BigAlvis41@aol.com
2nd Chance by James Patterson. 5 stars.
A great sequel to 1st to Die. Lindsay Boxer and the girls are a great hit as the Woman's Murder Club really gets involved personally in their latest escapade. Lots of surprises and a virtual trick ending.

Zoya's Story by Zoya. 4 ½ stars.
An awesome autobiography of a twenty-four year old Afghani woman's fight to reverse Muslim Fundamentalism and to further the rights of women in Afghanistan. For a westerner and New Yorker this book certainly provided a great deal of counterpoint to my usual perspective of both Muslims and in particular Afghanis.

Neon Rain by James Lee Burke. 4 ½ stars.
An introduction to the New Orleans PD and later Iberia Parish Sheriff Dave Robincheaux. While the story itself is a great thriller for the fan of Robincheaux this book sets the stage and provides the background material for many of the later novels in the series. I loved it.

Puss in Boots by Ed McBain. 5 stars.
Not to be confused with the children's story thriller. In this Matthew Hope novel pornography, murder, mutilation all add up to a great read in spite of the fairy tale sounding title.

Privileged Conversation by Evan Hunter. 4 ½ stars.
A study in the gradual drifting into a serious love affair between a successful psychiatrist and a dancer. Without giving anything away the gradual changes that occur in the life of the psychiatrist surely manifest the reason why Evan Hunter reads so well in this persona as well as his better known Ed McBain, the master of the police procedural thriller. Here as Hunter the crimes that occur are secondary to the development of the relationships between the doctor and the dancer and the subsequent consequences that ensue.

*****

KATHLAU@aol.com
The Summons by John Grisham. 3 stars.
Author goes back to his Mississippi roots with the personally troubled Ray Atlee. What do you to with 3 million dollars your dead father left in the house? Uneven, like Grisham's last few attempts (Painted House , a notable exception) Still a good summer read.

*****

shannon_scott@hotmail.com
McGarr at the Dublin Horse Show by Bartholemew Gill. 4 stars.
I recently re-read McGarr at the Dublin Horse Show by one of my favorite author's Bartholomew Gill. A murder mystery, set in Dublin, McGarr at the Dublin Horse Show is a complicated who-dunnit with fascinating characters and insight into the Irish culture.

*****

MLWReader@aol.com
City of Bones by Michael Connelly. 4 ½ stars.
A wonderfully written and absorbing detective story, set in modern day Los Angeles. Harry Bosch is a character met before in other Connelly books, a fellow just so human you want to smack him upside the head for some of the stuff he thinks and does. The love relationship in this one takes an interesting turn, completely unexpected. I love Michael Connelly's books, he captures so much of the essence of Los Angeles, wrapped up in a package of really good story telling.

Lucky Man by Michael J. Fox. 3 ½ stars.
I have always admired Michael J. Fox, thought he was awfully cute for such a little guy (being 5'11" myself, it was not that I had any romantic fantasies about him - LOL) but I did not know or even guess that such a man of substance and character lay within him. I love memoirs, and this is a good one. The tone of the book sounds just like the man who wrote it. I was pleased to note on the back cover that proceeds from its sale are being donated to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Good job Michael.

The Weight of Water by Anita Shreve. 3 stars.
Good Lord, could there be more tragedy and darkness in a book! I would have tossed it across the room except for the fact that it was so beautifully written. The book is set in an area off the coast of New England, mainly on a tiny, cold, desolate island named Smuttynose. There is a dual storyline, one about an old murder that took place a century or two ago, and one about a tragic death that might be called a murder by neglect due to the self involvement of the victim's caretakers. I found the details of the earlier story to be fascinating, so much so that I intend to do a little research into the history of the area. This book is well-written, but be prepared for a dark and gloomy tale.

It by Stephen King. 4 ½ stars.
This is my second reading of this novel. I belong to an online Stephen King book discussion group, and we are having so much fun reading SK's old stuff. This is one of my personal faves. It is very meaty, gives lots of great details and insights into the characters, both as children and as adults, and is just as gripping and as much of a page turner as it ever was. I am so pleased to be experiencing so much pleasure in rereading this book, because I am finding that SK's recent books (and I still love him just as much, don't get me wrong) just do not have the magic of the early ones. But I admire so much that he keeps on writing, and trying new things, he is a real creative genius, plus just an all around good guy.

Evidence from Beyond by Margaret Flavell, edited by Ruth Mattson Taylor. 4 stars.
I have a great deal of interest in paranormal events, and this book was right up my alley. A.D. Mattson was a minister who died in 1970. This work allows A.D. to take the reader by the hand and discuss questions concerning the afterlife, through his after death communications to clairvoyant Margaret Flavell. It is a very thoughtful book, with a clear message of personal responsibility and commitment to a higher good. In my opinion the book is worth reading even if the reader does not believe in channeling, clairvoyance, life after death or any of the other metaphysical concepts that are becoming so popular today.

*****

mathwrites@hotmail.com
Sirene's Song by Hallie Bingham. 5 stars.
Contemporary romance. Excellent. Exciting, unpredictable, and sexy. I loved this novel, a first book by Hallie Bingham.

*****

Grandmareadme@aol.com
Hamlet's Dresser by Bob Smith. 5 stars.
It is about growing old and how the works of Shakespeare can be used though out anyone life to help you get through.

Jerusalem the City of God by Ellen Gunderson Traylor. 4 ½ stars.
It follows how the city was founded. There is a lot of Biblical references which is why I like it.

Follow the River by James Alexander Thom. 3 ½ stars.
I have read this before and enjoyed it again when we read it for book club this month.

*****

Bibliobabe2@aol.com
P is for Peril by Sue Grafton. 5 stars.
I'm a long time Sue/Kinsey fan, and any time I get to spend in Kinsey's company is great. In this installment, a prominent physician goes missing and Kinsey is hired by the man's ex-wife to find him. She does, but he's dead, and the list of suspects grows and changes with every fact Kinsey uncovers about the man's life and various involvements. Many recurring characters put in an appearance, including Kinsey's landlord, Henry, who is the dreamiest senior citizen ever. Smart, breezy, and highly enjoyable.

*****

Gratitude90@aol.com
Nickel and Dimed, On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich. 4 stars.
I'm only a third of the way through, but it's one of those non-fiction books that I don't want to put down, think about when I'm doing other things, and am genuinely annoyed by interruptions when I'm reading it.

*****

susanrjensen@yahoo.com
Drowning Ruth by Christina Schwarz. 4 stars.
Ruth's mother drowns when she is just a toddler. Although she witnessed the event, she can't remember much about it. Her aunt, who was also there, is suspiciously tight-lipped, dismissing Ruth's questions as quickly as they come. Still, Ruth knows something is amiss; she knows her life won't be complete until she finds the truth. A haunting and sinister tale about secrets and the lengths we'll go to keep them hidden.

Princess by Jean Sasson. 3 stars.
The true story of Sultana, a princess in Saudi Arabia. Discusses her life, with a particular emphasis on the lack of rights for women in the Middle East. A unique and fascinating glimpse behind the veils that hide Saudi women from the outside world.

*****

vitale@grantsburgtelcom.net
Househusband by Ad Hudler.
The story of a man who gives up his career to take care of his daughter when his wife takes a high-powered corporate job. it's a fantastic read!

Undaunted Courage by Stephen E. Ambrose.
It's about the Lewis and Clark exploration, and it's just terrific. I recently read in time magazine that Ambrose has lung cancer and isn't expected to live long. What a terrible tragedy for him and his family and also for the history-loving public he will leave behind. We need more writers like Ambrose.

*****

kerihomemaker@hotmail.com
Madam, The Grass is High by Dennis H. Christen. 5 stars.
I do not normally read a book through a second time so close to having read it the first time. I couldn't get the characters out of my mind. They were so well developed and so real that I felt I had met a few new friends that I could have over anytime I wanted. After reading the book just two weeks ago, I felt like I missed them and finally realized that if I wanted to see them again, I'd have to go back into the story. That's what I did this last weekend, and I loved it even more the second time through. I had actually ordered the book from www.booksnflicks.com for my mother. It advertises as a love story about the old for the young, so after hearing about it from several different sources, I thought I'd get it for my mother. It arrived after only three days and so I thought I'd sneak a peek and couldn't put it down. Mom got it and loved it to, so I borrowed it back this weekend and really got into it. Can't wait for it to become a movie.

*****

alemesh@aol.com
Irish Trilogy by Thomas Flanagan.
I had never heard of Thomas Flanagan til I read his obituary in the paper a few months ago. It said he had written a trilogy of novels about Irish history beginning in 1798. They are The Year of the French, The Tenants of Time, and End of the Hunt. Anyone who is interested in Irish history will be delighted with these insightful and beautifully written novels.

*****

victorsap@msn.com
The Boy Must Die by Jon Redfern. 5 stars.
I highly recommend this novel. It is an excellent murder mystery set in Lethbridge, Alberta. The novel has been nominated for an Arthur Ellis Award as Best First Novel. It is an excellent summer read for lovers of murder mysteries.

*****

omgpet2@aol.com
Sea Glass by Anita Shreve. 2 ½ stars.
The plotting is good and the writing is on topic and not meandering. The characters and their motivations seem somewhat murky, however.

*****

TTYUSER@aol.com
Blackhawk Down by Mark Bowden. 4 stars
How our military elite actually live the phrase of "Leave No Man Behind."

*****

mitchaj@comcast.net
Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser. 4 stars.
Compelling expose of the fast food industry with an emphasis on its effect on American culture, and a devastating look at the industries that support it (meatpacking, etc).

Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks. 3 stars.
Entertaining and instructive historical fiction set in 17th century England during the Plague. Well-written but the main character seems to have an almost 21st century sensibility that is somewhat hard to believe.

Jacob's Ladder by Donald McCaig. 5 stars.
Powerful novel of the Civil War in Virginia from a southern perspective.

*****

SIROLIVER@aol.com
It Takes A Worried Man by Brendan Halpin. 3 stars.
First book I have read from the point of view of a man's wife and her breast Cancer. Well written. Would be very interested in a Cancer victims opinion on this one.

The Salt House by Cynthia Huntington. 5 stars.
Living in a salt shack on the Cape during off season. Wonderful journal. You really find out who you are and who you are not living in such raw circumstances.

*****

CarolyngriffinNH@aol.com
Mystic River by Dennis Lehane. 5 stars.
This is one of the best, well written mysteries I've read in a while. It is a who-done-it, but much more. The story involves three young boys growing up in a Boston blue collar neighborhood. A tragic event changes all of them. Then the story continues in the present when the young boys are in their thirties, all three having chosen very different paths.

*****

cleas@earthlink.net
Schopenhauer's Porcupine by Deborah Anna Luepnitz. 4 stars.
Very readable and as flowing as any fiction narrative, this psychotherapists' five case studies explore the problems of intimacy, using the porcupine (which huddle for warmth, but then withdraw from each other's spines) as a metaphor for the human heart. A really great book.

*****

TonyBrandin@peoplepc.com
Embers by Sandor Marai. 2 ½ stars.
Disappointing. Set in post-World War II Hungary but describing events at the turn of the 20th-century in Austro-Hungarian Vienna, "Embers" is fundamentally the monologue of an old aristocrat confronting his merchant-class former friend about two mortal sins committed decades ago. The entire action of the novel consists of a formal dinner at the aristocrat's ancestral castle and a one-sided conversation describing from one point of view relationships between three people--the aristocrat, his wife, and the former friend--that foundered forty-one years previously. Nothing much happens in the novel's present. And unfortunately, Marai's monologue narrative technique distances any conflict that occurred in the past, rendering "Embers" a very boring read.

*****

BettyL412@aol.com
Deep In A Dream: The Long Night of Chet Baker by James Gavin. 5 stars.
This is the definitive biography of Chet Baker, Jazz Trumpeter. Chet Baker was winning jazz polls when in his early 20's and still playing in his late 50's, but the good thing in his life during this period was his music. Although he had a terrible drug problem, he made some of the most beautiful and romantic music ever recorded. Gavin has done a remarkable job of tracing Baker's career and documenting his work; he also has given us a portrait of a man who lived to get high and play music. His death in Amsterdam on May 13, yes it was Friday, 1988 has given rise to all kinds of theories. Gavin does a good job of unraveling the mystery.

As a Chet Baker fan I appreciated this in-depth biography. Knowing of his chaotic life makes me all the more appreciative of the beautiful music he created.

*****

Ksuberi@aol.com
Twist At The End by Steven Saylor. 4 stars.
A murder mystery that is part truth, part fiction that takes place during O. Henry's stay in Austin, Texas.

Atonement by Ian McEwan. 3 stars.
Dark and confusing love/hate story.

Up Country by Nelson DeMille. 5 stars.
A trip back to Vietnam for the main character who served two tours of duty during the Vietnam war. He returned in the 90's to investigate a murder and find the North Vietnamese soldier who witnessed the murder. Fascinating!

Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand. 5 stars.
A true story about a race horse with a big heart and about horse racing and what goes on behind the scenes. I loved it.

There's A Spiritual Solution to Every Problem by Wayne Dyer. 4 stars.
Dr. Dyer continues his practical teachings in this timely book. I found it while my father was terminally ill. It helped me through his illness and death.

*****

PPartri727@aol.com
Runestone by Don Coldsmith.
An excellent Historical fiction type action novel which is replete with facts and legends concerning the early Norsemen who preceded Columbus in coming to North America by a few hundred years. The adventure of some stranded Norsemen and Indians they become allies with in a hostile land is a very well set up novel with characters that you can easily visualize and reactions to stress and emergencies that make them all so believable. A superb read.

Vendetta by Ed Gorman.
Police type mystery and frankly not worth the time to read it. The Characters seem stilted and one dimensional. The author seems to have a talent for plot/story but when it comes to "fleshing," out the book characters it becomes obvious he is lacking in that ability.

Help Yourself by Dave Pelzer.
Mr. Pelzer gives the reader more of the miraculous goodness of his own nature and inspires us all with hope and optimism to make ourselves better people. The man is great and the book is wonderful.

*****

SKFHI@aol.com
The Shelters of Stone by Jean Auel. 3 stars.
I'm glad that I didn't reread books one through four. Continual flashbacks more than refreshed my memories -- enough to provide any first time Auel reader enough background from the entire series. Excessive detailed descriptions, and continual repetitions of those descriptions, detracts from a good story, though, I would still consider it a must read for those Auel fans who have been waiting so many years for her next book.

*****

Stebie2003@aol.com
Resolutions for the Millennium by Jennifer Fox. 4 stars.
The book is very easy to read and gives you simple resolutions on how to live your life. Basically a self help book.

Resolving Conflict with Others and Within Yourself by Gini Graham Scott, Ph.D. 4 ½ stars.
The book is designed to teach you new techniques to deal with people who may be difficult, rub you the wrong way, or you can't figure out. Also, the book gives you insight on how to rethink the way you look at difficult everyday situations. I think everyone could benefit from this book if they are finding it difficult to deal with stressful everyday family, work, and friendship situations.

*****

mbunting@acuson.com
I Like it Better When You're Funny by Charles Grodin.
Grodin's latest book about his adventures on cable talk shows is not his best.

It Would Be So Nice if You Weren't Here by Charles Grodin. 3 stars.

Step-Ball-Change by Jeanne Ray. 4 stars.
Not as good as Julie and Romeo but still upbeat and fun.

Learning to Fly by April Henry. 4 stars.
Very interesting heroine and an engrossing story.

Courting Trouble by Lisa Scottoline. 4 stars.
A new heroine for Scottoline, but the same all-woman law firm; quick reading, interesting story; fun to read about Philadelphia (my old home town).

True to Form by Elizabeth Berg. 5 stars.
Just started, but her writing is always top-notch.

*****

GeoBarb636@aol.com
The Blue Edge of Midnight by Jonathon King. 5 stars.
Set in the everglades of Florida, great descriptions of the glades. Hard to put down.

*****

ATENC3@AOL.COM
A Widow for One Year by John Irving. 4 stars.
Interesting! And, of course, you can't help but love Irving's wit and satire.

*****

Lucky4750@aol.com
Face The Fire by Nora Roberts. 5 stars.
This is the third and final story in the Three Sister's Island series. But if you just read any one of the books by themselves they are all great on their own. Only Nora Roberts can write about the magical happenings in life with fairies, warlocks and witches, and have it turn into a mesmerizing story that you find yourself almost "believing". This last one is great and you won't want to put it down once you start.

Summer House by Jude Deveraux. 5 stars.
What a wonderful story she has written. It's amazing how you feel so connected to her characters. Truly great read.

*****

brady538_91208@yahoo.com
The Mountain of the Women by Liam Clancy.
This is a memoir worth reading. It is not a rags to riches story, but one that starts out in Ireland and eventually goes to the good ole' USA, but always keeps the Irish qualities and flavor that is interesting. The Irish have a history and way about them that is surely unique and it seems, in every book I have ever read regarding the Irish, the men are all drunkards; 'tis amazing. The star of the story, Liam Clancy, does not drink a lot only because he had an ulcer from youth on. This is a story that should ring the cockles of your heart.

*****

BettyB6768@aol.com
Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon. 3 stars.
It has won some prizes apparently, and the premise is interesting--a fictionalized history of young artists of the early comic books. BUT, the author's STYLE gets in my way. Some authors think they have to show us their erudition with lots of fancy words. It can get annoying.

*****

MGarber866@aol.com
Evans To Betsy by Rhys Bowen. 5 stars.
A Constable Evans Mystery. You have to love Constable Evans. Rhys Bowen has made his town very inviting. Harry's Red Dragon is a place where "everybody knows your name." Evans-the-Post on his motorbike who reads all the postcards, is typical of the characters Bowen has conjured up to delight us. The continuous nature of the tale invites us to look forward to the next book.

If Looks Could Kill by Kate White. 5 stars.
Bailey Wiggins's occupation as writer for a woman's magazine gives her a variety of assignments to solve not only mysteries but gives a voice involving any number of issues. In this book, it helps to be a New Yorker, or rather it gives the New Yorker the opportunity to try to identify the restaurant or neighborhood or park in which the scene is taking place. The inside look at the magazine publishing world is engaging enough, but isn't it the same in many creative area? The jealousy, the back stabbing, the distrust?

*****

June528@aol.com
Harvest by Tess Gerritsen.
It is her first book. The story is wonderful and I really like it, however, I'm not greatly impressed with the writing. I don't know if she has written anything since this which has improved her writing, but the book on a whole is average.

*****

EZREADER1265@aol.com
White Smoke by Andrew Greeley. 4 stars.
An oldie but a goodie. background into how a pope is elected. Fascinating.

The Women of Primrose Creek by Linda Lael Miller. 3 stars.
Definitely summer reading. Story of 4 women surviving after the Civil War in Nevada.

*****

MysteryNut19@aol.com
Long Road Home by Danielle Steel. 2 ½ stars.
Story of a young victim of child abuse and her journey into adulthood. It was very hard on the heart reading the vivid descriptions of abuse.

*****

gojessgo@looped.com
Savannah Blues by Mary Kay Andrews. 4 stars.
This is a very funny, clever mystery. I love the setting of Savannah and the antiquing community. I also loved the descriptions of the heroine's family and the real drama that unfolded in the family. I really liked this book.

Perfect Match by Jodi Picoult. 5+ stars.
This is the best book I have read this year. This is the story of an Assistant D.A. who finds out her son has been sexually molested and the way she chooses to handle it outside of the law. It challenged me, it made me think, and it made me question why I believe the way I do about many things. What more could you want in a book? I highly, highly recommend this book.

Riptide by Catherine Coulter. 3 stars.
Mind candy. Meaningless, out-there and implausible plot. Everything wrapped up in a neat bow at the end. All in all a good read. Good to read when you don't really want to think.

Three Fates by Nora Roberts. 2 stars.
Same as above but worse. Blech.

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris. 5 stars.
Great book about a telepathic waitress in Louisiana where vampires are now accepted and the norm. She falls for a vamp named Bill because he is the only "person" she has ever met whose mind she can't read. I got a real kick out of this book. It was funny, sexy and had a neat little mystery in it as well. I loved it.

Dying to Please by Linda Hamilton. 2 stars.
All I can say is: Whatever. This book started out so good but then went down the pooper quick. I have read many of Ms. Hamilton's books in the past and enjoyed them but I have to say this story of a stalked female bodyguard underwhelmed me.

Body of Lies by Iris Johansen. 4 stars.
Great book, easy read.

Evans to Betsy by Rhys Bowen. 5 stars.
I love the Constable Evans series because it is so simple and gentle. No bloody killings, no descriptions of dead bodies...just a nice little mystery and some fun local color in a village in Wales. I recommend this book series when you are needing a break between heavy mysteries.

Murphy's Law by Rhys Bowen. 4 stars.
This is the first in the Molly Murphy series. A really interesting look at New York in the early 1900's and into the life of immigrants. It had a mystery in it as well but I didn't find that nearly as interesting as the descriptions of Hell's Kitchen.

*****

MIKAELAM@prodigy.net
The First Time by Joy Fielding. 3 stars.
The book has a very depressing plot. How much bad luck can one woman have?

*****

burnisetuck@yahoo.com
Blinded by the Right by David Brock. 5 stars.
This is a fascinating "confession" by a former right wing wacko who turned on his friends and benefactors to expose the "vast right wing conspiracy" which apparently Hillary Rodham Clinton accurately pointed to in the persecution of the Clintons over the past 10 years or more. You have to be a political junkie to really "get" everything in this book and you probably have to be a liberal/progressive Democrat to really enjoy all the dirt, but right as well as left wingers will be fascinated to the very end.

Presumption by Julia Barrett. 5 stars.
An Entertainment is supposedly a sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice by two women writers who try to recreate the language, characters, setting and charm of the Austen novel by continuing the characters and conflicts into further adventures. And, they succeed admirably--this is a wonderful trip back to early 1800s England and the concerns and drama of those eternal P & P characters. Any Austen fan should really enjoy this effort!

The Gold and the Blue by Clark Kerr. 5 stars.
A personal memoir of the University of California 1949-1967 is a long (534 pages) and detailed of Kerr's experiences bringing Cal up to the very highest achievement of all 4 year universities, private and public, into the beginning of the period when all hell broke loose there and in the country over the Vietnam War and the 60s youth revolution. Not dry but an entertaining and witty description of momentous developments at Cal during a unique time--I was there and he got it right!

*****

jigsymom@earthlink.net
St Patrick's Gargoyle by Katherine Kurtz. 5 stars.
I got a nice surprise when I picked up this Fantasy paperback the other day. I have been reading lots of mysteries and regular novels and decided I needed a break. I was expecting blood and guts. What I got was a great story that was heart warming and nice and informative. Plus I learned that gargoyles were really Avenging Angels. An ancient evil is about to be set loose on the earth. The gargoyles need the help of a "human" to put it back. They use an old man in his 80s to help them. There is friendship, love and respect and compassion in this story. A very nice read. This is one of the books I will recommend to all my friends. I don't really know what could of been done to improve this story. Check it out. I think you will like it.

*****

blackrx@qwest.net
Jolie Blon's Bounce by James Lee Burke. 4 stars.
Burke is, undoubtedly, my favorite author and I am enjoying 'Jolie Blon's Bounce,' I must admit it isn't his best effort. It is still a good read.

*****

Booksagain@aol.com
The Beach House by James Patterson and Peter DeJonge. 5 stars.
Empire Falls by Richard Russo. 5 stars.

*****

Mystrytx@aol.com
Love Her Madly by Mary-Ann Tirone Smith. 5 stars.
One of the best mysteries I've read it ages!! Enjoy.

*****

dyulfo@brierley.com
Antonement by Ian McEwan. 5 stars.
Very good, how a misinterpretation of one incident changes the lives of many people.

*****

MSmith2957@aol.com
Tepper Isn't Going Out by Calvin Trillin. 3 ½ stars.
You don't have to be a native New Yorker to get the point that Murray Tepper is trying to make when he sits in his parked car in a legal parking space and reads the New York Post while others cruise by him in search of an open space. He simply says, "I'm not going out" when asked or gives a slight wave of his hand to those who don't approve. Unfortunately, he attracts more attention than wanted or truly deserved as the reader finds out. The inner workings of big city justice and the hidden compassion of mankind are revealed in a most humorous way. This book is a quick read and you may not want to put it down once you get past the second or third chapter.

*****

Lgluhani@aol.com
Henry's List of Wrongs by John Scott Shepherd. 4 stars.
Unique, intriguing first novel about a man revisiting the errors in his life and trying to go back and make amends to the people he's hurt.

*****

Bjglu@aol.com
One Writer's Beginnings by Eudora Welty. 3 ½ stars.
Lovely memoir by a wonderful southern writer. Gives great insight into what makes a writer tick.

*****

Chosen Prey by John Sandford 4 stars
This is the latest installment of the Lucas Davenport mystery series to be released in paperback. The killer's identity is revealed at the beginning of the book, but it doesn't take away from the story as you follow how Lucas uncovers the identity of the killer. Although there are many changes happening in Lucas' personal life, they interrupt the pace of the book instead of augmenting the story and are somewhat boring. Nevertheless, it's a great summer read.

I wish to my contribution to be anonymous. Thank you.

*****

KTBug931@aol.com
Blue Diary by Alice Hoffman. 4 ½ stars.
It's a fascinating story about the human spirit and our capacity to forgive. She is such an incredible writer!

*****

Buttercupmlm@aol.com
The Summerhouse by Jude Deveraux.
I like the concept of the storyline, but the plot isn't presented very well. It can be confusing at times.

*****

Bookluvrr1@aol.com
Riptide by Catherine Coulter. 3 stars.
Good murder mystery. Dragged toward the end.

*****

MDeanNIU75@aol.com
Hot Springs by Stephen Hunter. 5 stars.
Just finished Stephen Hunter's "Hot Springs", and I am knocked out. I am always looking for this type of fiction, hard-boiled men of action and conscience, but rarely find it written this well, with real flair for dialogue and locale. If you are a fan of Burke's Dave Robicheaux, read this guy. He's that good.

*****

Z8944@aol.com
Any Kind of Luck by William Jack Sibley (Kensington). 5 stars.
Published last summer, this is a hilarious and surprisingly affecting story about a sophisticated, gay male couple that departs New York City for small town Texas to care for a dying parent. Howl out loud funny with a three hankie ending, ANY KIND OF LUCK, in the words of Pulitzer-Prize winning author, Larry McMurtry, is "Lively, funny and moving. Sibley is off to a good start!"

*****

carolellman@attbi.com
On A Wave by Thad Ziolkowski. 5 stars.
This is a must read! Gorgeous prose kept me spellbound and swept me into another time and place. The author is a talented writer of great wit and sensitivity who has written an outstanding coming of age memoir.

*****

JWIsley@aol.com
Dating Can Be Murder by Jennifer Apodaca. 5 stars.
This is a funny who done it with a complete makeover of the widowed Samantha. She dyes her hair, gets a boob job and buys a dating service. A fun to read first novel.

The Villa by Nora Roberts. 4 stars.
A typical novel from this prolific writer. Very predictable story and characters. If you don't know much about the Napa valley wine district, you will after reading this one.

*****

Carosp@aol.com
The Natural: The Misunderstood Presidency of Bill Clinton by Joe Klein. 4 ½ stars.
Very good. A nonfiction book, but an easy read. Klein analyzes Clinton's presidency, what he accomplished, how he operated, and reminds you of things you've forgotten in the last 8 or 9 years. I liked it a lot, and finished it in just a few days.

The Burglar in the Rye by Lawrence Block. 4 stars.
A quick, easy read. I love this series of mysteries about Bernie Rhodenbarr, a burglar who is also the owner of an antique book store, and solves a crime every time. They're mysteries with humor - lots of it!

*****

Phillygurrl@aol.com
Kiss of Evil by Richard Montanari. 5 stars.
Cleveland detective Jack Paris is back, working one of the most challenging cases of his career--tracking a serial killer who savagely mutilates his victims as part of a ritual sacrifice. As Paris is drawn into the madness, he discovers a link to the mysterious murder of a fellow police officer years before. Caught in a race against time, his own life hangs in the balance.

Kiss of Evil is loaded with plot twists and white-knuckle suspense. Richard Montanari, Thomas Harris's heir-apparent, kept me up turning pages long past my bedtime! (Note: Kiss of Evil is the second novel in the John Paris series, so you might want to read that first.) His Web site is at http://www.richardmontanari.com

*****

JCVItaly@aol.com
If Looks Could Kill by Katie White. 4 stars.

The Secret Keepers by Julie Mars. 4 stars.

A Place of Execution by Val McDermid. 4 stars.
Good story, but it dragged.

Silent Joe by T. Jefferson Parker. 5 stars.
Riveting!!!

The Summons by John Grisham. 5 stars.
Finally a book as exciting as The Firm.

Running from the Law by Lisa Scottoline. 5 stars.
Excellent!

*****

Yodasmommy@aol.com
Savannah Blues by Mary Kay Andrews.
I am half way through and it is wonderful!!! Great summer book. I don't even care who dunnit, I just want to keep on reading.

*****

MinnowHarper@aol.com
The Bone Collector by Jeffery Deaver.
I am a handicapped woman who is not able to get out as much as I used to so I read at least one novel a day and sometimes two. I love anything by Jeffery Deaver (the author of the Bone Collector). The movie of the same name was based on his book. You never know who the killer is until the last couple of pages and not the reason until the very end. I have read so many mysteries that nine times out of ten I know who the killer is long before the end. With Jeffery Deaver books I have never been right yet as to the identity of the killer or killers. Another author I love is Sue Grafton and Patricia Cornwell. Anything by these two authors will keep you engrossed. I find the only problem with these three authors is they don't write fast enough to keep me going.

*****

MeriJ@aol.com
Never Change by Elizabeth Berg. 5 stars.
It's wonderful. I love her writing style and the stories that her characters bring to life. It's yet another great book that I will pass on to friends and then reread.

*****

caliauds@aol.com
The Cordon Bleu Cook Book by Dione Lucas.
Summer time is here and I love to cook so lately I've been reading cookbooks. This one has got some great French recipes from Vichyssoise to homard codon bleu (hot lobster with sherry and tomatoes). I highly recommend this old classic.

*****

afalbo49@yahoo.com
The Company of Strangers by Robert Wilson. 4 stars.
This is an engrossing WWII double agent thriller.

*****

JBitowt@aol.com
The Outfit by Gus Russo.
I'm currently wrapped up in this true crime novel. It's basically the story of the Chicago Crime Organization known to the public as," The Outfit", "the Syndicate," even," the Mob," as it began in the late 1800's and into the early 1900's as the Capone/Depression era came about. Amazingly, written and on top of that it is full of facts in which I for one never knew about the inner workings and exactly who was responsible for what, which really surprised me because I've read almost 100 books about the Mafia/Organized Crime and some 40 just about the Chicago branch. Most of the books currently published about this topic usually are just repeats, meaning the same topic, just told from a different type of perspective, i.e., Criminal, Police officer, Judge, etc.

But Gus Russo has really researched and acquired many unknown and unpublished facts and facets concerning the Outfit that have never been mentioned before. He also either confirms or denies stories of legend and lore that have been written and talked about. From the past books I've read, this is the first one, except for those written by former F.B.I. Special Agent William Roemer who actually worked for the Chicago F.B.I. office and began the, "Top Hoodlum Program," that divulges previously unpublished materials such as a diary of one Murray Humphrey's daughter along with recently released Kefauver Committee files and FBI files which has produced an inside view into the world of the Outfit. It explains how the heirs to the Capone rackets managed to manipulate the three most vital states in the world and have them in their back pockets like loose change; Las Vegas for the gambling and Prostitution, Washington D.C. because of their political allies in the form of Congressmen, members of the House of Reps., Attorney General, all the way up to the main man himself, The President of the United States! Then last, but definitely not least, is Hollywood, California where they could make or break a up'n coming star or starlet's career with one telephone call! One will be shocked at the coups these gangsters accomplished during their tenure. Even if Organized Crime/Mafia/True Crime is not your favorite genre, this book will almost guarantee you at least ONE GASP OR, one "I Don't Believe It"! It is most definitely worth the price and is gonna be a prized possession after it circulates a little bit more and more people hear and read about it. Buy it and enjoy, 500 plus pages of heart stopping material, kudos to Mr. Russo.

*****

Nancy.Fischer@cityofhouston.net
Up Country by Nelson DeMille. 5 stars.
He is a consummate story teller. His weaving of past and present is remarkable.

*****

Bossu49@aol.com
Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson. 4 stars.

Lucky Man: A Memoir by Michael J. Fox. 5+ stars.

*****

brady538_91208@yahoo.com
Martha Stewart: Just Desserts by Jerry Oppenheimer. 5 stars.
I read Martha, Inc., a new book about her life and exploits that talks more of her business dealing, and because that was so interesting I read this one which is equally good. I would state that she is a most talented individual and has become successful the hard way...by working, but also by stepping on others' where they were obliterated to Martha's benefit ONLY! She is a true talent professionally; a true mess personally. After the things she has pulled (which makes for most interesting reading), it is no wonder she has no friends or close personal ties to anyone. I surely am glad I live in Nevada, as far away from Martha in N.Y. State as possible. I would not want to be contaminated.

Ava's Man by Rick Bragg. 5 stars.
Recently read Rick Bragg's "All Over But the Shoutin'" and it was so good I had to read Ava's Man. This book is Bragg's equal and about his grandfather who he never met. You live in the 1920's to the 1960's in a poor white atmosphere in the South filled with love and the challenge of earning enough money to keep alive. This is during the Great Depression and times were tough. The author is a gem of a writer and a reporter for the N.Y. Times. Don't miss this one!

Over The Edge: The True Story of Four American Climbers' Kidnap and Escape in the Mountains of Central Asia by Greg Child. I know nothing about rock climbing and there is very little about that subject in this book, however, I expected an exciting story of capture and escape in a part of the world I know little about. I was disappointed as the writing did not convey, for me, an urgency in the telling. Four Americans' lives were hanging by a string and when the opportunity did arise to possibly escape, the one who had the guts to do what was necessary couldn't live with himself and had great personal recriminations and mental foreboding even though he saved himself and 3 others. I just couldn't understand that. A mediocre book for me.

*****

Vikkivand@aol.com
Three Junes by Julia Glass. 4 stars.
The story brings you into the lives of several different characters and their relationships. It centers around a Scottish family over the span of 10 years. It's too deep to describe here...you must read!

*****

Ery222@aol.com
Cold Flat Junction by Martha Grimes. 2 stars.

*****

EZREADER1265@aol.com
The Wailing Wind by Tony Hillerman. 5 stars.
Excellent as always. Love it when Leaphorn and Chee get together and solve the mystery.

Silent Joe by T. Jefferson Parker. 4 stars.
Enjoy the characters. A well thought out plot and fast moving action.

*****

Bookluvrr1@aol.com
The Experiment by John Darnton. 5 stars.
If you are interested what could happen with cloning and love mysteries, this is the book to read. A fast read.

*****

dmilburn@alltel.net
Miracle on the 17th Green by James Patterson. 5 stars.
A very short, fun read, especially if you have golfers in the family. You'll cheer for Travis all the way through. Take this one to the beach and enjoy.

*****

whpeters@citlink.net
Where the Heart Is by Billy Letts. 4 stars.
It is, on the surface, an easy read with a great plot. As I found, during a recent book club meeting, this book is "many things to many people." Good book for summer!

*****