Maine Books

Benedict Arnold is viewed by most as simply a traitor to the American Revolution, but in fact he was one of the most complex and intriguing people in history. "Benedict Arnold's Army: The 1775 American Invasion of Canada During the Revolutionary War" follows the traitor's exploits before his infamous act, focusing on his invasion of Canada. He was dubbed the "American Hannibal" by his contemporaries due to his amazing exploits and acts during his less infamous time on the side of the Americans. "Benedict Arnold's Army: The 1775 American Invasion of Canada During the Revolutionary War" is highly recommended to American History shelves and anyone who would want to learn more about this enigmatic figure of American history.

Before Benedict Arnold turned traitor, he was a highly-regarded officer in the American Army. Having risen to the rank of colonel, he had caught the eye of George Washington. Arnold was having a significant role in the defense of the northern boundaries of the rebellious colonies to keep British forces from invading from Canada.

Washington selected Arnold to lead part of American forces on an invasion of Canada to remove this threat of British invasion and possibly bring the British possession over to the American side. General Montgomery was to lead the other major part of the American forces. Montgomery would go up the Hudson for an attack on fortified Quebec. Arnold was to lead his force through Maine mainly along the Kennebec River to meet up with Montgomery for the attack.

Arnold did eventually meet up with Montgomery, but not before an arduous trek through the Maine wilderness which weakened and demoralized his men. The delay in reaching Quebec also upset the timing of the planned attack. By the time the American forces joined together, the British were able to repulse the assault on Quebec. They had learned of the advance of the American forces and strengthened the defenses of the city.

The invasion of Quebec was disastrous, though not fatal to the American cause. Montgomery was killed in the assault. Arnold's reputation suffered, so it wasn't long before he went over to the British.

Author of three previous books on the American Revolutionary War, the independent scholar Lefkowitz relates this major, though failed, episode in the Revolutionary War in an engrossing manner that never flags despite its detail as the details are colorful as well as informative. In many cases, the details are revealing as well with respect to Arnold's attributes and character. Readers of popular history could not find a better account of the Arnold expedition and especially the maneuvering leading up to the attack on Quebec and the attack itself. Welcome too is the series of 10 maps such readers can refer to to follow the tale.

Ever since reading "Arundel" by Kenneth Roberts in the ninth grade, I have been fascinated by the story of Arnold's expedition up the Kennebec and down the Chaudiere to Quebec. When I heard about this book I eagerly sought it out and got into it. I must pay tribute to the research and historical descriptions of Mr. Lefkowitz. What was most bothersome, however, was the plethora of typos, omitted dates, words left out, and other evidences of a badly-edited work. One of the most irritating things was the consistent misspelling of one of the key geographic sites in the whole story, Lake Megantic. With one or two exceptions this was always spelled "Magentic" in the book. I would say that Mr. Lefkowitz wrote a fine book but was ill served by his publisher.

Author Arthur Lefkowitz's account of Benedict Arnold's army marching through the Maine wilderness to attack the city of Quebec during the waning months of 1775 may very well be the definitive account of this expedition. For those, me included, who would not fit the definition of a historian this book may go into a little more detail than what may interest you. Nevertheless, the book will be worth your time. Many of those who accompanied Arnold on this trip included veterans of the Battle of Bunker Hill in June of 1775. Several who took part on this harrowing trip were called gentleman volunteers. Among them was a smallish man who distinguished himself well named Aaron Burr. The plan of attack was for General Philip Schuyler who was to first attack Montreal from Fort Ticonderoga while Arnold and his men traveled to Quebec through Maine. Schuyler became sick along the way and had to return, and he was replaced by General Richard Montgomery. Arnold and his men suffered on their trek by having to deal with numerous hardships such as portaging their way around numerous waterfalls, insufficient food, freezing weather, and traveling through swamps. There was some question whether Arnold would defer to Montgomery's authority when they joined forces in Quebec, but the two got along fine. With several soldiers' enlistments due to expire with the arrival of the new year and several attempts to get British Governor Guy Carleton to surrender the two generals combined their attack on Quebec on December 31st in a snowstorm. Although Montgomery was killed and Arnold took a musket ball below the knee and the effort to take Quebec failed this experience provided valuable training experience that went into winning American independence. This book is a valuable addition to Revolutionary War literature.

I purchased this book with a "Ho hum, another book purporting to offer something new on the Arnold expedition." I was pleasantly surprised in that Lefkowitz has written probably the best complete book on the expedition's march and subsequent battle for Quebec. What was "new" was that the author's end notes were excellent, and his discussions of controversial points were most welcome.

The parts focusing on Arnold were not expressly germane to a book about Arnold's Army, but they did not detract excessively. I would have wanted more on the life of the American soldiers while prisoners of the British and the details of their return, but primary sources on this part of the story are few.

The author lists many references, but only about two dozen would supply probably 99 percent of the information available on the expedition. Actually, this is a story that an historian almost can get his arms around just by reading Kenneth Roberts's, "March To Quebec", at least for the journals by the expedition members. Coupling that with Justin Smith's "Arnold's March From Cambridge To Quebec", and one pretty well covers the ground.

So why this volume? Well, because it brings all of the above together, weeding out the myth (like Aaron Burr's Indian Mistress) and resolving conflicts and discrepancies in source writings. A good example of this is the story by Francis Nichols who maintained that a drunken British sailor fired the cannon that killed Montgomery although Nichols was not there and evidently based his account on heresay. Another is Morgan's comment in a letter he wrote to Henry Lee of finding the second barricade undefended that was probably a fabrication in whole or in part. Another is the discussion of "Dog Lane", a name for the path Arnold used for his approach to the lower town that was apparently added in the nineteenth century.

Probably very little will be added to the story through further research in future years as the vast majority of primary sources are already known (and they are very few.) Once in a while a little is added when a letter is found like that written by my Great-great-great-grandfather James Dougherty who was in Smith's company, captured at Quebec and immediately on being paroled, broke parole and joined Washington to fight on until 1783. Whether or not Lefkowitz's book will someday be considered the definitive work I leave up to future generations, but it will come close.

Because our trip focused on hiking and bicycling, this book was perfect. We didn't paddle, but the hikes and bike rides were well-described. Because this is not a general guide like the Moon book, more space can be dedicated to these activities. The appendices and index were a nice touch. Although the book comes with the paper version of the wonderful AMC Hiking, Biking and Paddling Map, I'd highly recommend buying the separate tyvec version, as it is more durable. You'll use the AMC map almost exclusively because it has all the hiking trails, the carriage roads, the regular roads, and the shuttle bus stops.

Unless you're just there for a day or two to do the driving tour, you'll find good use for this guide and map. In fact, the map alone is worth the price. For example, you'll find parking areas that aren't indicated on the NPS map; no small advantage for visitors to this often crowded park. Another plus, the book has well organized trail charts to use in choosing your outing. And finally, there are descriptions of natural history to help you appreciate the ecology of the park. We found nothing inaccurate in the map or trail descriptions, but it must be noted that we sampled only a small portion of the trips described in the book. And I must add, if you are planning a trip to Acadia and have two reasonably well-functioning legs, make sure you get yourself out on a bike on the carriage paths. I don't know that you can get a cycling experience like that anywhere else.

Good book, but very general in nature. We didn't paddle or bike. We only hiked. The included, weatherproof map is a great asset. The hiking descriptions were brief, but accurate. I would recommend this book to anyone who is new to Acadia and wants to explore with a minimum of guidance. If you are specifically going to hike and do some very fun peak bagging, buy the Acadia Trail map in Bar Harbor.

Your main reason to go to Acadia is not to shoot the breeze over Penobscot Bay views and wine spritzers; you are not going there to bag another national park; you are not driving hundreds of miles just to drive up another mile to the summit of Cadillac Mountain, or to take a tour bus to the popover capital of the universe, Jordan Pond House. No. You are going there to bike your buns off. You want to see Mount Desert as John D. Rockefeller Jr. saw it in the 30's. You're taking your kayak to feel the salty Atlantic spray in your face. You are going to bag Acadia's peaks the old fashioned way, by hiking up. You are going to need the Appalachian Mountain Club's book, "Discover Acadia National Park, Second Edition." You are going to need the pocket-sized map inside the back cover, and when your trip is over and you put it back in its sleeve, it's going to be dog-eared and wet. Your souvenir is your sunburn; you did Acadia your way.

Cycling
Most of you will bike, it's the national sport here. The carriage paths (so called because JDR Jr. commissioned them for horse-drawn carriages), criss-cross the entire park, including the high elevation parts with the best views. When the AMC classifies the "Around The Mountain Loop" as "Difficult," you can expect to perspire a little. But honestly, the AMC tends to exaggerate a little. That "Around the Mountain Loop" isn't going to take you anything like 4 hours; it's going to take 2.5 hours at most. That 4 hour estimate is going to give you time to change a flat tire. And the Eagle Lake Loop will take a fit novice 50 minutes, not 2 hours.

Kayaking
The freshwater kayak excursions are very popular, but you didn't drive hundreds of miles to the Maine coast to paddle in ponds. Okay, loosen up in Eagle Lake, but eventually you're going to want to paddle Frenchman's Bay, The Porcupine Islands, or Somes Sound. Look a seal in the eye; photograph a humpback whale surfacing nearby for air. The seals are locals (notice their distinctive pronunciation), but the whales are tourists like you; say "Hi," and ask `em where they're from.

Hiking
Many of the hiking trails described in this book are fabulous, but some are forgettable. On a nice day there are literally a thousand people on Cadillac Mountain's one acre summit, half of them jockeying for parking spaces. The National Park Service needs to close the summit road so that the only access is by hiking or biking. Unfortunately this book doesn't indicate which destinations are accssible only with perspiration. Do try the Penobscot and Sergeant Mountain Trail, The Western Mountains - Mansell and Bernard, and The Peak Baggers' Delight. Actually any part of the Western Peninsula is going to be better hiking than the Eastern Peninsula; it's simply less explored.

Nor should you neglect the book's shaded boxes on topics like whales, lichens, the boreal forest, moose, and loons. You are there to take it all in, not to speed past things you'll seldom be able cozy up to again.

And take a little zip lock freezer bag to keep that little map dry. It's extremely helpful to gain access to the park's attractions, but it's a little fragile, and you're going to want it to stay intact in order to find your way out.

We liked this book and did three hikes out of it. Overall the book was accurate. Probably next time we'd buy a pocket-size book, however, it was nice to read some of the detail and history about the areas we were hiking through. One item we suggest in the future is some drawing of the route. Although the book comes with a map and that worked (if we had it with us or handy).

This book is about Jack. The author,Elvira Woodruff,has read the book and admiring the book. This book i great. If you lke mystery books you will like this book. I like this book because it gives you the picture that you can see it in your head. Jack is sleeping in his bed when a ghostly figure was at the end of his bed! Jack found out that he was livivg but the ghost was not.The ghost name was Nathaniel Witherspoon than it said "you're the exactly the kind of boy I need" Jake woke up he found himself in a 150 secret of a ship wreck that clamed many lives including young Nataniel Witherspoons.

Moving from Iowa to Maine would be a devistating blow to me, as it was for ten year old Jack Carlton. Who is viseted by a ghost by the name of Nathaniel. And With the help of the Nathaniel Jack unravles a great mystery of time wich is 150 years old.

The Ghost of Lizard light is about little ghosts. I really like this story becaouse it is funny and sad becaouse the half grown up kide uses his own brother you probly wont late your kids read tis book. But you should ander stand that it is trying totell your kids not to play with stuff laying on the on the ground and not to pick up green glowing things. And to listen to you so I would recommend that you give this book five stars because it is so great and theirs know dout about it. So please give it five stars.

This book is one of the best books i have read. I read it to my classmates and nthey all liked it. They asked me to do this so i am! Like I said It is a great book.

I am in fourth grade and I got the Ghost of Lizard Light out from my library. I wondered how scary it would be. It was just scary enough to make me want to keep reading, but not so scary that I had nightmares. The ghost is really good and I liked that he haunted the lighthouse. I also liked Ned the lizard. I would reccomend this book to any kids who love a good ghost story. I'm going to try the author's mummy book next. Jon in Bridgewater, N.J.

I needed a book to flush out my order so I could get free delivery. This one looked interesting. It is simply written, somewhat slow paced, and has what I would call an almost religeous overtone. The stories were somewhat heartwarming if seemingly a bit farfetched. I would not purchase a book from this author again.

This is a collection of four novellas that the writer himself describes as "Stories of human strength and forgiveness and courage." And it is the writer's wish that, through these stories, the hope he found in writing them "could be distributed to others."



In adddition to the hope, however, this book clearly demonstrates that Russell Vassallo is a writer of talent and sensitivity. His descriptions of the natural world are sharply drawn and authentic. His descriptions of people and their crises are accurate -- in some cases, painfully so. And his exploration of the bonds that can form between mankind and animals is both poignant and uplifting.



Even when fantasies are intertwined with reality, as happens in the final story, the results are both intriguing and deftly handled. The only aspects of these stories that may raise some questions are the author's frequent changes in point of view, and his reliance on anthropomorphism. But those are the kinds of questions that would, perhaps, only be raised by other writers.



If you love animals, if you care about human pain and desperation, and if you appreciate beautiful, poetic, and sensitive writing, this is the book for you.



Russ Heitz

Sarasota, Florida

www.russheitz.com

Based on true events, "The Horse With The Golden Mane: Stories of Adventure, Mystery And Romance" is a compilation of three thoroughly entertaining and carefully crafted short stories by Russell A. Vassallo and includes 'Eric', 'Taj', and the title piece, 'The Horse With The Golden Mane'. A very special treat for the reader is Vassallo's introduction 'When We Are Done' and the addition of a charming 'Afterword' at the end. 'Eric' is based on the experiences of Sol, a man who survived internment in a Nazi death camp and came to America where he befriended a Doberman pincher - the very breed of dog the Germans used to hunt down and attack Jewish prisoners. 'Taj' is a story of the bond that can develop between a man and a horse, and how this relationship can help to mend broken families. The loss of a beloved horse and the pursuant search and recovery effort at the hands of as skilled an author as Vassallo makes for truly riveting reading. 'The Horse With The Golden Mane' again addresses how rescuing an abused and spirited horse can heal a man whose life is complicated by a search for a missing wife whom he loves to the point of distraction. Original, compelling, entertaining, and thought-provoking, "The Horse With The Golden mane: Stories of Adventure, Mystery And Romance" is highly recommended and rewarding reading for anyone who has a deep regard for how an affection for our animals can influence us and help us in our darkest hours.

Reviewed by Lori Plach for Reader Views (3/07)

Are you looking for a book with adventure, mystery and romance all in one volume? If that is what you are looking for, your search is over. "The Horse with the Golden Mane" has it all. There are three short stories in this book which encompass all of these: adventure, mystery and romance. This is a very delightful read by a great story teller. Russell A Vassallo brings his love of animals and being a gifted storyteller to life in this book. And, if you don't favor horses, there is a dog as a major character in the first story.

The story "Eric" deals with a man who was freed from a Nazi death camp and exiled to America. He develops an unusual friendship between him and a Doberman pinscher. It is very exciting to see how this story comes to an end as there are many twists and turns throughout. I had difficulty laying this book down while engaged in this story.

The next is the story of "Taj." Taj is a horse who hasn't lived up to his full potential as a race horse. Grant Larsen feels a connection between him and the horse and saves his life. Perhaps the real reason for Taj's existence isn't really racing, but a different purpose. He chases all over looking for where this horse could have been taken. He is amazed and surprised when he sees what Taj's purpose really is. It's a heartwarming story with a tear-jerking ending.

The title story "The Horse with the Golden Mane," is a wonderful story of undying love of a man named Pierce Bernard. With a self-sacrificing love, Pierce frantically searches for his wife. Pierce develops a bond with an abused horse. The lack of trust in humans that this animal has after its abuse is very well brought out. Pierce finds himself talking with the horse and it becomes evident that the horse ends up being a very close friend to Pierce. In the process of getting the horse to trust him, Pierce learns very much about himself. Will Pierce ever find his wife Maya?

I would highly recommend this book to animal lovers and short story lovers. The stories are very engaging and addictive. My wish is that Russell A Vassallo writes more books like this one. "The Horse with the Golden Mane" is an awesome book that I will long remember reading.

Russ Vassallo has combined three amazing stories in this one book. Part one is the story of Eric, a Doberman, and his adopted master. Book Two is rich in compassion a story of hope and reconciliation and a horse named Taj. The third in this trio of animal stories is "The Horse With the Golden Mane". This is the touching story of Pierce, Maya, and Red Leader, a gripping story of abuse, separation, and resolution.

Russ writes with the uncanny ability to pull at your heart strings until your eyes are wet with the fresh release of previously restrained tears as a sense of compassion floods the very core of your being. Russ maintained a sense of urgency and suspense right up to his surprise climatic ending.

Russ's writing is stronger than ever, filled with beautiful similes, pithy descriptions, and intuitive insight into the mind of man and the nature of beast. I became enthralled as Russ humanized his perception of the feelings and thought processes of animals. He melded the personalities of man and horse, or the man and dog, bonding them together, as he worked through the emotional struggles of his characters.

Although fictional in stance a theme of reality carried the plot of each of the three stories. Each story depicted the insecurity and loneliness of a man working through his own anger, insecurity, or loneliness. I sensed that Russ was reaching out to tell a composite of his own life story in a way that would offer encouragement and hope to others working through similar issues in their personal destiny.

Russ Vassallo has come through again with stirring stories of the special bonding of man and animal through mutual tenderness, love, and trust.
This book is a must read for horse and dog lovers, and for anyone who has mastered the art of communicating with their favorite animal or pet.

The product itself is excellent and would earn 5 stars, however this version (2000, advertised as "updated") is no longer the current version. Jeppesen significantly revised the textbook in 2007 to cover current technologies such as glass cockpits and GPS.

This book is a great teaching/learning tool. There is a picture or pictures on almost every page to emphasize the text.

It simplifies the learning process by explaining everything in great detail and not in a dry way either.

I love this book. What I have said here does not do this book justice. You have to read it for yourself. We use this book here at Purdue University in our Aviation Program.

An excellent reference for the student all the way to the airline pilot. This is the best aviation book I have seen published in years. It has great pictures, illustrations, examples, and quizzes that will challenge any pilot. This book is a must for every pilot. Period.

Even at first glance, you can tell that it's a well made textbook. Just over one and a half inches thick, it's chock full of useful information. Every chapter has explains its learning objectives, and there is NOT A SINGLE PAGE that is without full color illustrations. There are so many diagrams, drawings, and helpful illustrations; all of which are context specific and aid the text very well.
The best part is, none of it is boring. All instructional text is very clearly explained. You are told the how's and the why's of FAA regulation, and there a huge amount of interesting historical aviation reference.
Most of the time, when you are passionate about something, and you want to learn more, you will seek out books and schooling. And then you are handed these huge dull textbooks that, that bore and suck the passion out of you until you just want to quit. This is not the case with this book. You will find that this book will impress, surprise and enjoyably give you what you need to know. By the end of it, you will be well educated and excited to fly.

The Instrument Commercial Manual is unquestionably one of the best volumes written to take a student from PPL to CPL/ATPL level. The many illustrations, explanations and pull-outs serve their purpose well. However, given the amount of theoretical material in the book, it may be less useful for non-FAA students. If you're studying for the European JAR ATPL, or any other non-US licence, you might want to look for a different text. Nonetheless: Highly Recommended for all FAA students!

I read this book twice last year before visiting The Keeper's House. Now that I've been to their fantastic inn, I'm reading it again. It's a great way to revisit and remember the wonderful times we had there. The recipes at the end of each chapter are very good--I've made several of them. I highly recommend this book (and the Inn!) to anyone with a sense of adventure and romance.

This book chronicles the establishment, by Jeffrey Burke and his wife, of an the Keeper's House Inn, next to an old lighthouse in Maine on Isle au Haut, seven miles off the coast, with the only link to *civilization* being the daily mail boat.

With no experience and little money, the Burkes took a giant leap of faith when they decided to open this establishment. The book details many of the obstacles they had to overcome and how they dealt with them.

It is such an interesting story of ingenuity, especially how they managed to get water (having a well pounded, not drilled); survived without any electricity (except for a generator that was only sufficient for running the mini sewage-treatment facility); used a 60-year old gas-powered refrigerator; and painted the 796 windowpanes in the inn and lighthouse.

The vignettes about the guests and some of the local characters were both amusing and insightful.

Each of the 21 chapters ends with one of the inn's recipes and the book is illustrated with delightful engravings by a Maine artist. I really enjoyed this book and have bought it several times to give as a gift.

I read this book as an ex-innkeeper and found it quite enjoyable. Jeffrey Burke does reveal himself as somewhat of a "crabby" person and I kept wondering what his wife thought of each episode. I suspect she is the easy-going wife/innkeeper. I do think the book should be put into quality paperback and it would then have a great audience among inn guests and innkeepers. I would definitely recommend it to friends.

As a former guest of The Keeper's House, I found reading about the history of the inn extremely interesting. Jeff and Judi seem to be among the few who were willing to take a chance and open this very unusual inn. No wonder the guests described in this book are as fascinating as the innkeepers.

What a lovely, sweet book! I flew through it, enjoying every minute of it and wishing there were more! I agree with a previous reviewer that it should be published in quality paperback. I also would love to see a sequel from the author that goes into more depth and detail about their life as innkeepers in such a unique setting. I'm sure there are many more funny and heartwarming anecdotes about guests, as well as more trials and tribulations about their choice and experience of this life. It is my desire for greater depth that lead me to give it four rather than five stars. The recipes seem great (I have not tried any yet), although Judi sure seems to have a penchant for sour cream! Read this book and enjoy an armchair vacation!

Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie is a well-written piece of historical fiction based on Abbie Burgess' own accounts and other historical sources. This information is provided in the note by the authors at the beginning of the book. All incidences appear to be very representative of the life of the time depicted. Abbie's character is developed well. The reader is able to see that Abbie is a strong young girl who does not want to let her family, especially her father, down. She faces the conflict of person vs. self and also person vs. nature is evident in the book. The theme evident in the book is bravery and strength. Abbie had to be brave to keep the lights lit. She needed the strength to overcome her fears and to live up to her father's expectations. The illustrations were beautiful watercolors that set the mood of the story.

Found this book recommended in
Great Books for Girls: More Than 600 Books to Inspire Today's Girls and Tomorrow's Women

This story is about a real girl who rises to meet a challenge that would frighten any adult. My kindergartner now holds this book near/dear as she sees it as a model of courage/bravery to aspire to. Even more exciting is that this story is based upon a real event in a real girl's life.

This book gives you an idea of what it was like to operate a lighthouse in the mid 1800's. Sure doesn't sound fun. In that sense the book is very educational, and it give hero status to a deserving individual that most people have never heard of. The only real flaw it has is in the format of its printing. I can't tell where one paragraph starts and another ends, so if I were trying to narrate this thing I would have a hard time knowing where to stop and start as far as the vocal intonation goes. I also think the introduction gives away the whole story on the first page, so it should really be put at the end of the book.

I remember watching this book on Reading Rainbow when I was little and I had to have it. I got the Audio casatte and Loved it I recommmed this book to anyone! Highy!!

Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie is a well-written piece of historical fiction based on Abbie Burgess' own accounts and other historical sources. This information is provided in the note by the authors at the beginning of the book. All incidences appear to be very representative of the life of the time depicted. Abbie's character is developed well. The reader is able to see that Abbie is a strong young girl who does not want to let her family, especially her father, down. She faces the conflict of person vs. self and also person vs. nature is evident in the book. The theme evident in the book is bravery and strength. Abbie had to be brave to keep the lights lit. She needed the strength to overcome her fears and to live up to her father's expectations. The illustrations were beautiful watercolors that set the mood of the story.

Boyle's career as a journalist is evident in his novels. The Jack McMorrow tales are as gripping as any crime thrillers out there and Boyle's work on the streets ensures that his books are authentic and gritty. Read one, you'll want to read them all.
-- Mark LaFlamme, author of "The Pink Room."

Disaffected journalist Jack McMorrow, formerly of The New York Times, takes a job as court reporter for the Maine Kennebec Observer. But, unwilling to report the docket as supplied by the local district attorney, McMorrow runs a story about Donna Marchant, an abused woman, and the boyfriend the system seems unwilling to protect her from.

Threatened by the drunken boyfriend and the angry D.A. and warned off by the paper's staid editor, McMorrow finds himself getting more personally involved with Donna Marchant than his longtime girlfriend Roxanne appreciates. When Marchant is murdered, her thuggish boyfriend is the natural suspect but McMorrow isn't satisfied. And soon, he too is a suspect - and the focus of some dangerous thugs.

Boyle supplies plenty of action and a view of the seamy as well as the serene side of rural Maine life.

Once again I was drawn into the world of Jack McMorrow, journalist-turned-detective. And once again, I was struck by how I could so much come to care about a character enmired in a plot for which I cared so little. In this latest whodunnit, McMorrow again has us trudging around Maine in search of justice in a sea of lowlifes at times so two-dimensional as to be almost laughable. One cannot help but like the McMorrow character, though, whose love for nature, plain truth, good beer, dependable friends, and the written word is exceeded only, perhaps, by his taste for confrontation. The plot, however, is like a joke with a long-winded set-up and a punchline that does not pay off. It was a page-turner and I was going nuts in my attempt to solve the mystery as I read. But all of the chapters that precede the last are but a distraction and in no way drive the story. It was like searching all over the house for your keys and then realizing you had them in your hand. It doesn't all come together the way, I think, mysteries of more calibur do. Our author sets us up in the beginning and releases us in the end but uses all the intervening pages to follow his stream of thought on the subject of birds, romantic relationships, and rednecks. Maybe he thinks we won't mind because he's thrown in a house-fire and a kidnapping here and there. And by the way, I'm pretty sure this is the 3rd time our hero is abducted in as many novels. It's enough already with the abductions. Plus, the end had me, at least, a little disappointed with McMorrow's zeal for the truth because he basically winds up perpetuating a lie at the expense of another man's freedom. And even though this was done with the intention to protect another, I found it morally questionable and disagree that it was necessary. Lastly, as our author ages, too, the McMorrow character seems increasingly conservative and dull. At the end of the first book we were left expecting an end to his relationship with the redoubtable Roxanne. I was hoping for a new woman per story a la Mike Hammer. Would I read another McMorrow mystery? Will my girlfriend once again mock me for my loyalty to the series that so often disappoints me? 'Maybe' to the former question and an undeniably 'yes' to the latter.

I think that this is a great book. I am from a big city and am used to sarcasm. McMorrow takes sarcasm to its limit. Sometimes I can't stop laughing at the things he says. The action in this books just does not stop, either. I couldn't put the book down. I had to know what was going t happen next.

Boyle's evocative writing style draws the reader into the desperate lives of the denizens of small town Maine. In this, his third Jack McMorrow mystery, the dispirited former NY Times reporter, becomes intrigued by a domestic abuse victim after she shocks the district court by baring her scars before the judge. McMorrow's search for the woman behind the news story brings him in conflict with a powerful and manipulative district attorney. The intriguing young victim is found dead and McMorrow is tormented by the fear that his attention led to her death. As in his earlier novels, Jack McMorrow tangles with local thugs, who torch his house and beat him mercilessly. His faithful girlfriend, Roxanne, returns but is shaken by McMorrow's apparent attraction to the hapless people of the Maine the tourists never see. Gerry Boyle's masterful prose and insightful depiction of his characters make this Jack McMorrow series a must read for mystery fans

Am very disturbed not to have received this book as yet. Please, I don't understand what the delay iis. This author was on television in June describing her life. Can you hurry so I can have it soon? Thanks

If you live on an island, the coast or anywhere near a lighthouse you can really appreciate this book. Connie writes with a charm that warms our soul, enlightens our spirit and gives us inspiration
in a day and age where we need to slow down...HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!

Although I have had this book since 1986 when it was first published, I recently read it for the first time. I met Connie Small when she was living in Foxwell Senior Citizens complex in Kittery, Maine. She was a neighbor to my grandmother and I enjoyed meeting her. I enjoyed reading about her first hand accounts of her many experiences in lighthouse keeping. I would very much like to know if she is still alive. It would seem unlikely since she would be 100, but I do know she was still living in 1998. If anyone has information about her, please email me, I would love to write her a note.

An autobiographical account of life keeping lights on the Maine coast, the author born in 1901 grew up in Lubec, Maine, married a man who went into the Lighthouse service, together they served at several light stations for decades: At Channel Light in Lubec Channel, at Avery Rock in Machias Bay, at Sequin Island at the mouth of the Kennebec River, at Dochet Island in the St. Croix River, and at the light in New Castle, N.H. Retired and later widowed, she wrote her experiences and is now known as an authority on lightkeeping on the Maine Coast. She currently lives in Portsmouth, N.H.

This is a thoroughly delightful book about a way of life that has almost become extinct, but which the memories and lessons are preserved to our great edification. -DMM

This book is loaded with charm. Highly recommend it.

"Limerock" is a very good collection of short stories. Most of the stories are set in Maine. One ("Ride") is set in Philadelphia.

The stories show the conflict between locals and "summer people"; between wealthy people and poor; between black people and white; between old and young; between gay and straight. Some show the difficulties of aging or illness.

I agree with the previous reviewer that praised "Detour". It's a great story about a sterile man (?) who tries to protect a little girl from her unstable family members.

"Uncle Cub at Paradise Fair" is very funny at times. The behavior of some of the characters is so appalling that it's also darkly funny.

"The Tip" is an effecting story showing the same event from two points of view. It probably should seem corny or preachy, but the author manages to avoid those pitfalls.

You might be surprised how much tension there can be in a story set in Maine (particulary since they lack supernatural elements). "The Best in the World", "Detour", "A Clock in San Diego", and "Holly Point" stand out in my mind as tense stories.

I enjoyed the book. Hopefully it will be followed by an anthology of fantasy and suspense stories. I'd also like to read another of the author's suspense novels.

"Limerock" is a very good collection of short stories. Most of the stories are set in Maine. One ("Ride") is set in Philadelphia.

The stories show the conflict between locals and "summer people"; between wealthy people and poor; between black people and white; between old and young; between gay and straight. Some stories show the difficulties of aging or illness.

I agree with the previous reviewer who praised "Detour". It's a great story about a childless man who tries to protect a little girl from her unstable family members.

"Uncle Cub at Paradise Fair" is very funny at times. The behavior of some of the characters is so appalling that it's also darkly funny.

"The Tip" is an affecting story showing the same event from two different points of view. It probably should seem corny or preachy, but the author manages to avoid those pitfalls.

You might be surprised how much tension there can be in a story set in Maine (particulary since they lack supernatural elements). "The Best in the World", "Detour", "A Clock in San Diego", and "Holly Point" stand out in my mind as tense stories.

The book is a nicely-designed trade paperback. My first copy was missing four pages. My next copy was fine, though.

I enjoyed the book. Hopefully it will be followed by an anthology of fantasy and suspense stories. I'd also like to read another of the author's suspense novels.

Rarely does a collection of short stories come along in which each one of them is a gem! Fahy has captured the essence of ordinary life in Maine with extraordinarily brilliant glimpses into places and personalities. "Detour" is a masterpiece. "Limerock" should be in the collection of everyone who appreciates great literature.

A welcome departure from Fahy's usual scary tales, Limerock explores a Maine many don't know exists. Carefully and clearly drawn, the characters, (and I do mean "characters") portray the struggle, tension and distrust between the Maine natives and the "out-a-staters". An eye opening and enjoyable read.

Reading Limerock is like taking a vacation to Maine, but instead of eating lobster dinners and walking on the beaches, this time you get invited into people's home. No, more like this: You marry into the family and move in. You start spending Friday nights at the Grange Hall dance, Saturday at BEANO. You drink coffee sombraroes with the cousins, drink tea with a good aunt, put up with the Connecticut people next door, watch the old barn on the hill slowly collapsing . . . and can't seem to get enough of it. Want to know what Maine is like? Read this wonderful book.