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0525539700
| 9780525539704
| 0525539700
| 3.87
| 21,103
| Mar 26, 2024
| Mar 26, 2024
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liked it
| 3.5 stars TJ Devlin - a recovering alcoholic and ex-convict who dropped out of college - is the ne'er-do-well of the Devlin family. Nevertheless, when 3.5 stars TJ Devlin - a recovering alcoholic and ex-convict who dropped out of college - is the ne'er-do-well of the Devlin family. Nevertheless, when TJ gets out of prison he's hired to be the 'investigator' for Devlin & Devlin, the family's Philadelphia law firm. [image] All the Devlins, except for TJ, are attorneys at the family enterprise. ‣ Paul (the patriarch), is the head of the law firm and represents white collar firms and big businesses. [image] ‣ Marie (the matriarch) practices family law, mostly divorces. [image] ‣ John (TJ's brother) follows in his father's footsteps, and also represents businesses. John is very ambitious, and plans to take over the firm when his dad retires. [image] ‣ Gabby (TJ's sister) is civic minded, and takes pro-nono cases. [image] As the story opens, the Devlin family is assembling for papa Paul's big birthday dinner when an agitated John shows up and draws TJ away. John quietly confides that he accidentally killed someone and needs TJ's help. The brothers leave the birthday party, much to the surprise (and consternation) of the rest of the family. [image] John's story goes as follows: He's the attorney for Rustan Electronics, which is being acquired by another company. John's due diligence revealed irregularities in Rustan's accounting, so John arranged a meeting with Neil Lemaire, Rustan's sole accountant. [image] Lemaire confessed to skimming $100,000, and offered to pay John off. When John refused, Lemaire pulled a gun. In self-defense, John threw a rock that hit Lemaire in the head and killed him. [image] When TJ and John arrive at the 'crime scene', there's no body, but there's blood on the ground. The brothers entertain two possibilities: Lemaire was just knocked out, and got up and left; or Lemaire had a partner in crime who took the body away. In any case, John ABSOLUTELY WON'T CALL THE POLICE, because a scandal would derail Rustan's acquisition, and John expects the deal to net him tens of millions of dollars. [image] Later, a very annoyed Paul asks why TJ and John skipped out on his birthday celebration. John - who's determined to keep things quiet until he gets his millions - lies and says he was helping TJ, who's drinking again. TJ, who's been sober for two years, is furious about John maligning him, but keeps his mouth shut. [image] In any case, as the firm's investigator, TJ decides to look into the Lemaire situation, hoping to find the accountant alive and well. This doesn't happen, and in fact Lemaire is later found in his car, shot to death. This opens an investigation into Rustan Electronics, and to save the acquisition, John (the world's biggest snake in the grass) tries to pin Lemaire's murder on TJ. A huge brouhaha ensues, which exposes wrongdoing in the corporate world, and roils Devlin & Devlin. Meanwhile, pro-bono lawyer (and do-gooder) Gabby Devlin is representing several African-American men who were used for medical experiments decades ago. [image] At that time, pharmaceutical researchers were allowed to test medications without informed consent, and drug companies used prisoners as test subjects. Most of the victims were Black men, who suffered terrible and painful long term effects, even death. Gabby is trying to get a settlement from the drug companies, and threatening to sue if they don't cooperate. Gabby askes TJ to be her investigator, and he splits his time between the Rustan situation and Gabby's case. [image] Most of the story is related from TJ's POV, and it's clear he's very remorseful for his past mistakes: the drinking; the incident that sent him to jail; not getting a college degree; losing the love of his life; disappointing his parents; and so on. To get back on track, TJ diligently goes to AA; has a side career flipping luxury cars; adopts a diabetic cat in need; and even tries to get back into the dating game. [image] Unfortunately, TJ's family don't believe he's mended his ways, especially in the face of John's mendacity and duplicity. Everyone keeps insisting TJ needs to go back to rehab, though TJ insists he's sober. TJ is determined to prove he's a good man now, and we root for him to succeed. [image] As the book approaches a conclusion the story threads come together in a surprising fashion that I didn't find quite credible. Still, this is a well-written, suspenseful thriller that would appeal to fans of the genre. You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com ...more |
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Sep 05, 2024
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Hardcover
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1501117297
| 9781501117299
| 1501117297
| 3.83
| 71,312
| Mar 28, 2023
| Mar 28, 2023
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really liked it
| Jeannette Walls' memoir The Glass Castle (1994), is about her wildly dysfunctional childhood, her unfit parents, and her family's constant flight from Jeannette Walls' memoir The Glass Castle (1994), is about her wildly dysfunctional childhood, her unfit parents, and her family's constant flight from bill collectors. When I started Walls' novel 'Hang The Moon' I thought it would be the tale of a family like the author's, but it's not. The book, set in the Prohibition Era, revolves around the Kincaid family, whose patriarch, 'the Duke', is the big cheese in the town of Caywood, in Claiborne County, Virginia. [image] The Duke's father, who was called the Colonel, was a wily businessman who - after the Civil War - amassed a good amount of acreage in Claiborne County. This was the beginning of the Kincaid empire, which includes large swatches of real estate; many rental properties; a lumber mill; a huge store called the Emporium; and more. [image] [image] Unfortunately, the Colonel's business shenanigans started a never-ending feud with a family called the Bonds, and the Kincaids and the Bonds' still hate each other. [image] As the story opens, it's the early 1900s and the Duke is running the family empire. He also heads the local Democratic Party, which allows the Duke to pick judges; appoint the sheriff; and generally control what goes on in his corner of Virginia. The Duke has been married three times and has one child from each wife: 18-year-old Mary lives far away and isn't part of the household in Claiborne County; [image] 8-year-old Sallie is a wild child who loves speed and adventure; [image] and 3-year-old Eddie is the son the Duke always wanted. Eddie is a quiet child however, and doesn't look like he'll be the 'man's man' the Duke hopes for. [image] When little Eddie gets injured during an adventure with Sallie, Eddie's mom Jane insists that Sallie has to go. So 8-year-old Sallie is sent off to live with her Aunt Faye. Sallie waits and waits for her daddy to bring her home, but Sallie isn't fetched until she's 17, when the Duke's wife Jane dies from the Spanish flu. [image] Sallie, who wants to remain in the family's 'Big House' in Caywood, is determined to make herself useful. Sallie's first job is to take care of 13-year-old Eddie, but she becomes surplus when the Duke marries a fourth wife. [image] So Sallie becomes the Duke's driver, which means she does errands and collects rent from tenants. [image] MANY tenants are bootleggers who pay their rent with booze, which is then sold in the Emporium. [image] In fact, booze forms the Emporium's largest and most lucrative inventory by far. [image] When the Duke perishes in an unfortunate accident, the estate passes to his oldest (and only) son, teenage Eddie. Since Eddie will be VERY RICH when he comes of age, various family members - especially the Duke's sister Mattie - try to take charge of the boy. [image] Due to various circumstances, control of the Kincaid empire passes from one family member to another. When the vast enterprise falls into the hands of the Duke's oldest daughter Mary, a devout Christian who supports Prohibition, Mary determines to clean up Claiborne County. Mary and her pastor husband organize a push to destroy all the booze in town; break up all the stills; arrest all the bootleggers; etc. To accomplish this, Mary brings in vicious revenuers who raid the town with impunity. [image] Sallie, who's now the driver for her sister Mary, doesn't agree with the push to clean-up Claiborne County. However Sallie feels obligated to follow her sister's instructions, and she refuses to take booze as payment for rent. This means many tenants have no way to pay!! All this results in chaos, gunfights, death, destruction, and even more feuding between the Kincaids and the bootlegging Bond brothers. [image] An underlying theme of the book is the entitled behavior of some of the men, who feel they can do whatever they want with no consequences: Impregnate a woman? Pay someone to raise the child and forget about it. Mistress causing embarassment? Send her away. Want a new woman? Divorce your wife or abandon her. Wife not living up to expectations....or not providing a son? Kill her. [image] In this story, though, some of the women - especially Sallie - step up. So yay for them!! [image] Another theme of the book is the uselessness of Prohibition, which didn't stop people from drinking and started a nationwide crime wave. One really has to wonder what made the politicians of the time think this would work. Sallie is a breath of fresh air in this novel. She's determined to find her own way, make a success of herself, and do it on her own terms. Sallie can drive a car like an Indy-500 racer; shoot like a rodeo star; and scheme like a politican. One roots for her to succeed. [image] This is an engaging, well-written story that would appeal to fans of lively historical fiction. You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com ...more |
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not set
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Aug 29, 2024
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Hardcover
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1668025590
| 9781668025598
| 1668025590
| 3.68
| 62,645
| May 21, 2024
| May 21, 2024
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liked it
| The themes of this book are reminiscent of Lord of the Flies combined with And Then There Were None. As the story opens, Dr. Lyla Santiago, a research The themes of this book are reminiscent of Lord of the Flies combined with And Then There Were None. As the story opens, Dr. Lyla Santiago, a research virologist, is coaxed by her underemployed/would be actor boyfriend, Nico Reese, to participate in a new reality television show called 'One Perfect Couple.' The program will place five couples on an island in the Indian Ocean, and the duos will be 'tested' in various ways to assess their compatibility. There will be mixing and matching among the couples, and the contestants will be eliminated, one by one, until a winner emerges. The entire show is scheduled to be filmed over ten weeks. Lyla, who's in the midst of a research project about a viral disease, is reluctant to participate in the show, but she plans to be eliminated within two weeks, so she can return home to work. Nico, meanwhile, hopes to stick it out to the end, hoping the exposure will land him a starring television or movie role. The couples selected for the program are all nice-looking, in good shape, and in their twenties and thirties. The contestants meet, are flown to Jakarta, then board a yacht for the long trip to a VERY isolated island. The setting for the show is picturesque, with guest cottages among palm trees and a beautiful beach. The host, producers, camera operators and other personnel associated with 'One Perfect Couple' remain on the island during the day, and return to the yacht at night. However, the couples on the show are filmed 24/7, with cameras in their cottages and in the common areas. After a few days, things go very wrong. While the yacht is taking an eliminated contestant away, a HUGE storm decimates the island. Two people are are killed in the melee, and the remaining participants are left with a limited amount of fresh water and food, and an emergency radio. Lyla and the others try to call the yacht - or anyone - again and again and again, day after day, to no avail. Meanwhile supplies are dwindling. The stranded people seem to get along for a while, then fractures appear, with some people thinking they're more entitled than others. Then the murders begin...... Most of the story is narrated by Lyla, with the occasional diary entry from another contestant. The bones of the story are compelling, but for me, the book is much too long. We follow along with this bunch as the water gets used up little by little; the food runs out little by little; tempers get frayed; a would-be dictator emerges; etc. One of author Ruth Ware's 'themes' for this book is the 'toxic abusive male', but it takes a long time to get there. Still, for readers who like this kind of 'Survivor' themed story, the novel would be a hit. ...more |
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1
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Aug 28, 2024
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Hardcover
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0008706662
| 9780008706661
| B0CT7QGW5S
| 4.16
| 6,692
| Jun 14, 2018
| Jul 18, 2024
|
really liked it
| 4.5 stars Irish folklore and superstitions - about fairies, witches, and the like - form the core of this charming novel. [image] **** In 1882, Anglo-I 4.5 stars Irish folklore and superstitions - about fairies, witches, and the like - form the core of this charming novel. [image] **** In 1882, Anglo-Irish Lord Hawley decided to build a manor house for his new wife in a woodland in western Ireland. A gnarled old hawthorn tree, a fairy tree, grew in the middle of the woodland, and a seeress warned that "misfortune would befall any man who so much as scarred the twisted bark." [image] Lord Hawley pooh-poohed these 'superstitions', cleared the land, and constructed a mansion called Thornwood House. [image] A few years later Lord Hawley's wife had a difficult pregnancy and gave birth to twins - George and Olivia - whom Lady Hawley insisted weren't her children. The seeress knew this meant the Good People [fairies] "had exacted their revenge by taking the human children and replacing them with evil, sickly souls." Keep this in mind, because we'll meet George and Olivia again, when they're grown. [image] From here, the story proceeds in two alternating timelines, 2010 and 1910. Towards the end of 2010, after a difficult period in their three-year marriage, New York residents Sarah and Jack Harper decide to divorce. Sarah sends her possessions ahead, and makes plans to fly to Boston, where her family lives. [image] Before Sarah boards her plane to Boston, she's browsing through an airport shop called 'The Emerald Isle Gift Store', where she buys a bottle of whiskey and an Irish newspaper. [image] The Irish tabloid's headline reads: THE FAIRY TREE THAT MOVED A MOTORWAY. The accompanying story is about a motorway in a town called Thornwood, in Clare County, whose route was changed to protect a very beautiful hawthorn tree. (The Emerald Islanders apparently learned from Lord Hawley's mistake.) In any case, Sarah impulsively changes her plans and boards a plane for Ireland. [image] Sarah is embraced by the people of Clare County and soon finds herself ensconced in a cozy domicile, called Butler's Cottage, for her visit. [image] During a brisk nighttime walk Sarah finds a diary in the hollow of a tree, whose cover reads 'The Diary of Anna Butler.' [image] Anna's entries begins on Saint Stephen's Day (December 26), 1910, and reveal that she was an 18-year-old farm girl who lived in Butler's Cottage with her parents and three brothers. [image] Sarah is VERY drawn to Anna's diary, and immerses herself in the entries. Sarah reads a few pages of the journal at a time, between her day to day activities. Anna begins her 1910 journal with descriptions of Christmas festivities, then mentions meeting a young American scholar called Harold Griffin-Krauss. [image] Harold's bicycle gets two flat tires near Butler's Cottage, and he comes to the door to request assistance. Anna's father helps fix the bicycle, then tea is served, and Harold explains that his mother is Irish, and he's an anthropology student at Oxford, studying Celtic folklore - particularly fairies. Harold has traveled around Scotland, Wales, Cornwall in the south of England, the Isle of Man, and Brittany in northern France, and Ireland is his last stop before returning to Oxford. Harold goes on to explain, "Some people are happy to discuss their experiences, but many are wary of a foreigner asking questions. So, in each area I visit, I try to hire a local person to help me with my interviews." The upshot is that Anna is hired to accompany Harold on his interviews, and to translate Gaelic into English when necessary. As Anna and Harold work together, a strong friendship develops. [image] During Harold's interviews he records numerous fascinating tales about the fairy folk and other magical creatures, who are real to many people in County Clare, including Anna herself. Some of these tales are frightening, such as one about a man who thought his wife had been turned into a witch, so he burned her to death. The husband thought the witch would fly up the chimney, and his real wife would return. (She didn't.) Anna is appalled by tales like this. [image] On their perambulations, Anna and Harold come across Lord Hawley's (now grown) 'evil twins', George and Olivia, who live in luxurious Thornwood House, ride fine horses, wear elegant clothes, have handsome carriages, throw lavish parties, and so on. [image] Anna is enthralled by handsome George, and though she knows it's impossible, Anna fantasizes about George being her beau. This leads to big trouble. [image] Interspersed with Anna's 1910 diary entries are chapters about modern Sarah's life in Thornwood. Sarah's activities include a lot of lone drinking, and grieving over a sad incident that haunts her. Though Sarah thinks about her Boston family and her estranged husband, she allows herself to be drawn out by some of the locals, including a hotel manager and his lady love; a kindly grandfather; and especially County Clare's conservation officer, Oran Sweeney and his teenage daughter Hazel, who also have a tragedy in their past. [image] [image] During one afternoon outing, Sarah and Oran even climb over a fence and break into Thornwood House, which is now a derelict structure where no one lives. [image] As things turn out, the fairy folk may have drawn Sarah to Clare Country, because Sarah, Oran, and Hazel help each other heal their wounds and move on. For me, the 1910 timeline is more compelling, with tales of life in rural Ireland; [image] Irish lads striving for Irish independence; [image] and the Irish folklore recorded by Harold Griffin-Krauss. [image] Fairy Fort in Ireland We learn that Harold later publishes his collection of Irish tales in a book called 'The Fairy Compendium', which is read by Sarah and Hazel. [image] In her acknowledgments, author Evie Woods notes that 'The Story Collector' was inspired by the 'real Harold', Walter Evans-Wentz, "who came to [Ireland] in search of the mystic and captured all of Ireland's beauty and mystery." [image] Walter Evans-Wentz I enjoyed the novel, especially the Irish legends and fables, and highly recommend the book to readers interested in the subject. Thanks to Netgalley, Evie Woods, and Harper 360 for a copy of the book. You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com ...more |
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Aug 26, 2024
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Kindle Edition
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0099415186
| 9780099415183
| 0099415186
| 4.00
| 9,279
| 2002
| Mar 06, 2003
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3.5 stars In this 11th book in the 'Commissario Guido Brunetti' series, the Italian policeman investigates the murder of a young woman. [image] One of m 3.5 stars In this 11th book in the 'Commissario Guido Brunetti' series, the Italian policeman investigates the murder of a young woman. [image] One of my favorite things about these novels, set in Venice, is the leisurely pace. Unlike detectives on American television shows, who are always running around at a frenetic pace, Commissario Brunetti ambles around Venice by foot and on vaporettos (water buses); walks home for lunch most days; goes out for coffee - or a glass of wine - with his colleagues in the middle of the work day; and so on. [image] It's also fun to get glimpses of Brunetti's home life, with his wife and teenage children. Guido's wife Paola, an English professor, prepares delicious meals, and the family discusses all manner of interesting things, like the novels of Henry James; celebrities the children like; whether the teens need telefoninos (that's a hard no from Paola); and more. [image] This addition to the Commissario Brunetti series addresses a sensitive topic in Italy - the extortion of Jewish families during World War II. Some rapacious Italians 'purchased' valuable artworks from desperate Jewish people, paying a tiny fraction of their worth. After the war, the (few) Jewish survivors found it almost impossible to get their valuables back. ***** As the story opens, Paola approaches Guido on behalf of one of her university students, a 20-year-old woman called Claudia Leonardo. Claudia wants to know if the conviction of a person after WWII can be reversed. Of course Brunetti needs to know more about the matter, and ends up speaking with Claudia at the Questura (police station). [image] Though Claudia is very circumspect, Brunetti puts Claudia's story together with the help of Signorina Elettra, the fashionable secretary who's a whiz at using computers to get helpful information. [image] The tale goes as follows: During WWII, Claudia's grandfather 'purchased' MANY artworks from desperate people for a few lira, and was suspected of outright stealing several priceless drawings. [image] After the war, grandpa was convicted and made a deal with the Italian judges: he would go to an asylum for a year or two and then be freed. However grandpa died in the asylum, and a woman called Signora Jacobs - whom Claudia views as her grandmother - wants grandpa's conviction reversed, to restore his 'good name'. [image] Before Brunetti can even make official inquiries about the matter, Claudia is murdered in her apartment. During Brunetti's investigation, he interviews people Claudia interacted with, including her roommate; her landlady; a notary; the director of a World War II commemorative library where Claudia volunteered; and Signora Jacobs - a chain smoker whose cheap apartment is filled with fabulous artworks. Signora Jacobs still supports the fascist movement, as do some old army veterans in the book. [image] When another death occurs, a number of clues lead Brunetti to a hard truth. During Brunetti's inquiries, he thinks about the ugliness of armed conflict, and his own father's service during the second world war. A conversation between Brunetti and his father-in-law, the Conte, brings home some of the worst aspects of sending young people out to kill. [image] This is one of the more serious books in the series, and lacks the humor inherent in some of the Brunetti novels. Still, I enjoyed the mystery, and would recommend the book to fans of suspense novels. You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com ...more |
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Aug 26, 2024
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Paperback
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0743445872
| 9780743445870
| 0743445872
| 4.19
| 17,640
| Feb 03, 2004
| Jul 01, 2005
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really liked it
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None
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Aug 22, 2024
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Mass Market Paperback
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0062991639
| 9780062991638
| 0062991639
| 3.75
| 6,158
| Oct 24, 2023
| Oct 24, 2023
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liked it
| These cozy mysteries, written by Sophie Hannah, emulate the style of Agatha Christie. In this 5th book in the 'New Hercule Poirot Mysteries', Poirot t These cozy mysteries, written by Sophie Hannah, emulate the style of Agatha Christie. In this 5th book in the 'New Hercule Poirot Mysteries', Poirot travels to Norfolk to investigate a murder. The story is narrated by Scotland Yard Inspector Edward Catchpool (in the style of Poirot's former sidekick Captain Hastings). ***** The book opens a few days before Christmas in 1931. Poirot and Catchpool are in Poirot's apartment, debating the merits of turkey versus duck for their upcomig holiday dinner. [image] The discussion is interrupted by the arrival of Catchpool's mother, Cynthia Catchpool, a bossy woman Edward avoids like the plague. [image] Edward is prepared to say NO to whatever his mother wants, but it's not to be, and before long Poirot, Catchpool, and Cynthia are on a train to Frellingsloe House (Frelly House) in Norfolk. The reason: Poirot's been asked to solve a murder. [image] Cynthia Catchpool explains that she's been visiting her friends Vivienne and Arnold Laurier at Frelly House, perhaps for the last time. For one thing, Arnold is sick and dying; for another thing, the coast around Frelly House is eroding, and the building will eventually fall into the sea. [image] Terminally ill Arnold Laurier is scheduled to enter St. Walstan's Cottage Hospital in Norfolk right after Christmas, for nursing care during his final months. [image] When the Laurier family - including Arnold's wife Vivienne, their two sons, and the sons' spouses - go to St. Walstan's to check out Arnold's future room, a patient named Stanley Niven is killed in the same ward, conked on the head with a vase. [image] Inspector Mackle, who's in charge of investigating Niven's murder, is an incompetent nincompoop, and clearly can't solve the crime. (I laughed every time Mackle calls our hero Mr. Prarrow. LOL) [image] Vivienne Laurier is desperately worried, certain her husband Arnold will be murdered when he goes to St. Walstans. Thus, Poirot has been recruited to discover Niven's murderer before Christmas. [image] As is typical in golden age mysteries, there's a large cast of characters, including: the extended Laurier family; Enid and Terence Surtrees - relatives who work as the cook and gardener at Frelly House; the visitor Cynthia Catchpool; Dr. Robert Osgood - Arnold's physician; Felix Rawcliffe - the curate; and several nurses and doctors at St. Walstan's. [image] [image] Poirot investigates in his usual fashion, by looking around; interviewing people; asking Catchpool to do various errands; and using his little grey cells. A second murder occurs, which points Poirot in the right direction, and - at the book's climax - Poirot gather everyone in the drawing room to reveal the killer. [image] Most armchair detectives will be out of luck solving the mystery, because the clues - though present - are very obscure. The story is also repetitive and slow. For me, Sophie Hannah just doesn't have Agatha Christie's flair. [image] Still, for readers craving a Hercule Poirot story, this novel might hit the spot. You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com ...more |
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Aug 22, 2024
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Hardcover
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039335024X
| 9780393350241
| 039335024X
| 3.48
| 156
| Jun 24, 2013
| Dec 01, 2014
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really liked it
| In this book, journalist Ellin Stein provides a history of the iconoclastic 'National Lampoon' magazine, and the movies, television shows, publication In this book, journalist Ellin Stein provides a history of the iconoclastic 'National Lampoon' magazine, and the movies, television shows, publications, etc. it spawned or inspired. Stein did extensive research and conducted myriad interviews, and her coverage of the topic - and all the people involved - is very thorough. [image] An iconic National Lampoon cover ***** At the end of the 1960s, Harvard graduates Henry Beard and Doug Kenney moved to New York to be the chief editors of a magazine called the 'National Lampoon' (NL), an outgrowth of the iconoclastic 'Harvard Lampoon' (HL). [image] Henry Beard [image] Doug Kenney [image] A Harvard Lampoon cover The HL prided itself on fun parodies, like a story called 'Alligator' that riffed on the suave James Bond (007) character, who orders his martinis 'shaken not stirred'. Alligator's James Bond is meticulous about his food, and in his BLT sandwich, "the bacon must be crisp, not however over-cooked; lettuce from the inside please, but not the heart." [image] Cartoon of James Bond (007) One of HL's big successes was a parody of 'Playboy' magazine, which was endorsed by Playboy founder Hugh Hefner himself. The Poonies (HL writers) came up with the ideal playmate, a sort of female Tarzan from a Carolina coastal island whose English is restricted to 'My name is Oona. Mama and Papa dive into sea. Berries and herbs, herbs and berries'. [image] The Harvard Lampoon's parody of Playboy Magazine Stein writes, "The Poonies had stumbled onto the trick that would be the financial cornerstone of their subsequent parodies and later the National Lampoon: because the naked ladies were presented in a joke context, the reader could feel superior to his sweaty-palmed brethren who genuinely sought out this kind of fantasy stimulant without having to deny himself any of their voyeuristic gratification." Another HL project was a parody of J.R.R Tolkien's heroic epic 'Lord of the Rings', called 'Bored of the Rings', in which "cowardice, confusion, and passing the buck are the order of the day." [image] The Harvard Lampoon's parody of Lord of the Rings With several popular publications under their belt, HL writers Beard and Kenney "just knew they wanted to create a humor magazine and it would be big and glossy and wonderful and they would have a great time doing it and would be a great success." This new magazine would be called the National Lampoon. To get the NL going, Beard and Kenney hired Harvard Poonies to be writers, HL alumni to be advisors, and outside artists and caricaturists to supply pictures to go with the words. This resulted in a kind of 'boys club', where meetings were held in restaurants, and irreverence ruled the roost. [image] Some staff members at the Natonal Lampoon When outsider Michael O'Donoghue came on board, he wanted to do some damage, search and destroy....that's the kind of comedy he liked. O'Donoghue observed, "The Harvard people fought with the épée. They made little digs in the wrist you know - 'Ha ha! Have at you!' I taught them to fight with the truncheon. It was just a more brutal form of humor - less sport, more murder." [image] Michael O'Donoghue The NL also segued into politics. For instance, when the Vietnam war expanded into Cambodia amidst increasing antiwar protests, Kenney wrote a satirical editorial that suggested Cambodia would soon enjoy he same benefits as South Vietnam, "Once an underdeveloped Asian sump full of mosquitoes, overcooked rice and foreigners, [South Vietnam] has blossomed under our tutelage into a veritable Eden of rusted tanks, Coca-Cola bottles and highly decorative half-breeds." The National Lampoon's first big success featured a cover of Minnie Mouse in pasties, which spurred the Disney organization to sue for $11 million. [image] National Lampoon's cover of Minnie Mouse with pasties Among the magazines most popular features were parodies of other types of publications, for instance, 'Pethouse' - which featured photos of furry animals in provocative poses; 'Stupid News and World Report'; Gun Lust magazine; Third Base - the Dating Newspaper; and more. [image] [image] [image] Examples of Harvard Lampoon parodies The NL writers and artists collaborated to formulate content, and tried to think of every possible joke on a subject. For example, the writers' room came up with a story about a convicted Watergate burglar doing time at a light security prison: there's a moment when the prisoners, "pushed beyond endurance by a selection of inferior vintages, bang their tin cups and call for 'Montrachet'." [image] There weren't many women working for the the NL, and women weren't especially welcome. For example, NL comedy writer Anne Beatts got the distinct impression that neither Henry Beard or Doug Kenney wanted her to be there. Stein writes, "However, because the editors had been brought up to be polite, they weren't about to run to Michel Chobette [a Lampoon contributor and Beatts' boyfriend at the time] and say, 'Can't you just leave her at home?' " [image] Anne Beatts In time, the NL staff expanded to include refugees from advertising and Canadians, and Stein describes their differing personalities and styles of comedy. Some of the magazine's Canadiana included bumper stickers like 'My Country, Correct or Misinformed'; and translations into Canadian: 'Up against the wall you motherf***ingpig turns into 'Now wait a minute officer, let's be reasonable'. [image] Regardless of their provenance, once writers/editors were admitted to the club, it became the most important thing in their lives. A Lampoon editor was a Lampoon editor twenty-four hours a day, and the Lampooners appreciated having kindred spirits to bounce their ideas off. Stein notes, "The Lampoon writers had found more than drinking buddies: they had joined a sort of gym for the intellect, where their creativity could be stimulated and stretched." Relations among the NL personnel wasn't all sweetness and light, however, and Stein documents the numerous jealousies and rivalries as well as the collaborations and alliances. In addition to contributing to the NL, many comedy writers went on to work in radio, movies, records, live theater, television, publishing, etc. Stein gives examples of celebrities like Gilda Radnor, Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Dan Akroyd, Harold Ramis and others, who went from the NL to Saturday Night Live.....and on to big success, often in movies. [image] 1975 cast of Saturday Night Live. From left, Garrett Morris, Jane Curtin, John Belushi, Laraine Newman, Dan Akroyd, Gilda Radnor, Bill Murray NL writers penned the script for the film 'National Lampoon's Animal House' (1978), which started out as a raunchy juvenile story set in high school. The movie took many rewrites, many writers, and many years to come to fruition. NL also spawned successul movies like 'Caddyshack' (1980), 'National Lampoon's Vacation' (1983), and 'Ghostbusters' (1984). Moreover, the NL changed the face of popular culture by inspiring The Simpsons, The Onion, This is Spinal Tap, South Park, SCTV, The Blues Brothers, and more. [image] [image] [image] [image] In a way, the NL was responsible for its own demise, because its audience moved on to other comical fare inspired by the magazine. Unfortunately, one of the NL's founders, Doug Kenney, came to a sad end. Kenney grew insecure about his talent, succumbed to cocaine addiction, and in 1980 - at the age of 33 - Doug was found dead at the bottom of a cliff in Hawaii. At over 400 pages, author Ellin Stein relates everything you'd ever want to know about the National Lampoon; its editors, writers, and artists; the movies it sponsored inspired; and its HUGE influence on popular culture. [image] FYI: The 2018 movie 'A Futile and Stupid Gesture' tells the story of the founding of the National Lampoon, and relates the troubled life and sad end of Doug Kenney. [image] You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com ...more |
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Aug 22, 2024
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1728298164
| 9781728298160
| 1728298164
| 3.86
| 975
| Aug 06, 2024
| Aug 06, 2024
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really liked it
| Stephanie Kiser's childhood in a financially strapped family in North Providence, Rhode Island was a far cry from the lives of the privileged children Stephanie Kiser's childhood in a financially strapped family in North Providence, Rhode Island was a far cry from the lives of the privileged children she cared for as a nanny. In this memoir, Kiser alternates anecdotes about her impoverished young years with stories about the mega-rich families she worked for, who resided in Manhattan, and vacationed in places like the Hamptons and Florida. [image] Author Stephanie Kiser [image] An apartment building in North Providence, Rhode Island [image] Apartment buildings on the Upper East Side, New York [image] Rich kids going to school When Kiser majored in 'Writing for Film and Television' at Boston's Emerson College, she had no intention of being a nanny. However Stephanie's HUGE student loan, which required monthly payments of $1000 (almost entirely for the interest) gave her little choice about employment. Stephanie had to make enough money to pay her rent, take care of her bills, commute around the city, occasionally lend money to her parents, and service her student loan - and nannying was the only job that paid enough. (In some ways, this book is a cautionary tale about student loans, as Kiser wonders if her 'good education' was worth the box it put it her in employment-wise.) [image] Stephanie Kiser To contrast her own life with that of the rich kids she minded, Kiser compares her childhood to that of her 5-year-old charge Ruby, who attended an Episcopal school with the children of Drew Barrymore, Robert De Niro, Steve Martin, and other celebrities. [image] Drew Barrymore and her children [image] Robert De Niro and his daughter [image] Steve Martin with his wife and daughter In the after school hours, Ruby might play in Central Park, get mint chocolate chip ice cream, and be treated to random indulgences on the way back to her family's luxurious Upper East Side apartment. Stephanie writes, "With Ruby I eat gourmet sandwiches from Dean & Deluca and take Ubers across town to celebrated museums." [image] Stephanie Kiser [image] About her own childhood, Stephanie remembers growing up in a run-down apartment with young parents who had too little maturity and too much responsibility. She notes, "My own childhood was calls from debt collectors, pets that never lasted longer than a few months, and [during hard times] strict portion control that often sent my sisters and me to bed hungry." Stephanie was employed by a number of families during her seven-year-stint as a child-minder, and some jobs were better than others. Among Kiser's favorite nanny jobs was her first, working for a woman called Sasha and her husband. In this home, Kiser looked after three children: the above-mentioned Ruby, Ruby's little brother Hunter, and a baby (when he came along). Stephanie's employer Sasha was 35-years-old, came from a wealthy family, graduated from Yale, and did not work, but was on the board of myriad fundraising committees. Kiser says, "It's part of a strange phenomenon on the Upper East Side, where women of great means spend decades preparing to attend prestigious schools like Princeton and Stanford, only to obtain degrees they never apply to a career....The working mom is a rarity - and, in many instances, the least respected on the totem pole of motherhood." (Note: This lack of ambition seems very strange to me.) [image] Upper East Side moms [image] Nannies in Central Park with their charges In any case, though Kiser was a full-time nanny, Sasha was still a hands on mother to her children. Sasha would be dressed and ready when Stephanie arrived to work each morning, and Sasha would prepare food; play with the kids; shower them with affection; and often take them to activities herself. Kiser worked for Sasha's family for several years, and has many stories about her employment there, including visiting the Florida mansion of Sasha's wealthy parents. The vacation home, on an island near Palm Beach, is a nine-bedroom, eleven bathroom estate, large enough to house twenty people comfortably. There are palm trees and a running trail, golf carts to drive from one part of the yard to another, a putting green, a hot tub, a pool, a fountain, a private beach, and more. [image] Example of a Florida estate Stephanie compares this to her family vacations when she was a child. Once, the Kisers went to a Howard Johnsons beachside motel in the dead of winter, when rates were affordable; another 'vacation' was a trip to Pennsylvania for Stephanie's basketball tournament, where the hotel was so gnarly that Stephanie's mother developed impetigo from the 'hot tub', and Stephanie played the last two days with strep throat. [image] Example of a Howard Johnsons Motel One of Kiser's less fun jobs was working for a woman called Stefany and her husband, whose children were a 6-year-old boy named Digby and his baby brother Sampson. Digby would call his brother "stupid ugly baby"; scream at Stephanie, "Don't talk to me! I hate you! Dumb fat, Stephanie!"; and call Stephanie "stupid, foolish, and non-use." Digby's mother didn't discourage this behavior, and told Kiser, "My philosophy is no discipline. Digby is a good boy; he needs guidance, not regulation." [image] Kiser writes, "Digby is not a bad kid....but a 'no discipline' philosophy has taught him that being cruel is acceptable." During a group playdate, Digby acted out, sang raunchy songs, and slapped another child, but his mother didn't react. Digby also purposely soiled his pants every day, and Kiser was expected to wash his underwear after cleaning off the poop. Kiser found Stefany difficult in many ways: Stefany was poor before marrying into her husband's rich family, and she spoke openly about her current wealth, taking every opportunity to mention something the family owned or a vacation they'd gone on. [image] By contrast, when Kiser mentioned moving into a new building with a terrace and a gym, Stefany responded, "A gym, huh?" Kiser observes, "There is a hostility in her voice that I have heard her use with others - waitstaff or secretaries, people with whom she has only brief interactions and whom she decides are less than her." When a worker remodeling Stefany's kitchen asked to use the bathroom, Stefany said, "I'm sorry; would you mind driving into town to use the bathroom? There's a Starbucks there. It's only ten minutes away." When Kiser decided to quit the job with Stefany, she called her nanny agency to confirm she was leaving. Kiser's agent said she wasn't surprised; the previous nanny went to lunch one day and never returned. Stefany thought the nanny might have been murdered or kidnapped, but the girl told [the agency] she was fine; she just couldn't spend a single moment longer working for that woman. [image] Kiser writes much more about being a nanny, and intersperses the nanny stories with numerous tales about her past. As a kid, Kiser was a terrible student; had a hard time learning to read; was in the disabilities program for years; was overweight.....and stuffed herself with food whenever she got the chance; had an uneasy relationship with her mother; had a father who kept leaving the family for other women; etc. In short, Stephanie had a difficult time of it. Then, when Kiser was in middle school, she showed a surprising talent as a basketball player. This led to a scholarship to a toney high school called Lincoln School for Girls. There Stephanie met her best friend Lila, and she writes a good deal about their relationship, which had highs and lows. In any case, Stephanie eventually managed to raise her grades enough to be accepted to Emerson College (which led to her humongous student debt). [image] Lincoln School for Girls Kiser even ventures into politics when she admits to blindly going along with her family's staunch support for the Republicans, whose policies actually harmed people in the Kisers' socioeconomic class. Kiser was enlightened by Hillary Clinton's book, 'Hard Choices', which led to a 180 degree change in Stephanie's views. ...more |
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Aug 20, 2024
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067104754X
| 9780671047542
| 067104754X
| 4.17
| 20,751
| Feb 27, 2001
| Apr 01, 2002
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really liked it
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Aug 18, 2024
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Mass Market Paperback
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1538719924
| 9781538719923
| B0BTZ2CQQ1
| 4.37
| 38,877
| Nov 14, 2023
| Nov 14, 2023
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liked it
| In this second book in the '6:20 Man' series, former U.S. Army Ranger Travis Devine investigates the murder of a CIA agent in rural Maine. The book wo In this second book in the '6:20 Man' series, former U.S. Army Ranger Travis Devine investigates the murder of a CIA agent in rural Maine. The book works fine as a standalone. [image] ***** As the story opens, secret government operative Travis Devine, who has MEGA SKILLS from his previous Army Ranger training, encounters three assassins on a train from Geneva to Milan. [image] Travis kills two men and leaves one woman unconscious but alive, thinking she might change her ways. As things turn out, this isn't the best possible move. In any case, once Devine is back on American soil, his handler, retired two-star general Emerson Campbell, gives Travis a new assignment. [image] A CIA operative called Jennifer (Jenny) Silkwell was shot to death while visiting her hometown of Putnam, Maine. To make things even worse, Jenny's government computer and phone were stolen. The electronics may contain sensitive information, and mustn't fall into the wrong hands. [image] General Campbell gives Devine a credentials pack that identifies him as a special investigator with Homeland Security, and sends Travis to Maine to find Jenny's killer and retrieve the computer and phone. [image] As soon as Devine arrives in Putnam, which has a population of about 250, he starts to sense hostility from the locals. This starts with the owner of the Putnam Inn, where Devine is staying. Then when Travis meets Chief of Police Richard Harper and Sergeant Wendy Wuss - and suggests they collaborate - the cops are cold. [image] [image] Wuss complains, 'You're here to do the job we're already doing...Feds are all the same. Think you're bettern'n the locals'. In fact, the local investigation does seem to be rather languid. Medical examiner Françoise Guillaume notes that the tox screen and blood workup on victim Jenny's body isn't complete because 'they don't get done as fast as on TV'. [image] And the cops haven't interviewed Jenny's sister Alex and brother Dak because, as Sergeant Wuss notes, 'They're grieving. We'll talk to them at the appropriate time. It's how we do things up here'. The people in Putnam do know Jenny 'was a spy or some such' and seem to believe that's why she was killed, because 'no one from around Putnam would hurt one hair on Jenny's head.' Everyone seems to agree about this, including Jenny's brother Dak, who's a tattoo artist and entrepreneur. [image] In spite of law enforcement seeming to drag their feet, Devine plows right ahead with his investigation. Travis examines the crime scene; studies the bullet casing left behind; questions the retired lobsterman who found Jenny's body; interviews Jenny's relatives; speaks to people acquainted with Jenny; and so on. Devine finds that ALMOST EVERYONE in Putnam seems to be obscuring facts, hiding secrets, or out-and-out lying. [image] In addition, for a small town, Putnam seems to have more than its share of trouble. First, Devine learns that Jenny's sister Alex was beaten and raped when she was sixteen, but has amnesia about the incident. The perpetrator was never caught, and the case is still open. Second, a married couple burned to death when their house caught fire, a tragedy that was attributed to an accident. And third, an elderly woman died horribly as a result of a hit-and-run that left her crawling in the road. The driver wasn't identiied, and was assumed to be an outsider. As things play out, a thread seems to connect all these incidents. For his part, Devine, despite being a 'tough guy' former Army Ranger, has a caring nature. This makes him especially sympathetic to Jenny's beautiful sister Alex, a talented artist who's still isolated, frightened, and anxious because of the long ago rape. [image] In addition to Jenny's homicide, there are other troublesome things happening in Putnam. There's smuggling along the coast, with boats coming and going at night; fentanyl overdoses are rampant; a sniper is targeting people; someone seems to be tampering with evidence; Devine is being chased by assassins with foreign accents; and more. [image] The road to solving Jenny's murder is dangerous and convoluted, but Devine uses his considerable smarts, and also gets assistance from his handler, General Emerson - whom he consults frequently. Emerson has access to military files, drones, classified information, and so on, all of which is helpful. I was entertained by the story, but it has flaws in my opinion. For instance, though everyone in Putnam is supposedly opposed to Devine's investigation, people are CONSTANTLY offering Travis coffee, tea, or drinks, and happily chatting away. Moreover, Travis gets too involved with Jenny's sister Alex, which would certainly be a no-no for a real Homeland Security Agent. Lastly, Devine's inquiry should have an urgent, top speed vibe, because the missing computer and phone could be in enemy hands. Instead, Travis's investigation appears to meander along with hardly a thought to the secret files. [image] Still, David Baldacci is a talented writer, and many thriller fans would probably enjoy the novel. You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com ...more |
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not set
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Aug 16, 2024
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Kindle Edition
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1250324548
| 9781250324542
| 1250324548
| 4.35
| 60
| unknown
| Oct 15, 2024
|
liked it
| In this 30th book in the Andy Carpenter series, the Paterson, New Jersey attorney defends a college student accused of murdering his professor. ***** E In this 30th book in the Andy Carpenter series, the Paterson, New Jersey attorney defends a college student accused of murdering his professor. ***** Ever since he inherited a large fortune, defense lawyer Andy Carpenter takes very few cases. [image] Instead, Andy prefers to hang out with his wife Laurie, 15-year-old son Ricky, and dogs Tara (a golden retriever), Hunter (a pug), and Sebastian (a basset hound). Andy also likes to watch sports; help run a canine rescue operation called 'The Tara Foundation'; schmooze with his friends at Charlie's Sports Bar; and so on. [image] As the story opens, Andy, Laurie, and Ricky are enjoying a Christmas vacation in the Adirondacks. Andy is winter-averse, but he and the family have gone ice-skating, snowmobiling, and sledding. [image] Andy hasn't gone skiiing because, as he notes: "As best as I can tell, a good day on the slopes is not suffering broken bones, frostbite, or worse, which is why I have spent many good days in front of the television or reading a book. You never hear about a medevac helicopter picking someone up from their den and flying them to a trauma center." On the way back from the Adirondocks, Andy is looking forward to seeing his three dogs, who've been in the care of dog-sitter Jenny Bedell. [image] [image] However, when the Carpenters arrive home, there aren't three dogs....there are four! Jenny explains that the new pooch showed up on the front porch, and she hasn't been able to locate his owner. It turns out the visiting canine is a terrier-mix called Murphy, who was cared for by the Carpenters before being adopted by Doris Bremer and her son BJ. [image] Andy promptly returns Murphy to Doris Bremer, who's distraught because her son BJ has been arrested for killing his college teacher. [image] Andy offers to speak to BJ, and hears the following story: BJ argued with his computer science teacher, Professor Stephen Rayburn, about a grade. [image] Afterwards, BJ got a phone call telling him to go to Rayburn's house, to discuss the matter. When BJ arrived at the professor's home, Rayburn was dead, and BJ became an immediate suspect. Later, when the cops found Rayburn's $642 in cash and Rolex watch in BJ's dorm room, the young man was arrested for murder. [image] BJ goes on to explain that his lawyer, James Howarth - who showed up out of the blue - is pushing him to take a deal. [image] This whole business sounds VERY DICEY to Andy, who learns that attorney Howarth is being paid by two gang bosses, Gregori Borodin and Thomas Nucci, to 'defend' BJ. [image] [image] It's clear that BJ is being framed, and Andy makes short shrift of Howarth and takes over BJ's defense himself. Andy assembles his usual team, which consists of lawyer Eddie Dowd - who's great with paperwork and filings; [image] accountant Sam Willis - a computer hacker extraordinaire; [image] office manager Edna - who goofs off more than she works; [image] and The K-Team, a private detective firm consisting of: Andy's wife Laurie Collins - an ex-cop; [image] Corey Douglas, also an ex-cop, and Corey's police dog, Simon Garfunkel; [image] and Marcus Clark - the toughest man on the planet, whose job includes getting information out of suspects and protecting Andy. [image] Andy needs Marcus watching his back because the mobsters, Nucci and Borodin aren't about to sit back and do nothing. As Andy proceeds to unravel a complicated conspiracy, and prepare a SODDI (some other dude did it) defense, the thugs make witnesses disappear, and even contemplate killing Andy. As always in this series, Andy does well at BJ's trial, making points when he cross-examines witnesses, and presenting a strong defense. This time, though, the prosecution case seems airtight.....so what's Andy to do? [image] The Andy Carpenter mysteries are formulaic, but entertaining, with Andy constantly making funny quips and sarcastic remarks. In that respect, this book was disappointing, because Andy wasn't as hilarious as usual. I'll admit it was fun to read that Andy's wife Laurie likes the David Rosenfelt mysteries, while Andy himself isn't a fan. I also liked that the pooch Murphy, who must be a genius dog, showed up at Andy's house to get a good lawyer for BJ. [image] I hope author David Rosenfelt rejuvenates Andy's jokey character in the next book. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Grover Gardner, who does a great job. Thanks to Netgalley, David Rosenfelt, and Macmillan Audio for a copy of the book. You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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not set
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not set
|
Aug 14, 2024
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Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
1250324556
| 9781250324559
| B0CQHLXQLT
| 4.35
| 60
| unknown
| Oct 15, 2024
|
liked it
| In this 30th book in the Andy Carpenter series, the Paterson, New Jersey attorney defends a college student accused of murdering his professor. ***** E In this 30th book in the Andy Carpenter series, the Paterson, New Jersey attorney defends a college student accused of murdering his professor. ***** Ever since he inherited a large fortune, defense lawyer Andy Carpenter takes very few cases. [image] Instead, Andy prefers to hang out with his wife Laurie, 15-year-old son Ricky, and dogs Tara (a golden retriever), Hunter (a pug), and Sebastian (a basset hound). Andy also likes to watch sports; help run a canine rescue operation called 'The Tara Foundation'; schmooze with his friends at Charlie's Sports Bar; and so on. [image] As the story opens, Andy, Laurie, and Ricky are enjoying a Christmas vacation in the Adirondacks. Andy is winter-averse, but he and the family have gone ice-skating, snowmobiling, and sledding. [image] Andy hasn't gone skiiing because, as he notes: "As best as I can tell, a good day on the slopes is not suffering broken bones, frostbite, or worse, which is why I have spent many good days in front of the television or reading a book. You never hear about a medevac helicopter picking someone up from their den and flying them to a trauma center." On the way back from the Adirondocks, Andy is looking forward to seeing his three dogs, who've been in the care of dog-sitter Jenny Bedell. [image] [image] However, when the Carpenters arrive home, there aren't three dogs....there are four! Jenny explains that the new pooch showed up on the front porch, and she hasn't been able to locate his owner. It turns out the visiting canine is a terrier-mix called Murphy, who was cared for by the Carpenters before being adopted by Doris Bremer and her son BJ. [image] Andy promptly returns Murphy to Doris Bremer, who's distraught because her son BJ has been arrested for killing his college teacher. [image] Andy offers to speak to BJ, and hears the following story: BJ argued with his computer science teacher, Professor Stephen Rayburn, about a grade. [image] Afterwards, BJ got a phone call telling him to go to Rayburn's house, to discuss the matter. When BJ arrived at the professor's home, Rayburn was dead, and BJ became an immediate suspect. Later, when the cops found Rayburn's $642 in cash and Rolex watch in BJ's dorm room, the young man was arrested for murder. [image] BJ goes on to explain that his lawyer, James Howarth - who showed up out of the blue - is pushing him to take a deal. [image] This whole business sounds VERY DICEY to Andy, who learns that attorney Howarth is being paid by two gang bosses, Gregori Borodin and Thomas Nucci, to 'defend' BJ. [image] [image] It's clear that BJ is being framed, and Andy makes short shrift of Howarth and takes over BJ's defense himself. Andy assembles his usual team, which consists of lawyer Eddie Dowd - who's great with paperwork and filings; [image] accountant Sam Willis - a computer hacker extraordinaire; [image] office manager Edna - who goofs off more than she works; [image] and The K-Team, a private detective firm consisting of: Andy's wife Laurie Collins - an ex-cop; [image] Corey Douglas, also an ex-cop, and Corey's police dog, Simon Garfunkel; [image] and Marcus Clark - the toughest man on the planet, whose job includes getting information out of suspects and protecting Andy. [image] Andy needs Marcus watching his back because the mobsters, Nucci and Borodin aren't about to sit back and do nothing. As Andy proceeds to unravel a complicated conspiracy, and prepare a SODDI (some other dude did it) defense, the thugs make witnesses disappear, and even contemplate killing Andy. As always in this series, Andy does well at BJ's trial, making points when he cross-examines witnesses, and presenting a strong defense. This time, though, the prosecution case seems airtight.....so what's Andy to do? [image] The Andy Carpenter mysteries are formulaic, but entertaining, with Andy constantly making funny quips and sarcastic remarks. In that respect, this book was disappointing, because Andy wasn't as hilarious as usual. I'll admit it was fun to read that Andy's wife Laurie likes the David Rosenfelt mysteries, while Andy himself isn't a fan. I also liked that the pooch Murphy, who must be a genius dog, showed up at Andy's house to get a good lawyer for BJ. [image] I hope author David Rosenfelt rejuvenates Andy's jokey character in the next book. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Grover Gardner, who does a great job. Thanks to Netgalley, David Rosenfelt, and Macmillan Audio for a copy of the book. You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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not set
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not set
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Aug 14, 2024
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Kindle Edition
| |||||||||||||||
1639109056
| 9781639109050
| B0CVZHFKNT
| 4.17
| 12
| unknown
| Nov 19, 2024
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liked it
| This review was first posted on Mystery & Suspense Magazine. Check it out for features, interviews, and reviews. https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/do This review was first posted on Mystery & Suspense Magazine. Check it out for features, interviews, and reviews. https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/do... 3.5 stars This is the fourth book in the 'Caribbean Kitchen' cozy mystery series, featuring Miriam Quiñones-Smith, a Cuban-American food anthropologist and amateur sleuth. Miriam hosts two Caribbean culinary shows, a Spanish version called 'Cocina Caribeña' on the morning program UnMundo, and an English version called 'Abuela Approved' on YouTube. [image] Miriam and her husband Robert Smith live in the Coral Gables enclave of Miami, Florida and have a six-year-old son Manny - who loves to cook, and an almost three-year-old daughter Sirena - who adores seafood. [image] [image] [image] The Smiths have a lovely home, which they now share with Miriam's parents, who previously managed a hotel resort in the Dominican Republic. [image] [image] A good part of the book is about Miriam's colorful family, friends, and co-workers, which adds extra fun to the narrative. The Smiths are happy in Coral Gables, the major downside being that they reside near Robert's mother Marjory - a snobby racist who looks down on Latinx people, including her daughter-in-law. Robert has finally read his mother the riot act, but Marjory still has a hard time being civil to Miriam. [image] In the past, Miriam has helped the Miami police solve crimes, and Detective Frank Pullman likes to call her Jessica Fletcher, Veronica Mars, or Velma, sobriquets some of Miriam's friends have picked up. To this, Miriam responds, "I am more Jessica than Veronica or Velma. Bodies just show up in my vicinity. I don't go looking for them." [image] In this story, Miriam's sleuthing instincts kick in when human bones are found at a building site. Miriam's husband Robert, an environmental engineer, is overseeing construction of a boutique hotel at the edge of Coral Gables golf course when bones and a pottery shard are uncovered at the location. The remains are thought to be a Tequesta Indian, in which case the bones must be returned to the tribe, but not before Miami police investigate the age of the bones and the circumstances of the interment. [image] With Robert's encouragement, Miriam takes an interest in the bones, and she meets Dr. Gregory Vander Bell, an anthropologist who heads Miami's Grove College museum, which has a large collection of Tequesta artifacts; [image] Dr. Alice Cypress, from the Tribal Historical Preservation Office; [image] and Dr. Victoria Bustinza, a forensic archaeologist. [image] When it turns out the golf course bones aren't ancient, but belong to a twentysomething Indian man murdered two to three decades ago, Miriam helps the police uncover the killer. The novel also features two subplots. In one, Miriam's director at UnMundo, Delvis Ferrer, gets into an altercation with a pushy tourist, who's later found murdered. The police suspect Delvis, and Miriam is determined to clear her boss's name. In another storyline, someone is threatening the life of Robert's father, Judge Smith, who's made some unpopular rulings on the bench. Robert's mother Marjory comes down from her high horse to ask Miriam to investigate. [image] Besides being a good mystery, the book is liberally sprinkled with Caribbean folklore and Spanglish. For instance, Miriam's investigations are assisted by Oyá, the Yoruba orisha (god) of graveyards and the wind. Miriam's dad builds a shrine to Oyá in the backyard, where Miriam leaves spicy dishes like black-eyed pea soup with sweet potato and coconut milk. Miriam then beseeches the orisha, "Oyá, por favor, acepta esta comida en gratitud por tu guía y tu protección." In return, Oyá guides Miriam's amateur sleuthing. [image] The novel is enhanced by the inclusion of snippets about Florida history, West Indian culture, and Caribbean foods, which are a mélange of African, Spanish, Mexican, and indigenous cuisine. At the end, the book has recipes for Frita Cubana (Cuban hamburger); Bocaditos (appetizer sandwiches); Tortilla Española (quiche); Palmeras (cookies); and Cuban Natilla (custard). [image] Frita Cubana [image] Bocaditos [image] Tortilla Española [image] Palmeras [image] Cuban Natilla I'm a fan of this multicultural series, and look forward to Miriam's next adventure. Thanks to Netgalley, Raquel V. Reyes, and Crooked Lane Books for a copy of the book. You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com ...more |
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Aug 10, 2024
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Kindle Edition
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0063412861
| 9780063412866
| 0063412861
| 4.32
| 196
| Oct 22, 2024
| Oct 22, 2024
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liked it
| This review was first posted on Mystery & Suspense Magazine. Check it out for features, interviews, and reviews. https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/ev This review was first posted on Mystery & Suspense Magazine. Check it out for features, interviews, and reviews. https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/ev... 3.5 stars In this third book in the 'Ernest Cunningham' series, set in Australia, the amateur sleuth investigates a very tricky case. The book works fine as a standalone. ***** The premise of these clever mysteries by Benjamin Stevenson is that an author named Ernest Cunningham writes books about real murders he's helped to solve. [image] Cunningham's first book, 'Everyone In My Famly Has Killed Someone', is about homicides that occurred during a family reunion at a mountain resort, and Cunningham's second book, 'Everyone On This Train Is A Suspect', is set on a luxury train. Cunningham prides himself on the fact that he adheres to the rules of 'Golden Age' mysteries, such as: nothing supernatural; no surprise identical twins; the killer must be important to the plot; no obvious truths must be concealed from the reader; and so on. Ernest sticks to the rules, but in a rather cunning fashion, and he promises, "My job is to relay to you everything you need to reach the same 'lightbulb' moment I did. [image] As the story opens, it's a few days before Christmas, and Ernest is headed for Katoomba, where his ex-wife Erin Gillford has been arrested. [image] Erin is charged with murdering her boyfriend, wealthy philanthropist Lyle Pearse. Lyle pioneered the Pearse Foundation, which helps drug addicts get clean - and stay clean - by involving them in theatrical productions. [image] When Ernest gets to Katoomba, he finds Erin sitting in a jail cell, waiting for him. Erin explains that, when she woke up this morning, Lyle wasn't in bed, and she had blood on her hands and face. Looking around the house, Erin saw a knife at the top of the steps, and blood drops leading to Lyle's body downstairs. [image] Erin's first thought was to contact Ernest, who has a knack for solving murders. She then called the police, who promptly arrested her. Ernest listens to Erin's story, then proclaims he believes she's innocent, and promises to look into the case. [image] As soon as Ernest leaves the jail he's accosted by tabloid journalist Josh Felman, who chronicles reality star divorces and Ernest's investigations. [image] Ernest observes, "I had no idea how Felman had managed to get to Katoomba so quickly, let alone how he knew I'd be there....Josh Felman is a truffle dog of a journo who prides himself on being the nearest to the stories rather than the best reporting them." It turns out that sneaky Josh has photos of the crime scene, and he and Ernest agree to share information. Meanwhile, the Pearse Foundation is preparing for that evening's show, which is a performance by renowned magician Rylan Blaze. [image] Rylan's big trick involves him being placed in stocks beneath a guillotine, with a gun pointed at his head. Rylan has to escape the stocks before the guillotine blade drops, simultaneously catching a bullet in his teeth. [image] Ernest plans to catch Rylan's show later that night, and in the meantime, proceeds with his investigation. Ernest examines the murder victim's office, where he observes Lyle's cheap supermarket chocolate advent calendar, computer set-up, diary, and what turns out to be an important clue. [image] Ernest also meets the Pearse Foundation employees and volunteers, many of whom are recovering drug addicts. Ernest considers everyone in the Pearse Foundation a possible suspect, including: ❁ Rylan Blaze - the magician whose show is currently being featured at the Pearse Foundation. [image] ❁ Flick - the CFO of the Pearse Foundation. [image] ❁ Theresa - a hypnotist/psychic who does a warm-up act for Rylan Blaze. [image] ❁ Samantha - Theresa's twin sister, who works as Flick's assistant. [image] ❁ Dinesh - the production manager for the Pearse Foundation, who's operating the lights for Rylan Blaze's performance. [image] ❁ Christopher - the head counselor at the Pearse Foundation. [image] Cunningham is fair but devious about sharing clues with the reader, and I didn't match his 'lightning' moment. It was fun to try though, and many fans of cozy mysteries would enjoy this book. Thanks to Netgalley, Benjamin Stevenson, and Mariner Books for a copy of the book. You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com ...more |
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Aug 10, 2024
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1419746197
| 9781419746192
| 1419746197
| 4.48
| 7,925
| Oct 19, 2021
| Oct 19, 2021
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really liked it
| 4.5 stars For more pictures, go to my blog https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.... [image] Billy Porter Billy Porter (b. 1969) is a multitalented Ameri 4.5 stars For more pictures, go to my blog https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.... [image] Billy Porter Billy Porter (b. 1969) is a multitalented American entertainer whose work includes Broadway shows, movies, television programs, nightclub performances, benefits, and more. In the course of his career, Porter won Star Search, received a Tony Award, an Emmy Award, and a Grammy Award; and was awarded many other honors. I became aware of Billy Porter when he played the character 'Pray Tell' on the TV series 'Pose' (2018 - 2021). In the show, Pray Tell is an emcee in New York City's underground ballroom culture of the late 1980s and early 1990s, where gay and trans individuals dressed up in elaborate costumes and competed in different categories on a runway. [image] Billy Porter as 'Pray Tell' in the television series 'Pose' [image] [image] [image] Scenes from the television series 'Pose' In an interview, Porter noted that his life is similar to that of the Pray Tell character in some ways, since they're both HIV+ and were equally ostracized by their church for being gay. This is more or less where Porter begins his memoir, noting that, as a child in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he was a 'sissy boy' who liked to jump rope, play hopscotch, play jacks, try on his aunt's pretty shoes, and so on. [image] Young Billy Porter Sissy boy Billy was bullied at school, and also had troubles at home. Billy's father deserted the family early on, and Billy lived with his mother, grandmother, and several aunts. Billy's mother Cloerinda was very religious, and - concerned about her son's feminine tendencies - sent Billy to a doctor to be 'fixed.' The doctor suggested Billy needed a man around, to teach him to be more masculine, and Cloerinda soon married her second husband, Mr. Bernie Ford - who turned out to be a decidedly mixed blessing. [image] Billy Porter and his mother Cloerinda Bernie taught Billy how to hammer nails, mow the grass, change a tire, rake leaves, shovel snow, use tools, defend himself against bullies, and more. Young Billy saw this as 'man lessons', so when Bernie began climbing into 7-year-old Billy's bed and molesting him, Billy thought these were more 'man lessons.' The abuse went on until Billy was 12, when his Pentecostal preacher's constant exhortations against homosexuality made Billy fear he would burn in hell. Billy put a stop to the hanky panky, but like all abused children, he was already scarred for life. Later, fearing for his half-sister Mary Martha, Billy outed Bernie to Cloerinda. [image] Billy Porter with his half-sister Mary Martha Dual imperatives influenced Billy's life after his. Billy wanted to avoid being at home, and by the seventh grade, was deeply involved with performing arts at school. Billy was a talented singer and took advantage of every opportunity that came his way. He writes, "I became practiced at the art of charting my own path. I understood very young that, at virtually all times, I needed to be figuring out the next five moves I had to make in order to survive and thrive." Billy signed up for myriad extracurricular activities and after school programs and got himself admitted to Pittsburgh's 'Creative and Performing Arts High School' (CAPA). Billy observes about CAPA, "It was as if I'd found my tribe. It was a pure joy. CAPA was filled with the misfits and future faggots of America, and it felt I was home." From CAPA, Billy went on to the famed 'Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama' (CMU), where his classmates were some of the most talented people he'd ever met. [image] Billy Porter at Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama Porter describes the numerous opportunities he found for himself, inside and outside school. Billy went on auditions; performed in shows; took acting, dancing, voice; and writing lessons; and more. Unfortunately, Billy was often stymied by being Black because many productions had limited room for (what Porter calls) "chocolate chips." Porter was lucky in some ways because, starting as a schoolboy, Billy met many 'angels' who helped him in his life and career. Porter mentions Mr. Lutz - his music teacher; Mr. Highland - his gym teacher; Joe Franze - artistic director of the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera; Judy Nowe - artistic director of the Center for Theater Arts; Billy Hartung, a friend whose parents drove Billy home from evening dance classes for two years; Billy Wilson - a director/choreographer; Suzi Dietz - a theater producer; etc. Porter pays it forward by taking part in benefits, donating to a vast range of causes, and reaching out to as many fans as possible, "especially the little sissy Black boys and trans kids all over the world. [image] Billy Porter While Billy was making strides towards his future career, he was being trammeled by pastors and parishioners who sensed Billy was 'different.' The preacher at Billy's church used his bully pulpit to curse homosexuals as an abomination, and churchgoers harangued Cloerinda with criticisms of her son, and exhortations to abandon him. Porter notes, "I felt like I had a scarlet S on my chest that screamed sissy sinner. I would become so enraged every time I had to sit quietly in the pews while every single pastor, preacher, minister, missionary, evangelist, and prophetess condemned "the homosexuals" as an abomination to be cast into the pits of hell for all eternity, and said that AIDS was God's punishment for choosing that sinful lifestyle." [image] An AIDS victim This was especially hurtful because many of Porter's friends and colleagues were AIDS victims. Porter recalls, "Folks would silently just dissipate, dissolve, disappear - and soon fade from the memory of those of us left behind. It ws too much to hold, too traumatizing to internalize." Eventually, all this led to Porter abandoning the church and cutting off his Pittsburgh community, who preached hatred rather than love. Like Bernie's molestation, the church's cruelty did long-lasting harm. In time, Porter had to have serious therapy, to enable him to have real relationships, especially with Black men. Porter says, "Black men were a danger to me. It was a Black man who abused me. Black men hated the sissy...Black rap artists made money off their hatred of gay people...and Black comedians were worse." Porter's many auditions netted some jobs and a good many nos, but he was persistent. Finally, in 1990, when Porter was 21, he was cast in the Broadway company of 'Miss Saigon', and he was on his way. Porter writes, "I did it. I survived my childhood. I got out!....I moved to New York with every intention of being a star....I just knew my little faggoty ass was poised for stardom." [image] Porter got his next big job in 1992, in a Broadway show called 'Five Guys Named Moe.' Porter was the understudy for three roles, and he describes the understudy's job as follows: We're the artists who wait in the wings, literally eight shows a week, prepared and on call to step into any of our assigned roles at a moment's notice.....My training and my craft had prepared me for the moment." [image] Porter writes a good bit about his acting/singing roles, records, television appearances, and other work, but his ascent to the top was anything but smooth. [image] Billy Porter in 'The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy' (2000) [image] Billy Porter performing at the State Theatre in Minneapolis (2023) Porter describes confrontations with producers, agents, managers, directors, actors, homophobes, etc. Porter didn't hesitate to stand up for himself, argue his point, fire people, etc., and one has to admire his grit....and humor! For example, when Porter's manager calls him out for casually mentioning a vacation in the Hamptons (a gay-friendly venue), Billy is infuriated. He writes, "And now, judging from this conversation with my soon-to-be former manager, my every move was under some sort of out-the-faggot surveillance.....So when Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, Puffy Pouffy, or whatever he's calling himself these days spends time in the Hamptons, he's an entrepreneur, but when I go I'm just a faggot!?" Despite Porter's obvious talent and drive, there were times when he couldn't get work, and his career languished. Porter describes the 'worst year of his life', 2007, when he was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes (hereditary), filed for bankruptcy, and learned he was HIV+. Luckily, anti-viral drugs were available by this time, and Porter chose to keep his diagnosis secret for 14 years. Porter's biggest break may have been landing the role of the Black drag queen, Lola, in the 2012 Broadway musical 'Kinky Boots' - about a shoe-factory owner who has to start making shoes for drag queens to stay afloat. (I saw the 2005 movie version, with Chiwetel Ejiofor, which is great.) Porter won a Tony Award for his performance, and went on to additional successes. [image] Billy Porter in 'Kinky Boots' Towards the end of the book, Porter writes a little about his husband Adam Smith (they subsequently divorced). [image] Billy Porter and his husband Adam Smith Porter also lambasts gospel singer/preacher Kim Burrell (a former LGBTQ favorite) for a vicious homophobic rant in 2016. This time there were consequences: Burrell lost her radio show; her appearance on 'Ellen' was cancelled; and many celebrities condemned her hate speech. (Burrell later apologized and tried to build bridges.) Porter also airs his views about the "Orangina" so and so who 'cares nothing for the people; would rather we die than wear a mask during the pandemic; advocates injecting bleach to kill the Corona virus; and refuses to admit defeat.' (You know who he means.) Billy includes a discussion of the television series 'Pose', for which he won an Emmy Award, and talks about some of the avant garde fashion choices that got him tapped to be the ambassador for the 'Council of American Fashion Designers.' [image] [image] [image] Billy Porter is a fashion icon Porter concludes by noting, "My story was not just about overcoming adversity - my life is a testimony to the power that art has to heal trauma." In penning this memoir, Porter speaks truth to power, and bravely discloses the traumas inflicted on him by a racist and intolerant society. To Porter's credit, his drive and talent overcame the obstacles in his path, and provided his fans with an entertaining body of work. [image] Billy Porter at the 2020 Critics' Choice Awards I had the written book and the audiobook, narrated by the author, which was a treat. My major quibble with the narrative is that it jumps around in time, which I found a little disorienting. Still, this is a very good memoir. You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com ...more |
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Aug 10, 2024
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Hardcover
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1400069998
| 9781400069996
| 1400069998
| 4.10
| 31,789
| Apr 02, 2019
| Apr 02, 2019
|
really liked it
| I recently reviewed Reichl's book Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise so I was curious about this 'sequel' which covers Reic I recently reviewed Reichl's book Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise so I was curious about this 'sequel' which covers Reichl's stint as editor-in-chief of 'Gourmet' 'magazine. I'm not going to write an extensive review of 'Save Me the Plums', but I'll say that fans of Gourmet magazine (defunct since 2009) would like the book. The publication was a luxury food and travel magazine, which - under Ruth's leadership - expanded to more 'controversial' articles, like whether lobsters feel pain when they're boiled alive. (That might put you off your food for sure.) Reichl writes about all people she worked with at the magazine (including the rivalries and back-biting); how the philosophy and artwork changed to be more current while she was there; about her allowance for clothing, travel, a driver, etc. (Who wouldn't like this!); about the test kitchen and cooks at Gourmet and how they vetted the recipes many times before the recipes got published; and much more. There's a fun story about a Gourmet cover featuring chef Rocco DeSpirito dancing with a giant fish. Fishes were supposed to be no-no's on magazine covers (no newsstand appeal), but it worked. Finally, Reichl writes about Gourmet's last days, when advertising revenue declined and online publications took over the market. There are some recipes in the book as well. Food lovers would enjoy the narrative. ...more |
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Aug 08, 2024
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Hardcover
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0593536428
| 9780593536421
| 0593536428
| 3.73
| 9,220
| Jul 30, 2024
| Jul 30, 2024
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liked it
| The mother-daughter relationship can be fraught, especially when the parent is a worrier and the grown child wants to establish her independence. This The mother-daughter relationship can be fraught, especially when the parent is a worrier and the grown child wants to establish her independence. This family bond is at the heart of this novel. ***** Katrina (Kat) McHugh...... [image] ......and her lookalike daughter Cleo, a student at New York University, have had a tense relationship for months. [image] The rift occurred when Kat broke up Cleo's relationship with her drug-dealing boyfriend Kyle, a 'bad boy' Cleo met at college. [image] In an effort to mend fences, Kat beseeches her daughter to come to dinner, and Cleo reluctantly agrees. However, when Cleo arrives at the family home in Brooklyn, she finds a blackened pot sizzling on the hot stove; chicken burning in the oven; and Kat's bloody shoe under the sofa. [image] In short, Kat is missing, and it looks like she was suddenly abducted. Cleo calls her dad, documentary filmmaker Aiden McHugh, who's just getting off a plane.....and they inform the police. [image] The cops arrive to take pictures, swab for DNA, and lift fingerprints, and Detective Wilson - a no-nonsense woman in charge of the investigation - urges Kat and Aiden to stay calm and optimistic. [image] The rest of the book alternates between two timelines: Kat's narrative, starting eight days before her disappearance; and Cleo's story, describing what she does to help find her mother. In Kat's chapters we learn that she's an attorney at a classy law firm called Blair, Stevenson, which represents high power corporate clients. [image] Blair, Stevenson is currently defending Darden Pharmaceuticals, which makes a seizure medication called Xytek. A lawsuit alleges that Darden knew of and disregarded Xytek's risks to pregnant patients and their unborn children, and Kat is working on the case. [image] To complicate matters, Kat - who's in the midst of divorcing her cheating husband Aiden - is dating Doug Sinclair, who happens to be a senior executive at Darden Pharmaceuticals. Fraternizing with a client is a no-no, but Kat figures no one has to find out......until a tragic incident occurs. [image] In the midst of all this turmoil, Kat suspects Cleo is secretly back with drug dealer Kyle, and she takes additional steps to terminate the association. [image] In Cleo's sections, she admits to feeling guilty about being estranged from her mother. Cleo decides to search for Kat herself, and in furtherance of this goal, Cleo finds her mother's diaries. These describe Kat's terrible childhood in a group home, and a crime that occurred there. Cleo also finds Kat's personal computer, with messages from men on dating sites. Cleo withholds all this information from Detective Wilson, and follows up these 'clues' herself. [image] For me, this part of the book stretches credulity too much. Firstly, only in fiction would a college student - whose mother has disappeared - withhold important information from the authorities. Moreover, each time Cleo tracks down a person of interest, they immediately confide important information......and even offer to help her. This just seems a bit too convenient. Despite my reservations, the book is a compelling thriller, with the appropriate red herrings and surprise twists. One minor story thread remains unresolved at the end of the book, but this may have been deliberate on the part of the author. All in all, I'd mildly recommend the book to mystery fans. [image] Thanks to Netgalley, Kimberly McCreight, and Knopf for a copy of the book. You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com ...more |
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Aug 01, 2024
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1250904145
| 9781250904140
| 1250904145
| 4.12
| 411
| Aug 13, 2024
| Aug 13, 2024
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liked it
| 3.5 stars In this 4th book in the 'Annalisa Vega' series, the detective investigates a suspicious death. The book works fine as a standalone, though fa 3.5 stars In this 4th book in the 'Annalisa Vega' series, the detective investigates a suspicious death. The book works fine as a standalone, though familiarity with the characters is a bonus. ***** Annalisa Vega and her ex-husband Nick Carelli were detective partners in the Chicago Police Department (CPD) until just lately, when Annalisa left the CPD to open her own private investigation agency. [image] [image] In their personal lives, Annalisa and Nick have remarried, and become involved in the life of Nick's 16-year-old biological daughter, Cassidy Weaver, who recently showed up in Nick's life. [image] Annalisa is still setting up her PI office when she gets her first big case. A psychology professor, Dr. Mara Delaney, comes in with a unique problem. [image] Dr. Delaney has written a book called 'The Good Sociopath' about a Chicago neurosurgeon named Dr. Craig Canning. [image] Delany contends that Canning's sociopathic personality - with traits like antisocial behavior and lack of empathy and remorse - makes him a good doctor because "it takes a certain kind of nerve to cut into another human being - to crack open their skull and muck around in their blood and brain matter." 'The Good Sociopath' is about to be published but there's a fly in the ointment. A pretty young socialite called Victoria (Vicki) Albright, who lives in Dr. Canning's building, plunged off her balcony and was killed. [image] Delany fears Canning may have engineered the incident, and if he turns out to be a killer, Delaney's entire project, including the book launch, would be ruined. So Delaney hires Annalisa to look into Vicki's death. In Annalisa's experience as a cop, sociopaths are violent predators to be eliminated at all costs, so she wouldn't be shocked if Canning was guilty. However Annalisa's husband Nick, who investigated Vicki's demise for the CPD, found the girl's death to be an accident. [image] Regardless, Annalisa goes full steam ahead, looking for evidence to prove Canning murdered Vicki. [image] This irritates the neurosurgeon, who fears for his professional reputation, and he counters with pushback and threats. [image] In the meantime, Annalisa's stepdaughter Cassidy - who's made herself a part-time assistant in Annalisa's PI agency - suggests another case. Cassidy's friend Naomi desperately needs a kidney transplant, and a suitable donor can't be found. [image] The only possibility might be Naomi's biological mother, Elizabeth Johnson, who deserted the family when Naomi was a small child. Cassidy wants Annalisa to search for Elizabeth, and when Annalisa doesn't move fast enough, Cassidy decides to look for the woman herself. [image] Annalisa and Cassidy are not related by DNA, but they both have the same tendency to recklessly plunge into dangerous situations. Thus there's plenty of edge-of-your-seat excitement in the book, as well as intriguing twists and turns. Additional characters add interest to the story, including Vicki's elderly neighbor Ruth - who saw Vicki fall from the balcony; [image] Mara Delaney's husband Paul - who disapproves of the 'good sociopath' project; [image] Professor Miles Dupont - who's angry because his book launch was postponed to promote Mara's tome; [image] Summer Weaver - Cassidy's mother, who's dying of ALS; and more. [image] I liked the book, my major quibble being that the plot gets over-complicated. Nevertheless, I'd rcommend the novel to readers who enjoy thrillers, especially fans of Annalisa Vega. Thanks to Netgalley, Joanna Schaffhausen, and Minotaur Books for a copy of the book. You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com ...more |
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Jul 31, 2024
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Hardcover
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1250843308
| 9781250843302
| 1250843308
| 4.31
| 1,434
| Oct 17, 2023
| Oct 17, 2023
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really liked it
| In this 14th book in the 'Chet and Bernie' series, the detective team investigates the disappearance of a reindeer. In the Chet and Bernie stories, Be In this 14th book in the 'Chet and Bernie' series, the detective team investigates the disappearance of a reindeer. In the Chet and Bernie stories, Bernie Little and his hundred-plus pound dog Chet run the Little Detective Agency in a region of Arizona called The Valley. [image] The books are narrated by Chet, whose somewhat limited vocabulary, unfamiliarity with idioms, doggie logic, craving for treats, tendency to get distracted, and affection for Bernie (whom Chet considers the smartest, strongest, toughest, best-looking fellow around), set the stage for plenty of smiles. [image] Bernie is a West Point graduate, military veteran, former police lieutenant, and talented private detective. Chet is Bernie's invaluable partner, always ready to clamp his jaw on perps and drag them off by the pants. ***** As the story opens, it's Christmas season, and Chet and Bernie accompany their elderly neighbor to a bookstore, where suspense novelist Dame Ariadne Carlisle is promoting her new Christmas mystery 'Bad or Good.' This is book #99 in Dame Ariadne's 'Trudi Tremaine' series and the writer is said to be working on book #100. [image] During Dame Ariadne's book signing, Chet rescues her gold pen from the jaws of his doggie pal Iggy, which is much appreciated by the author. Afterward, Bernie and Chet are hired to find Dame Ariadne's missing reindeer Rudy, who disappeared from her Colorado estate, called Kringle Ranch. Rudy is Dame Ariadne's muse, and his absence is causing writer's block, and stalling book #100. [image] The Little Detective Agency is always in financial straits due to two bad business ventures. Bernie - who's very fond of Hawaiian shirts - invested in Hawaiian pants, which now sit in a storage facility .....not one pair sold. Afterwards, Bernie bought into a tin mine, which immediately went belly up. [image] Finding Rudy the reindeer would net Bernie and Chet more than $50,000. So they take the case, and drive to Colorado in their latest used Porsche, called the Beast. [image] Shortly after Bernie and Chet arrive at Kringle Ranch, they make a startling discovery. The detectives find Dame Ariadne's personal assistant, Chaz LeWitte - badly injured and unconscious - at the bottom of a gorge called Devil's Purse. Chaz is taken to the hospital, where he's in a coma, and the prognosis isn't good. [image] Chaz's fall is called an accident, but it 'smells off' to Bernie, who determines that Chaz was pushed. Moreover, this occurrence seems to mirror a decades old tragedy in which Dame Ariadne's boyfriend (at the time), Teddy, was found dead at the bottom of Devil's Purse. The case was never solved and remains on the books. The Little Detective Agency's job now becomes a twofer: to find Rudy and to discover who targeted Teddy and Chaz. The local sheriff doesn't appreciate Bernie and Chet's interfering on his territory, and makes noises about Bernie not having a Colorado PI license, but the detective partners - backed by Dame Ariadne - carry on. [image] There's plenty of skullduggery and danger in the novel, and Bernie and Chet demonstrate previously unknown skills, like navigating a double black diamond ski run, which has vertical drops, narrow passages between rocks and trees, and winding paths with sharp turns. [image] Chet also demonstrates his support dog skills when he bonds with with a non-verbal, disabled child. This convinces the child's mother, a deputy sheriff, to help Bernie and Chet with their investigation. The book's climax is heart-stopping and dramatic, though the Porsche comes through okay (which doesn't always happen.) All the Bernie and Chet books contain a lot of humor, but this one is especially fun, with Chet at the top of his game. Here are some examples of Chet's humorous narration: ...more |
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Jul 27, 2024
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3.87
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Sep 05, 2024
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3.83
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Aug 29, 2024
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3.68
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Aug 28, 2024
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4.16
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Aug 26, 2024
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4.00
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Aug 26, 2024
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4.19
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Aug 22, 2024
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3.75
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Aug 22, 2024
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3.48
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Aug 22, 2024
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3.86
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Aug 20, 2024
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4.17
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Aug 18, 2024
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4.37
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Aug 16, 2024
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4.35
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Aug 14, 2024
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4.35
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Aug 14, 2024
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4.17
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Aug 10, 2024
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4.32
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Aug 10, 2024
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4.48
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Aug 10, 2024
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4.10
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really liked it
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Aug 08, 2024
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3.73
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Aug 01, 2024
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4.12
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Jul 31, 2024
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4.31
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really liked it
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Jul 27, 2024
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