement Room
This workshop focuses on three essentials of the screenwriting trade: the structure of American screenplays, important tools for screenwriters, and the business of marketing screenplays. The content focuses on practical advice and utilizes examples from the American film industry and the instructor's personal experience.
Although originally a science fiction and fantasy novelist, Jeffrey Turner now devotes most of his time to screenwriting. In 2002, he was a finalist in the Hollywood Symposium screenwriting competition, and since has optioned seven screenplays to independent film companies. His short screenplay, "Penance," was produced by Eminent Works and has shown at film festivals around the country; and his work on the biopic "Pushing Life" resulted in an inspirational biography collaboration with the film's subject, Terry Hitchcock. Jeff lives in Fort Worth with his wife and two daughters.
Early Bird announcement:
16 June 2008
Regularly scheduled Writers' Guild of Texas meeting; WGT members present their own work. (All WGT events are free and open to the public.) For more information on the sponsoring organization, go to The Writers' Guild of Texas.
Writers' Guild of Texas events are free and open to the public.
Permission to forward this email is not only granted, but encouraged. Let's get the word out to as many in the writing community as possible.
Carol Woods, Publicity
Writers' Guild of Texas
Monday, 19 May 2008
7-8:30 p.m.
Topic: Three Essentials of the Screenwriting Trade
Speaker: Jeffrey Turner
Richardson Public Library
900 Civic Center Dr.
Richardson TX 75080
Basement Room
This workshop focuses on three essentials of the screenwriting trade: the structure of American screenplays, important tools for screenwriters, and the business of marketing screenplays. The content focuses on practical advice and utilizes examples from the American film industry and the instructor's personal experience.
Although originally a science fiction and fantasy novelist, Jeffrey Turner now devotes most of his time to screenwriting. In 2002, he was a finalist in the Hollywood Symposium screenwriting competition, and since has optioned seven screenplays to independent film companies. His short screenplay, "Penance," was produced by Eminent Works and has shown at film festivals around the country; and his work on the biopic "Pushing Life" resulted in an inspirational biography collaboration with the film's subject, Terry Hitchcock. Jeff lives in Fort Worth with his wife and two daughters.
Early Bird announcement:
16 June 2008
Regularly scheduled Writers' Guild of Texas meeting; WGT members present their own work. (All WGT events are free and open to the public.) For more information on the sponsoring organization, go to The Writers' Guild of Texas.
Writers' Guild of Texas events are free and open to the public.
Permission to forward this email is not only granted, but encouraged. Let's get the word out to as many in the writing community as possible.
Carol Woods, Publicity
Writers' Guild of Texas
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Anthology News
This evening I had the pleasure of making what will hopefully be the final changes to my story "By the Light Of The Moon…" scheduled to appear in the anthology "The Carpathian Shadows-Volume II." This volume is edited by Lea Schizas who also did the first volume in the series. I am thrilled to have this opportunity.
Kevin
Kevin
Monday, May 05, 2008
Reviewing: "Dead Boyfriends"
Rushmore McKenzie returns in this fourth novel in the series as does crime, murder, violence and politics. In most books they would be just themes but in the hands of David Housewright they take on a life of their own and become characters in their own way.
While heading out to buy a dining room set from a friend, a very lost Rushmore McKenzie is flagged down by a woman begging for help. The woman claims that her boyfriend is dead. Considering her appearance which certainly indicates something very bad has happened, former police officer McKenzie decides to get out of his car into the Minnesota summer heat and investigate.
Something very bad has happened, indeed.
After seeing the grisly scene, McKenzie backs out of the home and calls it in. The woman has gone catatonic from the shock and the fact that the first officer on the scene from the Anoka Police Department is abusive towards her doesn't help. When he becomes violent with the woman, McKenzie interferes and the officer turns on him with the ultimate result that McKenzie soon finds himself in jail. That causes the dream, one that he hadn't had for quite awhile, to return in all its disturbing glory.
He later learns when he is finally released many hours later that the woman who flagged him down, Merodie Davies, is in custody. While she hasn't been charged yet in the murder of Eli Thomas Jefferson, she does have an attorney, G. K. Bonalay. Bonalay enlists McKenzie's help in the case. With him doing the legwork and Bonalay using her connections, they begin to unravel a sordid mess going back deep into the past.
Powerfully connected people corrupt to their core in Minnesota have long been a theme in this series and it is very present in this novel. So too are others such as violence, murder, McKenzie's troubled past, his romance with Nina, and many other items long familiar to readers of this strong series.
Unlike most series books, this one can be treated as a stand alone for readers new to this series. Other than the dream which is a nightmare and referred to again in detail in several places in this novel, earlier events in the series are not covered at all or get the barest of mentions. The nightmare/dream sequence is used to remind readers of his past as well as to create another obstacle in this novel for him to surmount as he works an increasingly complex and challenging case.
Edgar award winning author David Housewright has penned another strong novel that entertains while delivering something to think about after the book is done. This is another good one.
Dead Boyfriends
David Housewright
http://www.davidhousewright.com/
St. Martin's Minotaur
http://minotaurbooks.com/
ISBN# 0-312-34830-4
May 2007
Hardback
278 Pages
Kevin R. Tipple © 2008
Earl Staggs
Just a reminder that EARL STAGGS will actually be doing his appearance SUNDAY and not on Monday as previously announced. The material that was sent to me was in error and has been corrected in the posting below.
May 11--Earl Staggs, HoTxSinC program
Barnes & Noble Westlake
701S. Capital of Texas Hwy.#P860
Austin
512-328-3155.
For more information contact hotxsinc@yahoo.com .
If you are in the area, I hope you will come out and see him. Earl is one of the good guys in this business and is always willing and able to talk about the writing process. And his book, MEMORY OF A MURDER is a very good book.
Kevin R. Tipple (c) 2008
May 11--Earl Staggs, HoTxSinC program
Barnes & Noble Westlake
701S. Capital of Texas Hwy.#P860
Austin
512-328-3155.
For more information contact hotxsinc@yahoo.com .
If you are in the area, I hope you will come out and see him. Earl is one of the good guys in this business and is always willing and able to talk about the writing process. And his book, MEMORY OF A MURDER is a very good book.
Kevin R. Tipple (c) 2008
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Reviewing: The Deal by Adam Gittlin
Jonah Gray is the youngest member of a four member team at Platinum Commercial Building and Land (PCBL). Located at the Chrysler Center in New York City, the company handles commercial real estate in the city. They make a lot of money and do whatever it takes to get business done. Jonah Gray continues the family tradition in real estate and is very good at it. Much like the real life Donald Trump, the fictional Jonah Gray wants everyone to know it including the reader. His ego knows no bounds and absolutely anything can be done.
Because he has the reputation of being the man to go to and his contacts are everywhere, it isn’t surprising that Andreu Zhamovsky contacts him one morning though it has been a couple of years since they last spoke. Business keeps both men busy with Andreu owning the controlling interest in Prevkos, one of the world’s most important natural gas corporations and a key player on the Russian stock exchange. He and his family are old friends dating back to the seventies and the relationship between their fathers. Andreu is family as far as Jonah is concerned but this day he wants to talk business.
Jonah agrees to meet that evening and does where Andreu announces that he has a proposal for Jonah. A massive deal that if done within the three week time table required by Andreu will create a million dollar plus payoff for each member of Jonah’s team and will be a huge real estate coup as the market rebounds after the events of September 11, 2001. Naturally, he accepts.
Huge mistake.
While he and the other members of his team work on this new project, Jonah becomes slowly involved in two secondary storylines where his partying lifestyle is a huge factor. In both cases, beauty hides sinister secrets that could easily get him killed. The question quickly becomes whether or not he can solve those issues and stay alive so that he can make the deal, which has its own issues, happen.
This second novel written by Adam Gittlin, a commercial real estate executive in New York City is clearly a case of the classic mantra "write what you know" in large part. It starts amazingly slow for a novel branded as a thriller. The first one hundred pages or so not only sets up the main storyline, they also serve to allow Jonah Gray to information dump about his lifestyle driven by excess in every area as well as the detailed ins and outs of the commercial real estate market. Full of the ominous "if only had I known" cliché worked in various ways, the book makes full use of the author’s background and grinds along at a snail’s pace as the situation regarding the main storyline is developed in great detail.
Those first one hundred pages or so also creates a main character that becomes despised. A flawed human being who could easily say the famous movie line, “Greed is good” before telling you in great name dropping detail just how good regarding clothing, dinner, and the woman he took to bed last night. Life is amazingly good for Jonah and it is only as his life begins to unravel we learn that there is another side to him. Like everything in the book, appearances are deceiving and at his core, thanks to his baptism by fire, he is a far different person than the materialistic person at the beginning of the 456 page novel.
What starts at a snails pace is more than made up for in the last one hundred pages as the reader is rocketed through a maze of pathways to a very satisfying conclusion. While this novel does suffer from information dumping and overwriting at spots throughout the novel, the last fourth of the book as things come together works with one obvious plot twist and a host of others that weren’t obvious. The result is a pretty good novel that becomes intense and well worth the time in the second half of the book.
Just try to arrange things so that you can read the last one hundred pages in one sitting as you aren’t going to want to quit once you get there.
The Deal
Adam Gittlin
http://www.adamgittlin.com/
Oceanview Publishing
http://www.oceanviewpublishing.com/
2008
ISBN# 978-1-933515-13-7
ARC
Kevin R. Tipple © 2008
Friday, May 02, 2008
Tenth Annual 2008 Texas Mystery Month
The below was sent to me via my local writing group. Make sure to verify events using the contact info provided on each one as things are always subject to change.
****************************************************************
Sisters in Crime Heart of Texas Chapter is pleased to announce the Tenth Annual 2008 Texas Mystery Month in May. The purpose of Texas Mystery Month is to spotlight Texas Mystery Authors. Texas Mystery Month events include panel discussions, book signings, author presentations and more. Houston and San Antonio are joining Austin in celebrating Texas Mystery Month in May. Below is the current calendar of events.
Saturday, May 3--2:00 p.m. Laura Griffin, signing, author of One Wrong
Step Barnes & Noble Round Rock. The store is located in the La Frontera
Village at the intersection of IH 35 and SH-45.
May 11--Earl Staggs, HoTxSinC program Barnes & Noble Westlake- Austin, 701
S. Capital of Texas Hwy.#P860, Austin, 512-328-3155. For more information
contact hotxsinc@yahoo.com .
Wednesday, May 14--'How to Write a Mystery: Session One'
David Ciambrone, Sc.D. 7:00-9:00 p.m. Barnes & Noble Westlake-Austin The
Village Shopping Center, 701 Capital of Texas Highway South, southeast
corner of 360 & 183, 512-338-3155
Thursday, May 15--'How to Write a Mystery: Session Two'
David Ciambrone, Sc.D. 7:00-9:00 p.m. Barnes & Noble Westlake-Austin, The
Village Shopping Center, 701 Capital of Texas Highway South, southeast
corner of 360 & 183, 512-338-3155
Friday, May 16 --'How to Write a Mystery: Session Three'
David Ciambrone, Sc.D. 7:00-9:00 p.m. Barnes & Noble Westlake-Austin, The
Village Shopping Center, 701 Capital of Texas Highway South, southeast
corner of 360 & 183, 1-512-338-3155
Thursday, May 15--Ben Rehder -- 6:30 p.m. Signing at Murder by the Book,
2342 Bissonnet St., Houston, TX 77005 (713) 524-8597 / (888) 4-AGATHA
order@murderbooks.com / www.murderbooks.com
Saturday, May 17--2 to 6pm – Marcia Spillers "Writing a Mystery Novel
using Screenwriting Techniques.” Recommended reading:
"Writing for Emotional Impact" by Karl Iglesias. Barnes and Noble
Westlake, Austin. The Village Shopping Center, 701 Capital of Texas
Highway South. 512-338-3155.
Saturday, May 17-- 2:00 p.m. Dave Ciambrone & Sylvia Dickey Smith, Signing
Barnes & Noble Northwoods San Antonio 18030 Hwy 281 N, Ste. 140 San
Antonio TX 78232 1-210-490-0937 crm2927@bn.com
Saturday, May 17--Rick Riordan, time TBA Signing at Murder by the Book
2342 Bissonnet St., Houston, TX 77005 (713) 524-8597 / (888) 4-AGATHA
order@murderbooks.com / www.murderbooks.com
Sunday, May 18--Barbara Burnett Smith Aspiring Writers Event,
2-5 p.m. Barnes & Noble Westlake-Austin, 701 S. Capital of Texas
Hwy.#P860, Austin, 512-328-3155. For more information contact
hotxsinc@yahoo.com .
Saturday May 24 -- 4:30p.m. "What comes first?" panel with
Sisters in Crime Final Twist Chapter; Murder by the Book 2342 Bissonnet
St. Houston, Texas 77005 (713) 524-8597 (888) 4-AGATHA
****************************************************************
Sisters in Crime Heart of Texas Chapter is pleased to announce the Tenth Annual 2008 Texas Mystery Month in May. The purpose of Texas Mystery Month is to spotlight Texas Mystery Authors. Texas Mystery Month events include panel discussions, book signings, author presentations and more. Houston and San Antonio are joining Austin in celebrating Texas Mystery Month in May. Below is the current calendar of events.
Saturday, May 3--2:00 p.m. Laura Griffin, signing, author of One Wrong
Step Barnes & Noble Round Rock. The store is located in the La Frontera
Village at the intersection of IH 35 and SH-45.
May 11--Earl Staggs, HoTxSinC program Barnes & Noble Westlake- Austin, 701
S. Capital of Texas Hwy.#P860, Austin, 512-328-3155. For more information
contact hotxsinc@yahoo.com .
Wednesday, May 14--'How to Write a Mystery: Session One'
David Ciambrone, Sc.D. 7:00-9:00 p.m. Barnes & Noble Westlake-Austin The
Village Shopping Center, 701 Capital of Texas Highway South, southeast
corner of 360 & 183, 512-338-3155
Thursday, May 15--'How to Write a Mystery: Session Two'
David Ciambrone, Sc.D. 7:00-9:00 p.m. Barnes & Noble Westlake-Austin, The
Village Shopping Center, 701 Capital of Texas Highway South, southeast
corner of 360 & 183, 512-338-3155
Friday, May 16 --'How to Write a Mystery: Session Three'
David Ciambrone, Sc.D. 7:00-9:00 p.m. Barnes & Noble Westlake-Austin, The
Village Shopping Center, 701 Capital of Texas Highway South, southeast
corner of 360 & 183, 1-512-338-3155
Thursday, May 15--Ben Rehder -- 6:30 p.m. Signing at Murder by the Book,
2342 Bissonnet St., Houston, TX 77005 (713) 524-8597 / (888) 4-AGATHA
order@murderbooks.com / www.murderbooks.com
Saturday, May 17--2 to 6pm – Marcia Spillers "Writing a Mystery Novel
using Screenwriting Techniques.” Recommended reading:
"Writing for Emotional Impact" by Karl Iglesias. Barnes and Noble
Westlake, Austin. The Village Shopping Center, 701 Capital of Texas
Highway South. 512-338-3155.
Saturday, May 17-- 2:00 p.m. Dave Ciambrone & Sylvia Dickey Smith, Signing
Barnes & Noble Northwoods San Antonio 18030 Hwy 281 N, Ste. 140 San
Antonio TX 78232 1-210-490-0937 crm2927@bn.com
Saturday, May 17--Rick Riordan, time TBA Signing at Murder by the Book
2342 Bissonnet St., Houston, TX 77005 (713) 524-8597 / (888) 4-AGATHA
order@murderbooks.com / www.murderbooks.com
Sunday, May 18--Barbara Burnett Smith Aspiring Writers Event,
2-5 p.m. Barnes & Noble Westlake-Austin, 701 S. Capital of Texas
Hwy.#P860, Austin, 512-328-3155. For more information contact
hotxsinc@yahoo.com .
Saturday May 24 -- 4:30p.m. "What comes first?" panel with
Sisters in Crime Final Twist Chapter; Murder by the Book 2342 Bissonnet
St. Houston, Texas 77005 (713) 524-8597 (888) 4-AGATHA
Monday, April 28, 2008
Reviewing: Stranger In Paradise: A Jesse Stone Novel
For Police Chief Jesse Stone, the return of Wilson "Crow" Cromartie is a bit of a surprise. When last seen, he was fleeing Paradise, Massachusetts with a lot of cash and leaving wreckage, dead bodies and shaken hostages in his wake. While he wasn't responsible for all of it, he was there and he was involved. What they know he did and what they can prove he did are two different things and for Jesse Stone there is also that nasty little statute of limitations problem regarding what happened. Known to one and all as "Crow" he wants Jesse to know that he is in town on business and looking for someone. Once that person is found, Crow will report the news to his employer who may or may not have further instructions on the matter. When that happens they will have to go from there because Crow may or may not do his employer's bidding depending on the situation. In a weird way, Crow and Jesse have a lot in common and it could be argued that they are two sides of the same coin.
It isn't surprising that before long Crow and Jesse are actively working together to protect a young out of control teenager from her drunken mother and mobster father. To do so, Jesse has to enlist his ex-wife Jenn in the cause who is in town anyway to investigate and report on the alleged rising influx of Hispanic gangs. Last time Crow was involved a bridge was blown up. This time the causeway will be the scene of a violent showdown with just as explosive results.
The fact that little separates the characters of Spenser and Jesse as envisioned by Robert B. Parker has always been self evident. In this case, it goes a bit over the top with the addition of Crow who could also be known as the American Indian Hawk. Like Spencer's sidekick Hawk, Crow is the strong silent type who gets things done in mysterious ways that others can't prove and is irresistible to the ladies as well as the sameness in bird reference names. The only difference between the two of them is the fact that Crow is American Indian.
What has made this series more interesting than the Spenser series is the heavier psychological component of the main character. While Spenser has his dark moments, Jesse lives with darkness everyday and copes as best as he can often through self medication using alcohol. Beyond the obvious relationship issue which Susan and Spencer deal with and Jesse and Jenn deal with, there has been the issue of Jesse's drinking. Initially, Jesse's drinking caused him to come to Paradise and has been used by his work in therapy to consider other issues. Increasingly, the psychological reasons why events happen and people act they way they do has become a major storyline in the series from book to book. That is the case again here with references to the above stated issues as well as something else which drives one long running character to act in a way totally unexpected.
Author Robert B. Parker has penned another fast moving tale with plenty of action, occasional violence as well as retrospective moments, set in bucolic Paradise, Massachusetts. The folks that live there really need to think about changing the name of the place.
Stranger In Paradise: A Jesse Stone Novel
Robert B. Parker
Thorndike Press
Hardcover Large Print Edition
ISBN# 1-4104-0369-6
2008
323 Pages
Kevin R. Tipple © 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Reviewing: "Chasing Eden" by S. L. Linnea
It's early April, 2003 and Major Jamie Richards (Chaplin) is driving a Humvee as part of a six vehicle convoy in Iraq. They are part of the Fifth (V) Corps and their mission is to support the troops with vital supplies such as water, ammunition and fuel as they battle towards Baghdad. Their little six vehicle convoy has become separated from the rest of their supply unit and will soon separate again as Janie's vehicle has broken down.
While undergoing repairs, a woman stumbles out of the dark Iraq desert towards the remaining two vehicles. It takes Chaplin Richards a few moments to place her as the sight is so out of the current context. It is the beautiful Adara Dunbar, who Chaplin Richards last saw back at Princeton Seminary when Chaplin Richards was working on her Masters in World Religions. Now, they are halfway around the world, in a war zone with a sandstorm attacking them. The badly hurt Adara has a message for Jamie that doesn't make a lot of sense. Not only is the rest of their convoy under attack, Adara has a mission for Chaplin Richards to perform since she can't do it herself.
Adara's mission demand and questions for her will have to wait while Chaplin Richards and what is left of their convoy race to help their fellow soldiers and they are quickly involved in the battle. Because they are distracted, they miss the assassin in their midst who is trying to kill Richards. Thwarted in his attempt, after making sure Richards is watching, he kills Adara and vanishes back into the dark Iraq desert leaving the body of her friend and the image of his eyes in her mind. That and the knowledge she has to honor her friend by doing what has been asked of her despite all the obstacles in her path.
At the same time that early April morning in 2003, the National Museum of Iraq is quietly robbed. Not with guns blazing but by men with plenty of cash. Cash has been delivered, there are no American soldiers anywhere around in the inexplicably quiet area, and before long, the carefully selected antiquities are gone. Antiquities that have great historical significance as well possibly the keys needed to finally find the location of Eden somewhere within Iraq.
This is one of those epic style thrillers told through various points of view while delving deep into concepts such as the one true race, secret societies, the Aaryan Brotherhood, and others including the core idea that events at the societal as well as at the personal scale have been orchestrated for hundreds of years. Not only that this war was planned for this time to achieve a certain end goal but that everything in some lives has been orchestrated from before their birth so that he or she would be in the right place at the exact right time. Ideas such as these populate the thriller world and have been done by David Morrell, Robert Ludlum and others too numerous to name.
As such, there isn't anything new here for readers heavily versed in the thriller genre. The idea that every single thing has been orchestrated in advance is used repeatedly to explain every coincidence in the book. The idea that yet another secret society/group/organization, whatever is behind the previous lie one character tells another but this time he or she is telling the absolute truth is a constant story telling device throughout the book. And then there is the fact that like her television namesake from long ago, Chaplin Jamie Richards can go and go with very little sleep and even less emotion.
The result is a thriller that, while not boring, certainly doesn't thrill. This first novel in the series is enjoyable overall and certainly the frequent discussions between characters regarding religion, politics and history as well as media manipulation are interesting while working as thinly disguised information dumps. The twists and turns the adventure takes are also fairly entertaining once one accepts the amazing amount of coincidence early on the novel as well as the idea that everything has been orchestrated back through time.
While conspiracy theorists will soak all of this right up as proof of what they vehemently believe regarding various issues covered in the book including the current ongoing war in Iraq, general readers may find that this a novel that while good, isn't great and could have been so much more if the authors had truly written something different in the genre.
Chasing Eden
S. L. Linnea
http://www.edenthrillers.com/authors.html
St. Martin's Paperbacks
http://us.macmillan.com/SMP.aspx
June 2007
Paperback
352 Pages
Kevin R. Tipple © 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Reviewing: "Some Like It Hot-Buttered" by Jeffrey Cohen
Having a patron die in your theater isn't a good thing especially if all you show are comedy films. It isn't like the movie scared the patron to death. Having a patron die because the popcorn was poisoned is worse. For Mr. Elliot Freed, the death of Mr. Vincent Ansella is a shock. After all, Mr. Ansella, who had occupied seat 18 of row S, is his first dead customer. He isn't quite sure how to react.
A fairly common malady in his life. Thanks to a novel that did okay and was successfully butchered into something that doesn't remotely resemble his book by Hollywood, Eliot Freed has a bit of money and no desire to ever write anything again. He has no marriage either though he does have a somewhat civil relationship with his ex, Sharon. They have lunch once a week. Then there are the monthly alimony checks he gets from her as well as the way he still feels when he looks at her.
While he doesn't have a car and instead rides a bike, he does have a struggling theater that has few customers. Freed owns the former "Rialto" with all its problems and has renamed it "Comedy Tonight." He shows a comedy double feature consisting of a one current film and an older title. Despite the efforts of "Young Frankenstein" and "Count Bubba, Down-Home Vampire," Mr. Ansella died and that isn't going to help ticket sales.
Neither is the fact that the local police have to close his theater because it is now a crime scene. Getting it back open on a steady basis isn't going to be helped by the fact that the police soon discover that he has a pirating operation going on out of the basement. It would be easy to blame his suddenly missing employee for everything that has happened and something the local police seem perfectly willing to do. Freed is sure that the employee, a film major at Rutgers, had nothing to do with any of it and sets out to prove his innocence and save his theater. Bumming a car when he needs one, Freed begins digging into the case despite being warned off by everyone involved.
It would be easy to compare this novel to the Aaron Tucker series and find it wanting. The humor of the parental dynamic as well as Tucker's often strange adventures drives that series and that sort of thing isn't present at all. Freed has no kids and doesn't have a dog. While Tucker gets involved in strange stuff or things go differently than expected, Freed is more of an everyday guy that just had something happen to him that has to be dealt as best as he can. Tucker is a writer and as such for those of us in the business at whatever level there is a resonance in his amusing tales of the world of publishing. Freed has walked away from writing and only briefly relates what happened to his novel and why he has given up writing. Not to mention the fact that the Aaron Tucker series often relies on the madcap in terms of humor and that certainly isn't the case here.
But, this book isn't an Aaron Tucker series novel and therefore should not be judged on that standard. This book has to be judged on its own merits as will the series to come. Comedically, while it does not have the explosive laughter moments for this reader, it does have a number of amusing chuckle type moments as Freed references cultural and movie items. Those that have a strong grounding in comedy films will get considerably more out of the novel than those who do not.
While the book is somewhat predictable with a large part of the resolution foreshadowed early on, there are enough twists and a couple of nice surprises to keep readers highly entertained. The book moves at a pretty good pace though it does stop occasionally for Freed to summarize in depth what has gone on and that seemed a bit redundant and excessive. Still, that is a minor quibble and did not really have a negative impact on the book as it falls under more of a personal preference category. Overall, the book is a pleasant read and a nice start to an interesting character and new series. Next up in the series is "It Happened One Knife" and is currently scheduled to be released in July.
Some Like It Hot-Buttered: A Double Feature Mystery
By Jeffrey Cohen
http://www.aarontucker.com/
Berkley Prime Crime
http://www.penguin.com/
ISBN # 978-0-425-21799-3
Paperback
299 Pages
$6.99
Kevin R. Tipple © 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Children's Book Review: "The Cake Thief" by Sally O. Lee
Targeted at the three to eight year old reader this charming children's book tells the tale of Clarence. Clarence lives in a beautiful town in the mountains and always wears a black mask covering his face. He lives in a gray house with a purple door. He has a cat named Evelyn. He is also a loaner and doesn't talk to folks in town.
He is also the cake thief.
He likes to steal cakes of all kinds. One morning he finds, instead of the cake he was going to steal, a note inviting him to a party. The requirement is that he bring a cake which means he is actually going to have to make a cake. Clarence has no idea how to make a cake and is scared of the concept. He learns to do so, attends the party and also learns he doesn't have to steal from others which allows him to no longer feel the need to hide behind his mask.
Written and beautifully illustrated by the author, this children's book is guaranteed to please both kids and the adults in their lives. The book tells the story in simple error free text that never talks down to the reader while providing an entertaining tale based in morality. The book has garnered some criticism here and elsewhere over the word choice the author has used citing the word "fret" as one example. From the text:
But Clarence did not know how to bake a cake or make frosting or turn on the oven. So he went home and began to fret. He fretted in the bedroom. He fretted in the living room. He fretted in the dining room, and finally he fretted in the kitchen.
For the age group targeted, the word could be a problem for the bottom end of the range. However, from my own experience in classrooms, I am aware that often the word "fret" is part of the basic vocabulary list in the lower grades and therefore works fine with the upper age group. If it is a problem in the lower age range, most likely the child reader would be working with an adult who would assist and as a result create a teachable moment.
In addition to the flowing text that works very well, there are the illustrations which are clear, non-threatening, and vibrant in support of the text. These colorful illustrations not only support the text but make a turning point very clear to young readers later in the story when the mask disappears. Most children are very quick to pick up on such techniques and it works well in this case.
The result is a wonderful read guaranteed to provide many pleasant experiences.
The Cake Thief
Written and Illustrated by Sally O. Lee
BookSurge Publishing
http://www.booksurge.com
2008
Paperback
34 Pages
Kevin R. Tipple © 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Reviewing: "The Worst Person In The World and 202 Strong Contenders"
For those that don't know, Keith Olbermann hosts a very well done news show on MNSBC known as Countdown. During the hour long show, he along with a bevy of reporters, commentators, political pundits, etc. take a look at what he has determined has been the top five news stories of the day. He lightens the mood with several different fluff type segments during the show and one of those is his worst person of the world pieces.
In the segment, he pokes fun at the three individuals who he considers being the worst persons in the world on a given day. While many with little or no evidence accuse Keith Olberman of being "left wing", "liberal" or less polite terms, in the segments he manages to hit every political position equally. While he hits everyone, Bill O' Reilly and other fixtures at Fox News are often winners and there seems to be a definite personal dislike by both sides directed at the other. There are numerous other targets such as Ann Coulter, Robert Novak, Tom Cruise, Kevin Federline and many other notable names as well as plenty of folks you may never have heard of before.
Hence the premise of the book. Much like Jack Cafferty's book, "It's Getting Ugly Out There" if you are familiar with the show or original product, there is absolutely no real reason to read this book. At least in that case, Mr. Cafferty provided a little background into his own life and offered a few general thoughts regarding the country and the future. That isn't the case here.
After explaining how the segment came to be on his show, Mr. Olberman recites many of the segments that have run from July 2005 to June 2006. No context regarding any of the entries beyond what was said on air at the time is provided nor is there any update on the more obscure nominees. As in his show, special venom in the book is reserved for Bill O. Reilly as he is taken to task in both the prologue and the epilogue.
For those of us familiar with Countdown and the worst person's segments, there isn't anything new here. However, some of the pieces that ran quite some time ago are still very funny while at the same time pointing out how little some things have changed. Those unfamiliar with the concept won't have the signature music that goes with the deal but will be enlightened and entertained in their first exposure to the items and the concept.
In that sense it is a good book as it exposes a new audience to his work.
It is also such an amazingly easy way to write a book and make a buck.
The Worst Person In The World and 202 Strong Contenders
By Keith Olberman
John Wiley & Sons
http://wiley.com/
2006
ISBN #0-470-04495-0
Hardcover
267 Pages
Kevin R. Tipple © 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Children's Book Review: "The Little Candy Breathing Dragons"
The Little Candy Breathing Dragons
Written by Gloria Clark
Illustrated by Bobbi Switzer
Outskirts Press
http://www.outskirtspress.com
February, 2008
ISBN# 978-1-4327-1510-6
36 Pages
$12.95
This childrens book tells the tale of two little candy dragons who live in the land of snow and ice known as Buffalo. Unlike normal run of the mill dragons, these two candy dragons who simply are the cutest of their kind blow out the scent of a scrumptious candy cane instead of fire. Nay-Nay is the quiet, shy one with her red and white mane. Nay-Nay is very different from her sister Maj who loves to talk, makes friends with anyone, and has a beautiful mane of her own.
One day they go off exploring and have an adventure by meeting various animals in distress. There is the puppy dog with no feet known as Tootie Slim. There is the lost bear known as Munchkin. There is the old blind cat named Mrs. Pookie who has also lost her tail. Then, there is the deer, Butchie, who has fallen down a well and can't get out. There are numerous other animals in distress and in each case the candy dragons are able to help in one way or another. They continue on until they find themselves in a sort of paradise where they are met by the wise old owl known as Uncle Dee. He counsels them on the way to get home and tells them that in addition to all the good deeds they have done, one has to be obedient, kind, and loving as there is no other way. Before long, the dragons are back home in the land of snow and ice safe and sound and enriched by their experiences.
Clearly this is a work of love by the author who has created this book in the memory of her late son and plans to dedicate future books to him. The names of the dragons are for her young granddaughters and it is clear that this is a work grounded in family and the author's faith.
However, there are serious issues with the book. The first and most obvious to readers is the heavy handedness of the religious theme. While no mention is made of the religious theme on the publisher website, this book is centered heavily into the idea that Christianity is the one and only way to God. The concept is pushed with zero subtly throughout the book. References to God, the Christian way of doing things, having a blessed day, etc are frequently stated on every page. After each animal is rescued either the young dragons refer directly to God and helping people or the animal does before the parties go their separate ways.
Then there are situations such as the woman who takes the blind cat in as being referred to her directly as Mrs. Pookie's savior, the land of sunshine, flowers, etc near the end is directly referred to as being paradise and is ruled in harmony by a wise old owl/god, etc. This constant religious drumbeat centered around one and only religion being the way to God will disturb some readers. One would expect such heavy handedness from a faith based publisher regarding the theme and would know that going in, but, in this case, customers are not aware of this situation on any level based on the synopsis at the subsidy/self publisher or elsewhere.
Beyond the page after page of religious preaching, there are problems with the way the text and book is constructed. The illustrations by Bobbi Switzer on the cover and each right hand page are a nice touch and are entertaining on their own. The text is placed on the left side with no paragraphs or line spacing. Because of this, the text frequently doesn't line up correctly with the illustrations being used. This, in addition to frequent incorrect punctuation within the rhyming text often makes sentences start incorrectly or end at the wrong place. Such problems make this book at times a difficult read for its intended audience of children as well as adults.
Ultimately, this is a book that is difficult to recommend to any audience. Even if one ignores the peachiness of the work on page after page and nearly every line, one can't ignore the flaws regarding the text. With two dragons named after the author's granddaughters and the book dedicated to her late son, it is unfortunate that the author didn't make some editorial changes before proceeding with publication. Hopefully, future books planned in this series will address some of these issues.
Kevin R. Tipple © 2008
Written by Gloria Clark
Illustrated by Bobbi Switzer
Outskirts Press
http://www.outskirtspress.com
February, 2008
ISBN# 978-1-4327-1510-6
36 Pages
$12.95
This childrens book tells the tale of two little candy dragons who live in the land of snow and ice known as Buffalo. Unlike normal run of the mill dragons, these two candy dragons who simply are the cutest of their kind blow out the scent of a scrumptious candy cane instead of fire. Nay-Nay is the quiet, shy one with her red and white mane. Nay-Nay is very different from her sister Maj who loves to talk, makes friends with anyone, and has a beautiful mane of her own.
One day they go off exploring and have an adventure by meeting various animals in distress. There is the puppy dog with no feet known as Tootie Slim. There is the lost bear known as Munchkin. There is the old blind cat named Mrs. Pookie who has also lost her tail. Then, there is the deer, Butchie, who has fallen down a well and can't get out. There are numerous other animals in distress and in each case the candy dragons are able to help in one way or another. They continue on until they find themselves in a sort of paradise where they are met by the wise old owl known as Uncle Dee. He counsels them on the way to get home and tells them that in addition to all the good deeds they have done, one has to be obedient, kind, and loving as there is no other way. Before long, the dragons are back home in the land of snow and ice safe and sound and enriched by their experiences.
Clearly this is a work of love by the author who has created this book in the memory of her late son and plans to dedicate future books to him. The names of the dragons are for her young granddaughters and it is clear that this is a work grounded in family and the author's faith.
However, there are serious issues with the book. The first and most obvious to readers is the heavy handedness of the religious theme. While no mention is made of the religious theme on the publisher website, this book is centered heavily into the idea that Christianity is the one and only way to God. The concept is pushed with zero subtly throughout the book. References to God, the Christian way of doing things, having a blessed day, etc are frequently stated on every page. After each animal is rescued either the young dragons refer directly to God and helping people or the animal does before the parties go their separate ways.
Then there are situations such as the woman who takes the blind cat in as being referred to her directly as Mrs. Pookie's savior, the land of sunshine, flowers, etc near the end is directly referred to as being paradise and is ruled in harmony by a wise old owl/god, etc. This constant religious drumbeat centered around one and only religion being the way to God will disturb some readers. One would expect such heavy handedness from a faith based publisher regarding the theme and would know that going in, but, in this case, customers are not aware of this situation on any level based on the synopsis at the subsidy/self publisher or elsewhere.
Beyond the page after page of religious preaching, there are problems with the way the text and book is constructed. The illustrations by Bobbi Switzer on the cover and each right hand page are a nice touch and are entertaining on their own. The text is placed on the left side with no paragraphs or line spacing. Because of this, the text frequently doesn't line up correctly with the illustrations being used. This, in addition to frequent incorrect punctuation within the rhyming text often makes sentences start incorrectly or end at the wrong place. Such problems make this book at times a difficult read for its intended audience of children as well as adults.
Ultimately, this is a book that is difficult to recommend to any audience. Even if one ignores the peachiness of the work on page after page and nearly every line, one can't ignore the flaws regarding the text. With two dragons named after the author's granddaughters and the book dedicated to her late son, it is unfortunate that the author didn't make some editorial changes before proceeding with publication. Hopefully, future books planned in this series will address some of these issues.
Kevin R. Tipple © 2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Children's Book Review: "Astro Socks: A Novel" by Leigh M. Le Creux
Astro Socks: A Novel
By Leigh M. Le Creux
iUniverse, Inc.
http://www.iuniverse.com/
2008
ISBN #978-0-595-46375-6
75 Pages
$9.95
Chris is a normal ten year old boy in the fifth grade. He wants to be an inventor when he grows up. In the meantime, life is a bit different these days since his baby sister arrived. Now, his mom has to stay home nearly all the time to take care of the baby and Chris isn't happy about that. They don't get to spend time together like they used to or go anywhere together. Now he has to ride the school bus or get dad to take him and mom isn't around his school during the day like she used to be. Still, all in all, Rachel is cute and he likes to play with her and he is adjusting to the new family dynamic. The real issue these days is that she keeps losing a sock and according to mom it is becoming a real problem.
Chris, intrigued by the problem gets to thinking on it as he tries to invent a solution. Despite numerous setbacks and his own tempter tantrum that mom helps him deal with; he finally comes up with an idea. An idea that leads him to e-mail correspondence with a very important person at NuPont, an issue aboard the space station, and a way to prove mom's point that anything is possible when one puts his or her mind to it.
Several years ago when my youngest was still in elementary school, the students were required to do a mandatory book creation project each spring. Each student was required to write and illustrate a story that would be bound in hardcover by some company and sent back to the family for posterity. While the first book was free, friends and family were encouraged to order extras to celebrate the achievement of seeing the child's work in print in a hardback book.
This book reminds one of those projects. After an acknowledgement written by the author thanking mom for being a spiritual agent as well as designing the cover, dad for his glowing reviews, husband for his support, daughter for hers, son for his, his fifth grade class and teacher Mrs. Monroe who provided illustrations and the back cover blurb quote as to how utterly fantastic the book is respectively, the author writes a forward as well as an introduction about the creative process and inspiration. The back of the book features more of the same from pages 69 to the end using quotes from child readers and a plug for other projects being developed by the author.
In between is the actual text of the story. A story that will annoy many adults because beyond the occasional typo and frequent punctuation errors, the premise itself is fatally flawed. Beyond the sheer unbelievably of the tale that a child asks a question via e-mail to the Lead Project Engineer that solves an engineering problem for a company trying to help astronauts aboard the space station or the fact that the plant gears up mass production for testing within hours of the signing of the contract between the family and the company among many other issues, the patent process doesn't remotely work the way described by the author. What would take months, if not years, is time compressed into a matter of a few days in this regard as well in nearly every other issue. The book, for adult readers, fails the plausibility test and will drive those of us who have engineers in the family crazy.
However, this book was designed and created for children and not adult readers. For the age group targeted, elementary school age children, this book tells an inspiring story at a fast pace. Because of their lack of sophistication they won't notice the flaws and instead will be captivated by the tale and illustrations. For that age group, the book succeeds in its mission even while making adults cringe.
Kevin R. Tipple © 2008
By Leigh M. Le Creux
iUniverse, Inc.
http://www.iuniverse.com/
2008
ISBN #978-0-595-46375-6
75 Pages
$9.95
Chris is a normal ten year old boy in the fifth grade. He wants to be an inventor when he grows up. In the meantime, life is a bit different these days since his baby sister arrived. Now, his mom has to stay home nearly all the time to take care of the baby and Chris isn't happy about that. They don't get to spend time together like they used to or go anywhere together. Now he has to ride the school bus or get dad to take him and mom isn't around his school during the day like she used to be. Still, all in all, Rachel is cute and he likes to play with her and he is adjusting to the new family dynamic. The real issue these days is that she keeps losing a sock and according to mom it is becoming a real problem.
Chris, intrigued by the problem gets to thinking on it as he tries to invent a solution. Despite numerous setbacks and his own tempter tantrum that mom helps him deal with; he finally comes up with an idea. An idea that leads him to e-mail correspondence with a very important person at NuPont, an issue aboard the space station, and a way to prove mom's point that anything is possible when one puts his or her mind to it.
Several years ago when my youngest was still in elementary school, the students were required to do a mandatory book creation project each spring. Each student was required to write and illustrate a story that would be bound in hardcover by some company and sent back to the family for posterity. While the first book was free, friends and family were encouraged to order extras to celebrate the achievement of seeing the child's work in print in a hardback book.
This book reminds one of those projects. After an acknowledgement written by the author thanking mom for being a spiritual agent as well as designing the cover, dad for his glowing reviews, husband for his support, daughter for hers, son for his, his fifth grade class and teacher Mrs. Monroe who provided illustrations and the back cover blurb quote as to how utterly fantastic the book is respectively, the author writes a forward as well as an introduction about the creative process and inspiration. The back of the book features more of the same from pages 69 to the end using quotes from child readers and a plug for other projects being developed by the author.
In between is the actual text of the story. A story that will annoy many adults because beyond the occasional typo and frequent punctuation errors, the premise itself is fatally flawed. Beyond the sheer unbelievably of the tale that a child asks a question via e-mail to the Lead Project Engineer that solves an engineering problem for a company trying to help astronauts aboard the space station or the fact that the plant gears up mass production for testing within hours of the signing of the contract between the family and the company among many other issues, the patent process doesn't remotely work the way described by the author. What would take months, if not years, is time compressed into a matter of a few days in this regard as well in nearly every other issue. The book, for adult readers, fails the plausibility test and will drive those of us who have engineers in the family crazy.
However, this book was designed and created for children and not adult readers. For the age group targeted, elementary school age children, this book tells an inspiring story at a fast pace. Because of their lack of sophistication they won't notice the flaws and instead will be captivated by the tale and illustrations. For that age group, the book succeeds in its mission even while making adults cringe.
Kevin R. Tipple © 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
The Plano Tornado
We believe our complex was hit by a small tornado this morning. Our car port is damaged but the cars are okay--just covered in mud and leaves. We have roof damage, some, and lost several windows. Damage across the complex is much more severe with sections of roofs missing, car ports flattened on top of cars, trees down and spiked into buildings, most of the fencing is down, etc. We got off lucky.
Channel 4 was here live this morning in the complex with DAN GODWYN (sp?) interviewing folks. I'm not putting my fat butt on TV.
Haven't slept since it hit just after 4. So much for following doctor's order's to relax and rest.
Channel 4 was here live this morning in the complex with DAN GODWYN (sp?) interviewing folks. I'm not putting my fat butt on TV.
Haven't slept since it hit just after 4. So much for following doctor's order's to relax and rest.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Reviewing: "Last Call" by James Grippando
Last Call
James Grippando
http://www.jamesgrippando.com/
Harper
http://www.harpercollins.com/
2008
ISBN #978-0-06-083116-5
Hardback
326 Pages
$24.95
Miami lawyer Jack Swyteck returns as does just about everyone he knows in this latest offering centered around his best friend, Theo Knight. Years ago, Theo and his brother Tatum were riding around in a restored 1964 Chevy Impala that was decked out in the latest gang imagery and had been stolen from a Latino gang leader that didn't have the fire power to stop the theft. The current year is 1986 and Theo wants to be a part of the gang called the "Grove Lords" which is led by Isaac Reems. With Isaac driving the car and Theo's brother Tatum who is already a full member of the gang sitting next to him the night is supposed to be about what Theo has to do to make it into the "Grove Lords." Instead of randomly killing someone that night as planned, Theo found the body of his mom as she lay dead on a neighborhood street with numerous residents and others trying to see up her hooker skirt.
That was twenty years ago and a lot has happened since then such as Theo being sent to death row and ultimately freed by Jack Swyteck who proved Theo's innocence of that crime. While he was innocent of that crime, Theo did a lot of very bad things in his former life and knows much of his own mom's dark history. What he has never known was the identity of her killer.
Thanks to the prison escape of Isaac Reems, the whole mess sis coming up again. Isaac is out, on the run, and expects Theo to help him because of their previous history in the "Grove Lords." If that isn't good enough, maybe the identity of who killed Theo's mom will be enough to get Theo to help. And then there is always blackmail.
The seventh novel in the Jack Swyteck series breaks no new ground and while a pleasant enough read, it is also an average read. Building on a run of the mill plot premise to work on back-story for the most part already covered in the series, this novel just adds some detail to those events. It also serves as a teaching event for Jack who is struggling to determine which of the women in his life he truly loves enough to try and change. The independent FBI agent who questioned his faith in his friend and lost her place in his life or the Doctor who works in Africa and just makes it into town for a few days now and then to see him.
Beyond the romance angle which is a constant theme throughout the book, the story itself is the typical revenge story more suitable for a movie of the week. Theo knows what his mom was and gradually discovers the why of her life and death as well as the identity of her killer while taking enormous risks that could ultimately cost him his life. Meanwhile, Jack tries to counsel his friend and help where he can but ultimately this is Theo's book and Jack is reduced to the role of a bit player except for his romance story line. Average, utterly predictable in nearly every way, the book rolls merrily along and serves as a diversion for the few hours it is read before being easily forgotten.
Kevin R. Tipple © 2008
James Grippando
http://www.jamesgrippando.com/
Harper
http://www.harpercollins.com/
2008
ISBN #978-0-06-083116-5
Hardback
326 Pages
$24.95
Miami lawyer Jack Swyteck returns as does just about everyone he knows in this latest offering centered around his best friend, Theo Knight. Years ago, Theo and his brother Tatum were riding around in a restored 1964 Chevy Impala that was decked out in the latest gang imagery and had been stolen from a Latino gang leader that didn't have the fire power to stop the theft. The current year is 1986 and Theo wants to be a part of the gang called the "Grove Lords" which is led by Isaac Reems. With Isaac driving the car and Theo's brother Tatum who is already a full member of the gang sitting next to him the night is supposed to be about what Theo has to do to make it into the "Grove Lords." Instead of randomly killing someone that night as planned, Theo found the body of his mom as she lay dead on a neighborhood street with numerous residents and others trying to see up her hooker skirt.
That was twenty years ago and a lot has happened since then such as Theo being sent to death row and ultimately freed by Jack Swyteck who proved Theo's innocence of that crime. While he was innocent of that crime, Theo did a lot of very bad things in his former life and knows much of his own mom's dark history. What he has never known was the identity of her killer.
Thanks to the prison escape of Isaac Reems, the whole mess sis coming up again. Isaac is out, on the run, and expects Theo to help him because of their previous history in the "Grove Lords." If that isn't good enough, maybe the identity of who killed Theo's mom will be enough to get Theo to help. And then there is always blackmail.
The seventh novel in the Jack Swyteck series breaks no new ground and while a pleasant enough read, it is also an average read. Building on a run of the mill plot premise to work on back-story for the most part already covered in the series, this novel just adds some detail to those events. It also serves as a teaching event for Jack who is struggling to determine which of the women in his life he truly loves enough to try and change. The independent FBI agent who questioned his faith in his friend and lost her place in his life or the Doctor who works in Africa and just makes it into town for a few days now and then to see him.
Beyond the romance angle which is a constant theme throughout the book, the story itself is the typical revenge story more suitable for a movie of the week. Theo knows what his mom was and gradually discovers the why of her life and death as well as the identity of her killer while taking enormous risks that could ultimately cost him his life. Meanwhile, Jack tries to counsel his friend and help where he can but ultimately this is Theo's book and Jack is reduced to the role of a bit player except for his romance story line. Average, utterly predictable in nearly every way, the book rolls merrily along and serves as a diversion for the few hours it is read before being easily forgotten.
Kevin R. Tipple © 2008
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Reviewing: "It's Getting Ugly Out There" by Jack Cafferty
It's Getting Ugly Out There
By Jack Cafferty
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
http://www.wiley.com/
2007
ISBN# 978-0-470-14479-4
Hardback
269 Pages
With a subtitle of "The Frauds, Bunglers, Liars, and Losers Who Are Hurting America" author Jack Cafferty is not in the mood to take prisoners. In the same style familiar to viewers of his often acerbic segments known as the "Cafferty File" on CNN'S The Situation Room, Jack Cafferty opens fire with both barrels on our government and its repeated failures during the Bush administration. Whether Katrina and New Orleans, Illegal Immigration, the burgeoning debt, the Patriot Act and other follies, or many other issues, Cafferty tells readers, often profanely, exactly and without ambiguity what he thinks. He also shares numerous comments he has received in response to his segments the last several years.
In between he weaves his own personal back story of a dysfunctional home, his own alcoholism and other issues the past sixty years of his life. On occasion, when he isn't considering his upbringing or the way things are these days, he waxes poetic regarding the spirit of the American people and how we can fix things going forward starting with the 2008 Presidential election.
The result, while interesting overall, is largely a rehash of what you see every afternoon on his program. In fact, in some areas, most notably regarding the economy and the candidates, the information is already seriously dated. Unfortunately, despite all his criticism of what led to this point in our nation's history, Jack Cafferty has no actual suggestions for the future and breaks no new ground in this book.
Kevin R. Tipple © 2008
By Jack Cafferty
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
http://www.wiley.com/
2007
ISBN# 978-0-470-14479-4
Hardback
269 Pages
With a subtitle of "The Frauds, Bunglers, Liars, and Losers Who Are Hurting America" author Jack Cafferty is not in the mood to take prisoners. In the same style familiar to viewers of his often acerbic segments known as the "Cafferty File" on CNN'S The Situation Room, Jack Cafferty opens fire with both barrels on our government and its repeated failures during the Bush administration. Whether Katrina and New Orleans, Illegal Immigration, the burgeoning debt, the Patriot Act and other follies, or many other issues, Cafferty tells readers, often profanely, exactly and without ambiguity what he thinks. He also shares numerous comments he has received in response to his segments the last several years.
In between he weaves his own personal back story of a dysfunctional home, his own alcoholism and other issues the past sixty years of his life. On occasion, when he isn't considering his upbringing or the way things are these days, he waxes poetic regarding the spirit of the American people and how we can fix things going forward starting with the 2008 Presidential election.
The result, while interesting overall, is largely a rehash of what you see every afternoon on his program. In fact, in some areas, most notably regarding the economy and the candidates, the information is already seriously dated. Unfortunately, despite all his criticism of what led to this point in our nation's history, Jack Cafferty has no actual suggestions for the future and breaks no new ground in this book.
Kevin R. Tipple © 2008
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Reviewing: "At The City's Edge" by Marcus Sakey
At The City's Edge
By Marcus Sakey
http://www.marcussakey.com/
St. Martin's Press
http://www.minotaurbooks.com/
2008
ISBN# 0-312-36032-0
Hardback
312 Pages
Jason Palmer found his reason for being by being a soldier. Then, one mistake later, he was ultimately out and on his way back home to Chicago. There he finds plenty of booze and one night stands with women in a determined effort, if not to kill himself, to at least keep the demon within under some semblance of control. That is until his brother Michael is murdered and the bar he owned destroyed to cover the crime as well as to serve as a warning to others.
But, the killers made two mistakes. They didn't kill Jason Palmer when they had the chance before he was aware that anything was wrong. They also failed to kill Billy, Michael's son, who at ten years old is amazingly smart and together and can easily identify the killers. The vulnerability of a child is almost always a reason for somebody to turn his or her life around and it certainly is here as Billy gives Jason a reason to put down the bottle and begin to fight back against the enemy within as well as the real enemies arrayed against his family and friends. It's easy to go to war in Iraq or at home in Chicago when you don't care about living or dying. It is another thing entirely when a child is counting on you to survive.
What sounds like a typical revenge/retaliation story is much, much more in the talented hands and mind of Marcus Sakey who also wrote the powerful novel, "The Blade Itself." Taking classic traditional elements of former gang members trying to do good in the old neighborhood, crooked cops, politicians on the take, and all the rest of it, Marcus Sakey creates a novel that while full of graphic violence is also full of subtle nuance about the human condition. Sakey once again brings his hometown alive whether it is the posh mansions or the ghetto areas and shows readers that the people who live in each have much more in common than most would expect or acknowledge.
The result is a novel that no review will begin to fully explain just how good this book truly is. So, go read it already and if you haven't read "The Blade Itself" read that as well. You won't be disappointed with either stand alone read.
Kevin R. Tipple © 2008
By Marcus Sakey
http://www.marcussakey.com/
St. Martin's Press
http://www.minotaurbooks.com/
2008
ISBN# 0-312-36032-0
Hardback
312 Pages
Jason Palmer found his reason for being by being a soldier. Then, one mistake later, he was ultimately out and on his way back home to Chicago. There he finds plenty of booze and one night stands with women in a determined effort, if not to kill himself, to at least keep the demon within under some semblance of control. That is until his brother Michael is murdered and the bar he owned destroyed to cover the crime as well as to serve as a warning to others.
But, the killers made two mistakes. They didn't kill Jason Palmer when they had the chance before he was aware that anything was wrong. They also failed to kill Billy, Michael's son, who at ten years old is amazingly smart and together and can easily identify the killers. The vulnerability of a child is almost always a reason for somebody to turn his or her life around and it certainly is here as Billy gives Jason a reason to put down the bottle and begin to fight back against the enemy within as well as the real enemies arrayed against his family and friends. It's easy to go to war in Iraq or at home in Chicago when you don't care about living or dying. It is another thing entirely when a child is counting on you to survive.
What sounds like a typical revenge/retaliation story is much, much more in the talented hands and mind of Marcus Sakey who also wrote the powerful novel, "The Blade Itself." Taking classic traditional elements of former gang members trying to do good in the old neighborhood, crooked cops, politicians on the take, and all the rest of it, Marcus Sakey creates a novel that while full of graphic violence is also full of subtle nuance about the human condition. Sakey once again brings his hometown alive whether it is the posh mansions or the ghetto areas and shows readers that the people who live in each have much more in common than most would expect or acknowledge.
The result is a novel that no review will begin to fully explain just how good this book truly is. So, go read it already and if you haven't read "The Blade Itself" read that as well. You won't be disappointed with either stand alone read.
Kevin R. Tipple © 2008
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