Our local library recommended this book. It reminded me of "A Civil Action", a similar compelling story of small town American vs. big money and connections. It is a great read and I highly recommend it!

After reading this novel I couldn't help but feel I had just plowed through a book centering on the mafia. but I wasn't! It was a biography of an Indian tribe. The amount of lying, betrayal, greed, and corruption that goes on in this story rivals anything that I have ever read. And it is all true. many investigations have shown that benedict's research is all exact and while Foxwoods and the Pequots obviously deny it all they can't hide. Unfortunately the Federal government along with the state is completely involved with the billion dollar a year casino and refuses to do anything about the mistakes that were made. Records show that those claiming to be Pequots aren't Indians at all. If they are Indians they are not descendants from another tribe that did not reside in CT. Furthermore those that came to claim tribal membership to the government only did so a few months prior to appearing before the Federal government. As was shown in similar cases they would not have been recognized. Basically what this book shows is how lawyers took advantage of early laws to establish a way to generate tons of money. Through strong arm tactics, threats, and lies Tureen and his crew were able to get the Pequots recognized without the US government even attempting to check into the claim and also awarded them much more land than they originally were intending. As the story pans out a huge web of corruption ensues. benedict represents the story in such a compelling fashion you hardly believe it isn't fiction. From Lawyers defending the small town of Ledyard jumping ship to side with the Pequots for profit and gains to the head chairman of Indian Affairs covering up laws to allow the Foxwoods casino to expand all paints a picture of how money rules our government. Simpathetic to the tribe the Lawyers for the Pequots pushed and pushed and put Hayward and his rag tag band of potential Indians in a position to buy their way into anything. When they wanted something they just paid the state of CT for it like their ability to get slot machines costing them 100 million every year in payments to the state. Or through campaigne contributions to President Clinton the corruption goes all the way to the top. This is a must read for anyone to see how money is all that matters in this great land of ours. And that now even after all of this evidence has come to light the federal government refuses to take any action that would cost them that money.

If you live in Eastern Connecticut, as I do, or if you live in the eastern part of the US , chances are good that you've been to the Foxwoods Casino. You might want to read this book in order to better understand to whom the millions of dollars we collectively spend there goes!

I was not able to put down this book since it arrived! It illustrates how complacent politics and leadership guided by tunnel vision literally changed the face of the eastern part of this state. If a small fraction of the injustices done to the people of Ledyard and the surrounding towns is true, then we should ALL be outraged that this travesty has been allowed to occur.

... .

My suggestion is that you read the book and make your own decision. I can say that it has been enlightening to me especially now that Connecticut is planning on allowing even more newly recognized tribes to build still more casinos in eastern Connecticut. Lets hope nobody else loses their land or their home to benefit THAT endeavor.

David Wiltse's John Becker thriller, BONE DEEP, tries to be more character-oriented than it really should. As before, Becker makes for one of the most intriguing characters populating suspense novels today, yet the story itself is a dog. Captain Luv is an uninteresting creation, never really eliciting much in the way of danger or dread, so the anticipation of Becker's eventual clash with him dissipates after about 100 pages or so, and all we're left with is wondering how long it'll take Becker to stop the ludicrous 'jealosy' subplot and unmask this dreary killer. Starts off rather well, with good pacing and interesting forensic detail to latch onto, but the narrative veers off course way too many times and the overall product is dense and flabby

This book takes John Becker and his wife (boss) through many twists and turns. Becker is at his best when confronted with a 'rival' and jealousy puts an even sharper edge on his actions. Fighting a serial killer on his home turf and with Karen in possible danger makes Becker an even greater threat and more exciting character (if possible). You can feel his tension mounting throughout the book as he deals with his friend Tee, Karen, a group of misfits, and his growing anger. An excellent book! Erma Arthur, Reading Forum Assistant, MS

What an intriging story line. My first David Wiltse book and can't wait to pick up the other John Becker's books. John Becker is an very dark and yet simple man. He can identify with a serial killer and yet still be able to go home for dinner with the wife/boss. Also keeping you on your toes was McNeil who I think everyone has met one time or another. An excellent summer book and hopefully movie

Legal thrillers are my favorite genre of books; however, Attorney Nizer either assumes his readers are not paying attention or stupid. I was very tired of the repetition which caused me to put down this book several times. It is a riveting story which makes this book worth while, but be prepared to be annoyed at the author's technique. It might work well with a jury, it doesn't work well with an educated reader.

This book shows one of our greatest legal minds, a close relative of mine, at work. Very few people know that in addition to being a star attorney, Louis Nizer (the author of the book, not myself) was an all- star baseball player in the ill-fated Norewigan pro- baseball leage. This book unpacks both, and Nizers love of felines. A smash hit!

As the story unfolds the tension mounts. It left no doubt in my mind that this was truly an unjustly accused and convicted man. I was also greatly impressed with the dedication and compassion of defense attorneys.

If you read or saw Sleeping with the Enemy, you ge the idea of this book. Fragile woman in love with a potentially evil man and her attempts to free herself from the emotional entanglement. Of course she's mentally fragile and physically delicate and wonderfully arty. Of course right away she meets a tall man with incredibly kind eyes. Not much new here.

From time to time I found the writing to be superb, almost poetic. Other times I found myself skipping pages that were filled with exquisite details of conversations and occurances that were there only to lead up to something and were unimportant in themselves (do we really have to know all about Attorney Luc's children?).

Finally, I was desperately irritated with the cover of this book. I know, I know, never judge a book...But I did. I got this book primarily because of the cover. I thought it would be lighthearted and maybe full of magical realism because of the wavy text and the musical score and the inviting park scene. Well, forget it! This is supposed to be a rather dark and twisted tale though it never amounts to much more than a "scary" episode on a daily soap opera (remember Dark Shadows?) And if you can't figure out who the bad guy is from the first few chapters, you have to turn in your Sherlock Holmes decoder ring!

"The Night Bus" refers not only to the wheeled vehicle that Cath uses for her journey, but also as a symbol of her attempt to find freedom from madness.

The question throughout the book is, who is insane: Cath, or perhaps her husband Derek? What about her cruel sister-in-law, Derek's sister Yvonne? Is Cath's attorney, Luc, really on her side?

The book begins (oddly enough, like the beginning of Zenna Henderson's "Pilgrimage") with a woman on a bus in the dead of night, fleeing problems she doesn't want to face. (It was this sole similarity to Henderson's books that made me continue.) The woman, who is suffering from amnesia and who makes up a name from bits and pieces she overhears, thinks that she has escaped. At this point, she is mugged, and the hospital and police put out a bulletin that brings the sister-in-law of the woman -- CATH, we learn, -- to her "aid."

Throughout the book, Cath begins to remember bits and pieces of a frightening truth. The book is hard to put down, not only because of the suspense but because there are phrases that are downright poetic. Cath's (the author's?) enjoyment that comes from etymology makes the book such fun to read.

The twist in plot -- and in the characters' minds -- makes for a good book. I'm only holding back a * because "The Night Bus" left me feeling almost... unclean... as though people can't be trusted. That, and only that, caused the story to be unsatisfying. However, on the whole, it's a good, solid book.

I picked out this book because I sometimes enjoy psychological suspense stories and because I often find amnesia mysteries (a distinct small genre in thrillers!) to be fascinating. The first few pages seemed so anxious and uncomfortable I almost put the book aside! Then I was compelled to read a few more pages, and a few more--and then I was hooked. Now I am glad that I read the whole book, since I found it to be totally engaging and captivating. It was one of those books that became so suspenseful that I barely could look up to converse with my family at times! I found the character of Cath to be quite sympathetic, although her flights of fancy could be disturbing and I began to fear--as she did--what might lie in her past. I'm not sure I'd wish to rush to be her friend, but I had a growing compassion and affection for her as the book developed, and truly wanted everything to work out for her. I don't know if something like this story could truly happen in real life, but as fiction it was compelling, fascinating, and intriguing. The characters of the husband and sister-in-law were very complex and unusual--as was Cath's--and were revealed gradually amid engrossing suspense. I never felt as if I had it all figured out; I couldn't wait for the next revelation. The theme of music in the book was very enjoyable and added another dimension. Cath and her husband are both gifted musicians, and the wonderful music they create together provides both a calming backdrop for the dark events as well as adding adding complexity to their relationship. I recommend the book wholeheartedly as a great psychological suspense thriller.

Graveyard is an excellent collection of real account ghost stories and reportings centered around Union cemetary near the authors home in Conneticut. The book presents some historical lore how family curses followed some of the first settlers of the region. Then documented stories are presented. Most interesting ones are the ghost lady in white pestered by small black creatures, the cross country skier whose death was imminent after meeting the ghost pionneer, and the radio shock jock who changed his ways. There are some photo's in the book but it always seems more interesting pictures's could have been included to make this a 5 star book.

The Warrens are a devout couple who have made it their life long goal to assist clergymen in the rescue of people afflicted or possessed by demonic spirits. Another book, and I think their best book by far, is the Demonologist by Gerald Brittle which deals with demonic cases. Unfortunately the book is out of print. If you can find it, buy it because it is well written and exciting and at the same time sobering to read.

For anyone who has an interest in demonology or the occult, this is book is definitely a must read. The research of Ed and Lorraine Warren is shown along with stories of terror which will chill the bones of even the most stoic reader. Read of how a girl's guilt about her friend's death leads her to dark measures, or how a radio personality is shown that his cracks about the afterlife are not appreciated by some, living and dead. Those who are looking for a spine chilling read, I urge you to also remember...these stories are true!

Sometimes I like to read true ghost stories just to make my insomnia more interesting. The Strange Passenger chapter's opening really made me laugh. It probably shouldn't have, because I know I would have been more freaked out than the man it actually happened to, but the way they wrote it out - prolonging the suspense - was great. I like that they also stress the folly and danger of meddling with black magic and ouija boards. That can't be stressed enough. You could devour this interesting book in an evening.

I feel that I can hardly improve upon the eloquent remarks other reviewers have made about The Book of Jesse. But I would like to counter some comments in the Library Journal review. Michael Rowe has reached far and deep, but what he attempts to do in this narrative is not "too much." I think he succeeds admirably in raising challenging issues of life and death, confronting his own demons, and telling a story that, while deeply personal, is truly transcendent. In my view, Rowe's agonizing over the question of malpractice --rather than a shallow attempt to "pin blame" on inept professionals, as suggested by the Library Journal reviewer -- is a heartfelt, brutally honest, and ultimately cathartic view into the kind of soul's torment that we all experience at some time in our lives. This is a profound and deeply moving book. Full disclosure: I edited this book, though Michael Rowe hardly needed much help. And it stood up over repeated readings, and stays with me still.

I recommend this book from many perspectives: as a parent, a social worker and former health administrator, and as a relative of another young man who died from liver disease. I specifically recommend this book for the precise reasons that some readers will find themselves struggling with. The author exposes the unpretty side of medical care and in doing so, heightens our awareness of all too readily accepted medical practices and behavior. Rowe presents the uneasy complexities of two families grasping for precious moments with their shared loved one. And, a father's struggle to make sense out of devastation is sometimes hard to read. Self serving? Yes. Of course. It's a father's story about his son. However, the author need not apologize. In writing this book, he helps us know ourselves better; we can appreciate the sharp, difficult realities of illness better; we are challenged to see hope and beauty amidst the shards; and, we get to know - and learn from - a courageous young man, Jesse. This book should be required reading for medical students and professionals.

The Book of Jesse is about the life, illness and death of a young man. It is equally the story of his father's efforts to care for his son in the face of serious and ultimately fatal illness. It is about the family's struggles and, most of all, about the mysteries of creativity and of human development as long as life is breathed. In his introduction, Michael Rowe says that the writer dons'"the mantle of creative artist while dealing in the coin of true story'; and let his readers decide whether he has written a good story, and a true story."

In my view, this true story is also a good story. It is surprising that a reader should look forward to reading a book about the illness and death of a young man. Yet the book is intrinsically interesting and compelling, both in style and substance. The use of Jesse's drawings offers a symbolic focus that reminds us of the power and transcendence of art. The moving back and forth between events before and during Jesse's last illness and after his death, while confusing at times, also works because it helps to show the varying moods and tugs that his father and family encounter. The impact of modern technological medicine on patients, families, and medical staff is also well described.

There are no easy answers here, and no manipulations either. The author's style is straightforward and honest. Despite the unanswered questions and the grieving that continues, this book leaves the reader with a sense of wholeness both about Jesse and his father's struggle to understand his son and himself.

Jimmy's Girl is the story of two people who look back to their teen romance to fill a hole that is missing in their lives 30 years later. The story is told in alternating chapters from Jimmy's view and then Emily's view so the reader can see the differences in man vs. woman perspective. I like the concept, but felt the effect fell short in that the differences weren't written strongly enough to capture any real significance. The shortcoming leaves the reader feeling like they are reading a recap of what they just read in the previous chapter. It also seems that the book is weighed just as heavily on what the experience of war is like for a soldier as much as it is on trying to dig up a lost romance and the romance is definitely the more intriguing part of the story. I was also somewhat disappointed with the choices that the characters made, but in honesty they are probably realistic choices. The premise of this novel was excellent, but I felt that there was too much missing to make it as good as it could have been.

Jimmy's Girl is the story of two people who never really had closure when their relationship ended in 1967. Now, it is the present, and Emily Hudson decides that something in her life is missing. She has an ongoing career as an artist and four children whom she adores, but her marriage has lost its spark. Emily thinks back to the days she spent with her boyfriend Jim Moran before he was shipped off to Vietnam, and all the wonderful times they had together. On a whim, she looks him up. Jim, now married and a father, welcomes Emily back into his life, for he, too, feels that his is missing that special something.

Jim and Emily agree to meet for a weekend in Washington D.C., where they rediscover what they had and learn the answers to questions that had contributed to the downfall of their relationship.

This is a vivid tale of the Vietnam era and its aftermath, propelled along by the innocence of first love. Stephanie Gertler gives both Jim and Emily's point of view throughout the novel as they think back and look ahead, wondering what it was that tore them apart, and if the opportunity will ever come to rekindle thier romance.

Emily Hudson has a settled life. He husband is successful, her children happy, and she is able to pursue her love of painting. She is haunted by the memories of her first love, Jimmy Moran. They spent one wonderful year together, until Jimmy was shipped out to book camp, and then left for Vietnam. The memories of a brief meeting, between bootcamp and Vietnam haunt Emily, and she wonders what if? Jimmy has his own life, married and father of one. His quiet life is inturrupted when Emily contacts him. They decide to meet, Emily expalaining she needs help with a series of paintings she is beginning. The story alternates between the two of them, telling of the memories, the indecision, the fallout with family. There is so much truth in the emotions described, the thoughts you have at certain points in life, "is this how it was meant to be, what if I had followed my first love"? This is a masterful first novel, giving voice to an emotion that many of us have when we reach midlife. Stephanie Gertler has crafted a wonderful story of trying to return to your first love. That time when you were so alive with love and belief that you could face anyrhing together. What rings most true is the characters themselves, the emotions, the choices they eventually make. The characters remain true to the selves we come to know. I was so sad to finish this book, I hope there are more books to follow.

Timothy Dumas' account of the Martha Moxley murder must be read in light of the fact that it was published in 1998 which means that the research was done at least a couple of years prior to that time. Now that there has been an indictment of Michael Skakel and the trial has commenced the information in the book seems a bit dated. However, it is a good source of background information.

I found that often the author stretched his limited materials in order to make a book length work. He includes pages of information that are not relavent to the Moxley case but do give background information about the community of Greenwich.

Dumas spends much of his time focusing on Tommy Skakel and Ken Littleton as key suspects. He tells of the many tragic things that happened to many of the characters but just doesn't seem to tie the story together. The reader gets a good incite into the Greenwish and how the "other half" lives. But all and all I found this book very shallow.

I first read Mark Furhman's book Murder in Greenwich and then read this one. It would not have mattered which I read first but I liked Furhman's better. Dumas lived amoung them and it seems his book holds back a lot of information like he is afraid to tell the whole story unlike Furham who wanted this to be solved and have Justice Done. Dumas cast almost a sympthy for the accused wealthy Family and I find it annoying. I also think he did not need to Dis Mark Furhman in his book it makes him look bad. Furham may have had a bad reputation but nobody ever questioned his ability as a cop. I know nothing about Dumas for all I know he was as [messed] up as everyone else into drugs, etc... That does not make him an expert. He shows a lot of arrgogance I lived here so I know more. Well that case needed a new set of eyes an unintimided outsider. I bet if the two of them worked together you would have had a great book.

Both books make me think that both Tommy and Michael did this or are covering for each other. If you read between the lines it you see two MO's and two murder scences I think one of them went into a rage with a golf and the other stabbed her just my opinion. Also the family seems to cover for them at the beginning and then hides both of them (Tommy and Michael)away but not the rest of the kids.

I must say that I am glad they both potray how much Dorthy Moxely was involved as any Mother she would want to know the truth about what happened to her daughter. She is a pillar of strength and made sure her love for her daughter carried on. I believe that police, and the community was too scared of the Skakels to fess up. However, I would of talked because it was so violent why would you want to protect someone capable of doing what was done? Then again if I did it would be blacked out in police reports or I'd be dead. I do not care about wealth or stature the whole community should have been hell bent on finding this murdere not covering it up. Neither book really gives you a great insight because all the people are so vague or gaurded it is pathetic. Overall Dumas gets pieces the Furham book did not and vice versa. Dumas's book raises more questions than answers and Furhman's solved the case. That may tell you something. All in all we will never really know what happened but at least it was not ignored. This is one of the saddest murders I ever read or heard about.

Rarely do I read a book that continually keeps my attention throughout the entire story. This is especially true when reading true crime stories. A Wealth of Evil by Timothy Dumas was more than I could have imagined. Not only is this Dumas's first and only true crime book, but he also put in so much more in a true crime book than most accomplished true crime authors have ever thought of doing.

The story is about the famous Martha Moxley murder in 1975. Immediately the suspects were none other than the Skakel brothers, who coincidentally were distant Kennedy relatives (their aunt being Ethel Skakel Kennedy). As many can imagine, you get a crime involving high people in high places and you have a recipe for getting away with murder!

Dumas not only gives the sordid facts of the murder, but he also gives the reader a detailed view of the town Martha lived in, Greenwich, CT. Dumas, who has lived in Greenwich all his life, could not have described this upscale town any better. The history not only adds to the story, but also gives readers a better idea of how this crime was and is so shocking. Dumas clearly did his homework when writing this book and brought readers a wonderful depiction of a young girl who lost her life much too early in life.

A Wealth of Evil will leave you disturbed by the facts surrounding the case and will keep you wanting justice to be served to the individual who did this crime. A well-written book that will keep you turning pages and not wanting to put the book down until it is finished.

Dumas has proven himself to be a very capable writer of true crime and I can only hope that he will consider writing another true crime book, as he has the gift for telling a good story.

This novel had a very good plot and the character's and the events were very realistic. But at the end it seems as though the author gave up and just ended any kind of way. The story hyped you up to the max. Goody Redman, the event with the Pastori's and the bees, the assult, eveything. But when you got to the end it seems as though the author said, "SIKE!" and just left you hanging. I believe the author is very creative and I'm sure other works are worth reading, but The Basement should stay in the basement.

"The Basement" is one of those books that when you finish reading it, you're not quite sure what happened. Ms. Wood has a very good sense of the vernacular and creating flesh and blood characters with believable eccentricities and hang-ups.

The eight friends in this book have been friends for years; they are all rich and seem to have little in life to worry about. The main character, Myra Ludens, has had an unhealthy fear of her basement for years and decides the best thing to do is to renovate it, and hopefully banish all her fears. Even her friends who come over for bridge every week don't like the basement---even after the $30,000 renovation job!

Myra's sleuthing reveals that the body of a woman hanged as a witch in the late 1600's is buried right underneath Myra's basement. The renovator admits later that they even found the woman's bones but didn't want to tell anyone in fear of losing business. (I'm not sure about that one?).

At any rate, Myra is then "possessed" by the witch's spirit or has gone mad, or perhaps even has her own paranormal talents. This is something Ms. Wood never fully reveals, thus leaving the reader unsure of the real reason behind the deaths seemingly caused by Myra's "wishes."

It's got some good points---excellent characterizations, some real suspenseful scenes and a few original twists---but overall, "The Basement" is a novel in search of a better ending.

Even a $30,000 renovation doesn't stop the chill along the back of the neck and an overwhelming need to escape the basement. The basement was a joke among the bridge club members; they called it the black hole. Even the woman who designed the renovation summed everyone's reaction in a simple word: vile. So Myra Ludens must summons the courage to do something about it. Meanwhile, Myra also attempts to summon the courage to deal with the rest of her life. The neighbors have a noisy, yippy, obnoxious dog that never stops barking from early morning until after dark. The first time Myra attempts to ask her neighbor to do something about the dog, the Pastoris' rude behavior sends her scurrying back across the road. The second time, she finds herself uttering an ominous warning. Shortly thereafter, the man and his dog are dead. As other unnatural deathsfollow, they only have one thing in common; that is, every victim offended Myra. As Mrya researches her house, she learns that the woman named Goody Redman was hanged for witchcraft and buried on her land. Convinced that the spirit of the witch haunts her basement, Myra determines to do something about it. With the friends she grew up with, the other seven members of the bridge club, she attempts to banish the spirit that haunts the basement. The Basement is an addictive read that kept me up in the wee hours of the morning with the need to finish it. The quick pace and curiously detailed characterizations along with a marvelous authorial voice combine to create a tale of horror that both fascinates and repels. While I wasn't entirely satisfied with the ending, The Basement is a fascinating read.

Cindy Penn Reviewer

A story of the trials and tribulations of two middle-class married couples, told in minute detail by Updike.

I should have thought that this novel would be of interest primarily to readers who are themselves either married or in a close relationship, perhaps as a cautionary tale. It's interest to single people (ie like me) might be less, or thinking about it, might be again as a cautionary tale - but this time as a warning of the perils of marriage!

I found that the book was well-written (Updike is a skilled novelist) but the characters lacked real passion and even anger, given the problems they were confronting. I refected that perhaps that might have been part of the message Updike intended to impart: that infidelity and deceit are an integral part of the modern marital experience, to be expected and dealt with as such. If so, it's a pretty depressing message.

The only Updike I've read, and what a struggle. A book where nothing happens. there's a car crash. That's the big excitement of the book. The characters are totally incapable of making a decision, and when they almost make a decision they can't stick with it. After that happens about the sixth time, I started feeling really cynical toward this book. And then Updike proceeds to analyze his characters to death, pontificating about life, love and everything in between, only it has no relevence to the so-called story or to the characters who don't act in any way as the author describes. Fact is they don't act at all.

I'd rather read a book where the character act, even if its rashly, even it gets them into trouble -- I don't want to read a book with a bunch of whiny, spoiled, middle-class cowards.

The writing ranges from ponderous to lyrical, but the story is flat. What good is a decent writing style when its applied to such trash? I hope this was an experiment on Updike's part, and not typical of his work. I'm not too enthusastic to try another of his books any time soon.

An expert of marriage institute, exploring the deepest fears, anxieties. Very painful but necessary catarsis reading. Loved Updike from the very first book of stories I have read for his sad, thought-provoking writing, because the world is not like in a commercial, bright and beautiful, it is dark, sometimes ugly and painful. Interesting to see the USA: America where marriage is ideologically the center, but it is crashing under the cover of neat two-storey houses. "Marry Me" is a very Updike book that should be read for us to see our sufferings put in precise words.