Book Description
Inspector Sejer is hard at work again, investigating the brutal murder of a woman who lived alone in the middle of the woods. The chief suspect is another loner, a schizophrenic recently escaped from a mental institution. The only witness is a twelve-year-old boy, overweight, obsessed with archery, and a resident at a home for delinquents. When a demented man robs a nearby bank and accidentally takes the suspect hostage, the three misfits are drawn into an uneasy alliance.
Shrewdly, patiently, as is his way, Inspector Sejer confronts a case where the strangeness of the crime is matched only by the strangeness of the criminals, and where small-town prejudices warp every piece of information he tries to collect. Fossum once again provides extraordinary insight into marginalized lives and richly evokes the atmosphere she captured so brilliantly in Don't Look Back.
Customer Reviews:
Creepy, but good!.......2007-09-16
I have so enjoyed all of Karin Fossum's "Inspector Sejer" novels and the characters that populate them. This one is very dark but just as well written as the others. Fossum's ability to articulate the way a troubled mind works is amazing. She doesn't flinch. Her descriptive writing is accurate, frightening, and compassionate at the same time. On top of that, the plot makes it difficult to put this book down, which is the true test of a good mystery!
Stay Out of the Forest.......2007-09-16
My reading has taken an unexpected (for me) twist in the last three weeks considering that I was completely unaware of Karin Fossum's existence until mid-August. About that time, I read a review of the latest of her books to be published in the U.S., The Indian Bride, and was intrigued enough by the review to grab a copy of the book from my local library that same week. Now, just three weeks later, I've read all four the Fossum books that are available in this country, and I can't wait for others to arrive.
He Who Fears the Wolf, like Fossum's other Inspector Sejer mysteries, is perhaps more of a psychological thriller than it is a police procedural, and her work continues to remind me of British novelist Ruth Rendell. Fossum does the same remarkable job that Rendell does in creating unique, if deeply flawed, characters who often find themselves in desperate situations with no idea how they got there or what to do next.
When Inspector Konrad Sejer leaves home for the police station, he has no way of knowing that the two cases that will soon take over his life are developing while he walks along the downtown streets toward his desk. Already, a troubled young boy has rushed into another station to report the discovery of the body of an elderly murder victim and to say that he spotted an escaped mental patient on the property. And because he fails to follow his hunch about a suspicious looking man walking toward him and the bank that is just opening for business, Sejer narrowly misses stopping the bank robbery that he almost witnesses with his own eyes.
Not only is Sejer unhappy with himself for not acting on his hunch, he is embarrassed when his image appears on the bank's surveillance tape walking out of the bank only seconds before the robbery happens. To make matters worse, the armed bank robber takes a hostage with him when he makes his escape. Sejer, who has been assigned to work both crimes, finds his investigations taking a bizarre twist when the tape reveals that the hostage taken in the bank is none other than the escaped mental patient he wants to question about that morning's murder.
It may have been bad luck that caused the bank robber to choose an escaped mental patient for his hostage but his luck is going to have to change quickly if he is to survive that fateful choice. As the long day takes its course, both Inspector Sejer and the robber begin to wonder if the police will get to him in time to save him from his own hostage.
Karin Fossum serves up a surprisingly sympathetic cast of characters considering the mental instability of several of them, and she steadily turns up the pressure as her story winds down to its inevitable conclusion. But, as I've come to expect from her other Sejer mysteries, it is always wise to be prepared for one final surprise in the book's final two or three pages. This one is no exception.
Great Scandinavian Noir.......2007-01-13
I am a big fan of Scandinavian noir from way back -- Per Wahloo and Maj Sjowall, Henning Mankell. I think Karin Fossum is an heir apparent if she can just keep her focus. The characterizations of disturbed youth were great, and the story was solidly plotted.
Not a Thriller.......2006-05-08
This flop by Karin Fossum really surprised me! Don't Look Back, the first of her books to be published in English, was engaging and well written. He Who Fears the Wolf is a strange circus of bizarre characters who hide out in a cabin deep in a forest. Two of the three are wanted for crimes committed early in the novel.
However, there's no detecting, no police procedures, no nothing! Chief Inspector Sejer is almost absent from the story, and I found this novel to be quite dissatisfying. I hope Calling Out For You does better.
REVIEW OF KARIN FOSSUM'S HE WHO FEARS THE WOLF BY JOHN CHUCKMAN.......2005-12-18
I am not a regular reader of mysteries, but my wife has encouraged me to read a number of interesting writers in this genre. One of my favorites is Norwegian writer, Karin Fossum.
He Who Fears the Wolf is a story with her appealing character, Chief Inspector Konrad Sejer, a quiet, thoughtful man with unusual powers of observation and a somewhat melancholy personal life that keeps him immersed in his work. The contrast with gun-waving, bellowing American detectives is notable and welcome. In this character, as in so many of Ms. Fossum's characters, there is a deep sense of humanity and decency.
In Wolf, Ms. Fossum creates another wonderful character, Erkki Johrma, an insane-asylum escapee. Ms. Fossum always displays an interest in the disturbed and rejected of society, but with Errki she has worked something of a miracle.
This story contains what must be one of the most memorable series of scenes in mystery books, to say nothing of literature. It involves the escape of a bank robber and a hostage, and there is a quality here that reminds me of Don Quixote - pathos, absurdity, and subtle humor combined with a very sympathetic view of the human condition. I cannot give any details without spoiling it for you.
Ms. Fossum is also a poet, and her descriptive powers are considerable, but she manages her descriptive passages with quick brushstrokes. She never creates a burden for those who like mystery books to move along briskly. Some might even regard her descriptions of bloody scenes as a bit overpowering.
Please don't think this is an "artsy" book despite its literary qualities, this is a genuine murder mystery, well-paced and gripping. It is a book you will not want to put down.
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He Who Fears the Wolf
Fos
Manufacturer: VINTAGE (RAND)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GNT7LO |
Average customer rating:
- Disappointing
- Miller has done it again
- This one is for keeping!
- I thought that this book was absolutly touching!!!
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Corbin's Fancy (Corbin Series)
Linda Lael Miller
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
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Memory's Embrace
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Banner O'Brien
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Angelfire
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Moonfire
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My Darling Melissa
ASIN: 0671737678 |
Book Description
When a traveling carnival left Fancy Jordan stranded in the rugged Washington Territory, she thought her luck had run out. Alone, penniless, she welcomed a most intriguing offer -- to live in the home of Jeff Corbin's brother, and coax the wounded, withdrawn Jeff back to health and happiness.
But a villainous attack on his ship had hurt only his body -- a far deeper sorrow tortured him, heart and soul. For as the beautiful gamine fell deeply in love with his handsome, brooding man, she faced a phantom rival...one that only the most splendid, most heartfelt passion could conquer!
Customer Reviews:
Disappointing.......2004-08-26
After thoroughly enjoying my first encounter with this author's work in "Daniel's Bride", I was disappointed with this one. The reader never gets to know the lead characters, Jeff and Fancy, as more than single-minded adolescents. They don't have much going for them except some sizzling sex. This is okay for a while, but didn't really hold the weak story together. A relentless pursuit by Jeff's enemy, Fancy's fears about telling Jeff a terrible secret she is keeping, and her worry that his family and friends will not accept her as a 'lady', are all pieces of the story that could have built up tension, and added more dimensions to the people themselves. As it is, the author wants us to believe that all of the problems can be solved by great sex, and for me, that device falls flat really fast.
If you like romance with a thin plot and lots of sex, then this one is for you. If you like a meatier plot, don't bother with this one.
Miller has done it again.......2000-06-18
Corbin's Fancy is about another of the great Corbin son's. With Miller's usual Humor, romance and intrigue this story will be one of your favorites for years to come.
This one is for keeping!.......2000-05-18
Corbin's Fancy is the second book in the Corbin series and I loved it. I really liked Jeff in Banner O'Brien and even though I gor really mad at him at times in this one, I still love him. Fancy is a delight and totally turns the Sea Captain's world upside down! She is just what he needed to help him get over Banner and I almost cried when he realizes he truly loves Fancy and....her big white rabbit and the dress with the stars on it. Read it!
I thought that this book was absolutly touching!!!.......1999-04-28
If you like Linda Lael Miller and even if you didn't like "Banner O'Brien" you'll absolutly love this book! It's sweet, sensitive and it'll make you cry. Jeff is such a manly man, but has a sensitives side that women long for. Fancy is so sweet and you just want her to get everything she needs. The book is wonderfully humorous! A must read!
Average customer rating:
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Corbin's Fancy
Linda Lael Miller
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000PVX3JE |
Book Description
Wes Stone was once a lawman, but that was before the ruthless Sandlin Gang gunned down his father-Nathan Stone, the Gunfighter. Now, having traded in his badge for his father's guns, he's sworn blood vengeance on every last member of the Gang. But little does he realize that the Sandlins are part of a much larger criminal organization...one whose influence stretches across the entire west and knows his every move!
Customer Reviews:
A good book and a shame he's gone.......2000-05-10
Howdy folks! I'm James Drury. I used to play the Virginian on television, back in the 60's. I hope that gives me some kind of edge in reviewing this western book by Ralph Compton.
I have read several books by Compton, and all have been good. He kept his books clean, and I really appreciate that. I wish he would have hung around longer for us to enjoy.
Pick up this book, and if you like it you will also enjoy books by Kirby Jonas. Because of Kirby's books, I have gone into reading books on tape. They're wonderful. Since Compton is gone now I hope Kirby Jonas gives many a reader of Westerns a place to turn to.
A good book, but Compton is gone!.......2000-01-10
Unfortunately for the last reader, Ralph Compton died a couple of years ago, so he won't be reading the next in the series. Too bad, because we finally had a writer besides Kirby Jonas and Elmer Kelton who wasn't afraid to be morally proper in his books. Compton didn't need the filth to put out a good story. They call Kirby Jonas the New Louis L'Amour, however, and he more than fits the bill. He is even quite a bit more historically accurate than L'Amour and COmpton, and if you haven't read him then you need to. Yea for Compton, and carry on Kirby Jonas!
ANOTHER THRILLER FROM COMPTON.......1999-05-09
RALPH COMPTON HAS AGAIN WRITTEN A STORY THAT I COULD NOT PUT DOWN. THE WES STONE CHARACTER HAS PICKED UP WHERE HIS FATHER NATHAN STONE LEFT OFF . I HATED TO END THIS BOOK YET HATED TO PUT IT DOWN. I CANT WAIT TO GET THE NEXT IN THE SERIES.
Book Description
After several hard-fought weeks, the war-torn world of Enothis hangs in the balance. Only the day and night efforts of the valiant flyers of the Phantine Fighter Corps can keep the enemy host at bay long enough for the Imperial ground forces to regroup for a last battle.
Book Description
Few objects in history tell a tale that can match this one coin's for drama and sheer improbability.
Stolen from the U.S. Mint in the depths of the Great Depression, shipped via diplomatic pouch to Egypt, hidden for forty years, seized in a 1996 government sting at the Waldorf-Astoria, and finally sold in a record-setting auction….
One coin, for years the only known 1933 twenty-dollar Double Eagle in the world, has inspired the passions of thieves and collectors, lawyers and charlatans. Its extraordinary story winds across seventy years and three continents, linking an almost unbelievable cast of characters: Theodore Roosevelt and a Philadelphia gold dealer with underworld connections; Egypt's King Farouk and an apple-cheeked Secret Service agent; London's most successful coin dealer and a retired trucker from Amarillo.
Alison Frankel's stylish narrative hums at the pace of a thriller. Her meticulously researched descriptions and vivid character studies bring the coin's history to life and illuminate the world of coin collecting, where the desire to possess often borders on madness. 8 pages of illustrations.
Customer Reviews:
Wonderful story.......2007-07-26
This book is truly terrific, thoroughly engaging. One can tell the author went to great lengths to find out every little detail because there are no real gaps in a story that spans over 7 decades. Just a delight to read.
a breathtaking read.......2006-09-09
'Give us a coinage that has some beauty', ordered president Theodore Roosevelt at the beginning of the 20th century. Artist Augustus Saint-Gaudens provided the winning 'Double Eagle'-design. It was converted into a golden 20 dollar piece.
445,500 Of these coins were inscripted with '1933'. As their production coincided with the abandon of the USA's gold standard, they were never issued. A few years later these 1933-coins were melted into golden bars. Nevertheless some estimated 10 copies turned up afterwards, being illegal by US government standards.
Following their whereabouts, gradually narrowing her investigations to just one piece, Alison Frankel takes us on a breathtaking journey. It leads from the monetary politics of president Franklin Delano Roosevelt to the abundant wealth of Egyptian king Farouk; from dusty small towns in Texas to New York and London; from simple, low-paid mint-employees to top legal specialists; from honest, hard-working people via the US secret service to mafia-related criminals. In all providing a clear insight in the international coin-trade throughout the 20th century.
The story finishes with an irresistable climax: on July 30, 2002, the 'Double Eagle' was auctioned off in New York for a net-price of $ 6,6 million. Thus becoming the most expensive antique coin in the world.
Well-researched and well-written, Alison Frankel's book will leave you breathless.
Who knew?.......2006-06-13
Wow, who would have imagined that the world of coin collecting would be inhabited by the quirky collection of characters in this intriguing book? I loved the mystery of the story and the surprising and true journey of the double eagle. The book is very well written in a style that is both hard to put down and fun to read. I enjoyed the history of early twentieth century coins. The legal maneuverings in the story are great!
Read this book!
Gripping, factual and extraodinarily well written........2006-05-26
This is by far the better of the few books about the chicanery, sneeky dealings and inevitabe "sting" surrounding the 1933 $20 Saint Gaudens. The author wastes no time jumping into the thick of things and every page is full of insight and great reading. There's no fluff in this book, it's cover to cover great "stuff"....the players, the government, the mint officials and the setup man, Izzy Switt are all followed in a way worthy of a murder mystery. What's also great is that inasmuch as this will appeal to the general public, it's really appealing to coin collectors because of the author's research into the inner dealings of the coin world. One coin...one incredible non-fiction novel!
This Real-Life Detective Story Is On the Money!.......2006-05-25
I know nothing about coin collecting, but I bought this book on a whim -- the cover is striking -- and read the whole thing the first night. King Farouk, Teddy Roosevelt, obsessed Secret Service agents, shady coin dealers, clever lawyers... this book has it all, and I just couldn't stop reading until I finished the whole thing. Double Eagle is so much more than the saga of a gold coin. It's a compelling narrative, a fascinating work of history, an incisive study of collecting mania and, most of all, a thriller that ends with a twist that will shock you. I'd give it six stars if I could.
Book Description
They are the most valuable coins on earth . . .
Only a handful still exist, each one worth millions . . .
Now they have vanished from an impenetrable
fortress . . . and the killings have begun.
Somehow, impossibly, someone has invaded Fort Knox and stolen five of the world's last remaining Double Eagles -- the $20 gold coin ordered destroyed by President Roosevelt during the Great Depression. Now, one has resurfaced during an autopsy in France -- in the stomach of a murdered priest.
Disgraced FBI agent Jennifer Browne needs to recover the priceless coins to resuscitate her stalled career -- and her investigation is pointing her toward Tom Kirk, a brilliant international art thief who wants to get out of the game. But Kirk's only chance for freedom -- and survival -- is to find the missing coins, joining Browne, an unlikely ally, on a breakneck race across the globe and into the lethal heart of a shocking conspiracy of greed and power . . . and death.
Customer Reviews:
4 1/2 Stars.......2007-05-26
I found Twinings latest international thriller to be quite exciting. Good plotting, full of action, full of twists, and overall very satisfying.
From inside: "You see, despite what you might think, not all thieves are robbers."
Double Trouble.......2007-03-01
A good solid tale. After reading Mr. Twining second book, The Black Sun, I decided to give his debut novel a go. I am glad I did as I found it a slightly better read. The Double Eagle is an interesting story that combines the talents of recently retired famous art thief and former CIA agent Tom Kirk, and current FBI Special Agent Jennifer Browne as they hunt for 5 Double Eagle coins stolen from Fort Knox. The twists and turns of this who-done-it takes one on a dizzying ride through Europe in search of the elusive coins. Along the way friends become foes, and foes friends as Tom and Jennifer unravel the mystery of the missing coins. Excellent plot and good solid ending for a debut suspense novel. Character development was a little light but acceptable. Numerous characters but Mr. Twining does a good job keeping the reader informed and not overburdening the story. All in all an excellent debut novel.
Highly recommended for that day on the beach or lazy afternoon on the deck. No gratuitous violence or sex. Very little coarse language. I am looking forward to Mr. Twining's next book and more about Tom Kirk.
Steady, If Not Overwhelming.......2007-02-28
Tom Kirk is a former C.I.A. operative turned spy who is accused of stealing several "double eagles", which are coins supposedly destroyed upon a Presidential order in 1933. Enter Jennifer Browne, a disgraced F.B.I. agent who inherits the case. She works with Kirk to solve the theft of the coins. But, as is always the case in these kinds of books, there is more to the story than meets the eye.
an excellent debut.......2007-02-15
if you like DeMille, Cussler and James Rollins, you will love this book, trust me. Tight, fast-paced, no useless "it was a dark & stormy night" filler that Ludlum and Folsom love so much. A very good read, I enjoyed it from start to finish. Good job, James!
Not bad, good European locales, solid writing.......2006-11-18
I picked this up for a quick read and it served its purpose. I could really see the Ludlum influence in the breakneck pace and the less than flowery style, not bad for sitting in an airport terminal etc... The writer comes from an investment banking background so maybe next time he will work international banking into his plots, that could be more interesting.
Customer Reviews:
A Must Have Guide Book for Anyone Interested in Double Eagle Gold Coins.......2006-09-10
Dave Bowers has shown us all once again his superb writing skills and in-depth Numismatic knowledge with this fairly new release on what just may be the worlds most popular gold coin, the US Double Eagle. All that is missing from this superb date by date analysis of the US double eagle gold coins guidebook is up to date pricing information, which of course has seen many changes ( most to the upside) since the release of this book.
Whether you are investing in these coins or collecting them , this is one of the guidebooks you need to study this facinating and important series of US gold coins. As a professional coin dealer and specialist in double eagles, I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in these coins. Buy the book before you buy the coins!
Book Description
Don Coldsmith, voted one of the greatest western writers of the twentieth century by the Western Writers of America, single-handedly revolutionized the Western novel with his acclaimed Spanish Bit Saga. Set in the early sixteenth century, the Spanish Bit re-creates a time, a place, and a people that have been nearly lost to history. In it we see history through the eyes of those who lived it.The Elk-Dog band has grown and prospered, yet still they cling to old traditions. Eagle Woman, the unmarried daughter of a sub-chief, is as skilled, as fearless, and as strong as most young men of the band. Defying tradition, she applies for warrior status-over the spirited objections of Long Walker, the handsome warrior who wants her for his wife. But the more he opposes Eagle Woman, the more determined she becomes. When a tragedy strikes her family, Eagle Woman sets out on a dangerous mission for vengeance against the treacherous Head-Splitters. And Long Walker rides with her-straight into a trap.
Average customer rating:
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Double Eagle and Rising Sun: The Russians and Japanese at Portsmouth in 1905
Raymond A. Esthus
Manufacturer: Duke University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| United States
| Americas
| History
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Japan
| Asia
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Russia
| History
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Relations
| International
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| Nonfiction
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General
| Political Science
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ASIN: 0822307782 |
Customer Reviews:
Becoming Whole.......2004-09-10
I first "worked" this book in 1994 when I went into a Christian rehab for women. My first thought was I was never going to share and be honest in this book, but found myself doing that very same thing. This book had a way of drawing out my real feelings and issues I was going through that led to my drinking and using. Little by little the pieces of my broken life began to piece together one by one and I started to become whole. We are never really "done" with recovery. It is a life long process. I look back at my answers to the book the first time around praise god that he has brought me this far. It really is a miracle. I am looking forward to "working" this book again and peeling back yet another layer of the onion.
Get Ready To Change Your Life.......2004-03-10
I originally "worked" this book in a small group, but later did it on my own. I can't even begin to tell you how much more insightful it was the second time around. I guess I had a lot of issues! The point is... I read a lot of books on self help and have done a ton of workbooks based on recommendations from friends, etc... But if you want to take a recommendation from a humbled ex-co-dependant (if that's possible) like myself... this is the best BANG FOR YOUR BUCK! This book will open doors and get deep into your "issues" and give you wonderful and powerful tools to work through what's ailing you. It's really the best I've read. I've met Mike O'Neil and his story of recovery is amazing and to know where this guy has been and what he's doing now and how he manages his life... the author is someone who has practiced what he preached in this book and lives it every day. That's pretty much what sold me on the book. I've also "worked" the Boundary book that he authored and that was TREMENDOUS!!! I can't say enough good things about that one! Both books... written by someone who knows what he's talking about and he breaks it down into a workable and doable method... that you can do at your own pace, alone or with a friend or group, and real healing can take place. Isn't that why we buy books like this to begin with... because we want answers... I would bet good money that you find something you're looking for in these books... Don't tell my sponsor that I'm betting (just kidding).
Written from "The Inside Out".......2001-02-10
Mike O'niel's book/workbook is the most thorough approach to "working the steps" I have ever seen. He guides the reader through a series of questions that, if answered honestly, reveal a true picture of one's issues, and then through more questions and responses, allow for healing of same. Obviously written by one who has wrestled with adiction, the text pulls no punches, but is insightful, God-inspired, and affords many answers for those who have lost their "power to choose."
Books:
- Heaven Lake: A Novel
- Homeland and Other Stories
- Hotel Honolulu: A Novel
- Hunger Point: A Novel
- In the Skin of a Lion
- Jakob von Gunten (New York Review Books Classics)
- Killing Mister Watson
- Learn to Play Go: A Master's Guide to the Ultimate Game (Volume I) (Learn to Play Go)
- Lighthousekeeping
- Lithium for Medea
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- History: Fiction or Science
- Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
- The Groves of Academe
- The New Fred Wiche Lawn and Garden Almanac
- The Scarlet Letter
- Applications = Code + Markup: A Guide to the Microsoft Windows Presentation Foundation
- Why We Believe What We Believe: Uncovering Our Biological Need for Meaning, Spirituality, and Truth
- Tom Landry: An Autobiography
- The Last Nine Months: Putting on My Last Diaper in Family Child Care
- How to Do Everything Right the First Time!!!!!!: Ways to Succeed in Life
Don't Look Back
When the Devil Holds the Candle
Jar City: A Thriller (Reykjavik Thriller)
Borkmann's Point: An Inspector Van Veeteren Mystery
The Princess of Burundi (Ann Lindell Mysteries)
