Ray's Reviews: Delightful, Deluxe Collection of Fine Michigan Photography by Todd and Brad Reed

 Beautiful images of our Great Lakes state abound in a new, over-sized, self-published, $110 book, “Todd and Brad Reed’s Michigan - Wednesdays in the Mitten.”

        Issued in a signed, limited edition of 3000 copies, this gorgeous photographic art book captures the amazing diversity of our state’s scenic wonders.

        The Ludington-based father-and-son team of award-winning photographers went on a 30,000 mile journey through Michigan in 2014, leaving every Wednesday to take pictures.

        There are many great images of our state’s visual splendor in this 224 page volume – most of them emphasize the spectacular beauty of the natural environment.

        Remarkable images include shots that were taken of the frozen Grand Island Art Caves near Munising and the colorful Northern Lights on Isle Royale.

        The photographers visited 74 of Michigan’s 83 counties during their weekly trips, capturing over 30,000 images, which were then reduced to 250 pictures that were used.

        Although there some shots of notable architecture, there are significantly fewer photographs that include people. Exceptions are the Christmas-time displays in downtown Rochester or the New Year’s celebration in Ludington.

        This well-designed volume is published with an emphasis on the colorful images, with no captions below the photographs that would interfere with the enjoyment.

        Brief thumbnail descriptions of the images are included in a separate grouping, after the pictorial section, offering detailed information about the photographs, locations and the identity of the photographer.

        This deluxe 8 pound book includes a separate DVD that contains a slideshow of all of the images, in case one wants to enjoy the photographs in a different format.

        The Reeds have participated in the annual ArtPrize competition in Grand Rapids; many of their images have been used in the PureMichigan! promotional advertising campaign, including calendars, brochures, billboards and online videos.

        This is the most deluxe book that the Reeds have published. Last year, “Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed: a Michigan Tribute” was selected as a Michigan Notable Book Award-winner.

        They have also issued other books of Michigan and Ludington photographs, including “Lake Michigan Point to Point” and “Ludington State Park: Queen of the North”.

        This is a heavy coffee-table-sized book that should be savored over an extended period of time – and nowhere near an overflowing cup of coffee!

        Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed

Michigan Books and crime novels regularly in 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 August 23, 2015.

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Ray's Reviews: “Beyond Suspicion” by Catherine A. Winn

  

“Beyond Suspicion” by Catherine A. Winn (Poisoned Pencil, $10.95) is an edgy, young adult paperback mystery set in Whispering Springs, TX that should also appeal to older readers.

        It showcases 15-year old Shelby Palmer, who is a prime suspect in the disappearance of Josh, her one-year-old brother.

        Shelby had been looking forward to attending her first girl-boy party. Roger, her step-father, tells her that she can’t go, but has to take care of Josh instead.

        Frustrated and angry, Shelby puts the young child in a stroller and takes him on a trip to a nearby park. When a string of firecrackers goes off, Shelby is distracted and joins the crowd of people looking. When she returns, the baby is gone!

        Frantic, Shelby searches for Josh, but the stroller is empty, he’s nowhere in sight. She sees a white van leaving the parking lot; she’d noticed it before, cruising the neighborhood. She thought that the two creepy people inside were looking at property that was for sale.

        The police arrive, can’t find any sign of Josh, and take Shelby back for questioning. A determined detective believes she’s murdered him and hidden the body. He points to angry text messages that Shelby sent to her

best friend relaying her feelings about Roger’s decision.

        Shelby tells the police about the white van, but they don’t seem to pay much attention. The tension rises as the story gets more sensationalized by the media. Soon reporters take over their front yard.  Shelby starts

getting nasty text messages.

        The teenager decides to sneak out of the house, trying to find Josh on her own.  She meets Matt, a senior in high school, who has secrets of his own; he offers much-needed help as they try to figure out what really

happened.

        Shelby puts together small clues that the police have missed; soon she’s on the trail of the kidnappers, with unexpected and violent results.

        This carefully-crafted tale takes the reader on an emotional roller coaster ride, deftly handled by Winn, a former art and elementary school teacher.

        Her debut novel is the first book in the Whispering Springs mystery series; it’s the sixth young adult mystery published by the Poisoned Pencil, a new division of the Poisoned Pen Press.

        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 August 9, 2015.

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Ray's Reviews: Wicked Charms by Phoef Sutton and Janet Evanovich

    If you’re trying to escape reality, and haven’t discovered the unusual universe of mystery writer Janet Evanovich, it’s not too late to start.

        “Wicked Charms”, the funny third book in her “Lizzy and Diesel” series, (Bantam Books, $28) is co-written with successful tv series writer and Emmy-Award winner Phoef Sutton.

        It showcases Lizzy Tucker, a pastry chef at Dazzle’s Bakery in Salem MA, who’s got a great recipe for cupcakes.

        Diesel, her mysterious, hunky partner, joins her in the hunt for theStone of Avarice, one of seven ancient stones that hold the powers of the seven deadly sins.

        In the earlier books in the series, they acquired two of the stones – getting the third one is likely to be even more challenging. 

        Lizzy’s life has been changed in many ways – she notes “Now, weird is the new normal.”  She has enhanced abilities that make her exceptional – she’s one of two people in the world with the ability to locate the

stones.

        Bizarre situations abound; Lizzy’s joined by Glo, her co-worker at the bakery and Josh, who’s Glo’s odd boyfriend, as they discover mummified remains at a Pirate Museum where Josh works.

        Then the fun really begins - to find the missing stone, they must locate eight pieces of a specific vintage silver coin, combine them with a map and go on a wild and dangerous quest for a pirate’s hidden treasure.

        Meanwhile, Martin Ammon, a publishing and media mogul, wants to make Lizzy’s cupcakes a national brand and turn her into a media star. She signs a contract, without realizing what rights she has signed away. Ammon believes he is the Demon God of Greed and has his own followers.

        The overflowing cast of characters includes a determined professor and Diesel’s strange cousin Wulf, who has many intriguing ideas.

        If you’re looking for a serious, thought provoking crime novel – forget it - this certainly doesn’t qualify. It’s an entertaining, fast-paced romp with lots of action - ideal for beach-reading or when you’re trying to get away from stress. 

        There are many goofy similarities to Evanovich’s whacky other best-sellers – but that’s not all bad. Her dedicated fans will rejoice: “Tricky Twenty-Two”, her next Stephanie Plum novel, is due out soon. 

        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 July 26, 2015.

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Ray's Reviews: High Country Nocturne by Jon Talton

  “High Country Nocturne” by journalist Jon Talton (Poisoned Pen Press, $24.95 hb, $14.95 pb) is a highly atmospheric, entertaining crime novel that’s set mostly in Phoenix and Northern Arizona.



        It’s the eighth book showcasing private investigator and dedicated academic historian David Mapstone. He’s quite surprised when his business partner and longtime friend Mike Peralta is accused of involvement in a major jewel heist.

        Peralta, the former Maricopa County Sherriff, is working as a security guard. He’s captured on tape shooting another guard and making off with 15 million dollars worth of rough diamonds. 

        It gets a lot more complicated from there, as Mapstone and Peralta’s wife Sharon initially try to figure out the truth. 

        In the opening chapter, Mapstone and Sharon are stopped and confronted by a woman police officer in a car with flashing red and blue lights.

       A dangerous situation develops but is diffused; the private eye is convinced the woman isn’t a state cop – he dubs her “Strawberry Death”.

Mapstone gets called in by Chris Melton, the sleazy current Sherriff, who blackmails him into investigating a special cold case and deputizes him.

        Soon Mapstone’s wife Lindsay, a reformed top-notch computer hacker, is joining in; they discover that Strawberry Death is after the rare gems.

        After bullets fly, Mapstone’s in a tense, highly emotional state; he is trying to use information that has been uncovered.

        The FBI’s been called in, but a new Special Agent is in charge; a friendlier, earlier Special Agent in Phoenix has been re-assigned to duty in Alaska.
        Mapstone doesn’t know who can trust, (except for his wife), corruption is rampant and the old, cold case suddenly turns much warmer.

        The intricately plotted, fast-paced police procedural novel becomes even more complex when another body is discovered; the deceptions behind the daring jewel heist are slowly revealed.

        Talton’s dark, brooding tale frequently reflects dourly on the growth of Phoenix and the surrounding area. He deftly utilizes local landmarks in his narrative, offering insights on the area’s development and economic decline, smoothly combining past and present.

        This is an excellent, compelling page-turner with a riveting, surprising conclusion - it serves well as a stand-alone novel, but is likely to make you seek out earlier books in the series.

        Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed crime novels and Michigan mysteries 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 July 19, 2015.

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Ray's Reviews: White Knuckle by Eric Red

   “White Knuckle” by Eric Red (Samhain, $14) is a harrowing reading experience that may leave you looking suspiciously at every big rig truck on the highway.

        It’s a twisted, gut-wrenching, graphic, grisly, gritty, gripping tale – certainly not for those who are looking for a subtle, peaceful crime novel that’s likely to put you to sleep.

        It focuses on FBI Special Agent Sharon Ormsby, a recent academy graduate, who’s been assigned to the Highway Serial Killer Initiative.

        When body parts are identified in different, far-flung locations, various indicators point to a serial killer, a big rig driver travelling around the country.

        Ormsby goes undercover as a truck driver in the FBI investigation, joining veteran big rig driver Rudy Dykstra on the road in pursuit of a killer who goes by the handle of White Knuckle.

        She travels with Dykstra cross-country, (there’s even a stop in Marshall MI), as they try to gather information and discover the true identity of the murderer.

        Meanwhile, the clever killer keeps on picking up and brazenly kidnapping women and girls, keeping them restrained in a special secret compartment that he’s built into his huge vehicle.

        He’s been leaving body parts in assorted states for forty years; most authorities weren’t even aware of his gruesome deeds - many of the bodies have never been identified or even found.

        White Knuckle has a nasty, dark past - he tortured animals as a child; he long ago progressed to viciously killing women and shows little sign of stopping. He makes multiple-murderer Ed Gein look like a mere beginner.

        Ormsby, Dykstra and her supervisor are working diligently but they have few useful leads, rising safety concerns and time constraints.

        Hollywood screenwriter and director Red increases the tension by offering intriguing emotional viewpoints, providing insights from victims, the crazed killer and Ormsby, who has her own hidden secrets.

 
        Red has done his research - his terrifying novel is full of well-described locales and peppered with the blunt opinions of tired truckers.

        The brutal, full-throttle conclusion is carefully crafted, making it almost impossible to put the book down.

         There are likely to be comparisons to Richard Matheson’s classic, nerve-wracking trucking saga “Duel” or Robert Bloch’s “Psycho”; this may leave you sleepless and linger longer in your memory.

        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 July 12, 2015.

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Ray's Reviews: Killer Come Hither by Louis Begley

 The best thing about Louis Begley’s new book “Killer Come Hither” (Talese/Doubleday, $25.95) is that it’s short – only 248 pages.

        There are too many bad things to detail them all – it’s more challenging to decide where to begin the list and when to stop.

        Begley, who’s written a dozen other fiction and non-fiction books, has created a distinctively literate thriller that is only occasionally thrilling.

        The tale is told using an odd first person narrative style without any quotation marks. There are minimal paragraph breaks, frequently just a few per page, slowing down the reading pace.

        The characters are interesting but mostly sneaky or peculiar.  Much of the plot revolves around the comfortable life of the ultra-rich, in various parts of New York.

        It’s the story of Jack Dana, a former Yale history student who joins the Marines after 9/11.  He’s an infantry platoon leader who’s hit by sniper fire and ends up in Walter Reed Hospital.

        While recuperating, Jack starts on his first novel, writing about his military experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

        He’s helped through his recovery by his Uncle Harry, a prestigious lawyer who’s acted as a surrogate father to him over the years. Jack moves in with Harry, who uses his connections to get the book published.

        When Jack’s novel becomes a literary success and a best-seller, they’re related. When Jack’s next book has similar results, Jack goes off to South America to celebrate.

        Upon Jack’s return, he learns that Harry has committed suicide; he doesn’t believe that this is possible and sets out to discover the truth.

        Other attorneys at the law firm are secretive; Jack’s sure that they know much more and delves deeper into his uncle’s death.

        The police consider the case closed; Jack gets assistance from Kerry, Harry’s most trusted associate and his friend Scott, conveniently a CIA agent.

        The main villains are a right-wing multi-billionaire and a killer named Slobo. Most characters seem wooden, the outcome is predictable and seems more than a little contrived.

        Begley is a former attorney who has great insider knowledge about life among New York’s Elite; his fans may enjoy another look at the extravagances of the super-wealthy.

        Unfortunately, he’s created a book that is basically unsatisfying to mystery readers except those who enjoy literary experimentation.

        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 July 5, 2015.

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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.

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