The Printed Page

Welcome to By the Chapter. This week’s featured book is People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. I’d like to thank Elizabeth from As usual, I need more bookshelves for sharing hosting duties with me this week.

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If you’re not familiar with People of the Book here’s a little background on the book from Amazon: Late one night in the city of Sydney, Hanna Heath, a rare book conservator, gets a phone call. The Sarajevo Haggadah (Wikipedia link), which disappeared during the siege in 1992, has been found, and Hanna has been invited by the U.N. to report on its condition. Missing documents and art works (as Dan Brown and Lev Grossman, among others, have demonstrated) are endlessly appealing, and from this inviting premise Brooks spins her story in two directions. In the present, we follow the resolutely independent Hanna through her thrilling first encounter with the beautifully illustrated codex and her discovery of the tiny signs-a white hair, an insect wing, missing clasps, a drop of salt, a wine stain-that will help her to discover its provenance. Along with the book she also meets its savior, a Muslim librarian named Karaman. Their romance offers both predictable pleasures and genuine surprises, as does the other main relationship in Hanna’s life: her fraught connection with her mother. In the other strand of the narrative we learn, moving backward through time, how the codex came to be lost and found, and made. From the opening section, set in Sarajevo in 1940, to the final section, set in Seville in 1480, these narratives show Brooks writing at her very best. With equal authority she depicts the struggles of a young girl to escape the Nazis, a duel of wits between an inquisitor and a rabbi living in the Venice ghetto, and a girl’s passionate relationship with her mistress in a harem. Like the illustrations in the Haggadah, each of these sections transports the reader to a fully realized, vividly peopled world. And each gives a glimpse of both the long history of anti-Semitism and of the struggle of women toward the independence that Hanna, despite her mother’s lectures, tends to take for granted. Brooks is too good a novelist to belabor her political messages, but her depiction of the Haggadah bringing together Jews, Christians and Muslims could not be more timely. Her gift for storytelling, happily, is timeless.

*** Link to pictures from the Sarajevo Haggadah These illustrations are incredibly breathtaking, especially when you realize the age and time in which they were created. Be sure to click through all the links on the left side bar of Sarajevo Haggadah page.

*** Follow the journey with Elizabeth and myself this week.

***

Towards the end of the story we meet a scribe, a sofer, who discovers the artwork while walking through a marketplace. He purchases these pages intending to use them as part of a prayer book he is putting together as a wedding present for his nephew. Though our scribe is a humble man, both in his work and life, the gift must be something magnificent as befitting the son of the wealthy man. We also come to learn the scribe’s only son has married outside the religion, converted and is ‘dead’ to his father. Events unfold taking a tragic turn for this family; a child is born and saved. And another part of the Haggadah’s improbable journey is revealed.

Finally we meet the artist who created this beautiful artwork. And things here definitely aren’t as they appear. Our artist is very talented and this talent is nurtured when it goes against what is taught and believed in that day and age. This was my favorite chapter and I will gave away no more except to tell you I was surprised, pleasantly, by the revelations here.

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So the Haggadah has completed its journey and what a mysterious and magical odyssey it was. Once again whether fact, fiction or a combination of both I was captivated by these chapters and following this prayer book as it comes into existence was indeed a pleasure.

This book wasn’t without its faults though. Overall I give high marks to People of the Book. The historical chapters were superb and far outweighed those dedicated to Hanna. I was very disappointed in the ending and felt letdown by last three chapters. If I was the author I might have had Hanna write her presentation paper, wrap up the story of the Haggadah and leave it there. Instead we venture into some plotline about a possible switch and bate. It was kind of like watching a movie where the director throws in a scene or two just give a jolt to the viewers but doesn’t make much sense in terms of what’s come before.

I also have issues with Hanna’s personal life in relation to this storyline. Her short-lived personal involvement with Orzen Karaman and her conflicts with her mother didn’t add anything essential to the story. I found them to be distracting. They tended to break up the flow of what was otherwise a very interesting journey littered with fascinating characters through time and place.

Still I enjoyed this book immensely and look forward to reading her other novels, March and Years of Wonder.

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If you’ve read, or are currently reading, People of the Book, please share your thoughts with us.

*** This week’s reading scheduling: Monday: The Printed Page Tuesday: Elizabeth’s blog, As usual, I need more bookshelves Wednesday: The Printed Page Thursday: Elizabeth from <a href=”http://needmoreshelves.blogspot.com/2009/03/by-chapter-day-4-people-of-book-by.html Friday: The Printed Page/Elizabeth from As usual, I need more bookshelves

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So I fired up the DVR and watched week 2 of Castle a new ABC series. While still a very strong episode it was just a smidgen under enjoyable as week 1. There wasn’t as much book related material this week but I think that would be the hardest part of the show to sustain. Authors can only write so much unless of course your James Patterson and churn out books at a ridiculously fast pace with a lot of help from your friends. We’d probably plow through Richard Castle’s ‘books’ pretty fast and then where would we be? Well we’d be right where we are now shadowing a police detective and her fellow officers for a new Richard Castle ‘book’ series. Now here’s the teaser part: I want to pull those Richard Castle books right off the bookcase and plow my way through them. The TV studio art department did a great job of mocking up those enticing covers. Then I went to read his new series. But alas that isn’t possible – it’s all TV smoke and mirrors.

It’s still just as smart, sexy and funny as it was last week. This show doesn’t appear to suffer from new show jitters. There aren’t any of the awkward moments I associate with new shows. No stilted dialogue or mismatched casting. It holds my interest start to finish. This show started out on a high note and continued it this week. My only hope is that ABC realizes it has a winner and gives it time to take hold. It’s not that I need more TV as it takes away from my reading. But I’m willing to sacrifice for quality TV and Castle fits that billing. We’ll be firing the DVR and tuning in next week.

And I get to feed my TV crush on Nathan Fillion.

If you missed the first two episodes you can catch them online at ABC.com

What’s it about:

Wildly famous mystery novelist Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion) is bored with his own success. Then he learns that a real-world copycat killer has started staging murder scenes depicted in his novels. Castle is questioned by NYPD Detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic), a bright and aggressive detective who keeps her investigations under tight rein. Though they instantly clash, sparks of another sort also begin to fly, leading both to danger and a hint of romance as Castle steps in to help find the killer. And once that case is solved, he and Beckett build on their new relationship as they look to solve more strange homicides in New York – as much fun as one can have with death and murder.

Castle is kept grounded by his Broadway diva mother, Martha Rodgers (Susan Sullivan), and quick-witted teenage daughter Alexis (Molly Quinn). Also starring in the series are Ruben Santiago-Hudson as NYPD Captain Roy Montgomery, Tamala Jones as Medical Examiner Lanie Parish, Jon Huertas as NYPD Detective Javier Esposito and Seamus Dever as NYPD Detective Kevin Ryan.

“Castle” is produced by ABC Studios. Andrew Marlowe (writer, “Air Force One”) serves as executive producer/writer, along with executive producers Armyan Bernstein, Barry Schindel, Rob Bowman (who also directed the pilot) and Laurie Zaks.

***

Richard Castle is playing poker with James Patterson and Stephen J. Cannell

*** Did you watch it? Please let me know what you thought.

This week’s featured book is People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks.

Follow today’s discussion over at Elizabeth’s blog, As usual, I need more bookshelves

***

This week’s reading scheduling: Monday: The Printed Page Tuesday: Elizabeth’s blog, As usual, I need more bookshelves Wednesday: The Printed Page Thursday: Elizabeth from As usual, I need more booshelves Friday: The Printed Page/Elizabeth from As usual, I need more bookshelves

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If you’ve read, or are currently reading, People of the Book, please stop by and share your thoughts with us.

***

I’m a very visual person and love beautiful, or interesting, cover art. It entices, and invites, me to stop and take a peek instead of walking right on by. This week’s Cover Attraction is:

Title: Under The Lemon Trees Author: Bhira Backhaus Release date: March ’09

From Fantastic Fiction: A beautifully written debut novel of a young Indian woman struggling between embracing her heritage and fitting in as an American.

In Oak Grove, California, 1976, there are as many Sikh temples as Christian churches, the city council has prints announcements in both English and Punjabi and the large Indian immigrant community is gracefully coexists with the old farming families. But for 15-year-old Jeeto, figuring out where she fits best – and what she must do to find that fit – isn’t so easy.

Jeeto soon realizes that the women around her do far more than drink tea on balmy California afternoons – their traditions and religion give shape to fortune and destiny in a world of arranged marriages and strict family politics that force Jeeto to struggle with reconciling the possibilities of freedom and love.

In the tradition of Jhumpa Lahiri and Arundhati Roy, Under the Lemon Trees is poised to speak to this same audience in an historically successful market. A stellar debut from an acclaimed writer, this is a story about finding love and discovering a true home while navigating traditions, family and faith – part Bend it Like Beckham, part Monsoon Wedding, this is a cultural and romantic tour de force.

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What’s your favorite cover attraction this week? Don’t forget to leave a link to your Cover Attraction post.

Welcome to By the Chapter. This week’s featured book is People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. Sharing hosting duties with me this week is Elizabeth from As usual, I need more bookshelves.

***

If you’re not familiar with People of the Book here’s a little background on the book from Amazon: Late one night in the city of Sydney, Hanna Heath, a rare book conservator, gets a phone call. The Sarajevo Haggadah (Wikipedia link), which disappeared during the siege in 1992, has been found, and Hanna has been invited by the U.N. to report on its condition. Missing documents and art works (as Dan Brown and Lev Grossman, among others, have demonstrated) are endlessly appealing, and from this inviting premise Brooks spins her story in two directions. In the present, we follow the resolutely independent Hanna through her thrilling first encounter with the beautifully illustrated codex and her discovery of the tiny signs-a white hair, an insect wing, missing clasps, a drop of salt, a wine stain-that will help her to discover its provenance. Along with the book she also meets its savior, a Muslim librarian named Karaman. Their romance offers both predictable pleasures and genuine surprises, as does the other main relationship in Hanna’s life: her fraught connection with her mother. In the other strand of the narrative we learn, moving backward through time, how the codex came to be lost and found, and made. From the opening section, set in Sarajevo in 1940, to the final section, set in Seville in 1480, these narratives show Brooks writing at her very best. With equal authority she depicts the struggles of a young girl to escape the Nazis, a duel of wits between an inquisitor and a rabbi living in the Venice ghetto, and a girl’s passionate relationship with her mistress in a harem. Like the illustrations in the Haggadah, each of these sections transports the reader to a fully realized, vividly peopled world. And each gives a glimpse of both the long history of anti-Semitism and of the struggle of women toward the independence that Hanna, despite her mother’s lectures, tends to take for granted. Brooks is too good a novelist to belabor her political messages, but her depiction of the Haggadah bringing together Jews, Christians and Muslims could not be more timely. Her gift for storytelling, happily, is timeless.

*** Link to pictures from the Sarajevo Haggadah These illustrations are incredibly breathtaking, especially when you realize the age and time in which they were created. Be sure to click through all the links on the left side bar of Sarajevo Haggadah page.

*** Follow the journey with Elizabeth and myself this week.

***

Since we last left Hannah and the Sarajevo Haggadah both have journeyed far. Hannah’s journey has brought her a family she had no prior knowledge of placing even more strain on her relationship with her mother. The Haggadah has become a world traveler moving through Vienna and Venice. First it lands in the hands of a book binding expert. Leaving Vienna behind the Haggadah next appears in the clutches of a Roman Catholic priest, via a Rabbi and his wealthy patron.

***

At this point in time, for me, Hannah’s personal journey isn’t adding anything significant to the storyline. It is simply there and is what it is. I don’t find that I’m vested in this fractured relationship with her deceitful, overbearing mother. Actually I find Hannah quite boring. I don’t skip the sections that pertain only to Hannah but I don’t pay very close attention to them either. I use these chapters to glean pieces of the Haggadah’s movement over the centuries through her study of research documents associated with this prayer book and the various stains and markings contained within its pages.

Whether fact, fiction or a combination of both this part of the book, the travels of the Haggadah, are what keeps me reading. Each of the separate locations and its assorted cast of characters add a unique voice to this story. We unravel a bit more of the mystery at each stop along this odyssey. There is the binder who is going blind from disease and is no longer reliable. A consequence of his medical condition is irreparable damage to the prayer book. Seeking treatment he sells valuable pieces of the Haggadah. Then we meet a Roman Catholic priest who sensors, and burns, potentially offensive books as part of his duties for the inquisition. Now the question becomes does he consign the Haggadah to the flames of hell or will long hidden, closely guarded family secrets halt his hand?

***

If you’ve read, or are currently reading, People of the Book, please share your thoughts with us.

*** This week’s reading scheduling: Monday: The Printed Page Tuesday: Elizabeth from As usual, I need more bookshelves Wednesday: The Printed Page Thursday: Elizabeth from As usual, I need more bookshelves Friday: The Printed Page/Elizabeth from As usual, I need more bookshelves

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This week’s featured book is People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks.

Follow today’s discussion over at Elizabeth’s blog, As usual, I need more bookshelves

***

This week’s reading scheduling: Monday: The Printed Page Tuesday: Elizabeth’s blog, As usual, I need more bookshelves Wednesday: The Printed Page Thursday: Elizabeth’s blog, As usual, I need more bookshelves Friday: The Printed Page/Elizabeth’s blog, As usual, I need more bookshelves

***

If you’ve read, or are currently reading, People of the Book, please stop by and share your thoughts with us.

***

Welcome to By the Chapter. This week’s featured book is People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. Sharing hosting duties with me this week is Elizabeth from As usual, I need more bookshelves.

***

If you’re not familiar with People of the Book here’s a little background on the book from Amazon: Late one night in the city of Sydney, Hanna Heath, a rare book conservator, gets a phone call. The Sarajevo Haggadah (Wikipedia link), which disappeared during the siege in 1992, has been found, and Hanna has been invited by the U.N. to report on its condition. Missing documents and art works (as Dan Brown and Lev Grossman, among others, have demonstrated) are endlessly appealing, and from this inviting premise Brooks spins her story in two directions. In the present, we follow the resolutely independent Hanna through her thrilling first encounter with the beautifully illustrated codex and her discovery of the tiny signs-a white hair, an insect wing, missing clasps, a drop of salt, a wine stain-that will help her to discover its provenance. Along with the book she also meets its savior, a Muslim librarian named Karaman. Their romance offers both predictable pleasures and genuine surprises, as does the other main relationship in Hanna’s life: her fraught connection with her mother. In the other strand of the narrative we learn, moving backward through time, how the codex came to be lost and found, and made. From the opening section, set in Sarajevo in 1940, to the final section, set in Seville in 1480, these narratives show Brooks writing at her very best. With equal authority she depicts the struggles of a young girl to escape the Nazis, a duel of wits between an inquisitor and a rabbi living in the Venice ghetto, and a girl’s passionate relationship with her mistress in a harem. Like the illustrations in the Haggadah, each of these sections transports the reader to a fully realized, vividly peopled world. And each gives a glimpse of both the long history of anti-Semitism and of the struggle of women toward the independence that Hanna, despite her mother’s lectures, tends to take for granted. Brooks is too good a novelist to belabor her political messages, but her depiction of the Haggadah bringing together Jews, Christians and Muslims could not be more timely. Her gift for storytelling, happily, is timeless.

*** Link to pictures from the Sarajevo Haggadah These illustrations are incredibly breathtaking, especially when you realize the age and time in which they were created. Be sure to click through all the links on the left side bar of Sarajevo Haggadah page.

*** Follow the journey with Elizabeth and myself this week.

***

This is a fictionalized story based on fact. Told in alternating chapters Hannah, a book conservator, takes us back through time following the journey of the Sarajevo Haggadah. The remarkable odyssey of the Sarajevo Haggadah in the People of the Book starts in Sarajevo in 1996 and travels back through the centuries to 1480. A point of clarification about Hannah’s conservator job I wasn’t aware of. Her job is to bring a book to a state where it can be handled and displayed, not to it restore to it’s original condition. Meaning that she doesn’t remove stains, markings or restore illustrations. She repairs bindings, tears, and other assorted damage. Leaving the assorted stains and markings allows historians to trace it’s travels through sophisticated DNA testing.

So far I’ve journeyed through 104 pages. Hannah has repaired the book for display finding a piece of insect wing, one white hair, and a missing clasp. She’s also discovered a wine stain and salt drop within it’s pages. Tracing the history of this book, through the insect wing, Hannah discovers that during the early 1940s the Sarajevo Haggadah was rescued from the hands of the Germans by the National Museum kustos (curator), Serif, and secreted away in the mountains with family.

The binding itself leads us to Vienna in 1894 where I’m currently at.

***

Hannah isn’t a character that I know much about right now. She and her mother, a doctor, have a difficult and strained relationship. She becomes involved in the lives of the museum kustos, Ozren Karaman, and his hospitalized son Aida. In the short time she’s spent in Ozren’s company she’s built an attachment to father and child so strong that she’s gone as far as to smuggle the child’s x-rays out the country without Ozren’s permission and against his wishes.

I’m not really sure where Hannah’s story is headed at this point in the book. I can’t see her being more than a facilitator and guide of the Sarajevo Haggadah’s story. Unlike Sarah’s Key where Ms. de Rosnay was able to bring Julia’s and Sarah’s stories together I don’t see that happening here.

What I love about stories such as the People of the Book is when an author is able to take a historical event or fact which has moderate to little known information and creates a story which holds my interest and makes me believe what I’m reading. Weaving fact and fiction together takes imagination and ingenuity and Ms. Brooks does a splendid job.

The story of the Sarajevo Haggadah is very intriguing. To think we have these wonderful treasures surviving thousands of years, enduring countless encounters with nature’s elements and human mishandling, and through the marvels of modern technology we can unlock their secrets. I expect this will be very educational and engrossing journey.

This book is definitely holding my interest from a historical aspect. Ms. Brooks is a new-to-me author but I’m looking forward to finishing this wonderful book and reading her other novels.

***

If you’ve read, or are currently reading, People of the Book please share your thoughts with us.

*** This week’s reading scheduling: Monday: The Printed Page Tuesday: Elizabeth from As usual, I need more bookshelves Wednesday: The Printed Page Thursday: Elizabeth from As usual, I need more bookshelves Friday: The Printed Page/Elizabeth from As usual, I need more bookshelves

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If you’re new to Mailbox Monday welcome! Thank you to everyone who stops by Mailbox Monday. Whether you comment or visit I appreciate your taking the time to drop in.

My mailbox brought a smile to my face again this week. 

Action/thriller/suspense ~ Illegal by Paul Levine (new-to-me author/publicist)

Action/thriller/suspense ~ The Hong Kong Connection by S.G. Kiner (new-to-me author/sent to me by the author)

Memoir ~ The Side-Yard Superhero by Richard D. Niece (new-to-me author/publicist)

Historical fiction ~ The Palace Circle by Rebecca Dean (new-to-me author/Shelf Awareness)

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What books came into your house last week? Don’t forget to leave a link to your Mailbox post or a list of books if you don’t have a blog.

Welcome to By the Chapter. This week’s featured book is Mrs. Perfect by Jane Porter. I’d like to thank Amy from My Friend Amy for sharing hosting duties with me this week.

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If you’re not familiar with Mrs. Perfect here’s a little background on the book from Amazon:

Taylor Young has convinced the other suburban mothers of Bellevue, Wash., that she’s the quintessential supermom who manages to stay impeccably coiffed while tending to her dapper husband, three amazing wee ones and picture-perfect home. But she has never shaken off her own insecurities, which include a psychic hangover from her troubled upbringing and an ongoing battle with bulimia. When hubby Nathan drops a bombshell on her, Taylor is forced to confront her fears and the reality of how her life will change, not necessarily for the better. While Taylor would be easy to loathe, her frailties and insecurities go a long way to turning her into an endearing lead, making this less dopey and more poignant than the standard mommy lit fare.

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I finished Mrs. Perfect Wednesday afternoon. Of the 4 books I’ve read and Ms. Porter has written for 5 Spot I by far found this book to be the most current and relevant given what is happening in the United States today. She touches on so many issues large and small.

1) Personal issues for women and girls such as self-image, self-esteem, perfectionism, having to do all be all, the belittling ways we treat ourselves and each other. We have this perception that we’re never good enough fed to us by society in general but specifically TV, magazines and newspapers. Stop already! We need to give ourselves the credit we deserve. We spend so much time with mean self-talk and wallowing in guilt that we forget to look at our accomplishments and pat ourselves on the back. Chapter 23 sums it up best. If you don’t read the book at least read this chapter.

Taylor is so mired and bogged down in her issues that they consume her eating away at her self-respect, her marriage, her family. We know Taylor is a survivor as evidenced by the life she’s built after overcoming childhood adversity. She’s a strong capable woman, achieving more than she ever dreamed she would. This woman accomplishes more in the single day than I do in a week or two. It’s just that she refuses to recognize her worthiness. She takes herself too seriously. As we watch her life crumble we catch glimpses of the woman Taylor once was but I don’t think they’re enough to truly save her. Through working with Marta Taylor gets a fresh take on coping. Unfortunately I don’t think she has the proper support system to help her through the challenges that lie ahead.

And her husband, Nathan, is a piece of work. As much as Taylor loves him forgiveness comes a bit too easy. The circumstances while extremely stressful don’t justify his behavior. He doesn’t do Taylor, or himself, any favors by lying and hiding behind excuses. But then again he is human. And as Taylor and we’ve all learned we aren’t perfect.

2) The allure and seduction of money! Ah the Young’s seemingly have it all. This lavish lifestyle covered in its glossy veneer. The storybook marriage, adorable children, a big beautiful home, fancy cars and clothes, the country club and gym memberships and rubbing shoulders with the other pretty people. Honestly the money would be nice, I’d be lying if I told you differently, but not at the expense of my marriage and friends. True, stick by you through thick and thin friends. Not the snotty, brittle, backstabbing group that surrounds Taylor. She learns a difficult lesson at the hands of these women. And really what did all that frivolous spending get her? A boat load of trouble and heartache.

***

So with all the being said I loved it. Ms. Porter writes a deeper than surface level of chick lit and beach read with this book. Frankly I was expecting this book to be a bit lighter in subject matter but I most certainly wasn’t disappointed. She always writes with realism and touches of humor no matter how bleak the situation. And her characterization of Taylor was spot on. Having meet Taylor originally in Odd Mom Out I wasn’t expecting to like her very much. I still don’t think I’d be friends with Taylor but I have a new found respect for her.  

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If you’ve read, or are currently reading, Mrs. Perfect please share your thoughts with us.

*** This week’s reading scheduling: Monday: The Printed Page Tuesday: Amy from My Friend Amy Wednesday: The Printed Page Thursday: Amy from My Friend Amy Friday: The Printed Page/Amy from My Friend Amy

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Don Bruns is giving away a signed copy of his book, Bahama Burnout, to one lucky tour visitor. Go to Don’s book tour page, http://don-bruns.omnimystery.com/, enter your name, e-mail address, and this PIN, 2736, for your chance to win. Entries from The Printed Page will be accepted until 12:00 Noon (PT) tomorrow. No purchase is required to enter or to win. The winner (first name only) will be announced on Don’s book tour page next week.

***

Book Description For rock and roll writer Mick Sever, another story, another deadly island paradise is all in a day’s work. This time, Mick heads to Nassau, Bahamas, home of the legendary Highland Studio. Known for pumping out hits that burn up the charts, Highland is where the magic happens-or rather, where the magic happened until a devastating fire destroyed the entire studio. No one knows how the fire started, who started it-or whose body was found among the charred ruins. Sent to get the inside story on the opening of the new Highland Studio, Mick finds this is hardly the Phoenix-rising-out-of-the-ashes story he expected. Some say the studio’s haunted, some say it’s cursed, but one thing is for sure: someone-or something-wants to stop the music. A smashed guitar and erased tracks send a subtle warning, but murder? That’s an entirely different tune. If Mick doesn’t act fast, Highland Studio, along with everything and everyone in its path, could go up in smoke.It’s not always better to burn out than to fade away.

About the Author A musician, songwriter, advertising executive, and award-winning novelist, Don Bruns is the author of Stuff to Die For, which was named a finalist in the National Best Books 2007 Awards and the 2007 Lefty Awards. Bruns has also authored Jamaica Blue, Barbados Heat, South Beach Shakedown, and St. Barts Breakdown, a mystery series featuring rock and roll journalist Mick Sever.

*** I had the pleasure of reading Bahama Burnout last week. It’s the 5th book in the Caribbean Series mysteries. Usually I like to read book series in order so that I’m familiar with the characters and don’t miss anything that might carry over from book to book. So not the case with Mr. Bruns Caribbean Series. I picked up Bahama Burnout and fell right into the mystery, and Mitch’s life, without missing a beat. It doesn’t fit the cozy category but it’s not real hard core murder either, it falls somewhere in between. I finished this book in day and was thoroughly entertained the entire time. The cast of characters is varied and the setting unique – a haunted(?) music studio in the Bahamas. There were clues large and small along the way though I didn’t put most of them together until the very end. I look forward to spending more time with rock and roll journalist Mick Sever. Mr. Bruns Caribbean series is a hit with me and I’ll be downloading the other books in this series to my Kindle.