happy ending)but this book had meat I LIKED IT SO MUCH I FINISHED IT ONE DAY> HIGHLY RECOMENDTHIS BOOK TO A ROMANCE READER WHO STILL LIKES TRADITONAL FAIRY TALES BUT WITH MORE IN DEPTH CHARACTERS AND STORY TELLING. AUTHORS I LIKE JUDITH MCNAUGHT,KAREN ROBERTS,EDITH LAYTON,LAURA KINSALE
Book Description
John Constantine is an unconcerned, amoral occultist with aBritish working-class background.He's an anti-hero who manages to comeout on top through a combination of luck, trickery and genuine magic skill.V FOR VENDETTA illustrator David Lloyd provides painted artwork for thetale of an encounter with a strange woman who is the embodiment of theworld's horrors.This volume also features some of Constantine's earliestadventures including his first victory in the long war with the demonNergal.
Customer Reviews:
Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03
Original Sins is some early Hellblazer work by Jamie Delano. This is back from the 1980s era, and is definitely more overtly political than some of what comes later. This is also the time that Swamp Thing was a character or perhaps a similar style, so the two crossed paths a little bit, so that may be of interest to some.
Solid collection of early Hellblazer tales.......2007-07-30
Though he was created by the great Alan Moore in the pages of Swamp Thing, John Constantine was really given his voice by Jamie Delano when Hellblazer was first launched. Providing Constantine with enough backstory, tragedy, and supporting characters to make him more than compelling than he already was in the first place, Delano got the character like few writers ever would in the years to come. The Devil You Know collects some of Delano's stories after Original Sins, which include Constantine meeting a woman unlike that he's never come across before, as well as going toe to toe with Nergal once again, and this time walking away with the upper hand. Though I myself was never really fond of Delano's work on the title the first time I read it, it grew on me, and the same thing happened here. Having artwork from V For Vendetta artist David Lloyd as well as Richard Piers Rayner and Mark Buckingham doesn't hurt either, rounding out a very solid book. All in all, what's contained here may not be as prolific as what we get in Dangerous Habits or Stations of the Cross, but The Devil You Know is definitely worth picking up for Hellblazer fans regardless.
OK, but disappointing.......2007-07-18
The story really ends in the middle of this book and the art changes. No where near as good as "Dangerous Habits". Still OK though.
Book Description
A deranged derelict, a crazed Vietnam vet, has been arrested for gunning down successful young lawyer Glenn Holtzmann at a corner phone booth on Eleventh Avenue -- and the suspect's brother wants p.i. Matthew Scudder to prove the madman innocent. But Scudder's curiosity and dedication are leading him to dark, unexplored places in his own heart...and to passions and secrets that could destroy everything be loves.
Customer Reviews:
Gritty writing, but not much drama for a Scudder.......2003-09-04
Let me preface by saying I'm a huge Scudder fan, so the three star rating is compared to the entirety of the Scudder saga. In this entry, the clean and ostensibly happily domesticated Scudder is hired by a vagrant's brother to clear the vagrant of a shooting. The victim happens to be a distant acquaintance of Scudder's, and though Matt didn't like the guy much, he ends up having a desultory kind of affair with his widow. Meanwhile the accused killer is himself killed in prison, leaving a stubborn Scudder to attack the closed case (or as his cop friend puts it, "trying to give a dead horse mouth-to-mouth resuscitation" --- love that noir dialogue). This is only an average Scudder entry, which means that it's a bleak look at a seedy world, rife with witty dialogue and sharp insights into AA philosophy. Probably because the case here is so cold, however, a lot of drama in the sense of personal danger or action is lacking. There's much of the traditional amoral, detatched soul-searching, which is terrific, but none of the rough justice Scudder usually hands out.
Excellent ..........2002-11-06
Captivating story .. this one will keep you burning the midnight oil and turning those pages. Lots of Mick Ballou in this one .. personally, I love Mick. If you enjoy his character, this will definitely be a book you shouldn't miss. This falls about 2/3 of the way in the Scudder series to date. I couldn't put this one down from the second I started it.
A Very Good Book (But An Average Mystery)!.......2002-02-18
The Devil Knows You're Dead is a very well written book that held my interest throughout -- however, I have been a big fan of this series from the beginning. Mystery fans who are looking for lots of action and suspense may want to skip this book. Relative to several of the other books in this series, there is considerably less physical violence and more --much more-- of a concentration on the emotional havoc and angst that Matthew Scudder is experiencing as he makes his way through his topsy-turvy world. The cases Scudder is working on in The Devil Knows You're Dead are interesting but they are not exciting and action-based. So, if this is what you're looking for in a mystery you probably should choose another book. If you enjoy great character development, interesting and likable secondary characers, vivid and accurate descriptions of the Hell's Kitchen/Clinton section of NYC, then treat yourself to this very good book. Keep in mind it's not the best book in this series but it's one I think you'll enjoy. However, I would strongly recommend that if you haven't read any of the books in this series, you first read at least one or two of the earlier books (e.g., When The Scared Ginmill Closes, A Ticket To The Boneyard, A Dance At The Slaughterhouse, A Walk Among The Tombstones, etc.) before reading The Devil Knows You're Dead. These books will familiarize you what the world of Matthew Scudder has been like. This book serves pretty much as a vehicle to further evolve the main character of Matthew Scudder and to let you know where he's moving to in his life.
B-O-R-I-N-G.......2002-02-04
I did not chose this book, it was required for a writer's workshop. When I sit down to read a detective novel I expect it to be about detecting. In The Devil Knows Your're Dead I was not the least bit interested in the personal issues / problems of the main character of this novel. The murder happens on page 17 of 316 and there is absolutely zero progress on solving the crime until about 231 pages into it. The intervening pages are mired in musings about alcoholism, transexuals, the morality of suicide, yada, yada, yada. B-o-r-i-n-g. I guess there is a market for this type of mystery (...) but give me Christie, Stout or Sayers and I'm happy. You can keep Block all to yourself.
The Devil Knows that this is a Great Scudder Novel.......2001-06-30
As if Lawrence Block's Matthew Scudder series wasn't already the quirkiest private detective series around, "The Devil Knows You're Dead," is Scudder's most unconventional story yet. Superficially, the novel is about Scudder's attempt to prove that a deranged homeless man did not randomly gun down a successful lawyer. But actually, the novel is a dissertation about death and the choices one makes in life. During his investigation, Scudder's ex-girlfriend Jan Keane discloses to him that she has terminal cancer and asks him to procure a gun so that she can end her life before the pain consumes her. Meanwhile, Scudder and his current love, the former call girl Elaine Mardell, are moving closer together, even as Scudder becomes more restless and Elaine begins to question the direction of her own life. To top it off, Scudder's restlessness causes him to begin an affair with the dead lawyer's wife that he is ashamed of but unable to stop. This causes him to question whether he will be able to continue his sobriety despite over ten successful years in AA.
All of this accompanies a mystery that is interesting in and of itself, but not nearly as menacing as most Scudder mysteries. The recurring charater of the street kid TJ also shows some progression in his life during the story while assisting Scudder's investigation. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this novel as the place to start reading Scudder since to truly enjoy it requires a lot of the previous background of the characters. But for those who already know how good the Scudder novels are it is a must read.
Book Description
"How Do You Know He's Real? God Unplugged," the second book in the successful "He's Real series," shares the profound real life journeys and dramatic encounters with the living God by young celebrities from the worlds of sports and music. The book addresses issues that young people deal with, like insecurity, anger, peer pressure, addiction and self-esteem. Always inspirational and often miraculous, "God Unplugged" is a must-read for those who desire to go deeper in their relationship with God.
Download Description
Between the covers of this book are testimonies from Christian role models from the worlds of film, sports, and music. The stories are real and powerful, and are presented in a way that believers and seekers alike will find compelling.
Customer Reviews:
People teens admire talk about God.......2007-04-13
Author Amy Hammond Hagberg wanted to help teens--her own and others--answer questions about God, including the big question: "How do you know he's real?"
Hagberg wrote to sports stars, recording artists and other celebrities, asking them to reflect on their life experiences and share how the reality of God was making a difference to them personally and professionally. The responses she received--from NBA players, Christian musicians, 'American Idol' contestants and others--are honest, revealing, and often compelling.
The resulting book is a collection of celebrity essays: mini-bios that focus on the reality of God in the midst of media attention, success and failure, and broken relationships. Contributors include Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic basketball team, quarterback David Carr of the Houston Texans, and popular Christian recording artist Clay Crosse.
Some of the interviews are especially helpful for Hagberg's original target readers: teens. Among these, Chrissy Conway of 'Zoe Girl' talks about her parents' divorce, the party scene, and the twists and turns along her personal career path in ways that connect with teens and with anyone who has ever considered attempting a career in music.
Hagberg is a gifted and skilled writer who keeps readers turning the pages as she unpacks celebrity affirmations of the presence of God in their lives. A great gift book for readers from teens through Gen X, but the stories here will interest readers of any age!
Note: Reviewer Dr. David Frisbie is an author and Executive Director of The Center for Marriage & Family Studies in Del Mar, California.
Armchair Interviews says: Anything that can help teens understand their role in living a good life is good.
Celebrities share their faith.......2007-03-11
This is an ideal book to give to people who have questions about becoming a Christian, and who love sports and music celebrities.
44 extreme sports and music celebrities tell their stories in this book, from Jonny Lang (recording artist), to Barlow Girl (rock group), Kimiko Soldati (Olympic diving), CJ Hobgood (surfer), Dwight Howard (NBA player, Orlando Magic), Mick Hannah (downhill mountain bike racer), Jimmie McGuire (professional motocross rider) and more.
They share hard times they faced, how they became Christians and how their paths are more joyful due to their faith. Being a Green Bay Packer fan I turned to Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila's story of growing up in South Central Los Angeles with a tough background, a Muslim dad and a Christian mom, and how his becoming a Christian led to his current happy family life and NFL career. Christian Hosoi, professional skateboarder, after serious drug problems, is now leading a skateboarding ministry.
The two page "God's Road Map" at the end of each celebrity's story contains perceptive questions and Scriptures. Sports and music lovers will enjoy this book, and it can even be a "past watchful dragons book" that will steer doubting people on a new clear path.
god unplugged.......2007-02-02
God Unplugged by Ammy Hagberg was very interesting. It is 403 pages long and was published in 2006 by Destiny Image. In the story top athletes, musicians, and also stars tell how god helped them get where they wanted to be and changed their lives.
In the story there were 44 celebrity reflections on true life experiences with god. Many of these celebrities have been extremely low in their lives and god has pulled them out of them. Also in some cases they have had no luck in there lives and finally achieved their goals after they gave there lives god. All of these people believe that god has either given them opportunities or even the strength to work through where they were to get to where they want to be.
I thought that this was a good book. I enjoyed reading it and seeing how god has changed all of these people's lives. The strengths of this book are that it has top named celebrities that people actually want to read about. The weakness of this book is that there is nothing to find out nest so you don't have a reason to keep reading. I did like how god actually gave them the strength to continue and succeed in life. The writing was very boring to me, but I liked the idea.
The book gave a lasting effect on me because I have a saint Christopher necklace that my grandma gave to me before she passed away and that keeps me safe when I race motorcross. So, I think that god has a great power on us. I would recommend this book, it will make you think.
After reading this, you certainly KNOW he is real!.......2007-01-25
Truly, this, and the book before this, are really awesome books!
** Why?
Because they give some very good insights into other peoples way to God. Not only that, if you don't know the Bible inside and out (and even if you do, actually!), there are quotations from the Bible explaining the why and hows, depending on the story of the person interviewed.
All this, with Amy Hagbergs very nice way of writing (down to earth serious mixed with a nice blend of humor) makes this book a pleasure to read!
Personally, I strongly recommend this book to everyone. It might be those who Seek, or those who have found, it doesn't matter, in my opinion! :)
Fantastic book!.......2007-01-24
What a great book! Amy Hagberg has gathered some of today's biggest sports and music celebs to talk about how they know God is real. This book is in stark contrast to so many of today's depressing, tragedy-focused headlines. And the list of celebrities is impressive! [...]
Average customer rating:
- Love Poppy's shorts
- THE LATEST COLLECTION FROM POPPY
- Poppy is the BEST.
- PZB's Many Facets Make For a Fun Read
- I'll admit it.
|
The Devil You Know
Poppy Z. Brite
Manufacturer: Gauntlet Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Brite, Poppy Z. | ( B ) | Authors, A-Z | Horror | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Horror | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:
-
Soul Kitchen: A Novel
-
Prime: A Novel
-
The Value of X
-
Liquor: A Novel
-
D*U*C*K
ASIN: 1887368779 |
Book Description
THE DEVIL YOU KNOW is a tradepaperback edition of the sold-out limited edition of Poppy's latest short story collection.
In her third short story collection, Poppy Z. Brite finds fresh ways of exploring territory both familiar and strange. Here you'll meet the Devil and his giant cat last seen in the pages of Bulgakov, the gourmand coroner of New Orleans, the mad-genius chef who can't stand to have his cheese list criticized, and an assortment of Crescent City characters who also appear in Brite's novels Liquor and Prime.
Poppy Z. Brite has found a way of writing about New Orleans that bypasses the clichés and approaches the city's true heart: the hard-working, hard-partying cooks; the ways in which race, class, and sexual orientation do and don't matter; the love of bottom feeders, be they crustaceans or politicos; the million little juxtapositions of sacred and profane, bizarre and mundane, sublime and ridiculous that make up the everyday life of New Orleans. Some of these stories are set elsewhere, but Brite always returns home in the end.
Customer Reviews:
Love Poppy's shorts.......2006-09-20
well short stories that is. This is a truly fine little book. The writing is lean and precise and fits well with her new series of books. This was my first encounter with her alter ego Doc Brite and I found him to be a wonderful character. It was also good to see Rickey and G-man and the additional Stubbs family story was excellant.
Here's hoping that Ms. Brite will give us many more of these shorts to enjoy.
THE LATEST COLLECTION FROM POPPY.......2006-05-24
In her first new collection in a couple of years, Poppy Z. Brites "The Devil you Know" focuses many of its stories in and around her beloved New Orleans and often travels in the restaurant world (her husband is a chef). Less gothic than her previous works, one might even consider "The Devil You Know" somewhat whimsical in certain spots. She certainly is prone to using humor and irony more so than in the past. But don't think that Brite has lost her edge. While she continues to explore new avenues she can still hit you right between the head although she does so with a skillful, subtle hand in this collection of 13 stories.
Several of the tales feature Poppy's alter ego, Coroner Dr. Brite such as the black humor tale "Marisol" about a restaurant critic who writes an unflattering review of a restaurant and then promptly disappears as the chef introduces his newest dish. The "Ocean" brazenly shows the high cost of fame in a story about a dysfunctional, drug addicted rock band, being fed upon by their fans.
"System Freeze" seems a bit out of place with the other stories in the book, being as much a Sci-fi story as anything else. After a fatal fall from a mountain during a climb, a woman finds she's been given a second chance at life by the mysterious Agent Fine, as long as she completes the new AI program that she is working on. The story is supposed to be a Matrix-esque type tale and is short but effective
"Burn Baby Burn" will have people thinking of Stephen King's "Firestarter" with its tragic tale of pyrokinetic Liz Sherman (of Hellboy fame) and the destruction she causes to friends and family...not to mention her entire neighborhood when her powers go out of control. Liz finds her only place of comfort and safety is at the governments Bureau of Paranormal Research---with the other freaks.
My favorite story was "Lantern Marsh" as it evoked the feelings of youth when our own little worlds and suburbs were filled with mystery and enchantment. We firmly believed that the big old house down on the corner was home to a mad scientist. Set again in the Deep South, three young friends frequent a local swamp where odd lights are seen to float and dance about. Noel especially us drawn to the area over and over, even after he's warned to stay out by the man who owns part of the land it rests on. Years later, Noel returns home from college to find that Mr. Prudhomme now owns all of the land and plans to fill in the swamp for development. Noel knows he'll have to do something drastic to save the swamp, and whatever it is that lives there.
This diverse collection of short tales shows Poppy's development and comfort with various forms and settings as well as her enormous skill as a storyteller. A must have for her fans and a great place to start for new Brite readers!
Reviewed by Tim Janson
Poppy is the BEST........2006-03-30
I have been collecting all of Poppy Z. Brite's work for a few years now. She is a great artist, and this book was wonderful.
PZB's Many Facets Make For a Fun Read.......2006-03-28
This collection of short stories is an excellent introduction to this author's many talents. There's no sameness here. The stories are well crafted and tight. She has an uncanny ability to shift gears seamlessly keeping your interest and absorbtion factor high. She knows how to tell a story with style. Buy it. You won't regret it at all.
I'll admit it........2006-03-28
I bought this collection because I am a Rickey and G-Man completist, and I was anxious to read "Bayou De La Mere" and "A Season In Heck." Of course both stories turned out to be excellent little windows into other aspects of the ever-growing Liquor milieu (particularly "A Season In Heck," which is a little more tangental as it deals with the travails of a young inexperienced Liquor cook), but fortunately this book also introduced me to Doc Brite, Brite's maverick foodie medical examiner alter-ego. With all these stories, Brite (the author) manages both to write great food porn and give lively insight into the intricate workings of New Orleans society and culture. Brite is, simply, a terrific writer.
Book Description
Between the covers of this book are testimonies from Christian role models from the worlds of film, sports, and music. The stories are real and powerful, and are presented in a way that believers and seekers alike will find compelling.
Customer Reviews:
Review: How Do You Know He's Real?.......2007-06-14
In the book, How Do You Know He's Real, you'll get an inside look into the spiritual lives of 34 celebrities. Hagberg has compiled testimonies ranging from Kirk Cameron to Rudy Sarzo (former bass player for Ozzy Osbourne). Each story is remarkably different and it's amazing to read how God has worked in the lives of each of these well-known people.
Celebrities Share Their Christian Faith.......2007-05-31
The author has collected very readable stories telling how celebrities have become Christians, and they share their low points and their joys here. This is a welcome peek into the lives of well known people who typically are more secretive.
Ricky Skaggs, Kirk Cameron, Gloria Gaynor, Bethel Johnson (34 people in all) tell about their struggles and their early days as new Christians.
Billy Ray Cyrus tells of singing in his grandpa's Pentecostal church when he was 4, and includes the touching lyrics to the song he wrote "The other side."
Jackie (Jacklyn) Zeman, star of General Hospital, advises that when you are at a crossroads "cry out to God and ask for His guidance."
Al Kasha's story resonated with me; this Academy Award winning songwriter overcame agoraphobia, and talks about how Hollywood is a tough place for a Jew who came to Christ, and how he started a Hollywood Bible study group.
There are stories here for anyone to enjoy and find spirit lifting.
Celebrities talk about God in their life.......2007-04-27
(Hagberg has written a companion book with the same title, subtitled God Unplugged)
How Do You Know He's Real? is a collection of celebrity essays about God acting in their lives. The contributors include athletes, musicians, and actors. Their stories often follow a familiar pattern of fame leading to drugs and alcohol before hitting bottom and being turned around by an encounter with God. That's not to say the accounts are all stock and cliched, but rather that God meets each person in their need--and for celebrities that need will be similar. And many of the tales include growing up in stable Christian homes, but still needing to make personal decisions about God and Christ and how that decision impacted their careers.
The stories are collected alphabetically but Hagberg has provided a topic finder so a reader battling discouragement or frustration can find offerings from Billy Ray Cyrus, Nancy Stafford, Zorro, Gary Burghoff or John Schneider.
Each essay begins with a picture and short biography of the contributor, listing their accomplishments. Following the selection is God's Road Map, a few sentences about the issues raised by the author, with Bible verses for teaching and encouragement.
The essays themselves are as varied as the contributors. Some of them read as if they were written to be given as speeches. Several sound like the writer could be sitting at your kitchen table, chatting over the coffee pot. All of them are honest and share from their heart how God has acted in their life and how they know He's real.
Reading the accounts of God acting in both miraculous and mundane ways reminds us that no matter what a person does for a living, each of us are created beings who need a loving Savior and merciful God.
Armchair Interviews says: Up close and personal stories from celebrities.
COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN!!! Terrific Read!.......2006-05-18
I received this book as a gift and once I started, I couldn't put it down. Ms Hagberg has captured the beliefs of these well known and respected celebrities, sports figures, and musicians. I'm anxiously awaiting the next book in the series and can't wait to give copies of this one to all my friends. Order 2!
The book of a lifetime!.......2006-04-18
This is a book that you will no doubt want to share with everyone you know! (I certainly am!) It was so hard to put the book down - but worth it - just to extend the time and joy of reading it! GREAT content! GREAT author! I can't wait to read the next books in the series!
Average customer rating:
- Strong, determind characters in this great novel
- Trashy but fun
- The Devil You Know: A Novel
- Superbly Satisfying for Young Women
- Fun, Well-written, and Substantial
|
The Devil You Know: A Novel
Louise Bagshawe
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Erotica | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Contemporary | Romance | Subjects | Books
Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
General | Erotica | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
General | Contemporary | Romance | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:
-
For All the Wrong Reasons: A Novel
-
The Go-To Girl
-
Three Great Novels - The Bestsellers: "Venus Envy", "A Kept Woman", "When She Was Bad"
-
Career Girls
-
Monday's Child
ASIN: 031299477X
Release Date: 2004-12-28 |
Book Description
New York....Smart, sexy Rose Fiorello grows up poor with nothing but a blistering hatred of Rothstein Realty, the developer that crushed her father's business....and a shocking plan to get even.Los Angeles....Pampered society princess Poppy Allen wants to escape the smothering cocoon of her parents' privileged life to embrace the excitement of becoming a rock star....or rock star maker.London....Plump, bullied Daisy Markham devours trashy bestsellers to escape her misery at boarding school....until she discovers that writing them can bring the acceptance-and man-she secretly desires.But as each of these gutsy women goes after her dreams, a brutal act committed long ago will suddenly explode their worlds-revealing the betrayal that stole the heritage of three baby girls.... uniting them now with one common passion: revenge.
Customer Reviews:
Strong, determind characters in this great novel.......2007-07-22
What i love about Louise Bagshawe's books as that they have the ability to hook the reader. With juicy plot lines, handsome men and strong females. What i love about The Devil You Know... is that these three young women are so incrediably determined and driven to succeed. These characters have spunk! Rose's storyline is interesting, as it shows just how far one will go to extract revenge, but when she looks back at her life she really has nothing else. And you just know that underneath the blistering hatred Rose has for Rothstein Realty there lurks a powerful physical attraction to the youngest heir of the family fortune...
The Devil You Know is my favourite out of Louise's books.
Sure, if you put it up against some of her others, the plot isn't exactly new, but these books are such empowering reads that i can overlook that fact. Louise's books may not be serious novels, but they are wonderful escapism that gives you hope that even girls who have been wronged can rise to the top with a little determination, courage and attitude. By the end of the book i really wanted the guy to get what was coming to him.
All in all a very good read, one that i have read several times over in fact. I look forward to many more from this very talented author.
Trashy but fun.......2005-11-06
This book is not one that you will rave about to your friends but it tells a good enough story to keep you reading. It is actually more like 3 and a half stars.
In a nutshell, three sisters (triplets!) are separated at birth after an act of betrayal by their uncle causes the death of their parents. Each of the girls grows up differently from the others and pursues an interesting career.
We get to know each girl very well and we understand what drives them and how they each become successful at their chosen careers.
Without revealing the ending, the girls do meet up and revenge is exacted against the uncle.
This book is not fine literature but makes for an enjoyable enough read if you are stuck inside on a rainy day.
The Devil You Know: A Novel.......2005-07-07
This is my 4th read, and like always, I truly enjoy this book, and now I own it. This book has that "power" to just grab you to the point that you never want to put it down - it is a true page turner. It was interesting to see what path each of the sisters would take, and how these paths would eventually cross to bring them together for their "first" meeting. This meeting of the sisters was satisfaction in itself. I was all for their dressing down of their "uncle." He was the devil himself. Did he not know that jealousy never lives long, that no matter what, it always comes back to bite the hand that fed it? My hat's off to Louise Bagshawe, who has become one of my favorite writers. Thank you, Louise!!
Superbly Satisfying for Young Women.......2005-06-28
I love this book for many reasons, the main one being that it portrayed three young women who, by their own will, determination, and intelligence, and (okay, okay), beauty made it to the top of their fields. I really have seen very few novels in the market today who portray females as such vibrant young women who have dreams and are willing to work to fulfill them. Louise Bagshawe does an absolutely superb job of forming three intensely rich characters that are incredibly realistic. Each of the women, though portrayed as independent and strong, still have their own insecurities--Bagshawe really blends the two sides well together and as a result crafted beautiful characters to read about.
The novel itself is pretty much (for most of the book) split into three perspectives (one for each of the girls) and at the end, the three become one--and that's where my only complaint lies. I don't want to give anything away, so I'll just say this: I thought the ending was a slight letdown, and unfortunately, I was afraid it was going to be. As you read on about each character's life, you know that they will eventually meet, and once they do, well, the uniqueness of each girl is just slightly lost, and from that point on, the plot is very predictable, and the book just isn't as fun to read.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed every bit of this book (until it began to wind down) and I really would suggest it to anyone--male and female, though I would want my daughter to read it (if I had one) simply because it shines a positive light on young independent women. :-)
Fun, Well-written, and Substantial.......2005-02-17
Louise Bagshawe is a very good writer who manages to deliver romantic payoff without indulging in too many standard cliches. At the same time, she develops her female characters so they feel complex and real. You'll likely enjoy this book if you're a fan of chick lit or if you enjoy women's fiction that promises a happy ending.
This book intertwines the stories of three women who end up connected by the close of the story. Each is ambitious and gunshy when it comes to relationships with men. Most of the book deals with their developing careers, and the ups and downs they experience as they strive to be as powerful and successful as they can be. They also each have a significant romantic relationship that challenges them emotionally.
If you normally devour romance novels, you might find yourself wishing for a little less focus on the women's careers and more on romance. Also, Bagshawe doesn't develop her male characters as well as she does her female. Finally, if you've read other books by this author, you might grow tired of the fact that everything always takes place in the world of the big city rich, there's a lot of designer label name-dropping, and all the women are incredibly beautiful, even if they don't know it.
But this is one of Bagshawe's most satisfying reads, and she blends the three different strands of the story very well.
Book Description
Felix Castor is a freelance exorcist, and
London is his stamping ground. It may seem like a good ghostbuster can charge what he likes and enjoy a hell of a lifestyle--but there's a risk: Sooner or later he's going to take on a spirit that's too strong for him. While trying to back out of this ill-conceived career, Castor accepts a seemingly simple ghost-hunting case at a museum in the shadowy heart of
London--just to pay the bills, you understand. But what should have been a perfectly straightforward exorcism is rapidly turning into the Who Can Kill Castor First Show, with demons and ghosts all keen to claim the big prize. That's OK: Castor knows how to deal with the dead. It's the living who piss him off...
Customer Reviews:
I love Mike Carey, but...........2007-09-25
I love Mike Carey, but....
The Bad: "The Devil You Know" is weak. There is nothing in this novel that hasn't been done better elsewhere. Carey sets up a interesting premise--the supernatural as a mundane fact of life--and then buries it in a noir procedural that keeps you two steps ahead of the protagonist. The fact is, and I know that this is a cheap shot, but this could have easily been a two issue JC story (funny, I never got that until now--I suppose credit goes to Alan Moore) instead of this bloated thing that only works as it ceases (the final chapter sets up a situation that might actually be interesting).
The Good: Carey has a darkly comic, and deeply empathetic voice. Also, he writes beautiful, witty, dialouge.
Although I was barely compelled to read this novel, I hope that Carey continues the series. One gets the sense that most of this novel is laying groundwork for something supremely creepy and entertaining.
Devil You Know by Mike Carey.......2007-09-19
Mike Carey, a well-known writer for the successful comic book series Lucifer and Hellblazer, makes his debut in the world of novel writing. The Devil You Know includes story and character elements from his comic book writing, but also has its own individual feel about it; Felix Castor is a similar character to John Constantine, but this is also Carey style's and one big reason why people enjoy his work.
Welcome to a somewhat alternate world where it seems to be the present day in cold and gloomy London, except that in this world ghost and zombies exist. Now I'm not saying they're walking around like ordinary people, well, actually, in some cases they do just that. It's a world where those who know about the reality of some of the dead coming back to life pretend it isn't going on. In most cases, the zombies are more dead people who aren't exactly sure why they're still alive, but keep themselves well hidden from being recognized for what they are; while ghosts have a reason for not being able to move on to the next life, are trapped where they are, to relive the suffering they experienced at their deaths.
Enter Felix Castor: a ne'er-do-well, down and out, alcoholic, depressed, impoverished exorcist who is currently taking a break from work after his last exorcism leaving a close friend doomed with a demon trapped inside him. And yet he needs money to pay for things like food and a place to stay, so when an opportunity is offered to him , he takes it and finds himself investigating a ghost sighting at the prestigious Bonnington Archive, where the incorporeal spirit has recently physically attacked one of the archivists.
The Devil You Know takes a few pages to get up and running, but as Castor puts more and more pieces together, the mystery expands and becomes more complex, as more characters and details are added, and the conspiracy begins to grow. Near the end it seems like anyone and everyone could be to blame, and it will be up to Castor -- who is everyone's enemy at the moment -- to solve the case and hopefully free the ghost. The Devil You Know is the first in the series with the recurring character of Felix Castor, much like Jim Butcher's Dresden Files, and with the second book in the series, Vicious Circle, already out in Britain, with third, Dead Men's Boots, due out in September, it's merely a case of time before they get published on the other side of the pond.
For more book reviews, and other writings, go to www.alexctelander.com
More like 4 1/2 stars...........2007-09-16
Ghosts, demons, and loup-garous all exist in the world of Felix Castor. Felix, know as Fix to his friends, is an exorcist. He doesn't fit the traditional mode, nor is he associated with any church or spiritual belief that gives him his ability to exorcise ghosts. Instead, Fix uses the music from a tin whistle. His latest case, involving a ghostly apparition at the Bonnington Archive, will test all that he believes in as there is more than meets the eye to this haunting. Will Fix solve this mystery or has he finally met his match?
Mike Carey has written an engrossing tale that puts a new spin on exorcism. The concept of an exorcism by music conducted by a non-religious individual is certainly an interesting one. London is the perfect setting for such a tale as Mike Carey does a fabulous job at creating an eerie atmosphere in which the landscape only adds to the overall ambiance of the tale.
Fix is an engaging character. His quick wit makes him likeable and one can't help but cheer when he gives someone their comeuppance. However, it is his introspection that really makes him stand apart from the crowd. Fix doesn't pretend to understand where the ghosts go after an exorcism, but his latest case has him questioning what he does. Fix isn't some kind of superhero but rather seems much like any other person but with an extraordinary gift that has inflicted massive changes on his lifestyle. It is easy to relate to Fix, particularly with the glimpses Mike Carey gives about his past.
THE DEVIL YOU KNOW is a deceptively powerful tale. Mike Carey cleverly draws the reader into the heart of the story and doesn't let go until the last page is turned. THE DEVIL YOU KNOW is creepy without being gory as Mike Carey demonstrates that setting a particular mood is an important piece of any storyline. I will be looking forward to reading more from this talented author.
COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES
It will touch your soul........2007-09-11
Maybe I don't give comic books enough credit or Carey is extremely gifted, but this book was like nothing I'd ever read before. He talks about stuff I hadn't read anywhere else and provides a leading character that I felt like I'd known all my life. He writes with such a unique perspective and original plot that the whole time I was sort of blown away. Above all that he didn't try intertwine lots of theology and religion in the plot, he kept it as neutral as possible and added a comical flair to top it off.
Unified Ghost Theory.......2007-08-31
My wife picked this book up for me because it was written by Mike Carey, writer of Lucifer and a long run on Hellblazer (both very good comics). His credentials gave me a pretty good idea of what to expect: supernatural horror, demons and devils, and an anti-hero lead with a variety of interesting and not-yet-full-developed side characters. While this turned out to be pretty much what I expected, it was better in every major category - the premise was intriguing without being fully explained (and would make a nice premise for further books/comics/RPGs), the demons and devils were somewhat motivated while still being alien, the anti-hero was more heroic than I expected, and the side characters came out with a fair bit of development.
My first instinct is to say that this is a John Constantine clone; but after reflection, I think it's a bit closer to the Dresden Files (the books, not the show).
Recommended, but not whole-heartedly. I'll keep reading if more books come out.
Book Description
In the full-throttle, noir-soaked tradition of Dennis Lehane and Michael Connelly, the acclaimed young author of Bad Connection unleashes an ambitious and edgy new thriller pulsating with raw, urban energy.
Decorated NYPD Officer John Coglin always thought his picture on the front page of the newspaper would be one for the scrapbook.
That was before he had the bad luck to be forced into a witness-free, kill-or-be-killed confrontation with a drug-dealing thug. It's of no help to him that the incident took place during the run-up to a bitter mayoral election campaign, and that his adversary was sixteen years old and black.
Now, instead of another commendation, Coglin is staring down the barrel of a media- and politics-stoked murder rap.
But on the eve of his sure conviction arrives a fateful telephone call.
It's not the governor, but his long-lost uncle, Aidan O'Connell.
A veteran of the IRA and a recently released guest of San Quentin Penitentiary for armed-to-the-teeth robbery, Aidan offers his nephew a pardon that has nothing to do with lawyers.
Coglin is about to find out that the type of amnesty Uncle Aidan is proposing is the kind that involves a beautiful but dangerous Mafia widow, a car trunk full of M-16s, and thirty million dollars in jewels smack dab in the middle of Rockefeller Center.
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead is a highly entertaining, deliciously gritty, super-fast thriller that takes us on a cutthroat ride into an urban realm where criminal intent collides head-on with the vagaries of fate and the inscrutabilities of the human heart.
Download Description
"In the full-throttle, noir-soaked tradition of Dennis Lehane and Michael Connelly, the acclaimed young author of Bad Connection unleashes an ambitious and edgy new thriller pulsating with raw, urban energy. Decorated NYPD Officer John Coglin always thought his picture on the front page of the newspaper would be one for the scrapbook. That was before he had the bad luck to be forced into a witness-free, kill-or-be-killed confrontation with a drug-dealing thug. It's of no help to him that the incident took place during the run-up to a bitter mayoral election campaign, and that his adversary was sixteen years old and black. Now, instead of another commendation, Coglin is staring down the barrel of a media- and politics-stoked murder rap. But on the eve of his sure conviction arrives a fateful telephone call. It's not the governor, but his long-lost uncle, Aidan O'Connell. A veteran of the IRA and a recently released guest of San Quentin Penitentiary for armed-to-the-teeth robbery, Aidan offers his nephew a pardon that has nothing to do with lawyers. Coglin is about to find out that the type of amnesty Uncle Aidan is proposing is the kind that involves a beautiful but dangerous Mafia widow, a car trunk full of M-16s, and thirty million dollars in jewels smack dab in the middle of Rockefeller Center. Before the Devil Knows You're Dead is a highly entertaining, deliciously gritty, super-fast thriller that takes us on a cutthroat ride into an urban realm where criminal intent collides head-on with the vagaries of fate and the inscrutabilities of the human heart. "
Customer Reviews:
Fast and easy.......2003-04-07
The author has written a story that grabs you and drags you in before you know it. Just don't think too deeply, enjoy the rush.
dark and gritty urban noir novel.......2003-01-18
John Coglin is a dedicated New York patrol officer who transferred to Street Crimes. His girl is pregnant with his child and any day he is going to give her a ring so they can start their life together.
On his way home from work, he notices a group of teen-age thugs beating up an old man. He intervenes only to have the leader Ream almost kills Coglin. Expecting to die, Coglin shoots the black teen. A fellow officer arrives and places a throwaway gun in the vicinity of Ream. At first it's judged an acceptable homicide, but the media and political forces working behind the scene stir up the public. Coglin goes on trial for second-degree murder, but receives a tip that he's going to be found guilty. He joins his Uncle Aidan, a former IRA assassin and bank robber extraordinare, on a plan to rob a Rockerfeller Center office of millions of dollars worth of diamonds. However, a very special visitor at the office where the gems are located leads to the Feds. Only FBI Agent Collette can, if she chooses, bring salvation to Coglin.
BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD is a dark and gritty urban noir novel. It is unfair that the protagonist goes to trial and what happens during it makes him realize that those who he thought were friends or allies have turned their back on him or actually betrayed him. It's difficult to judge him because few would know what they would do given his choices. Michael Ledwidge plays on the emotions of the readers like a master pianist.
Harriet Klausner
PREPOSTEROUS--EVEN FOR A NOVEL.......2003-01-09
Bluntly said, this novel is preposterous. It is nothing like the other two novels Ledwidge wrote, stories that were tightly woven around a few characters whose decisions and mistakes drastically changed their lives.
"Before the Devil...." relies not on tight plotting, but on major coincidence after major coincidence, all stacked in a row from one chapter to the next. The story is so dependent on coincidences, I can't give examples without giving away the plot to those who want to discover it for themselves.
Sure, this is fiction, but Ledwidge gives us no chance to enjoy a story we can believe might have actually occurred. He can write like the "devil", though. Check out his first two novels in paperback. Think twice before shelling out twenty bucks for this one.
A Great Thriller!.......2003-01-03
BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD is an utterly thrilling thriller that satisfies on every level -- great storytelling, fascinating and complex characters, captivating moral dilemmas. This is the new master of urban suspense at the top of his game.
Customer Reviews:
The Devil You Know.......2005-09-15
Back cover reads:
JUST MARRIED!
VERONICA DALTON AND ADAM SMITH, AFTER A SHORT ENGAGEMENT...
Sparks sizzled from the moment beautiful computer whiz Roni Dalton laid eyes on Adam Smith. But a year after their initial meeting, one torrid night of passion together left them with more than they bargained for: a marriage license!
DID THE DEVIL MAKE HIM DO IT?
Feeling honor-bound to his new bride, the FBI agent agreed to commit himself to his wife, at least temporarily. But Roni couldn't just settle for the marriage of convenience her husband demanded. She had to convince Adam that her love was worth the ultimate gift--his heart.
Books:
- The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists
- The Glass Castle: A Memoir
- The Knowledge of the Holy: The Attributes of God: Their Meaning in the Christian Life
- The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief
- The Marketing of Evil: How Radicals, Elitists, and Pseudo-Experts Sell Us Corruption Disguised As Freedom
- The Opal Deception (Artemis Fowl, Book 4)
- The Peebles Principles: Tales and Tactics from an Entrepreneur's Life of Winning Deals, Succeeding in Business, and Creating a Fortune from Scratch
- The Road (Oprah's Book Club)
- The Road (Oprah's Book Club)
- The Runaway Princess
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Shifting Shadow of Supernatural Power: A Prophetic Manual for Those Wanting to Move in God's Superna
- Getting Pregnant: What You Need To Know Right Now
- Vegetable Brassicas and Related Crucifers
- A Journey into Christian Art
- Color Drawing: Design Drawing Skills and Techniques for Architects, Landscape Architects, and Interi
- Essentials of Managed Health Care with Study Guide, Fourth Edition
- Choosing the Perfect Cat
- American Sublime: Landscape Painting in the United States, 1820-1880
- Vanishing British Columbia
- A Revision of the Genus Mapania
A Deal With the Devil
The Devil to Pay
Beauty Like the Night
No True Gentleman (Sonnet Books)
A Woman of Virtue
