Actually I've not yet read this book, though I hope to do so soon. In the meantime I want to point out that the previous review is not of this book. It is a review of Mad Dog and Englishman, another book by the same author. And contrary to the links on your website, The Gray Pilgrim is *NOT* the paperback version of Mad Dog and Englishman. The Grey Pilgrim is summarized as follows: (From Library Journal) Set in Arizona in 1940, this first novel follows U.S. Marshall J.D. Fitzpatrick as he tries to defuse an Indian uprising. A small band of Papago Indians refuses to register for the draft, which creates a crisis in pre-war America. Complicating matters is the presence of a Japanese infiltrator sent to keep things stirred up. Based in part on a true story, the clever plot and well-developed characters add up to a satisfying adventure. On another level, some interesting questions are raised on the nature of courage and honor by the actions of J.D. and JuJul, the Indian leader. Hayes provides lots of action but does not fall into the trap of giving easy answers. A story well worth reading.-- Barbara E. Kemp, Columbia Univ. Libs.

For the most part, the citizens of Buffalo Springs, Kansas are law abiding. It has been seventeen years since the last homicide. The sheriff's brother, who is one-fourth Cheyenne, dresses up as an Indian. He goes to the local park seeking a vision, but instead stumbles over the mutilated corpse of Reverend Peter Samms.

The deputy chases after an outsider, a black man who the law enforcement official believes killed the Reverend. During the pursuit, the deputy wrecks the car. Next, police officials find the Reverend's father dead with his head scalped in the same way as his son. These two murders are linked to the kidnapping of the sheriff's daughter by two dysfunctional adults. The sheriff needs to outwit the psychotic duo while outrunning a tornado.

MAD DOG AND ENGLISHMAN does not contain Cocker or Russell, but remains a fascinating, unusual police procedural due to the cast. The ensemble seems to have just stepped out of the Twilight Zone or perhaps Eerie, Indiana. Thus, the plot and characters make for an uncanny tale that J.M. Hayes could turn into a series that serves as the exciting center of weirdness in the mystery universe.

Harriet Klausner

Mad Dog, a half Cheyenne self-appointed shaman is only following the wishes of his recently deceased fellow Native American to give him an authentic burial. That's when someone starts taking shots at him. In the meantime, his brother, Sheriff (Englishman) English is called to a nursing home with a report of a kidnapped baby. While a blizzard rages, Englishman needs to find his brother, discover how the baby was killed, and head off an increasingly crazy group of locals.

Author J. M. Hayes delivers an often funny story that mixes reality and fantasy seamlessly. Mad Dog may really have shaman powers--or maybe he is just disturbed. Dorothy from the nursing home swears by her ruby sneakers--and calls Mad Dog 'the wizard.' Dorothy may know what happened to the body, and even where the baby came from, but does she also know more. Because there are deep secrets in this rural Kansas towns--secrets that go back to nazi Germany and before.

I suspect that Hayes had a good time writing this book. I certainly had a good time reading it.

I am constantly looking for books containing herbal lore. When I picked this book up I was dissapointed to discover that while a good number of herbs are covered, there just wasn't much good information about them. For example, on Poppy, the author whetts my appetite with, "Much lore surrounds the opium poppy.." but then only goes on to give one small example. There are plenty of diverse recipes, but they are scattered throughout, making it difficult to use. The illustrations are nothing to hold the interest but give a basic view for plant identification. Perhaps if this had been one of the first herbals I picked up I would have been more satisfied, but in todays market where there are hundreds of herbals to spend one's money on Spices and Herbs just needed to go further to stand out.