A murder mystery set in turn-of-the-20th-century San Francisco, in which a twenty-something Jack London, on the cusp of a great writing career, plays detective sounds like a sure-fire winning recipe for a novel.

Unfortunately, such proves not to be the case here. The story involves a series of murders of a number of saloon girls, but the murders are relatively bloodless. There aren't even any "rippings" for Jack to investigate.

Considering the victims and the time in which the novel is set, it makes sense that London's investigation would cause him to visit or consider a number of melodeons, dance halls, concert halls, beer dens, deadfalls, and even one brothel on the infamous Barbary Coast.

But really, all of the cheap sex - whether it's consummated or just hinted at - gets pretty dull, after a while. I mean, if a novel were set in contemporary San Francisco, wouldn't it soon get rather boring if every other scene was set in a gay bathhouse?

Actually, while I would never read it, I have a feeling that such a novel has already been written and that it really is that tedious after the shock value wears off. One would shake his head and say, "There must be more to contemporary San Francisco than places like this."

Well, by the same token, there must be more to pre-earthquake San Francisco, even on the Barbary Coast, than the illicit non-thrills that the author, Peter King, shows us.

To be fair, there is one rollicking good chase-and-fight scene that takes place in the subterranean city underneath Chinatown, as well as a decent bare-knuckles boxing exhibition with former heavyweight champ John L. Lewis (ouch!). But the surfeit of dance hall girls in revealing outfits dooms this novel.

The civilized personality of Jack London, as he is portrayed in this novel, is also disappointing.

As King notes, at this stage of his life, London has done time in the Erie State penitentiary where he fought empty-handed against a prisoner with a broken table leg. He has taken on five armed assailants at once, while with the California Fish Patrol. He has risked the forbidding white hell that was the Chilcoot Pass in Alaska's Klondyke.

His personality should have a rawness that reflects this and other experiences. Moreover, since London's socialism is alluded to as a motivation for his desire to bring justice to the downtrodden girls who died, he should have the passion of the reformer, but that's also missing.

It really does seem as though the author plays it too safe with his lead character. Of course, an angry socialist detective likely would have antagonized a number of readers, but it might have made the novel more interesting if the detective was someone that the reader had mixed feelings about.

Besides, King could have juxtaposed London's socialism with his quest for gold in the Klondyke. If London HAD stuck it rich in Alaska, after the hardship that he underwent and after his several brushes with death, no doubt he would have remained true to his socialist beliefs and dutifully donated his gold into some workers' collective.

The other famous personalities that Jack runs into who were known to have lived in or visited San Francisco or Northern California at this time, such as Rudyard Kipling, Ambrose Bierce, Oscar Wilde and Oscar Hammerstein don't save this novel, and neither does the climax at Half Moon Bay.

But the novel isn't a total loss, and I understand that there are already one or more sequels out there, and since both the setting and the principal character have promise, I intend to read the next one in the series.

San Francisco, tell me you're the heart of all the golden west in Peter King's next Jack London novel. Instead of its genitalia.

Peter King has written an excellent tale about Jack London and turn of the century San Francisco. The story is fast paced and exciting with enough mystery and intrique to make you want to read the whole thing in one night. I would highly recommend it to all mystery lovers.

Jack London visits the back stage of San Francisco's Midway Plaisance where his girlfriend Little Egypt teaches dance to the other ladies. However, their interlude ends when the corpse of Jenny Morris is found in a nearby room. SFPD Captain O'Donnell leads the investigation, which is a major surprise to Jack as Barbary Coast dancers are not worth more than a sergeant heading any police inquiries. Jack learns a second girl also was killed with the same MO at another establishment.

Not long afterward San Francisco Mayor Nelson sneaks into Oakland where Jack lives to hire the writer to conduct an investigation into the murders. Nelson explains that the city is bringing in some quality talents who upon learning about the homicides lean towards canceling the engagements. Knowing cancellations are bad for his reelection efforts, Nelson believes Jack with his contacts throughout the Barbary Coast can uncover the identity of the killer. Needing the money Jack accepts the job, but soon finds himself in danger as the killings involve a lot more than just a lunatic killer.

THE JEWEL OF THE NORTH is an excellent historical mystery that brings to life the unsavory side of the 1890s in San Francisco. The star Jack London (before his famous novels) is perfect for the role of sleuth because of the great author's lifestyle, which is cleverly intertwined into the plot. The cast from the dancers to the Mayor adds depth to the colorful story line. Peter King has provided sub-genre fans with a gourmet delight starring a writing great who seems more at home as a sleuth than several other famous authors converted into fictional detectives.

Harriet Klausner

Yes, this is a very good tale, written in a wry and captivating manner and most of the illustrations are lovely. HOWEVER, I bought this at my daughter's request for a "beautifully illustrated fairytale" for her 9th birthday. Thank goodness I decided to give it a look before I gave it to her. The evil princess displays the decapitated heads of her suitors outside her bedroom window, ravens pluck out the eyes and dine on decayed flesh. The witch's table is carved with a couple engaged in sexual intercourse and the princess is fond of wearing completely see-through gowns. I don't think these are things most parents want their children contemplating in a bed-time story.

In regards to this book not being for children, I found this book in my school's library as an eight or nine year old. The story, but especially the illustrations, caught my imagination. Each illustration is a work of art with amazing details that you can get lost in. This book inspired my own sensabilities as an artist, and for years I wanted nothing else than to be as great an illustrator as Trina Schart Hyman.

Depending on your child, this book could be an inspiration. Too bad it is so difficult to find these days.

The combination of Pyle's amusing prose and Hyman's lovely artwork makes this rags-to-riches tale a joy to read. Warning: It is definitely not politically correct; feminists will probably by totally appalled.

By the author of SERPICO and THE VALACHI PAPERS.

The incredible but true story of the mysterious, intrigue-filled world of the gypsy -- a world of bloody tribal vendettas and vicious swindles that swirl unseen and unnoticed around us.

Most gypsies cling to centuries-old taboos and rituals, don't pay taxes and can't read or write. Yet they flourish from coast to coast, drive Cadillacs and Lincoln Continentals, and have turned thievery into an art form. You will learn how they do it in this irresistible book.

A masterful play-by-play expose of gypsy violence, revenge, con games, and shams as well as an amazing collection of gyspsy folklore.

A book, like all of Peter Maas novels, that was turned into a movie starring Sterling Hayden, Judd Hirsch, Annette O'Toole, Annie Potts, Eric Roberts, Susan Sarandon, Brooke Shields, and Shelley Winters.

The Bimgo clan of Gypsies is perhaps the most notorious of allthe clans, according to Peter Maas. For one thing, they operate inNew York and Chicago - gangster towns. But they differ from the Mafiain that they pare primarily con artists and thieves - not murderers(unless cornered) and their women are never prostitutes.

SinceGypsies have begun traveling in cars instead of horses and coveredwagon caravans, they've become even more invisible. There are Gypsiesnow on all of the continents of the Earth with many tribes - theKalderasha, the Lowara, Tshurana, Muchwaya, among others. Mostanciently, they were musicians, fortune tellers, coppersmiths - butnever farmers. Now they are all of the above as well as con artistsextraordinaire.

"The success of any good con hinges on takingthe victim where he wants to go," quotes the author from a policereporter. "These women are very, very good. You can even go inthere knowing it's a setup, and they'll have you unstrung in minutes.Sometimes when they're operating like that, I think they believe itthemselves."

Popular wisdom says they came from India sincetheir Romany language has Sanskrit roots, but they all count in Greek(probably beginning from the time when Alexander the Great brought atroupe of Gypsey musicians, actors, fortune tellers, and metelsmithsto Macedonia). They have intermarried and absorbed cultural practicesfrom every country they have traveled through, but the Roma remaindistinct and independent - and obstinately illiterate. They refuse tosend their children to "Gadje" schools (a Sanskrit wordmeaning warrior - or 'non-gypsey'). If pressure by the local populaceto put their children in school becomes too great - they move on. Butthey didn't move fast enough during the holocaust because almost asmany Gypsies as Jews went to the gas chambers.

This book chroniclesthe true story of King Tene and Queen Mary Bimbo - the King and queenof the Gypsies in New York, where they rented store fronts and thewomen practiced the Boojo - an elaborate con game designed to separatewealthy Gadje from their money. In an interview with an old Gypseymatriarch, Aunt Hazel, Maas recorded her statement that, "Allright, she said with a massive shrug, "it's true that we stealwith the hands, but you Gadje - you Americans - YOU steal with thepencils." Her voice rose. "And how many Gypsies you seegoing to jail for 20, 50 years for murderings and rapings andmuggings?"

King Tene Bimbo and Queeen Mary had a son, CarranzaTene, an alcoholic, who was disliked by other Gypsies and wasparticularly brutal with his own family. He forced his daughters tomarry while he pocketed the large bride prices (women are veryvaluable to Gypsey cultures as they are ususally the primarybreadwinners - especially now in modern society). Carranza's son,Steve Tene, freed one of his sisters from a hateful marriage, therebyincurring the wrath of his father. But then the old Granfather died -King Tene - and bypassed Carranza, his eldest son, and on hisdeathbed, gave the gold ring and medallion of Gypsey Kingship to hisgrandson, Steve Tene, who is the subject of this book

Carranza putan uncharacteristically Gypsey contract on his son's head - attemptingto kill him many times - but the Gypsies honored the old man's lastwishes and gave Steve Tene his grandfather's gold medallion and ring.(There is a picture in the book of the handsome Steve - he looks likeOmar Sherif) wearing the ring and holding the medallion with a bemusedexpression on his face. He didn't WANT to be King of the Gypsies.His only pronoucements as King have been to encourage Gypsieseverywhere to become educated and get into the legitmate professions.They are a very intelligent people. Steve has his champions and hisdetractors. All this stuff is still going on and last I've heard,Steve Tene is still alive and still King.

I can't imagine why thisbook is out of print. The author is also the author of *Serpico*. Anexcellent movie was made by the same title and is still available onamazon.com. It stars such notables as Susan Sarandon, Eric Roberts, ayoung Brooke Shields, and even Shelly Winters. The film takes someliberties (has Steve throwing the ring and medallion into hisgrandfather's grave. Didn't happen). But for the most part, themovie follows the book, which is a true story, and yet many are underthe impression that the movie is wholly fiction. It's not.

Foranyone who has become as fascinated as I have with this most ancientculture (and I believe their origins are much more ancient than India)this is a must-read. These are real interviews with real people and anumber of interesting photographs of real Gypsies are included - notsome scholarly tome to be moldering away on the shelves of theunread.

Peter Maas put all the the investigatory power and insightthat went into *Serpico* into this book, and I think it should see asecond printing...

This book is simply great. I enjoyed reading it, it really helped me in preparing a assignment.

This is an exceptionally fine account of the recent sucessful peace process and the role played by author-Congressman Peter King. The novel has a thinly disguised Peter King-like character who is a congressman from Seaford, New York (King's home base) collaborating with Bill Clinton to solve the fratricidal war in Northern Ireland. Interspersed with this very fine history are mysterious murders which impact upon the congressman's chances of re-election. ----The dialogue which author King provides is top notch. You can almost hear the brogue as the main actors meet to discuss the cliff hanger of a peace negotiation. --
The political dialogue is almost as good. The book is well worth reading. I suggest that author King use the historical material, in this mystery novel, as the foundation for a serious history of the recently successful detente in Ireland. King might also think of applying his many and obvious talents to the current Middle East crisis.

For a decade, Harlington Castle staged "Medieval Days" that provided simple food to visitors, which emulated the times of the events. When Lord Gerald Harlington renovates his castle to include lodgers, he also decides he needs a more complex menu. He hires the "Gourmet Detective," known for his food finding of hard to obtain items, to assist with the change.

However, an easy respite for the Gourmet Detective turns ugly when someone dies from food poisoning. Knowing he is the prime suspect, the Gourmet Detective conducts his own investigation to uncover the identity of the killer. However, he finds this much more difficult than tracking down a rare exotic herb because the extended Harlington brood seems loaded with motives.

The latest Gourmet Detective, EAT, DRINK, AND BE BURIED, provides n intriguing look at Medieval recipes, but is no Medieval Times. The hero remains fresh and fun to observe whether he is in the kitchen or searching for evidence. However, the problem with the plot lies with the myriad of suspects that the Gourmet Detective investigates. They seem more like Borgs sharing the same personality, which leaves the reader struggling to discern who is who even with a scorecard. Still, Peter King provides an entertaining culinary amateur sleuth mystery that may not be up to his star's palate, but will provide a decent snack.

Harriet Klausner

The king's kitchy side almost consumed him when he got to Hollywood, but I still love the tunes and the the constantly silly scenes that the movies are thick with. This is the funnest Elvis movie book that I have seen. All the movies are covered with official stills, movie set shots, and posters. The CD that's included has the best songs from the movies and the text lets you know that there are many more where those came from. There are also behind the scenes comments from co-stars, directors and producers that offer interesting and amusing insights into a under appreciated side of Elvis.

This is the best work of Shakespeare that I have read. It contains jems of wisdom, such as the fall of Cardinal Wolsey, or the sympathetic speaches of Queen Catherine. These are also events of history, not far removed from Shakespeare's own times; tragic events which ultimately reshaped the world we live in.

This is a very readable account of the logging industry in the Adirondack Woods from the totally exploitative days of the 1850s to the conservative and preservative methods a century later. This well-researched book interestingly discusses the initial primative methods of rugged and colorful men with axes and horses cutting and clearing the woods and driving the timber down rampaging and deadly spring rivers through to the industrialization of the process with power saws and diesel trucks beginning in the 1920s. The introduction of trains into the Adirondacks, the difficult life of the logging camp with adversity and pestilence, the ever-present danger of forest fires, the logger barrons more interested in profits than preservations, it's all in here, along with dozens of photographs that alone are worth the price of book. The only reason I didn't give it five stars: No map, which is a major ommission, especially since many of the locations have outdated names that can't be found on current maps. It's inconceivable that the publisher couldn't see the necessity of even a single map. But, beside that single fault, this is a very good book.

Key to Algebra books provide a wonderful proggresive course for students. Key to Algebra Book 3 Equations focuses on excersices. The first page of the book provides the history of the Equations.In the end of the book, provided is a Practice Test which reviews the lessons taught in the book. The book provides pages that will teach the process in solving the coming excersices. However, these pages are usually not enough to give a student who is beginning to learn algebraic equations a full understanding. The student may be obliged to ask somebody older to help them.