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Books to read if you're planning a vacation in "Kearney", sorted by average review score:

Warm Voices Rearranged: Anagram Record Reviews
Published in Paperback by Drag City (October, 2002)
Authors: Brandan Kearney and Gregg Turkington
Average review score:

Anagrams? Gramsana!
These guys are good at anagrams, but not exactly great. Didn't they ever think of just flipping the word backwords? It's funnier than all that weird stuff they come up with.

Still, I have to say that "Wrma Viocse Rerangaed" kept my mind occupied. An excellent read, for someone who hasn't quite read as much as I have! Every once in a "blue moon," this picky fellar has to skiddaddle back to his truck, take out your food, and all this time something has been eating away at your insides, but it's not anagrams. There is a special focus of the read, a flipping back and funniness that happens. How can I break it to you? Spend it here and you won't be sorry. Like Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, it's a wild ride.

Flabbergasting Entertainment
I find it difficult enough to make anagrams from my name...these guys not only managed to make anagrams from phrases, but meaningful ones that are fitting to the original sentence!
Their anagrams from Rock Star's album titles can be viewed as fittenly offensive (in most cases) which makes them all the more amusing.
In addition, the forward contains interesting information on the history of anagrams.

This Book is Flabbergastingly Funny
I find it difficult enough to make an anagram of my name...these guys managed to make, not only anagrams from long sentences, but comments fitting to the original sentence!
Because the anagrams are imaginative and unrelenting with biting remarks (picking on rock stars), I was in stitches.
The forward contains interesting tidbits on the history of anagrams too.


Ships from the West (The Monarchies of God)
Published in Hardcover by Orion Publishing Co (30 April, 2000)
Author: Paul Kearney
Average review score:

Tragic Finale to a Classic Epic
The main characters will be killed off one by one, so be prepared. This book is as good as the rest of the series but it skips many important battles in the war between the 2nd Empire and the Monarchies of God. And most of the book revolves around Corfe while other main characters like Bardolin are shunted aside. This imbalance in the narrations of the different characters really irritated me but on the whole I felt that this book is a good conclusion to a great series.

A Phenomenal Book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This book is the best I have ever read. Its ending is perfect. I advise anybody with good taste in novels to purchase the entire series. The ending is unbelievably perfect and every character has its own issues and flaws. I feel that these books are superior to the Tolkien collection, and I am sure anybody with a love for fantasy works will enjoy the adventure that nearly brings humanity to an end.


The Heretic Kings (The Monarchies of God, Book 2)
Published in Mass Market Paperback by Ace Books (February, 2002)
Author: Paul Kearney
Average review score:

A tough call...
After reading Heretic Kings, I noticed several things that had slipped pat me when I read the first book in the series(Hawkwood's Voyage). This has reduced my opinion of the author, and I'm now not sure whether I intend to finish the series.
My first problem is that many of the characters are black and white, and behave in an incredibly predictable manner. Abeleyn, for example, was faiarly interesting during the first book but falls into the cliched "young prince grows into kingship" mould. What makes this worse is that the author repeatedly has both Abeleyn and other characters make this observation. Rather than allow his character's actiosn to speak for themselves, Mr Kearney takes a much less subtle rout.
Secondly, I have problems with the plot, because it too is slipping into a predictable groove. Very little happens during this book that an average reader would not anticipate. There are no complete surprises such as those in George RR Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series. I never felt truly worried about the protagonists, because they were never in any real danger.
All that being said, Heretic Kings has a unique and imaginative environment that sets it apart from most other fantasy books. The Renaissance-era technology is well-implemented and believable, as is the nature of magic in Mr. Kearney's world.
Although the aura of suspense is somewhatlacking (Kearney gives away secrets much too freely), I would still reccomend this book to anyone who is intrigued by the setting and doesn't mind the intermittantly bad writing.

Better than the first book
My full review is with Hawkwood's Voyage. If what you loved in the first book is the sometimes overdetailed descriptions of sea-travel, Church politics, and Dwoemer apprenticeship, you will be disappointed. Kearney instead puts the narrative in a higher gear: the ideas are narrative and character driven. Paragraphs in "Hawkwood's Voyage" which sometimes seemed to come from an encyclopedia are now streamlined to relate directly to characters and action. The Western Continent holds secrets which.... we are actually told about. I expected to be bored, but Kearney ratchets up the action. The 3rd book is even more pure -- though still realistic and maturely written-- action. An amazing series. Keep going.

Great Successor to "Hawkwood's Voyage"
"The Heretic Kings" is the second book in the series called "The Monarchies of God." This series is an epic fantasy with multiple plot threads and many realistic characters. In book one, the Merduks are trying to take over Western Normannia and the whole Eastern continent is under war. Richard Hawkwood has lead an expedition to the Western continent to help start a new civilization that would be secluded from the war. At the end of book one, you are set up for book two.

Many questions will be answered in this book including these: What will happen to the people that Ricard Hawkwood has lead across the Great Western Ocean? What is going on in Charibon? In Abrusio? What is happening to all of your favorite characters? In addition to the answers that will help resolve your anxiousness to know what is happening you will be riveted due to new plots.

Paul Kearney gives you great characters. The characters in "The Heretic Kings" are not cheesy, one-sided people that you could just tear apart and make fun of. Every character is interesting and can be cared for. From King Abelyn to Corfe, all of the characters are people that you wish that you could know.

There are multiple plot lines and many characters to this great story, but don't let that interfere with your enjoyment of this. Once you are into this you will be hooked and you'll have this novel done very quickly. Before you read this second novel in this series make sure that you have read book one of "The Monarchies of God," titled "Hawkwood's Voyage." "The Heretic Kings" will definitely thrill people that have read book one and you will enjoy this novel even more than the first one. This is an epic fantasy must read.

Happy Reading!


Lovers in Hiding (Harlequin Intrigue, No. 644)
Published in Paperback by Harlequin (December, 1901)
Author: Susan Kearney
Average review score:

Lovers in Hiding
Susan Kearney concludes her Hide and Seek series with the implausible "Lovers in Hiding." CIA code analyst Clay Rogan is sent to track down Melinda Murphy. Melinda's long-lost brother recently came into possession of an old notebook belonging to their secret agent parents and sent a copy to Melinda. Clay's mission is to get the notebook and decode it. But when he finds Melinda, she's under attack and drowning. He saves her, only to discover she has amnesia. Can he unlock the location of the notebook from her mind and protect her from the men who are also after it?

Kearney has gained fans for writing fast-paced stories that keep readers turning pages. They are easy reads that go down quickly. Like most of her books, "Lovers in Hiding" goes by fast, fast, fast. If all you're looking for is a fast read that you'll forget as soon as it's over, "Lovers in Hiding" is an acceptable choice. If you're looking for something more, like characters, believable plots or any plot whatsoever, "Lovers in Hiding" would not be a good choice. There is simply nothing to this book other than the fast pace. There's no mystery to solve because the villain's identity is so obvious from the start. There's no plot to follow. The hero and heroine meet, they run and run and run (and run and run and run and run) and they live happily ever after. The end. There's not much of a love story. The book takes place over a very short period of time and the characters are always running, so they have to fall in love almost instantly. This is the kind of story where characters who just met are hot and heavy for each other within a half an hour. I believed Clay and Melinda were in lust. I did not believe they were in love. There are no characters. Kearney gives a few basic facts about Clay and Melinda but never gives them any dimension or development. The reader never gets to know the characters. It is impossible to believe they got to know each other. Good Intrigues are able to provide a strong relationship, emotional romance, well developed characters and an interesting plot. "Lovers in Hiding" has none of these. I've been able to recommend Intrigues with weak romances if the mystery is that spectacular, or weak intrigue because of a stunning love story. "Lovers in Hiding" doesn't provide either.

"Lovers in Hiding" is also contrived and not very well thought out. The author changes the rules of Melinda's "amnesia" from page to page, shifting what she remembers and doesn't remember until it's impossible to believe she has amnesia. Her "amnesia" lasts for about two seconds and a couple of pages before she starts to remember. One minute she doesn't know anything, the next she's spouting off all of these details about her life, the next she's still claiming she has amnesia. Melinda conveniently remembers everything about her life when she needs it and conveniently can't remember anything that would make the story end sooner, like where the journal is. It doesn't make any sense. She remembers nothing. She remembers everything. No, almost everything. Then she remembers more. But she still can't remember one little thing.... And this is all within the first few chapters. This seems like an obvious attempt by the author, who knows that amnesia books sell well, to get fans of amnesia books to buy this one without her having to write an amnesia book, much the way she did the secret baby plot in "Cradle Will Rock" while having her characters ignore how real people would react to the discovery of a secret child. Kearney's treatment of the CIA is also amateurish and unconvincing. While authors like Gayle Wilson have written dramatic, believable stories about intrigue in the CIA, Kearney's version is lightweight, as realistic as a bunch of kids playing cops and robbers. On a more positive, the ending is typically exciting. Kearney's books are never boring and the climax and epilogue of "Lovers in Hiding" are very nice.

Kearney's fans will likely know what to expect from her and enjoy this one as well. Her stories move so fast some readers may not have time to think about the story any more than the author did. While I've enjoyed some of her books ("A Night Without End," "Little Boys Blue"), this is not one of them. It doesn't approach her worst ("Deceiving Daddy," "Priority Male," "Lullaby and Goodnight"). That doesn't make it good either.

the pace is fast, the love story is hot
There's always a push pull in a Harlequin Intrigue. The best ones are fast paced and also take place within a short time frame to keep the tension up. So the love story also has to move fast. One thing I like about Sue Kearney's books is how well she combines the two elements. Lover's in Hiding is an excellent example of her skill with this genre. And it's a great finish to her series.

An explosive ending to an AWESOME series!
Susan Kearney's HIDDEN YEARS series concludes with LOVERS IN HIDING, the story of the youngest of three children torn apart by the deaths of their parents--and drawn back together in danger as adults.

Melinda is a wonderful heroine! Quirky, independent, free-spirited--the perfect foil for serious, intellectual Clay. I love amnesia stories, but since Melinda's condition is temporary, the thrill of learning details little by little added a fresh twist to a suspenseful storyline. And finally learning the depth of danger behind the CIA's involvement in this series is a great payoff. Brava, Susan Kearney!


Swim, Bike, Run
Published in Paperback by Human Kinetics (T) (November, 1993)
Authors: Glenn, Phd Town, Scott Tinley, and Todd Kearney
Average review score:

The gospel when it first hit press; outdated now
This was the first book I owned on the subject and could not believe the amount of training that the authors recommended one need do to finishi a triathlon. Given that the book is a bit old, I believe that these recommendations are a sign of those times. Nowadays, people know that one can do very well at the sport of triathlon on significantly less training, and I point the interested reader in the direction of books such as "Time-saving ..." and Sleamaker's "SERIOUS Training...". These books are equally scientific, but do not put as much emphasis on having to cover so many miles, but rather inform you on how to spend whatever time you actually have to train.

I would not recommend this book to a newcomer, nor to a seasoned triathlete anymore, but a few years ago I might have...

Great for beginners
This is a good book for everyone thinking about triathlons. It offers good advice on choosing equipment, techniques and training programs.
Instead of relying on distance, its programs focus on time and percentage. Since biking encompasses usually 50% of the race, training should focus 50% on biking (unless you're very weak in one of the other legs).

It offers sample worksheets to set up your own program, based on the type of triathlon-sprint to Ironman.

it works
I'm a new transition to triathlons. This book works well for me because I'm prepared to accept the information the book has to offer. The information is objective and the training methods presented appear well organized with technical reasoning backing up the new concepts I learned here. I feel the author is genuinely concerned about the readers success and therefore disagree with other reviewers comments' that the there is too much (unnecessary) training. My thoughts on this matter are that Triathletes need a sufficient amount of training to efficiently compete and I think once again the author backs up the reasons why the training is important . My interpretation of the general training outline presented is that this will prepare one well for the stresses of half ironman competition, but one can adjust up or down from there to suit their racing needs. For a 1994 copyright, this book is well worth the money because the facts, figures, and methods being used appear to be genuine by even today's standards. If you wish to find something exactly for you please visit your local full service health club and pay several hundred dollars for a genuine taylored plan, this is a serious statement for those being extremely serious about this sport. But for the novice like me, this book tells me everything I need to know at this point. See you on the course friends...


Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Battle of Betazed
Published in Digital by Pocket Books ()
Authors: Charlotte Douglas, Susan Kearney, and S. P. Somtow
Average review score:

Good stuff
The Battle for Betazed can pretty much be summed up in it's title, it is about how the Feds reclaimed Betazed during the Dominion war, in a covert operation that involved the TNG crew.
The plot flows along rather nicely, the authors know their stuff pretty well, except for a few continuity points which I will outline later.
The central character is, of course, Deanna Troi, and the book is highly descriptive of her feelings over the conquering of her homeworld, played out mainly in conversations with Riker and Picard.
The other major story is that of the actual people on Betazed, the members of the resistance and the occupying forces are both portrayed very well. Typically, Lwaxana is in the middle of everything, and the writers do her good as well.
The crux of the book deals with the age old question, of death or shame? Do a species defy their principles in order to survive? In this book, the Betazoids want to enlist the services of a Betazoid criminal who can kill with his mind, however only he knows of it, so Starfleet needs to bring him in. This is where Troi and the covert team come in, with a bit of help from the Enterprise and the Defiant(including Worf and O'Brien).
The plot resolution is fairly neat, it invents a solution from the circumstances, but I won't reveal it here.
Now I don't like to be a nitpicker, but there were some serious problems in this book. The first of which was the setting, the authors said it was set in mid 2375, after Dax's death but before Insurrection. However, as we know from DS9, at this point the Federation was winning the war, and had gone on the offensive(by taking Chin'toka). I find it hard to believe Starfleet would try to invade Dominion territory while one of the core Federation worlds was still under occupation. I was under the impression the Romulans took back Betazed when they first entered the war, but that's just my impression.
There was a slight technical fault, the writers used something called a 'scramble field', this doesn't exist. But, if these inconsistencies are overlooked, BFB is a solid book and well worth the read for TNG and DS9 fans.

A Newer, Stronger Deanna Troi
Deanna Troi is the heart and soul of this book, set before the final conquest and retreat of the Dominion, as Deanna is faced with a true moral dilemma: she can perhaps save her homeworld of Betazed from the Dominion/Cardassian conquerors, but the method she must use is morally repugnant to her. Making things worse, she has not heard from her mother, the indomitable Lwaxana, or her two-year-old brother Barin, who are trapped on the planet, since the invasion. The mysterious Commander Elias Vaughn, who has appeared in several other TNG & DSN books, has provided her with this chance to save the Betazed and possibly the Federation, as the withdrawal of Dominion/Cardassian control from Betazed would remove them from a position of proximity to other Federation worlds. Deanna, along with Vaughn, Data, and Dr. Crusher, form a commando troop to carry out the mission on Betazed, while Riker, Geordi, and Miles O'Brien, have a mission of their own on the Cardassian space station orbiting Betazed. Worf joins O'Brien in a welcome return to TNG from DSN. This is an exciting book and, as a Deanna Troi fan from day 1, a book I highly recommend. Even someone who does not enjoy the "science" in "science fiction" can follow this plot easily. Buy it; you'll like it.

betazed must be freed no matter the cost
the war against the dominion and the cardassians is not going well for starfleet. betazeid has been captured and the dominion
force is builing a new space station with betazeids as slave labor. when starfleet sends ships to liberate betazeid they are
utterly destroyed before they even get close to the system. with
this defeat starfleet gets a message from the betazeid resistance
movement on betazeid that is headed by none other than laxanda
troi herself. the plan they want implemented can mean freedom
for their homeworld but may leave the betazoids scared emotionlly
permanently. what is freedom worth? will they risk their very
way of life for their freedom? deanna troi is caught in the middle of this very ethical decision and what she and the crew
of the enterprise do is well worth reading. this is one of the
best star trek the next generation books that i have read and i
highly reccomend it to all fans especially if you are a deanna
fan.


Accidental Genius
Published in Paperback by Woodshed Press (01 September, 1998)
Authors: Kevin James Kearny, Kevin James Kearney, Cassidy Yumiko Kearney, Kearney Kevin, and Kearney Cassidy
Average review score:

Sincere and Well Meant
The Kearney's present an honest and heartfelt picture of their struggles to raise a profoundly gifted child. Unfortunately, they proceed to make recommendations based solely on their personal experience.

They wrongly assume that they are responsible for Michael's amazing mental development, being unaware that there have been many others like him, and that such prodigality is inborn.

They also equate learning with intellectual development and feel that by allowing Michael to learn as much as he wants and as fast as he wants, they have fulfilled his intellectual needs.

They also present their plan as the ideal solution, offering no alternatives for parents who may want something more substantive for their child than rushing through the educational system.

This has been an extremely controversial book in discussions among parents of profoundly gifted children. Those who wish to allow intellectual, emotional, and physical maturity a chance to develop in an integrated way are generally highly critical. Parents who are eager to see their children move as swiftly as possible through their schooling, possibly setting records along the way, and saving themselves money as a side benefit of college compaction, praise the book highly.

I see it as an interesting personal memoir that has become undeservedly influential.

GREAT! Describes the challenges of rearing the hyper-gifted.
GREAT! Couldn't put it down. I think that this is a "MUST READ" for parents of highly gifted children and a sometimes-funny "GOOD READ" for all of us. Parents of gifted children are finding this book an "aha!" experience. In spite of being two of the most precocious children on record (Michael is at, or close to the reported precocity levels of William Sidis), it is astonishing (and a little frightening) to me how often the Kearney children were misdiagnosed or mishandled. When Michael was born toxemic, and prematurely, the Kearneys were told that he might be brain damaged and retarded. They went all out from Day One to stimulate his mind. They little imagined that they would be confronted with a super-prodigy-an "accidental genius".

To me, one of the striking aspects of Michael's upbringing is the fact that his parents are doing their level best to insure that (unlike William Sidis), he and his comparably brilliant sister, Maeghan, are well adjusted to the world. The Kearneys have evidence that there may be thousands of children showing up around the country with the kind of energy and rage-to-learn that has characterized Michael and Maeghan. The Kearneys think that their dedication to keeping their children supplied with fresh knowledge allowed a flowering of their children's minds that made possible their full mental development. They are very concerned that other children are, perhaps, being misdiagnosed, just as were Michael and Cassidy, Of course, our school systems may not be well-geared to accommodate children at this level of rarity, and yet, these are the children who on whom we are depending to light the world. For the parents of such children, I think "Accidental Genius" is a necessity.

Wonderful Guide for Uncharted Territory
"Accidental Genius" is a wonderful book to help parents of profoundly gifted children understand the way these children learn and process information. It helps to make sense out of the speed they need to go in their studies. The Kearneys also help those coming along behind them to better understand the dynamics of working with various academic bureaucracies. If I had read this book 4 years ago when I first started homeschooling my profoundly gifted son, I would have understood his frustrations in following a linear curriculum and I would have accelerated him differently. We are facing our 10 yr. old entering college full time and are very nervous about the prospect. The Kearneys' insightful book helps point out the pros and the cons of such a venture.

I applaud their heart-wrenching honesty as they tried to explain in their book the reasons for the path they took. All may have different paths in this dark and uncharted forest of giftedness, but I'm glad the Kearneys left a map to explain the terrain!


Under the Color of Law: A Kevin Kearney Novel
Published in Hardcover by Penguin USA (05 July, 2001)
Author: Michael McGarrity
Average review score:

Good News for crime fiction fans
Good news for crime fiction fans. Michael McGarrity has issued the sixth book in his highly acclaimed series featuring old friend and protagonist Kevin Kerney as the new police chief of Santa Fe, New Mexico and about to be embroiled in a mystery that includes murders, computer espionage and national security. For readers that have not read McGarrity's previous novels, be aware that many now believe he rivals Tony Hillerman with his highly readable style and unique ability to combine his knowledge of both the landscape and culture of the American southwest with plot and storyline that have few equals. Kerney, after having been deputy chief for the New Mexico State Police, is persuaded to postpone retirement and accept a job as police chief of Santa Fe, New Mexico. The department is in disarray and less than professional; Kerney's wife is pregnant and intent on pursuing her military career; and Kerney simply cannot seem to stay away from police work he so enjoys. Thus, he accepts the job in Santa Fe that is not known as a high crime area and keeps him close to the land and people he knows and understands so well. A pretty good setup for someone that wants to keep his hand in law enforcement but not as demanding and dangerous as former jobs...one would think! The story begins with the murder of the estranged wife of a U.S. Ambassador in her Santa Fe home. At first it appears to be a crime not unlike others Kerney has investigated in his career, senseless to be sure but not without clues and witnesses. Ah, but the plot thickens. Just as Kerney begins his investigation he is notified that a FBI anti-terrorism team is enroute to Santa Fe and will take over the investigation. It seems that national security might be involved which requires the expertise of the feds. A bit unusual to be sure but Kerney initially discontinues investigation and steps into the background while the FBI takes charge. True to form the case turns bizarre with the feds sanitizing the crime scene, potential witnesses disappearing, and ultimately what appears to Kerney to be fake evidence is used to clear and close the case. Suspecting a cover-up Kerney begins his own unofficial investigation which leads to evidence of a covert cover-up involving U.S. intelligence agencies, dot-com companies, and rogue federal agents. He is placed under surveillance, threatened, and forced to watch as a number of murders are committed, including his own officers, in the name of national security. It also appears he is on the hit list. This is McGarrity at his best. The story moves at a fast pace, is highly readable, and eerily believable given both the current climate in this country and the unique talent of the author to place the reader in a time and place he obviously knows so well. The description of the Southwest landscape combined with both a believable plot and characters makes this a must read for mystery fans or anyone seeking a good read. I reviewed one of his previous books, The Judas Judge, and noted "He knows the territory and it shows." It is still true in this book. Highly recommended.

Good News for crime fiction fans
Good news for crime fiction fans. Michael McGarrity has issued the sixth book in his highly acclaimed series featuring old friend and protagonist Kevin Kerney as the new police chief of Santa Fe, New Mexico and about to be embroiled in a mystery that includes murders, computer espionage and national security. For readers that have not read McGarrity's previous novels, be aware that many now believe he rivals Tony Hillerman with his highly readable style and unique ability to combine his knowledge of both the landscape and culture of the American southwest with plot and storyline that have few equals. Kerney, after having been deputy chief for the New Mexico State Police, is persuaded to postpone retirement and accept a job as police chief of Santa Fe, New Mexico. The department is in disarray and less than professional; Kerney's wife is pregnant and intent on pursuing her military career; and Kerney simply cannot seem to stay away from police work he so enjoys. Thus, he accepts the job in Santa Fe that is not known as a high crime area and keeps him close to the land and people he knows and understands so well. A pretty good setup for someone that wants to keep his hand in law enforcement but not as demanding and dangerous as former jobs...one would think! The story begins with the murder of the estranged wife of a U.S. Ambassador in her Santa Fe home. At first it appears to be a crime not unlike others Kerney has investigated in his career, senseless to be sure but not without clues and witnesses. Ah, but the plot thickens. Just as Kerney begins his investigation he is notified that a FBI anti-terrorism team is enroute to Santa Fe and will take over the investigation. It seems that national security might be involved which requires the expertise of the feds. A bit unusual to be sure but Kerney initially discontinues investigation and steps into the background while the FBI takes charge. True to form the case turns bizarre with the feds sanitizing the crime scene, potential witnesses disappearing, and ultimately what appears to Kerney to be fake evidence is used to clear and close the case. Suspecting a cover-up Kerney begins his own unofficial investigation which leads to evidence of a covert cover-up involving U.S. intelligence agencies, dot-com companies, and rogue federal agents. He is placed under surveillance, threatened, and forced to watch as a number of murders are committed, including his own officers, in the name of national security. It also appears he is on the hit list. This is McGarrity at his best. The story moves at a fast pace, is highly readable, and eerily believable given both the current climate in this country and the unique talent of the author to place the reader in a time and place he obviously knows so well. The description of the Southwest landscape combined with both a believable plot and characters makes this a must read for mystery fans or anyone seeking a good read. I reviewed one of his previous books, The Judas Judge, and noted "He knows the territory and it shows." It is still true in this book. Highly recommended.

This is one book readers will be unable to put down
Kevin Kerney returns to New Mexico as the new chief of police, but before he settles into his job, he has a major homicide case. Ms. Phyllis Terrell, estranged wife of a US Ambassador, is found dead in her home. Before the chief and his men dig too deep, the FBI, claiming national security, takes over the investigation.

While the FBI whitewash the case, across town at the College of Santa Fe, a second homicide occurs. The victim is a priest who was studying covert actions of the United States in South America. Seeing a clear link between the homicides and an obvious cover up by the Feds, Kerney and his most trusted staff go undercover to try to learn the truth.

Michael McGarrity has written a fast-paced police procedural that is so action-packed the audience will need an oxygen tank to take a breath. The government's covert operation seems plausible, but Kerney's counter-measure makes David look like a giant going up against Goliath. This improbability does not hurt an enjoyable UNDER THE COLOR OF LAW because the protagonist is easy to like and identify with in this SST speedster. This thriller wrapped around a police procedural will keep fan interest from start to finish.

Harriet Klausner


Priority Male (Intrigue , No 478)
Published in Paperback by Harlequin (August, 1998)
Author: Susan Kearney
Average review score:

A Painfully Bad Book
In the first three pages of this book, Jasmine Ross' house is set on fire, Jasmine receives a long-lost letter revealing the identity of her father, and she goes to his home and is informed that he's dead. By the end of Chapter One, the hero has offered her a job (since she ran a company out of her house) and a place to stay, even though he doesn't know her in the least. At this point, I'm thinking, "Woah! I'm all for fast openings, but this is ridiculous." The entire book unfolds like that, with Kearney throwing one implausible event after another at us with no sense of narrative tension or rhythm. (Jasmine's standing on the sidewalk watching her house burn and the mailman just _happens_ to walk by at that exact moment with the letter that's been missing for 25 years. Uh huh.) The romantic subplot has Jasmine falling for her father's attorney, Rand Sinclair. Well, falling might be giving Kearney too much credit, since it's less than 100 pages into it (and Jasmine's only been there one day) before our heroine sighs that she's in love with this man. Again, that was fast. It also doesn't leave for much else to happen for the rest of the book. The bad guy couldn't be more obvious, and that goes double for the revelations about Jasmine's parents that allow for the required happy ending. Some of the moments where someone appears to be gaslighting Jasmine are suitably creepy, though far too many of them are just dumb. (If someone tells you not to lose a key, would you leave it in the attic door and walk away? If so, you deserve to come back and find the key missing and the door shut. Duh.) Kearney has proven she can write some good books (check out "Lullaby Deception" on that count) but this certainly isn't one of them. Obvious, predictable, underwritten, and stunningly absurd, "Priority Male" is bad in every sense of the word.

A family full of secrets, lies and "relative" weirdness.
When your family wants you dead, where to you turn? Too bad you can't choose your relatives. Jasmine doesn't know if she's done herself any favors by discovering her family. Fortunately, there's one man she wants to trust more than the others, especially since he's not a relative, and she's falling in love with him despite her habit of mistrusting everyone. You'll fall in love with his consistent character and level-headed approach to solving murder and mayhem. And his gentle, understanding approach to love. Oh, yes...and a very sexy approach, too.

Great Read!
Sue Kearney delivers again. I loved the hero in this one and the action was non-stop. Jasmine and Rand and the tight plot kept me involved from the beginning. Put this one on your "to be read list." It's another winner!


John Toland's Christianity Not Mysterious: Text, Associated Works and Critical Essays
Published in Paperback by Dufour Editions (01 January, 1997)
Authors: John Toland, Alan Harrison, Richard Kearney, and Philip McGuinness

Related Vacation Book Subjects: Nebraska
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