Book Description
When the father of Carole's future daughter-in-law is found brutally murdered, Carole will need Jude's help in sifting through the guest list before her son marries into a family with a rather suspicious history.
Customer Reviews:
Same old, same old.......2007-10-04
This book is the sort that makes one think, "gosh, I could do better than that". It's a very standard, somewhat tedious mystery where the perpetrator is obvious early on. I expected better from Simon Brett.
Audacious Marital Complications.......2007-04-19
The premise for this story is what makes it worth reading: Carole Seddon's son, Stephen, is marrying into a rather odd family. Pascale's (Gaby's) parents don't even want there to be a wedding announcement . . . and they definitely don't want to be involved in the wedding planning. Stephen has also let drop that there's a history of murder in the family.
Most authors would stop at this point by having chilled us a bit with thoughts about whom our children might marry. Simon Brett charges gleefully forward by making the wedding preparations into a murderers' playground. As a result, you'll find yourself much more emotionally involved than in the typical Fethering mystery.
The mystery itself isn't all that hard to unravel, but the book's premise will keep your attention throughout. It's a dandy way to overturn the conventions of wedding stories.
With the wedding plans taking center stage, there's less than the usual byplay and interaction between Carole and Jude. They operate pretty independently of one another in this book, in part because Jude has a depressed friend (Gita) visiting who is pressed into the investigation.
I thought that many of the wedding preparation sequences were pretty funny, especially the engagement party hosted by Gaby's parents. If you've ever felt awkward at such an event, you'll roar when you read some of these scenes.
Great book.......2006-07-04
I love this series and eagerly grabbed this book as soon as it became available.
Carole's son Stephen is getting married. Carole is surprised and a little annoyed at first (after all, she's happy being a recluse and isn't thrilled at the prospect of being the Mother of the Groom and the wedding duties that she'll inevitably have to be involved in). But once she meets Stephen's lovely girlfriend Gaby and grows closer to Stephen, she finds herself acquiring the maternal instinct she never had before. (Wow, is Carole actually thawing out??)
It's that maternal instinct that prompts her - along with trusty sidekick and New Age neighbor Jude - to find out why Gaby seems so distracted and why her family is being elusive and jumpy.
The mystery itself is interesting and well planned, and there are a few heart stopping moments towards the end.
Overall, this is a great installment in the series.
Mediocre book in a mediocre series.......2006-01-31
This was an odd book -- a combination of a lower quality Anita Brookner novel about the life of a lonely middle age woman with a poor mystery, with only one, obvious suspect. It has convinced me to give up on this series because, despite my best hopes, it is just not going to get better. Brett writes the same book over and over again. Emotionally constipated Carole and free spirit/prospective saint Jude team up to solve not too complex mysteries out of seeming sheer boredom. Despite the fact that one, or both, of our heroines contiually find themselves in life threatening danger, they perpetually fail to seek the intervention of the police or seek help. As a minor spoiler, at one point in the book, with a dangerous killer on the loose, one of the women fears she is being watched, but does nothing to help herself, not alerting the police or the other "detective". If she did so then, of course, there would be no supposedly exciting conclusion.
I was a fan of the Charles Paris series, which Brett seemingly wisely stopped writing after turning Charles into an increasingly pathetic, unlikeable character. I also liked the Mrs. Pargeter series, which Brett also gave up after the one-joke nature of the series turned stale. Brett took up those flaws in this series, turning Carole into an unlikeable, sad character, who the author seems to detest. By contrast, Jude is portrayed as a noble goddess, insightful, wise, witty, etc, a view probably shared only by the author, especially as Jude. aware of Carole's emotional shortcomings, seems to take every opportunity to tortue and tease her "friend" by not revealing aspects of her life about which Carole is too emotionally constrained to ask about. The first two or three books were mildly diverting, and I read on hoping for an improvement, which did not occur. Instead, the same type of story has just been churned out again and again. Perhaps Carole can now hook up with Charles Paris, where they can live unhappily ever after.
If the mystery was stronger, that would carry the book, but unfortunately Brett seems barely concerned with the whodunit aspects of the story. Indeed, to accomplish some of his more absurd elements, he makes sure that both of the heroines do not have the internet or know how to access the web, which, for example, enables them to act baffled when they seem confused as to how to find out details about a well known murder, a plot contrivance which is highly unrealistic.
Sorry for spending so much time reviewing this book, but if I can keep one propspective reader from wasting their time like I did, then I accomplished something.
Wedding blues.......2006-01-08
While Carole Seddon is thrilled that her son, Stephen, is to be married to his girlfriend, Gaby, she is puzzled by the way in which Gaby's parents, Marie and Howard Martin seem to want to keep the event as low key as possible. Marie is a pale, wan creature with a habit of fainting if the slightest thing disturbs her. Following the couple's engagement party, Howard is picked up in a strange car which is found the next day, burned out and with his body inside. The Martin family is found to have connections to another murder which was carried out in just the same way, 30 years before, with the accused man having just been released after serving his full sentence. Carole delves into the secrets of this strange family with the help of her friend and neighbour, Jude, and uncovers murky pasts for several members of the family. It was an ok read, but not a book to keep me up into the small hours.
Product Description
Two novels in one. Large type for easy reading.
Customer Reviews:
Audacious Marital Complications.......2007-04-19
The premise for this story is what makes it worth reading: Carole Seddon's son, Stephen, is marrying into a rather odd family. Pascale's (Gaby's) parents don't even want there to be a wedding announcement . . . and they definitely don't want to be involved in the wedding planning. Stephen has also let drop that there's a history of murder in the family.
Most authors would stop at this point by having chilled us a bit with thoughts about whom our children might marry. Simon Brett charges gleefully forward by making the wedding preparations into a murderers' playground. As a result, you'll find yourself much more emotionally involved than in the typical Fethering mystery.
The mystery itself isn't all that hard to unravel, but the book's premise will keep your attention throughout. It's a dandy way to overturn the conventions of wedding stories.
With the wedding plans taking center stage, there's less than the usual byplay and interaction between Carole and Jude. They operate pretty independently of one another in this book, in part because Jude has a depressed friend (Gita) visiting who is pressed into the investigation.
I thought that many of the wedding preparation sequences were pretty funny, especially the engagement party hosted by Gaby's parents. If you've ever felt awkward at such an event, you'll roar when you read some of these scenes.
Average customer rating:
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Shakshi Gopal: A Witness for the Wedding
Joshua Greene
Manufacturer: Bala Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General
| Religions
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Hinduism
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0896470113 |
Product Description
TWO FAMOUS NOVELS in ONE BOOK! Nicholas Sparks - THE WEDDING and Simon Tolkien FINAL WITNESS! LARGE PRINT!! Large Size Soft Cover from Reader's Digest
Average customer rating:
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Witness at the Wedding
Simon Brett
Manufacturer: PAN (MACM)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
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| Books
General
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0330426966 |
Average customer rating:
- Audacious Marital Complications
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The Witness at the Wedding: Library Edition (Fethering Mysteries)
Simon Brett
Manufacturer: Blackstone Audiobooks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD
General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
| Classics
| Comic
| Contemporary
| Literary
General
| Mystery
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
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Women Sleuths
| Mystery
| Mystery & Thrillers
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Brett, Simon
| ( B )
| Authors, A-Z
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General
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Unabridged
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Mystery & Thrillers
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ASIN: 0786175311 |
Customer Reviews:
Audacious Marital Complications.......2007-04-19
The premise for this story is what makes it worth reading: Carole Seddon's son, Stephen, is marrying into a rather odd family. Pascale's (Gaby's) parents don't even want there to be a wedding announcement . . . and they definitely don't want to be involved in the wedding planning. Stephen has also let drop that there's a history of murder in the family.
Most authors would stop at this point by having chilled us a bit with thoughts about whom our children might marry. Simon Brett charges gleefully forward by making the wedding preparations into a murderers' playground. As a result, you'll find yourself much more emotionally involved than in the typical Fethering mystery.
The mystery itself isn't all that hard to unravel, but the book's premise will keep your attention throughout. It's a dandy way to overturn the conventions of wedding stories.
With the wedding plans taking center stage, there's less than the usual byplay and interaction between Carole and Jude. They operate pretty independently of one another in this book, in part because Jude has a depressed friend (Gita) visiting who is pressed into the investigation.
I thought that many of the wedding preparation sequences were pretty funny, especially the engagement party hosted by Gaby's parents. If you've ever felt awkward at such an event, you'll roar when you read some of these scenes.
Average customer rating:
- Older J.R.R. Tolkien fans &prophecy fans here's a good one
- AMAZING ADVENTURE
- An adventure of a lifetime.
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2012: The Shaman's Prophecy
D. Rhoades Hoskins
Manufacturer: Astrovibes Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Metaphysical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Suspense | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Visionary Fiction | Fiction | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Fiction | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:
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Return of the Children of Light: Incan and Mayan Prophecies for a New World
ASIN: 0970683103 |
Customer Reviews:
Older J.R.R. Tolkien fans &prophecy fans here's a good one.......2002-02-19
Read a lot of adventure books, but this is one of the best. It is so realistic i think the story could pass as non-fiction. Almost everything is believable. From the Indian tribes to the geography, and even the plant life. The characters are developed enough, a little more would be better, but there are only 3 to really get to know each seeking the mysterious shaman (shades of Castaneda)for a different reason. The bad guys, are very real and greedy and i wouldn't want to run into them for any reason. The powerful shaman who tasks the 3 wasn't disappointing, from the origins of man to the prophecy for the next 30 years, really hit a nerve. The tidbits extras at the end and the authors bio, really made me think. I agree, a good adventure story that should make a good movie
AMAZING ADVENTURE.......2001-08-30
This is a good read that maybe the fans of TV shows like 'survivor' or the other adventure shows would like. The search for the shaman take them on a wild and dangerous adventure. Kinda like a Harry Potter for adults, but with subtle magic. The prophecy is kinda vague, but logical, with riddles and fits in with the story. It's a very realistic adventure that really messes with your head as they say. You will think about the book days later after reading . I know I did
An adventure of a lifetime........2001-08-22
This is a fast, and good researched story that could make a hit movie. One wonders about the author, if there are any personal experiences that are drawn upon. The next big, and final date is 2012 . I now feel better about that turning point for the human race. A lot of metaphysical answers and speculations are weaved through out the story. For me it was a profound book, and funny in places. Needless to say, I found it hard to put down. I now want to go to Mexico and visit a shaman, maybe not of the supernatural type though!!!
Book Description
With the insights she has gleaned from her close and subtle observation of parent-teacher conferences, renowned Harvard University professor Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot has written a wise, useful book about the ways in which parents and teachers can make the most of their essential conversation—the dialogue between the most vital people in a child’s life.
“The essential conversation” is the crucial exchange that occurs between parents and teachers—a dialogue that takes place more than one hundred million times a year across our country and is both mirror of and metaphor for the larger cultural forces that define family-school relationships and shape the development of our children. Participating in this twice-yearly ritual, so friendly and benign in its apparent goals, parents and teachers are often wracked with anxiety. In a meeting marked by decorum and politeness, they frequently exhibit wariness and assume defensive postures. Even though the conversation appears to be focused on the student, adults may find themselves playing out their own childhood histories, insecurities, and fears.
Through vivid portraits and parables, Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot captures the dynamics of this complex, intense relationship from the perspective of both parents and teachers. She also identifies new principles and practices for improving family-school relationships. In a voice that combines the passion of a mother, the skepticism of a social scientist, and the keen understanding of one of our nation’s most admired educators, Lawrence-Lightfoot offers penetrating analysis and an urgent call to arms for all those who want to act in the best interests of their children.
For parents and teachers who seek productive dialogues and collaborative alliances in support of the learning and growth of their children, this book will offer valuable insights, incisive lessons, and deft guidance on how to communicate more effectively. In
The Essential Conversation, Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot brings scholarship, warmth, and wisdom to an immensely important cultural subject—the way we raise our children.
From the Hardcover edition.
Customer Reviews:
Too much personal musings.......2005-10-12
I would not recommend this for the layman. The author is telling too many of her own stories.
Essential to any teacher.......2003-10-17
I bought this because because every teacher needs some help working alongside parents. I have yet to have a class (undergraduate/graduate) where we have been taught how to collaborate with parents. This is not a list of what to and what to not do with parents. Instead, this book shares many personal accounts of both teachers and parents.
As I work toward my doctoral degree, I will remember this book as a text in my teacher-training classes.
A truly engaging book........2003-09-11
This is certainly a "must-read" for both parents and teachers alike, in order to align their performance desires and expectations. This book paves the way for dialogue that is needed between parents and teachers.
Customer Reviews:
A Diet Cookbook for the Entire Family.......2003-04-19
The Balanced Diet Cookbook has recipes that the entire family will like. I am so tired of cooking two separate dinners at mealtime. A dinner for my 40-30-30 diet and a dinner the rest of the family will eat. These recipes have received rave reviews from my family who generally will not eat "my diet food."
Disappointed Despite Favorable Reviews from Others.......2001-07-04
I was happy to find this book as I wanted some fresh ideas to incorporate into my "balanced" diet; however, I found that many, if not most, of the recipes called for ingredient(s) with a higher glycemic index. Of course I use some "unfavorable" carbs in my cooking from time to time but I think a serving that consists of one-quarter of a bagel is just silly and I'd find something altogether different to eat. The bagel is just one example, there are many more recipes that call for rice and bread and the like.
Waititng for the Second Edition.......2001-03-29
OK - so we're all agreed - there oughtta be an index in this otherwise delicious cookbook. And may I suggest the recipes should be standardized (each one to feed four and let the reader do the math)?
It's great to find a useful addition to my 40-30-30/Zone collection. This way of eating really suits my family, and we are not easy to please, having two conflicting food allergies, one picky eater, three kids and two dieting parents amongst us. Taste, speed and nutrition are important, too, and Taylor delivers all of this. It's wonderful to see my family eating fish without complaints and yogurt or cottage cheese for breakfast. Plus, the recipes are so simple my oldest wants to try the Szechuan Chicken for his Home Ec homework. Fine by me!
Response to reviewer who complained of no index.......2000-11-17
I agree it's too bad there's no index in this terrific cookbook, but don't blame the author! As a publishing executive, I can say that it is not the author who decides whether to include an index, but the publisher, unless, of course, the book is self-published (which this is not).
Please do yourself a favor and order this book...it's great.
Finally - Quick & easy zone recipes!.......2000-04-19
The recipes in Taylor's book are easy to prepare, very tasty, and don't call for expensive or hard-to-find ingredients. Though I'm not strictly following the zone plan, I find myself preparing one of the book's recipes almost once a week, simply because they're so great and easy-to-prepare. As someone who has struggled with finding ingredient-friendly, time-friendly zone meals, I was delighted with the selections in Taylor's book (the chicken almandine is fabulous! ). I just wish there were more of them. I highly recommend this book.
Books:
- Those Who Walk in Darkness
- Thus Was Adonis Murdered
- Tony Hillerman: The Leaphorn and Chee Audio Trilogy: Skinwalkers, A Thief of Time & Coyote Waits CD (Joe Leaphorn/Jim Chee Novels)
- Urn Burial (A Phryne Fisher Mystery)
- Vineyard Shadows: A Martha's Vineyard Mystery
- Vintage Murder (A Roderick Alleyn Mystery)
- We'll Meet Again (First World Hardcover)
- While Other People Sleep (Bookcassette(r) Edition)
- Witching Moon (The Moon Series, Book 3)
- A Beautiful Place to Die: The First Martha's Vineyard Mystery (Martha's Vineyard Mysteries (Avon Books))
Books Index
Books Home
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The Stabbing In The Stables (Fethering Mysteries)
The Hanging in the Hotel (Fethering Mysteries)
The Torso In The Town (Fethering Mysteries)
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Murder in the Museum (Brett, Simon. Fethering Mystery.)
