E IS FOR EVIDENCE by Sue Grafton

E IS FOR EVIDENCE by Sue Grafton

Grafton, S. (1988). "E" is for evidence: A Kinsey Millhone mystery. New York: Holt.

GENRE: Mystery

ANNOTATION: Kinsey Millhone, private investigator, solves others people’s problems. But what can she do when she’s the one being framed?

SUMMARY: When Kinsey finds an extra $5,000 in her account, she thinks it must be a mistake. Despite many phone calls, Kinsey can’t resolve the problem; the banks is sure she made that deposit the previous Friday. However, it soon makes sense as she finds herself being framed in a possible arson investigation. The private detective finds herself on the other end as she must clear herself of unwarranted suspicions. The fact that she is a suspect only makes things more complicated and difficult to find information. As time passes and she comes closer to finding the truth, things become increasingly violent. She must save not only herself but the others involved in the arson and drama of the family business. Once again Kinsey must use her wits, skills, and sheer luck to save the day and make the case.

EVALUATION: 5 - In this 5^th installment of Sue Grafton’s alphabet series, we see Kinsey with a twist. This time she must defend herself. The stable character brings a new twist and surprise around every page while maintaining integrity and believability. This book is every bit as good as the other Kinsey Millhone novels.

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION: This is the fifth book in the Alphabet Series. The series currently has 21 books from “A” to “U.”

THE WATCHMEN by Alan Moore

THE WATCHMEN by Alan Moore

Moore, A., Gibbons, D., & Higgins, J. (2005). Watchmen. New York: DC Comics.

GENRE: Graphic Novel

ANNOTATION: Graphic novel format and superhero characters give insight into the darkest days of the cold war and with it, the darkest corners of the human heart. From pirate ship, to Antarctica, to the surface of Mars – everywhere reflects range of human nature.

SUMMARY: The violent death of Edward Black, retired crime fighter, causes his old friends to get back to work. Rorschach and Nite Owl start asking questions, but as masked heroes begin dying, one by one – their skills will be put to a final test. It soon becomes clear that the culprit is one of their own – the discovery of who, will unlock a scheme that will forever change the course of history.

EVALUATION: 5 - The story provides a set of true characters, sometimes contradictory, often irrational; but each with a potent perspective. The focus of morality and causality, through honest characters creates a modern morality dialogue. The setting of Cold War Era America, further emphasizes the often intractable nature of practical morality – best case solutions cannot account for irrational actors. Visually stunning and morally intriguing.

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION: This book would be an excellent source for ethics discussions. Was also made into a movie in 2009.

GRACE by Richard Paul Evans

GRACE by Richard Paul Evans

Evans, R. P. (2008). Grace. New York: Simon & Schuster.

GENRE: Fiction

ANNOTATION: When Eric invited Grace to stay in his tree house, he invited her into his live and was changed forever. This is the story of Grace, a runaway matchstick girl who found hope and refuge with Eric, and the aftermath that ensues.

SUMMARY: When Eric’s father falls sick, the family falls on hard times. They’re forced to move from their palm-lined living in Los Angeles to a small suburb of Salt Lake City, Utah. Eric feels lost, lonely, and bored in an unfamiliar land of unfamiliar faces… Until he meets Grace. Taking the trash out at the diner where he works, he finds her eating out of the dumpster. He pretends not to notice and invites her in. When he learns she’s a runaway with nowhere to go, he simply can’t leave her to freeze in the cold night. Eric hides Grace in the clubhouse he built with his brother, sneaking her food and other necessities. Despite circumstances she’s full of spirit and life and is just the friend he needs. As the days turn into weeks, Grace reveals her story and their friendship grows to love. But she can’t live in the clubhouse forever… What will happen to their love, and more importantly, what will happen to Grace when she’s discovered?

EVALUATION: 5 - The author skillfully builds great character depth and believability despite the few pages. Readers become intimately involved in the characters’ lives. Grace’s fate and the events that follow are both heart-breaking and heart-warming in this beautiful, all-around moving Christmas story.

THE REVERSAL by Michael Connelly

THE REVERSAL by Michael Connelly

Connelly, M. (2010). The reversal: A novel. New York: Little, Brown.

GENRE: Mystery

ANNOTATION: When new DNA evidence exonerates Jason Jessup, Mickey Haller is still convinced he guilty and glad to take the case… On one condition: he gets to choose his investigator. Together Mickey Haller and Harry Bosch navigate the lies, danger, and media to uncover truth.

SUMMARY: Long time defense attorney Mickey Haller finds himself recruited by the District Attorney to prosecute a convicted child killer whose conviction was reversed. Jason Jessup has spent 20 years in jail for the crime and the case is 20 years old. Haller teams up with his half-brother Harry Bosch an LAPD detective and his ex-wife Maggie McPherson of the DA's office to try to secure new evidence and thus another conviction. A celebrity defense attorney grandstands and attempts to try the case in the media while Jessup, out on bail, becomes a media darling as well.

EVALUATION: 5 - This is an intense and relentless thriller, the kind that has made Connelly a best-selling author. Haller, Bosch and McPherson are all characters that he has used before, sometimes at odds with one another. Connelly's writing melds them together. He continues the character development efficiently and fluidly. The author keeps the reader guessing as the suspense builds to its final conflict.

HELL'S CORNER by David Baldacci

HELL’S CORNER by David Baldacci

Baldacci, D. (2010). Hell's corner. New York: Grand Central Pub.

GENRE: Fiction - Suspense

ANNOTATION: What seems to be a terrorist plot in Washington DC may have their sights set elsewhere but the results would be equally catastrophic. The Camel Club must get there and stop them before it’s too late.

SUMMARY: Oliver Stone, (John Carr) is recruited by the President of the United States to go back into service, but before his mission starts, it dramatically changes. Gun fire and a bomb explosion in Lafayette Park (across the street from the White House) as the British Prime Minister enters the Blair House changes everything. Carr teams up with a British M-16 agent (Mary Chapman) to try to find out who the target was and who the culprit was. Every time they seem to make progress they are thwarted as it seems like their opponent seems to know what they are going to do next before they do. Eventually Stone enlists the help of the Camel Club. Nothing is as it appears to be as Stone and his compatriots track down the ultimate source of the mayhem

EVALUATION: 5 - Typical of Baldacci, the reader's interest is constantly piqued in this page turner. Although Stone is not the warm fuzzy type, he somehow comes off as a likable character. He and the other characters are a little bit too super-human and yet the way the plot unfurls it is not overly noticeable. Despite constant threats and close calls, the Camel Club and Oliver Stone live on to set up yet another future adventure. Character development is done very well as is the usual with Baldacci.

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION: This is the fifth Oliver Stone and the Camel Club novel by David Baldacci.

THE SILMARILLION by J.R.R. Tolkien

THE SILMARILLION by J.R.R. Tolkien

Tolkien, J. R. R., Tolkien, C., & Nasmith, T. (2004). The Silmarillion. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

GENRE: Fantasy

ANNOTATION: Welcome to Middle Earth! – The history, the myth, and the powers that be in the world of hobbits, elves, wizards, and more!

SUMMARY: The story begins with creation itself, what follows is a kind of systematic mythology, told as epic history. Conflict between good and evil is literally instantiated in the physical form of gods and angels. As the other children of the creator (Eru) appear, the decisions of his first creation will rule and the line between counsel and coercion will be tested. The very foundations of the known world will move with wealth and war – as centuries fall away, elves and dwarves give way to men. This story is a world unto itself.

EVALUATION: 5 - The book promotes basic themes of good and evil, and often warns of ‘unintended consequences both for good and ill. Tolkien argues for an objective morality without confusing confidence in belief with certainty in consequence. As with the best fiction, it is at once depth psychology, potent myth, and compelling history.

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION: Though not part of the Lord of the Rings Series and published much later, this book provides a guide to the fantasy world, Middle Earth.