Flight of the Eagles, book #1 in the Seven Sleepers series is a sci-fi thriller as well as a fantasy epic. Not many fiction writers blend both science fiction and fantasy in the same novel, and Gilbert Morris succeeds at blending the two very distinctly different genres, although it is not a seamless blend. In the first parts of this novel, a nuclear war strikes the entire globe and silo labs and time capsules are described. Later on in the novel, the protagonists team up with a giant, some dwarfs, and gnomes, and battle with evil humans and monsters using swords and arrows. The protagonists also commit their lives to a divine, supernatural being. This is quite possibly the most unusual and interesting book I have ever read.

The storyline concerns an ordinary 14 year-old boy named Joshua Adams who is self-concious concerning his clumsiness and self-image. Then a girl named Sarah Collingwood, who is Josh's age, comes to stay at his house while her parents travel to Africa as missionaries.
Then a global nuclear war strikes. Josh's father wakes him up the night of the first nuclear strikes. Josh finds himself in a race against time, along with his parents and Sarah, to his father's silo lab. When they arrive at the concrete building. Josh's father explains to them that the world as they knew it would end that very night because of the global nuclear war. Josh is put into a time capsule deep inside the silo building and Sarah is whisked away to seperate capsule. Josh's father explains to him that when he awakes from the time capsule, he, along with several others, will find himself on a planet altered by nuclear devastation.

50 years later, Joshua Adams is awakened by from his sleep by and old man named Crusoe. He later discovers that the genetically altered races of Earth hail his awakening as the first fulfillment of ancient prophecy which states that seven sleepers would arise in Nuworld to unite their strength with Goel and join in battle against the forces of evil that threaten to dominate Nuworld. Josh learns that he, along with six others, would become the only hope of Nuworld.
He teams up with Crusoe, a giant named Volka, and two dwarfs named Mat and Tam, and together they embark on a dangerous quest through Nuworld to find and awaken the other sleepers from the Oldworld, one of which is Sarah, who is the second sleeper. Together they continue the quest to find the other five sleepers.

The third Sleeper is Jake Garfield, who is a redheaded boy of about 14 years old. His character isn't developed very much for some reason.
The fourth Sleeper is 15 year-old Dave Cooper who is very confident concerning himself and how he relates to others, and who can be both optimistic and pessimistic depending on the situation.
The fifth Sleeper is 14 year-old Bob Jackson whom everyone calls Reb. He has a very distinct character as someone who enjoys thoroughly the lifestyle of a cowboy. He is a southerner whose favorite historical figure is Stonewall Jackson.
The sixth Sleeper is 13 year-old Abigail Roberts, who is a rich girl who is used to having whatever she wants. She is not a very likeable character at first, but later on her character is developed positively.
The seventh and final Sleeper is 12 year-old Gregory Jones, whom everyone calls Wash. Seeing as he doesn't come on the scene until the last parts of the book, there is not much time for his character to be developed.

Throughout the course of their quest to find and awaken the Sleepers, Josh and his companions encounter many dangers. The evil priests of the Sanhedrin are a constant and potent threat to their survival, and other dangers besides are encountered, such as giant killer bees, highly dangerous marsh lands, monster attacks, a perilous desert, and more. This novel's climax involves a huge battle fought between the seven Sleepers with their Nuworld companions and the armies of the evil Sanhedrin warrior priests. One of the seven Sleepers is killed in the battle, then brought to life again by Goel, the spiritual leader of the Sleepers. One of the main Nuworld characters dies, and there is a surprise ending which will indeed surprise you.

Flight of the Eagles is a promising beginning to the Seven Sleepers series. The storyline is excellent, and most of the characters are well-developed. I have rated this book with 4 stars because some of the characters are not as developed as others. Still, I highly reccomend this book to anyone who enjoys sci-fi or fantasy.

"Flight of the Eagles" is the first in the "Seven Sleepers Series" by Gilbert L. Morris. The world as we know it has changed after a terrible nuclear war. Fourteen-year-old Joshua Adams wakes up from a fifty year sleep to find himself escaped from the war. But to his surprised he finds that his awakening has hailed the beginning of an ancient prophecy. For years the genetically altered races of Earth have sung of Seven Sleepers who would awaken from a deep sleep and unite together with Goel to fight against the evil priests of the Sanhedrin. Josh's quest is to now find the other sleepers and continue the quest to rid the world of the Sanhedrin. But along the way, Josh and his new found friends, both from the old world and new world, must face dangers and betrayals that will threaten their faith and commitment to Goel.

Some say that these series live up to the standards of "The Chronicles of Narnia", I beg to differ. Their are some similarities, one in that the main characters are of the younger generations, teenagers to be more specific. But while the Narnia series had a depth to it in which even adults will find themselves drawn into the story, "The Seven Sleepers Series" falls a bit flat. Gilbert Morris is an accomplished writer of more adult books, including the great "House of Winslow Series", "Appomattox Series", "Cheney Duvalle M.D. Series", and numerous other wonderful historical/fiction series. But his attempt to writing a series aimed for younger children is a bit disappointing.

First of all, the religious themes embedded into this series feels a bit contrite and not too well developed. Aslan was a great character in Narnia, but Goel's characters feels a bit flat even though he is supposed to be the Sleeper's spiritual champion. There is no real climax in the book as the story plods through at a mediocre pace. I had to force myself to finish the story.

But don't take me wrong, I am only giving my opinion as a sixteen-year-old. The series is aimed for kids younger than me. There is nothing objectionable in the stories so these books are great for kids ages 10-14. The only point I'm trying to make is some reviewers said that this series is up there with the Chronicles of Narnia. Whereas those series can be read by kids of a wide age range, "The Seven Sleepers" are strictly for younger kids.

I thought "Flight of the Eagles" by Gilbert Morris was an awesome book. Gilbert Morris is an exellent author who knows how to write a good book and I recommend this book to any one who likes fantasy and adventure. Seven teens awake from a fifty year sleep to find out they have escaped a nuclear war. These "seven sleepers" then go on the ultimate adventure, led by their leader, Goel. There are eight books in the series so far, I have only read three. I can't stop reading them though. The Seven Sleepers books are the best books I've read by far! Phil Call

I loved The Last True Cowboy, it was a touching story of family devotion and love and a committment to saving something that is so much a part of our history. The true working ranch that a family desperately wants to save, Julia and KC are meant to be together and their dreams were so much the same. What a gentle man KC was and he would do anything to help someone out and to finally have something he called his own. Julia was afraid to put all of her faith in KC but with the love of her Grandma, memories of Ross's dreams, a city life she was not sure she wanted and a renewed relationship with a sister , how could she lose? Kathleen certainly touched my heart as I have always loved horses and I always love a happy ending. I hated to see this book end because the characters were so real. A true winner and I hope everyone takes the time to sit down and read this one. Keep up the great work, Kathleen.!!!!!!

Having just read a poor novel involving horses, I had very low expectations for "The Last True Cowboy" (cheesy title and all). I was quite surprised. I got hooked from the very first page, and one of the things that impressed me the most was the language -- this book is extremely well written, and a pleasure to read. I wanted to read it as slowly as possible to savor it, yet couldn't wait to see what was happening next. The story is very well paced, and the women figures are very well developed. They are strong characters, yet flawed -- as human as you can get. Even though you might not agree with their actions, you can see where they're coming from. The family dynamic is very believable, and the romance is not bad either. All in all I thought it was a very "grown up" story. Not your average paperback novel.

To pigeonhole the trials of Julia Weslin and the relationship that grows between her and K. C. Houston as a typical romance novel certainly doesn't due this book justice. Satisfying at just about every level, I couldn't put it down. Ms. Eagle did an especially good job of pacing the relationship between the two main characters with the same patience K. C. used on his horses. The result was a more realistic book in many ways than "The Horse Whisperer". If you loved Tom Booker, you'll enjoy the way Ms. Eagle gave her hero the same gift with horses, but used her creativity to make K. C. Houston equally interesting yet fascinatingly unique in his own way. The plot, the minor characters, and of course, the horses give this tale equal parts of color, depth and humor with enough emotional twists to keep just about any reader happy.

I've enjoyed all Ms. Eagle's books, but without a doubt, this is my favorite.

I read this book looking for some post 9/11 escapism focused on the middle east. This is a fast moving action story that maintains its pace through all 340 pages. Follett has created an unforgettable character in Nat Dickstein, who in many ways is a metaphor for Israel herself. He has found a way to leave his hatred behind, yet methodically pursues his aims by any means necessary, looking hopefully towards a peaceful future.
In my view this is as good as "Eye of the Needle", and maybe better than "Pillars of the Earth" which I thought was overlong. Follett shows us the Israelis, Egyptians and Russians all in a bright light, where it is the ends, and not the means, that counts.

Ken Follett is one of the best "bestseller" authors around. And he's versatile--check out Pillars of the Earth, which couldn't be more different than this book, Triple.

Triple centers on Nat Dickstein, who is working for the Israelis with the seemingly impossible task of stealing a sizable amount of uranium. Dickstein's exceedingly clever plan keeps you turning the pages, as do the counter-efforts of the Russians and Arab agents who want to derail his plan. The main characters are well-developed and multi-sided--and the "bad guys" are not just cookie-cutter heavies--they have their sympathetic side as well. Which, I think, is what kept me from putting the book down until I finished it. Great reading for a vacation, trip or just relaxation.

So far as captivating page-turners go, few writers of popular fiction can top Ken Follett when he is at his best, and though I've not read all his novels, I definitely consider Triple (a political thriller) to be one of the best of those I've read. (Other favourites of mine are A Dangerous Fortune and The Third Twin--and I am eager to read The Pillars of the Earth).

Briefly (and without giving anything away), the plot centres around three secret agents--one from Israel's Mossad, one from Russia's KGB, and one from Egypt's Intelligence Agency. It involves the arms race between the Israelis and the Arabs and takes place in 1968. I really can say no more other than to mention that one of these groups has an idea for ensuring that it remains a competitor in that race, and the method the agent has for bringing that idea to fruition (and this is what the novel is all about) is complex and really quite ingenious.

Stripped to its most basic level, this could be said to be something of a cat and mouse story. However, there is so very much more to it than that, for Follett is a master storyteller who not only excels in deftly handling relationships between individuals (no mean feat in itself!) but is simply brilliant at creating characters that the reader cares about and hence in writing novels that one hates to reach the end of.

Though not a light read, this novel is certainly enlightening. I, for one, learned a fair bit about Middle Eastern politics and something about nuclear weaponry. Further, I felt Follett did a splendid job of conveying the political situation from the points of view of both the Israelis and the Palestinians in a manner that simultaneously evoked both sympathy for and censure of both sides. It's a sensitive topic (perhaps even more so now than in 1979 when the novel was first published) and one in which Follett's skill as a writer really shines through.

Highly recommended to fans of Ken Follett in general, to fans of the spy genre in particular, and to anyone who enjoys a consumately written (and insightful) thriller!

If you're tired of the inflight magazine, pick this book up as I did on a recent trip back home from Chicago. I didn't realize I had read this before (I should have known, I've read all the other ones) but that did not stop me from getting caught up inthe story again.

Smith walks the fine line between action novel and romance novel, in fact it was my mom who introduced me to his writing years ago, but Eye of The Tiger's 'manly' cover design won't get you any strange looks on the plane...

He just draws you in. You feel like, "Sure, I know what's it's like to dive in the Indian Ocean, fight off sharks, ride out a cyclone, no problem." I defy you to read a Wilbur Smith book without getting totally drawn into the story.

Like I said - this one's great for a plane flight, just about the right length for coast-to-coast travel and perfect if you're longing for the sun.

MM

Eye of the Tiger is a tribute to the masterful writing skills of Wilbur Smith. This was the first book I read by Smith that took place in contemporary times, so his immense skill in creating historical settings was not necessary. He spins a hard to put down account of a search for what we will learn to be buried undersea treasure from a shipwreck.

The protagonist is Harry Fletcher an ex-mercenary who is now a premier deep sea fisherman based out of the fictional island of St. Marys, an idyllic paradise off the coast of Africa. He gets lured into the search for an unknown item in the guise of a fishing charter. This turns into a web of intrigue as a bevy of unsavory characters try to get their fingers into the prize. Fletcher and his cohorts eventually decide to go after the treasure themselves. Along the way he falls for the sister of one of the players in this well thought out caper.

The ending has a nice twist to it which left me with a very satisfied feeling as I completed the book.

When a friend found out that I am a big fan and avid reader of the Dirk Pitt novels, he said "if you like Cussler, you'll love Wilbur Smith." I followed his advice and tried out Eye of the Tiger. This is the first Wilbur Smith novel I've read, and it definitely will not be the last. I'm definitely hooked!

Why am I so hooked? It's an engrossing page-turner, it has lots of lively action, the bad guys are eminently hate-able without being cartoonish, the heros are believable and all the more lovable because they have such human foibles, and everything in the story is so believable.

The hero (Harry Fletcher) is a manly-man who is able to think and fight his way out of apparently impossible situations, yet at the same time never comes across as an invincible superman. I think I also like him so much is that he is a reluctant hero. Circumstances are forced upon him, rather than him being sent in to save the world because he's the only one who could do it. In some ways, he is almost like Hemmingway's Old Man and the Sea, except that Wilbur Smith likes for his Hero to come out ahead in the end.

But I think the part that I most appreciated was that there were so many unpredictable surprises and twists, yet in hindsight, all the clues were there. Let me explain. My wife refuses to watch a movie with me the first time she sees it, because the clues are so ibvious that I usually figure out who dunnit or what the big surprise will be early on, and can explain why. Either that, or I get mad because the clues are never presented at all and the hero figures it out only through knowledge of some totally arcane trivia or by way of some clue that the author never actually presents to us in the book (or movie). This sucks! At least give me a chance.

Not so with this book! There were some wonderful twists that I found myself very happy to see because, in hindsight, the clues were all there, and it was totally valid for the hero to catch them, and I should have caught them to. For example, I didn't have to know about Flame Coral to draw the same conclusion Harry drew - I should have understood the implications of the other diver not knowing what it was. (You'll understand once you read the book).

Bottom line: my friend was right. If you like Clive Cussler's Dirk Pitt novels, you WILL definitely like Wilbur Smith's Eye of the Tiger. I have already ordered a bunch more of Wilbur's books to add to my stack of Cussler novels.

First off, I am an Elizabeth Peters fan, and have been since I read the first book of hers to show up in my local library "The Seventh Sinner". I've read all of her books, both under the Peters name and those she has written as Barbara Michaels. The Peters books are all imbued with a certain lighthearted charm. The characters are all slightly larger than life, vivid and distinctive. The heroine of Borrower of the Night, Vicky Bliss, is one of my favorite recurring characters. She can actually make this shortish, stout brunette feel a bit of sympathy for the trials of a tall gorgeous blond. A small bit, but still.. The story is a playful reworking of the gothic, complete with an ancient castle (well, ancient in American terms), a dainty damsel in distress, gallant men, and even an hint of witchcraft. But what sets the Peters books apart is here in full measure - intelligent plotting, realist reactions of the characters, and introduction of history and art in such a pleasant way that one learns more than one is aware. In fact, one of the later Vicki Bliss books, "Trojan Gold" inspired my college paper on the famous founder of that golden trove, since lost. This isn't all fluff, there are some ponderings on medieval "law and order" that hit home. But EP has built a loyal following because she entertains, and "Borrower" is one of her best. 'Course, I like all of her books. I reread them, and EP has expanded my list of the many places to which I would like to travel. "Borrower" is a wonderful starting place, if you are a poor deprived reader that hasn't read an EP book before. For an addict like me, it's a loverly fix.

Borrower of the Night by Elizabeth Peters exemplifies what a good mystery novel should be. It is witty, intelligent, and highly captivating. I looked for this book last year when it was still out of print and was unable to find it in any bookstore, so I checked it out of the library. Although I had already read it, when Borrower of the Night was re-published I had to buy it so I could read it again and again, it is so good! For fans who have already read later books in the Vicky Bliss series, go back and read this book, it is one of the best in the series. You will notice minor discrepancies between Vicky's habits in this book as compared to the later ones; for instance she is an avid smoker in Borrower of the Night, and in Night Train to Memphis, she can't even inhale a cigarette. Also, some character names are re-used for different people who have no relation to one another. However, these do not detract from the overall quality of the book. Borrower of the Night finds Vicky in a small German town competing with her lover Tony to find a renowned artists' lost shrine. They encounter seemingly supernatural adversaries in the 16th century castle that has been converted to a hotel. There are several smaller mysteries that must be solved before Vicky can even begin to decipher the mystery of the shrine. Odd characters, secret passages, and ancient mysteries riddle this novel as ultimately, Vicky must struggle for her life beneath the crumbled ruins of an ancient building. This book is a must read for all mystery lovers!

This is the first story in the Vicky Bliss mystery series and although, it's not absolutely necessary to read the stories in chronological order, it really does help to understand the background of the main characters and frankly, it makes reading the books even more enjoyable. In BORROWER OF THE NIGHT, Vicky Bliss, art historian and college professor finds a reference in a book that might lead to the discovery of a missing masterpiece by Tilman Riemenschneider, a very famous German sculptor.

Tony, Vicky's boyfriend and colleague, challenges her to see which of them can locate the missing treasure first. Their information leads them to visit Rothenberg, Germany, and an ancient castle. Several other people are also on the trail of the missing treasure, including Herr Dr. Schmidt and a wealthy American named George. Gorgeous Vicky is in her glory when she collects many admirers among the group, but the beautiful young countess who lives in the castle seems to have captured the interest of Tony. What can be more sinister than an old castle with secret passages and a history of evil inhabitants?

I listened to the audiotapes of this book read by Barbara Rosenblat. It was helpful to hear the pronunciations of the German words and her narration was wonderful.

If you're intrigued enough to want to read this series in order, here they are: BORROWER OF THE NIGHT, STREET OF THE FIVE MOONS, SILHOUETTE IN SCARLET, TROJAN GOLD and NIGHT TRAIN TO MEMPHIS. These are all excellent stories and I only wish that Elizabeth Peters would write more of them.

this book falls short of his other books. i found the characters to be uninspiring and follett just didnt grab and hold my attention with this book as he has done with his other books like pillars of the earth, eye of the needle, code to zero etc.

still an OK read...just not one of his best books.

This was my 5th Ken Follett book, and I expect I'll read them all. His versatility with different settings and themes is amazing, but the constant remains skillful storytelling and believable characters. The Key to Rebecca did a great job allowing the reader to experience events sympathetically from the points of view of each character, including Erwin Rommel and Anwar Sadat!

There are not many fiction books that discribe this particular set of battle in the second World War, so besides the fun of reading a Follett book, you also learn something about the war in Africa. Follett has done a good job in picturing the struggle between a british army captain and a ruthless Nazi-spy, called "the Sphinx" in the streets of Cairo and through the desertic egyptian country. Also, the sensuality is a constant and present part of the plot, involving a beautiful young jewish girl working to defeat her tough past and to guarantee a safe future for her and her people. Second best of Follett, only behind "Pillars of the earth".

Set around the Talevera campaign of July 1809, this first installment in the Sharpe saga deploys all the elements found throughout Cornwell's entertaining Napoleonic War series: the friendship between Sharpe and the Irish Sgt. Harper, their bravery and cunning, the ignorance and arrogance that pervaded the foppish upper class officer corps, a beautiful woman, and rousing battle scenes. Cornwell uses this first book to firmly establish the absence of meritocracy in the British army of the time, as armchair commander Simmerson needlessly leads the South Essex (including Sharpe and his Riflemen) into a debacle in which they lose the King's Colours, thus disgracing the whole army. Also clearly established is the tension between Cpt. Sharpe, who was promoted from the enlisted ranks for an act of heroism, and the upper class officer corps, who paid for their rank, irrespective of any actual military knowledge or ability. Simmerson and his toadying nephew Lt. Gibbons attempt to place the blame for the rout on Sharpe, and his only hope to save his rank is to perform an outrageous act of courage in battle at Talevera. Meanwhile, there's a beautiful Spanish woman he rescues from Gibbons and a crony, whose honor he must avenge. All is resolved at the Talevera, as Cornwell clearly and crisply recounts the military maneuvering on both a macro and micro level without getting overly technical. Also introduced in the book are Major Hogan, the Irish engineer who develops over the series into Lord Wellington's spy, as well as Lord Wellington himself, who is fond of Sharpe, but not hesitant to use his deadly skills. Above all, Sharpe is presented as a full action hero, strong, smart, roguishly handsome, honorable, deadly and ruthless. A perfect start to an engaging historical adventure series.

This first of the Sharpe's series is the best of the batch. Most of the books are at least 4 star quality, however this one is SO much better than the batch it is almost a shame to read it at the begining. (Start with the india series, so you can work your way here.)

Lt. Richard Sharpe and his riflemen join an foray into Spain to destroy a bridge, he runs afoul of Sir Henry Simmerson (In the movies he is played to the hilt and makes a supurb foe, See sharp movie # 2, #8 & #9)

The battle for the endangered colors is gripping, Sharpe is rough, blunt and just likable. Harper is great fun and the battle scenes are awesome.

This is the start of something wonderful, however it will never be as wonderful as this on. Thank you B. Cornwell

Sharpe's Eagle details how our hero, Richard Sharpe, along with Patrick Harper capture the first French Eagle, a french standard, in the heat of battle to redeam the demoralized South Essex regiment who early in the novel lose one of their colors due to the bumbling of Col. Henry Simmerson. Sharpe utilizes this heroic act to save his career and gain a fame that gains him a place in the heart of even the Prince of Wales. A must read for any Sharpe fan and probably one of Cornwell's best novel's of all time!

Rosemary Sutcliff is expert at recreating ancient civilizations, so this novel comes as no surprise. In her SUN HORSE, MOON HORSE the native tribes are the heroes, pursued by invading Romans. In this novel it is the Romans who are the protagonists, with the tribesmen mostly the enemy. Set in Roman Britain in the early AD's, this book recounts a personal quest by Centurion Marcus Drusillus Aquila, lamed in a fierce battle. He and his faithful former slave, Esca, undertake a perilous mission beyond the safety of Hadrian's Wall--erected to keep the Highland barbarians at bay

Tortured by harsh rumors that the lost Ninth Legion turned feral and betrayed the Roman principles of Trust and Honor, young Marcus is grimly determined to prove the gossip false and restore the Honor of his father's old legion. No one knows the fate of the men who marched off into the mists of what will be known as Scotland in subsequent centuries. But without the actual Eagle which repreents that legion, there can be no Honor--more sacred to Romans than life itself. Thus Marcus vows to recover the lost eagle for Rome, so that the men of the Ninth may rest easy and that the Painted People may not use it as a psychological weapon against Rome.

This novel is quite long for YA status, but is enjoyable to read. Sutcliff presents a mystery which spans the dim prehistory of Britain and historically documented Latin times. The plot is interesting, while the style captures the flavor and language of the Anglo-Roman era. The reader will pick up some Roman history and clues about their lifestyle just by reading for pleasure. The book is truly worthwhile, though I recommend the stark chiller, SUN HORSE, MOON HORSE, as an introduction to the tribal life. Very good story in setting that is both literary and historically accurate. Based on archaeological findings.

I first read this book at around 13 and it's one I still go back to at 39. Rosemary Sutcliff had a wonderful ability to convey timeless values like courage, determination and loyalty to an ideal, without over-egging the pudding, in the context of an exciting adventure story and combined with superb descriptions of landscape. There is a magnificently atmospheric description of the inside of the megalithic tomb into which Marcus and Esca have to go to retrieve the Eagle, which outdoes anything else I've read for chill-up-the-spine spookiness, and then the sheer excitement of the race for the safety of Hadrian's Wall, just one step ahead of the tribesmen on their trail.

Don't just give it to your children - read it yourself!

I read this book in 2 days. I was enthralled with the characters and how I became involved with the quest. not to give anything away, but Marcus and Esca reveal a true brotherhood even though they are from different worlds. I enjoyed the foray into ancient Celtic history as well as the Romano-British. One must realized that setting up a piece of history that is obscure must have the groundwork done. This is why the first 4 chapters are somewhat slow, but then the book is written at a reasonable pace so that the reader does not feel overwhelmed. I would recommend this book to anyone that is interested in Roman history during the Pax Romana.

"Clouds of Witness" is the first novel by Dorothy Sayers that I have read. I was an avid Agatha Christie fan in junior high and high school and haven't really read much of the mystery genre since. However, I was recently recommended "Clouds of Witness" so I picked it up.

"Clouds of Witness" follows Lord Peter Wimsey, an amateur detective who lives in Britain, as he tries to clear his brother Gerald, the Duke of Denver, of murder charges that have been brought against him. The victim is their sister Lady Mary's fiancé Captain Denis Cathcart. Cathcart is found shot to death one night in the garden of Riddlesdale Lodge where the Duke of Denver, Lady Mary, and a group of others are staying. Gerald refuses to supply an alibi for the time of the murder and becomes the prime suspect and his sister's testimony does nothing to help him. Wimsey, with the help of his "confidential man and assistant sleuth" Bunter and his friend Detective Inspector Parker gather clues and follow leads in an attempt to discover who killed Cathcart. To solve the mystery, Wimsey must discover exactly what his brother was up to at the time of the murder and what it is that his sister is hiding. Along the way there are lots of red herrings and twists and turns in the investigation.

The writing in "Clouds of Witness" was good with great descriptions of the Duke of Denver's trial. There were a lot of British colloquialisms in the text that in my opinion helped establish the atmosphere.

Overall, I enjoyed the book, although I find it a bit hard to get into. I would've preferred for the plot to have a quicker pace. It just didn't pull me into the story immediately. The plot was suspenseful and wasn't predictable, which is very good for a mystery novel since you don't want to guess "who-dun-it" within the first few pages. However, the resolution was a slight disappointment.

This is one of my three favorite Lord Peter Wimsey novels (the other two are The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club and Murder Must Advertise), and unless you plan to read the entire series (in which case you should start with Unnatural Death), it's the best introduction to Wimsey and his world, as it revolves around his brother Gerald, the Duke of Denver, being accused of murdering their sister Mary's fiance. It also features Wimsey's friend Chief Inspector Parker, as well as introducing several recurring characters.

Unlike Unnatural Death, where Wimsey seems more devil-may-care and speaks in more slang-y sentences, this book shows a more mature Wimsey who's fully aware of his duties to his family and the responsibilities of his position in life (an occasional theme in the series), and we see that Wimsey is far from being merely a man about London.

The mystery itself is one of the more clever ones in the series, revolving around holes in Gerald's testimony which Wimsey must investigate, as well as the background of the murder victim, although the final resolution seems not to completely justify the build-up. (This is common in Sayers' mysteries; the setting and characters tend to be stronger than the puzzle driving the plot.) Overall, though, it's an entertaining book, featuring more moments of dramatic suspense than in the later novels, making it perhaps the most well-rounded Wimsey adventure.

Acclaimed for his portrayals of Lord Peter Wimsey on BBC, Ian Carmichael is the ideal voice for this story. As the London Daily Express put it he plays Wimsey so perfectly that "Sayers might have created Wimsey just so Carmichael could portray him."

Dorothy Sayers (1893 - 1957) is surely one of the most popular mystery writers of all time. Today, some years after her death, her stories continue to be widely read. With "Clouds of Witness" her protagonist Lord Peter Wimsey is called upon to investigate the death of his sister's fiancé. At least it may have been a fragrant departure as the recently murdered was found dead among the chrysanthemums, sartorially perfect in dinner jacket and slippers.

Most shocking is the fact that Sir Peter's brother, the Duke of Denver, stands accused. Surely that cannot be so. Sir Peter begins his own investigation in order to save his brother.

As is often the case, Sayers creates a surprising courtroom scene and Carmichael reads it with gusto.

- Gail Cooke

Helen goes back home to the Bad River Lakota Reservation to go undercover as a dealer in the Pair-A-Dice gambling casino, when her boss mysteriously ends up dead, his son, famed basketball star Reese Blue Sky. After a thirteen year absence, how do you tell someone he fathered a son and you had to leave town when you were pregnant? But Reese takes the news in stride and accepts his son, but is disappointed that Helen didn't let him know before, as they start to fall in love all over again...as a family.

Kathleen Eagle writes the best contemporary modern romances with cross-cultural themes and crossover mainstream appeal. "What the Heart Knows" is no exception! If you like contemporary/modern romance. Get this book!

Kathleen Eagle is by far the best romance writer ever. Her stories have characters that you can identify with, and who are very likable. What the Heart Knows is no different. There is no pushing away and pulling back by the characters - it's a love story, without the typical head games characters play. Her male characters are always tender, compassionate, and understanding. They are men you can understand why the women love. Reese Blue Sky is fabulous. He knows what he wants - to do right by his father, to keep his newly found family, to hang on to his lost love - and you want that for him.

Mrs. Eagle - keep up the great work. There's only one book I haven't read and I can't wait to pick it up. I most especially can't wait for your next one.

I started my voracious read for Romance with Kathleen Eagle's Reason to Believe and now with her compelling effort in WHAT THE HEART KNOWS, she has re-established herself as a master of this genre.

WHAT THE HEART KNOWS draws readers to Bad River Sioux reservation, where Roy Blue Sky is unexpectedly murdered with his recent railings with the local casino. This brings back Reese Blue Sky, an NBA player who has returned to pay respects to his demised father and Helen Ketterling, who is a retired teacher, now working undercover in the casino as a proficient card dealer. The two characters shared a brief but amorous relation in the past and now the torch is rekindled.

Kathleen Eagle embellishes the magnificent story plot set on the Indian territory with her sincere and rousing narrative. Helen Ketterling harbours a secret - she fears Reese would snatch away Sidney from her - the son that Reese had no knowledge of. But when she saw Reese battling with hypertension, Helen realizes that she has kept Sidney away from his diginified father. The emotional trauma they initially face to the eventual acceptance and redemption makes their love more majestic than the wild frontier. Their fears and vulnerability are too familiar in our daily lives.

WHAT THE HEART KNOWS is even more credible with the vivid portrayal of a prominent and authentic Indian culture besieged by development. The resonant human drama between Carter and Reese, a brotherly love threatened by Carter's disillusioned passion for wealth is poignant. Sidney's gradual development of an entrenching paternal bond with Reese brings up succinctly issues like racism and being true to one's heritage. WHAT THE HEART KNOWS defies categorization - it has been a long while since any contemporary romance could stir such emotions and realism.

WHAT THE HEART KNOWS is indeed a sweeping romance presented gloriously in the Indian territory; and with such a keen observation of culture and engaging moral dilemmas written with such commitment, it is undoubtedly the best that romance genre could ever offer.