SWAN DIVE
Author: Michael Burke
Copyright 2009
Pleasure Book Studio: A Literary Press
Caravel Books
Paperback $ 15.00
ISBN-10: 1929355505
ISBN-13: 978-1929355501
175 pages
If you were a private investigator, would you wonder about a family relationship if a wealthy father hired you to investigate his only son’s possible affairs? Added to that, the son is engaged to a wealthy, educated, intelligent, and beautiful woman who appears very proper. Why would he chance that relationship for a one-night stand, or is there another woman who means more to him?
Most private investigators have relationships with local law enforcement officials and apparently the local police recommended this family to use Blue. Blue has formerly been a part of the local law enforcement. Since he needs to pay his bills, Blue quickly agrees. However he soon realizes that even though the family can afford to pay him, they haven’t been completely honest with him and want their own secrets to stay hidden.
Johnny “Blue” Heron decides to take the case but wonders about the family when the fiancée’s father temporarily bullies him into his personal limousine and offers to pay him off if he drops the case. Huh? Her own father apparently does not want Blue investigating his future son-in-law. Why does it seem like the wrong families are investigating the wrong people?
Do the priorities seem a little confused? That is exactly how Blue feels throughout this investigation which has a variety of twists involving numerous crimes including embezzlement, perjury, incest, and murder. As Blue discovers more truths, the problems tend to grow geometrically.
While “Blue” is wondering and investigating these bizarre relationships, he unfortunately discovers the son’s dead body. Was he having an affair with this woman? Was he poisoned? How? If there was poison wouldn’t others at a party also possibly be endangered?
SWAN DIVE is seen through Blue’s point-of-view. His eyes, while wandering to attractive females, always deceive him when it comes to meeting attractive women. Blue’s persistence and curiosity are his traits that are the driving force throughout the novel.
In the case of SWAN DIVE, good reads do come in small packages. The only flaw was in the shortness of this precise gem. As a reader, you are constantly wondering what Blue will find and the strangeness of the situations for whom he is working.
Michael Burke shows his artistry is literature with his first novel, SWAN DIVE. He definitely has a varied past from being a Harvard graduate, being in the army, working as an astronomer, studying urban planning, and finally becoming an artist through painting and sculpture.
THE MUSIC OF THE SPHERES will be the next book in the Johnny”Blue” Heron series is due to be published this year.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
The Bad Book Affair
THE BAD BOOK AFFAIR
Author: Ian Sansom
Copyright: 2010
Harper Collins
Trade Paperback
ISBN:978-0-06-145201-7
$13.99
350 pages
Mystery
Being a vegetarian who is Jewish, English, and a mobile librarian, makes Israel Armstrong seem to be displaced while living in Northern Ireland on the coast of the most northern part in the small community of Tundrum. In actuality, his natural attraction and awkwardness in social situations makes THE BAD BOOK AFFAIR a comical and relaxing reading experience.
Since Israel allowed a 14-year-old, Lyndsay Morris, to check out a book from the unshelved section of the library, he finds himself as a suspect when the girl is missing. Why would he allow her to check out from this censorable book section? How would you know that a girl is only fourteen when she appears older from both her appearance and actions?
What do you do if you are suspected of being involved with the disappearance of a politician’s 14-year-old daughter? Being that Israel doesn’t always avoid conflict, he decides to investigate himself into the girl’s past, earning him problems from his superior and the respect of a local reporter.
Israel Armstrong is humanly plagued of being a realistic character. The depressed mobile librarian recently split from his longtime girlfriend and has the unfortunate ability to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. However what makes this quirky character so delightful is his non-magnetic character who in real-life would not ever be considered as a protagonist. Being this is a novel, knowing Israel, no one feels envious of him, but in each of us, Israel is the perfect example for everyone’s insecurities. He is the typical Charlie Brown without being in a “Peanuts” cartoon.
Being the fourth book in a series, it has to be difficult to meet the needs of a continuation of a series and to be able for the story to be successful as a single novel. THE BAD BOOK AFFAIR accomplishes that and more. This particular novel exceeds the previous ones in that Israel is more human, depressed, and definitely troubled.
For an antagonist, the ever optimistic sidekick, Ted, the driver and heart of the mobile library who knows everyone’s past and secrets, has difficulty constantly lifting the spirits while motivating his comrade. All the characters are realistic in that none of them are perfect and the story revolves around all their flaws.
Ian Sansom resides in Northern Ireland. He contributes regularly to THE GUARDIAN and the LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS.
Author: Ian Sansom
Copyright: 2010
Harper Collins
Trade Paperback
ISBN:978-0-06-145201-7
$13.99
350 pages
Mystery
Being a vegetarian who is Jewish, English, and a mobile librarian, makes Israel Armstrong seem to be displaced while living in Northern Ireland on the coast of the most northern part in the small community of Tundrum. In actuality, his natural attraction and awkwardness in social situations makes THE BAD BOOK AFFAIR a comical and relaxing reading experience.
Since Israel allowed a 14-year-old, Lyndsay Morris, to check out a book from the unshelved section of the library, he finds himself as a suspect when the girl is missing. Why would he allow her to check out from this censorable book section? How would you know that a girl is only fourteen when she appears older from both her appearance and actions?
What do you do if you are suspected of being involved with the disappearance of a politician’s 14-year-old daughter? Being that Israel doesn’t always avoid conflict, he decides to investigate himself into the girl’s past, earning him problems from his superior and the respect of a local reporter.
Israel Armstrong is humanly plagued of being a realistic character. The depressed mobile librarian recently split from his longtime girlfriend and has the unfortunate ability to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. However what makes this quirky character so delightful is his non-magnetic character who in real-life would not ever be considered as a protagonist. Being this is a novel, knowing Israel, no one feels envious of him, but in each of us, Israel is the perfect example for everyone’s insecurities. He is the typical Charlie Brown without being in a “Peanuts” cartoon.
Being the fourth book in a series, it has to be difficult to meet the needs of a continuation of a series and to be able for the story to be successful as a single novel. THE BAD BOOK AFFAIR accomplishes that and more. This particular novel exceeds the previous ones in that Israel is more human, depressed, and definitely troubled.
For an antagonist, the ever optimistic sidekick, Ted, the driver and heart of the mobile library who knows everyone’s past and secrets, has difficulty constantly lifting the spirits while motivating his comrade. All the characters are realistic in that none of them are perfect and the story revolves around all their flaws.
Ian Sansom resides in Northern Ireland. He contributes regularly to THE GUARDIAN and the LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
DEATH OF A WITCH
DEATH OF A WITCH
Author: M. C. Beaton
Copyright 2010
Grand Central Publishing
Hachette Book Group
Paperback $ 6.99
ISBN 978-0-446-61549-5
246 pages
Hamish Macbeth enjoys his bachelor life as a police constable in the Scottish town of Lochdubh with his dog and wild cat. He knows the people in his tight-knit community and understands their superstitions and eccentricities. His longtime service to them has earned a mutual trust for his form of justice for these secluded people.
Lochdubh isn’t always receptive to newcomers, but when a single woman moves here, she quickly has an herbal business which is catering to the older men. Hamish begins to question the woman who claims to be a witch after learning that she is selling an herb to these men that supposedly enhances their sexual prowess. The local physician informs Hamish that this particular herb is actually damaging their organs. The questioning of her is difficult and irritates him so much that later on he mentions that he would like to kill her.
When he returns to her house, no one answers the door so he lets himself in only to discover that someone already killed the woman by cutting her throat. While he is wondering if he be accused of being the murderer after his threat, the house begins to burn forcing him to quickly leave. Is the killer still around and now burning the house? This launches the investigation into the witch’s past and is complicated by three additional murders of other women in this small village.
To further complicate Hamish’s life, he does not get along with the upper echelon in the police. His superior does not value his experience and connection with his community and would prefer for him to retire or just to leave. So now, what if he is accused of murdering this witch?
Hamish also has the challenge of being a bachelor with three women expecting their own exclusive relationship with him. There is Lesley who is the new forensic expert brought in to assist in the investigation. She’s a little on the pudgy side, and is definitely interested in him. Elspeth is his longtime friend but works as a reporter. Priscilla is the daughter of the owner of the local hotel. He expects them to be there for him whenever it pleases him.
To be able to write the 25th mystery in a series has to be a challenge. How could a writer continue the development of the continual characters without having to restate all the previous novels and still allow the loyal readers further insight into the characters? Obviously there are some of the series that are better than others. Death of a Witch is definitely a well-written mystery. The story winds, twists, and turns in unexpected but logical paths with the humor from this small Scottish town.
M.C. Beaton is the pseudonym for Marion McChesney who has also written under the names Sarah Chester, Helen Crampton, Ann Fairfax, Marion Gibbons, Jennie Tremaine, Charlotte Ward, and Marion Chesney. Depending on the genre and the protagonist, she has written historical romance novels and mystery novels.
Author: M. C. Beaton
Copyright 2010
Grand Central Publishing
Hachette Book Group
Paperback $ 6.99
ISBN 978-0-446-61549-5
246 pages
Hamish Macbeth enjoys his bachelor life as a police constable in the Scottish town of Lochdubh with his dog and wild cat. He knows the people in his tight-knit community and understands their superstitions and eccentricities. His longtime service to them has earned a mutual trust for his form of justice for these secluded people.
Lochdubh isn’t always receptive to newcomers, but when a single woman moves here, she quickly has an herbal business which is catering to the older men. Hamish begins to question the woman who claims to be a witch after learning that she is selling an herb to these men that supposedly enhances their sexual prowess. The local physician informs Hamish that this particular herb is actually damaging their organs. The questioning of her is difficult and irritates him so much that later on he mentions that he would like to kill her.
When he returns to her house, no one answers the door so he lets himself in only to discover that someone already killed the woman by cutting her throat. While he is wondering if he be accused of being the murderer after his threat, the house begins to burn forcing him to quickly leave. Is the killer still around and now burning the house? This launches the investigation into the witch’s past and is complicated by three additional murders of other women in this small village.
To further complicate Hamish’s life, he does not get along with the upper echelon in the police. His superior does not value his experience and connection with his community and would prefer for him to retire or just to leave. So now, what if he is accused of murdering this witch?
Hamish also has the challenge of being a bachelor with three women expecting their own exclusive relationship with him. There is Lesley who is the new forensic expert brought in to assist in the investigation. She’s a little on the pudgy side, and is definitely interested in him. Elspeth is his longtime friend but works as a reporter. Priscilla is the daughter of the owner of the local hotel. He expects them to be there for him whenever it pleases him.
To be able to write the 25th mystery in a series has to be a challenge. How could a writer continue the development of the continual characters without having to restate all the previous novels and still allow the loyal readers further insight into the characters? Obviously there are some of the series that are better than others. Death of a Witch is definitely a well-written mystery. The story winds, twists, and turns in unexpected but logical paths with the humor from this small Scottish town.
M.C. Beaton is the pseudonym for Marion McChesney who has also written under the names Sarah Chester, Helen Crampton, Ann Fairfax, Marion Gibbons, Jennie Tremaine, Charlotte Ward, and Marion Chesney. Depending on the genre and the protagonist, she has written historical romance novels and mystery novels.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
THE FAT LADY SINGS
THE FAT LADY SINGS: A MARGOT & MAX MYSTERY
Author: Kit Sloane
Copyright 2010
Oak Tree Press
Paperback $14.95
ISBN 978-1-892343-61-1
246 pages
People in the entertainment business realize their lives rotate between being overwhelmed with work or the silent lull in-between jobs. That is the situation for Margot and Max.
Margot usually works as a film editor for her significant love, Max. Unusually now, he has no film projects that he is writing or directing. The two are enjoying each other’s company in this time which is not hectic while Max searching for a new film story.
While being part of the audience for their son in his college theatrical performance, Max and Margot are honored to meet the cast who is honored to meet these professional film-business celebrities. Especially noticeable is the diva, Lenore Chambers who is thrilled to meet them, especially Margot. Lenore does mention that they recently lost a member of their musical group who even though the soprano was rumored to die by being impaled, in actuality, she was poisoned.
Lenore later arranges to send Margot and Max tickets for Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Mikado which is being performed by the touring troupe in Los Angeles. Max feels that his recent experience of one musical by Gilbert & Sullivan has more than fulfilled any need in that category and suggests that Margot go and take one of her friends with her.
As the two are arriving at the theater, they are shocked to see SWAT teams circling the theater. Curiously, the two walk to the theater and observe Lenore holding the hand of someone who is on a stretcher with a sheet covering them. Later they are told that a bomb went off in the theater killing the director of the production. Who would kill the director of a musical performing company who specialize in Gilbert & Sullivan musicals?
Now, Margot has agreed to work with the company as the director in their performance of Gilbert & Sullivan’s Patience. The company knows their lines, but Margot wants to find a new way to raise their performance to a higher level.
THE FAT LADY SINGS is fun reading. Each chapter keeps you wondering about who is safe, who could be killed, and why. Added to that is the taste of the satirical Gilbert & Sullivan’s operettas which pokes fun at society at all levels.
THE FAT LADY SINGS is the 7th in the Margot and Max series by Kit Sloane featuring film editor, Margot O’Bannon and her significant partner, Max Skull, a well-known film director. Ms. Sloane is recognized as the first fiction editor of FUTURES Mystery Magazine, a longtime member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and Mystery Women of the UK. She lives with her husband, who is a professor, on a horse ranch in northern California.
Teri Davis
Author: Kit Sloane
Copyright 2010
Oak Tree Press
Paperback $14.95
ISBN 978-1-892343-61-1
246 pages
People in the entertainment business realize their lives rotate between being overwhelmed with work or the silent lull in-between jobs. That is the situation for Margot and Max.
Margot usually works as a film editor for her significant love, Max. Unusually now, he has no film projects that he is writing or directing. The two are enjoying each other’s company in this time which is not hectic while Max searching for a new film story.
While being part of the audience for their son in his college theatrical performance, Max and Margot are honored to meet the cast who is honored to meet these professional film-business celebrities. Especially noticeable is the diva, Lenore Chambers who is thrilled to meet them, especially Margot. Lenore does mention that they recently lost a member of their musical group who even though the soprano was rumored to die by being impaled, in actuality, she was poisoned.
Lenore later arranges to send Margot and Max tickets for Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Mikado which is being performed by the touring troupe in Los Angeles. Max feels that his recent experience of one musical by Gilbert & Sullivan has more than fulfilled any need in that category and suggests that Margot go and take one of her friends with her.
As the two are arriving at the theater, they are shocked to see SWAT teams circling the theater. Curiously, the two walk to the theater and observe Lenore holding the hand of someone who is on a stretcher with a sheet covering them. Later they are told that a bomb went off in the theater killing the director of the production. Who would kill the director of a musical performing company who specialize in Gilbert & Sullivan musicals?
Now, Margot has agreed to work with the company as the director in their performance of Gilbert & Sullivan’s Patience. The company knows their lines, but Margot wants to find a new way to raise their performance to a higher level.
THE FAT LADY SINGS is fun reading. Each chapter keeps you wondering about who is safe, who could be killed, and why. Added to that is the taste of the satirical Gilbert & Sullivan’s operettas which pokes fun at society at all levels.
THE FAT LADY SINGS is the 7th in the Margot and Max series by Kit Sloane featuring film editor, Margot O’Bannon and her significant partner, Max Skull, a well-known film director. Ms. Sloane is recognized as the first fiction editor of FUTURES Mystery Magazine, a longtime member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and Mystery Women of the UK. She lives with her husband, who is a professor, on a horse ranch in northern California.
Teri Davis
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Where the Heart Was
WHERE THE HEART WAS
Author: Glenn G. Boyer
Copyright: 2010
Legendary Publishing
Hardback
ISBN: 978-1-887747-40-0
$34.95
552 pages
Fiction/Historical Fiction/Biographical
“ I, Edwin Newton, Cheek, rode off to war that spring I was eleven, in the warm fly-buzzing days-in the spring of the lush lilacs, 1861. I rode on my little Indian pony, Cannonball, beside my father, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Cheek. I wasn’t exactly a drummer boy, though I was enlisted as one. I had more freedom. I never beat a drum. I was more a mascot. I rode down the main street at the head of the regiment with Pa and Colonel Smith, the regimental commander, passing between hunting-draped business houses, all closed in our honor.”
Through the eyes of Ben Edward Todd, the protagonist, WHERE THE HEART WAS is a journey into the real day-to-day life of growing up in America since the Civil War. This American Saga reflects the history and the determination and loyalty of diverse people from various ethnic groups all making the best of whatever situation or difficulty they encounter. This is the lovingly written story of a family and their lives in this country, especially during the Great Depression years.
The writing style reminds me of James Michener. The change in our country from the people literally living at a subsistence level to becoming educated and successful as industry became a vital component, is the underlying basis as our basic social needs changed over time. As the time progresses, Mr. Boyer actually takes the reader into the daily living trials and tribulations.
The strength of this novel is the accurate sense of time. As you read each page, the accuracy of being with each character demonstrates the strong personal voice of being there with having an understanding of the social and economic situations of the time. From dealing with the issues of racism, to wars, to the reality of life during the years of Herbert Hoover and F.D. Roosevelt, you feel as if you are thrust back into time. Glenn Boyer succeeds in using all the senses in American story.
WHERE THE HEART WAS begins with the Civil War but looks at it from the point-of-view of someone who is actually witnessing each event. There is the vision that the war was more than the slavery issue. The differences in the economic situations were more underlying causes than the obvious.
WHERE THE HEART WAS immerses your thoughts with the patriotism and history of building our country. It is obvious that this was a labor of love for the author. He truly loves his characters and their lives as he magically tells Bennie’s story, which is somewhat autobiographical based on himself.
Glenn G. Boyer based this book on his life growing up in north central Wisconsin. Previously he has been considered to be the expert on Wyatt Earp. WHERE THE HEART WAS also shows him to be a masterful storyteller about his life and his family.
Teri Davis January 6, 2010
Author: Glenn G. Boyer
Copyright: 2010
Legendary Publishing
Hardback
ISBN: 978-1-887747-40-0
$34.95
552 pages
Fiction/Historical Fiction/Biographical
“ I, Edwin Newton, Cheek, rode off to war that spring I was eleven, in the warm fly-buzzing days-in the spring of the lush lilacs, 1861. I rode on my little Indian pony, Cannonball, beside my father, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Cheek. I wasn’t exactly a drummer boy, though I was enlisted as one. I had more freedom. I never beat a drum. I was more a mascot. I rode down the main street at the head of the regiment with Pa and Colonel Smith, the regimental commander, passing between hunting-draped business houses, all closed in our honor.”
Through the eyes of Ben Edward Todd, the protagonist, WHERE THE HEART WAS is a journey into the real day-to-day life of growing up in America since the Civil War. This American Saga reflects the history and the determination and loyalty of diverse people from various ethnic groups all making the best of whatever situation or difficulty they encounter. This is the lovingly written story of a family and their lives in this country, especially during the Great Depression years.
The writing style reminds me of James Michener. The change in our country from the people literally living at a subsistence level to becoming educated and successful as industry became a vital component, is the underlying basis as our basic social needs changed over time. As the time progresses, Mr. Boyer actually takes the reader into the daily living trials and tribulations.
The strength of this novel is the accurate sense of time. As you read each page, the accuracy of being with each character demonstrates the strong personal voice of being there with having an understanding of the social and economic situations of the time. From dealing with the issues of racism, to wars, to the reality of life during the years of Herbert Hoover and F.D. Roosevelt, you feel as if you are thrust back into time. Glenn Boyer succeeds in using all the senses in American story.
WHERE THE HEART WAS begins with the Civil War but looks at it from the point-of-view of someone who is actually witnessing each event. There is the vision that the war was more than the slavery issue. The differences in the economic situations were more underlying causes than the obvious.
WHERE THE HEART WAS immerses your thoughts with the patriotism and history of building our country. It is obvious that this was a labor of love for the author. He truly loves his characters and their lives as he magically tells Bennie’s story, which is somewhat autobiographical based on himself.
Glenn G. Boyer based this book on his life growing up in north central Wisconsin. Previously he has been considered to be the expert on Wyatt Earp. WHERE THE HEART WAS also shows him to be a masterful storyteller about his life and his family.
Teri Davis January 6, 2010
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