Turning Angel: A Novel

Book Description

Turning Angel marks the long-awaited return of Penn Cage, the lawyer hero of The Quiet Game, and introduces Drew Elliott, the highly respected doctor who saved Penn's life in a hiking accident when they were boys. As two of the most prominent citizens of Natchez, Drew and Penn sit on the school board of their alma mater, St. Stephen's Prep. When the nude body of a young female student is found near the Mississippi River, the entire community is shocked -- but no one more than Penn, who discovers that his best friend was entangled in a passionate relationship with the girl and may be accused of her murder.

On the surface, Kate Townsend seems the most unlikely murder victim imaginable. A star student and athlete, she'd been accepted to Harvard and carried the hope and pride of the town on her shoulders. But like her school and her town, Kate also had a secret life -- one about which her adult lover knew little. When Drew begs Penn to defend him, Penn allows his sense of obligation to override his instinct and agrees. Yet before he can begin, both men are drawn into a dangerous web of blackmail and violence. Drew reacts like anything but an innocent man, and Penn finds himself doubting his friend's motives and searching for a path out of harm's way.

More dangerous yet is Shad Johnson, the black district attorney whose dream is to send a rich white man to death row in Mississippi. At Shad's order, Drew is jailed, the police cease hunting Kate's killer, and Penn realizes that only by finding Kate's murderer himself can he save his friend's life.

With his daughter's babysitter as his guide, Penn penetrates the secret world of St. Stephen's, a place that parents never see, where reality veers so radically from appearance that Penn risks losing his own moral compass. St. Stephen's is a dark mirror of the adult world, one populated by steroid-crazed jocks, girls desperate for attention, jaded teens flirting with nihilism, and hidden among them all -- one true psychopath. It is Penn's journey into the heart of his alma mater that gives Turning Angel its hypnotic power, for on that journey he finds that the intersection of the adult and nearly adult worlds is a dangerous place indeed. By the time Penn arrives at the shattering truth behind Kate Townsend's death, his quiet Southern town will never be the same.

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Customer Reviews:

Another super Iles!.......2007-10-10

I've loved just about everything Greg has written. Turning Angel was another interesting and emotionally charged book by an amazingly talented author. Super characters. I think Greg is one of the best thriller writers today.

This Book Defines "Pageturner".......2007-10-03

First, Turning Angel is a real page turner, but suprisingly to me, it also has a lot of content outside of murder and mayhem. The author makes some really incisive observations about life in the South. So, why four stars rather than five ? I found the protagionist's getting away from one of the bad guys near the end of the book kind of hard to swallow.
Otherwise, great read.

Outstanding, Vivid, Page-turner.......2007-08-06

Iles blends his well-researched sense of place with a complex but highly believable plot. His characters are strong and ring true. His topic may make some uncomfortable but then, if we are not sometimes uncomfortable with what's happening in every-day life these days, we are not understanding what's happening in today's world. This may be fiction, but it provokes thought and perhaps has some worthwhile observations as well.

Usually, I don't care for first person, present tense narration, but I truly loved this book and really didn't want the story to end.

An Excellent Read.......2007-06-03

This is the second book I've read of Mr. Iles. He never disappoints me. Very well written and accurate for the location.

Not Great, but readable.......2007-06-01

This book is mildly interesting. Its slow in certain areas and I haven't found a character that I really care about. I'll continue reading, but only during the ride to work on the Metro.

Having just read "True Evil" , this book is a big big let down...

Angels in Pink: Holly's Story (Angels in Pink)

Average customer rating:

Unforgettable Sadness
good book
book worm reivew
An Unfogetable Story
An Unforgetable Story

Angels in Pink: Holly's Story (Angels in Pink)
Lurlene Mcdaniel
Manufacturer: Laurel Leaf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0440238676
Release Date: 2007-04-10

Book Description

Pink Angels and best friends Holly, Raina, and Kathleen have been through a lot over the past year. The summer before their senior year promises to be busy but fun, as Holly and Raina return to their full-time volunteer jobs at the hospital and Kathleen, who needs the money, works at the hospital gift shop. Of course, Raina and Kathleen will be spending as much time as possible with their boyfriends, Hunter and Carson.

Holly is happy for her friends, but she can't help feeling a little left out when hanging out with the two couples. She does finally have a boy interested in her, but the e-mails from her secret admirer, Shy Boy, have recently stopped coming. What has she done wrong? Will she ever meet her mystery guy in person? But Holly's world is forever changed when tragedy strikes close to home. It's not fair that the most loving and giving person she knows is the victim of a random crime. She, Raina, and Kathleen will need each other now more than ever.

Customer Reviews:

Unforgettable Sadness.......2007-05-03

Holly's book is the greatest of all us girls. Three girls are pink angels and best friends but then some one dies and they all fall apart (me to). Then holly falls in love with Chad but he is sick but he won't go away in till she says scram. I cound't but this book down and I'll have to read the other ones. I'm sure if you grab this death and romance book you will never put it down.

good book.......2007-01-15

Typical Lurlene McDaniel book. Full of hope and drama and heartbreak. If you've read the other two "Angels in Pink" books, read this one because it provides closure for the other two.

book worm reivew .......2006-11-23

this book was one of her best. I have read a lot of her books and this is One of her best (and she has a lot)i wish They weren't as sad, but that is what makes them SOOOOOOOOO GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

An Unfogetable Story.......2006-07-06

The book Angels in Pink "Holly's Story" by Lurene McDaniel has a lot of drama, fun times and a lot about REAL life. THis book shows you that life goes on whatever might happen. It also shows you you that you must never blame God for what happened a death or anything you must always believe in him. This book also shows you that there will be hard times that you will have to go through in life but yet there will be a lot of positive things too. Like in the book Holly had LOst her Brother Hunter but yet she feels like they have been closer tahn ever. I really liked this book a lot it was a book that I can relate to and understnd what my dad is going through.His mom died on April 17th but he took it strong just like Holly's dad did but there are times that i can see that there are times that he jsut want to cry. MS.McDaniel has wrote the book with such descriptive detail. I rate this book 5 stars. I recomend this book to young readers who have experienced death in the family this would show them that there aren't the only one that are experiencing the same situation.

An Unforgetable Story .......2006-07-06

The book Angles in Pink " Holly's Story" by Luclrene McDaniel has lot of drama, fun times with friends, Sturgles with times of your friendship and a lot about REAL life. This book shows you how life goes on whatever might happen. It also shows you that you must never blame God for what happened. A death or anything it may beyou must always believe in him. This book also shows you that there will be a lot of hard times in your life that you will have to go through in life but yet there will be a lot of positive things that would go with them too. Like in the book Holly has lost her brother Hunter but she found Chad a really nice boy and to her it seems like Hunter and her had never been closer than ever. I really liked this book because it was a book that I can relate to. My dad's mom just died on April 17th so I now how he feels through this book. Although my dad acted like Holly's dad he still had times that he wanted to cry. Ms. McDaniel wrote the book with such descriptive detail that in every word you read out of the book you can picture it on your mind. I would give this book five stars. I would also recommend it to young readers who have experienced death in the family before. This will show that you aren't the only one going through these things.

I Was a Killer for the Hells Angels: The Story of Serge Quesnal

Average customer rating:

I Was a Killer for the Hells Angles: The Story of Serger Quesnal
sing loud and cash the check
Money making scheme for author
I was a killer for the Hells Angels: The Story of Serge
Don't waste your time.....

I Was a Killer for the Hells Angels: The Story of Serge Quesnal
Pierre Martineau
Manufacturer: McClelland & Stewart
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0771054920
Release Date: 2003-10-07

Book Description

The shocking confession of a five-time murderer

When I arrived at the restaurant, my boss gave me a wad of $20 bills, which amounted to some $2,000. He was acting as though money was burning a hole in his pockets. But this suited me fine. Melou often acted that way. He didn’t want me to run out of money. A happy killer is a productive killer.…

When he was fifteen years old, Serge Quesnel started hanging out in strip bars and committing minor thefts and burglaries. He soon became known to the police. He learned more about crime when he served time, first in a detention centre, and then later in the infamous Donnacona federal penitentiary. On his release, he was ready to realize his true ambition, to become a confederate of the Hells Angels.

To achieve this ambition, he set out to prove that he could hurt, maim, and kill people efficiently and without a qualm. His first murder victim was a drug dealer who was giving the local Angels chapter trouble. He and a friend beat the dealer to a pulp and then calmly wiped the crime scene clean of fingerprints. The Angels were impressed. He moved to Trois-Rivières and became a full-time enforcer.

Quesnel, having now “sold out” to the authorities and assumed a new identity, tells his story of violence and betrayal in chilling detail to Quebec journalist, Pierre Martineau. The resulting chronicle is a modern crime classic.

Customer Reviews:

I Was a Killer for the Hells Angles: The Story of Serger Quesnal.......2005-09-30

Not such a hot book. I would read other books on the subject.

sing loud and cash the check.......2005-02-23

A rat is a rat......is a rat. I guess this guy and others like him (see Henry Hill and Sammy the Bull) feel if they can make some money getting average citizens to read about their exploits maybe they can justify (to themselves) their betrayal of their friends and brothers. You'd be wise to save your money and not make these kinds any richer...especially one like this who is short on details when it comes to his association with the Angels. In my opinion he only used their name to help sell the book. Don't bother. Read Sonny's instead.

Money making scheme for author.......2004-08-08

Very poor insight into the Red and White which is why I bought the book.Comes across as a wannabe who could'nt cut it when the going got tough.

I was a killer for the Hells Angels: The Story of Serge.......2004-01-17

Not a very good or entertaining book. More of a ramblimg egomaniac's diary. The book did not contain much detail on the events and jumped around way too much. He tries to make himself into a heavy and when it got hot he turned.

Don't waste your time............2003-11-08

I thought this book would give a better insight into the world of the HA, but I came away disappointed. Quesnel's story is interesting and controversial, but I don't think his story reveals enough details.

Average customer rating:

Chilling!
Heart wrenching
This is STILL a heartbreaking story!
I'm sorry for your loss
good book. I think it says it all well.

Little Lost Angel
Michael Quinlan
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0671884689

Amazon.com

It's always unnerving to read about young teenagers killing (in this case) a 12-year-old, but what's striking about this story is how little time it took for the relationships to escalate into violence. Shanda Sharer started at a new school in the fall of 1991, and she was murdered on January 11, 1992. Another feature of interest is the synergism between two personalities involved in the murder: one who had the passion to hate the victim, and the other who had the absence of feeling to be able to kill without remorse. Michael Quinlan has an engaging, suspenseful style and brings out some important issues surrounding increased violence among teenagers. The book is somewhat marred, though, by his limited knowledge of psychiatry, and by his occasional irrelevant remarks about normal teen fascinations (rock music, occult literature).

For another viewpoint on this same crime, see Cruel Sacrifice by Aphrodite Jones.

Customer Reviews:

Chilling!.......2006-04-29

I read Little Lost Angel a few years ago and it is truly the most horrifying story I have ever read. Unfortunately I live just 150 miles away from Madison so I got first hand information on this case.
And Hope Rippey just got out of jail today. This girl (and I put that in very loose terms) poured gasoline over a helpless 12 year old child and sprayed Windex over her wounds. These four abominations don't deserve the same considerations of other humans. And of all things I saw a picture of [...] Toni Lawerence smiling. (Sorry[...]is the kindest word I have for these girls. You don't want to hear the rest.) She lost her right to ever smile or be happy for the rest of her rotten life. If she spends the rest of her life in sack cloth, doing good deeds for the rest of humanity and crying over her part in this vile act she might find atonement. Maybe.
In 1989 my best friends brother died of leukemia at age 15 and ripped his entire family to shreds but as heartbreaking as it was it's at least believable. Shanda Sharer's murder defies all
belief. I know she and David are with God and I can see them running through heaven holding hands. That won't happen to these pieces of filth. May they know no peace for the rest of their miserable lives. I don't want to be any of them on Judgement Day.
Carole Taylor

Heart wrenching.......2005-04-30

I cried during much of this book, I was horrified beyond belief and it made me sick to my stomach to think of what this poor girl went through, my sister was murdered in 2002 and shoved into a trunk, so I know the pain and anger her family feels and will always feel, my heart goes out to her friends and family.

This is STILL a heartbreaking story!.......2005-04-27

This is a really well written book. I was sorry to learn that the author has since passed away from brain cancer. My sympathies to his family & friends!
I was 14 when this horrific brutal murder took place, and living in Kentucky, about 30 miles south of Louisville. I think it is truely SAD that ALL 4 of these girls did NOT get the DEATH PENALTY for what they did to this beautiful little girl! I couldn't then, and still can't imagine doing something like that to another human being! Now that I am 28 and a mother of a little girl, I only pray that the Lord above continues to give Shanda's parents, friends, and loved ones the strength to get through each day! I wish Toni Lawrence had NEVER again seen the light of day! I think these girls should NEVER be released from prison! I don't care if they were young, I was young once too, and I would NEVER think of doing something like this, and YES, even if I found myself in a similar situation, I WOULD have found help for Shanda, myself, & the other girls involved! May each of those girls live with the same pain that Shanda felt EVERY SINGLE DAY FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sorry for your loss.......2004-05-12

I live in Indiana. I read the book when I was probably about 12 or 13 years old. And for me to read that was just horrifying I just recently read it again and cried alot during it. It is so sad to have to read about that. I didn't personally know her but one of my friends did. I live in Clark County and I grew up in New Albany, Clarksville, Jeffersonville, and all the surrounding areas. I was surprised to hear that Toni got out. I hope the rest of them rot in prison. They will never know how much heartache they have caused Shanda's family. The Sharer family- if you read this ever know that I am truly sorry for you loss and may Shanda rest in peace.

good book. I think it says it all well........2004-05-08

The people that did that to Shanda are sorry excuses for human beings. Every last one of them. I don't care that 2 of them didn't actually do anything to her & just sit in the car or whatever. They are just as guilty as the other 2.They should all burn in hell.Someone should take them to a field & do they same to them that they did to her.They will be never know the pain that they caused Shanda & her family. All I can say is you reap what you sow. It will come back to get them.They will pay for this. God does things his own way & thankfully he doesn't forget. Their time will come at judgement day & then Shanda can rest peacefully.

Precious Angels: A True Story of Two Slain Children and a Mother convicted of Murder (Onyx True Crime, Je 853)

Average customer rating:

Well-Written, But Sadly, Ill-Informed
Make up your mind....
I had to read it.
Better than Flesh and Blood but certainly not the truth
Very Interesting

Precious Angels: A True Story of Two Slain Children and a Mother convicted of Murder (Onyx True Crime, Je 853)
Barbara Davis
Manufacturer: Onyx
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0451408535

Customer Reviews:

Well-Written, But Sadly, Ill-Informed.......2007-05-10

Barbara Davis here presents a skillfully-written account of half of the story of a notorious criminal case. Falling, as so many will, into the error of believing that police and court personnel are invariably truthful and complete in their disclosures, she meticulously detailed the prosecution's side of the case, only to discover after doing so that there was far more evidence in existence and far more to the story.

Ms. Davis has long since recanted the basic thesis of this book, that Darlie Routier is guilty of the crimes described therein. Her brave stance on reviewing additional information on the case would come at a price: her home was invaded and her son murdered by Dallas police officers. Ms. Davis found herself the target of phony drug charges (all eventually dismissed)and other legal harassment. She stands by her conclusions, and with Darlie Routier, who continues to seek a fair hearing in court.

This book is well worth reading if only as a fine example of how those who "inform" us can fool even a highly-trained professional through the selective use of facts. Read this....and the next time you watch the news or read the newspaper, perhaps you won't take what you read or hear for granted. If nothing else, remember as you read each word that Barbara Davis admits she was fooled, and perhaps used. You may come away educated, if not informed by the contents.

The definitive story of the Darlie Routier case has yet to be told, but when it is, I will not be at all surprised if Barbara Davis finishes the story which here is only begun.

Make up your mind...........2006-12-14

This author wrote this book after sitting in on the trail of Darlie Routier who was convicted of murdering one of her young sons. She is now on Texas death row awaiting execution for the murder. The book was written with the notion/opinion that she was indeed responsible for the death of her two young sons. The story is one of great tragedy, and downright evil. Upon reviewing photographs this author claimed to have not seen during trail she had a change of heart now siding with Darlie, and proclaiming her to be innocent.Overall the book was well written, seemed to be fairly accurate in the facts of the case.

I had to read it........2004-10-13

I was in the true crime section of my local Waldenbooks when this cover caught my eye. A white sofa with a teddybear and the bloody handprint of a small child. I've been a true crime buff since I read Helter Skelter in the mid-80's, but, being the mother myself of two sons (who are now in their mid-twenties),I found it almost unbelievable that this woman could have butchered her little boys. I read the book and became almost obsessed with the Darlie Lynn Routier case . I Read Patricia Springer's "Flesh and Blood"," Don Davis'
Hush, Little Babies,", and paid an exorbitant amount of money for "Media Tried, Justice Denied", by Chris Brown. I even went to Rowlette, TX when I was in the Dallas area in 2000. I felt I had to see the house, but never found it. I feel , no, I KNOW Darlie Routier is innocent, I can't say I feel the same about her husband Darrin. Well, maybe it was all a plan, a plot they worked out together to get some insurance money, there has been some evidence to prove Darren (however he spells it), was looking for someone to burglarize their home for insurance money.
Maybe Darlie had nothing to do with it, maybe she did. But I will never believe she slaughtered her sons and nearly killed herself, how did she get her arms so bruised, did she beat them against the walls until the ambulance got there? This is quite a mystery, that's what makes it so enthralling, I think an innocent woman is on death row, and she deserves a second trial without all those good ol' boy Texans that put her where she never should have been in the first place. People mourn in different ways, if she wanted to spray silly string on her boys' graves, to me, that proves she might not be the brightest star in the galaxy, but hell, she surely is innocent. A pretty and vain woman like Darlie wouldn't have taken a knife to her own throat, nearly severing her own carotid artery. Go figure. And a bloody sock with the blood of one of the victims was found far enough away from the house, Darlie couldn't have planted it there, called 911, and still played out this scenario. The facts show there was a black car cruising the neighborhood around this time. There is now the undisputable fact that there was found an unidentifiable bloody fingerprint that does not match any of the known participants. Where did this come from? And Barbara Davis, the author of this book did an about face and after viewing all the physical evidence, came to the conclusion, Darlie didn't do it. I'm so sorry for Ms. Davis, that her own son was murdered by Texas cops in their own home later. Could it be connected? I'm sure it is, I think one of Texas' own sons has something to do with this. Linda p.s Whatever happens, God bless Drake, Darlie's only remaining son.

Better than Flesh and Blood but certainly not the truth.......2003-07-09

While Barbra Davis hits closer to the truth than Patricia Springer and has a writing style more mind capturing than that of Don Davis, This is a work of fiction with minor references to some shreads of truth. Ms. Davis herself now denouces the content and claims to back Darlie 100%. My advice to true crime writers is get all the facts before you start putting out literary works that claim to be the true story. I think it is a good thing that all of the profits from this book have been given to the Darlie Routier Defense fund. If one really is interested in the truth of this case the trial transcripts are on line. Too bad all of these sub standard authors got a hold of this one before Ann Rule! Now I bet she would have written the more of the truth and less sensationalizm. Read if you enjoy comparing media "truths" to actual facts.

Very Interesting.......2001-09-06

I must say that either the author has gone nuts or is not so smart after all even though my rate for this book is high.
I say this because she has thrown out the baby with the bathwater-meaning just because she claims that she did not see certain pictures of Darlie's bruises then EVERY EVIDENCE THAT SHE HAS WRITEN IN HER BOOK DOES NOT COUNT??
On page 144 she reveals reports of Darlie's wounds and that of her children. That one of them sustained defensive ones on his heel. Well connect bruising on the heels with Darlie's bruises on her arms tells us the little boy put up a fight to get away from the knife hence the bruises on Darlies arms. Hello?? Deosn't she get it?

Average customer rating:

nt good
Ridiculously emotional and biased diatribe
Author's insane prejudice
A little monotonous - but comprehensive
Poor Writing, Boring Story, Lacks Focus

Hell's Angels: Into the Abyss
Yves Lavigne
Manufacturer: HarperTorch
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0061011045

Book Description

This is the explosive true story of the only man ever to infiltrate the Hells Angels organization as an FBI informant, uncovering the truth about the notorious biker gang's netherworld of evil, lust, and violence.

A chilling crime story that strips away the Hell's Angels's image to reveal a powerful and deadly organized crime syndicate.

The author's acceptance into the highest ranks of the gang led to an unprecedented FBI sting operation and 42 arrests.

Customer Reviews:

nt good.......2007-08-25

i bought this book a few years ago and began reading it as soon as i got home. i got eally bored with it, really fast. i stopped reading it about half-way through, and have not picked it back up since.

this guy became an informant long before he could have done anything for the HA that you would find interesting to read about.

dont buy.

Ridiculously emotional and biased diatribe.......2007-07-09

This, uhh, author has some serious emotional issues. This is an example of how this, umm, author might relate the experience of walking into a convenience store and briefly making eye contact with a scruffy-looking person exiting the store.
"His cold, brown eyes bore into mine, daring me to answer his challenge... I knew my life was in danger, as I watched him swagger through the door, reeking of beer, sweat, and the stench of the violence I knew he was capable of." While the scruffy guy exiting the store is wondering, "Why is this guy staring at me?"
OK- I am a woman, and I've worked with felons, some of whom were OMG (outlaw motorcycle gang) members, and some of them flirted with me and/or threatened me frequently. However, I cannot imagine ever reaching the emotional state that apparently affects this, uh, author and his "writing". Unless he wrote this book in 48 hours, immediately after being released from being held hostage by Hells Angels who hogtied and tortured him over a period of 612 days, there is no excuse for this emotionally wrought, hand-wringing diatribe. Anyone, with any passing knowledge of this subject material will find this endless editorial absurd. Yes, some bikers in OMGs can be very dangerous, break laws, threaten and murder people, ad infinitum. But- anyone who writes a book about this material, attempting to present information about OMG culture, law enforcement investigations, and other pertinant data needs to retain some semblence of objectivity. This author's emotional and biased writing style makes the reader struggle through endless sermons to get to the data. And data that is presented in such an extrordinarily emotionally biased manner, is of questionable value to any intelligent reader.

Author's insane prejudice.......2007-07-02

It's very hard to get a factual or non-biased read from any of this author's books. Even his commentary on TV is awful. I found it very hard to not be disgusted by his diction.

A little monotonous - but comprehensive.......2007-03-15

It's tough to get through this book, not just for its marginal writing, but also because the over-the-top detail seems misplaced. In the middle of what I *think* is a chronological story, why do I need to know that the Rochester chapter president reported at some East Coast Officers Meeting that one of their members had a drug bust and got 30 days?

As I was reading it I was surprised at what I was reading, not because anything there was shocking (I have read just about every book on this subject), but because I was having a hard time understanding the point!

As to Tait being a rat, and that for this reason we should not read this book, normally I would dismiss that as somewhat silly reasoning. But unlike others that have been inside an OMG and written about it, Tait really WAS a rat, in that he was just an egomaniac wannabe that turned on his brothers. At least George Wethern ("A Wayward Angel") was an upright HAMC member before situations created mostly by his MC brothers put him into a corner. Tait has no excuse at all.

Another so-called "rat" (against Mongols) was Billy Queen ("Under and Alone"), but he was in law enforcement. Same with Jay Dobyns ("Angels of Death"). Those guys are playing their game the same way those on the other side play theirs.

As for Tait, I guess I like to curb crime too, but Tait set a few too many people up for my taste. I have a bit of a hard time swallowing Lavigne's hero worship of this character. Bottom line - the book is quite complete, but be prepared for it to leave a bad taste in your mouth.

If you are into this stuff, I do suggest "Under and Alone" (William Queen), "Hells Angels" (Hunter S. Thompson) and "Hells Angel" (Sonny Barger). Those books are educational while still being balanced and fun to read.

Poor Writing, Boring Story, Lacks Focus.......2007-01-07

It's a shame that Lavigne's book lacks continuity and focus. He jumps from one place to another, and from one topic to another without a good transition. There are too many supporting characters in the book and it's difficult for me to keep track. His prejudice shows through the story, and unlike T.J. English, he can't be neutral or impartial.
I say it's a shame because this is a serious subject. The Hell's Angels are a recurring problem for law enforcement in the USA, Canada, and Europe, and there have been many books on biker gangs as organized crime. This is also a book about a top FBI informant, and anyone who read "Black Mass" or "The Westies" knows that informants/snitches are a major source of convictions. Unfortunately the book lacks a central purpose. Was Tait trying to gather information on drugs, guns, explosives, or all three? What did the chapter in Kentucky have to do with the story? Other than one murder, it occupies to much space. The different crimes for which the members were convicted should be broken into some sort of order.
If the events occured exactly as written, I doubt the informant could've kept track of his own activities. I hope he kept his log in alphabetical order.

On another note, I think "Anthony the Informer" messed up his life. His army service wasn't boring by any means, and it could have been his crowning achievement. But he screwed up because he was so tough that he couldn't take orders. He could have been a top lawman like Bernard Kerik, but going AWOL doesn't help a soldier's career.

Average customer rating:

Fantastic!
This is coolier
Courtesy of Teens Read Too
Original idea
Great Ending

The Angel of Death (Forensic Mystery)
Alane Ferguson
Manufacturer: Viking Juvenile
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0670060550
Release Date: 2006-09-21

Book Description

As assistant to her father, the county coroner of Silverton, Colorado, Cameryn Mahoney has seen more gore than the average seventeen-yearold. But even Cameryn is shocked when Kyle O'Neil, the most popular guy in school, discovers the gruesome corpse of their English teacher murdered in his own bed. Kyle is drawn to Cameryn, who wonders if she can trust him with the secret she can't tell her father—that her vanished mother is back in her life. As her relationship with Kyle speeds into romance, Cameryn struggles to unravel her teacher's bizarre death—but is she too preoccupied to identify the killer in time?

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic!.......2007-07-11

This is one of those books that you can't put down, one that you'll stay up reading all night even though you have to get up early in the morning. The pace is fast, and the details are well-written and obviously well researched. I really like the interaction between Cammie and her father. The conversations between them, where they are obviously hiding a few things from each other, are also very realistic and convincing. The only problem with this book is that it leaves on somewhat of a cliff-hanger, and I keep wondering what's going to happen. I can't wait for the next book!

This is coolier.......2007-06-07

I didnt read the first book in the series, but i did understand it very well.
This is a book that must be read. You should buy it so you could read it more than once. Once i read it, all y friends were lining up to read it. They did and liked it very much. I love the books that are detailed and gory, this is my kind of book. It's not the best book in the world, but it is good. It's enjoyable.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too.......2006-12-30

If you are a fan of CSI, then this series is for you! THE ANGEL OF DEATH is the second book in the FORENSIC MYSTERY series by Alane Ferguson (following Christopher Killer: Forensic Mystery 1 (Forensic Mystery)).

Seventeen-year-old Cameryn Mahoney is deeply involved in the investigation into the death of her high school English teacher. She is the assistant to the county coroner, who happens to be her father. They have been called to the home of her teacher to examine what the sheriff describes as the "bizarre condition" of the decedent's body.

The case is treated as a homicide, and Cameryn joins her father in everything from evidence collection to participation in the autopsy. Her future plans are to be a medical examiner, and thanks to past involvement in her father's cases, she is fairly knowledgeable.

Ferguson doesn't limit the plot to the unusual death of the teacher; Cameryn's life has other interesting complications, as well. Her mother left when she was four years old and is about to make a reappearance in their lives. Kyle, one of the most popular boys in Cameryn's school, is suddenly interested in starting a relationship with her. In addition to those problems, Cameryn's best friend, Lyric, is not exactly acting normal.

Readers who like an intriguing mystery, a good dose of "gory" detail, and a bit of romance will definitely enjoy this one.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

Original idea.......2006-12-05

The second book in the forensic mystery series to be the best yet. Ms. Ferguson's ability to think up such a unique murder as well as her attention to detail in the autopsy makes it a must read.

Great Ending.......2006-12-02

I loved the first book and this one is even better. It keeps you guessing right to the end. I'm ready for the next one.

Average customer rating:

Beautiful mix of psychology, dreams and horror
atmosphere is not enough
Well written but depressing
Excellent sequel to "Silk"... beautifully written
a different direction

Murder of Angels
Caitlin R. Kiernan
Manufacturer: Roc Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0451459962
Release Date: 2004-09-07

Book Description

Ten years ago, Niki Ky and Daria Parker saw something unspeakable in an old house in Birmingham, Alabama. Daria has denied it, escaping into a frantic music career and various addictions. But Niki has not had so many distractions. Diagnosed schizophrenic, she's lost years in a haze of therapy and anti-psychotics.

But now, Niki's dead lover, Spyder Baxter, is calling to her from another world-an alien, impossible place where Niki is known as a Hierophant, a feared prophesied sorceress who can open a portal between worlds. And Daria will finally have to face what really happened ten years ago, if she's to help Niki save a world...or destroy it.

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful mix of psychology, dreams and horror.......2007-07-28

There was quite a lapse between my reading of Silk, which I loved and Murder of Angels, but this story did a fairly good job of jogging my memory so it didn't matter, and I would reccomend it. That said, there were a few things nagging at me after I finished this book.

Was Spyder's world a real world at all? Due to the connections of characters that linger between worlds I would say yes, but the last scene with Daria and the little girl (the 'moment' from Spyder's past) and the revelation (drawing) in Spyder's ancient notebook that Daria finds, made me wonder.

I loved the idea that Spyder's own psychological disfunction/delusions?, stemming from the abuse from her father, colored her entry into the dream world and even infected a primal demon/force (the dragon) that exsisted in this dream world, But, due to the revelation of the drawing in Spyder's notebook it seems that this world would not have exsisted without Spyder to begin with or did she somehow have some precognitive knowledge of this world to begin with as a child?

The above is never explained.

I also wished there might have been more on Theda. Emotionally, she was an incredibly realistic character. Her anguished scream at the end at what she had become, at what had actually happened to her, or maybe just that she wasn't able to destroy the world that she hated, was extremely moving to me.

Another wonderful point was that Spyder's belief system regarding the angels wasn't simply pulled out of a hat, but based on an actual mythology that she simply tweaked for her own purposes or perhaps knew the truth of.

Her characters which are on the fringe of society, who *know* things and are in touch with things that the majority is not, very much reminds me of Peter Straub's Shadowland, but her world is much more realistic and sad.

With all that said, I loved the book. Kiernan's characters are usually unseen elswhere in literature and she paints them beautifully. Her dreamworlds with the ghosts and talking birds become real to me when I'm reading her words and in the end that's all that matters.

atmosphere is not enough.......2006-08-07

My first mistake was in deciding to tackle this book even after discovering it was a sequel, yet I did so after having been assured that reading the book's predecessor was not a prerequisite to enjoying the follow-up. The first 100 pages were wonderfully creepy and atmospheric, and I seemed to be piecing together the plot and filling in some of the blanks that came with not having ready "Silk". But the book shifts from horror to a rather lame SF/fantasy and the plot becomes increasingly intricate and confusing, and the characters' allegiances and motivations are all difficult to fathom. My second mistake was reading it to the end after suspecting that my time was being wasted, yet I persevered only to find the ending was hurried and slipshod. By the final page, I really didn't care about the characters and the fact that they all were dead (in this world anyway). The author is undeniably talented but this book just didn't do it for me...

Well written but depressing.......2006-05-23

Perhaps I needed to have read Silk, first. But I found that this book, while containing some excellent wordsmithing, made me unutterably depressed. Enough so that I gave up on the book before I finished it.

The author has an excellent control of setting, character, storytelling... and she communicated the depression and despair of the main characters with skill. But I don't necessarily *want* to be depressed.

I grabbed this book before a plane flight. By the time the peanuts and juice arrived, I had given up on the book, and I dragged out my laptop computer. ("Ah well, I probably should get some work done anyway" is not my response to a great book -- "just a few more pages..." is more common.) And then I bought another book in San Francisco to tide me over on the way home.

I'll make a point of looking for Kiernan's other novels. But this one didn't work for me.

Excellent sequel to "Silk"... beautifully written.......2006-03-05

If you enjoyed "Silk", you won't be disappointed with this work. It meets or exceeds the quality of it's predecessor. As always, Kiernan compellingly meanders through beautiful and creepy realities and experiences telling the tale of Niki, Dar, and Spyder. One has difficulty not taking pleasure from Kiernan's writing. Passages like the following one pepper the work in such a way that you cannot help but underline them: "Ahe she drew another deep breath, a sip of water from the bottle on the floor beside her feet, and started talking, letting the past drain like infection." As with all her work, I highly recommend it.

a different direction.......2006-03-04

knowing miss kiernan's fondness for science fiction, i finally really saw the influence in this book. the red witches and (literal) journeys across created lands threw me off a bit, yet the story was every bit as dark, as liberating, and as heartbreaking as i've come to expect.

my favorite novels thus far are threshold and low red moon, yet i've always wondered what happened to the survivors from birmingham. niki and daria's relationship, i feel, reflects the relationship between spyder and niki herself, only this time she's not the one helplessly watching someone unraveling. daria is thrust into the role of caretaker and lover, which is (seems to me) formed more out of convenience and a sense of responsibility, not out of romantic, head-over-heels love.

i really did like this book, as the author does a fantastic job of creating these barren landscapes. the characters are likable, although i thought niki was so much stronger after crossing the dog's bridge (before, i almost wanted to shake her by the shoulders and tell her to snap out of it)...some of the characters, such as esme chattox or theda, i would have liked to see more of, and i don't know if they'll ever show up again. and i'll probably understand it much more when i read it a second time, but i almost had a difficult time identifying the purpose and the antigonist...but as i said, these things are much easier the second time around, when you're not reeling from the shock of an event.

one thing that i can always count on when reading a caitlin r. kiernan book is that by the time i turn the last page, i've cried (and in some cases, bawled) at least once. these resolutions do not come with happy endings.

The Angel and the Jabberwocky Murders: An Augusta Goodnight Mystery (with Heavenly Recipes) (Augusta Goodnight Mysteries)

Average customer rating:

Perfect Antidote to a Bad Day!
whimsocal fun cozy
Good - Not her best!

The Angel and the Jabberwocky Murders: An Augusta Goodnight Mystery (with Heavenly Recipes) (Augusta Goodnight Mysteries)
Mignon F. Ballard
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Minotaur
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0312354193
Release Date: 2006-11-28

Book Description

Augusta Goodnight, heavenly sleuth and guardian angel, is a welcome boarder with longtime resident Lucy Nan Pilgrim in the seemingly tranquil town of Stone’s Throw, South Carolina. And Augusta’s divine intervention is needed now more than ever. The local college is the kind of safe place where students don’t even lock their doors. At least it used to be, until girls started mysteriously disappearing.

When the body of another student, D. C. Hunter, is found in a shed by the lake, Lucy and Augusta must race to figure out if her murder is connected to the deaths of two other girls. Should Augusta focus on the English professor who was having an affair with D.C.? Or on the seemingly cheerful caretaker who happened to discover two of the bodies? And what is the meaning of the “Jabberwocky” clues that keep turning up around campus?

It will take some heavenly help---and a little home cooking---to restore the peace of the town.

Customer Reviews:

Perfect Antidote to a Bad Day!.......2007-02-09

Mignon Ballard is one of my very favorite mystery writers, and I'm biased with good reason! A great admirer of the series, I snatched up THE ANGEL AND THE JABBERWOCKY MURDERS still warm to the touch from the printing press, and squirreled it away for a couple of weeks. (Sort of like hiding chocolate for when you really NEED it!) Sure enough, along came a really, really rotten day, so . . . curled up under a comforter, hot chocolate alongside, I opened Ms. Ballard's latest, and Augusta and Co. once again wove their magic! The writing is, as usual, direct but lyrical, the characters charming but realistic (OK, there IS that supernatural deal), the plot perfectly plausible. (Who am I to say itinerant guardian angels don't exist?) Like the earlier five books in the Augusta series, it's an intelligent, fun read that leaves you feeling hugged by an angel. The only problem with THE ANGEL AND THE JABBERWOCKY MURDERS is that it ends! Back to the computer, Ms. Ballard!

whimsocal fun cozy.......2006-12-16

In the small South Carolina town of Stone's Throw where the university is located, Guardian Angel Augusta Goodnight, who once worked the Strawberry Fields in Heaven, has lived with Lucy Nan Pilgrim for over a year. The quiet hamlet knows sudden fear when a student D. C .Hunter disappears. At first nobody is worried thinking she just extended her vacation but Lucy and her colleague Joy Ellen hear the screams of two of the students coming from an old shed; inside is the body of D.C. Hunter.

In her dorm room is a Jabberwocky verse from Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass. The letter was never mailed but put inside her mailbox. Four years ago almost to the month another girl was found in the lake, knocked unconscious by a blow to her head. She had received a Jabberwocky verse. Five years before that Carla Martinez fell from the Tree House. The authorities say it was an accident but Lucy Nan and Augusta think all three murders are linked and the campus handyman wants to talk to her. Before he gets a chance, Lucy Ann finds him hanging from the Tree House, a murder made to look like a suicide. Lucy wants to find the killer but the answers are found three decades in the past and she must be careful in the present because the culprit kills anyone who gets too close to uncovering the truth.

An Augusta Goodnight mystery is always a special treat. She adds a touch of whimsy to Mignon F. Ballard's cozies and in THE ANGEL AND THE JABBERWOCKY MURDERS a little is needed because the town is caught in the fear that the killer will strike again. Ms. Ballard proves that a book doesn't need violence to be a good who-done-it. In fact, it is the lack of explicit violent scenes that adds to the overwhelming fear that the readers feel for the characters who are old familiar and dear friends.

Harriet Klausner

Good - Not her best!.......2006-12-03

I live in South Carolina and like to read stories regarding the area from writers who live here. I've been reading Mignon Ballard for years and like the concept of her Augusta Goodnight mysteries. There are six books in this series. The first three heavily involve the angel (Augusta) and are so enjoyable. Her last three don't rely on the angel as much and I have been disappointed. I wouldn't discourage anyone from reading this series because her writing is easy and fun but I think you will agree that Augusta Goodnight IS the story and you miss her in the last of the books.

Night of the Devil: The Untold Story of Thomas Trantino and the Angel Lounge Killings

Average customer rating:

A Balanced Perspective
You won't put it down!
The Ultimate Crime
The Night of The Devil by David Stout

Night of the Devil: The Untold Story of Thomas Trantino and the Angel Lounge Killings
David Stout
Manufacturer: Camino Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Criminals | Specific Groups | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Criminology | Crime & Criminals | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

On a summer night in 1963, in the town of Lodi, New Jersey, two policemen were shot to death in the Angel Lounge, a local bar, by two bar patrons. One of the killers was shot by police in New York City two days later; the other, Thomas Trantino, turned himself in and was imprisoned. He remained incarcerated for almost 40 years--the longest-serving prisoner in the New Jersey penal system--until his release early in 2002.

The murder of the policemen in the Angel Lounge remains one of the most notorious crimes in New Jersey history, yet there has never been an in-depth examination of the case--until now. New York Times reporter David Stout takes readers inside the crime: from the close-knit community that was shattered by the killings--and will never forget them--to the courtroom where Thomas Trantino presented evidence that would keep him locked up for decades. Stout introduces us to the victims and to their families, who were determined that Trantino should never go free. And he allows us to hear Trantino explain why he felt he deserved to be paroled, despite the enormity of his crime.

As they trace Trantino's tortuous path from death row to freedom, readers will be forced to confront their own attitudes about crime, punishment, and America's criminal justice system.

Customer Reviews:

A Balanced Perspective.......2007-07-22

This book is a must for anyone who is interested in the controversial case of Thomas Trantino. Trantino was convicted, in February 1964, of the brutal, senseless killings of two, Lodi, New Jersey, police officers the previous summer. Initially condemned to death by electrocution, Trantino's sentence was eventually commuted to life imprisonment, and he bears the dubious distinction of having served more time behind bars than any other prisoner in the Garden State. The author obviously did his homework, read the trial transcripts, and interviewed many close to the case, including relatives of the slain officers. This story is presented in an objective, unbiased way, and Mr. Stout even puts to rest the horrifying (and, thankfully, false) allegations that the officers had been forced to commit sex acts before they were shot. There were at least two minor inaccuracies I picked up on - Trantino's associate, Frank Falco, was a product of Manhattan's Lower East Side, not Brooklyn, and he had two sons by different women, not a daughter - but, for the most part, I found "Night of the Devil" a compelling read which is definitely on the money.

You won't put it down!.......2003-06-08

This book is riveting. Once I started reading it, it was impossible to stop. Mr. Trout really brings the reader into the story. Even though the events happened over 30 years ago, you feel as if you are there. David Stout is a real journalist. He brings the story to life, he is fair and balanced in his reporting. I highly recommend this book if you have any interest in crime, punishment and what's right/wrong with "justice" in America.
My heart goes out to the families of the victims.

The Ultimate Crime.......2003-05-19

Most of us have views about the efficacy of societal imposition of the death penalty for ultimate crimes such as murder or high treason. David Stout's Night of the Devil will will take you on the forty-year journey of a convicted murderer of two police officers, from the crime through the laborings of the state and federal judicial sytems, as they lurch through the particulars of this case and through the general evolution of our society's unsetteled position over the imposition of the ultimate sanction.

Written by a veteran reporter and author of several mystery novels, this story is thoroughly researched, dispassionate, and riveting. The author is from the old school: present the facts so that the reader can gain insight and form their own opinions. Mr. Stout writes in a clear, highly-paced, engaging manner. Few readers are likely to put this book down for long.

The Night of The Devil by David Stout.......2003-03-23

I am the sister of Gary Tedesco, the policeman that was murdered and so for me reading this story was very difficult. With that being said, I believe David Stout wrote this story with a great deal of compassion for all the family members and friends that will be forever changed as a result of this horrific crime. If you want to read a true account of the story that has been in the news for 39 years then I would suggest reading this book. David really did his homework.Everyone who believes hard criminals should be released into society again, should read the results of what allowing these two murderes into society time after time did to two innocent lives and the families and friends their lives touched. The two men who murdered them should never have been out of prison in the first place but one is now walking the streets with us again. The policeman got the death sentence and the families got the life sentence.

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