Maine Books

A beautiful book evoking imagery of a time past that had been very instrumental in inspiring and providing access to America's love and appeciation of nature. In this book we are shown how these roads led us to our collective love of natural beauty in America - literally and metaphorically - in an historically accurate and academic work by the author whose love of these roads in Acadia and of nature's wonders in general are delightfully evident. Exquisite photographs!

Lori A. Gordon lives in Vestal, New York with her family. She is not new to the publishing world, having had several articles published, but Murder in Maine is her first mystery.

Anne Wyndham has had a rough life thus far. Her parents were killed in a car accident which she herself survived, and the nightmares are vivid. In the opening to Murder in Maine, Anne is in bed and realizes her apartment and her landscaping business below are on fire and that the only way she will survive is if she jumps out of her window. But at the last moment she is rescued by tall, dark, and handsome Brock Cameron, who has come to tell her that her beloved uncle has committed suicide. Anne and Brock hurry back to Maine, where strange happenings have been afoot:

"'The accidents started about the time that Mr. Brock came...Mr. Brock promised that he'd get to the bottom of things, but he never did...A few days before your uncle died, he sent for Mr. Brock...they had a terrible fight.' Mrs. Monroe's words echoed in Anne's mind as she sat in the gathering darkness. Could Brock have had anything to do with the accidents? Why? What did he stand to gain?"

Murder in Maine is a delicately written story about the quest for meaning in a world filled with unhappy and bitter events. Anne Wyndham and Brock Cameron are both orphans who are looking for meaning and connection in their lives. The death of Anne's Uncle James brings them together and then threatens to tear them apart. Their characters are both sweet and uncomplicated people who are driven by the need to do the right thing when everything around them is falling apart.

Ms. Gordon writes an inspirational tale, but also does a good job of following the mystery genre in this unusual whodunit. She has a nice grasp of how reality can turn people around to the point where they don't know where to turn, and she offers more than a few biblical quotations as a means of not only redemption, but as a guidebook on how to transcend the problems of the world. Anne and Brock and good people caught in bad circumstances, and Ms. Gordon's loving handling of their situation gives hope and insight into everyday events. A good read.

Shelley Glodowski
Reviewer

If you love thrilling suspense novels try this one. I read it in one sitting and couldn't put it down.The story told from three differant characters is at once creepy and a brilliant way to write a novel.
Mildreds earier books from the forties to seventies are fantastic too, if you can find them(The Room Upstairs, They Buried a Man).

This book is absolutely fantastic. Dr. Elizabeth De Wolfe tells the elusive story of Berengera Caswell/Mary Bean in a chilling way, but includes interesting facts about 1850. As a reader, I truly felt like I was being transported to Saco Maine in 1850 and found this poor girl's body strapped to a board in the culvert of Woodbury Brook. A fascinating story, and a wonderful true crime read!

I grew up in Maine, but live outside the state. When I picked up My Maine at the bookstore, I was transported back to my childhood. Mr. Chartier's paintings have such detail of the 'everyday things' that make Maine so unique -- that I felt I was right back there again. For anyone who wants a genuine book of Maine memories (or memories to come), with subtle, gentle, yet powerful illustrations -- this is the one to get.

In this memoir, Ogilvie humorously writes about her life on Gay's Island off the coast of Maine living in a house aptly called "Tide's Way" which she shared with her married friends Roy and Dot. The book starts out with their move from another island to Gay's Island, adventurously transporting their furniture by boat. She writes about boat trips to Port Clyde to get groceries; rowing trip excursions; attempts at building different "writer's studios" in the woods, and more. She also writes about their humorous and loveable pets that you won't forget - Blackie the sheep with "black felt ears"; Tristan and Soldi the cats; and Smokey and Susan, the dogs. Anyone who likes reading about a simple life connected to nature will enjoy this book. If you like this book, I recommend reading Gladys Taber's books and also Louise Dickinson Rich's works.

When they are done with the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys, The Secret of the Missing Grave and the sequel The Mystery of the Black Moriah are a good move. They are fast paced and enjoyable with just enough "As if!" to keep it fun. They are not gory, and the characters (who are 14) are believable and not boring.

I read this book before my daughter did, to preview it. I really enjoyed the plot and the lesson that the story taught. It was just long enough to hold a 7 year olds attention without getting into deep confusing plot twists. If you want a book that is fun to read, easy to follow, and one that you don't have to preview before your child reads it, any of the books in this series will do. I will buy more of these books because I know I can hand her one to read and know that anything that comes up in discussion from this book will teach a lesson.

Maine visitors and residents alike will find THE NAMES OF MAINE a fun listing of over 1,000 cities, towns, rivers, lakes and islands which surveys the origins, meaning and history of each. Plenty of regional Make history enhances an exploration which is well-rounded in its scope and presentation, covering not only well-known areas but some of the state's byways. Perfect for planning a local history trip or backroads expedition.

Diane C. Donovan, Editor
California Bookwatch

Wonderful book about Maine, and about life itself. I highly reccomend this book to anyone, especially anyone who may be facing a difficult time in their life!