This was a wonderful book! I read it a while ago but I clearly remember most of it. It is about a young girl named Mary Ellen Todd, who, with her family, travels west to Oregon in the 1850s. I highly reccomend this touching, sad, and all together wonderful book!

We give Bound for Oregon five stars and two thumbs way up! We thought the book was very interesting. There was always something amazing happening. We recommend it to students, friends, and family all around the world. By Bianca and Ashley

This is a good book. It is about a girl from Arkansas moving to Oregon. It shows you what it might have been like traveling the Oregon Trail by a canvas covered wagon. There was a lot of excitement and drama in this book. Will the Todd family make it to Oregon????? And if they do, will they get good land? Is it worth it?Buy it, read it,and find out... BY:JOSH DAVIDSON (KEANAN), JOEY PIPER (PIPES), JOSEPH ALKATHIRI (M.J., KEL)

What a wonderful book! The characters are so real, I fell in love with them all. I laughed out loud many times, shed tears a few times, and didn't want the story to end. An excellent first novel--I can't wait for more from Mr. Kleiner! I would like to see Oprah pick this one for her club.

For the first 50 or so pages, I was puzzled and uncomfortable with George's panicky reactions to some of the events in his unusual household of aged retirees. Suddenly, I realized George was desperately clinging to his new found "family" because of his paralyzing fear of dying alone, as had his dear friend. I could clearly see the action as scenes in a movie, and I was hooked with the story. (I began to visualize Ernest Borgnine as George, etc., and even wrote a letter to Mr. Borgnine urging him to read the book.)

For a first novel from one as young as Mr. Kleiner, I was touched by his tender handling of the characters, and impressed by his insights into their quaking souls and hearts. Wonderful work!

This amazing novel is rich in so many ways! I laughed and cried. It will steal your heart, take your breath away. Peopled with characters so real and wonderful you'll want them to show up on your porch for tea, this is the story of six incredible strangers who come together in a tumble-down mansion in a tiny town and attempt to avoid winding up in a nursing home by living TOGETHER and by turning their final years into a grand adventure. This book will make you want to get up and sing, dance, shout out the window that life can be grand right down to the very end. Although the novel deals with issues we will all have to face sooner or later (death & dying, aging), Mr. Kleiner handles the subject matter with humor and love and compassion. The novel reminded me of a wild combination of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, Cocoon, Driving Miss Daisy, Waking Ned Divine, and Field of Dreams. The movie version would be gorgeous.

Our book group's favorite novel of the year! Everyone should read this incredible story...then spread the word to anyone who might one day be old! This novel will change the way you view life. Read it, NOW!

This was a book that I borrowed from a friend..come to think of it...I still have the book (oops) Anyhow....this was a good book written around the time Rule was making a name for herself as Andy Stack. I read this twice. A sadistic monster responsible for the disappearance of beautiful young women who had full lives ahead of them, and would no doubt have been successful had fate not thrown them in Jerry Brudos' path. Thier thin, beautiful fragile bodies were no match for this physically built stong LUST KILLER...this book made me rethink about going out alone, and thanks to one couragous girl in this story...I learned a thing or two....

"Lust Killer" is the best of the 7 Ann Rule books I have read to date. Set (once again) in "peaceful" Oregon, it tells the story of Jerome Brudos, an absolute Wacko of a "small time" serial killer. "LK" is notable for its brevity and compactness. The author does a first rate job of concentrating the plot, which never wanders or digresses into backgrounds, geographical descriptions, or introductiuons of minor characters as do some of her later works(see "And Never Ler Her Go"). There are no wasted pages in "LK". This is the perfect place for a reader to test Ann Rule to see if (s)he likes her. My guess is that the author passes with flying colors. AR fans need not think twice, this one is a no brainer. The story is so compact that the reader can even break the "Ann Rule rule" and view the few centerfold photos without telegraphing the ending. Another amazon reader e-mailed me with the thought that Brudos and Diane Downs of "Small Sacrifices" would make a great couple. Read both and see if you agree. Question: Why do the streets and subways of New York City seem safer than Oregon?

'Lust Killer' is a book about a married man,romantic thoughtful husband,an envious employee,and the most horrible,evil serial killer world has ever heard of. His name is Jerry Brudos.
He's a devil itself in the form of a human being. He's obsessed with the women shoes so wherever he saw a nice pair of shoes in an attractive young lady he followed them up to their doorsteps.Then beat them, raped them, and stole their possesions - shoes, clothes and underwear so he could wear them and smell them when he got depressed. This wasn't enough for the psycho and when an ambitious girl in need for money knocked on his door to ask whether they'd like to buy a set of encyclopedias. He appeared to be interested and invited her in just so he could brutally kill her afterwards in his basement.This was the new beginning for him and he wouldn't stop until he got caught and confessed for all his crimes - which were a lot. Heaps.

This was the first book I've read from Ann Rule and I think she's a great writer. You have no choice but putting yourself into shoes of the victims,their sick worried,grieving relatives
and hard police work to identify the monster. I must admit this book is depressing too. It makes you cry when you read what J.B. victims endured from him. It's so sick. Nobody can even imagine what he has done.

I know LAW and the ACTS are so smartly created - but letting a monster such as Jerry Brudos get away with a death penalty despite his confessions in cold blood without any regrets is something I can not understand. I may sound to tough but once you got all the proofs that exist I think he or anybody who would dare to do such things on human beings would deserve the very same - to let them know how it actually feels to torture, to let them know how cruel it is what they do to their victims even though they can never feel the pain of victims and other people's grief for the lost ones who had a great life ahead of them if they only did know not to cross jerry brudos path but how can we possibly know whose path to cross when we are born to live,walk,work,enjoy life.

Ironic, but the lawyers who happen to be human beings to and who could have been victims or victim's relatives advice people such as Jerry Brudos to plead not guilty as if they were insane at the time when they've done the cruel things upon another human being.

Rudy Shappee paints a picture of childhood and family with broad brushstrokes of love in his book, "Making My Way." He is magnanimous in making allowances for the foibles of people he grew up with in a rural Oregon coastal town during the middle of the century. The values and basic skills that he learned as a boy, are universal to the survival of any society.

He writes of loyalty, humor, and comradeship among boyhood friends along with the danger and beauty of an unforgiving sea that provided the family livelihood. His parable of wartime generosity, when people strayed on the other side of the law to feed neighbors, asks the question, is it better to follow the letter of the law, or follow the dictates of the heart?

Laugh and cry as you get caught up in this world of secret rooms, boyhood adventures, odd jobs, and loss of a first love, in a boy's journey to manhood.

If you want to rekindle memories of your own childhood or learn about how you wish your childhood had been, read this book

Rudy Shappee paints a picture of childhood and family with broad brushstrokes of love in his book, "Making My Way." He is magnanimous in making allowances for the foibles of people that he grew up with in a rural Oregon coastal town during the middle of the century. The values and basic skills, that he learned as a boy, are universal to the survival of any society.

He writes of loyalty, humor, and comradeship among boyhood friends along with the danger and beauty of an unforgiving sea that provided the family livelihood. His parable of wartime generosity, when people strayed on the other side of the law to feed neighbors, asks the question, is it better to follow the letter of the law, or follow the dictates of the heart?

Laugh and cry as you get caught up in this world of secret rooms,adventures, odd jobs, and loss of a first love, in a boy's journey to manhood.

If you want to rekindle memories of your own childhood, or read about how you wish your childhood had been, read this book.

"Making My Way" is a nostalgic trip back to small town America of the 40s and 50s. Feels good when high tech and millennium headlines furrow the brow. Shappee, born in 1939, soaked up character, backbone and indelible memories in Warrenton, Oregon and other towns along the magic coastline. In this memoir, Shappee shares personal memories of his family, of early homes and chums. His dad was a fisherman, gone for long periods, so mom did the raising. In his teens, Shappee got to help his dad prepare the boat for long runs to the Columbia River and the Pacific. One home sat across from the general store and gas station at Newton's Corners, a pefect spot for curious, young eyes and ears. The author shows what really brought indoor plumbing home. "The biggest bear I had ever seen," had trapped his mother in the outhouse. A flashlight and screwdriver helped young Shappee discover a forgotten, boarded-up library in one house; including books with pictures of body parts! We ride along as the boy gains his sea legs aboard his father's boat in heavy seas, and smell the printer's ink during his first newspaper days on the hometown Columbia Beacon. All

If you like psychological thrillers and endless suspense, this book is for you. It has the intrigue of "Silence of the Lambs" combined with the writing style similar of James Patterson.

"Max" is not your ordinary, typical criminal. Apart from the fact he is a serial killer, Max just happens to be one person with several personalities living inside. Once readers learn of Max's childhood, they will have a better understanding of why he is the way he is - a victim of DID (perviously known as Multiple Personality Disorder.)

In the book we meet an alluring strawberry blonde psychiatrist, Dr. Irene Cogan, who is appointed by the court to do an assessment of Max. Max's interest in Dr. Cogan goes far beyond the doctor-client relationship, since he has a penchant for killing women with strawberry blonde hair. Max has special plans in mind for the dear Doctor and the story is filled with twists and turns, coming from every angle, from beginning to end.

The characters of Max and lovely Dr. Cogan are well-developed and realistic. The only minor disappointment of the book was the character of FBI Agent Pender. For the character of an FBI agent with extensive training, Pender certainly made a ton of blunders. His inept abilities would not enhance the intellectual image of the FBI by any stretch of the imagination! The book, however, was such a spine-tingling thriller, that I overlooked the weakness of Pender's character and still gave the book a five-star rating for the riveting psychological suspense it contained.

FBI Agent E.L. Pender has spent 10 years investigating the disappearances of young women, all with something in common...their strawberry blonde hair.

A routine traffic stop ends with the gruesome discovery of a disemboweled woman...she too had strawberry blonde hair.

Court appointed psychiatrist, Irene Cogan, has the task of interviewing the suspect, a man with multiple personalities.

After a staged prison break, Irene is taken hostage in a secluded cabin, there she will have to unravel the twisted past of this young man, and play his sick game...if she wants to come out of this alive.

"The Girls He Adored" is a suspenseful thriller, with enough twists and turns to have readers finish it in one sitting.

Jonathan Nasaw has crafted a superb novel, he handles the multiple personalities carefully, as to not confuse the reader, and his main character (Irene) is one we look forward to seeing in up-coming novels.

Thriller fans should do themselves a favor and READ this book, it is fast-paced, exciting, and thoroughly enjoyable.

A MUST read!

Nick Gonnella

Irene Cogan, psychiatrist and one of the country's leading authorities on dissociative identity disorder (multiple personalities), has been appointed, by the court, to examine a prisoner in the Monterey County jail. The suspect, who gives his name only as Max, was stopped for a simple traffic violation and found sitting next to a disemboweled strawberry blond woman, holding a bloody nine inch boning knife. His arrest sets law enforcement's wheels in motion as the FBI moves in on the case. For the last ten years, a dozen women from across the country have gone missing, last seen with an attractive young man. The only connection between all these missing victims is their strawberry blond hair. The FBI has dubbed this kidnapper, Casey and now, special agent Edgar Lee Pender thinks this guy may be the break they've been waiting for. But, before he can even reopen the case or interview the prisoner, the suspect breaks out of jail, kidnaps Irene Cogan and disappears, leaving a trail of carnage in his wake..... Jonathan Nasaw has written a well paced, compelling, intricately plotted novel that will put you on the edge of your seat and keep you there to the very last page. His writing is crisp, spare and suspenseful, with a wonderful ear for dialogue and his true to life, vivid scenes are graphic and riveting. This is definitely not a novel for the faint of heart. But the real strength of this novel is its characters. Once you get into their heads, you won't be able to put this book down. It is obvious that Mr Nasaw has done his homework on the FBI, psychiatry and dissociative identity disorder and his in-depth knowledge on these subjects add real credibility to the story. The Girls He Adored is a terrific thriller, destined for all the best sellers lists and a novel that shouldn't be missed.

When I finished After Caroline, I felt like I was saying goodbye to old friends. Kay Hooper kept me on an emotional rollercoaster with the heroine, Joanna Flynn, from the first page to the last. Several times during the book, I felt an almost erie sense of being right there with the characters. Since reading After Caroline, I have gone on to read Ms. Hooper's novel Amanda, and I enjoyed it just as much. I plan to read more of Ms. Hooper's books soon.

When I think of Kay Hooper, I always think of how she takes a idea that could seem completely unbelievable and crafts it into an interesting, believable story. That's the case in this book when a woman, who almost dies twice in the same day, ends up packing up and heading off for a distant town to find answers to her strange dreams. Somehow, Hooper weaves a tale of mystery and romance and ends up with a twist at the end that maybe you should have seen coming. Sheriff Griffin is a great character and I would recommend this book to a friend.

Talented Author Kay Hooper so effortlessly manages to weave a tale of mystery and romance in this must read book-- her unique style and talent for turning an unbelievable situtation into an interesting, enjoyable, don't wanna put the book down kind've read is only a few of the many reasons why she is considered one of the top female authors in the industry. 'After Caroline' is a very compelling read with its many entertaining characters like Sheriff Griffin a fictional character that is so true-to-life it is easy to get swept away in the story plot forgetting everything else that is going on around you--

This was my first English written book and it scared the hell out of me. The writer tells the story mainly thanks to the victims who survived this creep. If you read the pain and torture + everything else he put them through,unbelievable!
I like this book cause it has so many details, for example all the stories of the ppl who survived, their family, the family of the victims, how the cops worked and how he finally was caught. Mister King is a great True crime writer in my eyes.

I found this book to be one of the most fascinating books I have read recently. As an avid reader of true crime, I appreciate a well written story. The detailed accounts of survivors of this monster are almost unbelievable. I too, wished there were more details about his family, and input from the killer himself, but overall, I really enjoyed it. What struck me as odd, is that this isn't a person that you hear alot about. It's always the more publicized killers like Gacy or Bundy, however, this guy certainly ranks up there with the rest of the weirdos.

This book was written with no holds barred...It was at times very hard to read the things that this animal did in some cases i had to skip through because i couldn't stomach the brutality of this maniac's terror he caused these poor women...Its hard to imagine that we have these lunatics running around our world but they are out there and every story that becomes public is pretty damn scarry...For a true crime reader the book is really hard to put down....

...what an outstanding book. Good mysteries are really hard to come by, but this one is fantastic. It's compelling, intriguing, fascinating, cleaver...everthing a good mystery should be. It's impossible to put down until it's finished because it grabs you early and you don't want to miss anything from beginning to end. The author does an excellent job up setting up the plot, letting the reader really get to know the characters, and drawing the reader in to the story. I have already highly recommended it to many friends. A must read.

I started reading this book on a Saturday afternoon and, regretfully, put it down when I couldn't stay awake any longer. The author draws you into the story so completely that all else is forgotten. The characters seem like people you know and the plot is captivating. I was very impressed. There actually are clues to the ending, unlike other mysteries I've read. Although it's difficult, you CAN figure this one out if you recognize the clues. That made it more fun for me, to solve the mystery along with Detective Kierzek. You just have to read it, period.

After reading the authors first novel,"In the Shadows of the Moonglade", I've eagerly awaited his next book. "Deception" is well worth the wait. A beautifully written and gripping mystery, I was quickly drawn into the plot and the lives of the characters, especially that of Detective Kierzek, an excellent cop and truly decent man. I hope to see more of him in future books. This is a story that will keep readers hanging on, guessing and gasping, 'til the last page.

This continuation of Sympathy for the devil is a stand-alone novel that packs quite a punch in and of itself.
The cops life described here is harsh and brutal as looked at here in the 70's.
Kent Anderson is a great writer who takes you to the seedier side of town, deep into the no-man's land of crime and punishment.
His realistic look at a survivor of Vietnam, war veteran-turned cop Hanson, is an engaging character who fights his inner demons as well as his town.
I usually don't even read this type of novel, but this one was riveting and so harsh, you couldn't help but keep reading throughtout the days and nights to its climax.
A must read for those who like something more than crime drama, but is in fact a look into a man's head who is fighting his inner demons.

Night Dogs caught me totally by surprise. I bought the book not knowing what to expect, and after I read the first 3 pages I knew I had found something unique. The book is not a dramatic account of the search for a serial killer or a drug lord, but instead gives an episodic glimpse into the life of a young cop who is still trying to make sense of his experiences in Vietnam as a Green Beret. The most influential people in my life have been vietnam vets, and the Hanson character has helped me understand what the young men of that generation who served went through. Anyone interested in police work or the Vietnam war should read this book and then read Sympathy For The Devil to better understand where the sometimes cruel Officer Hanson character is coming from. This is a fantastic book, I hope Mr. Anderson is getting the recognition he deserves.

Although you can find NIGHT DOGS in the suspense/thriller section at your neighborhood bookstore, Kent Anderson's story of the stark reality of a Portland cop's beat in the aftermath of the Vietnam War is much more than your everyday thriller. Officer Hanson is a character you will not soon forget. A Vietnam veteran haunted by his military experience, Hanson finds purpose in his job as a cop in the North Precinct, a proud but poor Portland neighborhood, where the police are more often at odds with the residents than protecting them.

But this is not your typical cop-story or your run of the mill thriller. The language is brutal, the characters peculiar, the overall tone is murky, dark. This book is not for the timid. Hanson's motivations are disturbing, and the whole story has an abrasiveness to it that is not often found in suspense novels, where that final confrontation between good and evil is what keeps you turning the pages. The reader of NIGHT DOGS is not necessarily motivated by that imminent conflict with the antagonist, but the nagging wonder of whether or not Hanson will ultimately destroy himself. The showdown between good and evil is nullified because the line between the two has been erased and they have melded into one gruesome blur.

As an exclusive reader of thriller novels, this is the first that I have felt strongly enough about to write a review. The characters, not just Hanson but his supporting cast as well, will likely stick in your memory for some time. I have read a half dozen novels since finishing NIGHT DOGS, but Anderson's images remain as strong as ever. This is an important book. I recommend it highly to readers of all genres.

A good basic guide book for campgrounds in the northwest. What this book lacks is a way to evaluate campgrounds before you get there. Ya, it gives you the facts but it is hard to distinguish the enviromental factors (road noise, etc.) until you pull in with your tent on a Friday night. It is best to supplement this book with guides such as:

"Camping! Washington : The Complete Guide to Public Campgrounds for Rvs and Tents"

which give a general feel for what public campgrounds are more desirable and why.

After reviewing many camping books for the northwest, this one is far and away the MOST complete, the MOST helpful, and the MOST fun! The organization has obviously been well thought out and tested, and the information is priceless. It's like having your own personal guide to ALL the campgrounds, primitive to RVparks. I found 30 campgrounds within an hour of my home, 20 of which I never knew existed! No review can do this book, or it's author, justice. It's undoubtedly best camping investment I've ever made, period. This also makes an EXCELLENT gift for anyone, beginner or expert, who does any camping at all in Oregon or Washington...bought one for my Mom just weeks after pre-ordering mine, who's had previous editions and sworn by them.

I had the pleasure of running into Tom on top of Mt St. Helens. He turned out to have a personality just like he writes! He was generous with his time and seemed happy to talk with me and find out how I like his work. I had been using an old edition of PNW Camping for a few years. He told me to get the new one because he and his staff did a ton of new research and a lot has changed and been improved. So I got one. Wow. My wife and I just finished a two week tour of Oregon: the coast, Cascades, and southestern high desert. The new book was right on, every time. It would be a total understatement to say it was useful. It was utterly indispensible. The text let us look at all the possibililties for each night, and make a really reasoned choice, then the directions got us right to the place we had chosen. I felt like the book was my co-pilot and trusted advisor. I also had the old version along, and found that things had indeed changed, and that the directions, style, and content of the new one to be quite a jump in quality and utility. Stienstra totally nailed it this time. I wont go anywhere in the PNW without this book. Bravo!