Characters Books

Once again, Dirk Wyle has accomplished the feat of incorporating his specialized technological expertise into a mystery novel that is interesting, well-paced, and entertaining. We follow protagonist Ben Candide as he unravels the puzzle, piece by piece, until the perpetrators of the murder and their motivation are finally revealed. My interest in the story was piqued at the beginning and continued throughout. I therefore highly recommend this novel.

Dirk Wyle seems to know more about science and bio-tech thrillers than Robin Cook or Michael Palmer. This is a novel for intelligent readers with a science background. The novel provides a 7-course dinner in Miami corruption,cancer cures, and an engaging hero who bikes his way through appointments and thinks a $1,000 suit is expensive. A winner.

Dirk Wyle carefully mixes his reservoir of scientific knowledge with the intrigue and suspense of great stories. Ben Candidi has become an old friend. We look forward to joining him in future, exciting forensic adventures.

You don't need to know beans about biotechnology to enjoy this fast-paced romp through the shady side of science in Miami's backyard. The author did all the hard work and then made it easy for readers like me, who care more about the story than the scientific details, but still want a sense of authenticity in those details.

Best of all is the hero in the story, Ben Candidi. He's fresh and convincing and altogether the kind of guy who you KNOW knows a lot more than you do, but would still make terrific company around the dinner table.

Bottom line? It's comforting to know that not every Florida mystery needs to have an edge of hysteria in it to give readers bang for their buck. How refreshing!

Dirk Wyle follows up his 1998 Best First Mystery Pharmacology is Murder with Biotechnology Is Murder. With his more than 30 year experience in Biomedical Science and his considerable knowledge in the areas of psychology, business, science, and writing, he is a sure winner. His character Ben Candidi is just finishing his Ph.D., but Ben packs more punch per square inch than most veteran detectives.

A pharmacology student and Mensa activist, Ben Candidi is tapped for a 4-day consulting job, guaranteed to generate $24,000 to check scientific claims by a company called BIOTECH. Ben quickly learns that: there is a legitimate product that can shrink tumors in rats, but it has not been tested in humans. The group that Ben is supposed to work with function on a "need to know" basis only, and communicate little. Ben's predecessor disappeared, and no one is talking. When Ben tries to communicate with the inventor of the product, Dr. Moon, he is met with an uncooperative, paranoid little man who refuses to give out information:

"What was I to make of this posturing? It was straight out of a B-grade karate flick. He was treating me like an intruder who had pissed on the floor of his "dojo." Is this the way he had treated my predecessor, Dr. Yang? Had he killed him with a sucker chop to the neck? Was he fermenting Yang's flesh in the back room? The thought must have made me smile again, since Dr. Moon's eyes were now flashing angry."

Mr. Wyle knows his stuff in the biotechnology area, and he has Ben take the reader though an incredibly intricate maze of information in a straightforward manner. Ben is a delightful character, being all too human for his amazing intellectual capacity. We see graphic images spilling out of Ben's narration, and can't wait to turn the page to see what else this scientific deathtrap has in store.

Dirk Wyle has written a timely plot with larger than life characters with which the reader has an immediate affinity. Ben Candidi is the young Jack Ryan of the biotechnological world. He is drawn into the clutches of industrial pirates from every direction and still manages to entertain.

Shelley Glodowski, Reviewer

I grew up reading the Swedish version of this book. I always loved the transitions from one page to the next and the poetic rythem of the words. I have never seen the English translation, but it sounds like it has managed to capture the same magical feel. I highly recommend these books to anyone, young or old. This particular book was my favorite as a child and is a good starting place for those new to the world of Tove Jansson.

My aunt gave this book to our family about 45 years ago and I can vividly remember my father reading it to us. We all loved the interesting characters with definite traits, the page cut-outs allowing views into the next page, and the last line on most pages: "And what do you think happened then?" Curiosity piqued by the glimpse of the next page, I felt invited to answer the question, and really thought about what might happen.

Interesting vocabulary and fun story line, illustrations that stimulate creativity, engages the reader in a way that encourages thinking, and a happy ending--this book has it all.
I'm going to buy this new edition for my preschool science classrooms and young friends.

...these books are not known in this country. I, for one, brought my Moomin book with me from the former Soviet Union, and I fully intend to indoctrinate my future children into the Moomin Religion (even if they will have to learn Russian just for that). Tove Jahsson (who passed away last year, sadly) created a wonderful world, full of adorable and memorable characters.

The Moomins are...well, G-d knows what they are. They are little hyppopotamus-looking cute things that walk on their hind legs, live in the picturesquee little valley (and in houses, of course), do all the things that humans do (or that humans do in children's imagination) and wear hats. Sometimes. In fact, there is even a story about a magic hat somewhere. But I digress.

Muumi-Troll, the protagonist, is your average kid. Or a teenager. He has a Muumi-Mother, and Muumi-Father, and two best friends: Sniff (who looks like a rat and is a terrible coward--but always manages to overcome it at the last possible moment) and Snusmumrik (who looks like a duck and is a Traveler). He has a love interest, Froeken (Miss) Snork (Snorks are similar to Moomins, except that their color changes together with their mood), who has an obnoxious brother, you guessed it, Snork. There are also Hemul, who, like all Hemulen, wears his aunt's old dress (don't ask), and the Muskrat (I think that's what it is). There are predicaments and dangers and wonerful adventures.

The Moomins are known--and beloved--in all of teh world, from their native Finland, to Russia to Japan. Hopefully, the States will come around at some point--and Harry Potter (no offense, I love HP) will tremble in his shoes.

Perhaps because we've read it so many times, I felt cheated when I picked up what turned out to be a new translation (so new that Amazon doesn't have it but a local children's bookshop did). Although prepared by a respected British poet, I missed the lyricism of the original and my children did to. I can barely bring myself to open our new copy (which I purchased as insurance in case anything happened to our beloved original). That being said, the cuts (by Schildts!) are there as well as the wonderful drawings and the whole surreal moomin world.

For some reason, I had a copy of the original Finnish version. I couldn't read it, but I just LOVED the pictures! I still have fond memories of looking through the little cut-out holes from page to page; the hole on one side turns out to be an element on the next page! I remember it really had my imagination going -- since I couldn't understand the text, I got to make the story up as I went along. Moomin was a favorite among Japanese kids (I grew up there), so it was an extra treasure to have the original characters (bearing their original names) all beautifully illustrated in Tove Jansson's own hand.

Truly a must for any kid's library, or even an adult's! I just ordered one again for myself, having long lost the Finnish copy. There's something special about the use of cut-outs and the colors that makes it extra-wonderful for firing up any child's imagination, even if you can understand the text!

...But I really liked this book. If you like mysteries and a little forensic bug science thrown in, this is a good read. And if your hesitant because he is a christian author and you don't want to be preached at, not to worry, no soap box included, or foul language either.

I had almost come to the point of despair over how few truly wonderful books I've read of late. This book cured that. I count myself lucky to be such a latecomer to this series because now I can snap up a few more of them without waiting. Why isn't this author world wide famous? His story has plot, humor, action, intellect, and handles them very well.
Dr. Polchak is an interesting character. Not your typical drop-dead gorgeous hero, but a smart guy who isn't afraid to take risks or dump himself and some poor woman into a river if the cause is right.
Some plot twists seemed a little too convenient, but that's the way a tight story's run. Dr. McKay is a nice foil to the lovable bug man.
Most importantly, this book made me laugh. I hate mysteries that simply overdo the seriousness factor. Chop Shop handles humor with a deft hand. Many many thanks to the author for this intriguing tale.

When Tim Downs came out with "Shoofly Pie," I was scratching my head. But I wasn't going to miss out! I wanted to know what a "Bug Man" novel was all about. Hey, I loved it! Then I saw the title of this, book #2, "Chop Shop," and I laughed my butt off. Only Tim Downs! Only with the Bug Man himself, Nick Polchak. His last name almost sounds like "Pole Cat!" He always has an answer for everything, never a dull moment with Nick.

So what exactly are we to expect from know-it-all Nick this time? More fun, and more dead bodies! You talk about your average slab of meat? Check out the prime cuts that Downs serves up this time! First of all, he gives you Nick, but that's an instant gimme. We meet his Polish mother, and we meet his new friend, Riley. Riley is a special girl. She needs Nick's help with something that seems somewhat shady at her workplace. Is coroner, Nathan Lassiter, in over his head? He probably doesn't think so. We find out that Nick and Riley are fighting a battle that may prove unbeatable. And the people they thought they could trust could very well stab them in the back. You can even expect a modern day Samson, but you won't have the first clue as of where to look. So don't!

So, all in all, this just might make your liver quiver! It might even make your bowels move once or twice. But more importantly, whether you realize it or not, it will open your heart. And without giving anything away, that just may be an ultimate lesson that Nick might just learn before it is all said and done. Tim Downs tells a great story. And he didn't have to be Joe Spiritual to do it either. He had to be Tim Downs, and he had to simply tell a great story. That sizes him up with the likes of Robert Liparulo, maybe even Ted DeKker. So no matter how you slice n' dice it these days, Tim Downs has his own way of doing things. It isn't always attractive. But I like that! Hope you like it as well.

What an excellent book! A great improvement over the first in the series "Shoofly Pie" which I liked very much. Not as funny but much more intense. Both books had excellent endings. A lot of thought went into the writing of "Chop Shop" and it shows. Deep character, intelligent plot and sharp wit. Tim Downs is rising on my list of favorite authors. Now for the problem; there's very little that's Christian about it. It's clean, no sex, no cursing and it brings up some good ethical points (absolutes being the big one) but as far as spiritual growth it's not really there. Don't get me wrong this book is excellent but I do miss knowing our God just a little bit better when it's all over.

TIM DOWNS IS SUCH A GREAT WRITER! HIS BOOKS ARE NOT ONLY FAST-PACED, BUT FUNNY TOO. SHOOFLY PIE IS ANOTHER MUST READ BY DOWNS. I ANXIOUSLY AWAIT MORE BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR!!!

This is one of those books you find yourself reading into the wee hours of the morning. Definitely a fun read and nonstop action.

I gave it only four stars because a truly great book has interesting ideas in addition to an interesting plot. In truth, I would have given it 4.5 stars if that was an option.

Straley's books are all consistently fun to read. The earlier novels are more rich with Native American folklore. This one has an intricate plot that keeps twisting this way and that all of the way until the end.

Read this book now. You won't be sorry.

I've been a fan of Straley's books after visiting Sitka, which is where he lives. I have read them all and without question this is the best yet! I love an unpredictable book, Straley does well in this fashion.

Cold Water Burning by John Straley is the latest foray of Cecil Younger the private eye. In this outing, our intrepid hero (who is on the wagon) is caught up in a nasty investigation involving a murder of a family. The more Younger digs, the more bodies turn up. An excellent tale that reaches heights of poetic expression without being corny. By far the best novel of Straley's to date. Though all good, this one is quite touching. The descriptions of the folks of Sitka could be like that of any small town America.

I will start out declaring my bias: I lived in Sitka, Alaska for 7 years (now in Juneau for the past 3) and know John and the people of Sitka well. It is for this reason actually I thought I would share something, possibily of interest, with readers or potential readers of John's work.

It was quite obvious to me that John used his latest novel not only to entertain his readers, but to tip his hat to the people of Sitka who have provided him such good material and, more importantly, friendship over the past many years.

Many of the positive side characters and a few of the main ones in this latest novel are John's friends and neighbors. If not in total, at least enough to convey a "tip of the hat" from John to them. While this is not unique to this book or John as a writer, he references so many local people and in such a way that reading the book was like watching him shake hands and pat the backs of his fellow Sitkans.

I hope readers are able to pick up on this and that it allows them to feel perhaps even more immeresed in the Sitka by the Sea John describes so well.

Cecil Younger is a private investigator in the town of Sitka, Alaska, and his greatest success as a defense investigator has left him suffering with nightmares of murder, fire and screaming children. Three years after the arson death of two adults and two children aboard a fishing scow, Cecil is still convinced Richard Ewers had nothing to do with the crime. But just as a raging storm heads straight for Sitka, Ewers, who was found innocent at a highly publicized trial, goes missing along with fifty thousand dollars and his wife Patricia asks Cecil to find him.

Cecil agrees, but when he doesn't act fast enough for Patricia, she takes matters into her own hands. Her attempt to interrogate a couple of the suspects ends in tragedy, leaving Cecil looking like the town villain, responsible for yet another miscarriage of justice. With almost everybody against him, Cecil doggedly plods on with tension building until another tragedy strikes the town. In a terrific conclusion to this five star tale, Cecil must battle not only a personal enemy but also the deadly forces of nature.

Reviewed submitted by Captain Katie Osborne

More good fun from Chester Himes. On the plus side, he finally includes some entertaining sex. On the other hand, one of the main bad guys here (the "Colonel") is particularly flat and unbelievable. Also, as usual, the end is much less satisfying than the ride to get there.

The dialogue, the action, the characters, it's Harlem world and it's all here! What else do you want?

Chester B. Himes wrote a series of "Hard Boiled" detective novels set in Harlem during the the 1950's and 60's. His two main protagonists were "Coffin Ed" Johnson and "Grave Digger" Jones, a couple of black police detectives operating in the seedy underworld of Harlem and New York City. Himes himself had served time for armed robbery in Ohio. While in prison he first read the works of Dashiell Hammet("The Maltese Falcon","The Thin Man",etc.)and decided that he could write similar fiction set in Harlem's vibrant African-American culture. He moved to France after his prison release and then began to write (in French!) his own brand of mysteries set in the New York City section that had become world famous for it's culture, nightlife and intellectual renaissance. The first of these mysteries was "A Rage in Harlem"(first published in French as "For Love of Imabelle" in 1959). Coffin Ed and Grave Digger were only minor characters in this first novel, but by the time of the 5th novel "Cotton Comes to Harlem" they were the stars of the series.

In "Cotton..." a ex con named Deke O'Hara scams $87,000 from a group of families who want to go to Africa to start a new life free from segregation and prejudice. Before O'Hara can abscond with the money a group of white gunmen steal it in the middle of the "Back to Africa" rally O'Hara is hosting and then escape. All this takes place in the first few pages, and the action only steps up the pace from that point on. Cotton Ed and Grave Digger are assigned to the case, and their brand of brutal, violent police work may not be always legal, but they have their own code of honor, which demands that they do all in their power to see to it that the families get their money back, as in most of the cases it amounts to their life savings. Through a maze of deceit and treachery filled with white supremacists, voluptuous women, scam artists, underworld informants, and real to life street people the two cops thread their way with both violence and guile. I won't spoil the ending, but suffice it to say that Himes delivers.

The book was made into a movie in 1970 which played up the humorous aspects of the book. While there is much mordant and cynical humor in Himes' writing, the book is much more than that, and deserves a place in the "Hard Boiled Detective" Hall of Fame. If you like this one I would recommend Himes' other works, especially "The Real Cool Killers".

A definite 5 stars.

This novel has some of the same characters as Himes' Rage in Harlem. This is not a sequel and it is not imperitve that you read "Rage" first, but I think that you will like this book more if you have read about Coffin Ed and Gravedigger Jones in the early novel.

... The book doesn't concern Bible Flowers. It's about the efforts of two black detectives, "Grave Digger" Jones and "Coffin Ed" Johnson, to recover $87,000 in money stolen from a con-man/storefront preacher in 1960s Harlem. Along the way, Grave Digger and Coffin Ed encounter a few murders, a southern colonel, and a 50-pound bale of cotton.

Raymond Chandler wrote that detectives must walk the mean streets, but they must not themselves be mean. Well, Grave Digger and Coffin Ed walk the mean streets just fine, but the "not being mean" part gives them trouble; they doubt the feasibility of solving a case without, say, slapping around a few witnesses or firing a few shots into a crowd. Despite the detectives' unhesitating brutality, this novel compares well to the best of Raymond Chandler and Robert B. Parker. This is due not only to the spot-on dialogue and the stark, vivid character depictions, but also the detectives' uncompromising determination to bring justice to Harlem. The plot is better, i.e., less predictable, than any of Parker's, and Himes's depiction of 1960s Harlem is so bizarre, yet compelling, that it invites comparison to Carl Hiassen's Florida rather than Chandler's LA. Add to this Himes's unique, excruciatingly honest depiction of race relations in the 1960s, and you have one of the best detective novels I have read in years.

...

It startd out as just another run-away investigation. A pretty Paiute girl, sick of her life on the reservation, heads to Hollywood hoping to make it rich in the sex trade. Private detective Jack Lifey won't make her go home to the abuse she faced there, but he does want to talk to her, make sure she's following her own plans.

The invetigation is only one of Jack's problems. His daughter is shot in a drive-by shooting, his girlfriend police detective Gloria Ramirez is havin problems with their relationship and Jack can't seem to get away with his impossible wish to save everyone, even if they don't want to be saved.

Author John Shannon writes a moving tale that goes far beyond a simple mystery. Jack Lifey is a perfect everyman, but also a man who maintains his hope no matter what. The Los Angeles setting comes to life, whether Jack is patrolling the lowest sewers of the porn business or visiting the homes of the elite in Malibu or nearby Rancho Mirage. Fans of Jack Lifey will want to grab DANGEROUS GAME fast. If you're new to John Shannon, you're in for a treat

Whether you're someone who has followed Jack Liffey from his first appearance in print, or a lucky reader who just found this mystery series, you are sure to become a lasting fan. John Shannon brings this character to life with creative writing excellence. Readers are not only caught up in the life and loves of Jack Liffey and his daughter, Maeve, but are colorfully transported in each John Shannon novel through the historic streets of the greater Los Angeles area. This latest John Shannon thriller, "Dangerous Games," keeps the reader emotionally involved from the first chapter through to the exciting end of the read. Don't miss this book. It is John Shannon's best, so far.

First and foremost, Shannon's "Dangerous Games" is a good story well told. The relationships among the ongoing cast of characters continue to unfold around a plot that accelerates to a satisfying conclusion.

Equally importantly, Shannon captures the complexity and contradictions of Los Angeles in a way few writers have. He sees what an ugly and shallow place it can be, and yet still clearly loves it. He recognizes what a magnet it is to the rootless, yet is grounded in its history. He understands what a sprawling megalopolis this place is, yet knows that most of us live in neighborhoods, each with its own character. And, he understands the effects the climate and topography have on our lives. The final scenes, for example, are set in the middle of a Santa Ana condition, so that the edgy danger of the winds and even the color and light in the sky almost become characters themselves.

A good story with a strong sense of place. If you're in L.A. read it before October, when the Santa Anas kick in.

John Shannon's books just keep getting better and better. He's a writer who is not afraid to walk around on the wild side of the brain.

Some books are like candy: you read them, find them delicious, and then hope they didn't leave you too fat or too lame.

Other books are like haggis: they're interesting and intriguing. You like to read about them and you would have liked to have experienced them yourself so you could tell people about them, but when you actually get one in front of you, you don't really want to taste it. Get this thing away from me!

Shannon's books are like a good pastrami sandwich on rye: complex, fun to read, delicious. They fill your brain with wonderful flavors, and--when you are done--you can argue endlessly with your friends about whether this one was as good as the last one and about whether there is a better one out there somewhere or not.

This is a great book. All the books in this series are excellent. They'll keep you pasted to your couch for sure. And they will engage your brain, not just vaguely pass through it as so many mysteries do. All I can say is order one, let the mailman bring it to your table, and sit back and enjoy. I don't recommend you put mustard on it...but to each her own.

This has to be the best book I have read in years. the dialogue is so real you would think you were standing on the corner of Soto and Brooklyn talking to the people that hang out there. I started this and could not put it down until I finished. Shannon is getting better and better.

There is a high value to do this devotional. Writing out your prayers helps you to remember to pray them more thru the day. Also you can go back and write when they are answered and how.

Beth Moore's insights never stop amazing me. The length is just right for a daily devotional. The book is so high quality you feel as if you have an old world treasure in your hands.

Very well written and thought provoking book with plenty of room for contemplative notes ans exercises to help one evaluate and study David. My only problem, and hence the 3 not 5 stars, is she relates and compares, way too often, David to Jesus. It is a book about David according to its title and yet she falls in the same trap as most Christian authors. Everything in the bible is NOT about Jesus nor is there any need to try and force every verse, person, etc. to fit to some explanation or elaboration of him. It is about GOD and his message via his prophets. I would love to see some of the great Christian authors, Mrs. Moore included, give the Bible its just treatment especially when dealing with the Hebrew Scriptures portion (aka OT).

This is such a personal devotional that will take you through the life of David even after all the other studies you may be doing on the Life of David. I cried as I came to the last 2 days - as I did not want it to end. This is a 'must have' - but also a perfect gift for the "woman of God" on your list this Christmas. I encourage all the women I teach in Bible study to get this devotional and go through it one-day-at-a-time for the full 90 days! So good! God will bless you!

I just bought this devotional about a month ago and am thoroughly enjoying it. The book itself is beautifully made and I think anyone would feel special receiving this as a gift.

It is a rather large book (in terms of dimensions), however the daily readings are not overwhelming at all. You read one passage of scripture and are asked two simple thought provoking questions. Beth then gives a one-to-two page devotional related to the passage and questions. It probably does not take more than 15 minutes to finish a daily devotional. But I find myself spending a bit longer just meditating on the message. I usually say to myself, "Wow, I've never seen that before," or "Thank you Lord for giving me new insight."

If you are new to Bible reading and are not familiar with the story of King David, I would recommend reading 1 and 2 Samuel before beginning this devotional because Beth just dives right in.

I highly recommed this devotional.

I just finished the 90 day journey on a walk with Beth discovering things through the amazing life of David. This book took me 10 to 15 minutes a night and was a great way each evening to close out my day. You learn so much from this book and there is not the level of homework as with the Daniel study, for example, so you can do this book while doing another study and it will not stress you out!

What I love is learning all about the intricacies of David's life -- what mistakes he made, the feelings he had, what he went through as a father, husband, and leader. David was one of God's chosen -- a man truly after God's own heart -- yet he too made very human mistakes. This alone can give you great hope as a sinner and Christian.

If I could rate this book a 6, I would! I've learned so much through my nightly readings about David. This book is also attractively done with large scroll-like pages and a great layout that also just welcomes you into it. It's a book you can place out on the bookshelf after you're through and it will look very nice. You'll want to pull it out later and go through it again also. There are places to put your own thoughts so it can become a journal of sorts for this 3-month period in your life.... You won't regret these 90 days!

In order to create the fictional town of Steven Falls, the author has created an alternate world where the political boundaries and political organization are different, two towns have disappeared (replaced by the fictional town in a different location), the state police have taken over the county courthouse, and the sheriff's office is no longer in the county seat. Readers familiar with the real location may have problems with the novel. For people from outside the Puget Sound/ Olympic Peninsula area, it might be an interesting cops and robbers tale.

Seattle PI Leo Waterman has a friend who has acquired property to start a small resort and work as a fishing guide. He is an outsider in a small town, where locals have their own ideas for the property. Conflicts with the local red necks and power brokers turn lethal. Leo brings in an assortment of street people, thieves, and shadowy individuals to exact retribution. Leo is not a nice guy when you get on his wrong side.

The novel starts out on a different case before getting to the main plot, and meanders at some points. It is hard to say if anyone wins in the end as everyone, including Leo, gets banged up, and we seem to be left with a trail of broken bodies and shattered dreams. At best, the story would have a PG-13 rating.

I love the Leo Waterman series. Everyone of them has been great. But I think I can safely say that this is my favorite yet.

Leo and his live in girlfriend visit some freinds who have bought some property in hopes of opening a resort. Beautiful little town, perfect location on the water. But things feel a little weird. After returning home, a few weeks later they discover the husband is dead. Leo being who he is wants to know why.

It turns into almost a caper from there on. Leo bringing in people who can do specific jobs for him to help nail those responsible.

A whole lot of fun to read, and And I would highly recommend this series, but this book in particular.

Jon Jordan

A great addition to the Leo saga - jumps right into action on a sordid case of sexploitation, then changes gears into a small-town conspiracy mystery. Plenty of laughs and plenty of action. A real page-turner.

Do not read this book while sitting in the lunchroom at work! It looks very unprofessional to be laughing out loud when you are sitting at a table by yourself. Leo Waterman's unique view of how the system works, and how to work the system makes for a delightful read.

Leo & Rebecca are at it again. This is the sixth book in the series and one of the best. Leo makes some new friends and revisits some old while untangling the circumstances around the death of an aquaintence. The scheming he uncovers leads him to some scheming of his own as only he can scheme. The 'Boys' new home is a riot, and the plot is involved enough to keep you guessing. This is a fun read, although there are a couple of darker undertones and some changes that will make Leo a different person when we meet him next. G.M. Ford has done it again!

Part mystery and part life in an upscale college town in the southern California desert. More about relationships amongst the various inhabitants; not a lot of detecting. Fourth in an enjoyable series.

Hello, Hollywood, somebody film this excellent book. Everything is here for a great film.

There is only one word to describe this series - EXCELLENT!! Plot twists abound and when you think you have it solved you are right back to the beginning. I sure hope this series will continue. I'll be the 1st in line here at Amazon to buy it.

Claire Gray, who used to direct on Broadway now heads up the theater department of the Desert Arts College in Palm Springs, California. One night she is invited to the house of Glenn Yates, the college president along with the head of costuming, Kiki Jasper-Plunkett, to help diffuse an argument he is about to have with his ex-wife Felicia over a home in Santa Barbara that she received in the divorce settlement. Felicia can live in the home, but she can't sell it and she's not happy with this arrangement.

The argument doesn't go too badly, but the next day Felicia is found dead in her motel. Someone, it seems, helped her to a dose of poison and not surprisingly Yeats is the prime suspect. However, the list of people who didn't like or would benefit from Felicia's demise isn't a short one and because Yeats knows about Claire's ability in the crime solving department, he asks her to help him.

This is an excellent mystery with a brilliant supporting cast and lots of suspects. I like the amateur sleuth type of mysteries from Miss Marpole to Jessica Fletcher and I believe those two women have a worthy competitor in Claire Gray. Also I like the kind of mystery that winds up with all of the suspects in a room together, as this one does. And I particularly like it when I guessed wrong, but I like when I guessed right too. Either way, I believe you'll like DESERT SUMMER.

Those who are fans of Michael Craft's novels (and those who will make this their first read) will not be disappointed in this Claire Gray installment! As is his custom, the author makes us feel at home with familiar venues and characters. Who cannot admire Claire's keen sleuthful instincts? Who cannot cease to be entertained by the outrageous Kiki? Who cannot cheer the relationship between Grant and Kane?

Ah, but this is a mystery novel, after all! The list of potential who-done-it suspects is populated with typical Craft skill. My guess changed at least twice until the totally disarming surprise ending!

A most enjoyable and easy read! I look forward to Michael's next!

I would read this book, because if you like dragons this is the book made for you.It's rated with 5 stars,and has lots of action in it.

There is an evil, boneless, and immortal king that of the powerful dragon cauldron with the soul of a powerless human soul. The soul of Thorn depends on a dragon princess, Shimmer. She is the last hope for Thorn's soul. Thorn is trapped inside an all out war on the dragonkind. The king(known as the "Boneless King") wants to use the cauldron for evil causes.First he wants to boil the seas. He is ready to also destroy the entire dragonkind if he has to. Else where the Dragons prepare for war agfainst the the Boneless king. The princess of dragons, Shimmer, is fighting to save her home. For this she has to ally with Promfet. It is a respite from
sword-and-sorcery stereotypes. The dragon princess, a wizard monkey and ,another human cihld Indigo transform themselves into guards, horses and even fleas to elude the Boneless king. In desperation they return to the kingdom of high kings to recruit with her kinmates in a fight for their lives and to save the inland sea. Thorn later becomes a part of the Cauldron to restore the home of Shimmer, the inland sea. They complete the task, but loose one of their mates in the battle. Then they flee. This is a wonderful ending to an even better series.

There is an evil, boneless, and immortal king that of the powerful dragon cauldron with the soul of a powerless human soul. The soul of Thorn depends on a dragon princess, Shimmer. She is the last hope for Thorn's soul. Thorn is trapped inside an all out war on the dragonkind. The king(known as the "Boneless King") wants to use the cauldron for evil causes.First he wants to boil the seas. He is ready to also destroy the entire dragonkind if he has to. Else where the Dragons prepare for war agfainst the the Boneless king. The princess of dragons, Shimmer, is fighting to save her home. For this she has to ally with Promfet. It is a respite from
sword-and-sorcery stereotypes. The dragon princess, a wizard monkey and ,another human cihld Indigo transform themselves into guards, horses and even fleas to elude the Boneless king. In desperation they return to the kingdom of high kings to recruit with her kinmates in a fight for their lives and to save the inland sea. Thorn later becomes a part of the Cauldron to restore the home of Shimmer, the inland sea. They complete the task, but loose one of their mates in the battle. Then they flee. This is a wonderful ending to an even better series.

this story is constantly twiting and writhing or you my just call it twiting.for a gragh of this stories high and low piont it would bea zig. one of the stuborn characters has gotten a new image except the hiar due is still the same. im not sure if it s the end when this book comes agian because the author left it so it go either way. i wont spoil the ending but i will tell you its pretty good. o and look out somthing slithering is not to be over looked

In the final book of the Dragon Series by Laurence Yep, Shimmer, the dragon princess, and Monkey and Indigo fight the last battle against the Boneless King to save Shimmerýs home. The Boneless King, disguised as the butcher, has evil men who try to kill Shimmer and her friends.The bonless Kingýs allies are very powerful and Shimmer and Monkey and Indigo nearly die When Thorn, the human boy, gets his soul stuck inside the dragon cauldron, Shimmer and her friends find it hard to continue. The Boneless King wants the cauldron because he wants to boil Shimmerýs home, the sea. Shimmer, Indigo, and Monkey make a long and dangerous journey to the dragon kingdom but things get worse, for Shimmerýs brother, Pomfret, has sided with the Boneless King.

The book starts out a little bit slowly but if you are patient you will love it. This is a great book -- it is my favorite book of the Dragon Series and maybe my favorite book ever. I rate this a five star because of Laurence Yepýs great way of describing things, and of giving people actions that fit their personalities. Monkeyýs personality makes him the funniest character in the book -- he makes fun of Shimmer, cheats in games against her, and a lot more funny stuff. The story is full of surprises. People who like mystery, humor, and lots of adventure all in one will enjoy this book.