This is the most comprehensive book ever assembled on historical, commemorative and souvenir spoons(1976). Over 2000 spoons are illustrated throughout its 416 pages, many identified with the makers marks. The authors, collectors themselves, have been researching spoons for more than 20 years. They have gathered their information from all parts of the world and compiled them in this one volume. Most of the spoons have never been shown in any other publication. Rare spoons and common spoons abound trhoughout the illustrations. There are spoons to be found in your own collection and some to search for in the months and years ahead.

I have read all of Amanda Quick, Jayne Castle, and Jayne Ann Krentz and I believe this is the least satisfying book she has written since the beginning of her career. The story is formulaic, the characters one-dimensional, and Ms. Krentz's trademark sensuality is, for all intents and purposes, missing. I hope this is not going to be typical of her future work.

Terrible dialogue. Everybody speaks in full sentences and is careful to tell each other everything the reader needs to know. Annoying hero and heroine. I did NOT fall in love with either of them. And the worst: a villian who explains the whole plot at the end of the book while stalking his victims.

Ouch!

Okay, I'll come out with it. Jayne Ann Krentz may not be the most origional story teller out there. Sure, alot of her books have similare story lines. But, guess what? If you've ever read more then one of John Grisham's books or read a handful of any of Judith McNaught's books, you'll know that it is a common thing in the world of author's to recycle plots somewhat. Each book always has enough quirks in it to make it an origional, and _Flash_ is no different. Jayne Ann Krentz has used her trademark story line, but has added a new twist to it. So don't judge her because her books are a little similare. It's a common thing. Anyways, back to the book.

Olivia Chantry is the owner of a company called Light Fantastic. When her company is hired by another, their job is to make sure that the party that the company that hired them is giving is decorated and set up. Olivia gets most of her supplies for her job from her uncle's company Glow Inc. which supplies all of the lighting for the events. It is assumed by the Chantry clan that when Uncle Rollie passes on, Olivia will take over and that the buissness will stay within the family. But, when good ol' Rollie dies, it is discovered that a couple years back, he needed some financial help and got it from Jasper Sloan. To pay back his debts to Jasper, Rollie had it set up so that if anything ever happened to him, Jasper would own 51% of the company. So, Olivia is stuck with only 49% of Glow. The two clash when they first meet, Olivia thinking that Jasper will sell his percent of the company to her, and Jasper thinking that he will do no such thing. They work it out, and an attraction developes into something more serious. But, Olivia's aunt is being blackmailed, and the two are dragged into the scheme. As the blackmailer's threats become more personal, can Jasper and Olivia survive to live happily ever after?

I really did enjoy this book. Although Krentz's mystery was not at it's strongest, I was still guessing until the end. The mystery plot was a lot more complex then it has been in previous books, and I found that to be a very nice element to _Flash_. Olivia and Jasper's relationship was not hot and heavy, but it fitted nicely with the mystery, and I was not at all dissapointed with it. It's true that Krentz has used the same blackmail theme in one of her books under the name of Amanda Quick. But, _Mistress_, the historical romance in question, is one of my favorites by Quick/Krentz, and I thorougly enjoyed seeing it in a modern setting. Krentz's dialogue is at it's prime in this book, and I have yet to see another author match her in such witty exchanges between their characters. I love the setting of Seattle, and Ms. Krentz does it justice. She describes every place with such great ease, that it is obvious that she is a local. For all of you out there that want a good picture of what the Seattle atmosphere is, I suggest you pick up a book by JAK. Don't let the other reviews here fool you. This book is a flashy gem among books. It is garunteed enjoyment!