Warner Books

I've read every single one of 'em, all of Constantine's work, been following him all these years. I have to admit I miss Balzic and his wife, Marie. Rugs Carlucci succeeded Balzic as Rocksburg's Chief of Police, and those books were just as good. But those scenes with Mario and Mo Valcanas trading truths at Dom's - hard to beat.

Saving Room for Dessert somehow does it, it's the best to date. Somehow Constantine brings characters who were buried in the background all these years into the lead roles, and it's a fresh new look at the seemingly drab and monotonous life of Rocksburg, PA. How Constantine does it is simple - he's simply a masterful writer who has a keen ear for dialogue and is spot-on when it comes to understanding the human condition.

I'm not sure how this book reads not knowing about Rocksburg, or Balzic, Rugs, Valcanas, or any of these wonderful characters. My guess is that great writing is great writing, and Saving Room for Desset is the best of all.

Steve Alpert

I admit that I'm a long-time fan of KC Constantine's Rocksburg novels. Saving Room for Dessert is a continuation of Constantine's usual strengths: pitch-perfect dialogue, REAL characters, indelible sense of time and place, subtle social commentary, etc. If you're looking for a police procedural in the vein of, say, Ed McBain or Wambaugh (both of whom are outstanding), you'll probably be disappointed. However, Constantine's work truly transcends the genre, and Saving Room is as wonderful as the rest of the Rocksburg novels.

In Rocksburg, Pennsylvania, no police officer likes working the Flats, a dangerous part of the city that can go from a quiet neighborhood into a war zone in nanoseconds. Things may seem serene for the moment, but any veteran cop knows that in the Flats a moment is all it takes to get killed.

Working the Flats this evening are the Rocksburg Police Department's only African-American William Rayford, giant Robert "BooBoo" Canoza, and Nam vet James Reseta. Each has personal problems they bring to the job, but all three dedicated men know they must not allow their troubles to interfere with the beat if they want to live another day. Quickly the three officers are going to learn first hand how the Flats is different from any other neighborhood in town because the incident seems trivial, but the aftermath explosion proves dangerous and life threatening.

Once series fans understand that Mario is not making a comeback and Rugs is not the headliner, the readers will quickly comprehend that SAVING ROOM FOR DESSERT is a gourmet feast for the police procedural crowd. The story line follows the three officers on routine patrols that turns nasty. The story line focuses more on the trio than on what they face as each has their moment of introspection involving their personal woes as much as their professional troubles. K.C. Constantine changes direction with this tale in which the crime activity is interesting, but the up front look at the three stars is fascinating and fabulous.

Harriet Klausner

In a small town in Pennsylvania there is a small-town police department serving a small-town population. The main figure is Sargent William Milton Rayford, the only person of color within sight. We have James Resata, who went through his year in Viet Nam the hard way, and the gigantic Robert "Booboo" Canoza.

The play within the town of Rocksburg is also limited mostly to three neighboring families who are at each other throats almost daily. Once it is dog poop smeared on the neighbors door knob. Then it is threatening the neighbor with a knife.

The war in Nam is described in chilling detail. The neighborhood fights, however, develop into satire. That does not mean that they are not dangerous. But it means that the police officers have to summon all the accumulated wisdom of their many years on the force to keep the situations from exploding.

Mr. Constantine has everything under control.He gives us a picture - sometimes funny, and then brutally direct - of the cosmos of life in a small town. He has written a wonderful book that celebrates the simple cop on the beat.

To serve and protect - and they live by it.

After listening to the 13 disk audio with narration by Christopher Kay I find that awarding only a five star rating is an injustice to both author and reader. Since the writer of the diary and the author of the book are not of the Jewish faith, it lends much credence to the events that took place. Readers with high blood pressure and a weak stomach must exercise caution when getting involved in the atrocities that took place during the Nazi regime in Germany. There is much blame to go around, but the failure to prosecute these sadists who escaped the hangman's noose and fled to a life of luxury is extremely galling. This book is definitely a page turner and very dificult to put down as the process for hunting down some of these killers gets underway. This is the first review I have ever written, but it took something this powerful and moving for me to turn on the computer and write the above. In conclusion, this is a must read!

this book is about a canadian jews who had migrated to canada with his aunt ruth after the horror of WW2. He had not known about hitler and the SS until his aunt told him everything. Its a very sad and doleful book about the brutality of hitler and the life in the concentration camp. a person reading this book must have a gut to read it because of all the sorrows and misery of the jews written in the book. i studied world history and learned about hitler. i didnt really think he was that bad because all my book represented was facts and figures. not until i read this book did i find out the horrible time of the WW2. i couldnt even believe and swallow the way the jews had been killed. for all those SS who escaped death must be captured and hunted down. they are not condoned to live in this world for what they did and how other people suffered because of them. what derek jacobs did was praiseworthy. no matter how old they are not they deserve to die.
if u truly wanna learn the horror of WW2 read this book

As a history major with a particular interest in WWII, I found this book both riveting and horrifying.

History books tell you that Hitler systematically murdered 6 million Jews. But they don't give you the details. In "The Secret Hunters" Fiennes pulls no punches, and gives a gruesome account complete with details of how the Jews were abused by the SS in WWII.

The only reason I gave this book only four stars instead of five is that the blurb gave me the impression that I was picking up an adventure tale of a treasure-hunting journey in Antarctica. While that is the direction the last quarter of the book took, it wasn't the main focus of the narrative. There was much more about the Holocaust and its atrocities itself.

A thought provoking piece of work with an inconclusive ending that makes me wonder what happened to Derek Jacob.

Fascinating read i could not put it down. The gist of the story is that a Canadian Catholic named Derek Jacobs learns from his aunt that they have jewish ancestors and as a consequence the brutal inhumane sadistic tortures inflicted on jews during ww2.
His aunt tells him of a man called Karl Bendl alias Seidler raped Dereks mother and abused her during the nazi regime in ww2. Derek then in confronted by a man who tells him about an underworld organisation called the Secret Hunters who track down Nazis that have commited war crimes and to bring them to trial.
Fuelled by hate tracking down Bendl becomes an obsession and leads Derek onto a boat to Antartica by nazis who think they have found gold thus kickstarting neo nazism and a re-rise to power.
This book is gripping to the end and is not for the faint hearted as it goes into detail of what happened to the jews which some people may find unsettling. All in all i truly give it the thumbs up.

This book is to kitchen organizers what Websters is to writers. It is a classic. Of course I use this book's strategies in my own kitchen, but as well, I employ its kitchen layout plans at my job: I design kitchen renovations. This book is absolutely outstanding.

Whether you follow Pam and Peggy-- fly with flylady-- or what ever you do-- the kitchen needs a plan of it's own!!

This book helped me organize my kitchen layout- use storage space effciently- keep the room clean and shiney-- create delicious, nutritious dinners (without having to run to the store first!) AND-- didn't leave me a slave to the stove and kitchen sink!

If you have read other Sidetracked Home Executive Books- you won't find repetition, this was written to follow their first book, and does so beautifully. It is filled with the wit and charm we've come to expect from Peggy and Pam and plenty of down home wisdom and good ideas.

Highly recommended for the side tracked- overwhelmed-- wonderful creative woman who yearns for simplicity and success!

This book is super for helping organize the kitchen and has just enough comic relief to make it worth reading.

This book is to kitchen organizers what Websters is to writers. It is a classic. Of course I use this book's strategies in my own kitchen, but as well, I employ its kitchen layout plans at my job: I design kitchen renovations. This book is absolutely outstanding.

We all know about the holocost, but after reading this book you will understand how the holocost came about.

Product Description
In a complete study of human violence Dr. Fredric Wertham writes: "From my psychiatric and sociological studies I have arrived at a double thesis. On the one hand violence is becoming much more entrenched in our social life than people are willing o believe. On the other hand, it is in our power eventually to conquer and abolish it."

The chapter "A Geranium in the Window" is one of the best available studies of the major role psychiatry played in the development and implementation of the genocide program of the Nazi's. For anyone interested in the real history of psychiatry and psychiatric research, this book would be very valuable.

It is undeniable the violence invades over and over the social life of the mankind, much more than they want to believe. This book is a generous, wide and erudite analysis of the violence in all its aspects: Wertham is a very illustrated man and uses not only sociology and psychology studies but also criminality issues , history, art and literature. He understands the violence not only in its profound historic complexity, but besides he focuses on the quotidian simplicity: from the toys, in mass media and even in the political murderers, in the mutinies and the ineffable wars. All issues are different but somehow are correlated. He proposes to find its internal connections and carve in relief the latent violence under the mask that retain. There are so may unknown, interweaved and unthinkable points of view that you will find important material to discuss and reflect.
Even the first edition dates from 1966, the book remains as a must reference for those who are really interested in that crucial theme.

I read mysteries as a way to relax in between all the serious writing and reading I do for science education for the Deaf community. So it was with great joy that I found these little gems by Penny Warner. She writes about a Deaf woman who runs a newspaper. Now first off, this is unheard of--pardon the pun, for a Deaf person to be perceived as having the intelligence to do something other than menial work. And it is with, I think, a slyness on Ms. Warner's part that she makes her heroine the owner and editor of an American English newspaper. Ms. Warner knows of what she is talking about. She isn't Deaf but has worked with them for years. So these books start out with a big difference. It is becoming more acceptable to have disabled people out and in the open, such as on Sesame Street and in other characters such as Jeffrey Deaver's Lincoln Rime (sic). Popularizing people with differences helps those of us who are trying to make it in the 'normal' world, and we appreciate it! Karen Whitehead Sadler, Science Education, University of Pittsburgh, klsst23@pitt.edu

this is the first book by Penny Warner that I've read, but it's good enough to make me go out and buy her previous novel. Connor Westphal is a curious, tenacious newspaper reporter in a small town in the mountains of California. She covers the story of a fatality at a construction site that may be earthquake related - or may be murder. The book is fast-paced, the plot is interesting, and hearing-impaired Connor is a great off-beat hero. I look forward to Penny Warner's last book, and her next.

Connor Westphal, deaf journalist/sleuth, is caught up once again in the more lethal happenings of Flat Skunk, Calif. After her successful first outing in DEAD BODY LANGUAGE, the wisecracking thirty-something Connor continues to deal with her attraction to the local hunk and to search for any story other than the local frog-racing contest that will give her newspaper, THE EUREKA!, an edge over the competition. Readers will guess who the killer is and be aghast at Connor's intrepid pursuit - anything for a headline. Through Connor's spunky first-person narrative, Warner, long a sign-language and special-ed teacher, perfectly conveys all the ways a deaf person perceives and communicates, including the guessing game of oral conversation, telephone contact with hearing people, the beauty of sign language, and auditory memories. As in the first Connor mystery, it is not wise to read the last couple of chapters before bedtime; this is delicious horror from gory beginning to ghastly end, with a fun, irreverent protagonist.

Connor Westphal moved to Flat Skunk, a revitalized mining town in California's Gold Country, to run the weekly newspaper. Between the constant tremors and solving a murder mystery (see DEAD BODY LAGUAGE), the hearing impaired publisher has had no time to miss the San Francisco scene that she left behind. A quake hits the small town, leaving behind a fatality in its wake. Apparently, Cullen Delaney, a soil engineer, was accidentally impaled by a steel rod when he lost his balance during the quake.

Connor decides to investigate the death, sensing that the accident seems too well timed. As she searches for answers, a malevolent presence starts to stalk her. She receives threatening notes and perilous acts of vandalism all designed to frighten her from completing her investigation of what is starting to look more and more like a premeditated murder case. Even as Connor links the deceased to the town's leading family, more deaths occur and she herself appears to be a future homicide victim.

As good as Penny Warner's debut novel was, SIGN OF FOUL PLAY is much better due to the richer characterizations (including a love interest) that serve to turn the heroine into a much more complex, multi-faceted person. Though a minor leap of faith is needed to accept Connor's gut instincts, the mystery is a true who-done-it that is near impossible to figure out until the author is ready to reveal the culprit. Ms. Warner is a gifted writer, who infuses a fresh look to the amateur sleuth sub-genre.

Harriet Klausner

It's immensely satisfying to enjoy a book by an author who's new to me. Penny Warner is one of several "new" authors I've been lucky to find this year. Her entertaining novel, Silence is Golden, is part of a series featuring journalist Connor Westphal, a smart and funny woman who happens to be deaf.

Set in the Sierra Nevada's Gold Country, the adventure begins when the town of Flat Skunk's oldest prospector, Sluice Jackson, discovers a gold nugget the size of a tooth on land owned by someone else. Soon, fortune seekers are everywhere. Also new to town, is Connor's old college boyfriend, Josh, his wife, Gail, and their daughter, Susie. When Gail is found dead in the trunk of her car, Josh is arrested and Susie taken away by Social Services. Connor's mission is to clear Josh's name. Adding to the excitement is the discovery of a corpse buried near old Buzzard Mine and Connor's suspicion that the appearance of more gold nuggets might be part of a scam. Given that Connor has a newspaper to run and lots of questions to ask, it's a good thing her sexy, P.I. boyfriend, Dan, is willing to help. Not that Connor needs much assistance. She's resourceful, tenacious, and an expert at lip-reading and interpreting facial expressions.

Interesting characters, a great setting, and a look at life from a deaf person's perspective make Silence is Golden a unique and worthwhile read. I look forward to reading more of Connor's adventures.

Penny Warner has done it again! When an old boyfriend shows up in Flat Skunk, Connor Westphal is pulled into the murder of his ex-wife. With much at stake, and an amazing cast of colorful characters you'll devour this book in one sitting.

Warner's writing is like great chocolate--you just can't get enough!

Kathleen Antrim, Author of "Capital Offense"

Mysteries these days do a lot more than mystify. Penny Warner always give us something to learn---and ponder. Who would have thought there were two legitimate sides whether or not to have a cochlear implant to enable hearing for the deaf? The author neatly wraps this conflict into Silence is Golden. And when you read this Gold Country mystery, you simply aren't where you were. You're there. Silence is Golden also has lots more lovin' between Conner Westphal and her lover Dan than in previous Warner mysteries, and a third party enters who is a threat to their long-time relationship. My gosh, and what a terrific book cover! How she acquired this authentic mine photo I'd like to know.

She moved from San Francisco to Flat Skunk in the Sierra Nevada gold country to lead a serene life style. Lately life in the former boomtown is anything but peaceful. Connor Westphal is a bit skeptical when local resident Sluice Jackson, the town's eccentric and oldest living prospector, finds a gold nugget in the Buzzard Hill mine. The gold played out a long time ago but the owner is a little too quick, to Connor's way of thinking, to accept Sluice's claim and develop a plan that would invite investors.

While most of the town is infected with gold fever, Connor is busy getting reacquainted with Josh, her ex-lover from college. He and his young daughter and ex-wife are in town to obtain a cochlea implant for the child. When Josh's ex-wife is murdered the sheriff arrests him for the crime; Connor promises him she will find evidence to clear him. While Connor is trying to clear Josh, she comes to the attention of the real killer who is determined to silence her permanently.

Although the protagonist of SILENCE IS GOLDEN is deaf, she is much more aware of the world around her then people who aren't hearing impaired. She is very at ease in her own skin and leads a very extraordinary life (even if she could hear sound) as she jumps from one dangerous situation to another. Penny Warner is a creative writer who knows how to develop fascinating characters that turn her novels, especially this amateur sleuth tale, into action packed winners for readers.

Harriet Klausner

This story kind of reminds me of the realtionship I have with my own brother. In this book, there is an 11 year old girl named Ivy, and her older sister named Lacy. There lives became horrifying when they found out that their parents are going to get divorced. Their old friendship and bond broke.

Althogh Lacy seem to hate Ivy more than ever, Ivy still loved her sister and wished to get along very well once again. Lacy never got any nicer, because she was so furious at the thought of their parents getting divorced. One day, at a restaurant, Lacy announced that she wanted to get a divorce with Ivy. Ivy agreed but inside she was very hurt.

Lacy decided to live with her father while Ivy stayed with her father, and they would meet on the weekends. One weekend, Ivy lost her temper and they got into a horrible fight. Their punishment was to be stuck in one room together for a whole weekend. Eventually, they began to talk to eachother and told them how they felt when they were fighting.

They made a deal, to sacrifice something that really bothers eathother and they ended up getting along very well. Although their parent's relationship didnt end up that way, they got over it, and began to live their normal life again. Only if my brother and I got along like that...

Ivy, 11, and her sister Lacey, 15, have always gotten along fairly well. Ivy even thought they liked each other. But she's thinking that one over again. One night, out of the blue, Lacey tells her, "I hated it when you were born." Say what? Ivy acts cool, but Lacey's comment really hurt her. Why is Lacey being mean to her?

Everything else in her life is turning topsy-turvy, too. The same day that Lacey drops the bombshell, their parents have a big fight. Their mother, after giving their father the silent treatment for a whole week, finally decides to talk to him. Don't take that new job, she says, or get out of the house. He decides to get out of the house. And Lacey goes with him.

What's going on? Ivy is so sick of her parents fighting all the time that she doesn't care if they do get divorced. But will it mean that she can't be best friends with Susanna anymore? Ivy doesn't feel comfortable talking to Susanna about the way things are. What will Susanna think about Ivy's parents divorcing?

If parents can divorce, can't sisters? Lacey wants to, but their parents want the girls to settle their differences once and for all. Ivy asks them if they are going to shut her and Lacey up in a room until they come out all hugs and kisses. Never give your parents a bad idea...

What happens? Will their parents really do such an awful thing? There's a difference between garbage fights and compost fights. Which kind will Ivy and Lacey have?

--- (...)

This book was a great story, I just love american girl books! Sister Split is about a girl named Ivy, and her parents are getting a divorce. Ivy and her sister are shocked. So from there parents anger, they say that they are getting seperated too. Ivy's sister moves out with her father, and Ivy stays with her mother. But when each child visits each other, they do horrible but funny things to each other. Ivy's only comfort is her bunny and her best friend. If you enjoy a great story, and you are a girl 11-13 you should read it!! It was excellent!

I loved this book! It really described the lives bewteen sisters and there divorced parents. It seemed like a true story, about what goes on in the lives divorced kids trying to solve there problems about the parents. It is about a girl named Ivy and her sister Lacy who mostly got along intill Lacy told Ivy "she hated when she was born." Then there life gets awful when there parents decide to split up. They both start to hate each other, but sercetly Ivy still loves her sister. And doesn't want her to live with her father while she is with her mother. But luckly Ivy has her best friend and her rabbit to keep her company. But soon after a lot of arguing bewteen them they solve there differences. It is a great and easy to read. I like it. It was funny about the fights they had and also gave me a great lesson to try to love your sister even if you have differences. I recommend it to anyone mostly a girl though. Try It and I am sure you will like it because I sure did!!

Jacqueline Jakes has certainly been inspired by almighty God. I read this book in one day. I actually could not put this magnificent book down. I praise God through the entire book. I ordered it for the public library and it was an awesome book. I have decided to purchase my own copy and read it daily. The words actually spoke life to me. Please, please write another book. I salute you that you let God use you in this mighty way. I am from North Carolina and I would like to say to all women, please read this book. It will really help you through trials and tribulations. Keep the good work up, Jacqueline. Be blessed of the Lord!

Sister Wit by Jacqueline Jakes is one of the most spiritually uplifting devotions for women that I've read. Jakes is the sister of well-known author and speaker Bishop T. D. Jakes. This powerful devotional is Jakes' testimonial. At the request of her brother the idea for this book was born. Jakes shares her unique experiences of life with women. At age twenty Jakes suffered a life-threatening experience. She was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The road to recovery was long and difficult but Jakes held on to her faith for strength and courage.

Sister Wit is an inspiration to all women. Packed with Bible scriptures and quotes from ordinary people this book delivers positive messages. The devotionals are Jakes' secrets about her unique life experiences and the wisdom she gained. In one devotional she writes about "My Missed Opportunity." Shirley Caesar writes the quote that goes with the devotional. "I always had only one prayer: "Lord just crack the door a little and I'll kick it open all the way."

I found Sister Wit to be so real. The book was not preachy but inspirational and thought provoking. I recommend this book to all women who face everyday life struggles...

Jacqueline Jakes has written a book full of Inspiration, Encouragement and Virtues. If you are struggling with anything in your life, you may find something to sooth your soul in this book. Anytime I need my spirits lifted, I read this book. You can revive your faith, understand and better cope with problems. I keep this book near my bed with my other spiritual books and read it often.

SISTER WIT, is insightful, touching, and real! This book is not just for women but for everyone who faces everyday life issues.
Not only are the quotes of infamous people uplifting, but the biblical verses sighted are great references. I give the book 5 stars for it's lovingly spirtitual guidance, it's realism, and wealth of hope!!!

I am sure this book is about Worcester, Massachusetts. It is about what happens under the pavement of an old industrial town in New England, about the secrets of previous lives, about the separation of the rich and the poor, the established and the Bohemian in American society, mixed with faint memories of the German experience in the great War of generations past and about the persecution of Jews and artists now and then.

I love Jack O'Connell. Love his characters, setting (especially), and the strange way he tells a story. Read one and you will read them all. I know you will...if you like a quirky set of characters, a David Lynch way of presenting a story, you will love this. Take me to the Combat Zone where midgets, lesbians, and just about anyone you can imagine RULE!

O'Connell is the intelligent reader's Elmore Leonard. A writer with an eclectic vision that dangerously intersects with contemporary reality.This writer deserves a huge following. I have no doubt that it will come eventually.

I am a big-time O'Connell fan. I had to special order Box 9 because it was out of print. I can't wait until the next O'Connell book comes out. He has a wonderful way of telling a quirky story. It includes dwarfs, porno houses, strange photos, lesbian groups, unusual mail carriers, and God knows what. If you are a fan of Tom Robbins or William Kotzwinkle, you will love Jack O'Connell.

you have an idea of what to expect every week and some activities to do with your baby.

Well organized, scientific, and full of useful material. What else do you need?!

My husband and I are first time parents and we really recommend this book. It is nice to see a week by week review of things that might be happening in your child's life as well as how to interact with them on sights, sounds, etc. It is an easy read -- yet totally informational! I love all the examples they give.

GREAT!! I give it 5 stars!! This book has great information about your child's development in any given week and how to play with her to help her develop. I love this book!! I am only on week 8 but the material has been consistently informative. I have recommended this book to my daughter's daycare and even offered to buy the book for them (I could not find the book locally or they would have had it this morning.). This book is easy to read and is well organized. It is very concise, which makes it very managable when you only have a few minutes to spare. Buy this book, you won't regret it.