5 comments about The Road to Death (The Lost Mark, Book 2).

1. This brief reveiw was initially posted at Essential-Ebberon.com ...
   
   I truly enjoyed the novel and believe that it demonstrates the evolution of Matt Forbeck's style and depth since the first in the series. Matt examines the internal conflicts that plague characters and this is particularly effective in his exploration of theology and the Machivellian issue that questions whether ends justifies the mean. There is a distinctly more sombre tone to The Road To Death, reflecting a shift in the writer's approach to the characters and to the pervasive, and often existential, themes in the campaign world.
   
   Matt Forbeck and Don Bassingthwaite are the forerunners in this campaign novel series!



2. The book is a bit predictable. As the plot unfolded I could usually tell what was going to happen next. I find it more interesting as it unveils the world of Eberron and adds color to my D&D campaign. The Character Development for the core members is good. I find it a stretch for a few of the characters to be motivated to help the primary character.



3. The Road to Death is the second in the Lost Mark Trilogy written by Matt Forbeck, the first book is Marked for Death. It needs to be said that the reader needs to read Marked for Death before they attempt this book, or else several things will not mesh. People who regularly read my reviews (not sure how many there are) will remember that I gave the first book a less than stellar review. I still feel the review I gave the first book was well earned, however, this book I absolutely loved! I must say this is the first Eberron book that I have loved. I am eagerly looking forward to December of 2006 when The Queen of Death, the third book in this trilogy, will be released.
   
   This book is both character driven and plot driven. The mix is almost perfect between the two. There is a strong plot element to this novel and one that seems to carry the characters along for the ride. This book fixes the plot problems that I saw with the first book. Mainly the repetitive nature of the plot in Espre getting kidnapped and lost over and over again. This book reveals a much broader brush in which the story is taking place. The motivations of some of the characters are beginning to come through. There is also a twist or two to make sure the reader is paying attention.. As with most books, there is an `end battle' in this one. However, it's not the typical hack `n slash battle which is over and done with. It's a `real' battle that takes time and cunning to survive. Well written.
   
   The character development in this book explodes from the first one. In the first book the characters seemed one dimensional to me. In this book there was so much more about each of the main characters. In fact one of the main `bad guys' from the first book, Te'oma, Forbeck made me care about her, where as the firs book I could have cared less. My only thing about the characters is I would have liked to read a little more about Burch, but hopefully that comes to in the final book. The rest of the character development was stellar.
   
   As I said before, I feel this is the best Eberron book I have red to date. Thus far I have had mixed reviews about the Eberron world, but this book makes me want to keep reading to find the gems that will surface.
   
   I am not a role player in any sense of the imagination, and I think that may be one of the down sides to the Eberron novels. I don't care about gaming rules, stats, and all that. I care about being entertained when I read, that's exactly what this novel did. I would recommend this to people who are curious about the Eberron world and what the novels can bring to the table. Role players will certainly like this book. A definite must read for fantasy fans. Well done Mr. Forbeck!



4. I really enjoyed the first book of the trilogy, and this one didn't let me down. Building on the "chase" from the first book, Road to Death returns all the favorite characters and adds several more. It also continues to introduce readers to the peoples and places of Eberron and drops little tidbits of history that make me hope other countries and cultures are explored in future books.
   Forbeck's style of ending most chapters with a cliff-hanger situation keeps me from putting the book down.
   I recommend this very highly for anyone who enjoyed the first book in the trilogy and also for those who like Forgotten Realms or DragonLance novels.



5. This second novel in the Lost Mark trilogy is excellent, much better than the first. This book is much less repetitive and less predictable than the previous one, with the plot taking some rather surprising turns. As in the first book, Forbeck's great writing style helps bring this one to life. Exciting fight scenes and interesting looks into the psyches of the characters make for a great book. Additionally, we continue to explore this relatively new world through this book. This is my favorite book so far in the Eberron campaign setting.
   
   The new characters introduced in this book are less than thrilling, but each of the characters from the previous book are greatly improved on. Kandler, Sallah, Xalt, and Espre are made to be very much more lifelike, with often conflicting emotional battles going on within the heroes. A timid love begins to blossom between Kandler and Sallah, making their relationship a lot more interesting and meaningful. Espre is forced to come to grips with her birthright, finally using the power granted by the Mark of Death.
   
   The final sequence of events is incredibly well-done, with a horrid black dragon of incredible power done in amazing detail. You won't be able to put the book down for the forty or so final pages of this book, as the heroes are tried to their limits. Really one of the most exciting final scenes of any book I've read in quite a while. Leaves the story in an excellent place that makes me want to pick up the final book of the trilogy as soon as possible.
   
   Recommended.

No comments about Dangerous Plays (Nancy Drew: All New Girl Detective #16).

5 comments about Artemis Fowl: The Criminal Mastermind Collection (Books 1-3) (Artemis Fowl).

1. This collection is books 1-3. All are action filled and wonderful. Both adults and children love them. I can't wait for the last AF book!



2. The Artemis Fowl series are indeed great, showing a wonderful scheming and wit in order to conclude each adventure. Fowl is certainly a criminal mastermind, but i like the way his character develops thoughout the series, as well as the development of cap. Short.The first 3 books are necessary to enjoy the whole series.



3. This is an excellent book. I like since it has a good detailed story line but is not so detailed it is 700 pages long. It is also is a more interesting read then Harry Potter,ETC... since he (Artemis) relys on a plan instead of magic. It is also a good book since it makes for intersting series.



4. This series are a joy to read and pass on to the grandchildren. The storyline keeps ones interest to the very end. When a new book arrives it is a joy to both myself and grandchildren.



5. the entire series is awesome, and not just for kids. i liked the first one and the third one the best. went to see Eoin Colfer at a book signing and he is awesome too. i read all his works. try the Supernaturalist.

5 comments about Black Dawn Night World.

1. I have read and own every L.J. ever printed (and loved every one of them), and am going crazy waiting for the last of the night world series!!!!! It's been years and still no book!!! HOW CAN SHE DO THIS TO US READERS!! (I'm sure it's not all her fault)...



2. Lisa J. Smith is one of the most believable horror-fantasy writers for teens (if not, just plain the MOST)that I've come across. She takes the reader easily into a world where creatures such as vampires and werewolves do exist... and she makes the reader become part of that world.

   It's a shame that the final book has not been written... or if it has, that it was never published. L.J. .. if you hear your fans, please publish that last book?




3. this is really one of the greatest books i have ever read and own. i was fortunate enought 2 own all 9 night world books and im still waiting 4 strange fate 2 come out. neways this book tells about a gurl name maggie who searches for her missing brother miles after when he and his girlfriend slyvia goes out mountain climbing but then disappears without a trace. maggie doesnt trust slyvia and thinks she is lying about her brother's disapperance so she follows her and then is captured and taken as a slave 2 a kingdom that is owned by the Night World and is ruled by a young vampire prince name delos. this is one the books that deals with finding the wild powers and needing 2 find all 4 of them that are needed at the end of the millenium. this is one of the best lj smith has written and i hope she will continue writing more books for the series. keep up the great work. and i pretty much think that strange fate is NOT the last book in the night world series.



4. imo the rest of the story seemed alittle bit, I don't know it's hard to put my finger on it, but I quess it just seemed a little slow to me. The story is about Maggie who is trying to find her supposedly dead brother and who, because of her dangerous quest, is dragged into a land unchanged by time, a place of castles, and witches, and gorgeous vampire princes with hearts of ice. The chemistry between Maggie and Delos is great and Maggie, like Poppy, is not drop dead gorgeous as a human. She's just an ordinary girl with a big heart and extrodinary courage which Delos see's in her eyes and it attracts him to her. She is the warmth that is missing in his cold existence and the scenes where they are together just make me want to go "awww" because of how tender he is towards her.
   Maggie seems, I don't know, I quess less archetypal to me then some characters and like a real girl. Like the kind who would at school get voted most popular simply because she's so nice to everyone.
   An L.J. Smith book that in my opinion is not to be missed!



5. As a reader who has read this seiries as well as the Dark Visions and the Forbidden game series, I can say that anyone who is a L.J. Smith fan is sure to love this book. It has romance that is not over the top mushy, and Smith incorporates real feeling into believable characters in a story that is sure to hold your attention until you have finished reading and even after you're done. I highly reccomend this book.

5 comments about Arthurian Omen.

1. I enjoyed G.G. Vandagriff's novel, The Arthurian Omen, so much that I finished it in two days. With short chapters similar to James Patterson and a plot that moved quickly and keeps you guessing, this is one of those page-turners that can put you in danger of losing sleep.
   
   Maren receives a call from her estranged sister, who excitedly tells her she may be on the path to an ancient manuscript proving the identity of King Arthur. But when Maren arrives in Oxford, her sister, Rachel, has been murdered, and through a series of events, Maren becomes determined to find the manuscript. Then, events take a dark turn and she has no choice but to find it.
   
   Vandagriff does a nice job rounding out her main characters and keeping readers on their toes, searching for clues in the text that might reveal who is behind the murder and other situations that happen throughout.
   
   While The Arthurian Omen is a fun, quick read, the writing leaves something to be desired, and I had trouble with some of the dialog coming from the mouth of a four year old (I have a five year old, so I sort of know what to expect...there are always some exceptions, but this seemed a might bit too sophisticated). But aside from that, I would recommend this book to anyone who has a passing interest in King Arthur or suspense novels. I haven't read another book this quickly in years, since I spend a lot of time working, so that really says something about how much I enjoyed it.



2. This was an Early Reviewer book I received and was looking forward to reading.
   The story begins with Maren getting a call from her sister about a lost manuscript , from the time of King Arthur, that she thought she knew where to find. Though she hadn't talked to her sister in years, she flies over to Wales to help her sister find the manuscript. The long journey begins for Maren when she finds out her sister has been murdered and she is left to find the manuscript and the killer. The twists and turns begin with a multitude of people wanting and looking for the manuscript for their own reasons. The circumstances surrounding Maren's first and second husbands all cumulate to Maren's own life being in danger. Traveling throughout Wales, the mystery begins to unravel, but who exactly are the good and bad guys?
   My feelings for this book are good and bad. There seemed to be so many new characters added to the pool of people trying to find the manuscript, that you get lost. The book seemed to stretch out the plot for a bit too long for my taste. I do like that short chapters, which makes the story go by faster. The storylines seemed to buildup, but then dropoff to no where for me too. Lastly, I expected more "King Arthur" history in the book and was only given tastes of it throughout the book.
   This was an easy read and would make a good vacation/beach book, but for a good, intense mystery, there are better books out there to choose from!



3. Maren Southcott's estranged sister, Rachel, has asked for help locating a manuscript which will prove that the Arthur of legend really existed. Rachel is brutally murdered before Maren arrives and it is left to Maren to continue her sister's work searching the Welsh countryside for a priceless document that someone would kill for. Maren is not alone in her quest and quickly finds herself in a race with academics, antiquities dealers, and Welsh nationalists to be the first to find the document that proves Arthur was more than a legend.
   
   The novel is quite thrilling and the author's familiarity with the Arthurian legend, with its continuing impact on Celtic culture, are strong points of this novel. I was quite drawn to the Welsh countryside and thought it very much a character of the novel. I could feel the ancient history and the misty mossiness of the castles and monasteries. I was so intrigued with the setting that I wanted to delve into the mysteries and the stories that I felt the land itself held. The novel would have been stronger with a deeper storyline connecting the land and legend of Arthur with the plot of the novel.
   
   I felt more connected to the countryside than I did the characters. I wanted to like the characters, but I found the character development shallow and the characters unbelievable and inconsistent: Maren shows a marked lack of good judgement and is very impulsive for a woman who is supposed to be a strong heroine, and Inspector Llewelyn is quite clueless in his role as inspector. None of the characters were drawn in enough depth for me to develop empathy. I believe that an earlier placement of some character history would have helped. For instance, the cause of the estrangement between the sisters is not revealed until quite late in the novel and loses its impact as an empathy device by then.
   
   Despite my inability to empathize with the characters and feeling a bit overwhelmed by the plethora of plot points, I found myself enjoying the novel. It was faced paced with enough suspense to keep me reading to find out who the bad guys were and how the story would end. I must admit that the ending was a surprise.



4. 
   Since I am good friends with GG, I was sent an advanced copy from Deseret to read and review and since I am of Welsh descent and am an avid Genealogist, I loved this thriller. It is a two mystery in one and was able to figure the first one out, but the one who murdered Maren's sister, was a toughie and surprising at the end and was a sad ending, but was inevitable. I rather enjoyed the short chapters like Mary Higgins Clark. I enjoyed the angle of believing that King Arthur is real with the hidden manuscript. I recommend this novel with lots of twists and turns to anyone that loves to read mysteries ala Agatha Christie and Clark.



5. Yeah, I really wanted to like this book, but frankly I thought it wasn't that good. I was a big fan of the Mary Stewart Arthur books when I was a kid so I have a soft spot for that topic. The blurb about the Arthurian mystery and suspense left me hoping for something more. I have put off writing this review because I was so disappointed that I wanted to be fair and frankly didn't want to dissuade others from reading it who might have enjoyed. So I wanted to give myself some time and distance to see if maybe I liked it better thinking back on it. I don't .
   
   From the beginning I was not drawn in. The up and leaving her daughter part kind of lost me. I figured out pretty quickly who the bad guys were. The suspense wasn't that suspenseful.
   
   I also really was curious about the story of the author, having lost her memory of the time when she started the story. But, I think being more intrigued in the story of the author than the story itself is probably a bad sign for a book.

5 comments about Missing Since Monday (Point).

1. This story takes place in different place's cause two siblings (Mike and Maggie) go around and get shocked and scared a few times. It's a big city, and lot's of witnesses.
   
   This book is about Courtnay Louis Ellis (4) gets kidnapped while going into school, and Maggie (14) is trying to get her mom out of the frame to prove she didn't do it. Maggie is also getting disturbing calls. But no ransom note or call shows up yet and the parents are on vacation.
   
   In my opinion this story is fantastic and it puts you in suspense!
   It will consume you. I could not stop reading it for nothing.
   
   I would recommend this book because its suspenseful, entertaining, dramatic, and realistic.



2. I guess this wasnt the type of book for me... it was boring, not surprising, and it felt like 3 months had gone by since i started the book (took me 2 weeks to read)! If i hadn't had to read this for school I would've never finished it!



3. 
   This book is called "Missing Since Monday" by: Ann M. Martin
   The book is about a girl named Maggie, her brother Mike, and her little sister named Courtney. Maggie's parents are divorced and her dad got remarried.
   One day Maggie's dad and her step mom went on their honeymoon. Now Maggie and Mike have to take care of Courtney. The next day Maggie puts Courtney on the school bus and she never came back home that day. Now she is getting mystery phone calls, and she doesn't know what to do.
   Find out what will happen next.
   I recommend this book to people who like mystery books.



4. Teens Maggie and Mike are responsible for their four-year-old half sister Courtenay while their parents take a long-postponed vacation. Since they enjoy their time with the active little girl, they figure a few days alone won't be a problem.
   
   The first morning their parents are away, Maggie and Mike put Courtie on the bus...only to learn she never arrived at school. They are forced to cut their father and stepmother's trip short as the family entreats friends and neighbors to hang posters and canvass the area.
   
   Throughout the nightmare, 15-year-old Maggie keeps getting harassing phone calls from an anonymous male. She isn't sure if the person has anything to do with her little sister's disappearance, but she's rattled nonetheless.
   
   Although geared for the YA level, the story is very real. Martin does a good job depicting how easily a child can be snatched - even a smart one, who has been warned of all the world's dangers by her loving family. She also shows how it takes but a moment to turn a family's mundane everyday life into a relentless nightmare. Nothing else really seems to matter when a loved one is missing.



5. You know, I read this book for the first time when I was probably ten years old. I read it quite a few times. Now at age 27 I have a child of my own. I'm not sure I could stomach reading the book now. It is a really, really good book, and I have read one or two reviews where people thought it was boring and what not. That scares me a little because these things really DO happen, and there is nothing boring, and everything SCARY about them happening.Granted, this is just a book but it's quite accurate. It's very sad because more and more these days, as with the Adam Walsh case, you do not hear about a happy ending. Alot of cops have been known to say that if a child is not found within the first few hours of a kidnapping, the odds go down that he or she will be found alive.
   
   As child, I just thought the book was good. I didn't think much of how the step-mom (mother to the little girl)was feeling, as I had no children and was only child myself and identified more with the teenage charactors. As a mother I now understand what the mother was going through and can only imagine that I would be in hysterics and insane if my child was abducted.

5 comments about Reluctant Runaway (To Catch a Thief Series #2).

1. 
   Part action packed who-done-what and part romantic suspense, I found myself sucked into Reluctant Runaway. I didn't meet the crime fighting duo of Desi and Tony in the Reluctant Burglar but Nelson did a great job at sharing enough details of the first book without oversharing and intruding on the story at hand.
   
   Several amusing scenes interspersed with cliffhangers made the read roller coasty. Forgiveness is a huge spiritual theme as is discernment and the danger of tiny shifts in the Gospel message.
   
   If you enjoyed book one in the series, you're going to want to get your hands on Reluctant Runaway as soon as possible. If you like romantic suspense, strong female leads and sassy talk -- you'll likely enjoy this novel.



2. Security expert Desiree Jacobs' friend and business associate Maxine has a problem. Max's niece is missing. Kidnapping victim or a runaway? No one knows, but it seems everyone has an opinion. The niece also works for a museum that was recently robbed of priceless items. Right before the niece's disappearance. Now things are getting worse. Desi has to step in and help. But wait! She's promised her FBI boyfriend Tony that she won't get involved in such things anymore. But she has to, right? This is her friend we're talking about. And when Desi and Tony's individual cases collide sparks aplenty fly.
   
   If you'll pardon the obvious pun, I was reluctant to read this novel which is book two in the series. See, I'm ashamed to say I hadn't read book one. And Jill Nelson is my pal. Oh I'd read a chapter of book one that was posted to her website once. That was enough to convince me she was a good writer. I knew that. I've been swamped with books that I had to read. It seems there's never an end sometimes. Oh the horrors! :-)
   
   The opportunity came for me to read book two, Reluctant Runaway. As a member of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance we're plugging this novel this week. I received a copy of it to read a review. So glad I did. And the fact that it was the second in a series never tripped me up. Jill's sprinkles enough backstory to set you at ease with the characters, all the while taking you on a thrill ride like no theme park you've ever been to.
   
   It was a pleasure to read this novel. Jill's writing is tight and easy to read. Her characters are engaging and endearing. And the cliff hangers at some of the chapters! Shesh! I was already to put the book down for a while at one point to do some other things and then a gun went off at the end of the chapter. Ack! Who's dead? I couldn't stop reading there. Nuh uh. :-)
   
   Now I'm looking forward to going back in time and reading book one in the To Catch A Thief series, Reluctant Burglar. And then there's the upcoming book three, Reluctant Smuggler.
   
   Can't wait!



3. Okay, cheesy title for this review, I know - but guys, this was a super fun read! I liked it even better than the first in this series, and I didn't think that would happen! Jill Nelson has somehow managed to create a book that is at the same time fun and serious, intense and light, funny and shocking...what a combo! My favorite part of Jill's books are by far the characters - so realistic. They crack me up, yet two pages later, they have me tearing up.
   
   Job well done, Jill.
   
   As for the rest of you - check out this series ASAP! You won't regret it!



4. In this engaging sequel to Reluctant Burglar, museum security expert Desiree Jacobs, once again becomes drawn into a mystery when Max's niece goes missing. Could her disappearance have anything to do with Tony's organized crime case? As their romance heats up, so does the trail that leads to stolen artifacts, leading them both to the New Mexico dessert. They must learn to trust God, not only with their surmounting dangers, but with their romance. Is it possible that this new religious cult, is at the center of these mysteries?
   As in Reluctant Burglar, Jill Nelson has once again masterfully weaved a tale of suspense and drama while demonstrating the power of faith to overcome the worst of our fears and obstacles. As the romance develops between Desiree and Tony, an FBI agent, the reader is shown the hand of God in even this, our most intimate of human relationships. Is it possible for these two, an over-protective cop and an independent, sometimes risk-taker security expert, to find a peaceful coexistence in which their love can blossom?
   Although the plot can be read independently from the book's forerunner, Reluctant Runaway, has achieved the best of sequel writing. Not only has the author improved on her story telling techniques, but has added depth and challenge to an all-ready intriguing story. Very enjoyable read.



5. In her novels Jill Nelson has a way of simplifying some of the most prickly issues Christians face today. One of my favorite scenes in her latest novel, The Reluctant Runaway, involves the heroine, Desiree Jacobs and her Native American kidnapper, Pete Cheama, a member of the Zuni tribe. Pete has made plenty of bad choices in his life, and he ultimately blames his mistakes on Christians, whose system "was forced upon [his] people centuries ago and has made [their] spirits weak and [their] minds confused." No Christian wants to feel her faith has weakened or confused anyone, so sometimes we refrain from even discussing Christianity. But Desiree merely responds, "Jesus is not an oppressor." Right there, concisely--the difference between true Christianity and any faith that demands, rather than invites.
   
   Nelson's novel is a fun read, with plenty of suspense and action (and some clever romance, to boot). You could enjoy the entire reading experience without stopping to focus on the choice tidbits about faith with which she occasionally peppers the story. But those tidbits deepen the novel and make it stay with you well after you finish the last page. I'd recommend Reluctant Runaway for teen-through-adult readers.

5 comments about Vanished.

1. I've read a few Danielle Steel novels, but I never considered myself a fan of her work until I read this book. This is unlike the sappy romance novels that Steel usually puts out. This is more of a who-done-it mystery novel, and for the most part, it's an intriguing page turner.

   The main character in this story is Marielle, a woman in her thirties who has been through alot in her life. She was married at 18, had a son at 21, got pregnant again, and lost both her son and her unborn child through a freak accident. Her husband (Charles) flipped out, and in a burst of rage, assaults her. She is committed to a mental hospital for over two years in order to get over the trauma. It is during this time that Marielle divorces Charles and leaves Europe for America, where she meets an older man named Malcolm and basically becomes his trophy wife, as well as a womb to carry the baby that he wants so badly. After a great amount of agony and struggle, Marielle becomes pregnant and gives birth to Malcolm's son, Teddy.

   Several years after they last spoke, Charles and Marielle accidently run into each other again on the anniversary of their son's accidental death, and old emotional wounds are re-opened. Charles is resentful that Marielle has since moved on, re-married, and had another child. Teddy subsequently turns up missing, and everyone suspects that Charles kidnapped him in a fit of jealous rage.

   The first 75% of this book is a page-turner. Then after that, it begins to lag. In the story, Charles is put on trial for Teddy's kidnapping, but the trial turns into a pointless waste of time. It's just a bunch of worthless fingerpointing about who is having an affair with whom, and whether or not Marielle is an un-fit mother; none of which has anything to do with kidnapping. The real meat of the story's mystery is solved too quickly at the end, and it doesn't justify the fact that the reader is forced to endure over a hundred pages of useless storyline to get there.

   Regardless, this book will keep you entertained. A classic piece of literature it is not, but it's still quite enjoyable. I recommend this book.




2. I'm huge DS and I loved everything about this novel I even liked the time oeriod it was set in. My heart went out to Marielle when she went to see her son Teddy only to discover that he had been kidnapped and the kidnappers were demanding a ransom for his safe return. This only brings back painful memories for Marielle who still thinks of her first son and husband Charles who is number one suspect since he blamed the death of their child on her many years before. While the police are looking for Teddy Marielle's marriage to her much older and very wealthy second husband is coming to a end because he to blames Marielle for their son's disapperance in light of this some shocking things are revealed about Malcolm and his business ventures. All is not lost for Marielle she is reunited with Teddy and leave their past behind to start a new future this is a great book and I recommend it to all.



3. Vanished by Danielle Steel is a great story. I was glued to my seat during the whole book!



4. I read this book on vacation because I figured it would be a light read. I couldn't put it down. I was a little disappointed in the last few chapters because I kind of figured out what was going to happen, but it really held my attention.



5. A interesting novel written by Danielle Steel about a couple named Marielle and Malcom who have their child Teddy abducted. The story takes place in the late 1930's around the time of the Lindbergh kidnapping. The first suspect is Marielle's first love Charles Delauney. When the trial begins, secrets unfold about Marielle and Malcom. Through all the turmoil, there is a happy ending!

5 comments about The Rescuer: The O'Malley Series, book #6.

1. The O'Malley series supposably comes to a close in this book. I got to know Stephen O'Malley in the last chapter of The Healer and knew he was running. Running from God and Jennifer's death. His old friend, Meghan Delhart, is blind and has things that are randomly missing. An earring, some money. She finds a fabulous ring in her piano metronome and realizes the old kind jewelry dealer, who is deceased, Neil, might have a lot of secrets hidden under a loved name. Stephen is trying to find out who is doing this operation of jewelry theft and conterfeit. But, a perilous ending will have you on the edge.
   
   I enjoyed this book, but one of the hardest aspects to overcome was adapting to reading the views of a blind person. I had to focus and visualize her black world, which was fairly difficult. This book gained my respect as I learned how challenging the blind have it.
   
   Good Wrap Up to the Series Ms. Henderson. (Though I don't believe you're finished with the series quite yet!)



2. I adored this series, but was rather disappointed with this last addition to the series. What makes this series so great is the characters and their interaction with each other and I felt that we didn't see enough of past characters in this book (like Lisa and Rachel were hardly ever mentioned) and it seemed almost to be another world from the others. Ovearll this series is so phoemonal and this is definitely not the book to judge the series by. While much of the depth that Henderson is known for is here, it just needed that interaction to really make it join the others in this series in caliber.



3. The books in this series are awsome. Dee Henderson has become one of my favorites. She has a way of making the reader a part of the story and looking forward to the next! Suspense, romance, friendship, it's all there and more.



4. Stephen O'Malley is a paramedic who has had enough of being a big city EMT. In a promise to his dying sister, Jennifer, he says he will leave the big city to take care of heart attacks and sprains in the slower pace of the country. On his way out of Chicago, he receives a call from Meghan, a childhood friend, who is looking for a little comfort from the rainstorm and a ride to her parents' house.
   
   The story of Stephen and Meghan's early relationship is told brilliantly in flashbacks. When the story catches up to present day, the plot twists and turns like a scenic mountain road, blending Stephen and Meghan's lives with a series of jewel thefts. This is by far the most tantalizing O'Malley mystery. Stephen's struggle with the concept of having a relationship with God adds spiritual depth to the novel.
   
   The other O'Malley novels are: The Negotiator, The Guardian, The Truth Seeker, The Protector, The Healer, The Rescuer. Each is a wonderful read!



5. I love Dee's books and was excited when I saw I was receiving a signed copy

5 comments about The White City.

1. The idea of a mystery set in a worlds fair, with the excitement, the noise, the fabulous attractions really appealed to me but the author does very little to show anything positive about the fair, concentrating on the wind, the cold, the dust.
   
   I almost abandoned reading in the first pages when I realized it centered on gruesome mass murders but I found the relationship between Billy and Scurlock intriguing. With another reviewer, I found the writing style, with its unorthodox punctuation, make the story almost incomprehensible at times. The author has a strange habit of closing and opening quote marks within in a sentence when what were needed were parentheses.
   
   The needlessly gruesome, manipulative and unsatisfying ending contribute to making this book one of my least favorites of all time.



2. I found this book to be very "choppy". The author had the opportunity to use an excellent storyline, but his writing was very hard to follow. He jumped from one subject to another and you had to stop reading and think about what character he was talking about. It was very confusing. I finished the book, but I didn't find it as good as I'd hoped. I doubt that I would ever purchase another of Alec Michod books.



3. this is probably one of the best books i have ever read. it was very strange, with a compelling, high-octane plot and lush, swirling language. the perfect compendium to a great american city like chicago.



4. I read this novel after reading Eric Larsons The Devil in the White City. I wanted more about the World's Fair. I enjoyed this fictional account of a pedophile serial killer. I enjoyed the Dr. Elizabeth Handley character and I found this to be a suspenseful novel. It's a good read if you've already read Eric Larson's fabulous non-fiction account of the real story and you're like me and just want more of the same.



5. I got this book out of the library on the basis of the plot alone. It's not that's it's bad, exactly...I want to like it much more than I do. I can just about get around the odd writing style--I've read far choppier and more confusing pieces--it's that the book seems to contradict itself in a number of places. When Dr. Handley is first introduced, for example, the book tells us that she is gaunt and weary because since she came to Chicago she has been doing nothing but read case files and work. Later on, however, we're told that she "wanders the streets" of Chicago in her free time. Huh? There is another part where something happens at sunrise, but later two characters walk off "into the night." Again, huh?
   
   I think it could be better than it is--I like the characters but like others wish there were fleshed out and the setting is wonderful and sweeping.