I'd never heard of Lawrence Block until I read one of his short stories, "The Merciful Angel of Death" in THE NEW MYSTERY anthology, edited by Jerome Charyn. I liked the story so much that I was thrilled to find he also wrote novels, which led to A DANCE AT THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE and Matt Scudder. Since then I've read all of the Scudder mysteries and buy the newest one as soon as I hear about it.
So what's so good about Scudder? He's a great character for one thing. He's a recovering alcoholic, a detective without a license, a former cop who left his wife and kids. And he's got some of the seediest friends you'll ever meet. An albino pimp. Mick Ballou, a bar owner who kills people. A high-classed prostitute girlfriend. Then there's T.J., his street-smart partner with a facility for computers.
Scudder walks or takes the subway wherever he goes. He putters around, drinking coffee, going to AA meetings, donating money to the church (any church) when he gets paid for a case. He never seems to make any progress, but his perambulations give us a chance to see New York. Then he finds a tiny thread here, another there, and before we know he's cooking with gas.
In A DANCE AT THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE Scudder takes on the Amanda Thurman murder case. After attending a small dinner party on Central Park West, Richard and Amanda Thurman return to their brownstone on West Fifty-second Street, only to be confronted by burglars who draw guns and herd them into their apartment. They steal his watch, wallet, and Amanda's jewelry, beat Richard, tie him up and tape his mouth; then they rape his wife in front of him. Richard manages to knock the phone off the table, free the tape from his mouth, and call 911. But his wife is dead. The dead woman's brother doesn't believe Richard's story and he hires Scudder to prove Thurman murdered his sister. Scudder's investigation takes us on a journey through New York's "snuff" film, sex-for-sale underworld.
Lawrence Block learned his craft writing for the pulp magazines, and you sure can tell. Who else can make a reformed alcoholic, and wife deserter into a likable character?

I started reading Lawrence Block a few years ago and I have grown to really appreciate his Matthew Scudder books. Block can write extremely readable prose, he can create believable (and interesting) characters, and he can tell a story. "A Dance at the Slaughterhouse" is the perfect example of this. This is a great book that captures the reader early an doesn't turn him loose until the end. Elaine, T.J., and Mick are wonderful supporting characters for Matthew Scudder, who is dogged yet resourceful in his starring role. Scudder is flawed but still highly skilled as a detective and the reader becomes attached to this character very quickly. If you haven't put Scudder/Block on your "must read" list, do so immediately.

Lawrence Block's Matthew Scudder series is one of the absolute best P.I. Fiction series out there. He is one of the few that can be compared with the great Raymond Chandler's Phillip Marlowe. And "Dance at the Slaughterhouse" is one of the best and is certainly the most grusome entry in the entire series. Death has always been a preoccupation in the Scudder novels. In New York City, death seems to be Scudder's constant companion as he struggles to remain alcohol free and to keep his life on track. Here he begin two seemingly unconnected cases and follows their meandering leads until they start to connect in some brutally ugly ways. Scudder has come into possession of a genuine snuff film, and he can't get it out of his mind. Ultimately, he encounters a world of sex deviants and children who sell their bodies. Along the way, recurring characters such as gangster Mickey Ballou, call girl Elaine and ex-pimp Chance provide plenty of color.

Block's Scudder series is almost unique among P.I. fiction in that it is able to maintain its edge even as its hero goes through significant life changes. His continuing battle with the bottle provides an added tension that stays in the background like a predator ready to pounce. Overall, this is one of the best Scudder novels and a must read for P.I. fiction fans.

Many people have told me, in which I highly agree, if you are looking for some profound, spriritually filled words from God then this is the book to read.

Mrs. Branch is definately one of the chosen women in this day and age who is recieving direct words from our Lord and Jesus Christ.

Keep up the good work and we look forward to your next book in which we all know will be even richer than the one before.

Yvonne Rainey
CEO / Director

if you are down and out,thinking you have no friends in the world, you have to read chapter one, ANGELS. If you think nothing ever turn out right for you, just read LORD I'm SO TIRED. THE INK OF HEAVEN, is a book that will make you happy and cry at the same time. It will make an excellent Christmas gift. It is at the top of my gift giving list. for all occassion

What a blessing this book has been to me! I was feeling really down and out when I started reading the book, but immediately was uplifted. It felt like this book was written just for me and my circumstances. I give it THE INK OF HEAVEN two thumbs up and send my thanks to the lady who penned it. Which by the way, I loved how she gave GOD first credit for being the author and then stated how she was just the person HE chose to pen it. I never met this woman of God, but would very much love to because she must be someone very special. The only thing I want to know is: when is the next book coming out because I will definitely buy it? I was sent the book by a friend who does knows Char B Branch and I'm told by her that you can see the Lord shining through this beautiful woman of God from a distance. God Bless you and please keep listening to what HE wants to say to all of us through you. My ears are open, along with my heart. I want to hear more from THE INK OF HEAVEN! You spoke about a CD version...Where can I purchase it at? Will it be on Amazon.com also? Someone please let me know!!

If everone could see the world as Douglas Adams did, we'd all be better off. Mix dry British humor with a group of idiosyncratic characters, drop them into the space-time continium and you get non-stop laughs. At times I often found myself with a grin from ear to ear! Sometimes laughing out-loud!! Even a die hard science fiction fan needs a little bit of humor to keep a perspective.

This collection of sharp, witty, and observant books merits a space on every bookshelf. I am VERY disappointed to find that it
is out of print, as the copy I have is a beautiful black cushioned-leather covered, bible-page style with gold page edges.
Needless to say, I'm preserving it as much as I can! Douglas Adams is one of my favorite authors, with his ability to make
human existance seem so amusing, and yet so futile at the same time. He takes life, gives it a large drink, spins it around a few
times, and watches what happens. Adams is not above self-humiliation either:

"The idea for the title first cropped up when I was lying drunk in a field in Innsbruck, Austria. Well, not really drunk, just the
kind of drunk you get from having a couple of stiff Gossers after not having eaten for two days straight on account of being a
penniless hitchhiker. We are talking of a mild inability to stand up."

I THOROUGHLY recommend this book to ANYONE with a sense of humor, a mind for Sci-Fi, or an adequately functioning
brain. Actually, all carbon-based life-forms should be exposed to this book at some point or another...

Enjoy... I know I did!

This collection of sharp, witty, and observant books merits a space on every bookshelf. I am VERY disappointed to find that it is out of print, as the copy I have is a beautiful black cushioned-leather covered, bible-page style with gold page edges. Needless to say, I'm preserving it as much as I can! Douglas Adams is one of my favorite authors, with his ability to make human existance seem so amusing, and yet so futile at the same time. He takes life, gives it a large drink, spins it around a few times, and watches what happens. Adams is not above self-humiliation either:

"The idea for the title first cropped up when I was lying drunk in a field in Innsbruck, Austria. Well, not really drunk, just the kind of drunk you get from having a couple of stiff Gossers after not having eaten for two days straight on account of being a penniless hitchhiker. We are talking of a mild inability to stand up."

I THOROUGHLY recommend this book to ANYONE with a sense of humor, a mind for Sci-Fi, or an adequately functioning brain. Actually, all carbon-based life-forms should be exposed to this book at some point or another...

Enjoy... I know I did!

There is an evil, boneless, and immortal king that of the powerful dragon cauldron with the soul of a powerless human soul. The soul of Thorn depends on a dragon princess, Shimmer. She is the last hope for Thorn's soul. Thorn is trapped inside an all out war on the dragonkind. The king(known as the "Boneless King") wants to use the cauldron for evil causes.First he wants to boil the seas. He is ready to also destroy the entire dragonkind if he has to. Else where the Dragons prepare for war agfainst the the Boneless king. The princess of dragons, Shimmer, is fighting to save her home. For this she has to ally with Promfet. It is a respite from
sword-and-sorcery stereotypes. The dragon princess, a wizard monkey and ,another human cihld Indigo transform themselves into guards, horses and even fleas to elude the Boneless king. In desperation they return to the kingdom of high kings to recruit with her kinmates in a fight for their lives and to save the inland sea. Thorn later becomes a part of the Cauldron to restore the home of Shimmer, the inland sea. They complete the task, but loose one of their mates in the battle. Then they flee. This is a wonderful ending to an even better series.

this story is constantly twiting and writhing or you my just call it twiting.for a gragh of this stories high and low piont it would bea zig. one of the stuborn characters has gotten a new image except the hiar due is still the same. im not sure if it s the end when this book comes agian because the author left it so it go either way. i wont spoil the ending but i will tell you its pretty good. o and look out somthing slithering is not to be over looked

Well, I have to say that this book finally pulled it off, it gave the entire series a fine and exciting closure with plenty of action, yet not losing its powerful sense of characters. The whole saga together combines fine mythology with a highly original sense of magic and plenty of action scenes balancing it all perfectly with the cast of characters. Anyway, in this final installment of the series, Monkey tells the tale once again as they continue to try to regain the cauldron (holding the spirit of their friend Thorn) so they can use it to restore the Inland Sea, and fight against the evil Boneless King. One thing I loved was that this was possibly one of most unusual fantasy stories I have ever read (where else would you find main characters that include a dragon princess, a magical monkey, a teenage witch, and two human children?) and yet, none of the characters fall into stereotypes and they all maintain their unique personalities throughout the book. Also, this is one of the few books I've read where male and female characters treat each other with respect, and their doesn't seem to be any prejuduses among the main characters. Anyway, all I can say is that if you love fantasy, definitely read this book, though it would be better understould of you've read the previous three (all of them just as good!).

Who among us hasn't struggled with the comnflicting strees of life - children, spouses, family, work - and tried to achieve a balance that will answer everyone's needs? For Dr. Renee Altman these all come crashing together when the center of her world, her daughjter Molly, is kidnapped. Det. Jessie Drake copnfronts her own individual conflicts as she races against time to find Molly and apprehend the kidnapper without endangering others who are objects of his hate.
Rochelle Krich draws her characters with such realism you feel like they are part of your life. She skillfully weaves the tension of the drama with character profiles in a way that draws you personally into the plot. As with all her books, this one is difficult to put down before the end. You'll be missing a wonderful treat if you don't read this and the other Jessie Drake books.

This is one of the most enjoyable books I have devoured recently. I am not a reader who keeps trying to figure out "who done it" before the author reveals the ending. But I truly appreciate a finely crafted mystery with unexpected twists and turns. Krich juggles several potential culprets convincingly. Just when I thought the ending was in sight, she turned another corner in the story line.

After reading this I had to find another title by Krich to see if she was this good or if she just wrote a real "winner." Having read _Speak no Evil_, I can say, "She is a wonderful writer." I also devoured the second book by her. Now I intend to find as many of her titles as I can. I hope her publishers take notice of her "out of stock" and "out of print" titles and make them available as soon as possible.

She is an author to discover, if you haven't read anything by her yet.

I really enjoyed reading this book, it was so good I almost finished it the same day I began reading it. I am looking forward to reading all future books that she writes. I am hopeful that her critics will put her up there with Faye Kellerman and others of her genre.

Aside from the first Travis McGee story, this (the 11th in the series) may be the best. Here Travis and his buddy Meyer are driving on a remote road through the south Florida Everglades returning from a friend's duaghter's wedding, when trouble erupts. A girl runs across the desolate road, causing McGee to swerve and rollover into the swamp, and before McGee has gathered his wits he and Meyer are being shot at, and ultimately locked up and charged with murder.

The local sheriff, a "by the book" lawman with a history of deep personal loss, lets McGee out of prison while he investigates the case, confining McGee to the local county. Before we know it, McGee is bedding down a lonely but optimistic waitress, uncovering secrets about this sleepy little Everglades town including a call girl ring.

McGee is confident and clever, but there is a sense of vulnerability about him that is refreshing for a mystery series since you sense that he realizes the trouble he is in, as the bodies start piling up. I also thought some of the minor characters in the book, including the waitress Betsy Kapp and the evil Lilo, were very skillfully drawn. Without giving away any of the story, let me just say there were a handful of great twists and turns in the plot, with MacDonald building the suspense nicely. This is not War and Peace, but I give it 5 stars as one of the better mystery novels I have read in awhile.

I'm constantly amazed at the hold that MacDonald asserts over me as a reader, certainly with this character. The beginnings always seem to jump right off, even when they also seem to ramble, like in this one (McGee talking of late night rides, fishing, his old Rolls Royce truck) or the McGee novel that starts with McGee and Meyer fishing by the bridge. There's hook there, yes--a bit of action occurs within the first three pages that sits the novel rolling--but it isn't the immediate hook of the short story or the long rambling set ups of most novels (I'm thinking of the info dumps that start most SF/F/H novels).

The hook isn't the only thing going for MacDonald, though. The sentences and chapters seem to flow, to beg to be read. Since I was reading this novel on breaks, at lunch, and other different odd times, I tended to read only a chapter or two at a time. Rarely did I end a chapter when I didn't find myself unconsciously moving on the beginning of the next. Part of this is due to the standard technique of cliff-hanging chapters, which MacDonald has down well. But MacDonald's cliff-hangers aren't just situations, it seems to me, but the words themselves. I need to examine the chapter endings to see if I can identify what he is doing. Since I'm reading the McGee novels in chronological order, I'll try to do it with the next.

Take a night drive on a lonely highway in the everglades, and your life turns upside down when you swerve to miss a girl running across the road. This leads to attempts on your life, and then suspicion by the local law. Is somebody in the sherriff department working for the wrong side of the law? Travis must find out as he sorts his way through a cast of mysterious women in this highly entertaining tale. Our hero is stuck in Cypress County, by order of the sherriff. Somebody in the department almost beats the life out of Meyer, putting Travis into early revenge mode, and motivating him to get involved in a mystery where nobody requested his services. In the end, I was pleased and stunned by several facets of the solved mystery, and Travis weaves his way through many harrowing experiences to stay alive. This is clearly one of the best 3 McGee books (along with Amber and Green).

I gave "This Calders Sky" five stars, because I believe it is one of the best books I have read in a long time. I am not much of one for reading, but when I started reading this book, I was finished by the next day. I could not put it down. From the beginning of the book it gets you hooked. I have always said that if I am unable to really get into a book by the first three or four pages, then I will probably not stick with it.
This book is a love story, but more. It is based in Montana, and two seperate families. The Calder family, and the O'Rourke family. Maggie, is a young, innocent, and inexperienced in some ways, young lady. Chase, on the other hand, is not much older, but you get the feeling that he is more experienced in the ways of the world. In the town they live, the Chase family is the name everyone knows.
Maggie and Chase, in certain ways, are two totally opposite people. They both are set in their own ways, but they are madly in love with each other. Of course, they have times when you would think that it is the end of their life together, but it always turns out for the best.
Maggie is experiencing love, hate, trust, and intimacy, and she must decide whether to stay with the man she really loves, or leave and never turn back. There are family issues that are standing in their way of happiness. Chase is attempting to take it slow, as Maggie is experiencing love and being intimate. As the love grows between them, you can feel the passion growing as well. Just as you think nothing can come between Maggie and Chase, problems between the families develop, and it causes pain and hate to develop. Chase really loves Maggie, but it seems as though they are fighting their emotions for one another. Maggie and Chase eventually end up in the same house together, but the way they act towards each other, you would think it was a battlefield. Chase and Maggie eventually give in to their emotions. Chase, Maggie, and their son finally bond as a family should. They face the world together as a family. Maggie and Chase were meant to be together, and after all of the heartache and pain they went through, their love ended up being strong enough to pull them through.
I can honestly say that I would recommend this book to anyone. There are continuing books beyond this one, but I have not had a chance to read them yet. If they are anything like this one, I know I will like them.

Is this the final book? I dunno but i'd be great to read more about this legacy of a family. I wish my family went back 5 generations like that. Gotta buy the whole lot.

I read this book in 2 days, didn't want to put it down. I plan to read all 5 books in this series. The story is captivating, yet believable. I liked the strength of the characters, and the beauty of the land. The Calder family is one deserving respect not for their wealth but for their willingness to fight for what is their own. Looking forward to continuing with the story.

This is one of Hill's better Dalziel and Pascoe novels, marred only by the author's continued insistence on showing off his extensive knowledge of the English language. It may be heresy, but I rather prefer the TV adaptations, which tighten and speed things up a bit while keeping the essence.

Ever wondered why Dalziel's name is pronounced "De-ell"? It's a Scottish surname. At one point in the series we are told he was born and brought up in Yorkshire of Scottish parents (now there's a nature-nurture mix to conjure with - growing up in Scotland I was told that a Yorkshireman was really just a Scotsman with the generosity removed!). In the original Gaelic the name has a character that early typographers though looked like a "z" and rendered it so in print, even though it was not pronounced like that. Other Scottish surnames have undergone a similar fate - Menzies should actually be prounced "Ming-iss" and still is, in Scotland.

It is so great to pick up a modern mystery from Hill that has current problems mixed well with the British linguistic skills and which returns to the lucid story-telling origins of British writers of this particular genre. After all, for most intents and purposes, the British were the ones who invented and solified this genre, and who have provided the best examples of excellent writing in it. Hill will probably have his name added to this distinquished group. Other reviewers have complained about Hill's tendency to 'show off' his language skills, but it is not really about showing off. It's about the quality of education that is achieved for many (if not most) in England in comparision to what we achieve here. I suspect if educators (I am one) in the U.S. spent as much time on increasing the reading and writing levels of our own students, the other subject matters (science, math, history, geography) would be easier to reach literacy skills in. An author of the level of Reginald Hill indicates that reading is a skill practiced way beyond that required in the states...to the point that reading becomes an essential part of the life, so this type of language useage comes naturally to Hill. If only we could achieve this in the U.S.!

Lately, I've been coming across many books, both fiction and nonfiction with information concerning World War I. I get the feeling I'm being pointed in this direction, and I am not sure why. I always thought from my previous historical research that the Civil War in the U.S. was the bloodiest and most disgusting war...all this input concerning WWI is rapidly changing my mind. This is one of the first books that have brought the political climate of that time period (as well as the political/social feelings towards WWI currently in Britain) to the fore. I agree with Hill that the mindset of the politicians and generals who manipulated the young men and media at home for their own purposes, belong up there with Hitler and other tyrants who used their own people for the wrong reasons. I think at this point, I can safely add to this group of despicable people, the corporate monsters from ENRON, WORLDCOM, and other American corporations who put profit and greed, before moral standards.

Actually, we do Hill's story a disservice when we only include Dalziel and Pascoe as the main protagonists in Hill's plot devices. I am finding out that the sargeant, Wield, is equally as necessary in many of the stories and he provides great insight into his boss and his friend, as well into the regular folks he has more direct contact with. Ellie, Pascoe's wife, seems to be becoming more important in some stories, and she definitely is involved in this one. Her insight as a woman with social causes provides not only background, but also provides a touch of relative normality for Pascoe. Her insight into his mind and his obsessions, allows her to provide tidbits of information that he can use to make informed decisions. Even Dalziel grudgingly admires her input in certain cases.

Having worked in medical labs, I am all too aware of the rabid cause of animal rights groups. I was lucky in that my work was done on human cells, rather than animals (I purposely avoided it as I too love animals but I also realized medical strides often cannot be made without some animal experimentation). The plot device in this book where someone sought to make use of animal activism to cover up scandals makes an incredible amount of sense. With all the corporate irresponsibility being shown in the U.S. at this point, it should not surprise anyone to find companies using animal rights and environmentalism to cover up their own wrongs.

This was a wonderful read...thoroughly enjoyable all the way through!

Karen Sadler,
University of Pittsburgh

Reginald Hill brings serious talent to bear on the often-debased mystery genre. His stories never fail to compel the reader's attention and (often) emotion, and in "Fat Andy" Dalziel he has created a monumental (sorry) character. And that's not to downplay Pascoe or Wieldy -- but Dalziel's shadow is a hard one to get out of.

"The Wood Beyond" is a particular favorite of mine. I thought that the WWI and present-day plots were extraordinarily well tied together, not always the case in stories using "time-shift"techniques. It's further proof that Reginald Hill is one of the best writers -- not just mystery writers -- working today.

A fantasy set during the time of King Edward III, it is a complex tale involving magicians, dragons, goblins, the plague, and court intrigue. The author has invented history only casually related to real history. Overall, it is an interesting story but sometimes drags in long scenes which may seem peripheral to the main plot. Joan, the Fair Maid of Kent, puts in an appearance in a secondary role. It seems unlikely that Edward III would have had an illegitimate half-brother as his father, Edward II, was gay and not known to have mistresses. The real power behind the throne was the Black Prince's younger brother, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (events would eventually lead to the War of the Roses between the Houses of York and Lancaster).

The author oversimplifies the relationship between Joan, the Fair Maid of Kent, and Edward, the Black Prince, by calling them cousins. Joan's father, Edmund, was both a half brother of Edward II and a cousin of Edward II's wife, Isobel of France (who contrary to the motion picture, never had any contact with Wallace). A grand-daughter of Joan and Sir Thomas Holland would marry John Beaufort, a nephew of Edward the Black Prince, and a daughter of that marriage would later marry King James I of Scotland with descent to the present royal family.

I just wanted to let it be known that The Dragon and the Fair Maid of Kent, is not, as stated by Marc Ruby in his Oct. 17 review, the fourth book in Gordon Dickson's Dragon Knight Series.

It is actually the NINTH book in the series. It may only appear to be the fourth due to the fact that Tor only included in the list of previous books those which had been published by Tor. The rest of the series was published by Ace Fantasy, with the exception of the very first book, The Dragon and the George, which was published by Del Rey in 1976.

Essentially, I just didn't want anyone to miss any of the books out of this wonderful series. Happy reading!

By habit I read more than one book at a time. It keeps me from getting bored, and sometimes the odd juxtaposition of ideas gives me something unique for a review. Right now I'm reading a horror story so bad I regret agreeing to review it and a mystery story that makes too great an effort to be literature. It's slow going at best. The third volume is (or rather, was) this, Gordon Dickson's fourth in his dragon series. It took me exactly three days to read this hefty (500+ page) small print book from cover to cover, and I am not a speed reader. The other books just had to wait.

What makes Dickson so good that he has managed to author two major series (the dragon series and the Dorsai series) and innumerable other novels and collections? Personally I would call it superior plot making, intense dedication to details, and yes, heaps of talent. Dickson always takes the necessary time to draw his characters out fully, be they James Eckhart the knight/apprentice mage/sometimes dragon who is the hero of the story or the lowly master carpenter who keeps James in everything from chairs to outhouses. And he goes to know end of trouble to make sure that the reader painlessly acquires enough 14th century lore to make sense out of the goings on.

This volume finds James at Malencontri, his castle, trying to cope with both a plague of Plantagenet nobility and the very real plague which is advancing into James part of England. In addition, Carolinus, James mage master (one of the three AAA+ mages in the world, he'll have you know) is insisting that the King be protected at all costs. The Plantagenets on hand are Prince Edward the Fourth, the king's son and the beautiful Countess Joan, the Fair Maid of Kent. All they want is James assistance in a plot to make Edward the Third fond of Edward the Fourth again. This plot becomes ever more complicated until James finds himself commanded to appear before the King at Tiverton, where Edward III has retired to avoid the plague in London.

While this complexity develops James works overtime to prepare Malencontri against the plague. Since James and his wife Angie are actually visitors from our time who were unexpectedly thrust into the 14th century of an alternate earth, they know something of germs and disease protection. Since magic will not work on diseases, it is this knowledge which it their only hope. In the midst of all this confusion and stress, the EcKharts, their closest friends and Hob (the castle hobgoblin) are off to Tiverton to see the King.

Thanks to Hob, James is able to discover that an evil plot is afoot at Tiverton. Goblins, who are spreading the plague in order to take over the world, have slain the real castle staff and are now running it in disguise. James, due to his commitment to keep the king alive, goes into action. Since this is less that a third of the way into the book, it should be no surprise that Jim manages to use a small handful of men and knights (plus the unstoppable Hob and his buddy the hob of Tiverton) to completely mop up the Goblins and airlift everyone to Malencontri. Unfortunately James comes down with both the plague and magickal exhaustion simultaneously. Does he survive? Of course! Does he spend the rest of the book frantically trying to save Malencontri and the rest of England? You bet, but I will leave the rest of the plot for the reader to discover.

With this, fourth, volume in the series, it is getting a bit harder to simply pick up a volume and follow along. First of all you keep getting the feeling that you have missed several really good books, which you have. Secondly, there is simply too much background after three solid novels to present enough information to the reader. This isn't all bad though, you will get to read several very good fantasy tales. And if you do wind up reading it first, you will still love it enough to come back to read a second time. Highly recommended.

Pat Elrod has been writing about vampire Jack Flemings adventures for longer than most vampires survive. Killed, thrown in Lake Michigan, and resurrected - we have followed Jack from helpless fledgling to assistant to a detective and nocturnal owner of the Lady Crymsyn nightclub. Jack has a knack of making shady friends (and girlfriends) from Chicago's underworld, a penchant for heroism, and, unfortunately, is non-living proof that becoming a vampire does not increase one's intelligence.

In this episode Jack starts out by breaking up a kidnapping for his friend Escott. One of the kidnappers turns out to be both psychotic and resistance to Jack's trips. The worst happens, Jack is spotted sipping his favorite cow, and now faces blackmail and exposure at the hands of a ne'er-do-well society member will the morals of a snail.

The counterplot involves Jack's old friend Gordy - crime boss and fellow nightclub owner. A New York gangster shows up wanting to take over the territory. Yes another psychotic, with a tendency to get drunk and nasty. The ensuing crisis catapults Jack into temporary leadership of the local crime ring with results that would be comic if they weren't so horrific.

Elrod isn't one to deviate from a hitherto successful formula, so Jack does what he does best - make a mess of things. One would think that, after eight novels in which he is perpetually being shot up, knocked unconscious by wooden chairs, and otherwise embarrassed in the pursuit of goodness , that Jack would have figured out that vampires should also stay away from places where angels fear to tread. But such is not to be the case.

Hapless vampires to not necessarily make great protagonists. What is cute, or funny loses interest when the same thing happens time after time. If I was a vampire with Jack's luck, I would willingly ride off into the sunrise - and kiss my horse every night. What saves the book is what always does - Elrod's writing ability, which makes a mundane plot sparkle enough to keep up one's interest. But even that time is coming to an end. This will probably be the last in this series for me - while it remains an enjoyable confection.

Continue on with the life of a vampire. Would love to have more people reading Elrod's books.

It has the structure of episodic TV. Each novel has a whole adventure story in it involving new people we've never met before, their problems, and eventually a resolution of their problems.

But meanwhile, within each novel, Jack Fleming struggles to become a "better" vampire -- when he's not even sure what it means to be a vampire. He has problems that resolve at the end of the novel into even worse problems yet to come.

Charles Escott, Jack's human partner, struggles to keep his private investigating business going despite Chicago's gangsters and the depression.

Together, they are telling us a tale of two people assimilating trauma and overcoming it. All right, those of you who've read my vampire novels like Those of My Blood know that's what I write, so it's no surprise it's what I prefer to read.

Charles Escott has had his psyche reamed and re-arranged by events -- from the first book where a vampire walks into his office in dire need of blood, to his Dark Sleep where he must confront his past. And Jack wakes up murdered and now a vampire, and must confront the implications of his hypnotic powers and his bloodlust. Every time he thinks he has it all together and stabilized, another case comes along and he learns he really has no clue what being a vampire is all about.

In COLD STREETS - we go with Jack to a whole new level of bloodlust -- learning, feeling, and knowing what it means when a vampire has all his blood drained out of him. Is there anything he won't do to replenish himself? And how can he live with it afterwards? Will his human friends stand by him? Do they know how to administer psychiatric therapy to a nearly catatonic vampire?

It seems to me this series is very much like the TV Series Magnum P.I. -- with Jack Flemming as Magnum and Charles Escott as Higgins. Instead of being set in Hawaii, it's in 1930's Chicago, and instead of being a caretaker of a large house, Charles is the owner of the house and the private eye. But their relationship is very similar.

In COLD STREETS we've come to 1938. I keep wondering what's going to happen when the war comes to America. Will Jack enlist? Will they draft him? Will he dodge the draft and go overseas by himself on his own mission? After all, Charles' family and friends in England are going to need help.

I do hope P. N. Elrod keeps writing these novels. I'm dying to see what she plans to have happen next. I guarantee it won't be what I would write -- but I won't be able to put it down once I get my hands on the next book.

Live Long and Prosper,

Jacqueline Lichtenberg
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