Crime Books

The Deceived is definitely a thriller and Battles has no trouble keeping up the pace or making his book engaging. The main character, Jonathan Quinn, is a professional "cleaner". When Quinn is called about a dead body in a shipping container he is shocked to discover that the dead body is his friend Steven Markoff, a ex-CIA agent. Quinn now has to find Markoff's girlfriend Jenny in hopes of discovering why Markoff's body was sent to him and why he was killed. And what he finds along the way is quite surprising.

Superb writing. Brett Battles write similarly to many of my favorite authors: Martin Cruz Smith, James Lee Burke, Jonathan Kellerman, and Barry Eisler. I look forward to whatever he's writing next!

Just as good as his first book Only problem I read it in one day and now I have to wait awhile for his next book

Jonathan Quinn is a cleaner, excelling at making things disappear. He doesn't let things get personal. That is, until he is hired to get rid of a body that happens to be a friend of his. Now, he has made it his personal mission to track down his diseased friend's girlfriend, who is mysteriously missing.

With even more suspense than "The Cleaner," Battles has developed his characters and spun a story with incredible twists. Quinn is ruthless when it comes to his job, but he remains loyal to his friends. And once again, Quinn must travel the globe to track down the answer to his mystery. And along the way, he stumbles upon a nefarious plot of espionage and assassinations. Joining Quinn once again is his trusted sidekick and protégé Nate, as well as Orlando, his unrequited love interested and long-time friend, both adding other dimensions to Quinn's character. But I have to say that the strength of the novel is the action and suspense, which are the qualities that make spy novels and movies great. It's edge-of-your-seat excitement that will keep you up into the wee hours of the morning.

Great characters, exotic locales, intense suspense, political espionage, unforeseeable twists, and deception - this is an adventure series that every reader will enjoy.

As a CIA Cleaner, Jonathan Quinn has only one restriction as he rids corpses that must vanish without a trace; his one personal decree is to insure nothing can ever trace in even a remote way to him; he must "disappear" once the job is done.

His current assignment is to clean up the violation of his basic rule of survival. At a Los Angeles port, a shipping container arrives holding a special cargo; inside is CIA agent Steven Markoff, who once saved his life. Quinn knows that besides cleaning the mess, he must inform Steve's girlfriend, Jenny Fuentes that he is dead and find who sent him this corpse as a special cryptic message. To Quinn's shock, Jenny is missing and many people want her to stay vanished, which means killing Quinn and his two cronies.

Quinn and his buddies globetrot to Europe following clues that ultimately leads to what appears to be an international conspiracy focused out of Singapore. However, he needs to turn to additional underworld help to close in on his main adversary. At an incredible pace faster than the speed light in spite of stunning plausible twists, fans will relish this electrifying thriller that in many ways is more political than espionage (though some might say all espionage is political).

Harriet Klausner

I am always careful about books written by journalists from back East, especially when they deal with Montana's vigilantes. Frederick Allen, however, has made a worthwhile contribution to a controversial field.

I gave him five stars, although I do not entirely agree with some of his conclusions. It seems to surprise him, for example, when Plummer and some of his contemporaries started bouncing off the walls mentally after shooting somebody.

My experience in law enforcement has been that such behavior is normal. There are some sociopaths out there who just like to kill and don't feel any emotion about it, but they are few and far between despite what Hollywood scriptwriters would like you to believe.

This is a well written book, but it didn't change my opinion that the vigilantes cleaned up a situation that had spun out of control at a time when nobody else would, or could. The country was, after all, engaged in a bloody Civil War and the struggling miners in Montana's goldfields needed something to restore order in their isolated, vulnerable communities. Vigilante justice proved to be better than no justice at all.

One tends to associate the dark legacy of lynching almost exclusively with the South of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but in point of fact the most extensive episode of vigilante justice in American history actually took place in the Montana territories in the 1860s. The Montana vigilantes have long been hailed as heroes in Montana (Montana Highway Patrolmen, for example, still bear a patch honoring these men and their cause), men who took upon themselves the obligation to rid their community of dangerous individuals. In this thrilling historical account, however, Frederick Allen pries open the chinks in the vigilante movement's historical armor to show that their brand of frontier justice eventually descended into something much darker and much less defensible.

In the early 1860s, Montana was a wild country overrun by thousands of men clamoring for the new-found gold in its rivers and streams. Even as gold camps began appearing overnight, there was no government of any sort to oversee justice - just miners' courts to settle disputes over claims and the like. The nearest outpost of territorial authority lay hundreds of miles west of the Montana frontier. Thus, it is easy to see how lawlessness could prevail under such conditions; it manifested itself most particularly in the form of stagecoach robberies on the paths leading away from town. A man could lose a whole season's worth of gold dust in the blink of an eye, and such hold-ups could turn deadly on occasion. What could the settlers do to secure their safety and safe passage back to the States or elsewhere? There was no legal system in place in the territory, there were no cells to hold prisoners, and there were no courts or judges to adjudicate cases. There was a sheriff, however, a fascinating man named Henry Plummer - and he really stands at the core of the entire drama. He came to be suspected of complicity in the robberies and murders in the area, and this growing sense of doubt in their sheriff served as the final impetus for the leading men of Bannack and Virginia City to take the law into their own hands. Plummer was among the 21 men hanged during the first six weeks of 1864. There will always be a level of debate as to Plummer's guilt or innocence, and Allen examines this fascinating man's life in great detail. The real question is how a man twice convicted of murder could have become a sheriff in the first place, but this speaks to the true remoteness of the Montana territory in those days.

In all, 51 men were killed by the vigilantes over a six-year period. Allen agrees with the consensus opinion that the early stage of the movement was justified, as there is evidence that all 21 of the men lynched in the first six weeks of 1864 were guilty, dangerous men - including Henry Plummer. Were the story to stop there, the Montana vigilantes would deserve nothing but admiration for bringing order and security to their local community. They did not stop, however, and their activities inevitably devolved into acts of personal vengeance and the very perversion of justice. In that first crucial period of early 1864, accused men were given trials of a sort, their fates usually decided by the entire community. Hangings took place in broad daylight, and the identities of the vigilantes were in no way kept secret. As time went on, however, men were summarily executed by individuals acting upon little more than their own authority. With no hope or manner of defending themselves, it is very likely that some innocent men were hanged - and there can be little doubt that many of the guilty had not committed crimes serious enough to warrant death.

As is always the case in history, the most fascinating aspect of this whole story is the lives of the men involved. Allen identifies the vigilantes as leading citizens of the area, an unusual amalgamation of men both for and against the battle for Southern independence being waged during that chaotic time. Politics came to play a significant role in the whole saga, as the appointed leaders of the newly-established Montana Territorial government did themselves no favors by immediately alienating the significant number of Democrats among the local populace. This new government was ineffective at best, with the executive and judicial branches nullifying each other's authority - and this provided the pretext for the vigilantes to continue their operations.

A Decent, Orderly Lynching really is a fascinating book. Allen brings to life the mining camps of gold-rush Montana, recreating all aspects of society there on the remote frontier. He offers penetrating assessments of the men at the heart of this story, those on both sides of the hanging rope, drawing a sharp distinction between the early, honorable activities of brave men determined to establish order in their lawless region and the excesses of those who continued to pursue vigilante justice after Montana's new territorial government had been established. Through it all, he maintains an objective air, making his own judgments based on the evidence in hand - and his research efforts were impressive, to say the least. The story of the Montana vigilantes is a most telling part of the history of America, and Allen has done a superb job telling that story to those of us unfamiliar with it.

This amazing book works on three different levels. It is first of all a compelling, action-packed narrative of Montana's vigilante period - carefully researched, engagingly written, and peppered with memorable characters and dramatic action. Western fans will love it. But Allen does not stop there. His brilliant examination of Henry Plummer, the mysterious and elusive sheriff-protagonist, adds deeper and darker shadings to the story. This is less a black-and-white tale of heroes and villains than one about how power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The author does not trade in the romanticism surrounding the vigilantes. Finally, and most remarkably, Allen's book can be read as an allegory about the uses and misuses of all governmental power. In the nineteenth century, Montana's besieged citizens cried out for help against their version of terrorists -- only to discover belatedly that the response by unchecked governmental authorities could be equally lawless. Who would have thought that the Vigilante Trail led to Abu Ghraib?

People who hate "High Noon" have been known to cite the goings-on in Idaho Territory of the 1860s as proof that an enraged citizenry would never back down from outlaws. According to "eyewitness accounts," a locally formed vigilance committee rounded-up Sheriff Henry Plummer and his bloodthirsty compatriots and, with the aid of lots of rope, soon put an end to the rampant murder and robbery in the gold camps.

While this account made for excellent melodrama, it was a bit too pat to stand the test of time, and of late, had become the center of some arguing and fist shaking in the vicinity of Alder Gulch. Frederick Allen painstakingly examines the players and their times. His conclusions will not please the revisionists nor the vigilante apologists. While the vigilantes started out with the best of intentions and went after the worst of the thugs, their focus was lost in the chaos and power struggles of their era. Like many mavericks, they went from being heroes to embarassments.

But Allen confirms that Henry Plummer, George Ives & Co. were not martyrs of misdirected justice. It's too bad the vigilantes didn't have the forsight to stop while they were ahead.

This is the type of book that gives University Presses a good name. The author is a former political editor and columnist with the Atlanta Constitution and commentator for CNN. He has managed to write a scholarly yet reader friendly book that challenges some standard accounts of the famous Montana Vigilantes and their sometimes extra-legal activities. In what was the deadliest chapter of vigilante justice in American history, from 1864-1870, in excess of 50 men were hanged in Montana. The majority were inocent of capital crimes and a disturbing numer were innocent. This is a riveting book that will, in addition to bringing the reader up to date on a significant chapter in western history, cause one to ponder the significance of the Vigilantes on our current political debate over the war on terrorism. This is first rate scholarship in a reader friendly format. Highly recommended.

I'll preface this by saying that I have to give the book a moderate thumbs up. I enjoyed reading it because I knew the locations (though Byas tries to desguise them) and knew the type of people and their beliefs that he was talking about. If I can find the second McNabb book locally, I would love to read it as well. I was able to read it quickly and was not bored by the plot. I will also give props to Byas for self publishing this book. All of that said, there are some critical and suspension of belief problems.

Byas seems unfamiliar with how to become a private investigator in Oklahoma. McNabb, like anyone seeking a PI license from the state, has to apprentice somewhere. It doesn't appear that McNabb has ever done that, let alone taken the required classes for such licensing. This was published in 2003, but McNabb is stingy with his cell phone like it was 1987 and he was still carrying around the big brick phone. Even back in 2003, people, especially folks in business who wanted to keep in touch, live(d) and die(d) by their cellulars. To believe that his girlfriend doesn't have his cell number is pretty strange.

Another believeability problem I had was when McNabb and the girlfriend go to eat at the Olive Garden. Personal opinion: I like Olive Garden. McNabb and the girlfriend act like they're going to eat somewhere with an ultra snooty dress code. They treat it like it's going to be featured on an episode of "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous". At the chain Italian restaurant with good food, they run into a character who owns a multi-million dollar company and has a private jet. This guy eats at Olive Garden with some associates? Making up some small mom-and-pop restaurant and having them cross paths there would make much more sense. Perhaps Byas felt that all the readers could relate to eating there and thus he wouldn't have to create a restaurant and come up with a backstory and details.

Most prior reviews have talked about how much detail Byas put into the story. Going into detail about every article of clothing someone has on is just like those oral book reports where you talk about how many pages the book has, it's measurements, etc. It's just a big serving of Novel Helper. I know all about trying to stretch the manuscript to be so many pages/words, but why not be descriptive about something mentioned in the paragraph above instead.

Overall, this is a decent, easy read. It does have its share of predictability and times when you'll say "You think that guy would've been prepared for something like that." However, you won't be sitting around later thinking that you wasted those hours reading it. I think this is Byas's first book, so I expect a degree of improvement in the next book.

Digging Up Bones by Steve Byas is a very well written book, which is very easy reading from the very 1st page to the last. The author has the reader wanting to read the book from cover to cover in just one sitting. The book is very enjoyable, the reader who likes excitement will most definately want to read Digging Up Bones. The author has you guessing and you won't find the answer until the very last paragraph. It will make you want to dig up your own bones.

This is suck an awesome book. Just with everything. Comedy, drama, suspense, and of course, MYSTERY out the everyhwere. Please buy it and you won't be sorry.

From the opening of this book, I was hooked. This was a fast read with good pacing. I enjoyed the fact that Byas included so much information about Oklhoma. The plot was creative and the characters were likable and entertaining. I understand that Byas is currently working on a second book about Lance McNabb, and I hope that it hits the stands soon! I will definitly be keeping up with this author.

I just received this book for Christmas, and as far as I'm concerned, it is right up there with the big boys of mystery! I am a fan of John Grisham and William Bernhardt, particularly because they are always out for justice. In Steve Byas' character of Lance McNabb, we see the same kind of tenacity and decencey that keeps one coming back for more. The character descriptions were excellent and the names of the towns were fun (especially if you are from Oklahoma. For a first book, it shows promise for a great series. Many of the author's opinions came through in the plot, which I found interesting, but a little distracting at the same time. Maybe a little of that comes through in every book, though. I found some sentences to be a little short and incomplete, which a mediocre editor would correct.. Overall, I will definitely buy the next book, and will buy copies of this for friends and family!

Fans of suspense thrillers and true crime, all women everywhere from 8 to 80 will find the hair on the back of their necks standing on end reading "Don't Just Sit There." Men who read this book will get a tiny glimpse into the atrocities perpetrated on women across the country everyday. Not only is this an intense, page turning read, the message can not be over emphaszed. Easily something within the pages of this book could literally save your life, or that of someone you love. What more motivation could you need to read it?

L.A. Wilson has given the reader a front row seat into the ordeal that changed her life. Based on factual events, the book relates the horrific kidnapping, sexual assualt and her six month journey through the system. From that awful night she was abducted at knife point til the jury foreman read the verdict, she shares it all. An engrossing and unflinching story that took me on a roller coater ride of emotions. Fear, anger, determination, combined with healing, finding new love, a little humor amid the horror, and finally stepping into the dawn of a new day as a new woman.....

Wilson refused to be victimized in silence and with this powerful book, she compels others, to fight for the justice they deserve. "Don't Just Sit There" has opened my eyes and touched my soul in profound ways. I commend Ms. Wilson for her courage. The same strength and grace that sustained her through this ordeal is conveyed to the reader in her words. This is one of those very rare books that stays in your mind long after it has been returned to the shelf. Which is a testament to the power of the story, as well as, the expert way it was crafted and delivered.

Happy Reading!

*Personal Note:
Many victims of violent crime feel they have no where to turn and no one understands.If you are one of the 1000's of women whose lives have been forever altered by such senseless acts of violence please read Don't Just Sit There. It could very well be the first steps on the road to healing and regaining control of your life.

Although a heinous crime takes place in DJST, this is not the basic "true crime" novel. That makes revealing the ending acceptable in a review. This reader was truly gratified that the bad guy got nailed and sent to the slammer. The story line is quite straightforward: The female author, who worked in a Houston bar, is raped late one night upon her return home from work. She was abducted from her own parking lot and driven to a nearby remote location. That one fact may be difficult for a New Yorker to grasp since "remote locations" here are so scarce. The young lady has the extreme presence of mind to plant evidence (!) in her perpetrator's car. She did so by leaving her prints on a beer bottle and rolling up her panty hose under the passenger seat! How did she stay so calm? She then has the spunk to produce-on her own-WANTED posters of her attacker and distribute them. All the while, she holds her job and maintains as normal a personal life as possible. That is the heartening soul of the story. The bad guy easily falls into the stupid criminal department. He is caught quite quickly, more so, I'm sure, than the typical rapist. It helped that he "assisted" in his own capture and conviction. Justice in the form of a solid prison sentence follows. This reviewer would add one recommendation, especially for females but they apply to guys as well: NEVER get in a car with an abductor. Fight on the spot but resist at all costs. Scream "FIRE!" rather than "HELP" or "RAPE". That item was NOT intended to second -guess the victim. DJST is an inspiring story of determination and especially steadfastness in the very face of danger. One does not have to be female to enjoy reading it. This reviewer has the distinct opinion that were he to be in a tight spot, he'd like the calm and collected authoress with him.

I liked this book, it is a neat little story about taking matters
into your own hands and fighting back. Although it was not as
dramatic and inspiring as another book I recently read about survivors, A Reason To Live: The True Story of One Woman's Love, Courage and Determination To Survive, I do recommend it as interesting reading. It is time all of us take a stand against these sexual perverts, and this book is a good manual for that.

I really enjoyed reading this story, about the horrifying experience this woman went through with the assault against her, and the things that she did to not only catch the vicious criminal, but to prove to a jury that they had not been out on a date. These things took a lot of smarts and a lot of courage.

This book could help a lot of women in the event of an assault against them.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it to every woman out there. Some of the information contained in it might save your life. I liked it so much...I read it twice.

F.G. Schlundt

LA Wilson does a great job of telling a true and horrifying story of being raped. This woman had the sense to grab up
evidence such as nylon hose, shell casings, and items found in the car during her terrifying experience. Her intelligence by doing this helped to find the rapist. This book needs to be read by all women to understand that any guy hanging around, seen or unseen is a threat to her safety. What is even more astonishing is that after this guy violates her, he has the audacity to keep trying to make conatct with her. I am amazed at Wilson's strength and fortitude. I look forward to reading more of her writing. The story also shows how teamwork pays off, when people (not just women) look out for each other, especially when suspects are released from jail or prison.
Good job, Lisa! Go get 'em!

Of all the classic heroes in hard-boiled fiction (Spade, Marlowe, etc.) I've always found Lew Archer to be my favorite. Maybe it's because MacDonald does such a superlative job illustrating Archer's flaws, doubts and shortcomings. Rather than some iron-jawed superhero, he's a compellingly complex person whose battered conscience ultimately makes him more heroic. Many readers consider The Drowning Pool to be the best Archer book and it's hard to argue that contention. If pressed, I might rank The Way Some People Die just a little bit higher, but both books are so good it's stupid to quibble. I haven't read The Barbarous Coast yet, but look forward to diving in soon.. and afterward I might have to revise my opinion regarding Archer's best case once again.

A different Lew Archer here than THE BLUE HAMMER Lew Archer. The tone is in TDP is more gritty and hardboiled. Lew is less the romantic toward the ladies he meets. I like Macdonalds' writing in TDP. A less polished and more direct style has its appeal. There's less psychological development of the characters, more emphasis on plot.

I hesitate to call this a classic because some people consider "classics" as dull and out-dated. And there's nothing dull or out-dated here (well, maybe that paying $10 to be driven from Las Vegas to L. A. is a bit out of date).

Archer's hired to discover who sent his client's husband a letter accusing her of infidelity. Introduced to the family and friends at a party as a Hollywood agent, he is sensitive to the growing tension and explosive atmosphere. The reader knows of course that somebody's going to be murdered, but these early chapters are among the most skillfully written to build suspense that I've ever read.

Written in 1950, the inclusion of a homosexual couple was quite daring although there is not graphic description, and isn't significant enough a factor of the plot to either offend or attract a reader.

Read this and I'm sure you'll find it on your own list of crime classics.

In this skillfully written tale of murder and intrigue, Ross MacDonald manages to "out Chandler" Raymond Chandler. It's Southern California, circa 1950, and hardboiled detective Lew Archer finds himself traversing the same landscapes Chandler's Philip Marlowe does in The Big Sleep, High Window and The Long Goodbye.
The plot of The Drowning Pool is complex enough to be interesting without being convoluted or forced. Greed, blackmail, homosexuality and family dysfunction all play roles in advancing the nicely paced narrative. Thrown in for good measure are seductive women, a number of action scenes and a Lolita like teenager named Cathy.
MacDonald's very descriptive prose is quite effective. And there's plenty of memorable dialogue. My personal favorite: "Your reminiscences fascinate me. May I take notes?"
You'd be hard pressed to find a more satisfying example of noir crime writing. An enthusiastic 5 stars.

A Ross MacDonald is like an extremely well crafted 1950's black & white noir movie. Nothing comes through in it's true color, everything is projected in shades of gray, the action is stately yet never drags, and the characters are all vaguely threatening.

All of MacDonald's novels exhibit certain basic themes--tormented families, buried secrets that fester through multiple generations, environmental destruction, and the brutal contrast between rich and poor. The key to MacDonald's long running success was Archers realism and authenticity, MacDonald's ability to craft complex yet understandable stories, his mastery of language, and his ability to generate a specific atmosphere of threatening suspense on a consistent basis.

All of the above referenced themes are present in The Drowning Pool, which I think is MacDonald's best novel, though The Underground Man is right up there as well.

MacDonald's novels aren't just mind candy-reading him is a literary experience. I believe that is why he was successful in a sort of restrained way. Escapists will not get into these books-they are too cerebral. If you want to your books affect you, MacDonald and Archer are your kind of guy's.

A family member just sent me this novel for my birthday; said it was perfect my trip to the Maine coast. It was -- but that doesn't really describe the full experience. Thoroughly engrossing, an intelligent, emotionally satisfying page-turner.
Highly recommended for your vacation reading (the atmospheric seaside setting is an extra value.)

Although I've visited this area of the Gulf once, I am an admittedly provincial New Englander with no previous, particular interest in the setting of this excellent mystery novel. Hury's handling of the subtle relationshiops between his characters and the expertly drawn setting, however, make me want to get down there again. I loved this book. I get sick of suspense novels that have unrealistic, unintelligent plots, inch-deep characters, and no concern with or nuanced grasp of cultural issues. This one has it all, and is extremely well-written. Appears to be the author's first; I eagerly await his next!

Psychological and emotional suspense grounded in interesting characters, plus provocative current social themes -- not just the usual gunfire, mayhem, and chase sequences. I quit reading suspense and mystery awhile ago but this novel was extraordinary. (A friend recommended this after hearing an interview with the author.) Well done! I didn't want it to end. The sense of place is a bonus; the Gulf coast setting and cultural milieu is evocatively rendered.

The best new writer I've come across in quite awhile. My book club read this novel last month after one of our members was given a copy for his birthday. Great read, out of the ordinary characters, evocative Gulf Coast settings, intelligent and provocative situations and themes.

Hury is a truly inspired writer! To see such an engrossing book come from a fresh writer renews my faith in literature. He truly captures the emotions of the characters. Everyone should read this book!

This book will grab your interest right from the prologue as in Claudia's own words she recounts the camping trip and the horror that followed. Claudia's vernacular "chosen family" etc. will ring a bell with those in the community. I felt as if I was listening to a friend speak of a terrible tragedy.
Claudia's wild trek out of the woods after the shooting, her vivid descriptions of it all made me ache..for her and Rebecca. Even though I knew the outcome I was still hoping that somehow it would be different......
I didnt' feel that Claudia was emotionless at all in the telling The very fact that she could speak of it, could put down in words that unbelievable tragedy speaks of her own courage and strength.
I found the book easy to read and the small breaks of the third person are actually a welcome respite from the terror.You can breathe a bit more before Claudia comes back to tell her story.
This is a page turner, real people that you come to care for and pray for and hope for a different ending.
I have never been camping and after reading this......I never will be!
Thank you Claudia for the strength to tell your story! Rebecca lives on!

Hey, I haven't read this book, giving it a five anyways and I will read it someday, but I would like to inform all who actually read this book to read "The Whole Truth? A Case Murder on the Appalachian Trail" by H. L. Pohlman. It's a book on the same case, but in an unbiased and legal view. This book is meant to show the legal workings, but it also gives you a middle perspective of what actually happened, leaving you the decision of what actually happened.

This book was a heart wrenching read. I could identify and feel for the characters. This is one find that all lesbians should have on their shelves, and that all people alike should read. The only complaint I have is that at times it seems like the main character is a little emotionless in her writing. Other than that, I would highly recommend this book.

I read this book several years ago for the very first time. Since then I've browsed through it over the years to remember how lucky I am that I was able to read it and live an activist life full of efforts to iradicate this type of violence. It was a quick read in some ways, because I didn't want to put it down; but then in some ways, it took a while to get through because I HAD to put it down. It shook me to tears. It's an emotionally charged piece of writing that is so descriptive, that I lost all concept of space and time once I started reading. I am currently a teacher at the 12th grade level and have included Brenner's story on my course syllabus in an effort to outrage and organize a new generation of peace-mongers. I hope that Claudia's story will touch them as deeply as it's touched me.

American society has the rather unfortunate tendency to shun hate crimes legislation on the grounds that it would restrict an individual's right to freedom of expression and trivialize the First Amendment. Both assertions are clearly absurd, but the nasty allegations continue. In the greatest of ironies, the "pro-family" "pro-life" relgious right will oppose this legislation because it supposedly interferes with their political activities.

I challenge anybody to read this book and then still believe the lies and distortions popularized by the right wing.Hate crimes are meant to stigmatize both the indiviuals affected and the larger marginalized group of which they are members of. Supporters of hate crimes laws are not well-heeled elitists, they are (quite litterally) the most vunerable members of society who fear for their lives.

Brenner describes how she and her lover were enjoying a wonderful day in the mountains when the later was gunned down by a homophobic peeping tom. Although she survived and the physical injuries eventually healed, I could tell that it was still very emotionally hard for her. I applaud her for comming forward and retelling her story in the hopes that future generations of Americans will never have to personally experience the same fate.

Not supprisingly, Brenner became an anti-violence activist following this incident and has appeared before Congress urging passage of federal hate crimes measures. While her story did not recceive as much publicity as the later murder of Wyoming's Matthew Shepard, she helped personalize the face of hate crime victims.

Although it was her lover who was gunned down, Brenner realized that the day after that it could be somebody else's and the ugly pattern would continue until people of all sexualities started demanding an end to anti-gay violence and taught respect for different groups.

This book is genius; I haven't enjoyed a book this much since perhaps the last installment of Harry Potter!

I found out about this book from a friend who loves Sherlock Holmes, however, I barely know a thing about the stories. I was worried that my lack of knowledge of the subject of the master detective might be a problem but the author realizing that not everyone will have read Sherlock Holmes stories, takes that into consideration and explains things that would otherwise be confusing to a non-Holmes reader. This in itself makes the book really great!

The writing is superb, enough detail without going overboard. With every turn of the page I am deeper into the plot as if I am the main character and when 3:30 a.m. rolls around I can't believe it and know I have to pry it out of my hands, put it down, and get some sleep.

You can read from other reviews the basis of the book but what made me interested was the back in time and the mystery.

When finished, this book will most certainly go on my bookshelf as a keeper and a true gem. I've heard rumor of a sequel, I certainly hope so!

An absolute delight to read. The author has a unique and creative vocabulary --a reader's delight! Using typical murder and mayhem, the twists and turns will surprise you. The wit and humor combined with and intelligent storyline fascinates with every turn of the page. Leaves you eager for the next novel. A MUST READ!!!

Brilliant! I could not put this book down. Every page was so descriptive and captivating I thought I was there beside Nona. As for Nona...LOVED her wit and wisdom. Cannot wait to read the sequel. Get writing, Autumn!! In the meantime I will just have to start this one again.

I loved this book! It was so captivating, I couldn't wait to turn to the next page, yet dreaded it at the same time as it would mean I'd finish it sooner and there wouldn't be any more to read! A must read, in my opinion, for any Sherlock Fan! Great work Autumn! Can't wait for the next book!

This book was OUTSTANDING! I loved it. Reading it made ME feel like I was there experiencing the whole story as it went along. This book is funny, sad, romantic and emotional (NOT sappy) all wrapped up into one GREAT novel. The mystery comes out when you least expect it and if you can solve it before it's revealed, your a master at mystery because this one is written VERY well.
Buy it, read it, recommend it to everyone you know. This author is GREAT!

This is wonderful, imaginative reading for 5-6 year old children. My children adore these stories which are about a brother, sister, their little pixie friend and a magical flying chair that wisks them off to adventures in fantastical lands filled with colorful characters. For all the fans out there who can't wait for restocking (and don't mind paying the postage) - try Amazon.uk.

The Enchanted Woods and The Faraway Tree series were my 1st books when I was 6 years old. Ms Blyton had brought me to a magical world and I was hooked! These books eventually turned me into an avid reader of many other books to come. But nothing quite enchanted me since. As these books are no longer available in stores, Im desperately searching for them so that my children could also exprience the magical world of the adventures in the Enchanted Woods! Im am truly thankful to my parents for buying these books for me!.. You will not regret reading it!

I read the three books in this series and loved it !!!

Now I can't find these books anywhere and I am hoping Amazon will get some back in stock asap so I can buy them.

So Amazon, hurry up and get these back in stock if you can. I'm sure there are many of us just waiting to get these books !!

I discovered Enid Blyton when I was about ten, and even though this particular book/series is meant for younger children, I devoured these gentle and imaginative stories.

The Faraway Tree is a magical tree that has many characters living in it, and at the very top of the tree there is an everchanging cycle of magical worlds - one world will come around every few days or hours and then go away, to return months or years later.

The magical worlds are great fun and offer a look at how trips to different kinds of fantasy lands might play out. The kids have to use their wits to escape from some of the tougher situations they encounter in the nastier worlds, and their willpower to go home from the worlds that offer endless candies and nice things!

I read an older edition of this book, but I have heard from other Blyton fans that they have "updated" the books somewhat in the last ten years. I think Fanny's name has been changed and a lot of silly scenarios have been altered - I can only guess what the censors did to Dame Slap! (She was really pretty tame!) In any case, as a ten-year old growing up in a big city, I didn't find anything snigger-worthy enough to warrant changing, and I'd urge folks to try and find an older edition of this book that has not been abridged.

I am guessing that even if you use this modern edition, though, that Blyton's trademark readability and imaginative writing will still shine through. This would be an ideal book for the eight and under crowd, but even as an adult, I still get a lot of pleasure out of the occasional reread.

Enid Blyton was my favourite author as a child and continues to receive my high esteem. I recently bought these books for my neice who is as yet far too young to read them. I can't wait for a couple of years until she is old enough to sit and listen while 'aunty kat' reads them to her. It did take me a while to find the books as i was determined to find older publications with the correct names as i wanted her to be able to have the same unaltered experience as i did.

Ms Blyton has an amazing capability in being able to catch the hearts and imaginations of children and adults alike and until my neice is old enough i will keep these books in my collection to pick up and re-read on a rainy sunday afternoon.

If your child only reads one book before the age of ten, make sure it is one by this author.

Very well written
Extrodinary life of Lois Gibson
I would recommend it to all

I sat down and read the entire book in one night, it was a Christmas gift from my husband. It ranks as one of the top 5 books I've ever read, and I am an avid reader. It was excellent, raw human emotion, but at the same time, like talking to a girlfriend. I just loved it. I felt a strange sense of inadequacy after reading it, like I wasn't doing enough in my own life. It really made me stop and think about my own life. If you get satisfaction out of watching "Forensic Files", "The New Detectives", "America's Most Wanted" and the like, then you will love this book. Lois is an author with a rare combination of sass, softness & wisdom - she knows her stuff but still makes you remember she's a mom and wife.

Truly amazing book. If you are interested in Forensic Art, Compositry or are just a crime story buff who loves to see the bad guys get caught, read this. It's an easy read and completely engrossing.

The Faces of Evil is a very compelling book about how a tenacious forensic artist can help to put murderers, kidnappers, and rapists behind bars. The story of Lois Gibson is a very interesting one, as a victim of a violent crime herself, she brings much more when she visits when a crime victim than a person who was not a crime victim.

Lois Gibson fell into becoming a forensic artist. Her early training was drawing portaits at an amusement park. In her early career she spent time specializing in portraits, not foresenics. She would go on to pester the police department until she could prove that she could draw someone from description. Once allowed to do this, she proved she could do the job. While she wasn't immediately hired on at the Houston police department she would convince them to hire her full time, and later they did so.

She has drawn pictures of many different criminals that the end result was bringing many different criminals to justice. At times these pictures were the only way to bring in criminals. She has helped to catch abusive parents, murderers of children, rapists, and so much more. This is a story of one woman's journey to aide the public is solving crimes as well as a personal story of what can happen if you set your mind to succeede.

Welcome true crime lovers to an inside treatment of a forensic artists' skill and tenacity in bringing down the bad guys. It is refreshing to see that some very special people are out there fighting crime, one stroke at a time. Together with the Houston Police department, this forensic artist is taking her brush against crime. The story is well written and insightful. Don't miss this exciting inside account of what is good about our law enforcement professionals!