Heaven's Prisoners

Book Description

Vietnam vet Dave Robicheaux has turned in his detective's badge, is winning his battle against booze, and has left New Orleans with his wife for the tranquil beauty of Louisiana's bayous. But a plane crash on the Gulf brings a young girl into his life -- and with her comes a netherworld of murder, deception, and homegrown crime. Suddenly Robicheaux is confronting Bubba Rocque, a brutal hood he's known since childhood; Rocque's hungry Cajun wife; and a federal agent with more guts than sense. In a backwater world where a swagger and a gun go further than the law, Robicheaux and those he loves are caught on a tide of violence far bigger than them all....

Customer Reviews:

Heaven's Prisoners.......2007-07-18

This is the second in the Dave Robicheaux series and continues the story after The Neon Rain...I started out with the 7th in the series (Dixie City Jam) and liked it so much I went back and started from the first to get the character's background etc. Mr. Burke does describe real violence and you have to get used to that but he is a wonderful writer. Having lived in New Orleans (before Katrina thank God) I have loved the books for the descriptions he gives on the city and area. His books are really "good reads"...

Not Quite Heaven.......2007-06-01

Though I am definitely hooked on Burke's writing, this was not his best effort. In fact, I couldn't help but feel this book was written to eliminate Annie so the series could continue unencumbered. I don't think Annie could survive in Dave's world with any real contentment as they have such polarizing personalities and sensibilities. The scene where Annie gets killed but Robicheaux survives was a bit too convenient to be convincing. Nor does it seem that the man I've come to know as a tough straight talking introspective thinker like Dave would so quickly get over the likes of Annie and take up with a woman like Robin. This was a bit of a stretch and made me dislike his character for using others as he engaged in what appeared to be self-indulgence. I didn't see any real remorse or sorrow over Annie's passing--no period of bereavement, as I would expect from a man like Dave.

The scenes regarding alcoholism and the demons that plague Dave are very believable and appear to be drawn from the author's own experiences. But, even in this regard, Burke went a little too far to the dark side. While we want a believable likeable protagonist we don't want to spend most of our time feeling sorry for him and in this novel Robicheaux seems to be wallowing in his own self-pity and using his wife's brutal murder as an excuse to act out.

Burke has a special way of turning words into flowing prose unmatched in his genre. This book was no exception. While it was a gritty and horrific story, the setting, mood and dialogue sparked like electricity, leaving the reader panting for more. The prose is poetic in a lot of places and written so you're compelled to go back to taste it again and again.

Burke also brings in characters that we care about, such as Alifair as well as characters that are vile and/or twisted--all of them fully fleshed out and multi-faceted. Again, Burke brings us into a place where we can feel the humidity and smell the bayou. At this, he is a master. He also has the potential to reminisce about the good old days and we remember along with him as though we too had experienced his history and it becomes our history. Burke creates a storyline that is tense, layered, and filled with complex characters and even though I felt this book was a bit of a filler for what is to come, it was still a exciting action-packed read that will keep you turning the pages far into the night.

Read, Read, Read.......2007-04-10

All of the additions to the Dave Robicheaux series are winners. See my review of Crusader's Cross for a general review.

If you like Burke - get this one too!.......2006-07-22

If you don't know - buy it - or search the author and start at the beginning! Louisiana detective Dave Robicheaux has been my book buddy for years... well in my world!

Weaker Story than Expected.......2006-06-07

Maybe I was expecting too much from this first sequel since the first book 'Neon Rain' was so good. This book seems to have enough murders to make a Sam Pekinpah movie look PG-13. Especially the killing of Annie would have no reason behind it except to make Robicheaux even more pathetic a human being than he was before.

The parts that deal with the little girl are well done and quite touching without being saccharin. But, every time he mentions what she's wearing he has to add that Annie bought that for her. Then his dealings with Robin, seem to come out of nowhere, and then all of a sudden, she's gone too.

His hunting down of Annie's killer(s), does seem right in line with the type of person Dave's suppose to be; but his use of his old friend in going on to the police force for no other reason than that, seems way out of character.

At one point, Burke makes him so depressed that his descriptions of the weather and the look of the bayou, got me to the point where I was afraid that I would need to increase my medication to prevent myself from doing something rash.

So much is left open at the end, that it should have discussed the next sequel, so we would know what was going to be addressed in the next novel. Needless to say, I like the character and hope that Burke will get on with whatever he has planned for him.

Kazunomiya: Prisoner of Heaven, Japan 1858 (Royal Diaries)

Average customer rating:

Kazunomiya
Kazunomiya: Prisoner of Heaven
One of the greatest eras of change!!
This is the best one out!
Good Job!

Kazunomiya: Prisoner of Heaven, Japan 1858 (Royal Diaries)
Kathryn Lasky
Manufacturer: Scholastic Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Royalty | People & Places | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0439164850

Book Description

Kazunomiya, along with her royal family, is thought to be a divinity, descended from the goddess of the sun, and she lives an extremely sheltered life. However, when a Japanese general signs a treaty with the white-faced men from America, uncertainty and turmoil erupt in the kingdom. But the external threats do not compare to the tangled intrigue, romance, and politics that dominate the imperial palace, as wives and queens plot to destroy Kazunomiya and her mother.

Customer Reviews:

Kazunomiya.......2006-10-26

Hello there.I absoloutly loved this book. I think it should be a movie it was that good. Learing about Kazunomya was great. I love the way Katheryn Lasky included so much! This is her best book I've read. This book is about a young girl who goes through many obstacles. She is engaged to Arisugawa and falls in love with him. Then later has to marry another person! This is a grat book for anyone to read.

Kazunomiya: Prisoner of Heaven.......2006-05-18

This book begins with references to several Japanese customs, such as tea ceremonies and brush painting. More of these references repeatedly show up on almost every page of the book. This makes for a very breezy read.

This book was very educational because, unlike some of the other Royal Diaries titles, I didn't know who Princess Kazunomiya. Truth be told, I didn't learn much about how she was significant from reading her "diary." The book does serve as a nice sojourn into the forgotten history of Japan, and that element was very informative. I learned a lot from reading the book.

This book serves as a welcome addition to the fantastic Royal Diaries series. Fans of the series should not pass this one by.

One of the greatest eras of change!!.......2005-07-16

12 year old, Kazunomiya is a virtual prisoner living in luxury behind the vast walls of the Japanese Palace.She is born in the year of the fire horse, which is a bad omen, especially when her father died after her birth, so they made her elder her age by one year.Kazunomiya, who lives her methodical life behind the palace walls, is going to find a new change in her life.

Paled skin people called, Americans are appearing at the Japanese boundaries and accepting trading rights from the Japanese.It is at this time too that Kazunomiya learns that her prince, she had known all her life was not going to marry her.Her half-brother the Emperor, wants her to marry the young Shogun of Japan, who is pathetic and stupid.Kathryn Lasky has created a beautiful character within the pages of this book, I sincerely congratulate her!

This is the best one out!.......2005-03-22

Hi. I loved this book so much. It really blew me away. Lasky's books are all really good but this is the best! I have always really liked Japanese culture and when I saw this book I said, "I got to get it! "Set in 1858, a few years after Japan's treaty with the Americans or "White Faced Devils" This book is about Kazunomiya princess of Japan. Her mother was the Emporer's favorite misstress, but she is not the favorite of others. The Empress Mother hates the mother and plots to rid of her for good. She always thinks of ways to insult the mother rudley. Kazunomiya's half brother is the new emporer and has made her a marrage proposal to a Prince whom she loves. Then Kazunomiya meets the future shogun of Japan, a boy named Yoshi about her age who she dislikes, but ends up becoming friends with him. When the old shogun dies, Yoshi becomes the new one. Kazunomiya's birthday has been changed so that she may be conpadable with her Prince and she is clearly mad about that. This book stands out in good way and is well worth the money.

Good Job!.......2005-02-27

When I first saw this book in the library, I was skeptical. Most of the new Royal Diaries books haven't been that great lately, but I checked it out anyway.
I was shocked! This book is so good! The author, Kathryn Lasky, has once again written a diary that I believe is bound to be a best-selling novel.
I won't go into the details of the story, since most other reviewers do, but I will say, this has everything. Romance (but not too much), treachery, friendship, sorrow and happy times.
A must read!

Average customer rating:

Heaven's Prisoners
James Lee Burke
Manufacturer: Phoenix (an Imprint of The Orion Publishing Group Ltd )
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0753820323

Heaven: A Prison Diary Volume 3 (A Prison Diary)

Average customer rating:

Heaven
An Interesting Insight into Britain's D-Category Prisons
The Best of The Three Diaries
worth it if you read the first two
The conclusion, very good, though a little repetitive

Heaven: A Prison Diary Volume 3 (A Prison Diary)
Jeffrey Archer
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Rich & Famous | Leaders & Notable People | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0312342179
Release Date: 2005-06-30

Book Description

The final volume inNew York Times bestselling novelist Jeffrey Archer's powerful trilogy describing life inside the penal system J effrey Archer's final volume in his trilogy of prison diaries covers the period of his transfer from a medium security prison, HMP Wayland, to his eventual release on parole in July 2003. It includes a shocking account of the traumatic time he spent in the notorious Lincoln jail and the events that led to his incarceration there, and also shines a harsh light on a system that is close to its breaking point.

Customer Reviews:

Heaven.......2007-03-09

Jeffrey Archer is one of my favourite authors and to read of his time behind bars has added a whole new dimension to his writing.He not only survived,but has gone on from where he left off,writing very readable books.
Loryn Potroz

An Interesting Insight into Britain's D-Category Prisons.......2006-08-23

I haven't actually read Archer's first two prison diaries yet but have ordered them after stumbling across this fascinating insight into daily prison life. Volume III Heaven can definitely be read as a stand alone non fiction novel or before reading the other two as it doesn't really refer to anything before Archer's arrival at North Sea Camp. Arhcer's final stage of imprisonment is in one of Britain's cushy D-category prisons, the final chapter of prisoners' lives before they are released, where there are no fences keeping prisoners in, and they have a lot more freedom and luxuries than ever before.

Archer tells the reader through his diary entries about the difference in the way he is treated at North Sea Camp in comparison to the places he was held previously. How he is being picked on by corrupt political opponents, how the media who are camped out on the doorstep for a photo of him is portraying a completely different scenario to what he endures daily. The drug problems of other prisoners and how the system works or doesn't for prisoners in North Sea Camp. Archer explains the different jobs within the prison and takes us through the daily tasks of his various job promotions including the one he refers to as heaven, hospital orderly. There are also a few pictures included in what is a fascinating insight into prison life. Obviously it is a diary by Archer so we have to assume he was well behaved inside or if he did anything wrong he certainly didn't include it. There are plenty of despicable or stupid actions from some other prisoners and the outcomes of those actions inside to keep the reader entertained though.

The Best of The Three Diaries.......2006-08-09

This is the final volume of three volumes about Jeffrey Archer's Prison experience following his conviction for perjury and perverting the course of justice in 2001.

Archer gives the reader an excellent picture of what it is like to be in prison in the United Kingdom. He writes pithy descriptions of some of his colleagues, including two of them who were model prisoners only to reoffend shortly after they were released. His comments on the drug problem in prisons are almost certainly applicable to prisons here in the United States as well.

This book is easy to read, hard to put down, and does not waste words or descriptions. There is also plenty of Archer's good humor. He expresses his unhappiness at the people who turned on him and testified against him, but does not indulge in self-pity. This book is well worth reading.

worth it if you read the first two.......2006-02-23

This makes more sense if you read the first two prior books. Interesting and well written and an easy read, come to mind when describing the book. It is what it is - an on going diary of prison time. The tone of the book gets a bit darker as the reins are tightned and he is forced back into a more secure population. His depression is evident as he eventually trails off in his writing and picks it up the day of his discharge. None of the books were gritty in the sense of true prison drama, but it is an interesting prospective.

It is almost comical in some aspects as I have worked in the prison system. He is gleeful at the prospect of getting his very own coffee cup when most men spend their days trying not to get stabbed. He rails at people called Lady this or Lord that and loves to name drop. It's difficult to imagine that in a prison system and therefore the unsual prospective. Interesting.

The conclusion, very good, though a little repetitive.......2005-09-18

The final book of Archers tales in the Prison System.

I read this in 1 day... just wanted to get through it and again could not put the book down. A lot of the material and experience is the same as book 1 and 2. Though now in a Cat D prison (an open prison) he has more freedom, it does still show the drugs and money.

And of course, the press continue to try and get the scoop on him, paying other inmates to get "archer with his clothes off"

All in all, a good book. I am glad he did not do a 4th.

If you read book 1 and 2, get this to wrap up the set.

Average customer rating:

Romance in Tasmania
Three Stars
Whispers of Heaven...
Hard to put down!
A very poignant love story

Whispers of Heaven
Candice Proctor
Manufacturer: Wheeler Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 158724098X

Book Description

Acclaimed for her unforgettable characters and bold storytelling, bestselling author Candice Proctor takes readers to the lush vistas of Australia for this magnificent tale of two people who share a love as forbidden and dangerous as the land that surrounds them. . . .

After years of schooling in England, Jesmond Corbett finds little has changed on her family’s estate along the sea-battered coast of Tasmania. Betrothed since childhood to a wealthy neighbor, Jessie comes home determined to conform to the expectations of her family and the society in which they live. But nothing in Jessie’s life has prepared her for the mysterious stranger who works in the stables, a man with searing eyes who haunts her dreams and awakens passions she never knew existed.

Irishman Lucas Gallagher arrived on the island in chains, a convict sentenced to a lifetime of slave labor for the English gentry. For four years he has lived a dead man’s existence, using every spare moment to plan his escape. But when he meets Jessie, she touches his cold, angry heart. And although their love has no future, he finds himself unable to deny the longings of his battered soul– longings that threaten to destroy what may be his last chance to reach for freedom. . . .

Customer Reviews:

Romance in Tasmania.......2007-10-05

I truly love the way Candice Proctor writes historical romance. This book was very enjoyable, and realistic. It takes place in the 1840s in Tasmania in Australia. A wealthy English debutant (Jesmond aka "Jessie") and an Irish convict Lucas Gallgher who works as a groom and stable hand on her brother's estate where she resides with her family, fall for each other. He is serving out a life sentence with no way out. She is betrothed to a childhood friend. Can they find happily ever after?

I do have to say however, after reading several Candice Proctor novels, I don't understand why she chooses most of her titles--they usually seem to have nothing to do with the storyline in mosts cases, but I rather have good plot and writing than catchy titles anyway.

I would highly recommend this love story.

Three Stars.......2007-06-18

I've now come to the conclusion that CP is more of a general fiction writer than romance. I love a great love story that develops slowly, as it makes it more believable in the end, however, by three-quarters through, the leads did not share a kiss, an intimate touch, nothing.

Even in their thoughts there was not much inner turmoil going on until the last half. In fact, I prferred Warrick's romance sub-plot over Lucas and Jesmond's.

I gave the book three stars because of CP's excellent prose, the setting, and her creativity.

Whispers of Heaven..........2007-04-15

On the beautiful island of Tasmania, Jesse meets Lucas and they fall in love. Trouble is, she's betrothed to someone else and he's an Irish convict sentenced to a life of servitude. Their love affair is passionate and intense and dangerous and forbidden and, at times, incredibly sad. It was one of those books I had a hard time putting down and couldn't wait to pick it up again. Proctor is a wonderful author who writes really emotional stories and she definitely delivers with this one.

Hard to put down!.......2006-10-18

Whispers of Heaven keeps you interested from the very beginning. The powerful writing of Candice Proctor draws you into the story and leaves you breathless.

A very poignant love story.......2004-06-07

Set in 1840 Tasmania, Australia. Lucas Gallagher is an Irishman condemned to the penal colonies of Australia for life. He has already spent 4 tough years as a convict in Tasmania, first working on the chain gangs and now assigned to work as a groom on the Corbett estate.

Jesmond Corbett, a young debutant born in Australia to English parents, has jsut returned to Tasmania after studying in a ladies college for two years in England. She is promised to her neighbour and childhood friend, the very proper Harrison Tate but finds herself being drawn to the courageous and heroic Lucas Gallagher. The attraction is mutual but they both know that any union between the two could be dangerous for Lucas and that there could be no future for a convict and a lady.

This was a beautiful doomed love story that tugs at the heartstrings. It's not a frivolous historical romance as with many of the genre but there is a hard edge to the story when you learn about a convict's life in a harsh environment. There is mention of rape and even child abuse in this novel, which may be sound shocking but realistic to the situation. I personally do not like my escapism romance novels to tackle unpleasant issues such as child abuse or rape but I suppose the author must have included the chapters to make this a truly realistic portrayal of life in 1840s Australia. A very serious read of a poignant love story, set in a very believable historical period and surroundings.

Average customer rating:

Fascinating historical fiction (with a little truth!)

Not as enjoyable as others in this series

Missing Catherine

readers will feel like they were transported back to 1148
The Outcast Dove (Catherine LeVendeur)
Sharan Newman
Manufacturer: Forge Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Series | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
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Newman, Sharan | ( N ) | Authors, A-Z | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
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The Witch in the Well: A Catherine LeVendeur Mystery (Catherine LeVendeur)

Heresy: A Catherine LeVendeur Mystery (Catherine LeVendeur)

The Difficult Saint: A Catherine LeVendeur Mystery (Catherine LeVendeur)

The Wandering Arm: A Catherine LeVendeur Mystery (Catherine LeVendeur)

Cursed in the Blood (Catherine LeVendeur)

ASIN: 0765303779

Book Description

atherine Le Vendeur's curiosity and passion for justice have sometimes led her to brave horrors and solve grisly murders . . . but this time the threat is to those she loves. Catherine's family business relies on her cousin Solomon to negotiate the treacherous path to riches. The fact that Solomon is her cousin is secret, however, because he's Jewish -and if their family connections were discovered, it could mean ruin or death. As Solomon travels to Spain to make their fortunes, he is drawn into a scheme to rescue a Jewish girl taken by Christians during the conquest of the Spanish city of Almeira. To complicate matters, and sorely vex his heart, Solomon encounters his long-lost father Jacob, a man who rejected his Jewish faith and is now Brother James, preparing his own trip to Spain to ransom Crusader knights taken by the Moslems. When a fellow monk is killed by an attacker in the street late one night, it's put down to a random mugging. But James, who is carrying the ransom money, believes that he will be the next target, and he turns for help to the son he had abandoned. Solomon wants nothing to do with his father. But he's confronted by his past, his ancestry, the need for secrecy, and his love for those of his family who have chosen a different path. In dealing with all these things, Solomon will come to a decision about who he is.... and where he really belongs.

Customer Reviews:

Fascinating historical fiction (with a little truth!).......2006-06-15

I have enjoyed all of the Catherine LeVendeur books, but I especially enjoyed this one. Although Catherine does not appear in this book, we get a more in depth look at Solomon and the world he lived in and traveled through. Solomon is one of the more complex characters that Ms. Newman has created, a man living in both the Christian and the Jewish communities of his time, with connections to both. He has always lived by his wits and intelligence, but here he is faced with two life changing events. He once again has to confront his birth father Brother James, a man who rejects and despises Jews (he is a convert to Christianity), and seems to have a special antipathy for Solomon. But most importantly, we get to meet Anna, who's very exsistance has a profound impact on Solomon's life. She is a wonderful character, and Ms. Newman has done us a great service by showing how Anna was regarded in her time as a blessing and a gift.

I also enjoyed following the route of Solomon's travels, and learning how the Jewish communities of the time were so closely linked. I thorougly enjoyed "The Outcast Dove" and recommend it to anyone interested in excellent historical fiction.

Not as enjoyable as others in this series.......2006-05-03

I was looking forward to this book because I love the Catherine LeVendeur series, and Solomon is a particular favourite of mine. This book features Solomon, and Catherine does not appear. Solomon finds himself travelling with an odd mixture of people. Both Jews like himself and Christians, as well as two priests. To add to the confusion for Solomon, his hated father and his most hated enemy are part of the group. This definitely causes him some troubles because he doesn't know where he is or where he belongs, and people keep getting murdered in their party. I found the book moved a little slow, and had a bit of difficulty getting through it.

Missing Catherine.......2004-11-16

I'm a huge fan of the Catherine LeVendeur mysteries series but had a hard time getting into this one. Since this one focused on Solomon however I found myself a bit bored with the story. Solomon is just not as interesting a character as Catherine, and does not have enough charisma to carry an entire story.

The story line and research are still well done, and as a whole, this is a good book of historical fiction.

readers will feel like they were transported back to 1148.......2003-11-26

Catherine LeVendeur's cousin Solomon is on his way to Almeria to pick up their share of the investment that the ship brings in. He stops at Toluse where he has many friends including Aaron who wants the leader to rescue his betrothed who was sold into sexual bondage after the Christians invaded Almeria. Solomon agrees to rescue the woman he knew as a baby but before he leaves someone killed a monk who gave bags of gold to ransom the girl, money that was meant to free Christian soldiers held by the Saracens.

When he finally leaves the city, he is in a caravan that includes his Sire Brother James, a Christian fanatic who hates all Jews. One the road, Samuel who came along for the adventure is also murdered. Brother James thinks the two deaths are connected. The murder of one of their mercenary knights affirms his belief. Nov he has to prove it.

Unlike the rest of the novels in this series, Catherine LeVendeur doesn't make an appearance and her husband Edgar is in one chapter. Readers get a chance to see how Solomon lives when he is away from his causes keeping his trading business alive. Rich in historical detail and fascinating characters, readers will feel like they were transported back to 1148.

Harriet Klausner

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