Coleman Books

"Well-known for his succinct essays and a knowledge of photography that spans nearly the whole history of it, Coleman writes in a casual, familiar style that engages the reader by informing yet never condescending. His essays are filled with facts, anecdotes and witticisms on Polaroid, Kodak, famous and long-dead artists, even a story on 'chocolate photography.' But, unlike intellectual diatribes that ramble on, seemingly in tongues, with recurrent lapses into other languages and esoteric terms, Coleman remains far from that style. . . . [T]he effect Coleman produces is like that of an old friendship. He is comfortable and honest with his audience, he shares reference points if not opinions with them. [H]is rapport with his audience is key to maintaining a warm, trusting correspondence. . . . Coleman's essays from a decade ago, like some Dickensian phantom, shake their head at our current state, showing us how little we have changed through the eighties, how much worse things have become. They seem to have known all along that things would deteriorate, and, glancing at their watch, know that time is running out."

-- Elva Ramirez, Photo Metro, Volume 14, Issue 138, May l996

"A. D. Coleman's Light Readings (1979) has long been a classic of the genre, and is now joined by two further collections: Tarnished Silver, including texts and lectures from 1979 to 1989, and Critical Focus, which covers the last few years to 1993. . . . Coleman is an intelligent, well-informed and often maliciously witty observer. . . . Not that it's possible, or even desirable, to agree with all of Coleman's opinions. . . . Never mind; it is never less than a pleasure even to disagree with the erudite Mr. Coleman."

-- John Stathatos, European Photography (Germany), Fall/Winter 1996

"Even if you read these essays when they first appeared . . . , it is very useful to have them here as a meta-review of an important transition period in the history of photography practice and criticism. . . . Coleman's writing -- open, rather folksy, but with a vocabulary that keeps the dictionary close, and full of references to other art forms -- [is] an antidote to the turgid critiques of his contemporaries . . . Another element of Coleman's criticism that I appreciate is his readiness to draw his examples from the works of obscure as well as famous photographers. . . . I was able to track down [Pierre] Molinier's work, which was new to me, and it has added insights to my long attempts to figure out Hans Bellmer's disturbing photographs of recombinant dolls. Coleman's inclusiveness, combined with his recent extensive explorations of both new and historical European photography . . . has the intended effect of breaking down the notion of an immutable canon of photo-based art. And this, in turn, helps Coleman's readers begin their escape -- it is a long way out -- from whatever corner of taste they may have been written into, Bernard Berensen-style, by Stieglitz, Newhall and Szarkowski. . . . His essays serve as a reality check, even a null set, for those of us in museums and universities."

-- Rod Slemmons, Blackflash (Canada), Fall 1996

"[A. D. Coleman] is an acute and intuitive critic of photography. . . . [H]e makes a point of not being with-it, of not being politically correct, of not swimming with the tide. . . . The texts in Tarnished Silver are . . . varied and often rooted in principle and dissent. . . . One of the overall aims of the book is a discussion of the form and function of criticism and of photographic theory. According to Coleman, theory must always derive from practice, that is, from a discussion of actual works.. . . . The critic must function both as a communicator and educator of the audience and as an unrelenting analyst of photographs and institutional relations."

-- Mettye Sandbye, Katalog (Denmark), Winter 1997

"In this case you can judge a book by its cover. The intriguing shot of George Eastman in bowler hat, with gloves in hand, penciled annotation across his head, suggests the startling curiosities, breadth of information, and jewel-like insights in Tarnished Silver. . . . In a word, Coleman's knowledge of photography past and present -- theory, practice, meaning, politics, technology, and potential -- is vast. . . . These ideas and opinions culled from a whole range of publications are interesting and erudite, often provocative and prescient. Plus, he is eminently understandable."

-- Mike Johnston, Photo Techniques, Nov.-Dec. 1996

This book is a little gem that seems to get better every time I read it. It is full of photos that enhance the story of real men that dedicated themselves, and their resources, to answering important questions. These were, and are, mysteries that influence who we are as a species in relation to legendary creatures that are spoken of but rarely encountered.

This is a wonderful illustration of what men will subject themselves to in the name of fame, fortune and the solving of mysteries.

The book is put together in an entertaining style, well written and is fun to read. The photos are rare and well reproduced. An interesting tome indeed. (And by the way, Noll GAVE me the book he didn't loan it to me!)

This book, by Loren Coleman, came out in 1989. However, it is an excellent read, and well-worth purchasing. It chronicles the life of one Thomas Baker Slick, Jr., a millionaire who made his money through oil and other interests. His life was dedicated to pursuit of strange creatures (The Abominable Snowman and Bigfoot only being the most famous). However, he also pursued things like giant salamanders in the Trinity Alps of California. He was going after the Yeti mainly because he believed that the creatures held the key to curing different diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Slick had other interests outside of cryptozoology, however; he set up several foundations in San Antonio, Texas, his homebase, which still operate today and go towards the betterment of man. Slick was tragically killed at age 46 in a plane crash, and is largely forgotten today in many circles, but his contributions to this world are not to be forgotten and he will always be remembered in cryptozoological circles. This book is highly-recommended.

I chose to read the older version of the Tom Slick book written by Loren Coleman and it was a surprisingly good read. I was fortunate enough to find a used copy in great shape. This is a great dedication to a man unafraid to seek out those mysterious creatures which may or may not exist. This book should also serve as a bittersweet and stark reminder of how much progress crypto-researchers have made since Slick's time. In other words, Slick organized what he felt was the most efficient strategy to find such creatures given the current technology of that time. Now, step forward a few decades and reflect on where this research should be now given our advances in technology. Seems to me that this field of research should have made some headway on Sasquatch, Mothman, giant salamanders, thunderbirds, etc. But instead, researchers seem to be content with re-stating the same old stagnant stories. There will be those that disagree with me and they will, for certain, use the same old arguments. Someone as enterprising as Slick is desperately needed if these researchers want to maintain some sense of credibility.

The first copy I had I loaned to a fellow researcher and never got it back. I had to buy another, but I would not trade this copy for anything. I had it signed at last years Ohio Bigfoot conference where Loren Coleman gave a talk.

The book is excellent and is one of the top on my list. It gives me more information on what took place during the Slick era than what Peter Byrne told me, which wasn't too much.

I hear there may be an update issued soon. Buy it! You won't regret it if you are interested in some of the history surrounding the quest of the Yeti. Good job Loren!!!

__________________

I read this book years ago, perhaps having obtained it from William Corliss' "Sourcebook" list of books. This is typical of Coleman's books -- well researched, well written, and free of the kind of personal anecdote litter and unsubstantiated claims that so characterizes David Hatcher Childress' many efforts.

Buy it, read it, enjoy it.

Interior designs range from casual to formal, from eclectic to historic, from traditional to avant garde. Barry Dixon's interior design style is especially noted for his international approach incorporating classical architecture and traditional themes with elements of modern and contemporary designs. The results were elegant and individualized interior creations ranging from a Caribbean mountaintop villa, to an 18th century Virginia farmhouse, to an open-plan Manhattan loft, and so much more. Profusely illustrated with full color photography by Edward Addeo, "Barry Dixon Interiors" by historic house restoration enthusiast Brian D. Coleman is a compendium of the best of Dixon's designs and a pure pleasure to simply browse through for inspirations and examples of what can be done. Simply stated, "Barry Dixon Interiors" is an enthusiastically recommended and seminal addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library Interior Design reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

I own many interior design books, and this one is by far the best. From the cover, to the preface, which includes a photo of Barry Dixon's staff, a first in a high end design book, to the back cover, there is a delight on every page. He highlights eleven homes, including his own. They each share his decorating signature, round rugs, pictures hung frame to frame, and he does seem to love his brass tack trim, and yet each is individual in style. He can do color and neutrals, he does pattern on pattern, simpler rooms, modern and country, and each is fabulous. Every photo, and they are beautifully photographed, has a wealth of ideas. This book would be a treasured edition in your decorating library.

For readers who enjoy magazines such as VERANDA and SOUTHERN ACCENTS, this book will be a step-up in quality of design. Mr. Dixon's use of antiques and high quality reproductions mixed with contemporary furnishings produces a fresh, easy to appreciate approach to interior design. Subtle coloration schemes dominate and there is an architectural sensitivity that would make the rooms man-friendly. This is an attractive presentation that could offer any number of ideas that would translate for the serious do-it-yourself-er.

I picked this book up at a local bookstore because I thought the cover and photos inside were intriguing. Upon further investigation, began to realize what a gem this resource truly is... The copy that accompanies each house it informative yet written in such a way that it's hard to put the book down. Addeo's photos are brilliant... captivating.... in a word, lush. An added bonus, Dixon gives amazing tips on how to decorate your home. It's your one source for all your real design needs.

I searched for this book and finally found it. It made an impression on me in my college days when I sought to master my falsetto and them blend it with my chest register as the "middle voice".

Priceless information, especially for the tenor and alto, who must transition the "vocal gap" on a regular basis to utilize their full range.

Two-Thumbs-Up!

This is the only book I have come across (or teacher for that matter) that understands how to build a voice from scratch properly.

The most important issue addressed is that of the registers. Reid gives historical evidence, his own teaching experience and common sense to support his view. He also gives the essential exercises that are so sorely needed. Understanding and applying these principles aids ease of execution, range, power, voice movement (not wobbling or bleating!)and beauty of tone.

My voice is improving in every respect all the time.

This book and the other two books in Cornelius Reid's trilogy on Bel Canto technique (The Free Voice, Psyche and Soma) are the best contemporary books on vocal technique I have found. Mr. Reid thoroughly understands the function of vocal registers- the only correct way to gain complete control over the voice- which is often ignored by many voice teachers today, especially for male students. His writings are based on the teachings of great voice teachers of the past. If you are looking for a voice teacher, read this book first. If the teacher does not agree with the concepts in this book and actively apply them, he/she probably cannot help you reach your full potential unless you have a perfectly balanced voice by nature. I do not just highly recommend these books, they have made the difference for me between near hopelessness and hope for a career as a singer.

This is the only book I have come across (or teacher for that matter) that understands how to build a voice from scratch properly.

The most important issue addressed is that of the registers. Reid gives historical evidence, his own teaching experience and common sense to support his view. He also gives the essential exercises that are so sorely needed. Understanding and applying these principles aids ease of execution, range, power, voice movement (not wobbling or bleating!)and beauty of tone.

My voice is improving in every respect all the time.

A Big Girl's Blues
This book was an easy read while delivering a positive message of hope and inspiration to women who battle with weight, insecurity and low self-esteem. I would highly recommend this book to any woman that needs an encouraging word to search herself and find the strength to love who she is on the inside instead of focusing on her physical appearance. I look forward to reading Ms. Coleman's future books. God Bless!

This is a must read! Women struggle 365 days a year with our outside appearance. Whether it's weight, hair, aging or skin. This books highlights the strengths and weakness of women. It motivates you to understand that you are who you are and to love yourself regardless. It points out important factors on how this struggles affect others around you. You will learn it's really not the outside that needs work, it's the inside. A Big Girl's Blues

I really enjoyed the book from beginning to end. I was impressed with the way Ms. Coleman told this story because it was as if I was there going through it with Jasmine Tucker. This book gave a real world look at someone battling their weight and how it not only effects them but everyone around them. I highly recommend this book.

This book was surprisingly refreshing, I had expectations of reading another book about different diets and how none of them work. The story was much more! It details out how women deal with weight struggles and how it reflects in all of their relationships. This was so insightful for me as a woman struggling day to day with weight issues; it was a nice reminder that you can have a job, a loving husband, friends, and family that love you for who you are. It is not about loving the way you look but about loving you for you and feeling good. I highly recommend this book to all women! God Bless.

An outstanding script from an outstanding musical.

When I saw it in London many years ago, the production's days were already numbered, even though the house was packed and the audience in raptures. I could not understand why it was not a massive hit. I still can't.

I already had a cd of the music; it's good to relive the twists and turns of the plot and the hard-boiled wisecracks.

If you never saw it on stage, you really missed out. A must for fans of detective fiction, film noir or just good music.

I first heard of City of Angels after hearing Anthony Warlow's recoridng of 'You're Nothing Without Me'. I bought the CD to hear more from the musical. I instantly fell in love with the soundtrack, then sought the libretto to find out what happens in between.

As soon as I started reading this, i couldn't put it down. I had no idea what to really expect, and it's the first book that i've laughed out loud while reading.

In this book, you get Larry Gelbart's words and David Zippel's lyrics. The best way to compliment this book is to also get the OB Cast Recording to really get a feel for Cy Coleman's wonderful music.

Not to be confused with the recent Cage/Ryan flick, this book is the libretto of a little-known musical with music by Cy Coleman ("Sweet Charity", "The Life"), book by Larry Gelbart ("A Funny Thing...", "Tootsie"), and lyrics by David Zippel (Disney's "Hercules" and "Mulan"). "City of Angels" won the 1989 Tony Award for Best Musical and is the story of a detective novelist named Stine and the perils he encounters while trying to adapt his novels for the silver screen. In the play, scenes about Stine (in color) are juxtaposed with scenes about his private-eye creation, Stone (in black and white). Besides building some genuine film noir detective-mystery suspense, the musical offers an insightful commentary on how art imitates life, and vice versa. Unfortunately, one misses out on the marvelous jazz-infected music that accompanies the adventures of Stine and Stone if one merely reads the libretto, so grab a copy of one of the cast recordings (Broadway or London) as well!

When City of Angels premiered on Broadway in 1989, it ran for fewer than 1000 performances. When you read this libretto, which you absolutely must do if you like musical theatre at all, you'll wonder why it isn't running today. The book is full of wit, and is incredibly funny and biting as it satirizes Hollywood movie-making. The stage directions keep you fully abreast of what's going on (even if you've never seen a show), and they allow you to easily keep track of where the action is happening. The only thing missing from this wonderful volume is, of course, the great music that goes with the song. All the more reason to buy the OCR of the show and listen to it at the same time! City of Angels is a great musical, and one you'll enjoy reading (and listening to!) time and time again.

Darklore is one of those books that will both challenge and delight you with the quality of its essays, written by some of the most important and respected reasearchers of paranormal events.

Darklore is an anthology compilated and edited by Greg Taylor, the creator of the news website Daily Grail (www.dailygrail.com). In it Greg has asked the contribution of notable figures such as Daniel Pinchbeck, Michael Prescott, Loren Coleman, Nick Redfern, Robert Schoch and others; if you are a person with a deep interest in topics that are considered "heretic" by mainstream science an orthodox Academia, these names are surely familiar to you. This "forbidden" nature of the issues discussed in the essays is the very reason behind the name of the book (if you thought you will find in it magick potions or spells that your "potterian" friends are not familiar with, this is probably NOT the book for you).

Ranging from cryptozoology and the search of unknown hairy hominids, to UFOs and other more complex events, like the astounding simmilarities in the sounds described by the experimenters of different paranormal experiences --such as NDEs, OBEs, Marian apparitions and Close Encounters of the Third Kind-- Darklore will force you to stop viewing all these "weird" cases as isolated and with nothing in common; but in fact you will slowly begin to understand that deep down what we perceive and interpret as our "normal" reality, is nothing but a flimsy exterior layer that, should we dare to peel through it, reveals deeper and astounding levels, all fascinating and interconnected in ways we are just barely capable of glimpsing. Levels that are NOT absent of serious dangers, mind you, as Michael Prescott reminds to the paranormal enthusiast with his article "Hungry Ghosts".

Pick a copy of Darklore... I DARE YOU :-)

PS: And while you're at it, be sure to pay a visit to the Daily Grail website, but be cautious: exposure to its content can cause a severe level of addiction!

The essays in this anthology will have you questioning basic assumptions or at least get you thinking a little differently.

The selections are fairly brief but filled to the brim with interesting insights and histories generally ignored by the media.

Kudos to editor Greg Taylor for getting the best of his contributors including Pinchbeck, Tymn and Redfern. The chapter on Terrance McKenna was an eye-opener.

I think this is a promising start to a regular journal or anthology series.

I didn't know what it was going to be about when i bought it. I found out about from the tool(band) website, because of the guy who runs the site wrote an essay in the book. If your into ThInGs the Daily News does not report about, im sure you will dig it....

Having contributed one of the 18 stories in this anthology of the paranormal, I admit to be being a bit biased in giving it five stars, but I believe I can honestly say that I would give it five stars even if I had not contributed to it.

The book touches upon many aspects of the paranoral, including spirit communication and influence,deathbed visions, apparations of the dead, templar revelations, UFO's, near-death experiences, the Great Sphinx, and even "Big Foot." Each story is by a different author, nearly all of them well known in the field. They include Michael Grosso, Paul Devereux, Michael Prescott, and Mitch Horowitz.

The various stories are just the right length for a good bedside book. Before seeing this book, I was wondering what to give several friends for Christmas. Now I have the perfect gift for them.

What can I say,this is just simply a beautiful collection of poems. Sometimes I go outside, read one and just sink into the loveliness of the wild around me. These poems just really are beautiful. Lots of great imagery in the writing such that you can almost hear and smell the images the writer is conveying. Very well done. The last poem is about Hummingbirds the rest are about other animals/aspects of nature. Highly recommended

Excerpts from letters by two children in fourth grade to the author:

"I loved your book. It was the best. I liked then all but I think my favorite would have to be: Lifting a Strawberry from a Bowl of Fruit. I think my 2nd favorite would be: Sea Poems. Me and Rachel had a blast reading your book. We had a lot of fun picking out our favorite poemes. We realy injoyed your book. I do not see how you wrote such good poems. I never could write such good poems. I loved your book so much!

Love,

Mary Kate"

and

"I really enjoyed the book "The Dreams of Hummingbirds." I really like to read poems, and your book had great poems....I have read it a lot. Mary-Kate and I took turns reading it and then we read it in the car. I really liked the poem "If I Were A Hawk." Your book was really good and you did a good job in writing it.

Sincerely,

Rachel Wilkins"

From The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books:

With this graceful book, Coleman and Masheris offer children the best reason to cherish both nature and poetry--for the sheer beauty of it. Coleman's twenty-one poems open with an invitation.

"Bicycle Trip

A poem
is like an
unplanned
trip by bicycle.
The wind of Words
blows in your ears.
Jack-in-the-pulpits.
Lady Slippers
become the handlebars.
You begin to understand
fireplugs shining in the sun,
the wild toss of bachelor buttons.
The limits of the street change, shrink--
two lane highways, a country road.
Then with an unexpected lurch
thought turns into a side dirt path
where stones and pine straw lie
and hickories grow, shaggy and gray.
A lake opens, a mountain roars.
Surprised, you're part of the landscape.

The movement of short lines to long reflects an gradually widening view, both visually and imaginatively, and the illustration that envelopes the poem also extends it across the page into a delicately tinted jungle if wildflowers. Various animals, plants, and habitats figure in the poems and pictures that follow, all bearing a close complementary relationship to one another and to the reader. This is a book that poetry buffs will want to linger over and that readers new to poetry will find alluring.

This collection of poems by Mary Ann Coleman is wonderful. She has a special way of making the simplest detail in nature awe-inspiring. The illustrations are stunning! I highly recommend it to children and adults alike.

I am new to the Early Intervention world and there are so many medical diagnosis and medical conditions out there I am very thankful that this book was available to me. It is simple to find what you are looking for and gives you the definition in layman's terms. It also gives definitions for acronyms used in the medical field. I would recommend it to anyone in the Early Intervention field!

Written by Jeanine G. Coleman, M. Ed., The Early Intervention Dictionary: A Multidisciplinary Guide to Terminology is the updated third edition of a straightforward, practical definitive reference for medical professionals and parents alike. Each entry consists of a brief (from one sentence to one full paragraph) definition of a medical or scientific term concerning medical and development issues, features, and abnormalities present in infants and children. The Early Intervention Dictionary is accessible to readers of all backgrounds, and covers everything from "abrachia" (congenital absence of arms) to "Zero Reject" (The principle that no child with a disability should be refused a free, appropriate education if other children the same age are being served). Highly recommended as a user-friendly reference.

This book was our trusted guide and friend through the first years of our child's life. We took this book with us to every new medical and therapeutic appointment, and it enabled us to quickly become knowledgable about our son's condition. I give this book as a special gift to welcome new "exceptional" families to our circle.

Highly recommended.

This book is an excellent reference tool. As a student seeking certification in early intervention, I find this book to be extremely helpful. This book will guide you through termonology and provide you with a wealth of information.

The author starts with a quote - The past is not dead. In fact, it's not even past.- William Faulkner. As I barreled through this wonderful novel which is also a mystery, I understood the importance of the quote.

Reed Farrel Coleman is a wonderful writer. He has created a compelling main character in Moe Prager. Moe is deeply flawed, but his flaws come from misguided judgment rather than from malice. Often he tries to do the right thing, sometimes he does.

Other reviewers have provided plot details and background. I prefer to comment on the writing and the characters.

For me, great fiction requires great characters. Coleman writes characters who you recognize and who incite opinions. He writes good guys, bad guys, and in-between guys (and gals.) His plot is convoluted, but the plot is merely a road taken for character development.

I have now read the last 3 Moe Prager books, and recommend them highly. Somewhat similar authors include: Ian Rankin, George Pelacanos, Michael Connelly, Robert Crais, James Lee Burke.

Coleman is not very well know, but he should be. He writes prose which makes you think and care. I would love to meet Moe Prager, and therefore I would love to meet Reed Farrel Coleman.

Moe Prager is a complex man, and Empty Ever After, the newest book in the series of which he is the protagonist, is a complex novel. Moe is an ex-cop and currently a p.i., as well as co-owner of four wine shops in and around New York City. He adores his teenage daughter, Sarah, and has a more or less amicable relationship with his ex-wife, Katy. As he says, "Divorce, no matter how amicable, isn't easy, and Katy, Sarah and I were still in the midst of realigning our hearts to deal with the new tilt of our worlds...Divorce impacts couples in different ways. It's an equation of losses and gains. The gains, however large or small, are usually apparent early on. The losses, as I was discovering, reveal themselves slowly, in painful, unexpected ways."

Moe's marriage fell apart when the truth of Katy's brother's death years earlier became known to her, and the fact that Moe had kept that truth a secret for all that time. Moe is called to the grave of Katy's brother, Patrick Michael Maloney, when it is found to have been desecrated, and subsequent events make it apparent that someone is out to hurt, if not destroy, Moe's family. Secrets are a big part of this tale, and the harm that they can do which can far outlive the events that gave rise to them. Moe finds it necessary to search back over the last few decades of his life, and has to "focus on closing chapters in my life." [Vengeance, cemeteries, and `ghosts' all play a part.] He tries to comfort his daughter, distraught at the awful way unfolding events have affected her mother. In the past he had always been able to provide that comfort, but now wonders "Had she finally outgrown the magic...or was it that the magic wouldn't work if the magician no longer believed in his powers?"

Mr. Coleman has written a book that is much more than a suspenseful novel - it is a beautifully written work imparting some universal truths. About truth itself, the author says "....the truth doesn't conform to the rules of Sunday school or sermons, to clichés or adages. The truth doesn't always come out in the wash or in the end and it's frequently not for the best. The truth often makes things worse, much worse. The truth can be as much poison as elixir, cancer as cure." It's often moving, and it resonated with me as much as I did partially because I, as Moe, grew up as a Jew living in Brooklyn, with the Belt Parkway part of the backdrop of my life and Shea Stadium part of its fabric, but also because of the very human and well-drawn characterizations. The book, simultaneously issued in hardcover and paperback, is highly recommended. The author has a new book coming out in October from the same publisher, "The Fourth Victim," written under the name of Tony Spinosa , and I cannot wait to read it, as well as the next book in the Moe Prager series.

EMPTY EVER AFTER (PI, Moe Prager, New York, Cont) - Ex
Coleman, Reed Farrel - 5th in series
Bleak House Books, 2008, US Hardcover - ISBN: 9781932557640

First Sentence: We walked through the cemetery, Mr. Roth's arm looped through mine.

PI Moe Prager has secrets he's kept from his wife, now ex-wife. Now those secrets are making themselves known with tragic results.

It's Moe's job to find out who hates him so much they want to destroy his life and the lives of those he loves.

With each new book by Coleman, I am reminded just how good a writer he is. He is a true stylist and an author whose writing elevates the genre. While his sense of place and dialogue are very strong, he excels at character development.

Coleman never assumes the reader has read the previous books in the series, but incorporates the back story in such a way that it becomes part of the plot rather than distract from it.

Moe is a complex character but one that has evolved through the series. He is not all static character, but a very realistic one. Moe is Jewish by birth, but not by faith, yet that plays an interesting role in the story and the character.

The story is dark, the ending shocking but with an element of hope.

Even though one needn't have read the previous books in the Prager series, I recommend starting at the beginning of the series for the joy of reading it, and everything else Coleman has written.

The major secret stayed safe for over twenty years and provided the backbone of a story arc that has traveled the first four novels of the series. The shattering aftermath of the revelation provides the springboard of the current novel as Patrick Maloney won't stay dead and buried. The Maloney family plot has been desecrated and the bones of his ex brother in law, Patrick Maloney are missing. Moses' ex-wife Katy is distraught as one would expect and it is left to Sarah, their now grown daughter, to somehow bridge the distant gap between the parents. In so doing, she contacts Moe and before long, Moe is standing at graveside in the year 2000 inspecting the scene for himself.

A former NYPD officer who had to leave the force after a knee injury as well as a rather unorthodox P.I. in the few cases he handled over the years, Moe finds himself at a crossroads in his life. Multiple changes in a relatively short period of time have left him feeling adrift and alone. The desecration of the family plot gives him something to do and a focus for his days. From the beginning, the desecration of the plot which wasn't just limited to the removal of Patrick's body, has him thinking long and hard about his past, the people in it, and the secrets he has kept over the years as well as the secrets he has learned of others.

Soon, Moe learns of another grave desecration in Dayton, Ohio this time with links to Patrick and himself. Moe realizes someone is targeting what is left of his family and they are using Katy as a means to get at him. It is working as Katy's mental state worsens due to repeated shocks to her already fragile system. Seeing her dead brother outside of her home and hearing him on the phone pushes her steadily towards the brink of insanity. Moe desperately seeks to find those of the living responsible and to bury the past once and fore all.

This book is incredibly disturbing and at the same time a very disturbing read. There is a certain depressing relentless series of events that leads to a shocking conclusion that comes at a total surprise to the reader and yet when the book is finished, inevitable and obvious. It is a book that could serve as a fitting ending to a series and yet could mark a huge turning point and a new way forward in a series. One doesn't know quite how to take this very good book as it could easily go either way.

What is very clear is that this book goes into extensive detailed commentary about past events, past cases, and past relationships that have been covered in earlier books in the series. Much of this book goes into such descriptions of past events with the actual event described as well as all the ramifications of the event. Such detailed examination not only allows Moe to consider his past, secrets, and his responsibility but other themes that have been part of the series.

In so doing, Author Reed Farrel Coleman continues his history of evolving the Moe Prager character. Unlike some main characters that seem to remain relatively static novel after novel, Moe has changed from book to book. While his basic core beliefs have remained the same, his application of them and his view of the world has changed. The result is a living, breathing, humanely flawed major character that continues to evolve as does the series and another very good book.

Kevin R. Tipple (copyright) 2008