This early Richard Jury novel is more comic than most of the others in this series--the scenes in Littlebourne, despite the fact that this is a mystery, are quite funny, with stock characters who end up being likeable and affecting. However, the strength of this book is in the scenes in The Anodyne Necklace and its surrounding London slum neighborhood, which is full of eccentrics, odd as can be, but fully enjoying their sordid lives.

The murderer is a surprise here as well.

This is also the novel that introduces Jenny Kennington, who is as enigmatic at the beginning of this series as she is later on. I am not sure of her appeal for Richard Jury!

This is the book that began the Jury/Plant series, where all of the books are named after pubs. This is one of the very few books in my experience where I remember who the muderer was because it was a flawless mystery, perfectly logical, nothing held back, but still I couldn't guess the culprit! Definitely NOT the "had I but known" school. There are some wonderfully gory scenes, if you appreciate that in your mudrer mysteries, in adition to wonderful character moments and real humor. I found this book to be the best of all of M.Grimes's marvelous books. I hope they republish! I read this book for the first time when I was nine (child of a mystery reader)and it has not lost its charm with successive readings over the years. My old copy finally fell to bits!

I lived and sailed Narragansett Bay all my life and never knew the history behind all I was looking at. Excellent book and great fishing section!

I always wondered what those old ruins were hidden on overgrown islands, the history of secluded anchorages.... Great naturalist, along the shore information. Excellent cruising guide!

This is the story of Richard the Lionheart as told by himself, his mistress Blondelza (fictional), Mercadier of Fouquenbrun-Knight, Queen Eleanor, Berengaria, Princess of Navarre later Richard's wife, and Alexander the Monk. Each person, who, by the way really existed (with the exception of Blondelza and other minor characters), has their own chapter or book in which they give their personal view of Richard and his life and how these events affected both of them.

The horrible, gruesome battles and seiges of the Crusade are well defined here. Almost too much so, however, it gives a more realistic picture of what both sides suffered in the name of God. Richard is portrayed here as a complex prince and ruler who tries to do the right thing but being human sometimes fails in that endeavor.

It is a very worthwhile read and there are many interesting viewpoints from the most common of people, traveling entertainers to the Queen of England, Eleanor. Each offers unique insights as to what life must have been like in medieval times. This novel is out-of-print but should be found, read and treasured.

I don't think there is anything about this book that I didn't like so it will be hard to get it all in a few sentences, but I will try. The way that each major charactor in the story is given an individual story to tell makes the book even better than it would have been otherwise. I love the way the author gave the wonderful true life of Richard I even more excitement by adding a few fictional characters. It is nice to finally read a fairly true story and not be bored to tears. Quite the opposite, I could not put it down the first time I read it. I have read it several times now and have laughed and cried every time all over again. I could never praise this book enough.......YOU MUST READ IT!!!!!!!

Although I purchased this book specifically because Susan Klein grew up on Martha's Vineyard (an island I adore), I fell in love with it for the childhood she describes. Many of the short stories (some only a page) describe the idyllic childhood of days gone by - when a 5 year old could ride her new bike unsupervised, and older children formed teams to play strategic games for hours on end. But Susan Klein does a remarkable job of encapsulating all that growing up entails - the real and the imagined pains of childhood, as well as the joy. She touches upon so many subjects that you might mistakenly think it is a heavy read - broken families, religion, the challenge of making ends meet. But mostly it is a collection of stories that will warm your heart, and sometimes make you laugh outloud. Now, if only there were a sequel so I would know what happened to her best friend David...

This book reminded me of my own childhood, even though it took place in another generation and very far from my home town. It is a book everyone can relate to.

Klein's way with words and descriptions is incredible! She has had such intriging experiences, such as her father leaving them at such a young age, her intruduction to bigotry and segregation, and such wonderful happenings on "her own little island."

She talks of making jam, riding on the "flying horses", and of cook-outs on the beach (with at least one lobster per person).

It truely is a beautifully written book and I reccomend it to anyone who would like to be transported to another time and place for just a short time.

Thank you Susan Klein!

As the author of this guide, I am partial to thinking IT IS THE BEST guide to Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket. I will be researching the region from June through August 1998 and would appreciate any comments or suggestions for the next edition. If your suggestion/s is/are used, the publisher will send you a free copy of the third edition.

I first picked this book up at a library sale, and was rewarded with one of the most exciting and well-written historical novels I've yet read. Rofheart tells the story of the young Henry V, and makes the story of his brief but remarkable life a tale that pulls you in from the first page. And there is an added treat for the legions of fans of Anya Setion's "Katherine": her character is given a major place in this novel, vivid, warm and very real, from her marriage to John of Gaunt to her death. A first-rate biographical novel, and a must for fans of English historical fiction.

I found this guide to be both thorough and user friendly. Loaded with great photographs, it made planning our activties as a family really fun. The suggested routes are very well explained and mapped, and we enjoyed following them around Martha's Vineyard. Next stop, Nantucket!

This is an excellent book for lovers of this delicacy. Your at-home pantry will contain all the ingredients you need to enjoy Maine's finest export. Recipes are easy to follow. The "tales" of our favorite crustesean are enjoyable too!

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...

The title tells it all. This is a fun book to read and it got my wife and me all excited about our trip way before we even packed our bags. All the suggestions were very good.

This book is what travel guides are supposed to be: informative, interesting, and most of all--fun. Great research and the author's warm writing style make planning a leisurely holiday a pleasant experience. Great suggestions for romantic getaways, but there's plenty here for the whole family, if you really want to bring the kids.

Living in Chicago, I'm always longing for summer. Now I'm also longing to go to the Cape area. Enchanted Summer paints a great picture of what should be a great summer vacation. The book is well written, well organized and well..enchanting. Can't wait to check out the recommendations.