We always buy green chilis from Hatch, New Mexico each year which we roast, bag and freeze for use during the year. I wanted to find new ways to prepare these. This cookbook contains many yummy recipes that I can hardly wait to prepare.

I'm not sure anyone would want to emulate private eye Bubba Mabry's investigative style, but journalist Steve Brewer takes a delightful look at Albuquerque, New Mexico's beauty and dark side in this thriller. Brewer throws in a bit of the unrealistic by bringing Elvis Presley back to life -- although he shows readers a pretty good depiction of what the King would be like were he still alive. Several murders add enough blood for the morbid-at-heart, and the language makes up for a somewhat shaky plot. The characters, other than Elvis, are pretty ordinary -- the tired private eye looking for some dough, tabloid reporters out for the story of the century, a curvaceous Marilyn Monroe-type blonde who will either sleep with a man -- or threaten to shoot him -- in order to get information, and a couple of hulky thugs. But the combination of all the elements makes for a fast-read full of laughs, even in the face of horrible death.

This book details the relationship between Latin America and the United states in recent history. Not only is this a very interesting tale of violence, money, and struggle, but it is a story that must never be forgotten. The struggle is still ongoing for Latin America to achieve stability and reverence. Coerver and Hall do an excellent job detaling all the important information and provide a remarkable and informative tail of a past that is not so far away.

It is a shame this book is out of print. This is by far Van Gieson's best novel featuring her magnetic lawyer-sleuth, Neil Hamel. Whereas the earlier books had not yet developed Hamel's character into full bloom, and the most recent one is a bit contrived, this volume is like a comfortable old sweater. If you can get your hands on a copy, relish it!

Charlie Parker and her secretary Sally Bertrand take a trip to Sally's hometown, Valle Escondido. Sally is going to visit her friend, Laura, who has suffered a miscarriage. About that same time Laura's friend Cynthia dies while having a miscarriage. Laura suspects that Cynthia's abusive husband Richard has something to do with his wife's death. The husband blames Cynthia's boss. Charlie, not one to turn her back on a mystery, begins investigating and discovers the diabolical plot behind the death and miscarriages. Author Connie Shelton throws in several issues in this book, including gun control and spousal abuse, but never really ties them together or makes them into a unified plot. The actual solution to the crime is pretty far-fetched, as is the fact that Charlie's dog Rusty is allowed to stay in a jail cell with her. There is also a visit from Charlie's love interest, Drake, and that relationship heats up during the course of the book. Despite its flaws, this is still a pretty good book, with interesting characters and nice descriptions of the New Mexico countryside.

As usual Shelton is great on food ans scenery and dog behavior. She does wonderful minor characters, especially if they're obnoxious. She lets villains off lightly. There's quartet of abhorrent Texans in this that Texas will never recover from. Actually there are too many nice people in this. Her nice people are too nice. The main plot (almost subsidiary to the romantic interest sub-plot) is about an abortion-related death in a small New Mexican town. It's not very plausible (unless New Mexico has no Medical Examiners, Coroners, Inquests, Autopsies, Maternal Death Inquiry Committtees, State Health Departments or District Attorneys or none of them have telephones). This is fourth in the series after Partnerships Can Kill but the action seems to follow right on from Vacations Can Be Murder.

Valle Escondido, New Mexico, a small town where everyone knows everyone. Charlie and her assistant Sally decided to take a visit there and meet one of Sally's friends. Once Charlie meets Laura and learns of her friend's death due to a miscarriage, it only takes a grain of doubt from Laura for Charlie to realize she can't help herself. Was it a miscarriage or murder? With her brother talking gun control and a hunky visitor from Hawaii finding a landing spot in her heart. Charlie does a little soul searching while she hunts down the murderer.

Charlie is a PI who does it her way and when she doesn't have a human partner, she brings along her dog Rusty (my favorite part of the read). I enjoyed the mystery, which wasn't easy to solve and that's how I like it. And Ms. Shelton knows how to add the right amount of humor in just the right spot.

Her mystery series is a treat to read!

I felt the book left out several key points on what the traveler should know when visiting Santa Fe. 1. Most restraunts close from 3-5:30 each day and close for the day at 9:30. Our first night in Santa Fe this turned out to be a disappointment when we tried to go out to dinner after 9:00 PM. 2. There was very little info on the best ways to enjoy the natural beauty of New Mexico while in Santa Fe. We had to seek the guidance of our hotel when looking for the best areas to hike. 3. Overall the book simply tried to cover too much info about the entire state of New Mexico in it's relatively limited text and fell short on the critical info for Santa Fe. 4. Inadequate number of restraunts covered and reviewed. In fact, the best restraunt we dined in (The Bull Ring) wasn't even mentioned. 5. No photographs.

Valuable resource when traveling for the first time in New Mexico. Constantly referred to the book for recommendations on where to eat and what sights to see. Used the book prior to our trip to decide on places to stay. We were never disappointed with the recommendations. Some of the information was outdated i.e., hours of operation, admission costs, etc., but nothing major. I was so pleased with the guide that I bought the Pacific Northwest book so I would have new ideas for weekend get-aways.