Customer Reviews:
All four Garden Mysteries by Mary Freeman.......2005-10-02
Although each of Mary Freeman's garden mysteries can stand alone as enjoyable fiction, knowing that I didn't have to let the characters go once I'd finished the first, second or even the third book added much to my pleasure. In my opinion, Mary Freeman's characterization is outstanding. I could see each character clearly and hear the intonation of each voice. I could imagine myself either stepping forward or making myself scarce when various characters approached. Mary Freeman gives readers a close look at small town life in rural America.
Besides writing fast paced novels that are real page turners, Mary Freeman's main character, Rachel O'Connor, showed me how to choose plants for special effects and plants that will thrive if tucked in just the right places. She showed me how to turn an unsightly patch of ground into something special with the right landscaping and care.
More mysteries, please, Mary! And will you also write a book on gardening targeted for novice gardeners?
Betty Erickson, children's writer
Thoroughly enjoyable.......2003-08-23
I find these mysteries delightful. The protagonist and her circle of acquaintances are charming. The gardening aspect just makes it more fun.
Second book in 'Gardening Mysteries' a success!.......2001-06-03
I enjoyed my second experience with Mary Freeman's 'Gardening Mysteries' almost as much as my first. In *Deadly Nightshade*, we are treated to another few weeks in the life of Rain Country Landscaping owner Rachel O'Connor.
Since we first met Rachel in *Devil's Trumpet*, her company received a contract to landscape for the City of Blossom and her courtship with Jeff the policeman has continued to grow. Unfortunately, the town's political agenda has not gone so well. In the midst of a debate over whether the town should allow commercial growth, town councilman Bob Dougan is found dead. And unfortunately, Rachel's hot-tempered Uncle Jack is a prime suspect.
I am still so glad I found Freeman's books and encourage all mystery fans to give this series a shot!
Getting better.......2000-11-27
Mary Freeman's second novel in the "Gardening mysteries" series is certainly shaping-up her skills as a mystery writer. In "Deadly nightshade", we encounter Rachel once more, together with most of the characters from the previous novel "Devil's Trumpet"; although it is now two years later and some changes have taken place in Blossom: Jeff (Rachel's beau) is now the Chief of Police, and Rachel has gotten the City landscaping contract. All hell breaks loose when a City Councilman is found dead just at the place where Rachel is currently demonstrating her marvelous landscaping skills. When her temperamental uncle is actually accused of the murder, Rachel takes a personal interest in the case.
In this book the previous mistake of "guessing" the murderer's identity beforehand is corrected; and there is no way to know whodunit right up until the end of the story.
Freeman's character-handling and dialogue techniques are ever present to delight everybody once more. For gourmet and culinary gurus, I reccommend a trip to "The Bread Box", Blossom's magnificient bakery store, which makes my mouth water everytime I read about the delicacies it offers. Too bad this is fiction.
A good complex mystery.......1999-11-10
If Norman Rockwell had seen modern day Blossom, Oregon, he would have hosted his paintings there. The townsfolk know each other so well that no one locks doors. Native born Rachel O'Conner loves her small town and opens the Rain Country Landscaping firm rather than just join the family orchard business. Rachel believes she could never work with her hot-tempered Uncle Jack who knows everyone else is always wrong unless they agree with him. Jack's reputation for rage leads him into deep trouble when Rachel finds the murdered body of a person who just had an ugly confrontation with her uncle.
The dispute stems from the town counsel and mayor wanting to annex private land to insure developers are unable to deface the panoramic view. Some of Jack's property would be included if eminent domain is invoked. The local residents seem split down the middle as to whether Jack is capable of killing someone over a land debate. Rachel's, boy friend, the Chief of Police, brings Jack in for questioning, which leads Rachel to begin sleuthing. Her endeavor turns dangerous as a killer is not afraid to murder again.
DEADLY NIGHTSHADE is an entertaining novel about life in small town interrupted by a murder. At times, the delightful characters who inhabit Blossom overwhelm the mystery that could have been resolved earlier if not for the charming ensemble. Fans who enjoy a warm tale about small town living will gain much pleasure from Mary Freeman's novel.
Harriet Klausner
Book Description
At 92 years of age, poetess and Martha's Vineyard native Victoria Trumbull is about to take on a new vocation-solving murders.
Customer Reviews:
Good idea - needs better execution..........2007-06-21
I love cozy mysteries, so I picked this one up at the library. I kept hoping it would improve as it went on, but it really didn't. There was not one appealing character in this story. The harbormaster is rude to his assistant constantly, the annoying assistant puts up with it, the 92 year old sleuth really does nothing to "solve" the case per se - plus she adores the harbormaster even though he treats her own granddaughter so badly. As well, there were a lot of "local" male characters who were bawdy and...just plain icky. Also, the murders in this book were almost too gruesome for a light-hearted mystery. All in all, I was really disappointed.
If you like cozies..........2007-03-07
Most cozy mysteries are yawners, and not very well written, so Deadly Nightshade came as a pleasant surprise. There aren't many 92 year old protagonists in novels these days, especially mysteries (exactly how old is Miss Marple?) Victoria makes a believable, admirable central character who accepts the problems that come with old age (she's been required to give up her driver's license) and doesn't let them prevent her from enjoying her life. As far as the murders go, this book presents them and solves them in line with typical cozy standards. I did not notice glaring editorial lapses, and Riggs writes in a literate, straightforward style. Not great lit, just a fun, intelligent bit of fiction.
It's ok........2004-09-13
Since I don't live on Martha's Vineyard and have never been there, the details of the island were rather lost on me. I also found the way the author skipped from one character scene to another a little disorienting. I would have enjoyed knowing more back story about the characters themselves and less about the island. An ok plot but nothing all that innovative or spectacular. A first book effort, we'll hope the series improves in the depth of its characters.
Read this book at Thanksgiving...it's a turkey!!!.......2003-07-28
Based on the cover hype, you would think this is one of the best novels ever written. It's not...by any means. Horrible writing, poor plot...and if I had to read the Harbormaster calling the old lady sweetheart one more time, I would have set the book on fire! Ugh!
A Disappointment.......2003-07-18
While I like Philip Craig's books, I was initially excited to read a mystery set in Martha's Vineyard, my favorite vacation destination, by a different author. However, after reading about 1/3 of the story, I found nothing about it that really grabs me, save for a sensationalized murder at the center of the plot. None of the characters are particularly appealing and I miss the little touches of humor and local commentary that are featured in Craig's Vineyard mysteries.
Customer Reviews:
Stylish and absorbing Henry Gamadge mystery.......1999-08-04
This is an early Elizabeth Daly mystery, written before she learned to simplify her complex plots and focus on psychological interest, rather than strewing red herrings wildly about. The date is September, 1939. Against the backdrop of war's outbreak, an urbane New Yorker and amateur detective, Henry Gamadge, helps Maine police investigate the mystery of three -- possibly four -- children poisoned with deadly nightshade in a single day. As always, the initial mystery leads Gamadge into deeper and darker territory, as he uncovers long-ago family misdeeds beneath the surface of apparent social respectability.
Product Description
3 Titles By Mary Freeman Gardening Mystery Series : Devil's Trumpet Deadly Nightshade Bleeding Heart. three mmpb books.
Product Description
A classic Henry Gamadge mystery.
Average customer rating:
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Deadly Nightshade
Ernest Oglesby
Manufacturer: Vanguard Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Science Fiction
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
| Books
| Adventure
| Alternate History
| Anthologies
| General
| Graphic Novels
| High Tech
| History & Criticism
| Series
| Short Stories
| Space Opera
ASIN: 184386133X |
Customer Reviews:
"Great Reading".......2006-04-19
This is a sequel to The Book of Gabriel. Another with lots of twists to the plot, if you love Dan Brown's books, as I do, you'll love these too, it's in the same category just different story lines. love it!!
Product Description
A c. 1970s boxed set of five great books by Isaac Asimov.
Average customer rating:
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Marlow House Mysteries: The Mystery of the Shadow Caves (Marlow House Mysteries , No 2)
Anthony Masters
Manufacturer: Wayland Pub Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Teens | Subjects | Books | Authors, A-Z | Biographies & Memoirs | Health, Mind & Body | History & Historical Fiction | Horror | Literature & Fiction | Manga | Mysteries | Reference | Religion & Spirituality | School & Sports | Science & Technology | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Series | Social Issues
Mysteries, Espionage, & Detectives | Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0750021608 |
Average customer rating:
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Master Drawings: From Cave Art to Picasso
Terisio Pignatti
Manufacturer: Book Sales
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Bargain Books | Stores | Books | Arts & Photography | Audiobooks | Biography | Business & Investing | Calendars | Children | Computers & Internet | Cooking, Food & Wine | Film | Greeting Cards & Accessories | Health, Mind & Body | History | Home & Garden | Humor, Comics & Pop Culture | Literature & Fiction | Mysteries & Thrillers | Nonfiction | Parenting & Families | Reference | Religion & Spirituality | Romance | Science & Nature | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Sports | Teens | Travel
General | Drawing | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1555214088 |
Average customer rating:
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Time Masters #4 (4 of 8)
Bob Wayne , and
Lewis Shiner
Manufacturer: DC Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Comic
General | Comic Strips | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
General | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
DC Comics | Publishers | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000MTB3RS |
Product Description
Prestige format comic book published by DC Comics. Revives the classic Silver Age character of Rip Hunter, Time Master for the modern era. Book 4 of an 8-issue limited series. The series features Rip Hunter and his time-traveling cohorts battling the immortal Vandal Savage across the centuries. This issue guest-stars the Silver Age revolutionary war hero Scalphunter. Scalphunter's sidekick Dan is revealed to have been a time traveler from the future all along. Also Guest-stars Cave Carson.
Average customer rating:
- Must read for all young people
- Practical and Insightful
- Saved our marriage.. literally
- Saved our marriage.. literally
- Long, but entertaining
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Men, Women and Relationships: Making Peace with the Opposite Sex
John Gray
Manufacturer: Harper Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Interpersonal Relations
| Relationships
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
Love & Romance
| Relationships
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Self-Help
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Gray, John
| Authors, A-Z
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
Paperback
| Gray, John
| Authors, A-Z
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Parenting & Families
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
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Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus: The Classic Guide to Understanding the Opposite Sex
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Mars and Venus Together Forever: Relationship Skills for Lasting Love
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Mars and Venus in the Bedroom
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What You Feel, You Can Heal: A Guide for Enriching Relationships
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Mars and Venus Starting Over
ASIN: 0060507861
Release Date: 2002-11-12 |
Book Description
Men and women are different -- there's no denying it. So why do we constantly expect the same actions and feelings from them? This enormously helpful book not only enables you to recognize the differences between you and your loved one but also leads you toward an acceptance of those differences, thereby paving the way for a stronger relationship.
With his characteristic wit and wisdom, relationship expert John Gray explains the different ways men and women communicate, cope with stress, resolve conflicts, and experience and give love. Once you understand these differences, you'll be better equipped to handle inevitable bumps in the road, and be on your way to a long-lasting and truly loving relationship.
Customer Reviews:
Must read for all young people.......2007-05-25
Anyone even thinking about love and marriage must read this book! It will prepare them for what is ahead in their lives; not just blue sky, lovey dovey stuff!
Practical and Insightful.......2005-12-16
Rarely does a book do such a good job informing the reader in a way that can change lives. John Gray helps the reader understand there are inevitable differences between men and women and the key to success in relationships is to understand and navigate those differences rather than to try and change or ignore them. I also highly recommend Men in Marriage: Straight Talk For Men About Marriage: What Men Need to Know About Marriage (And What Women Need to Know About Men)by Marty Friedman.
Saved our marriage.. literally.......2003-03-14
My wife and I divorced in 1995. We were apart for two years. Situations in our life kept bringing us back together to deal with children. Eventually we decided to try to put our marriage back together so we went to Christian counseling. Our counselor had us read this book. Time after time my jaw would drop open while reading. My wife said the same thing. I remember saying, "She isn't crazy afterall. Our differences are normal." Both our eyes were opened allowing us to accept our differences without feeling the other one did not care of love the other. This book along with our desire to do God's will was the basis for our putting our marriage back together. We remarried after 2-1/2 years apart. That was six years ago. I buy this book regularly to give to couples old and young alike. It is a Godsend for a society too quick to divorce and too misunderstanding of one another.
Saved our marriage.. literally.......2003-03-14
My wife and I divorced in 1995. We were apart for two years. Situations in our life kept bringing us back together to deal with children. Eventually we decided to try to put our marriage back together so we went to Christian counseling. Our counselor had us read this book. Time after time my jaw would drop open while reading. My wife said the same thing. I remember saying, "She isn't crazy afterall. Our differences are normal." Both our eyes were opened allowing us to accept our differences without feeling the other one did not care of love the other. This book along with our desire to do God's will was the basis for our putting our marriage back together. We remarried after 2-1/2 years apart. That was six years ago. I buy this book regularly to give to couples old and young alike. It is a Godsend for a society too quick to divorce and too misunderstanding of one another.
Long, but entertaining.......2002-11-02
Very well written guide for understanding the opposite sex. Even though it was written by a man, it amazes me how well he understands women and how we work. I think this book should be required reading for everyone!! Men, if you want to impress the women, read this! Also, since the book was written by a man, I assume us women can learn a lot about men as well. Read it!
Product Description
Now your dogs can say goodbye to the cardboard taste of commercial dog bones! This unique cookbook is full of wholesome, natural treats you can make in your bread machine. The recipes are healthy and easy to prepare, and you probably have many of the ingredients already. There are recipes for treats made with chicken broth and beef broth, as well as nonfat (for the possibly overweight dog), and vegetarian recipes. Author
Sondra Macdonald has tested her recipes extensively on dogs of all sizes and shapes, and her dog biscuits taste great!
Customer Reviews:
Great Book.......2004-11-27
I have been baking my own dog treats for years- even devoloping my own recipes so I had a lot of experience going in. I have to say that this book would definitely win my award for the 'dumbest recipe titles ever' going way beyond 'cute' and moving into truly 'stupid'. However, the recipes themselves are excellent! I always use my bread machine for mixing even when I bake bread so using it to mix the dog biscuits is very easy. The recipes are very creative. Although most recipes in this book use wheat flour- you could always substitute spelt flour for the wheat - the author would have done well to mention that in the beginning of the book.
Overall- great book with very creative recipes.
Not worth the bother.......2002-12-31
This book is a waste of time and money. For starters - it just uses the bread machine as a mixer - it is not anywhere near as easy as using your bread machine to make bread. So the title can be misleading. And as another reviewer said - it isn't for dogs with allergies. That was the whole point of me baking my own - to provide my dog with treats that he can't have otherwise because of his allergies. And the book is just too scatchy on the details. It doesn't tell you for each recipe how dark the treats should be when done - so you don't know if they are raw or burnt. I will return to the internet to search for some recipes for my dog that he can have despite the allergies and which I can make without guesswork.
Not for dogs with allergies.......2002-11-02
I got this book as a gift, and have just started facing some allergy problems with my dog. I haven't made any of these recipes yet, because every one of them calls for cornmeal and wheat flour, which are the most common things for dogs to be allergic to. There is also a whole chapter devoted to beef flavored recipes, which many long haired breeds are allergic to. It turns out that my dog probably is allergic to corn, so if I can find a substitute for cornmeal, I will try some of these recipes.
I was very disappointed that the author did not have a chapter devoted to allergen free recipes. To me, one of the biggest reasons to bake rather than buy treats, is to provide something that the stores don't provide. This book definitely does not do that. It gives you the opportunity to experiment with different flavors with your dog, but if your dog has a sensitive stomach, you probably don't like to do that anyway.
This is definitely more of a "fun, whimsical play with your dog" kind of book than it is a "provide the right nutrition for your dog" kind of book.
My dog and I thank you!!.......2002-10-15
I bought this book in a fit of self-indulgence... I am 40 pounds overweight and I love to cook all sorts of ethnic and gourmet meals. I was facing the prospect of trying to diet, and I was feeling very sorry for myself, not only for the fact that I'd have to eat much more sparingly, but because that also meant I would have to COOK much more sparingly. I don't like to be obligated to cook, but I sure do like it as a hobby, and I've failed many a diet before by convincing myself that food isn't fattening if it's homemade.
When I saw this book, I realized I had a key ingredient to my OWN successful diet. I could spend time in the kitchen, but I could spend it baking for my DOG. I've made dog cookies before, and while I enjoyed it once, the whole dough-blending process is laborious, and not something I wanted to repeat too often. And I own a bread machine, which I love to use, but which lies around gathering dust because when I bake bread, I eat bread, and I get fatter.
This book is just great. Each recipe is sort of a variation on a theme, and even though the recipes have a zillion ingredients, I have found them to be very tolerant of reasonable substitutions, once you figure out which ingredients are sort of interchangeable. And yet, the huge variety of recipes, complete with their cute little margin stories, make each round of baking a little adventure. I've made four recipes so far, some of which my dog has grudgingly shared with her various doggie friends and cousins. The reviews have been great across the board.
My recommendations if you buy this book: Do check the dough, as advised, 15 minutes after blending starts, because it's not uncommon to need a little more oil or water. Buy a nice size jar of yeast and a nice size jar of brewer's yeast and stick 'em in the fridge; have a shopping spree on a bunch of weird kinds of flour and brans and such, put them all in tupperwares so it'll all last, and then just bake, bake, bake. I've been baking about once every other week, and I'm not at ALL tired of it yet.
And I've lost eight pounds!!
Love your dog, LOVE THIS BOOK!.......2001-05-10
I smiled and chuckled through EVERY PAGE! Not only was it fun to make the biscuits , but the reading was so enjoyable. Everyone I know who loves dogs and has a bread machine is going to be getting this as a gift!
Books:
- Deadly Valentine
- Death at Devil's Bridge (Robin Paige Victorian Mysteries, No. 4)
- Deep Descent: Adventure and Death Diving the Andrea Doria
- Die Upon a Kiss (Benjamin January, Book 5)
- Down in the Zero
- Dying To Meet You (Samantha Shaw Mysteries)
- Elmore Leonard: La Brava; Cat Chaser; Split Images
- Faked To Death (Simon Kirby-Jones Mysteries)
- Femmes Fatal
- Ghost Walker
Books Index
Books Home
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- Molecular Spectroscopy Workbench: Advances, Applications, and Practical Advice on Modern Spectroscop
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- Professional Learning Communities at Work: Best Practices for Enhancing Student Achievement
- The 80 Proof Cookbook: An Introduction to Cooking With High Spirits
- Country Patterns: A Sampler of American Country Home and Landscape Designs from Original 19th Centur
- Innovation in Sustainable Housing: Tango
- Beneath the Ashes:: An Alaska Mystery
Devil's Trumpet (Gardening Mysteries)
Bleeding Heart (Gardening Mystery)
Garden View (Gardening Mysteries)
Murder Sets Seed (Bretta Solomon Gardening Mysteries)
Roots of Murder (Bretta Solomon Gardening Mysteries)
