Customer Reviews:
Fun birthday organizer! .......2005-04-12
My friend bought me this cute birthday book. For those of us who can't remember a date to save ourselves, this is a godsend! I like the size of it and the pictures and quotes are too funny! You won't go wrong with this purchase. Anne Taintor is hilarious!
Book Description
In 1100, an English knight named was entrusted with a precious religious relic—a piece of the True Cross, allegedly stained with the blood of Christ. The relic is said to curse anyone who touches with a gruesome end as soon as it leaves their possession. Several decades pass, and the Cross turns up in the possession of a dealer who is robbed and murdered en route to Glastonbury. Investigating the death, Bernard Knight’s protagonist, Crowner John, learns of the relic’s dark history. In 1269, the discovery of a decapitated monk leads Ian Morson’s academic sleuth William Falconer to uncover a link to the relic, and in 1323, Michael Jecks’ Sir Baldwin Furnshill has reason to suspect the relic’s involvement in at least five violent deaths. Finally, the relic is dispatched to London, where it falls into the hands of an unscrupulous book dealer—and where Philip Gooden’s Nick Revill will determine its ultimate fate.
Customer Reviews:
An Rough Read.......2007-08-09
This book is very uneven and at times almost painful to read. I would have appreciated the author's names being listed with each short story. If I am understanding the layout correctly, it would appear that Susanna Gregory is the author of Act Four - the story that I found most tedious. This is surprising since I generally like what she writes under her Simon Beauford pseudonym. I would not recommend to other than the most dedicated mystery medieval history fans.
Unique Work.......2007-03-20
This is the first work in historical murder mystery I have ever seen with multiple authors writing on the same theme. While not all the authors meet the level of Jecks or Knight, the work as a whole still deserves 5 stars. You may not like parts of this "meal" but you won't leave hungry for a treat in murder mystery. It starts in one time period and ends ... well buy it and read it. They don't pay me, I purchase their works when not reading academic works, etc. I am also disabled veteran who needs a break from the other materials mentioned. It was my good fortune to find Jecks and Knight and now these other friends of theirs. There are too many writing "murder mystery" and getting away with their writing and folks like these not getting the credit due them.
Good Idea, but............2006-01-29
This was a good idea, to have several writers get together and work on a common theme. It has been done before and most of the ideas came off quite well. This particular book did not quite make the grade.
The basic story is a good one. A piece of the true cross with a curse attached to it as it from hand-to-hand during different periods. A short story from each of the authors covers each period. Unfortunately, some of the authors were not that good and the story as a whole suffered because of that.
The Medieval Murderers .......2005-06-26
'The Tainted Relic' is collaboration between the 'Medieval Murderers' collective of murder mystery writers (namely Simon Beaufort, Michael Jecks, Susanna Gregory, Bernard Knight, Ian Morson, Philip Gooden). The relic in question is (allegedly) a piece of the true cross taken from Jerusalem after the Second Crusade took the city in July 1100. The Crusaders' victory is marked by indiscriminate slaughter of Jews and Moslems living in the city, and the Arab guardian of this relic curses it after finding that the Crusaders have butchered his family and are about to cut him down. The relic brings death to those who possess it, and travels through the medieval timeline in England, encountering the different characters and eras which have been used by the Medieval Murderers in their respective novels. What makes this novel particularly interesting -apart from the joint author aspect- is that you can read it as a sequence of murder mysteries, or you can read it as a horror novel. Or perhaps on a more esoteric level,as a comment on the nature of Medieval Christendom, forever corrupted by the brutality of July 1100.
Average customer rating:
- A great writer
- a different kind of fantasy
- Spencer
- I wish this was more widely available
- Tainted Trail
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Tainted Trail (Ukiah Oregon Novels)
Wen Spencer
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ASIN: 0451458877
Release Date: 2002-06-04 |
Book Description
Half-man, half-alien Ukiah Oregon is tracking a missing woman when he discovers he may actually be the long-lost "Magic Boy"-who vanished back in 1933.
"Murder, aliens, and a feral child turned detective...thoroughly entertaining SF mystery." (Locus)
Download Description
Half-man, half-alien Ukiah Oregon is tracking a missing woman when he discovers he may actually be the long-lost "Magic Boy"-who vanished back in 1933.
Customer Reviews:
A great writer.......2007-01-16
A bit out there, I enjoy fantasy more then SF and the basis of this series is a bit difficult for me to believe, but the writer is so good, that I have read the entire series and found I could not put any of these books down... A Great Read..!
a different kind of fantasy.......2006-03-24
Tainted Trail is the second Ukiah Oregon story after Alien Taste. It picks up not to long after the first one. I like the charactors in the book and the way they relate to each other. During the course of the book Ukiah learns more about his heritage and who he is. In order to enjoy this series you have to be able to suspend your disbelief. Not the best fantasy I have read, but I did like it.
Spencer.......2006-02-28
I enjoyed finally being able to finish all the offerings in this series! Wen Spencer is one of my new favorite authors and I eagerly await her latest offering.
I wish this was more widely available.......2005-09-08
This is a vital story in the Ukiah Oregon series. I completely agree with the advertisements that say you cannot put down a Wen Spencer novel. Without the information in this book on Ukiah's history the series would be a lot duller.
Tainted Trail.......2005-02-10
Ukiah, Max, and Kraynak leave to rescue Alicia; Kraynak's niece and Max and Ukiah's friend. Alicia was camping in the forest when she turned up missing. Thanks to Ukiah's awesome tracking abilities--he may be the only one to find her. After two days on the trail and after Ukiah being shot in the process, they determine she was kidnapped and turn to detecting mode to find her. Several days past with the team searching for clues as to what people Alicia encountered in the local town. Ukiah is dismayed to learn that Alicia had a secret crush on him and accidently actually uncovers Ukiah's past after seeing a picture of him in a local museum. Now the team has to race against the clock to save Alicia, as well as Ukiah's real family.
I like this book, it keeps me interested and reading. I don't like the science part of it, though, it was a bit far fetched for them to just so happen to find the turtle, the ship, and have the power necessary to run an alien gadget. Oh well. I still want to read the next one.
Book Description
An insightful look at how Kmart's management destroyed the company
Kmart's Ten Deadly Sins spins an intriguing tale of the missteps of a retail giant who once had the industry in the palm of its hand and foolishly let it all slip away. This engaging book weaves corporate history in with financial analysis and commentary that leaves the reader with a better sense of where Kmart has been and what its potential is for a turnaround. This first in-depth examination of Kmart clearly identifies and discusses the ten missteps and miscalculations Kmart's CEOs have repeatedly made, including resisting investments in technology, brand mismanagement, and haphazard expansion, to name a few. Author Marcia Layton Turner taps many of her vast contacts within the retail business community to get the inside scoop on what really brought this once mighty retail giant to its knees. Kmart's Ten Deadly Sins is written for readers who find themselves wondering how a company with such bright prospects could end up filing for bankruptcy.
Marcia Layton Turner (Rochester, NY) is the bestselling author of The Unofficial Guide to Starting a Small Business and The Complete Idiot's Guide to Starting Your Own Business. With an MBA in corporate strategy and marketing from the University of Michigan, she spent several years with Eastman Kodak in marketing and marketing communications. She is currently a freelance writer/author and ghostwriter for college-level business textbooks. Turner has also written for several top magazines and Web sites.
Customer Reviews:
An excellent read!.......2007-06-10
If you're into retail marketing in any capacity, you owe it to yourself to read this book. At least twice. It's that good.
(Marcia, if you read any of your reviews, I want to know you wrote a fantastic, easy to read book. One of my favorites. Thank you!)
A well organized, reasonably researched and highly repetet.......2004-12-24
The Good: It has an almost crystalline structure to it. You could easily flip through it like a "what went wrong" reference manual for K-Mart, or any retail operation looking to see how it's making certain mistakes. Mostly large firms, yet a few small retail ones as well can cull some great common sense lessons by flipping through the book for chapters and headings they think will apply to them.
The Bad: The book, like most MBA-level powerpoint presentations these days, seems to focus far too heavily on WalMart vs. K-Mart, throwing in Target and (later in the book) Kohls more as excuses rather than well developed ideas. The concepts and key points are heavily repeated throughout, and towards the end of the book, there isn't much of anything new presented. The conclusions are self-evident after a while.
The Ugly: It's a good book to skip around and read in. It becomes unbearable to read it cover-to-cover. Has some great episodes for brief instruction purposes, but it's not a great "book".
All lights were clearly out at this company's corporate HQ.......2004-10-14
Kmart debuted around the same time as other American discount retailers, but while they constantly adapted to changing times and styles to keep their relevancy, Kmart luxuriated in a 1970's/early 1980's holding pattern regarding customer shopping and store decoration.
Insisting that discount shopping meant 'cheap' (despite the numerous negative connotations within American culture) Kmart itself turned American shoppers off from spending their money in these stores. Disaffected shoppers then began turning to the other discount stores.
Things became so bad that 'store brands' (usually a godsend for thrifty shoppers) were pulled only because of name stigmatization. It is a bad omen when a store is ashamed of it's own brands.
Kmart actually was unable to figure out why it's clientele base shrunk while Wal-mart and Target respectively grew into the powerhouses of today. By the 21st century, the only people really in love with Kmart's business decisonmaking were the executives who apparently got paid no matter what bad decision they fastened the company to.
After reading this scathing-but fair indictment for myself, I also am amazed nobody from the inside was concered about the shortcomings. The early 1990's 'Big K' concept failed because the company merely put a new sign on the same dinky and dingy stores of yesterday. Constructing more new stores AND a new training program would have made the critical world of difference.
In a Kmart as late as 2003, I was openly taken aback by the dirty floor and cluttered layout. I had honestly chalked that one 'current' experience up to the 'back to school' rush, but if most of the stores in a company are in this condition---there are very big management problems. No amount of downsizing or 'new' brand introduction can bail out a company with such obvious disgust for customers.
Let me repeat that.......2004-05-23
The author has researched well, using many footnotes to indicate her sources. However, the book reads like a high school student's report of individual articles (too, the grammar and tone are often colloquially conversational) and there is little central organization to the book. The author frequently beats the same dead horse with so many different articles to support her view that you'll find yourself wondering if she a little defensive in making some of her points.
Her style of continually referring back and forth between Wal*Mart and Kmart left me feeling as though I were holding a finger in two different books and flipping back and forth. Comparisons of this sort are valuable, but the constant shifting of gears is distracting.
The book lacks the perspective from the inside. Isn't that what gets to the heart of the problem?
For readers with financial savvy, it would have been nice to see some financial and non-financial statistical tables and/or charts. Specifically, what was the impact on the financials during this time? The number of transactions? The average sale amount per transaction? A picture is worth a thousand words.
If you buy this book, read the first few pages of each chapter and you will have the main ideas. This book could have been half as long.
Very Interesting Analysis.......2004-01-08
I read this book with interest from both the perspective of a consumer and a business person. As a consumer, I stopped shopping at KMart a long time ago. This book gave me the understanding of how the customer service at KMart ended up being such a low priority to a retailer when it should have been the highest priority. As a business person, it was fascinating to read about one more example of how egos in Corporate America can cause the downfall of an established institution. A recommended read...
Book Description
Delving into a murdered man’s life, Detective Erlendur discovers that forty years ago he was accused of an appalling crime. Did his past come back to haunt him? Erlendur uses all the forensic sources available including Iceland’s Genetic Research Centre in order to find the answers.
Customer Reviews:
Fair Warning re Title change.......2005-11-04
Much as I enjoyed this book, I would like to give fair warning that it was published as "Jar City" before being retitled for this paperback edition. I wish publishing houses wouldn't do this as it is very misleading.
The death of a monster.......2005-07-31
Inspecteur Erlendur has to solve the murder of an elderly man, Holberg, who is found with a crushed skull in his own appartment. During the investigation Erlendur finds out that Holberg was a real monster whose past has now caught up with him. Erlendur's quest in the pouring Iceland autumn rain takes him via rapes, heartless policemen, bastard children and murder in the past to a solution that has everything to do with modern times. And in the meantime he has to cope with pain in his breast and a daughter that is on drugs.
A book from Iceland in the best tradition of the Scandinavian thrillers: a slightly chagrined police inspector and a lot of attention for the backgrounds of the crimes and victims. A skillful mixture of thriller and literature. Wonderful to read.
Book Description
Have human rights as we once understood them become obsolete since 9-11? Aren’t new methods needed to combat the apocalyptic violence of al-Qaeda? Shouldn’t we sacrifice some rights to make us all safer? And if we can kill a combatant in battle, why shouldn’t we torture them if it will save lives? William Schulz, Executive Director of Amnesty International USA, examines these and other fundamental questions through the prism of our new consciousness about terrorism in this provocative new book. It questions America’s own ambivalent record—its tainted legacy—and addresses recent human rights violations: the imprisonment without charge of non-citizens and the violation of the Geneva Convention at Guantanamo Bay. Schulz writes, “One of Osama bin Laden’s goals is to destroy the solidarity of the international community and undermine the norms and standards that have sustained that community since the end of World War II. The great irony of the post-9/11 world is that, when it comes to human rights, the United States has been doing his work for him.”
Customer Reviews:
Full of holes and contradictions.......2004-04-09
Tainted Legacy is an unmemorable book with many glaring problems. He makes absurd, unsubstantiated statements like, "Puritan society contained at its heart contradictions that were to roil American history in one form or another for 350 years." Also, "Contrary to ill-informed right-wing opinion in the United States, the vast majority of Muslims did not applaud when the planes hit their targets on 9/11." I'm sorry, but I know no right-winger who thinks that way. He also refers to the "discriminatory practices against Muslims in the United States..." but must have forgotten to back his statement up with facts. He also gives a straw man argument of natural rights, and then concludes rights are pragmatic. Overall, this was a badly written book that left no impression in my mind.
Pretty Good Read If You're Looking Into a Liberal Legacy.......2004-03-01
I felt Schulz's book lacked something. He cited examples, gave numerous justifications, etc., but I don't see the other sides argument presented enough/fairly. In order to offer an argument, the so-called 'unbiased reader' should be given both sides, finding concrete flaws in the opposing sides argument. I many times found myself unengaged in his reasoning. Example: the introductory "I don't ever want to speak English again," as the reader I don't see the other sides position, nor do I see him justifying why he agreed with his P.O.V.-- I was simply expected to know why he held to the values that he did hold to. I also didn't appreciate the liberal bias. I understand that Schulz is against the violations of human rights, which I don't advocate in any way, shape, or form, on the other hand, he criticized the way the U.S. conducts their foreign policy, in particular, the present Republican Administration. In not offering the other side's argument, he leaves a loop hole for domestic security, and the possibility for that being violated via his liberal agenda.
To balance out the book as a whole, though, I felt that the rest of the book was informative. There were many in-depth critiques to situations that, given his argument (the only presented argument), justified them as lacking human rights, i.e. "What Makes Rights 'Right'".
All in all, I thought the book was an entertaining read. I may have not agreed with all of Schulz's positions, but I do feel more informed, and understanding. 'Tainted Legacy' got me thinking, and has caused many debates, and great discussions. I'd recommend this book on the simple fact that it is stimulating, and also motivating. Although I wish the book wasn't so liberal-biased, the essense of it is pure: Human Rights are important, and should not be violated, which I found to be clearly shown throughout the book.
A Must Read!!!!.......2004-02-10
Bill Schultz continues to shine on the forefront of the human rights movement. Schultz's "Tainted Legacy" uses a human rights framework as a means to critique post 9/11 U.S. policy. This book is a quick read, but contains complex issues and topics. Schultz is an excellent thinker who uses this book to show the importance of respecting human rights in a time of uncertainty. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who questions the importance of human rights and also to those who already struggle to protect human rights both at home and abroad.
Excellent . . . but hard to review.......2004-01-29
On the surface, "Tainted Legacy" is an excellent book; it presents valid criticism of the human rights movement and the policies of the US government, without descending into the kind of hysterics normally found in contemporary political writing.
Yet it is flawed, perhaps fatally so--regretably, to be sure, but flawed none the less.
The fact is that the people this book hopes to convince will not read it, and the people who do read it will nod their heads in agreement throughout the sections they already agreed with and self-consciously skim over those parts that hit too close to home. Many in the human rights community (of which I am involved as a student activist) fit the mold that Schulz criticizes in "Tainted Legacy"--so caught up in their own moral purity that they forget the higher goal of helping people.
We see this right now in the opposition movement to the Iraq War. I opposed the US invasion on the grounds that it was not sanctioned by the UN and that the US government lied to persuade the American people to support it. Yet many of those who I agreed with last year have now abandoned all reason and demand that coalition troops be withdrawn from Iraq--this is, to be frank, stupid, considering the political and economic situation in the country. They have let their purity get in the way of common sense.
If such people read and absorb "Tainted Legacy" in vast numbers, Schulz might get his hoped-for change in the popular view of human rights. This I doubt; it is far too easy to ignore ideas, however valid, that clash with out preconceived notions of truth, and "Tainted Legacy" will hit that barrier. While I wish this were not the case, as I agree with Schulz wholeheartedly, I find it hard to believe that either those in power or the people who put them there will read and assimilate this work; it's audience will be made up of people--like myself--who already agree with him and are willing to accept a challenge to our views. Those he needs to reach will not read the book. It's a tragedy, as they need to if the human rights movement is to retain its effectiveness, but "Tainted Legacy" will die an undeserved death, remaining only in libraries and in the personal collections of individuals, like myself, who care enough about the state of this world to base our actions and views on reason and not principle.
Insightful and Challenging.......2004-01-14
Looking beyond the moral rhetoric of the Bush administration and its war against terrorism, Tainted Legacy examines how human rights have become expendable in the interests of national security and how this in turn has tainted the credibility and legitimacy of the international human rights regime. William Schulz challenges the contradictions of past and present US foreign policy by tracing different times when the US has betrayed its most fundamental values for short term interests and how this has provoked more anti-American sediment and distrust for US policies throughout the world. At the same time, he condemns the US government's disregard for human rights here at home, by looking at the secret detention and abuse that over a thousand Muslim immigrants endured in the days that followed 9/11. It is through these examples, that Schulz challenges the US to make its war on terrorism coincide with policies that are consistent with human rights, so that the US does not end up fueling more hatred into a new generation of terrorists and taint human rights further. In conclusion, Tainted Legacy gives a provocative look at the importance of human rights in eliminating terror and oppression throughout the world and is highly recommended for anyone interested in exploring alternative ways to build a more peaceful world.
Customer Reviews:
Slimy Rats and Strategic Tooth Loss.......2006-08-20
My chief reactions after finishing Tainted Blood were "Woooooo!" and "What happens next?" which are pretty much some of the best things I can say about a book. If what happens next (and there better be a "next") is anything like what has just happened, there will definitely be lots of gore, witty banter, and some of the most disgusting bad guys I've ever encountered.
Witty banter notwithstanding, Long novels are all about the action. If I hadn't just seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't believe so many death-or-glory fight scenes, sudden plot twists, and rapid allegiance shifts could occur in just 253 trade paperback pages. More happens in Tainted Blood than in George R.R. Martin's last four novels combined.
It's like a good high-body-count Schwartzenegger movie -- except that our man Reiner doesn't become immune to arrows and sword thrusts when he loses his shirt. Not to mention the rest of his trusty crew, who litter the (many) battle grounds behind them with plenty of fingers, pieces of ears, and teeth. Except for girl archer Franka, of course. Long knows his audience. Gaming guys don't go for girls with gaps in their grins. Or ugly scars on their decolletage, for that matter.
Do Franka and Reiner finally connect? I'm not saying. In fact, I'm still not sure. I really want to know what happens next.
Book Description
Prince CharmingMargie Danielsen, a divorcee and mother of three, had fantasies of finding the perfect man. Then one night, in a smoky country and western club, she found him. Sean Paul Lanier was charming, handsome, and kind-everything Margie had dreamed of.A romance-with reservationsSoon after, their whirlwind romance took flight. Sean showered Margie with flowers, jewelry, expensive gifts, and his intense-sometimes scary-devotion. And just months after their courtship began, she agreed to marry man.A nightmare marriageBut the honeymoon was soon over. One day Margie turned the TV on to America's Most Wanted and saw the face of her husband, whose real name was Paul Mack-a fugitive with a lengthy arrest record who was now wanted....for rape and murder.America's Most WantedIn Tainted Roses, Margie Danielsen tells her harrowing story in riveting, detail-from her courtship with Mack to her shocking discovery; from her brave trip to the police station to turn in her husband, to its terrifying aftermath....
Customer Reviews:
very interesting story, not very well written.......2006-04-05
I agree with almost every other reviewer in that I found this third-person account really distracting and annoying. I think I could have tolerated the terrible and ignorant writing if the author had just used the first person. But the story itself is amazing. The author, Margie Danielsen, actually saw her abusive husband, who had married her using a false identity, profiled on "America's Most Wanted"! Inexplicably, she went on to hire a private investigator and endanger herself and her children, when she could have simply contacted the number on the screen and told law enforcement about her suspicions. She should have saved the money she spent on the PI to hire a better ghost writer or editor. Margie probably seemed like the perfect victim to Paul Mack. She kept ignoring her common sense over and over, forgiving him even as his behavior became more strange and threatening. What I found truly fascinating about this book is that it gives us a look inside the mind of the all-too-willing victim of a pathological narcissist and con man. This woman was looking for her prince charming. As is the case with so many of us looking for a relationship too good to be true, she found instead a user and criminal who had no problem telling her just what she wanted to hear. In the course of a very brief marriage, Paul Mack lied constantly, had Margie sign over all of her assets to him, and even had his friends kidnap her children. Pathological narcissists are amazingly good at recruiting friends and even law enforcement and court officials in their campaigns of harassment and manipulation against their victims. Particularly telling is the part where, after being imprisoned for murder, Mack continued to attempt to prey on Margie and his vulnerable teenage daughter, who wanted to believe her father was a victim of the system. Mack alternated attempts to use charm and menace against Margie right up to the end of the book, from inside the walls of prison.
Excellent Page Turning Story! I Recommend Highly!.......2006-03-01
Boy!!
I dont know how this women done it!! This con artist killer wormed his way into this womens heart and home and still remained evasive even when caught in plain out lies! can you ever imagine seeing the man you married on the tv right in front of you? I would have RAN AS FAST AS MY LEGS COULD CARRY ME FRIENDS!this is a tragic story with a great outcome for a change but its still a must read for ALL THE SINGLE WOMEN POSTING PERSONALS ON WEBSITES ON THE INTERNET! YOU could end up with someone like this ! luckily my daughter works as a nurse at the local dept of corrections and now says before she dates anyone seriously she's GONNA DO A BACKGROUND CHECK ON THEM!! this is a must read for all women who think they cant be tricked by a devient man whom walks into their life..I RECOMMEND THIS PAGE TURNING STORY FOR ALL. heck.. even my hubby read this book and shuttered at the thought of our daughter meeting someone like this suave character!!!!
"Great Read".......2005-01-10
" Great True Story " In reading this book, I was amazed in all the steps she took to get this murderer caught all the time not knowing that this man was a murderer. Not many of us would have the courage or gone to the extent that she did. I say it is a great lesson in listening to your instincts. This could happen to any one. Just ask Amber Frey !!!
The anti-dating true crime book........2003-05-19
Here is the true story of the ideal man and marriage gone wrong. Margie Danielsen was a divorced mother of three. When she met Sean Paul Lanier in July, she began a whirlwind courtship that brought her romantic fantasies to life. He was everything that she had dreamed of in a man. In November, he presented her with a sapphire and diamond "promise" ring. They were married on Valentine's Day.
Things were going fine until Margie's best friend called six weeks later to say that Sean Paul was on television in a show called America's Most Wanted. But they said his name was Paul Steven Mack. He was being sought for the 19 February, 1987 rape and murder of Karen Winslett. He was also under investigation in connection with the disappearance and murder of his secretary, Annette Huddle. The nineteen-year-old had disappeared on 8 July. She was found floating in the river on 11 July.
This book will keep you on the edge of your seat. It is extremely well written. I highly recommend. It will make any single woman stop and carefully evaluate her life before going out on a date!
Woe Is She.......2003-01-14
A stunning work of breathtaking ineptitude. To compare this book to a romance novel (as some reviewers have) demeans romance novels. Why is the story told in third person? Probably because it was ghost-written by someone too ashamed to have his name attached to such sophomoric drivel.
Customer Reviews:
Lacks the coherence of earlier books in the series........2005-05-28
Garth Ennis, John Constantine, Hellblazer: Tainted Love (Vertigo, 1998)
Another collection of five issues of John Constantine, Hellblazer. While it's collected under a title, and thus (one would expect) has a theme to it, the theme of the book (which is basically John and Kit pining for one another) is addressed at length in only the third issue found here ("Heartland," which features Kit visiting Dublin and seeing family and friends), and only touched on in the other four, which are short episodes of Constantine doing what Constantine does. Amusing, but without the thematic coherence of Dangerous Habits. More comic-like than graphic novel-like-- which, I admit, is sometimes a fine distinction. ***
It was very well done. I just didn't enjoy being there........2004-10-04
The fact is, one of Hellblazer's real writing strengths is avoiding the easy out of escapism. John ----s up, John pays for it. John doesn't take care of himself, John pays for it. Usually other people pay for it too.
This volume is a meditation on that payback, the flip side of John's quicksilver "I can win anything" coin. It's grimly realistic about John's alcoholism, the reality of homelessness, the terror of being human and mortal and fallible. I found it deeply affecting, and very well-written.
On the other hand, I didn't really feel like being affected like that; I didn't really want to go there. If you dig homelessness and desperation more than I do, this is probably just your thing. It's brilliantly done. I'll just stay over here where it's slightly safer and warmer and less covered in vomit.
Garth's Stand-Alones are the Best.......2003-01-03
I'm not sure why everyone's so disappointed with this collection. I think it ranks right up there with DANGEROUS HABITS, Ennis' first collection. The mutli-part epic Hellblazer stories are always good, but you cannot beat Garth Ennis for small, personal stories, which TAINTED LOVE has in spades.
"Down all the Days" and "Rough Trade" are from issues #68 and #69 and feature the King of the Vampires (first introduced in #50). Forget Buffy for a second, Garth's take on vampires is fantastic and truly original (as fans of PREACHER already know). The King is as great a vampiric character as any ever created.
"Tainted Love" was a short story from VERTIGO JAM #1. A great little horror story from John's past featuring a demonic adversary familiar to Constantine fans.
"Heartland" is from #70, and focuses on Kit's return to Ireland. It's a testament to Garth's writing that a story about the main character's girlfriend is every bit as good as any regular issue. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't read a comic about Spider-Man's wife.
"Finest Hour", from #71, is another all-time favorite story of mine. And again, John is barely in it (only a coincidence, it's not like I don't like him or something). John falls asleep near the grave of a fighter pilot and relives the last few moments of his life.
"Confessional" is from the one-shot HELLBLAZER SPECIAL. It features a teenage John, an insane pederast preacher, and the First of the Fallen, and leads into the story arc "Rake at the Gates of Hell" from #78-83 (never collected, unfortunately).
So yeah, John is drunk and homeless the entire time, there are no big demons or magic tricks, and no cons pulled. But these are still some damn good stories for fans of horror, drama, comedy and...well, just entertainment in general.
This is not Preacher.......2002-07-18
It is worse. It tries to be Preacher, it tries to be Hellblazer... it is naught. Constantine is one of the coolest and most awful characters ever created. When the torch passed to Delano from Moore, there was no loss. Delano's run was just great very intelligent, and the violence vas never to show off or to be a bad boy, it was used when necessary, as a part of the story. But here we have vomit, urination, gore etc. Things a b movie or gore movie fan might find exciting, but which an intelligent reader finds boring. Yes, not a scandal or rebeliuos, just plain boring. It is a sad fact that Ennis, who wrote the amazing "Dangerous Habits" story, sunk so childishly low.
Sure it's depressing, but..........2001-04-18
...but that's the whole point of it. And if you actually read it, instead of just looking for the most Preacheresque or horrific panel, there's a really touching story about the difficulties of fitting personal demons (not necessarily of the hoofed kind) and a sensible love story in the same life. Oh, and reading this book does make any subsequent cocky exploit of mr. Constantine even more exhilarating to read. Really.
Book Description
Regency fashion icon Beau Brummell must deduce who poisoned the Prince of Wales' bodyguard before his friend is executed for the crime.
Customer Reviews:
keeps you reading -- unexpected and fun.......2003-02-18
Who would expect the hero to be a fashion snob?
At first glance it seems as if that's what our hero is going to be. Yet he's fun and open-minded and, if not the opposite of snobbish, at least not too high-minded to mind a joke at his expense.
The first person viewpoint goes well with this series, allowing us to see all his views and inside knowledge. We find ourselves rooting for the fashion-conscious, social conscious narrator.
What I especially like about this series is that the hero always has a good reason for getting involved. He's no world-weary private eye, but rather a loyal friend with a rapier sharp wit and plenty of wits about him.
In short, this series is fresh, readable, and fun. We root for and sympathize at the right places, and end up wanting more. Very hard to put down!
Good series, very different protagonist.......2001-10-30
This is Beau Brummell's second mystery. He is in Brighton visiting Prinny at his Pavilion. The Prince Regent is in fear of his life and has appointed a slimey baronet, Sir Simon as his food taster. The Beau and his friends don't trust him, but are alarmed when he drops dead at dinner after trying Lord Petersham's snuff. Suspicion rests on Petersham and Brummell's reputation is is shreds, so he must solve the mystery.
I am really enjoying this series. I always liked the character of Beau Brummell, and was saddened at how his life ended up. He had a good run while it lasted. I have a hard time reconciling my memories of what I have read about the Duchess of York to the apparent grand passion Brummell has for her. The hair and messes of 107 dogs would revolt the man I have read about. But I have only read fiction books with him as a character, and even then a long time ago. I look forward to the next book.
I'd give it ten stars if I could!.......2001-08-05
Good writing is seldom easy: wonderful writing, never. When a story flows along as smoothly as does this one, you know the author has lavished great amounts of time and attention to it. It's even more difficult to produce a wonderful story, one that's written well, and complicated by taking place in a different time and place than the one we live in.
Rosemary Stevens has obviously studied the Regency period more than most of us, and it shows to great effect in this, her second mystery novel featuring that marvelous arbiter of all things fashionable--George 'Beau' Brummell. Since no one is alive now (at least I don't think there is) who actually knew the Beau, the author has created him from the bits and pieces to be found in the many books, magazines and newspapers that have come along since the early 1800s. I'll go so far as to say that if the 'real' Beau wasn't exactly as Rosemary has created him, then he certainly should have been! Warm, witty, wry, intelligent, and a connoisseur of all things--especially life, this Beau is indeed very special. Perhaps more so, even, than he is reported to have thought of himself. His attention to detail stands him in excellent stead when laboring in the role of detective.
But then, was any detective more blessed by his confederates than the Beau? Chakkri and Robinson form the perfect team to sniff out and report back to their leader. Each in his own fashion, of course. And of course, every man needs a woman by his side to bolster his ego occasionally, and to encourage his subtleties in a society not particularly known for its subtlety. Frederica, the Duchess of York fills that need wonderfully well, and even though she is entirely given over to dogs, still Freddie and the Beau are a formidable pair. The other woman in his life is Miss Lydia Lavender, who runs a home for distressed women, and is anything but distressed herself!
While the Beau's first adventure was set in London, this one takes him to Brighton, the formerly sleepy village made into a posh resort by Prince George, who would soon become the Prince Regent, and subsequently King George IV. Where Prinny goes, the other fashionables follow, as do the problems besetting the Heir Apparent. In this episode, the Prince has received anonymous letters threatening his life. Although surrounded by guards, and his own personal taster, Prinny still turns to his friend, Brummell, to find out the identity of the mysterious author. Goodness knows--there are any number of folks who might have liked to create trouble for the sometimes selfish, unthinking monarch-to-be.
Unfortunately, before that puzzle is solved, two other crimes occur: the body of a young lady is found washed up on the beach, during a walk by Beau and Freddie. More disastrous, however, is a wonderful antique snuff box, making it's debut in the company of its owner, Lord Petersham, and which appears to have contained poisoned snuff! By a stroke of fate, Prinny escapes the poison, although everyone present knew he was to be the first to experience the new blend of snuff!
Other 'personalities' of the era wander through the Pavilion and the pages of this book, each contributing in his or her own way, finally leading Beau to a most satisfactory conclusion. Prinny lives to spend more money that he doesn't have, and Beau--? Well, we'll have to wait and see, I guess. I hope it doesn't take too long, though. Hurry, Rosemary! Write faster! Please?
BEST MYSTERY NOVEL OF ALL TIME!.......2001-07-11
I am a mystery novel reader.... and this book - The Tainted Snuf Box: A Beau Brummell Mystery by Rosemary Stevens is the best I have read yet! It is fascinating, intriguing, and historical!
an intriguing and delightful mystery.......2001-06-03
No sooner has he successfully solved the murder of a rather obnoxious countess, then Beau Brummell finds himself embroiled in a new mystery: that of discovering who wants to murder the Prince of Wales!
Convinced that someone is trying to assassinate him, the Prince of Wales has moved his court to the Pavilion in Brighton. Brummell, having completed his commission (from the Duchess of York, no less) to discover who had actually murdered the poisonous Countess of Wraybourne, has decided to shake the dust of London from his elegant boots, and join his prince at the sea resort. However things at the Pavilion prove to be tense and unpleasant. The Prince has surrounded himself with guards, and seems to be perpetually in the company of a rather odious baronet, Sir Simon, who has appointed himself the Prince's official food taster. Brummell is appalled at the situation. Not only is Sir Simon a horrid little toad of a man, with little manners and an excruciating taste in clothes, but he also seems to hold a rather unhealthy sway over the Prince of Wales, and looks close to usurping Brummell's place in the Prince's life. The only bright spark currently is that the Duchess of York is also in residence, so that Brummell can now spend as much time as he'd like with the woman who has first place in his heart.
One morning while walking on the beach with the Duchess, the pair discover the body of a young well dressed young lady. Preliminary examinations reveal that she was killed by a sharp blow to the head and then thrown into the sea. No one knows who the young lady is, and she seems destined for an unmarked grave. However events soon unfold in a manner that claims Brummell's attention away from the unknown woman. Brummell's good friend Petersham has just created a new blend of snuff, and has promised the Prince that he will be the first to try it. And so the following night Petersham presents the Prince with his new blend. But before the Prince can take a pinch, Sir Simon insists on sampling the snuff first. Imagine everyone's horror when Sir Simon violently chokes to death before their very eyes. Suspicion falls on Petersham for trying to murder the Prince. Brummell knows that his friend is innocent, but has a hard time making his point the hysterical Prince of Wales and the unimaginative Bow Street Runners. He is further hampered by Petersham himself who does not seem to see the danger he is in, and refuses to take the investigation seriously. Brummell soon comes to the conclusion that only he can save his friend from ruin and discover who poisoned the snuff and why.
"The Tainted Snuff Box" is a really fun read that successfully transported me to English drawing rooms of the early 19th century. While the plot of this mystery is not too complex, it is a very interesting and intriguing one. The mystery unfolded at a brisk and fast pace, and the characters, primary and secondary, were all well developed; I especially liked that Rosemary Stevens inserted the fascinating Lydia Lavender into this mystery. This is one appealing and interesting character that really made this novel more enjoyable for me. "The Tainted Snuff Box" is a charming and delightful mystery, and definitely a fun read.
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