Book Description
A devoted wife and mother of three, Lois Meade cleans houses in the quaint village of Long Farnden. When a local spinster is murdered, Lois finds herself poking around her clients' houses for clues. But her quest for the killer will uncover some surprising secrets about this seemingly peaceful village-and put her family in mortal danger.
Customer Reviews:
Good plot and wonderful characters, but horribly padded.......2007-09-11
Murder on Monday is a wonderful portrayal of murder in a small English country village that rivals Agatha Christie in its portrayal of the inhabitants and their goings-on. Lois Meade is likeable without being an over-the-top genius like some other literary detectives. The plot is fiendishly simple: a spinster is murdered, and Lois suspects the murderer resides in one of the five househoulds for which she does housework. Each home has a different secret and true-to-life characters. Where the novel fail dismisally, however, (and this is diffucult to explain without giving too much away) is the relationship between Lois and her husband, which seems perfect at one moment until it takes a disasterous turn out of nowhere which seemed completely out of place, both in the way it was written and the manner in which Lois reacts to it. As for the conclusion, any avid mystery fan knows that the murderer is always the least likely suspect, and I could see it coming half way through the book. However, the novel was nevertheless above average and I definitely look forward to reading the next installment, albeit with higher expectations.
A solid modern-day British mystery.......2007-07-17
I'm a fan of traditional British mysteries and the first five paragraphs of this book led me to believe that this story would be a wonderful Christie-like book. A woman is strangled while making tea for a woman's meeting in the village hall--what a perfect English murder!
Then I flipped the page and met Lois Meade, a most untraditional character.
While this book has all the usual trappings of a British village mystery--country doctors, local vicars, thatched cottages and back gardens--it is frimly rooted in the twenty-first century. And while one might miss the Old World atmosphere, the book has a simple homey charm all its own.
It took me quite some time to warm up to the prickly Lois, but in the end, I found that I really liked her. She has the potential to grow into a fabulous character and I hope the author will continue to develop her throughout the rest of the series.
Lois is a believable person who loves her family (even if they do drive her crazy) and who wants to do something more worthwhile with her life than cleaning other people's houses. She applies to be a Special Constable and is flatly turned down. When the village spinster is murdered soon afterward, she decides to see if she can figure out who the killer is. But Lois is distracted by her own problems at home: her daughter is carrying on with an older boy and her husband has a guilty secret.
Bottom line, if you're looking for a traditional British mystery, this might not be the book for you. If you're looking for edge-of-your-seat thrills, look elsewhere. But if you're interested in reading an entertaining mystery with a different kind of amateur detective, look no farther.
Just my cup of tea!.......2007-03-12
This was my introduction to Lois Meade and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A little bit different--Lois is a house cleaner--and we get to know her family while Lois goes about trying to solve this mystery. I am looking forward to reading more about Lois and her family. I gave this 4 stars instead of five only because nothing is really perfect!
Not Your Usual Cozy ! .......2007-02-25
When a book is advertised as a cozy it brings to mind a unthreatening, pleasent and possibly an unlifting read. Kinda like sunshine on flowers.
Well, Lois is scrappy and her family is gritty...Welcome to the real world of the working class!
This is a very well written British mystery with a great plot, slightly underdeveloped characters and an accurate description of small village life. Definately NOT sunshine on flowers.
If you like your characters more reality based, Lois is your girl.
Disappointed........2006-12-23
You would think by now I would have learned not to judge a book by its cover, but that's exactly what I did in this case. The picture on the front cover is charming. The words "Fresh, engaging, and authentically British" from a Booklist reviewer are splashed on the cover. And that reeled me in.
If you like the cozy mystery genre, and are a fan of Agatha Christie, Anne Perry, Dianne Day, Rita Mae Brown, or Margaret Miles, this may not be the book for you. If you liked the 90's TV show Roseanne, you're in for a treat. She's back, this time as a British house cleaner named Lois. Ann Purser goes out of her way to make Lois unsympathetic, and her husband Derek and daughter Josie downright annoying and unlikeable. It seems as though Purser's trying to break down the stereotype of the British mystery by choosing working-class characters in modern times, which I completely respect, but she's building up another stereotype at the same time: that working-class people are brash, crass, and argumentative.
Aside from unsympathetic and sometimes annoying characters, the conclusion of this mystery is a bit far-fetched, and leaves a lot of questions unanswered. The sad thing is, I'm not even all that curious about having them answered.
A very unsatifying read.
Average customer rating:
- A "do not read"
- If It's Monday, It Must Be Murder
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If It's Monday, It Must Be Murder!: A Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery
Hannah Fairchild
Manufacturer: 1st Books Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Mystery
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0759627207 |
Book Description
Until now, San and Salome, the wealthy Thaxton twins are known best for their restaurant's Shoo-fly Pie. Then Sal finds a foot sticking out of the fire-chute in her classroom closet and Sam must help unmask the dastardly deed doer.
Customer Reviews:
A "do not read".......2006-08-05
I was hopeful when I bought this book, but very disapointed when I finished reading it. The main problems with this book is that there are a) too many characters, b)they get called by different names throughout the book, if I remember correctly the main sleuth has 4 different ones, c) everybody in the book has something drastic happening in their lives so you hardly can remember individual disasters, I mean how likely is it that among c.a. forty characters no one is neither insane, being abused sexually or physically, mentally retarded, autistic, a con artist, steriod abuser or... you get my meaning. The energy the author puts into making up all these bizarre characters is at the cost of the story line which basically isn't there at all. Never, ever, will I buy another book by this author.
If It's Monday, It Must Be Murder.......2004-10-15
This is a fun read! I thought I had the villain figured out, but no, not til near the end was I surprised. Characters are well thought out and endearing, so you really get hooked. I liken this to Linda Howard's books. Hard to put down.
Average customer rating:
- I was there
- More
- byron schmyron
- Running in "Packs"
- As Good As Grisham
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Lay Down With Dogs: The Story of Hugh Otis Bynum and the Scottsboro First Monday Bombing
Byron Woodfin
Manufacturer: University of Alabama Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| United States
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Alabama
| State & Local
| United States
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Civil Procedure
| Procedures & Litigation
| Law
| Subjects
| Books
Courts
| Procedures & Litigation
| Law
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Criminal Law
| Law
| Subjects
| Books
Criminology
| Crime & Criminals
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Murder & Mayhem
| True Accounts
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
True Crime
| True Accounts
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Terrorism
| Current Events
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Civil Procedure
| Procedures & Litigation
| Law
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0817308458 |
Customer Reviews:
I was there.......2007-01-30
I can't vouch for the authenticity of the facts of this story, which some here are disputing, but I did find this book a fascinating read. I was one of the students at Caldwell Elementary when the bomb went off, and I will never forget that day. My family left the south a few years later, and I never knew what the bombing was all about, although I knew Ramona Campbell slightly (we had the same piano teacher), and Hugh Otis lived next to a family friend. This book answered all my questions and was real page-turner as well.
More.......2006-07-28
Byron's account of the attemped killing of Loy Campbell is very accurate. There are many other stories about Hugh Otis, enough to write other books. Like the time that Hugh Otis Bynum cornered a man on dead end road in the Langston, Alabama community. This coward of a man Hugh Otis Bynum, held a pistol on a man and with his other hand took a pocket knife and cut the man up. Hugh Otis was feared in the community by man people...In the end Hugh Otis got what he deserved.....buried in Alabama Department of Correction clothing!
byron schmyron.......2003-10-29
as the only grandson (and namesake as well) of a very good friend of hugh otis bynum, i found the book amusing at best and i note that the tome is economical with the truth.
my grandfather visited hugh otis in prison on a regular basis after his sentence was passed down. in fact, i still have several pairs of hugh otis bynum's shoes; they were given to my grandfather by hugh otis since he would not be able to wear civilian garb for the remainder of his days...they wore the same size shoes.
my grandfather was an electrician by trade; he was very capable at utilizing wires. i am aware of this since he lived with my family on a farm when i was a child and many days were spent listening to his tales of the jackson county area...the unvarnished truth. i visit scottsboro regulary.
how unfortunate that i share anything in common with the author, much less a name. even less fortunate is the fact that the truth has yet to be told.
when i visited scottsboro last week to visit my family gravesite (i shall be buried in cedar hill cemetery next to my grandfather), i was aware that there will never be another "first monday". i'm certain that the author is cognizant of this as well.
if the author wishes to contact me, he may feel free. as an aside, you may view more about me on my aol homepage; my aol screen name is "Drone Note".
i bet that hugh otis and "papa" are laughing their respective asses off even as i write this. i know that i am. imagine the realization of the author when he finds that he doesn't even really know what happened or even why it took place.
all in all, the book is a primer of some interesting people in some interesting times in a very interesting place. other than that, the book serves quite nicely for the reader who wishes for a spartan attempt to describe a Spartan of a man.
Running in "Packs".......2002-06-06
Let's get into the doghouse, your story may come from trial transripts but where's the rest of the story......you see, I'm the sister of a character in your book. Where are the other fleas bags you forget to mention?
As Good As Grisham.......1999-12-07
Someone please make this into a screenplay! The story is of course, true, and far more gripping than any of the nonfiction crime stories out there. The characters of Bynum, McCrary, and Baxley are larger than life, and the peripheral players (other witnesses and attorneys) are memorable as well. Author Woodfin did his homework and tells the story in an entertaining, yet unbiased manner. At just over 200 pages, this book is a great way to spend a quiet weekend, or a flight. It will transport you to 1970's Alabama...a fascinating place to be.
Average customer rating:
- Great series from Pat Cook
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Monday Always Leads to Murder
Pat Cook
Manufacturer: Dramatic Pub Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Drama
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1583420649 |
Customer Reviews:
Great series from Pat Cook.......2003-03-04
I've had a chance to either see or perform in several of Pat Cook's plays. This one is one of the best. Cook's writing is crisp, genuinely funny and fast paced. His Harry Monday plays are fun to do, especially for high school or college-aged actors. This guy is definitely one of the wittiest American playrights out there. Very refreshing to find someone who can be funny and not use gross, rude or foul language.
Average customer rating:
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Murder on Monday
Manufacturer: Lippincott
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GJW0JO |
Average customer rating:
|
Salome and Other Decadent Fantasies
Brian Stableford
Manufacturer: Wildside Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General | Short Stories | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Stableford, Brian | ( S ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1587154072 |
Customer Reviews:
Book 2.......2006-05-30
This title is the second book in the Last Chancers trilogy. The single novel was released in November 2001. It begins with Kage in prison waiting for Schaeffer to come back for him. Even if you read the first novel, you will find yourself a bit lost due to this. Yet once Kage is picked up, it is on to the next suicide mission. This time the mission targets a Tau general. In my opinion, it seems as though the author is changing his writing style. The smooth flow, if you can call any story set in the WH40K universe that, is missing. This one is more choppy. It gets slow often. I found myself even getting bored at some points.
*** All-in-all, it is not as wonderful as the first Last Chancers book, but not too bad either. Could have been much better, but by the same token, it could have been much worse. As of February 2006, readers have another option. All three titles in the Last Chancers trilogy, as well as two short stories that help tie the three main novels together, are now in one MASSIVE novel ISBN: 1844163008. However, if you want to keep each novel separate, then purchasing the stand alone novels is the way to go. ***
Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.
So Where did the fun from the last book go.......2005-08-02
I read this book right after I read the 13th legion book and I had a really hard time finishing it. I enjoyed 13th legion and could not put it down but this one was a completely different story. Throughout the whole book it just seems to drag on and on, especially through the middle with the meetings with the Tau. It did not seem to have the spark that the first book did, nor any suprises that the first one did. Then when it finally did get into some action towards the end of the book, it was over very fast. I was disappointed.
Kill team? More like killed theme..........2003-12-16
Starts off with Kage in prison; a rabid dog waiting for the Colonel to slip off his chain. The interesting character and plot development seizes the readers attention early in the book, only to squander this advantage in the second half. This book loses sight of what made 13th legion such fun, and quickly descends into a bland gun battle with the alien Tau. Gone is the enjoyment of seeing Kage try to escape while the mysterious Colonel sends him into one deathtrap after another. This book abandons that inspired theme and becomes a straightforward tactical battle. You will probably like this if you are a fan of the Tau, and don't expect an engaging plot.
The Warhammer Loremaster Flexes his Muscle.......2001-11-30
Gav Thorpe's 13th Legion returns again(sort of as only Kage survived, but he is back at least). Lt. Kage the antihero of the story once again finds himself back under Col. Schaeffer, but this time his mission is different he will be training and leading a kill team to assassinate a tau general. Thorpe's word is law and the Tau codex designers made sure not to contradict his prose. Thorpe's descriptions of the Tau are great, And Kage is fleshed out as a character even more so than in 13th legion.
Product Description
Multiple books shipped as one item for your convenience. Save on Shipping/Handling charges.
Product Description
Multiple books shipped as one item for your convenience. Save on Shipping/Handling charges.
Product Description
Multiple books shipped as one item for your convenience. Save on Shipping/Handling charges.
Product Description
Multiple books shipped as one item for your convenience. Save on Shipping/Handling charges.
Product Description
Multiple books shipped as one item for your convenience. Save on Shipping/Handling charges.
Book Description
Every recipe from every 2004 issue of Food & Wine, the top-selling cuisine magazine--all in one beautiful volume.
More than 900,000 subscribers heartily agree: there's always something delicious going on at Food & Wine. And it's all here in the annual cookbook, which includes every recipe published in the magazine during the year 2004--more than 500 dishes accompanied by scrumptious-looking photographs. But that's not all: the volume will include 50 all-new kitchen tips, as well as an extensive glossary of readily-available wines. The contributors remain absolutely stellar, cuisine's finest, including Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Jacques Pépin, and Paula Wolfert. Such recipes as the mouthwatering Fettuccine with Mushrooms and Prosciutto, Beef Tenderloin with Bacon and Creamed Leeks, and Double Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Filling are kitchen-tested on home equipment, making them easy to re-create. Here's real food that real people who want to eat well can actually prepare, dishes that reflect the many ways we cook today.
Customer Reviews:
Food and Wine cookbook 2005.......2006-03-09
Love the recipes and the lay out of this book. Also nice that main dishes are paired with suggested wines. I'm a big fan of the "Food & Wine" cookbooks.
The Great Cook's Notes.......2005-09-18
I have always enjoyed Food & Wine magazine -- but when I saw this cookbook during an out of town visit at my sister's home in Maryland, I instantly fell in love and wanted one of my own!! I ordered the book from her computer,an could not wait to get home to review the recipes again. Fantastic selection of recipes, something to fit everyone' tastes! Thanks for a wonderful publication, from another up and coming "Great Cook"!!
Books:
- Murder, She Wrote: Margaritas & Murder (Murder She Wrote)
- Murder, She Wrote: The Maine Mutiny (Murder, She Wrote)
- N Is for Noose
- Nightmare in Pink (Travis McGee Mysteries)
- One Step Behind
- Payment in Kind
- Pick Your Poison: A Yellow Rose Mystery (Yellow Rose Mysteries)
- Seeing a Large Cat (Amelia Peabody Mysteries)
- Serpent on the Crown CD (Amelia Peabody Mysteries)
- Sorrow's Anthem (Lincoln Perry)
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Terror on Tuesday (Lois Meade Mysteries)
Weeping on Wednesday (Lois Meade Mysteries)
Theft on Thursday (Lois Meade Mysteries)
Fear on Friday (Lois Meade Mysteries)
Secrets On Saturday
