A Perfect Murder is a re-make of the Hitchcock film, "Dial M for Murder." Steven Taylor, played by Michael Douglas, pays David, an artist played by Viggo Montenson, to kill his wife Emily, played by Gwyneth Paltrow. Emily and David are having a affair. The plan seems perfect, but is it? The murder is thwarted and the rules change. There is much suspense, and the plot contains several twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Douglas, Paltrow, and Mortenson do excellent jobs with their roles. The DVD contains commentary by the director and Michael Douglas. It also has an alternate ending that I don't think works as well as the one in the theatrical release. "A Perfect Murder" is a very good movie.

There is not much I can add to everything that has already been said about this DVD. We purchased the extended version which includes 30 extra minutes which were deleted from the cinematic version. We watched the movie, then viewed all the extra commentaries and the extra 2 discs which covered every aspect of making the movie including the computer graphics, the locations in New Zealand, and the music and sounds just to name a few. The thing that has impressed me most is Peter Jackson's vision and the incredible job he did in bringing in all the right people to make this the masterpeice that it is. If you are a huge fan of "The Lord of the Rings", the extended DVD is the only way to go.

"Murder in E Minor" is the first Nero Wolfe novel written by Robert Goldsborough, who continues the famous series created by Rex Stout. The book begins in 1977, two years since Stout's last novel "A Family Affair" was published. Nero Wolfe has not taken a case since then and Archie wonders if he will ever work again. Maria Radovich asks Wolfe's help in finding who is sending her uncle Milan Stevens, the conductor of the New York Symphony, threatening notes. Wolfe agrees to take the case because he knows Milan Stevens as Milos Stefanovic, the man who saved Wolfe's life in Montenegro many years ago. Before Wolfe makes much progress on the case, Milan Stevens is found murdered in his apartment. Gerald Milner, Maria's lover, is charged with murder because he was seen leaving Stevens' apartment the night of the murder. Wolfe believes he is innocent and solves the case. I read that Goldsborough wrote this for his mother who wanted "one more Nero Wolfe" story. I think he does a fantastic job of creating the atmosphere of the brownstone. All the Stout regulars are there such as Inspector Cramer, Fritz, Fred Durkin, and Saul Panzer. "Murder in E Minor" is a very good novel.

When I learned that the new Stone Barrington novel was to feature Holly Barker, chief of police in Orchid Beach, Florida, I thought I'd get to know her by reading the first book in her series by Stuart Woods. Holly Barker is forced into early retirement from the Army after a nasty sexual harassment case. Chet Marley, chief of police in Orchid Beach, offers Holly a job as his deputy chief of police. On her first day on the job, Holly learns that Marley had been shot the night before and was in a coma. She also finds out that Marley's best friend, Hank Doherty, had been killed the same night. Holly adopts Doherty's Doberman, Daisy. She suspects that someone on the force knows about the shootings, but she isn't sure who knows. As she investigates, she is led to Palmetto Gardens, a very exclusive and rich piece of property in Orchid Beach. It is gated with extremely tight security. With the help of the FBI, her father Hamilton, and her lover Jackson Oxenhandler, Holly gets the answers to her questions. I enjoyed this book. Stuart Woods writes page turners, and "Orchid Beach" will keep the reader turning pages.

Earlier this year I picked up a copy of a book entitled "The Lost Scout" by John R. Riggs on a remainder table in a book store. I had never heard of Mr. Riggs until then, and I found out that 13 of these novels were written between 1984 and 1998. I think the prime reason I hadn't heard of him is the fact that all his novels were published by minor publishing companies. Since "The Lost Scout" is the last of the Ryland novels, I decided to start at the beginning of the series with "The Last Laugh". Garth Ryland is a fortyish newspaper editor for the Oakalla (Wisconsin) Reporter. Si Buckles, Oakalla's practical joker, is dead. Garth goes to the funeral, but later finds a note at his house that says "Si Buckles lives." Phil Chesterson, a friend of Si's kills himself for reasons no one knows. Then Dr. Fran Baldwin commits suicide. Several people, including the lovely Diana, Fran's wife and Garth's dear friend, see Si Buckles walking around. Is Si really dead? Could it be that he was buried alive as a joke? Has a murder occurred? This is not a typical mystery novel. In fact it is not only a "who-done-it?" but a "what has been done to whom?" as well. I really enjoyed reading this novel. It is set in small town America, and is quite a bit of fun. I look forward to reading the rest of these novels!

I have purchased Rand McNally Atlases for many years now, so this year I thought I'd treat myself with the deluxe edition. I have been very disappointed, especially with the spirals getting in the way so it is almost impossible to travel in an area where the spirals come into play. I can't recommend this to anyone. A regular paperbound copy is much better and costs less.

Peter, Paul, & Mary were giants in the folk music field in the 1960's with their beautiful harmonies and music. This CD collection has all their best including "Blowing in the Wind", "500 Miles", "Leaving on a Jet Plane", "Lemon Tree". and "Puff the Magic Dragon". If you love folk music classics, this CD is a must. It is highly recommended.

"Stone Cold" is the fourth Jesse Stone novel by Robert B. Parker, who is best known for his Spenser novels. Jesse is the police chief of the small seaside town of Paradise, Massachusetts. This novel has Jesse working on two important police cases and examining his personal life. A serial murderer is killing people at random with two shots from two .22 caliber guns. The reader learns that there are 2 murderers and why they are killing people. Jesse's life is very much in danger as it becomes apparent to him that he is to become a victim if he doesn't act fast. The other case involves the rape of a teen girl by three punks. Jesse also examines his personal life, and his love for Jenn, his ex-wife whom he still loves. This was my favorite Jesse Stone novel to date and it was a very satisfying read.

"Once More with a .44" is the second Ben Stillman Western by Peter Brandvold. Jody Harmon asks Ben Stillman to leave his job with the Pinkerton's in Denver and come back to Clantick, Montana Territory to become sheriff. Daryl Bruner, a 33 year old with the mind of a 10 year old, had been shot and killed by Rafe Paul, one of Norman Billingsley's cowboys. Billingsley thinks that he and his men are above the law. Ben, who is now married to Kay Hobbs (from "Once a Marshal"), decides to accept the council's offer and becomes sheriff. He hires his friend Leon McMannigle to be his deputy. Ben sets out to clean up the town while others want to see him meet the same end as the last sheriff who was murdered. Quite a bit has been written about the sex in Brandvold's Westerns. I think the descriptions are brief and tastefully done. It is mild compared with much of today's fiction. All the sex is between husband and wife with Ben and Kay Stillman, and Jody and Crystal Harmon. Peter Brandvold writes suspensful Westerns that are among the best being written today. "Once More with a .44" is highly recommended.

"The Frumious Bandersnatch" is the 53rd novel in the exceptional 87th Precinct series by Ed McBain. Barney Loomis, CEO of Bison Records, throws a party on a boat to launch the career of pop singer Tamar Valparaiso. As Tamar finishes doing a live performance of her video "Bandersnatch", 2 masked men storm the boat and kidnap her. Steve Carella of the 87th takes the call and he and Cotton Hawes begin to investigate. At Barney Loomis' request Carella is asked to join a special elite task force known as "The Squad", comprised of policemen and FBI agents, to investigate the kidnapping. The kidnappers contact Loomis requesting $250,000 ransom and asking that a cop come with Loomis when he drops off the money. Carella goes with Loomis and they drop off the money. The kidnappers get greedy and ask for another $750,000. Carella quits the task force but he and Hawes remain on the case and they are instrumental in solving it. Fat Ollie Weeks from the 88th is in this novel but is not involved in the case. The book follows his personal relationship with fellow cop Patricia Gomez. This series began in 1956, yet 48 years later it is just as fresh as it has always been. Ed McBain is still the master of the police procedural. "The Frumious Bandersnatch" is an excellent read.