Book Description
ON A COLD, SNOWY NIGHT IN 1985, TWO MEN BEGGED FOR THEIR LIVES.In 1985, two 27-year-old friends left their suburban Detroit homes for a hunting trip in rural Michigan. When they did not return, their families and police suspected foul play. For 18 years, no one could prove a thing. Then, a relentless investigator got a witness to talk, and a horrifying story emerged. FOR NEARLY TWO DECADES, THEIR KILLERS WENT FREE.In 2003, this bizarre case hit the glare of the criminal justice system, as prosecutors charged two brothers, Raymond and Donald Duvall, with murder. With no bodies ever found, the case hinged on the testimony of one terrified witness who saw a bloody scene unfold-and who was still nearly too frightened to talk. THEN A WITNESS TOLD HER CHILLING STORYNow, the truth behind an 18-year-old mystery is revealed against the backdrop of an unusual, electrifyingly dramatic trial. Raymond and Donald Duvall bragged to friends that they killed their victims, chopped up their bodies and fed them to pigs. A Michigan jury soon had evidence of this brutally methodical execution-evidence that would lead a shocked courtroom through the heart of evil and beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Customer Reviews:
He's done it, yet again!.......2007-07-13
Another amazing and captivating True Crime book by Tom Henderson! This is a book I could not put down! Watch out Ann Rule! Tom Henderson has the ability to topple the Queen of True Crime and crown himself King!
A Great Book to Read.......2007-05-29
Do not start to read this book unless you have time to finish it. You will not put it down until you are finished.
scary and fascinating.......2007-05-14
Two buddies from Southern Michigan decide to join family and friends at their traditional deer camp up north. At last minute, they take a detour and head east for Mio, to drink, party and raise hell. There were a few sightings in the Mio area: they asked directions of a local homeowner, and they were seen at a few bars. Then nothing. But over the years rumors kept circulating that they had crossed paths with the Duvall brothers. The Duvalls lived in squallor, migrating between occasional factory jobs in Southern Michigan and raising pigs and selling wood and committing petty larceny in Northern Michigan. The locals lived in fear of the Duvalls. State Policeman Bronco Lesneski spent years tracking down the sources of rumors about the Duvalls' involvement in the disappearance. This makes for a very creepy, atmospheric story about just how bad human beings can be.
Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction.......2007-04-20
It has certainly kept my attention I am ready to read another of Tom Hendersons' books. This is a remarkable piece of work. I was born in Curtisville and am acquainted with so much of the area which,aside from this horrendous crime, I have some of the most beautiful memories from there. I live in the southwest part of the state now but still consider "Up North" home. Friends and family still live in the area. So sad that the Duvall family and their so called buddies gave some areas a "A Darker Than Night" picture of this beautiful part of Michigan. I ordered the book as soon as I heard about it and have had a hard time putting it down, even though I knew the outcome. I would like to see a movie or documentary covering the whole picture and to bring in the finer aspects. The AuSable River is awesome to me. When I was 14 I went down 12 miles tubing starting at the Mio bridge. It was hard for me to believe such a thing could happen so near there. I am thankful to Bronco, Donna and Tom and all who helped for bringing this to us and for all the astromical amount of time and effort and dedication put into it. I would hope this has brought closure to the bereaved families and comfort.
WOW! from a True-crime reader.......2007-04-13
I read a lot of true crime books, but this is one of the best, if not the best of all (not taking real "literature" into account as In cold blood).
It's very well written and extremely suspenseful. Enjoy!
Average customer rating:
|
Double Jeopardy: Obsession, Murder, and Justice Denied
Bob Hill
Manufacturer: William Morrow & Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Criminology
| Crime & Criminals
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Sociology
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
| AIDS
| Abuse
| Adults
| Aging
| Children
| Class
| Communities
| Culture
| Death
| General
| History
| Leisure
| Marriage & Family
| Medicine
| Men
| Occupational
| Race Relations
| Religion
| Research & Measurement
| Rural
| Social Groups
| Social Situations
| Social Theory
| Suburban
| Urban
| Women
Murder & Mayhem
| True Accounts
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
True Crime
| True Accounts
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0688129102 |
Amazon.com
Rick Geary received quite a bit of critical praise for his Jack the Ripper volume of A Treasury of Victorian Murder, and rightfully so. The Borden Tragedy (the third volume in the series), is no less impressive. Based on the famous 19th-century Lizzie Borden double murder, this comic-book version of the event is supposedly excerpted and adapted from the unpublished writings of an unknown woman from the Borden's hometown of Fall River. The narrator, a friend of Lizzie Borden, is intent on finding out all of the facts behind such a grizzly butchering. We are taken through meticulously researched evidence, all stunningly illustrated by Geary, but Geary leaves us without taking a strong stand one way or the other. As an extra treat, the back cover includes a list of comparisons between Lizzie Borden and O. J. Simpson.
Book Description
³Lizzie Borden took an axe, gave her mother forty whacks, when she saw what she had done, she gave her father forty-one!² In this third volume of Geary¹s Treasury, the famous Lizzie Borden double murder is explored with as much attention to well -researched detail as in his Jack the Ripper.
Customer Reviews:
good.. but not enough dialogue.......2007-08-20
best part is on the back cover where it compares oj simpson to the borden girl! very fun book to read although id have put more dialogue in it. but it does cover the murders nicely.
The Tragedy in a Nutshell.......2006-10-19
This is an illustrated novel to provide a quick tour of this famous unsolved crime. The `Bibliography' fails to list David Kent's "Forty Whacks", the one best book on this case. Geary's book necessarily skims over the details; there are no page numbers. If Abby was called to the front door to receive a note would the door still be triple-locked as at night? The position of Andrew on that sofa shows how he was found; he must have been sitting upright (try it and see). The drawing of the barn omits the stairs to the second floor. Geary sums up the arguments for Lizzie's innocence, and covers the other solutions from other authors.
The wounds on Andrew's skull suggest a right-handed killer who faced him; or a left-handed killer who struck while Andrew was reclining. Abby's killer would have to be right-handed to hit her right side of her head from the back; or left-handed if she faced the killer. This is one of the puzzles of this crime. The question about Andrew "apparently fallen over from a sitting position" can be explained by Andrew putting on his shoes to greet a secret visitor. Lizzie was guilty of withholding the identity of this visitor. But her actions were approved by the members of the Fall River ruling class. The back cover compares Lizzie Borden to O.J. Simpson on a number of similarities. The last item about "any other individual" points to an unknown subject given the lack of evidence against either (no bloody clothes or shoes, no murder weapon). Somebody else did it. It would be more accurate to compare Dr. Sam Sheppard to Lizzie. Both were at the crime scene, neither had blood spatter on their clothes or the murder weapon. Both were correctly found not guilty, but suffered from prejudice for the rest of their lives.
You can read about other True Crime cases. If no one in the household did the murder, it was an intruder (or unknown subject). The Borden murders was solved in Arnold Brown's book: it was a nephew of Andrew. Lizzie kept this secret to avoid a scandal. Members of the Fall River ruling class knew, and also kept this secret (except to acknowledge it was a secret). Arnold Brown spent two years researching his book. That was more time than the professional writers used. Brown admits he has no documentary proof for his conclusion, the nephew's birth certificate is kept secret by Massachusetts' laws. There can be no documentary proof of the Mellen House Gang conspiracy because a secret is never committed to paper (else it is not a secret). Brown believes the conflict was over Andrew's will. But a will does not require an heir's presence. Andrew did business from his home, he often made loans to people and foreclosed on their property when they couldn't pay. I believe the secret visitor was there to explain why he could not repay a loan that was due. There are many stories of murder for money in True Crime. Remember the loan from Dr. Parkman to Dr. Webster?
Very, very good.......2006-05-27
Rather than read a single book that "solves" the Borden killings (there's a new solution every few years), you should get a copy of this. This book beautifully outlines the ambiguity of the Borden scenario, leaving the reader with both the sense that noone but Lizzie could have done it, AND that there's simply no way she could have done it. This book clearly and beautifully lays it all out for you. With his expert eye Geary's illustration-diagrams clarify things in a way that even a movie can't. The wierd layout of the Andrew Borden house has never been more clear than in his cut-away illustration.
Noone understands like Geary, the usefulness to a reader of foregrounding the factual information, which leaves you in a position to think more critically about the events. I find his books to be the most useful authority for getting my head around the facts and movements of the suspects, moreso than in the non-fiction books covering the same topic. Geary's best books bring the crime scenes and milieus vividly back to life. His calm, methodical sequencing of the surrounding events lends an operatic and important scale to some tawdry murders. They are perfect for reading just before bedtime.
Did She Or Didn't She?.......2005-10-04
I enjoyed reading the history of Lizzie Borden following a 10 km walk in Fall River, MA. I walked by her original home and also saw her home on French Street where she lived after she was acquitted at her trial. This home is now a bed and breakfast and the Innkeeper also filled me in on the details of the home and the crime.
You'll learn a lot about history in this time period as well as Fall River and Lizzie's family.
popular and delightful.......2005-08-05
This is a short but entertaining comic book rendition of the Borden saga. The story is told in really well-done black-and-white drawings which will be especially appreciated by those who like their story told in pictures.
David Rehak
author of "Did Lizzie Borden Axe For It?"
Amazon.com
Two short novels by a couple who've each gone it alone very successfully in their previous literary efforts make for a double treat for fans of both authors--Faye, whose mysteries feature a similarly uxorious couple in Rina and Peter Decker, and Jonathan, whose Alex Delaware novels starring a thoughtful child psychologist who's luckier in crime-busting than in love are even more popular. Not as satisfying as each author's full-length efforts, Double Homicide nonetheless offers a tasty side dish for their fans, and their protagonists venture beyond Los Angeles to tread new geographical territory, too. In Boston, a popular college athlete is slain in a busy nightclub, but what seems like an open-and-shut case turns out to hinge on forensic evidence that points to a very different conclusion. Detectives Michael McCain and Doris Breton unravel the mystery in Beantown, while two other new characters, Darryl Two Moons and his partner Steve Katz, discover that gallery owner Larry Olafson's brutal slaying has repercussions that resonate far beyond Santa Fe's trendy Canyon Road. Neither of these novellas makes the most of either author's gifts at character development, which lend themselves to a longer format, but that won't stop their dedicated readers from snapping them up and savoring them until the Deckers or Dr. Delaware turn up in their next adventures. --Jane Adams
Book Description
For the first time ever, bestselling novelists Jonathan Kellerman and Faye Kellerman team up to deliver the launch book in a thrilling new series of short crime novels!
It's a reader's dream come true: a new series co-written by the royal couple of crime fiction--Jonathan and Faye Kellerman! Each book contains two novels jointly written by the duo, featuring different detectives solving crimes in different cities. In the Land of the Giants has Boston homicide detectives Michael MacCain and Doris Sylvestor investigating the suspicious death of a college basketball star. And in Still Life, the co-worker of a Santa Fe art gallery is murdered, forcing detectives Darryl Two Moons and Steve Katz to put aside holiday celebrations and set things right.
Jonathan and Faye Kellerman live with their children in Southern California.
Customer Reviews:
unabridged audiobook-Double Homicide.......2007-02-08
I, too am a fan of Faye Kellerman's. I like that she can form and tell a story without the excessive use of profanity. Her writing is such that I often will read, and then at a later time, re-read/re-listen to her books. I liked the story revolving around the basketball college star. However, I was caught off guard by the second story. I listened to the unabridged audiobook. The second Santa Fe location story is not as captivating. I was immediately captivated by just an excerpt of the basketball themed story. However, disappointed with the Santa Fe location story. I hope the Kellermans do not continue with this type of twin novel approach.
Not the worst book I have ever listened to...........2006-10-19
But definitely not the best either. I have been a fan of the Faye Kellerman mysteries since the beginning, and recently learned that I enjoy her husbands stories as well. I thought this would be a good audio book to listen to driving to and from work this week. I have to say that I was disappointed. The characters are likeable, in both stories. The characters are a bit one-dimensional, but if the stories were longer, I would say that I would like to see more of the Santa Fe detectives than the Boston ones. The mysteries were not as difficult to unravel, and the stories just tended to leave me with a feeling that there was something missing. Whoever directed the performances on the audio book needs to be told that you either use music ambiently through the entire book or not, but you don't just go along in silence and all of a sudden have music rip out of the speakers...it is disconcerting and annoying.
I will definitely be reading more by these authors, but I think in the future I will get any collaborations they do from the library.
good & bad.......2006-06-27
I really don't know, but I'd say that Jonathan wrote the Boston side and that Faye wrote the Sante Fe half. The Boston story is interesting. I didn't make it past the first few pages of the Sante Fe story. Here's why:
In the first two pages - "Darrell Two Moons", "Cafe Karma", "Eden-Yield Oraganic Lamb Plus Eclectic Veggie Burrito", "Quilted black ski jacket", "X-harnessed cowhide shoulder holster", "Custom stitched elephant-hide Tony Lama", "Fuzzy brown and white plaid Pendleton shirt", "Green Tead Chai Latte"...honestly, that is really in the first two pages.
Is this product placement or just really, really bad prose?
Great read!.......2006-06-14
Best selling spouses Faye and Jonathan Kellerman got together and collaborated on this one. Well, not really - it is two separate stories in one volume, but it's fun. I'd seen copies that were flip style - one story on one side, flip it over and the other story starts on the other side, know what I mean? The copy I have isn't like that, though - it is just one after the other and I really don't know who wrote which story, although, I have my suspicions. They are both great stories.
The first one is called In The Land of Giants and takes place in Boston. Basketball is the name of the game in this one, as a flagrant foul on the court spills over to gun fire at a night club after the game and a brilliant young athlete ends up dead. Detectives Dorothy Breton and Michael McCain arrive at the scene after a frantic call from Dorothy's son, who is a ball player and was present at the club during the shooting. Dorothy is understandably quite shaken up - it could easily have been her boy laying dead and she is friends with the victim's mother. The investigation leads down some unexpected roads and even the ME gets actively involved in this one.
I really like the characters in this - especially Mickey - Detective McCain. He is just too amusing. Gosh, I shouldn't be amused at his misery, but I am. He laments the fact that he used to be God's gift to women and now he's kind of gone to seed. He's a great friend, though and I really like him.
The second one is called Still Life and takes place in Santa Fe. Detectives Darrel Two Moons and Steve Katz are called out to investigate the murder of a prominent art dealer. The case is not an easy one because the victim was a real SOB and any number of people would have loved to see him dead - it's a matter of too many suspects. Slowly, but surely they start to uncover the shocking truth and the end of this one really was a bit of a shocker. One of those stories that made me go 'WHOA!' when I read the last page.
I really like the characters in this one too. Especially Katz - probably for the same reason I like Mickey - he's wallowing in misery since his wife left him. She's a real flake, but a captivating flake and she's actually the one who provides the info that cracks the case.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. And since I could read one story one night and the other the next, I didn't have to loose sleep trying to read the entire book in one night!
Double Homicide, Double Disappointment.......2006-05-16
I have read many of both Faye Kellerman's Decker books and also Jonathon Kellerman's Delaware series. I have really enjoyed books by both authors but this attempt together was really a disappointment. It lacked the mystery, adventure and just plain old human interest story that their books written individually contain. I hope that they return to what they know best in the future and don't attempt any further "togetherness" in their writing. In my opinion, not worth what I paid for the book.
Product Description
3 Titles By Faye Kellerman : The Quality of Mercy Moon Music Double Homicide (With Jonathan Kellerman). Three mmpb books.
Average customer rating:
- Good Book
- Awesome!....
- Very Good
- I bareally remember this book, but I know I liked it!
|
Double Date
Sinclair Smith
Manufacturer: Scholastic
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Teens
| Subjects
| Books
| Authors, A-Z
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Health, Mind & Body
| History & Historical Fiction
| Horror
| Literature & Fiction
| Manga
| Mysteries
| Reference
| Religion & Spirituality
| School & Sports
| Science & Technology
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Series
| Social Issues
General
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
jp-unknown1
| Specialty Stores
| Books
ASIN: 0590645439 |
Customer Reviews:
Good Book.......2005-04-26
I believe this book was well written and I would recommend it for almost anyone who likes scary books. Even though I believe this book is directed more towards women and younger crowds, most people will enjoy this bookand have fun reading it. If your into scary books, Double Date is a great book for you.
Awesome!...........2002-10-13
Tracy and her boyfriend Kyle are invited on the date of a lifetime by Christie and Travis. Travis is a very heavy practical-joker, and it shows from the very start of the date with his gruesome pranks. Tracy is uncomfortable at first, and feels that something isn't right. Why does Christie and Travis keep looking at eachother as though they're planning something? Like they hold a special secret? Tracy is forced to believe it's just her imagination by her boyfriend, who finds the pranks funny and harmless. But nothing's funny when Travis takes them all to a deserted mansion and they each start disappearing, one-by-one!
"Double Date" was awesome. It was so interesting that I finished within 3 hours! From the very first page, it has you hooked, which is a great start. From there, the book zooms by, each page holding a different surprise, until you realize that you're finished. The only downfall that I could think of is that towards the end, the killer's attempts were a little weak. Other than that, a must-read!
Also recommended:
a.) "Amnesia," also by Sinclair Smith
b.) All books by Joan Lowery Nixon
Very Good.......2001-02-09
I really liked this book because it was interesting and scary. My best friend read this on a family trip that she took. Her brother grabbed it and only intended to read a few pages, but when he got into it, he couldn't stop!
I bareally remember this book, but I know I liked it!.......1998-06-07
As I said, I barely remember when I read this book, but I know I liked it. I remember that it was VERY creepy. That was the cool part. The final attacks by the killer were rather dumb, I think, but I could be remembering it wrong. Basically, I recommend this book. It was very creative and very scary.
Average customer rating:
|
The Double Homicide (Disguised Crimes)
Daman Laurent Agobe (Adjehi)
Manufacturer: Trafford Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Mythology
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Fairy Tales
| Genre Fiction
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Mystery
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
All Amazon Upgrade
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
Literature & Fiction
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
Mystery & Thrillers
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
ASIN: 1553958470
Release Date: 2006-07-06 |
Book Description
The Double Homicide is the true story of a killing related to the practice of sorcery.
Average customer rating:
|
Double Homicide Boston
Manufacturer: Warner Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0739447580 |
Product Description
The Quest for answers begins...with a
dream.
There havent been any dragons in Pretava for generations. Most people assume they died out long ago or were merely creatures of myth and legend.
But not everyone...
The Krys witch, Laural, knows that somehow her fate is bound up in the dragons disappearance. The answers are trapped, concealed in the forbidden history of her people and her own unresolved past. Something terrible happened in the Before Time, and dreams of dragons invade the young witchs sleep until she can take them no longer.
Laural is certain that unless she learns what really happened to the dragons of Pretava, the same fate awaits the people of Dragon Swan.
The tendency today is to think of the fantasy genre as kid stuff...but Trish Reynolds blows that theory out of the water.
This is not your childrens Harry Potter. Hang on for a ride full of adventure, dragons, and even sex. Fantasy is not exclusively for the younger set anymore!
Customer Reviews:
Couldn't put it down........2006-04-06
reviewed by Angela Wilds for fantasynovelreview.com
Look out! The Dragons are returning to Pretava, bringing trouble close behind...or are they? Laural's troubled dreams are telling her it's so, but the Dragons have been gone from Pretava since the Before Times, if they ever existed. Laural knows she must find out the meaning of her dreams before she can ever achieve happiness with her betrothed, Mykal, the handsome Lord of Dragon Swan and its Province.
While Mykal isn't happy with Laural's decision, he loves her enough to wait until she works her way through her misgivings. Mykal would give his life for Laural. Together, they work out a plan to visit Zyalia, Laural's mentor and protector, the mysterious Old One of Ryndolt Forest. Only Zyalia can help Laural detect the meaning of her dreams and assume her destiny.
As Laural and Mykal make their way through the forest to Zyalia's dwelling, a dark assassin fires a poison dart at Mykal. In a desperate attempt to save Mykal's life, Laural sends a hasty mind call to any healer in the area and places Mykal in a state of suspended animation. Hopefully, it will be enough to save him until help can come! During all the confusion, the assassin abducts Laural, leaving Mykal to his fate. Luckily, Zyalia has heard Laural's frantic plea and hurries to Mykal's aid.
While Zyalia works to heal Mykal, Laural is held captive by the wicked Sorceress Rylinian and her accomplice, Magus Cryddyn. The corrupt Rylinian plans to use Laural in her bid to become the Dark Queen of all the land. Zyalia and Mykal stage a daring rescue of Laural. Then comes a mad dash to make good their escape and warn Willawyn, the High King of Pretava, of Rylinian's evil plan.
Finally, in the capital city of Thannon, Laural and Mykal find King Willawyn's court a veritable hot bed of intrigue! Is the King's heir, Lord Balizar, plotting against his father; or is Willawyn's friend Al'Fyndaln, the half elf, just being hoodwinked? The evidence points directly to Balizar, but are Lord Balizar's degenerate friends behind the plot? Is there someone else more sinister and menacing behind it all? Who is sending the assassins that keep creating mayhem? Just who is the mysterious Seeker who joins the story? Is he friend or foe, good or evil? Will Laural and Mykal finally marry and live happily ever after or is their destiny something altogether different? I'll never tell!
I'd have to call The Witch of Dragon Swan the book of questions. Like the old-time cliffhanger movies of the 40's, this book bewitches the reader into reading "just one more chapter" to see if they've guessed correctly before putting it down and attending to the duties of life. I have to admit to being guilty of it. I read until my eyes just wouldn't obey me anymore. Ah, but Ms. Reynolds doesn't give up her secrets so easily! Some of those answers are saved for book two, The Demons of Drey (soon to be reviewed on this site).
In this first book in the Seeker's Quest series, Trish Reynolds enchants her readers by weaving a spell of romance, intrigue, betrayal and coming of age. It's a tale full of good people--with their faults, just trying to make things better. It also has its twisted, malevolent bad guys and most importantly its magic! What would a fantasy book be without magic? If you'd like to be transported to another place and time, The Witch of Dragon Swan can do that for you!
WOW!.......2005-12-14
I was hooked on Ms Reynolds writing from the minute I first read Book 1 of the Doctor and the Witch...and now I am totally blown away.
The Witch of Dragon Swan is one of the best books in any genre that I have ever read. From the first paragraph (immediately hooked) to the last (I need more!)this book rocks.
Laural, the Witch of Dragon Swan and Mykal, the Lord of Dragon Swan have some issues. Problems with their relationship fade into the background when Laural is kidnapped and Mykal left for dead by her abductors... and that's only for starters!
As in her other series, Ms Reynolds takes the reader on a wild ride with barely time for a breath. I wanted to read the whole book in one sitting...and when I was finished the next one couldn't get here fast enough.
Just like the other reviewers I can't wait to see more in this series and from this author.
Couldn't put it down!.......2005-11-08
Look out! The Dragons are returning to Pretava, bringing trouble close behind...or are they? Laural's troubled dreams are telling her it's so, but the Dragons have been gone from Pretava since the Before Times, if they ever existed. Laural knows she must find out the meaning of her dreams before she can ever achieve happiness with her betrothed, Mykal, the handsome Lord of Dragon Swan and its Province.
While Mykal isn't happy with Laural's decision, he loves her enough to wait until she works her way through her misgivings. Mykal would give his life for Laural. Together, they work out a plan to visit Zyalia, Laural's mentor and protector, the mysterious Old One of Ryndolt Forest. Only Zyalia can help Laural detect the meaning of her dreams and assume her destiny.
As Laural and Mykal make their way through the forest to Zyalia's dwelling, a dark assassin fires a poison dart at Mykal. In a desperate attempt to save Mykal's life, Laural sends a hasty mind call to any healer in the area and places Mykal in a state of suspended animation. Hopefully, it will be enough to save him until help can come! During all the confusion, the assassin abducts Laural, leaving Mykal to his fate. Luckily, Zyalia has heard Laural's frantic plea and hurries to Mykal's aid.
While Zyalia works to heal Mykal, Laural is held captive by the wicked Sorceress Rylinian and her accomplice, Magus Cryddyn. The corrupt Rylinian plans to use Laural in her bid to become the Dark Queen of all the land. Will Mykal recover and rescue Laural?
Finally, in the capital city of Thannon,there is a plot to kill the high king. King Willawyn's court is a veritable hot bed of intrigue! Is the King's heir, Lord Balizar, plotting against his father; or is Willawyn's friend Al'Fyndaln, the half elf, just being hoodwinked? The evidence points directly to Balizar, but are Lord Balizar's degenerate friends behind the plot? Is there someone else more sinister and menacing behind it all? Who is sending the assassins that keep creating mayhem? Just who is the mysterious Seeker who joins the story? Is he friend or foe, good or evil? Will Laural and Mykal finally marry and live happily ever after or is their destiny something altogether different? I'll never tell!
I'd have to call The Witch of Dragon Swan the book of questions. Like the old-time cliffhanger movies of the 40's, this book bewitches the reader into reading "just one more chapter" to see if they've guessed correctly before putting it down and attending to the duties of life. I have to admit to being guilty of it. I read until my eyes just wouldn't obey me anymore. Ah, but Ms. Reynolds doesn't give up her secrets so easily! Some of those answers are saved for book two, The Demons of Drey.
In this first book in the Seeker's Quest series, Trish Reynolds enchants her readers by weaving a spell of romance, intrigue, betrayal and coming of age. It's a tale full of good people--with their faults, just trying to make things better. It also has its twisted, malevolent bad guys and most importantly its magic! What would a fantasy book be without magic? If you'd like to be transported to another place and time, The Witch of Dragon Swan can do that for you!
The Witch of Dragon Swan .......2005-09-16
This book is a must read for any fans of LOTR or D & D. A great story of myth and magic told by a grand storyteller. The author is masterful at pacing the story. Setting the scenes and developing the characters concisely and quickly enough to gain the full flavor without putting you to sleep. (No offence to J. R. R., but he did tend to ramble on) In fact, much like the Witch and the Doctor series, you'll be flipping the pages as fast as your eyes can read. There are a number of characters that all of us can relate to on some level, so before long you'll have your favorite. But be forewarned, do not get too attached to your hero/heroine, as you might receive quite a shock as the story developes. As the synopsis states, "this is not your kid's Harry Potter." Without spilling too much of the delicious plot, keep in mind that there isn't always going to be a happily ever after ... That being said, you'll delight in the depth of character development. You will really empathise with their trials and triumphs. The detailed description of the scenery and surroundings will make you pull up your collar and pull down your cap in anticipation of "the Change." I highly recommend this book to any fantasy buffs and offer it as a rewarding change of pace to any mystery/suspense/thriller readers.
I love it........2005-09-06
The world of The Witch of Dragon Swan is reminiscent of any world created by Marion Zimmer Bradley or Anne McCafferty. Magic and non-human folk populate the pages. Trish Reynolds immediately draws the reader into Laural's world with the same seamless skill.
Laural has visions of dragons. Dragons are long extinct in Pretava. Laural means to follow her visions to their conclusion and find out their meaning, even if it means leaving her soul mate, Mykal behind. Meanwhile a plot to assassinate the high king has been uncovered.
Mykal follows his beloved Laural on her quest to find the meaning of the dragons of her dream s only to be ensnared unwittingly into what will become a fight of good against evil. He and Laural's friend, Zyalia, travel into a foreign land to save Laurel from a fate worse than death.
At the court of the High King, intrigue abounds. Who is behind the assassination attempts and mysterious deaths and why? What will happen if the Heir to the Kingdom is as unfit to rule as he appears? Are the long-gone dragons the enemy? Or are they the kingdom's savoir?
Ms. Reynolds tells a tale with so many interwoven layers, you'll never want to put down this book. Just when you think you've figured out who the bad guys are, another character puts in an appearance or you learn something more about the characters you thought you already knew. Ms. Reynolds weaves a tale of many interwoven layers, including a cliff hanger of an ending that will have you running for the next volume in this trilogy as fast as you can get to the book shop!
W. Lyon Martin, author/illustrator of An Ordinary Girl, A Magical Child.
Books:
- Death of an Addict (Hamish Macbeth Mysteries)
- Deep Pockets (Carlotta Carlyle Mysteries)
- Desert Heat
- Dress Her in Indigo
- Elusive Mrs. Pollifax
- Everyone Dies
- Fear of Frying (Jane Jeffry Mystery Series #9)
- Figure of Hate (Crowner John Mysteries)
- Flesh Wounds: The Culture of Cosmetic Surgery
- Forever and Five Days (Zebra Books)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Emily Post's The Etiquette Advantage in Business: Personal Skills for Professional Success, Second E
- The Senior's Guide to End-of-Life Issues: Advance Directives, Wills, Funerals & Cremations
- That Old Ace in the Hole : A Novel
- Star Wars, Dark Forces Collector's Trilogy
- Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear
- The American Indian: Secrets of Crystal Healing
- The Rommel Papers
- The Triumph of Art for the Public, 1785-1848
- Quick Fix Meals: 200 Simple, Delicious Recipes to Make Mealtime Easy
- Postlethwait and Hopson's Explore Life: Chapters 8-15
Shattered Justice: A Savage Murder and the Death of Three Families' Innocence (True Crime (Avon Books))
Tacoma Confidential: A True Story of Murder, Suicide, and a Police Chief's Secret Life (48 Hours Mystery)
No Regrets (Ann Rule's Crime Files, Vol. 11)
Lipstick and Blood
Never Leave Me: A True Story of Marriage, Deception, and Brutal Murder (St. Martin's True Crime Library)
