Coffey on the Mile: The Green Mile Part 6 By: Stephen King

I can't believe I was sitting here sobbing over a mouse!!  I keep coming back to the dignity and humanity in King's work-and i think it is beautifully on display in the last installment of The Green Mile.  This series/story is one of King's best!

Night Journey: The Green Mile Part 5 By: Stephen King

This installment is nerve wracking and heartfelt.  King, once again demonstrates the dignity and humanity in his characters in this deeply moving story.

 

The Bad Death of Eduard Delacroix: The Green Mile Part 4 By: Stephen King

I don't think I've hated a character as much as I hate Percy!!!  This harrowing installment is almost too much to take, but King deftly keeps you riveted while turning your stomach at the same time.

Coffey's Hands: The Green Mile Part 3 By: Stephen King

 Each installment of this story, is gripping a little creepy, and yet very moving.  

The Mouse on the Mile: The Green Mile Part 2 By: Stephen King

King manages to give such humanity and dignity to characters that we should not like and not feel for (and yet we do) all through the tale of a mouse.  Truly he is a master storyteller and this installment of The Green Mile is yet another example of why he is beloved.

The Two Dead Girls: The Green Mile Part 1 By: Stephen King

To pack such detail, character development and atmosphere into such a short span of pages, is amazing enough, but to do that and leave the reader wanting more is what makes King such a brilliant storyteller! Can;t wait to dive into the second book! 

Recent History By: Anthony Giardina

A beautifully written story of a man and what turns out to be his search for the meaning of manhood.  Poetic and delicate in it's language, this books tackles some very raw and deep subjects.  Don't let the blurb on the back of the book fool you, this is not a gay story, it is simply the story of a man. And it's simplicity is it's beauty.

Killer Teens Edited by: Rose G. Mandelsberg

All the stories in this book are pulled from True Detective, so the writing of each story tends toward the sensational, but the cases are fascinating none the less.  Could have done with less typos and an introduction from the editor as to why these partcular stories were chosen, a brief history of children and violence...something.

 

Murder - Family Style By: Frances Lipsig

A quick look at 10 cases of familial murder.  Some were dryly presented and little hard to get get through, some had some quite colorful commentary which made them more intriguing. An ok read.

The Genteel Murderer By: Charles Norman

It seems odd to say what a fun read this is, considering it's about a murderer for profit, but, fun really is the only word I can use.  Told in a light and jaunty style of reportage this book outlines the life and crimes of Thomas Griffiths Waineright.  Waineright thought himself a gentleman and really did hobnob with the literati of the time, and Dickens saw him in his cell in Newgate Prison, and years later wrote a short story based on an aspect of this case.  Really, a quick and fun read!

 

The Art Thief By: Michael Finkel

 

An unbelievable tale of a real life art thief, who is unlike any art thief you could imagine.  Stealing in broad daylight from occupied museums, auction houses, art faires and churches simply to admire the art.  Not to fence it and make money.  Reading about his crimes is truly extraordinary.  Finkel's way of presenting the information without judgement is an amazing feat of reporting and writing.

Hangman's Holiday By: Dorothy L. Sayers

I'm pretty sure that I've read this book a long, long time ago, becahuse the short mysteries were very familiar.  Regardless, theses shorts really showcase Sayers' mastery of the mystery genre.  Brilliantly plotted and inventive with her signature wit these are the perfect introduction to two of her greatest characters.  Lord Peter Whimsey and Montague Egg couldn't be more different yet the are both perfectly suited for amateur sleuthing.  Lord Peter is the more well know, but  Mony Egg is my favorite.  How she ties in his job as a traveling salesman to his ability to sniff out clues is deliciously clever.  I highly recommend this collection.

 

Go Gently Gaijin By: James Melville

 

It took a bit for me to get into this story,  but I think that was more making the mental switch from the previous book I read which was set in 1953 Hollywood, to this one which is set in 1980s Japan. A twisted set of mysteries, beautiful settings, fascinating insight into Japanese customs and a lot of sly wit made this a really fun read.

Dream Town By: David Baldacci

God I Love this series.  The third in the Archer series, Dream Town takes place in 1953 Hollywood, with all of the glitz, glam, fakery and back-stabbing you'd expect, plus Baldacci's richly detailed characters and superbly plotted mysteries.  A fantastic read!