Maine Books

This book was a page-turner from the first chapter to the last line. I was sad to see the end of the book because I wanted more. This book was gritty and humorous and I loved this combination in a mystery book.

Thea Kozak is back, and as feisty as ever! In this newest installment of Kate Flora's Thea Kozak Mystery series, Thea is still working on the healing process. With her gentle giant, Andre, close by, she takes aim, literally, at her insecurities and puts the past where it belongs. Great symbolism. Thea might be down, but she's far from out. She's not invincible, so while she falters at times and loses her edge, she is pugnacious to a fault and never concedes defeat. Much like an old Timex timepiece, Thea "takes a licking and keeps on ticking." I absolutely love that about her!

Thea is hoping to enjoy the rest of her weekend with her new hubby, Main State Police Detective Andre Lemieux, when she receives a call from Suzanne, her partner at EDGE Consulting. It seems there is a sticky situation at St. Matthew's, a private New Hampshire boarding school. A female student athlete has accused another student (who just happens to be the grandson of one of the school's most generous benefactors) of stalking - and the school is in dire need of help to defuse the situation. What Thea discovers is that the school really just wants her to rubber stamp her approval of a letter they hope to send out to the parents, basically accusing the female student of fabricating the entire story and thereby holding the school blameless.

A very cursory investigation reveals that the school neglected to follow its own procedures for dealing with accusations, and those who could corroborate the accuser's story were no longer at the school and hadn't even been questioned. Thea smells a coverup and steals herself to sticking around for awhile to sort things out. The school, however, isn't interested in real answers and sends Thea packing. The rejection gnaws a bit on her self-confidence. Has she read the situation correctly or is she completely off base?

When the accused is discovered on campus with the female athlete's older brother standing over his dead body, things at St. Matthew's really heat up, and the school once again calls EDGE Consulting to help avert a crisis. This creates a quandary for Thea. Should she ignore the role those in authority at the school appear to have played in this tragedy, or should she just do her best to cover their behinds no matter what? She is conflicted about just how much useful information she can impart to the police without serving up her clients on a silver platter. She decides that the most ethical course of action is for her to investigate on her own so that she won't be offering up little more than gossip and innuendo.

Thea quickly learns that searching for the truth at St. Matthew's is an unhealthy proposition, and she becomes even more worried about the welfare of Shondra Jones, the 16-year-old accuser. She has no idea that the things she has uncovered thus far are only the tip of the iceberg, and that something far more sinister is festering just below the surface, putting her life, and the lives of those around her, in jeopardy.

Ms. Flora has created palpable suspense and a heart-pounding denouement! The issue of stalking is timely and is handled quite well. I beseech the publisher to bring us the next Thea Kozak Mystery as quickly as possible - her adoring public awaits!

Carol Ann Hopkins 5/24/2008

This book and its illustrations will bring back memories of childhood summer vacations and will make your children excited to go on their own summer trips. The illustrations are beautiful and detailed -- your children will love to read and re-read this book as they try to pick out all of the interesting details.

My boys absolutely loved this book. The illustrations really caught their eyes. They pointed out many things that I didn't even notice at first glance. Although the boys have not personally taken the Downeaster, they have been on a train and related well to the book. Rebecca Harrison Reed is a highly talented children's book artist! I look forward to her next book.

Told me about the times I never lived - about a place, the Bodner Hotel owned by a strong entrepreneur called Lizzie. Very vivid characterization.

Owner of the Albred Hotel, Lizzie, comes from Europe with wonderful cooking skills and fulfills her dream to open a hotel. Bodner has researched carefully all current events at that time. The Westinghouse Corp. is also featured, with many Europeans coming to work for George W. These characters live at the hotel. This is a very entertaining summer read.

Too often, environmental issues are set forth as win-lose propositions. In this thoughtful book, however, the environmentally sympathetic author, an ocean sailor herself, reports with considerable clarity and sensitivity on the world of those whose livelihoods have depended upon fishing in troubled waters off the New England Coast and beyond.

The lessons learned with respect to the New England fishing industry are worth knowing about and understanding, especially for those concerned with environmental issues that abound elsewhere in our world. Indeed, by extension, they are capable of informing sustainability undertakings on the part of governments, corporations and private interest groups just about anywhere.

Vanishing Species chronicles the fate of groundfishing in New England waters since the Sustainable Fisheries Act (SFA) was enacted in 1996, causing increasingly strict regulations to be placed on the harvesting of fourteen species of edible fish. The SFA mandates that within a ten-year period, the stocks of these fish were to be brought up to levels prescribed by the government. To achieve this goal, strict regulations were put in place to limit net size, how many fish were caught, and the number of days fishermen could spend at sea. The SFA and regulations like it govern how, when, and where fishermen may fish.

Since its inception, the SFA has been a fulcrum for escalating tensions between environmentalists, who argue that the mandates of the SFA are being ignored, and fishermen and their families, whose existence has come to depend on how government employees and a federal judge interpret the SFA. Although some scientists and environmentalists believe the fish stocks remain at levels too low to sustain further harvesting, many fishermen believe that the fish stocks are rising and that the government's means of measuring them is flawed. At the heart of the conflict is the survival of both the fish and the New England fishing communities.

Playfair's compelling narrative brings the reader face-to-face with all aspects of this controversy. She examines the day-to-day business of groundfishing prior to the enactment of regulations, as well as the much-debated issue of farming fish through aquaculture as an alternative to harvesting fish from the sea. She asks how fish stocks fell so low that they became endangered, and she questions whether the fishermen are really at fault or simply are scapegoats for a larger problem. Playfair takes the reader onboard boats with different types of fishing gear; on voyages with scientists and fishermen seeking an equitable way to allow New England fishermen to fish while maintaining the numbers of groundfish needed in order for the populations to spawn and grow; and into seafood restaurants where demand remains high and fresh fish are treated with the respect they deserve. If we lose the fisherman, Playfair reminds us, we lose our access to the fresh fish we now take for granted. The alternative may be a nomadic factory trawler-destructive to the environment, wasteful of the resource, and a sap to the soul of small coastal communities.

Based in large part on interviews with a wide range of people-fishermen and their families, restaurant managers, environmentalists, fisheries scientists, politicians, and government officials-Vanishing Species offers a series of unforgettable portraits of people who are involved in the struggle to find a way to support sustainable fishing and the communities that rely on it.

A poetry fan in awe of poets, I stand in wonder at this book. How do good poets like LeGrand make such striking art out of seeming nothingness? Each poem in this collection is so well built and so rich in meaning, continuously offering insight, humor, tenderness and clarity to my understanding of the human condition. In other words, within these pages you'll find an architect of all it means to be young, alive, and both awestruck and troubled by one's consciousness. A definite must-have for any lover of poems! (And what I wouldn't give to be the "Beautiful" of his dedication or the "you" of the poem "Sometimes I Can't Think of Myself as Being a Person"!)

With this stunning debut from a seemingly young poet, LeGrand inaugurates us into what likely will be a long and laudable lifespan of poetry writing. In other words, buy this book! You won't be disappointed. The language is clear, potent, and alive; the metaphors are rich and rewarding; and the rhythm and tone of his voice is downright intoxicating. What a pleasure to discover this bright, young talent!

A Vast Army of Women not only relates the stories of Maine women and their important contributions to the war effort, but provides some very important contextual information about the formation of the Sanitary Commission. Furthermore, the book discusses the relationship between the Sanitary Commission and the army. Sudlow's history reveals that although unprepared for the casualties of war, the U.S. Army strongly resisted the help of the Sanitary Commission that saved many lives merely because it was from a source outside the military.

Sudlow's research uncovers the tales of women, although having Maine connections, that could have been from anywhere in the northern United States. In fact, one woman lived in Tennessee. These stories, collected from manuscripts and lesser known documents in many cases, highlight the important roles that women filled during the Civil War and in fact may have influenced the outcome of the war. Also, the stories illustrate that although disharmony existed between some of the nurses, many long-lived friendships were formed. Within the biographies included here, a reader can also discern the changing role of women as they took on burdens far greater than the traditional domestic role.

Do not be fooled into thinking that this book is about local history. It reflects northern history during the civil war with its indepth look at Maine women.

This is a very valuable addition to women's history.

What a wonderful job Lyn Sudlow did! This is such an important book, which highlights not only the unsung Civil War heroines of Maine, but represents the "vast" contributions of all of those women who will never be identified, from every State. The book clearly folows their struggle to rise to the unimaginable duty required of them during the War, and how the strengths they exhibited (rewarded, but often not), set the stage for the Suffrage Movement which was to follow. They proved themselves on many levels, and there would be no turning back! I cherished reading about each one of these women, most biographies being accompanied by a photo. The book was thoroughly researched, intelligently written, and well-edited. You don't need to be a historian to love this book! I enjoyed learning about everything from the shapes of the donuts sent to the troops, to the strength, courage and fortitude it took to manage a major medical operation on no budget and scarse supplies. (And, of course, an occasional "cat fight." I wonder how well I would have interacted with Dorothea Dix, whose responsibilities were unfathomable.) Again, this is a great historical contribution. I'm so grateful to Ms. Sudlow for publishing her extensive research, and look forward to her next work!

Virtual Wiles by Martin T. Ingham
Reviewed by Stephanie Johnson

Virtual Wiles by Martin T. Ingham is not your average science fiction or fantasy novel. It is the digital age meets the middle ages. In Virtual Wiles, the hero Morgan Asher (or rather his mind) is transported into a virtual reality realm reminiscent of the era of King Arthur or Robin Hood. Inside the virtual reality program, Morgan Asher meets several interesting characters including Rheena, who is not at all who she seems to be. Together the two must battle against an order of Mages (wizards) who not only control magic, but also the very technology that operates the simulated world itself.

Morgan discovers that, due to his high entry test scores, he is immune to the magic wielded by the Mages and can alter the simulated world to his will. Because of this the Mages want to "deboot" him so he cannot make changes to the program. But soon, Morgan and Rheena discover that the Mages have many secrets of their own. The two then enlist the help of the Nekrons (a simulated race) to battle the Circle of Mages.

Martin T. Ingham does a wonderful job of pulling the reader into the story and his many plot twists will keep you guessing right up until the end. This is one of the most imaginative books I have read in a long time. With technology, magic, swordfights, shootouts, adventure of all kinds, and even a touch of love and theology, Virtual Wiles is a great read for any sci-fi or fantasy fan.

Virtual Wiles explores the dangers of becoming a prisoner to a simulated world and the potential technology that may be possible, even in our future. The story is a perfect blend between fantasy and the real world, where the lines between reality and make-believe are blurred.

The journey to this virtual world is an escape or vacation for some, while others use it to live out the life they never could have. Virtual Wiles follows Morgan Asher on a mission that leads him to a far off place, and has him questioning what is real--and what is simulated. At times I found myself doubting what was real and what was simulated--as if lost in a simulated world myself. And the only way to get out was to read on and follow Morgan through it.

The detailed description of the surroundings and the characters allowed me to see them as if I was there. When I thought I knew what was coming next, I was blind-sided by the tale. Romance also finds its way into the picture as the plot gets more detailed--and makes things more complicated along the way. The future of two worlds will be forever changed.

The story comes alive with perfect pacing, and the scenes leave a lasting imprint. There is plenty of depth to the characters and I instantly became attached to them. The book is extremely well written and the plot well thought-out. Ingham has created a magnificent journey that left me fulfilled at the end--but still wanting more. The only question left--when is the sequel coming?

Fantastic book! I absolutely recommend it for all ages! Five Stars!

I loved this book so much I had to buy two. (one wore out). Velma's Kitchen products are off the wall (Velmaveta cheese), and other Church Supper delights.
Surviving the Desert of Maine (which is REAL) to become "Wicked Good" is told as an account. Just good Maine humor and fun all around...fun to read while the "ice comes out of the lakes....FINALLY" (around May)
I'm a Mainer so I appreciate this book. It's a hoot!

If you love Maine humor you will love this book.Steve Bither and The Wicked Good Men excel at Maine humor.You may have to be from Maine or be very familiar with it to fully understand this.

no matter how much you think you know about the natural northern world, specifically flora and fauna, this book knows more. sure, we all know that a spider's webbing can be twice as strong as steel for its size but did you know that spiders can custom blend their webbing for different tasks? stretchy, sticky, tough..umm...buoyant..er ,well, other qualities relevant to spiders. its like a more basic, easier to understand kinda string theory.. sorry, slipping off topic here. this book is great, breezily written, funny even. get it, put it in the bathroom and in just 30 mins a day.. no,wait, that's the learning company..you will be able to amaze and confound all your friends from wood chucks to marine biologists with your arcane knowledge of the great outdoors. well, hey, its working that way for me.

Having just lived through another l-o-n-g winter for the privilege of living in the northwoods, this book was like a breath of fresh air. From mosses to white pines, water striders to black bears, this very readable book covers most everything you're likely to find in the northern woods -- and there are even segments on clouds and constellations. One-stop shopping for all your info needs if you love the woods and are curious about its other inhabitants. Lots of little-known facts written in an intelligent and engaging fashion. An easy-to-use reference that even children could enjoy, with entries that make you want to check out "just one more thing." After buying it yesterday we had a long road trip ahead of us -- that sort of flew by as I read entries aloud to my husband. It would be a great addition to our cabin "library" on a pine shelf behind the woodstove, but I kind of think I'll keep it here at home, close at hand.

I'm actually looking for titles by Mary Coyle Chase ("Harvey," "Loretta Mason Potts," etc. but in the process I ran across a copy of "Windswept" at my local university library . . . (Lee Library at BYU.) Are you only looking for a copy to own, or also one to borrow? If borrowing, you might try interlibrary loan.

A wonderful book about life on a farm perched on the rocky edge of the Maine coast. The land is rough, sometimes bleak and gray, but it leaves you with a warm feeling. I first read it in 1965. If you can find a copy so I can give it to my children, please let me know.