I recently discovered the St. Cyr-Kohler series. This is the third I've read; the other two being Stonekiller and Salamander. I think this may be the best of the three I've read so far - 'though I quite enjoyed the other two. It's a great read, the detectives are three-dimensional, and I can't wait to read the next one. Special kudos to Cheryl Cipriani, the jacket designer for Soho Crime. I recommend reading the books in chronological order - Mannequin takes place right after Salamander.

An outstandingly well written account of what it was like to grow up in an extended German family in 1900 in St. Louis.

For anyone interested in Greek and Roman antiquity in Asia Minor, the works of Louis Robert are a must. Noms is a good place to begin, as this book displays many of Robert's best qualities in ways more accessible than in some of his more technical epigraphic and numismatic publications. From the apparently unlikely premiss that names can tell us more than we may think, Robert weaves a marvelous tapestry of life in Asia Minor that brings out the complex relations between local populations and their Greek and Roman rulers, all done with a stunning command of an absolutely vast array of evidence.

Assistant Curator at the St. Louis Art Museum Robin Lobianco meets gorgeous Vince and Amy Wheaton at a museum event. The trio hit it off and start to socialize, which is good for the curator who is separated from her husband Frank. Following one particular event, a somewhat intoxicated Robin joins the Wheatons in a ménage a trios.

What she did mortifies Robin, who wants to move on and forget the sexual encounter. They ask Robin to move in with them as they love her, but she is horrified by the suggestion and rejects it. They begin harassing her through greeting cards until Robin turns to the police for help. Detective Jack Jones, on clerical duty with the death of his third partner in the last two years is assigned to help Robin because the mayor declared the museum a key part of the city. As the Wheatons' campaign of terror increases, only Jack stands between them and their destruction of Robin, who, they insist, they love.

Fans of taut suspense chillers will be unable to refuse to read THE OFFER. The story line works because the key players seem human. The Wheatons are a Fatal Attraction duet whose obsession seems frighteningly real. Robin is a powerful victim filled with remorse while Jack is a cop struggling with being a death magnet that only his wife the stripper helps his esteem. Robert J. Randisi turns up the tension leaving the audience to think twice about whom they accompany home.

Harriet Klausner

Our Town: Images and Stories from the Museum of the City of New York presents--in the highest quality four-color and duotone reproductions--an amazing range of New York City images, from urban scene paintings, to the renowned Stettheimer Dollhouse, to the phenomenal 20th c. photography of such artists as Berenice Abbott and Edward Steichen. The essays capture glimpses of the City and its history from the widest range of noted authors--Robert A.M. Stern, Oscar Hijuelos, Hilton Als, Louis Auchincloss, Elizabeth Barlow Rogers, etc. Don't miss it!

Avast mates! Never has a finer tale of the sea to be had. Meet Long John, Captain Flint, Ben Gunn, and some of the other scurvy crew from 'Treasure Island'. Learn where the treasure came from. Fights at sea and ashore aplenty.

This book has been an inspiration in times of both joy and trouble. Stevenson penned these prayers while head of household in late 1800s Somoa, and the sentiments are timelessly useful today. His wife writes in prologue, that just once the devoted Stevenson abruptly left evening prayers. When she asked him later, he replied that he was "not yet fit to to say, "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." I have bid tearful goodbye to friends going abroad reading "Before a Temporary Separation" and in trial prayed "For Renewal of Joy." PRAYERS by Stevenson never disappoints. The only family prayer book you really need to own. Lovely illuminations in the Random House version.

Incredible, exciting, poignant biography of an underrated writer and wonderful man. Although McLynn is obviously a fan, it never becomes hagiography. This will have you reading Treasue Island again and wanting to travel to Scotland and Samoa.

This is a comprehensive and much-needed compilation of material for the custody evaluator. The authors provide an unbiased review of the research literature, clarifying the validity of assumptions regarding parent effectiveness, visitation schedules, and children's adustment to divorce. They point out the importance of considering context and individual dyads rather than relying on broad-based conclusions generated from any particular study. They have covered a breadth of topics, beginning with legal and ethical issues, relevant child development and adjustment issues, and psychological testing. Among other topics included are "the remarriage family," adopted children, medically ill children, and children of gay and lesbian parents. This work can be a useful reference for clinicians working with children of divorce, but for those performing custody evaluations it should be required reading.