K Books

If I had any one visual image deep in my brain when I began to write Take Me With You When You Go, it was Sendak's illustration in this collection of Hansel and Gretel lost in the woods, which I'd read and seen many years before. No one has illustrated fairy tales more richly than Sendak, and the collection he chose to combine is good, and Lore Segal's telling is fine. This is one of the best entry points for children into real fairy tales, as opposed to Disney. My own book attempts to bridge beyond Grimm and the older fairy tale tradition, but at the heart there's still the closely bonded Brother and Sister growing strong together on their own....Good grief! I just noticed that another one of the stories in the collection is actually titled "Brother and Sister." I'd totally forgotten.

You won't find any pixy dust in this adaptation of German fairy tales. Delving into the strange and bizarre, these stories aren't the kind you want to be reading your 4 year old before they go to bed at night. Simplistic in writing, engaging in content, entertaining in substance, these are great short stories for someone who enjoys the abnormal, the peculiar, and the extraordinary.

As a child I found this book at a garage sale. It instantly became one of my most treasured books - that was over 20 years ago. It has some of the most interesting Fairy Tales, many have a slightly "different twist" than your typical tales (some outright silly while others dark and bit disturbing). Most of the stories are 3 to 5 pages long and are very quick reading, and the sketched illustrations are beautifully detailed. Excellent stories for children and adults alike. With my current copy falling apart - I was happy to see the book has been re-issued!

My mom & step dad bought me this while on their honeymoon in Carmel in 1978 (I was 8 at the time). I loved it so much that it must be handled with care these days. Grimms fairy tales aren't necessarily for everyone. Several are very dark, but I truly enjoyed them. And who can beat Maurice Sendak as an illustrator???

After hearing Sendak speak of the tragic fate that has befallen the fairy tale, I immediately went online in search of the Juniper Tree collection, a seventies-era translation of Grimm's fairy tales that professed to be true to the originals.

According to Sendak, modern adaptations of fairy tales lack the vigor and violence of the originals, which themselves were adaptation of the spoken-word. Call it Disney-fication, but new translations seemed to candy-coat old tales into generic rubbish. Sendak said that he took on this commission in order to rejuvenate the fairy-tale genre. And I can only find success in the venture. The new translation adds spice to fairy tales that I have heard countless times, in addition to adding many more obscure fairy tales to a reader's collection. And Sendak's beautiful black and white illustrations certainly don't hurt the package. His characteristic drawings add life and excitement to the written word.

Definitely get this copy instead of any cheesy new version of a fairy tale. It's not as violent/different from normal fairy tale editions as I expected, but the change is significant enought to have warranted this translation. And sure, there isn't a Sendak illustration on every page, but kids need something to look forward to in a book, don't they?

Hello....I have yet to read the book...but i am lucky...becasue J.Todd Wilsons father (Mr. Jon Wilson) is my american history teacher at my highschool and he had a copy today and i read the first few pages and i told him that i had to get a copy of my own! its wonderful...ima also getting it signed by the author....hopefully :)

I really like this book. Even though a im not a person who gets bullyed around myself, I can see where many of these situations could of taken place. I belive this book really captivates the true reality of getting bullied at school.

This is an awesome book. It captivates you takes you places you never want to go. I can't wait for more books from this exciting author.

Wilson's tale of a bullied young man is powerful, moving, and intense. Never before have I read such a riveting portrayal of the brutal torture some high school kids experience today. This book is choc-full of hardened reality, a story that never once lets go of you...not even after the last page! Kick is gripping, powerful, and a journey everyone should encounter! Wilson's main character, Evan, has quite a story to tell. You've never heard or read anything quite like this!

I recently obtained an advanced copy of Wilson's KICK and I must say I was floored! The book totally rocked! The unique thing about the book is that it not only deals with an adolescent who has struggles with bullies, teachers, and his family, but it's a fascinating, true-to-life tale of what verbally and physically brutalized young people experience. It's not some watered down parable that makes everything all rosy and happy. This book is real! It made me feel angry, upset, angered, and at time sad! But all in all it made me think, step outside the box and evaluate the main character's struggles and decsions, but some of what I have experienced in my own life as well.

This new author has great potential! I loved Kzone and can't wait for his second book. Once you start reading, you don't want to stop. It's nice to find an author who can come up with such a creative and entertaining story.

I love this book!! Cannot put it down and am looking forward to more from this author in the near future.

Just purchased this book and find it hard to put down. The storyline is so interesting and suspense filled throughout the chapters. Michael Crane has proved himself to be a wonderful new author and can't wait for more books!

Excellent book! Great characters and interesting plot. By the end of the book you are on the edge of your seat. What an ending! Leaves you wanting more.

I am a fan of Koontz and King, and Crane is a fine addition to this genre.

The central characters are well crafted and kept me engaged as the story progressed. The fiinal chapters, where many supernatural/horror authors struggle to tie up loose ends and dispense with extra characters, are very strong here - some of the best suspenseful scenes in the book are at the climax.

I look forward to the next one.

I found this book yesterday in my search for a 'spiritual' book for my 13 year old female cousin. I started to read it to see if it was appropriate for her and ended up reading the whole story in less than two hours. It is beautiful- my thoughts are with it today. An adult wanting a short story...get it, also it could be read outloud to a small child, it is basically an animal story. Any reader of any age would enjoy its inspiring simplicity. Hint: The powerful Falcon becomes conscious of its predatory nature and chooses not to kill. Humanity's same struggles of right and wrong begin to stir in a Falcon's thoughts.

This is truly a lovely allegory. Kara, the central character in this story is a large, powerful falcon. He is a predator by nature, devouring smaller creatures. During one attack, he swoops down on a dove. The dove begs for her life and when Kara looks into her eyes and sees her fear, he relents and releases her. From then on, Kara changes his priorities. He learns to eat berries and vegetables because he can no longer bring himself to kill another living creature. The gentle dove in turn, welcomes Kara into the woodland creatures' community where they bond and welcome even more animals of all species.

Kara is a symbol for St. Paul, the former Saul known for his persecution of Christians. The gentle dove is a symbol of the Angel who appeared to Paul and who helped him rethink his priorities and become a Christian. (The dove, long recognized as the symbol of peace is often referred to in Scripture). The woodland creatures could be the Disciples or as a Christian community of caring. The end of the book reinforces the Christian theme beautifully by describing Kara's ultimate sacrifice -- he eats Manna (communion, perhaps) and takes a swan song (falcon song) flight into the sun. At the end of his life, he is transformed into a myriad of beautiful colors that his woodland friends know as being him. It is one of best books in Christian literature. It is a heart warmer. Please read it. It will really touch your heart.

Kara, the Lonely Falcon is among the earliest writings of Joseph Girzone. This charming allegory parallels common Christian themes including mercy, sacrifice, and friendship. While it is written for young adults, it can be enjoyed by all ages.

Kara, who is a bird of prey, makes a decision. He no longer wants to use other animals for food. This comes as a shock to the other creatures of the forest. Many creatures are not convinced of the change in Kara until he protects the creatures from other birds of prey. An alliance is formed between Kara the falcon and the creatures of the forest. A conflict arises when Kara must find a new source of food. While he can eat berries during the warm season, the winter months are more problematic. The food donations of the forest creatures are not enough to maintain the large falcon. A mysterious food that resembles a flat mushroom appears near Kara's perch. This food gives Kara warm feelings which makes him want to share the food with his friends. Kara is never able to share the food with his friends because of the day in which he mysteriously disappears. However, the creatures do discover the mysterious food.

For animal lovers and fans of Christian fiction, this is a wonderful book. I can envision myself using this book as a gift for young nieces and nephews in the future.

I found this book yesterday in my search for a 'spiritual' book for my 13 year old female cousin. I started to read it to see if it was appropriate for her and ended up reading the whole story in less than two hours. It is beautiful- my thoughts are with it today. An adult wanting a short story...get it, also it could be read outloud to a small child, it is basically an animal story. Any reader of any age would enjoy its inspiring simplicity. Hint: The powerful Falcon becomes conscious of its predatory nature and chooses not to kill. Humanity's same struggles of right and wrong begin to stir in a Falcon's thoughts.

I found this book yesterday in my search for a 'spiritual' book for my 13 year old female cousin. I started to read it to see if it was appropriate for her and ended up reading the whole story in less than two hours. It is beautiful- my thoughts are with it today. An adult wanting a short story...get it, also it could be read outloud to a small child, it is basically an animal story. Any reader of any age would enjoy its inspiring simplicity. Hint: The powerful Falcon becomes conscious of its predatory nature and chooses not to kill. Humanity's same struggles of right and wrong begin to stir in a Falcon's thoughts.

I read the book Kate Shelley and the Midnight Express.

This book is exciting and filled with suspense. The story begins on a girl's family farm that is flooding, near a train trestle that has been destroyed. The girl, Kate Shelley, tries to save two rail workers who have fallen into the river. She realizes that the midnight train with 200 people on board will be coming and that it will fall off the bridge too unless it is warned.

I learned some interesting facts. Kate used a lantern to light her way in the storm. When she finally reached the station, a telegraph was used to warn the train. The storm was so bad Kate's lantern blew out and 40 miles of telegraph lines went out.

I would recommend this book for three reasons. This is a true story about a courageous girl who lived in the 1800's. The story is exciting and filled with danger. It shows that one person can make a difference.

Kate Shelly and the Midnight Express is an amazing book.

I read Kate Shelley and the Midnight Express for my April book report. I enjoyed this book because it was so exciting and filled with suspense. The story begins on a girl's family farm that is flooding, near a train trestle that has been destroyed. The girl, Kate Shelley, tries to stop a train from falling off the wrecked trestle. This is a true story about a courageous girl who lived in the 1800's. This story is filled with suspense and danger. This is an amazing book.

The pictures went along very well with the story. That was a good idea to make the book because it is good to write stories about the past, living in the country and saving people. The book was very good, a little hard, but it was a good story. I understood it very well. My teacher was talking about it. She said it was before WW1.

This book is a "must have" for your child's collection! Not only is this heroic account a wonderful piece of history, but it is also a very good lesson on the power of prayer. I read it to my 1st-3rd grade Bible class along with scriptures on prayer. My students' attention didn't waver for a moment while I read this book to them.

In the story, Kate's mother at first begs her not to attempt to rescue those in a train wreck. Rather than disobey her mother, 15-year-old Kate reasons with her and obtains her permission to go. Her widowed mother promises that their family will be praying for her. Kate then risks her life to save many others. When a tree in the flood waters is just about to collide with the bridge Kate is on, she prays and it is suddenly pulled under the water. Do you suppose Kate succeeds in her mission to save over 200 people? Read this book. You won't be sorry!

This is a wonderful story about a real-life girl whose personal heroism stopped a train from wrecking on a collapsed bridge. This story was profiled on PBS's "Reading Rainbow" program, hosted by Levar Burton. Actor Brian Dennehy narrated the version on PBS. Kate Shelley was a young girl who lived in a small Iowa farmhouse. Near the house, a railroad line crossed a stream called Honey Creek. One night, there was a terrible storm. Kate and her family heard an engine moving on the line to check the bridge -- but then the bridge collapsed, the engine went down, and the Midnight Express was coming! Kate had to make it to the nearest station, but that was across another bridge.... You will have to read the book to find out the rest for yourself. You and your children will love this book!!

I have both of Kay Ewing's cookbooks. I use them on a very regular basis. My entire family loves to eat these recipes. I can disguise eggplant and zucchini in the sauce of the Chicken Melanzana recipe. I can quickly prepare a dish from the Young Everyday Gourmet section or the Quick and Easy section. I can't list all of my favorite recipes because it would take way too long. If you could see the splatters on my pages you would understand how often this book is used in my kitchen. I cook a meal every night for our family dinners. With three young children it is nice to know that I can do a sensational meal without spending the whole day preparing in the kitchen. The book is set up perfectly by themes (from her cooking classes) and menus within each theme. If I'm entertaining I would do an entire menu, but for a weeknight meal maybe just the entree and a salad. I have hundreds of cookbooks and this is my favorite (her second cookbook is neck in neck with this one). I have always wowed our company and everyone thinks I am a gourmet cook. It is all thanks to Kay!

I COLLECT COOKBOOKS, AND CONSIDER THIS ONE, ONE OF THE BEST. THE RECIPES ARE EASY TO FOLLOW, YET THEY ARE ELEGENT AND ENTERTAINING. IT IS SO EASY TO FIND WHATEVER YOU ARE LOOKING FOR TO COOK.THIS COOKBOOK,TAKES EASY ENTERTAINING TO A NEW LEVEL.

Kay's cookbook was a gift from our daughter. I have been so pleased to find the recipes so easy to create, yet delightfully unique with wonderful tastes and presentations. I always get rave reviews from dinner guests when I serve selections from this cookbook.

The Santa Fe Chicken and Cornbread is especially delicious and very easy to make. It is matched with the Corn Tortilla soup and it is an incredible combination of flavors.

The recipes which you will find in Kay's cookbook are delicious and easy to prepare but gourmet in flavor. Having menus already thought out is a special treat! A favorite family menu from Kay's French section is Pork Medallions with Dried Cranberries and Potatoes Gratinee with Chocolate Pecan Gateau for dessert.I have really enjoyed cooking recipes from this cookbook.

TK Marion REALLY has a way with words.

I don't read Civil War books, never have, and figured I never would. I met TK at a recent book signing, loved the cover, found his laid-back presentation intriguing, and bought the book.

When TK signed it, I instructed him to personalize it not just to me but also to an unnamed person I would be giving it to as a gift.

A few days later, however, I threw KILL THE DEVIL into my suitcase (I always take something to read)for my vacation through Virginia and North Carolina, which I quickly discovered are two states full of Civil War battle sites.

I started reading the book the first evening.....and could not put it down. Could NOT! It is a fascinating, well-paced read, full of suspense, interesting characters.....you name it, this book's got it.

I have absolutely no intention of giving my copy of KILL THE DEVIL to anyone. The copy TK signed to me stays on my book shelf FOREVER.

"Although Kill the Devil is a work of fiction, you'll feel you are actually a participant in the war between the states. T. K. Marion is an eloquent storyteller who peppers his imaginary civil war saga with empathetic characters and believable circumstances. You will be turning pages of this historical novel faster than a soldier can load his musket! If you want to learn the back story about how T. K. Marion researched history and designed his story, tune into his interviews on the radio show Starstyle-Be the Star You Are! from April 10, 2008 [...]. Great information." Cynthia Brian, New York Times best selling author, TV/Radio personality, Starstyle®-Be the Star You Are! Radio program [...]

The events and characters in this story are so believably real; you could easily forget that it is a work of fiction. Allow enough time to finish the book in one sitting; you will be curious where the plot leads on the next turn of the page.

This book was interesting from the start and became increasing so as it progressed. This is a must read for anyone interested in the civil war. You think the plot is going in one direction and then everything changes. Couldn't put it down. Hope to see more from this writer.

The book flows very easily. The description of places and the language used is typical of the period. Even though it is a fictional novel, just following it in your minds eye one could see what the outcome of the war could, have, would have or should have been.

This book, the second edition for Ellis, Balcomb and Ford, is a beautiful book for anyone interested in whales, their habitat and their behaviour. Focusing on the Orcas of the Pacific Northwest, this book details their lives from what they eat, to their social habits. It includes a wonderful photo chart of all the Northwest Orcas still alive when this book was published. It is a bit heavy reading, with many complex scientific terms. I would not reccommend for children, but if you know anyone with a facination with whales, this book will it into an obsession.

This book, the second edition for Ellis, Balcomb and Ford, is a beautiful book for anyone interested in whales, their habitat and their behaviour. Focusing on the Orcas of the Pacific Northwest, this book details their lives from what they eat, to their social habits. It includes a wonderful photo chart of all the Northwest Orcas still alive when this book was published. It is a bit heavy reading, with many complex scientific terms. I would not reccommend for children, but if you know anyone with a facination with whales, this book will it into an obsession.

May I first say I have never encountered a better identification book then Killer Whales and Transients. Both books are written by THE wild orca authority in the Pacific Northwest. Catalouged pictures and organized information of each individual in every pod along the coast from WA to northern BC along with accurate info on feeding, behavioral and other habits of the pods in Puget Sound and British Columbia. Truly a great book, and as I plan on researching these animals in my adulthood, it has been a great boost to my knowledge on them.

I just returned from a kayaking trip in the Johnston Straight just East of North Vancouver Island known as the inside passage. We had first hand views of the Orcas. This book was used as a reference manual to identify some of the whales. It has wonderful reference pictures of the known pods (families) in the area. It goes into great detail on their eating habits, language, and family history. It also explains their social behavior, and the differences between the pods. It is a wonderful book full of pictures, and details.

This is an excellent book for anyone who is interested in orca whales. It has mass amounts of great information, it's easy to read, there are great photographs, and the ID catalogue of orcas is nothing but the best. This book is a must have for any whale-lover, researcher, or someone with just a general interest.

I bought this book for one reason: "Now Q is for Quincy, she was rough and ready. The first fire engine in our state; let's go boys, hold her steady!" I was born & raised in Quincy, Illinois and when I saw this book on a shelf at a conference in Chicago, I promised myself I'd buy it if my hometown qualified for mention. So it did. And so I did.

This book is subtitled "An Illinois Alphabet" and is part of a nationwide series. Every state in the union has its alphabet book with titles like S Is for Show Me (Missouri) and E Is for Empire (New York). I don't know if these book are really great for learning your A, B, Cs but, if you feel connected to your state, they are fun books to read. In addition to the short verse for each letter, these books contain longer passages in the margins giving more detailed information and the artwork by Mr. van Frankenhuyzen is quite enjoyable.

Ultimately, this is a book that would have to be shared between an adult and child. I can see myself using the verses to help teach my child to read and then sharing the more difficult marginal passages. I think a child learning to read would have a tough time with these. But maybe having an adult and child share the reading chores is not such a bad thing. Find your state and share something of it with your children.

Kathy-Jo is a state treasure of Michigan, where she has been creating her unique books for children (and their parents) for many years. She has worked on other volumes in the fabulous SLEEPING BEAR state alphabet series, including the "M IS FOR MITTEN" book which describes her own home state of Michigan (with its two hands across the water of the upper and lower peninsula, that look a bit like mittens, especially to the young'uns). And also she is responsible for V IS FOR VIKING (Minnesota of course) and the B IS FOR BADGER volume which gives us a peek at Wisconsin the cheese state.

But has she ever written a book as filled with fun and info as L IS FOR LINCOLN AN ILLINOIS ALPHABET? I don't think so. It's a natural for her, a state so big and boisterous she could have written two books about it. Did you know that the original Ferris Wheel was built in Chicago and it could carry whole classrooms filled with kids in one car? Yes, up to fifty people crammed in! Kathy-Jo's little rhymes carry the day, with everything from favorite dishes to the natural landmarks of our beloved Illinois.

L Is For Lincoln is another great book is what is becoming an impressive series of books. In this one, readers travel across the state of Illinois and learn lots of great history, culture and tidbits! The illustrations are very nice and the rhymes flow easily for reading aloud to children. If you are familar with this run of books, then this one won't disappoint you. L Is For Lincoln is a welcome addition to the series that features titles like S is for Sunshine(Florida), V Is For Volunteer(Tennessee) and M is for Maple(Canda). If you are new to these books, you may find yourself spending alot of time traveling around North America from your favority easy chair!

When my children were young I began collecting state alphabet books. It was a way we all learned about our states. Some were good , some were not so good. This "L is for Lincoln" is a wonderful learning tool for readers of all ages. It's format has poetry as well as side-bar information for older readers. The bright and creative illustrations are marvelous. I hope the author and llustrator do more state books. This book holds the title "the best" in my collection of over 200 alphabet books. Buy it you'll like it.

Another great collaboration for the Wargin-Van Frankenhuyzen team. This is a terriffic book and the poetry / informative text makes it a great read for preschoolers through late elementary ages. Along with the fabulous pictures, the author once again has combined an enjoyable read with a great history lesson on the state of Illinois. The pictures are so well done, that they compell you to want to read more about each place or event. An altogether great book for your children's library.

I have never read Michael Innes before, so I was not prepared for this book at all. It is wonderfully complex, and the characterizations are truly masterful. The setting of the book is also noteworthy since it takes place at a remote Scottish castle right at Christmastime. The book does not spare the reader. It will take you on an emotional roller-coaster ride that never ends until the very last page. Innes' portrayal of a a mad Scottish lord is chilling. And Innes' detective John Appleby has to be one of the the most unique in the whole industry. I cannot say enough good things about this book, and about Michael Innes. Whatever you do try to find it and read it, read it, read it. I got my copy from the library. Luckily one library in our wonderful system saw the merits of keeping this very old book.

Pulls one solution of the hat, then another and another, and unlike some of the later books, Sir John Appleby himself is far from being the last word on thr truth. Appleby gets some of the clues, but his distance from Scottish culture leaves him at a loss when it comes to contextualization. Sometimes he can't see what's right in front of his face.

To tell you the truth, I got tired of the constantly shifting explanations of what Sybil Guthrie is said to have seen in the tower. Okay, okay, so it's the old Rashomon/Three Coffins story about how even eyewitnesses can be fooled into believing something that isn't true, and that the "evidence of things seen" should really be the last resort when trying to piece together what actually has occurred at a crime scene. For all the credence the several detective figures place on Miss Guthrie's account, I never saw why none of them doubted the essential tenor of what she had to say. Why shouldn't she have been lying her American heart out? She was the heiress, for goodness' sake. She's the one who had more motive than any of them to throw Ranald Guthrie down to the frozen maelstrom at the tower's distant base.

However that's neither here nor there. The eventual explanations for Hardcastle's inquiry about, "Oh hi, are you the doctor?" and for old mad, Ranald Guthrie, the legendary miser who picked the pockets of scarecrows hoping for some forgotten change, now changing his pitch and serving his guests caviar, are both excellently done and you will never guess! Michael Innes is famous for his witty, erudite crime novels but here he has actually come up with a novel that has atmosphere too, some of the dark, spooky John Dickson Carr kind, and some almost human characters about whom you might almost feel something

Speaking of Carr, this novel seems very much like his similarly Scottish slash tower novel THE CASE OF THE CONSTANT SUICIDES. Coincidence? Or were both men working out some kind of internecing Highlands feud, like that of the Guthries and the Lindsays in LAMENT?

This is an excellent and atmospheric piece of light mystery fiction. The plot is gradually revealed through the narratives of different characters (an old Scottish shoemaker, a young socialite, an observant young man, Inspector Appleby, and others), persuasively written by Innes. The writing is superbly witty (the Scottish laird who's the subject of the tale is described by a group of psychiatrists determining his mental fitness as "having a warm and affectionate nature fatally warped by the trauma of birth."). Considering that the book was written before WWII, it has a remarkably contemporary feel. If I had to take one mystery with me for a stay on a desert island, this would be it because of the quality of the characters and the writing, and its tolerance for being repeatedly read with delight.

There is one major problem with the works of Michael Innes: his love of fantasy, which either gives strength to the story in the eccentricities of the convoluted plot (see Gladys Mitchell), or it ruins the story completely, especially in his later works.

His third novel is set in Scotland - a Scotland of miserly Lairds, of rat-infested castles, of unpleasant retainers, of scarecrows, and of snow and religion. The plot concerns the death of the miserly Ranald Guthrie, who falls to his death from the tower of Glen Erchany, Kinkeig, on Christmas Eve. Was it murder, suicide or accident? Enter Inspector John Appleby of Scotland Yard in order to investigate the death - he sifts through the rumours of handless corpses and arsenical poisoning, and pries into one of the most extraordinary cases of murder in crime fiction.

The denouement is one of the most ingenious and dazzling ever done, making it one of the ten best detective stories ever written, ranking with the best of John Dickson Carr and Gladys Mitchell. Well-written and a dazzling tour de force.

Threaded throughout "Lament for a Maker" (1938) is the haunting strain of William Dunbar's (1465-1520?) medieval dirge of that name:

"I that in heill was and gladnèss
Am trublit now with great sickness
And feblit with infirmitie:-

Timor Mortis conturbat me."

A bit of Scots dialect and a little Latin wouldn't hurt in making sense of this Appleby mystery, and it is well worth the effort as "Lament for a Maker" is considered to be one of Michael Innes's best genre novels.

Inspector Appleby doesn't appear on scene at Erchany, Guthrie's castle until the last third of the book. There are five narrators in all, each with his own distinctive voice. There are also several solutions to the murder, and Innes makes each solution seem like the correct one when presented by one of the narrators. I think this is his most rigorous and plausible mystery---well, except for the intrusion of the messenger rats---this author cannot resist a slight touch of the surreal.

The Laird of Erchany, Ranald Guthrie has two outstanding traits: his miserliness, which is causing his castle to fall down around his ears; and his fear of death: he chants "Lament for a Maker" through his rat-infested halls, and the villagers of Kinkeig quite rightly think him mad. He is served by the Hardcastles, a seedy old couple, and Tammas, a brain-damaged boy. Even as Ranald Guthrie might remind you of an evil Prospero, and his niece Christine of Miranda, Tammas will make you think of Caliban.

Two guests are stranded at Erchany on Christmas Eve by a snow storm, and one of them just happens to be the Laird of Erchany's American heir. When Tammas struggles through the snow drifts and into the village of Kinkeig on Christmas morning, the early kirk-goers are interrupted by cries of murder most foul.

Inspector Appleby, a solicitor, a cobbler, a physician, and the Laird of Erchany's unwanted guests must work together to prevent more lives from being destroyed by a plot that seethes in fratricide, incest, and a centuries-old clan feud.