K Reviews - Not in Alphabetical Order Toni L.P. Kelner - Mad as the Dickens A Laura Fleming Mystery This is another book I bought because of the title (see review on the Stuart Kaminsky book), Mad as the Dickens, but it wasn't a total waste like the other one was. The characters were quirky and pleasant enough. I can't say I immediately fell for any of them. They are likable but none of them really stands out. One thing that the author did, is that in the course of different conversations, if something that happened in another novel, such as Laura solving another murder, the novel would be footnoted at the bottom of the page. The reason I bought this book, was of course, I wanted to see how Dickens fit in. The story takes place at Christmas time, and of course, Dickens' A Christmas Carol is involved. It is being put on as a play, and a murder happens during the rehearsal. As another tribute to Dickens, the author gave some of the characters names from Dickens' novels, such as Oliver, Murdstone, and Jarndyce. Those are just the ones I immediately recognized. There may be a couple of others. This was enjoyable, don't get me wrong, and I may even pick up another Laura Fleming Mystery, but none of the characters are all that enticing. But I did like them well enough and did like the story. Although I did figure out who did it before we're told, it wasn't completely obvious though. Stuart Kaminsky - Murder On The Yellow Brick Road Well, I bought this book because I absolutely love The Wizard of Oz and thought a mystery surrounding the movie would be a lot of fun. Well, I must say, it just isn't very good. I think the characters are just too stereotypical, and the story is just too flat, one dimensional. I'm unable to recommend this book or this author. I was very disappointed, but I hate not liking a book! Laurie R. King - With Child The detective in this story is Kate Martinelli, and I guess it is another series. I do not recall if I have read others. I'll have to look in my shelf. Although I think I would remember her. The story takes us into the world of the homeless and we find a Fagin like enclave of boys living in a warehouse. Actually I thought the story was a bit confusing because things were done in flashback or backtread, however you want to describe it. It may have been because I wasn't familiar with the character and other regulars perhaps. But that isn't good, one should be able to pick up a book and read the story. If they must be read in order then they should be numbered 1, 2, etc. It seems to me that you really need to read the other novels in this series before you read this one. I don't think it really matters what a chracter's sexual preference is, but if you must know it in order to fully grasp the stories, then I don't think that is a well-written story, especially if it requires you to start reading from the beginning of the series. I'm torn about my recommnedation for this novel, it was a good story in some respects, but lacking on others, as I've mentioned. I'll just have to let you choose for yourself! Updated January 10, 2002 © 1999-2002 Speedcat.com