1 comments about Dying in the City of Flowers (Five Star Expressions).

1. In 1980s Houston, Texas, sixteen-year-old Viola marries a Peruvian greencard seeker nicknamed El Rey. They live in deplorable conditions when she gives birth to his son. Unable to cope with the deteriorating situation that she only wants to improve, Viola moves out with plans to divorce him, raise her son alone, and attend college. However, El Rey harasses Viola sending Child Welfare to inspect her and making calls to upset her. He consistently breaks into her apartment, but the police cannot help her with his stalking because she remains married to him.

   El Rey rejects divorce so he abducts their son, taking the lad back to Lima in order to punish his misbehaving wife. Viola follows and even sees her frightened son in a government office, but cannot reach out to comfort him and is warned by a politician to leave now or disappear in the jungle forever. Knowing she needs a plan, Viola reluctantly returns to Texas, but six months later is back with a ploy to rescue her son or die in the attempt.

   DYING IN THE CITY OF FLOWERS is a gritty first person fictionalized account of a true story. By having the heroine narrate the tale, readers see deep into the soul of Viola while also observing her maturing. This perspective also has the downside of painting El Rey and his Peruvian family and friends as uncaring villains rather than fully showcasing a culture with a different attitude. Similar to Betty Mahmoody's Not Without My Daughter, Victoria Edwards Tester provides a powerful story of a mother's courage and love.

   Harriet Klausner

1 comments about The Mosser Massacre: The Southwest's Greatest Manhunt.

1. With the explosion of "True Crime" books (if you do not believe me just check in your nearest large book store and see how this section has grown in the last five years) many classic crimes from years ago are getting their own books rather than just a page or two in a crime encyclopedia. Examples of these books cover such criminals as Harvey Glatman, Charles Starkweather, and Albert Fish(just to name a few). Being a classic crime reader, I have been waiting for a few classic crimes to get the "book" treatment. What about Howard Unruh (he is still alive today!) and the utterly unbelievable "Walk Of Death" in Camden, New Jersey in 1949? How about Jack Graham and his successful life of insurance fraud culminating in the blowing up of a passenger plane over Colorado in 1955? Finally, how about William Cook, who kidnapped a family and drove around the country with them in their car before killing them in 1950/51? Both Unruh and Graham are still waiting, but author Glenn Shirley has put together a great book about one of the 1950s most harrowing and amazing true crime tales ever recorded. Before Christopher Wilder and Ted Bundy, William Cook kidnapped and killed people ranging from the Midwest all the way to Mexico. It is all here- Cook's impoverished background, his menacing look(the drooping right eyelid), and the famous "live by the gun and roam" mentality. The book could have been longer with more pictures, but I pleased that finally a classic true crime has been finally researched and written about. Maybe Shirley will take on the Unruh and Graham cases in his next book!

3 comments about Maurice, or The Fisher's Cot: A Tale.

1. This tale is a far cry from Mary's most acclaimed work, Frankenstein. And why not? It was, after all, written for a little girl, and therefore not intended to house any complexities. It is a simple story, broken into three small parts in the fashion of popular adult stories of Shelley's time, and is a tad on the predictable side. It reads almost like a fairytale, with the stolen child reunited with his parents (who happen to be well-off) by pure chance. Despite the story's lack of surprises, I still found it wonderful to settle back into the familiarity of Shelley's writing style with a new text (as will most who have researched her). "The Fisher's Cot" will also appeal to Mary Shelley fans because of the introduction by Claire Tomalin at the very beginning. Tomalin does a good job of setting the scene that the story was written in so that the casual reader will be able to enjoy not only the actual story, but the story behind it as well. Overall, if you're a Shelley fan you definitely should get this book. If you're not, I politely suggest that you review all your options first.



2. My friend offered me this book to read. It's an amazing work. I read the acutal story and then went back and read the introduction and all the accompanying material. The story itself is cute and definately for children. Then you read the intro and all of a sudden you realize that there was so much more that went into the story than you imagined. I highly reccommend it!



3. Mary Shelley was such an interesting person, as indeed many around her were. And yet, for all that, she has been totally dwarfed by her one famous novel - 'Frankenstein' - but even here it is not really Mary Shelley. The novel firstly became famous - not as Mary Shelley's story but as a theatrical adaptation. And since then films have built on and obscured the original genius of 'Frankenstein'.
   
   Surprise, surprise - Mary was a lot better than that. She was a very talented and perceptive writer. There are some recommendations below. 'Maurice' is a beautiful story full of pathos and the regrets of life where it seems impossible to award benefit where it is due without splashing it to where it doesn't belong, or to deliver punishment where it's due without - in the same way - delivering negatives to others who do not deserve it.
   
   The biographical information about Mary Shelley and about 'Maurice' itself is a fascinating story and certainly adds to what is really a very short story - justifying publishing it in a single volume.
   
   Other recommendations:
   Mary Shelley - Transformation
   Mary Shelley - Matilda
   Mary Shelley - Frankenstein (if you haven't read it you may be surprised)
   William Godwin - Caleb Williams (Godwin was Mary's father)

1 comments about Guilt by Association (Reissued as One by One) (Danielle Ross Mystery Series #1).

1. I found "Guilt by Association" a wonderful book. It has good morals and an interesting story line. I enjoy many books written by Gilbert Morris because of the content in his books. This is a good example of the many great books he has written. I myself am fourteen years old and this book is a great book for Christian teenagers to read. I love reading books that I enjoy and also help me grow in my faith. If you are interested in other Christian books you should check out the other books written by Gilbert Morris.

5 comments about Steal Away.

1. This may be the most annoying book I've ever read. The main character, with whom the reader should at least sympathize, made my skin crawl. She represented every negative stereotype of women ever perpetrated. She is inept, ineffectual, irritating. She was so useless as a mother that I didn't care who kidnapped her son -- he'd be better off with anyone but her.

   Her "poor pitiful me" demeanor, her delight in her own incompetence, her willingness to tolerate emotional abuse from her husband (abuse that, frankly, I wanted to inflict on her myself) made this reader hope that she would be done away with before the book's end.

   I am amazed that a woman writer could and would create such a caricature of a character, much less hang a novel on an idiot like this.




2. This is possibly the worst book I've ever read. I literally was skimming the pages 1/2 way through just to get to the conclusion. The female "heroine" is so weak kneed and pathetic it's amazing she can tie her shoelaces by herself not to mention track down her missing son! She kept complaining how everyone thought of and treated her as a crazy person and honey! if the loony bin fits...!

   I realize this was a first book attempt and heaven knows I don't have the talent for writing but if you read this book just go in with eyes wide open.




3. This book sure garnished mixed reviews! Some loved it while others hated it. I thought it was pretty well done. Not all of us are heros or heroines. Many women and some men are only forced to act on their lives only when confronted with situations out of their ability to control, such as one that arises in this book. A child is snatched by strangers, and the ability of those strangers to take that child is given by those who love that child the most. In WWI America they had these advertisements saying "Loose lips sink ships." The carelessness of an aunt, the lack of observation by parents at sports and dance situations, the lack of concern most people show for their neighbors and often their friends help lead to a child disappearing.

   It is absolutely imperative that people understand that most children who are kidnapped are kidnapped by family or acquaintances. Stranger abductions like this are rare, but they still frighten parents and grandparents.

   It is easy to judge the mother, Rachel, for being weak and bowing too much to her husband's whims. I've met women like this, but when confronted by problems, they often shine. They also learn things about themselves and about their families, their husbands that they chose to ignore. Rachel persists. She badgers, she shucks her life of all the unimportant societal standards in order to find her son.

   My big problem with this book was not with the characterization. We are all different, and the author was portraying someone who had chosen to ignore the things that were wrong about her family and about her life. For the most part the plot was strong, but I thought the ending was curt. It left too much up in the air.

   Karen Sadler




4. I first read this book because I like the author's mysteries under her nom-de-plume (Kate Flora) long before I had kids of my own and like some reviewers dismissed the 'psychic' feelings of the main character Rachel as literary hooey and an elegant plot device. Now a parent of two-year-old twins, I find the same feelings within myself and, when re-reading it on a sunny afternoon while the twins played, found myself shuddering and staring at every strange van in our neighborhood. In her non-literary former day job, I'm certain Ms. Clark had been exposed to every sort of child trauma and tragedy and she writes about them with the compassion of an insider to the human drama that unfolds. As I write this, I am remided of the two Amber Alerts that were issued within the past week and how every parent needs to be aware. But aside from the reality of what she writes, I found myself turning pages wanting to see what happens next and if all would end well (as it usually does in fiction if not in real life).



5. A child is kidnapped. The mother is desperate to get her son back. She comes across as a ninny to me. The author tries hard to convey the emotions of her characters instead of letting the story tell it. The dialog seemed wrong at times and small mistakes in the flow of the story. I would never read a novel by Katherine Clark again. Stay away from Steal Away.

1 comments about Lackawanna: A Novel.

1. This is one of the best Depression-Era stories involving a youth group that I have read or seen on Film. This book has FILM ME written all over it. It is a story of a group of young kids that hop railroad cars during the height of the Depression and learn the struggles of the real world as they battle hobos and truth, while they eventually recognize the need to be loved is a truth that cannot be defeated.

   It is available in most larger libraries, usually in good condition or better.

No comments about Mystery on the Mount.

1 comments about The Deliverance.

1. Skye and his wife, Victoria, take on a quest to find two kidnapped children who were sold into slavery in what is now the state of New Mexico. This story is full of great description and characterization, including capturing Standing Alone's need to find her children, the many faces of a fat man called Childress, and the pits of despair the human soul sinks to when it is enslaved. The Deliverance was a well written read and quite enjoyable.

5 comments about Scenting Evil: Crime Fiction from the Case Files of a Crime-Solving Clairvoyant (Capital Crimes).

1. I recieved this book as a gift as promised and I couldn't put it down. I missed my bus stop and had to turn around. I laughed, cried and was scared most of the time but that is how I like it. I love a page turner, trust me this one almost turned its own!
   I can't wait for the next book in the series if I'm correct in believing that there will be more books by this author. I bought two to hand out to other friends that also love to read this kind of mystery and suspense. Way to go DJ Adams! To bad there aren't 10 stars to give.



2. This is one of those books you can't put down. The story is intriguing, scarey, and it flowed so well that I felt like I was there, watching it all. And to read about what a wonderful gift this woman has and how she has used it to help people in such a scarey time in their lives, is fascinating. Thank you D.J. Adams for sharing this story and I can't wait to read the next book.



3. I was throughly hooked by the first page of "Scenting Evil" and could hardly put it down. The Characters are so real you feel like you know them and feel their pain. A must read for anybody who loves a good mistrey.



4. This book reads like a fifth grader wrote it. The author is no more clairovoyant than my dog. Dull, boring and too much description on small things. Author goes way to far into detail obviously to disguise the absence of a plot. She obviously wrote her own reviews. SAVE YOUR MONEY!



5. I am not the author or a friend or family member of the author, and I thought the book was really good. While it's true the author is no Shakespeare, it is worth reading for the scary, intriguing story alone.

   This is a great summer beach read!

5 comments about Salt of the Earth: One Family's Journey Through the Violent American Landscape.

1. Jack Olsen is great at true crime. He leaves no stone unturned, yet you never get bored. I have to agree with a fellow reviewer when he said that more time should have been spent on Michael Kay Green. The story, nonetheless is riveting. I could not put the book down. Elaine Gere is one tough lady, you sometimes feel like you are reading ficton yet it is real! I highly recommend "Salt".



2. I eagerly awaited the arrival of this book. Once again, Jack Olsen doesn't disappoint. This true crime novel will take you through a range of emotions. The story line keeps your interest until you reach the last page. Mr. Olsen has a unique way of telling the story that keeps you wanting more. Fantastic!



3. As one of the people who found the remains of dear Brenda on the Tulalip Reservation, finding this book was a chilling end to the mistery and the saddness of finding this poor little soul. Well written and informative this book laid down the facts and events that will keep you reading non stop to the end. Our hearts go out to the family and friends, and we are happy to have found her for all who loved Brenda.



4. This is just an excellent book that is throughly well written.
   Speaking as a California what really haunted from the accounts
   of this family in South Fontana, is how basically California
   hasnt changed much. Poor people are poorer, rich people are
   getting richer and the whole system is getting more corrupt
   with every passing day.
   
   Olsen tracks the Gere family (Joe, Evelyn, Bobby, Big Ed, Elaine)
   on what is a life journey filled with sadness, love, friendship,
   racism and inner spirit to survive. Thats the best way of summing
   up the book its the survival of one family in a big cosmopolitan
   country (Cali) that gives nothing to this class of people
   struggling to get by, yet enjoys the fruits of their labor.
   
   The book also has a great deal of social commentary as well,
   man you can easily make this in a course at a school and college
   and liberate and educate many youngsters in what life is about.
   
   It should be required reading, great book!!!



5. I have read all of Jack Olsen's books, but this one appealed to me because it was about the end result of a crime, not just the crime itself or the criminal. I was captivated by Elaine and her ability to handle everything, but I was devastated for her; this crime could have been prevented had people been more alert and as concerned about her child as they were their own. It takes crimes like these to educate us, but are we more alert today than we were when Brenda disappeared? Children are still disappearing right before our eyes. Based on this book, Elaine is my new hero and I needed to know there are women who suffer these events and still maintain hope. Olsen lets his readers see the story through the character's eyes, as if we were there. Unable to put it down, I end up reading the whole book in one day!