Tishomingo Blues: A Novel

Amazon.com

Take a high diver who witnesses a murder from his perch 80 feet above a Mississippi casino. Add a cooler-than-thou con artist from Detroit who's out to take over the Dixie mafia's lucrative Gulf Coast drug business. Throw in a crooked deputy sheriff and an honest state cop. Put them all in costume along with a bunch of other "reenactors" bent on refighting an important Civil War battle, season with plenty of historic detail, and you've got all the classic ingredients of an Elmore Leonard novel--except for drama, suspense, or mystery, that is. This is a rib-tickler in the Carl Hiaasen/Dave Barry tradition rather than the kind of thriller Leonard wrote before Hollywood discovered him. As the author himself explains, his intent was to entertain himself by gathering an odd assortment of characters, building a story as they bump heads, and seeing what happens. And as usual, he carries it off with style, wit, and brio. Readers will be casting the inevitable movie in their heads (Samuel L. Jackson is a lock for Robert, who glides into town in a flashy Jag and gets the action going) as they chuckle their way to the last hilarious page. --Jane Adams

Book Description

Dennis Lenahan the high diver would tell people that if you put a fifty-cent piece on the floor and looked down at it, that's what the tank looked like from the top of that eighty-foot steel ladder.

Dennis is a daredevil and the girls love him. Things are going along okay with his gig at the Tishomingo Lodge & Casino in Tunica, Mississippi, "the Casino Capital of the South," until the day he looks down from the high-dive platform and witnesses a mob hit -- Dixie style. The killer looks up and says, "Let's see you dive." Suddenly, being a daredevil has lost its kick.

Turns out there was a second witness, Robert Taylor from Detroit, who carries a picture of his great-granddaddy's lynching along with a gun in a briefcase and listens to Marvin Pontiac while cruising the back roads of Mississippi in his black Jaguar. Robert works for a man from up north who has come to play General Grant in a Civil War battle reenactment, but like Dennis, Robert has a death-defying act of his own: he's sleeping with his boss's wife.

Thirty-seven miles from Tunica is the famous "crossroads" where Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil for a style of funky blues that had never been heard before. Robert Taylor is about to introduce Dennis to a "crossroads" of his own. He has a secret agenda for taking on the Cornbread Cosa Nostra and wants Dennis in on it.

To complicate matters are the women. Some are dressed in hoop skirts, and all of them have plans of their own. Vernice lures Dennis with the whitest thighs he's ever seen. Diane comes to do a story on him and wants to take him to Memphis. And still another comes along to give Dennis the surprise of his life. But it's the scams Robert Taylor plays, drawing Dennis into his game, that move the action through all kinds of unexpected twists and turns. Before he knows it, Dennis has agreed to join Robert in the battle reenactment, which leads to a showdown between the bad guys and the really bad guys.

Tishomingo Blues rings true with the bestselling author's dead-on dialogue, capturing the flavor and rhythms of the South, and finds him plotting at his unpredictable best.

Download Description

Dennis Lenahan the high diver would tell people that if you put a fifty-cent piece on the floor and looked down at it, that's what the tank looked like from the top of that eighty-foot steel ladder. Dennis is a daredevil and the girls love him. Things are going along okay with his gig at the Tishomingo Lodge & Casino in Tunica, Mississippi, "the Casino Capital of the South," until the day he looks down from the high-dive platform and witnesses a mob hit -- Dixie style. The killer looks up and says, "Let's see you dive." Suddenly, being a daredevil has lost its kick. Turns out there was a second witness, Robert Taylor from Detroit, who carries a picture of his great-granddaddy's lynching along with a gun in a briefcase and listens to Marvin Pontiac while cruising the back roads of Mississippi in his black Jaguar. Robert works for a man from up north who has come to play General Grant in a Civil War battle reenactment, but like Dennis, Robert has a death-defying act of his own: he's sleeping with his boss's wife. Thirty-seven miles from Tunica is the famous "crossroads" where Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil for a style of funky blues that had never been heard before. Robert Taylor is about to introduce Dennis to a "crossroads" of his own. He has a secret agenda for taking on the Cornbread Cosa Nostra and wants Dennis in on it. To complicate matters are the women. Some are dressed in hoop skirts, and all of them have plans of their own. Vernice lures Dennis with the whitest thighs he's ever seen. Diane comes to do a story on him and wants to take him to Memphis. And still another comes along to give Dennis the surprise of his life. But it's the scams Robert Taylor plays, drawing Dennis into his game, that move the action through all kinds of unexpected twists and turns. Before he knows it, Dennis has agreed to join Robert in the battle reenactment, which leads to a showdown between the bad guys and the really bad guys.

Customer Reviews:

Brass-Knuckle Cool.......2007-05-26

[...]

Cool. That's Elmore Leonard. Not kid cereal cool, or Saturday morning cartoon cool, or Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure cool; but Cool. The kind of pure, simple Cool that runs like a knowing thread from blues to bebop to beat, Hank to Johnny to Waylon, quintessentially American Cool.

And if Cool is the man, then Cool must be the man's world: spotting Cool, playing Cool, being Cool enough to get someone to blow their cool. The man's men and women either have it or don't. And woe be those who don't.

Cool backs the action in Tishomingo Blues, Sir Elmore's 37th (count 'em) romp through the mythology of American Crime. It is a mythology he has played a large part in creating.

Foresaking his hometown of Detroit ("Cleveland without the glitter") and his much made of mean Miami streets, Leonard descends into a Delta almost as foreign - and as brutal - as the Rwanda of his brilliant Pagan Babies. The place: Tunica County, Mississippi, a big muddy swim from Arkansas, where poverty is next to Godliness. Or used to be anyway, before the casinos came a callin'. Now that there's gambling in them thar hills things have taken on a whole new meanin' - money. And with the grab bag comes the crooks, kooks and otherwise exploitative characters.

And oh what a terrific blend of high-living low life. In no particular order Tishomingo Blues boasts a weathered - but Cool - carny high diver; a slick, smooth and crafty D-Town hustler (Cool, natch); a poor honest soul made whole by unlucky love and Jenny Crank diet plans; a half-bit ex-con former Sheriff's Deputy and his inbred Dixie Mafia sidekicks; an Outfit chieftain and his two-timing trophy girl; and last but never least, Chickasaw Charlie, a once dim light of big league backlots, who makes a sore point of providing innocuous running commentary from his low rent hustler's perch - a pitching cage.

Then of course there's action, brass-white-knuckled action. Leonard pits the cornbread Cosa Nostra against the breakaway Motor City mobsters on a field reenactment of some obscure Civil War battle and creates another a showdown worthy of Peckinpah.

Come to think of it, it's a wonder Peckinpah never made motion picture magic of Leonard's work - nearly everyone else has. Frankenheimer, Ferrara, Tarentino, and Soderbergh are but a few who struck celluloid gold filming Leonard's more modern shoot 'em ups. While any of the early wild westerns - 3:10 To Yuma (Glenn Ford, 1957), Hombre (Paul Newman, '67) and Joe Kidd (Clint Eastwood, '72) - are the stuff of gunslinger legend.

In Tishomingo Blues, the legend continues, a legend of lives lived hard and fast. In fact, bluesman Robert Taylor (after the "Homes" in Chicago?) talkin' about Roy Scheider doing Bob Fosse in All That Jazz, best sums-up the Leonard legend as thus: "the man living every minute of his life till his very way of living kills him. Beautiful."

In an America where bootstraps conceal pistols and Horatio Alger robs banks, Leonard is the perfect chronicler, the master mindful of the various shades of grey, but determined to keep the fight between black and white. What's cool is that Leonard's patented brand of black and white fight is not a brawl between good and evil but between smart and dumb, an angle that provides hope to bad guys everywhere.

Perhaps this is why Leonard is without question the con's favorite author. Not only does he know cons - how they move, how they think, and especially how they speak - he knows too that not all cons are bad. In other words, he's not afraid to let a bad guy win every once in awhile; providing of course they keep their Cool.

poorly written, irritatingly lame literature.......2006-10-17

This book was so bad, I sped thru reading it just to be done with it. It's poorly written, poorly thought out...just garbage basically...in content & form. Hated it! And he gets even worse marks for trying to write about/in a southern dialect because not only was it incorrect, but terribly inconsistent!

Elmore Leonard at his best.......2006-08-24

Let me start by saying that I am an Elmore Leonard fan. I have read most of his novels. This is one of his best. This novel is filled with the strange characters common to Leonard's repertoire. The writing is crisp and lively as always. I think the plot of this book is one of the most intriguing of all the Elmore Leonard novels. This is a must read.

Elmore Leonard at his best.......2006-01-30

I am a huge Elmore Leonard fan, having read nearly all of his books, and Tishomingo is hands down my favorite novel that Leonard has written.

pheh.......2006-01-13

i'm tempted to say that anyone who rates a leonard novel lower than a 4 is missing the point. but i already did.

look fellow readers, you'll find yourself comparing Dutch Leonard ONLY to himself. one elmore leonard novel may fall short of another, but all elmore leonard novels are outstanding entertainments.

Elmore Leonard Set of 7 Suspense Novels: Bandits, Freaky Deaky, Maximum Bob, Rum Punch, Out of Sight, Cuba Libre, Tishomingo Blues,

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Elmore Leonard Set of 7 Suspense Novels: Bandits, Freaky Deaky, Maximum Bob, Rum Punch, Out of Sight, Cuba Libre, Tishomingo Blues,
Elmore Leonard
Manufacturer: Harper Torch/Dell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Book Description

In the virtual reality game Heir Apparent, there are way too many ways to get killed--and Giannine seems to be finding them all. Which is a darn shame, because unless she can get the magic ring, locate the stolen treasure, answer the dwarf's dumb riddles, impress the head-chopping statue, charm the army of ghosts, fend off the barbarians, and defeat the man-eating dragon, she'll never win.

And she has to, because losing means she'll die--for real this time.

Customer Reviews:

one LARGE problem.......2007-09-18

It sounds like a manga story, which is why I was drawn to it. Unfortunately...even though the storyline is intersting enough, the few problems it has are rather BIG ones.

I was surprised to find that this author was so experienced. Most writers know that character's have to be likeable (or at least somewhat have a desireable quality) and that they must have CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. There is NONE in this book, which made me feel cheated.

Otherwise, it would have been great. It was interesting enough, but the ending blew it. I read because I wanted to see the main chara CHANGE from this adventure.

A chara needs to solve a problem in a story. Getting out of the video game is one, but we need an emotional problem. Saying...I dunno? Becoming less angry, becoming more kind, or maybe more open minded? She was none of these things...ever. She was angry and narrow minded in the beginning and angry and narrow minded in the end. I dont feel like I gained anything from this book but wasted time.

It feels like the author was on a deadline and didn't have time to somehow show us that 1, the creator of the game would fall in love with the main chara therefore making her less angry!!-_-;;, and 2, by her dad showing up he suddenly would start to care...

Too much action, too little character info. We only get cardboard chara's.
Want chara development and action? Watch the Yugioh RPG arc.

Excellent, Entertaining, Believable.......2007-08-21

Well-written to book. Humor in all the right spots, and she actually pulls off the repetition thing well. Now that's talent for you. I'll admit there are some strands in the RW portions of the book that are weak at best, but the fantasy part is nicely done.

You can believe in the character and believe the mistakes she makes gaming, esp if you are a gamer.

Groundhog day meets Tough Guide to Fantasyland.......2007-07-18

Giannine is pretty much your typical Vande Velde heroine - a young teen girl whose life isn't going very well in general and suddenly gets magically worse. Like the others, she is sort of bitchy, but a little less bitchy than most of them. (I'm not complaining. The bitchiness is always cute.)

I agree that the many start overs got sort of tiresome. But the story held my interest well. The many computer-generated characters are amusing, satirical takes on fantasy stereotypes.

YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK.......2007-05-31

HEIR APPARENT
BY VIVAIN VANDE VELD
RATING: *****
It is Giannine Bellisario's 14th birthday, and her dad gets her a gift certificate for Rassmussem Gaming Center, a virtual reality game arcade. After browsing through the games, she chooses Heir Apparent, a game set in the middle ages, where the king has died, and the player becomes the Heir. Things are bad enough when the royal family hates her, but when the CPOC (Citizens to Protect Our Children) sabotages the center, it's a whole new story. Literally.
Giannine is of to a good start, except she can't get past the first half-hour of the game; Prince Abas almost chopped off her head, and she can't find the stupid magic ring. But then Nigel Rassmussem (or is he?), comes from the sky, and tells Giannine that damage has been done to her brain by the CPOC sabotage, and that she must beat the game in about an hour of real time (one hour of real time could be three days of time in the game), before she dies... for real.
This story is about how Giannine overcomes the game, using her wits (sometimes not) to beat the game before she loses her life.
This book is set in the future for the non game part of the book, where busses are automated, and people have mini dragons as pets. The rest of the book, the game part, takes place around the 1400's (late middle ages).
Vande Velde writes very descriptive, intriguing passages, and often ends chapters with much suspense: " `Poor Princess Janine,' he said with a feral grin. `A shame her gallant band of rescuers didn't arrive in time to keep the barbarians from slitting her throat.' I felt the fizziness start even before the knife touched my skin."
I recommend this book for ages 10 and up, and for people who like action and suspense, and comedy.
Evan

Great book for boys!.......2007-05-14

I teach Grade 6 and used this book for my boy's-only book club meeting. It was a big hit! The boys loved the game aspect, the fighting, and the amazing characters.

Average customer rating:

Where was the editor?
Disappointed
(4.5 stars) A review with content!
Perfect!!!
Captivating, addictive story.

Heir Apparent
Sheri Vangen-Ratcliffe
Manufacturer: iUniverse, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0595345417

Book Description

When stonemasons find the decomposed remains of a pregnant, unidentified mistress of King Henry VIII inside a crumbling window seat at Hampton Court Palace, curator and historian Kaitlyn Rose gets the shock of her life.

Sparked by the exciting discovery, a chain of events unfolds that sends Kaitlyn's life veering wildly off course. First, she discovers that Colin Wycliffe, her best friend of seven years and the man she loves, isn't who he's claimed to be. Then, when Colin's misogynistic half-brother, Brighton Jones, turns up after a fifteen-year absence, things become even more bizarre. Brighton, an arrogant but brilliant physicist for British Intelligence, dazzles the pair with his latest top-secret project on time teleportation and sets their course spinning into the sixteenth century. After teleporting to the dangerous court of King Henry VIII, Colin and Kaitlyn make a daring attempt to save the twenty-first century monarchy from absolute extinction.

Intrigue and sexual blackmail unfold when the scheming King Henry VIII—desperate for a male heir—sets his sights on the beautiful Kaitlyn. Will Kaitlyn provide an heir for King Henry VIII or will her love for Colin keep her faithful?

An epic adventure starring British monarchs both long dead and yet to be born. First-time novelist Vangen-Ratcliffe warmly embraces just about every narrative genre in this dashing tale of time travel and historical intrigue. Tudor fans will love the extended romp through 1534 London as the author weaves her imaginative plot from the small historical thread that Henry's dalliance with an unknown mistress spurred Anne to fake a pregnancy to regain his affections. The fiery dynamics of this famously tragic relationship, even from beyond the grave, wreak havoc on Kaitlyn, adding a ghostly twist to an already richly brocaded narrative. By turns riveting and ridiculous, but always fun.

-Kirkus Discoveries

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Intrigue and sexual blackmail unfold when the scheming King Henry VIII-desperate for a male heir-sets his sights on the beautiful Kaitlyn. Will Kaitlyn provide an heir for King Henry VIII or will her love for Colin keep her faithful?

Customer Reviews:

Where was the editor?.......2007-07-20

This book needed help; it was obvious that the publisher did not provide a decent editor for the author to work with. The plot was interesting, but poorly executed. The characters of Henry and Anne were turned into buffoons and the other major characters did not fare much better. Why use the year 2070 as a starting point if you are not going to have the imagination to envision a world different from today? Time travel is a stretch, but done right it can be very entertaining. The errors in tense and word usage just made the experience of reading this book even more difficult.

Disappointed.......2007-01-16

I was really looking forward to reading this book, but I have to say that I was very disappointed. The plot was great, but the writing was as inconsistent as the characters. It sometimes seemed as if two or three different people were writing the book and none of them could decide in which direction the book should go. I also noticed a lot of typos.

(4.5 stars) A review with content!.......2006-11-27

The other reviews for this book are all very positive-they say it's a great book, best they ever read or something like that, but they have next to no information on the book. I had to go the author's website to find out enough info to decide about purchasing the book. So here is a review with some real info, for those who want to know a little more before they purchase.

This first third of this book is set in 2070. Kaitlyn Rose is the Curator of Hampton Court Palace where she works with her boss and best friend. Colin Wycliffe, who is Curator of all Royal buildings open to the public. They've been flirting around forever and at the beginning of the book finally start to have romantic encounters. At the very beginning of the book Kaitlyn has to go into the Queens champers to let in Stone masons who are going to fix the only original window seat left over from the time of Henry VIII, since the rest of the castle was altered by other kings. She's terrified of the chambers because of something that happened before, but goes in anyway. Inside the window seat a mummy is found, and tests prove that it's about 500 years old and was 2 months pregnant when murdered by a blow to the head. A torn up letter found with her in the window seat leads everyone to believe the child is Henry VIII's. While in the Queens chambers with the archeologists a ghost attacks Kaitlyn. She believes it to be the ghost of Anne Boleyn.

Anyway, then Colin's half brother, Brighton, shows up, and she learns the truth about their family. It turns out that Brighton, along with being a terrible womanizer, has invented time travel, and though the secret service type agency he invented it for won't let his use it, the elderly queen (102 years old) will, to go back in time and fetch the young woman who will end up in the window seat, so her child can be the heir to the throne, since there is none.

So everyone goes back in time. Kaitlyn brings her own PJ's, coke, tampons, ect. (If you're going to time travel, you don't bring stuff from the present with you!) Henry VIII gets the hots for Kaitlyn, and dislikes Colin. Brighton has an affair with just about everyone, and other stuff happens, like Anne hating Kaitlyn because Henry likes her. Anne also acts like a shrew, which is stupid of her considering she recently failed to deliver the promised male heir to the throne.

All and all this is a good book. It's very entertaining. There are some problems. Though I really did like this book I had a lot of fun picking out some problems and making a list of them. This does not mean I disliked this book in any way; this is just me having some fun and being a little nitpicky.

* Anne's behavior makes no sense-she was a brilliant woman in real life who overthrew the most powerful church in the world and kept Henry at bay sexually for years and then attained the most powerful role a woman could have, but in this she is just begging to have her head cut off.

* The future the author invented isn't very convincing, or different from today (except for moments like when Colin says "Dam! I forgot to recharge my cell phones battery plate by zapping it with the ultra-violet light!") For instance breast cancer is still around and killing, which is sad.

* Kaitlyn wears a toe-ring to the Queen's birthday party.

* The author frequently left out sentence modifiers, making some sentences sound really weird.

* Colin and Kaitlyn go from friendship to complete love in about two days.) But otherwise this is an entertaining and fun read.

* The way the people speak in the beginning-the kind of British slang they use sounds totally off from other books I have read set in England. I'm not positive but I don't think the author is British, however this improves over time and she has the medieval language slang down.

* The aforementioned bringing modern items on a time traveling trip to the 1500s when having them found could very easily get you burned for being a witch.

Four point five stars.

Perfect!!!.......2006-09-26

I could not put this book down and didn't want it to end. A very interesting story, one that kept me anticipating the next page. I look forward to more books from Sheri Vangen-Ratcliffe.

Captivating, addictive story........2006-08-29

I read a lot of fiction, but not a lot of historical fiction, but was intrigued by the mystery. I loved the book and became a fan of the genre because it made me think of King Henry VIII and Queen Anne in ways I had never imagined. An interesting era and imaginative story filled with great characters.

I forced myself to put the book down at night because I did not want the story to end...and couldn't wait to get back to it the next day.

Average customer rating:

Rosenberg does it again
The end of one era, the beginning of another...
Realistic close-up fantasy, but not a new ground-breaker.
fabulous

Heir Apparent (Guardians of the Flame)
Joel Rosenberg
Manufacturer: Roc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0451162129

Customer Reviews:

Rosenberg does it again.......2004-06-08

Karl might have won an empire but he has an empire with many problems. From the elves who want to take his land to the slavers guild who want to kill him. Jason his son is now almost grown and will have to take his position as heir to an empire more seriously. Rosenberg does a good job in this book. Some things were sort of confusing but overall a good book.

The end of one era, the beginning of another..........1999-04-09

This book told of the demise of one of the best characters in this genre's history. I still haven't forgiven the author for it. Speaking as one who was with this series from the beginning, I must insist you start with the first book ("The Sleeping Dragon"). "The Heir Apparent" also tells of the coming of age of another main character, while continuing to build on established characters. In context, this story is the perfect "swan song" for the character who has grown so much as a warrior, a leader and a person. To be honest, I couldn't tell you what the book would be like read out of context. All I *can* say is...If you've never read any of Mr. Rosenberg's "Guardians of the Flame" series, you better get crackin'! Half the fun/agony is waiting for the next one!

Realistic close-up fantasy, but not a new ground-breaker........1997-11-19

Joel Rosenberg manages to continue his old storyline without any special new inventions. The old heroes is dusted off (I guess that Joel wanted to retire them entirely a couple of times during the books 1-3) and used again. Some 2nd role actors are killed off, together with the main characters in the end of the book. I could just feel Joels urge to finish the tale thoughout the book, and managing barely. Only to change his mind because of sentimentality for the well-known characters, and making a strange sortie and opening for next book...

fabulous.......1997-09-05

Another great book in an incredible series. Rosenberg maintains the image of the characters, and keeps with the spirit and soul of the books. A fitting end to a truly exciting hero in Karl Kullinane. This, along with the three previous entries, are must reads for all fantasy fans

Average customer rating:

fun Arizonian investigative tale
A great twist on legal mysteries!
Outstanding
For Western and Mystery Fans
Nothing's apparent in this twisting mystery!

Heir Apparent: A Pinnacle Peak Mystery
Twist Phelan
Manufacturer: Sands Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Romance | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1590250176

Book Description

A dead partner ... a murdered client ... more than young attorney Joe McGuinness bargained for when he signed on at one of Pinnacle Peak, Arizona's most prestigious law firms.

The ink on Joe McGuinness's bar license is barely dry when the death of his firm's senior partner puts the young lawyer's job in jeopardy. Soon much more is at stake than Joe's legal career. On the night of his first date with Mia Ortiz, personal assistant to one of the firm's wealthiest clients, the young couple walk into a grisly murder scene. Mia's boss - Cordelia Barrett - and her son lie sprawled in a pool of blood.

After Mia is arrested for murder, Joe must unravel a web of secrets to discover who is using murder to claim the rights of heir apparent.

Customer Reviews:

fun Arizonian investigative tale .......2007-05-16

In Arizona, Atticus Barclay of Barclay, Harrington & Merchant was driving on the Beeline Highway when his car explodes into flames leaving him roasted inside the "car-be-cue". A week later at the law firm's office in Pinnacle Peak, new associate attorney Joe McGuiness expects to be downsized as a result of the murder of one of the senior partners.

Joe drives out to a ranch owned by wealthy client Mrs. Barrett to give her some important legal papers. Due to car trouble he misses her by ten minutes, but meets her personal assistant Mia Ortiz and gets her to go out on a date with him just as he is breaking off with his girlfriend Amber Sulvane. When he takes Mia back to the ranch after their first date, they are stunned by the murder scene that they find; someone killed Mrs. Cordelia Barrett and her somewhat estranged son Busch Car racing driver Sonny. The police believe Mia killed them so she is arrested for the crimes as the motive involves the recently changed will that cuts off the obvious HEIR APPARENT. Joe believes otherwise that a murder suicide occurred and sets out to prove it even as his law firm superiors warn him to back off.

HEIR APPARENT is apparently somewhat of a rewriting of the first Joe McGuiness tale, but how much this reviewer does not know as this is my first read. The story line as with the other McGuiness thrillers contains two fine whodunits that eventually merge, but it is the eccentric secondary cast that makes the tale fun to read. The law firm, the rodeo, the former girl friend are all delightful unconventional protagonists who bring out the best and worst in the hero. Though the legal aspects are downplayed except for the office setting, fans of the series or anyone who appreciates a fun Arizonian investigative tale will want to join Joe as he tries to prove Mia is innocent.

Harriet Klausner

A great twist on legal mysteries!.......2003-07-18

Just a note that I loved this book. I was disappointed to learn that this was the first by this author - I wanted more! A great combination of legal work and sportsmanship. I can't wait to read about the mountain biking and other adventure sports the author has tried out!

Thanks, Twist, for a great read - hope the next one comes out soon!

Outstanding.......2002-11-26

The books begins slowly but keep reading and you won't be disappointed. Once the story develops you won't want to put the book down. Twist does an excellent job in the character setup and throws a lot of curves to make you want to figure out who did it.

For Western and Mystery Fans.......2002-11-12

Both rodeo fans and mystery lovers who don't know a lariet from a latigo will like this riveting debut, set in an Arizona desert town. With his youthful zeal and perseverance, Joe McGuinness makes a captivating hero and sleuth, one readers will be eager to see again.

Nothing's apparent in this twisting mystery!.......2002-11-07

When his law firm downsizes, Joe McGuiness worries none of the other firms in town might accept him. An average student, this opportunity had been a godsend. His girl friend, on the other hand, is ready to celebrate his possible layoff, longing to move to San Diego where he can accept a position with her father. Although he narrowly escapes the threat of layoff, Joe soon has much bigger concerns.

A rodeo accident left Joe's horse dead and his shoulder severely injured. He returns to riding to participate in a team-roping event with Reilly, his best buddy since law school. Unfortunately, rodeo does not compete with the glittery world his girl friend would prefer, making Mia Ortiz that much more attractive when he meets her. Their immediate connection and common interests seem promising, until they return from their first date and she is arrested for murder.

Twist Phelan brings her deft skill of resolving complexities in the courtroom to her first novel, HEIR APPARENT. Her background as a lawyer and as an athlete lend HEIR APPARENT a convincing reality even as she weaves a tale filled with surprising twists and convolutions. The novel begins at a measured pace, creating a world that cleverly overlaps the world of a law firm with the world of rodeo cowboys. Rich characterizations provide an abundance of suspects that will keep readers guessing. Especially memorable are Joe's first girl friend with the perfect white tennis shoes, Trudy who wears politically incorrect t-shirts to work, and lawyer Jerry Dan who argues the Doppler effect as an excuse for running a red light. Very highly recommended.

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The Heir Apparent: An Authentic Study of the Life and Training of H. R. H. Charles Prince of Wales.
Geoffrey. Wakeford
Manufacturer: Oak Tree Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0498069540

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Heir Apparent
Kate Coscarelli
Manufacturer: St Martins Mass Market Paper
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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Leading Lady

Living Color

Fame and Fortune

ASIN: 0312952007

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3 PBs by Joel Rosenberg, Guardians of the Flame 3-5: Silver Crown, Heir Apparent, Warrior Lives (Guardians of the Flame)
Joel Rosenberg
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000T5PVNC

Product Description

Paperbacks

Autobiography (1931-1967) (1931-1967 : Heir Apparent, Part One/Sadar-I-Riyasat, Part Two)

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Autobiography (1931-1967) (1931-1967 : Heir Apparent, Part One/Sadar-I-Riyasat, Part Two)
Karan Singh
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 019562436X

Book Description

Initially published in two separate cloth volumes, Dr. Karan Singh's autobiography is now available for the first time as a single-volume paperback. The first half covers the initial twenty-two years of his life up to 1953, including the momentous politics of Kashmir and its accession into
India as the states Jammu and Kashmir. The second half brings the story up to 1967, describing the China and Pakistan wars, the Nehru and Shastri periods, as well as Singh's spiritual quest and inner development. This autobiography of a major Indian thinker, statesman, and political figure reveals
an articulate, meaningful philosophy for an emerging global consciousness.

Bachelors Get Lonely, Death on the Sixth Day, Heir Apparent (Detective Book Club)

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Bachelors Get Lonely, Death on the Sixth Day, Heir Apparent (Detective Book Club)
A. A. (Gardner, Erle Stanley) Fair
Manufacturer: The Detective Book Club
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000KQHPMU

Guardians of the Flame: The Heroes, The Heir Apparent and the Warrior Lives

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Guardians of the Flame: The Heroes, The Heir Apparent and the Warrior Lives
Joel Rosenberg
Manufacturer: Guild America Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000L1XQXQ

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