Prayer may be the one area of faith that confuses the most people. Ask 100 people to define prayer and you'll get 100 different answers. Yet prayer remains a powerful symbol to most people. For some it is an acknowledgement that there is indeed a higher power upon whom we can call;for others it is indeed an intimate conversation with the God who is there.

Peter Lord brings the concept of prayer down to the level of everyday life and offers a practical guide to both understanding and practicing prayer. The book does not treat prayer as some mystical, inward-looking experience, but as a real conversation with a real God who listens and speaks to us.

Much of what Lord writes will have little meaning unless one believes in the God of the Holy Bible and accepts His son, Jesus Christ as Savior. Lord is undoubtedly focusing his ideas to those who want to strengthen their relationship with the God in whom they already believe.

For those who call themselves Christians and who want to enter into conversation with God, this book provides usuable and practical guidelines based on scriptural teaching. This reviewer's personal prayer life was greatly enriched by reading this book and applying Lord's teaching.

This book is a great book. It is full of great ways to think and "hear" how the Lord speaks to us. It is full of information and ways to communicate with God. I recommend it for anyone who may not know where to start.

Back Cover: Does the Bible teach that we can and should hear God speak to us today? How can we hear God's voice? How can we know whether the thoughts are God's, or from the devil? How can we find God's will for most things of life unless he tells us? Peter Lord answers these questions as he underscores the necessity of learning how to listen for the voice of God. He believes that for many Christians prayer life is so difficult because it is basically a one-way conversation. This handbook is an easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide to two-way communication with God. Those who pursue such a relationship will be rewarded with a vigorous prayer life coupled with a dynamic and personal encounter with the God who reveals himself in his Word.

This omnibus edition of all the Lord Peter Wimsey short stories consists of the stories from _Hangman's Holiday_, _In the Teeth of the Evidence_, _Lord Peter Views the Body_, and _Striding Folly_ (the final 3 stories of _Lord Peter_), those of _Striding Folly_ being the most difficult to get outside the omnibus edition. See reviews of the individual collections if you want a more detailed discussion of the contents. If you get the omnibus _Lord Peter_, be aware that it contains the complete text of _Lord Peter Views the Body_, while HH and Teeth contain non-Wimsey stories that are worth having. If you're interested in an unabridged audio version, check out those for the individual volumes that have been cannibalized for the omnibus edition; Ian Carmichael has narrated unabridged recordings of most of the short stories, with the exception (so far) of a few that turn on visual clues given in the text.

I find the 2 stories from Teeth uninteresting, but those from HH are enjoyable. The stories from _Lord Peter Views the Body_ all predate the events of _Strong Poison_ - that is, they occur years before Lord Peter met Harriet Vane. In fact, some occur within two years of the end of WWI, such as "The Vindictive Story of the Footsteps That Ran", set in June 1921. For the most part, most of my favorite Lord Peter short stories fall into this group, with the exception of "The Undignified Melodrama of the Bone of Contention", an enormous (and to me, tedious) novella wherein the will of a recently deceased old reprobate was deliberately designed to create bad blood between his sons. Apart from that, we have such gems as the Attenbury diamond case, mentioned in later years as having started Lord Peter on his hobby of detection, a case featuring Lord St. George as a child staying in the Piccadilly flat (and featuring the first appearance of Bill Rumm, who later appeared in _Strong Poison_). We even have "The Fascinating Problem of Uncle Meleager's Will", wherein Lady Mary persuades her brother to help a friend with Red politics find her uncle's missing will. (It's much more entertaining than Hercule Poirot's only foray into a case of this kind, and more sophisticated than Jane Marple's only such case - Uncle Meleager had a wicked sense of humor.)

Harriet Vane appears only in the last two stories, both from _Striding Folly_: "The Haunted Policeman" and "Talboys", neither involving murder and both set after the events of _Thrones, Dominations_.

Each story is self-contained, but there is progression.
Lord Peter himself, and most of the other characters are self-efacingly described in a very endearing way.
The plot twists are mostly "high-brow" and often quite technical. Especially impressive the the female author of her time period so astutely describes such stereotypically manly things such as motorcycle enthusiasts, smoking-room society, poker playing, etc.

This book has a selection of short Lord Peter stories that are as entertaining as always, but the reason to buy it is the glimpse it offers of Harriet and Peter as parents. The final story takes place at Talboys, and it centers around the Wimseys' domestic life. Lord Peter's eldest does not disappoint in his spirit or his intelligence, and Peter and Harriet fulfill all expectations as they lovingly handle their children.

"Be careful what you wish for---"

Lord Peter makes a light-hearted wager with friend Charles Parker. To win, he was must prove a murder was committed in the death of a wealthy, elderly lady who had terminal cancer. Said lady, Miss Agatha Dawson, had made no will, and the medical certificate said "heart failure."

True, her young doctor was unhappy about the situation. He had thought Miss Dawson's death entirely too sudden and had made strenuous inquiries, so many in fact, the people of her village turned against him, and he had to give up his practice there. In fairness, it must be stated that the good doctor did seem rather egotistical, and perhaps he was just miffed that his prognosis of six more months was a shade too optimistic.

Further investigation divulges that Miss Dawson's young ex-servant has died mysteriously of a heart attack in a meadow. The more Lord Peter investigates, the more the injuries and mysteries pile up. A young lawyer has a near miss, Lord Peter is drugged, a young village lady is murdered while vacationing by persons unknown, and Lord Peter's associate is held hostage.

Lord Peter wins his wager, but at what a cost! The reader is left with an interesting moral dilemma. Is it better to let a complacent murderer be to avert the consequences of his or her obsession?

This is one of the earlier Lord Peter Wimsey books. It has a great deal of banter---what some would call silly dialogue, and poor Charles, Peter's brother-in-law to be and Scotland Yard detective, looks a bit like a stuffy fool. But in this book the mystery is real and the stakes are high. This will be good news to some Sayers readers who feel cheated when they find nothing of import has happened at all! I was relieved to note "Unnatural Death" is pre-Harriet Vane, as I find her perfection tiresome; other readers may miss her. This is a complex tale and will keep you turning the pages.

I turned to Dorothy L. after exhausting most of Agatha Christie's works (yes, she wrote about eighty novels and plays, and I've read the majority of the novels, primarily the Poirot and Marple tales, as they are my favorites). I was pleased by Sayers's methodical and thourough spinning of a detective story, as well as the charm and wit of her hero, Lord Peter Wimsey.

Unnatural Death has become one of my favorite Wimsey tales. It has the suspense and threat of danger that some of her other books lack. Wimsey and Parker's unravelling of an intricately woven plan of crime is really a literary feat.

If you felt that suspense and chills were lacking in some of the other Sayers tales, give this one a shot. I will grant you, it takes a little while to dig into this story before it really gets going, but it is well worth the effort!

I found this book to be probably the best of all of Dorothy Sayer's Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries. The plotting is tight and all the threads are pulled together for the reader. A nice touch is that neither Lord Peter nor Parker are superhuman detectives who miraculously discern the truth at every step. Instead, they are allowed to make mistakes and even be a bit slow sometimes in getting to the truth, which makes them completely believeable. But the best part of the book was the great atmosphere - Ms Sayers brings 1920's England vividly to life so much so you feel you are actually there. I liked the way the story shifts back and forth between London and the countryside. Also, what fun to be introduced to Mr. Murbles and Miss Climpson - surely some of the most entertaining characters ever created in detective fiction! I read all the mysteries written subsequently and was a little disappointed that their characters are not more fully developed in later books - both appear in other novels but not to the extent I would have wished. All in all, it's an unputdownable mystery - try it and you will be hooked!

At her best, Sayers used a complex style to create complex characters in complex settings and playing out a complex plot, and such novels as MURDER MUST ADVERTISE, GAUDY NIGHT, and BUSMAN'S HONEYMOON are classics of the mystery genre. But few authors seem able to create both excellent novels and excellent short stories, and Sayers is no exception to the general rule.

Her wordy style simply does not show as well in the short story form as it does in a novel-length work, and she has considerable difficulty in actually constructing plots for these stories that might in any way be described as "mysteries" per se. While most of the stories collected here are readable in a general sort of way, they read more as 1920s pulp-adventure than as "mystery." Fans of the Lord Peter Wimsey series (myself among them) will certainly enjoy them, and have fun noting that Sayers later expanded some of these short story ideas into more substantial work, but newcomers will likely be unimpressed. Recommended for hardcore Sayers fans only.

'Lord Peter Views the Body' comprises twelve short stories of mystery. They are well-structured, well-written little puzzlers, though some are definitely more engaging than others. There are no bad stories here (of course not! this is Dorothy L. Sayers, after all), but a couple leave only a mark of complancency, rather than intrigue.

With these twelve little morsels, Sayers shows a side of Wimsey not often explored in the full-length novels. We see Wimsey, the affable protagonist, involved in cases ranging from the flimsy, to the bizarre, to the positively horrific. There are stories concerned with solving crossword puzzles, preventing a theft, witnessing a ghostly apparition in the form of a headless horseman carriage, and even a tale which includes THREE Lord Peter Wimseys!

My paperback copy professes, on the rear teaser, that Wimsey views the body in twelve different ways. This is somewhat misleading, as not every one of the twelve stories is an actual *murder* mystery. Some are just fun adventure/spy dramas. All of them are sturdy tales, some better than others.

Relish the well-done 'Lord Peter Views the Body'. It is one of the best golden age mystery collections out there.

The otherwise excellent 'unabridged' audio edition (read by Ian Carmichael, who portrayed Lord Peter in most of the adaptations of Sayers' novels) actually omitted 3 of these 12 stories, although the rest were indeed unabridged.

The complete set of short stories can only be found in the _Lord Peter_ collection; apart from that, this volume is the largest single batch. They don't overlap with _Hangman's Holiday_ or _In the Teeth of the Evidence_, which contain both Wimsey and non-Wimsey stories.

"The Abominable History of the Man with Copper Fingers" - Varden, an American actor and a guest of one of Lord Peter's friends at the Egotists' Club, tells a story of an encounter with a mysterious stranger years before. A good story; Sayers' rare American characters are much better than, e.g. Christie's, although Varden does slip occasionally into British colloquialisms.

"The Entertaining Episode of the Article in Question" - Omitted from the 'unabridged' audio edition, Heaven only knows why. The affair of the Attenbury diamonds, so often mentioned elsewhere as the beginning of Lord Peter's career in detection. A word of warning - Sayers never provided English translations of French dialogue unless forced to do so by her publishers, so part of one scene may be incomprehensible to the reader.

"The Fascinating Problem of Uncle Meleager's Will" - "A woman who pretends to be serious is wasting her time and spoiling her appearance. I consider that you have wasted your time to a really shocking extent. Accordingly, I intend to conceal this will, and that in such a manner that you will certainly never find it unless by the exercise of a sustained frivolity." This letter threw down a gauntlet for Hannah Marryat, one of Lady Mary's terribly earnest Radical friends (who will otherwise lose the money to the Primrose League via an earlier will). Very enjoyable; a shame it wasn't included in the audio edition (it involves a visual clue).

"The Fantastic Horror of the Cat in the Bag" - One motorcyclist chases another all along the Great North Road, followed by Lord Peter's Daimler, in pursuit of a small bag. But instead of the Dowager's jewelry stolen from Lord Peter in Piccadilly, the bag contains a woman's severed head. Which of the denials of ownership is a lie?

"The Unprincipled Affair of the Practical Joker" - Mrs. Ruyslander is the victim of the bald-faced theft of two items: the 'Light of Africa' (a diamond necklace of 115 stones), and a small portrait 'with an inscription that nothing, *nothing*, could ever explain away.' Lord Peter tackles the job of retrieving them from the thief without exposing Mrs. Ruyslander's secret.

"The Undignified Melodrama of the Bone of Contention" - ENORMOUS, for a 'short' story, and not really worth the trip. Lord Peter's hosts are on the stuffy (and in one instance, spiteful) side, and gossipy, which gives us the background on the local rich old reprobate whose funeral is on the morrow. The mystery here isn't about the death, but who steals the body, and why. Sayers throws in a good bit of supposedly supernatural hocus-pocus for trimming. Although the old man's sons are named Martin and Haviland, they're not related to the 'Haviland Martin' in _Have His Carcase_. (This one *wasn't* cut from the audio edition; I'd have traded it gladly for the 3 that were, visual clues notwithstanding.)

"The Vindictive Story of the Footsteps That Ran" - On a hot June day in 1921, Lord Peter and Bunter have called at the home of a medical friend, a Bloomsbury G.P. who appreciates Bunter's photography of his experiments. Throughout their conversation and the meal, Lord Peter notices the footsteps of the doctor's neighbours on the floor overhead - which end in murder.

"The Bibulous Business of a Matter of Taste" - One of Lord Peter's government errands, for the War Office this time; he is to purchase a formula for poison gas. Some bright person sold out, however; two Lord Peters show up at the scientist's country estate in France (as a titled Royalist, he offers no allegiance to the upstart French government). The story follows Death Bredon, a 3rd party carrying a letter of introduction. Le comte proposes to find the real Lord Peter with an impromptu wine-tasting competition.

"The Learned Adventure of the Dragon's Head" - Introducing St. George, staying with his uncle Peter during an outbreak of measles at prep school, as well as Lord Peter's first meeting with Bill Rumm. St. George buys a damaged rare book (nearly all the double-page maps having been torn out) which the bookseller picked up at an estate sale. The audio edition omitted this story, probably because the "treasure map" on which the story turns is a visual clue.

"The Piscatorial Farce of the Stolen Stomach" - 95-year-old Great-Uncle Joseph left medical student Thomas Macpherson only one thing - his digestive system in a bottle - before jumping out a 6th-storey window after a stroke. "He left a letter. Said he had never been ill in his life and wasn't going to begin now." Lord Peter takes an interest after Mac (a fishing buddy) mentions that cousin Robert, the residuary legatee, can't find most of the old man's assets. You really should listen to Carmichael's narration of this one. :)

"The Unsolved Puzzle of the Man with No Face" - A strangler left the corpse on the beach at East Felpham, face mutilated beyond recognition. The story begins with several strangers on a train discussing the newspaper headlines - one of whom turns out to be Lord Peter, and another the inspector in charge of the case.

"The Adventurous Exploit of the Cave of Ali Baba" - Begins with a newspaper account of Lord Peter's will, mentioning his death at age 37 in a hunting accident in Tanganyika. Rogers, upon reading the story, breathes a sigh of relief and proceeds with his plans to join a criminal mastermind's burglary & blackmail organization. The story follows Rogers, rather than the efforts of the Law.

If you're a fan of Dorothy L. Sayers' character, Lord Peter Wimsey, you will likely find this book interesting and enjoyable. The authors, both professors, look at the Wimsey series in light of what was happening in England at the time they were being written, and show how Sayers incorporated so much of her surroundings into these stories.

If you're not a Wimsey fan, then there is probably little point in reading this book. Although it is well-written, most of its meaning will probably be lost.

I agree that fans of the Wimsey novels will enjoy this book most, but I also think those interested in the period between the world wars, as well as those who like good biography will find much here. Mystery buffs who haven't read Sayers may find this book provides the motivation to do so. I particularly enjoyed the authors' discussion of how Sayers' Wimsey differs from Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, and the reasons for these differences. It should also be noted that this book was just nominated by the Mystery Writers of America for a 2001 Edgar Award in the category of biography and literary criticism.

Feminist fans of Dorothy L. Sayers's Vane-Wimsey novels will find LOVE ALL a delightful change of pace. The companion play to the dramatic version of the novel BUSMAN'S HONEYMOON in this edition, LOVE ALL takes a very different approach to male-female relations. While she creates for Harriet Vane and Lord Peter Wimsey a fulfilling personal and professional relationship in BUSMAN'S HONEYMOON, Sayers suggests in LOVE ALL that women can find emotional fulfillment, financial security, and artistic challenges on their own. Written in 1937-38 and staged in 1940 and 1941, LOVE ALL focuses on a love triangle that almost becomes a love "square," composed of the narcissistic romance novelist Godfrey Daybrook; his wife Edith, who writes hit plays under the pseudonym Janet Reed; his mistress, the temperamental actress Lydia Hillington; and his secretary Mary Birch. Unlike Lord Peter Wimsey, Godfrey Daybrook is incapable of respecting women or their work, nor does he have a sense of humor. And while he is, of course, only one character in the play, Sayers suggests that he is a typical male. Alzina Stone Dale points out in her introduction to the play that "with the exception of the worldly and wily theatrical producer, all the male characters are patronizing, homosexual, or childish. Sayers's women, on the other hand, quickly establish a mutual aid society and adamantly refuse to pander any longer to the demands of the moderately charming novelist, Godfrey Daybrook" (xxix).

While Godfrey has set up housekeeping in Venice with his mistress Lydia and his secretary, Edith has temporarily entrusted their son to his grandmother, taken a flat in London, and launched a play-writing career as "Janet Reed." Godfrey may have described Edith to Lydia as "a good wife, a good mother, a painfully good woman, sensible, cultivated. . . . with a college education--only not the smallest, faintest touch of charm or glamour," but he returns to London to find his cast-off wife dashing to opening night parties, flirting with actors, and wearing the latest fashions (136-7). Instantly aware of his wife's new desirability, Godfrey becomes jealous and suspects her of having taken a lover. He concludes that Edith's failure to divorce him as she promised must result from her preoccupation with a new male love-interest.

Much to his surprise, Godfrey learns that Edith's delay in divorcing him results not from her having been caught up in a whirlwind romance but from having launched a whirlwind career. "Three days after you went off," she tells him, "I got a wire from the management saying they'd take the play. . . . and rushed up to Town and put in a strenuous month getting the contract signed, and then there was casting--you've seen what's that like--and rehearsals--" (168, 170). When he rages, "Great heavens, Edith, have you no sense of proportion? Surely our married life is of more importance than a few rehearsals!", she replies, "But it wasn't our married life. It was your unmarried life. And when my life got all exciting and interesting, everything else seemed to get so far off and unreal" (170).

Edith's life as the playwright Janet Reed is interesting, and she credits her new-found satisfaction to work. Eventually, she ends up collaborating with Lydia, her former romantic rival, on a new play. Godfrey finds himself out in the cold. While some readers may object to her having made Godfrey such an unappealing character, Sayers offers funny and smart depictions of Edith and Lydia. The dialogue is sharp--Sayers at her best. This play is too well-kept a secret--and the play version of BUSMAN'S HONEYMOON is worth reading, too.

I have just returned(well a few hours ago) from a staged reading of Love All. This is a beautiful play, and it is a great tragedy it was never filmed. Thsi would have made a wonderful movie with say Cary Grant as Godfrey and Katherine Hepburn as Janet. The play is in some ways similar to the works of Ayn Rand. Unlike Ms. Rand's work the play is extremely funny, but the overall theme that one's work is all that matters. That it comes first, and that it is impossible to be a fulfilled, happy human being without it is paramount. If you ever get a chance to read or see this play, do so at all costs.

Although this is the official movie guide for children to the Two Towers, I found that it was helpful for adults who are not Lord of the Rings fans and/or have not read any of the books by Tolkien. It is lushly illustrated with gorgeous photos of all of the people/creatures in The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers. There are also a few photos of how they developed CGI characters such as the cave troll and Sauron. Underneath each photograph is a sentence or two explaining who the person/creature is and how they fit into the story. The wording and the brevity of the descriptions make it perfect for younger readers or those looking for a quick and dirty introduction to the characters of Middle Earth including Hobbits, Ents, Easterlings, Haradrim, Uruk-Hai, Gollum, the Watcher in the Water, Dwarves, Elves, Wizards/Istari, Balrog, Gwaihir, and many more. The book also comes with a free fold out enlarged picture of Gandalf confronting the Balrog in Moria. I would recommend this book for those who are not very familiar with The Lord of the Rings trilogy and for children ages 8 and up. It is very short at app. 60 pages (most of which is taken up by pictures) and so is a great introduction. However, if you are a Tolkien fan and familiar with the stories or saw the first movie, there is nothing new for you here.

I do not know if there was a "The Fellowship of the Ring Movie Tie-In" version of "The Lord of the Rings: Creatures," but there really does not need to be because this book covers all of the creatures encountered in the first two films based on J. R. R. Tolkien's trilogy (although there is a special little section on the "lost" Tom Bombadil). The emphasis is decidedly more on the film than the original novels, with quotations from both the actors and the technicians who brought Tolkien's creatures to life. Within these pages young fans of "The Lord of the Rings" will find everything from hobbits and their hairy feet to the tree-like Ents. In between there are the forces of men, elves and dwarves allied in the West to face the dark servants of both Saruman in Isengard and Sauron in Mordor. Attention is paid to not only all the species but all of the major characters that appear in "The Two Towers." There are lush photographs from the films (I especially like the shot of Treebeard) but also production drawings and computer graphics, almost always accompanied by insights from the likes of director Peter Jackson, head of special effects Richard Taylor, and others. Older readers will find this book just whets the appetite for more information about these creatures and how they were developed from Tolkien's original descriptions into what we have seen in the films. But younger readers should find this official movie guide to the creatures and cultures of Middle-Earth to be suited to their interests. A fold-out chart is included (cannot know the creatures without a program), but hopefully young readers will put off pouring over this slim volume until after they have actually seen the film. Your first look at Treebeard, Gollum, and Shelob should be in the film, not the photographs of this book.

The epic movie trilogy "The Lord of the Rings" was the first exposure to Tolkien's work for a lot of the people who watched it. And the fans who haven't yet read the books should check out this book, to get the tips on who and what and where and why.

Basically, this "Creatures" book lets the readers know: What's a hobbit? What's an Elf? What's an Ent? Readers of the original fantasy trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien will know all of this. On the other hand, newbies will like being able to look these things up -- especially since "Two Towers" has a lot of new material, with the Ents, Haradrim, Rohirrim, and others. The book is pretty short, and seems even shorter because it is composed mostly of photographs. These are clear, brightly colored, and great shots -- not just of stuff in the movies, but also from stuff behind the scenes.

What's especially nice are the quotes. Accompanying many of the smaller photographs are quotes from director Peter Jackson, special-effects wizard Richard Taylor, actors Elijah Wood, Ian Holm, Sean Astin, and pretty much everyone else. These quotes add insights into both the characters ("In their world, it's who you are on the inside that matters") and behind the scenes (complaints about the hobbit feet, from several actors). One of the best quotes is Peter Jackson revealing how the much-maligned Tom Bombadil almost made a cameo -- fans of the books will want to check that out.

Even if you've read the other books, this brief book will offer a few new insights and plenty of good movie and behind-the-scenes pictures.

This book is a must for anyone who truly wants to understand what Holy Mother Church regards as proper for Liturgical Worship.

Ceremonies of the Modern Roman Rite cover all the basic issues regarding true Roman Catholic worship and liturgy.

This was a quick read with all the references to other supporting Church documents. It was most helpful in sorting out fact from fiction.

Many lay people who have joined the parish liturgy or worship committee find it difficult to search through the massive amount of documents issued on various aspects of Roman Catholic ritual, particularly the mass. Most liturgy guides provide interpretations that go beyond what is prescribed. Hence, the common layman who wants to serve his or her parish competently is often confused about basic details of the mass. This book provides a concise and clean reference for such committees. Unlike other liturgy books, a presentation of the basic "noble simplicity" of the mass allows the reader to make intelligent decisions based upon individual parish circumstances and needs. No pop-psychology, no obtuse theology, no axes to grind. Get it.

This book is excellent. A priest let me borrow his copy and within minutes I was online ordering it. If you serve in the Roman Catholic Church this book is the key. Coving every last detail from children to pontiffs. From low mass to high Mass, to liturgy of the hours, even adorations. Covers vestments, movements, requirements. Recomended as reference and study, and for those who would like to just know whats going on. Also a must if you are planning any type of liturgical experiance!!!!!!BUY IT!!!!

As usual this was well written, fast paced and contains a sense of humor and style that is still fresh and charming despite the fact she's written so many Amelia Peabody adventures. The characters live and breath, wonderfully larger than life and yet still real, still honest.

I get the sense that she is exploring the working partnership of Ramses and Nefret, still, but I can already see that they will be distinct from Emerson and Peabody, yet just as wonderful.

That said, I felt there were points where the action had thin plot support (e.g. the attack in Cairo of the Radcliffe Emersons and the early adventures in Thebes of the Ramses Emersons) hence the four stars instead of the five. I've had this sense with a couple of the past books, but never so strongly as with this one. Even if the action seems unsupported it's so well written that you find yourself enjoying it anyway. I scared the cats, laughing so hard at Emerson berating and worrying over Peabody in the same breath.

It is a testament to Ms. Peters' mastery of her craft and understanding of her characters and setting that make those seeming thin places easy to overlook. This is a must read for fans. Newcomers with a taste for mystery and pastiche will definitely enjoy it - it is reasonably easy to follow the history of the characters without having read the previous books.

Elizabeth Peters has created an entire world, full of clever characters, great relationships, and well-thought out plot lines. She's having a bit of trouble keeping them all afloat, and this plot was rather thin, but the book was still entertaining- and satisfying to those interested in the family's goings on and "happy endings."
Finally, the family decides to confide in each other a bit more- their obtuseness reached a frustrating fever pitch in "Thunder". I would wish that MPM keeps with the basic morality of previous books- be Peters, not Michaels. Nefret and Ramses are shaping up quite nicely, and Miss Minton and her friend shouldn't just end up in an on-again, off-again shacking up situation, which wouldn't be true to the series' basic feel.
I also would like to see the interracial romance started in this one bloom, as well. I hope Peters keeps them coming for a long time.

Hooray! Any new book from Elizabeth Peters is always a much anticipated purchase for me. "Lord of the Silent" is a joy after a long year without news about Amelia, Emerson, Ramses, Nefret, and company. I have been reading this series for years and somehow the last few books have only strengthened my love for these characters. This time the characters behave more like themselves, romance reigns, and adventure is always awaiting you on the next page.

"Lord of the Silent" takes place during the height of WWI. The fear of submarines and air attacks are present. The intrigue of spywork keeps everyone busy with secrets. Archaelogy and love for the past, as well as family and friends, are the unifying threads throughout the book.

Yes, Ramses and Nefret are finally married. Yes, Ramses is prone to intrigue and suspense, albeit reluctantly, with a family never far behind him. Yes, Amelia's observations of her world are entertaining. It's all here. And, yes, that other man in Amelia's life does make some appearances with some new developments in their relationship. Big revelations took place in the last book, "He Shall Thunder in the Sky," and now everyone has to readjust to the new dynamics.

I myself enjoyed the new dynamics of Ramses and Nefret's relationship. They have learned about communication and love from wonderful parents and the lessons come out in their new adventures. Romance doesn't disappear just because a wedding has taken place! It never left Amelia and Emerson and it's not leaving the next generation either.

The plot is good, too, but the characters are what always bring me back for more. I would try to describe it, but why spoil the story for you? Snuggle up in your favorite nook or go to the pool with this new book and plan to stay awake for a long, fun, entertaining read.

I was excited when I found this book--I love angel stories, and to me it sounded like a really unique point of view from which to write a novel, from that of a fallen angel and his travails through the earth.

The novel starts out blandly, and doesn't stop there, unfortunately. The main characters are, in a word, unlikeable. I couldn't muster up any feelings whatsoever for Tashum, Paladin, Fanny, Dickey or even Victor except for distaste. Even Misha didn't strike me as particularly angelic.

The story is a let-down as well--none of the conflicts in the story are resolved at all, rather the author just slaps them onto an ever-growing pile of "Things to do wrap up later" and you're basically left with a 472 page prologue to the next book, full of guns, vampires, high speed chases, unethical people, and very little of angels.

I had high hopes, and while I actually finished the book instead of putting it down in disgust, I can't say that I will pick up his next book. I didn't like any of the characters enough to care if they make it to the next episode of Mission:Impossible 2--oops, I mean Silence in Heaven 2.

The Silence In Heaven is a truly breathtaking vision of what might happen if one third of all angels were banished from heaven, brutally cast out of the light and cursed to live among a mortal world they have no love for. Stripped of their wings and forced to dawn flesh they each set off on a quest for redemption and the answers that will lead them back to the light. Through the centuries the fallen angel Tashum spans the globe in search of his celestial brother Paladin. Devastated by their separation and desperate to return to heaven, Tashum searches for the clues that will reunite him with his brother and restore them to their former glory. Peter Lord Wolf masterfully blurs the lines between good and evil as Tashum weathers the seas of emotion that plague him as he walks among mankind. Peters fallen angels are thrust into a delicate balancing act, consorting with vampires and coping with human temptation while trying to keep one foot in the light. A truly epic story, vibrant characters and the writers spellbinding word craft make this book a true fantasy masterpiece.

The Silence In Heaven is a truly breathtaking vision of what might happen if one third of all angels were banished from heaven, brutally cast out of the light and cursed to live among a mortal world they have no love for. Stripped of their wings and forced to dawn flesh, they each set off on a quest for redemption and the answers that will lead them back to the light. Through the centuries the fallen angel Tashum spans the globe in search of his celestial brother Paladin. Devastated by their separation and desperate to return to heaven, Tashum searches for the clues that will reunite him with his brother and restore them to their former glory. Peter Lord Wolf masterfully blurs the lines between good and evil as Tashum weathers the seas of emotion that plague him as he walks among mankind. Peters fallen angels are thrust into a delicate balancing act, consorting with vampires and coping with human temptation while trying to keep one foot in the light. A truly epic story, vibrant characters and the writers spellbinding word craft make this book a true fantasy masterpiece.

breathtaking