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I'm surprised that Publisher's Weekly gave this book such a bad review. Sure, the twist at the very end (which I did absolutely did not see coming) might not have followed the "rules" of genetics, but you know what? This book is FICTION. Take it for what it is.

Robert Forsythe is a wonderful character and I look forward to reading the rest of this series.

Should residents be allowed to have pets? That's the burning question agitating the trustees of the Jamie Coralund Home for the Aged. Barrister Robert Forsythe is called on to mediate, but he is no fool and declines the honor. Instead, he sends his formidable secretary, Miss Sanderson, to deal with the tempest in the provincial teapot.

It might have ended there but for two things: a dog is poisoned and an old lady is smothered.

Miss Sanderson, ever sensitive to the ebb and flow of human passions, learns that the trustees-three middle-aged men and one timelessly beautiful woman-have known each other since childhood, the handpicked playmates of rich little Jamie Coralund, Jamie himself has been dead for thirty years. Or so everyone believes.

Miss S. suspects that, dead or alive, Jamie is somehow involved in present events, and that the sins of the past are making a return appearance....

A leading artist butchers his male model at his country estate--or does he?

In 1944, Sebastian Calvert was tried and convicted of the most brutal, bizarre and perverse murder in England's history. Early one morning, Sebastian was found crouched in the study, dazed and incoherent. In his arms he cradled the dismembered body of David Mersey, his Adonis, which to this day rivals Michelangelo's David. Fifteen years later, Elizabeth Pennell Calvert, his daughter by an ill-fated first marriage, reopens the case to prove her father's innocence--and to allow her the freedom to love without the shadow of her father's horrible crime of passion.

Which of the houseguests committed the savage crime? Was it: Vanessa, Sebastian's wife, a leonine statuesque blonde who wanted David and was willing to fight for him...? Rosemary Calvert, the precocious sixteen-year-old devoted to her uncle Sebastian and jealousy protective...? Elinor Atkin, Vanessa's dedicated cousin who had already lost Vanessa once--to Sebastian...? John Hrner, a passionate young poet, Sebastian's secretary, and wild for Vanessa, who spurned him nastily...?

Retrieved from an early retirement, Robert Forsyth, a disgraced London barrister in his mid-thirties, and Miss Sanderson, his no-nonsense secretary, gather together the original players... each of whom had a motive for murder, among them: lust, pride, and revenge.

Kienzle is an excellent writer. Having been born in the Detroit area, I find his references to places I know refreshing. His gift for holding the reader's attention is superb, and this book especially demonstrates that talent. The story line is unique, and the twists and turns in the plot are surprising. This was a very good read.

This text, 'Decision Making in the Church', is a shorter and earlier version of many of the same topics Luke Timothy Johnson covers in 'Scripture and Discernment'. This text, published in 1983, was produced shortly before Johnson was a professor of mine at Indiana University, in the field of New Testament studies.

The text is divided into four primary sections: definitions, difficulties, decisions, and discernment. For the definitions, Johnson explores the nature of faith, community, obedience and authority, and different theological concepts. Decision and discernment should be done in a communal level, by groups rather than individuals. The groups may vary in composition, of course, but the general principle remains strong. How faith and authority are developed in this context remains an important part of the process.

One difficulty that arises comes from Paul, who while recognising the theological nature of the Christian community still emphasises the individual nature of responsibility. Drawing on different texts in Paul, the gospels and Acts, Johnson highlights historical, literary and theological difficulties, in addition to problems of understanding the way in which things are to be applied.

Johnson moves from the difficulties to looking at actual decisions, largely drawing on material from the Acts of the Apostles. These include the selection of Matthias to take Judas' place as one of the twelve, the acceptance of Paul as an Apostle, the conversion of Cornelius and Gentiles generally, and the Jerusalem Council (among others). These models are shown in their contexts, with general principles drawn for further theological emphasis in decision making.

The final section looks at discernment briefly, a topic greatly expanded in Johnson's later text. Discernment is tricky business, often used in manipulative and destructive ways, Johnson states. However, it is a most valuable tool when used appropriately. Johnson looks at three topics -- the role of women in the church, the status of divorce and remarriage in the church, and homosexuality -- as three areas where discernment is necessary in the church, and three areas where discernment is susceptible to all manner of outside influences and distortions.

This small text (a mere 100 pages) covers a lot of ground, and does so with an accessible and engaging style, as is Johnson's form in writing and public speaking.

THIS BOOK IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES. I CANT BELIEVE THAT I AM THE FIRST REVIEW. I SAW THE AUTHOR ON HGTV AND WAS IMPRESSED WITH HER DECORATING IDEA AND DECIDED TO GIVE THE BOOK A TRY. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT! I AM A DECORATING FANATIC AND HAVE TONS OF BOOKS, THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES BY FAR! IT HAS SEVERAL EASY IDEAS IN TRANSFORMING PLAIN UGLY CHEAP DOOR INTO UPSCALE DESIGNER DOORS. DECORATIVE FAUX TILES. BEAUTIFUL UPSCALE WALL PANELING. BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED. I AM GETTING READY TO BUY HER OTHER BOOK: The Painted Wall.

the best book for the beginners and even for practicing crystallographers. i cant explain the worth of book in words, just buy and see your-self. if you are not satisfied, I guarantee you a refund apart from the publisher.

This may be one of the best, and no doubt the most useful, books I have ever read. When I first ordered this book I envisioned myself learning how to make stickmen wave, make poorly drawn cartoon dogs wag their tales or a small car bobble along a highway. I could not have been more wrong. I never would have thought that in just a few short months I would become an advanced Macromedia Flash designer. From making short action cartoons, to in-depth site intros for my friends, I feel there is no limit on what I can achieve.

The book starts off slow, making it very easy to pick up, even for the most basic of users. The pace soon quickens as you learn the ins and outs of flash programming. At no point while reading this book did I feel overwhelmed or that the book was moving to fast. Even through the more complicated sections I felt comfortable.

I would recommend this book to anybody looking to get into Flash programming, regardless of skill or ability. This book gets a perfect 5 out of 5 stars. Keep up the good work Deke McClelland, and keep supplying us with quality entertainment Amazon. Thank you.

I considered myself pretty familiar with my Mac. This book has taught me all those things I didn't know; And things I didn't know I knew. Just poking around my Mac, I've seen a lot of the extras Apple includes for the artistic user. The Mac has been a design tool since it's birth and Apple caters to that by putting many useful mini programs, accessories and utilities in to enhance the design performance.
I've seen some of those tools, used some and merely stared at others. That's where this book comes in. The author clearly lays out the what and how of all those tools. So every time I read a new section, I learn something about a tool I'm familiar with or am introduced to something I didn't know. This book is well organized and easy to understand. It's been well worth the price.

Title: Deuced
Author: Perry Crowe
Title: Deuced
Genre: Fiction / Contemporary
Publication date: 2005
ISBN: 1-4120-5365-X
Length: 323 pages
Format: Paperback

Deuced ~ Perry Crowe ~Trafford ~ Fiction: Contemporary

Take a Trip with the Oblivion Brothers!

Deuced is a fascinating snapshot of the lives of two young flatmates (the Oblivion Brothers) in modern day Los Angeles and explores their relationships with not only each other but with various other friends and family members. It shows you how, just when things seem to be ticking along nicely, the situation can suddenly deteriorate, without warning, beyond your control.

The story unfolds through the eyes of `Zip', one of the Oblivion Brothers, who is laid-back, rather stoned and a nice guy. He shares an apartment with his Oblivion Brother and boyhood friend, Otto, who is to a certain extent in his shadow. Zip soon meets Irene, an amateur folk-singer visiting her auntie and uncle and they rapidly fall in love despite their different attitudes to drugs and religion. Before very much longer and in a mist of cannabis smoke, Zip's relationships (through no fault of his own) seem to crumble before his eyes.

I read Deuced with a completely open mind and was very pleasantly surprised by the subject and by the way it was written. It is totally believable and you could almost imagine someone telling you this story about something they had actually experienced. The author obviously has the ability to keep the reader interested and I found it difficult to put down. Perry Crowe tackles many issues along the way without trying to pander to any particular train of thought, so the drug use and the religious scepticism are uncompromising and very realistically depicted. Due to this, I would think this novel is better suited to a British audience rather than an American one because of the subject matter, but I could be wrong!

In conclusion, I would recommend this book to anyone as a thoroughly good and absorbing read and would go so far as to say that it is one of the best books portraying real-life situations that I have read recently. With the right exposure this novel would do extremely well and I could imagine Deuced making a very good film. Read it and take a trip with the Oblivion Brothers!

About the Author:
Perry Crowe grew up in Mounds View, Minnesota, a northern suburb of Minneapolis. He received a Bachelor's degree in English from the University of Iowa where he also participated in the Undergraduate Writers Workshop in Fiction. He now lives in Los Angeles.