Time to Murder and Create by Lawrence Block
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

On the better side of plotting by Block. The writing is a bit bland for Block, which means it’s sparkles only about 500 times that of most contemporary writers. The characters are very good. As are settings.

The mystery is one of options and winnowing it to answers. The conclusions are very good.

Bottom line: I recommend this book. 7 out of ten points.

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The Burglar Who Liked to Quote Kipling by Lawrence Block
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is another clunky book by Block. The narrative is excellent. The story stinks. The fun is reading whatever it is Block writes. So many very clever and well written and funny!

The book starts what seems to be an unwrapping of a very good plot. But, as is often the case of a Block book is, what appears to be, an actually block Block has trying to come up with an ending. It seems Block has no idea what his ending will be and he just makes it up when he gets there. That does cheat a reader expecting a thorough story.

It’s the ending that collapses the rest of the story. The solution is a far stretch and, to me, very unbelievable. Though it’s better than other block stories.

The characters are sharp and mostly well written, though the main character’s side kick in this sounds nearly identical to the side kick in the first book in the series. Settings are excellent in every way of Block’s narrative and dialogue.

Bottom line: I recommend this book. 6 out of 10 points.

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Burglars Can’t Be Choosers by Lawrence Block
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I do like Block’s writing very much, but as I wade further into his work, the plotting and core stories are proving the lack of an ability to construct a cogent story.

This was the first of a series involving a burglar who finds himself in larger stories than his choice of occupation. This first story is a surprise to start off with as I ended the book and looked back on a convoluted tale with tacked on characters. It all made sense when I read the postscript by author Block in the 1994 edition of the book, basically, explaining the ending came from a person he lodged with in his travels. Sounds like emotion got the better of reason and produced a ridiculous solution to a crime that no part of law enforcement could prosecute.

His characters are, again, top notch. They seem for real, despite many used just for window dressing.

Nevertheless, Blocks writing make the silly trip worthwhile again. I shall continue with his books for that reason only.

Bottom line:
I don’t recommend this book (Unless you want to read Block’s writing). 5 out of 10 points.

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Burglars Can’t Be Choosers by Lawrence Block
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I do like Block’s writing very much, but as I wade further into his work, the plotting and core stories are proving the lack of an ability to construct a cogent story.

This was the first of a series involving a burglar who finds himself in larger stories than his choice of occupation. This first story is a surprise to start off with as I ended the book and looked back on a convoluted tale with tacked on characters. It all made sense when I read the postscript by author Block in the 1994 edition of the book, basically, explaining the ending came from a person he lodged with in his travels. Sounds like emotion got the better of reason and produced a ridiculous solution to a crime that no part of law enforcement could prosecute.

His characters are, again, top notch. They seem for real, despite many used just for window dressing.

Nevertheless, Blocks writing make the silly trip worthwhile again. I shall continue with his books for that reason only.

Bottom line:
I don’t recommend this book (Unless you want to read Block’s writing). 5 out of 10 points.

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The Sins of the Fathers by Lawrence Block
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Why on earth tag the title of your book with the outcome of the story? I kept trying to push the title out of my head to enjoy the book, but kept realizing where is all was going to lead. Especially when I read that a minister was involved. At the time of this book those heads of churches had been used as the bad guy a lot in all types of media. But nothing compared to what was to come in the 1980s. By now it’s such a trite literary devise. If the book was written today I’d carve a fractional star, but will set it aside due to it’s publication date.

What saves this book from it’s nominal mystery factor is the usual extraordinary writing of Block. He creates such lively characters and story, it’s fun to wander through a book just to see how he twists a phrase or deftly describes a doorknob. It’s just superb.

Bottom line: I recommend this book. 7 out of ten points.

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Frenchman’s Creek by Daphne du Maurier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’m becoming more and more a fan of du Maurier. This is another tale so very well written and enthralling.

One thing I really like about du Maurier is her writing of characters. All are distinct and most very memorable. Her tales are pretty simple is the characters and the setting and dialogue that raise the book above simply plotting.

Much like Frank Slaughter she does a terrific job of creating the backdrop of her literary theater. Her writing of period London, Cornwall, Frenchman’s Creek, the ship and homes are well constructed and you can place yourself and, more importantly the characters in the scenes. You can almost hear the echo as the main character enters her Cornwall home at the beginning of the book.

This is a very romantic tale and conjured up memories of Barbara Cartland. Though far better written.

A side note: I love the cover by one of my favorite illustrators, Charles Geer.

Bottom line: i recommend this book. 7 out of 10 points.

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‘Gaters, Skeeters, and Malary: Recollections of a Pioneer Florida Judge by Judge E. C. May
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

E.C. May’s book of his life is a wonderful view of life, specifically in the last half of the 19th century in the South. Unlike the fantasy conjured up today via radical political winds, May knows nothing of what will become and wrote what was. What was, as May illustrates, counters so much posted in the headlines of Southern history.

His writing leaves a lot to be desired. Considering he assembled this without aid of editors and the like, it is still a remarkable book. The layout of stories is linear, which makes following each much easier. Dates are also well placed.

Of course, this book is for someone wanting to learn south Georgia or Florida history. Others would become very lost about what he wrote about and it’s significance. As usual, a map would’ve been nice to have included somewhere for all to follow.

Bottom line: I recommend this book. 7 out of ten points.

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I stopped at the Sheriffs Ranches Thrift Store to peek at the books quickly.

While looking I learned they were having trouble finding room to place two carts of books and organize them. I told them not to worry, I’d like to look through them anyway.

Almost two hours later, a lot of cardio flexing and meeting other book lovers, the carts are clear, books put away and I got some exercise in!

Maybe go to the Raid tomorrow. Right now, I have a gig to perform at!

Hard lines, by Ogden Nash
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nash was just turning 30 when this book came out and had already interacted with some of the greatest American writers. That interaction became part of Nash’s little ditties. Dorothy Parker, Marc Connelly, Bertrand Russell, etc. all get mention and a bit of skewering. Nash even challenges the great and powerful Mencken.

Most of these are great fun. a very few from this collection have become part of the American lexicon. Nash took the rules of poetry, twisted them like saltwater taffy and created his own style. I like his work a lot, but I’m not one who likes recreating words. Still it’s a fun set.

I should add, this is part of a library I have of friends of my great uncle, who knew so many in the literary world.

Bottom line: I recommend this book. 8 out of 10 points.

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Osceola and the Great Seminole War: A Struggle for Justice and Freedom by Thom Hatch
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a terrific history of Osceola, the plight of the Creeks and the Seminole Wars. The research shines through, including the many pages of bibliography.

Unlike too many history books, author, Hatch does what should be done: Not be afraid to state you don’t know. Most histories state “facts” with little consideration of other viewpoints or counter “facts”. Hatch throughout his book presents different views and then gives some reasoning for various sides, leaving conclusions to the reader. Something else that Hatch does is an excellent job of including the year events are happening every page or so. Why on earth most don’t do that or leave years out entirely is beyond me.

Hatch obviously works to create a readable book and not one drowning in mundane facts. I like those mundane facts, but that’s what footnotes and a bibliography is for. A book that is harder to read defeat the purpose. I noticed another reviewer, here, complaining that Hatch didn’t only present the reviewer’s viewpoint. Unfortunately, I’m noticing contemporary history books being carved out with an axe to grind. Hatch’s is not one of those and kudos to him for being open minded.

There are a few angles Hatch deviat3es from. One if the well, & over, told story of Osceola’s head used to scare the doctor’s children. Not a word about it. There are a few other instances of this also. i wonder why.

Nevertheless, this is an excellent history and ….

Bottom line: I highly recommend it. 10 out of 10 points.

A post note: I started this book in August of 2017. During the fracas created by hurricane Irma for a few weeks, my copy of this book vanished. I found it much later while extremely busy. That is why there is so much time between start and finish.

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The Wahoo Bobcat by Joseph Wharton Lippincott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is an extraordinary tale that dives deep into a narrative of natural Florida. Few books have gone to the length that, author, Lippincott accomplishes with this book. Adding to the amazement is that this book is part of a series that tend to feature natural areas in different parts of America. Lippincott would seem to be a native that is intimate with natural Florida, not just an author researching and learning about our Florida flora and fauna.

The story is more of a chronicle of the life of a bobcat. Lippincott does an excellent job of writing of the very real Wahoo Swamp and the people that lived in the area at the setting of the late 1800s. Lippincott well depicts the methods of hunting, farming and the drainage and flooding of the swamp.

To make this work Lippincott humanizes the bobcat, and other critters, a bit with tacked on emotions and reason. The effort works well and well presents the animals included lives. The writing of the dogs involved is very well done as canines with one tract minds. The panther’s presentation is perfect as nearly a mystical force that slips as a shadow in and out of the swamp until cornered.

There are a tiny, few concerns of accuracy of water flow and techy stuff that only someone like me would pick up on. Have to set that aside to look at the whole.

Bottom line: I highly recommend this book. 10 out of 10 points.

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