Books I Read in 2004


    Books I Read in December 2004

  • The Da Vinci Deception, by Erwin W. Lutzer (2004). Tyndale House, Wheaton, Il. 117 pp. www.christianbookguides.com Defend church against The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown--excellent summary of the book. He differentiates conventional from Gnostic bibles. (Dec 7-29, 2004)
  • Double Homicide Boston and Santa Fe, by Faye and Jonathan Kellerman (2004). Warner Books, N.Y. 147+133 pp. www.twbookmark.com A boy disregards his sickness to pursue b-ball career. I only read the Boston part. (Dec 28, 2004)
  • Twenty Four Steps Tai Chi Chuan, by San Hsu (1997). Shin Chan Press, Taipei. 321 pp. ISBN 957-8374-01-1 in Chinese. Excellent pictorial Tai Chi postures from San Hsu. (Dec 25-28, 2004)
  • The Burglar on the Prowl, by Lawrence Block (2004). William Morrow, N.Y. 293 pp. www.lawrenceblock.com Bernie Rhodenburr, bookseller by day and burglar by night, is asked for a favorr to burglarize a wealthy plastic surgeon for stealing his client's girlfriend. It ends four death and complications--with wit and hilarious. (Dec 20-27, 2004)
  • Breaking the Da Vinci Code, by Darrell L. Bock (2004). Nelson Books, Nashville. 188 pp. www.thomasnelson.com Who was Mary? Was Jesus married? "If it looks like a duck, walks likes a duck, and quacks likes a duck, it must be a camel in disguise."(Dec 20-27, 2004)
  • The Last Juror, by John Grisham (2004). Doubleday, N.Y. 415 pp. www.jgrisham.com A young newspaper owner in a small town in ford County, Mississipi, observed and reported murder trial in 1970s--very informative and funny. (Dec 13-20, 2004)
  • Hidden Prey, by John Sandford (2004). GP Putnam's Son, N.Y. 393 pp. www.johnsandford.org Minnesota State trouble shooter Lucas Devenport investigates the murders of Russian spies. (Dec 10-13, 2004)
  • Tai Chi for Beginners, by Claire Hooton (1996). A Perigee Books, N.Y. 147 pp. www.berkeley.com Claire Hooton shows with her own photos the first section of the short form of Tai Chi Chuan in detail. The forms are almost the same as the one I just learned from the deciples of Cheng Man-Ching. (Nov 27-Dec 12, 2004)
  • Long Life Good Health through Tai-Chi Chuan, by Simmone Kuo (1991). North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, CA. 134 pp. Simmone Kuo of San Francisco teaches Tai Chi Chuan through pictures of her step by step--very enlightening.(Nov 27-Dec 12, 2004)
  • Melancholy Baby: A Sonny Randall Novel, by Robert B. Parker (2004). GP Putnam's Sons, N.Y. 296 pp. www.penquin.com PI Sunny is hired by a lady to find her parenthood and encounters murders and threats. Psychaitrist Susan Silverman helps Sunny for her own problem. Very tense and interesting.(Dec 10-11, 2004)
  • Grave Endings, by Rochelle Krich (2004). Ballantine Books, N.Y. 361 pp. www.rochellekrich.com Free lance reporter Blum is getting married to a rabi and in the mean time encounters murders and blackmail. Detailed account of Jewish marriage--very entertaining.(Dec 4-7, 2004)
  • The Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan, by Wong Kiew Kit (1996). Element, Rockport, MA. 302 pp. Tai Chi history, varieties and illustrated postures--a great book.(Nov 22-Dec 6, 2004)
  • Now You See It: A Toby Peters Mystery, by Stuart M. Kaminsky (2004). Carrol and Graf, N.Y. 227 pp. In 1939, PI Toby Peters was hired by a well-known magician to protect his reputation. Ending is little boring.(Nov 30-Dec 3, 2004)

    Books I Read in October and November 2004

  • Crisscross: A Repairman Jack Novel, by F. Paul Wilson (2004). A Tom Doherty Associates, N.Y. 415 pp. Repairman Jack encounters dormentalism and 'others' with a nun and a reporter--dynamic and dramatic with fantastic plots. Very tense. www.tor.com (Nov 24-30, 2004)
  • Little Scarlet, by Walter Mosley (2004). Little, Brown and Company, N.Y. 306 pp. www.twbookmark.com During the riots in Watts in 1965, Easy Rawlins helped LAPD to identify a serial murderer. A portrait of angers by blacks toward whites from cover to cover(Nov 21-24, 2004)
  • Bury the Lead, by David Rosenfelt (2004). Warner Books, N.Y. 261 pp. www.davidrosenfelt.com Defense attorney Andy Carpenter is hired by a newspaper owner friend to protect his star reporter who is being used as the mouthpiece by a brutal serial killer. Hillarious. (Nov 12-20, 2004)
  • By A Spider's Thread, by Laura Lippman (2004). William Morror, N.Y. 288 pp. www.lauralippman.com Baltimore P.I. Tess Mokaghan is hired to find a miising wife and her three children by an orthodox Jew. Interesting points of view of the immigrant Russian Jew in Baltimore. (Nov 10-15, 2004)
  • The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown (2004). Doubleday, N.Y. 288 pp. www.thedavincicode.com It is bored in the beginning and gradually it builds up the tension with a lot of christian history and literature. A new illustrated version is in the store for $21.95 which illustrates many photos that put readers at ease. (Oct 26-Nov 10, 2004)
  • The Man in My Basement, by Walter Mosley (2004). Little Brown, N.Y. 249 pp. An unemployed black man rents out his basement to a wealthy white man--hilarious and with deep human nature. (Oct 24-25, 2004)
  • In the Moon of Red Ponies, by James Lee burke (2004). Simon and Schuster, N.Y. 321 pp. www.simonsays.com Attorney billy Bob Holland's investigation involves a U. S. Senator and his daughter whose boy friend is an American Indian with sadness from beginning to end. (Oct 17-22, 2004)
  • Hark!: A Novel of the 87th Precinct, by Ed McBain (2004). Simon and Schuster, N.Y. 293 pp. www.simonsays.com Deaf Man strikes again with messages from Shakespeare to detective Steve Carella. Everybody tries to solve the puzzle with anagram and palindrome. (Oct 12-17, 2004)
  • Arnold Schwarzenegger, by Karen Brandon (2004). Lucent Books, N.Y. 91 pp. www.gale.com/lucent Immigrated from Austria in 1968, Arnold turned from bodybuilder to movie actor to governor of California. His goal will not end here and will shoot for higher office. His success is his determination aand his intellegence. (Oct 11-18, 2004)
  • Against All Odds, by Chuck Norris with Ken Abraham (2004). Breadman and Helman, Nashville, Tenn. 246 pp. The best autobiography I have ever read--sensative and funny. (Oct 4-11, 2004)
  • R is for Ricochet, by Sue Grafton (2004). GP Putnam's Sons, N.Y. 352 pp.PI Kinsey Millhone is hired to babysit a parolee, Reba Rafferty, and finds her in the midst of money laundering scheme. (Oct 3-9, 2004)p292.
  • Prevention and Treatment of Prostate Cancer, by Keizon shida (1996). Translated from Japanese to Chinese (1997). 232 pp. ISBN957.776-120-8. discuss protate cancer and swelling and the surgery. (Oct 2-3, 2004)
  • Shadow Men: A Max Freeman Novel, by Jonathon King (2004). Dutton, N.Y. 258 pp. PI Max Freeman, working with attorney Billy Manchester, was hired to investigate an eighty-year-old mystery and ended up being stone walled. Sad and slow moving that I couldn't finish half of this book. www.jonathonking.com (Sep 28-Oct 1, 2004)

    Books I Read in August-September 2004

  • Reckless Abandon: A Stone Barrington Novel, by Stuart Woods (2004). G.P. Putnam's Sons, N.Y. 289 pp. Attorney Stone Barrington encounters CIA, FBI, mafia at Little Italy, and an old acquintance, a police woman chief in Florida. www.stuartwoods.com (Sep 26-28, 2004)
  • Washington Through Two Centuries, by Joseph R. Passonneau (2004). The Monacelli Press, N.Y. 281 pp. Very interesting and precious photos and maps of Washington DC during the last two centuries. (Sep 26-27, 2004)
  • The Sterling Inheritance, by Michael Siverling (2004). Thomas Dunn, N.Y. 276 pp. PI Jason Wilder investigates his client's husband being a murder suspect. Very humorous dialogs and events, especially some conversations with his mother, owner of the Midnight Investigation Agency. (Sep 22-25, 2004)
  • Plan of Attack, by Bob Woodward (2004). Simon and Schuster, N.Y. 446 pp. www.simonsays.com A detailed account of Bush's attack on Iraq. (Sep 18-21, 2004)
  • Backstabber: A Hitchcock Sewell Mystery, by Tim Cockey (2004). Hyperion, N.Y. 355 pp. Undertaker Hitchcock Sewell investigates the murder charge of his friend. Very funny. (Sep 15-21, 2004)
  • Ten Big Ones: A Stephanue Plum Novel, by Janet Evanovich (2004). St. Martin's Press, N.Y. 312 pp. www.evanovich.com Bounty hunter Stephenie Plum and her side-kick Lula encounter local gangs in Trenton area. Plum's grandma Mazur joins the force with great fun.(Sep 14-15, 2004)
  • Day of the Dead, by J.A. Jance (2004). HarperCollinsPublishers, N.Y. 370 pp. www.harpercollins.com (Sep 7-13, 2004)
  • The Perfect Wife: The Life and Choices of Laura Bush, by Ann Gerhart (2004). Simon and Schuster, N.Y. 312 pp. www.simonsays.com A true story about Laura Welch Bush who grew up in Midland, Texas, met George W in Midland, married in Midland, became a first lady in Texas and the United States later. She has been very much devoted in the reading programs for the youngsters. I love to read this book--like reading a mystery. However, the author has a biased opinion toward Bush family. (Sep 8-9, 2004)
  • Louisiana Lament: A Talba Wallis Novel, by Julie Smith (2004). A Tom Doherty Book, N.Y. 301 pp.PI and poet Talba Wallis helps her half-sister out of murder charge. With very complicated plot, it seems no end in sight. www.juliesmithauthor.com (Aug 29-Sep 6, 2004)
  • Heat Wave, by Jill Marie Landis (2004). Ballantine Books, N.Y. 308 pp. www.jillmarielandis.com Recurpulating from a gun-shot wound in a friend's house, PI Kat Vargas took a case locating a long-lost daughter. Passionate and advanturous. (Aug 23-29, 2004)
  • She Smiled Sweetly: A Poppy Rice Mystery, by Mary-Ann Smith (2004). Henry Holt, N.Y. 275 pp. www.henryholt.com Agent Poppy Rice is drawn into two related drown victims two decades apart. (Aug 9-23, 2004)
  • Sleeping Beauty, by Phillip Margolin (2004). HarperCollinsPublishers, N.Y. 329 pp. www.phillipmargolin.com Lawyer and Author Miles Van Meter wrote his true-crime best seller, Sleeping Beauty, about a serial killer and his comatose twin sister Casey. Full of intrigue and surprises. (Aug 9-16, 2004)
  • Therapy, by Jonathan Kellerman (2004). Ballantine Books, N.Y. 387 pp. www.ballantinebooks.com Psychologist Alex Delaware helps homicide detective Milo Sturgis to solve the murders related to therapy scheme. Very dramatic but the end seems not complete. (Aug 3-8, 2004)
  • Retro: An Amos Walker Novel, by Loren D. Estleman (2004). A Tom Doherty Associates Book, N.Y. 286 pp. Walker is hired to find a fugitive in Canada. (July 28-Aug 2, 2004)
  • The Road to Ruin: A Dortmunder Novel, by Donald E. Westlake (2004). Warner Books, N.Y. 342 pp.Infomous thieve leader John Dortmunder with his other gang members hatches a plan to rob a pariah through the employment at the mansion. Hilarious dialogs with funny comic plot. (July 29-Aug 1, 2004)

    Books I Read in June-July 2004

  • Last Lullaby: A Eve Diamond Novel, by Denise Hamilton (2004). Scribner, N.Y. 353 pp. LA Times reporter Eve Diamond is drawen into the drug smugglers by using babies at the airport. Very powerful and LA is brought to life. www.denisehamilton.com (July 22-27, 2004)
  • Vertical Coffin: A Shane Scully Novel, by Stephen J. Cannell (2004). St. Martin's Press, N.Y. 334 pp. www.cannellbooks.com LAPD detective Shane is inadvertently involved in a murder case that causes the infighting between ATF and local sherifs. Emotional, sensitive and powerful. (July 18-22, 2004)
  • Missing Justice: A Samantha Kincaid Mystery, by Alafair Burke (2004). Henry Holt and Company, N.Y. 352 pp. www.henryholt.com Duputy Attorney Kincaid is assigned to Major Crime Unit to look into a high profile missing-person case and ends up solving a decade old conspiracy involvin her father. The author explains everything too much in detail. (July 11-18, 2004)
  • The Promise of a Lie, by Howard Roughan (2004). Warner Books, N.Y. 358 pp. www.twbookmark.com Psychologist encounters various aspects of his patients with many philosophical viewpoints,then is framed for murder. the wring is superb with full of big words.(July 4-10, 2004)
  • Liars and Thieves, by Stephen Coonts (2004). St. Martin's Press, N.Y. 383 pp. www.coonts.com Tom Camnelini with his mentor Admiral Jack Grafton fought the conspiracy generated from White House and helped a defector from Russia. Full of intrigue. (June 29-July 4, 2004)
  • 3rd Degree, by James Patterson and Andrew Cross (2004). Little, Brown and Company, N.Y. 341 pp. www.jamespatterson.com Homicide lieutenant Linsay Boxer, along with her women's Murder Club, teams up with deputy director of Homeland Security to investigate a series of murders. (June 25-29, 2004)
  • Redemption Street: A Moe Prager Mystery, by Reed Farrel Coleman(2004). Viking, N.Y. 244 pp. www.penguin.com In 1981 a retired New York City cop-turned-wine-shop-owner and a Jewish PI, Moe Prager, was hired by a customer to investigate a hotel fire fifteen years before. He went to Catskill to uncover Redeemption Street. Full of Jewish culture and humor.(June 15-24, 2004)
  • Bad Business: A Spenser Novel, by Robert B. Parker (2004). GP Gutnam's Son, N.Y. 310 pp. www.penguin.com Spencer is hired for tailing a husband for a divorce case. Witty and funny.(June 17-20, 2004)
  • Down Here: A Burke Novel, by Andrew Vachss (2004). Alfred A. Knopf, N.Y. 290 pp. www.vachss.com Burke tries to help Wolfe to be out of jail for a alleged shooting of a convicted rapist whom she put in jail many years ago. A sad reading.(June 9-14, 2004)
  • Southern Fried, by Cathy Pickens (2004). Thomas Dunne Books, N.Y. 277 pp. www.minotaurbooks.com Attorney Avery Andrews returns to her hometown to set up a law practice.(May 29-June 8, 2004)

    Books I Read in May 2004

    • The Second Time Around, by Mary Higgins Clark (2003). Simon and Shuster, N.Y. 302 pp. www.simonsays.com Thirty-two-year-old columnist Carly investigates the death of the head of a medical research company Gen-stone. The author is used to portray herself as an inteligent older waman with charm and wits that I enjoyed reading very much. This time around she considers herself as a young woman which is a little out of touch. (May 24-29, 2004)
    • Tribeca Blues, by Jim Fusilli (2003). GP Putnam's and Sons, N.Y. 273 pp. www.penguin.com PI Terry Orr investigates the deaths of his wife and son with other unrelated deaths. (May 10-23, 2004)
    • The Frumious Bandersnatch: A Novel of the 87th Precinct, by Ed McBain (2004). Simon and Schuster, N.Y. 287pp. www.simonsays.com Detective Steve Carella is drawn into a joint task force to solve a kidnapping case. Funny and fast-paced dialogue. (May 3-9, 2004)
    • The Kingmaker, by Brian Haig (2003). Warner Books, N.Y. 391 pp. www.twbookmark.com Pentagon attorney Major Sean Drummond is drawn by his old chum, CIA station chief in Moscow, to defend her husband for the alleged spy for Russia. I loves his wisecrakes whenever it's possible. (April 28-May 3, 2004)

      Books I Read in April 2004

    • The Prisoner of Vandam Street, by Kinky Frieman (2004). Simon and Schuster N.Y. 228 pp. www.simonsays.com Kinky was poisoned with Mararia virus and everything went to hell, including himself--full of humanity philosophy and hilarious, mixing illusions and facts. (April 26-28, 2004)
    • The Hanged Man's Song: A Kid Novel, by John Sandford (2003). St. G.P. Putnam's Son, N.Y. 321 pp. www.penguin.com Professional criminal Kidd investigates his superhacker friend Bobby's disappearence and encounters congressional conspiracy--very imaginative. (April 23-26, 2004)
    • The Kill Fee: A Sally Harrington Novel, by Laura Van Wormer (2003). Mira Books, N.Y. 300 pp. www.lauravanwormer.com New York City based DBS News producer Sally investigates land ownership for her great uncle in Connecticut and encounters murder and organized crime. Sexy and funny. (April 21-23, 2004)
    • Stone Cribs: A Smokey Dalton Novel, by Kris Nelscott (2004). St. Martin's Minotaur, N.Y. 323 pp. www.minotaurbooks.com In the sixties, PI Smokey moved from Memphis to Chicago to escape the war of racial strife and ended up facing gang war.(April 16-20, 2004)
    • Clear and Convincing Proof: A Barbara Holloway Novel, by Kate Wilhelm (2003). Mira, N.Y. 344 pp. www.mirabooks.com Attorney Barbara Holloway is hired by a local clinic to investigate the murders. I am a little confused with the writing who the author is talking about--she or he? Besides that, I like the way she writes.(April 12-15, 2004)
    • Letter from Home, by Carolyn Hart (2003). Berkeley Prime Crime, N.Y. 262 pp. www.penguin.com World-known reporter G.G. Gilman received a letter from her hometown friend in Oklahoma and recounted the past tragedy during World War II. Very sad.(April 9-11, 2004)
    • Private Sector, by Brian Haig (2003). Warner Books, N.Y. 439 pp. www.twbookmark.com Pentagon attorney Sean Drummond is loaned to a private law office and investigates murders in Washington DC with wit and wisdom. The author is the son of the one who claimed "I am in charge." (April 5-7, 2004)
    • Open and Shut, by David Rosenfelt (2003). Warner Books, N.Y. 243 pp. www.twbookmark.com The author's debut novel is hilarious and you can't stop reading again and again. Every word seems to have a smile into it--witty. A lawyer inherites an tremendous amount of money from his father and tries to find out how his father earned such so much money.(April 1-4, 2004)
    • Popped: A Regan Reilly Mystery, by Carol Higgins Clark (2003). Scribner, N.Y. 272 pp. www.carolhigginsclark.com PI Regan flies to Las Vegas to help her old school chum to investigate the sabotages of a reality show. Funny and unexpected. (Mar 28-April 1, 2004)

      Books I Read in March 2004

    • A Vineyard Killing, by Philip R. Craig (2003). Scibner, N.Y. 226 pp. www.simonsays.com Part-time investigator JW Jackson investigates murder and land deal and a mysterious man's past in the world of fencing. (Mar 26-27, 2004)
    • Quantico Rules, by Gene Riehl (2003). St. Martin's Minotaur, N.Y. 330 pp. www.minotaurbooks.com FBI agents checked into the background of a supreme court justice candidate and encountered murder. This debute FBI novel by a former FBI agent reveals the ruthless and darkside of FBI--very powerful. (Mar22-24, 2004)
    • The Big Bad Wolf, by James Patterson (2003). Little, Brown and Company, N.Y. 390 pp. www.jamespatterson.com Alex Cross joins FBI from DCPD and is involved in the white-slave investigation leading to the Wolf. (Mar 18-22, 2004)
    • A Dilly of A Death, by Susan Albert (2004). Berkeley Books, N.Y. 315 pp. www.mysterypartners.com China Bayles prepares for the annual PickleFest while her husband prepares for a new career as a PI in Texas. The author earned a Ph.D. in English from Berkeley and her writing is right to the point. I enjoyed her writing about dill, pickle, and cucumber in the beginning of each chapter. (Mar 15-18, 2004)
    • The Cry of the Loon, by William A. Carey and John Barrett (2003). Publish America, Baltimore. 250 pp. www.publishamerica.com Chief of Kennebunkport PD in Maine, tom Goden, investigates the deaths of four Secret Service agents on his turf. He traces back all the way to the Vietnam War and the legend of The Professor which seems to be related with the case. Intrigue and full of surprises. (Mar 12-15, 2004)
    • Crofton's Fire, by Keith Coplin (2004). GP Putnam's Sons, N.Y. 275 pp. www.penguin.com A first-person historical novel about West-Point graduate MCrofton who witnessed Custer's demise at Little Big Horn. He also went to wars in Cuba and Zululand in Africa. Hilarious with vivid characters. I was in tears when I read the last two letters to praise the heroic acts Crofton performed.(Mar 9-11, 2004)
    • The Hummingbird Wizard, by Meredith Blevins (2003). Doherty, N.Y. 397 pp. www.tor.com Gypsies and murders in San Francisco area--funny and hilarious. (Mar 2-7, 2004)
    • Chess for Kids, by Michael Basman (2001). DK, N.Y. 45 pp. www.dk.com Very practical with vivid chess board pictures for beginners like me. (Feb 19-Mar 4, 2004)
    • Death by Hollywood, by Steven Bochco (2003). Random House, N.Y. 274 pp. www.atrandom.com A tale of screenwriter Bobby Newman tries to turn a murder into his movie payday and ends up dead. (Feb 27-Mar 1, 2004)
    • Air Force One, by Von Hardesty (2003). Alfred A KnoNorth Word Press, Chanhassen, MN. 266 pp. A pictorial history of presidents' means of transportation, starting with Washington and ending with the junior Bush. www.creativepub.com (Feb 25-Mar 2, 2004)

      Books I Read in February 2004

    • Claire and Present Danger: A Amanda Pepper Mystery, by Gillian Roberts (2003). Ballantine Books, N.Y. 244 pp. English teacher Amanda Pepper, moonlighting as a P.I. along with former homicide detective C.K. Mackenzie, was hired to find the real identity of Mrs. Fairchild's future daughter-in-law. It's a nice plot but with too much bored naggings. (Feb 23-25, 2004)
    • A Blind Eye, by G.M. Ford (2003). William Marrow, N.Y. 293 pp. Writer Frank Corso, running from the law in the company or his old girl friend, uncovers human bones during Wisconsin blizzard. It leads to a case of serial murders, tracing back to an isolated mountain community in New Jersey in the past decades. (Feb 19-22, 2004)
    • Simply Ming, by Ming Tsai and Arthur Boehm (2003). Clarkson Potter, N.Y. 268 pp. www.ming.com Nice pictures of food making but not very practical. (Feb 18, 2004)
    • Street Dreams, by Fay Kellerman (2003). Warner Books, N.Y. 420 pp. LAPD officer Cindy Decker saved an abandoned baby in a dumpster and started to investigate the gangbander with the help of her father, Lieutantent Peter Decker. The author, Faye, writes a lot about Jewish events and Ethiopian foods while the author's husband, Joanthan writes more about Jewish history and literature in The Conspiracy Club.(Feb 14-18, 2004)
    • The Conspiracy Club, by Jonathan Kellerman (2003). Ballantine Books, N.Y. 376 pp. www.ballantinebooks.com A psychiatrist at Central Hospital is endured by a conspiracy club to find a serial murder for his girl friend's murder. (Feb 10-14, 2004)
    • The Teeth of the Tiger, by Tom Clancy (2003). G.P. Putnam's Sons, N.Y. 323 pp. www.twbookmark.com Terrorism and conter-terrorism involving three young tallents. It makes me sleep and ends up finishing the first two chapers. It seems like I don't like Clancy's way of writing.(Feb 8-9, 2004)
    • Gateways: A Repairman Jack Novel, by F. Paul Wilson (2003). Tom Doherty, N.Y. 366 pp. www.repairmanjack.com Repairman Jack flys to Florida to see his comatose father who lives in the Gateways community next to the Evergrade and encounters super-natural evils vs. earth. Very interesting philosophies about earth and enviroment. (Feb 2-8, 2004)
    • Pretty Dead: A Jack McMorrow Novel, by Gerry Boyle (2003). Berkley Prime Crime, N.Y. 325 pp. www.gerryboyle.com Times reporter Jack McMorrow is led to a local celebrity David connelly by his lover social worker Roxanna and ends up a murder case. (Jan 31-Feb 2, 2004)
    • Losing Bin Laden, by Richard Miniter (2003). Regnery Pub, Wash DC. 270 pp. www.regnery.com Evidences of Bill Clinton's unwillingness to confront Bin Laden during his eight-year presidency. I finished only the first part on the summary.(Jan 29-Feb 2, 2004)

      Books I Read in January 2004

    • Gatekeeper: A Joe Gunther Mystery, by Archer Mayor (2003). G.P. Putnam's Sons, N.Y. 431 pp. www.penguin.com VBI head Joe Gunther and detective Samie investivate the flow of drug to Vermont. She serves as an undercover. A lot of action and the dialog is funny. (Jan 27-30, 2004)
    • Remembering Jack, by Jacques Lowe (2003). Bulfinch Press, N.Y. 431 pp. www.bulfinchpress.com The 500 bblack and white photos, taken by Jacques Lowe (died in 2001) from late 50s and early 60s, are very powerful.(Jan 24-27, 2004)
    • New Book of Herbs, by Jekka McVicar (2002). DK Pub, N.Y. 267 pp. www.dk.com Herbs in the category of garden, kitchen, home and health--vivid photos of herbs, plants used for medicine, scent or flavor. Elder is a fly repellent and Shiso causes skin dermatitis.(Jan 19-27, 2004)
    • Stone Cold: A Jesse Stone Novel, by Robert B. Parker (2003). Warner Books, N.Y. 296 pp. www.penguin.com Chief of Police Jesse Stone investigates serial murders and a rape case--powerful. (Jan 24-27, 2004)
    • Odd Thomas, by Dean Koontz (2003). Bantam Books, N.Y. 399 pp. www.deankoontz.com Odd Thomas can see ghosts and predict the violent deaths. Slow start but then intensifying and getting interested--author uses big words all the time to make it hard to read. (Jan 21-24, 2004)
    • Lost Light, by Michael Connelly (2003). Little, Brown and Company, N.Y. 360 pp. www.michaelconnelly.com Retired LAPD dectective Hary Bosch investigates a murder case four years ago. It's powerful, full of sadness and intrigue.(Jan 19-21, 2004)
    • The New Manual of Photography, by John Hedgecoe (2003). DK Publishing, N.Y. 399 pp. www.dk.com Photo technique for both beginners and the advanced including designs. Much more complete than his 1996 book. (Jan 10-21, 2004)
    • Capital Crimes: A Will Lee Novel, by Stuart Woods (2003). G.P. Putnam's Son, N.Y. 292 pp. www.stuartwoods.com Will Lee, president of the United States, and his CIA director wife, Kate Rule Lee, tract an assissin with the help of FBI agent Robert Kinney. Intrigue and powerful.(Jan 17-19, 2004)
    • Shadow of Death: A Brady Coyne Novel, by William G. Tapply (2003). St. Martin's Minotaur, N.Y. 321 pp. www.williamgtapply.com Boston attorney Brady is hired to investigate the disappearance of a U.S. Senate cadidate's husband and ends up with the deadly consequences of a 30-year-old tragedy. I love the powerful and humorus dialogs. (Jan 16-17, 2004)
    • The Arraignment: A Paul Madriani Novel, by Steve Martini (2003). G.P. Putnam's Sons, N.Y. 402 pp. www.stevemartini.com Defence attorney Paul Madriani investigates the murder of his attorney friend who is a partner of a big law firm. He travels to Cancun to find the fact. (Jan 11-15, 2004)
    • The Con Man's Daughter, by Ed Dee (2003). Warner Books, N.Y. 279 pp. www.twbookmark.com Conversations with con man's grandchild is very touching and funny. It involves Russian mafiao, Italian mafia, retired Irish cop, FBI, ATF, and NYPD. (Jan 7-11, 2004)
    • Wolf Pass, by Steve Thayer (2003). G.P. Putnam's Son, N.Y. 251 pp. The ghost of World War II Wolf Pass came back to haunt Wisconsin mountain in 1962. (Jan 5-7, 2004)
    • Midnight Pass: A Lew Fonesca Novel, by Stuart M. Kaminsky (2003). Tom Doherty Assoc, N.Y. 269 pp. Lew Fonesca, process server in Sarasota, was hired to find the wife and kids. In the meantime, he was hired to find a commisioner to attend a meeting for the decision on the closing of Midnight Pass. Sad and powerful.(Jan 2-5, 2004)
    • Fortunes of the Dead: A Lena Padget Novel, by Lynn Hightower (2003). Atria Books, N.Y. 310 pp. P.I. Lena Padget and her lover, homicide detective Joel Mendez work on the same case from different ends, regarding the disappearence of an ATF college intern. (Dec 30, 2003-Jan 2, 2004)

    Books I Read in 2003

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