Death Books

this was an amazing book from start to end. the story and characters were so real and interesting and i didn't want it to end.

Betsy knows that the surest social suicide is a summer job at the colonial village. Yet there she is. And who should be her co-worker but Liza Henske, the biggest freak at school. True, she has to remove all her piercings and cover her tattoos for work, but regardless, she doesn't want to work with her. Luckily, James, another boy who works at the village, is pretty cute. Then Betsy's mother dies, and things like social status and boys start to matter a lot less. She realizes that Liza isn't such a freak when you get to know her, and that the village is a great escape from her broken family and suddenly disappeared "friends." James starts making her wooden sculptures, and that inspires Betsy to take up her own artistic pursuits. If there ever seemed a time to pursue happiness, instead of letting it come to her, this is it. Altebrando's incredibly realistic writing style allows you to feel Betsy's every emotion -- embarrassment, sadness, drunkenness, hopefulness. Betsy, Liza, James, and the rest of the characters will soon seem like your best friends, and you'll want to finish this in one sittin. Who knows, when you're done, the novel may even inspire you to go out and pursue your own happiness.

I found that this book was absolutley relatable in almost every aspect of the main character and plot. Everyone has lost someone close to them, has had some type of confusing love interest, and has made friends with someone initially thought unlikely.

The dialogue is very "real" and the characters are just as enchanting. Though it's a fairly quick read, Tara makes every page enjoyable. The book definitely reminds me of Sarah Dessen's writing, but Tara has obviously made her own independent voice. I highly recommend it to any young adult.

According to the book On Death and Dying by Elsabeth Kubler-Ross, the five stages of grief are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. If you ask Betsy Irving, though, Elsabeth got it all wrong. The five stages of grief are really agitation, intoxication, experimentation, resignation, and reinvigoration. Betsy's known for awhile that her mother is going to die. After all, with the type of breast cancer that her mother has, and the late stage that it's in, there's not a lot that can be done. But it's still a shock that hot, sticky Thursday in June when she leaves work at the Morrisville Historic Village early when her Aunt Patty and Uncle Jim show up to escort her home. Now her mother is gone, the funeral is over, the well-meaning guests have left, and it's just Betsy, her dad, and her younger brother, Ben, taking up space in the huge white Victorian house that they call home.

In the beginning, Betsy's friends have only her best interests at heart, and her first real boyfriend, Brandon, tries to be there for her, but Betsy still feels as if nothing in her life is working out as planned. And when said friends seem to disappear off the face of the earth, and Brandon turns out not to be the great boyfriend she had hoped for when he dumps her, things in Betsy's life get even more off-kilter. As if it wasn't bad enough that she's spending the summer working at the Village (which she knows was a trick devised by her history-loving, professor father), dressed in stifling Early American clothes and demonstrating cornbread making to eager tourists, now she has to do it alone, without any real friends or a supportive boyfriend--and in the presence of Liza Henske, whose Goth Girl shield isn't allowed at the Village.

It's amazing, though, what a new sort-of friend like Liza can teach a girl who just wants to get away form it all. And when James, the Village carpenter who will soon be leaving for Princeton, begins to comfort her with his soft-spoken words and small carvings, Betsy starts to learn that no matter what the actual stages of grief are, she just might be able to survive them after all.

THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS is a poignant, heartfelt novel. It's one of the best books I've read dealing with grief, with dialogue that never seems out of place or too cheesy. Ms. Altebrando has written a stunning debut novel that will leave you thinking about the story of Betsy and her family and friends long after you've finished the book.

In this dramatic and engaging story, a teenage girl named Betsy is grief-stricken when her mother loses her battle with cancer. Though Betsy typically gets along well with her younger brother and father, her mother's death causes the family members to pull apart quietly, each dealing with the loss in his or her own way.

Summer has a lot of other changes in store for Betsy. Her boyfriend dumps her shortly after her mother's funeral. Her best friend Mary may not be her best friend any longer. Her job at the colonial village, where she has to dress up and play the part of the dutiful daughter, becomes more intriguing due to her co-workers Liza (complete with piercings and a bad reputation) and James (apprentice by day, surfer by night). She also finds herself with a new hobby: cutting silhouettes out of paper.

As Betsy struggles with the five stages of grief, she occasionally falters, then later regrets what she said or did. Altebrando infuses her main character with a strong spirit. Betsy never stops trying to get back on her feet, and readers will cheer her on.

This book moves along at a steady pace, with a first-person narrative enabling the reader to get inside Betsy's head. The coming-of-age tale greatly benefits from the summertime setting. The realistic dialogue will meet the approval of teen and adult readers.

Tara Altebrando has written a wonderful tale about love, loss, family, and finding yourself. This is definitely one of the best books I've read this year, and I highly recommend it. If you enjoy The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen, The Alison Rules by Catherine Clark, or Good Grief by Lolly Winston, you will undoubtedly enjoy The Pursuit of Happiness.

I have been a fan of the writing of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross since college. She has a writing style which is tender, kind and honest. As with all of her other books you will find answers to your questions and feel comforted by her words.

Questions & Answers on Death and Dying is an extremely helpful resource to those who are bereaved or are on the cusp of being so. It is also a good introductory book, as was its predecessor-On Death and Dying-to the area of counseling psychology, specifically thanatology, the study of death and dying, for there are many issues in the dying process that are addressed: nonverbal symbolic language, prolongation of life, sudden death, suicide and terminal illness, fear, faith and hope to old age and just plain coping. Encompassed in the very latter, coping-wise, is not simply the patient and family but also the medical staff. The dynamics of dying have a process and to witness a loved one going through that process is obviously painful; it is the agonizing but inevitable hurt that no one wants to go through. But it can and will make the living stronger. This work in particular is helpful in many respects, because it is not necessarily a "how-to" guide on how to grieve or cope; it simply tries to answer the most fundamental and frequently asked questions that people have in respects to death and dying, i.e. emotional and physical pain, loneliness, anger against God and healthy people and finding some caliber of meaningfulness in their life while simultaneously being in the throes of the dying process. The questions asked are sincere, moving and eloquent. The dam of curiosity is opened, and Elizabeth Kubler-Ross eloquently answers all questions, even ones we would not even think of asking. Her insightful and kindhearted responses go to the core of what we're all essentially curious about; she herself admits that in doing this work, it has created a religious belief system that she believed was nonexistent, as one question illustrates: "In all your research on death, what is your personal belief of what happens after death?" "Before I started working with dying patients, I did not believe in a life after death. I now do believe in a life after death, beyond a shadow of a doubt." What is so nice about this book is that it is a gap filler to the first book. What Elizabeth Kubler-Ross started with in On Death and Dying, the general public-the living and the dying (by their questions)-completed with Questions & Answers on Death and Dying; it went full circle, and it reads as such. This is a valuable work to have. Many, many topics are addressed, and there is no compassionate condescension or nihilistic overtones, just truth, information and loving understanding.

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross gives an in depth look into questions related to death and dying. This author helps answer those questions whether you are a family member of the dying or a healthcare provider, this book will help you!

This book has some really good information in it, but there is such a thing as "too much of a good thing" I found it almost boring with the redundant questions and answers. This book could have been half the pages and still good. Good read, but very repetitive.

This sensitive, essential information is required for all patients and families. The factual presentation of information will allow intelligent decisions to be made and thoughtful discussions with health care providers.

This was very enlightening. It changes the way you look at death, life and everything in between.
Well Worth the Money

I have always enjoyed Dr. Estes work. She speaks to me as a woman.

This was a topic that I needed to review and think about. It came to me when I needed to hear the stories related to our passing over. I recommend Dr. Estes work.

Carolyn Ann O'Riley

I have always loved Estes words, written or audio. This is one of my favorites and I recommend it often.

There are not too many,if any,uplifting books on the subject of death. This tape helped me to count the days I have as more precious. Estes tells us wisdom about life. She reminds me of a wise and kindly grandmother and we all need one of these.

Buy it!! It will change the way you see death and grieving and so much more. It will comfort you and calm your fears. This is where you find the strength to bear the crossing of a loved one, or your own. It's not at all sad or morbid. You will find yourself feeling joy at the understanding and sadness because the book is over. As always, the stories, her interpretations, her fabulous voice are unmatched.

Reflections from a Woman Alone held me captive for several hours as the pages turned automatically. The style format varies from letters, to essays, to poems all held together by the skill of the writer as you walk down her path. As her life unfolds, after her husband's death, the reader experiences, the wit, the humor, the depth of loss, the loneliness, the angst, eventually leading to integration. Her learning is shared with the simple statement: "nothing outside yourself can save you; nothing outside yourself can bring you peace." This book passes on the author's miracle, a change in perception, ever so quietly and smoothly from her psyche to yours.

Good books don't make you work to read them. They just let themselves be picked up, and that's it, because they fill you with wisdom, grace and a better sense of what's important and why it should be cherished. This is a GOOD book!

This book is wonderful! I laughed, I cried, I felt the way the author must have felt at the time of the letters. The format of reading her (Corinne's) mail made this such a personal book. I am still with my husband, but have felt EVERY one of the authors' issues. The feeling of being alone at a party, The questions, the "looks". WOW...Thank you from the bottom of my heart ((*_*))

This book was teriffic!!! I opened the package when I received it and could not put the book down until I had finished. Being a fairly recent widow, I identified with so much the author had to say. It really helped me to look at my status in a whole new light. I wish I could thank her personally for writing this book.

I could not put this book down. The author's candor and bittersweet approach to an often-ignored subject allowed me to travel within the pages as a kindred spirit. Corinne Edwards has a gift in transcending generations and gender to bring together the message of love for us all. Miracles abound within the pages. I would highly recommend this beautiful book to anyone seeking spiritual renewal.

Remembering With Love is an excellent resource that helps bring comfort to those who are experiencing grief. The short excerpts speak directly to the heart. They help you ride the waves of grief that come and go like the changing tide.
I give this book almost exclusively,instead of flowers. I keep several on hand most of the time. Many friends , colleagues, and family members have told me what a big help this book was to them.

Connie Miner, M.A., LPC

The short essays written by people who have experienced what you are going through, and the suggestions for meditations make it a great resource for the varied emotions of grief. It makes a good book for browsing when you need some uplifting words, or when you need to know that what you are feeling is normal. I think it is especially helpful for those who have suffered the loss of a child. I have given it many times to friends who have lost someone they love.

This book helped me with my own grieving, and I have also given it to several friends who recently lost loved ones. The short 1-2 page essays and thoughts, intended to be a "thought for today" format, are especially helpful for people who, because they are grieving, may not be able to focus on longer books, for longer periods of time. It's a real gem!

Having struggled with many confusing feelings for a year and a half after the sudden death of my beloved 19 year old son, I found this book by accident while browsing through a bookstore in San Francisco in 1993. From the moment I picked it off the shelf I drew comfort from the many short stories of people like myself who are experiencing feelings of total devastation, anger (particularly at God), loneliness, numbness and guilt for not being able to get control of my feelings. To see these feelings verbalized by others, made me realize that not only is it okay to have these feelings, but it is also normal. To be told that I have a RIGHT to be angry, lonely, numb and anything else I may be feeling, freed me from my guilt. I lost my son. I have every right to grieve. And to grieve, any way, and for as long as I need to. A truly liberating book. It still sits out on my table for me to use when I am down on myself. I have recommended it to many people.

After the sudden death of my mother and oldest son in an automobile accident, I could not concentrate enough to even read. As time went by, I was eventually able to read short things that did not require deep concentration. This book was wonderful for me because I could handle reading the short messages of hope. It helped me so much. This book is unique in that it reaches out to losses of all types in a very effective way. At the beginning of each message, the author begins by quoting someone who has lost a loved one. She then uses that thought to give hope to those who are grieving. I plan to purchase additional copies of this book to give to others who lose loved ones.

For nearly 30 years I have carried this book with me virtually everywhere. No, it's not "an easy read" - but it is worth buying (owning)and treasuring - if only for the FOURTH LETTER (to a German Friend)- it is the most moving argument/declaration for humanity and choosing it that I have ever seen anywhere.

Some (like Sartre?) might call it a "rationalization". But even those who have resigned themselves to the religions of cynicism and despair - could find a remnant of fight and even "goodness" (yikes!) inside themselves. Camus' words remind us that resignation and the inevitable indifference and inhumanity that follow are the ultimate betrayals of life.

While there is nothing "cheerful" or even optimistic about these writings - you'd have to be cold-blooded, heartless and completely beyond repair or redemption not to be inspired by the wistful aspirations that Camus exudes from his admittedly battered heart and soul.

I disagree with the reviewer (who did praise this precious book) Sartre is smart - but so is Camus - and Camus exudes the humanity that Sartre can't even see or imagine.

Sartre would tell us that we always have the freedom to at least rattle our chains (at least theoretically) - but Camus has the power to inspire us to want to.

"I step onto the podium only when forced to by the pressure of circumstances and by my conception of my function as a writer." (p. 132) From the circumstances of Fascist Spain and Nazi occupied France, to the circumstances of the Hungarian and Algerian struggles for freedom, Camus' essays demand involvement, require action in the face of hopelessness. He never offers a moment's peace for couch-potato complacency. "Freedom is not made up principally of privileges; it is made up especially of duties." (p. 96)

To read these essays is to step into the world of a man who said to Christians "I share with you the same revulsion from evil. But I do not share your hope, and I continue to struggle against this universe in which children suffer and die." (p. 71) And "Perhaps we cannot prevent this world from being a world in which children are tortured. But we can reduce the number of tortured children." (p. 73)

Camus is recalled to the podium, in a day when children are tortured and die in Chiapas while most turn a blind eye and complain that sitcoms just aren't what they used to be. These essays, possibly his most accessible work, demand an active response from the modern reader. Our struggle today, although not against Nazi minions, still must echo his "There are means that cannot be excused. I should like to be able to love my country and still love justice." (p. 5) [See Jamal's Live from Death Row and Peltier's Prison Writings, elsewhere on Amazon.]

Camus is outspoken about capital punishment, too. "It is obviously no less repulsive than the crime, and this new murder, far from making amends for the harm done to the social body, adds a new blot to the first one." (p. 176) His "Reflections on the Guillotine" is the longest essay in book. He views capital punishment, even in "free" societies, as an act of totalitarianism.

Camus proclaims the call to justice and the struggle for freedom found in the Old Testament, especially in the minor prophets. But he does so in a modern context, where God is silent and man is the maker of his own destiny. Although he sees no messianic age, he proclims the hope that by continuous effort evil can be diminished and freedom and justice may become more prevalent.

Five stars for courage, five stars for clarity, five stars for consistency. After the abortion of democracy on December 9, 2000, every freedom and justice seeking American needs to read this book.

(If you would like to respond to this review, click on the "about me" link above & send me email. Thanks!)

This collection of essays is the most brilliant one of Camus' diverse smaller non-fiction writings. The bulk of this book concerns his journalistic writings on the Algerian Revolution, Soviet Union etc. Through these essays, you understand the pain of Camus. Camus' ethics doesn't agree to mindless violence for the sake of power. He makes an impassioned plea for tolerance and humanitarian solutions to the problems of war and peace.

Camus is not necessarily logical or politically correct. His stand on the issue of independence of Algeria is a compromised position between French imperialism and Algerian aspirations for freedom during that period. However, in his passion for diagnozing the problems of his time and addressing them, he hits upon a lot of interesting insights and arguments.

Particularly brilliant for both its analysis and its conclusion is Camus' landmark long essay 'Reflections on the Guillotine' which occupies a fair part of the book. In this essay, Camus systematically demolishes all legal or quasi-moral justifications for capital punishment and answers the third aspect of the question - Whether human life is worth taking?

In his 'The Myth of Sisyphus', he had argued against self-murder. In 'The Rebel', he argued against murder and genocide. In this essay, he argues against legalized murder. But unlike his earlier works where he offered weak arguments after a brilliant analysis, here he hits the mark by demolishing the justifications for capital punishment, totally. This particular essay deserves to be considered a classic in the philosophy of law and justice.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It has provided me with the strongest, most clear-headed confidence in the face of unrelenting hypocrisy and struggle. Camus was on the side of the angels for all of the conflicts of his time, a time that saw the darkest face of humanity. His arguments for compassion and justice are utterly transfixing and revelatory, and written with a clarity and insight that are simply breath-taking.

I challenge anyone that supports the death penalty to read "Reflections on the Guillotine" and walk away with their arguments intact. In this piece Camus utterly demolishes every argument for state-sanctioned murder while defending the right to live with dignity, a right that can easily encompass the self-defense by combat necessitated by circumstance.

Camus was a moral, intellectual, and physical hero, and reading these essays one is almost overcome by his sense of humilty, justice, and compassion. His writing is so crystalline, it's almost jolting. This is a powerful tonic for all those that despair of creating a place for the best qualities of the human race in times of utter darkness. A must-read.

Camus' essays are obviously more difficult to read than hisstories, and quite possibly more difficult to read than his philosophical investigations as well. Should they be read? Of course. In them, he speaks of similar topics (i.e. what to do in the face of absurditiy, human moral dilemmas, etc.) as he does in the other books, though in a more precise, more direct fashion. His views on the death penalty shaped my own almost completely.

What you get in this book are coherent arguments by a coherent, nuainced thinker. Is Sartre smarter than Camus? Camus knew enough to fear most -isms and -ologies where Sartre did not... (not that I recommend ignoring Sartre either! )

This quasi-fantasy tale relates the story of 15 year-old Franklin whose Japanese-American girlfriend is killed in a car accident, then returns to him in spirit form to guide him through his grief. Hawes' young adult story would be bibliotherapuetic for a young teen who has experienced the loss of a loved one. The story also speaks to intercultural relationships and tolerance. Franklin's mother is raising him alone, and begins dating; which is another emotional challenge for Franklin, who is already dealing with more than a fair share of problems. The writing itself makes use of poetry and beautifully descriptive prose, providing young adult readers with a lesson in descriptive writing.

I so loved this book. I'm a big fan of what I guess you could term supernatural romances and this is one of the best I have ever read.This book shows that true love never dies, not even after death.It lives on. The book is fiction, but I was still so deeply touched by it.It could have been real. Pick this book up. You will love it.

Rosey In The Present Tense was an awesome book! This bookteaches you about how to cope with death, but not only that, but abouta a boy that won't let go of his girlfriend's death. Franklin just can't imagine life without Rosey in it, and he thinks he sees her...but is this a dream, or is it reality? Read the book to find out what happens next! This was an awesome book, and I encourage you all to read it! It makes you laugh, it makes you cry....all around, its a GREAT BOOK for young adults!

This book is a very great book. It was rosey who is this beautiful girl who has long black hair and she is very nice. There's this guy who had fell in love with her. He sleeps thinking of her, when he is a wake he just yhinks of her evry day and night.oh, and how great it felt to be with her, how deliget to hold her. It was like a dream had come true. He found rosey and automatical just fall in love. Rosey had felt the exact same way as her boyfriend. The sad thing is that they didn't really spend their life together for a long time. Rosey went and left him behind. She went up to heaven, but david always think that she is there still with him. David new that she was gone, but he just doesn't want to think that she had left him about two years ago. Rosey and david is very much in love, but their love is not close as it use to be. Yet still they still got each others in the heart.

Not because the book was unrealistic or overly romantic, but because it centered on such a genuine relationship. This short book was funny, touching, rich. One more example of what fine writing is being done for young adults in this country! I'd recommend it to anyone of any age.

This is a book not only for children but for adults too. So much is said in so few words. The illustrations are key to the message. With so much going on today and so much of our pain and feelings kept inside, this book helps up to own our feelings without having to fix them.
I know personally that this book has had a deep affect on mnany children as well as adult friends.

J. McArthur

Sadie Listens is a wonderful book for children over 6 years old. It's a story of a little girl grieving for her dead cat. I loved the story and the emotionally evocative illustrations and I'm 68 years old.

I gave it to a granddaughter for her 11th birthday and she read it right away. Her cat had died two weeks prior. When she finished she went to her mother and said seriously, "This is a very good book." It helped her and her younger brother with their grief.

I recommend the book for any child who has lost something or someone important to them. It has a positive, happy ending.

The words of E. McMahon and P. Campbell about "Sadie Listens" from the Foreword to the book summarize the essence of the book for me. They wrote: "Steele's ingenious little classic provides a unique glimpse into that moment of transformation when body-connections are made and inner worlds unfold" And they conclude this paragraph with "The outer conflict we experience and the social disorder so prevalent in our world today, stem directly from this state of inner disconnection."

The author provides this glimpse with the use of incredible drawings which appear almost three-dimensional. Sadie's appearance could be related to by a person of either gender, or most any racial background.

The book is of exceptional quality. The hard back cover contains the same rich design that is also on the dust jacket. The colors throughout are rich and meaningful. The author describes his reason for the choice of tones in the synopsis on the front flap of the dust cover.

The book can not fully describe what Sadie does inside when she listens, but I have seen it open readers to want to learn more. A resource for learning more is listed at the bottom of the Foreword page.

"Sadie Listens" accomplishes a complex task in a profoundly simple story. It is easy to talk "about" feelings. It's easy to say "I'm sad" or "I'm mad" but it is very difficult to focus inside and just "feel" feelings--especially the scary ones. Working with children who are grieving, this is one of our tasks; so I am always looking for ways to help the children move from just talking about their feelings to actually feeling and listening. The first time I read the book to a group of bereaved children, it was obvious that they "got it."

Sadie Listens at first glance is a children's book, but it is also a book for adults. This beautiful story weaves us through the emotional journey of grief and shows us that the path lies directly in front of us and we must move through the path rather than around it. I highly recommend this book for anyone dealing with the emotional turmoil of the grieving process.

A friend of mine bought this book for me after my husband died of cancer. I felt as if my life had shattered into a million pieces (I was 8 months pregnant with our second child) and there was not much that gave me comfort. However, this book was the best grief book I read. It is not an outline of how you should feel, or what to do, it is simply a collection of quotes and thoughtful insights related to grief and loss. You can pick it up and put it down easily and the book moves through different emotions from the beginning to the end. I highly recommend it to anyone suffering from the loss of a loved one.

I found this book at the library after my mother died, and found it so comforting that I bought one for myself and one for each of my siblings.

When my precious mother died of cancer, this book saved my life. All of my emotions were identified in this book and the way it is written is beautiful. I have read it at least three times and each time I am reminded that my feelings of grief and loss will never completely go away but neither will I allow them to consume me.

I ordered this book after the sudden and accidental death of my beautiful daughter. I needed to find something that I could pick up any time I felt the need for some peace. This book became quite dog-eared, as I would mark my favorite poems and passages. For years, this was the last thing I would read from, at bedtime, before turning off the light.

I now order it for all my close friends who are going through the same grief process and I did, as I know how much comfort Molly's words brought to me in my time of need. I still use my "dog-eared" copy and know it will always be on my nightstand for the rest of my life to remind me that there is hope for peace.

A friend sent this book to me following the death of my husband. Although I could only read the first few pages in the initial stages of grieving, as the months slowly went by I could accept and relate to the progression of thoughts. It is written by someone who seemed to really understand the pain of grief. It is beautiful and sensitive.

C.S. Lewis wrote a book entitled "A Grief Observed". I highly recommend each of these books.

Mr. Noyer's knowledge of the A.D. Fifth century will amaze-but this is a mystery for all time. Vandals and politics, religious fanatics and pagans, all collide and combust as the Roman Empire skids to its death...

Roman Empire, fifth century -- murder, suspense, characters whom you can identify with, set in an era that piques ones interest. THE SAINT'S DAY DEATHS is a fun read.

Albert Noyer knows how to make history come alive. Readers will find themselves caring and learning about a time when it was not at all certain that a peculiar sect calling themselves Catholic Christians would construct the ideological foundations for as new Western culture.

Author Albert Noyer has brought history to life through a novel that has something for everyone - murderous conspiracy, political intrigue, warring sects and religious motivations - in "The Saint's Day Deaths." This evocative, historically accurate fictional mystery provides twists and turns never anticipated by the reader. The story is set in the year 406 CE, and the Rhine River has frozen over, making the city of Mogontium a target of three factions vying for empire. It is the beginning of the fall of the Roman Empire, and barbarian tribes are planning an invasion over the frozen river, while Christians and pagans clash inside the city to acquire religious and political power. In the midst, each month a citizen is murdered on their namsake's Saint's day in the same way the saint was martyred. [With Presbyter Modestus,] husband and wife team Treverius and Blandina, mapmakers, investigate the murders for an ailing governor and must find the culprit, as well as a way to prevent more deaths while they sort through a mingling of politics and religion combined with deception, treachery and greed. Noyer is an obvious passionate savant of Roman history and superbly combines it with many literary elements such as foreshadowing, allusion and dialogue. His first novel is a glorious accomplishment combining historical fact and setting, intriguing fictional characters and mesmerizing events. A glossary of names and places and the addition of three maps create an authenticity rarely found in literature. Review by Shawn Childers, East Mountain Telegraph.

This is a historical novel in the best sense of the word. A good history book makes the past come true, and a good novel breathes life into something that never happened. This book accomplishes both. An amazing feet! The story plays at around 400 AD in the Roman outpost Mogontium at the river Rhine. With the historical finesse that makes this book so enjoyable, the author selected for Mogontium a location that roughly coincides with the modern city of Mainz, thus making the settlement half fictitious, half real. At the time, the Rhine marked the boundary between two cultures: Supposedly civilized Rome west of the river, and barbaric Germanic tribes to the east. It was a time of frequent clashes between the dying paganism of the past and the budding religion of the future. This struggle, which provides the background for the story, becomes plastically alive through the deeds and the dialogues of its finely chiseld characters. The historical setting, in turn, heightens the story's suspense that would be considerable even in a more ordinary environment. The story is a classic whodunit. The stage is set when a worker, acting on behalf of Presbyter Modestus, attempts to erect a Christian cross on a former temple of Jupiter and is struck by lightning. Treverius and Cyril, who witness the incident, are terrified, but for different reasons. Treverius, the map maker, who has adopted the Christian faith, considers the poor man's death an accident, while Cyril, a rich merchant, who still clings to orthodox pantheism, views it a Jupiter's revenge. Many more deaths will follow, Cyril darkly prophesies, while Triverius attends to the daed man and his widow. Cyril's prophesy comes true, or so it seems, when Mogontium is rocked by a series of grisly murders. Triverius, his beautiful wife Blandina, and Presbyter Modestus are faced wirh the challenge to solve the mystery, and they attend to their mission with the bravura of a lay detective of a modern thriller.

Are the murders solved? If so, how? Where they hate crimes of the kind we know today? What was the role of the competing religions in these trgedies? Last, but not least, did Cyril's prophesy have some truth in it? Read it yourself. You will not regret it.