Saturday, May 17, 2008
[Book Review] THE PROMETHEUS DECEPTION by Robert Ludlum
Fiction/AdventureJessie Marshall reviews THE PROMETHEUS DECEPTION by Robert Ludlum (St. Martin's Press, 2000)
At the opening of this action-driven story, the reader meets Nick Bryson, an agent for the top-secret Directorate, an organization unknown to all but the highest-level people in the Federal Government.
Unbeknownst to him, Bryson is on his final mission for the Directorate. After devoting years and risking his life countless times in the service of his country, he is retired from duty and is given a new identity as Jonas Barett, a professor of Byzantine history at Woodbridge College. All is well for several years, until one day, a CIA agent shows up on campus looking for him.
As he learns new truths about his past, Bryson begins to question his entire previous life. He is drawn into a web of intrigue where he finds that he was really a dupe; all of his years as an agent were spent working against the United States instead of for it. It seems that the Directorate is really a Russian intelligence operation, and Edmund Waller, Bryson’s mentor, is a Russian agent.
Bryson determines to make amends for any harm that he has done and to put things right. He begins to search out his former Directorate contacts, only to find that wherever he goes, destruction follows. At one point, to Bryson's surprise, Waller rescues him and tells him about Prometheus, an organization comprised of business executives and powerful international politicians who are trying to enact the Treaty of Surveillance. This treaty would create an international, all-powerful FBI type of organization. The members of Prometheus would be able to monitor virtually all world information and, therefore, would gain tremendous power.
Throughout the story, Bryson struggles with deciding who is telling him the truth. Who can he trust? What part of this is true, and what part is a lie? Finally, all the facts come into focus for him, and he is able to go about thwarting the Prometheus plan for gaining world control.
Jessie Marshall, Business and Science Department
Labels: Adventure, Reviews by Jessie Marshall
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
[Book Review] SOMEONE TO LOVE by Jude Deveraux
Fiction/RomanceJesse Marshall reviews SOMEONE TO LOVE by Jude Deveraux (Atria Books, 2007)
Although three years have passed since the suicide of his fiancée, Stacy, Jace Montgomery is still far from reconciled to her death. Jace does not believe that Stacy committed suicide, and he certainly does not agree with the pervasive idea that she took her life because she could not bring herself to break off their engagement. His discovery of a photo of Priory House in Margate, England, bearing an enigmatic love note to Stacy, leads Jace to travel to Margate and to purchase the expensive but ugly estate. He is convinced that the house contains the answer to the mystery of Stacy’s death.
Jace quickly discovers that Priory House is haunted by the ghost of Ann Stuart who, like Stacy, is supposed to have committed suicide on the eve of her wedding. Jace feels that finding out the truth about Ann Stuart’s death will lead him to understanding Stacy’s death also. He is joined in his investigation by his attractive neighbor, Nightingale Smythe, a former war correspondent and local journalist.
I recommend Someone To Love to readers who enjoy fast-paced reads with familiar characters. It is character centered, includes multiple plot lines, and focuses on romantic relationships. The plot also contains supernatural elements.
Jessie G. Marshall, Business and Science Department
Labels: Reviews by Jessie Marshall, Romance
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
[Book Review] THE SHIRT OFF HIS BACK by Parry Brown
Fiction/African-AmericanJessie Marshall reviews THE SHIRT OFF HIS BACK by Parry A. Brown (Strivers Row, 2001)
Terry Winston is happy with his life as the devoted single father of eleven-year-old twin daughters, Alisa and Ariana. Even with the help of his mother and sister, taking full parental responsibility while still a college student was very challenging for him. Now life seems to have leveled out for Terry and his children. He has a good job and a satisfying relationship with Jackie, the single mother of two-year-old twins. Marriage seems to be the next step. The situation changes abruptly when Catherine, the mother of Alisa and Ariana, reappears to fight for custody of the girls she abandoned at birth. Her true motive is to present a better image to her family-oriented employer in order to secure a promotion. Once again, with the support of his family, Jackie, and his best friend, Roland, Terry determinedly battles to expose Catherine’s selfish plan and to keep his daughters in the loving home he has created for them.
Many readers will find this character-centered story appealing. The plot focuses on contemporary issues involving family, friendships, and romantic relationships. The book is written in a conversational style and contains familiar characters with whom readers might identify.
On the web: http://www.parryabrown.com/
Jessie G. Marshall, Business and Science Department
Labels: African-American Fiction, Reviews by Jessie Marshall
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
[Book Review] BURNT OFFERINGS by Robert Marasco
Fiction/Horror
Jessie Marshall reviews BURNT OFFERINGS by Robert Marasco (Delacorte Press, 1973)
This first novel by Robert Marasco, a Tony Award-winning playwright, is a chilling tale of the supernatural. Ben Rolfe is a teacher and aspiring author. During the school year, Ben resides with his wife Marian and son David in a small New York apartment. Marian decides that she will not be able to endure another summer in their cramped quarters, so she sets about the task of convincing Ben to rent a place in the country for the summer months.
After finding a listing for a “UNIQUE SUMMER HOME,” complete with pool and private beach, advertised as “very reasonable for the right people,” Marian prevails upon her husband to visit the property. Once she has seen the incredible mansion, now in disrepair, she cannot envision spending her summer anywhere but there. The Rolfes are received and interviewed by the Allardyces, the brother and sister who live in the home. The rent is truly unbelievable, but there is one catch to the arrangement: the family who rents the home must also provide three meals a day for Mrs. Allardyce, the siblings’ 85-year-old mother, who will remain in the house throughout the summer.
After much consideration, the Rolfes agree to the peculiar rental agreement and move to the country with Ben’s Aunt Elizabeth joining them. Upon arrival, they find the keys to the house, but no one is there to provide any sort of orientation. Moving past the unusual beginning, the family starts to settle in at the estate. Marian sets about cleaning and caring for the house and its exquisite furnishings. She enjoys being in the presence of the lovely antiques. Ben, David, and Aunt Elizabeth spend their time exploring the beach, pool and grounds.
As the story progresses, unexplainable accidents begin to threaten the lives of some of the Rolfes. The reader senses an atmosphere of slowly mounting tension and the presence of a malevolent force in the house. As the story nears its conclusion, the pace quickens and the deliberately told tale becomes increasingly compelling as the house now seems to be drawing energy from and preying upon its inhabitants.
This book would appeal to readers because of the intriguing, well-drawn characters and also because of the foreboding, suspenseful tone. Marasco begins the story at a measured pace but masterfully increases the action so that the novel becomes a page-turner as the narrative moves toward its thrilling conclusion.
Jessie Marshall, Business and Science Department
Jessie Marshall reviews BURNT OFFERINGS by Robert Marasco (Delacorte Press, 1973)
This first novel by Robert Marasco, a Tony Award-winning playwright, is a chilling tale of the supernatural. Ben Rolfe is a teacher and aspiring author. During the school year, Ben resides with his wife Marian and son David in a small New York apartment. Marian decides that she will not be able to endure another summer in their cramped quarters, so she sets about the task of convincing Ben to rent a place in the country for the summer months.
After finding a listing for a “UNIQUE SUMMER HOME,” complete with pool and private beach, advertised as “very reasonable for the right people,” Marian prevails upon her husband to visit the property. Once she has seen the incredible mansion, now in disrepair, she cannot envision spending her summer anywhere but there. The Rolfes are received and interviewed by the Allardyces, the brother and sister who live in the home. The rent is truly unbelievable, but there is one catch to the arrangement: the family who rents the home must also provide three meals a day for Mrs. Allardyce, the siblings’ 85-year-old mother, who will remain in the house throughout the summer.
After much consideration, the Rolfes agree to the peculiar rental agreement and move to the country with Ben’s Aunt Elizabeth joining them. Upon arrival, they find the keys to the house, but no one is there to provide any sort of orientation. Moving past the unusual beginning, the family starts to settle in at the estate. Marian sets about cleaning and caring for the house and its exquisite furnishings. She enjoys being in the presence of the lovely antiques. Ben, David, and Aunt Elizabeth spend their time exploring the beach, pool and grounds.
As the story progresses, unexplainable accidents begin to threaten the lives of some of the Rolfes. The reader senses an atmosphere of slowly mounting tension and the presence of a malevolent force in the house. As the story nears its conclusion, the pace quickens and the deliberately told tale becomes increasingly compelling as the house now seems to be drawing energy from and preying upon its inhabitants.
This book would appeal to readers because of the intriguing, well-drawn characters and also because of the foreboding, suspenseful tone. Marasco begins the story at a measured pace but masterfully increases the action so that the novel becomes a page-turner as the narrative moves toward its thrilling conclusion.
Jessie Marshall, Business and Science Department
Labels: Horror, Reviews by Jessie Marshall
Thursday, January 18, 2007
[Book Review] THE QUILTER'S APPRENTICE by Jennifer Chiaverini
Fiction/GentleJessie Marshall reviews THE QUILTER'S APPRENTICE: A Novel by Jennifer Chiaverini (Simon & Schuster, 1999)
In this first book of The Elm Creek Quilts series, the reader is introduced to Sarah and Matt McClure, who have just moved to the small college town of Waterford, Pennsylvania in order for Matt to start his new job with a landscaping firm. While Sarah previously worked in accounting, she is now hoping to find a more interesting job. Unfortunately, her interviews have not gone well, and she is becoming discouraged. On the other hand, Matt has just landed the challenging task of restoring the grounds and gardens of Elm Creek Manor, a large estate which has fallen into disrepair. The home was recently inherited by Mrs. Sylvia Compson, a seventy-five year old widow who grew up on the estate but who is now fixing up the property in order to sell it.
While Sarah continues the search for full time employment, Matt secures a temporary job for her helping Mrs. Compson organize and ready the large family home for its upcoming sale. At first, Mrs. Compson’s formal, fastidious demeanor makes Sarah uncomfortable, but their relationship begins to deepen and soften after Sarah discovers that Mrs. Compson is a master quilter. Sarah asks for part of her wages to be in the form of quilting lessons. The widow agrees and starts Sarah out with a sampler quilt, one made up of individual blocks from many different quilt patterns.
As the story unfolds, the friendship and trust between Sarah and Sylvia grows. With each new pattern block, Mrs. Compson opens up a bit more by telling stories about the family members who used that pattern. When the quilter reaches the point in the story where she reveals her decades-long estrangement from her sister and sister-in-law, Sarah begins to examine her resentment toward her own mother. As she considers reconciliation within her own family, Sarah and the ladies from the local quilting group secretly execute a plan to help Mrs. Compson resolve regrets and heal broken relationships from her past.
The Quilter’s Apprentice is primarily about the value of relationships. The author provides a great deal of interesting information on quilting and quilt patterns while telling the story of friendships between women of different generations. This book will appeal to readers because it contains familiar character types and is leisurely in pace. The story is set in a small town, and the ending provides resolution to the multiple plot lines. The characters do not have a great deal of depth, and the dialog seems awkward at times; however, the subject matter is not explicit or violent in any sense and would certainly not offend.
Jessie Marshall, Business and Science Department
Labels: Gentle Fiction, Reviews by Jessie Marshall
Thursday, November 09, 2006
[Book Review] THE BODY OF CHRISTOPHER CREED by Carol Plum-Ucci
Fiction/Young Adult Coming of AgeJessie Marshall reviews THE BODY OF CHRISTOPHER CREED by Carol Plum-Ucci (Harcourt, 2000):
Written as a flashback from the point of view of sixteen-year-old Tory Adams, The Body of Christopher Creed tells the story of the unexplained disappearance of the class misfit, and the ways in which this mystery affects others in the small town of Steepleton, New Jersey. Initially, Tory and his friends see a clear, two-group division of the teens in their high school, the affluent cool kids and the "boons," or outcast rural students who live in the boondocks. Once Chris Creed vanishes, Tory begins to see everything differently. When his name and those of several friends appear in Chris’ suicide note, Tory regrets the way he and the others treated Chris and wonders whether or not their behavior was the reason behind the disappearance. As Tory’s awareness grows, the shallow, immature antics of the other cool kids start to annoy him. He begins to notice subtle changes in Ali, his childhood friend. She no longer fits the stereotypical image he has always had of her, and Tory is shocked to learn that Ali’s new boyfriend is Bo Richardson, a "boon" with a juvenile record. Soon Tory also sees beyond the view he has previously held of Bo, and begins to realize that Bo is a responsible, caring person upon whom Ali and the boy’s own family depend.
Tory, Ali, and Bo become unlikely allies in searching for answers in the disappearance. They are convinced that the missing boy’s hidden diary will reveal the truth, and they form a plan to break into the Creed’s house to steal the book. Their plan goes awry, Bo is caught, and Tory falls under suspicion. The continuing investigation acts as a catalyst bringing out accusations and speculation; secrets and scandals in the adult community of Steepleton begin to emerge also. Plum-Ucci provides an unexpected and satisfying resolution to the mystery.
This book should appeal to readers of all ages. The dialog and thought-provoking plot line are realistically written, but contain adult situations and a considerable amount of adult language. In this coming of age story, Tory learns that things are not always as simple as they first appear. He comes to realize that people are responsible for their words and actions, and also that everyone deserves to be treated with respect and compassion. Young adult readers will enjoy the familiar character types, realistic dialogue, believable teen interactions, and multiple plot lines. The early part of the story is moderately paced, but becomes fast paced as the plot nears conclusion.
You might also enjoy these similar titles:
S. E. Hinton, The Outsiders
Walter Dean Myers, Monster
Lois Duncan, Killing Mr. Griffin
Jessie Marshall, Business & Science Department
Labels: Coming of Age, Reviews by Jessie Marshall, Young Adult
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
[Book Review] THE PRINCES OF IRELAND Edward Rutherfurd
Fiction/HistoricalJessie Marshall reviews THE PRINCES OF IRELAND: The Dublin Saga by Edward Rutherfurd (Doubleday, 2004):
While Historical Fiction is not my usual genre, I was drawn to this book in hopes of learning more about my Irish heritage while enjoying a fictional story. Princes of Ireland succeeded in adding to my knowledge of Ireland’s rich history and doing so in a pleasant way.
The Dublin Saga begins in pre-Christian Ireland in the year 430 A.D. with the ill-fated romance between Deirdre, the daughter of the Clan Chief of Dubh Lin, and Conall, an aspiring Druid priest. Then the narrative moves to 450 A.D. with St. Patrick’s arrival in Ireland and his establishment of the Christian faith in Dubh Lin. The next installment takes place in 981 A.D. and describes the role the Vikings play in the heritage of the Emerald Isle. This section also paints a vivid picture of monastic life at the time. In 1171, King Henry II arrives on the island, and the reformation of the Irish church begins. The tale ends with the story of the Irish revolt of 1534 and with the introduction of Protestantism to Ireland.
In each segment of this sweeping tale, the reader experiences key historical events as seen through the eyes of several fictional families who reside in or about Dubh Lin, modern Dublin. Rutherfurd’s portrayal of family life, love, political change, and war is interesting enough to draw the reader in, but the characters’ personal stories are secondary in importance to the actual historical events. Lovers of historical fiction or those with an interest in the history and culture of Ireland will certainly find this epic a satisfying means of learning the highlights of early Irish history.
Why you'll love it: Leisurely-paced; densely written; rich in historical details relating to the customs and beliefs of the Irish people; intricately described setting; familiar characters; mystical qualities interwoven into the plot.
Jessie Marshall, Business and Science Department
Labels: Historical Fiction, Reviews by Jessie Marshall
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
MARLEY AND ME by John Grogan
This selection was recently a Popular Library ("7-day") book. The reviewer wanted to make sure you did not miss this noteworthy title. You can now check it out for 21 days!Jessie G. Marshall reviews MARLEY AND ME: Life and Love with The World's Worst Dog (Morrow, 2005):
When newly-weds John and Jenny Grogan decide to purchase Marley, a Labrador retriever puppy, their heretofore peaceful life changes forever. Marley makes each day exciting for the Grogans by devouring various inedible items such as bath towels, socks, and even a gold necklace. He flunks out of obedience school, drags a table to which he is tethered through a crowd of diners on a restaurant patio, and suffers destructive panic attacks whenever there is a thunder storm. On the other hand, Marley provides loving comfort to Jenny after her miscarriage, is a gentle playmate for the Grogan children, and becomes the loyal protector of a neighbor who has been stabbed by an intruder. Throughout the book, the reader alternately laughs and cries but can not help but identify with the Grogan family and the impact that owning and loving this unpredictable, hyperactive dog has on their lives.
WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT!: Marley & Me is humorous, heart-warming, emotionally appealing and conversational in tone. This endearing portrait of the relationship between pets and their families contains much action, well-developed characters, and a bittersweet but hopeful ending.
You might also like James Herriot’s All Creatures Great and Small; Jon Katz’s The Dogs of Bedlam Farm: an Adventure with Sixteen Sheep, Three Dogs, Two Donkeys, and Me; and Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson’s Tails from the Bark Side.
Jessie G. Marshall, Business and Science Department
Labels: Reviews by Jessie Marshall
Thursday, May 25, 2006
NIGHTS OF RAIN AND STARS by Maeve Binchy
This selection was recently a Popular Library ("7-day") book. The reviewer wanted to make sure you did not miss this noteworthy title. You can now check it out for 21 days!Jessie G. Marshall reviews NIGHTS OF RAIN AND STARS by Maeve Binchy (Dutton, 2004).
When local tragedy strikes in the small Greek village of Aghia Anna, the lives of four tourists become unexpectedly intertwined with each other and with the lives of the local people. A fire onboard a sightseeing boat, which kills both tourists and villagers, is witnessed from a hill-top taverna by Elsa, the German broadcast journalist; Thomas, the American writer and literature professor; David, a young Englishman; and Fiona, an Irish nurse. In addition to being on an actual journey, each of these characters is also on an emotional pilgrimage, for they are all struggling to figure out thorny personal issues. The secondary characters of Andreas, the owner of the taverna, and Vonni, an Irish woman who has lived on the island for many years, seek to influence the pivotal decisions of the four foreigners in order to prevent the young people from making the sort of poor decisions that have colored their own lives with regret. Because of the guidance and support received on the island, each visitor leaves Greece with a clear vision as to the right direction for his/her future.
This book is light and fast-paced with its focus being on the characters and how their lives become involved with the lives of the islanders. As each of the tourists seeks counsel from Andreas and Vonni, both of whom stress the unique importance of family relationships and the rare gift of second chances, the warmth of the close-knit community comes across.
Readers who have enjoyed Elizabeth Von Arnim’s The Enchanted April or Mary Stewart’s The Moonspinners would also find this character-driven story set in an exotic locale pleasurable reading.
Jessie G. Marshall, Business and Science Department
Links:
Book Excerpt
Maeve Binchy's website
Bookreporter.com Interview
Labels: Mainstream Fiction, Reviews by Jessie Marshall
