Campbell Books

If you love poetry, this book will energize you, and if you are a writer, it will also humble you. Inspiring, funny, visual, thought-provoking -- an absolutely wonderful book!

I'm not sure how I stumbled across this book, but it's one of my favorite finds. I can't recommend it enough.

McGrath's poetry combines the lyricism and lines of Whitman with 500 channels of cable television. Even though I hate the word "postmodern," that's probably the best adjective for this book. It is truly a stunning statement to the author's knowledge and grasp of American culture.

It's refreshing to see a poet who displays almost no allegiance to formal styles and is stunning in his originality.

I must confess two of my opinions concerning Mc Grath's "Spring Comes to Chicago": 1) it is an often confusing collection of lyrical thoughts and flashy originality, and: 2) it is truly one of the most gorgeous experiments in contemporary poetical forms.

I agree with one of the previous reviewers that Mc Grath immediately reminds one of Whitman and Ginsberg, especially in his use of the catalogue-length lines and his often satirical commentary on American life and living. However, he seems to lean more towards Ginsberg than Whitman, for the American Bard has not Mc Grath's and Ginsberg's sense of humor and irony. The title poem (or should I say section?) "Spring Comes to Chicago" is the closest to Ginsberg as this collection gets...the opening lines are especially familar in cadence to the famous lines from Ginsberg's polemic, "Howl."

Nevertheless, while Mc Grath's lines often remind readers of other poets (did everyone catch Williams in there too?), Mc Grath's collage of prose pieces are used in an awe-inspring and masterful way. They are not, as someone noted in a review on his "Road Atlas," simply journal sketches or a rough blue-print for the spirit of this poem. Instead, they are isolated moments where philosphical, scientific, or literary speculation bring us back to the matters the poem discusses.

My favorite device of the entire volume is the what I term "the Squirrel stitch." Mc grath playfully and sensitively writes his meditations on the habits of these creatures, sewing a few lines here, then there--- almost as if too unite the thought patterns of the poem with a common element of praise and bewilderment.

Anyway, enough of my banter. Read this collection for yourself. You will see how clearly it stands out from the muck being written and sold today. Mc Grath should stick to his guns! If he remains true to the voices recorded in the lines of "Spring Comes to Chicago" he is sure to do something more important and amazing in a future collection.

Two years ago, I sat down with this thin book and a bottle of expensive bourbon. I remember becoming aware of my breathing as I read "The Golden Angel Pancake House" and soon, without having touched any liquor yet, my head started to spin. I had forgotten that words could have such power and irresistible momentum. Only Whitman had ever done that for me.

The following day, I read "The Bob Hope Poem" in one sitting, pulled along by the language at great speed. The thing is a glorious beast of a poem, a swooping roller coaster that raises your spirits to nose-bleed heights, sends you careening downhill under 5 g's of sadness, and then redeems you with pure happiness. Never mind "I laughed, I cried" - you will gain a new understanding of emotion.

That someone can write like this is inspiring and renewing; it reminds us why poetry matters.

This book was more than good, it was great! It's almost time for the Belmont Stakes, the last jewel of the Triple Crown. But nobody thinks that Wonder's Star will win it. He finished last in the Kentucky Derby, came 3rd in the Preakness and has 40-1 shots of winning the Belmont Stakes. One day, Christina meets someone who says that he's ridden the ledgendary Seattle Slew! He gives Christina some advice before the Belmont.Now I won't tell the ending, you'll have to find out yourself. But if you're a fan of Wonder's Star,like me, you'll love the ending!

Being a fan of the TB series for 3 or 4 years now, I was slightly disappointed in this book. First of all, I am wondering what happens to Parker (he is becoming my fave character), and after reading this, to me, it seems like the authors made a mistake in Christina's college decision. I know her situation is fairly real, but it seems too much like they're making her all of sudden rethink her decision too much. Also, I don't think Sam should be...burden with her 'surprise', although it may introduce some new characters :) It was alright, but lately the TB books have been...different. Hopefully they'll get better from here on out.

I loved this book, though it wasn't my favorite. I don't understand why they put in the part with Legacy and why they are doing books centering on other famous thoroughbreds (Seattle Slew). But I still liked how they drew out Mel and Christinia's relationship and that they want to repair it. Also, there were parts in the book where Chris was trying to supress her feelings for Parker, but when he told her he missed her, she just sighed and didn't tell him exactly how she felt, which I think she should have done. Hopefully they will get officially back together in later books.
All in all, a good book, but I hope the next ones are better.

I loved the fact that Chris and Star won the Belmont. I was literally laughing out loud when Cristina couldn't grasp the fact that Samantha was going to have a baby. A great book with not the best cover

This was a great book!! It was mainly about Christina and Star getting ready for (and WINNING) the Belmont. But this book also talks about Chris and Mel renewing their friendship, Chris's future, Chris and Parker's relationship (I think they're getting back together and they should), and some drama at the track! I couldn't stop reading it and I finished it in 2 days! Great book, I can't wait for the next one!!

The occasional case of the mad artist -- gaunt, ragged and living solely in his own creative mind -- has dominated our view of how art is created. In fact, patronage was and is the medium in which most art is created. This beautifully printed book casts a clean scholarly light into this remarkable relationship of artist and patron. While doing so the authors also examine how the demands and desires of daily living and the strains and strengths of personal relationships -- spouses, lovers, friends -- play upon the same chords that the patron touches, for good or ill. All are amply documented by the authors and as with all biography the telling anecdote best reveals the character of the subject. The fact that for decades a fertile art community existed a thousand miles or more from patrons and markets raises the question of whether indeed something special for the art world was going on in Taos. Easily dismissed by many as regional artists in the past, the Taos artists are put in a context by the authors' examination of the skein of relationships stretching to Taos. I would think that the world of art scholarship on that basis alone needs to respond to this well-focused work by examining other colonies, schools and concentrations of artists in the history of our country, for the purpose of finding how those stories of patronage compare. On its face alone the art reproduced in this fascinating book makes the case for the importance of the Taos artists as American artists. But the patronage story raises this question: Why did big city people, living and creating the big story of its time -- industrial, urbanizing America -- choose to support the painters in the desert? It seems to be a paradox. Or is it? We await the next study in depth of artists and their patrons. "Taos Artists and Their Patrons" has set the height of the bar. I hope the authors of this book stay in the game for the next book.

While the literature on American art history has grown enormously during the last several decades, that devoted to patronage remains very scarce, usually directed toward single supporters such as Luman Reed and Mrs. Jack Gardner. Taos Artists and Their Patrons is probably the finest study to appear devoted to a single school of painting, that which arose in Taos in New Mexico at the end of the nineteenth century. The authors have thoroughly investigated all aspects of patronage--exhibitions, individual advocates, institutional support, and many other forms. At the same time, they have presented what must be the finest study of the work of the artists active in Taos, embellished by a wealth of marvellous images, beautifully reporduced. The book enjoys three major accomplishments: it is a definitive study of the nature of American art patronage; it is a thorough review of one of the most important regional schools of art in this country; and it's a fabulous read!

Excellent book showing a great deal of beautiful art from the Taos artists at the beginning of the century. The book does and excellent job of telling the history behind each painting. The book is also very inspirational to artists. I suggest this book to anyone interested in art, anyone who is an artist, or people interested in art history.

In the tradition of excellence demonstrated in his book "Victor Higgins, An American Master", Dean Porter, along with Teresa Ebie and Susan Campbell, has produced another visually and intellectually pleasing work.

Both artists and collectors will learn much by reading this book, for it proves that it is more than technical skill and artistic sensibility that contribute to an artist's financial and critical success.

Those who have instinctively turned to Europe and the Eastern American Artists when wanting to view fine works of art will be enlightened and surprised to learn that some of the finest works of art in this century have been produced not in Europe, but in the USA and in the Southwest in particular.

This is a beautiful and informative book for anyone interested in art, whether they be collectors or art historians or simply those who like to view magnificent works.

Dean Porter and his gifted associates have skillfully authored not only the best book ever written about the "Taos School of Art", but the most interesting and educational. Why is their book different? They departed from the standard biographical information generally available everywhere and continually repeated by other authors in every new book and took the time to bring into focus the collectors and art buyers who made it possible for the artists to make a living at their chosen profession. The many stories, glimpes, and setches of both the artists and collectors make this book most interesting and readable. There are also many new paintings never before shown in other books about this group of artist. There is also a art exhibit that compliments the book. This is a must read and must see for those who love and collect the "Taos School of Art". Like a fine red wine, you wish in your heart you could drink on forever.

I loved these books as a kid over 30 years ago. They have a perfect combination for a young girl - a club with it's own clubhouse (without being a gang), adventures, mysteries, a hint of teen romance. Excellent. I read and reread all of these as a kid. I was excited to see that they are being reprinted. I've started buying them for my friends children.

Just a warning note: the original author, Julie Campbell, is much better than the later author.

I was delighted with the boxed set of Trixie Beldon-these are all early books actually written by Julie Campbell. The stories are the orignial stories and not revised to make them current. It is my hope that my grandaughters will enjoy them and learn about life before television and computers. The books contain the orginal drawings as they appeared in the 1950s. I used to buy these books with my allowance from the the Dimestore (another relic that no longer exists). Nancy Drew was just perfect where Trixie was not a classic beauty, had faults and often got in trouble for her temper. The author describes both Trixie and her wealthy girl friend, Honey Wheeler with much detail including how they dressed, expressions used (e.g. Gleeps!), and females in assertive roles.

I've read them all - I own them all. Trixie Belden has been one of my favorites since I was very young.

Trixie Belden is a welcome reliefs to all kid mystery lovers! Trixie Belden's life isn't perfect(who's life is?)and just that fact makes the book better to read! She's fun loving and hates house work,my favorite Trixie Belden is the first one where she meets Jim and Honey(and to think! She thought she was going to have a BORING Summer!?),in the book you see her love for helping people and her knack for solving mysteryies shine through by the time you're done with the book(s)! She's impulsive and headstrong making her books irestible to read,I would recomend these books to ALL ages!

I started reading Trixie Belden books when I was about 10 years old. I borrowed old copies from my mothers friend who had them all from when she was a girl. I knew that I had to have them for my daughter that I would one day have. They are fun, fast, and captivating for any young girl.

I love this book!!! It was about this girl, Hattie Campbell, her two brothers, and her parents. They decide to go to Oregon after a steamboat captain offers them a free trip to anywhere. What happened was, Hattie's Uncle Milton was fixing the roof, and he fell off and died instantly. A few days later at the funeral, Uncle Milton's coffin slid into the river, and then the steamboat ran over it, taking the top of the coffin and Uncle Milton with it. They set off on their journey, led by a mountain man, with people from Missouri and different places. Hattie makes friends with twins named Pepper and Wade. Pepper is shy, but Wade isn't. In fact, he tells Hattie a "nasty" joke on one of the first days on the trip. Hattie also makes friends with grown ups, including a couple named Mr. and Mrs. Bigg (Their name has nothing to do with their size) and finds out a startling secret about another member. This book had an element of foreshadowing and flashback, because they have her sister's trunk, but Hattie doesn't have a sister. In all this book was very entertaining and it was hard to put down.

One of the best books around is Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie . I would rate this book 5 stars out of 5 stars! The story is about a girl named Hattie Cambell, her family wants to go to Oregon but they can't afford it untill her uncle dies. They come across some trouble, but not alot in fact she falls in love, and she fins a new best friend. As I said in the begining this is the best book in the world!

This book tells, in diary format, the story of Hattie Campbell and her family on the Oregon Trail. It starts out in Booneville, Missouri at Hattie's birthday. They travel by steamboat to Independence, and go west. Along the way, Hattie meets and makes friends with Pepper and Wade, who are twins, Gideon, and Mrs. Bigg. She also encounters a thief. The trail is filled with many dangers, including food poisoning, deaths, rivers, mountains, etc. You have to read the book to find out what happens to Hattie and her friends and family. I would recommend this book to anybody who is interested in pioneers, excitement, and dangers, or who is a fan of Kristiana Gregory's work or a fan of the Dear America series. This book is one of the best in the Dear America series, as Kristiana Gregory has once again done a superb job in the research and writing.

My story is about a youg girl about thirteen years old that,leaves her home to find a better live with her family.She as two younger brothers she did have two older sisters but they had died when she was a baby.Her family is off to find a better place in Oregon City.But little did they know that it was going to be so hard.Many people had died that was very close to Hattie.She never thought it was going to be a thing she never forget.Of corse none of Hattie's family died but close had.There was many different people in Hattie's dairy.A lot of People she did like and some she didn't But there was part of the story that I thought was very lucky.You would had never thought that hattie would try to posion anyone.But she did not mean to she found out that hemlock was not a great plant to put into supper. Hemlock is very posion even if you take a little bite.It would kill you but she did not know until after wards?She had killed one little girl that she got to know real well she even thought of her as a little sister.She also had gave the posion to a boy named Wade that she had a crush on sence the being of the trail.But he had lived from the posion.ANd know Hattie know if she wants a boyfriend she can posion them first..

There is a girl named Hattie Campell, who goes to Idependence, Mo with her family for the Pregon Trail. On their way she meets a girl named Pepper Lewis and her brother Wade Lewis. Pepper and Hattie become best friends and do all their chores together and stay with each other all they time, and one night it was Hattie's and Pepper's turn to cook and accedentally put some hemlock in the stew and three kids took a bite out of it when Hattie and Pepper weren't looking and two died and the other one was Wade who was asleep for a few weeks, and Hattie had a crush on him and then felt really bad because she accedentally poisoned him. Then he finally woke up. Then Pepper got married to a guy named Gidian. Then they had finally got to Oregon and Pepper was Hattie's neighbor and then a few years later Hattie and Wade had gotten married but they couldn't have kids and so they adopted twins who's partens had died from a diases that had been going a \round for a long time.

This is an extremely entertaing story that keeps you guessing all the way til the end. I recommend this author and this book to everyone.

i really enjoyed the book. once you picked it up you couldn't put it down. this book leaves you hanging on every word, you just have to find out!
Jenny
Linden Michigan

Campbell does a very descriptive job of a family with a great deal of dysfunction. The story takes on an unexpected turn, which keeps the reader engaged. This is a story of strength, courage, and hope for a well-written character. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend this first time writer.

This book was one of the best books I have ever read! The combination of a very serious subject and a beautiful romance just kept me reading until my eyes wouldn't stay open anymore. I couldn't put the book down. Rita is a very strong, beautiful woman who falls in love. The love that is given to her in return is well-deserving and puts a hope in everyone that true love is attainable no matter what your background.

Thanks, Dawn, for such a wonderfully inspiring story. Please hurry with the next book!! I am a fan forever!!

The story line in billy's prayers was very well written because it was hard for me to put the book down. I finished this story in about two weeks.(I'm not a fast reader) This book made me cry,laugh,get very angry and feel sorry. My favorite person was rita. I felt sorry for rita mother. It's said but true of how much phyical and mental abuse goes on in this world today. I'm glad to see a well written book that address the abuse.
great job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
thank you

Susan Campbell Bartoletti's THE BOY WHO DARED tells of one Helmuth Hubener, a German schoolboy caught up in the bravado of the new Nazis who offer hope to his world. His patriotic spirit is stirred - until he sees the rights of Germans diminishing, the persecution of Jews, and a dangerous world created. A series of flashbacks brings his world and its conflicts to terrifying life.

Helmuth Hubener is a young Mormon schoolboy when we meet him in 1933 and a mere 16 years upon his execution in 1942 at the hands of the Nazis. His alleged crime was distributing anti-Nazi leaflets with information he got from listening to the BBC, illegal at the time. When he met his early demise, young Helmuth was the leader of a three-person resistance group with no ties to organized partisans. Using flashbacks, the author describes Helmuth's personal evolution as a resistant and the devastating grip Hitler asserted over the German citizenry. We are privy to the lives and thinking of Helmuth's family and friends and, through them, are witness to the growth of the Nazi state and the public reaction to its harsh edicts. This historical novel calls to mind Sky by Hanneke Ippisch and The Traitor by Howard Fast. Helmuth's reasoned decisions are clear and a reflection of his Mormon faith, which extols honesty. This is a young man whose ideals motivated him to see his neighbors' situation with clarity and make a difficult, life-changing choice, rather than be one of the silent and relatively safe majorities. Author Susan Campbell Bartoletti encountered this compelling story while writing the Newbery honor-winning non-fiction book, Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow. Ages 11-14. Reviewed by Naomi Kramer

"The executioner works on Tuesdays."

The first page sets the mood for this haunting work of historical fiction, which is based on the life of Helmuth Guddat Hubner, a member of the Hitler Youth and the title character of THE BOY WHO DARED. Susan Campbell Bartoletti has taken one episode from her Newbery Honor Book, HITLER YOUTH, and fleshed it out into a thought-provoking novel.

The story begins on day 264 of Helmuth's imprisonment by the Nazis. In a cold prison cell he reflects on his past while waiting to find out if he has a future --- or if he will be put to death for being "an enemy of the state."

In his cell, Helmuth remembers his mother, Mutti, and older half-brothers, Hans and Gerhard. He also looks back with fondness on his special closeness with his grandparents, Oma and Opa, who care for Helmuth and his brothers while Mutti, a single mother, works nights.

Life is not easy for his family or for the German people after losing the Great War (World War I). At school Helmuth learns how the Treaty of Versailles --- the peace agreement that ended the Great War in 1918 --- has forced Germans to make costly reparations, which have led to unemployment, poverty and inflation. Even more, the treaty has caused shame and humiliation to the once proud and cultured German people, who gave the world Brahms, Beethoven and Bach.

Growing up, Helmuth remembers hearing strong opinions of neighbors and family members after Adolf Hitler, leader of the National Socialist Party and newly elected chancellor of the Third Reich, promises to make Germany strong again. Soon after Hitler comes to power, young Helmuth is entranced with the parades of "brown-shirted men wearing red-and-black armbands and tall, black, shiny boots." He vows to fight for the Fatherland, and Hugo Hubner, a Nazi soldier who becomes Helmuth's stepfather, is proud of his decision to join the Hitler Youth.

Helmuth is a bright and outspoken lad who yearns for the truth. He finds comfort in the Church of the Latter Day Saints and his Mormon faith. As Hitler and the Nazis gain a stranglehold throughout Germany, Helmuth witnesses patriotism turn to fanaticism. Neighbors turn against neighbors, books critical of Hitler are burned, and radios linking Germans to the outside world are seized as the Nazi leader's quest for power spreads across Europe.

After seeing a classmate scorned and beaten up for being Jewish, and later watching a Jewish neighbor who served nobly in the Great War get hauled off by Nazi stormtroopers, Helmuth becomes disillusioned and vows to take action. But can one teenage boy stand up against the Nazis? If so, how and at what risk?

THE BOY WHO DARED is a story about having the courage to act upon one's beliefs, no matter one's age or the risks and consequences involved. Bartoletti's use of flashbacks builds the suspense, and her inclusion of numerous photos, along with a Third Reich timeline, complement the experience of reading this memorable novel.

--- Reviewed by Donna Volkenannt

The Boy Who Dared
Susan Campbel


Helmuth stands ready. Quietly, with dignity and courage, he looks up at the guillotine. He knows he did the right thing.
The Boy who dared takes place in Germany during World War Two right when Hitler comes in power. Helmuth, the main character breaks the law and listens to the British radio, his loyalty and thinking changes for the worse of his countryman. I guaranty that you have never read a book like this.
This book amazed and shocked me till the end. The plot was very well planed and the flow of the book was amazing. I acutely felt like I was in the book living the life of
Helmuths life. It was wonderfully written and well thought of. I recommend this book to any one who doesn't mined a slow beginning and loves history. Every time I had to put down this book I couldn't stop thinking about it. The only thing I hate knowing fact that this was a true story and that he was a real who thought he could change history. So, my final review, two thumbs up.
- Erik o.

This book was exceptionally written, giving you an instant connection to the character. Which, realizing from the beginning that this is based upon a REAL person's life, the ending is extremely difficult and emotional. I knew going into the book, how it was going to end; however, I still wasn't prepared for it- so have some kleenex handy before you reach the end. This book definitely sticks with you for days afterwards, and I couldn't help but wonder what could drive a government to committ such actions against its own people? And, how could so many people just go along with it?

I can understand how Helmuth thought; simply wanting other people to know the truth, and hoping he could help to stop the insane war. However, he simply underestimated the capacity for evil and cruelty within the Nazi regime. If he had lived, I think he would have been become a great leader in post-war Germany.

After checking this book out from the library, I decided it would be a good resource book to have.
I do not understand why it is priced at $100 when the list price is $22.95
I triple checked the publish dates and ISBN numbers. This is the same book I bought at a local retailer for $22.95
For the life of me I can't figure out why Amazon wants so much.

Really complete book. When I browse through this book, I have million of new ideas for my work. A must have for beginners as well as professionals!

This book is complete, clear and very easy to understand. It was just what I was looking for. It offers many many different stiches. I love it.

A superb book for anyone wanting to learn embroidery. The book has great diagrams, photographs and written descriptions for every stitch. The written instructions are very thorough and easy to understand. Aside from all that great stuff, the very best part of this book (in my opinion) is the "tip" included with each stitch on how to create the stitch, or what effect the stitch is best used for or what type of thread is best to use for that particular stitch. A great resource for all levels. Also recommended: The Embroidery Stitch Bible.

The book solved my sewing problem within five minutes.

Jean has written a beautiful book of experience and awe of the energy of deep dreaming connections that can pass from your head to your heart and onto the world in a new and more synchronized way.

This book is a must read for anyone interested in dreams and/or consciousness studies - however we choose to define that.

The studies conducted by Jean Campbell over a period of 25 years support the experiences of many people, of having shared dreams with friends and family, and show that such dreams cannot be merely coincidental - the most common form of dismissal by many western `experts'. Many of us know that we go places in our dreams, and meet with people, and Group Dreaming: Dreams to the Tenth Power confirms not only our ability to do this, but that it is both a common phenomenon and perfectly normal!

Jean's style of writing is immediate and engaging, this is a book you will likely want to read from cover to cover, as the people in the book come to life and you really can't wait to learn what happens next!

Of all the aspects of dream study, mutual or shared dreaming is probably the least understood. The very fact that people can meet in the dream state and recall it upon waking challenges our ideas of time, space and the nature of dreams.

In this stunning new book, World Dreams Peace Bridge founder, Jean Campbell, traces the history of group dreaming research beginning in the 1970s and demonstrates how this research led her to believe that dreamers, working together can change the world.

Jean Campbell's Group Dreaming book is fascinating in its mystery-like compelling "what's next" longitudinal exploration of group dreaming. The possibilities she inspires toward Group Dreaming for Peace is humbling.

Jean Campbell, who I know as a pioneer of dreamwork and peace, surprising us once more with her endless gifts. You will see this book is not only a research or history of group dreaming but she wrote it as a novel, in literary style. Not only teaching but also exciting, enthusiastic and tastefull. I think, the most important thing she shows us in the last part of this book is; opening a new horizon on how group dreaming can be used for serving humanity, children, world peace and harmony. How we can dream for peace together, become groups of peace dreamers and make our dreams come true in waking reality. How we can go to dream, we can interpeate in connection, we can build projects on our dream wisdoms and than we can touch the souls and wounds of others so far from us. And thanks to her, we are reading all these as living a fairy tale which brings magic on earth.

Can a Scotsman living in France write about an American pathologist and a Chinese detective and make it real?

Without a doubt!

May has written six novels about his unusual pair of protagonists, but only three have been printed in the U.S. so far. The first two do a wonderful job of introducing the "real" China to his readers by giving insight and joy to the daily lives of people in Beijing. I found them to be a wonderful education as well as a delightful read.

In this novel, the action moves to Shanghai, and his insights into the differences between that city and Beijing are fascinating. He is the only westerner to be given honorary membership to the Chinese mystery writers Association, and when you read his novels, you'll understand why.

Oh yes, the mystery part is remarkably good as well. Well plotted, good characterization, and all three books catch you off gaurd at the end, as good mysteries should!

Peter May's China Thriller series of books continues with The Killing Room. All is not well with Margaret and Li's relationship as the location is mostly Shanghai in his third of the series.

Having visted Shanghai nine times in the past two years, I find the Chinese background and culture in this series and this mystery in particular are outstanding. Written in 2000 and just released in the USA, this highly charged mystery actually foretells some of Shanghai's modern 21st Century political history of local corruption. While other novelists may touch on the corruption in a lighter, more oblique way, May gets right to the point in demonstrating how the hierarchy works. He touches on the continuing power struggle between Beijing and Shanghai.

The other reviews cover the story line well. The setting of Shanghai is remarkably accurate, and the description of life and families is still quite relevant eight years after the book was authored. (Many things can change in Shanghai in eight years.) As I have Shanghai friends to explain many customs in modern China, I find that May captures them in very subtle ways. May distills the Chinese manners and details them into background throughout the novel.

If you are travelling to Shanghai and want to get an inside look into the city's life, this is a must read. Only you will find that Shanghai is a much safer place than what happens in the vicinity of Margaret and Li.

I just started reading this book and I'm already hooked. I will definitely be reading any others that Mr. May has written or writes in the future. Definiately a must read!

First Sentence: The rain, like tears, streaks his view of the world from the back seat of his limousine.

Beijing detective Li Yan is working on a case where a woman's body has been found. It appears the victim had undergone an autopsy while alive, organs removed and her body cut into pieces.

Now Yan is sent to Shanghai to oversee the investigation instigated by a mass grave being found there with the similar remains of 18 women. Yan, oblivious by the attentions of his female counterpart in Shanghai, sends for American pathologist Margaret Campbell, with whom he has worked before and with whom he is lovers. While the nightmare of the case escalates, so do the problems with their relationship.

There was definitely more to like about this book than not. I really enjoy learning about China of today and seeing it through the eyes of both a resident, albeit of Beijing who, himself, doesn't feel comfortable in Shanghai, and an American make the story particularly interesting. Yan is a very good policeman who is classically clueless as a male at times, while Margaret is an excellent pathologist who is almost overwhelming insecure as a woman. Those aspects make the characters very believable and human.

I also learned about pathology and science, but in a way that was clinical; not horrific or ever boring. There is suspense that does build nicely. Although I suspected one villain, I didn't see the other one coming.

The first book of the series, "The Firemaker," is still my favorite, but I shall definitely continue on with Margaret and Li.

When the bodies of eighteen women are discovered in a mass grave at a construction site in Shanghai, Deputy Section Chief Li Yan is sent to establish if the corpses relate to an unsolved similar murder in Beijing. He requests that American pathologist Margaret Campbell be allowed to assist with the forensics. Their on again-off again relationship remains rocky, especially because of local Deputy Chief Nien Mei-Ling, who Margaret finds a formidable competitor for Li Yan's heart. While examining the bodies, Margaret discovers that all of them had organs removed while they were still alive.

I particularly like two aspects of May's books. One is the culture clashes between Li Yan and Margaret Campbell. Despite their strong feelings for each other, they are just very different people. I learn a lot about Chinese culture through Margaret's eyes and would probably make the same missteps she does.

The other is May's ability to explore social and cultural problems in Chinese society. He tries hard to portray both sides of a controversial subject without taking sides. In this book, and a bit of the previous book, The Fourth Sacrifice, that subject is the single-child policy enacted to reduce the population in China. Li Yan's sister previously dropped off her daughter with him when she found she was pregnant with a son. Li Yan remains the child's guardian in this book.

I found more humor in this book than the previous two in this series. The competitions between Margaret and Mei-Ling for the attentions of Li Yan were laugh-out-loud funny. I also find it interesting that these books are written by a Scottish man living in France, writing about an American woman living in China. And he does it very well.

Armchair Interviews says: Super read as a mystery with a lot of cultural learning thrown in.