"You know you've read a good book, when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend."
         Paul Sweeney

Well, Memorial Day has passed, and summer is edging closer and closer.  Of course living in Florida makes that less exciting than it was when growing up in Philadelphia.  I remember the ice cream trucks, the lightning bugs and the picnics in the park, but of course it was the last bell on the last day of school that really made it all perfect.  I suddenly had hours and hours to read whatever I picked and had no tests to see how well I read it.  Of course when I moved to Florida and began teaching, that last bell of the school year brought the same promises, so I dedicate this month's MADDERLY REVIEW to all of the students and teachers out there.  Have a wonderful summer reading just what makes you happy.

On another note, I was lucky enough to hear Jeffrey Deaver speak this past week and found that he is almost as good a speaker as a writer.  The venue was terrific...a cozy room in the local library that sat approximately 150 people. He began by reading his book to us, and I was afraid that this would be an endless hour.  Being a master of suspense, he knew  just where to stop though, and he then told us a bit about himself and his varied careers. He kept us laughing throughout his presentation and the time flew.  I love hearing authors explain how they got from the initial stack of rejections to the New York Times best sellers list, and Mr. Deaver's story didn't disappoint.  He proved, as most author's prove, that perseverance is key to most successful ventures.  I can't wait to read The Skin Collector, his latest thriller.

Speaking of thrillers, someone asked me to name the one that most stands out in my mind. Believe it or not, in 1983 I read a book entitled Fallback by Peter Niesewand.  I remember reading something halfway through the book that caused me to heave it across the room. It was mostly a thriller but spiced with a bit of Scifi.  If you can find a copy anywhere, grab it up, read it ASAP and let me know what you think?

We are off to New York this weekend to visit friends and family. Even though the book seller's convention is there (and tempting) this weekend, the only book related thing I have planned is reading on the plane.  This is a time to be spent with friends and family catching up and eating great food. We are going to try Jonathan Waxman's restaurant, Barbuto, and I will have a full report next time.  Until then...happy reading.

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

Genre: Legal Thriller

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Sometimes I like to get involved in an exciting book that takes my breath away.  Murder and Mayhem!  Intrigue and foreign bad guys!  The kind of book that keeps you up all night  is often just what I need.  Sometimes though, I like to read a book whose characters are old friends and whose setting feels warm and familiar.  Michael Kahn's series following the adventures of lawyer Rachel Gold does that for me.
 
Face Value is one of Kahn's better Rachel Gold books.  I am not in a rush to find out "who done it" but am loving the ride all the way.  A young lawyer's supposed suicide is questioned by Rachel, after she is approached by mail room worker, Stanley Plotkin. Stanley is a genius with Aspergers, and he reads facial movements for clues.  Together, along with Rachel's usual motley crew, they attempt to solve the mystery surrounding this odd death.

Rachel's mother is always good for wisdom and baked goods, and the rest of her friends are charming In their own ways. This is definitely a book for a cozy night at home.

- Beverly


Publisher- Poisoned Pen Press 
Date of Publication- June 3, 2014

Genre: Non-Fiction

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Ronald Kessler has written many books about the secret service, the CIA and the FBI. He
began his career as a journalist in 1964 on the Worcester Telegram and then became an investigative reporter for the Boston Herald.  He later worked for the Wall Street Journal and then the Washington Post. He won many awards during his tenure as a reporter and obviously built up a little book of "connections."  The information that he shares in this book and the people he quotes are fascinating.  This book was quite simply great fun to read. Who doesn't like to know all of the gossip about famous people?  If these people are Presidents, it is all the more fun.

We all know that JFK was less than faithful to Jackie, but this book names names and gets into the nitty gritty about the where, when and how many (at one time).  LBJ was another player it seems.  Lady Bird actually caught him having sex with a secretary on his coach, so he insisted that that the secret service put in a buzzer system to alert him when Lady Bird was coming.

There is a chapter on the history of the secret service which first began on July 5, 1865, to track down and arrest counterfeiters.  It was interesting to see how the role of the secret service changed through the years.
 
I found some of the things he wrote difficult to imagine.  Jimmy Carter, for example, was said to be the least likable President.  He refused to speak to the men on his detail and did not want them to say as much as hello to him. Seeing the humanitarian that he has become makes me realize how much the Presidency can warp a person while he/she is in office.
 
The book also goes into what measures are taken to protect the President. It is fascinating to read about the manpower and money that is used whenever "POTUS" goes anywhere.
I can go on, but that would ruin the fun of reading the book for yourself.  I promise that you don't have to be a history buff to thoroughly enjoy this book!

- Beverly


Publisher - Crown Forum
Date of Publication - August 4, 2009