Owen Books

These memoirs have been quoted in Toland's book on WWI and now in Farwell's book. It was good to go to the source because of the writing of the Carl A. Brannen, the editorial comments from the editors, and then the addition of the excellent view of the son in 1990. This should be a must read for every Marine and for anyone who wants to know about war.

When America declared war in 1917, Carl A. Brannen was an 18-year-old freshman at Texas A&M. He finished out the fall semester of his sophomore year and then enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 1918, reporting for boot camp in February. Immediately upon graduation, he was shipped overseas to France to join the American Expeditionary Force under Gen John Pershing's command. After more training in Europe, he moved to the "front" to join the 6th Marine Regiment under the Army's 2d Division as a replacement for marines killed in the first 48 hours of the battle of Belleau Wood. Brannen kept a very good diary. We discover that he is not a heroic figure-just a marine trying to stay alive. He knows that a foxhole or trench is a valuable piece of real estate in face of murderous machine gun fire. Brannen understands and appreciates the difference between his gas mask and those the French have (they are better), so he watches for a spare one. He knows what hunger is and how much a hot meal means, when he can get one. He also knows what thirst is and how uncertain resupply is in a combat situation. Brannen quickly learns the difference in the sound of the explosion of a gas, shrapnel, or high-explosive shell. He stayed in Belleau Wood until it was captured on the first of July, a great morale victory for all the Allied armies. Brannen wasn't relieved until 16 July 1918. Instead of receiving a period of rest and recovery, he and his fellow marines were trucked to the battle area of Soissons, where he participated in an advance led by tanks. The Germans countered the attack with near-point-blank artillery, killing Brannen's best friend. It took only 40 minutes for his regiment to be nearly annihilated. Brannen, however, is a survivor. He participated in battles in Saint-Mihiel, Mont Blanc, and the Meuse-Argonne. Following the armistice, as a member of the 2d Division, his unit became part of the Army of Occupation. Pershing kept the army sharp by means of a rigorous postwar training program. Brannen writes about how morale plummeted in this situation since most soldiers only wanted to return home. Just when Brannen began to feel down, he was selected to join the ranks of a regiment referred to as Pershing's Own. He had fought with the 4th Marine Brigade in every major battle and had survived-a claim few people could make. The 6th Regiment, composed of three thousand men, suffered 1,161 killed and over 4,656 wounded for total casualties of 5,817.

Over There is a very moving book. Brannen, who knows he was lucky to survive, is a quiet man in a heroic way. If it were not for his son and some dedicated scholars, the papers, photographs, and diary entries that tell his story would have been lost. This book, together with Robert Asprey's At Belleau Wood, provides a poignant reminder of just how terrible war really is.

Private Brannen's memoirs, written some twenty later, are fragmentary and somewhat impressionistic, but impart well the combat experience of the World War One Marine, from Belleau Wood, St. Mihiel, and Soissons, to the Meuse-Argonne.
His recollections, accompanied by period photographs, are expertly annotated to provide necessary historical context and perspective, and further expanded by Brannen's son, who visited the scenes of combat in the 1990's and added new photos of those famous battlefields. This is a valuable addition to the history of World War I, and will be of special interest to students of the Marine Corps.

(The "score" rating is a feature of the page. This reviewer does not "score" books.)

Carl Andrew Brannen died the year I turned 18. The same age he was when he began his journey through the Marine Corps, into France and back home to Trinity County, Texas. I have visited his battlefields several times and have used "Over There" as a field reference guide. In the summer of 1999 I stood in the Soissons battlefield with my 4 children as they lay in the same road in about the same place their great grandfather clutched the earth for a dozen hours or so waiting for the German counter attack or darkness or death which ever came first. He with a couple of dozen Marines were all that stood between the German line of defense and the rear echelon for most of that fateful day. I read his account out loud to them as we walked down the road and know that it brought insight and meaning to them as it would any American. Knowing that there are thousands of decendants of war veterans with stories untold, I highly recommend this book as a way to begin your own personal journey to discover the trail, Washed with Tears, as my Uncle Joeseph Patrick Brannen, C.A.Brannen's son, and one of the authors of this book, might say. C.A. Brannen's point of reference for his experiences was that of his uncle Eaph Dial, a Civil War veteran of Hood's Texas Brigade, who from 1862 to 1865 fought in most every major engagement his brigade was a part of. Like Eaph Dial, my grandfather was also a part of every action the 2nd Division participated in between June of 1918 and the end of the war. His war decorations include 5 battle stars all of which are featured in this book. C.A.Brannen's dash across no man's land at Soisson's and Blanc Mont Ridge was often described to me as child listening with great awe, as similar to the Confederate attacks at Gettysburg. There is a bit of every American in his story and ought to be read. It is a quick read, complete with historical research to confirm his accounts and is perfectly suitable for readers of every age.

This book rocks! It covers practically all the major topics of an introductory course in graduate Real Analysis. Excellent solutions that aid in the understanding of the material. This book's worth is immeasurable, or should I say, non-measurable.

There is no problem solutions for Real Analysis texts available in U.S. since most of the teachers believe that Math students in grad level should be more creative. However, not all students in Real Analysis are potential mathmatician. If they lost in class and must study by theirselves, they may feel frustrated missing all the stuff contained in problems. The material in "Principles of Real Analysis" may not superior much than other famous text(like Royden, I think Royden is clear enough but too much mysterious things lie in problems.). But use it with this workbook, you will find much comfortable in self study. It helps a lot not only in my homework assignment, but also in my understanding.

Great guide, must have for anyone taking Real Analysis.

Before buying this book, I was failing Real Analysis. Now I have a prayer of passing. Thank goodness I found it in time. For it to be of use, you need to buy the companion book "Principles of Real Analysis", same authors. On the down side, it doesn't have an index, but overall, well worth the money. Besides, it is the only source I've found of worked-out Real Analyis problems outside of borrowing from other students who have already taken the course.

This book is a nice book for introduction to manufacturing system for undergraduate level for industrial engineer. The book covers Forecasting, Aggregate Planning, Inventory control (certain and stochastic demand), Push vs. Pll Production Control Systems, Scheduling, Facility Layout, Facility Location, Quality control and Reliability. In Forecasting chapter, the book provides a lot of good basic forecasting methods such as moving average, exponential smooting, trend-based method, and seasonal series. In Aggregate Planning chapter, the book covers just the basic concepts and models which can be done better. For inventory control chapters, the book does a nice job and cover a lot of detailed basic models which is a good introduction. In the Production Control Systems chapter, this book also has done a nice job in covering detailed basic ideas of the MRP subject such as lot sizing methods in MRP but JIT section could be done better by adding some more detaile on key factors of JIT's success and the use of time buffer instead of inventory buffer. In Scheduling chapters, the book covers a very basic models for scheduling which is again good for introduction. The rest sections of the book are nicely written with the level of introduction. Overall, this book is good and nice to have. One comment on the cover page is that the formulation for EOQ is very wrong and should not happen for the book on manufacturing system.

The book provides an easy introduction to the complex area of production and operation analysis. Nevertheless the relevant instruments and solutions in production and operation analysis are covered and the big picture of dealing with production and operations is shown clearly. The clear language, the illustrations and the examples make it a book best suitable for education and self-study.

This is an excellent book for Operations Management electives at an MBA level or an introductory text for Operations majors at graduate school (both business and engineering). The book is self-contained and all the chapters can be studied independently. All the basics of the classical Operations Management are covered.

Lo he usado para cursos de administracion (licenciatura y posgrado)y de ingenieria industrial. Resulta muy apropiado para ambos tipos de cursos. Existe version en espanol.

The Atlas arrived in good condition and in a timely fashion. I was especially pleased because I was unable to find it in our two local bookstores. This is the second time I have ordered and received a book from a "secondary" source listed under Amazon.

This is a great book for studying (and teaching) about the solar system and the stars. My 9 year old read this every night until the day we had to return it to the library. I bought it right away after that. Amazing photographs - very attention getting. Great for all ages.

This book is beautifully illustrated and presented. Intended for my 4-yr-old, even my 2-yr-old now knows the names of most of the planets and understands their orientation. I would recommend this book to any and every parent.

This is a great buy for the pre-teen with a brimming curiosity. Comphrehensive and straightforward it made me want to do some traveling of my own! I especially liked how the information is presented in an easy to read-easy to grasp style for kids, yet doesn't condescend. I plan on giving this to my nephew in the hopes that some of his neverending questions about the universe will be answered!

THis book is fantastic. Our Lord said we must repent, He sent the disciples out in twos to tell us we must repent and Peter said we must repent to be saved. THis book explains why a Christian must be repentant and what it truly means to repent.

I've been a Christian for nine years, and have read countless books. By far, this is the BEST book I have read outside of the Bible. In a day and age when the Gospel is being watered down so much, people need to know what it means to REPENT. Without repentance, no one can enter heaven. Regardless of what position they hold in a Church, how long they have been going to Church, or what their father, mother or grandparents did. Each person will stand before God on judgment day, and if one has never repented and believed the gospel they will perish. This book is CHALK FULL of scripture from Genesis to Revelation pleading with men and women to repent. This book is PERFECT for a men's or women's Bible study, I highly recommend it!!! [...]

One can go to any of the major Christian bookstores and not find one honest, straightforward book on repentance. This is one from a man who has walked out his repentance for over 50 years. I read through it in a few lengthy and painful evenings and it's time to read it again.

May those who are honestly seeking Jesus find this book helpful. It's much like Brother Roberts' particular style, which tends to be both instructional and convicting.

In short, this is a must read for any serious disciple of Christ.

This is the only thorough-going work on repentance I have found. And thorough it is, being used by several seminaries. The fact that it is published by the highly reputable Crossway Books speaks of its integrity, and I can personally speak of its breadth and depth. A warning: this is not an easy book to read because it exposes personal areas that need to be addressed through repentance. It is not a theological abstract. Roberts, in typical fashion, with scholarship and compelling examples and illustrations, thoroughly fleshes out the biblical requirement of repentance and calls the reader to practice it.

I just made Kitty Morse's Mint tea from her book Scent of Orange Blossoms. For years I have been digging and chopping away at a large patch of spearmint that takes over a section of my yard trying to get rid of it. Now after making Kitty's mint tea I am looking for another empty space to plant more. A simple infusion of fresh spearmint leaves, a little green tea and some sugar provided am amazing treat.

The Scent of Orange Blossoms is a lovingly assembled cook's tour of a regional cuisine that obviously has special meaning for the author. All eight of Kitty's cookbooks have been beautifully written and illustrated, but this one, with its mouthwatering recipes and pages of luscious photos by her husband Owen, is truly a feast for the senses.

I spent three wonderful years living in Morocco and although I learned many recipes from Moroccan neighbors and some from Kitty herself, I have found in her latest book new combinations of spices, fresh vegetables and meats that I can't wait to try. Most of the Sephardic families had left Morocco when I lived there in the seventies and most of their recipes had gone with them. Kitty's meticulous research with Danielle and the wonderful stories and letters that illustrate this tome make it as much a history book as a cook book.

More than anything else, at this time of great conflict and crisis in the world, The Scent of Orange Blossoms is a wonderful reminder of how Jews and Arabs can live (and cook) together in peace and harmony as they did for centuries in Morocco.

I must go now and begin preparing my preserved lemons (p. 20).

Salaam and shalom.

A celebration of Jewish cuisine that came from the interaction between Jews and Moslems in North Africa and Spain. When the author Kitty Morse led eating tours of Morocco, the highlight was a meal at the villa of retailer Danielle Mamane in Fez el Jdid. Both women have collaborated on this well designed and interesting book of recipes. I recommend it for its recipes, design, stories, and photographs. In addition to recipes, letters between mothers and their newly married daughters, and introductory stories, the authors list menu plans (with recipe page numbers) for the Jewish holidays, as well as the more Moroccan Jewish celebrations of La Mimouna (Pesach period), Hillula (visiting sages), and Kappara (pre-Yom Kippur). For Jewish weddings, there is the customary flan (t'faya). For Mimouna, the recommended recipes are Chicken with Orange Juice; Sephardic Mafleta pancakes; and couscous with raisin and onions confit. My favorite recipes include Walnuts with Pomegranate Seeds (which uses a heavy dose of orange blossom water); a cucumber with lemon salad; fish filets made in Fez style (with tomatoes, potatoes, and garlic); Fresh Fava Bean Soup with Cilantro for Passover; Chicken Couscous with Orange Blossom Water for Yom Kippur; Harira or Lentil and Chickpeas Soup (for Moslem Ramadan and Jewish Yom Kippur break-the-fasts); Meatballs in Onion Cinnamon Sauce, Chicken with Saffron and Ginger and Onions; and Honey Doughnuts for Hannukah. There are Fish Fillets a la Fassi (Fez style); Dafina Shabbat Stew (skhina); Chicken with Garbanzo Beans in Tetouan style; and Tangier style Potato Stew that uses preserved beef (kleehe). The Tagine of Beef uses carrot and turnips as well as cilantro, garlic, ginger, and tumeric. The Cornish Hens with Fresh Figs uses 12 figs and 12 threads of saffron; the Chicken with Onion and Tomatoes uses toasted almonds, ginger and eight threads of saffron. Preserved fruits, lemons, and kumquats play an important role in the cuisine. There is a recipe for Sephardic Shabbat Challa, and the Top of The Shelf spice that is often used; it includes a blending of cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper, allspice, mace, salt and ginger. La Maguina, a vegetable and meat frittata, is sliced like meatloaf. Some unique soups and salads are a white and chard soup a la Tangiers; a fennel salad; a tomato and bell pepper salad with garlic, paprika and sugar; fava bean salad with cumin; and tomato with preserved lemons.

Excellent book for people who want to have a solid base of Moroccan cooking.
Finally recipes of our favorite foods with precise measurements.
AE

up your spine with this mystery evocative of Garcia Marquez and Hillerman rolled into one. Choctaw/Cherokee/Irish Vietnam vet Attis McCurtain is murdered; his friend Mundo Morales and his great uncle Luther know it immediately through vision and dreams. His brother Cole and father Hoey must find the body which authorities believe is still a living psycho on the lam.

As with his other novels, Owens tightly weaves many cultures to achieve a beautiful, funny and suspenseful story. If you're familiar with the mythological alter egos of Attis McCurtain and Diana Nemi it will take your breath away in its intricacy. A quick trip to read up on these two in Frazer's The Golden Bough will bring the story full circle, as manyNative American stories tend to be presented. This book has the sexiest octogenarian couple readers are ever likely to encounter along with surprise players from across cultures and times

up your spine with this mystery evocative of Garcia Marquez and Hillerman rolled into one. Choctaw/Cherokee/Irish Vietnam vet Attis McCurtain is murdered; his friend Mundo Morales and his great uncle Luther know it immediately through vision and dreams. His brother Cole and father Hoey must find the body which authorities believe is still a living psycho on the lam.

As with his other novels, Owens tightly weaves many cultures to achieve a beautiful, funny and suspenseful story. If you're familiar with the mythological alter egos of Attis McCurtain and Diana Nemi it will take your breath away in its intricacy. A quick trip to read up on these two in Frazer's The Golden Bough will bring the story full circle, as many Native American stories tend to be presented. This book has the sexiest octogenarian couple readers are ever likely to encounter along with surprise players from across cultures and times

"The Sharpest Sight" reads a little like a murder mystery and a little like a road trip book, though both descriptions fall woefully short of doing this book justice. This is a complex tale of self-discovery and psychic healing set amid a backdrop of Native American and Hispanic culture and history, with Viet Nam flashbacks, fumbling feds and some mildly graphic sex scenes to help keep the action moving forward. While the main characters are vividly drawn, and completely believable and sympathetic, for my money it was some of the secondary characters who made this book worthwhile. The bar owner, Jessard Deal, is particularly entertaining, especially as he disintegrates late in the book. Some of his dialogue is priceless. The same goes for some of the FBI agents, which take on absurd cariciature-like qualities late in the book. Louis Owens has a deft hand with subtle intrigue and the surreal qualities of truth and discovery, and is expert at creating an authentic sense of place and character.

The Sharpest Sight by Louis Owens is a mystery, a police procedural, a thriller, an exploration of identity, and magical realism all rolled up into one excellent novel. Sharpest Sight takes place in a [lightly fictionalized] Salinas Valley, California sometime near the end of the Vietnam War. Attis McCurtain, Vietnam vet and insane killer, has escaped from the state hospital and may or may not be dead. Mundo Morales, who is Mexican-American, Catholic, a Vietnam vet, a sheriff's deputy, and an old friend of Attis', and Cole McCurtain, who is Choctaw-Irish-American, and Attis' younger brother, must each try and unravel the mystery of Attis' disappearance. Mundo is aided by his duty to his buddy, his duty to his position in law enforcement, his love of his wife and child, and the ghost of his grandfather. Cole gets help from his dad Hoey, his Uncle Luther, a Choctaw elder and shaman, Old Lady Blue Wood, another elder and shaman, and his duty to his brother. The local crazed bartender, a twitchy Vietnam vet FBI agent, and the family of the girl Attis killed also play a major role. As the flooded river recedes towards dry river bed, all the characters converge towards a solution to the mystery and in some cases, a greater understanding of self. Potential readers unable to suspend disbelief in order to deal with ghostly grandfathers and magical Choctaw dirty tricks shouldn't even try to wade into this novel. For all others, I recommend that you dive into The Sharpest Sight and see where the flow takes you.

These are the Christmas stories that should be read and taught.

When you're a child, you'll sometimes take a personal treat and hide it away to nibble at in bits and pieces savoring every taste and saving what you can for later hoping to draw out the experience as long as you might. And so it is with "Strike the Harp!" This is a book best hidden away and read in small bits with every word and turn of phrase allowed to work its magic. Hardbitten colonels blink into the falling snow, wiseguy Micks angle for a better life, waitresses acquire orphans, and small boys peer between the ranks of toy soldiers at the hard truths beyond. Once again Parry has produced a quietly moving collection of stories that would melt a heart of ice. A masterful mix of Charles Dickens, O. Henry, and Jean Shepherd in equal measure this is a marvelous piece of work to be treasured and shared for years to come. In case I haven't made it perfectly clear, this is great work. If fine literature is food for the soul, Owen Parry is a master chef and the fortunate reader is in for a literary feast.

Owen Parry has the rare ability to transport his readers from their armchair to the very place about which he is writing. I swear that I could smell the coal furnaces and the oil lamps, feel the wind, and the cold seeping up through my boots as I read his marvelous story of Christmas in the coalfields of Pennsylvania. He has this wonderful capacity to paint word pictures on the page that is unequaled. Read on in this collection, and I'll bet you can hear the voices of an orphans' choir as they sing "O, Tannenbaum" in a garrison town along the Rhine. Get this book for yourself to enjoy -- and several more for your family and friends. It's a wonderful, heartwarming collection.

Two years after his perfect holiday gift of OUR SIMPLE GIFTS, a collection of Civil War Christmas stories, Owen Parry offers up another treasure in STRIKE THE HARP! Venturing beyond the historical period for which he is best known through his series of Civil War novels, with this new collection of Christmas tales Parry proves that he is adept at capturing the heart and soul of any era. Taking us from the late 1800s to the end of World War I, from the eve of the Great Depression and then into the grip of those desperate years, and finally to 1960, each story is a shimmering facet of a perfect gem. A gem that celebrates quiet victories of the heart wherein the strength of sorrow is harnessed to climb back into the light; that shouts with delight over the invincible spirit of the scamp; that gently eases a child along in his understanding of father and family.

Each story is complemented by an original poem and, given the lyricism of Parry's prose, it is no surprise that this superbly gifted writer has a talent for poetry also. STRIKE THE HARP! sings the soul of the Christmas season and is bound to fill you with wonder and joy.

I would strongly recommend this bio to anyone, especially those who are seeking to find the Jesus Christ of the Bible amongst His people in our day. This is a real testimony to the love and compassion of Jesus and the honestly and humility of His servant, Billy Branham. I was so touched by the Holy Ghost while reading this, and every part of me witnessed that this testimony of Christ is true indeed. You will be amazed, surprised, encouraged and richly blessed. I was trying to order more copies to give to friends and am a little disappointed that there is no stock at Amazon. Will keep looking and will find ;-). BTW, a lovely piece of writing Br. Owen.
Frank Naude

God bless you Bro Chris.

So nice of you to have informed me...!?

You're one of kind Brother.

In His' Love,

Brother Shane

Bible Truths For Believers
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bibletruths_forbelievers/

Read how God took a dirt poor boy and used him for a Divine purpose!!

This story is truly AMAZING and will move the reader from joy to tears as well as draw your soul to the Lord!!

Brother Owen did a wonderful job, God bless him for it!!

Do yourself a favor and get this book, it is a MUST read for ANYONE who loves God.

I can not say enough good things about it.

God bless you!

The add says you get all 5 books in the set for this price. It is a great deal. You will not find this bargain and quality anywhere else. I have read them and couldn't put them down till I was finished reading them.

This whole series has been wonderful to read!! They are great mysteries, and I love that they are based in real places. If you've been to the Tahoe area, you can see/remember exactly what Todd Borg is describing. He is a great writer, and I can't wait for the next in the series!!

Having read every one of the Owen Mckenna series, I looked forward to the publication of Tahoe Silence with great anticipation. I honestly think it is Todd Borg's best by far. He has taken the series to a new level of character development while keeping his wonderful plot line and Tahoe area descriptions that were extant in the previous novels. What really blew me away, however, was his depth of understanding of people with autism. He goes beyond just having knowledge and using it to fill gaps. He has a depth of understanding that is remarkable, and he makes the character come alive with this understanding. If you want to really get a feel for autism while reading a truly delightful mystery with action and a surprise ending, get this book!

As luck would have it, I happened to stumble upon a Todd Borg Owen McKenna mystery a few years ago. Once I cracked open the cover, I couldn't put the darn thing down until I read until the end! The following day, I was out purchasing the rest of the books in the series!
I now wait,salivating,for each new release date. I feel as if I've won the reading lottery!
Mr. Borg's writings are so amazingly realistic and beliveable. I find myself THERE helping Owen and Spot figure out who the bad guys are and what to do with them.
Mr Borg is so good, that after being immersed in one of his stories,I really believe-even much later- that there is a PI in Tahoe named Owen McKenna. I almost expect to run into Owen and Spot-the-Great-Dane as I run errands around town!
I admit to laughing out loud when Spot comes to life so vividly on each page with his doggy sighs and drools and other antics.
If you like Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone series, you will fall in love with Todd Borg's Owen McKenna with his trusty sidekick Spot the gorgeous Great Dane! (not to mention his hottie,enigmatic sweetie,Street and his rugged,cop-friend, Diamond Martinez)
The author's descriptions of the picturesque scenery of Tahoe is so clear it's almost like watching a movie.
I have hooked my family and friends on this author as well--ya gotta share a great thing!
My crime-mystery-loving Pop declares Mr Borg writes better than Tony Hillerman.
If you like mysteries,if you like action,if you like crime/cop stories, if you looove animals, if you love a good laugh, if you like books by Sue Grafton (Kinsey Millhone series -as mentioned above)OR Patricia Cornwell (Kay Scarpetta mysteries)OR Jonathan Kellerman(Alex Delaware mysteries)OR James Patterson(Alex Cross series)OR Kathy Reichs (Temperence Breneman series)...you just HAVE to take a chance on Todd Borg!!
He is the absolutely the BEST! You will NOT regret picking up a book by this author, I swear you will be hooked after the first few pages and be back for more Don't just read one, get 'em ALL!
Tahoe Silence is absolutely fantastic! I didn't let my 13 yr old son out of my sight for two weeks after I read this one,(much to his eternal scorn and dismay).
Each book from Mr Borg gets better and better. Descriptions of people and places are so crisp and concise and the characters are ones that endure and get better with each new book.
I appreciate that I can't figure out the plot until it's revealed. It is soo real, it is sooo thrilling!(plus,Owen McKenna is sooo HOT! lol!)
It is so UNLIKE all the cookie-cutter predictable crap that is published today, passing as books. All of the author's books are entertaining without being sappy or blah. You WILL be on the edge of your seat. I am impatiently waiting for the next book due out this summer.. woo-hoo!
So just do it! Buy this book, Tahoe Silence. In fact, buy ALL of the Owen McKenna Mysteries by Todd Borg. They are DEFINITELY worth the money you will spend. (heck,they are worth MUCH more than you will spend!)
You will enjoy an unforgettable adventure,I promise you will enjoy yourself and be back for more. I often reread all the books in the series and they never get stale or blah. Each is just as exciting at the 10th read as they are at the first!
This is some seriously satisfying entertainment of the highest caliber. I hope you find Mr Borg's books as refreshing and shivery-delicious as I have since I found 'em!
Happy reading!!

Todd Borg is the author of four previous mysteries with Owen McKenna (and his Great Dane, Spot). TAHOE DEATHFALL; TAHOE BLOWUP; TAHOE ICE GRAVE; and TAHOE KILLSHOT have garnered several awards and universal praise from the major review organizations in the United States, as well as the Library Journal. Todd Borg and his wife moved from Minnesota to Lake Tahoe after several vacations, where Todd writes his Owen McKenna/Spot mysteries and his wife is an artist. They think Lake Tahoe is sheer heaven.

When a mute, autistic 17-year old artist named Silence Ramirez is kidnaped with her popular brother, Charlie, who has always been her link to the outside world, the entire community of Lake Tahoe is on alert. Her mother, Marlette, enlists the help of Owen and Spot to find Silence, who begins sending artwork to communicate where she is being held. Even Owen's girlfriend, entomologist Street Casey, is called upon to examine Charlie's corpse for telltale signs of the murder. After interviewing almost everyone who ever came into contact with Silence, the top suspects are a motorcycle gang, who call upon Owen to proclaim their innocence. But the Aztec sign left on Charlie's forehead push them to the top of the list of suspects:

"Gomez reached out and handed me a card. It had a phone number printed on it. Nothing more. 'That is my private cell number. When you need help, reinforcements, men for a stake-out or even, possibly, some intimidation services, give me a call. There are no strings attached. My men wish to serve. I wish to serve.'

'And you want me to put in a good word about you to the authorities.'"

To the fan, Owen McKenna and his dog, Spot, and girlfriend, Street, are like good friends. They are high achievers who have their wounds. They do what they do for all the right reasons, and when they flail, the reader flails along with them. Borg's ability to draw the reader in to his stories is amazing. His plots are so seamless that the reader can't put the book down once engaged. His writing is clear and concise, and his characters are poignant and skillfully conceived. TAHOE SILENCE is particularly engaging with his study of autistic children. His experts give the reader a sliver of a view into what it must be like to be autistic, and it is heartbreaking. McKenna's depiction of "bad" bikers is also awesome. Another great read!!

Shelley Glodowski
Senior Reviewer