R.I.P Robert B. Parker

Prolific crime novelist, Robert B. Parker(September 17, 1932 – January 18, 2010) died Monday, January 18th. It seems fitting that he died at his desk, working. He is best known for his Spenser series, featuring a Boston detective. The popular television show Spenser for Hire was based on this series. He has written over 60 novels, which include 3 different series. He is survived by his wife Joan and their 2 sons. Parker's books remain popular here at the library and are located upstairs in Fiction and in Paperback Fiction downstairs.

Book Review: The Madness of Lord Ian by Jennifer Ashley

This is the first historical romance that has appealed to me in ages.
I LOVED this book. Why? It was different. There’s a wounded hero, a sharp likeable heroine, misunderstandings, dark family secrets, murders, and yes, love. I truly cared about these characters and can’t wait for the next one in the series.

The tortured hero, Lord Ian, is autistic (or at least mildly so). He was put into an asylum for most of his young life, until his oldest brother, Hart, became Duke and got him out. The leading lady is Beth Ackerley, a wealthy widow whose upbringing is a little shady. When her vicar husband died, she became a companion to a wealthy woman, a Ms. Barrington, who left her fortune with Ms. Ackerley when she died. She is now a woman of means and can do as she wishes.

At the beginning of the story, Beth is engaged to be married until Lord Ian comes into the picture. She breaks it off with her fiancé when warned by Ian of his true character. She then takes off for Paris to see the sights. Ian finds out where Beth has gone and because he was so taken with her decides to go to Paris as well. While Beth is there she befriends a woman, Isabella, who happens to Ian’s sister-in-law. Isabella is the estranged wife of Mac Mackenzie, the second youngest of the family, an artist currently residing in Paris. Beth is smart, beautiful, compassionate and unashamed when questioned about her past, which she is when Inspector Fellows begins asking her questions about Ian Mackenzie and a murdered woman. The story ends up being a murder mystery with a few other surprises thrown in that you didn’t see coming, including the “real” reason Ian was put into an asylum. You also get to meet, Hart, the oldest Mackenzie brother and the Duke. He is not a little scary. Cameron is the 2nd oldest and is described as the black sheep of the family who is a skilled horseman and a little rough around the edges.

The next book in the series will be Isabella’s story with Mac.

Go to the Mackenzie home to learn more.

Michelyn

Teen Book Review - Devoured by Amanda Marrone

Devoured by Amanda Marrone
Devoured is a continuation of the classic fairy-tale of Snow White, with a twist of course. The tone is distinctly more like that of the Grimm Brothers versus the prevalent Disney version. I definitely enjoyed the book, but I found it to be creepier than I had expected. The premise is that Megan, our heroine, was in a horrible accident with her twin sister, Remy, and father when she was seven. Her father remains in a coma and her sister passed away, but her presence remains. When Megan accepts a job at the Land of Enchantment amusement park to keep an eye on her boyfriend and his girl-next door bff, the apparition of her sister begins to show herself with more frequency and behave in a more volatile manner, complete with visions of bloody violence. Luke, a talented painter that works at the amusement park shows up during one of Remy's tantrums and Megan is surprised to learn that he can also see Remy. Together, they try to find a way to help Remy move on, but become embroiled in something much more sinister. As with all paranormal fiction, if you suspend disbelief you will have a quick entertaining read with Amanda Marrone's Devoured.

From School Library Journal:
Gr 8 Up—Ever since the car accident nine years ago, life for 16-year-old Megan has never been the same. Her father lies in a coma at the nursing home; her twin sister, Remy, who died in the accident, continues to haunt her; and her mom only seems to care about winning dog competitions with their purebred Fergus. Events become even more complicated when Megan decides to take a job working at the Land of Enchantment in order to keep an eye on her boyfriend, Ryan, and his "best friend," Samantha. There she meets Luke, who is psychic and, to Megan's relief, can also see and communicate with Remy. Megan is concerned because Remy's behavior is becoming violent. The natural attraction between Megan and Luke quickly becomes a problem for Ari Roy, whose family owns the Land of Enchantment. Ari feels that Luke is hers, and she will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Devoured is a murder mystery and a ghost story with a modern-day "Snow White" twist. The plot is fast-paced and full of suspense, gripping readers right from the start. Megan and Luke are well developed, but the ending, in which everything happens too quickly, can be a bit confusing. Still, the book will be devoured by fans of the supernatural.—Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School, NY