"Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are."
                                                                                        ---Mason Cooley


I love Cooley's quote!  Books have always been my drug of choice...my escape from a momentary reality that disturbs me.  I bring my iPad mini, and its collection of hundreds of books , everywhere I go.  It has actually helped my claustrophobic tendencies and saved my marriage.  Poor Arthur used to dread car trips that provided the slightest chance of a bumper to bumper tie up.  I would become very anxious and annoyingly verbal.  Now I pull out my Ebook and my uncomfortable surroundings fade away.  Even my fear of being stuck in an elevator has eased a bit.  I figure I can crawl in a corner and read until all the air is sucked from my tight surroundings. So yes, for me technology is a wonderful tranquilizer that easily beats drugs and alcohol in the race for relaxing my mind.

Of course everything good has the potential for abuse, and I am truly disgusted as I watch people lose all social skills when they have access to their iPhone or iPad.  Sitting in a restaurant with a friend who spends most of the meal checking email, messages, weather or random information on his/her phone is not a treat.  When every conversation is interrupted with the sound of an incoming message that is immediately tended to, I start to doubt my importance to my meal companion, and just because we have access to every bit of information known to mankind, doesn't mean we need to check it immediately.  

I was at a Tom Rush concert last week (for those who don't know...a folk music legend) and was horrified at the disrespect of the man who sat two rows from the stage reading his email while Tom sang.  First of all buddy, the light on your phone reaches beyond your eyes.  It was like a beacon calling to all of us who paid to see a performer, not a light show. Secondly, it was a small, personal venue, and the performer was aware that you chose angry birds over his guitar.  Why did you bother leaving your man cave to venture out with people?

The worst however, are the parents who come to their children's plays, concerts, etc. and unless their own child is performing, spend the time reading the news or playing a game on their electronic devices of choice.  I realize that these shows aren't mesmerizing, but do you know the amount of time and heart that went into them?  What are we teaching our children about common courtesy when we can't get over ourselves long enough to appreciate their efforts?

Okay, I am going to stop my rant now and tell you that I read/reviewed two great legal thrillers this week.   James Grippando, long one of my go to authors, brings lawyer extraordinaire Jack Swyteck back in this Miami based thriller, Gone Again.  The writing is consistent, the plot is exciting and Jack is as captivating as always.  

Between Black and White by Robert Bailey also kept me reading into the wee hours.  His ability to share southern culture while telling a great story made this book stand out from its competition.  Law is practiced at a different pace in the south, and there is a bit of history to combat as the defendant in Bailey's novel is a lawyer accused of killing the man who lynched his father years ago.

While different in style, both of these authors know how to weave a story and keep us wanting more.  March will be a great reading month for you...enjoy.
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As always, complete reviews will follow this blog.

Happy reading,


- Beverly

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Genre: Legal Thriller

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It has been almost twenty years since Jack Swyteck came into my reading life, and I look forward to revisiting with him each year.  He started off as a death row lawyer  with the Freedom Institute and has moved on to various types of defense law through the years.  Gone Again finds him back in the place he started.  Neil Goderich, Jack's friend and founder of the Freedom Institute, has died, and to help Neil's daughter, Hannah, pay the bills Jack agrees to rent an office in their building.

Jack's agreement stated that he would use the facilities but not necessarily work with the Institute's clients.  His wife, FBI agent  Andie, is expecting their first child, and Jack is determined to take on paying clients and build his practice.  As in all good intentions, plans get altered and he begins working to get admitted rapist Dylan Reeves off of death row for a murder he swears he didn't commit.

Grippando is a master of intertwining plots, and each of his stories kept my attention. His characters seem real to me...they get the job done without being super heroes that stretch credibility.  Jack's backstory is an interesting one, and Grippando adds little tidbits of the past in each book.  I have seen him through several girlfriends and am thrilled that he settled down with Andie.

I loved this book from the first line to the next to the last line.  The last line left me with an uneasy feeling that I don't want to have.  No cliff hangers, please James.  I am looking for a bit of happily ever after in my reading.

- Beverly


Publisher - HarperCollins
Date of Publication - March 1, 2016

Genre: Legal Thriller

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I came upon Robert Bailey's book, The Professor, last year and enjoyed it thoroughly.  Although I am a fan of legal thrillers, often I find them redundant in plot and characterization.  Bailey's writing rose above that, and I was thrilled to see his second novel, Between Black and White,  featuring Tom McMurtrie and Rick Drake.  Tom is a law professor and Rick was once his student.  A disagreement turned them against each other, but a recent case, the one in his prior book, brought them back together.

Bocephus Haynes played an important role in the earlier book and is unfortunately the defendant in this latest book.  Bo, a black attorney in Pulaski Tennessee, has spent his working lifetime seeking vengeance in this small town.  In 1966, five year old Bo witnessed the lynching of his father by the local Ku Klux Klan.  Bo recognized the voice of the ring leader of the Klan as his dad was hanged, and he was bent on vengeance. 

It is no secret that Bo believes Andy Walton got away with the murder of his dad and is determined to make him pay.  When Andy is found hanging from the same tree that Bo watched his dad lynched on, everyone is sure Bo is the killer.  Bo turns to Tom and Rick to defend him, even though neither have experience in capital cases. Since they needed a local attorney to join their team, Tom turns to Raymond Pickalew.  There is no love lost between Ray-Ray and Bo, but he is a tenacious lawyer with connections in the town.

Bailey does a great job making the reader feel the tensions in this small southern town.
It is a testament to his writing that the bigotry made me uncomfortable as I got to know the townspeople.  His descriptions are complete without becoming repetitious, and his courtroom scenes kept my interest throughout.  I would like to believe this was just a fictional account of a small Tennessee town, but I fear that some of the descriptions rang true.  I really loved the book and am looking forward to the next in this series.

- Beverly


Publisher - Thomas and Mercer
Date of Publication - March 15, 2016

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves and wiser people so full of doubts."
                                --- Bertrand Russell

I believe I began with this quote before, but it just needed to be said again during this insane presidential campaign.  How can every single politician, no matter his or her affiliation, be so very sure that his or her way is the only right way?  I would love to have half that amount of confidence...but only half, because I am disgusted as I look at those who are so certain of themselves.  

Our two-party system was designed to make our country the most efficiently run in the world.  With the checks and balances in place, things should run smoothly and compromise should rule the day.  Unfortunately, the men and women who ran for their positions by promising to fix our problems, neglected to explain that they had personal agendas to meet.  The men who wrote our constitution so many years ago, did so with the intention of building a nation in which we can all be proud.  The men and women who claim to follow that constitution today put their personal needs first.

Justice Scalia was more conservative than I would have liked, but he was an honorable justice and deserves to be shown the respect of us all. The poor man wasn't gone twenty-four hours when both parties started spouting off rhetoric that inflamed a public that should have been mourning a man who devoted much of his life to the pursuit of constitutional justice. 

The republican congress needs to stop threatening to hold up our justice system for a year rather than accept an Obama nominee. That is a childish response to an unforeseen tragedy.  The democratic members of congress need to work with the republicans and the President to find a moderate nominee who is beholden to no party line.  That is the way the Supreme Court was meant to be run before Bertrand Russell's "fools and fanatics" decided to use it to prove their beliefs were the only truths.

On a lighter note, yesterday was my birthday, and Arthur and I have spent the week having fun.  We played miniature golf, went on several walks through beautiful gardens, ate in several great restaurants, spent time with friends and family, and...I didn't read.  I did finish one book, Protecting Paige by Debi Eisenberg, and it really grabbed at my heart.  This coming of age historical novel introduces a wonderful protagonist whose life is torn apart when her family is killed by gang members as a gang initiation.  

I began reading Between Black and White, a terrific legal thriller by Robert Bailey, but I have not read enough to fairly review it.  I promise to review Bailey's book next week, along with another on my list, but I will only be reviewing one this week.  It is a good one though, so I heartily recommend it.

As always, complete reviews will follow this blog.

Happy reading,


- Beverly

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Genre: Fiction/Historical

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Imagine waking up to a world where everyone you love is gone. Paige Noble is twelve when she awakens in a hospital and finds her parents and brother have been killed.  This book caught my attention immediately and didn't let go.  Paige explains how her dad took an alternate road that fateful day on his way to the Museum of Science and Industry in the Chicago area.  Their world collided with the all too familiar world of gang initiations in the early sixties...killing strangers to gain admittance to a gang...and she was the only survivor. Her description of waking to find everyone gone is heart rending. Her closest living relative, Maxwell Noble, is a photographer who never showed interest in children.

Although a womanizing bachelor  who wasn't close to Paige's family, her Uncle Maxwell agrees to take in his niece and raise her.  As she waits for her uncle to arrive, Paige develops a bond with Gladys, a black nurse's aide who becomes an integral part of her life.  The story moves on and we journey with Paige and Maxwell to Europe, as they search for their past and a lost family member.  The WWII and holocaust history is fascinating, as is the more current descriptions of the Chicago area.

Eisenberg does an excellent job in character development in this book.  Paige's strength is amazing, and I loved watching the relationships develop between characters.  There is more to Gladys than first meets the eye too, and this lends an interesting twist to a story that will definitely catch your heart as you get to know this makeshift family.  

I am trying to write this review without telling the story, because my enjoyment came in pealing the layers one by one.  If you enjoy historical novels, coming of age stories,  mysteries or just great writing, Protecting Paige should be your next read.

- Beverly


Publisher - Studio House Literary
Date of Publication - January 1, 2016

" We are not permitted to choose the frame of our destiny. But what we put into it is ours. "
              ---Dag Hammarskjold


I came upon this quote by Hammarskjold, and it started me thinking.  I have always believed that our lives are framed a certain way, but I realized at a young age that we can control the way we live within the walls of our destiny.  I taught students from dreadful environments at times and watched some of them reach amazing heights.  They were determined to become bigger than the destiny that they saw before them, and they worked diligently to succeed.  

Destiny doesn't hand us success.  I went to college with some very wealthy, spoiled young men and woman, who believed that their fates were sealed.  They felt that they didn't need to push themselves to great heights, because those heights were their due.  Unfortunately, some of them realized too late that most of us are not fated for a "free ride."  Hard work and moral integrity will take you a lot further than daddy's checkbook.

I believe my "frame" was to include a husband and children, but it was my choice of Arthur that affords me my "happily ever after."  I realized at nineteen that a good soul who put family above money and helped old ladies across the street was the role model I wanted for my future son.  I had to smile several years ago when Michael told me he was late for an appointment because he saw an elderly woman trying to cross a busy Manhattan street.  He offered her his arm (like father, like son) and she wouldn't let go.  She asked him to walk her to her bus stop and then wait with her until it came.  That was what I wanted in my frame.

I believe that my "frame" had me spending my life helping people, but it was my choice to do it as a teacher.  This choice allowed me to get up every morning and look forward to going to work.  I know that I was destined to find happiness working with teenagers and can only hope that I gave them the education that they gave me. Luckily my "frame" still needs filling, and I intend to fill it with new friends, exciting adventures and hours spent watching my family grow.  It is important for all of us to realize what it is that completes us, and strive to make it happen.

Of course reading is a very big part of my picture, and I read two books that helped me enjoy my time this week.  One of my favorite authors, David Rosenfelt, came out with his yearly stand alone thriller, Blackout.  There is intrigue, police work and just a bit of romance.  Although it does not have as much of his dry humor as most of his books, it did not disappoint.  

Murder over Miami by Silvia Selfman was an enjoyable cozy mystery to read when I could not fall asleep. Apparently, this is a series that I never noticed before, and I began with book four.  I easily caught up with protagonist Izzy Greene and quickly learned to appreciate her style. After immediately relating to what Miami weather does with her frizzy hair, the rest was easy.  Light mystery with lots of smiles should help relieve your stress.

As always, complete reviews will follow this blog.

Happy reading,

- Beverly

Click on the book cover to order a title mentioned in today's blog:

Genre: Mystery

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In order for me to really enjoy a book, the characters have to be somewhat relatable. Since I focus on mysteries and thrillers, for the most part, that isn't always easy, so the title Murder Over Miami piqued my interest. I knew that at least the setting would be familiar.  Getting to know Izzy was a bonus. Our heroine hails from Palm Beach, California, where mysteries and murders apparently fall into her lap (this being book 4).  She needed a rest and decided to fly east for her college roommate's fourth wedding.  After spending hours in a beauty salon perfecting her hair, she flew to Miami. The first to greet her was the humidity. "I should have known better than to think my hair would retain its salon sleekness once I arrived. It was now a mass of frizz and I'd been in Miami less than ten minutes." Oh Izzy, I feel your pain.

This delightful character is staying in her Cousin Rhonda's luxurious beachfront all white condo. Watching her trying to adjust to the lifestyle (no chocolate or red wine in this Snow White palace) and the neighbors (being married doesn't stop Arnie Miller from hitting on her) is a story unto itself, but then there is the murder.

Seeing her old roomies for the first time in years was daunting, but the fear in bride to be Claire's eyes was even more startling.  The obvious foreshadowing tells us early on that everything isn't perfect in Claire's world, so her murder comes as no shock. Watching Izzy do what she does best, solving murders while getting into one jam after another, makes for a fast and funny read.  The book is mostly fluff, but there is substance, and you just have to love a protagonist who doesn't blink when she finds herself babysitting fish who need stimulating conversation while being fed.

This is my first Izzy Greene mystery, but it won't be my last.

- Beverly


Publisher - Lazy Cat Press
Date of Publication - October 27, 2015

Genre: Thriller

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It is no secret that David Rosenfelt is one of my favorite authors, and his twice a year contributions to my library are eagerly anticipated.  As in most of his books, Blackout draws the reader into the characters and their problems on page one.  His good guys are relatable and bad guys evil.  His stories are generally easy to follow, and his endings are satisfying.

In Blackout, Doug and Nate are New Jersey State Police Officers.  The two are friends as well as partners, and Nate is concerned about Doug's obsession with finding criminal mastermind Nicholas Bennett.  It has become so personal for Doug, that he has been suspended from the force.  That doesn't stop him, and the story begins with Doug calling Nate and asking for help.  As he tries to explain his needs to his partner, Nate hears a gunshot...and then silence.  The plot takes off from there, involving crime bosses, terrorists and plots that will keep the reader up all night. Rosenfelt helps build suspense  by using an interesting supporting cast of characters who contribute beautifully to the story.

While the story kept my interest, it is not as good as some of his previous works.  It lacks a little of the Rosenfelt humor, and it took me a while to ease into his abrupt 1st person/3rd person shifts.  That being said, Rosenfelt at his worst is better than most authors at the top of their game.  There is still some of his wit and most of his style to keep the reader happy, and I recommend this book without reservation.

- Beverly


Publisher - Minotaur 
Date of Publication - January 5, 2016

"For evil to flourish, it only requires good men to do nothing."
                                                          ---Simon Wiesenthal


As I have mentioned before, it is important for me to see both sides of every issues.  I may agree with one side, but I accept that the other side generally has valid points.  I have been listening to the candidates during the republican and democratic debates and understand where both sides are coming from on quite a few issues.  I am thankful that I live in a country that allows me to weigh these issues and decide which candidate's beliefs align most closely with mine, and I understand that it is our differences that make us great.

What I don't understand is our hatred and fear of the unknown.  When we are young we gravitate toward scary things.  Haunted houses on Halloween and roller-coasters that swing us through darkness make us laugh while we continue to explore the unknown.  We don't see color as an obstacle to friendship, or a different language as an affront to our own.  At what age do we begin to fear that which is different, and more importantly, when do we begin to believe that what we are is superior?

If my grandparents were not accepted into this country, I would not have been born.  I am not alone.  Most of us living here today have roots elsewhere. Our ancestors saw promise in this great country and fled the hardships in their own.  They were not hated for following their dreams, they were admired for seeking a better life.  Our country has always accepted the abused from other countries.  We are great because of it.  We must not let fear mongering pundits change that about us.

America is filled with good and accepting people.  The majority of us believes that everyone, no matter race, religion, gender or sexual preference deserve life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  Many years ago Richard Nixon coined the term "silent majority" to describe the part of the population who did not speak their minds and let their feelings be shown. Unfortunately, too many of us are in the "silent majority" today.  As long as the political venom is not being directed our way, is it perhaps better to look the other way?  NEVER!  Simon  Wiesenthal lived through the horrors of a people who looked the other way.  His words are true, and we can not allow evil to flourish in our land.  If not for others, then for ourselves...we must realize that if we allow others to be condemned, there will be no one left to stand for us.

Speaking of evil flourishing, both of my reviewed books showed that this week. In Breakdown, Jonathan Kellerman brought back Dr.Alex Delaware and his detective buddy Milo to ferret out a murderer and save the day.  Joy Fielding, in She's Not There introduced us to a mother who never gave up the search for the child who was taken from her.  Both books were good escapism, and I recommend them.

As always, complete reviews will follow this blog.

Happy reading,

- Beverly

Click on the book cover to order a title mentioned in today's blog:

Genre: Mystery

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I was an avid fan of this series through the first twenty or so books.  As much as I love revisiting people in books, I began to tire of the adventures of psychologist Alex and his policeman buddy Milo.  I stopped reading them for a few years, but this one called me back, and I am glad it did. 

The L.A. Setting is always interesting, and Dr. Delaware has seen his share of celebrity patients.  Five years ago he worked with Ovid, the five year-old son of actress Zelda Chase.  He is surprised to hear that now it is Zelda's turn to need his help and goes to her assistance. Soon after he works with her, she is found dead on the grounds of her Bel Air estate, and Ovid is missing.  Alex calls excellent detective and good friend,  LAPD Lieutenant, Milo Sturgis to help him with the case. 

As in all of the Alex Delaware books I have read, the relationship between Alex and Milo  is one of my favorite parts.  I also enjoy Kellerman's ability to make complicated plots understandable to his readers. He builds murder upon murder in this one, exposes family secrets, presents us with clues to missing people, and all-in-all builds towards a satisfying conclusion.  

If you haven't been introduced to Alex Delaware before, you will still enjoy this book. If you like what you read, I suggest you then start with book one, When the Bough Breaks, and just keep going.  

- Beverly


Publisher - Ballantine Books
Date of Publishing - February 2, 2016