Over a year ago I borrowed this book from a friend, and read through it during the entire process of my first purchase of a house. It helped very easily to follow all that was happening, all the terminology, etc. and in some cases, to be ahead, and expect the next steps.

It was so helpful, that I decided to buy it for myself this year, as we're considering the sale of our place, and getting us a larger house.

If you're going to buy or sell a house, you have got to read it: it'll be of extreme help.

This book made my life so much easier by explaining in easy to follow steps how to do everything i needed to sell homes and purchase a new one. It is very thorough, covers all topics from A to z and the recommendations on web sites were right on. The author knows his stuff. This is the first Idiot's Guide book I've bought and I'm so glad i did.

I got this book for my dad for Father's Day because he and my mother are planning on selling their home and buying a smaller home. the For Sale By Owner comments in some of the other reviews caught my eye because my parents want to sell their home themselves. I started looking through the guide out of curiosity and found myself reading more than half the book. Besides being informative and detailed, it's actually interesting and somewhat funny. i ended up giving it to my father early and he read the entire guide in two days. he said it was the first time he's ever read a how-to book from cover to cover and he's bought over 50! i recommend this book to all people who are planning on buying and selling a home in the future (which is just about everybody) because it is exceptionally clear, informative and jam-packed with advice, facts and data. And it makes a great gift. My dad loved it and is using it to get their home ready to sell By Owner.

Was Dwayne Davis The Bayside Strangler? He was convicted of 2 of the 5 murders and has recently been executed.

Then Anne Bailey was found murdered. She had worked in the DA's office with Kali O'Brien on the Bayside Strangler case. Kali finds out her friend has been killed and notifies Owen Nelson, DA and candidate for governor, about the slaying because Kali is concerned there are things about Anne's death that are similar to the Bayside Strangler murders. Both Kali and Anne had worked with Owen on that case.

Owen is concerned that publicity of this could kill his run for governor. So he asks Kali to come back to his office and discreetly assist the detectives on this case.

When there are more murders, the press makes the connection and it can no longer be kept quiet. Kali assists the 2 detectives and ends up in danger. Uncertain of who the dangerous one is, she starts accusing those closest to her.

I always like this series. This author is one of my favorites. She has another series as well with a suburban housewife as an amateur sleuth that I love.

I was a little hesitant to read this book as I was afraid it would be filled with gruesome details and be a scary read. That is not the case. The information is presented in a way that you know the danger and type of killing, but it is not dwelled upon.

I recommend this book and both of her series.

As this novel of exquisite suspense begins, San Francisco lawyer Kali O'Brien has been stood up for dinner by her friend Anne. And then she gets the shocking news that Anne has been murdered in an apparent copycat killing. Anne's murder is eerily similar to the crimes for which the so-called Bayside Strangler, Dwayne Davis, has recently been executed. Both Anne and Kali helped prosecute Davis 8 years earlier. When a second, and then a third victim, turns up in short order, the heat is on and a team is put together to investigate the new murders and ensure that an innocent man was not executed. The plot is wickedly clever and the tension never lets up as Kali takes a leading role in the investigation and becomes a target for this diabolical killer.

I have only recently discovered Ms. Jacobs's Kali O'Brien series, and I am thoroughly hooked. She now definitely tops my list of favorites.

I don't think I'll summarize the book because the other reviewers have already done a great job of that. But I've got to say this is my favorite Jonnie Jacobs book so far. If I remember correctly Jacobs' last books were first person viewpoint, from Kali O'Brien's point of view. Cold Justice is third person view point and it told things from not only Kali's perspective but from other characters as well. I felt this gave the reader better knowledge on the other characters' motivations. The only thing that I have a problem with is that Jacobs's minor characters (anyone besides Kali) tend to change with each book. I hope she continues some of the new minor characters in Cold Justice into her next book because they could make for some interesting developments.

I read this book in elementary school, after stumbling across it while browsing through the school library. It's such a great story and even though it's for youngsters, I wouldn't mind re-reading it now as an adult, just for the memories of the brave wild dog's adventures.

I read the Silver Chief stories as a grade school kid back in the 50's and even today just hearing the name conjurs up memories and pictures in my head of "the Great White North," the Canadian Mounties and the moving story of the bond between a man and a wild dog. I had a heck of a time finding a copy to read to my three boys -- the [Local] Public Library had relegated it to storage in a warehouse. How unfortunate that so many wonderful children's titles have been lost or forgotten. I'm glad to see this one is still available to another generation of readers -- the romance, adventure and genuine feeling of this story remain timeless!

I remember reading Silverchief Dog Of The North 31 years ago and It has remained with me. Not many books have made this much of an impact on me. I am now looking for a copy of the book and others that are in the series. I would love for my grandchildren to read them all. Thank you Jack O'Brien you are one of the very best.

this compilation contains, without qualification, THE funniest writing of the twentieth century, so it seems churlish to list complaints. Some of these are unavoidably the nature of the material - Myles na Gopaleen wrote a regular column for an Irish newspaper for a quarter of a century, so the very local concerns discussed in some of the pieces render them impenetrable to all but Irish historians.

The biggest problem is with the editing, or lack thereof. There are no explanatory notes offering historical, social or political context; there are no translatoins of the many German, Latin, Irish etc. interpellations. One could argue that this leaves us in the same position as those first newspaper readers, but Myles' predominantly middle-class audience could boast a sound classical education and a greater familiarity with the allusions so liberally scattered here than we do today.

Finally, the decision not to print the pieces chronologically (none of them are dated), but by subject, distorts the work, handicaps its versatility and can lead to repetition and tedium.

That 'the Best of Myles' remains one of the last century's few genuinely important books is entirely due to the indestructible persona(e) of Myles himself, hypercultured, alcoholic, visionary verbal contortionist with pretensions to aristocratic heritage. His phlegmatic invective at local problems such as sewage systems and the civil service are less valuable than his assault on language as it had (has?) degenerated into cliche and received opinion in the culturally sterile Ireland of the 1940s and 50s; and in his post-modern project of demolishing hierarchies of linguistic and artistic endeavour. Reading Myles has a bracing effect - he forces you out of habitual mental laziness; forces you to think HARDER.

Flann O'Brian is absolutely one of the greatest practitioners of language. This collection of his work, "The Best Of Myles", is some of the finest writing I have ever had the pleasure to read. Gaelic, English, French, German, and Latin, are 5 languages he writes fluently. He is the personification of all that is famous of Irish Wit. There appear to be few topics he did not comment upon or release a withering appraisal with pinpoint precision.

Mr. O'Brian wrote for a daily newspaper until his death in 1966. The volume and quality of the written material he produced is amazing. This 400-page book is one of five that are available and that I intend to read. There is virtually nothing about his personal history in this volume, so hopefully there is a biography in print documenting the time he spent learning and practicing his craft. The only downside to this book is that some is in Gaelic with no translation, and there are many articles that will seem to exist in isolation if the reader does not have some knowledge of Irish History. Even if these commentaries were removed, the balance of the work would still be a remarkable literary performance.

Some of the best pieces were his comments on the affectation in so many facets of daily life. And his specific attacks on, "bores", and all the pretensions of the world of modern art, and those who would pretend to posses knowledge of which they are bereft. He creates institutes and foundations and companies dedicated to servicing frauds and exposing the truth. Much is for pure fun, but like all humor contains truth. He offers the services of a company that will come to the home of any illiterate with a library, and his people will either rummage through your books for a pittance, or for a more substantial sum, will dog-ear pages, write brilliant marginalia, and leave tickets and programs to various cultural events as though they were misplaced bookmarks. And for those who have the funds, books will receive forged inscriptions from their authors, and letters of thanks to the book's owner for their help with a particularly difficult passage.

This book came at the end of 2001 for me. I hate lists of the best of the year; however nothing I have read this year surpasses this book, absolutely nothing!

Good humour is something everybody likes and I yearn for. For quite a long time I thought that there could hardly be anything better, or at least as good as Ephraim Kishon's short satires or Douglas Adams' space phantasmagories. It was hard even to imagine something like that because I was sure my stomach would disintegrate after something like that. And than I ran into Flann O'Brien's The Best of Myles. Indeed, that was the first time for me to get familiar with him and certainly the best possible. His columns are far than hillarious, obviously because he plays with things we consider as common, everyday problems, and maybe not even problems. All the wild thoughts one could get in moments of being very bored O'Brien would write down and bring to their final reductio ad absurdum. He wouldn't wait to be stopped, he would just carry on scribbling complete nonsense, dipping even into some other languages like Latin or Gaelic in a wild rage of an admirable inspiration.
Yes, one more thing that admire him for. He would deal with Gaelic and even write in it, he would mock with politics and politicians, with history and society and even so, he managed to stay completely non-political. At least he left his columns that way. The Best of Myles is best to read before his longer and more ambitious works like The Third Policeman or At Swim-Two-Birds. And also after them.

As women, we all know the extraordinary value of our female friendships. We
know the support system, the laughs, the tears. Rosemary O'Brien's "First
Saturday" is a celebration of those adult female relationships. O'Brien's writing
style flows easily off the page, bringing you instantly into these women's lives
and homes--you feel as if you are sitting there at the table with them, sipping
coffee and listening. Their stories are the stories of women everywhere--real
and raw. This book reminds us that life may not be easy, and it may not be
made easier by friends, but that you can count on your friend being there and
holding your hand throughout. When you close the last page of this book, you
feel as if you have made four new friends, and you know that through the bonds
among women, there will be a hand held out for you when you need it.

Audrey meets with her three closest friends in West Haven, Connecticut on the First Saturday of every month to share their lives, stories, and concerns. Audrey is a 35 year old woman who has just found out she has cancer. First Saturday is the story of how, together with her friends, Audrey comes to cope with this new and unknown misfortune. Deftly written and with complex, sometimes surprising, but ultimately satisfying conclusion, First Saturday marks Rosemary O'Brien as a discernibly gifted author and will leave the reader eagerly looking forward to her next novel.

NOTE: This review was posted by the author for a friend without internet service. This is NOT the author's review.

This is a wonderful story about four friends who help each other through the joys and sorrows of life. Ms. O'Brien captures the joy of friendship, the challenges of life, and does it all with humor and understanding. I read this book in one sitting and can't wait for Rosemary's next book.

There's probably no better commentary on Ephesians but I must say that this commentary doesn't really add much to the study of Ephesians. Much of what O'Brien says is said by other commentators.

But I would also say that he brings together the best of what is said and known about this wonderful letter that Paul wrote. I'd easily recommend this book to anyone.

This is an important commentary on a wonderful letter from Paul. It completes O'Brien's trilogy of commentaries on the prison epistles. It was a rare privilege to be able to attend his Ephesians class just before the commentary was due to be published.

I find that in each of his commentaries Dr O'Brien discusses the issues fairly, while still presenting clearly, and even forcefully, his own points of view. [This is so much better than those books which present several views without ever giving away what the author thinks!]

The author is theologically conservative and presents the arguments for Paul's authorship and a compassionate, complementarian approach to the roles of men and women convincingly.

Highly recommended.

O'Brien is a giant Pauline scholar and has already given us outstanding works on Philippians (NIGTC) and Colossians (WBC). This Pillar commentary on Ephesians is simply marvelous. The introduction is thorough and his arguments for Pauline authorship are convincing. The exegesis is lucid and well thought out.

The one thing that I do not like about the Pillar series is the transliteration of Greek. However, O'Brien has footnoted the Greek even when transliterating it in the text. Just another plus in this fantastic work! I recommend using this work along with A.T. Lincoln (WBC) and F.F. Bruce (NICNT).

By the way, look for O'Brien's forthcoming Pillar commentary on Hebrews in the near future!

I just finished Meg O'Brien's new novel SACRED TRUST last night around midnight. Great Read! I'd like to recommend it. I didn't put the book down all day! Although it is not a true "romantic novel" per se (it's more in the Thriller/Suspense Genre)I loved the action and main character - Abby Northrup. She's comes across as smart, strong and can take care of herself. Also, the twist and turns in the plot kept me going and made me crazy! (in a good way, of course).

I have read other works by Meg O'Brien, with most recently, CRASHING DOWN and loved how she was able to keep me guessing till the very end at "Whodunit?" and "Why?" SACRED TRUST, did not let me down with this either. I had a bunch of people in my mind who I thought might be the killer and many reason why they would do it. It drove me nuts. I had to finish the book to see if I was right!

So, sit back, have a cup of Jasmine Tea and enjoy the suspense Ms. O'Brien has for us :-) But, make sure you don't have any plans for the day that you'll have to cancel because you can't put the book down! :-)And Oh, and if you have a dog...keep him close by :-)

After reading "Crashing Down," I knew I had to read Meg O'Brien's other novels, so I ran out and bought them. It's always like that when you read a good book by a new author. "Sacred Trust" was quite different then "Crashing Down." It takes place in the gorgeous, picturesque, town of Carmel, California! (I personally love that town!) Abby Northrup is startled to wake up one morning and hear the news that her old best friend Marti Bright has been murdered. Her body was placed on a wooden cross with nails stuck through her hands and she was severly beaten to death. Next to the body was the word "Abby." The Carmel PD believe that Abby might have killed her. Abby is shocked and decides to investigate the death of her old friend on her own. As she tries to narrow down the suspects with the FBI and police on her tail, she uncovers many new revelations like her husband's blackmailing scheme in order to obtain land and Marti's son's foster parents have disappeared. The novel leaves the reader confused at points but the ending is extremely shocking and sums the book up well. I'm already in the middle of reading "Gathering Lies," her newest novel!

This book was fantastic, very suspenseful, thrilling, you name it. It starts with Mardi getting crucified. Abby, her best friend is devastated. After the crucifiction, there is one twist after another. I was so engrossed in this book, that I even forgot to eat meals. All the way though the book, you pick one person as the murderer, then change to another. You also have all the many other mysteries within the first mystery to think about, to try to figure out. You find out in the second to last chapter who the murderer is, but all the many other things do not come to light until the very last chapter. All of the characters were heartwarming people except for the villians, of course. This book was the BEST mystery I have ever read. Literally keeps you guessing to the very last page.

I must have 200 romance/mystery books on my bookshelf, but the first book I went to after finishing "Sacred Trust" was "I'll Love You Till I die" by Meg O'Brien. Is there any other author?

Thank you Meg,

Love ya

PS This book deserves 100 stars.

This was one of the best books I have read. Kevin's book "The first to die" was also an excellent read. I had a difficult time putting the books down and could not wait to read on to see what the next page would bring.

It is extremely rare that I start and finish a book on the same day. I typically like to enjoy a book over a week or so. But I could not put this book down!

I always respect an author that is capable of making you feel something you ordinarily would not. But not only does the author make you feel compassion for a criminal, but resenting those who try to bring him to "justice."

I'm still thinking about this book, its characters, and all the possible reasons this book has me spellbound. But you're better off reading it yourself anyway. I have a feeling it will mean many different things to many different people.

The book Only Son is a modern work of art expressing human needs and wants along with the confussion of real life. Charectors in this book are so realistic you feel as if they are people you know who have emotion no different than that of a friend. There is no good or bad just a gray area and Kevin O'Brian has captured the gray area that we all seem to fall into with a remarcable story.

While this slight volume can't hold a candle to something like Will Friedwald's comprehensive analysis of Sinatra's recorded career, it's quick and handy. Moreover, while the authors' selections will inevitably produce disagreements, their choices are unlikely to provoke incredulity (no "My Way," or recommendations from the "Duets" albums). And when there are multiple versions of the same tune, which is more often than not the case, the authors give helpful rankings of the best choices. But just to give you an idea of how necessarily inadequate a collection limited to 101 recordings is, Sinatra's absolutely sublime, definitive Reprise recording of "I Hadn't Anyone Til You" is not mentioned. Still, I find myself making more use of this book than any other about Old Blue.

The music of Frank Sinatra is timeless and though the title contains the words "the 101 Best Recordings", you may find that it is just a starting point and find your own 101 favorites. You have over 1000 songs to choose from so your picks are bound to be different than the authors. The book lays out 101 excellent songs, gives information to listeners (date recorded, album it can be found on, arranger, etc.) and tells the background of the song and sometimes an anecdote about when it was recorded. The book is not only for longtime fans of Sinatra's work (though they will be more familiar with all the names, etc.). If your Sinatra cd collection extends to one cd of his greatest hits, then this book can help you figure out where to go next. The stories and anecdotes may not mean much but you can figure out if you want to explore Frank's Columbia, Capitol, or Reprise years. For the experienced Sinatra listener, the book is excellent for starting debate with fellow Sinatra fans or perhaps rediscovering a gem you've forgotten or never really listened to before. Obviously, it is not a biography so don't expect stories about Frank the man, just Frank the singer. My only complaint is that I wish they gave more detail to the songs. I realize they had 101 songs to review, but I wanted more background about the recording session and Frank's opinions and views of the songs. However, there are other books for that.

How do you pick the 101 greatest Sinatra recordings? The authors certainly came up with arguably the definitive list,and presented it in a most enjoyable read.Another reviewer wished there was a CD boxed set to accompany the book. I did the next best thing. I have an extensive Sinatra collection and I happen to have all the 101 songs(the correct versions). I bought some high quality cassettes and simply went through my CDs and tapes and put together the audio to the book..three 90 minute and one 60 minute tape covered the 101 songs.Needless to say, it was a labor of love putting these songs in order and is fascinating to read the descriptions and history of the songs as they are playing.

this book is ok...that's about as far as i would go. there were some interesting quirks but i felt this was all too shallow.
it did provide some interesting cocktail banter and it does give value for money.
you'll finish it within half an hour and forget it under your bed.

This book is both a useful resource and an enjoyable way to past a rainy day. Ideal for all age groups - preteens will love learning about 'famous' mistakes - teens will get interested in thinking of ones left out of the book and adults we be amazed.
Overall fun book.

My mom always told me that you can't make anything if you can't make mistakes. This book proves the point aptly, highlighting several mistakes that turned into common and often-loved inventions (chocolate chip cookies, Coca-Cola, the Slinky). This is an enlightening book to share with kids, encouraging them to realize that taking risks, learning to improvise and experiment is often the best way to learn, even if you don't end up creating something new and wonderful.