The Book of Fate by Brad Meltzer; 2006; Warner Books, New York; 510 pages; Fiction Meltzer/ 978-0-446-53099-6; 9/22-9/24

A rather plodding effort from Brad Meltzer, a real letdown from his previous efforts. Could an agent from the CIA, FBI and Secret Service conspire to defraud the US Government and influence US policy. An assassination at a NASCAR event and 8 years later the dead arise. The main character is an aide to the President, who was wounded during the assassination. There are lots of conspiracy theories going on, mental illness and red herrings. Well written but maybe too much background. RRR

Warlord, No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy by Ilario Pantano with Malcolm McConnell; 2006; Thershold Editions, New York; 399 pages; 956.70443 P197w/978-1-4165-2426-7; 9/17-9/22

On April 15, 2004 Marine Lieutenant Ilario Pantano shot two insurgents in combat and a subordinate with an axe to grind accused him of murder. The Marine Corps convened an Article 32 hearing to find out if there was enough evidence to Court Martial Lt. Pantano. The book juxtaposes testimony from the Article 32 hearing with the accounts of what actually happened that day. Full of love between a man and his family and an officer and his troops and a mans love for his country. An excellent recount of the bond that forms in combat. What happened to Lt. Pantano is a classic example of political correctness run amok. RRR

Thr3e by Ted Dekker; 2003; WestBow Press, Nashville; 352 pages; Fiction Dekker/0-8499-4512-7;9/15-9/17

An exciting suspense novel of bombs, revenge and psychological abuse. Kevin Parsons, seminary student is targeted by a game playing bomber who wants revenge for something Kevin did when he was younger. Kevin came from a home where the head of the household created an elaborate world where Eisenhower was still President and baseball was no longer played. Kevin left this world at age 23 but it left it’s imprint all over him. He is helped by two strong women, a old friend in law enforcement and a FBI agent. The strongest characters in the book are these two women.

Dekker’s novel explores the natures of man, all three of them good, evil and the nature that acts as buffer or control. Gripping and a real page turner. RRR

America, Back on Track by Senator Edward M. Kennedy; 2006; Viking, New York; 210 pages; 320.973 K35a/0-670-03764-8; 9/11-15

If you had told me 10 years…5 years…heck even a year ago that I would be reading a book by Teddy Kennedy I would have laughed at you. If you told me that I would agree with some of what he said, I would have wanted to know what it was that you were smoking.

Well here, it is the summer of 2006 and I just read a book by the esteemed Senator from Massachusetts and I agree with some of what he says. He presents 7 challenges to the country of things that need to be addressed in this country. Health care, homeland security, participating internationally, an economy that works for everyone and equality for all among other things.

I cant find a flaw in his logic, other than his refusal to blame anyone other than the Republicans. The only problem, which the Senator addresses, is the fact that as politicians are asking the country to work for less and work harder is that the Congress votes itself raises and exempts itself from many of the laws that it passes. The public sees Congress do one thing and ask us to do another, and therefore comes to distrust Washington. RRRr

R is for Ricohet by Sue Grafton; 2004; a marion wood book, new york; 352 pages; Fiction Grafton/0-399-15228-8; 9/8-9/11

Another adventure in the life of Kinsey Millhone, private detective in Santa Theresa, CA. Kinsey picks up an female inmate and the fun begins. There is all the usual Grafton subplots with her landlord and her love life. The alphabet soup of federal agencies are involved, there is money laundering and murder, strippers and the usual moral dilemmas for Kinsey. Nothing exceptional, but if Ms. Grafton can finish the alphabet so can I. RR