Crime Books

The summer of 1944, Gretchen Gilman was only thirteen. Yet thanks to the shortage of available workers, she is able to land a prize opportunity -- working as a reporter for her hometown newspaper.

Delighted to cover even mundane stories, Gretchen never imagined she'd find herself at the center of the biggest crime ever to hit her sleepy little Oklahoma town.

Faye Tatum, Gretchen's neighbor and mother of her friend Barb, was brutally murdered in her own home. Her husband Clyde, a soldier on leave, is nowhere to be found -- a fact that convinces most area residents he's responsible.

As the days pass, Gretchen is torn between her duty to cover the story for the newspaper, and between loyalty to Barb, who is staying with Gretchen and her grandmother. She's also struggling to deal with her widowed mother, away in Tulsa working for the war effort, as it seems Lorraine may have a few changes in mind for the Gilmans.

As narrator, Gretchen's voice alternates between two phase of her life -- that summer when she was 13, and present-day, when she's an older woman, who's had a successful journalism career. Hart does an excellent job, combining the elements of a mystery and that of small-town fiction.

and I have read a lot. I very much enjoy Carolyn Hart's other books, but not as much as this book. The imagery is as compelling as the dialog. The characters are drawn lovingly & realistically. Her use of the letter, the preset & the past in each chapter keep me racing to read more. I felt that the "mystery" serves as a backdrop for the story of the characters, unlike most thriller/mystery works where the plot is the most important part of the book. I love mysteries, but for those who do not, this is just as wonderful a book showing the slice of life for these characters. This is the first review I've ever written, but this book compelled me to share my thoughts. It really is the best book I've ever read. Ms. Hart has my respect... and thanks.

I enjoyed this book and will read more Carolyn Hart mysteries. I found the ending - the mystery's solution - particularly satisfying. But much of the story called on way too many all-too-familiar and overused cliches of small town America. Which we all know (yawn) is narrow-minded, hypocritical and suspicious of those artistic types. The book's Children of the Corn mob scene is way over the top.

Nearly all of the characters fall into two rather obvious piles - the saints, and the villains. Grandmother is a perfect, selfless saint a la Ma Joad; the victim, Faye, is the Saintly but Misunderstood Artist. And the preacher, of course, is a slimy, evil purveyor of hell-fire-and-damnation. And then you have the silly side plot about the townfolk veering into vigilantism over what everybody clearly assumes is a domestic murder. HUH? And I had to stifle a snicker when, at the city council meeting, the leathery-faced, tobacco-chewing farmer yells out, "How come you ain't found Tatum yet?" How imaginative.

The mystery itself could have held its own without having to take these detours into such overworn territory.

The descriptions are so vivid that you can almost smell the starch in the doilies,taste the crunchy watermelon and feel the blast of hot air through the window.

Not only does Ms. Hart place us amidst the happenings, seen through the eyes of Gretchen, she manages to make the story twist and turn so that at the end, we are truly surprised at the outcome.

The two young girls, Gretchen and Barbie, follow very divergent lives, and their story is told through fragments of a letter sent to Gretchen and her thoughts as she looks back to that time long ago.

This book should satsify any mystery fan and those who love stories from the 40's. We get a feel for the times with women doing war work, rationing and young boys from the town that are killed.

And one great thing about this book is that a young girl is given her break into journalism by a crusty old editor. A concept that in those times was remarkable indeed.

Gretchen Gilman is only thirteen the summer of 1944, but she's managed to get a summer job at the local newspaper. With all the men off fighting the war, the editor was desperate. It's hard work, but she's enjoying herself and gaining great experience.

One night, her friend and neighbor Barb comes to her window asking for help. They return to find Barb's mother, Faye, murdered in the living room. Immediately, the rumors start about Faye's dancing at the local tavern every night while her husband is off at the war. But Gretchen finds herself getting more caught up in events that will scandalize a small town and change her life forever.

I'll admit this book took a chapter or two to fully get. Each chapter starts with part of a letter the grown up Gretchen has received, a few thoughts of her own, then flashes back to the third person account of the story as it unfolded. Once I got into the story, I was hooked. Foreshadowing keeps the suspense up, while the writing style pulls you in. I felt like I was in the small Oklahoma town that summer with its problems, prejudices, and pride. The ending is as surprising as it is logical and extremely powerful.

In spite of all I've heard about her, this is my first Carolyn Hart book. It won't be my last.

I enjoy Kathy Hogan Trochecks books, although when I was reading this one, once I reached page 54, it then went to page 295. I was able to pick it back up again at page 88. I'm sure a printing error, But I did miss out on 34 pages of the book.

I love all of the Callahan Garrity books, and I own the entire series. This was my favorite out of all them. The suspense and twists and turns keep you on the edge of your seat, but the humor and heart are the backbone of the books. I love that the Callahan books are set in Atlanta; it's so much more refreshing than the typical New York or LA settings that many books use. I wish Ms Trocheck would write more Callahan books, but from what I can see, she has moved on to romances (written under the name Mary Kay Andrews) which are still good, but not as good as Callahan.

I adore all of Callahan Gerrity Mysteries and this one was the fiest de resistance. I could not put it down. I ate, slept and drank every word and loved it....Kathy Trochek is a master of description and weaver of mystery. Just loved it.

It's a few days before Christmas, and sometimes disorganized Callahan Garrity, actually has things under control for a change. That is, until her deadbeat brother, Brian, shows up after 10 long years, with a toddler, Maura, who he says is his daughter. Callahan is always used to trouble following Brian, so when she finds out that he's actually kidnapped Maura from his estranged wife, she's not surprised. But, when Brian's ex-wife is found dead, the lead suspect is Brian. And though Callahan knows that he's many things, she knows that he's no murderer. So now it's time for her, her hilarious mother, Edna, and the employees of the House Mouse Cleaning Service to do some serious detective work around Atlanta, before Christmas is ruined for everyone.

This was my first Callahan Garrity mystery, and I was not one bit disappointed. Callahan, and her mother Edna are two hilarious characters, and the mother/daughter relationship between the two of them is absolutely fantastic. Whether you're a mystery lover, or a fan of family drama's, this is a must-have this holiday season.

Erika Sorocco

I deliberately waited over a year to purchase and read Midnight Clear by my favorite mystery author, Kathy Hogan Trocheck. I've always paced myself with her books because there aren't that many to begin with plus it's been over 3 years since KHT last wrote one. I hope that she is working on something new, because all of us Callahan Garrity fans are anxiously awaiting the next mystery featuring Callahan, Edna & the rest of the House Mouse cleaning crew! As for Midnight Clear-it just doesn't get any better than this. Kid brother Brian, who had been in absentia for 10 years suddenly shows up at Edna's doorstep with a surprise in his truck-a 3 year old girl named Maura. There is a major murder mystery for Callahan to solve, but it looks like Brian is the prime suspect-his ex-wife is found murdered in her bed. You'll find yourself rapidly turning the pages until you reach the surprise ending, KHT pulls out all the stops with this one. Once you reach the very end, however, you realize you want more books to come out featuring Callahan Garrity & co. As the previous reviewer mentioned, if only Ms. Trocheck would write as often as Sue Grafton does! Very highly recommended-along with all of her other books. Enjoy!

This book starts and finishes with a bang. This is truly the most terrifying book I have ever read. It is not that long and I finished it in a day. Every time I had a free moment I would run back to the book to read more. It's not like other books where it takes long to get to the scares and they are few and far between but this story is just different . Trust me. If you can find a copy , read it; but you might not be able to sleep for a few nights!

Easily the most frightening book I've ever read. Unlike King or Straub, Aycliffe gives you no straw of humanity to clutch at. At first, you think he does. Nice family moves into a house with strange noises ... in the attic. Daughter has mysterious "playmates." Photos show things that can't possibly be there. You've seen these elements before and think you know where you're headed. You don't. Aycliff's style is matter of fact, cool and dry, which adds to the chill. You wait for the redeeming act. It never comes. Just more layers of horror until it wraps up with an ending that echoes through your brain.

I didn't really find this book very scary. I feel like I should have because the other reviews were all so good. I expected a lot more from this book. I love good scary psychological ghost stories, but this one just plain bored me. It did have a couple of "ooh" moments, but nothing that made me lose sleep or sleep with the lights on. I gave it three stars because the story line was good and I do agree it would probably make a good movie, but I just found it extremely slow.

This is the second book that I have read by this author only because the first was so fantastic (The Matrix)! This book is awesome and very scary!! No monsters just real evil spirits! The book is too real. You would think that all of his books would be similar but they are not except for the fact that they are very scary. This one in particular is the very best however I have only read 3 of his and I am going to read more. I am not the type of person that likes to read that much, mainly because books don't move fast enough. They are very slow at getting started and normally the good, scary stuff doesn't start until the middle. Not this book. It begins immediately. The writer writes about stuff beyond my imagination! It could be kind of gross and sad. There are no real happy endings so don't expect that in any of his books. You can count on not wanting to put the book down though. Each chapter ends so that you have to proceed to the next and then the next... I am 42 years old and had to have my husband walk to the bathroom with me because I was too scared to go by myself! While reading, you start looking around your own room making sure you don't see anything and no, you will not want to go to the attic after reading this.
This book will keep the thoughts you had while reading it lingering on several weeks later. Now that's scary!!!!

Denis McEoin a.k.a. Jonathan Aycliffe a.k.a. Daniel Easterman relies on a common theme in many of his ghostly novels, i.e. child abuse taken to the grave and beyond. "Naomi's Room" (1991) and the author's later novel, "The Vanishment" (1993) both expand on this theme and both have first-person narrators who may or may not be involved in foul deeds themselves.

Jonathan Aycliffe keeps cranking out the supernatural shocks in "Naomi's Room." Even though I could sometimes guess what was coming, I had put down this book several times and tell myself, "It's only fiction," before I could keep on reading. A couple of really bad scenes:

* The narrator is awakened by the thump-thump of something being dragged into the attic, and realizes that his wife is no longer in bed with him.

* A news photographer shows the narrator photographs of his house in Cambridge. Yeah, there are ghosts peering out of the attic, but also the narrator's wife who he knows was not in Cambridge at the time.

There is a great deal of foreshadowing in this novel, which is to be expected since the narrator is telling his story many years after it took place. In spite of all of the hints that the author drops, the book's ending is still a shock. We know that he wakes up in the darkness, night after night, hearing noises, sometimes seeing horrors that he only hints at. Why does he stay in the house? Is love or guilt chaining him to the house where so many macabre deeds were performed?

Aycliffe brings in one character toward the end of the novel that I don't think he really needed--if he's already driving the plot forward through the actions of evil ghosts, why drag in evil men? Also the narrator's attempts to sidetrack the police by leaving fingerprints about from a few detached fingers he happens to have in his possession didn't strike me as something that would fool a CID man for very long.

In spite of the questionable fingerprints and maybe an extra character or two, "Naomi's Room" is a very haunting story. If a movie is ever made of it, I don't think I could nerve myself to watch it, even in company with a theatre-full of other people.

HOW MANY NOBODY'S DO WE PASS BY AND MISS SO MUCH. THIS BOOK HAS YOU ON THE EDGE FROM BEGINNING TO END. WHEN YOU FINISH I HOPE YOU AGREE THERE ARE NO "NOBODY" PEOPLE. WE ALL BELONG AND HAVE A GIFT AND A MISSION FROM GOD. SOMETIMES WE JUST GET LOST TRYING TO GET SOMEWHERE AND MISS OUR DESTINATION.

I have read all three books by Creston Mapes, my favorite is NOBODY. It is an outstanding book and if you like mystery and suspense it is an ideal book for you to read. I am waiting for book four. The only problem with NOBODY is that you can't put it down so you are tied to it until you finish. That is a good thing.

I just finished this story and WOW! It was amazing! I couldn't put it down. I agree with the other reviewer about enjoying how the author switches viewpoints every now and then. I felt so bad for the main character and started getting in deep with his life. This book would make a great movie. It teaches us a lot about having faith in Jesus and walking upright with the Lord, no matter what the situaion looks like around us.

This is the first book of Creston Mapes that I have read and it is so awesome. I will definetly have to check out his others. This book starts off with a reporter who responds to a call and when he gets their he finds a dead homeless man. While waiting for the police he decided to look in the mans pockets to see if he can find anything for a story. Wh at he comes across is a bank book with a balance over $600,000 dollars and a key for a safe deposit box. With no other info the reporter starts on a journey to find out who this man was and why he was killed. I couldnt put the book down and just had to keep reading. A very well written book with characters you can relate to.

Hudson Ambrose knows better, but when he finds a dead man he recognizes as one of the LasVegas homeless, he goes through the man's pockets. Surprised to find a bankbook with a balance of almost half a million dollars, he yields to temptation and takes it with him. The guy can't use the money anymore and while Hudson plans to do some investigation on his own to find the killer, he might keep part of the money too. Just call it payment for whatever he turns up. In the process, he gets involved with Holly Queens, from the Las Vegas Rescue Mission, Holly's abusive boyfriend, and a crooked cop. A ripping good story with strong characters. My kind of book. Highly recommended.

During the mid-1990s NYC experienced a dramatic drop in crimes. "NYPD Battles Crime" begins by examining several alternative (non-police) explanations for this improvement. One alleged that the number of youths 14-17 had declined - actually it increased slightly. Simultaneously, the prison population did increase at an annual rate of 7.8%, and the unemployment rate rose. Another "explanation" is that crime was declining across the U.S. - however, the author shows that NYC represented about 80% of that national decline. Thus, Silverman is convinced that improved management is the key factor in NYC's improvement - the essential ingredient being that management no longer tacitly accepted an ever-growing crime rate, and now believes crime can be fought and beaten back.

Chief Bratton, the individual most credited with the improvements, began office benefiting from 3,500 (of an eventual 6,000) new cops already on the street courtesy of his predecessor's efforts. His first month brought the replacement of 7 top-ranking officers, and the first year led to replacing over two-thirds of 76 precinct commanders. Everyone at the top now bought into the possibility of double-digit crime reduction.

Follow-up on gun seizures became an early priority. Those arrested with weapons were aggressively questioned regarding the source of the weapons, and the sources (and their sources) also pursued. A second priority was locating and returning truants to school - reducing their contribution to crime. A third was reporting major crimes on a weekly basis (had taken 3-6 months), using mapping and showing trends, and identifying areas with greatest and least improvement. Day of the week, time of day, and arrests/individual (named) officers) were also reported.

Probably the biggest contributor, however, was Comstat - weekly meetings between precinct commanders and top brass where detailed and challenging questions were posed regarding the latest results; minutes were also taken, and followed up.

Compstat also facilitated gathering criminal activity data for nuisance complaints - allowing closing down eg. drug and prostitution locations, instead of just periodic sweeps and arrests. "Johns" began having their cars seized, reducing the demand for prostitution as well. Bar owners were "persuaded" to stop underage drinking (police showed them how to detect fake IDs), reducing loud outside crowds and neighborhood drag-racing. Cars playing loud music were confiscated, aided by the Dept. of Environment Protection's measuring sound levels.

Nuisance Abatement Laws were a particularly effective deterrent because advance notice was not required for temporary (up to one year) closing orders and $1,000/day public nuisance fines. Fire, health, and occupancy codes were also used as crime-reduction tools. (Store and apartment closings served to also reduce any perception that the NYPD was "on the take.")

Eventually Compstat was also used to focus on reducing drug dealing - the origin of numerous habit-supporting crimes. Cooperation and delegation among police and between other agencies also improved via Compstat.

Bottom Line: Silverman presents a solid case that replacing old thinking (eg. fast police response, and "time-in-grade" were key to crime control and promotion) with the new action-based approach brought about NYC's 50+% crime reduction.

NYPD Battles Crime recognizes that by admitting things are not "all right", that there are problems waiting for solution, we can move onto what may be reasonable and realistic remedies to the crisis at hand. "It was hard to argue that averting crime, even nuisance crime or incivility, before it erupts is better than reacting to ongoing, more violent criminal activity." Pp 79-80.

The three main objectives for an Intelligence Led campaign in law enforcement where a serious or increasing degree of criminal threat is perceived, which is what Compstat is really all about are as follows.

Government officials must begin by eliminating perceived injustices. Previously, and even more so today, the inequalities of cultures must be studied, and understood within the context of the indigenous perspective i.e., avoid mirror imaging. It is vital that western democratic policymakers have adequate intelligence so as not to underestimate security challenges. The disparity between Western material and technological advantages with those of opposing cultures defines the crises.

"The NYPD and organizations emulating its successes are undergoing a revolutionary change - a new way of relating to their environment." P 186.

Law Enforcement Intelligence must also focus on the emerging domestic threat generated, and propelled by the multicultural mentality that renders logical decisions impossible. This particular `group-think' mentality espouses inexplicable virtue on non-Western societies whom proudly profess a real threat. It is the essence for fostering unconventional warfare, terrorism, and globally organized crime.

Prior to Compstat ..."An assemblage of field soldiers and officers, as in the first act of Aida, would deliver on the top command's promise to dramatically reduce crime. But the stumbling of previous reform administrations on a stage replete with bureaucratic land mines and social `snafus' had shown the need for more deftness and sophistication in reconfiguring the NYPD bureaucracy." P 82.

Almost simultaneously, the government must obtain support of the local citizenry, separating the criminal threat from the general population, as much as possible, both physically and psychologically.

Strategic policy should consider when implementing a counterinsurgency campaign against criminality and incivility that personnel develop a sincere empathy for the public they serve. When forces are scattered among, and living with, the population, they need not be told any longer that they have to win their support. Being more vulnerable, they realize instinctively that their own safety depends on good relations with the local people. Civil, respectful behavior will come about naturally on their part.

Finally, law enforcement must develop the necessary intelligence to establish a policy whereby future criminality will not threaten the newly established civility. There are plausible reasons to believe that the majority of citizens support or are at least sympathetic to the counterinsurgent forces. However, the residents in a high crime/combat area usually avoid contact with them. The barrier between the lawful citizen and the counterinsurgent must be broken. Fostering a sense of self-preservation should dissolve the separation between the counterinsurgent and law abiding citizen. Too often residents fear reprisals from the criminal element and with good reason doubt there is adequate defense from counterinsurgent forces. Only when the tables are turned; when the counterinsurgents hold the upper hand on controlling violence, and only after the local resident has been adequately enabled to control his own safety will there be open communication between the counterinsurgents and citizens.

This work with its historical depiction of how Compstat was developed is very helpful in studying and understanding Intelligence Led Policing.

Dr. Silverman's book is an excellent description of the organizational change process orchestrated by the NYPD. Unfortunately, he failed to grasp the old saying that if something is too good to be true, it probably isn't true. The amount of crime and number of murders did drop substantially in New York as Silverman attests. What he fails to mention is that crime in Los Angeles, Boston, and San Francisco (to name a few cities) experienced nearly identical drops in crime during the same time frame and they did not implement NYPD's innovations. The NYPD was merely the beneficiaries of a trend (which actually started in 1991--before the innovations were implemented), rather than the trend's architect. Sometimes it is better to be lucky than to be good.

Mr. Silverman does a wonderful job here. The author makes a very complicated subject easy to understand and read. Silverman brings you right into the workings of the NYPD. The breakdown of the strategies that the NYPD implemented to combat crime was remarkable. Silverman explains Compstat so that the reader can fully understand its meaning and usefulness. This book was not written just for the police world but, for the communities that they serve. If you want to see how the real boys in blue catch the bad guys this book is a must.

I envy the students of Law, Criminal Justice etc. who will be using Dr. Silverman's book as a text book. It is a very well written, exciting account of how the largest police departement in the world used enlightened management techiques and a sophisticated computer system to drastically reduce crime in New York City. Business students and corporate managers can benefit from reading the book as well.The Deming-like management techniques used by the NYPD would benefit any organization.This book is for anyone who wants to be well informed.

This book is so well written Corey Mitchell has done it again. He is a great true crime writer. This is a very sad book.
This book is for all true crime fans,Mitchell is such a great writer!!
Run out and buy it now.

I did some reaserch on this awhile back when I was in law enforcment. I just recently found out that one of them was executed. That is when I bought this book. If you want to walk through hell, this is as close as it gets. I was infuriated when reading the chapter that explained what happend those last hours. Those girls who actually were making something of themselves were cut short of life by six wastes of human DNA! Be warned.....one pic in the book(Jennifer) is really disturbing. If you ever wanted to help families that go through this kind of thing, this would be the tool to get you started! Great book!

I have been an avid reader of true crime for a number of years, but have only been compelled to review the work of one author: Corey Mitchell. There is something about the way Mitchell writes that not only pulls me directly into each story he tells, but also inspires me as a citizen. No other true crime author is able to compile so much research, yet make it interesting, gripping, and terrifyng. In addition, a reader of his books learns about all the key players involved, not just the victims or just the killers. He is truly a gifted author who stands head and shoulders above all modern day true crime authors and easily ranks among the greats like McGinniss, Capote, Rule, and Bugliosi.

Mitchell's excellent writing reaches an even higher level with the story of Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Pena, murdered by six teenage boys in Houston in 1993. Most true crime books throw the murder in your face within the first ten pages. Not Mitchell. He draws out the tension by forcing you to get to know both of the girls, what they are like, their character and their flaws; and the boys, all six of them, and how they got to the point of being capable of murder. It takes almost 200 pages to actually get to the murder, and by the time you are there it is almost unbearable. Mitchell's ability to make you feel for the victims and fret for the killers has not been replicated in other recent true crime works. The tension is palpable, and, as always, Mitchell thrusts you right into the horrible scene on that hot Houston day.

The crime itself is almost too frightening to believe and Mitchell paints a most vivid depiction. I'm glad he does because it made me realize how truly despicable these young men were and how horribly they assaulted, raped, mutilated, and finally killed these two sweet teenage girls.

The second half of the book is a heart-wrenching look at how insensitive the legal system is for the family members of crime victims. The ordeals that the Ertmans and Penas had to endure were outrageous, yet somehow, the families come off as dedicated, yet humorous individuals. Both families are to be commended for how they have dealt with the continuous legal manuevering by the defendants for fifteen years and counting.

Not much of a death penalty advocate, I had no problem whatsoever in feeling relieved that one of the killers, Jose Medellin, was executed in Texas recently. The fact that he was allowed to live 15 years after these murders is pathetic, as were the attempts by President George Bush and Condoleeza Rice to stall his execution.

"Pure Murder" is a heart-wrenching classic that is truly destined to become one of the most memorable and greatest true crime books ever penned. An instant classic.

After learning a 31 year old man had FINALLY been excecuted for the murder he (and others) committed at 18 years old. I purchased the book Saturday afternoon and I finished Tuesday evening. I am a mother of 3 children under 5.
I just couldn't put it down and when I did, I said a prayer for those beautiful girls and their families. I felt emotions, anger, scared, helplessness and cried.
The Author just captivated me. The story was there he just put the information in order and shared the VICTIMS injustice. Corey Mitchell put the victims first, NOT the criminals. There was no making excuses for their actions.
Even not wanting to know the animals lives and up bringing, it gave a sense of how the did not value or respect life. I realize not just Adult men are true animals but it can happen in Young men, I am now a changed woman and mother for reading this book! I will always pray that they are ALL executed and burn in hell. Good JOB TEXAS! Better late then NEVER!"

For many years now, I've been a fan of the true crime genre; reading nothing but these nonfiction tales of the worst side of mankind. After a while, while still interested in the crimes, the forensics, and the inner workings of the justice system, a reader can easily reach a point where the crime in and of itself has no shock value.

That was not the case in my most recently read book: Pure Murder by Corey Mitchell.

In Pure Murder, Mitchell tells the gut-wrenching, absolutely sickening tale surrounding the deaths of two Houston, Texas teenager girls: Jennifer Ertman and Elizabeth Pena.

On what should have been a short walk home through on of Houston's city parks, these young girls had the bad fortune of meeting up with six of Texas' teenage lowlifes: Efrain Perez, Raul Villarreal, Peter Cantu, Joe Medellin, Venancio "Yuni" Medellin, Jr., and Sean O'Brien.

Simply because the young, innocent girls were in the wrong place at the wrong time when these scumbags were "feeling their oats," they were tortured, raped, and murdered.

For the first time in a while, this true crime piece managed to enrage me as I could not hardly fantom that in a group of six people there was not one decent individual that could have, in some way, helped these young victims.

And, as an added bonus, especially in a time where illegal immigration is such a hot topic, the attempts by Joe Medellin to use his illegal immigrant status as a means to absolve the indictment against him was, to say the least, infuriating. He participates in the raping, mutilating and murder of two young girls and he expects that this country will allow him freedom on a technicality?! I could not even begin to understand the audacity of this pathetic, spineless child killer.

If you're up for a good read that evokes so many emotions you feel as though you are on an emotional rollercoaster, look no further than this newest release from Corey Mitchell.

Im not gonna write a summary b/c u can read the others! i just wanted to say taht this book is soooo freakin awsome. Its soo good, and im SOOOOOO GALD About Rae and Anthnoy getting 2ghter!! like oMG, ive been waiting for that to happen! and one thing how could u guys have not known who eles was after Rae!!! lIKE OMG IT WAS SOOOO OBVIOUS, OR MYB IM JUST RLY GOOD AT SOLIVING STUFF LIKE THAT!! WELL ANYWAYS IT WAS RLY GOOD< GO AND READ IT A>S>P

This is one of the best series I have ever read. It has a twist of suspense/mystery as well as romance. Rae's ability to hear thoughts through a single fingerprint helps her find out the true secret of her mother. It will also help find who is out to kill her. I couldn't put these books down, I read book 1 - 7 in less than 2 weeks, and i guarntee you will too!

Steve Mercer, the scientist who enhanced the psi abilities of people like her mother, and herself, was finally dead. Rae was definitely ready to put all of this behind her and to move forward. The first step towards being normal again was to get back together with Marcus. He doesn't make Rae feel anywhere near the same as Anthony, but Yana and Anthony totally betrayed her trust and so she is ready to go with someone safe, someone normal. She feels like she has succeeded when she and Marcus are voted Moonbeam King & Queen, but Anthony destroys the evening by telling her that someone still wants her dead.

Anthony wishes that he could relax now that Mercer is dead, but he knows that the danger to Rae is not over. For one thing, someone painted Unclean all over her locker in red and then passed out flyers about Rae's mother all over school. Anthony is trying to protect Rae, but she can hardly stand to be around him.

When Yana shows up, begging Rae for help, Rae really wants to turn her down flat. But when she finds out that Yana's dad wants to send her to Fair Haven, a mental institution, so that she will be out of his way, Rae knows that she has to do something. She could hardly stand to be in that place and can't bear to see someone else locked up there. What Rae doesn't know is that she is in the middle of another deadly game - and this time, Rae's life is the prize...

Book #6 in the Fingerprints series was another great book. The tension is really building and everything is starting to come together and make sense. A lot of my questions were answered here and it is now time for Rae to start making some plans instead of just reacting. Too bad that she seems too stupid to connect the dots! That was my only complaint about this book, that Rae didn't seem able to put the clues together so she was totally clueless near the end of the book. I know that she is smarter than that! Anyway, hopefully you have read the first 5 books in the series so you know what is going on, and, if not, I would highly recommend reading them first. For the first time, there is actually some closure at the end of this book, but we know that Rae's story is far from over. Keep #7 ready to find out what happens to Rae & Anthony next!

This book is grat it has so many turns and twists rea is finally back with marcus but then her secret about her mom is reavealed and marcus is embaresed of her on top of that yana's dad wants to get rid of her but douse he the end changes everything and let me give you a hint the 6th book ends almost like the fourth think about it!
I loved it and I hope you will to its the person you least expect

I love all the Fingerprints books, but the last few have been a bit disappointing. But REVELATIONS is a breath of fresh air for the series, it never had me bored.

Rae Voight is mad at her two best - and pretty much only - friends Anthony and Yana. They went out behind her back, and it tore her apart...they "betrayed" her. But on the birght side, she's back with her old boyfriend Marcus, and doesn't want anything to do with Anthony or Yana. Anyway, one day Anthony spots something that he feels Rae needs to know about - a message was written on her locker in red paint, and he thinks it's a warning. When he goes to tell her, she brushes him off, definately letting him know that she isn't interested in what he has to say.

After a while, Rae forgives Yana (she's still mad at Anthony, though) and they start to hang out. That's when Yana tells Rae something really important: Yana's dad is trying to get her put into the same institution that Rae was in after her "episode." Even though Rae isn't very happy with Yana, she decides to help her. But when Rae and Yana run off to escape the doctors, they find themselves in a very dangerous situation.

REVELATIONS is definately my favorite book from the Fingerprints series. The best part? We finally find out who wants Rae dead. A must read.

Overall rating - A+

Bought this for my daughter who is entering third grade. Personally I am thrilled she is reading books I read. She is borrowing from the library but she received the first few from an aunt and we have purchased what she can't find to borrow.
Well written with an appropriate sense of humor for her age level. As a teacher I'd say they are probably appropriate for grades 3 through 6 or 7th grade dependent on their reading level.

I read (the twisted candals)by Caroline Keene. its about a girl named Nacy drew and she likes to solve mysteries. In this Nancy and her friend Ned go to a haunted hotel to try to save beth,one of there other friends out of a closet that that can olny be opened by a secret code on the twisted candals.

I liked alot of things in this book but one of the things i liked alot is that Nancy comes up with really good ideas and ned does them.

This book is so action packed that I think there is nothing to hate,if you like mysteries i think you should definitely read this book

Applewood Books has turned back the hands of time and given back Nancy Drew to readers. Faithfully restored to its original form, word for word, this is the real Nancy. These beautifully reproduced hardback editions are not condensed, rewritten or updated. This is the Nancy Drew of the 1930's, her blonde bob and 30's style dress shown on the facimile of the original dust jacket, conjuring up images and phrases from the enchanted America of yesteryear.

While it is still a book designed for youthful readers, there is a bit more depth here in the originals, and not a small dose of nostalgia when read today. You can almost see the Coke sign outside the River Heights Theatre showing the latest Nancy Carroll picture, as Nancy goes whizzing past in hot pursuit of a clue.

"The Sign of the Twisted Candles" remains one of the best in the series conceived by Edward Stratemeyer, creator of The Hardy Boys. A ghostwriter from Iowa named Mildred Wirt fleshed out his story outlines and "Carolyn Keene" was born. When he died in 1930, his daughter Harriet continued to oversee his company and in 1933 "The Sign of the Twisted Candles," the ninth book in the popular series, was published. A warm and affectionate introduction by mystery writer Carolyn G. Hart is the only addition or deviation from how it first appeared in this lovely edition.

Nancy and her pals George and Bess are caught in a rainstorm and seek shelter at The Sign of the Twisted Candles. Nancy befriends a young orphan named Sadie and finds danger and mystery lurking at the Twisted Candles, of course. The plot revolves around Asa Sydney and his will, and a family fued which will cause George and Bess to desert Nancy for a time until a lesson about loyalty is learned. Nancy's father, famous lawyer Carson Drew, gets involved on behalf of his daughter, and Hannah Gruen, the Drew's houskeeper and mother-figure to Nancy, is present here as well.

Buried secrets and an attempt to run Nancy off the road offer plenty of action unmarred by today's brand of violence for readers. An exciting and heartfelt conclusion punctuates a wholesome mystery which provides a role model even today. These beautiful Applewood editions stand head and shoulders above the others as they help young readers discover Nancy in a romantically nostalgic past. It is a past more innocent to be sure, filled with ice cream parlors and roadsters, five cent Saturday mornings at the movies watching our favorite serial adventure and, of course, Nancy Drew.

Young readers will discover a new friend to rush home to after class and the joy of losing yourself in a book with this edition. Older readers who either read them in their own youth or bought them for their children all the time will heave a wistful sigh for a time long gone in America's past.

I loved this book! I have about 26 other nancy drew books, but this one was one of my favorites! it made you keep saying, "okay, my eyes are getting REALLY tired, I have to stop." at 1:00 in the morning, but you end up reading another 4 cahpters. THe book is about a 100 year old man, named Asa Sidney, who lives in an old mansion which his realatives have turned into a resturaunt and inn. The mansion is really Asa Sidney's but because it is a inn, now, his realatives keep him in the small tower, and have told him that if her went down the steps he would fall, so,he satys up there all the time. He used to be a candle-maker and he got lots of money from some of his invetions with candles.His family had been fueding,on who got his money when he died. His wife's side of the family wanted his money, and the same with his side. His neice, Carol, was his only friend, Carol would sneak up to the tower every once in a while to visit with him. THen, one day, when he got ill, he had Nancy's father draw up a will for him, and Mr. Sidney told Nancy and Carol to start searching for THE SIGN OG THE TWISTED CANDLE, any where they went, he said that where ever a twisted candle, or a picture of a twisted candle was, there would be something very valuable. But the next day, he died and when they read the will.......... well, you'll just have to see for yourself. BUY IT!!!!!!!!!!!

i really loved this book.there were some sad and exiting parts in this suspenceful book.nancy goes to the sign of the twisted candles inn where rumors are heard that asa sidney,bess's and george's relative is being held prisinor in his own mansion.this is true and when nancy meets carol wipple,who lives in the inn with her foster parents.thats when asa sidney seeks mr.drew to come to the inn to make a will for him.on the way out of the tower room nancy looks out the window to see frank jemmit,carols foster dad burring a chest.but nancy is sure she saw the chest the other day in asa sidneys tower room.is frank jemmit and emma jemmit being dishonest to carol and asa sidney?in mr.sidney's will he leaves alot to carol,but why??find out in this exiting mystery.oh and the most exiting part to me is the 19 chapter where nancy climbs up a ladder to the tower room to see if emma and frank are taking hiding in there.

#9 of the Deborah Knott series- The "carny" comes to town and with it a murder. Deborah is the one to find the victim. A long lost relative appears in this one as well. This book is a turning point for Deborah and the series. A surprise to the reader! I am starting to really enjoy this series. It took several of them to get there but I am glad I did not give up. The most notable aspect of this series is the author's way of highlighting something distinct about North Carolina in every book and weaving a mystery along with it.

I really liked this one. It was clear that Maron had fun writing it.

i really like this book! it's great to discover a new mystery author.

this is a great book! i'm glad that i discovered margaret maron.

Cozy mysteries are really of two types: Novels in the traditional cozy style whose main emphasis is a mystery and its resolution (e.g., Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers) and novels in the more modern cozy format, whose main emphasis is on social interactions (primarily between family, friends, and coworkers) with the mystery being a smaller component of the exposition. This is definitely a cozy in the latter form. Remove the additional social interactions, and this mystery could be presented in a novella or even a short story, although not as interestingly.

If you find modern cozies appealing, you will certainly find this an interesting book. Here, self-assured Judge Deborah Knott finds a dead worker while visiting the annual Harvest Festival Carnival. The reason for this death and the identity of the killer is the primary mystery. The preface provides a family tree of the Knott family, which is absolutely needed, as the Knotts are a large family, many of whom are presented in this novel. Readers will find themselves frequently referencing this chart to keep track of Knott family members. Fortunately, the number of carnival workers and additional characters is relatively small, but it may still pay to keep some brief notes of who they are as you read. There is also an informative addendum with a glossary of carnival terms, e.g., "cutting up jackpots", "plush", "rake `em and scrape `em" that are used in the novel.

I felt the story started somewhat slowly, but it quickly caught my interest, and as events unfolded it became harder to put down. Although the story is told in the first person, in terms that will probably appeal mostly to female readers, and there are probably more descriptions of Judge Knott's clothing choices than would interest male readers, this novel should none-the-less appeal to both sexes.

The novel reads quickly and easily, and provides a very enjoyable way to relax.

I don't think I can add to what has been said about Alibi on Ice, other than I was captivated. I haven't enjoyed reading a story like this for a long while. The tension made me shiver as if I was actually on the mountain. Just a very well put together story that kept me asking for more.

Do yourself a favor and buy this book, you won't be disappointed.

I grabbed this book while on vacation out in the Northwest. I had spent some time on Mt. Ranier hiking, and thoroughly enjoyed following Mr. Small's murderer up and down the treacherous trails of that mountain.
It's a good suspense thriller, that transports you to Mt. Ranier, it's ice caves and glaciers. Its characters are well done, and its ending a surprise.
A very satisfying read.

One of the threads I like to talk about to readers is not to pay too much
attention to labels. I mention that labels are a marketing advice and most
books cannot be so definitively described and if the reader reads only the
books that are labeled the type of book they usually enjoy, they will miss
some great stories. I, of course, have my own favorite "types" of stories
(I'm an avowed anglophile--you know what I usually read) and the "thriller"
genre has not been high on my TBR list.

Mea culpa. I recently picked up Ben F. Small's suspense thriller ALIBI ON
ICE and was immediately caught up by the depth of characterization, the fun
of learning about something new to my experience (in this case, mountain
climbing!) and the mesmerizing settings that I assumed (never
assume...) would be absent in an action-oriented book. All of which shows
how narrow-minded I've been all these zillion years!

This was a most entertaining and enjoyable read. The most fascinating
quality of ALIBI ON ICE to me is that the reader knows right off who the bad
guy is, and, believe me, this guy is BAD. Rarely do I yelp out loud from
surprise, but I did while reading the first chapter! The excitement comes
from determining how this truly unpleasant character will be caught and
caught he gets in an amazing climax. I also love stories that take me new
places and I'm relatively confidant that if marooned on an icy mountain, I
have learned enough to get myself safely home, if only in my own mind and if
only on my backside.

So don't waste time the way I did, try something new!

Kit Sloane

The Margot O'Banion & Max Skull Mystery Series

Ben Small is a lawyer, and ALIBI ON ICE is about lawyers, corrupt and murdered lawyers. But the action in this taut police procedural doesn't take place in a courtroom. It occurs on Washington's towering Mount Ranier. And a particular strength of the story is Small's use (in the tradition of Dame Agatha) of the setting not just as backdrop but as a character itself, forcing the human actors to confront the mountain's crevasses, snowfields, glaciers and avalanches as sharply as they confront one another.

The antagonist, Emery Boyd, is a studly but sociopathic climber who uses the mountain to kill and hide the evidence as indifferently as he uses women for sexual gratification and to get information about the police probe into the disappearance of his law firm partner, Herman Klein. Boyd's alibi seems iron-clad, or rather ice-clad: he was seen on the mountain at the time of the murders.

Amy Galler, a female homicide detective from Seattle, goes to the mountain under cover, determined to continue the investigation and confront Boyd. But an unexpected meeting with another climber -- ironically, Boyd's best mountaineering buddy -- leads her into romance, vulnerability and danger.

Small slowly spins up the tension into a craggy climax, moving the characters around like chessmen with ice axes. And the climbing details make it clear that Small has spent more than a few hours on the mountain himself. The ending is terrific: satisfying but completely unexpected. I never saw it coming.

This is an excellent first novel, and I look forward to Small's next one.

If you like action thrillers, this should be a pleaser. Snowy, treacherous Mount Rainier is a major character in ALIBI ON ICE, Ben Small's debut novel. You'll find colorful landscapes as you trudge up the mountain with veteran climbers, learning firsthand what it's like to be there. Emery Boyd, the villain, whom you meet on page one, is as despicable as they come. After murdering a federal judge to keep him from revealing a blackmail plot, Boyd finds it necessary (and enjoyable) to keep eliminating those who get too close to the truth.

The story is filled with interesting, believable characters. They include Detective Amy Galler, who suspects Boyd is a murderer, and Emery's long-time mountain climbing partner, John Whitney. The plot hangs around the disappearance of a partner in Boyd's Seattle law firm, Herman Klein, who was hired to settle the dead judge's estate. Boyd has what looks like a foolproof alibi, being lost in a snowstorm on Mount Rainier at the time of Klein's apparent murder. But Amy Galler follows her suspicions, attempting to enlist Whitney in an effort to break his friend's alibi. Things go from bad to worse, and it appears Boyd has engineered another triumph.

There's also a well-drawn, sleazy newspaper reporter who succeeds in generally gumming up the works. You'll have to read the book to get the rest of the story. And the ending has a neat twist. According to his website, Ben Small has another thriller in the works. If it's as good as this one, you won't want to miss it, either.