Open Books

This is the first book I have ever read which brings non-dual Kashmir Shavism into a practical understandable form. Most of the erudite publications about this subject usually end up analyzing the sutras which in themselves are difficult for someone not used to that tradition. This book however,is both serious and funny at the same time and attempts to shock the
reader (in a nice way) into taking time to see Reality. I cant explain much more than that except to say it has had a profound effect on me despite the fact that I have only got thru the first 20 pages or so. Recommend this for people serious about the journey on the spiritual path as this is a major guide and one of the very few out there.

This is maybe the most unusual book I have ever read. Sixty pages into it I wanted to write about how I regretted buying the book and regretted reading it. The author seemed to have a severe personality disorder and was throwing out all kinds of gibberish. But I had made a commitment to myself to finish the book, no matter what. The next sixty pages were all over the place. I was determined at that time to write a scathing editorial on the author and the book. It was going to have lots of criticism, point out his wrong beliefs, wrong opinions, and question his morality and his spirituality. And then I read the last sixty pages. And maybe, just maybe, I got it. I have gone from condemning the author, the book, his life style, his particular brand of foreign spirituality to . . . thinking he isn't much different from me. What a gas. Maybe there aren't any answers to life's important questions. Or maybe there is. Maybe nothing is profound. Or maybe everything is. I thought the author was nuts for some of the things he said. Maybe he is. Would it be so bad if you are nuts . . . . and happily, blissfully nuts? So, in the beginning I didn't want to give him even a 1 star rating. And in the end he gets 5 stars. I can only do this because he reminds me so much of myself. And I cannot condemn anyone, no matter what they say or write. Not even myself. Thank you, Ralph.

I love this book because the teaching or insights are presented in bite sized nuggets. One can open the book anywehre and read just a page or two to initiate a meditation or contemplation.

Ralph's work is a shock a glimp of truth there is no other way then to dance with It.You can not fool yourself anymore on the moment you have danced with Nataraj.
Have a look in this book its the grand entrance to...


I followed Nataraj for some time now...
But i coudnt expect this before that time.
and...
You dont wanna do a whole lifetime about figgering it out do you?
so accept this great offer from a great being to get it clear
love& blessings

M

"Do not consider what you currently carry in your hands as a book." Thus begins the Introduction to Himalayan Mysticism.

Himalayan Mysticism is not just another book. It is Shiva's disc. A book speaks to your mind; Shiva's disc cuts through your mind for Shiva to rise from your Heart.

People speak of liberation, enlightenment, self-realisation, moksha, salvation, but very few know what it means or what it entails. We want liberation, and we also want comfort on the path to liberation. But liberation is never comfortable. It is freedom from the mind that wants comfort. A book that speaks to your mind how to attain liberation has missed the mark. Himalayan Mysticism does not speak to your mind; it confronts the mind and shakes it up. Mistake it not! This is Shiva dancing to wake his Self up in you. It is about surrendering and awakening. Ralph writes:

"You must be willing to be grinded down. You may also fight. Lovemaking is not only tender or aloof. This is the dangerous life. Tantra is walking the razor's edge..."

"The mind makes many movements. It makes all movements except the one that would liberate you. Liberate you from the false idea that you need to be liberated. Come, my friend and drink some more of the wine. Rest your weary head. You've done a lot of ploughing."



Ralph brings to us the Living Waters of Tantra from the living tradition of non-dual Kashmir Shaivism. In a unique and unprecedented way. In a totally unexpected way. In a way that only a Master can. Inviting us to embrace the paradox. I can do no better here than to present some sparks from the Disc:

"Supreme Reality cannot be grasped by the mind. The mind is never able to experience something as profound, huge, mysterious, vast, deep, and paradoxical as the Supreme Reality which is One. Only Shiva is the real observer, just as Shakti is the only 'experiencer'. You must lose your mind and then Reality experiences Reality in or 'through' your nervous system and that is what you are made for. To be enlightened in the flesh. While you have a body. This is the glorious opportunity that you have. It is a great gift. Highly auspicious. Even the celestial beings have a beginning and are thus not the Supreme Reality Itself, which is without beginning and end."

"In Tantra philosophy, we worship the Goddess. The Wisdom-Goddess. Our hero is not the successful one. That fruit carries too heavy a price. The boon of the Goddess is wisdom. Wisdom is priceless. It cannot be bought. No book can bestow it upon you. It is not contained in education. It cannot be gained by study. Study is in the realm of the mind. One who approaches Tantra with his mind, may become a good student and even write books about Tantra like so many have done, but he or she will not understand what it is to be a devotee. Only a master holds the key that is necessary to go deeper within."

"A disciple sets out to enter a relationship in the heart. She is willing to surrender. To bear loss. A disciple is willing to sacrifice her life. She welcomes the mystery and is not looking to affirm the known. Sometimes the gain comes with the loss. A disciple understands the principle of letting go. A disciple is willing to go with the flow. To surrender to the Almighty. Let Thy Will Be Done! That is a beautiful mantra. A disciple is ready to sacrifice her own desires and attachments to the fire. The fire that eats and devours everything that is offered into it. The fire of consciousness. The disciple longs to ignite that fire in her heart."

"Feel the burning sensation of separation from the Beloved. That gives rise to the longing. The yearning. She drags herself to the Divine Tavern where the innkeeper might pour her a drink. A drink of illumination. This is the light that the disciple prefers over the fake light of glamour and glitter. This disciple is unwavering. She has discovered the perfect relationship. A relationship of unbounded joy and ecstasy. I can no longer hide from the Beloved. No matter what mask I wear. She always recognises me. So I choose to dress up and prepare myself."

"Tantra is about waking up from your sleep. It is about self-remembering. Pratyabhijna is the quintessence of non-dual Kashmir Shaivism.... Kashmir Shaivism is a non-dual philosophy. The guru and the disciple are a sort of polarity. As I wrote before, the disciple is the beginning and the guru is the end."

"A thinker does thinking."
"An experiencer is experiencing."
"Through a master happens mastering."

"Mastery is the full blossoming of all our bodies. It is the opening up of the rose. The rise of Ma Kundalini. The piercing of the chakras and the knot. It is unleashing the star that you are! It is about reaching for the stars and beyond. It is spreading. Expanding. Weaving. Mastery is the operation of Grace. It is redemption. The result of the resistance is freedom from slavery and oppression."



Ralph received Shaktipata, esoteric initiation into Mastery, from the tradition of Left-Handed Vamacara Tantra. The Left-Handed path is not about sex and having multiple orgasms, though it is also about sex and orgasms as it is about everything that is. It is about the transfiguring of everything to Light. According to non-dual Kashmir Shaivism, God shines in every junction, but we do not tarry here in our haste to follow shadows. Ralph says that the right way is the left way and the left way is the right way. The Right-Handed Way is of course a Long Way. It comprises the two great paths that in Hinduism are called Pravritti Dharma, the way of works, and Nivritti Dharma, the way of renunciation. This two-fold Way appears also in China as the Tao of the Confucius and the Tao of LaoTze. The path of works is the moral way. It cleanses the mind and makes it pure as light (chitta-shuddi) and prepares the sadhaka for the path of renunciation. But this is Kali Yuga and the darkness in us is very dense. It would take many, many, lifetimes to cleanse the darkness that is within us. Ralph seduces us to wake up here and now in the Order of the Holy Fire. It is the Path of Yoga, Beauty and Delight! It is a path of transgression. There is no morality here, only the super-morality of surrendering to the caress of Goddess Kali.

"We should not be afraid to use the sword. Let the sword fall where it wants to fall. It is a present from the Lady of the Lake. This is no kindergarten."

"We need to long for the feeling of the cold double-edged sword as it glides through our neck, chopping of 'our head' (ego). We must be willing to relinquish all ideas, projections, beliefs, models and identifications. Offer all that belongs to the small individual self into the huge blazing fire of homa (spiritual fire)."



This is not another weekend Tantra programme. It is the rising of Bhairava. Though Ralph's words come to us clothed in contemporary language; though they come to us in the midst of Internet emails and mobile phone messages, they carry with them the authentic core of religion, the same ancient mystery that has time and again irrupted into the world in great moments of human history. But the Order of the Holy Fire is not for everyone. It is for the vira that would dare to offer his or her head to awaken to the Light that is shining in every junction.

"Magical moments in our life are birth, orgasm and death. And all the small portals in between. When we go from waking to dreaming. From dreaming to deep sleep. From deep sleep again to waking. The intervals between our thoughts. A short moment when there is no thinker but just the watcher. There is turya. The Goddess of the three cities. That is the island where this ship is heading. To find the sacred and secret country of Shagri-La. Wrapped in mystery. Only very few ships make it, as the water around is governed by mighty storms. Those who like the sun had better go to one of the tropical islands. There are plenty of them."


Om Namah Shivaya

This is a great resource. I would put forth that it is too bad it is titled for Homeschoolers because it would be a great resource for any school or student.

The lists are just amazing. IT is fun to just sit and read through this book. It is also educational to just sit and thumb through this book. IT is a great place to start for reports, history lessons and more.

Well worth the money.

This book is fascinating! It has lots of information and will be a great resource as my children grow.

This has to be the best reference book I've come across, for finding quick references!
The information is organized and very easy to find, and was a pretty interesting read.
I do homeschool a 2nd grader, and I know this will be invaluable in our schooling future.
Every house with school-aged children should have a copy of this book!
If you get it, you won't be sorry!

The Homeschooler's Book of Lists is the most useful resource (next to the Bible) I have for my homeschool. Some of the lists I printed off for my 7th grader to memorize and many more will be just for reference. Just this week, my son was doing his geography and asked me what the 7 wonders of the world were. Not wanting to tell him I don't remember them all, I got the book of lists and sure enough, it was there! I was so pleased, we didn't have to go online to research. Every homeschooler should have this book on their shelf right next to the dictionary!

I purchased this book as I homeschool my children. This is a very helpful book for quick reference on a large number of topics. I just purchased it about a month ago and have used it several times already. I see myself using this often.

There are those days when I reallly want to see my wise best friend and have her say something that will encourage me, make me think, smile, laugh, cry, and most of all know that the universe is out there supporting me and inside me urging me on toward peace, and joy and the courage to be ME. This book is like having that friend in my coat pocket. I pull it out, read a page -- maybe two -- and move on about my day feeling a little bit better about just about everything.

Caught up in the hubbub of living? Turn to any page in this little book and you'll find yourself reflecting, reassessing, reconsidering and refocusing your energies. (Yes, all of this inspired by just a few words and lines!) Great stocking stuffer for holiday giving, however, the "inspirations" are timeless. Share one in your correspondence.

Someone had this at the office and left it in the lunch room...kind of hard to put down once you check it out. With the big gift-giving holidays coming up, I'm betting my calendar gift purchases will be way down...bargain price for a truly meaningful gift...and a gift that's as good devoured all at one sitting as it would be to spread out over the 365 days of next year or any year. Check it out...bet you can't buy just one!

Clint Eastwood said it best, "Go ahead...make my day." This gem of a book does just that every morning when I read another inspiring nugget. Each one picks you up, and then gets you thinking...gently.

One of my personal tools for healthy living is using affirmations to both meditate on and as mantras to counteract negative thoughts. I've found this book helpful in both instances. The author brings a truly American perspective and fun sense of spirit to the positive sayings she shares with the reader. One of my favorites is: Lesson from a guru cat: Arch your back. Meow three times. Walk Away from it." What an original way to look at letting go of anger or any other experience we need to put behind us.

This has been a great book. Good examples, good overview, great documentation for OpenCV. Highly recommend it.

This book is much more than a programming guide to the open source computer vision programming library, OpenCV. While it does provide solid examples of using all of the most important functions of this programming library, it also gives an excellent practical introduction to the methods and algorithms used in a variety of computer vision projects. In one of the final chapters it also provides a well-explained tutorial on the basic concepts of machine learning. The OpenCV library together with this excellent guidebook will allow the hobbyist, artist or professional to approach a wide range of problems in robotics, visual pattern recognition, still and video image processing, facial expression tracking, gesture-based user interfaces, and "making more of your webcam". While the algorithms employed are explained mathematically for those interested, a practical understanding of what can be achieved by the functions implemented in this library is given in English and graphical diagrams. This book by two leading roboticists is much more than a programming guide for how to call functions in a programming library. You will enjoy the trip through practical application of Computer Vision and the overview of Machine Learning.
--Ira Laefsky

After years of plodding through the discussion group and limited HTML based docs and puzzling out how to make OpenCV work finally a tell-all book that makes this worlds class tool accessible to all!

Very well written, excellent introduction, beautiful clear figures and illustrations, excellent balance between text, equations, figures, and source code, just the right level of intuitive v.s. technical v.s. mathematical explanation, great explanations of complex algorithmic concepts, with just the right touch of humor here and there to brighten up the dry technical talk, and apparently, a very clear and useful and well designed computer vision software package in that OpenCV, which the author also wrote, with the wonderful advantage that the software is totally free and open source!

Covers the details quickly so that you can get started coding and covers the right way to access data so that you can maintain the speed necessary for computer vision applications. I've found this book to be really helpful in getting started with OpenCV as well as digging into some of the finer details of some of it's machine learning capabilities.

LET'S OPEN A BOTTLE: MY JOURNEY THROUGH THE SPANISH WINE REVOLUTION takes readers to Spain along with the English teacher/author, who considers the Spanish wine revolution. Murdock is an expatriate living in Madrid the past fifteen years: his background lends to a blend of memoir and travelogue which brings readers into the heart of Spanish wine country politics and winemaking tradition. Travel tips include listings of regional wineries, specialties, and recommendations for destination-bound wine fans. A wonderful, detail-packed read for any interested in Spanish wines and wine region history.

Diane C. Donovan, Editor
California Bookwatch

Books on Spanish wine are difficult to find, good books on Spanish wine are rare and books such as Brian Murdock's are unique. Not only is it up-to-date and thorough but it blends a current knowledge of the Spanish wine industry with insights into Spain's history and culture. Robert Parker (aka God), the world's leading wine critic, has said of Spanish wine that,"Spain has done an outstanding job of maintaining respect for its traditions of the past and also looking forward to the future." This wine revolution is perfectly captured in Murdock's book.
However, this is not just a (well above) average reference book on Spanish wine regions and their wines. This book is far more. It is a personal journey, literally, among the highways and byways- most Spanish wineries are on byways- where the author talks to a wide cross-section of individuals involved in wine-making. This allows the reader to hear the voices of those actually making the wide variety of quality wines which Spain is now producing.
In this personal account the author's acute perceptions, deep knowledge, wit and sheer passiopn of and for Spanish wines burns through. At the end of this excellent read Murdock modestly states that he is no 'expert' but '...after a helluvah lot of work, I also should know what I am talking about.' Indeed he does.
As a wine merchant based in Spain and having visited many of the same places and tasted the same wines as the author I can bear witness to its accuracy and insight. This first-class book will appeal not only to all those who wish to explore Spanish wines but also ita charming people and rich culture.

This is a great read and should not be simply thought of as another boring guide to wine. The author weaves plenty of humor and history into this aptly named "Journey Through the Spanish Wine Revolution". The reader learns how and why the vast history of the Iberian Peninsula has shaped today's Spanish wine industry. The end result is not only do I seek out Spanish wines in restaurants and stores, but I also want to travel to Spain to check out the various regions and their unique cultures and geographies. I should also note that I have given this book as a gift to a few people who have loved it as well.

As someone who's trying to learn more about the "wine culture" after years of clueless intrigue, I finally found the perfect source. While it primarily discusses wines from a lesser known country/producer(Spain), this book provides a firm backbone that's easily translatable across wine regions around the world. Not sure what to expect when I started, I was quickly taken by the extreme detail discussing individual wines and vineyards, and how they vary from region to region. As much as I learned about various "reds" and "whites", I received an equally thorough education on the history of each region. Humor and a lighter tone throughout make this a fun, interesting, and very informative read.

When I see this book, I thought "OK, a modern guide for spanish wines, I'll get it". But it's much more than this! It's a really good landscape of the spanish wine culture, with many facts surrounding the wine and spanish people.

I think Mr. Murdock has done a really good job, and it will be useful for many pepole who loves wine and wants to know more about Spain, its wine and the people who lives there.

5 stars are for all the book if we excepts the part for andalusian wines. They are worth of a full book! :-)

A perfect gift or a perfect self-gift.

I've read many books about hospitality from a Christian perspective and this ranks as one of the best.

One feels they are sitting down and having tea with a friend as she shares her homemaking journey. There is a great deal of practical information, too.

Just the kind of book one loves to curl up with to relax and be inspired.

Written by Hearts at Home speaker Karen Ehman, A Life That Says Welcome: Simple Ways to Open Your Heart & Home to Others is a practical introduction to the art of hospitality. Ad Ehrman explains, the secret of hospitality isn't primarily about how one's home is decorated or maintained, or what dishes are cooked; it's making one's guests feel welcome, and comes straight from the heart. Material matters are of course discussed as well, including the basics of battling clutter, dustballs and dirt; decorating on a shoestring budget; tips for hospitality on the road; and much more. As a devoted Christian, Ehman also shows how to open not only one's home to guests but also how to open one's life and soul as an avenue for God's love. An excellent selection of tips, tricks, and techniques for receiving guests with warmth and spreading joy.

This book has been just what I've been looking for. The author is so real and encourages everyone to practice hospitality no matter what size of home you live in. This has allowed me to realize that what I have can be used to bless people. I don't have to have the best of everything, I just have to be me. Great resource!!

I liked the title of this book when I saw it highlighted through the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) website. Karen Ehman has written a book that is true to life and offers many great ideas. She covers a gamut of topics, but doesn't rush through anything. It is entertaining and heartfelt. I am very glad I chose this book.

I love this book. I have 3 small children, a husband, and a hyper dog. We want to entertain more and hope that people feel welcome in our home. I found encouragement on every page of this book, and many chuckles through-out. The humor hidden within the pages always left me coming back for more.

Yes, I know I shouldn't be writing this review yet. But I don't want you to go through another day without reading this book!

This book is taking me forever to read. That's because I keep on reading each chapter 2-3 times before moving on. The effects are not only profound for your prayer life, but for your whole relationship with God. I am finding it transforming.

Here's a tip on using the book: program into your diary to spend some days away with God. Then go find somewhere beautiful and relaxing, and take a bible, a notepad, and Pratt's book. It will be like cool water to your soul.

I have had the privilege of hearing Richard speak on several occasions in Sydney. He is a warm, funny, engaging, out-of-the-box guy. He is also serious about fostering a joyful and totally-transforming relationship with God. Richard, if you read this review, be encouraged in the knowledge that your book is doing a lot of good -- even 17 years after it was published.

Books on prayer abound within Christian circles. Christian bookstores are filled with such books, with many such books acting more like 12 step programs for revitalizing prayer so we can get what we want, than in providing a Biblically based theology and perspective on prayer that can actually anchor our outlook in prayer in the Bible. Pratt predominately succeeds in doing this.

As Pratt indicates at the start, this book does not provide any grand revelations on prayer that haven't been known throughout the history of the church. It's not a magic pill offering magical formulas, and it doesn't resolve every conceivable issue surrounding prayer. But it is still quite thorough in the issues it addresses, and more importantly, its inquisitiveness is substantive and very practical.

A reader who decides to read this book is probably someone who feels that their prayer life is missing something, maybe a lot. Many Christians are in this boat, me included. As a result, I think many readers will be pleasantly surprised by the insights that are offered about our approach to prayer and how both our prayers and the attitudes and expectations behind them are so often out of accord with the prayers recorded in the Bible.

Not surprisingly, the bulk of Pratt's examination on prayer is from an Old Testament perspective, since he's an Old Testament guy. Readers may very well experience something akin to an awakening or a reappreciation for the Psalms after reading this book, I know I did. Pratt is thorough in his examination and tends to do a very good job in backing up his assertions in Scripture. He tends to be very careful in not making grand statements that have no Scriptural support, and this alone is refreshing within the publishing world where prayer is concerned.

I found Pratt's approach to be pretty systematic in logically working from one issue to the next. The review/discussion questions at the end of each chapter make this book excellent for small group studies in addition to individual reading and reflection. Pratt does an outstanding job of categorizing the many issues of prayer within three essential aspects of prayer - God, ourselves, and communication. Similar to a wedding, where all that's essential is the bride, groom, and officiant (and maybe a witness or two) while everything else is gravy when you really think about it, a focus on these three essential aspects of prayer helps the discussion greatly and makes all of the chapters relevant within a larger framework of obvious relevancy.

This book will benefit the reader greatly, because he/she will gain a greater understanding of the God they are praying to, in addition to a much more discerning and even critical attitude towards themselves and the motives and expectations they bring to prayer. In addition, the section on the prayerful communication itself may really bring a renewed spark of enthusiasm and vitality to prayer that will replace the mundane and even meaningless monotony so many of us get caught up in when we pray. Highly recommended.

A close, careful, and balanced look [primarily] at Psalms and how they provide a model for a Christian's prayer life. Easy to read while being thoughtful, well organized, balanced, and Bible-based. Conservative Christian viewpoint.

Since this is the first book that I've read on the subject of prayer, I don't have much to compare it to. I have heard that the pickings are rather limited. Not true with this book. It is great!

We have used it as the source book in a small group study with wonderful results. The chapters are chocked full of great suggestions, with lots and lots of Scripture references. The study questions are mostly good with maybe a few exceptions.

This book has helped me considerably with my prayer life. I recommend it to anyone who wants to improve their's.

I can't say enough about this book. One of the best books I have ever read on prayer. Richard Pratt looks at the Three elements required for prayer, God, Ourselves, and Communication. The book is broken up into 12-13 chapters so it is great for using for a Sunday School class or for Church Home Group bible study. The fact that each chapter is individual from each other, which helps in that if someone misses a week, they are not "lost". The author looks at praying through our joy, our sorrow, and not just focusing on one aspect of God himself (i.e The Righteous Judge, Merciful Father, The Great Healer) but to focus on all his attributes. I try to read this book once every other year as a refresher. A must buy!!

I was eager to read this book as I am every book on an individual's struggle with OCD. While a worthy effort, I didn't think the author spent enough time concentrating on his own OCD, and a bit too much time poking fun at his fellow patients' symptoms. I was disappointed in that aspect. Overall a very honest account, and I applaud the author for writing it, but his girl chasing habits and the amount of time devoted to that issue can get rather old.

This enlightening yet funny book takes you through the story of one mans recovery from OCD. A very entertaining easy read that will not only open your eyes to the many forms of OCD and the toll it takes on its sufferers, but will also show you ways of overcoming them. A brilliant read for all.

Through my sister, I have had the pleasure of being acquainted with Mr. Bailey himself. Before reading his book, I did not know much about him, only that he was a very jovial fellow. So it is no wonder why my jaw dropped periodically while reading Man Interrupted. I could not believe that the events unfolding on the pages before me were from the life of this man whom I saw so frequently. The experience of being acquainted with Mr. Bailey and reading his book reminded me that everyone has a story of their own, explaining who they are, where they come from, and what trials they had to overcome (and Mr. Bailey's were no small feat). Man Interrupted gives great insight into a world that many people may not think about. At the same time it is hilarious, relatable, and touching. I actually laughed out loud, which is a rare occurrence when I read. It is one of the most engrossing books I have ever read, and is worth every penny and minute spent on it.

Until last week, I didn't know the slightest thing about him, or about his book, until he went and introduced himself through MySpace, something that led to the inevitable reading of said book, and something that I'm really glad that I did. It's 222 pages of one of the most incredibly well written, fresh and original books that you're ever likely to read, a word of warning though, it really will make you question yourself, and exactly how pernickety you are. We all have an OCD, we may not realise it, or we do, and it's just insignificant, but we rarely externalises our OCD, are never forced to justify it, or explain it away, usually we're able to sufficiently hide it enough to function, but it wouldn't take much for everyone to collapse under the weight of it, and only a small percentage could ever do what James Bailey did, namely building himself back up. All of the patients in his book really do stand out too, because they're chillingly real, but then I suppose that's because they actually are, but he's managed to render them better than anyone else could have. It really is like reading the transcript of a Docu-Soap, and I'm not talking about an episode of "Cops", but an English one, because it's unapologetic, and gritty. What James Bailey has written is brutally honest, and I don't think that I've ever read that level of honestly, that level of shameless exposure; he made me feel like I lived it with him. Reading this book made me look at myself a little differently, maybe a little more clearly, but it also made me a friend in James Bailey, and that was well worth the cost of a good book ;-)

There were 2 things that struck me in particular when reading this book.
One was James' honesty which enables the reader to acquire a rare and fascinating insight into the life of an individual suffering from such a disabling & severe condition.
I learned a heck of a lot about OCD through reading this book & I found it most fascinating to read about James' real life experiences.
Secondly was the humour that was rife throughout the book. James is clearly blessed with the ability to transform any scenario, no matter how daunting, into something so funny it just tickles you.
I loved every word. Brilliant.

Picking up two years after events depicted in "Closing Time" very little has changed for Terry Orr. He still misses his wife and young son and he still isn't writing. He is still doing some private investigator work in the hopes of learning the skills necessary to take down the madman responsible for the pain he and Bella feel.

When his housekeeper asks him to talk to a friend of hers in need, the least he can do is talk to her. The friend's name is Dorotea Salgado and she wants her daughter Sonia Salgado found. One wouldn't think it would be too hard to find her since Sonia only recently got out of prison after serving a thirty-year prison sentence for the murder of a diamond merchant in the course of a robbery. The murder was particularly brutal and Terry wonders from the beginning how a physically small high school student could have done it. He wonders that and a lot more when he finds Sonia dead days later. The case quickly becomes something he can't give up and before long this obsession, like his others, puts him crosswise with everyone around him.

This second novel of the series does not suffer the usual fatal flaws most second novels do. The writing remains top notch as the author continues to expand Orr's world and further nuance the cast of recurring characters. Bella continues to appear smarter than her years to the reader and yet, at other times, there is an endearing child like quality to her known by many parents of the young teenager set. Also realistic is Terry's continuing pain over the loss of his wife and young child as well as his first real tentative steps in returning to the world around him instead of just living day to day. Overriding everything is another complicated and well done mystery where almost everyone has a hidden agenda quite possible worth killing for.

Kevin R. Tipple © 2005

New to me, at least. This is the first book by him that I've read. I loved it.

Talk about atmosphere. This is a gritty NYPD kind of Manhattan book. Some of the police are just a tad better than the criminals and it's not clear who you can trust. The book is set in Manhattan just after 9-11, and the detective-protagonist lives not far from the site. From time to time, some memories of 9-11 are introduced. Everyone is still dealing emotionally with the impact of the attack.

Terry Orr, our detective (he's an independently wealthy but living modestly author turned private investigator), is also recovering from a devastating loss: his wife and infant son had been killed in a random act of violence in the subway, and he is left grieving and raising his daughter by himself. His housekeeper approaches him about a woman who is trying to locate her daughter, who has just been released from prison after serving 30 years for a violent murder. She says she needs to talk to her about her grandchild, the daughter's son she has raised.

Lo and behold, Orr learns that the daughter had no children, so he's left wondering what's going on. Before too long, he gets caught up in a murder investigation.

The writing, plotting, and character development in this book are very good, and it was compelling enough to keep me up long after my bedtime. I only hope his other mysteries are as good. I look forward to reading them.

If you want a mystery that does nothing but deliver suspense, this is not the book for you. This book opens with a quotation from Epictetus which speaks of the human soul and choice, and concludes: "For ruin and recovery alike are from within." A WELL-KNOWN SECRET offers both a literary mystery and a very engaging exploration of human ruin and recovery.

I see that this is the second in a series. I had not read the first, and found that the book stood on its own.

Terry Orr, our hero, is a writer turned amateur detective. He is engaged to solve mystery of Sonia Salgado, who has spent 30 years in prison for a murder she did not commit. What really happened? Why did she do it? Why was she murdered after being released from prison? Terry unravels this decades-old mystery in classic amateur PI fashion -- asking questions, getting less-than-straight answers, getting a bit battered in the process. That part of the novel is well executed, but not overwhelmingly new and different. What makes A WELL-KNOWN SECRET stand out -- and it does stand out -- is the other stories that Fusilli is telling.

A WELL-KNOWN SECRET is set in post 9-11 New York City. That story of ruin and recovery runs throughout the book. The more personal ruin that we unravel is that of Terry Orr himself. We read in a newspaper story at the beginning of the book that Terry's wife and infant son were killed four years ago. In the course of his solving the mystery, we find out more about what happened and why, and watch to see if and how Terry and his daughter will recover.

A WELL-KNOWN SECRET is a fine novel and an enjoyable mystery. Its somewhat leisurely pace will likely madden anyone after a strict suspense fix. However, if you are willing to slow down a bit, it is a very rewarding read. I found it a bit slow at first, but once hooked, I could not put it down. I read A WELL-KNOWN SECRET in one sitting. I will definitely pick up the next Terry Orr novel!

For someone only on his second novel, Fusilli certainly has it nailed. Terry Orr, historian turned private detective, lost his wife and infant son four years ago when a madman (whom he thinks of as The Madman) pushed them in front of a subway train. Now he obsesses on revenge, to the detriment of his career, his friends, and (sometimes) his precocious daughter, Bella. The plot this time revolves around a thirty-year-old mugging that became a murder, and the death of the newly-released woman who went to prison for it. Everybody in the case has secrets, not least of all the Mango brothers, who are a good deal more scary than in Fusilli's first book. Terry works things out in a wholly believable manner, partly by research, partly by instinct. The subplot, about Terry's buddy, rock critic Dennis Diddio, and his hopes for an industry award, is funny and compassionate. So is his struggle to deal with the attentions of Julie, a very nice ADA who believes in him. But arching over everything else is New York City in the aftermath of September 11th, when Terry's personal loss is overshadowed. Fusilli's work has great specificity of place -- you could walk through the city, book in hand, and see every detail he talks about -- and that's what makes this a standout piece of writing.

This book is a fantastic work of love. Love for New York, pre and post 9/11, love for music, food (especially Italian) and it's characters.
The central character, Terry Orr, is mourning his wife's death and acts as a sort of detective. His slow progress back to the world of the living parallels his attempts to unravel a mystery from the 70's. It's a great piece of writing, filled with poetry and hard, tough words.
There may be a few too many plot contrivances but the clear picture of modern NYC and the people who fill it more than make up for them. This is a great modern detective novel equal to anything by James Lee Burke, the other master of this type of novel.
I'm psyched for the next book.

Is this the book about a serial killer who hunts people like prey???

I first read this book in 1978 and have reread it several times. The story is rather haunting and disturbing, but it is one of be best crafted stories I have read in years of reading. I can promise you, you will be hooked after the first five pages, and if time allows, you won't put it down until you finish. I must warn you though, the basis of the story is rape and this could be quite unsettling for some..I know it did upset me. Than being said, the author handles it well and twists a wonderful story from a horrible thing. Recommend it highly. Recommend it for the mature reader though.

I have been searching for this book for many years. I read it back in the 70s or 80s and it really captured my imagination and my interest. A genuine psychological suspense thriller, this book started me on a roller-coaster ride of similar novels. Thank you Amazon.com for making these books available!

I read a book called Open Season in the late 70's and I'm wondering if this is the one. The setting was Michigan, lower and upper, with a hunting theme. Is this the right one??

I first read David Osborn's marvellous book back in the 70's and it is now the oldest paperback in my collection. Every few years I dig it out and read it again - it's become an old friend. Why? Because it is the best take on a revenge story I've ever read. Osborn sets the scene by introducing the main protaganists as students, who commit an act of barbarism but, due to their well-to-do family backgrounds get let off with a slap on the wrist. The book then moves forward in time to when the grown up students are all successful family men who meet up once a year to go on a hunting trip together. And it's no surprise to find that the prey they hunt normally has two legs rather than four. We learn that each of these characters are psychopathic to varying degrees and we learn that they are excellent hunters and totally at home in the woods. They are supreme predators who fear nothing. That is, until they discover that this year, someone is hunting them! Osborn constantly takes the reader by surprise i.e. just when you think you have the story pegged, he throws you a curve ball, right up to the final and haunting twist. I don't know if this book is now out of print but if you can get a copy, grab it with both hands. It really is a classic of its genre.