Morgan McRain is not a detective, but undoubtably she has seen enough episodes of Murder, She Wrote to know the basic routines of searching for clues and deducing the guilty party from a list of suspects. So when the office mate of a colleague is found dead and barefoot on her psychiatric couch--the victim of a very resilient pair of pantyhose--Morgan quickly shifts her therapy practice to the backburner, puts on her imaginary houndstooth cap and joins the hunt for the murderer, revealing in the process the seamier side of a few licensed professionals.

The Well-Heeled Murders could pass for a treatment of a politically-correct MSW script--had Jessica Fletcher been a lesbian with a life partner, daughter, and homosexual "brother-in-law"/nanny. However, the addition of a green detective, Sam Reynolds, with the hots for the male nanny (how convenient!) and a subplot involving the murderer's apparent shoe fetish and a tight-knit groups of swingers, and the story is given a twist of which would incite the envious natures of Aaron Spelling.

Morgan, having maintained some degree of civility with members of the exclusive swingers group (so exclusive it doesn't have a name) of which the victim was a member, agrees to assist Sam in tracking the killer, and eventually outshines the detective in both the brawn and brain departments. Hartman makes it clear that this is Morgan's case from the beginning--certain chapters even lend the possibility that Morgan is a bit more determined than the entire Portland, Oregon police force to catch the killer, and that Sam is just around to bounce off dialogue and flirt with the brother-in-law.

Hartman has the potential of creating an interesting mystery series with the Morgan McRain character--Morgan is witty, sensible, and has the same scrappy, down-to-earth charm that has endeared readers to the likes of Kinsey Millhone and V. I. Warshawski.

About a year ago, I was shopping in an area of Baltimore called Fell's Point. In a bin full of books in front of a toy store on Thames Street was a thin book that's shoe fetish theme struck me as funny. I gave them a dollar and bought the uncorrected proofs of "The Well Heeled Murders." It sat on my shelf for months until one day, bored out of my mind, I decided to open it up. It was amazing! I never read a mystery before, let alone a lesbian one, and I was very impressed. Buy this book. It is well worth it.

I was dissapointed with this book. It is separated by region, the Willamette Valley section being about half the book. If I lived, there, it would have been a great reference. But its coverage of other areas is not complete enough for my taste.

Although the author is admittedly part of the vibrant botany research community in the Corvallis-Eugene area, many of the species found in Western Oregon are found also in similar habitats in Western Washington and far NW Calif. Very few, if any, plants are described for east of the Cascades. The range for the book is clearly stated in the introduction. Note that as a wetland delineator, I find it to be excellent for a field reference for many typical wetland and fringe species. For specific identification, though, a flora such as Hitchcock's _Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest_ (5 vol. set) or the abbreviated _Flora of the Pacific Northwest_ is more appropriate.

I generally check the reader reviews here on Amazon before I buy a book because regular readers seem to be a better gauge than the blurbs on the book jacket.

In my opinion, though, Ronald N. Truco's book did far better here than it deserves.

The subtitle of the book is "A Profile of the Hunter and the Hunted." Add "and the Story of My Life" to that. After suffering through 37 pages, I could not stand to hear any more about why Turco became a psychiatrist, why or how he became a cop, or how close the police brotherhood is. I thought I was getting a book about criminal profiling; instead I seem to have stumbles on an autobiography of someone who happens to have been involved in some interesting cases - and it's a poorly written autobiography at that. The theme wanders all over the place, the author makes questionable claims ("The organized serial killer was originally an FBI concept, although I developed the idea in 1968 when I worked on a series of San Francisco homicides"), and frankly, I really don't care about a snowball fight Turco had with his brother Salvy. I want profiling, criminal minds, and investigation, as the book jacket promises.

Another reviewer wrote, "This is a highly recommended page-turner, a real psychological suspense-thriller." I have to disagree. The only page-turning suspense I felt was wondering when we were going to get to the good part, and the only thrill I felt was finding the book for a few bucks instead of the shelf price of $14.95.

As a reader, I expect good writing, accuracy, and for the author to keep his promises. As a writer, I understand how hard it is to write a decent book. After giving Turco my full attention for 197 pages, I present this book to you, true crime reader, as evidence that some people should be writers and others should stick to their paid professions as lawyers, physicians, or pro football players.

Turco's book could just as well have been titled "All About Me." Psychiatrists and their brethren apparently cannot resist centering on the aches and pains of their profession, while the work they do and how they do it takes a poor second. If you are interested in his struggles -childhood, domestic, soul - this is the book for you. If you are interested in psychological profiling, perhaps now that Dr. Turco has gotten so much off his chest he will write that book.

Let me begin by saying that I have always been a true crime/forensic detection fan, and have read about every book available on the subject. Shortly after moving to Vancouver, Washington, where the murders committed by Wesley Allen Dodd took place, I happened upon this book (ok, my husband works in a book store!). I was fascinated reading about these crimes committed in my own community, and I must say it was nice to read an intelligent study of forensic psychiatry/detection that was NOT written by Robert Ressler or John Douglas (though I do enjoy their works as well). This is not your typical true crime story, so if Ann Rule is more your style, you probably will not enjoy this book. It is much more of a study of the workings of the minds of the people who perpetrate these horrible crimes, which I find very intriguing!

In reading several of Margolin's novels, I find one consistency: his characters/heroes really do dumb/stupid things, and then expect the world to either forgive them or help them out. In "The Undertaker's Widow," Judge Richard Quinn is said hero. He has what he thinks is the perfect marriage with a career-driven wife, Laura, who doesn't find his sexual demands as worthwhile as he does. This obviously leads to Quinn's involvement with a mysterious young woman on a trip to an island called St. Jerome's. If Quinn is as moral as the book makes him out to be, his rendezvous with Amanda only shows the shallow side of this hero.
Other than that, he does some more stupid things and winds up in the middle or a really nasty murder case.
The titular widow of this book is one Ellen Crease, who is running for the senate, and kills a man who comes into her mansion to kill her wealthy husband. He does kill him, and from there on, we have a chaotic investigation, with several possible suspects, and Judge Quinn smack dab in the middle of it.
Laura's turnaround near the end of the book, while not totallyl credible, at least is pleasant for our hero. The identity of the murderer in this one is, I admit, a surprise, but it's hasty resolution and it's "cute" little epilogue involving the lady's housekeeper is rather trite.
Not a great read, and certainly not one of Margolin's best, but it's not a waste of time.

Yes, I too have read all of Phillip Margolin's books, starting with his best, Gone But Not Forgotten, and then going backwards to his first effort. Maturity is a great attribute in a writer, and Mr. Margolin has certainly matured, but why has he written this book? As an avid reader of Margolin firmly over Grisham and forsaking all others, I, like one of his characters, am searching for the answer to the real mystery: why write this book? This novel is confusing, and I don't mean complicated. Characters are absentmindedly tossed to and fro like deck chairs on the Titanic. The plot is interesting enough, but it borrows a major part of the Firm that any fiction reader will see coming far before the character sees it. (If poor Quinn had read The Firm, he would have cancelled the trip to St. Jerome!) I feel as pained as Judge Quinn putting old Gideon in jail for two years. I love Phillip Margolin's books, and I'll buy the next one. But I have to be honest and say that the only joy I got out of this book was in saying that Phillip Margolin is the ONLY author I've read the entire works of, with the exception of William Shakespeare. (And they made me do that in the English department to get my college diploma in English). The usage of ramshackle twice in 50 pages makes it looked like the author was rushed by his editor. I think that's the real mystery in The Undertaker's Widow: a book had to be written. Case solved. Back to work!

Margolin definitely has another bestseller here with all the twists in the plot. The situation is a judge faced with some of the most difficult choices in his life at one of the times in his life when his marriage is also in danger of failing. Some of the plot elements are evident to the reader (like the fact that someone is being set up as a "patsy") but the story itself grips the reader so hard that it's hard to put it down until you've read the conclusion. The characters are portrayed realistically--the reader feels empathy for the judge as well as Senator Crease, the undertaker's widow. Judge Quinn has to decide whether to live by Lincoln's credo which he has hanging on the walls of his chamber or to try to save his reputation and his position using any means necessary. Margolin is Grisham without the political commentary and with a lot of pathos.

I enjoy suspense thrillers, and like to pick up new books from time to time. I really enjoyed the way this began, but after the first 2 chapters the story dragged in some places. Choppy in others. Mr. Lalos must be an English major, as he uses many adjectives, and describes just about everything. Alright at times, but other times I found myself skimming ahead to just find out what the heck is happening already.

Comparative to other suspense/thrillers, this was unique in its story. I wish there was a bit more gore, as I found myself craving for more! Not bad for a first attempt. I'll be curious to find out what his next book will cover.

Today's Books/Public News Service review listing of SlowBurn, October 19, 1999:

Rating: Good!

Peter Lalos, Washington D.C., writes horror-suspense of isolated miners facing evil, deadly force. Who or what is the killer?

Something (or someone) is killing the workers at the isolated Corpus Crossing mining camp. The men under the watch of settlement director Hayley Strickland are at the end of the line, living the distorted, ugly antithesis of the American dream. But a growing force in the valley is twisting the miner's discontent into something decidedly more sinister and insanely violent. Cut off from the rest of the world in a snowbound valley, Strickland finds himself in a race against time to stop the escalating cycle of bloodshed and self-destruction before the storm of death buries the camp. Slow Burn is an intense, suspense novel that grips and fascinates the reader. It is one of those suspense thrillers that are so easy to pick up and so hard to put down. Slow Burn is author Peter Lalos' debut novel and marks him as an author to look for in the future.

To Editor:

Please correct in my last review of this book, Barbara Holloway not Barbara Gordon. (It's after four a.m. and I ask that you correct that in the review I just submitted as I can no longer find it here.)

I wasn't able to read more than ninety pages of this book. Usually I devour Kate Wilhem's Barbara Gordon mysteries in a day or two and can't leave my seat until I'm finished. This time I got bored, the story didn't interest me, it dragged on, wasn't tightly written, didn't get to the heart of the issues. Don't know what happened this time but it was a mediocre plot, boring characters whom one doesn't really care about except the main character and those closest to her. Will reserve judgment until I read the next book.

This book by Kate Wilhelm was an exciting thriller.That will have its reader on the edge of their chair. In the book Kate gives very detailed discriptions on of the characters. Also because the settings change so much the book gives background information about each setting. Defense for the Devil also gives an example of what the life of a lawyer maybe like. What type of questions they ask their clients.

I liked First Evidence. But if I'd wanted to read it again, I would have. Outer Perimeter was little more than a re-hash with a subplot woven in. I'm a big fan of episodic fiction - following the same characters through DIFFERENT stories - with little or no reference to previous events. However, I had the feeling throughout Outer Perimeter that I was reading the next few chapters of First Evidence. It had very little of its own plot. When I got to the end just to discover the story lines, such as they were, weren't even resolved, I just had to throw up my hands. It's my guess the next in the "series" will be another weak subplot with the bulk of the book simply re-hash of the first two.

...if you read First Evidence. Not only does Outer Perimeter continue the characters, I think it was a better book overall!!! The writing style is perfected in Outer Perimeter and flow is incredibly strong.

The book nearly made me call in to work sick in order to keep reading. (grin) Ken Goddard is one of my favorite authors and I strongly recommend starting with First Evidence and then continuing with Outer Perimeter.

The way the book ends yields 5 stars in itself! Most books I read tend to fizzle near the end, or have a predictable ending. Outer Perimeter keeps you reading until the last page. Once you finish, you will wish there was more!!!

Also, Balefire is an excellent book, especially considering the fact that it was written over 20 years ago and reads like it was recently written.

Take my word for it, this guy is incredible!!!

This is a fast-paced action book with lots of mysterious goings on by aliens and lots of involvement by state and county police officials who both believe and disbelieve the reports of abductions and disappearances of people in this small corner of Oregon.

I think that whether or not you have read the first book in this series, you will be hooked and can't put it down until the ending. I know I was. The only disappointment is that when the ending comes, you don't want to let the story go. So, Mr. Goddard, when is the next installment? I sure hope there is one!

Since nude sunbathing is illegal in Hawaii, this book is a work of fiction.

nudism in hawaii may not be so called "legal", but a lot of people do and just find there own private or group area of like minded people and ignore the rest. tourists who happen upon one of these areas usually just walk on by and will let you be, or they sometimes will ask questions respectfully and leave(which my wife and female friend found out to be true on our last visit to the kona coast)

Another popular regional guide to nude beaches recommended by Dr. Leisure is Dave Patricks' California's Nude Beaches. A hundred and fifty pages of good information and some very fine black and white photography of nude beach inhabitants. Dave even has a section called Naturist Photography in the '90s. It is obvious from the photographs that Dave knows what he is talking about. Highly recommended by the number one source of information on nude recreation on the net. DrLeisure.com.

I'll admit it:

I bought this book because I liked the cover.

It has a matte finish, and I love books like that. It usually signals that there is something important inside. And with this being written by Director, Gus Van Sant, I thought that my suspicions might be confirmed. After all, the blurbs on the back described "Pink" as being like the works of Vonnegut. Enough said! Vonnegut is one of my heroes, and since I've read everything he's written, I figured an author *like* him would be suitable for the time being.

Oh, how misled I was!

"Pink" is a jumbled, nearly indecipherable mess of a novel. It is littered with characters about whom we give not a damn. There are scenes that take place in Orlando, FL, where I lived for a few years. It is apparent that Van Sant knows nothing about the area -- talking about highways, for example, that simply do not exist. How hard would it have been to take a look at a map? This is just one way that his lazy, thoughtless writing is evidenced. It makes "Pink" look suspiciously like a first draft -- written once, never to be checked for such details, or larger things, like, say, plot or character.

There are clever allusions to dead rock stars and dead actors, like that is supposed to somehow make the novel thought-provoking. "Hey, isn't that River Phoenix? And didn't Van Sant do a movie with him?" Yeah, and who cares? There are footnotes, which, I guess, are meant to be clever. They are not. This is not to say that they can't be. Dave Barry knows how to use footnotes. "House of Leaves" uses footnotes to excellent effect. These are just a waste of time.

Much like the entire book, as a matter of fact.

Perhaps the only good thing about it is the flipbook cartoon, which may indicate that Van Sant should really stick with moving pictures and abandon the literary ones.

Not recommended. At all. Ever.

Though I appreciated and respect that Van Sant tried to create something different here, that alone was not enough. The central problem with the book is that the story line is far too weak. Some of my favorite authors also use a style that jumps around a bit and slowly pieces together a story (e.g., Vonnegut, Dunn, Robbins), yet Pink fails where these authors succeed. Initially, I found the book fun to read because of the varying style, fonts, perspectives, etc., yet quickly became bored with it as I searched in vain for an interesting story line that could be construed as gripping. Nothing of the sort presented itself. If an experimental and loose writing style alone does it for you, than this is a good book to read. If you desire content that will captivate you and sustain your interest, look elsewhere.

"Pink" by Gus Van Sant is one of the most beautiful novels I have ever read. Not only is it emotionally captivating, you feel as if you are sitting down across from the narrator in the Kitchen of his home as he explains the events that happen. Mr. Van Sant captures the heart and soul of his characters, and you feel the story as if you are seeing it for yourself. As a literary peice, Gus Van Sant breaks new ground, not only by his multi-media approach, but by his re-inventing of literary techniques of the past. When I first found this book in my college bookstore, I wasn't sure what to expect. After I started reading it, I could not put it down! I re-read it three times right after I finished it. It is still one of my prized possessions some years later. The only thing bad I have to say is that I think it is horrible that it is out of print! That it is not readily available for others to experiance it is very regretful. I hope one day to meet this great author and shake his hand and thank him for one of the most wonderful, fulfilling works I have had the privilige to read.

I have visited 3 campgrounds from these described in this book. (May 2001-Aug 2001) All of them were overcrowded. All of them had RVs, concrete slabs and loud portable stereos...Thus, I don't consider it useful. Probably, it's quiet campgrounds in winter, who knows:)Better buy a book of Tom Stienstra, California Camping. It helped me a lot. Sincerely, Alexander

I used this book during a 45 day camping trip that included Oregon. The content is usually helpful, but sometimes misleading. The infomration about Page Springs was truly helpful and led to a delightful time, including a trip up the Steen Mouintains. The information about Two Pan, on the other hand, was misleading. Actually, beside the summary of Campgound Ratings, there is very little information. What is misleading is the description as five-star quiet and five-star cleanliness/upkeep. The campground is right next to a large parking lot with horses, donkeys and lamas all about and many, many cars and people. It is anything but quiet. It also looks quite unused and unkempt; no one was there when we visited it. Suggesting that is the "jumping off spot for extended backpacking" does not give an accurate picture.

In the front pages is a map of the campsites in Oregon and Washinton. The number then can be matched on another page with the name of the campground. That name can then be matched with a page number on yet another page! Not convenient or immediately obvious.

By all means use this book; but use it with care and intelligence.

Considering the multitude of campgrounds in Oregon and Washington that exist with the same qualities presented in this book, I'm not sure the 12 bucks will get you anymore information than you could get from a more comprehensive guidebook. But if you are a first time camper, it lists 50 of the finest campgrounds in the northwest.