Review of Clean Cut [IMPORT] (Hardcover)

Lynda La Plante is well known to mystery/suspense readers.Her BBC television series, PRIME SUSPECT, ran for seven seasons and starred award-winning actress Helen Mirren as DCI Jane Tennison.In addition to being an actress herself and writing movie and television scripts, La Plante has written several stand-alone and series novels.

The author's latest book, CLEAN CUT, is the third in her Anna Travis series.RED DAHLIA and ABOVE SUSPICION.I hadn't read either of the previous books, but I had no problem diving into this one regarding backstory.La Plante delivers well-developed characters with a tremendous amount of internal conflict.What I needed to know about the two primary characters, Anna and her lover Detective Chief Inspector Jimmy Langdon, was quickly supplied, and I was immersed into the new problems that faced them as a couple and as police officers.

After a rather slow-paced launch at the start of the book, though deep in character complications, Anna starts questioning her relationship with Langdon.She's gotten irritated at the way she seems to have turned from lover to caretaker for him, all without appreciation.Then she gets the phone call that turns her life inside out:Langdon was attacked at his latest crime scene.She's told that even if he lives, Langdon will probably never walk again.

The book centers at the outset on the test of the two wills of Anna and Langdon.She wants to help, but he's so cynical and bitter that she can barely stand to be around him.Not only that, but she finds out that Langdon is going behind her back to get information about the man that attacked him.Anna fears that Langdon is engaging in a vendetta that will land him in trouble with the law.If the wheelchair doesn't get Jimmy Langdon, it looks like prison will.

I liked the characters a lot because they have obvious history and "feel" real.I hated the way Langdon treats Anna, but I totally understood where Langdon's mind is while in the hospital.People in situations like Langdon's strike out at those that love them because those people are the only ones willing to put up with them.This bitterness spreads throughout the novel as Anna's own murder case suddenly intersects with the investigation Langdon was pursuing when he was nearly killed.

La Plante uses the novel to point out how vulnerable countries are these days.Transient populations drift through major cities, like London in this novel, and bring a lot of danger and crime because that's a big part of what those people have to rely on for employment.The presentation of La Plante's views may be unsettling for some, but there's now denying the existence of the problem.

The book remains steady throughout, and its solid police work that breaks the cases wide open and connects them.There are no car chases, martial arts battles, or shootouts.The action La Plante relays in her pages is propelled by emotion and the reader's driving curiosity to find out what's going to happen next.The author has a great ear for dialogue, and her police characters talk the way those people do, in rough vernacular tinged with black humor.

CLEAN CUT is a good book, but it's made even better by the stress on Anna and Langdon's relationships.The final few pages will come as a shock to some.And it will leave readers wondering what's going to happen for Anna in the next book.




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Review of Males, Nails, Sample Sales: Everything a Woman Must Know to be Smarter, Savvier, Saner, Sooner (Paperback)

This is mandatory reading. NO woman should EVER be allowed to enter into a relationship, take a new job, furnish her home, plan a party, shop for clothes, contemplate a vacation or raise children until she has this hilarious gem on hand.I just ordered a whole pile of them to give to ALL the women in my life -- especially my adult daughters while they're still young enough to avoid their mother's mistakes. I plan to give these books as stocking stuffers, hostess gifts, engagement and bridal shower gifts, and "just because" gifts to any woman with a good sense of humor and a great desire not to screw things up.

Product Description
What your mother, Oprah, and Martha never told you

Let's face it: we live in a complicated world. Lands' End has a swimsuit anxiety zones area on its website; a moisturizer can cost more than a weekend in Paris; they can send a man and a monkey into space, but they still can't find a cure for split ends.

Clearly, we all need essential life skills and operating instructions. But why should you have to learn from hard-won experience when Stephanie Pierson is willing to give you her vast life experience and wisdom (and share some of her more humiliating life lessons)?

This smart, funny, fabulous book will get you everything from a juicier chicken to a less hostile hairdresser. Read it and you will know what not to order from room service (eggs Benedict) to what never goes out of fashion (a crisp white shirt) to what is never in fashion (socks and Birkenstocks worn together). You'll know when a man isn't a keeper (he knows more Sondheim lyrics than you do), how to buy a house (location, location, location), how to assess an Oriental rug (condition, condition, condition), how to get the best price from the wedding caterer (say it's for a funeral), and how to get the dog in a custody battle (keep a dog-walking journal).

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Review of This Is How It Starts: A Novel (Paperback)

"This is how it starts" takes off starting with the first page and never slows down. I couldn't put it down!Main character Taylor Mark's journey treats the reader to an inside view of the Washington political scene and the highly entertaining characters that exist within that world. The book captures the energy, insanity, and absurd amounts of privilege bestowed upon the young and connected. I recommend that everyone add this to their summer reading list!



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Review of The Art of the Table: A Complete Guide to Table Setting, Table Manners, and Tableware (Hardcover)

My best friend, who collects silver, recommended this book to me; the combination of THE ART OF THE TABLE and eBay is a dangerous, but pleasurable one.

I was afraid it would simply be an extremely high-ticket etiquette manual.While it explains what fork to use -- and I never knew there were so many kinds of forks! -- it also explains the history and craftsmanship behind flatware and dishes with a fascination I could well appreciate and a level of knowledge I had to respect.

The level of care and detail is intimidating.I rather doubt I'll ever entertain in diplomatic circles, which is kind of a shame because now I'd know what to do!For daily life, I'd say more care&feeding of tableware is definitely indicated, and I'd be glad of a maintenance section:what to do when things scratch, things break, etc.And I'm going to put my sterling in the dishwasher ANYHOW.

Reading this book is like looking at holiday catalogues:you understand why they used to be called wishbooks.I'm proud, however, that my friends say I set a lovely table (they're good guests, which is an art in itself), and I'm determined now NOT to keep the "good stuff" stored away because it's too good to use.

von Drachenfels has added to my quality of life, as well as my credit-card balance.I'd say I came out the winner.



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