Colonel Paul de Saint-Martin has been sent to Bath to capture and return Captain Fitzroy to France for punishment for the rape and assault of his distant cousin. Paul also hopes to renew the acquaintance of the charming and clever Anne Cartier, who has been in England for seven months. When he learns that Anne Cartier is teaching in the household where Captain Fitzroy has taken refuge, he is delighted to see her but worried about her safety. Anne has replaced a teacher who died under mysterious circumstances and is struggling to protect her young deaf student from the danger that surrounds him. Trying to discover a blackmailer, murderer and thief take all of Anne and Paul's skill. Colonel Paul de Saint-Martin must also balance his desire for revenge against his need for justice in this complex novel.

When I started this novel I was a bit disconcerted. The description on the back cover stated that this was a mystery but the first few chapters had the feel of a thriller. If you hang in there, the mystery evolves, becoming more and more complex as the novel progresses. Bath in the late 18th century is well researched and there are some interesting social issues that are not often addressed in novels of this time period. The romantic elements felt a bit awkward to me but overall this was an entertaining and engrossing novel. The first title in this series is Mute Witness which received very good reviews.

I loved "Black Gold." The storyline was an engrossing and interesting one, and the pacing was excellent. And best of all, the novel took place in late 18th century Bath -- one of my favourite cities!

There were many apsects of this novel that I really liked. For example, even though we know from the very beginning who the villain(s) of the piece is, Captain Fritzroy (wanted for the assault and rape of Paul's cousin, Sophie), the authour tells the story in such a way that really keeps you guessing about how things will pan out. And the manner in which the authour paced things was truly brilliant -- the tension just never let up. Events unfolded at a swift and breathneck pace -- from the very moment Anne enters the Rogers's home, and we come to realise (almost at once) that there's something terribly wrong going on at the Rogers's home, through all the twists and turns in the plot, to the very denouncement -- I was so engrossed with what was going on that I stayed up all night to finish the book!

The development of the characters -- from the seemingly bluff and hearty Sir Harry Rogers to his beautiful and cunning wife (who also happens to be full of secrets) to the kindly and much used black servant, Jeff -- was very well done too. And they really came to life (with all their foibles and strengths) before my eyes. And I also rather liked the authour's depiction of 18th century Bath, from its architecture to its many social conventions. These descriptions served as a wonderful backdrop to the unfolding story at hand. And while I did think that Charles O' Brien had done a rather good job of painting both the inequities and the inhumanity of the slave trade, as well as giving us a thumbnail idea of what the people of 18th century England/Bath felt about the slave trade, the efforts of the Quakers to put a stop to this trade (or at best thwart the schemes of the slave owners), as well as going a little into the hopes as desires of the black people concerned (Jeff and his lady friend, Sarah), I did wish that he had gone into this matter a little more. This was a rather painful and important bit of history, not much discussed in English history, and it would have been nice if there had been more exposition. Central to all this, of course, is the developing romance between Paul and Anne. Both characters are evenly matched in courage, intelligence and inner strength and are perfect foils for each other. And you can just tell that theirs will be a relationship that will stand the tests of time and events.

All in all, "Black Gold" is a wonderfully engrossing and exciting read that should not be missed.

Charles Willeford has been mistakenly placed in the mystery section of bookstores in the same way that Kilgore Trout was relegated to the seemy shelves of adult bookstores. How this came about is the true mystery. He is often cited alongside Jim Thompson, but the two have nothing in common. Charles Willeford is more of a cross between Bukowski and...and..John Kennedy O'Toole. A little bit of Graham Greene here, at Greenes best ("The ugly American" or was it "The quiet American" ?) There is a hard, unnerving edge, but humour and beautiful observations of strange lives lurk inside the cynicism in a way that Thompson never tries nor would if he could. Anyway, about this book : The protaganist is a white louse who somehow buys a ministry to a black church in the south from an aggressive ex-seargant in the army out to make a buck. He is no believer in god, more of a failed literature graduate student. But he starts writing sermons, good ones ( kinda like John Donne), which have references to Kafka. He is a success. But he is still a louse, and his louseness reasserts itself in conflict with his new found sense of moral responsibility. This sets the stage. I recommend this to anyone with a sense of humour.

This is one of Willeford's best books--equals Cockfighter or The Burnt Orange Heresy and it's a shame that it is very difficult to find. If you can gets a used copy, I highly recommend it. Hopefully, some wise publisher will bring it back into print. Jason Starr (author of Cold Caller and Nothing Personal)

The Boxcar children solved many a mystery but can they save their cousins' pineapple farm from becoming bankrupt. Does this also have something to do with the Black Pearl that everybody is afraid to mention?

I have not read many Boxcar Children books but I found this one to be very interesting. The mystery was fairly well thought out and it had a satisfying ending. The characters aren't too complex, but what can you expect from a kids' book. I would recommend it to young readers that enjoy a good mystery.

Dear Reader from the UK (previous review) please note that this book is about Jamaica, Jamaican Maroons and their history, which of course touches the topic of Haiti, but Haiti is NOT the main focus of this book and your review shows, that you mean a different book altogether.

Haiti is a country that provokes strong responses and Libete is the perfect introduction to the wide variety of voices that have commented on the country and its history. Inevitably, there is much tragedy to relate both in the brutal history of slavery and in the later oppression and exploitation of the Haitian peasantry by the wealthy elite and the consistent interference from successive U.S. governments, which sadly continues to this day. Each chapter focuses on a particular topic, drawing on around 20 different commentators, both foreign and Haitian. Many of these are contemporary reports, relating true life stories from the city streets and country villages, showing a life that many people living in affluent Western culture simply have no concept of at all. Yet the story of Haiti is also one of struggle and courage in the face of adversity and these voices are clearly heard as well in Libete. Many good people working in small ways to the best of their ability to improve life for the poor, who form such an overwhelming majority. Another message that comes through the book is that it is this majority who constitute the soul of Haiti, which is so vibrantly expressed in Haitian culture. In the section on literature, it is significant that Haitian authors, largely drawn from the elite class, either celebrate peasant culture or despise it - it is clearly too strong to simply ignore. Vodou is also an integral part of this culture and the extracts included reflect the diversity of attitudes towards this much maligned spiritual tradition. One of my favourite sections is the selection of proverbs, amongst which is "Money goes where money is" which seems to sum up current economic theory very neatly. Buy this book and find out how the majority live!

Here's a handy rule: always be wary of any person or institution who claims to have produced a list of "essential" items in any field. A case in point: "Sacred Fire: The QBR 100 Essential Black Books," by Max Rodriguez, Angeli R. Rasbury, and Carol Taylor. The book is a list of 100 books from the African Diaspora, each with a brief descriptive commentary. The book features a foreword by Charles Johnson. While informative to a degree, this list is, in my opinion, seriously flawed.

In his foreword, Johnson mocks other recent attempts to create "essential" lists. He complains, for example, of the "nervous tokenism" of the "100 Best English-Language Novels" list from the Modern Library. Ironically, such criticisms could also be applied to this book! How did they come up with the list? Rodriguez is fuzzy on that point in his intro. He notes that the list stems from a request, addressed to individuals, to name 10 Black books that had the greatest impact on them. Rodriguez claims, "We asked everyone," then immediately admits that such an absurd statement is false. But he does note that he asked his sister!

Most of the books chosen are indeed essential classics. But I found the list as a whole too "safe," unimaginative, and narrow of vision. Johnson acknowledges the omission of such writers as Samuel Delany and Rita Dove in his foreword. Books with an experimental, cutting edge quality seem to be absent. I was also dismayed by the failure to include many historic literary milestones by African-American women. Books by Black gay men that deal directly with the black gay experience are also largely absent. Black lesbians are represented by a token appearance by Audre Lorde (with her book "Sister Outsider"). A number of groundbreaking anthologies also fail to appear. And where are the Afro-Hispanic writers? Even the remarkable science fiction author Octavia Butler is solely represented by "Kindred" -- an excellent book, but probably the "safest" and most conventional choice from her incredible personal canon.

Just a few books I would add to an expanded edition: Adrienne Kennedy's "In One Act," an anthology of plays by this award-winning, boldly experimental pioneer of drama; Phillis Wheatley's "Poems on Various Subjects," an 18th century landmark in poetry; Harriet Jacobs' "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl," perhaps the most important autobiography by a 19th-century Black woman; "Nine Plays by Black Women," a stunning anthology edited by Margaret Wilkerson; and Ann Allen Shockley's "Loving Her," a novel which broke new ground for the portrayal of sexuality in the Black novel.

Also try Audre Lorde's poetic, moving "Zami"; Alexis De Veaux's "Don't Explain: A Song of Billie Holiday," an amazing biography told in poetic form; "Brother to Brother: New Writings by Black Gay Men," the anthology edited by Essex Hemphill; "A Puerto Rican in New York and Other Sketches," by Jesus Colon, who proudly claimed a Black Latino identity decades before it was politically correct; Anna Julia Cooper's "A Voice from the South," a pioneering collection of essays; "Home Girls: A Black Feminist Anthology," edited by Barbara Smith; Pat Parker's "Movement in Black," the rich poetic testament of an outspoken Black lesbian; and Samuel Delany's "Dhalgren," an enigmatic epic which extends the boundaries of both science fiction and the African-American novel. I could go on, but I'll quit here.

This book should be a part of the library of those who study black culture and history. It is an excellent guide to literature past and present. About ten years ago the Oakland Public Library published a list of the one hundred books that were classics. Supposedly by having read these books you would be considered well read. There were many I had read but people of color was sorely missing from this list. I am grateful that Max Rodrigues, who also puts out an excellent review of books by and about black people- QBR: The Black Book Review, published this great resource. Of course one can think of more books to be added to the list and in the publication last year readers were invited to add their own list of favorities. This book is a great referral tool and a timeless keepsake.

If your knowledge of black lit doesn't go beyond the latest Oprah pick, this book is essential. Although some of the picks can be argued, the short, opinonated summaries are fun to read and the list itself is a great guide to a year's worth of good reading.

My first Dashiell Hammett book and after reading it I decided I'm hooked on his writing. The plot is tight no doubt, but the ending especially left me thoroughly impressed at the skillful crafting of the story. That aside, the playful banter between Nick and Nora Charles amused, and surely the dry wit of Nick will elicit a chuckle. Add to the whole mix a bunch of crazy characters like the Wynant family who can't seem to talk straight, and you get an absorbing whodunnit with a generous dose of humour.

I don't listen to too many audio books but this is one I've owned for a long time and it's teriffic. Dashiell Hammett's 'The Thin Man' is a beloved book forever embedded in the hearts and minds of most people because of the portrayel of Nick and Nora Charles by William Powell and Myrna Loy in perhaps the best series of films to ever come out of Hollywood. They perfectly captured on film the essence of Hammet's prose. That light and breezily enjoyable atmosphere can be listened to in spurts and fits, at your liesure, in this fine audio book.

This audio production is the perfect blend of juice and liquor, Daniel J. Travanti of Hill Street Blues fame and Lynne Lipton going down smooth and easy as Nick and Nora. Any fan of old time radio will know what I mean when I say this has the feel of one of those Lux Radio Theatre productions of the 40's. You can hear the tap of crystal as drinks are poured and you even get the brief intrumental transition from scene to scene when the venue changes.

The story is, of course, the fun and sophisticated mystery Hammett wrote so many years ago. This audio version is a lot of fun to listen to and highly enjoyable. You have the convenience of being able to do other things while you delight in the byplay of Nick and Nora while they solve a murder, and of course, drink.This is good stuff, a classy and sophisticated production that never boggs down or gets boring as some audio books do. It is, as I said, more on a par with all those great radio productions from the 40's.

If you've read the book and seen the films then I highly recommend you pick this up as well. It's a lot of fun and the perfect antidote for the summertime blues.

Forget those movies. They took a grimly funny novel about a group of predatory monsters and turned it into a series of light comedies. As splendid as William Powell and Myrna Loy are, they cannot hold a candle to the Nick and Nora portrayed in this novel.

Hammett did not write a novel about a sophisticated couple who genteelly solve a murder while pouring cocktails and trading quips. He wrote a dark novel about an ex-detective who has married a wildly wealthy woman, and wants to spend the rest of his life managing her money. He is only faintly connected to the murders, having known the victim and his family briefly several years before, and wants nothing to do with the whole business. He is continually dragged in, however, and very nearly becomes a victim himself. Even a cursory reading of the novel should demonstrate that Hammett was up to much more than a series of one-liners with detective interruptions. Why else would Hammett, one of the most economical of authors, bring the novel to a halt to include a case history of Alfred Packer, the only American convicted of the crime of cannibalism?

There is much more here than Hollywood, or anyone else that I know of, has yet realized.

'Pick-Up' by cult crime novelist Charles Willeford is, surprise!, not really a crime story. It is actually a very depressing account of an alcoholic who finds love (..er, or something like it) with another alcoholic in the seedy parts of San Francisco circa 1965. The story is a about drink, drunken behaviour, and despair. Towards the end the story does "pick up" (no spoilers here) but by that time this reader was so depressed by it all that I felt more bored than engaged with the story.

'Pick-Up' is by no means a poorly written story. The characterizations are fine but perhaps a bit thin (..well, it is a short novel). However there are a great many films/novels which address alcoholism better than this book. It is by no means amongst Willeford's better efforts; it falls way short of his 'Miami Blues' written many years later.

Bottom line: competent but unengaging.

***½ Pick-up by Charles Willeford

Ever open up the paper and read a reported story -- not more than a column long -- about a crime, or near-crime, of tabloid interest, that you know has more involved details than what is reported? This is a book that could be based on one of those true-life experiences, deserving of more than a cursory reporting in the paper.

This is a psychological tale with a thriller's edge and a suggestion of criminality. The story centers on two seemingly blue-collared alcoholics attempting to find validity in lives that once promised and should mean and hold something more. As any good noir fiction, this is a story about an attempt to find a connection, with another like-minded individual, which comes close but ultimately fails. And of course, as any good noir fiction, it deals with a connection, which could have worked, if not for unfortunate and ill-fated timing.

The central character, Harry Jordan, if not admirable, is likeable and identifiable as a man who has not succeeded in failing; although, he has fallen markedly short of his own expectations. Jordan is an over-qualified greasy spoon counter-man, who has a surprising artistic pedigree. By happenstance, he meets Helen, who is a blueblood scion cum alcoholic attempting to escape herself and her heredity in each new town she encounters. Initially, the couple finds commonality in their mutual and separate love for alcohol.

How can two people who have so thoroughly disappointed themselves, join together and succeed as a couple - that is the obstacle faced by Harry and Helen. The suspense lies in whether they, as a couple, can salvage the remainder of their lives together. The fate of their love is pre-ordained. The mystery is how they ended-up at this level in the first place.

The unraveling of the relationship of Harry and Helen is secondary to the development of the back-story, illuminating the circumstances that allowed them to meet in the first place. The ending is not a surprise development, as much as a surprise detail, which forces you to re-examine all previous thoughts and conclusions arising from the psychology of the drama.

This is the 3rd Willeford book (Burnt Orange Heresy and The Woman Chaser) I have read, and on each occasion, I have been most impressed by Willeford's creative story telling. Unlike even the best noir writers, Willeford's books are not the product of a effectively patterned brand of story-telling; rather, each novel tries a new approach at telling another unusually rare tale. In most respects, the storyline of Pick-up is fairly straight forward with little plot elevation; Willeford's devil is in the details behind the story. Willeford is not only expert in developing the details of his characters' lives, but conveying his personal expertise on a wide variety of circumstances, topics, and subjects - most notably art. As a novel, you may be easily forget the particulars of Pick-up's plot, but you will not be able to leave it without feeling as you have learned something about the human condition.

**As an aside, I would personally recommend the Black Lizard edition of this book if it can be found and is available for a reasonable price. For my money, the Black Lizard edition of this book is a work of art in itself. The cover is noir photography at its finest, and the print format is exceedingly readable. For me, the edition itself is a collectible, not to mention Willeford's novels themselves are becoming increasingly harder to locate.

I don't know that I'd have read this if the name Willeford had not been on the cover. It's about a self-destructive pair of alcoholics. You can see flashes of the meticulous unadorned realism of the master. I don't think it's giving anything away to say that the fact that the protagonist is African-American is brought in at the end as what the author must have thought was a plot twist. It is interesting if you are into the early history and development of the hard-boiled noire and its transition into today's thriller. Some of these early writers were quite bad at times. Try (you'll have to try hard) reading some later James M Cain. Willeford moved about in style a lot. He got better as Cain got worse. I see that the soft-boiled "Burnt Orange Heresy" is in print but "Miami Blues" (the masterpiece for me) is not. Chacun a son gout.

I have a HUGE collection of Charles Grant's books. His best one by far is "For fear of the night." I highly recommend this one; you should track it down and read it! As for Black Oak, well, it's a cool series. I'm currently reading #3 right now. It's some cool stuff. It's pulp fiction, though. I mean, if you want to learn something about life read Emerson. If you want to let your hair down and relish some pulp fiction, then Grant's stuff is the best. Each book is easy reading and not very longwinded unlike King and other horror writers. Of course, the best horror writer is Robert McCammon and you should introduce yourself to him next time you go to the bookstore. "Swan Song" tops "The Stand" in my opinion.

Remember when The X-Files was great? When you couldn't get enough of Carl Kolchak's newspaper stories? Well this series of books is most definitely for you. The "pilot" episode is heavy on the atmosphere and red herrings. The answer may not pay off that well, but it will leave you anxious for the next "episode." Well done Mr. Grant, its been great having your books around for the last twenty years or so, I hope that Black Oak can last through its story cycle.

I thought that the book was great and that Charles Grant is great author, by the way the book keeps you guessing who it is till the end. I hope the next book comes out soon.

God's Long Summer covers a very exciting and troubled time in American History. The various points of view Marsh used to complete this book is the key to understanding this time period. However, the unnecessary abundance of religious references and the slow pace of the book make it almost unreadable. It is heartbreaking to read through one uninteresting point of view, to discover the next chapter is just as dull.

Highly recommended account of the role of "faith" in the lives of five prominent figures in Mississippi during the civil rights movement. Saints (Fannie Lou Hamer, Edwin King, Cleveland Sellers) and sinners (Sam Bowers and Douglas Hudgins) are both represented. Hudgins and other Jackson elites come off nearly as loathsome as Bowers. Marsh's prose is brilliant, providing for a lively and inspiring read.

Marsh's book is a truly poignant view of real Southern people during the civil rights movement. He is able to capture each of the five individual's quite different understandings of God and His actual place in their lives during this time of great struggle. Marsh takes you on a journey of different Christian imaginations as he examines the beliefs of an outstanding woman fighting for her rights as a black woman, an ex-headmaster of the Ku Klux Klan, a black militant leader, a middle-of-the-road preacher, and a white minister who managed to "cross-over" racial lines and fight for freedom. These are wonderful and heartfelt stories being presented by Marsh, and must be read by anyone who has lived through the time of the civil rights movement.

You know, for a whiz detective Ethan Proctor does NOTHING!
Every Black Oak installment is identical--Proctor sits around while his cronies sleuth to uncover some dimwitted half-truth.
There's no Bernie Rhodanbarr-esque intrigue, no Tim Underhill ratiocination, no deadpan brilliance. In fact, there is NOTHING about Proctor that's admirable. Book after book, he sits around as murky events unfold (note to author--do you purposely muddle your stories to make them sound cool?). Then, when there's no one left to kill, Proctor lights out for the anatagonist--whom is unguessable owing to Grant's lousy style--and deftly deals out death.

Forget this noise! I used to think John Saul told the same story over and over, but Grant is just as deserving of the "DRIVEL" award.

I love these characters! Grant continues to show his strengths in narrative and character development. This Black Oak series is dark, spooky, and captivating with characters that are complex, kooky, and unforgettable.

Ethan Proctor is on another case in this latest Black Oak installment. His late father's friend, Garber Kranz, leaves him a cryptic message hinting at a wolfman and at the sighting of a friend of the missing Celeste Blaine. Proctor can't possibly pass this up, and he and Taz hop a plane to track this mystery down in northern Georgia. The story has sinister, suspicious locals, a swamp, strange creatures, and intrigue galore. There are also more hints about the mysterious group that is out to destroy Proctor.

If you've been following this series, you must read this one. If you haven't, what are you waiting for? Pick up the first, Genesis, and start reading. Although each novel can stand on its own, you'll get a much better appreciation for the characters and the complex plot running behind each of the installments if you read the entire series. These books are all short (about 250 pages at most), and they are easy, quick reads. Grant is a master storyteller, and his writing style flows smoothly. He has a knack for weaving sinister events in the most mundane settings. Take nothing for granted in his novels! I can't wait to read the next installment in the series (what will Taz find out, anyway?). The Millenium Quartet is also another set of Grant's books that is well worth the read.

Just as Black Oak is rehired to again continue the thirteen year old search for mulit-millionare Taylor Blaine's missing daughter Celeste and her two friends, Ethan Proctor recieves a message from an old friend of his father's in Georgia. It seems that the retired teacher found a resemblance between Maude Tackett (one of the missing trio) and a local retailing New Age Witch named Maudie Batts, who also happens to have gone missing recently, an apparent victim of what looks to be a serial killer who enjoyings acting like a werewolf. Or is it a real werewolf? Too bad Proctor's father's teacher friend is missing as well, another apparent victim of the werewolf.

Charles Grant delivers another exceptional episode (#5) of Black Oak in When the Cold Wind Blows. The series, after a few slightly clumsy footed introductions to the cast and the seemingly interlinked conspiracies, has really hit its stride. The novel is a well tuned engine that hums right through the intricate knots of its mysteries, dropping hints and clues that will keep the reader whipping through the pages until the rousing finale. The entire series is required reading for Dark Fantasy fans.