"It’s difficult in times like these: ideals, dreams and cherished hopes rise within us, only to be crushed by grim reality. It’s a wonder I haven’t abandoned all my ideals, they seem so absurd and impractical. Yet I cling to them because I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart."
                    ---Anne Frank


The human spirit, like the human body, is a thing of wonder.  Physically, with so many "moving parts," our bodies generally keep moving.  Sometimes we need to go into the "shop" for a tune-up, but I am always amazed at our bodies' ability to keep on keepin' on.  With everyone working towards keeping our bodies running smoothly, we do stand a fighting chance.

Our spirit, however, is bombarded daily with evil and hatred in the world.  We are called upon to stand behind people of our nation, and nations around the world, on an almost daily basis as evil prevails. We have watched the fanatics of each generation try to violently thrust their beliefs on others, and yet we find a way to see past their hatred and find the sunshine.

I agree with Anne Frank's belief that people are good at heart.  Instead of focusing on the handful of September 11th terrorist, I watched the people of the world come together to help those New Yorkers in need.  Instead of focusing on the terrorists that caused such destruction in Paris several days ago, I watched as people reached out to strangers and offered shelter and food to those stranded in Paris and in airports around the world.

I watch policemen, fire fighters, EMT's, physicians, teachers and many other service providers do their jobs without complaint and then volunteer to do more in their spare time.  I think that the worst that humanity has to offer often helps to shine a light on the best that humanity offers each day and gives us a solid reason to keep on hoping.

Matthew FitzSimmons keeps us hoping in his novel, The Short Drop, where we find the lead character searching for an old friend who disappeared ten years previously.  Her disappearance was particularly newsworthy because she was the daughter of then Senator, now Vice President, Benjamin Lombard.  Main character Gibson Vaughn hacked into Lombard's files years ago, causing him major problems.  Now Gibson may be the only one to find out what really happened.

When you finish FitzSimmons' book and need a light novel to make you laugh, Nick Pirog is at it again with his book, 3:06 a.m. (the Lassie files).  Although I generally am not a fan of the personification of animals (Animal Farm aside) I just love this sarcastic cat and his relationship with Henry, his owner.  Take a peak...I promise a few laughs.

As always, complete reviews follow this blog.

Happy reading,

- Beverly

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Genre: Political Thriller

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When Senator Lombard's fourteen year old daughter goes missing, and no one can claim the ten million dollar reward, murder is the most likely conclusion.  Ten years later, the former head of Senator Lombard's security team comes to hacker extraordinaire, Gibson Vaughn and asks him to help solve the mystery.  The Senator's daughter, Suzanne Lombard, had been one of Gibson's closest friends, and he agrees to help.  Of course there is bad blood between the then Senator, now Vice President, and the hacker who hacked into his personal information years ago.  Throw in a presidential campaign for Lombard, and you know you will have an interesting ride.

The story is a good one and kept me interested throughout. I tend to like political thrillers, especially if the characterizations are well done.  FitzSimmons did a good job on his character development, giving the reader a feel for each character, good or bad.

This smartly plotted novel mixes murder, politics and technology and comes up with a story that I am happy to recommend.

- Beverly


Publisher - Thomas and Mercer
Date of Publication - December 1, 2015

Genre: Humor/Mystery

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For Pirog fans, just his name in the author spot is enough for an instant sale.  For those of you who are not familiar with his brand of humor, Lassie is a talking cat.  This author's Henry Bins series is both serious mystery and sarcastic humor.  Henry has an illness that causes him to sleep 23 hours a day. He is up between 3:00-4:00 A.M.  In that time he lives a life, has a girlfriend AND solves major crimes. Oh, he also has made friends with the President of the United States.  

He converses with Lassie, whose responses are simply Meows, but somehow Henry makes sure the reader knows what Lassie is saying.  The cat has such a strong personality that Pirog decided to give him his own series.  Of courses it reads like an extension of the Henry Bins series, but for fans of Henry that is a bonus. There is a problem with Murdock, his dad's dog, and they end up at an all night veterinarian.  A hostage situation adds to the excitement, and although the book is quite short, it is very funny.

I will admit, this is a niche book and not one I would have generally gotten into, but I have been hooked since my first Henry Bins book.  Give it a try and give herself a laugh or two!

- Beverly


Publisher - Nickthriller
Date of Publication - May 30, 2015

"If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking."   – Haruki Murakami

This seems to be a perfect time for intelligent-minded people to think for themselves.  Our country is inundated with people who are so sure that they are so right on oh so many subjects.  They cite weak Internet sources to prove their points and leave themselves no room to gather facts from credible sources.  It is frightening to think that these people who believe anything they read will soon be electing a president who plays to this audience.

We have to start thinking for ourselves and in order to do that we need to look at all issues with our own set of morals and beliefs.  This is not an easy task, because many of today's issues have two strong sides. For example, how can we even think of sending back "illegal" immigrants who have been productive members of our society for many years. Their "crime" of sneaking in to our country was often committed  with the desperation of a parent seeking food for a hungry family. On the other hand, what about all of the law abiding people who have been waiting for their chance to cross the border. How can we tell them to wait a bit longer so we can allow those who didn't wait their turn to fill the quotas that we must set?

The debater in me can list every issue and argue each side convincingly, so how can I decide on a belief system that is right for me?  I must follow Haruki Murakami and read the books and think the thoughts that are most satisfying to me.  If I open my mind to all explanations, then hopefully I will find the ones that allow me to live a moral and happy life without stepping on the rights of people who think differently than me. As readers we have the world open for our taking, so let us begin.

After all of these deep thoughts, I needed a rest, and who better than Billy Crystal to put a smile back on my face.  His book, Still Foolin' 'Em: Where I've Been, Where I'm Going, And Where the Hell Are My Keys?, is a look into his career, his life and his thoughts in a way only Billy can produce.  I somehow missed the book when it was published and am so glad that I came across it last week.

I read another light book this week. A Dead Red Oleander by R.P. Dahlke was almost a cozy mystery but didn't feel quite so cozy to me.  It was fun to read about  Lalla and the many characters that surround her, but it got a bit confusing at times, and sometimes just plain silly.  Still, it was a good break from my hours of unpacking, and so I reviewed it for you.

As always, complete reviews follow this blog.

Happy reading,

- Beverly

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Genre: Memoir

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I LOVE Billy Crystal.  Through the years he has made me laugh, made me cry and made me think. "When Harry Met Sally" made me believe in real love.  "City Slickers" made me laugh about aging, and "Forget Paris"...well, it was Paris.   I believe he was the best Academy Awards host.  I even believe he is a good family man.  This book took me through all of his experiences, good and not so good, with a smile on my face.

Billy is a baby boomer, and boomers have always proclaimed that proudly.  Suddenly he is seeing the downside...sixty-five isn't always booming.  With his amazing wit, Crystal talks about the aging issues that we all face, but only Billy can make a colonoscopy funny.  The book jumps through the stages of his professional life, and the reader remembers them fondly.  "Saturday Night Live", "Soap", his stand-up routines and of course, "When Harry Met Sally" to name a few.

To be totally fair, there were parts of the book that I wasn't thrilled with, and parts that seemed out of character.  He seemed angry at times and disrespectful at other times.  Humor is an interesting thing though, and one man's disrespect is another man's humor.  Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this book and read it in the same way you watch the comedian...with an open mind and sense of humor.

- Beverly


Publisher - Henry Holt and Co.
Date of Publication - September 10, 2013

Genre: Mystery

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Lalla Bains is trying to finish out her crop dusting season and sell the business.  Her fiancé Caleb, a policeman, tries to save her from the many situations that she gets embroiled in, and her many relatives add humor to this light-hearted story.  Lalla hires pilot Dewey Treat for her dad's business, and all is well until his wife gives him an Oleander stick to roast a hot dog at a barbecue.  The deadly poison kills him, and she is suddenly a possible murderer.  Lalla tries to solve the mystery, and it turns out just as you might expect.

Although I did enjoy Dahlke's book and the many interesting characters, I didn't find it as easy to get through as many from this genre.  The book started at one point, jumped back and then worked forward.  This troubled me for some reason.  I also found some editing issues that hampered the flow for me.

The characters, while a bit absurd at times, did keep the story going. There is a bouncy cousin and a wealthy great aunt. Lalla's father's relationships with the women in his life didn't improve much after a triple bypass and retirement...and then there is the goat.

While far from an epic novel, A Dead Red Oleander is certainly a good way to spend a few hours.

- Beverly


Publisher - Dead Bear Publishing
Date of Publication - June 10, 2010

"A writer only begins a book. A reader finishes it."
                                      Samuel Johnson


For some people reading helps them through the best and the worst days of their lives. I remember sitting with a book on the day Mike was born and on the day Beth was born.  The words on the pages took me to a place far away from labor pains and fear of the next twenty-four hours.  They were a major part of two of the happiest days of my life.  I also remember sitting in the hospital when my mother was ill and turning the pages of a book I had been trying to get through for days.  As I turned the pages I was transported to a different country and was able to spend some time in my happy place.

When a writer presents us with a book, he/she presents us with an opportunity to make it our own. The author's last words do not have to be the end for us.  We can imagine any ending we desire.  Many of my students didn't like poetry because they had trouble understanding what the poet was trying to say.  I tried to show them that  poems are left open to interpretation by the reader, and no poet will ever say "you are wrong" if you find your meaning in it. I agree with Johnson... as a reader, it is our job to finish what the author starts....and have a good time doing it.

With politics being in the forefront at this time, I decided to read Stephen Frey's new book, Jury Town.  There were a great deal of times during my reading of this book that I had to ask myself whether certain things that he mentions could ever happen.  The basic premise, of a "hired" jury of 200 people sequestered for two years is farfetched, but is the need for one a real possibility?  How much jury tampering really does exist?

Of course after reading a novel with such an upsetting premise, I needed something light. Let Us Prey by Jamie Lee Scott was just what the doctor ordered. Heroine Mimi Capurro used to be a Secret Service agent but now spends her days as a private detective.  She is cute and funny, even though it is difficult to imagine this somewhat flighty woman as a Secret Service agent.  She and her friends ultimately get the job done, but I wondered how as I went along.

Both books are worth reading, and I do recommend them if you need a rest after the candy explosion that is Halloween. As always, a complete review of both books follow this blog.

Happy reading,

- Beverly

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Genre: Mystery

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Mimi Capurro, former Secret Service agent, current private detective and fairly recent widow is hired to protect famous author Lauren Silke, who was recently beaten up in a women's rest room.  We meet her friends/associates, Charle Parks and Jackie Baccarin in the exposition, and the relationship between the three of them adds to this light mystery.  When we first meet Lauren and her assistant Esme, we believe this will be a simple job, but we learn differently very quickly.

The book is a quick and enjoyable read, but it is a bit farfetched in parts.  Mimi seems to be a bit difficult to understand.  She acts like a professional and strong female character in some parts and becomes a stereotypically weak woman in others.  Her relationship with Nick Christianson, the detective on the case and Mimi's former lover, was difficult to accept.  In the middle of a gruesome murder scene, she discusses his smell.  "Nick's clean smell took me away from the murder scene and back to my college days."  I would imagine that isn't the first thing a PI would be thinking, while standing over a decapitated body.  Of course it was fun watching Mimi and company try to solve the case before Nick, and the chemistry sparks helped lighten the gore.

The addition of a bit of the paranormal is a plus for many readers, and although it is not a favorite of mine, it did not bother me in this case.  There were a few editing issues that annoyed me.  Scene changes were rather abrupt in a few places, and I found a few grammatical issues, but on the whole this is an enjoyable new character for those who enjoy Sue Grafton novels.

- Beverly


Publisher - LBB Company
Date of Publication - November 9, 2011

Genre: Political/Legal Thriller

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Is it possible to find real justice?  Can a jury be tamper proof?  What would you do for four million dollars?  Frey presents us with these questions and more in this novel to really get the reader thinking. Former Virginia governor, Victoria Lewis, believes that juries are being tampered with and has come up with a plan. Virginia will select two hundred people to become full time jurors for two years. They will live in a rebuilt prison and have no outside influence. For two million dollars a year they will have no contact with family or friends.  The hope is that these two years of isolation will allow a tamper free justice system.

So much is difficult to believe in this story...okay, people might give up family and friends, but can we imagine 200 people giving up Internet and television for two years?  I was sure that I would find this story too silly to enjoy, but I actually liked it.  There is political intrigue, conspiracy and too many bad guys, but it comes together as a fun read that sets the reader to thinking.

I could have done with a few less characters, but even that didn't deter me from wanting to keep reading.  If you are a Frey fan, and for the most part I am, than you won't be disappointed. He will make you wonder about our legal system, our political system, an the possibility of a group of people being able to actually run a jury tampering operation.  This is a good chance to suspend belief for a while and enjoy a good story.

- Beverly


Publisher - Thomas & Mercer
Date of Publication - September 29, 2015