Archive for February, 2011

	Paperback: 176 pages Publisher: Bantam; 36th THUS edition (December 1, 1995) Language: English ISBN-10: 0553281070 ISBN-13: 978-0553281071	Order book here:
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Characters:

Major James Brionne
Dutton Mowry
Cotton Allard
Mat Brionne
Miranda Loften

Synopsis:

A young boy watches his mother attacked, and her suicide at the hands of a gang of killers named Allard. Major James Brionne had testified, causing the oldest Allard brother to be hung. Now they are after revenge. Major Brionne takes his son and heads west seeking out a new life for them. They make some allies along the way, and some enemies.

Review:

This is one of the first Louis L’amour novels I’ve read in years. He’s one of the best western novelists there has ever been , and his books are always pretty accurate. I found this a very thrilling story from page one to the end. The book is rather short, so it wasn’t a long read. There was the normal violence expected within a western novel. There are also ties that bring different characters together on their journey.

If you like Westerns, I think you’d defnitely like Brionne. It would be suitable I think for any age in which a John Wayne film would be suitable.

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	Paperback: 272 pages Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin (May 3, 2004) Language: English ISBN-10: 0312330871 ISBN-13: 978-0312330873	Order book here:
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Characters:

Judge Lawrence Wargrave – A recently retired judge.
Vera Claythorne – Secretary to Mrs. Owen.
Philip Lombard – Former mercenary soldier in Africa.
Dr. Edward George Armstrong – A gullible, slightly timid doctor. William Henry Blore – A former police inspector.
Emily Brent – An old, religious woman who reads her Bible every day.
Thomas Rogers – The dignified butler.
General John Gordon Macarthur – The oldest guest.
Ethel Rogers – Rogers’s wife.
Anthony Marston – A rich, athletic, handsome youth.

Synopsis:

Ten people are invited to a lonelys secluded island. Once there, they are each accused of separate crimes. One by one each character is killed according to lines on a poem in each person’s room. Who is the killer? Who is Mr. and Mrs.. U. N. Owen and what is their agenda?

Review:

An interesting mystery Agatha Christie. One of the main problems I have is that some of the terms have become antiquated, and keeps the book from being timeless. Also, I think I’d have enjoyed the story more if I’d not seen the movie prior to reading the book. The scenes were very suspenseful, but the characters were cardboard cutouts of archtypes, and didn’t have a lot of dimension to them.

If you are a fan of old style mysteries, or of Agatha Christie, then you’d definitely like this book. I think it would be acceptable to older teens and adults, but again isn’t for very young children.

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	Paperback: 240 pages Publisher: Rockin SR Publishing (October 12, 2010) Language: English ISBN-10: 0982157614 ISBN-13: 978-0982157619	Order book here:
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Characters:

Johannes Svenson – Norway
Reuben Frank – Prussia
Sarah Bonney – Liverpool
Zebariah Taylor – United States
Inga Bjorne – New York
Jacob O’Shanahan – Ireland
Rebecca Marx – London

Synopsis:

Seven strangers from various parts of the world, set off in 1855 for life in the United States. Along the way, they’ll have various encounters with some of the dangers during that time period. Dangers ranging from Indian attacks, con men, killers, etc.

Review:

The story to this was very interesting. You get to know each character prior to their living for the U.S. and see what their lives were like, what their dreams are for their new life, and their fears. One seeks his fortune, one runs from her past, and one is willing to kill to obtain whatever he desires.

This novel presents a very interesting view of the early immigrant experience. The author is very versed in the Western lifestyle. While much of the book seemed accurate to the time period, there was one or more times, where the characters used what seemed like a more contemporary language. That was probably the one drawback I had with the book.

While the main story was a little weak, it is the first in a 6 book proposed series, so I have to assume following books would have a much stronger storyline to them.

There is some mild language, and adult situations. I’d recommend this foro older teens or adults. If you are a fan of westerns, I think you’d like this, or if you are a fan of historical fiction, you’d enjoy it.

*Disclaimer* A special thanks goes out to Rebecca at The Cadence Group for a review copy of this book. It in no way influenced my review.

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