Keith Szarabajka Books

This book has it all. Some of the best poems ever are spoken beautifuly. Every famous poem from the best poets ever. If you do not own it, your missing out.

Took a tour of America with a chip on his shoulder. Guess it gives you a different perspective.

I have written many reviews for Amazon.com. Blue Highways is the only book to which I've given five stars. I would recommend it to anyone.

Blue Highways is William Least Heat-Moon's account of his 1978 low-budget car ride across America. Heat-Moon's reporting reminds me a lot of Charles Kuralt's On the Road reports for CBS News. Heat-Moon has a talent for engaging strangers on the road and bringing out the best in them.

What separates Blue Highways from so many other travel books? There are a variety of factors. Heat-Moon is a good writer. He understands pacing - and does not allow the story to bog down. He is, overwhelmingly, positive about the people and places that he encounters. Heat-Moon took pictures of many of the people he met and I think that those pictures add much to the book.

More so than the above factors, however, I think that Heat-Moon's philsophical bent adds a lot to the book. Blue Highways is not just an account of a trip; in meeting these people and engaging them, Heat-Moon wants to help answer some of the big questions about why we are here and what it means to live a good life. While no one can answer those questions once and for all, Heat-Moon provides some great food for thought.

As several reviewers have pointed out, Heat-Moon's 1978 descriptions of the USA are now poignant due to the changes in our society. Sadly, many of the older people he encountered must now be dead. Many of Heat-Moon's other observations are just as valid today as they were in 1978. Specifically, he laments the increasingly-homogeneous American culture, materialism, careerism, and many other problems.

I first read Blue Highways in 1993. I reread it this summer (2008). It lost nothing on the second reading. If you like travel writing and are at all philosophical, this book will "speak" to you on so many different levels. Don't pass this one up; it's that rare, wonderful book that makes reading all of the mediocre books worthwhile.

I bought this book over 25 years ago. I picked it up by random because the the book's cover synopsis was intriguing. This book has been one of those books that I come back to over and over again. I enthusiastically recommend this book to anyone who seeks a soul-searching adventure. You will feel like you are travelling right along with the author; experiencing his adventures and depth of self-discovery,,, first-hand.

Buy this book and it will be a treasured book that you too, will come back to again, over and over throughout the years.

If you stop to think about it, this book and those like it really aren't about anything - just a person driving around the country because his relationship wasn't going well and he didn't have anything else to do. But for those of us who love to travel, doing it in person or vicariously through the words of a good travel writer is equally enjoyable, and Moon's anecdotes and experiences - the take he has on humanity - is ample reward for accompanying him on his wanderings.

This is an excellent journal of a troubled man's attempt to try to figure out who he is by taking a solitary journey to meet real people and see real places in this country. For all the loners and independent thinkers out there this is our "magic bus".

No Witnesses by Ridley Pearson, was an exciting, nail-biting story that I was glued to until after I had finished the story.

Fast paced and suspenseful, reading this was like watching a very good action-suspense movie. The characters were interesting and very human, the relationships realistic, and the technology fascinating. Reading this was a thoroughly good time.

A serial killer with no witnesses...a unique and fascinating concept for a book and for the most part, Ridley Pearson's "No Witnesses" is a compelling read. His dialogue is crisp, terse, and very believable. If he sometimes overdoes it, as with the character of Bernie, it does serve to educate the reader into the different types of things going on.
The leading characters of Lou Boldt and Daphne Matthews are complex, and well-developed. I did not realize that this is a part of a series featuring these two, so much of what they described happening in the past was new to me. Does make we want to read more in this series, though.
The plot in this one is chilling: someone is poisoning food and massing up killings in a revenge plot against the millionaire behind Adler Foods. Adler is also Daphne's love interest. There are no real clues in the beginning, but as the drama unfolds, ATM machines play a huge part in the extortion plan of the killer.
Lou's relationship with his wife, Liz, is credible and realistic. The supporting characters particularly John LeMoia and Kenny Fowler are also strong and well-written.
The biggest problem with the books is its length. It's long, and there are several times I found myself losing interest in some of the secondary storylines.
But it is an excellent read, and I do recommend it.

Pearson is without a doubt one of the best authors of all time. It doesn't hurt that I'm from Seattle though. All of his descriptions are vivid. Every book leaves you wondering how he can be that in tune with his charactors.

Daphne's lover is being blackmailed and an inspector of the WA state Heaslth Dept has perpetrated fraud, costing a family their livelihood and eventually costing 8 people their lives. Meanwhile, someone is demanding money; the killer or someone else? They're going through ATM's which means Lou needs Liz's bank connections to solve this one. One plot comes to a climax at Dorky's (the adopted daughter of Daphne's lover) Monty the clown, ( a typical 7 year old's party) The other, when Lou realzes that a mistake has been made and they correct it and help a young prostitute get free. Add to this a scene with Bear that gets you thinking about the cameras around you, Daphne's unusual engagement, Lou getting cooperation because of his status as the cop who caught the crosskiller (and the ramifications of that), a rogue cop, a crazy Prosecutor, an over ambitious cop, and La Moia just being himself--you've got an excellent read!

The author spent a good amount of time on creating interesting characters, and clever (sometimes excessively so) dialog, but seems to have forgotten to add a plot.

I'VE READ ALL OF ROBBINS BOOKS. THIS AND 'JITTERBUG PERFUME' ARE AS GOOD AS IT GETS!
THE ONLY COMPLAINT ANYONE COULD HAVE ABOUT THIS BOOK IS THAT ONE OFTEN NEEDS A DICTIONARY WHILE READING IT. THE PLOT IS FASCINATING AND HILARIOUS.....THIS MAN IS TRULY A TALENTED WRITER.
WOULD RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYBODY THAT IS NOT EASILY OFFENDED!!!

Not everyone is cut out to be a Tom Robbins fan, his style is over the top bizarre. I've been hooked on him from the beginning, but over the top bizarre suits me well.

As with any Tom Robbins book, you have no idea where you are headed, no idea where you have been, no idea of what will happen on the next page, and all you really know is you want to see where the journey takes you.

Switters is a charming character, far from perfect he is delightfully human. There were a few places where I felt things were a little too convienent or contrived, but for the most part I was delighted with each and every plot twist and couldn't wait to see what the next one would be.

To summarize a Robbins plot would be a desecration. A fiesty grandmother, a former nude model turned mother superior, a medicine man with a pyramid shaped head, and a nun namds Domino Thiry... just for starters. His characters are strong and vibrant, and who knows where any of them will end up?

So I will leave you with this: "People of Ze World Relax!"

Tom Robbins paints so vivid a picture that all other books feel like stick-figures in comparison. It's like every word has been painstakingly chosen, buffed and waxed, and then put in a new pair of velvet slippers.

Another way to look at it: whilst reading this book you can't help but see the world a little differently. Even if all your seeing are wicked curve-balls, you are convinced that the next pitch could very well be a watermelon. Possibly rum-soaked.

If the journey is more important than the destination and you feel a wander coming on, this book is for you.

This is the first and, so far, is also the only book of his I've read, and it blows my mind nobody has reviewed it. One of the best books I've ever read. Hilarious, intelligent, thought-provoking, hysterical, creative...
Definitely worth the read and I'll be looking into more of his books soon enough.

I am not a hard-core Crichton fan, but have read enough of his books to expect a combination of mystery, cutting edge science and some "historical/political" message. You get all three in this novel. As others have said, this is a treatise on Japan...the culture, how they do business, and a good one at that...not very flattering to us in the US and, hence, some of the pans by others. Well, folks, the Japanese may not have taken over the US, but, now in the 2000's, we are still open to outside investment. Lessons may not have been learned and Budweiser has gone to the Belgians. Putting the politics aside, the mystery surrounding the murder relies heavily on being guided by the hero, Conner, and his understanding of the Japanese mind. So folks, you will not be bored by REALLY knowing who dunnit before the end of the book...though you may guess. The use of advanced digital recording and processing is no longer so new, but still an interesting addition to the detectives' bag of tricks. I do agree with some reviewers in that the characters were a bit exaggerated, so only 4 stars. Recommended as a good read for mystery and social commentary.

Many of the predictions in this book about the Japanese "taking over America" by buying it up have not come true. Indeed, with Japan's current economic decline the alarmist tone of this book is quite laughable. I remember reading it at the time and being somewhat skeptical, but in 2008, this book has almost no relevance except as an example of fear-mongering from a prior decade. The mystery story itself is only so-so. Stick to Jurassic Park or the Andromedia Strain.

As with every review here, it is merely an opinion. So first let met try to find and build a little rapport with a few of potential readers. The Micheal Crichton books which I immensely enjoyed and considered enjoyable reading were Airframe, Disclosure, and Timeline. Airframe, being an immensely captivating read. Disclosure, being one of the few books that led to two sleepless nights of reading. And Timeline, an excellent departure from your typical "Thriller" novel, with a unique and somewhat timeless storyline.
With that said, Rising Sun was a bit of a disappointment. The story is not nearly as suspenseful or intriguing as the above titles. The pace is not nearly as fast, nor are the plot twists as captivating or unexpected as his better novels. The plot is, for the most part, quite linear. There are very few moments when you will wonder (or care) what will happen next. Most times it is quite clear where it is going, and there are VERY few times when a plot twist occurs that you didn't see coming. In other words, no "Cliffhanger" chapter endings, or parts of the story you a waiting in suspense to be resolved.
There are two elements in this book that lead to those disappointments. The first is the redundant use of the word "Japan" and the "Japanese". It is possible that at the time of this writing it was a groundbreaking topic, and an exposing of the corporate Japanese influence and involvement that was a hot topic and a newsworthy concern in the early 90s but seems rather outdated today. In almost every chapter, if not every page, some reference to the Japanese and how their culture/business practices are incorporated, and how they differ from the United States'. It may not sound like much of a big deal, or perhaps a slightly awakening topic to those who have no clue about these differences, but it is too say the least, redundant.
The second aspect, is the emergence of the Thriller genre competitor, Dan Brown. While some may disregard this as an issue to this actual story or book itself, it is hard to read books like the Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons, and Deception Point, and then transition to a story such the Rising Sun, where the writing, subjects, and incredible plot just does not compare.
But despite the cliches, and exhausting explanations of trivial (i.e. corny) and somewhat outdated Japanese business practices, the book is worth a read. But no highly recommended.

If you were looking for a Micheal Crichton that while still dated but is in easy competition with today's modern thrillers, Airframe and Disclosure are sure fire bets.

I found this to be one of Crichton's most disappointing books. When it was published, it may have found an audience that could relate, but with a currently different economical situation, most of the story is too outdated for a reader to appreciate. The mystery is thrilling, but Crichton ruins it with characters like Graham, who fits the racist anti-Japanese stereotype, and Connor, the enigmatic, all-knowing Sherlock Holmes. Even Connor treats the Japanese like a bit cruelly, referring to them the way a scientist would describe the characteristics of a strain of bacteria. I can see how certain qualities of Asian culture can be annoying, especially in business, but had Crichton written with a bit more diplomacy, his book would be a lot more popular today.

This was a book I thoroughly enjoyed when I read it. Although a detective story, Michael Crichton used this as the background to inform Americans about our competitive relationship with Japan. I have met others who have read this book stating that Crichton was way out of his league when he wrote it. They criticized how he stereotyped the Japanese, but much of what he wrote although somewhat exaggerated were true. As a business student in the 80s, I often read about the tension between American industries and their Japanese counter-parts. Japanese business approaches, practices and attitudes were studied and well documented. Such practices as product dumping were common for Japanese businesses, which drove many American electronics companies to bankruptcy and at a market disadvantage.

I believe that Crichton by writing this novel was trying to alert Americans to the growing threat that concerned many in corporate America. The novel was to serve as a warning not only about Japan's growing economic power, but its aggressive acquisitions of market positions, industries and real estate which were once dominated by Americans.


Accusations of racism are often attributed with this novel, but such thinking is unavoidable as the Japan Inc. is being scrutinized. As one reads one cannot feel some animosity towards the Japanese, which again is Crichton's purpose to awaken the reader to American interests. One case in point was how when American made cars were purchased in Japan that the consumer was marked for tax audit by the government. What Crichton failed to include was the reason for this was that American cars were the trademark for the Japanese Yakuza, who primarily purchased such cars: thus triggering the tax audits. Such a presentation of "racist" policies by the Japanese are emotionally charged and effective, but are only a partial truth of what was occurring between Japanese and American business relations.

At the time that it was written, none foresaw the economic recession that hit Japan in the mid-1990s, and how it would deflate not only their economies but their national ego as well. One can only speculate where would the two countries be if the recession had not halted Japan's economic advance.

This is book is great. Amazing. I can't describe it. Hell I just wanted to say that this book is a MUST read. I'm only halfway through the book and I HAD to come to amazon and type this review! I don't know what to say except read the book!

This is the 1st Koontz book I read. I enjoyed the beginning of this book and the main character's youthful exploits were interesting. Then, it seemed to drag after that. I found myself skipping all the overly descriptive parts and just searching out the dialog. It is weird that the next Koontz book I read (The Watchers) would deal with pretty much the same subject matter. What are the odds?

I've read a number Dean Koontz novels that I've liked, but primarily because he's a less bloody, pornographically violent alternative to Stephen King, who seems to write 6 objectionable clinkers for every truly excellent novel.

But, Fear Nothing and its companion Sieze the Night are, in my opinion, classic works of speculative fiction. I found all the elements to be incredibly interesting--including a hero whose disability itself provides suspensful challenges, aside from the riveting plot details. The set pieces, such as the incident at Angela Ferryman's, the scene in the car with Stevenson, and the showdown at Bobby's, are brilliant. The premise of the "becoming" nature of Moonlight Bay and the horror of whether or not it will spread, are handled beautifully. I was also drawn in by the personal relationships among the main characters, including the animals, who were primary characters also. I have read these two books repeatedly--they're that good.

This was about the fifth Koontz novel that I read since running out of Stephen King books, and I have to say that it's not bad for an end-of-the-world-is-coming kind of affair. Intelligent dogs and cats, creepy menacing people, and a secret that could change the face life on the planet combine to form, with Koontz's dry humor, a very compelling tale that made me want to read it in one sitting. I didn't, of course, but it didn't take long. It's the creepy journey of a man who's just lost his second parent and goes looking for answers and finds instead... Well, I'll let you find out for yourself. I loved this book so much that I was praying for a sequel when I finished it. Fortunately, 'Seize the Night' just came out in paper, so if you like this one, you'll want that one. (Review coming soon)

Dean Koontz is a literal master at his craft. And he's also quite the wordsmith, so he always adds his touch of brilliance in his works. But then you pick up one of his works, and it makes me wonder if he was sitting at his computer, with the biggest dictionary available just to add emphasis. And when he goes on this "word overdrive," sometimes you just want to tell him to shut up and get on with the rest of the story! I wanted to tell him to shut up this time because it was really getting on my nerves, and this could've been a GREAT STORY! Many people want a sequel beyond "Seize the Night," but I'll make my call concerning that AFTER I read it and simply stick with "Fear Nothing" in this review.

Christopher Snow is quite interesting. He's not a morning person, he's not really even a light kind of person. He doesn't like the light too much, because of a very rare genetic disorder. So he sticks to being a night person, and he knows the night. And Chris is a witness to something rather strange, something that might be criminal behavior. But what? What is it that Chris witnessed that makes him so interested? Him and his dog, Orson, are on the prowl. They are out to solve a mystery. The time has come to find which friends you can really trust. Chris is already a celebrity around Moonlight Bay, so he really is no stranger. And as time goes on and the night gets darker, it gets rather creepy!

Koontz weaves together some memorable characters in this one. He gives us the likes of Christopher Snow, (of course!) Sasha Goodall, Bobby Holloway and puts the pieces together. So this isn't just an effort that went to waste. I've seen comparisons made to Odd Thomas concerning this. Maybe, but I liked Odd a little bit better. What I didn't like was making the story drag on and on. You don't have to drive people bananas with vocabulary galore to tell a great story. And that's what Koontz did this time. If he didn't, it might have been something awesome. For some this is a Dean Koontz favorite. The question that remains for me is if Chris Snow will be memorable for myself. I have "Seize the Night" waiting on my bookshelf to find that out in the future. I'm hoping for better with that one because I've read the best Dean Koontz has to offer! This certainly isn't it.

This is my first Dean Koontz book, and I can say that it is definitely one of the best books I've ever read.
He begins with a unique character that makes the story more eerie because everything must take place at night.
Once I picked the book up, I couldn't put it down.
I was majorly creeped out, but I loved every second of it.
I definitely plan on reading more of his books

Nearly 1/2 way through the book, I have given up. I just can't take any more of the oh-so-clever internal dialogue of Christopher Snow. This book is at least 5 times longer than it should be due to the interminable wanna-be-funny musings by the protagonist.

So, almost 1/2 way through the book and almost nothing has happened, maybe 2 or 3 major plot points. I found myself speed-skimming to get to some "meat" and still it was too annoying.

Don't know if this is typical of Koontz, but I may not try any other of his books.

Christopher Snow, of the Dean Koontz "Fear Nothing" fame, is still afflicted. His disease keeps him from being in the light. Any light. Otherwise he will acquire melanoma and die. Hence, Christopher "Fear Nothing" Snow is afflicted. Just like a bazillion other Dean Koontz characters.

Returning from "Fear Nothing" there are the biologically altered monkeys. Dozens of monkeys. Hundreds of monkeys. Maybe thousands. Well, maybe not thousands this time, but there were a bunch of monkeys and they were not happy monkeys. They were ticked off. Angry about being altered.

But enough of the monkeys. They really don't play into this much. The cat, well that is different story. A talking (sort of) and intelligent cat who enjoys the company of Christoper's brother who is a dog.

OK, well, I know that this makes sense so far. So now let's throw in an abandoned military fort where strange things are happening. And in the nearby town of Moonlight Bay, children are disappearing. The worst of it, however, is that his dog/brother Orson has also disappeared.

In order to rescue everyone, Chris enlists the aid of his friends and off to the fort we go. Within a short time we cross into another dimension of time and space. We enter a singularity of .... of ... something. We see a Hellish world of the future or maybe not the future ... maybe the past ... no, it's the "sideways".

If anyone can figure this book out please leave me a message. Damned if I can decipher the message.

Nevertheless, it was fast pace and interesting. Maybe a little exciting.

I think I read this book. But, then again, maybe I didn't. I am sure that I bought it and kind of remember reading it ... but, when I looked on the shelf .. it wasn't there. I wonder if this review will be here when I finish it. Not sure. Mondo weird.

Not as good as "Fear Nothing". Definitely weirder.

Densel Myers
Yukon, Oklahoma

This book was great but got confusing in the end to much thing went unfinshed if u read the book u know what Imean if he doesnt come out with a sequal to this book to help clear some of mysterious end he left us he should be smacked all in all good athough I had no idea it was a sequal to begin with

I have read Koontz for about 15 years and when he's good he's very good and when he's bad he's very bad. His stories and writing have continued to improve over the years. I choose him over Steven King these days. I bought this book in the grocery store and read it in two days couldn't stop... Now I am going to read the first one and don't expect that reading them out of sequence will ruin the stories one bit.

I highly recommend this one.

I couldn't put it down except when I had to. The twists and turns are complete surprises. This is the first book by Tim Green that I have read and it isn't 'literature' but it is fast paced, exciting, and great entertainment.

This was my first Tim Green book, and although it's a quick read, I did not like the story. This makes the second not-so-good book in three days for me.


Aside from the computer stuff, did anyone else notice the "Law for Dummies" vibe of the book? Some of the lines read like a "we lawyers do THIS for THIS reason."


Just bad. I agree with previous reviewers about how characters change for absolutely no reason. Shouldn't Sales have been charged for kidnapping? Or did Casey have to press charges in order for that to happen? Either way, there were too many gaps in this book. I thought it was interesting to reveal the killer in the middle of the book, but I lost interest after a view unbelievable conversations.

Books like THE LETTER OF THE LAW continue to show how dangerous and risky it is to seek companionship on the Internet. The opening chapter of this tense little thriller is ample proof. How it relates to the main gist of the novel takes a long time, but it does make sense.
Green's novels are well crafted, even if sometimes he becomes a little too cinematic in the way the story unfolds. Casey Jordan is not the most likeable of heroines...she's ambitious, always concerned about the way she is perceived; she likes her rich life, her uncaring husband and her notoriety. Once she takes on Eric Lipton, her former law professor, however, things start caving in on her.
Lipton is a demonic character, full of pride and arrogance, and the reader will doubt his innocence from the start. Once his trial is over, Casey must face Donald Sales, the father of the victim whom she intimated may have been more than just a daddy. Meanwhile, Bob Bolinger, a crusty older detective (think Lee J. Cobb) is convinced Lipton is a serial killer.
Green twists the plot for some interesting surprises, particularly in the relationship between Sales and Casey.
An involving and engrossing legal thriller, which despite its flaws, is one of Green's more intriguing novels.

This is my first Tim Green book and I was delighted. After putting off reading this book for months, I have to kick myself for not reading it sooner. The book is about a lawyer named Casey who is asked to represent her law professor. He is accused of killing a student by cutting her up and removing her gall bladder. Pretty disgusting.

The whole premise of the book is how Casey manages to get the professor acquitted to then find out that he may have done it. In order to free the professor, she had to attack the character of the dead girl's father on the stand. In freeing her professor, Casey is now stuck between a serial killer and the dead girls father's hatred.

What makes this book unique is that Casey is not that likable for heroine. She is shown as being very materialistic and doing whatever she can to win a case. However that all changes when she sets a killer free and she starts questioning where she went wrong.

Good book and Tim Green does a great job of laying out the plot.

The Letter of the Law opens with the murder of a cyber sex addict, a killing whose significance only becomes apparent near the end of this tense, taut tale of perverted morality and the law. It then segues to a grisly crime scene, a scene change which signals the beginning of the main action of the novel. Here, readers are introduced to police Detective Bob Bolinger, who, despite being a twenty seven year veteran of the force, has never seen quite so brutal a crime scene--the victim, law student Marcia Sales has been eviscerated, her internal organs strewn over the floor of her apartment.

Searching for suspects, Bolinger briefly focuses on Donald Sales, the girl's father, who, in his grief, went berserk at the crime scene. Bolinger's finely honed instincts soon lead him, however, to law professor Eric Lipton, with whom she was romantically involved. Upon learning he is the chief suspect, Lipton, famous for "The Letter of the Law," a treatise and course on how to manipulate the legal system, flees, only to be captured by the police in short order.

A la the O.J. Simpson or the Claus Von Bulow cases, the case attracts national attention, becoming more of a media circus with each passing day. Dismissing his first attorney, thearrogant, eccentric Lipton hires one of his brightest students, up and coming attorney Casey Jordan, to defend him. Anxious to make a lasting mark in the legal community, the ambitious Jordan accepts the case. Using all the weapons in her considerable arsenal, she proceeds to secure a verdict of not guilty, attacking Bolinger professionally, and Donald Sales personally, even going so far as to suggest that Sales may have had an incestuous relationship with his daughter.

The jury verdict is only the beginning of the action, however, as, seconds before it is announced, Lipton whispers something to Casey that turns her world upside down. His revelation triggers a truly bizarre sequence of events that ultimately lead to an alliance between Casey and her former adversaries, Bollinger and Donald Sales. Together, the unlikely trio stalks the killer even as he stalks them.

Upon hearing of the basic elements of The Letter of the Law --appalling violence, a genius criminal, an ambitious professional battling seemingly insurmountable odds, a relentless veteran cop searching for the truth--veteran readers might conclude that the book is riddled with clichés, the type of thing we've all become familiar with through the works of authors like Grisham, Cornwall, and Turow. While that's true to an extent, it would be unfair to brand the book that way. Green shows great assurance for a first time novelist, putting his characters through paces that even some of those veterans might blanch at. For instance, he's not afraid to show the dark sides of his characters, at the same time examining the pitfalls and consequences of taking the law into one's own hands. He also makes some telling points about the cost of ambition, as to whether the quest search for the brass ring is worth the rationalizations people are often forced to make as they climb the ladder of success . Green's characters, besides being interesting, are also human, capable of abrupt about faces and unexpected actions.

Filled with tension, and packed with telling insights about our legal system, The Letter of the Law combines solid writing and a well developed ability to surprise readers to create a memorable, fast paced work of fiction, a perfect fix for all you legal thriller addicts out there.

I can't quite understand the negative reviews this book seems to be getting here. I think it may well be the best thriller I've read. I've spent a fair amount of time in Guatemala, and I'd say Lindsey may overstate the menacing atmosphere a bit, it is hard to look at Guatemala's recent history and fault him for this. A great book.

David Lindsay's "Body of Truth" truly conveys the atmosphere prevailing in Guatemala during the last 40 years and especially the time of the just concluded civil war. It is highly realistic, true to time and place in that it enmeshes the characters in the nightmare of crime, politics, and war. I enjoyed this book tremendously, even as it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up!

I've read and enjoyed most of Lindsey's books, as they are chiefly set in Houston, Texas, my hometown. In this work, Lindsey has become more descriptive in his writing. This works well when he is characterizing the players, and moving the storyline, however, his descriptions of Guatemala are downright nasty. I understand that it is a country that is fraught with corruption and violence, but the way Lindsey illustrates it, I'm surprised that people still live there. Also, Lindsey is very condescending in his negative portrait, displaying a decided 'U.S.A. Superiority Complex'. For example, in one scene, the main character, Haydon, pays for his meal with U.S. Dollars. Lindsey then describes the Guatemalan waiter's "delight" in receiving payment in a currency that "actually had value". Other passages like this permeate the book to the point where it becomes almost laughable. (With commentary like this, no wonder the rest of the world hates us!). But, despite the digs on Guatemala, the story is fast moving, compelling, and keeps you guessing. Overall, I recommend it - just check your opinion of Guatemala at the door.

I struggled through the interminable descriptions of stench, of fountains bubbling in the background, of statues, wrought iron gates, you name it, Lindsey can write two paragraphs on it.

After 80 pages, I started skipping the paragraphs that were desciptive filler. I gave up by chapter 17.

If ever there were a book that would make me believe the author was being paid by the word, it would be this one. Had some of those words actually created a spark of interest in the characters, I might have pressed on.

Perhaps Lindsey has written better books. Too bad this was my first encounter with his writing. It will be my last.

How could a book like this be published? Yes, He has been to Guatemala. Yes, He knows the structure of the city precisely. Yes, He invested his time and money preparing for the novel. DOES THAT MEAN I HAVE TO THREAD THROUGH ALL THE DESCRIPTION ABOUT THE CITY FOR MORE THAN 300 PAGES? He wrote pretty well at the beginning. But as the story went on he lost balance and wasted too much effort on city and landscape description. DON'T TRY TO READ THIS ONE. NEVER!

Along with 'Houses without Doors', 'Mr X' is disappointing in comprison to Straub benchmarks such as 'Koko', 'Ghost Story','The Throat', etc.

As a fan of Straub's work and Lovecraftian fiction, I was particularly looking forward to this, but for me it was a disappointment and in the end a frustrating read.

Difficult to pinpoint the exact reason (s), but I think there were too many plot threads running through the book and they didn't quite fit together or resolve properly. I found myself continually having to page back through the book to remind me of the context of a particular character or situation - Straub's books are usuallly compulsive page-turners, but in a forward direction!

Readable but nowhere near Straub's best work.

This book confused me from the beginning. There is a boy, Ned Dunstan, who is given up by his mother and leads a very disturbed childhood. Everything about Ned's life is bizarre, including bizarre scenes of himself seeing through the eyes of a serial killer. These scenes are explained in great deal, and are very disturbing. As the story goes on, it only gets creepier and in someways, confusing. For the most part I was able to follow the storyline, but I would not recommend this book for anyone who gets squirmish during intense scenes. This book is very graphic, and if you can't appreciate the meaning behind the story, then you should probably not bother. This book is not meant to be humorous, and is intense from pretty much start to finish. I would give this book a 7 out of 10 because, although well written, graphic horror novels are not really my style.

I just finished it, and feel relief. I hate to leave things unfinished, especially when I've given them so many second chances. It's blue-collar doesn't match the money from the sky, or the shadow out of time.

This book was recommended by my beloved paperback eating machine of a grandmother, likely because she knows I like creepy stuff, not because I'm well-read.

The content is fun enough, for an 80s story that wants us to believe it's a 90s story, but the style begs so desperately for the 'clever yet not pretentious' badge that it ends up less than pretentious, merely pedestrian.

Two stars instead of one because it wasn't bad for its ilk, two instead of three because it wan't as good as it thought it was.

I was determined to finish this book. Eventhough, it was the most hard to follow, confusing and BORING book that I have ever read! It is definitely not a page turner. I was not thrilled, horrified or left in suspense. I kept on reading in the hope it would all come together and make sense. That never happened.

I've always liked Lovecraft stories, but Poe's poetry has always seemed slightly boring to me. Somehow Straub has melded the two and I think Mr. X is a masterpiece. After reading all of the Tim Underhill and Tom Passmore related books, I decided it was time to read Mr. X and I was not disappointed.

I haven't stopped thinking about this book since I finished it. Ned Dunstan has an odd assortment of relatives that range from a homicidal maniac to deformed cripples with birth defects to kleptomaniacs with enhanced mental powers. It's hard to figure out if the narrator is Ned or his "brother". He may possibly have a split personality. I plan on reading it again to see if I missed a few clues.