Hunter Books

A self-absorbed receptionist who treats her day job as if she were awarding her co-workers a treasured personal appearance;

An icy, blue-eyed blonde who makes the slightly klutzy Kylie trip over herself even more than usual; and

A pseudo-preacher to the stars, offering his supplicants one of his hands in compassion while the other steals through their pockets.

These are some of the priceless characters waiting to delight the reader in Claire McNab's second Kylie Kendall mystery. (Note to reader: If by chance you missed the first of the series, "The Wombat Strategy," stop reading this immediately and go get it!) Now where were we?

Though the setting is Los Angeles at its Kleig-lit best, we see it far more clearly through the eyes of our newly-transplanted Australian heroine, the funny, adorable and ingenuous Kylie Kendall. Take the greedy Hollywood bad guys lying and conniving as usual, add Kylie, the detective-with-training-wheels hot on their trail, doing her newbie best not to get lost in either the hairpin twists of the plot as well as the L.A. streets and Bam! you get one deliciously deadly, funny mix.

Lighter in tone than Ms. McNab's other two series, the Carol Ashton and Denise Cleever mysteries, "The Kookaburra Gambit" has only one fault--it ends far too quickly. Hurry, Ms. McNab, and present us with the next book in this series, "The Quokka Question."

So, Ms. McNab ... how's that writing coming? Are you done yet?

Ms. McNab lives up to the promise shown in the Wombat Strategy, her first Kylie Kendall Mystery. The Kookaburra Gambit takes up where the Wombat Strategy left off. Our heroine is a neophyte private eye, newly arrived from down under. She is still (very capably) learning to cope with all the differences in her world. The mystery is great, and the book is genuinely funny. The matchup between Kylie and the rabid Christian right is fine to see.

I just wish these books were longer, and came out lots more often. I can hardly wait for the next volume in the series!

This work should be of more than passing interest to those who more and more find themselves beset on every side by urban sprawl. The author sets out in many ways to preserve an old family homestead; but, more important, seeks ways to make the place profitable. His attempts are often hilarious, the more so when they fail, and they never lack meaning for others who share his feelings about the need for ways to protect ourselves from the menace of an urbanization that has rapidly got out of contol.

This work should be of more than passing interest to those who more and more find themselves beset on every side by urban sprawl. The author sets out in many ways to preserve an old family homestead; but, more important, seeks ways to make the place profitable. His attempts are often hilarious, the more so when they fail, and they never lack meaning for others who share his feelings about the need for ways to protect ourselves from the menace of an urbanization that has rapidly got out of contol.

I have read all the Gwen hunter books and loved them all. I actually live in the UK but even without going to New Orleans I feel like I have been there already. Through her descriptions of the food and the scenery I have been taken on a journey. Law of the Wild has continued Gwen hunters story of the Delandes without becoming formulaic or boring. If you havent read itI strongly suggest you do as I could not put it down and cannot wait for the next instalment.

Wow! You really feel as though you are there. You can hear the sounds of the bayous, feel the humid heat and taste the fear. What a spunky heroine Mara is! She's only 17 but she's tough, determined, self sufficient, yet also insecure and vulnerable. The story was fast paced and riveting. I definitely want to read the sequel!

For those of us, old enough to remember the "I search for Adventure" TV series, this is a fascinating book. We finally find out the background and the detailed travails of a great explorer. The discovery of the ancient tomb in the Peruvian desert has remained a secret that his partner Batanero has already taken to his grave. It reads well and adenture after adventure keeps the reader's interest until the last page is turned. It is too bad that the films have not been preserved.

Memoirs of a real-life professional explorer---a sort of "Indiana Jones with a dash of Lara Croft" who abandoned an acting career highlighted by study at the Pasadena Playhouse to travel abroad filming exotic and dangerous locales, which he then fashioned into programs for early broadcast television and the lecture circuit. This volume focuses on Latin America of the 1950's and includes a varied cast of characters from a former driver for the German general Erwin Rommel to an intrepid female journalist of the time, one Barbara Holbrook who clearly left a strong impression on the author.

Life by Design changed my life. It makes you step back and look at your Y2K life-style and then "re-design" where you spend your time and life. A must read for anyone that is having trouble "doing it all and having it all."

I read the book and I must say, the illustrations by Jenny Barton are some of the best I've seen in quite a while. For an artist still in college, she has some of the best talent to come around in quite some time. You did an amazing job in finding her. I hope many others will be able to share in the joy of her art like I have.

Beautifully illustrated throughout, Lissa Hunter: Histories Real And Imagined by Abby Johnston focuses upon an impressive collection of eclectic pieces created in a multitude of images by the unique artistry of Lissa Hunter. Presenting 228 pages of full-color pictures and creative graphic arts, Lissa Hunter: Histories Real And Imagined details the amazing style and imagery of Hunter's most intriguing and tangible works throughout the collective life of her career. A welcome addition to any personal, academic, or community Art History collections, Lissa Hunter: Histories Real And Imagined is very strongly recommended for readers searching for documented compendium of images and commentary for Lissa Hunter's unique and definitive artistic style.

Lissa Hunter's paintings, baskets, and collages are elegant and compelling, but always intimate as well. This wonderful book shows the same balance, a lavish display of work and erudite narrative that never loses sight of the rich and very human nature of the artist. A very special book indeed.

This book is been extremely helpful to patients and families who receive the news that they are facing treatment for breast cancer. The book is written in an easily understood manner but deals with most of the issues. It is an excellent book to give to our patients. It helps them answer their questions and the questions of their family members. It is very supportive of the counselling we give to our patients.

Not a lot of jargon. The most understandable resource available for non-medical personnel interested in learning about breast cancer. The question/answer format is perfect, as it allows the reader to guide herself through the information. And Dr. Hunter does not "dumb down" the information.

In summary, a must-buy for the newly-diagnosed patient, and a wonderful gift to any woman (with or without breast cancer).

This is a charmingly illustrated little book of mythological creatures, 26 of them, one for each letter of the alphabet. The artwork is delightful, cute enough for girls and bold enough for boys; well rendered enough for adults.

The creatures are from a variety of mythologies, some more well-known than others. Kids studying the Greek and Roman myths will recognize Medusa, Pegasus--and Cerberus (or "Fluffy" if they are Harry Potter fans). But there are also creatures from less well-known myths and folk-tales. There is Ammut from ancient Egypt, Tengu from Japan, the Aztecan Xiuhcoatl and others.

The text for each little monster is in verse and is chock full of information given the brevity. With humor and lightness, along with the rhymes, we can learn a bit about the origin and the attributes of each critter.

I gave a copy to an 11 year old friend of the family and she adored it! She loved reading the verse out loud. Her 13 year old sister enjoyed looking at the pictures.

Although originally written for young readers in grades 7-10, "A Little Book Of Monsters" is a delightfully original and entertaining little volume of descriptive poetry showcasing twenty-six creatures of myth, legend, and folklore. Each beast is nicely illustrated in full color making this 32-page 5" by 6" book is a very highly recommended read for adults as well and one that will prove to be as enjoyable as it is informative with its rhyming introductions to the strange creatures conjured up by human imagination down through the centuries. 'Zombie': In the hear to Africa/where sorcerers abound/Zombies, waling corpses;/The living dead are found.//Robbing tombs of bodies/The dead are brought to life,/Returned to an existence/Filled with work and strife.//To take it from its master/Is the only way to save/A soulless body from this doom/And restore it to the grave.

This book should really be called "The Unbearable Cuteness of Lab Puppies." If you buy it, be prepared to hear the patter of little paws on your linoleum floor...because you won't be able to resist the next step: Going out and getting the real thing. The pictures of the puppies frolicking with the kids makes me wonder whether spring is far away. I loved this book!

This book really is the next best thing to getting a new Lab puppy, and best of all, it doesn't need to be house broken. Anyone who loves puppies will be charmed and beguiled by this word and picture chronicle of the first months in the life of Labrador retriever puppies. You don't have to be a duck hunter to enjoy it, either, as most of the photos capture Labs doing everyday things like playing with their littermates, chewing whatever they can get their sharp little teeth into, harrassing the family cat, and getting into one kind of mischief or another.

"Lizzie," by Evan Hunter, is a very interesting read, mixing a creative novelist's eye with true words from the court proceedings against the notorious Lizzie Borden. The main point of the novelist's story is what happened when Lizzie Borden traveled to Europe in 1890, two years before the sensational murder in Fall River, Massachusetts. Mr. Hunter then becomes a detective and applies his richly hued European fantasy to the later murders themselves, intertwining the European fantasy with transcripts from the legal proceedings against poor put-upon Lizzie. Mr. Hunter then ends his story by taking us through a step by step view of what "happened" in the Borden house on the day of the murders. Frankly, for those interested in the Lizzie Borden story (and there are many who are), his explanation for what happened is about as logical as any other. Highly recommended.

Lizzie Borden, the 32-year-old Massachusetts woman accused of murdering her father and stepmother in 1892, has long fascinated the world. Although evidence pointed toward Borden, who was the prime suspect, she was acquitted and the case was never solved.

In his novel, Hunter takes known facts about Borden, such as her tour of Europe with friends several years earlier, trial notes, and newspaper article from the period, and weaves them with items of popular speculation, such as Borden's supposed lesbianism, to create a portrait of a sensitive woman driven to despair.

Hunter begins in England, as Borden and her three friends have just arrived. By chance, the women share a train compartment with Albert and Alison Newbury, a wealthy native couple who quickly take them -- especially Lizzie -- under their wing. Although Albert is also gallant and kind, it is Alison who plies Lizzie with endless compliments and accomodates her every whim.

When illness forces Lizzie to remain behind while her friends move on to Italy, it is Alison who becomes her faithful caregiver, nursing her back to health and furthering the bond between herself and the grateful Lizzie.

However, it is soon apparent that Alison's motives are not entirely selfless, as her attraction to Lizzie is more than platonic. Although it goes against everything the moral Lizzie's ever been taught, she soon finds it impossible to ignore the passion within herself, and allows herself to find love with Alison.

Lizzie's joy is short-lived, however, as she knows that she must return to America. She begins a correspondence with Alison, full of passionate words and promises to meet again within the next few months. But Alison's promises prove fruitless, and Lizzie begins to see the affair as it must have appeared through Alison's eyes...a mere passing fling.

Full of misery, Lizzie begins to act out in other ways...one of which leads to her stepmother's discovery of her in an uncompromising position, and thus the Bordens' ultimate demise...

It's hard to know what the real Lizzie Borden was like, or whether in fact she did commit the crime. But Hunter has done a wonderful job of portraying the woman, based on what's known and speculated. Upon reading this novel, it's hard not to feel like you actually know Lizzie Borden...and not to feel compassion for this woman's heartache-ridden life, no matter what she actually did.