Crime Books

Topper is a fun story with several interesting sides. First and foremost, it has been credited with "inventing" the American Ghost. The book deserves a great deal of credit for this alone.

It is also the story of a man in what we might refer to as "midlife crises" today. Bored with his respectable existence, he has fun and takes solace in a holiday outside of his behavioral norms. He has middle aged man thoughts- about his wife and a younger attractive ghost woman, that are realistic (to the extent of the propriety of the author) and enlightening. A true triumph of the work, however, is that it does this without becoming so maudlin that it is suitable for an English class.

Finally, it is a comedic book, that is entertaining and worth reading.

I recommend this book, but the reader needs to be prepared to judge it in the context of its day- and from that perspective it is truly remarkable.

and i very liked the show too !!. i remember seeing this book in the private collection of a professor at the university i worked at. so i took it home without his knowledge and read it. it was a very good read. light hearted but with a pleasant sadness.

I loved this book the first time I read it. This time it was less charming, though still fun. It all begins when Cosmo Topper, the epitome of Humdrum Life buys a car -- and discovers too late that it is haunted. Yes, haunted, and by outrageously adventuresome ghosts as well. Ghosts that drag poor Cosmo from one scrape to another and convert his Humdrum to Mayhem. Great Fun!

Having never heard of the movie, my initial attraction to this book was actually the cover art. Though there really isn't a date given, I pictured it perhaps in the early 1920's, though the depiction of the automobile as some kind of strange novelty probably sets it in the early 1910's.

Perhaps it's a reflection on myself, but I enjoy stories about ordinary people who are stuck in a rut or who have lived their lives having never followed their dreams and who are given one last chance to shine.

The characters and antics are outrageous, yet likable in a strange way. And the story reads pretty quickly.

While reading this book, I pictured elements of the 20's, 50's, and 80's. In fact, I think they should re-make a movie of this book and set it in a "timeless" setting.

Overall, if you're not prejudiced against reading a book written in the 1920's, I'd recommend it.

'Topper' is best known perhaps from the Cary Grant movie version. It's a good movie but I like the book even better. The characters delight, particularly in terms of Cosmo's retaining his decorum, in the warmth of Marion's dead-but-still-sexy presence. Anyone who enjoys humourous novels has to put this one on their reading list. Few recent humour novels are as funny as this classic from decades past, but there is one I know of, entitled 'Rastus Reilly', and I recommend that book as well.

oh my i love this book, i didn't want it to end!
this is a very deep and meaning ful book, with alot of dramas and deaths. it really opened my eyes, and the story line of the book stayed with me for weeks after reading it.
however doesn't like this book either have a bad taste in books or cant read!

Although written for teens this book will capture the interest of adults. The characters are well-developed and you become instantly attached to them and worry about how they will survive their trials and tribulations. I could not put book the down and finished reading it over a weekend.

Naughts and crosses is a great read.
I really loved the storyline, and how it was reversed.
This book was given to me as a gift from a co-worker, I had to thank her again when I was done.

I thought this book was amazing, one of the best I've read. I'm a kid, fourteen, so it's not what I'd normally read, and I admit that I chose it only because I didn't understand completely what it was about and wanted to find out more....It's so sad and scary that this was so real in our history, even now. The book does an excellent job to capture Callum's simultaneous hate and love of Sephy, love for her and hate for what she was brought up to be, Sephy's ignorance in knowing just how bad things were, and her hunger to please Callum and help, and both character's emotions in general. This book made everything real, and I appreciate it knocking more sense into me.

In NAUGHTS & CROSSES, the author creates a very believable alternate world that is almost like our own--but the main difference is a major one. Everything you think you know about race relations and prejudice holds true, but is switched. The ruling class to which Sephy Hadley's family belongs are the black Crosses, named for their supposed closeness to God. The other, the white Naughts, like Callum and his family, are second-class citizens. In this world, it's unacceptable for a Naught and a Cross to be real friends, and unthinkable for them to fall in love. Callum and Sephy are breaking all the rules of the society they live in.

The two have known each other from a very young age, when Callum's mother worked in the Hadley household. Even after she loses her job, though, Sephy and Callum remain secretly close. They meet in secrecy, forced to tell lies and make up excuses, but they never stop seeing each other, no matter how difficult it is. Soon, though, they'll see each other every day--but that's not as good as it sounds. A new law has been passed, and a limited number of Naughts will now be allowed to attend Cross schools. Callum has been accepted into Sephy's school, and Sephy's excited to see her best friend more often. Callum, however, knows that letting their friendship be public could prove very dangerous for both of them. Things continue to get worse when Sephy and her mother are nearly caught in a terrorist bombing. Sephy's life is saved when Callum pulls her out of the building just in time, but nobody's fooled--that's no coincidence. Suspicion falls on Callum's family.

Callum's father is the prime suspect in planting the bomb, supposedly on the orders of a radical Naught terrorist group, the Liberation Militia, or L.M. They're devoted to their goals of rights for Naughts, and they'll go to any length to achieve them. This world even has a parallel to Martin Luther King, Jr.; Alex Luther is an activist whose goal is to achieve equality peacefully. Callum's mother is a supporter of his, but Callum's father and brother don't believe that Alex Luther's way of doing things will actually get anything done. The events that unfold after the bombing threaten not only Sephy and Callum's relationship, but their very lives and the lives of those around them.

NAUGHTS & CROSSES is a fantastic story, and one that will keep your mind occupied long past the final pages. The world created in Malorie Blackman's novel is one that is much like our own, and inspires a lot of "what if?" questions. What if that was our world? It's not so far off to imagine. How would our lives be different? They almost certainly would be. You wouldn't be where you are now. You wouldn't be who you are now; everything would be remarkably different, but still so much the same.

Malorie Blackman's writing does plenty to draw you in and keep your attention with the story, not bothering with the excessive and often boring detail used by some authors. It's definitely a page-turner! Sephy and Callum are very well-developed main characters, and the secondary characters are quite believable, as well. The story is told in alternating chapters narrated by Sephy and Callum, which really adds a lot to it. Sephy and Callum are remarkable people, showing the strength that love can have, the bridges it can cross, and the determination to see past what's on the outside. That last quality is one that is, sadly, not as common in our world (or Sephy's and Callum's) as it should be. Sephy and Callum also show how willing children are to love, regardless of the prejudices of their world, before their minds are poisoned by their elders. Sephy and Callum became friends at a young age and, remarkably, they stayed that way (and became more), despite the prejudices of their society. NAUGHTS & CROSSES is a remarkable book, one that you won't want to put down once you've started reading.

Reviewed by: Jocelyn Pearce

It may seem "Furry" but its a well composed literation of society>
The Blacksad comics have wonderful art design to them and a well developed story and well composed characters. I know some people cringe at the thought of "furries" but this doesn't really go there, it touches on society issues using anthromorphic characters as archetypes and stylization. Especially in this volume where the artic animals have organized a KKK-like organization.

"Arctic Nation" is the second of the Blacksad graphic novels. (And, disappointingly, the only one still in print in English; due to publisher issues, the first is out of print and the third was never finished). Blacksad is a detective in a world of anthropomorphized animals - he's a black cat with white around his muzzle.

The art is frankly amazing - Guarnido is a great artist, and he flexes his muscles here. The anthropomorphic characters are drawn in a realistic style that works perfectly, and the book is worth buying for the art alone. The story itself is a Noir one, set in a decaying neighborhood being taken over by racist thugs; fur color is used as the dividing line, while species is usually used as a shorthand to help define the characters.

The translated dialogue is fine; while nothing special, it matches the noir mood and isn't clunky or wooden. The main problem with the book is the pacing - it's too fast. The book is only 56 pages, and they cover a lot of ground. The art is obviously time-intensive given it's quality, but it still would have been better to have a little more breathing room in the book. The storyline and characters are good and have hints of depth, but never have time to reach the level of the astounding art.

"Arctic Nation" is a great book; I just wish it was longer.

This is a masterpiece. The illustration is unparralleled and the story is a thriller. Have read many graphic novels and seen many illustrators but there is nothing like this out there. Too bad it is so hard to come across, US publisher went bankrupt, perhaps can be found on international sites (French, spanish, German). Buy this book and see for yourself, you won't be able to look away.

I went to art school, and one of my teachers introduced me to this artist. If an art teacher is showing you something, you tend to pay attention, especially if it has an excellent storyline as well. Its not meant for kids, but it does have sort of a film-noir-esque feel to it. Its not so much animals acting out people roles in a detective story as much as it is people who just happen to look like animals in a detective story. Not one of the people i showed it to could give it a poor review. So its worth it.

I found this book at my library. I thought it was Batman on the cover at first, but a closer inspection revealed it to be a cat. I checked it out that very day, and spent all night reading it again...and again...and again.
All I can say is "WOW!" Mr. Canales's story is so engrossing, and Mr. Guarinido's pictures are wonderfully done. I feel a personal connection to Blacksad and his search for Natalia Wilford's killer, but mostly to Blacksad himself. When I showed it to my aunt, she said he looked like Stacy Keach. Thing is, I don't know who that is.
That aside, this is a wonderful book, and I heartily recommend it!!

What I loved about this book was that it was not written by a professional writer, it wasn't a lawyer's point of view, and it didn't preach to me about the death penalty. Instead, this book was a look at the justice system from a regular person's point of view. Kerry Max Cook raised questions about how the justice system works, or more appropriately, doesn't work, and not by hammering on lofty principles, but by showing the reader what actually happens, in court, out of court, and in prison. However, most importantly, he brings us inside the mind of a person facing the worst possible situation and how that affects him. I was inspired by his strength and ability to persevere through things that would have crushed nearly every human being. This book is a must-read for anyone who endeavors to understand the American criminal justice system and what it means to be accused of a crime.

Read the Innocent Man and thought I could never be moved so much by a book-really a life story. Saw the movie The Exonerated and heard about Kerry's life. I started reading the book for about 2 hrs a few nights ago... Last night I actually read from 9 pm to 3 am and then got up snowy day here) and read from 8 am finishing the book. I felt I couldn't put the book down until this whole ordeal was over-like my not finishing it still had held him in a deplorable state on Death Rown. When he is handed his belongings and the 1.28 check from his Trust Fund I bawled like a baby. I never really thought this was a just world but never really considered how injust men could be. Amazing life story of a man overcoming and rising above horrendous acts of injustice!
A Must Read!

A first-hand account of how and why innocent men and women can spend decades on death row in the United States that should be read and discussed by both pro-death penalty proponents as well as abolitionists.
Kerry Max Cook is a modern Dante/ Job. His story is of one who travels to hell and back, physically, spiritually, and emotionally, but who in the end has the strength to emerge as an enlightened, if wounded human being. The tortures he endures after being wrongfully convicted of the rape and murder of a young woman he only knew casually are simply inconceivable. Not only does he have to contend with the fear of losing his life on a daily basis, (the fear of execution, and the fear of being stabbed) but he also must survive psychologically the tragic deaths of loved ones in the outside world while he is in prison.
The depth of police and prosecutorial misconduct Kerry describes is nothing less than infuriating, shocking. Yet, the presentation of his case is not intended to be an ideological rant against "the system." Merely by stating the facts, Kerry can convince us of the depth of the flaws.
Besides being an eye-opening account into injustice, Kerry's book is also
told in a way that draws us close to him, a human tale that cuts deeply into our hearts. It is a face-paced read that will keep you turning the pages, one that will haunt you and make you want to live each day of your own freedom to the fullest.

Kerry Cook had a few scrapes with law enforcement as a teenager in a small Texas town - joyriding, kicking out the windows of a store that falsely accused him of armed robbery. Thus, police "knew" they had their man when his fingerprints were found at the scene of a grisly murder.

The abuse of justice started immediately, continued for two decades, and nearly ended with Cook's execution. First it was merely physical - police slamming him into a wall, holding his head underwater in a toilet, arranged beatings by fellow prisoners, refusing showers and clothing, and sleep deprivation to force Kerry to confess. More serious abuses then occurred - withholding evidence from Kerry's attorneys, coaching witnesses to slant/fabricate testimony against Kerry, providing scientifically unfounded testimony that "aged" Kerry's prints to the time of murder, solicited false testimony from fellow inmates that Kerry had confessed - culminating to Kerry's arrival on Death Row in 1978. There Kerry was raped three times, and attempted suicide after each. Then his appeal stalled for eight years, and ultimately was denied.

Finally, things started to go Kerry's way. The prisoner who initially testified Kerry confessed, decided to come clean. An FBI expert provided an affidavit stating that scientific fingerprint "aging" was not possible, information was uncovered that a pathologist had told police that the victim's librarian prior boyfriend had ordered a book describing how she had been mutilated (police ignored, and did not provide to Kerry's defense), the major Dallas newspaper printed a major expose of how Kerry had been railroaded, a foundation funded Kerry's successful re-appeal.

The judge in the retrial, however, prohibited introducing most of this new evidence, the foundation funding Kerry's defense ran out of money (his attorney worked pro bono, but could not afford expert witnesses), and after a mistrial (deadlocked jury) and third trial it was back to Death Row for Kerry.

Fortunately, this conviction was reversed again, and Kerry was offered a "No Contest" plea in exchange for time served. His initial decision was to refuse and go back to trial - however, Kerry accepted the deal after learning that the potential jurors generally thought he had gotten out on a technicality and that they were there to "make it right." Finally, after being freed, results of a DNA test came back, exonerating Kerry and pinning the crime on the librarian originally identified by an eyewitness who had been coerced by prosecutors to change her testimony. Yet, prosecutors continued to contest his exoneration when interviewed.

Kerry, however, is not blameless in this miscarriage. Throughout the trials he lied about how his fingerprints got on the victim's door, instead of simply admitting she had invited him up there. (Kerry claims his father told him not to admit this; however, such an action makes no sense whatsoever.) Finally, while Kerry also should be commended for writing the book himself, continually referring to his parents as "momma" and "daddy" was both infantile and aggravating.

Bottom Line: This book seriously questions the wisdom of the death penalty in America.

Kerry Max Cook met young Linda Edwards in 1977 and was invited back to her apartment for a drink, where he left his fingerprints on the sliding glass door. Four days later, Ms. Edwards was found brutally murdered, and Cook was immediately arrested for the crime. In one of the worst examples of police and prosecutorial misconduct in American history, Kerry Max was put to trial with coached prosecutorial witnesses, bunk expert testimony about the "age" (six to twelve hours) of the fingerprint, and suppressed evidence that would have favored the defense. The state declared that Kerry Max was a repressed homosexual (at a time when homosexuality was a mental illness, and in rural Texas, no less) who raped and butchered a female out of repressed rage - a theory, incredibly, they stuck to even during re-trials two decades later, in the 1990's!

Chasing Justice is the story of the framing of Kerry Max by the Texas justice system. The narrative was written in Kerry's own hand (1,200 pages at first draft) and condensed into a powerfully personal 350-page account of life on death row - desperation, abandonment, rape and sodomy, stabbings, and attempted suicide. The prose isn't depressing; rather, Kerry Max just fights on, always waiting for the next turn, building his cadre of supporters. Texas death row has been ruled in federal court to constitute cruel and unusual punishment. Kerry Max fought for a full two decades for his freedom, through three outrageous trials, with not a penny to his name. While the major Dallas newspaper was decrying the railroading of an innocent man, he was convicted again and again and again. To date, he is still not eligible for reparations from the state of Texas because he has not been officially pardoned, which would require the unanimous concurrence several bureaucratic offices unwilling to admit their culpability in the grave trespass of justice against Kerry Max Cook. (By the way, the state spent $5 - $7 million over two decades in their effort to execute Kerry Max).

The reader will question - why Kerry Max? In his book, the author does not devote his energies to answering why, rather, he uses his energy to fight. From some brief research on the case, I have determined that the real culprit hired a very expensive, well-connected good ol' boy lawyer, requiring the police to find another suspect to satisfy the anger of the community. I can only begin to wonder how the Texas justice system conspired for 20 years to keep an innocent man behind bars. During each of his three trials, judges continually approved motions by the prosecutor and denied those of the defense, even to the point at which the court had contradicted itself on which evidence should be suppressed or allowed and for what reason!

Kerry Max's remarkable story is a damning indictment of the death penalty and the Texas justice system. Right before the publication of his memoir, national crime show Body of Evidence: From the Case Files of Dayle Hinman featured forensic experts "solving" the Edwards murder based on false evidence from the prosecution. Even 10 years have Kerry Max's exoneration in the national eye, misinformation is still being spread by those in power. Kerry Max Cook's experiences should serve as clear warning not to blindly accept the word of authority.

I don't read many authors and tend to stick with true life murder writer Ann Rule as I always know i am going to enjoy the writing style. A year ago my mom gave me this book to read and I finally got around to it 2 weeks ago. I usually read a few pages at night but with this book I could not put it down. I can not wait for my mom to share the rest of the series with me. I met Ms Noble this weekend at a show on our town square, she stated she was writing her next book and I can not wait to add it to my collection.

I just finished reading Sylvia Nobel's Deadly Sanctuary.
I picked this up only by chance while on a trip to Scottsdale,Az.
I finished it in just under two days.
It's been years since a book captivated my imagination to this extent.
This is a fast read "DONT MISS" book that you will NOT be able to put down.

Deadly Sanctuary has good character and plot development, and the story moves at a great pace. Nice fluid style that holds a reader's interest. I found myself caring for the characters. My favorite was Ginger. I love the way Ms. Nobel made a smalltown gossip endearing instead of just another nuisance. Sylvia Nobel spins a good tale, so I'll be reading the entire series.

After skimming a few pages of this book, I put down my Anne Rice novel and jumped right in. I love the single female detective books anyway. If you like Sue Grafton, you will love this author. It is nice to read a book that has the proper spacing also! You don't need reading glasses to SEE IT!

I have read all three of Sylvia's books, but Deadly Sanctuary kept me guessing right up to the end---what a surprise!!! I read it on my lunch hours, and had to force myself to go back to work. I HAD to know what would happen next.

This is a great read, and I recommend it to anyone who loves mysteries. This feisty redhead will keep you entertained for hours with her sometimes harrowing escapades in the Arizona
desert.

I raced through this book to get to the ending. It was completely worth the sleep I lost. I've given it to all my family and friends. Now I understand what has been happening to me!

Please read this - it is vital to our society.

This book changed my entire perspective on what is happening in society today. Thank you Ms. Rain.

This book completely changed my perspective in life! I cannot thank the author enough. She really took me through her horror and to such an inspirational place.

I was given this book to read before deciding whether to put my son on medication. My skin ran cold when I read what this woman endured. I now have my son on the nutritional products this author recommended and his Attention Deficit issues stopped. His grades are high and he is back to being my son.

I am so grateful to this woman.

Deeds of Trust is truly the most important book I've ever read and changed my perspective entirely. I have contacted her organization and they are all wonderful people. I would recommend this novel to anyone.

I loved this book specially lady Denville who stole away the spotlight from the twins and the heroine Cressy in my opinion. She is beautiful, kind, simple, extravagant and had no clue in financing. In the meantime she loves her sons and they adore her. I loved the bond that the twins have for each other and how they come to each others rescue no matter what. The most funny part for me is when Lady Denville asks Rippley to marry her :) Just loved that part.

What can I say Georgette Heyer is the best.

Anna

If there is a more delightful creation than the lovely and extravagant Lady Denville, the thistledown mother of the handsome twin heroes of "False Colours," I haven't come across her. In spite of her maddening inability to economize, her sons, the responsible, but totally charming Kit and his brother Evelyn (Lord Denville), who sails nearer the wind, love her dearly. When she is nearly capsized by enormous debts, Evelyn proposes to Cressy Stavely intending thereby to break a trust that limits his access to the money he needs to bail his mother out. But on the eve of a party meant to introduce Denville to Cressy's relatives, especially to her redoubtable grandmother (whose consent is essential), Evelyn is nowhere to be found, and Kit takes his place. How will Kit manage to find his missing brother, keep his flyaway mother from sinking under her debts, and avoid falling in love with Cressy? These questions are answered in a book overflowing with effervescent conversation, Regency humor, and some surprisingly poignant character developments.

(Mild spoiler) The only quibble I have with this lovely book is that a very significant character related to Evelyn never appears, which I found very unsatisfying. In fact the end seems a bit abrupt, partly for that reason. However, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this novel--almost totally enjoyable.

Kit is a good-looking man, but not drop-dead gorgeous. As a younger son, he is also not titled or unbelievably wealthy. But he is a quick-witted young man, with a terrific sense of humor, a kind heart, a deep sense of loyalty to his missing twin brother and a lot of love and tolerance for his erratic mother - all of which lands him in a scrape, when he takes his brother's place at an engagement party. It was meant to spare Cressy any embarrassment; this lady had gathered all her relatives to meet the Earl of Denville, her fiance. But Denville is missing, so Kit fills in...and then has to continue the masquerade, when Denville remains at large.

In short, Kit is a perfect Beta hero. Cressy is not the best of Heyer's heroines, partly because Kit's mother steals the limelight whenever she appears, along with her snuff-stained and very fat admirer. Not all of the secondary characters are as well-developed as one might wish, so I would not consider this among Heyer's best books, but it is very charming and the resolution of everyone's problems is extremely entertaining.

Eccentric relatives cause all kinds of trouble for Cressy and Christopher, but they use their wits to overcome all. Some clever dialog and a current of humor enliven the novel.
The Sourcebook format makes a more comfortable read than the usual paperback. My only complaint is the impostors on the cover. They are nothing like the Cressy and Kit I have in my head.

It was a delight to find, on my last trip to London, that Georgette Heyer's novels are being reissued in quality paperback form. I snatched up this one to read on the plane going home, glad that the cover--a 19th-century painting of a man in a chair, not your usual "romantic novel" graphic--didn't give me away as a "romance reader." i even tried to get my male companion interested in it, since like so many Heyers, it has a strong male protagonist whose problem is the engine of the story. (Of course my friend was too wary of the "romance.") But also like all Heyers, it had wonderful, believable, lovable characters all around, and a delightfully unexpected resolution. The story takes a while to get off the ground, and I was reminded again of Heyer's tendency toward long involved paragraphs, but I've never minded such "defects" in truly good novels, and in fact, I only wish her books were longer. I love to get to the satisfying ending, but then I want more!

"What would you do?" That's the deep question that underlies Casey Nagy's impressive first novel, Imagined Glories. The complex political situations and the tangled emotional motivations of all the characters spotlight this question over and over again. There are no pat solutions and no easy answers. But, because Nagy is in expert control of his plot and his characters, the reader is thoroughly engaged with the characters' choices.And the reader cannot help but question what her own choices might be in this intense and dangerous situation. What are our core values, especially against the daily backdrop of terror alerts and vague, generalized fear? Hank Ivers, the main character, is forced to honor his values at great cost.His daughter Sam is trying to define her values in a world much different than the one her parents and many readers grew up in. As a college teacher for many years, I honor Sam's struggle, even as I wish I could change her decisions. This is a beautifully written novel that will stay with you.

If you like Cormac McCarthy, or Elmore Leonard, then you will love "Imagined Glories." The plot is compelling and definitely a page turner but Nagy's character exploration is the best part of this novel. It reminded me of "No Country" and "Empire Falls" due to the raw portrayal of male protagonist, Ivers. I felt for him immediately and followed his every move as if he were a friend I had known for years, and could not help but trust, even when I knew he was making a bad decision.

Another character I grew to love was the pacific northwest itself. Nagy's setting is as central to this novel as Ivers, and having lived there for a time, I quickly found myself right back there watching a halo of fog move across Mt. Rainier, following it as I did Ivers.

Unlike a "Da Vinci Code" or other plot-driven books, "Glories" has so much more to offer than just a fun story, though it has that too. A perfect balance of insight and intrigue, "Glories" is a great summer read!

This is a fun book to read because it operates on so many different levels. Is it a mystery? Yes. A treatise on cultural conflicts in that particular community, as well as in the larger world? Yes. A character study? Yes. It is all of these and more! Nagy is able to weave together complex characters; pressing social issues; and a riveting, intricate plot into one finely written, suspenseful, and highly atmospheric novel. I hope he continues writing because he's on to a good thing. I agree also with the reviewer who wrote that this would make a great movie. It would, because it appeals on so many levels and, from talking to people who have read it, appeals to a pretty broad cross-section of readers. That's no easy feat!

One of the book's great strengths is that Nagy doesn't allow his own views on the issues to intrude (at least not so as the reader would know!), rather he allows us to see that there are many sides to problems (family relationships, work situations, cultural conflicts, etc.) and that there are no easy or really "right" answers. Nagy's character, Ivers, is an example of this. He's multi-dimensional: flawed in many ways, yet basically a man who tries to do what is right and doesn't always succeed. Too many "popular" books (you know, the kind in every airport bookstore) are written to formula with stock characters. It's good to read something refreshingly deep, yet still just a hell of a lot of fun. While it's probably not a good thing to be called "beach reading," if this label brought a larger audience, I'd be happy. As an aside, I don't know much about the Pacific Northwest, but his imagery made me feel that I was a native. I'm waiting for more.

Mr. Nagy has written a compelling novel and sets the story against a backdrop of racial tensions in a small community in the Pacific Northwest. The author atmospherically sets the stage in the fall, where he describes the rain and bone chilling cold, which add threatening overtones to the plot. We encounter an array of characters from all walks of life. The inhabitants, particularly Sheriff Henry Ivers are highly sympathetic and complex. Three separate crimes are interconnected by "messages" that are left at the scenes of each incident. They are artistic in nature and mimic Native American artworks. We encounter a deputy who has twenty years of service who is deeply resentful of Ivers. We also learn how the fishing wars of the 70's and Federal Court Treaty interpretations have caused deep resentments in the community. As the story develops, the intersection of the differing law enforcement agencies is brilliantly described. We observe outsiders attempting to take control of the investigation, ignoring those who are most familiar with the local population. As the plot unfolds we learn that Sheriff Ivers has great instincts, but his poor social skills cause friction between him and his colleagues. Nagy deftly describes Ivers' difficult relationship with his children, most especially with his eldest daughter whom he discovers may have an involvement in the mysterious crimes. As the suspense builds Sheriff Ivers' astuteness and bravery respond to the challenge. Nagy weaves all the threads of the story together marvelously. This is a wonderful novel; and I wish it had been longer.

I read this book because I know its author. YOU should read this book because it is well-written, thought-provoking, and entertaining.

I have never been to the Pacific Northwest but, by virtue of the story told, I feel as if I have been given a seat at its dinner table.

Furthermore, though the story takes place on the Pacific Coast, it could be happening anywhere. The frailty of human connectedness across race, age, gender, and social class is a serious and sobering issue, regardless of where you call home. This story emphasizes that fact, illuminating the tape that often holds together relationships that appear "normal," on the surface.

The man in this story did what he thought was right. Read this book to discover what the consequences were for him, and to use the story as a basis for wondering, "What would I have done?"

Better yet, think of the story and ask yourself, "What can I do, right here, right now, to reach across the chasm?"

The only things in fiction I like more than a good mystery are solid history and travel to exotic places. Alan Elsner provides me with all three in Nazi Hunter. His lead charcater is an imperfect man, very intense and not the usual smart-alec super-hero that populate this genre. The story is very real and the details unearthed are haunting and memorable.

There is a lot of the original Robert Ludlum here, not the caricature of Ludlum after his death. There is also plenty of Daniel Silva as well -- only Elsner is better than Silva. He is a gifted reporter in his day job. He is an equally fine chronicler of a period in history that must not get away from us.

Please don't miss this important book.

"The Nazi Hunter"; I was drawn to the title as I have had a life long fascination for WWII and particularly the European Theatre; The Holocaust has also been a fascination and I feel strongly that it cannot be forgotten or debunked as we are always one generation away from apathy. I have ordered the book "Guarded by Angels" from Amazon by the same author.


I so thoroughly enjoyed "The Nazi Hunter" that I hated to see it end and tried to slow down a bit... I very much enjoyed Mr Elsner making Cain a religious Jew, the thoughts at the end of chapters from the evil one are chilling indeed. I can't remember a book where the writing has been so crystal clear......I enjoyed every minute of the read.

What made "The Nazi Hunter" especially compelling was the musical motif that ran throughout the novel. Images of the Shoah and a re-entry into that horrible historic time were heightened by the element of beauty as represented by the music of Schubert and Schumann. This unlikely pairing of tragedy and artistic/creative beauty deepened the emotional content of the story, and made the main character, Marek, more credible and authentic.
Elsner's own religious background is woven into the tale, adding a poignant sense of intimacy to the story. This is a well-conceived and enjoyable novel!

The nazi Hunter was a great read. I am usually not taken with thrilers, as I find that that in many of them the plot might be good, but the langauge and the depth of the charachters a bit lacking. In this book however, I thought that the writing was good, sharp and clever. The plot was gripping and inteligent, and the historic background fascinating. I also loved the depth in which Elsenr discribed the music.
Very recommended!

Elsner, Alan. "The Nazi Hunter", Arcade Books, 2007.

Full of Action

Amos Lassen

There is something about the Holocaust that makes me keep wanting to read about it. It certainly was the most horrible period in the history of the world and perhaps that is so unbelievable that it happened is the reason I read about it so much. Evil is a foreign idea to me and I cannot understand it. I suspect that may be the reason that the Holocaust so mesmerizes me.
Alan Elsner is a former foreign correspondent and his novel "The Nazi Hunter" is a thriller and a story that is full of action. The plot is set in 1994 when Sophie Reiner suddenly appears at the office of Marek Cain, a Nazi hunter in the United States Office of Special Investigations. She tells Marek that she has documents about Belzec which was a Polish extermination camp where half a million Jews were slaughtered. Marek is interested in what she has on both the professional and personal levels---his grandparents died at Belzec. Sophie promises to deliver the documents the following day but she is found dead in her hotel room. Upon examining the room, the police discover a CD of an Argentinean baritone, Roberto Delatrucha and on it he sings one of Shubert's lieders. Knowing that many Nazis fled to Argentina after the War, Cain realizes that this may be a lead and he embarks on a mission to find the singer. As the novels moves forward there are subplots but they do not deter Marek from his goal. He finds himself globe trotting and eventually ending up at Belzec as he strives to discover the truth. \
There is romance and political intrigue as well as views of religion and culture here and Elsner captivates the reader with his excellent writing. The characters are developed beautifully and it is easy to see how much research the author did to write this book. Cain is forced into reconciling his Jewish ness and his personal life to catch the Nazi and Elsner does this in a sublime way. Elsner obviously knows his Holocaust history as well as the tenets of the Jewish religion and the two come another in this amazing book. It is not just a novel but a view of history and morality. Elsner adheres to the Old Testament idea of chasing justice until it prevails. It is quite a book that will have you turning pages at a rapid pace.

Where the heck did Clay Reynolds come from? This is one wild high-octane rush of Texas black comedy, betrayal and bloodshed. Tarrantino meets McMurtry. They'll never cram all this headlong action into a feature-length movie, and if they did it would fry you brainless. Read the book.

A fine plot,interesting,true to life characters and well paced make Players a super crime read.It is not yet up to the better Lawrence Block's or Elmore Leonard's,but I would rate it an 8 if not for the highly distracting use of colons in the punctuation.There are hundreds and hundreds of them.

1)This book is so far the only book that all the readers (including me) who tributed comments to the wonderful and so USER-FRIENDLY cool AMAZON.COM that from top to end, there is only an unique 10 or 10+ ratings. But why Amazon.com never included this wonderfully written book in their best recommanded 50 books? If all the readers of Amazon.com uncontroversially and wholeheartedly said this book is GREAT and only gave a 10~10+, it IS great, OK?! And you don't get any special credit by just writing a shallow negative review.

Players has got be one of the best books written in years. Reynolds ability to keep you thinking shines in this work. The plot is so well done and involved. It is one you will not be able to put down. A 10 without doubt!!!

I was recommended thru the e-mail for a chosen group to read this book. My God, this is the most wonderful book I've ever read, but I chewed it very slowly, because I didn't want to finish it too soon. For years I have been looking for such perfectly plotted, perfectly written, perfectly developed book! This is a real istant modern classic mystery+thriller, because it does not read like most of the so-called mysteries that actually written by retarded imbeciles & morons who dared to call themselves (mystery) writers and their mumbo jumbo craps mystery! This is a book written by a THINKING writer with mature logic. A very complex story twisted with plots within plots, but all were answered logically and completely, making the reading like watching a perfect onion peeled off grdually by a well experienced chef to the core. There was almost no flaw that I could find. This is the first book I could never guess what's gonna happen in the next page or next chapter. Like Carl Hiaassan in Florida, Mr. Reynolds por