Handler does it again! I bought the book and I can't sleep! Why? Because my wife is up all night reading it and laughing out loud

This work was originally recommended to me via friends of mine who I trust about literature, so I decided to read Ruth Dudley Edwards' Matricide.

As I read the book, I was initially confused with the characters of Jack and Robert Amiss because this is just one of the many stories Edwards has written using these characters. (Jack is an "elderly fat woman" and Amiss is a man called upon to do a favor for Jack.)

After the initial haze (which is only the first ten pages or so of over two hundred), the book opened up to not only be a suspenseful murder who-dun-it but also a humorous read. The interactions between Jack and Amiss are priceless. In addition, the character of God-loving policeman Romford is thoroughly annoying yet enjoyable.

Simply, the plot revolves St. Martha's, a college in turmoil between three factions (the radical feminists, the "Virgins," and the "Old Women") vying for money from a memorial trust. The war that ensues causes the murder of the Mistress of the college, Dame Maud Buckbarrow and the subsequent investigation by police. The mystery does not stop there as another is murdered which causes Jack and Amiss to desperately plot to find the true killer through academic channels.

For those who enjoy great dialogue between various characters, look no further from this book. Although this is a British work, any American can read this without feeling disorientated with British vernacular. This book is a definite must for mystery fans and is a remarkably quick read. Personally, I have been so impressed with Edwards' style that I plan on reading the entire series of Amiss works. Overall excellent... I think I may have found another favorite writer to add to my ever-growing list...

This Cartesian principle resonates throughout Gill's narrative about the violence in Northern Ireland, as he represents the many competing forces in the battle to control Northern Ireland. Catholic Provo extremists are bent upon assassinating Ian Paisley, a self-annointed Protestant minister and firebrand Loyalist intent upon establishing his own absolute right to rule Ulster. Paisley's security staff in Belfast, equally bloodthirsty and equally irrational, have their own plans for payback to the Catholic minority and their supporters in the south.

The official governments of the two parts of Ireland have their own interests, not always consistent with those of the extremists on both sides, and the British further complicate the issue. The police of both areas operate independently, and some high officials are actively in cahoots with leaders of various factions. Into this vividly described maelstrom, comes Supt. Peter McGarr of the Garda Siochana, as he investigates the seemingly unrelated death of a rugby star.

With the most powerful opening section Gill has ever written, this novel stands apart from the rest of the McGarr series and easily holds its own as an independent novel. Though the characters usually associated with McGarr do make some minor appearances, the narrative's strength lies not with the Garda but with the vividly portrayed characters involved in the political unrest. McGarr himself does not even appear in the novel until p. 65.

Readers unfamiliar with the complexities of the troubles in Northern Ireland may find it a bit difficult to keep track of who's who and who's on which side, and even the participants don't always know, as people frequently cross borders and change alliances. This is a stunning novel, however, with an ending as complex as the conflicts themselves. With no humor to disguise the violence and sadness afflicting the Six Counties, Gill writes this one "straight."

Although I've arguably had a bit too much to drink this evening, I'm more than able to critique van de Wetering's work. Many people have told me that his style is a bit difficult to work through, and this may be true. Having been to Holland, however, I find the logic easy to follow and the dialogue and character profiles more than intriguing. I am, at this point, depressed because I feel van de Wetering has had more than enough of his characters, Grijpstra and de Gier, and that he will publish no further novels involving them. This would be one of the great tragedies of my life, although the author is very elderly, because I don't feel that I have any closure on the characters...perhaps it would be better that way...hm...

This is one of the few murder mystery novels in recent history that truly keeps the reader guessing "whodunnit"! Using familiar elements, the Catholic church, New York City, the plight of the homeless and runaways, Edward Stuart weaves a story of suspense and horror in everyday life. From the discovery of the first corpse through the breathtaking chase at the end, you're hooked. Once picked up, it's hard to put down. Ease yourself into your favorite chair with a good cup of coffee and say a prayer...your in for the duration

MURDER AT THE CAT SHOW is the ultimate cat mystery. It may not be for everyone, but cat lovers should adore it. This novel caters well to its target audience and anyone who fails to see the fun in it must either hate cats or be humor-challenged.

Douglas Perkins is a public relations official for London's prestigious Cats Through the Ages Exhibition. He is indifferent towards the critters, but has every intention of doing his best for his client, the overbearing Rose Chesne-Malvern. Perkins watches the exhibitors as they set up their booths, including those of a kitty litter marketer, the "court" of a TV commercial cat, and a display of two live adult Sumatran tigers. He notices the different ways they each interact with their animals and other exhibitors. Things run rather smoothly at the show until one of its more valuable exhibits is stolen. He then finds this is one job where his agency is really going to work hard for its public relations fee.

It is absolutely brilliant how well Author Marian Babson renders the personalities of all the different cats in her 1972 novel. Among some of the more illustrious feline characters are Pandora the Endearing, Precious Black Jade the Vicious, and Silver Fur the Stupid. Even the tigers are convincingly portrayed. This is obviously someone who has had a lot of experience around cats and shows incredible talent for distinguishing them in fiction.

The protagonist's character growth is stronger here than demonstrated in many other stories of the genre, which comes out through its love story subplot. After Perkins spends one night with his new lover, he is incredibly protective of her. When he's at a point of losing her, we see a life-changing moment.

Babson's prose is crisp and keeps interest. Her style is "sensuous" and without any waste. If criticism must be made, this reviewer noticed Perkins initiates very little of the action until the climax. He's more of an observer watching the conflicts unravel instead of actively investigating himself. On the other hand, the sequence comes together well and with good humor. If the novel is entertaining regardless, is this really a big deal?

MURDER AT THE CAT SHOW makes no pretensions at being a "serious" mystery genre story, but Babson's crafting is nonetheless superb. Readers who like cats will find this short novel a warm and fuzzy high.

Captain Bill Donovan is a very contented man, married to the woman he loves and having a one and a half-year-old son to raise. His job as a cop in the New York Police Department is very satisfying except when he has to play politician and stand in for the mayor at a formal dinner that has nothing to do with catching the bad guys.

Donovan and Marcy are bored to tears at he party given on a cruise ship to raise funds for a third party conservative candidate for president. They sneak out early and go to another boat where a friend of Donovan and Marcy is hosting a party. The next morning Donovan returns to the second boat because a body is found on it. The man who is murdered was the campaign manager of the presidential candidate. As Donovan digs into the dead man's life, he finds more suspects that a dog has fleas. It will take a lot of hard investigative work to ferret out who the killer really is.

The Bill Donovan police procedurals are always enjoyable to read and MURDER ON THE WATERFRONT is no exception. Donovan's sardonic wit lightens up the complex story line considerably especially when he and his partner engage in witty repartee. Donovan is a man to admire as he has found his place in the world and is content to roll with the punches. Michael Jahn humanizes his hero through his interactions with his wife and his son, and that, in turn, makes him very endearing to the audience.

Harriet Klausner

Doherty's medival sleuth Hugh Corbett was faced with one of the most difficult problem yet, in the action packed 'Murder wears a Crowl'.

A serial killer is on the run in London, murdering high class courtesans and mutilates their body in the most gruesom ways. Lady Somerville (a sister of the St Martha) was also killed in similar fashion, and this calls the suspicion of King Edward and he places Corbett to investigate. With a past criminal plotting mischieve at the same time, Corbett and his servant Ranulf are looking at not only a tough case but more than one of them. The two plots runs side by side and the clues you find are not always reliable. You will need all your brain work to be able to separate the red herring from the facts and then find the killer.

Once I start I simply couldn't put this book down until it is finished. The story contains more than the usual mystery, murder and action. The medival England background gives it historical value and vivid setting that gives you a change from all the normal stuff you get in a modern day mystery. After all, it is refreshing to be able to deal with arrows, daggers and poison rather than guns and cars. However it's not one of those serious books that leaves you breathless, The characters are so alive and funny at times that I can't help but to laugh, although the situation isn't really that amusing.

If you enjoys good mystery with various of twist, false leads and want to try reading something a little bit different. I suggest you give this a try. It has everything that you needed, from fictional suspense to actual facts, menacing murders to vivid dialogues. Really, it will be too much of a shame to miss it.

Ben Buchanan has written a charming book examining the year he fell in love with the Harry Potter books and conquered his dyslexia. The author's voice is clear regarding his love for the magic he finds when transported to Harry Potter's world and Ben's desire to make the experience last as long as possible. The photographs and drawings are wonderful and help the reader understand the great care Ben took as he created a board game of Harry Potter trivia. Adults who love children and children who love Harry Potter should read this book.

My boys and I (6 and 8) just loved this very funny book about a boy who lives in outerspace who traded places with a little green alien. The pictures are fun and the my older son loves to read it to his younger brother. We love Blorp and Blast off Boy and will buy the first book, First Day On A Strange Planet as well as the follow up, Big Science Fair.