Michael J. Fox was born in Edmonton in 1961. Residing in Burnaby, British Columbia, while his father was in the Royal Canadian Army Signal Corps, he recounts growing up with parents, siblings, Nana, and friends. Describing himself in the toddler years, Michael says, "... a handful, a whirlwind... precociously funny in a what-spaceship-dropped-off-this-alien kind of way." Michael's early love of music, specifically the guitar (self-taught), was fruitful as a member in the "Halex" band. His love of drama and art was realized at age sixteen when Michael made his debut as a twelve-year old in the Canadian Broadcasting Company's production of the series "Leo and Me". Fox's American career was launched with Disney in "Midnight Madness". Career credits include the theater screen with "Back to the Future", "Teen Wolf", and "Doc Hollywood"; and popular television series, "Family Ties" (on the set, Michael met actress/wife Tracy Pollan), and "Spin City". With humor Michael describes success, '...those who got, get', i.e., if famous and with fortune, free offers abound. Just the mention of his favorite beer in a conversation, brought a truckload of the beverage to his front door... with a promise of more anytime he wanted it!

Fox's emotional journey in facing the reality of the diagnosis of Young Onset Parkinson's Disease (PD) began in 1990 with the twitching of a finger. In LUCKY MAN, Fox approaches his story with wit, positive attitude and honesty, emotions, and the trials in the continuation of his career. The diagnosis of PD was understandably kept from the public for seven years... shared only with his inner circle of family and trusted associates. Michael experienced the ritual commonly traversed with diagnosis of debilitating diseases including anger, denial and acceptance. Candidly, Fox tells his faults, ups and downs, the highs and lows of life and show biz, his philosophy, and the thrill of playing hockey against Bobby Orr. In admitting his problem with alcohol and the existence of PD, Michael is led to a therapist and engages a permanent neurologist for treatment of his illness.

As an advocate for PD research funding, Fox has testified before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing. His campaigning efforts, continued to this day, have had a definite effect on raising awareness of PD in the public and private sectors. Specifically, the acknowledgement that PD is prevalent in earlier ages vs. the medical textbooks statement that PD is diagnosed in later ages of 50-65 years. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Disease Research has become a passion in his life. To this date, the exact cause of PD is unknown. LUCKY MAN is not only biographical, it is a highly-informational writing with regard to the progression and research of PD. Medications associated with treatment are described, differing in results with each person. Fox says of his release of the diagnosed illness to the public, "Disclosure had allowed me to rearrange life so that I could get more from it."

Michael J. Fox possesses obvious penchant for writing. His exceptional narrative in LUCKY MAN is philosophical, uplifting and insightful. While reading LUCKY MAN, I laughed and I cried. I am in awe of Michael J. Fox for his honesty, humility, compassion, and courage (that includes wife/actress Tracy Pollan and his four children). Review based on paperback edition 2003

[Note: The author's profits from the sale of "Lucky Man" are donated by the author to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Please visit the author's website: michaeljfox.com]

Connected books recommended are: LIFE LESSONS by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross; THE WHEEL OF LIFE: A MEMOIR OF LIVING AND DYING by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross; SHAKING UP PARKINSON DISEASE: FIGHTING LIKE A TIGER, THINKING LIKE A FOX by A. N. Lieberman, Abraham, M.D. Lieberman

Author Lorraine Smith had been in academia as her life's career --teaching. The September 1994 school session opens, and Ms. Smith (now Dr. Smith) is looking forward to another year with students. The school building is having a new roof installed, while school is in session. Lorraine Smith experiences illness, along with her students, from the odor of chemicals being used to apply the roofing material. It doesn't end there... she becomes so ill from head to toe, literally, Ms. Smith has to stop teaching, becomes purposefully reclusive, cannot go outside, wear certain clothes, even the smell of coffee makes her ill. Ms. Smith seeks help from varied physicians... one blatantly laughs at her throughout the medical appointment.

One physician gives her a diagnosis -- Environmental Illness (EI) or Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). But, he tells her, there is no cure! Over years of suffering, and courageous, non-stop searching, she meets others who have the same illness. She discovers doctors and alternative medicine who know Environmental Illness, providing the increasingly ill Ms. Smith with knowledge, understanding, support, assistance and clinical, healing methods.

Lorraine Smith is now a Doctor of Clinical Hypnotherapy (D.C.H.). After a horrendous struggle, Dr. Smith today helps other sufferers. Read this book for information, if for no other reason. One of the best medical references on the bookshelves. It is enlightening with bibliography, indices of terms and referrals. The reader will discover many other surprises as they delve into the life of Lorraine Smith, D.C.H.

The biblio references vary from Deepak Chopra, M.D., "Quantum Healing"; Professor Steven Rochlitz, "Allergies and Candida: with the Physicist's Rapid Solution"; Devi Nambudripad, S., D.C., L.Ac., R.N., Ph.D., "Say Goodbye to Illness", and Norman Vincent Peale, "How to Handle Tough Times."

Dzien dobry, Sara Paretsky and Detective Warshawski... from a survivor - thank you for noting 9/11.

So, V.I., you are off on another assignment in BLACKLIST. Hired by a long-time client, Darraugh Graham to investigate 'goings on' at his family's old home near Anodyne Park in New Solway. Darraugh's feisty mother Geraldine now lives in an apartment near the property and has seen lights in the attic of the empty house, imagination or fact?

On the second late-night property stakeout, Detective Warshawski encounters a young teenage female heading toward the entry of the house. The teenager takes flight and escapes during pursuit, unfortunately. Giving chase, Detective V.I. falls into five feet of murky, weedy, pond water located on the property. As she rises out of the clay-like soil, she finds a drowned dead man; attempts CPR but to no avail.

The dead man is identified as freelance reporter Marcus Whitby. Cause of death is listed as 'drowning' after consumption of alcohol, probably. His parents come to Chicago to claim the body and are eager to return home for burial ceremonies. Sister of Marcus engages V.I. to intervene for an autopsy to determine cause of death, officially. Why was he at the property? How come his automobile was not nearby? Why was there no identification on him other than a very wet matchbook and a pencil?

Warshawski learns the identity of the teenage trespasser who is linked to an affluent Chicago family, a publishing firm owned by the Bayard's. Interrogation of young Ms. Bayard brings shallow results. The news media reports on the mysterious disappearance of a young, male Egyptian named Benjamin Sadawi. Added to the building suspense are reports of terrorist activities under investigation, adding fire and energy of implications wrought in BLACKLIST. And..., more turmoil runs amok when "authorities" want to gain access to student files in the elite Vina Fields Academy on Chicago's Gold Coast.

The momentum builds with V.I. not deterred by any subtle hints or threats to her investigation. Suddenly, however, her employer Darraugh Graham instructs V.I. to put a halt to the investigation of the once family-owned property. Warshawski fans know that such moments of "halt commands" only provide fuel to V.I.'s detective energy.

Meanwhile, Warshawski's love of her life, Morrell is on assignment in Afghanistan. To friend and neighbor, Mr. Contreras (God love him), V.I. is known as 'doll' or 'cookie', and he continues his vigil of watching over her. Providing chicken soup, and a breakfast of French toast with bacon to maintain her well-being.

As always, Sara Paretsky gives credence to the story with well-described, scenic places in Chicago, lovable and not-so-lovable characters - some have been with Warshawski for years as others come and go. Along with the plots, questionable circumstantial deaths, and a not-to-be defeated Detective Warshawski, BLACKLIST will keep you reading through wonderfully captioned-chapters, such as: 'House of the Dead'; 'Crocodile In the Moat'; 'Stiffed at the Morgue'; 'Terrorist on the Run', and 'Shootout at the Eagle River Corral'.

In true Paretsky definitive style, V.I. Warshawski continues with question upon question of what she is getting for responses -- sly, half-truth, no-truth answers. To readers - check out Sara Paretsky's website... www.SaraParetsky.com.
Review based on 2003 hardcover.

Recommended read: By A Spider's Thread by Laura Lippman for release in June 2004.

Born into a fairly affluent family of six children in Dublin, Ireland, Maureen FitzSimmons's stage-acting career was launched at an early age. Her film last name, O'Hara was given to her by Charles Laughton because her nee would not fit the movie billboard. Ms. O'Hara gained fame in a Alfred Hitchcock directed film, "Jamaica Inn", co-starring the great Charles Laughton. It is the aforesaid movie that Ms. O'Hara is accorded with: "...entered the premiere as an actress and left as a 'star'," and dubbed as "the girl with the black-cherry eyes."

"The Hunchback of Notre Dame" was also a triumph for Ms. O'Hara, again co-starring Charles Laughton (remembered for his role in "Mutiny On The Bounty", extraordinaire classic). The reader cannot help but chuckle about an 'event' that occurred on the set of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" -- heavily-accented director Dieterle had asked for 200 priests/monks to be available for the set; what he got was 200 monkeys!

Among many film credits are Ms. O'Hara's performances in "How Green Was My Valley"; "Miracle on 34th Street" with child actress Natalie Wood; "The Quiet Man", filmed in Ireland, co-starring John Wayne (the 'Duke'). O'Hara candidly speaks of her long-time friendship with John Wayne, and her tormenting, tragic loss of her husband, record-breaking, famed-pilot, Charlie Blair.

Just as there was no safety from the power of studio politicos 'trading' the star to another studio -- to her credit, and perhaps to the surprise of some readers, Ms. O'Hara performed her OWN STUNTS without the aid of harnesses and other safety devices. The latter performance strength of Ms. O'Hara shines in the swashbuckling, fencing movie scenes where she skillfully showed her fencing training and knowledge (again including her own stunt-work). Also of note is Ms. O'Hara's stamina to stand up to the politics in the industry, including her successful lawsuit against a tabloid, putting them out of business.

What baffles this reader is learning of Ms. O'Hara's 'weakness' in some not-thought-through life decisions and relationships, specifically the continuation of her marriage to Will Price, a rough, alcoholic, abusive, philandering spouse. And, by her own admission, making the quick choice to wed (more than once) to men she was not in love with. More baffling is why she stayed in the situation(s) for so long, considering husband Price was spending her earned money by living lavishly, purchasing mansions without her knowledge until the 'deed was done', via simply using her name.

From Ms. O'Hara's book, 'TIS HERSELF, the reader picks up hints of bias here and there; her "chip-on-the-shoulder" brazenness, bragging, pomposity and naivete, albeit at times with added wittiness. Readers might forgive and indulge Ms. O'Hara's aforesaid eccentricities, allowing that the book includes earlier film years and the effect World War II had on all film studios and staff. Ms. O'Hara's memoirs are rich with stage and film including recorded singing and dancing talents on TV specials (such as the Dinah Shore Show and Perry Como Show); along with movie studio and film history, and many personages who are part of film history -- be it singers and dancers, actors, producers, writers and directors. And, worthy are the descriptive words used to carry the reader through incidents, actions and events, which transpired during filming, and history of stage, film and TV.

Overall 'TIS HERSELF is a good read of historical information, but the reader can't feel bad for some of Ms. O'Hara's predicaments she got herself into, and being ever - so - slow in getting out of them. Why? The reader may wonder...?!

Other Recommended Reading: GIRL SINGER by Rosemary Clooney

Review based on paperback 2003

Whenever there is a story including Han, Leia, Chewbacca and C3PO, a 'Star Wars' fan knows that there will be "action". Troy Denning does justice to that "knowing" by applications in his book TATOOINE GHOST.

Pro-Episode VI, Han and Leia have been married little less than a year. Accompanied by Chewbacca and C3PO on the Millennium Falcon, they are on assignment to visit a public auction in an attempt to bid for an important Alderaanian moss-painting masterpiece "Killik Twilight. The artwork, lost after the destruction of Alderaan, has resurfaced from the black market. The painting in itself is of importance to descendants of Alderaan; even more so, it contains a secret code. If the painting gets into the wrong hands, specifically the Imperials, mis-possession would present a threat to Republic secret agents. A mission of the Wraith Squadron would be jeopardized.

Han 'employs' the services of the Squibs to do the bidding on the artwork, to draw attention away from Han, Leia, Chewbacca and C3PO, who are in disguise. In a frenzy of auction bidding, turmoil turns into chaos as the "Killik Twilight" is abducted. With the arrival of squads of stormtroopers and TIE's, it is guessed that the Imperials are doing whatever is necessary to obtain the artwork. Through trails, Kitster Banain, a long-ago friend of Anakin Skywalker, is guessed to be the artwork abductor.

With assistance from Kitster's wife Tamora -- Han, Leia and partners arrive at Tatooine locations. Han strikes a deal for engaging a super-powered ion-engine swoop, aided by a mounted vidcam map. He gives chase through the dangerous serpentine race course of Arch Canyon, to find Kitster before the Imperials. Han is hit by a vicious, damaging sandstorm, vehicle down, and sees Kitster's swoop abandoned. Within the chase, Han spots tracks of a salvage vehicle, guessing that Kitster was picked up by the Jawa.

After a period of failure of any contact with Han in the Canyon, Leia, Chewbacca and C3PO set off in a vehicle to find Han. Unfortunately, they are hindered by the sandstorm as well. On the vidcam map, Leia locates a moisture farm owned by the Darklighter family. The Darklighter family lends assistance to Leia and crew to continue the search for Han, finding him alive, a lot worse for wear from the elements, especially dehydration.

Leia is in the Tatooine area where her father Anakin, a.k.a. Darth Vader, played as a child. Also where brother Luke Skywalker lived with his aunt and uncle. Here, too, are memories for C3PO, his beginnings - built by Anakin and years later bought from the Jawas by Luke and his uncle. Unbelievingly, she learns that Anakin and mother Shmi were once slaves; that child Anakin was the first human to win the Boonta Eve Classic podrace and was very-well thought of by those who knew him.

Leia experiences touches of the "Force" (as she did at the auction) including sensations of the 'Tatooine Ghost'. Given an electronic journal by the Darklighters, Leia watching and listening to the journal entries by her grandmother Shmi, learns Skywalker history on Tatooine; Anakin leaving his home with Jedi Master Qui Gon for Jedi training; Shmi's marriage to moisture farmer Cliegg and her capture by the Tusken raiders. (Cliegg states the secret about being a moisture farmer: "You can't fight life out here. You just take what Tatooine gives you and find a way to use it.")

With the help of the Ashajian herders, the foursome plus the Squibs, travelling on dewbacks, again flee from Imperial troopers. Leia still senses that she is being drawn out into the wilds of Tatooine by the Force. Sometimes a cliché serves another purpose: Leia dismounting a dewback, after a chain of events, she falls onto the hot, dry sand of Tatooine... "Stang! 'When it rains... [it pours]!' She glanced up at the sky and shook her head. 'We should be so lucky'."

There is disappointment on the reader's part of Leia's contact with Mon Mothma and reference to the assignment of the Wraith Squadron. The second area is Leia's new knowledge to her grandmother's burial site on Tatooine; she is very close to it but the author makes no connection of Leia visiting the site... two loose ends leaving the reader thinking.. 'why bother mentioning the two, when they don't go anywhere'.

Troy Denning is one of the best of Star Wars adventure series writers. Denning has the writing talent to give the reader the descriptive senses of imaging the scenery, characters and action throughout the TATOOINE GHOST, along with character humor. Especially vivid is the imaging offered of Han on a swoop travelling through the bends, curves and protrusions of Arch Canyon; plus the travels across the sands of Tatooine via dewback. Denning's TATOOINE GHOST exquisitely connects the history of father Anakin Skywalker, his mother/grandmother Shmi, Luke Skywalker and their lives on Tatooine to daughter/granddaughter/sister Leia. AND, he gave "renewed" life to Chewbacca... a lovable Star Wars crew member... before his demise in a future story, already written before TATOOINE GHOST.

Very seldom in my avid reading, biblioholic years do I experience a boring read - this is one of the nth degree of boring reads. And, very seldom do I write a negative review. Considering the magnitude of the subject matter and content, expectations were high; the more I read, the more disillusioned I became.

It is the writing style of author Peter Duffy which left me with descending hope of reading enjoyment as the book progressed. And, yes, I "stuck it out" to the end. Duffy's manner of "handling" the subject matter distorts and disrupts the reader's enjoyment of THE BIELSKI BROTHERS. Too many menial descriptions covering up what should be valuable, in-depth, intellectual writing. Details of trivial matters applied too often without zest. As presented, the story is slow treading in movement and progressive reporting. The author states on page 207, "...But the work proceeded slowly, with everyone worn out from months of living like nomads." As in the latter statement, Duffy's fails to write with enthusiasm, upbeat phrasing and non-contributive descriptions to add to the reader's enjoyment of serious material. For instance, by page 207 - three-quarters of the book is complete, but Duffy is no farther ahead in describing Bielski accomplishments than at the halfway mark. The reader is still searching for the "vim and vigor" writing of an important part of history. In each chapter, repetitive action scenes, reporting of too many trivial movements and scenes repeated over and over leaves the reader with "stilted" thinking -- "...it's got to get better in reporting events..."; it doesn't; the reporting remains weak.

The two-star rating I've assigned to the book is in honor of the BIELSKI family and their peers, for the courage and determination in a time of horrendous, heinous, anti-Semitism, with one part of Hitler's determination to destruct a race and culture.

With any book, a reader gains "something" - that something for me is the discovery of the existence of the BIELSKI family. THE BIELSKI BROTHERS determinedly performed a courageous fete to help their country men, women and children.

Dear reader, in Duffy's debut, you are in for a dry run of disappointing reporting of information and writing style to the approach of important subject matter. I do honor the author's quotation from The Talmud: "Whoever saves one life saves the world entire." Mr. Duffy, do try again and I wish you well in your future endeavors. (...)

My Own Created Quote: The Coil is taut, it slackens and releases its tension... not knowing how stretched the coil can become... nor when it will be taut again. (JAKL)

In THE COIL, author Gayle Lynds has created a marvelously-rendered, tantalizing, suspenseful drama of global intrigue, with an exceptionally brilliant writing style. Lynds' book will no doubt be one of the top performers in the world of espionage and intrigue.

Lynds instantly peaks the reader's interest within the opening pages, traveling from scene to scene, chapter to chapter with ease in following the author's ingenious connection of descriptive words and sentences in relation to each other, creating a high desire to continue reading THE COIL to the end. Just when the reader is hooked on a probability, it becomes a possibility that does not become a reality. There is no opportunity for the reader to chance a viable guess to the outcome. Characters make their appearance, some are murdered, while others come and go - never knowing who is to be or not to be trusted.

Liz Sansborough, Professor in Psychology Department, at the University of California at Santa Barbara, and a past intelligence agent, begins to spin backward into a world she thought was left behind five years ago. An abduction of her look-alike, cousin Sarah and attempted murder of Sarah's husband Asher, while on their vacation in Paris; several attempts on Liz's life, a suspicious sudden "hold" placed on her TV series -- "Secrets of the Cold War", plus a break-in to her office research files are the beginnings of a tailspin into her past. The peaceful five years she created begin to shatter.

The story evolves around a search for special files... "the Carnivore's files"... once belonging to Liz's father and his past as an assassin. An organization of high-power Titans - a.k.a. The Coil - each a controlling power assigned password names such as Cronus, Hyperion, Themis; wanting world-wide globalization, but specifically the Carnivore files, before the organization can reach its goals.

Liz Sansborough's character is astute and discerning, strong and determined to survive the investigation and search for the file, the organization behind it all and the compelling desire to put an end to complex events.

Caught in a high wind, the windmill revolves faster and faster, uncovering a whirlwind of events. Liz Sansborough again faces individuals from her past and into the present among which are: cousin Simon; Kirk Tedesco; Angus MacIntosh; Nicholas Inglethorpe; Gino Malko; Aunt Tish; Cesar Duchesne. The reader struggles along with the heroine to determine... who's the bad guy? who's the good guy? who is friend? and who is foe?

Liz Sansborough and the reader continue throughout the gripping fast-paced pages until the ending. Or is it the end...?

Recommended read: SPLIT SECOND by David Baldacci

THE DA VINCI CODE - the name of the book alone gets a reader's attention. This tome is a suspenseful, intelligent thriller using coverups, vengeance and secret societies. Holding one's interest throughout the book, Dan Brown catches the reader's eye and mind beginning with a violent, sadistic murder in the setting of the famous Louvre in France. A riddle is found by the victim's body which lends and leads to clues found in artist Da Vinci's work. The reader is transported on a journey of search for the Holy Grail. The author's ability to use consistent, thorough research adds to the prominent interpretation of Western historical events, as exciting as the believable methods of the murder investigation. Setting aside one own's personal beliefs in the existence of truth... THE DA VINCI CODE is among the most interesting, entertaining novels. On a negative note, Dan Brown could have been more descriptive about the physical appearances of the heroes allowing the reader to better image the characters.
On balance it is a good read.
Recomended read - THE NUMBERED ACCOUNT by Christopher Reich

Review based on hardcover 9/2003... Reviewer's comment: 'Until you walk in my shoes...' I offer that reminder to those reviewers and readers who may pass judgment on a writer, who openly shares his life of trials and tribulations, of what he does or does not say... how he does or does not react to his chronic illness. Here is a man who opens himself to public scrutiny of emotions from the heart -- that alone is a over-the-top fete to accomplish, in this reviewer's eye. Shalom, Mr. Cohen, thank you.

BLINDSIDED is a book sized small in width and length, but powerfully-packed in content with exceptional use of words, phrases and sharing of personal privacy. Richard M. Cohen tells of his life, his family, his chronic illness with candor, wit, anger and courage. Cohen reveals heartache, emotional, physical and mental trials, with introspection of his actions and effect upon his family and self well-being. There are moments when Cohen sometimes goes within himself, leaving the reader, but faithfully he returns.

At age 25, Cohen was diagnosed with beginning stages of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) - a progressive disease. In later years, he battles recurring colon cancer with accompanying side effects, and deals with blindness attributed to side effects of MS. With honesty, the author vents the struggles of physical and mental pain. The fact that the medical profession was only mildly supportive in caring... unconcerned with applying the holistic approach, and the ramifications suffered by Mr. Cohen is appalling, a blemish on the medical profession -- albeit not a new occurrence.

At the beginning there are natural denials ... Cohen states, "Yes, denial can put the brain to sleep, anesthetizing the mind that refuses to face the truth and see the approaching freight train hauling the heavy load of heavy reality." Some of his "advisors" tell him... 'don't tell anyone'... then others say, 'tell about your illness'... 'full disclosure does not work in the real world...' Either route presented problems... within these advisors are coworkers, peers, relating to the damage or not of telling employers and prospective employers. Attempting to live life to the fullest with courage and dignity, Cohen continues his participation in assignments of travel including Poland, Beirut, San Salvador, Middle East and China.

Beyond medical distant (non) attention are the CBS networks executives who mistreated Richard Cohen as well as Meredith Vieira in her right to put family first ... that includes Mike Wallace, his use of ugly language to a female coworker related to baby Ben being brought to his mother's office and a natural act of a baby crying. Hooray for you, Ms. Vieira for not bowing to the ignorant authorities you had to put up with. My admiration of you grew through the years for not bowing to corporate dirty politics. And, your presence on ABC's THE VIEW is exceptional.

From Richard Cohen... "... the formula for successful coping rests in the eye of the beholder... no magic... Making peace is not a one-shot deal but an effort that spans a lifetime. Coping takes discipline and self-control."

Recommended reading: THE LAST DANCE BUT NOT THE LAST SONG, MY STORY author Renee Bondi

MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES was a disappointing read, considering the excerpt on book jacket had promise. Dramatic words with no drama, moving very slowly from the beginning, into the middle and to the end. Author Nancy Taylor Rosenberg offers a repetitious tale of reminiscences, sadness & anger -- a romance more than a mystery.

Chief character is an ambitious, yet troubled LA District Attorney Lillian (Lily) Forrester. She has an open door to reach her goal as an appointed judge.

As a couple, John and Lily Forrestor are in a non-loving marriage, with a disturbed 13-year old daughter Shana. Not in control as she once thought, Lily's destructive past involving her grandfather, evolves a vengeful, angry woman to the brink of mental explosion. Her rage is released by committing a haunting crime to avenge a current unspeakable tragedy imposed upon herself & daughter Shana.

Although a little rough around the edges, the best character - Detective Cunningham offers the read some zing with some humor, concerns, actions and the desire to leave LA and return to Omaha, a much saner environment. A murder committed, a sketch of a person observed at the scene of the crime raises Detective Cunningham's suspicions as the sketch resembles District Attorney Forrestor.

The author does not complete the story of husband John - his path taken just disappears; a chapter devoted to daughter Shana in which her rage from tragic events is described does not continue to conclusion. The ending of the book is "different" from what a reader would expect, especially from the justice system.

I did enjoy one expression: "The train had finally derailed and the cars were all overturned. All that remained was the baggage." This read is like a train that never picks up speed, consistently changes tracks, and the baggage is lost. Review based on hardcover 1993

Recommend Sara Paretsky's GUARDIAN ANGEL & GHOST COUNTRY.