Maine Books

This book is awesome. We love Maine and this book has helped us explore it. I tell everyone I know to buy this book if they are going to Maine, whether it's their first or 30th time there.

This is the guidebook we include in each of our B&B rooms.
Guests frequently take it with them on their day trips and
I have found it to be full of very comprehensive information
on what the State of Maine has to offer.

My husband and I re-located to Maine in 1995. We have used this book extensively to plan day and weekend trips around the state. There are so many wonderful places to explore and this book always gives us some good tips and starting points. We currently have the 10th edition.

"Maine: An Explorer's Guide" was my first purchase in the series. Since then, I have used "Vermont..." and "Maryland...". While perhaps not ideal for novices in a region, they are excellent for one who has some familiarity with the state one is visiting. The descriptions of history, geography, cultural and recreational offerings; and the listings of inviting, independent restaurants, shops and accommodations have always been accurate, informative and insightful. If you are likely to visit more than once, or stay longer than a few days, this is the book for you. As a piece of advice, buy a good map to go with it.

This was just a so so book on Maine. It has some good stuff and some not so good stuff. I bought it because it was the only one in the store with an extensive section on the little town of Kittery which is near the border with New Hampshire. It was a good section and I got a lot of information and use out of it. However, when I started reading the rest of the book I kind of got a little lost. The sections on "where to eat" and "selective shopping" were confusing because they were organized differently. They've put phone numbers for places without an area code and directions like "North along Route 1" which doesn't make any sense to me not knowing where anything in Maine is. I suppose it would be a really good book for someone with some knowledge about Maine or someone who actually lives there and wants to get away for the weekend or something. On the plus side the maps were really good and the photos were nice (black and white, but nice). My copy had five pages in a row that were upside down. Not sure what that's all about. I wasn't able to make it to Maine on a trip I made to the area, but I plan to go one of these days and I will take this book with me when I do because it still has a lot of good information.

This is the second book I've read by Michael Prescott and by sheer chance it is the second book I've read that featured FBI agent Tess McCallum. This is a good murder-mystery thriller that talks about but does not dwell on the emotional baggage of the main characters to the point of boring. This story keeps moving and is easy to read at a good pace. Being the master sleuth that I am, I of course figured out the true identity of Mobius early in the book. (Mobius was the bad guy) At 372 pages in paperback this novel did not drag at all. There were good characterizations and people you could actually care about. The clues were there and the action intense. I am about to order another book by Prescott. I see there is another Tess McCallum book out there that needs to be read. Oh by the way, I guessed early on who the killer was...WRONG!!! It was a total surprize at the end. Good book. Read it, but if you're looking for romance, find something different. This is more action.

This was my first Michael Prescott novel and I found it surprisingly enjoyable. The plot was creative, I learned a few things and the suspense kept me raptly reading late into the night. Like most books of this genre, things get a little silly toward the end of the book, and the protagonist is, of course, only a little less accomplished than God, and everything happens within a two-day time span and the universe is saved within a second or two of oblivion, etc. But, knowing in advance that's how most of these books unfold, the reader can just sit back and enjoy the show. I'd say Prescott is a cut above most thriller writers, so I intend now to order the rest of his books through Amazon and enjoy them.

Sometimes, in the course of reading the work of a talented author who thinks up good concepts, knows the mechanics of good storytelling, writes interesting dialogue, and creates compelling characters, one has to wonder how much creative control they actually have and how much better they could've made their book if left to their own expert devices instead of being comprised by editorial micro-managing. I got an inkling of how Alex Kava's light was obscured by the editorial bushel while reading SPLIT SECOND and I couldn't help but speculate on the same thing while reading Michael Prescott's latest thriller (he'd wanted to name it WIPEOUT but the publisher choose the breathtakingly bland NEXT VICTIM).

A woman on the run from the FBI is carrying a canister of VX nerve agent and is intercepted by a serial killer, who then absconds with it and plans to use it on an unsuspecting Los Angeles. This is the best concept in recent fiction since Jan Burke's BONES (2001).

Not all the book's flaws can be blamed on editing, however- as one reviewer rightly posits, Mobius suffers from the talking villain syndrome, whereas the pieces could've come together in a more organic way, through skillful exposition or having Special Agent Tess McCallum, the book's heroine, tell the reader in her POV. Also, in the ATSAC HQ, Tess is actually relieved when it turns out that Mobius has VX in his possession, instead of the ebola that Tess had feared. I don't know of a single human who would ever be relieved to be dealing with VX, surely the deadliest substance ever engineered by Man.

But NEXT VICTIM'S virtues far outweigh its flaws and the characterization of the principals is good enough to garner sympathy for both antagonist and protagonist. and, while it's obligatory for the heroine to engage the villain in the Endgame in which the heroine (of course) wins, Prescott thankfully was able to break away from his usual DIE HARD-esque ending that involves a tall, abandoned/unfinished building to give the reader a more novel denouement.

As usual, I'll be on the lookout for the talented Prescott's next outing, hoping for both a hardcover deal for him and less editorial interference.

I just want to say I love all of Michael Prescott's books. I read his first one, "Come's The Dark", and I had to go out and get all of the others. Once I start one, I can't put it down. This book really has a great twist at the end, I loved it!! I really look forward to his next one, and hope he has another one on the way!!

Great story line and interesting plot. Prescott hit a grand slam on this one. This book was such an intense thriller, I read it in two days.

Schlossberg, I think, hits a few nails on the head. She poses what should be several thought-provoking questions for anyone comptemplating retirement. Her description of the several basic "types" of retirees is, by observation, so accurate it's almost amusing. But, her message is honest, but encouraging. Her examples of several folks who "failed" at retirement, then changed to compensate for their shortcomings and to reevaluate and build on their strengths offer excellent insights of what some of us will have to deal with in moving on. A quick, but enlightening read.

This is a very helpful little book. Gave my husband and I a lot of information we will be needing. Good advise. I would recommend this book to anyone thinking of retiring and who knows nothing about it.

Since I just retired after 33 years at one company, I wanted to read about help in what I should do in my retirement. This book gave me some good insight. I recommend it.

This book did not meet my needs...was not an interesting or informative read for me.

This is a great book and easy to read. Instead of psychology and theory, she gives a lot of examples. This not only makes it easier to read but illustrates that everyone will experience a different type of retirement.

This book was just ridiculously funny! This was the first book I'd read by the author and she immediately had me hooked! Tory and her friends are a riot but that Tory, (desperate, shameless thang)was a gas! LOL. The message was clear: that much desperation ain't pretty on nobody! But it was fun taking the ride with Tory. I'm glad she finally got the message and wised up. Moon was cool and refreshing and the kind of man she needed. I would've kicked Miss Thang's behind-talking about the coon schools. This was just a completely funny, relaxing read that would be perfect on the beach. You'll laugh out loud.

I gave this 4 stars because some of Tory's escapades I found just a little bit too desperate and far fetched. Nonetheless, a very significant moral is put across - Don't compromise yourself to get a man. I read this book in one day. With no sinister twists or plots I found it an very entertaining light read.

i really liked this book, victoria's character was naive and a bit shakey, but i have to admit i found bits and pieces of myself in her. and people i know fit into the characters of her best friends. and males i know reminded me of guys i have encountered.

I read this book several months ago, and it held my interest until the very end. It had that love story, happily ever after feel to it, but the hell she went through to get to 'Mr Right' was somewhat realistic. The part where Daniel asks, 'Are you Ready?' was hilarious, and that alone was enough for me to keep reading to see what would happen. This book was pretty good.

Rarely do I ever review a book that I've read, but I had to review this one and give it 5 stars. It was an excellent read. It was funny and I could not put it down. Poor Torey needed to be loved so badly but the brother had to be fine or she was'nt having it! I know people just like her, that is why I could relate. Mr. Moon McAllister was so real that I fell in love with him myself. Anyway you will enjoy this book I'm sure. You will not be disappointed. I hope there is a sequel!

I used this book for a virtual tour using a mapping program. Hopefully, I will someday have the time to do the trail or at least some of it. I will definitely get this book each year.

I've used the Thru-hiker's guide in planning hikes of 35 to 250 miles on the Appalachian trail and have it extremely valuable.

This guide, which is updated yearly, is a wonderful resource for planning long-distance hikes on the Appalachian Trail and for consultation along the way. It provides specific information about resources available on and near the trail, including shelters, water sources, campsites, stores for food and other supplies, post-offices, restaurants, hostels and transportation. It also contains accurate mileage information (to the 1/10 mile) for distances on the trail and basic directions and mileage information for off-trail resources.

While the authors provide some information about each region through which the trail travels and does list some of the side trails and the many interesting destinations to which they lead -the clear focus of the guide is on the pragmatics of getting around on and near the trail. Because many people who hike the entire trail or large sections of it will carry the book (or one piece of the book at a time) with them, the information is presented in a highly condensed format. In this sense, the book is a highly specific tool - well designed for a very specific purpose. Those looking for a guide to gear for thru-hiking will need to look elsewhere, as will those who are looking for a good deal of colorful information about the areas they travel in, reviews about the strengths and weaknesses of the various hostels and restaurants along the way. Most long distance hikers would not want to carry a book with that kind of detail.

Many people who have thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail have also used the "Thru-hikers planning guide" workbook, which can be used as a companion to this guide.

This review is for the Southbound book. I encourage Southbounders to use Wingfoot if for no other reason than the ATC book patronizingly entreats "would be southbounders" to beware of blackflies, etc. as if they are trying to discourage a southbound hike. But Wingfoot has a lot of great information, sometimes too much information, and the book is large and heavy as a result. I could have torn off the pages as I went, but I wanted an intact record of my hike. If Wingfoot would edit this book down to a more compact size, and include some decent maps, his book would be, without a doubt, the best out there.

I have used Dan's guide books for a few years and find each new
edition to be better than the rest. I used the information to do
a 300 mile section hike in May and June of this year. It was
extremely helpful in planning my town stops and resupply points.
The inclusion of historic information as well as plant and fauna
descriptions elevate it above just facts and figures.
In the back of the guide is a section to submit updates on
anything the reader finds has changed since the guide was

published. This gives everyone the chance to participate in
keeping the guide up to date.
I am extremely happy with "The Thru-Hikers Guide" and will
choose it for all my future Appalachian Trail hiking needs in
the future.

After ten years of section hiking the AT, I have completely given up on Wingfoot's (so called) Trail Guide. In a word, it is hopelessly out of date and not worth the investment. I hiked several miles in the wrong direction on my last hike in Vermont because Wingfoot mis-directed hikers to a shelter that had been moved three years prior. Wingfoot is resistant to change and needs to thru-hike the AT again to bring his guide up to date.
I highly recommend the "Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker's Companion."

Big E

When looking for something fresh and new for my wedding flowers, I sifted through dozens of books that showed the same old arrangements and nothing new or creative. I own another of Stark and Adler's books, and was pleased to see they had written a wedding flower book. I was over the moon after ordering the book. The designs are simply beautiful! The flower choices are artistic, simple and help a bride to choose the right flowers for the growing season in which her wedding takes place. I carried this book to my florist and we recreated several of the arrangements for my bridal bouquets and table arrangements. Everyone was impressed with the floral arrangements and the vibrant color choices. This is the one book you need, if you are looking for a fresh, vibrant and artistic look for your wedding.

I bought this book for my sister who is getting married soon. She loved the book! It has given her great ideas and pictures for her to express to her florist what she wants. Most of the bouquets are unique and the wrappings around the flowers are a wide variety and have great ideas. I would recommend the book.

Es una estupenda referencia sobre las ideas que buscan las personas cuando de solicitar ramos para boda se refieren... incluso algunas quinceañeras lo han tomando como referencia para escoger el ramo que llevarán a la iglesia.

I'm marrying in November and went to the library to look up books on wedding flowers; this one came out to be my favorite so far. Although some of the advice is a little too frou-frou for my tastes (if you want Spring flowers in December, then have at it!), the bouquets and flowers are gorgeous. I actually read the captions for the photos more than anything else.

The book is quite inspiring with several flower types that you never thought to use, plus interesting wrapping of the stems.

My biggest cheer is for the size and quality of the photos. You can search online all you like for beautiful bouquets, and most of the time you get pixelated crap with colors that don't match the flowers at all.

this book is as good as anything i have seen on this subject[and probably better than most]

In the 5th installment in the Lucy Stone Mystery series, love is certainly not in the air on the library board in Tinker's Cove, Maine. Lucy has become the newest board member, and is looking forward to the opening of the new addition to the beloved town library. But at Lucy's first board meeting, she stumbles upon the dead body of the controversial librarian, and discovers that the board has a lot of secrets that it has been keeping. When another board member is found dead, Lucy starts to fear for her own safety, and the safety of her family.

As in previous books in the series, the Valentine Murder deals with another complex issue. This time the topic is gambling. Lucy is writing a feature story for the Pennysaver regarding this subject, and while doing research, she discovers that a large percentage of the town is purchasing lottery tickets as a way to win big. The economy has been tough for the residents of Tinker's Cove, and Lucy is shocked to discover that she was not aware of the gambling problems of many in her small town. Instead of bread and milk being the hottest sellers at the local convenience store, Lucy discovers instead that lottery tickets are the item of choice. And when one of the library board members is found to have a gambling addiction, Lucy is determined to find assistance for her town.

I have really enjoyed all of the books in the Lucy Stone series. Reading them in order, I have watched Lucy's children grow, and have also glimpsed a change in the relationship between herself and her husband, Bill. In previous books, Bill has been portrayed as a grouchy, demanding husband. However, in this book, he has been portrayed as much kinder and loving...a welcome change to the series. I look forward to reading more Lucy Stone mysteries for years to come!

The first book in the series is called "Mistletoe Murder". Enjoy!

A murder in the library? Lucy begins her service as a library board member by finding a body in the basement. Lucy finds herself investigating another murder because she has more than one mystery to solve. Something is not quite right in the library. I suspected many people of the murder until the real killer was revealed. This was an interesting quick read that will hold your interest. I look forward to more books by this author.

The mystery of this book takes place in a library. (One of my favorite places!) The librarian is murdered. Lucy Stone is determined to find out who did it and why.

Lucy and I have so much in common: 4 kids (3 girls and a boy); a rugged husband; We both love our kids so much and spend lots of quality time with them; We both love mystery novels; We both love historical houses; We both have generous hearts when giving to food banks or people in need.

This book takes place in the really cold winter. These wonderful Lucy Stone books are as close to Maine as I will ever get. Maine is cold anyway, but this particular year had an even colder and more severe snow storm. Thinking about the cold weather made me shiver! But, as bad as the weather was, it was actually good, because a snow drift is what saves a life! (I won't say who or why - I don't want to ruin it!)

I love both the cozy atmosphere and the mystery/plot. This is a wonderful, awesome book.

In this fifth Lucy Stone mystery, small-town Maine mother of four and part-time newspaper reporter Lucy Stone has volunteered to be the newest member on the Tinker Cover Library board. Lucy begins to wonder what she's gotten herself into, though, when the town's librarian is found shot in the library's basement during the first library board meeting that Lucy attends. Lucy can't seem to keep her nose out of investigating the murder, though, and rapidly becomes engrossed in interviewing the other library board members, as they seemto be the most likely suspects. As Lucy investigates more deeply, she finds that most of the library board members are not quite what they seem. And when Lucy's family starts experiencing a string of mysterious "accidents", Lucy knows that she must be closing in on the murderer's identity.

The mystery was a good one, but I only gave this book four stars because Lucy continued to do a few things that really disturbed me throughout the book. One, she leaves her four-year old daughter Zoe strapped in her car seat in near-zero temperatures when she "dashes" into the library. Secondly, Lucy suggests sledding down the twisty road leading to their house to her children, a very dangerous activity that nearly gets two of the children hit by a truck. I've really enjoyed the stories in this series, but I'd like the heroine to use a little common sense, please.

I really enjoyed this book and all her others. Librarians generally don't gossip about their patrons though. Well the ones I know don't. I like how Lucy throws in some family time and time to clean and do other chores along with solving mysteries. Leslie Meier writes good.

The focus of this work is, as previously stated by another reviewer, on the environment.

Forests are certainly sacred spaces, so the environmental focus is not the reason for my disappointment.

My disappointment stems from the lack of character development - specifically, the lack of a foundation. We are thrown into the story, meeting both the main characters as quickly as they are introduced to one another. We don't have time to get a real feel for either one of them before their first encounter. Because of this, neither of them felt real to me. I found myself not really caring about either of them.

Having read "Wicked Good Time," I know the author is capable of much better writing. I can only hope that in her future works she returns to her previous style of writing.

32 year old Aspen is a lifetime resident of a tiny, poor, logging community in Maine. She is a local teacher and while drop dead attractive, at the moment, she is single. She has lost all her family but has many terrific friends, one of her closest friend is Cassie. She finds her deepest comfort in her love of nature, especially the trees of the forest.

New to the town is thirty-something Leigh. Leigh is single and a lifetime forester. As women are rare in the business and she happens to be considered the best manager in the company Leigh is fast tracked for great things. While Leigh is new to town, and doesn't know anyone, her sister Brittany arrives and gets her older sister involved in the community.

How these two women overcome their seemingly different views towards their habitat ( and troubling similarity of family backgrounds) will hold your interest. The romance is very passionate and a highlight of reading this book. The book also gets exciting when radical environmentalists come to town and get involved fighting redevelopment plans.

Don't miss the author's other books including-

Finest Kind of Love

This is the first book of Diana Braund I have read. It kept my interest, so I thought it was a good read.

I've always enjoyed Diana Tremain Braund's writing, but her most recent two books have shown us a depth of heart and character that shows growth in an already good author.

Aspen's Embers communicates a sensitive touch, first between legitimate environmental concerns and the real people affected by them. So often, when environmentalists are represented, they are treated as either angelic or demonic, depending on the political leanings of the author. In this case, Tremain Braund convincingly argues the concerns of an environmentalist AND the concerns of the local people whose livelihoods are at odds with environmental goals.

The other sensitive interplay is between likable, three-dimensional characters who find themselves facing difficult choices.

Another in a series of increasingly good books by an author whose work continues to grow in depth and color.

Aspen's Embers
Finally an author who writes about something other than girl meets girl, girl loses girl. Diana Tremain Braund has taken lesbian literature to a new level.
Aspen's Embers not only has romance and wonderful characters, but it also touches on emotional issues that many of us deal with, but few of us get to read about. Lots of kudos to Tremain Braund.
I look forward to her next book and hopefully many more books in her future.

Interesting main character and terrific description of Maine. it is not a rushed sort of book, which means that one can get slightly Mainiac and into the way of living in a rather remote house with just a dog and an interest in fishing. Which means finding a lost young man in Bitch Creek suddenly wakes one up to pay attention to what happens from then on. Which is a lot!
Linda Sheean

Tapply has created a great new character for his readers: Stoney Calhoun.

As most fans probably read Robert Parker as well, I'd have to say I like Stoney Calhoun at least as much as Jesse Stone, if not more. It's great that Tapply and Parker have moved into new characters because like Spenser, Brady Coyne is/was getting too old for his exploits. Not that I'd like to see Brady Coyne novels stop entirely of course. This new series allows for much much more fishing than lawyer Coyne, and is set up in Maine with the main character being a fishing guide, no less. So Tapply is better able to draw on his fishing magazine career and the novel really genuinely creates a natural rural Maine environment.

Great relaxing mystery with a new mysterious main character. Good Stuff!

Reviewed by Ellen Hogan for Reader Views (7/06)

Stonewall Jackson Calhoun is a man without a past. He has no recollection of anything that happened in his life before he woke up in a Virginia Hospital. He was told things like where he was born and who his parents were and that he was divorced. But none of that told Stoney what kind of man he was and what he did to make a living. When Stoney left the hospital he was pulled to Maine, something told him that was the place for him to be. He had money in his pocket and more was deposited in an account for him every month, where the money came from he did not know. Stoney heads out to Maine and ends up in a little town called Dublin. He finds the perfect piece of land and decides to build a house on it. One day as he was working a young man came up and introduced himself as Lyle McMahan. Stoney hired him to help him build his house, when they were not working they were fishing. Lyle knew all kinds of good out of the way places. The two became very good friends. Around this time Stoney also met Kate Balaban. She owned a bait and
tackle shop and hired Stoney to work for her. They decided to also offer guided fishing trips, when Kate was looking for another guide Stoney told her about Lyle and she hired him.

Five years later Stoney was working in the shop when an older gentleman came in and wanted a fishing guide. Stoney did not care for him and called Lyle to come and take the man out. But, the next day Lyle had not shown up at home or his girlfriends and Stoney got worried. With a feeling of dread Stoney started investigating what happened to Lyle. After several days he found Lyle's body in a pond, he had drowned. There was no sign of the man he took fishing. Stoney decides it is his fault that Lyle is dead, since he should have taken the man instead. He throws himself into finding out the truth about what happened that day. During this time he gets the feeling that he must have been in law enforcement of some kind. Stoney questions many people and starts putting pieces of the puzzle together. With Kate's help they catch the men who killed Lyle and learn why they did it. Of course there is much more to the story but you will have to read the book to find out what.

Mr. Tapply did a great job with descriptions and dialogue, it is a book that does not want to be put down. It draws you into the story and you just have to keep going to find out what will happen next. Even though a lot of the book talks about fly fishing and different flies, it would still be interesting to anyone.

I really enjoyed this book very much and would look for more of Mr. Tapply's books. "Bitch Creek" is a laid back mystery that grabs you and won't let go.

There was only one thing that dropped my rating down a notch. It's clear this is the beginning of a new series, and the element that indicated that was the one thing I found more annoying than intriguing about this book. It felt too contrived. However, the basic plot of this book was good. I liked the characters, the dialogue, sense of place and all the elements that are important to me in a book. Will I read the next in the series? Perhaps, but a bit begrudgingly.

Previous reviewers have summarized the story. Regarding the book's strengths and weaknesses: for about 2/3 of the story I was fascinated and puzzled. The solution, however, does not hold up well when I look back over the book from the end. For one thing, given the solution, the killer acted very irrationally, which is never satisfying. In addition, I think the pacing of the story was off -- too many facts emerged in the last few pages, in an Agatha Christie-like, rabbit-out-of-a-hat manner. Many of these late-discovered facts should have been known to the characters sooner, and their ignorance makes the ending more strained.

Author Athol Dickson won a much coveted award for his 2006 release River Rising. Being aware of this it was with much anticipation that I awaited for his next release, The Cure.

Riley Keep is washed up. Once a successful husband, father, teacher, pastor and missionary he's made a mess of his life in each of those areas. As the story begins Riley is homeless and an alcoholic surviving on the streets in Florida. But word has come around that there's hope in Maine. A cure for alcoholism. Riley and his friend, also an alcoholic, head out for Maine in hopes of finding there salvation from the demon spirits.

As word has travels the local shelter and, indeed the whole town, are overrun with the homeless who seek shelter and hope. Along the way Riley Keep might just make a turn for the better in his spiraling downward life.

When folks speak of the works of Athol Dickson you're bound to hear words like "profound" and I couldn't agree more. Athol has a way of taking the most fallen of characters, making us care about them and follow them on their journey to redemption.

Here in The Cure, as always, the characters are vibrant and real. Flawed and yet courageous. And this author's prose sings without being overwhelmingly poetic. This is one of those rare stories and rare authors. Athol and his stories are able to touch you deeply with a message of hope in Christ in a way that few can.

Highly recommended! One of my Top 10 Novels of 2007.

When you pick up a book by Athol Dickson, you are welcomed into a personal art gallery. With a canvas that offers only words, the picture is painted, sometimes not so clearly. But sometimes in time, you finally see the big picture near the end. I started reading "The Cure" with some big expectations, and the big picture was always there. But it wasn't always what I was looking for.

You meet a rough looking bum in the beginning in the form of Riley Keep, and his buddy, Brice. You are welcomed, somewhat coldly, to Dublin, Maine. Like a lot of homeless people, Riley had a tendency to tip the bottle. Always longing for a drink. But Dublin has ghosts, and Riley is all too familiar with them. And he finds a people who desperately need help and healing, a plea he's known all so well. Once again, welcome to Dublin, Maine, home of Riley Keeps's past. He used to be known as Reverend Keep before he disappeared. What kind of hope can a man like Riley offer? He can't exactly work miracles, or can he? Why are people so convinced that he has a cure?

Like I said, Athol Dickson paints a picture. In the end, although the ending was quite satisfying, it wasn't easy to swallow. It was kind of like nasty medicine, the liquid kind where you have to count to three, and then choke it down with a big swig! I don't think that Athol Dickson intended for this to be all comfy and cozy. Not at all. This was a good read, as well as a reality check. There is no eliminating temptation. But there is a way to deal with it, and it can either be uplifting or destructive. And through it all, there is always the hope in Christ Jesus.

I like a good dose of strong medicine every now and then. I also like the way Athol Dickson writes a story. You'll see the big picture soon enough. Don't worry about that. Let the painter do the painting. I'll be looking for more big pictures from Dickson in the future!

Excellent read, very well written and thought out. This is not a book just about alcoholism but a book about love, patients, forgiveness, commitment and the human condition entwined with their reliance on a sovereign God. The story does however go very slowly for nearly half the book and the flash-backs to the jungles of Brazil are very confusing (but for a very good reason). Stick with it and you'll find a great story that you'll be glad you read. I did like "River Rising" better so if you haven't read it yet I highly suggest doing so after read "The Cure". In fact, order them both. And no, I don't work for Amazon or Athol Dickson. =)

1 Star = I've been robbed!
2 Stars = Why'd I finish it?
3 Stars = Good
4 Stars = Excellent
5 Stars = Life changing

Dangers in the Amazon, urban riots with homes torched, and innocent persons locked in an auto's trunk bring adrenaline at just the right time in Athol Dickson's latest and best novel, The Cure. Snaking through these events is the chimera of guilt indwelling Riley Keep, college professor, missionary, and homeless, hopeless alcoholic. In coastal Maine, miracles, or maybe an exotic drug, are sometimes healing, sometimes damning, a smattering of alcoholics. What will happen when Riley makes his way there? In Dickson's novels, Christians are not always good, and death doesn't necessarily spare the decent. Real life and real issues are delivered to the reader. Both exciting and edifying, The Cure sometimes kept me awake at night. Pure enjoyment!

THE CURE by Athol Dickson
October 3, 2007

Rating: 5 Stars

THE CURE is one of the few times I have given out a 5 star rating. For me, giving out 5 stars doesn't mean that everyone will enjoy the book. It is an opinion that comes from one person. However, a 5 star book has to be well-written, have characters that work in the overall scheme of things, and that all other important parts of the story come together to make it a perfect book. With that said, it also is a matter of taste, and in this case, THE CURE was a book that I particularly enjoyed because I like to read about characters that are down on their luck. THE CURE is not an upbeat story, but it is one about redemption and forgiveness, about a man that is trying to make right something that had gone horrifically wrong in his past.

In THE CURE, Riley Keep is an alcoholic who at one time was a highly respected minister in this small town that he has returned to, after many years living in Florida, living the life of a street person. He returns to the town of Dublin, Maine because of a myth being told on the streets about a cure for alcoholism, and that it has been saving the lives of many. Riley returns to his old hometown with a friend, Brice, who is dying from the affects of alcoholism, and they are in desperate need to find the cure before it is too late.

When Riley thinks he's finally found the cure, given to him on a slip of paper and a bag of white powder while in the church he once preached in, he takes a taste and loses his appetite for alcohol instantly. However, the slip of paper warns that if he drinks alcohol again, his desire for it will increase more than ever.

There is a subplot involving a woman who takes care of the homeless. She has a secret that has led her to this town, and it is connected to Riley and his past spent on a mission in South America. She is somehow involved in the cure, and what she knows about it has endangered her life. She is hiding out in Dublin, but her time may be running out, since the news that Riley has the cure has now spread.

The book moves along at a fast pace when the woman disappears and is thought to be dead, and Riley is accused of murdering her. The men and women on the streets have learned that Riley has the cure. He wants this miracle wonder to be available to everyone and tries to make a deal with a pharmaceutical company who he thinks will be able to reproduce this product and allow rich and poor person alike to utilize it. What happens, however, changes the outcome of what Riley hopes to accomplish, and changes again the course of his life.

Riley is also dealing with his ex-wife Hope, who is now the mayor of the city, and their relationship forms another subplot. What happened between them again is related to the origin of the cure, and their story is told in flashbacks, where they were missionaries in South America.

I don't think THE CURE is everyone's cup of tea. It's not an upbeat happy-ending type of story, but I think the range of emotions that come from the characters that make up the story rings true. I found these characters to be true-to-life realistic persons, and while the actual "cure" is something that doesn't exist in today's world, the main theme of the book is not really about the cure for alcoholism but a need to right a wrong that was done decades ago. It's about a man consumed with guilt for something he thinks he's brought about in his past, and his whole future changes because of what he believes he's done. THE CURE deserves a 5 star rating and will most likely be on my list of favorite books read this year.