Product Description
The Eighth Loon Lake Mystery set in Wisconsin.
Customer Reviews:
Vickie does it again.......2007-08-24
Like her other books, this is great reading. It should appeal to fishermen, mystery addicts and folks who would like to just sit back, relax, and enjoy a fun book. If you like mysteries and would like a taste of northern Wisconsin, I'd suggest you start with her first book and read the series. You'll soon become an addict. Classic Vickie Houston !!!!!
I wish I didn't have to wait a year for the next one. I loved it !!!!
Thanks Vickie, you've given me much enjoyment again !!
A Series that Continues to Please.......2007-07-20
A boater makes a gruesome discovery when his houseboat gets stuck on the body of a young girl who was last seen partying hard by night and working by day for the Chamber of Commerce. This, along with the bloody murder of a recent widow puts the kibosh on Doc Osborne's plans to relax and fish with his ladylove, Police Chief Lew Ferris. Deputized once again, Doc discovers the DeeDee Kurlander was a very ambitious woman with a harassment suit pending and the goal to become a trophy wife. Doc and Lew once again enlist Ray Pradt, an unlikely lothario with a penchant for wearing a stuffed fish on his cap who becomes enamored with a very attractive gun specialist.
Once again Ms. Houston fills her novel with quirky and entertaining characters who delight the reader and keep the humor flowing steadily until the gripping conclusion. There are enough twists and turns to keep the conclusion a surprise, yet the reader never feels tricked or misled. The strongest element of the Loon Lake Mystery series is Houston's creation of characters who are a delight to follow. New readers and long-time fans will find much to like in this novel, as Houston never fails to create novels full of wit, humor, and suspense.
My Favorite.......2007-07-13
This book is great, I loved it and as I have said before your characters are charming, interesting and unique. Please continue the Loon Lake Mysteries and keep improving Doc's fly fishing!
Another great adventure!.......2007-07-10
Once again, a fun and interesting adventure! It was the perfect book for my summer vacation trip -- upbeat, interesting and creative.
Dead Madonna.......2007-07-05
This is the best book of the series & thats really saying something considering I would give all the others 5 star ratings also. As owner of a fishing tackle mfg company I am just glad to find a treasure like these to read about this great sport. __ Ray Thomas ...Cabin Creek Bait Co.
Book Description
Why is Meg Langslow working the switchboard (tempor-arily, she hopes) in offices shared by her brother's computer-game company, Mutant Wizards, and six psychotherapists with divergent subspecialties? Maybe it's because real temps don't seem to last more than an hour or so-thanks to the one-winged buz-zard who lives on a perch in the reception area? Some-times Meg feels preordained, if not doomed, to be on hand when murder happens. When the company's practical joker, who's been lying on top of the mailcart all morning pre-tending to have been murdered, rolls by one more time really dead, it is Meg who finds him. The mix of the wacky Lang-slows, the Mutant nerds, the nutty therapists, and Andrews's delicious wit make Meg's new adventure a laugh-aloud delight.
Customer Reviews:
The Best So Far.......2007-07-01
You really want to read the first 3 books in the series before you begin this one. Each of the main characters has a complex, convoluted past that lays the groundwork for why they are the way they are in this series. You will miss out on a lot of the whys and double meanings if you try to jump right to this one.
That being said, it's almost a fish out of water situation here. Meg is on her own in this book - her boyfriend is off in California and only calls in his part of the relationship. Meg is helping her brother with his now successful software company. I'm a programmer and a game reviewer, so I had a blast with this premise. For people who think these characters in the gaming design world are outlandish - really, this is how they are :) I've played midnight role-playing games. I've had pizza and beer brought in at 11pm as yet another build ran over schedule. You have to be insane to survive this sort of lifestyle. Practical jokes and code changes are standard fare. I laughed out loud at many parts - not because I thought it was ridiculous - but because I identified with what was happening.
Meg is injured and is completely away from her normal lifestyle. She's being a secretary here. As is normal for the series, she doesn't detect as much as she falls over clues, and gets many of them wrong. You can complain that this is bothersome - but there are plenty of other books where the super-smart detective sees everything at one glance. Meg's style is quite different. You accept it as part of her bumbling charm.
I actually found myself wondering a few times during the book if I liked this book so much because it had completely removed elements that made the first 3 books unique! A key part of the books so far had been Meg's relationship with her Prince Charming. I found him a bit annoying. I was very happy with his long distance situation - but that doesn't bode well for me for future books :) The same is true for the environment. I loved the software environment, but again this is a one-off. Meg isn't going to be around software developers for all of the books! It was really challenging for me to figure out if the writing style had just matured - so that I liked the "Meg Series" better with this fourth book - or if it was the specific combination of no-boyfriend and great-atmosphere that nailed it for me.
In any case, as usual, I was disappointed by the ending. I just don't like the way any of these books wrap up. You'll have to judge for yourself if you like these style of endings or if they annoy you. Still, if I have a great time through 99% of the book, and this author's particular style of ending doesn't please me, that is still a great ride. If I can laugh out loud the entire time - and read it straight through even though it's 4am and I should be getting to sleep - then that is a book I definitely recommend to others.
Just be sure to read the other earlier books first!
Loony Fun!.......2007-03-05
Don't be put off by the weird title, this is a fun and funny book. I love books that put their characters into unusual circumstances. Meg Langslow is an injured blacksmith who is helping out her brother while her hand heals and she can't work at her craft. Her brother has a feeling that something is wrong at the software company he founded and wants Meg to snoop around while acting as a temporary office manager at the company. Meg is surrounded by eccentric computer and design professionals and sitting next to the company's buzzard mascot when she realizes that the office practical joker who has been riding around on the automated mail cart pretending to be dead actually is dead.
Meg's brother is goofy, her father delightfully morbid, her mother slightly pushy, and her boyfriend is both sexy and supportive. Meg is strong, intelligent, and nice. I like these characters, I like the situation, and I want more of these slightly offbeat books.
Did I guess it? No. Andrews gave us lots of possible suspects and a big loony finish, which made up somewhat for the weak motive of the murderer. The book is well written, fun, and addictive. More, please.
One of the funniest heartwarming heroines.......2007-01-09
I love Meg Lanslow! Meg is working at "Lawyers from Hell," after burning herself while wielding a welding torch in an efficiency apartment. Her new job is receptionist/investigator for her brother Rob. Rob believes that someone at Lawyers From Hell is up to something sinister, but he thinks it has something to do with the pending software release. When one of the workers ends up dead in the mail cart, Meg starts investigating her new co-workers; one of them is likely a killer. Lawyer joke abound. The company mascot, a vulture, rules the lobby, and the evil dog Spike makes a brief appearence. Funny, a slice of the Silicon Valley lifestyle, and even a bit touching.
Very Funny Cozy Mystery.......2006-12-13
When Meg Langslow hurts her hand and is unable to work as a blacksmith, she agrees to work at her brother Rob's computer game company Mutant Wizards. Rob feels that something isn't right at the company and asks Meg to look around while she is working there. Before long, Meg has a real problem on her hands when one of the workers is murdered. There are plenty of suspects: a disgruntled ex-employee; a biker who has been lurking around the place; and a fan who keeps sneaking in to try and get a copy of the newest game from Mutant Wizards. Plus, Ted was blackmailing several of his coworkers. But the police suspect Rob is the killer and Meg must clear her brother while trying to find the real murderer.
"Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon" is a screwball comedy in book form. Nothing is meant to be taken seriously - how many offices do you know that have a buzzard as an office pet? There are laughs galore and the Affirmation Bears are extremely funny. The murder is nicely plotted and it will be fun for readers to try to figure out who was who in the code names that Ted, the murder victim, had for the people he was blackmailing. And who the murderer is will come as a surprise. The book isn't without flaws; for one thing, it's a bit tiring to have the police suspect Rob is a murderer in yet another book. And for some reason Meg never mentions the fact that she has solved murders in the past. Still, the real reason to read Donna Andrews's books is for the humor and there's plenty of that throughout the book. The book is worth reading just for the end where the murderer is revealed. It's way over the top, highly improbable, and the funniest thing I've read in a long time.
"Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon" is a nice, humorous cozy mystery.
Buzzard Mascot? What a Hoot!.......2006-06-30
In the 4th book in Meg Langslow Mystery series, a change of scenery is in order for Meg. Having injured one of her hands in a welding accident, she is temporarily laid up from being a blacksmith. So she agrees to help out her brother, Rob, at his company, Mutant Wizards, as a switchboard operator. Rob believes that strange things are happening at his new software company, the developer of the hot computer game, Lawyers From Hell. Strange things are happening...if you count the buzzard that the office has adopted as a mascot, the dogs everyone brings to work, the pregnant cat temporarily living in Meg's desk drawer, and the mail cart that runs crazily throughout the office. None of these items seem odd to Rob, however, until one of the office's most prolific practical jokers turns up dead in the mail cart. When Rob is hauled in for questioning, Meg begins a search to discover who the murderer might be. She has to deal with a bunch of eccentric computer programmers, and the wacky therapists that share the office space with Mutant Wizards. She uncovers a blackmailing scheme, and discovers that quite a few employees have big secrets they may want to kill to keep hidden.
This is a great mystery series! I thought this was the best book so far in the series, and I loved the descriptions of both the programmers, and the therapists. The buzzard mascot parts were the best, and "George" had me laughing out loud at his antics. I was a bit surprised that Meg's dad wasn't as "zany" as in previous installments...as I love his character! I look forward to more of this fresh, fun series for many years to come.
The 1st book in the series is called "Murder with Peacocks". Enjoy!
Book Description
Sets out important Six Sigma concepts and a selection of up-to-date tools for quality improvement in industry.
Six Sigma is a widely used methodology for measuring and improving an organization’s operational performance through a rigorous analysis of its practices and systems.
This book presents a series of papers providing a systematic ‘roadmap’ for implementing Six Sigma, following the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve and Control) phased approach. Motivated by actual problems, the authors offer insightful solutions to some of the most commonly encountered issues in Six Sigma projects, such as validation of normality, experimentation under constraints and statistical control of complex processes. They also include many examples and case studies to help readers learn how to apply the appropriate techniques to real-world problems.
Key features:
- Provides a comprehensive introduction to Six Sigma, with a critical strategic assessment and a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis.
- Presents some prominent design features of Six Sigma, and a newly proposed roadmap for healthcare delivery.
- Sets out information on graphical tools, including fishbone diagrams, mind-maps, and reality trees.
- Gives a thorough treatment of process capability analysis for non-normal data.
- Discusses advanced tools for Six Sigma, such as statistical process control for autocorrelated data.
Consolidating valuable methodologies for process optimization and quality improvement, Six Sigma: Advanced Tools for Black Belts and Master Black Belts is a unique reference for practising engineers in the electronics, defence, communications and energy industries. It is also useful for graduate students taking courses in quality assurance.
Book Description
This is the basic book for anyone who decides to keep a cow. Fully-illustrated chapters with accurate information on buying, behavior, nutrition, breeds, handling, feeding, milking, health care, calving, and growing feed crops.
Customer Reviews:
I dream of cows..........2007-03-27
I have a dream of someday owning my own cow, maybe a horse, and another pig or two. Being a city girl, I wouldn't have the foggiest notion what owmership of large domestic animals entails. This book lays it all out for you in very pragmatic terms. How much land you need, the total cost of caring for a cow as well as the potential revenue for the milk and cheese. And now, when my country friends are talking about their cow problems, maybe I can even offer a piece of profound advice! (doubtful on that), Buy it, enjoy it.
Keeping a cow is do-able!.......2007-03-09
This book encourages those of us who want to return to our farming roots and obtain the freshest dairy products possible from our own cow(s). He takes the fear out of stepping into caring for a cow for us first-timers. I can't wait to apply what I'm learning!
Tons of information.......2002-09-11
This book has everything you need to know about owning your own cow...kinds of cows and their temperaments, purchasing a cow, how to care for it, fences and barns to build for it, milking, foods to prepare with the milk, breeding and calving, you name it. Much detail is given in each subject, including drawings and pictures, but the author avoids being a bore with his dry humor. We knew absolutely nothing about cows, but now feel some confidence after reading this book!
Good Information - Well written -but somewhat dated.......2000-08-24
The book covers the subject well and is carefully written. It stands alone in that there are no other books for the prospective owner of a single dairy cow rather than a herd. Some of the information is dated; recent improvements in genetics have more than doubled milk production and changed the needs for feed. There is a little philosophizing with a '70s back-to-the-lander slant which I found distracting.
Everything you wanted to know about Bossy, but didn't ask........2000-01-25
This is a wonderfully entertaining book. It is full of essential knowledge, as well as humor. I'm the son of a dairy farmer who is the son of a dairy farmer. I will be the first person to admit that I learned a lot from this book. The subject depth that the author goes into in each chapter is great. Everything is explained in simple terms yet gets very detailed. I would compare his ability to keep a complex subject simple to the writings of Isaac Asimov. I would recommend this book to anyone who has a serious interest in small scale farming, the family farm, or simply wants to know all the essentials about cattle.
Customer Reviews:
looney tunes.......2006-07-05
This was another enjoyable read; she introduces the reader to a character from Deborah's past, and a future character. The dialog is interesting, as well. Great continuation of a great series!
Must be loony if you like this book.......2006-01-18
This book was 98% about the landscape of this region, and only devoted 2% to the plot and characters. Too bad, because I think Deborah Knott is a great character, but not used to full potential in this book. In fact, I was so bored that I couldn't even skim the book without yawning. Next time, write a travel guide instead of a work of fiction.
North Carolina resident enjoys Maron's books.......2003-07-21
As a somewhat recent resident of Raleigh (4 1/2 years, though that almost makes me a native), and lifelong mystery lover, I truly enjoy reading Maron's books set throughout North Carolina. I stumbled upon her Deborah Knott series at the library and have devoured the entire series in less than a year. (I rarely dedicate myself to one author or one series.)
But to correct Jerry Bull, this book is set on North Carolina's Crystal Coast, not the Outer Banks. It just so happens that I spent the weekend at the Crystal Coast while reading "Loons" and have spent some time at the Outer Banks -- they are two different areas of the coast.
Southern style.......2002-08-13
I love all this author's books and her writing style!
very light mystery, mostly Outer Banks NC chit chat.......2002-06-13
We've noted before, both for this Judge Deborah Knott series (Loons = #3 of 8) and the earlier 8-book Sigrid Harald series, that Maron is a fine writer that can do wonders with anything to which she sets her mind and pen. We would probably rate this and the rest of the set higher were it not billed as a mystery. A murder or two occurs, but it seems nobody is chasing clues or suspecting anybody except in the few moments of idle thought Deborah turns to the subject. Then, all of a sudden, the murderer is revealed all too conveniently at the end of the book.
What we really have with this series is human drama, mostly about the rural life and lifestyles of the wonderful characters Maron gives us from all over North Carolina, this one set on the lovely, albeit anachronistic, Outer Banks. Her dialogue and imagery are quite enjoyable, and she does well in describing the societal conflicts between the old and the young. But it might be better to just take out the mystery rather than do it such poor justice (so to speak). Those used to the Harald series will be particularly upset, for in that set the crime and the procedural detection of the culprit were everything. In fact, we find it hard to believe Maron is winning mystery awards (per se) for the Knott stories. Even the courtroom scenes where we get to watch Knott judge mostly menial cases are pretty dry going. Frankly, Knott could be holding down almost any profession and these stories would still work.
These books will probably satisfy those not wanting or looking for much of a crime and solution motif; but those that are looking for plot complexity will be quite disappointed. We will probably forego the rest of the set as just a little too bland, even though the nice easy reading style will please many who don't care about intrigue, suspense, or procedure in their crime stories. Just be aware...
Average customer rating:
- A Nostalgic Great
- Bad Publication of a Good Story
- Among my most prized possessions
- a rather satirical , philosophical and whimsical take on the history of civilization
- The Best History Book I've Ever Read
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The Story of Mankind
Hendrik Willem Van Loon
Manufacturer: Liveright Publishing Corporation
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0871401754 |
Amazon.com
Anyone who can chronicle world history from 500,000 B.C. to present times--and do so in a lively, entertaining style--deserves a medal. Luckily, the bestowers of the very first Newbery Medal in 1922 thought so, too. The warm, personable tone of Hendrik Willem van Loon's writing lends itself to true learning in a way that stern, dry textbooks never do. In the introduction, he describes climbing a tower in Rotterdam in his youth. Years later, the perspective at the top inspired the author to develop a metaphor of history as a "mighty Tower of Experience, which Time has built amidst the endless fields of bygone ages."
This genuinely enjoyable charmer, for history buffs and the historically challenged alike, covers human history from prehistoric times, when our earliest ancestors were learning to communicate with grunts, right through to the issues of the latter 20th century: gay rights, Arab-Israeli conflicts, and health and fitness. Revised and updated several times since 1921, van Loon's inviting classic is filled with stories (and witty parenthetical asides) that bring history alive. His pen-and-ink illustrations, maps, and animated chronology contribute to the cozy, round the fireplace aspect of the book. (Ages 12 and older) --Emilie Coulter
Book Description
Winner of the first John Newbery Medal, here is Hendrik van Loon's renowned classic, updated for the twenty-first century. First published in 1921, The Story of Mankind has charmed generations of readers of all ages with its warmth, simplicity, and wisdom. Beginning with the origins of human life and sweeping forward to illuminate all of history, Hendrik van Loon's incomparable prose enlivens the characters and events of every age. His unique ability to convey history as a fascinating tale of adventure has endeared the book to countless readers and has accorded it a unique place in publishing history. This new version, which retains van Loon's original illustrations, has been brought up to date by John Merriman, professor of history at Yale University. It incorporates the most important developments of the last two decades--including space exploration, the emergence of the developing countries, the Cold War, the Internet, and the astounding advances we have witnessed in medicine and science--and looks forward into the prospect of the twenty-first century. Over 500,000 copies sold; translated into eighteen languages, the #2 best-selling nonfiction book in 1921, the year it was first published.
Download Description
Such a King, by the grace of his soldiers, was called a ``Tyrant'' and during the seventh and sixth centuries before our era every Greek city was for a time ruled by such Tyrants, many of whom, by the way, happened to be exceedingly capa- ble men. But in the long run, this state of affairs became unbearable. Then attempts were made to bring about reforms and out of these reforms grew the first democratic government of which the world has a record.
Customer Reviews:
A Nostalgic Great.......2007-04-22
I first read this book when I was in the second grade, and everytime I read it, it gets better and better. The stories are well written and easy to read, and it covers all the topics essential for a young child to know. Even though it is over 400 pages long, the book goes by as quick as a Dr. Seuss book. Everyone should read it.
Bad Publication of a Good Story.......2007-04-06
This copy of the story is very poorly published (my version is from Hard Press). One example - there is a TOC (table of contents) with about 67 chapters listed (a recollection, as I have already returned my book). The chapter titles in the TOC do not correspond with the titles at the beginning of the chapters, but to a description of each chapter. All of the chapters listed in the TOC are not in the book, there are only about 44 in the book, only the first part of The Story of Mankind. I sent mine back and will look for a different edition.
Among my most prized possessions.......2006-08-20
My 1926 edition of this book is among my most prized volumes. The book is a much-compressed look at events, some facts obviously "of their time", from the beginning of time up to the "present". But is it also an opinionated, old-fashioned, wistful, and occasionally angry snapshot of the state of civilization, and more importantly **how educated people in Europe and America thought**, right after World War I, before Fascism and Communism were to wreck the world once again.
Van Loon was born in the "old Europe", immigrated to and was educated in America. In 1921 he found himself on the threshold between a destroyed civilization and the rebirth of a new one. Now, as Earth begins to endure yet another cycle of destruction and renewal, those with open and especially young minds should read this book, put themselves in the shoes of Van Loon in 1921, duly note its anachonisms, and put aside policial correctness to think constructively about the never-ending cycles of history.
a rather satirical , philosophical and whimsical take on the history of civilization.......2006-05-23
Written in 1922 , this book is a history of the world from pre-historic man to the First World War , written in a rather satirical , philosophical and whimsical style that makes it a great piece of literature.
He deals quite comprehensively for 400 pages with this broad work on civilization.
It also flows nicely.It is fascinating to read of the murder by the Bolsheviks of the Romanov family , as described by the author as a recent event.
It is indeed written from the perspective of 1922:"The world has just passed through an agony of pain compared to which the French Revolution was a mere incident. The shock has been so great that it has killed the last spark of hope in the breasts of millions of men. They were chanting a hymn of progress, and four years of slaughter followed their prayers for peace. ``Is it worth while,'' so they ask, ``to work and slave for the benefit of creatures who have not yet passed beyond the stage of the earliest cave men?'' "
That being said , the work is not free of the authors own prejudices.
A incorrect bit is his refferal to the ancient Land of Israel as Palestine , when speaking about he entry of the Hebrews into that land in 1700 BC.
The term "Palestine" came from the name that the conquering Roman Empire gave the ancient Land of Israel in an attempt to obliterate and de-legitimize the Jewish presence in the Holy Land. The name "Palestine" was invented in the year 135 C.E. Before it was known as Judea, which was the southern kingdom of ancient Israel. The Roman Procurator in charge of the Judean-Israel territories was so angry at the Jews for revolting that he called for his historians and asked them who were the worst enemies of the Jews in their past history. The scribes said, "the Philistines." Thus, the Procurator declared that Land of Israel would from then forward be called "Philistia" [further bastardized into "Palaistina"] to dishonor the Jews and obliterate their history. Hence the name "Palestine."
The Best History Book I've Ever Read.......2006-03-25
And I've read a several. I'm an avid student of history, and this is the best. More critical history of the world is compressed into this tiny book that I ever imagined possible. I continue to re-read it to gain perspective on history.
Additionally, it is a great pleasure to read. A tremendous pleasure. It's like reading Arabian Nights. It will instill in kids a love of history, and that is as good as a hundred books on history.
Furthermore, it taught me a few critical things about history:
1. Histories from one man's viewpoint really are the best kind. It is precisely the fact that Van Loon is with us, telling us the story, that makes it so exciting. A textbook with multiple authors and diligent weeding out of all viewpoint makes for passionless writing, and pleasureless reading. On the contrary, points of view animate us. They may indeed bias us, but they will motivate us to seek other points of view.
2. Be kind to people and places different from your own. You might have done the same thing in that situation. Van Loon has a lot of sympathy for the people of history, and he explains to us why they did the things they did.
Average customer rating:
- BACKGROUND AND BASIS (THE EVOLUTION OF EVOLUTION)
- Fun to read
- Accurate, clever, well done
- The best introduction to Darwinism you can buy
- Fatuous and grossly inaccurate
|
Darwin for Beginners
Jonathan Miller , and
Borin Van Loon
Manufacturer: Pantheon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0375714588
Release Date: 2003-07-15 |
Book Description
The Beginner Books -- "Their cartoon format and irreverent wit make difficult ideas accessible and entertaining."
-- Newsday
aking us through the upheavals in biological thought which made The Origins of Species possible, Jonathan Miller introduces us to that odd revolutionary, Charles Darwin -- a remarkably timid man who spent most of his life in seclusion; a semi-invalid riddled with doubts, fearing the controversy his theories might unleash; yet also the man who finally undermined belief in God's creation. Along the way we meet a fascinating cast of characters: Darwin's scientific predecessors, his contemporaries (including Alfred Russell Wallace, whose anticipation of natural selection forced Darwin to publish), his opponents, and his successors whose work in modern genetics provided necessary modifications to Darwin's own work.
Splendidly illustrated, this clever, witty, highly informative book is the perfect introduction to Darwin's life and thought.
Customer Reviews:
BACKGROUND AND BASIS (THE EVOLUTION OF EVOLUTION).......2005-12-21
Basic facts on how religious creationism developed bit by bit into more falsifiable methods. Good for a high school senior to a college undergrad.
This book is not for kids nor for people with no knowledge of Darwin whatsoever. It is ONLY for those interested in scant tidbits of how his theories accreted (historcal context). The text can be confusing, alternating between pure sarcasm and bland fact so it might do not much but muddle an amateur.
Fun to read.......2002-08-29
This is a great lightweight book on Darwin's life and the development of the idea of evolution. Though it would be a shame to stop an exploration of natural selection here, it's a great starting point because it provides the context in which Darwin's thoughts came to be. It also discusses objections and criticisms of natural selection, how it has been misunderstood and abused, and how Darwin himself treated problematic aspects of the theory. I don't know that the illustrations and such are very revealing or useful, but they definitely make the book easy and fun to read, though the last few pages become more text-based. Overall, it's a well executed introduction to a very influential and oft misinterpreted person. But though this book is for beginners, please don't stay one... go and read "Origin of Species."
Accurate, clever, well done.......2000-07-12
This lively, clever, humorous little book IS accurate -- "scientifically correct," in the words of Dr. Tim M. Berra of Ohio State University (author of "Evolution and the Myth of Creationism," 1990, Stanford University Press). I agree with him that it would be a great gift for students to give to their parents to help them understand evolution. The illustrations, many of which are worth a thousand words, are at once engaging, informative, and great fun. Solid history and science in superlative format.
The best introduction to Darwinism you can buy.......1998-07-17
An illustrated narrative tells, all too briefly, the story of Darwin the man and his revolutionary discovery of how the living world came to be. Thanks to its amusing, but informative, cartoon style exegesis, this little gem is a uniquely powerful antidote to creationist propaganda in the classroom. The best introduction to Darwin and his ideas you're likely to see.
Fatuous and grossly inaccurate.......1998-07-02
It is a great shame the authors ruined such a good idea by doing no historical research. It is quite clear that the authors are ignorant of the wealth of research produced by the Darwin industry and of course the Correspondence of Charles Darwin. I could spend a long time doing a hatchet job on the book but I prefer to spend my time going to Snowdonia and walk over the mountains Darwin did his geology and read his geological notes where he wrote them. In all a silly book on a great scientist.. We desperately need a good simple book on Darwin, which avoids all the hype and inaccuracy
Book Description
In Wisconsin's Northwoods, fishing is a way of life-and when the muskies are biting, life couldn't be better. But when Doc Osborne catches more than he bargained for, he winds up in the middle of a murder mystery-and only Chief of Police Lew Ferris can get him out of it.
"What a great story! A book fishermen of all ages are sure to enjoy."-Tony Rizzo, author of Secrets of a Muskie Guide• 2nd in the all-new series.
Customer Reviews:
Stretch your imagination.......2006-08-25
Doc Osborne, retired dentis, is out scouting for the big muskie he has been after for the last few seasons. He wants to take Chief of Police Lew Ferris out with him, see if she's as good with a lure as she is at fly-fishing. What he finds is not nearly as much fun: four frozen corpses in a metal cage. They aren't locals, but Doc recognizes his own dental work, which helps ID at least one of the bodies.
Lew is out of town, which leaves any preliminary investigation in the not-so-capable hands of John Sloan. Ray Pradt, local character, has had his run-ins with Sloan; this makes the whole situation a little more complicated, because Ray knows the backwoods like nobody else, and is good friends with Doc Osborne. An uneasy truce is maintained until Chief Ferris gets back into town.
The investigation takes an unexpected turn when the dental work Doc recognizes belongs to a guy from way out of town, and that guy's corpse, at first glance, looks to be that of a woman. Which brings in some odd connections with some environmental research that's been going on near Dead Creek, where the paper mill used to dump all their waste. Seems the flora and fauna have been mutating - hyperfeminine aspects in males, the reverse in females of the species.
Houston is very good at taking what, at first glance, seems to be a highly improbably set-up and making it work. She's adept at taking that "what if?" question just about as far as it can go, and then making it all seem reasonable. I'm not sure if what she writes about in DEAD CREEK is technically possible, but it is a reasonable extrapolation from the environmental issues being looked at by the scholarly types in the book. Scary, but not out of the realm of possibility.
She is also very good at characterization. This is the second book in her LOON LAKE series (the first is DEAD ANGLER), and we find out more of the back story of Doc's life, and Ray Pradt's life. Not so much about Chief Ferris, but there are several more books after these two in the series, so perhaps that information comes later. Ray Pradt is a wonderful secondary character; the neighbor with the junky trailor who ruins the property values and dresses funny but is just the kind of guy one wants if ever there is any kind of problem . . . he can kill it, fix it, find it, track it, and knows way more than he lets on about any number of things.
Houston's sense of place is also a pleasure to read. It is probably not that difficult to write about the pleasures of living in a small town in northern Wisconsin; she makes the not-so-wonderful aspects of that same life believable without taking the edge off the bood parts. You know that Doc loves it, with all its flaws, and that he truly doesn't understand how anyone can possible feel any other way.
DEAD CREEK is a very good second novel by a writer who knows her territory and can share that knowledge without bogging down in deadly details. I recommend DEAD CREEK and Victoria Houston to anyone who likes Steve Hamilton or Kent Kreuger for character and place, anyone who likes an amateur sleuth with a police connection, and anyone who wants to stretch their "cozy" reading habits just a little bit.
Shockingly Complex Mystery.......2006-08-13
In the 2nd book in the Loon Lake Fishing mystery series, Doc Osborne is happily fishing for Muskie one day when he stumbles onto the gruesomely preserved bodies of 4 adults that had been killed and dumped in the icy water. Originally, it appeared that he had found three men and one woman, but with closer examination, it is disovered that the one that they assumed was a female is actually a malformed male. The men were frozen and dumped in the lake, apparently with the hopes that no one would find their murdered bodies in the hidden area that Doc used as his private fishing hole. And with police chief Lew Ferris out of town, Doc quickly becomes deputized again, and starts working the murder along with long-time friend and neighbor, Ray Pradt. Ray uses his contacts with an environmental investigation into the effects of the now defunct Cantrell paper mill to investigate the possible cause of the malformed body. It seems that there are some toxins in and around Dead Creek that have been causing problems with the reproductive systems of the wildlife, and Ray has been hired to assist in the study. When he is found injured after a trip out to the area of Dead Creek, a sinister plot of theft, murder, and revenge starts to unfold. Doc, Lew (having returned early from her trip), and Ray must work quickly to uncover the murderer, and save themselves from an untimely death at the hands of this sinister killer.
Varying between a police procedural and a cozy, this wonderful mystery had quite a bite, and kept me wondering what might happen up until the very end. I loved the twists and turns in the book...even though I could see early on how several items tied together. I was kept awake long after I had finished this book, and was haunted by the images of the graphic standoff with the killer. I also enjoyed the budding romance between Lew and Doc, and am eager to read the next book in the series, and to visit Loon Lake again very soon.
The first book in the series is called "Dead Angler". Enjoy!
Great Regional Book - Based in upper WI!.......2005-08-15
Great murder mystery based in Loon Lake, WI. It is based around a retired dentist Dr. Osbourne, his friend Ray Pradt and Lew, the local law enforcement. If you enjoy muder mysteries, the outdoors, and eclectic people, then this is a read to enjoy!
Dead Creek.......2003-03-06
Grabs you from the first page. I was unable to put this one down. Many twists and turns that will keep you guessing. If you read any of the "Dead" series read this one.
A Definite Catch.......2002-05-28
This is not your typical small-town mystery featuring a cozy fishing village. Retired dentist Paul Osborne has a habit of coming accross dead bodies, and this time it's a doozy. Four dead bodies are left frozen in a cage, with one displaying rather disturbing gender parts. Paul would rather not have much to do with this, but when asked by the lovely Police Chief Lew Ferris to help out, he cannot refuse. Paul is aided by his trusty young friend Ray, who comes from a family of lawyers and doctors yet chooses to live off the land poaching and tracking.
Long lost family secrets, the effects of pollution, a strip bar, and a loon-calling contest all come into play as the three try to track down just what happened in Loon Lake...P>This is a great series with wonderful characters. I look forward to following them in the forthcoming novels.
Book Description
Between a fishing tournament and a biker convention, Loon Lake is flooded with friendly visitors-and some unsavory ones. Pretty soon Doc and Police Chief Ferris are spending less time catching bass and more time catching crooks...
Customer Reviews:
This Series is a Great Catch!.......2006-10-08
In the 4th book in the Loon Lake Fishing mystery series, the small town of Loon Lake, Wisconsin, is soon to be flooded with crowds of people. Hosting both a million dollar bass tournament and a motorcycle rally, the chief of police, Lewellyn "Lew" Ferris, has resigned herself to working long hours with little time for fly-fishing.
On one of their last fishing trips before the crowds converge on Loon Lake, Lew and her close friend, Doc Osborne, find a woman in her car suffering from a drug overdose. Lew knows that there is a DEA investigation underway in the area, and quickly becomes part of the investigating team. She deputizes Doc again to help in the case, and he goes undercover as a newbie Harley owner. During this investigation, Lew and Doc stumble over a tournament contestant with cheating in his plans, and they being to wonder how far someone would go to get the million dollar prize money. If this wasn't enough to keep them busy, an old murder/suicide case resurfaces, and working along with their good friend, Ray Pradt, the dynamic duo puts away the crime-ring intent on bringing evil into their peaceful hometown.
This is a great series! I originally picked up the first installment when my son returned from a visit with relatives in Wisconsin, and was very pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed the series right away. Lew, Doc, and Ray are vivid, vibrant characters that seem to live right among the pages in these cleverly written books. I love the way that they work together, and I love the suspense regarding the growing relationship between Lew and Doc. The plots in each of the books slowly unfold, and will leave you guessing to the very end. This is a great addition to the cozy genre!
The first book in the series is called "Dead Water". Enjoy!
Dead Frenzy.......2005-10-02
Excellent reading couldn't put the book down. Now a series of books by Victoria Houston. A very likable cast of charactors. A edge of your seat type book. I recommend all of the books by the author, in this series.
Dead Frenzy has many twists and turns to hold your interest........2003-07-01
I have read all of Victoria Houstons books and believe this is the best yet. There are a lot of suprises and twists to this book. You had best pay attention or you will miss something. I really enjoy all of her books with their intrigue. Her books keep your attention and I have difficulties puting them down. I would certainly recommend this book or any of her others. You do not have to be a person who loves fishing, but some interest in it adds to the pleasure.
What Retired Dentists Get Into!.......2003-05-05
This fourth in the series proves that practice improves an already good series! As a past visitor to Rhinelander, WI and the Northwoods, Houston's stories are always interesting and accurately portray the little bergs in my state.
As an avid mystery/suspense reader AND a registered dental hygienist in Green Bay, I appreciate Houston's knowledge of dentistry and enjoy her references to it in her books. The fly fishing quotes at the beginning of each chapter are great, as are her descriptions of fly fishing. I have lessons in my list of goals to accomplish just from reading her descriptions!
She has managed to put contaminated streams from mining operations, Indian Gaming Casinos, etc., all issues in the local news, in her previous books in accurate detail. I loved the Fishing Tournament in this book, but hope she uses the Harley Rally again so she can develop that story line!
I was one of six people privliged to have dinner with the author as the result of winning a contest in the Green Bay Press Gazette a couple of years ago. What a fun evening! Houston is even more interesting than her characters! I can't wait for the next one in the series to be published so I can tell all my patients about it, too!
Fun and intruigue in the north woods.......2003-03-10
This book was excellent. The characters are even deeper and the settings are very realistic. While I'm reading the Loon Lake mysteries, I feel like I'm there, seeing everything first hand. Lew is my favourite character and i like the way that Ms Houston gives her insecurities and dooubts along with conviction and courage. Ray is more fun with each book and Doc osbourne's crush on Lew is very sweet. I hope there are many more Loon Lake books in the near future!
Books:
- Dead Madonna (Loon Lake Fishing Mysteries)
- Florida's Birds: A Field Guide And Reference
- Florida's Birds: A Field Guide And Reference
- Flute's Journey: The Life of a Wood Thrush
- For the Love of Greys
- Gravitational Radiation, Luminous Black Holes and Gamma-Ray Burst Supernovae
- Gravity's Rainbow (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition)
- Herpetology, Third Edition
- Hiroshima's Shadow (Writings on the Denial of History & the Smithsonian Controversy)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Books Index
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