Ray's Reviews: Michigan Author Loren D. Estleman

 If you’re trying to escape the summer heat and get away from reality – maybe it’s time to discover Whitmore Lake author Loren D. Estleman.

        He’s got two new books out – one is a collection of short stories set in Detroit during World War II while the other covers a decades-long cowboy feud in the Old West.

        “Detroit is Our Beat” subtitled “Tales of the Four Horsemen”, (Tyrus Books, $24.95 hb, $16.99 pb) showcases four members of the Racket Squad who work for the understaffed Detroit Police Department while most of its regular officers are off fighting in World War II.

        They get into lots of trouble as they try to enforce the law, often getting satisfying and surprising results, even though they may not use traditionally approved methods.

        Lieutenant Max Zagreb, Sergeant Starvo Canal and detectives McReary and Burke face significant challenges. They are dubbed “The Four Horsemen” by eager newspaper reporters who are always looking for an intriguing angle.

        The characters were introduced in Estleman’s excellent 1998 novel “Jitterbug”; most stories originally appeared in “Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine.”

        Estleman’s anthology is highly atmospheric; he deftly captures the attitudes and flavor of the time with great descriptions and snappy dialogue.

        The stories are strongly character driven; the award-winning author has definitely done his research. Estleman includes a detailed list of recommended sources for those interested in useful aspects of related

Michigan history.

        “The Long High Noon” (Forge, $24.99) is a captivating, enjoyable tale that’s mostly set in the historic Old West.

        It explores an exceptionally long, deadly feud between two cowboys, Randy Locke and Frank Farmer, which begins shortly after the Civil War and continues on for decades.

        Each gunfighter is trying to kill the other; Locke has a permanent limp as a result of an attempt by Farmer; while Locke shot off part of Farmer’s ear.

        The tale is told through shifting viewpoints that include slick western journalists and an entrepreneur setting up one final deadly confrontation.

        Estleman’s mesmerizing novel covers a fascinating era of Old West history, from post-Civil War expansion to its unprecedented growth and settlement.

        The author is a superb, smooth storyteller; he adroitly combines mythology, fact and fiction with touches of irony and humor thrown in for good measure.

        Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed crime novels and Michigan books regularly since 1987.

Find this book and other great titles

at the Curious Book Shop, an independent 

book shop in East Lansing, founded in 1969.

Curious Book Shop

307 East Grand River Avenue

East Lansing, Michigan

517.332.0112

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on June 28, 2015.

Read More...

Ray's Reviews: Vixen by the Great Bill Pronzini

  

“Vixen” by Bill Pronzini (Forge Books, $24.99) is the 40th novel in his popular series starring the Nameless Detective, a hard-working San Francisco-based private eye.

        Due to be released on Tuesday, Pronzini’s novel showcases Cory Beckett, a beautiful seductress with devious plans.

        Cory’s brother Kenneth has been arrested, accused of stealing a $20,000 diamond necklace that belonged to the wife of wealthy yachtsman Andrew Vorhees.

        Kenneth has jumped bail; Cory goes to the bail bondsman, who hires the private investigator to track him down. Cory is a scheming femme fatale who has her own specific demands.

        The Nameless Detective is staying out of his the office a lot, trying to retire, but other members of his agency jump in and jointly work on locating Kenneth.

        Jake Runyon, a grizzled veteran investigator, goes on the road and finds him, discovering that Kenneth isn’t exactly as Cory has described him.

Bill Pronzini at a book singing.

Her brother has a completely different story about the theft and says he’s innocent.

        The carefully-crafted mystery gets more complicated when Cory brings along factory owner Frank Chaleen, her secret lover, to pick up Kenneth.

        Meanwhile, the Nameless Detective goes and visits Mrs. Vorhees, trying to gather more useful information, with unexpected results.

        Agency operatives do further checking into Cory’s past, uncovering disconcerting facts, delving into her two earlier marriages and the mesmerizing effects of her sexual attraction.

        Runyon and the Nameless Detective get more involved in the case than they ever wanted; the body count rises as the tension mounts.

        Told from varying viewpoints. Pronzini’s new novel also has a sub-plot related to the death of a relative, pulp magazines and long-overdue recognition.

        If you haven’t read any of Pronzini’s Nameless Detective books, it’s not too late to start; his novels are fast, enjoyable reading.

         While it’s always fascinating to follow the development of characters, with 40 books in the series, (plus some collections of short stories,) you don’t really have to read them in order.

        The author is one of America’s best crime fiction authors and has won many of the genre’s most prestigious writing awards.

         In 2008, Pronzini received the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America. He and his wife, crime novelist Marcia Muller, live and write in California.

        Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed crime novels and Michigan books regularly since 1987.

Find this book and other great titles

at the Curious Book Shop, an independent 

book shop in East Lansing, founded in 1969.

Curious Book Shop

307 East Grand River Avenue

East Lansing, Michigan

517.332.0112

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on June 21, 2015.

Read More...

Ray's Reviews: “Michigan’s Supreme Court Historical Reference Guide” by David G. Chardavoyne

 Virtually everything you’ve ever wanted to know about top echelon of our
state’s legal profession is now available in an exceptional,
well-researched volume.

        “Michigan’s Supreme Court Historical Reference Guide” by David G.
Chardavoyne with Paul Moreno (Michigan State University Press, $34.95) is
a deluxe, well-illustrated book that’s overflowing with intriguing
background information and history.

        This new second edition is a compilation of two earlier books; the
initial 1998 edition was researched by Jill K. Moore, edited by Ellen
Campbell, with many biographies by Ann Lucas.

        “The Verdict of History” by Moreno, which first appeared in the Michigan
Bar Journal as a supplement in 2008, came out as a book in 2009.

        This current project was supported by members of the Michigan Supreme
Court Historical Society. It has a section on the structural evolution of
the court and additional information on Chief and Presiding Judges and
Justices.

        The first part of the book is devoted to a brief biographies of all of
the Michigan State Supreme Court justices from territorial days in 1803
through this year.

        The biographies include many images of the justices, taken from various
sources, utilizing original portrait paintings and clear photographs.

        Detailed information is offered regarding the birth and death of the
justices, their education, residence and political party affiliation.

        Facts are also provided as to how they became Supreme Court members, why
and when they left the court, and their predecessors and successors.

        Electoral information abounds – the entries explore their professional
career as well, covering other aspects of their lives, placing it in
historical perspective.

        Many Michigan Supreme Court justices have local ties, including Leland
Carr, Clifford Taylor, Michael Cavanaugh, John Fitzgerald, Thomas Brennan
and Steven Markman.

        The second half of the book offers an analysis of the twenty top
decisions of the Michigan Supreme Court, examining their importance and
placing them in historical context.

        While some of the cases date back to the pre-Civil War era, others like
“People v. Kevorkian: the Right to Die” may be more relevant.

        One section is devoted to elections, indicating candidates and results;
there are also factual charts, notes and an index.

        This is a great reference book, ideal for anyone who’s interested in
learning more about Michigan’s distinctive legal history.

        Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed
Michigan books and crime novels regularly since 1987.

Find this book and other great titles

at the Curious Book Shop, an independent 

book shop in East Lansing, founded in 1969.

Curious Book Shop

307 East Grand River Avenue

East Lansing, Michigan

517.332.0112

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on June 14, 2015.

Read More...

Ray's Reviews: Michigan Books!

 It’s summer and a great time to be a tourist in your own home state – if
only you had some good ideas on where to visit.

        While there many people who would be glad to tell you where to go, two
recent authors have put it in writing, offering a wide selection of

interesting possibilities.

        “3 Day Getaways - Michigan’s Back Roads” by Ron Rademacher (Back Roads,
$12.95) offers 28 different places in Michigan to visit, presented in a
very usable, folksy format.

        The author provides insights into local communities, focusing on a
variety of attractions, including scenic views, historic landmarks,
unusual sites, local businesses and intriguing places to eat and stay.

        He suggests numerous events, including an assortment of festivals and
reminds the traveler not to forget our state’s wonderful park system.

        The locations across the state include many shoreline destinations and
those in the Upper Peninsula, but only one small section is devoted to
southeastern or central Michigan.

        A general state map outlining relevant areas is at the rear of the book;
there’s also an excellent selection of useful getaway websites.

        Rademacher isn’t a rookie to the subject; he has been involved with four
earlier paperbacks in the “Michigan Back Roads” series.

        “Ride Michigan” by Bill Murphy (Arbutus Press, $18.95) is intended for a
more specific audience: savvy motorcyclists who like to travel.

        The 240-page guide is divided into four sections, Southern Sojourns,
Northern Delights, Waterfront Wanderings and Great Lakes Circle Tours.

Additional pages focus on Fun and Interesting Local Rides.

        There’s also an informative introduction, a chapter on Desirable
Destinations and Events and a section offering Suggested Tips for Safe
Riding.

        Although many people will use a computer to figure out where they want to
go, the author includes a map for every destination, outlining the paved
roadways that make travel easier.

        The well-designed paperback is liberally sprinkled with clear
black-and-white photographs, including images of “Da Yoopers Tourist Trap
Museum” in Ishpeming and Leg’s Inn in Cross Village.

        While it helps to be a motorcyclist to appreciate all of the sites, it’s
exceptionally useful for other travelers.

        Murphy has also written “Motorcycling Across Michigan”, “Grace and Grit”,
about pioneering women motorcyclists and “Souvenirs of War” about his
Marine Corps experiences in Vietnam.

        Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed
Michigan books and crime novels regularly since 1987.

Find this book and other great titles

at the Curious Book Shop, an independent 

book shop in East Lansing, founded in 1969.

Curious Book Shop

307 East Grand River Avenue

East Lansing, Michigan

517.332.0112

This review was originally published by the Lansing State Journal on June 7, 2015.

Read More...